bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of autofluorescence on fluorescence based techniques to study microglia
Authors: Zhang Haozhe , Tan Chen , Shi Xiaoyue , Xu Ji
Published: March 2022

Background
Microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, accrue autofluorescent granules inside their cytoplasm throughout their lifespan. In this report, we studied the impacts of autofluorescence on widely used fluorescence-based techniques to study microglia, including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, and live imaging.
Results
The failed attempt of using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated antibody to detect lymphocyte-activation gene 3 protein in microglia prompted us to compare the sensitivity of FITC, phycoerythrin (PE) and allophycocyanin (APC) conjugated antibodies to detect surface protein expression in microglia. We found that PE outperformed FITC and APC as the fluorophore conjugated to antibody for flow cytometry by overcoming the interference from microglia autofluorescence. To identify the location and source of microglia autofluorescence, we did confocal imaging and spectral analysis of microglia autofluorescence on fixed brain tissues, revealing that microglia autofluorescence emitted from cytoplasmic granules and displayed a multi-peak emission spectrum. We recommended removing autofluorescence by lipofuscin removing agents when staining intracellular proteins in microglia with immunofluorescence technique. On live brain slices, autofluorescent granules reduced the amplitudes of calcium signals in microglial somata calculated by F/F0 of GCaMP6s and thus needed to be excluded when selecting regions of interest.
Conclusions
In conclusion, autofluorescence is a critical factor to consider when designing experiments and interpreting results based on fluorescence-based techniques to study microglia.
Compliance with National Snakebite Treatment Guidelines in Rural Sri Lankan Hospitals: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Educational Intervention
Authors: Shahmy Seyed , Kularatne Senanayake AM , Gawarammana Indika B , Rathnayake Shantha S , Dawson Andrew H
Published: March 2022

BackgroundSnakebite is a global health problem predominately occurring in rural areas. In Sri Lanka, the majority of snakebites first present to smaller rural primary hospitals. Improving care delivered at rural hospitals has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality from snakebites.ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated whether an educational intervention would increase compliance with national snakebite treatment guidelines in primary hospitals.MethodsThe hospitals were randomized into educational intervention (n=24) and control group (n=20). The intervention hospitals received a brief educational intervention based on Sri Lankan Medical Association (SLMA) guidelines on management of snakebites. Control hospitals had free access to the guidelines but no additional promotion. Four outcomes were assessed; Pre and Post-test knowledge at the completion of a one-day workshop of educational intervention (Intervention group only), Improvement of quality of the patients’ medical records, appropriateness of transfers to higher hospitals, and quality of overall management graded by a blinded expert. The data were collected for a period of 12 months.ResultsAll case notes of snakebite hospital admissions were reviewed. There were 1021 cases in the intervention and 1165 cases in the control hospitals. Four hospitals in the intervention and 03 hospitals in the control groups did not have snakebite admissions and were excluded from the cluster analysis. The absolute quality of care was high in both groups. Post-test knowledge was improved (p< 0.0001) following the intervention group’s educational workshop. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the documentation of clinical data in hospital notes (scores, p=0.58), appropriateness of transfers (p=0.68) both of which were at significant variance to the guidelinesConclusionRepresentative group education from primary hospitals had improved the immediate knowledge gaining. However, that failed to influence the record- keeping and treatment decisions, as all primary hospitals showed adequate compliance with the existing SLMA guidelines.Trial registrationThe study was registered with Sri Lanka Medical Associations’ clinical trial registry https://slctr.lk/trials . Reg. No SLCTR/2013/023. Registered: 30/07/2013.
Customer Satisfaction in the Retail Sector of Botswana
Authors: Sephetsolo Misani
Published: March 2022

