bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, perception and practice of preconception care among health workers in primary healthcare settings in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Karalolo Benedict Berabari-age , Emikpe Abigael Omowumi , Owusu Lydia Boampong
Published: October 2021

Background

Preconception care comprises interventions that aim to identify and modify biomedical, behavioural and social risks to a woman's health or pregnancy outcome through prevention and management. Despite its importance, it is less routinely practiced in Nigeria and information on the knowledge and practice of preconception care among health workers at the community level is scanty. Hence, this study investigated healthcare workers' knowledge, perception and practice of preconception care in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional research design, using non-probability sampling, was used to select 80 health workers across two local government areas in Ibadan to participate in this study. Four research questions with two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to gather data on the participants' knowledge, perceptions and practice of preconception care. The data were analysed using regression analysis, with P<0.05 used to indicate significance.

Results

The majority of respondents had fair knowledge of preconception care (53.8%), and a generally positive perception (74.3%), but poor practice (42.2%) of preconception care. Only 15.0% practiced preconception care every day when caring for women and couples in their communities. Knowledge of preconception care was positively associated with health workers' age (P<0.000), occupation (P=0.002) and years of experience (P<0.000).

Conclusions

Healthcare workers in Ibadan need to be trained on preconception care guidelines and resources should be made available for their use at every level of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Neonatal outcomes of obstetric complications
Authors: Darcha Rosina , Kukeba Margaret Wekem
Published: October 2021

Background/Aims

Neonatal mortality remains a global challenge. In Ghana, neonatal mortality accounts for up to 50% of child mortality. A better understanding of the neonatal outcomes of obstetrics complications could contribute to context-specific evidence-based care to prevent neonatal deaths. This study aimed to describe the relationship between poor neonatal outcomes and obstetric complications in a tertiary health facility in the north of Ghana.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at a tertiary health facility in northern Ghana. Purposive convenience sampling was used to select 384 mothers who experienced obstetric complications. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the participants' neonatal health outcomes. The chi-square test was performed to determine the relationship between neonatal health outcomes and obstetric complications, with significance set at P<0.05.

Results

A total of 20 obstetric complications were recorded. Overall, 327 participants had a single complication. The three most common obstetric complications resulting in adverse neonatal outcomes were obstructed labour (56.0%), pregnancy-induced hypertension (14.6%) and postpartum haemorrhage (11.6%). The majority (66.7%) of the neonates were healthy at birth, with 21.9% and 11.5% being sick or stillborn respectively. Obstetric complications were significantly associated with both neonatal morbidities and mortalities at P<0.000.

Conclusions

Preventable maternal obstetric complications continue to cause adverse neonatal outcomes in health facilities in Ghana. Appraisal of maternal and newborn care practices may be necessary to understand context-specific factors.
Quality improvement in action
Authors: Nash Kate , Garratt Anna
Published: October 2021

Kate Nash and Anna Garratt discuss how quality improvement can make an impact on practice and summarise the key approaches to this process
Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Smith Ralph , Ridout Ashley , Livingstone Angus , Wango Nicola , Kenworthy Yvonne , Barlett Katy , Coburn Hazel , Reid Hamish , Jones Natasha , Mackillop Lucy
Published: October 2021

Regular physical activity improves glycaemic control in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Motivational interviewing is an effective technique for increasing activity levels. This report evaluates a clinical pathway developed to integrate physical activity motivational interviewing into routine gestational diabetes care. Women attending a single-centre NHS clinic were invited to engage in a physical activity-focused motivational interview. The aerobic physical activity levels of 62 women were evaluated at baseline and at a 2-week telephone follow up, coded into three categories by minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week: red (<30 minutes), amber (30–149 minutes) and green (≥150 minutes). At baseline, 30.6% of participants were coded red, 41.9% amber and 27.4% green. At follow up, 4.8% women coded red, 38.7% amber and 56.5% green, demonstrating a significant association for increased activity levels after motivational interviewing (P<0.001). This clinical pathway provides encouraging results that physical activity increased significantly in the short term.
A review of third stage of labour care guidance
Authors: Baker Karen , Stephenson John , Leeming Dawn , Soltani Hora
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Concerns exist regarding the suitability of national and international guidance informing third stage of labour care for women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage.

Methods

The robustness and appropriateness of the research evidence underpinning third stage of labour care guidance by institutions such as the National Institution for Health and Care Excellence, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives was assessed and areas for further research to address any gaps in knowledge were identified.

Results

National and international third stage of labour practice guidance recommend active management for all women. This may not be suitable for women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage giving birth in a midwife-led unit or a home birth setting. This is because of the reduced reliability, validity and generalisability of the evidence informing this guidance to this group of women.