This paper examined the level of customer satisfaction within the retail sector of Botswana. In making this examination, the paper utilised the large retail chain stores, specifically, Choppies, PnP, Shoprite, and Spar, within Gaborone. This means that this paper undertook a survey concentrating on 4 retail giants in Botswana from which a sample of 750 customers was sampled using convenience sampling for participation in the study. The findings from this study show that the level of customer satisfaction in Botswana was good (rating score = 3.87/5). The significant contributors to customer satisfaction were gender, product quality, product diversity, pricing, responsiveness, design and appearance, and customer experience. The paper recommended that retailers focus on strategic pricing for enhanced customer satisfaction in the sector, adopt quality and diversity-centric policies, and adopt robust customer knowledge management and customer experience management.
Impact of Communication in the Management of Revenue Collection in Onitsha Metropolitan Area, Anambra State of Nigeria
Authors: Brown Joseph
Published: March 2022

The government needs adequate financial resources to deliver its many developmental functions. However, such financial resources are either not available or inadequate. One way of rising to this challenge has been scaling up revenue collection from local revenue sources. This study aims to assess the impact of communication in the management of revenue collection using a descriptive survey research design. The researcher formulated two research questions and one hypothesis. A self-developed questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample size consists of revenue collectors in Onitsha Metropolitan Area selected using the purposive random sampling technique; subsequently, thirty copies of the questionnaire were administered by the researcher. Mean, and standard deviation was used to analyse the data. The study showed, among other findings, that communication facilitates the co-ordination of the task, which impacts the management of revenue collection. Also, there is no significant difference on the views of male and female revenue collectors regarding the impact of communication on the management of revenue collection in the Onitsha Metropolitan Area of Nigeria. These findings have the vantage of providing the researchers, policymakers, and government with adequate and correct baseline data on the impact of communication in the management of revenue collection. Conclusions were drawn from the findings, and it was recommended that training and re-training programmes for the revenue officials should be organized at regular intervals to enable them to meet the challenge of the new millennium.
Impacts of climate change on extreme precipitation in the upstream of Chushandian Reservoir, China
Authors: Gan Rong , Li Dandan , Chen Changzheng , Yang Feng , Ma Xichen
Published: March 2022

Analysis of trends in extreme precipitation events within a basin is essential to reliably predict future changes and to inform adaptation strategic planning. Based on daily data from eight stations in the upper basin of Chushandian Reservoir from 1957 to 2017, and Multi-model outputs from four Global Climate Models in CMIP6, we calculated the extreme precipitation index. Mann-Kendall method and linear trend analysis were used to examine the spatial and temporal variability of the extreme precipitation index. The results show that there is a clear downward trend in precipitation and precipitation intensity from 1957 to 2017 (represented by RX1day, RX5day, R10 mm, R20 mm, and SDII), and an upward trend in the annual scales of R95p, R99p, CWD, and CDD. The trend of the extreme precipitation index (represented by PRCPTOT, R20 mm, R95p, and SDII) in future periods is decreasing in 2020–2050 and then increasing in 2060–2100, with a significant increasing trend after the 2060s. These findings indicate that total precipitation, the frequency, and persistence of extreme precipitation are on the increase, and the future situation of extreme precipitation is severe, especially in autumn, followed by summer.
In Vivo and In Vitro Anti-schistosomiasis Effect of Garlic: A Systematic
Review
Authors: Shakib Pegah , Kalani Hamed , Ali Ali Safar Maken , Zebardastpour Mustafa , Moradpour Kobra , Ho Jeffery , Nazarabad Vahideh Heydari , Cheraghipour Kourosh
Published: March 2022

Background:

Garlic (Allium sativum) is used as a natural supplement for the treatment of
various diseases and disorders because it has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic,
antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This systematic review aimed to evaluate in vitro and in
vivo effects of garlic against Schistosoma spp.

Method:

The current study was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in the
CAMARADES-NC3Rs Preclinical Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Facility [SyRF] database.
The literature search was conducted using five databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science,
Embase, and Google Scholar, from January 2008 to January 2021. The search was restricted to articles
published in the English language. Syntax was performed based on each database tag.

Results:

Out of 2,600 studies, 10 met the eligibility criteria for review. The examined parasite in all
studies was Schistosoma mansoni. Ten studies (90%) were performed in vivo and one study in vitro.
Studies have shown that garlic compounds can activate immune system factors, thereby damaging the
parasite structure or its eggs.

Conclusion:

Given the increase in using plants in the treatment of many diseases and the fact that
plants can be a good alternative to chemical drugs in many cases, more comprehensive research is
needed to introduce effective medicinal plants to treat diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Thermal Exfoliated Graphite/Chitosan Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Cu(II) Ion Sensing
Authors: Le Nhan T.T. , Tran Hoang V. , Huynh Chinh D. , Nguyen Cuong D. , Phi Toan V.
Published: March 2022

Aim:

Here, we report a simple strategy for the preparation of thermally exfoliated graphite (EG) and its application to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surfaces for electrochemical Cu2+ ion sensing.

Method:

The electrochemical Cu2+ sensor was constructed by a layer modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with exfoliated graphite (EG) and chitosan (CS) as a binder, and CS also supports a large number of -NH2 functional groups for Cu2+ capture.

Result:

Due to the creation of a three-dimensional (3D) structure, the EG/CS-coated GCE (EG/CS/GCE) electrode exhibited a higher sensitivity towards Cu2+ detection than that of modification by graphite/chitosan (GP/CS), chitosan (CS) or graphite intercalated compounds (GIC)/chitosan.

Conclusion:

The proposed method could detect Cu2+ in the range of 10 μM to 3 mM with a detection limit of 0.5 μM and sensitivity of 43.62 μA mM-1.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Bark Extract of Terminalia
arjuna and their Application as Next Generation Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Sharma Shivesh , Singh Jaspreet , Perumal Venkatachalam , Singh Umrao , Tripathi Durgesh Kumar
Published: February 2022

Background:

The antimicrobial properties of silver can be enhanced in the form of silver
nanoparticles due to their specific physical, chemical, and biological properties, thus enabling their
use in different antibacterial applications against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Objectives:

Present study was planned to evaluate the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles
synthesized from bark extract of Terminalia arjuna.

Methods:

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using 80% methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna
bark, followed by their characterization using UV-Visible spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and
atomic force microscopy. The antibacterial activity of synthesized silver nanoparticles was analyzed
against Escherichia coli MTCC1687, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027, and Staphylococcus
aureus ATCC6538.

Results:

The silver nanoparticles were observed to inhibit microbial growth in a concentrationdependent manner (2-0.5mg/mL), and the cell death was confirmed using fluorescent microscopy.

Conclusion:

The antibacterial activity of these nanoparticles suggests that the synthesized nanoparticles can be used to treat bacterial infections of the skin.
Methodological Proposal for Strength and Power Training in Older Athletes:
A Narrative Review
Authors: Jofré-Saldía Emilio , Villalobos-Gorigoitía Álvaro , Gea-García Gemma
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Within the adult population, it is not uncommon to meet older athletes
who challenge the negative stereotypes associated with aging. Although their physical performance
is superior to their sedentary counterparts, they are not immune to impaired neuromuscular function,
leading to a decreased physical capacity and an increased risk of injuries. Despite the abundant
information about the benefits of strength/power training in advanced ages, there are no methodological
proposals that guide physical activity professionals to program this type of training.

Objective:

This study aimed to review the factors related to the decrease in sports performance
within older athletes and the benefits of a strength/power program in order to provide a methodological
proposal to organize training in this population.

Methods:

This is a review article. First, databases from PubMed, Science Direct, and SPORTSDiscus
and search engines, namely Google Scholar and Scielo, were reviewed, using standard keywords
such as strength and power training, evaluation of physical performance, neuromuscular
function, and risk of injury in the elderly athlete. All related articles published during the period
1963 to 2020 were considered. A total of 1837 documents were found. By removing 1715 unrelated
documents, 122 articles were included in the study after revision control.

Result:

Strength/power training is key to alleviating the loss of performance in older athletes and
the benefits in neuromuscular function, which helps reduce the rate of serious injuries, maintaining
sports practice for a longer period of time. In order to design an appropriate program, a prior evaluation
of the individual’s physical-technical level must be carried out, respecting the biologicalpedagogical
principles and safety regulations.