Conclusions

Expectant management may be more appropriate for women at low risk of postpartum haemorrhage who choose to birth in a midwife-led unit or home birth setting and want to experience a birth with minimal intervention. However, more research into third stage management practices in these settings is needed.
Postpartum haemorrhage and synthetic oxytocin dilutions in labour
Authors: Tolofari Monica , Shepherd Linn
Published: October 2021

This study investigated postpartum haemorrhage and historic oxytocin usage, because haemorrhage rates are rising. During the evolution of practice from intravenous bovine post-pituitary extract to synthetic oxytocin, experimental interventions had produced improved outcomes in certain cases and the postpartum haemorrhage rate was low. In this study, current synthetic oxytocin regimes from across the UK were compared with the 1977 (unchanged) licensed instructions for infusion. As a result of the pain-inducing properties of synthetic oxytocin, epidural analgesia prior to infusion is now standard for unlicensed regimes, adding complexity to intrapartum care and greater risks of complex births, as the fetus may be adversely affected by epidural drugs and acidosis. Unlicensed synthetic oxytocin dilutions and increments, the desensitising of oxytocin receptors, and unmeasured error factors in infusion pumps affect labour progress and outcomes. Today's rates of postpartum haemorrhage are associated with these changes to obstetric practice. Failure to inform women of intended unlicensed practices with synthetic oxytocin, or obtain consent for such, or offer licensed practice as standard constitutes neglect of the legal obligations outlined for doctors and midwives by professional Codes of Practice, intended to protect patients from predictable dangers.
A unique cell wall synthetic response evoked by glucosamine determines pathogenicity-associated fungal cellular differentiation
Authors: Hu Pengjie , Ding Hao , Shen Lan , He Guang-Jun , Liu Huimin , Tian Xiuyun , Tao Changyu , Bai Xiangzheng , Liang Jingnan , Jin Cheng , Xu Xinping , Yang Ence , Wang Linqi
Published: October 2021

The yeast-to-hypha transition is tightly associated with pathogenicity in many human pathogenic fungi, such as the model fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which is responsible for approximately 180,000 deaths annually. In this pathogen, the yeast-to-hypha transition can be initiated by distinct stimuli: mating stimulation or glucosamine (GlcN), the monomer of cell wall chitosan. However, it remains poorly understood how the signal specificity for Cryptococcus morphological transition by disparate stimuli is ensured. Here, by integrating temporal expression signature analysis and phenome-based clustering evaluation, we demonstrate that GlcN specifically triggers a unique cellular response, which acts as a critical determinant underlying the activation of GlcN-induced filamentation (GIF). This cellular response is defined by an unusually hyperactive cell wall synthesis that is highly ATP-consuming. A novel cell surface protein Gis1 was identified as the indicator molecule for the GlcN-induced cell wall response. The Mpk1-directed cell wall pathway critically bridges global cell wall gene induction and intracellular ATP supply, ensuring the Gis1-dependent cell wall response and the stimulus specificity of GIF. We further reveal that the ability of Mpk1 to coordinate the cell wall response and GIF activation is conserved in different Cryptococcus pathogens. Phosphoproteomics-based profiling together with genetic and phenotypic analysis revealed that the Mpk1 kinase mediates the regulatory specificity of GIF through a coordinated downstream regulatory network centered on Skn7 and Crz1. Overall, our findings discover an unprecedented and conserved cell wall biosynthesis-dependent fungal differentiation commitment mechanism, which enables the signal specificity of pathogenicity-related dimorphism induced by GlcN in Cryptococcus pathogens.
Assessment of the pollution incident performance of water and sewerage companies in England
Authors: Purnell Sarah , Mills Nick , Davis Keith , Joyce Christopher
Published: October 2021