Conclusion:

The methodological proposal delivered in this review can serve as a technical guide
for physical activity professionals, which will be able to structure the strength/power training and
thus preserve the sports practice in older athletes for a longer time.
EFEKTIFITAS EKSTRAK TANAMAN KELOR (MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM.) TERHADAP PENYAKIT BERCAK COKELAT ALTERNARIA SP. PADA TANAMAN TOMAT
Authors: Yahya Athifa Lithiflika K. , Martosudiro Mintarto , Choliq Fery Abdul
Published: March 2022

Tanaman kelor merupakan tanaman perennial yang dapat tumbuh pada musim kemarau maupun musim hujan pada dataran tinggi maupun dataran rendah. Bagian tanaman kelor seperti akar, bunga, kulit batang, batang, daun dan biji kelor memiliki kandungan senyawa yang bersifat antimikroba. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menguji bagian ekstrak tanaman kelor dengan berbagai konsentrasi terhadap kemampuan penghambatan secara in vitro dan in vivo serta nilai LC50 terhadap penyakit bercak cokelat Alternaria sp. pada tanaman tomat. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Laboratorium Toksikologi Universitas Brawijaya. Menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap Faktorial (RALF) dengan 12 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan. Perlakuan yang diujikan yaitu jenis ekstrak (daun, kulit batang, dan biji kelor) dan taraf konsentrasi (0%, 5%, 7,5% dan 10%). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun kelor memiliki efektifitas penghambatan yang paling baik dibanding ekstrak kulit batang kelor dan biji kelor pada pengujian secara in vitro maupun in vivo. Pemberian konsentrasi ekstrak sebesar 7.5% dan 10% memiliki efektifitas penghambatan yang efektif dalam menghambat Alternaria sp. berdasarkan hasil in vitro, in vivo dan perhitungan LC50.
Formacja moralna według Eduarda Levy'ego SJ
Authors:   Stowarzyszenie Katechetyków Polskich, Szulczyk Zbigniew
Published: February 2022

The problem of difficulties in the moral upbringing of children and youth is being increasingly undertaken in literature. The weakening of authorities and questioning of the existence of objective moral norms make it more difficult for parents, catechists, and formators to implement effective moral formation. A Mexican Jesuit, Eduardo Levy, presents an interesting way of answering these challenges. In his formation program Encuentro con Cristo, he tries to adjust the content and form of the message so that it helps to put the moral principles to practice in everyday life. In his opinion, it allows ethical norms to have more chances to become a part of the pupils' value system. Eduardo Levy strives for the simplicity of the message, diversity of the forms, and parents' involvement in the process.
Troska o depozyt wiary katolickiej a normy dotyczące osób duchownych i zakonnych występujących w środkach społecznego komunikowania
Authors:   Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie, Biały Stanisław
Published: February 2022

The role of the means of social communication in social and religious life is increasing. This is clearly shown by the pandemic situation. The author has undertaken an analysis of the canonical norms of CIC / 83 regulating the presence of clergy in radio and television broadcasts. The analysis focuses on their respecting the deposit of the Catholic faith. The norms of the universal Church and of particular Churches in Poland do not differ in their meaning and content. However, their ethical optics are aimed at disciplining media participants (while fully approving of the pastoral role of the media) and advising them to be cautious based on the virtue of prudence. It is important that the clergy expressing their views and opinions in public or participating in broadcasts and commercial programs have adequate knowledge and preparation, but most importantly that they are guided by prudence.
Diritto come qualita o qualita del diritto? Questioni preliminari
Authors:   Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawła II w Krakowie, Michowicz Przemysław
Published: February 2022

This elaboration, belonging to the field of legal phenomenology, deals with the question of the quality of law; the issues which are naturally, inextricably linked with each contemporary legal system. The study makes certain proposals according to which the quality of law does not belong to the sphere of normative technique nor is it identified with the mere observance of the legislative regulations. Rather, it concerns the field of research; something that is inseparably linked with the concept of the theory of law and its necessary development. The Author distances himself from the traditional ways of dealing with the present topic, proceeding rather towards new methodological and doctrinal horizons.
Hierarchia wartości nieletnich przestępców i jej możliwe związki z zachowaniami przestępczymi
Authors:   Uniwersytet Warszawski, Kudlak Grzegorz
Published: February 2022

Value theory defines values as an essential, normative factor determining an individual's behavior, and superior to beliefs and attitudes. Hierarchized in a specific system, values constitute an important factor of human mental health, shaping people's attitude to the past, their ability to formulate future goals and conditioning personality development. The greater the importance of a certain value in the hierarchy, the more it affects the decisions and actions of man. In the light of the known psychological models, it seems important to analyse the possible relationship between the hierarchy of values recognized by the juveniles and their criminal behavior. This study shows significant differences in the declared hierarchy of final and instrumental values among a group of juvenile offenders detained in Juvenile Shelter and a control group of non-offender juveniles, against the norms of a particular age group. The nature and magnitude of the reported differences allows to confirm, that preference of certain values could be related with criminal behavior among youth.
Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Literature Review
Authors: KOHNO SHUZO
Published: March 2022

This review aimed to highlight the characteristics and surgical treatments of tumours, and answer questions regarding the assessment of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and optimal therapy. NENs comprise tumours that can produce hormones and cause a secretory syndrome. The diagnostic method and accuracy differ depending on the site of occurrence; hence, the relevant scientific society has created NEN treatment guidelines for each organ. Gastroenteric pancreatic (GEP) NENs have been unified and classified together according to the 2019 World Health Organization classification. Treatment is based on complete tumour resection, and when metastatic or primary lesions cannot be completely resected, lesions and symptoms are treated. Except for surgery for NENs, chemotherapy, molecularly targeted drugs, transarterial chemoembolization, etc., have also been confirmed as treatments. GEP NEN treatment methods will continue to advance and change because of surgery and other advances in treatment and diagnostic methods.
SIRT1 Expression Is a Promising Prognostic Biomarker in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: OTSUKA RYOTA , SAKATA HARUHITO , MURAKAMI KENTARO , KANO MASAYUKI , ENDO SATOSHI , TOYOZUMI TAKESHI , MATSUMOTO YASUNORI , SUITO HIROSHI , TAKAHASHI MASAHIKO , SEKINO NOBUFUMI , HIRASAWA SOICHIRO , KINOSHITA KAZUYA , SASAKI TAKUMA , MATSUBARA HISAHIRO
Published: March 2022

Background/Aim: Several articles have assessed the prognostic significance of the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, evidence in this field is insufficient. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic and clinical impact of SIRT1 expression in ESCC. Materials and Methods: We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for articles on the expression of SIRT1 and clinicopathological features in patients with ESCC. A meta-analysis was conducted. Results: Four studies with 429 patients were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant relationship between the high expression of SIRT1 and higher T-stage (odds ratio=2.39. 95% confidence interval=1.12-5.13, p=0.02), more advanced TNM stage (odds ratio=2.35. 95% confidence interval=1.20-4.60, p=0.01), and a poor overall survival (hazard ratio=1.90, 95% confidence interval=1.45-2.47, p<0.00001). Conclusion: SIRT1 expression may be a promising prognostic biomarker for patients with ESCC.
A Brief Overview of Oncogenes and Signal Transduction Pathways in Gynecological Cancer
Authors: KONTOMANOLIS EMMANUEL N. , KOUTRAS ANTONIOS , FASOULAKIS ZACHARIAS , SYLLAIOS ATHANASIOS , DIAKOSAVVAS MICHAIL , ANGELOU KYVELI , SYMEONIDIS PANAGIOTIS , SAMARA ATHINA A. , PERGIALIOTIS VASILIOS , GARMPIS NIKOLAOS , SCHIZAS DIMITRIOS , PAGKALOS ATHANASIOS , CHIONIS ATHANASIOS , DASKALAKIS GEORGIOS , NTOUNIS THOMAS
Published: March 2022