Comparison of the severity, frequency and self-reporting of pollution incidents by water and sewerage companies is made difficult by differences in environmental and operational conditions. In England, the deterioration in pollution incident performance makes it important to investigate common trends that could be addressed to improve pollution management. This study presents the first external analysis of available national pollution incident data, obtained through Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests to the English Environment Agency. The study aimed to assess and compare the pollution incident performance of water and sewerage companies in England. Results indicated that there were significant variations in numbers of pollution incidents reported and the severity of the impact on the water environment for different asset types (operational property). There were significant positive relationships between the self-reporting percentages and total numbers of reported pollution incidents per 10,000 km sewer length for pumping stations and sewage treatment works. These results indicate that in at least these asset types, an estimated 5% of pollution incidents could go unreported. Pollution events that go unreported can lead to more severe impacts to the water environment, so rapid and consistent reporting of incidents is crucial for limiting damage. The results have significance for the water industry internationally, because the issues presented here are not restricted to England. In the short-term, research should focus on investigating best practice and standardising reporting of pollution incidents, so that an accurate baseline of the number of pollution incidents occurring can be determined.
Distance learning in higher education during COVID-19: The role of basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation for persistence and procrastination–a multi-country study
Authors: Pelikan Elisabeth R. , Korlat Selma , Reiter Julia , Holzer Julia , Mayerhofer Martin , Schober Barbara , Spiel Christiane , Hamzallari Oriola , Uka Ana , Chen Jiarui , Välimäki Maritta , Puharić Zrinka , Anusionwu Kelechi Evans , Okocha Angela Nkem , Zabrodskaja Anastassia , Salmela-Aro Katariina , Käser Udo , Schultze-Krumbholz Anja , Wachs Sebastian , Friðriksson Finnur , Gunnþórsdóttir Hermína , Höller Yvonne , Aoyama Ikuko , Ieshima Akihiko , Toda Yuichi , Konjufca Jon , Llullaku Njomza , Gedutienė Reda , Borg Axisa Glorianne , Avirovic Bundalevska Irena , Keskinova Angelka , Radulovic Makedonka , Lewandowska-Walter Aleksandra , Michałek-Kwiecień Justyna , Plichta Piotr , Pyżalski Jacek , Walter Natalia , Cautisanu Cristina , Voda Ana Iolanda , Gao Shang , Islam Sirajul , Wistrand Kai , Wright Michelle F. , Lüftenegger Marko
Published: October 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, higher educational institutions worldwide switched to emergency distance learning in early 2020. The less structured environment of distance learning forced students to regulate their learning and motivation more independently. According to self-determination theory (SDT), satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and social relatedness affects intrinsic motivation, which in turn relates to more active or passive learning behavior. As the social context plays a major role for basic need satisfaction, distance learning may impair basic need satisfaction and thus intrinsic motivation and learning behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between basic need satisfaction and procrastination and persistence in the context of emergency distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a cross-sectional study. We also investigated the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in this relationship. Furthermore, to test the universal importance of SDT for intrinsic motivation and learning behavior under these circumstances in different countries, we collected data in Europe, Asia and North America. A total of N = 15,462 participants from Albania, Austria, China, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Kosovo, Lithuania, Poland, Malta, North Macedonia, Romania, Sweden, and the US answered questions regarding perceived competence, autonomy, social relatedness, intrinsic motivation, procrastination, persistence, and sociodemographic background. Our results support SDT’s claim of universality regarding the relation between basic psychological need fulfilment, intrinsic motivation, procrastination, and persistence. However, whereas perceived competence had the highest direct effect on procrastination and persistence, social relatedness was mainly influential via intrinsic motivation.
Testing open-source visualization tools with small- and medium-sized enterprises ecosystem data: Towards the understanding of innovation ecosystem design
Authors: Nthubu Badziili , Richards Daniel , Cruickshank Leon
Published: October 2021

This article explores open-source visualization tools to enhance the understanding of small- and medium-enterprise (SME) ecosystem structures. Ecosystem approaches are becoming important in business strategy and innovation where organizations are heavily relying on inter-firm resources to innovate. Consequently, the traditional firm-focused business models face challenges, making it difficult for interconnected and diverse actors to co-create across firm boundaries. This challenge is even worse for manufacturing SMEs, who often lack the tools to make sense of their innovation ecosystem structures. We carried out a rich ethnographic investigation in three cases in the United Kingdom: the ceramic artist ecosystem, the 3D printing bureau ecosystem and the FabLab ecosystem. From the initial thematic analysis results, all actors highlighted the difficulty in understanding ecosystem networks. The following ecosystem attributes were identified as essential in understanding SME ecosystem structures: clusters and bridges, tie size, structural holes, role structure and interactivity. In this article, fourteen open-source visualization tools are tested to compare how well different tools reveal the six ecosystem attributes. Our findings demonstrate that open-source visualization tools have different affordances, most of which are useful in revealing ecosystem attributes. Results show that most visualization tools help aid the understanding of SME ecosystem structures. This study contributes new knowledge on the scarce subject of designing and managing ecosystems, presenting a unique approach to explore and understand ecosystem configurations. The study identifies limitations in open-source visualization tools and offers the design management community a set of recommendations for further development of visualization tools to support decision-making.
Dietary-nutritional needs in tennis: A narrative review
Authors: Domínguez Raúl , Sánchez Oliver Antonio Jesús , Fernandes da Silva Sandro , López-Samanes Alvaro , Martínez-Sanz José Miguel , Mata Fernando
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Tennis is characterized by a large number of competitions and little recovery time between them. Thus, tennis players and coaching staff have become interested in the role that nutrition can play in maximizing sports performance. The scientific literature does not have recent narrative and/or systematic reviews about to nutrition in tennis. The aim of this study is to map, describe and discuss the state of the science of nutrition and dietetic practices for tennis players from a theoretical and contextual point of view, to enable focused future systematic reviews.Material and methods: A narrative review through the Dialnet, Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science databases, through a search strategy based on keywords separated by Boolean connectors. A series of inclusion / exclusion criteria were applied to select those investigations that responded to the aim of the work.Results: Nutritional recommendations on carbohydrate intake depend on the training load, 5-7 g/kg/day g/kg/day for normal training and 7-10 g/kg/day for competitive periods or high training load. The recommended protein intake is 1.8 g/kg/day and 1 g/kg/day of lipids. The supplements that can optimize tennis performance are caffeine, sodium bicarbonate, creatine and β-alanine. Beetroot juice can be a possible aid to consider in dietetic-nutritional planning in tennis players.Conclusions: Performance and health of tennis player can be optimized, as well as adequate periodization of nutrients and supplements, meeting to the physiological demands of tennis.
Nutritional Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Narrative Review
Authors: Guilherme Larissa Gens
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Combating the pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), better known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), in all countries of the world has been a challenge. Most patients can be treated in home isolation, however elderly patients and/or with associated comorbidities have been demonstrating more severe conditions of the disease, requiring hospitalization, or even nutritional therapy and mechanical ventilation. Objective: To review the current evidence to establish better nutritional recommendations for critically ill patients with COVID-19.Material and methods:This is a narrative review on nutritional therapy in critical patient with COVID-19. The scientific articles were searched in the databases U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), as well as their respective terms in Portuguese and Spanish, and 40 articles were chosen, excluding the guidelines that were used to help better compose this article.Results: The main findings were that age and non-communicable diseases are considered risk factors for mortality, with systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus being the main ones. These patients need special care, as well as constant assessment of nutritional status, since malnourished and obese patients have shown a high association with mortality and the use of mechanical ventilation. Nutritional therapy in the affected patients can improve clinical outcome and should be considered as first-line treatment and be more valued in the hospital setting. Although there is no recommendation for supplementation of vitamin C and D and the mineral zinc, these may bring benefits to the immune system of these patients and help in a better prognosis of COVID-19, however more studies are still needed to substantiate the dosage.Conclusions: Further studies are needed, but it is important to bring these themes already exposed by some authors to stimulate discussions that might lead to improvements in the standardization of nutritional approaches.
Cambios en las prácticas culinarias y gastronómicas durante el confinamiento de la COVID-19 en la provincia de Alicante
Authors: Tormo-Santamaría María , Català-Oltra Lluís , Peretó-Rovira Alexandre , Ruíz-García Ángeles , Bernabeu-Mestre Josep
Published: October 2021

Introducción: El confinamiento generado por el estado de alarma decretado a causa de la COVID-19 obligó a la ciudadanía a permanecer en sus casas salvo causa justificada y limitó el acceso a los servicios de restauración colectiva. Estas restricciones supusieron el cambio de hábitos y rutinas de la población, lo que se tradujo en más actividad culinaria en los domicilios. El objetivo del presente estudio es conocer el impacto del confinamiento sobre el comportamiento alimentario estudiando los cambios en las prácticas culinarias y gastronómicas experimentadas por la población alicantina.Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal aunque con enfoque diacrónico a partir de la percepción y experiencias de los entrevistados: antes/durante el confinamiento, y muestreo no probabilístico de conveniencia de la población de 18 a 69 años reclutada de forma electrónica entre el 28 de abril y el 10 de mayo de 2020, semanas 7-8 de confinamiento, en la provincia de Alicante (n=679). Análisis estadístico univariable, bivariable y multivariable de los datos mediante el paquete estadístico SPSS. Uso de pruebas no paramétricas al asumir la condición de muestras emparejadas para las respuestas antes (muestra teórica 1) y durante el confinamiento (muestra teórica 2).Resultados: El 70% cocinó con más frecuencia y dedicó más tiempo a hacerlo. Más del 35% amplió sus conocimientos culinarios con un incremento de consulta a la web y redes sociales. Durante el confinamiento predominó la cocina tradicional valenciana y los postres fueron las elaboraciones preferidas. El cocinado en grupo aumentó en más de 11 puntos porcentuales, al igual que comer en compañía, aunque persiste el uso de dispositivos audiovisuales durante el acto de comer. El 84% modificó su percepción sobre algún aspecto relacionado con la alimentación. Las diferencias entre el comportamiento previo a la pandemia y el que se desarrolló durante el confinamiento se han revelado significativas estadísticamente en la mayoría de las variables testadas.Conclusiones: Durante el confinamiento, el aumento de la actividad culinaria se tradujo en una apuesta por la cocina tradicional en detrimento de los platos precocinados, más convivialidad en el acto de comer y un mayor compromiso con el comercio y el consumo de alimentos de proximidad y la sustentabilidad del sistema alimentario.
Weighted W
1, p (·)-Regularity for Degenerate Elliptic Equations in Reifenberg Domains
Authors: Zhang Junqiang , Yang Dachun , Yang Sibei
Published: October 2021

Let w be a Muckenhoupt A
2(ℝ
n
) weight and Ω a bounded Reifenberg flat domain in ℝ
n
. Assume that p (·):Ω → (1, ∞) is a variable exponent satisfying the log-Hölder continuous condition. In this article, the authors investigate the weighted W
1, p (·)(Ω, w)-regularity of the weak solutions of second order degenerate elliptic equations in divergence form with Dirichlet boundary condition, under the assumption that the degenerate coefficients belong to weighted BMO spaces with small norms.
Anomalous pseudo-parabolic Kirchhoff-type dynamical model
Authors: Dai Xiaoqiang , Han Jiangbo , Lin Qiang , Tian Xueteng
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we study an anomalous pseudo-parabolic Kirchhoff-type dynamical model aiming to reveal the control problem of the initial data on the dynamical behavior of the solution in dynamic control system. Firstly, the local existence of solution is obtained by employing the Contraction Mapping Principle. Then, we get the global existence of solution, long time behavior of global solution and blowup solution for J(u
0) ⩽ d, respectively. In particular, the lower and upper bound estimates of the blowup time are given for J(u
0)<d. Finally, we discuss the blowup of solution in finite time and also estimate an upper bound of the blowup time for high initial energy.
Immer auf dem Laufenden – der neue Zeitschrifteninformationsdienst ZinDiT der Bundestagsbibliothek
Authors: Spangenberg Martin
Published: October 2021

Mit dem neuen Zeitschrifteninformationsdienst ZinDiT bietet die Bibliothek des Deutschen Bundestages ihren Nutzern einen Benachrichtigungsdienst für elektronische Zeitschriften an, der registrierte Nutzer auf der Basis eines individuell definierten Zeitschriftenprofils über neue Hefte informiert. Bei dem neuen Dienst handelt es sich um ein vollautomatisiertes System, das mittels moderner Crawler-Technologie neue Hefte noch am Tag ihres Erscheinens identifiziert und ankündigt. Nach einem Marktüberblick werden Entstehung und Funktionalität von ZinDiT erläutert.
65 Fachwirte für (Medien- und) Informationsdienste
Authors: Holste-Flinspach Karin
Published: October 2021

Mit der erfolgreichen Prüfung der Teilnehmer*innen des 4. Hessischen Vorbereitungskurses zu Fachwirten für Mediendienste im Mai 2021 erhöht sich die Zahl der Fachwirte für (Medien- und) Informationsdienste in Deutschland auf 65. Seit 2009 werden in Frankfurt berufsbegleitende Fachwirtfortlehrgänge für die Bereiche Bibliothek, Archive und Dokumentationsstellen angeboten, die Fortführung der Lehrgänge ist geplant – in Nordrhein-Westfalen wurde von 2012 bis 2015 ein Lehrgang durchgeführt.
Performance study and critical review on energy aware routing protocols in mobile sink based WSNs
Authors: Kamble Aparna Ashok , Patil Balaji Madhavrao
Published: October 2021

Wireless networks involve spatially extended independent sensor nodes, and it is associated with each other’s to preserve and identify physical and environmental conditions of the particular application. The sensor nodes batteries are equipped with restricted energy for working with an energy source. Consequently, efficient energy consumption is themain important challenge in wireless networks, and it is outfitted witharestricted power storage capacity battery. Therefore, routing protocol with energy efficiency is essential in wireless sensor network (WSN) to offer data transmission and connectivity with less energy consumption. As a result, the routing scheme is the main factor for decreasing energy consumption and the network's lifetime. The energy-aware routing model is mainly devised for WSN with high network performance when transmitting data to a sink node. Hence, in this paper, the effectiveness of energy-aware routing protocols in mobile sink-based WSNs is analyzed and justified. Some energy-aware routing systems in mobile sink-based WSN techniques, such as optimizing low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) clustering approach, hybrid model using fuzzy logic, and mobile sink. The fuzzy TOPSIS-based cluster head selection (CHS) technique, mobile sink-based energy-efficient CHS model, and hybrid Harris Hawk-Salp Swarm (HH-SS) optimization approach are taken for the simulation process. Additionally, the analytical study is executed using various conditions, like simulation, cluster size, nodes, mobile sink speed, and rounds. Moreover, the performance of existing methods is evaluated using various parameters, namely alive node, residual energy, delay, and packet delivery ratio (PDR).
Bibliophilia in Ottoman Aleppo: Muḥammad al-Taqawī and his Medical Library
Authors: Reier Benedikt
Published: October 2021

Recent research has shown that book collecting by private individuals and institutions was a widespread phenomenon in Bilād al-Shām. At least from the Ayyubid period onwards, countless volumes were produced, changed hands in the book market, and lay around in libraries. To this day, Damascus occupies a central position in our knowledge about libraries and book culture in general, while other cities and regions lag behind. In this article, the inventory of an Aleppine book collector is used to take a glimpse at the book culture of Aleppo in the first decades of the seventeenth century. Although most probably not reflecting the sum total of his library, the inventory still allows to ascertain the specific taste of its compiler, an otherwise unknown Aleppine bibliophile. The inventory also provides evidence for the early distribution of Arabic print and pushes the door open for investigating the role of local agents in the early days of attempts by Orientalists to acquire Arabic manuscripts for European libraries.
Effect of late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis on PFS after haplo-PBSCT
Authors: Yuan Hailong , Chen Gang , Qu Jianhua , Yang Ruixue , Muhashi Maria , Aizezi Gulibadanmu , Jiang Ming
Published: October 2021

Introduction

This study is to investigate the effect of late-onset hemorrhagic cystitis (LOHC) on progression-free survival (PFS) of patients after haploidentical peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-PBSCT).

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 74 patients with hematological malignancies treated with a myeloablative conditioning regimen and haplo-PBSCT. The effect of LOHC on PFS was studied in terms of HC occurrence, grade, disease type, duration, onset time, gender, and age.

Results

There were 28 patients with LOHC, and no case was with early-onset HC. The cumulative incidence of LOHC was 37.8% (95% CI: 26.9–48.7%). The 2-year expected PFS of 74 patients and 34 AML patients was not significantly different between LOHC patients and patients without HC (P > 0.05). Among 27 ALL patients, the 2-year expected PFS of LOHC patients was 75%, significantly higher than patients without HC (54.2%) (P < 0.05). The 2-year expected PFSs of patients with mild LOHC and severe LOHC were 69.8 and 77.8%, respectively (P > 0.05). Similarly, the onset time, duration, age, and gender of LOHC patients did not show significant effects on PFS (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

After haplo-PBSCT, LOHC has a significant effect on the PFS of ALL patients. The HC grade, duration, onset time, gender, and age have no significant effect on PFS.
A novel ternary bismuthide, NaMgBi: crystal and electronic structure and electrical properties
Authors: Yamada Takahiro , Matsuo Naoki , Enoki Masanori , Yamane Hisanori
Published: October 2021

A new ternary sodium magnesium bismuthide, NaMgBi, has been synthesized from the constituent metals, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. NaMgBi crystallizes in a tetragonal PbFCl-type structure corresponding to the space group P4/nmm, where Z = 2, a = 4.7123(4) and c = 7.8158(7) Å. The structure is composed of layers formed by edge-sharing Bi tetrahedra centered with Mg stacked in the c-axis direction, and these layers sandwich the Na atoms. First-principles computations based on density functional theory calculations have verified that the most stable atomic configuration is the one in which the Na and Mg atoms occupy the 2a and 2c sites, respectively. The electrical resistivity measured for a sintered polycrystalline sample of NaMgBi with a relative density of 70% was found to gradually decrease from 868 to 26.4 mΩ cm upon increasing the temperature from 297 to 506 K, and the Seebeck coefficient decreased from 273 to 180 μV K−1 upon increasing the temperature from 298 to 496 K. Electronic structure calculations have revealed that NaMgBi must be a semiconductor with a small band gap of ∼0.1 eV.
Computer Tomography Scanners in Brazil (2010-2017)
Authors: Alonso Thessa Cristina , Bianchi Vivian Carla Rocha Netto , Vieira Leandro Abreu , Mourão Arnaldo Prata , Da Silva Teógenes Augusto
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to verify the availability of CT scanners in the Brazilian territory, for the period 2010 to 2017, comparing the results with those indicated by the Brazilian legislation (Ordinance GM/MS Nº. 1101, 2002; Resolution RE Nº. 1016, 2006). The second objective is a review of the most recent national data; publishing official statistics on the number of CT scanners installed in Brazil and compares them with the data available from other countries, obtained in international publications. Estimates of the CT scanners distribution are made by the utilization rate, which means the number of scans performed per thousand inhabitants multiplied by the total population of the region, where as the maximum coverage area of scanner in a radius of 75 km or 100,000 inhabitants. The results suggest greater concentration of equipment in the Southeast, South and Midwest area, private and public sectors, and a number of scans far above the recommended, throughout the Brazilian territory. The number of CT scanners currently in operation in Brazil would have the ability to cater to a population up to 110,7 % higher than the current population, and their geographical distribution within the country largely unknown.
Política de Segurança para o Paciente Submetido ao Tratamento de Radioterapia
Authors: Claus Thiago Victorino , Zottis Alexandre , Flor Rita De Cássia
Published: October 2021

Passados mais de 30 anos do acidente radiológico de Goiânia com uma fonte de Césio-137, os riscos associados à radioterapia externa atualmente mudaram, são dependentes de erros sistemáticos no processo de planejamento e riscos que atingem o paciente de radioterapia.O presente estudo envolveu uma revisão bibliográfica com o intuito de atualizar as informações pertinentes ao tema a respeito da segurança e proteção radiológica para os serviços de radioterapia no país. Adotou-se como critério e inclusão os descritores: Segurança do Paciente, Radioterapia, Lesões por Radiação e Efeitos da Radiação em inglês, espanhol e em português, assim como os estudos publicações posteriores ao ano 2000. Como critério de exclusão, os estudos que não preencherem os critérios de inclusão. De forma geral o desafio para todos envolvidos no processo de radioterapia está na identificação/discussão de riscos, educação continuada, maior dependência do registro eletrônico de saúde, instrução adequada com software/avanços tecnológicos, dedicando tempo para iniciativas de segurança, minimizando distrações e melhorando a comunicação. Do ponto de vista da proteção radiológica pela norma brasileira as exposições ocupacionais e do público são bem estabelecidas. Entretanto, os novos desafios se encontram  no cuidado permanente das exposições médicas (do paciente), nas sobre-exposições de doses de radiações ionizantes executadas durante as imagens de planejamento e do ponto de vista do controle de qualidade o foco é bem estabelecido no desempenho dos equipamentos e a mudança está na Garantia ou gestão da Qualidade (foco na qualidade dos cuidados ao paciente), representando que esta é uma área da radiologia médica que exige uma dedicação por uma equipe multidisciplinar.
Bony-based and prostate-based image guidance for lo-calized prostate cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Fortes Saulo Santos , Da Rosa Luiz Antonio Ribeiro
Published: October 2021

An important modality for the treatment of prostate cancer is teletherapy. The use of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is a valuable tool in this treatment. This study retrospectively compared how repositioning the patient based on bone structure (B-ISO) and the prostate itself (P-ISO) affected the volumetric dose in the rectum, bladder, and clinical treatment volume (CTV). Additionally, the probability of normal tissue complication (NTCP) for the rectum was computed. We evaluated 155 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) from 8 patients. The treatment plans used beam modulation techniques. The planning target volume (PTV) margin adopted in both scenarios was 1 cm. The organs of interest were outlined over each CBCT and then treatment plans were applied so that the absorbed dose could be computed. NTCP values were calculated for the rectum. Analyzing dose-volume metrics published by the Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC), there was no significant difference between the two repositioning strategies for the rectum and bladder. There was a slight degradation in CTV coverage for the B-ISO strategy, but still with adequate coverage. Analysis of the uniform equivalent dose (EUD) and NTCP for the rectum showed little sensitivity to the strategy used. The present study showed that the use of CBCT in radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment did not significantly improve volumetric doses for the rectum, bladder, and CTV, as well as NTCP for the rectum.
Occupational monitoring at radioactive waste deposit
Authors: Pereira Wagner de Souza , Kelecom Alphonse G. A. C. , Da Silva Ademir Xavier , Cunha Franklin de Souza , Faria Rosemary Lopes , Silva Leonardo Rabelo de Matos , Saldanha Fernando Pinheiro , De Fonseca Adriana , Paiva Alexandre Kuster de Souza , Charles_Pierre Maxime
Published: October 2021

O Depósito Inicial de Resíduos Radioativos de Baixa Atividade - DIRBA é uma instalação auxiliar à Fábrica de Combustível Nuclear - FCN para o armazenamento inicial dos rejeitos radioativos de baixa geração gerado no ciclo do combustível nuclear sob responsabilidade da FCN. Atualmente são armazenados aproximadamente 460 tambores de 200 litros contendo resíduos Classe 2.3: Resíduos contendo Radionuclídeos Naturais (RBMN-RN). Como parte do licenciamento nuclear da instalação, um programa de monitoramento radiológico da área foi desenvolvido com monitoramento mensal de 17 pontos de exposição, 3 pontos de amostragem direta de longa distância com monitores CAM alfa-7, monitorados em janeiro e 9 pontos onde manchas de alfa emissores de meia-vida longa foram monitorados em janeiro.A taxa média de exposição entre os pontos foi de 0,5 μSv ∙ h -1 , com um máximo de 1,27 μSv ∙ h -1 variando, em média, entre 0,98 μSv ∙ h -1 no ponto P1 a 0 , 23 μSv ∙ h -1 no P11. A média mensal foi a mesma, 0,50 μSv ∙ h -1 , variando de 0,46 μSv ∙ h -1 (novembro) a 0,57 μSv ∙ h -1 (agosto). Como a alfa de meia-vida de longa duração estava todas abaixo do MDA, bem como os 9 esfregaços. Em relação às exigências das áreas monitoradas, o depósito deve ser considerado como área supervisionada, do ponto de vista da radioproteção.A possibilidade de tombamento dos tambores ou outros acidentes com derramamento de material neles contido fez com que, de forma proativa, uma área considerada considerada área controlada.
Development of a PID-Fuzzy controller in the water level control of a pressurizer of a nuclear reactor
Authors: Brito Thiago Souza Pereira de , Lira Carlos Alberto Brayner de Oliveira , Vasconcelos Wagner Eustáquio de
Published: October 2021

It is well known that safety in the operation of nuclear power plants is a primary requirement because a failure of this system can result in serious problems to the environment. A nuclear reactor has several systems that help keep it in normal operation, within safety margins. Many of these systems operate in the control of variable quantities in the primary circuit of a reactor. However, nuclear reactors are nonlinear physical systems, and this introduces a complexity in the control strategies. Among several mechanisms in the thermal-hydraulic system of a reactor that actuate as a controller, the pressurizer is the component responsible for absorbing  pressure variations that occur in the primary circuit. This work aims at the development of a PID controller (Proportional Integral Derivative) based on fuzzy logic to operate in a pressurizer of a nuclear Pressurized Water Reactor. A Fuzzy Controller was developed using the process of fuzzification, inference, and defuzzification of the variables of interest to a pressurizer, then this controller was coupled to a PID Controller building a PID Controller, but oriented by Fuzzy logic. Subsequently, the PID-Fuzzy Controller was experimentally validated in a Simulation Plant in which transients like those in a PWR were conducted. The PID parameters were analyzed and adjusted for better responses and results. The results of the validation were also compared to simple controllers (on / off).
A PROPOSAL OF PROCESS VALIDATION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES IN BRACHYTHERAPY SOURCES PRODUCTION
Authors: Baptista Tatyana Spinosa , Feher Anselmo Feher , Rodriguez Bruna Teiga , Zeituni Carlos Alberto , Moura João Augusto , Rostelato Maria Elisa
Published: October 2021

New laboratories for brachytherapy sources production are being implemented in our facility at IPEN, in São Paulo. A great challenge implementing a production laboratory is to comply with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which involves process validation and all supporting activities such as cleaning and sanitization. Much more than compliance with regulatory guidelines, required for certification and inspections, a validation builds large process knowledge, provides possibilities for optimization and improvement, increasing the degree of maturity of all people involved and the quality system. The process validation results in a document that certifies that any procedure, process, equipment, material, operation or system leads to the expected results. This work focused on the new laboratory, been assembled to produce small iodine-125 seeds. The process validation was performed three times for evaluation. The parameters evaluated in this study were: the source welding efficiency and the leakage tests results (immersion test). The welding efficiency doesn’t have an established parameter, since is visually evaluated by the operator, and the leakage detection must be under 5 nCi / 185 Bq, accordingly with the ISO 9978. We observed values were average 79-87% production efficiency and leakage tests were under 5 nCi/seed. Although established values for the global efficiency aren’t available in the literature, the results showed high consistency and acceptable percentages, especially when other similar manufacturing processes are used in comparison (average 85-70% found in the literature for other similar metallic structures). Those values will be important data when drafting the validation document and to follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).process
Dating of Sediments by physics methods Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) in the region of Iguape – Cananéia, Brazil.
Authors: Cortez Bruna
Published: October 2021

Dating of sediments was used by physics method in this work, in the physics methods the radioactivity is present, but usually it is method based on the storage of energy of radiation in the solid, in which will be employed. In the present work, Icapara sediment dating was used Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) method, in this technique the energy absorption occurs when the frequency of the incident wave is in resonance with the energy difference made by the magnetic field between the parallel and antiparallel directions to this field with the irradiated sample that creates defects in its structure.  In the state of S˜ao Paulo, in the region of Iguape on the southeast coast, it is a place called Icapara, a large sand terrace that was formed due to sea level fluctation that ocorred more than 130 thousand years ago. A sample was taken from a point about 9 meters above the current control of the sea. An age of about 38,000 ±12,000 and 46,000 ± 7,000 years were obtained (EPR) to correlate with the Quaternary period and will be presented to the data obtained.
APPLICATION OF GAMMA RADIATION IN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) IN NATURA TO INHIBIT SPROUTING AND INCREASE SHELF LIFE
Authors: Arthur Valter , Albano Andressa Maria Simas
Published: October 2021

The irradiation of fresh post-harvest foods has as main interests: inhibit sprouting, increase shelf life, reduce or delay damage caused by insects and diseases. This work is a preliminary study on the use of gamma radiation in fresh peas grains (Pisum sativum L.) in order to evaluate its effects on the inhibition of sprout and its increase in shelf life. The peas were submitted to 4 treatments: 0 (control), 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 kGy, in a 60 Co research irradiator, after irradiation stored at 8 °C, being evaluated at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days after irradiation, for the following analyzes: assessments of visual appearance, total soluble solids, titratable total acidity, ratio, fresh weight loss, coloring, texture, pH, water content and ash. By visual evaluation it was observed that the irradiation did not significantly change the shelf life of the grains. The visual appearance, coloring and pH had interference due to the natural process of grain maturation. The doses of gamma radiation did not influence the content of ash, water and texture during storage and that dose of 0.45 kGy was not sufficient to inhibit the sprouting of the peas. It is possible to conclude that, with this work, a recommendation that, for the later works, in which one wishes to define the shelf life or to inhibit sprouting pea, initiate the irradiation of its samples with values above 0.45 kGy.
DISINFESTATION OF MANGOES HADEN IN-FESTED BY Anastrepha fraterculus (WIED., 1830) (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE), WITH GAMMA RADIATION
Authors: Arthur Valter
Published: October 2021

The objective of experiment was determinate the radiation dose for disinfestation to mango Mangifera indica cv. Haden, infested by Anastrepha fraterculus larvae. For realization of the experiment, were collected fruits in the field, which were taking to Entomology laboratory where there was a infestation by the flies in cages during 72 hours period. Waited for the development of the larvae and before 5 – 8 days to infestation, the mangos were irradiated in a Cobalt-60 source with doses of: 0(control), 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1.100, 1.200 and 1.300 Gy. After the irradiation, the fruits were placed in climate chamber with 25 ±5°C of temperature and 70±5% of relative humidity, posteriorly waited the larvae exit to out of the fruit until the transformation in pupae and posteriorly in adult stage. By the results obtained our can concluded that the lethal dose to larvae in mangoes infested with 5-8 days after infestation were 600 Gy and 1.000 Gy (0.6 and 1 kGy) respectively. The dose of 50 Gy prevented the total adult emergence for both treatments.