Gynecological cancer is the cancer that originates in the female reproductive system. According to the anatomical location of the cancer, it is distinguished into cervical, uterine, vaginal, ovarian, and vulvar cancer. Oncogenes and tumor catalytic genes play a key role in the genesis and development of gynecological cancer. This article presents the signaling pathways and expression of oncogenes that take place in the carcinogenesis of the female reproductive system.
Worse Prognosis in the Symptomatic Patients With Lung Cancer – Czech Multicentric Study
Authors: MAREL MILOSLAV , CHLADKOVA ZDENKA , CASAS MENDEZ LUIS FERNANDO , VENCLICEK ONDREJ , SKRICKOVA JANA , FISCHER ONDEJ , MULLEROVA ANDREA , HAVEL LIBOR , GYORFY ZUZANA , HRNCIARIK MICHAL , JIROUSEK MICHAL , KREJCI JANA , KREJCI DANIEL , BURESOVA MARCELA , ALAHAKOON JANA , SVOBODA MICHAL , SVATON MARTIN
Published: March 2022

Background/Aim: This study aimed at contributing to a better diagnosis of lung cancer by analyzing the patient’s symptoms and their linkage to other characteristics. Patients and Methods: We analyzed the data of 3,322 patients from LUCAS (LUngCAncerfocuS) National Registry of the Czech Republic. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: The most common symptoms were cough (47.5%), dyspnea (45.6%), pain (27.3%), and weight loss (25.7%). Among all patients, 16% were asymptomatic. We demonstrated the negative prognostic significance of increasing number of lung cancer symptoms, that was significant after adjustment for age, TNM stages, and performance status, and morphological types of the cancer. Conclusion: Monitoring the severity and type of symptoms in patients with lung cancer can help in the diagnostics of the disease and the estimation of prognosis.
Pan-cancer Bioinformatics Analysis of the Double-edged Role of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α (HIF-1α) in Human Cancer
Authors: LI RU , TANG KANG , LI QIAN
Published: March 2022

Background/Aim: Despite the emergence of cellular, animal, and clinical-based evidence demonstrating a link between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and malignancy, the comprehensive assessment of HIF-1α in pan-cancer patients remains unclear, particularly regarding HIF-1α expression and its association with immune infiltration and immune checkpoint. The present study aimed to investigate the role of HIF-1α expression in various types of malignancies through bioinformatics analysis. Materials and Methods: We investigated the expression and prognostic value of HIF-1α in pan-cancer based on the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) dataset. The abundance of immune infiltration was estimated by xCell immune deconvolution methods. We investigated the relationship of HIF-1α expression with immune infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression, with a focus on gastric adenocarcinoma (STAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Results: HIF-1α expression had different effects on the prognosis of various cancers. In contrast to the protective effect of HIF-1α expression in LUSC, high levels of HIF-1α expression played a detrimental role in the survival of STAD patients. There was a significant positive correlation between HIF-1α expression and immune infiltration in STAD patients, including regulatory T-cells (Tregs), T-cell CD4+ Th2, neutrophils, M1 and M2 macrophages. In addition, immune checkpoint molecules showed different HIF-1α-related profiles in various carcinomas. Conclusion: A relatively comprehensive view of the oncogenic role of HIF-1α in various tumors based on a pan-cancer analysis is provided in this study. HIF-1α may be considered a poor prognostic biomarker for STAD and, moreover, it may be involved in regulating tumor immune infiltration.
Erytec®: Bioinsumo de uso agrícola desarrollado por AGROSAVIA
Authors: Cuartas Otálora Paola Emilia , Gómez Valderrama Juliana Andrea , León Martínez Guillermo Adolfo , Campos Pinzón Juan Carlos
Published: March 2022

Erytec® es un bioplaguicida formulado como un polvo mojable para aplicación foliar, desarrollado por AGROSAVIA, cuyo principio activo es el granulovirus de Erinnyis ello, aislamiento colombiano VG010. El producto tiene una concentración mínima de 1 × 109 cuerpos de inclusión por gramo de producto.
An mHealth Self-management System for Support Children With Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and Their Caregivers: Qualitative Co-design Study
Authors: Mehdizadeh Hamed , Asadi Farkhondeh , Emami Hassan , Mehrvar Azim , Nazemi Eslam
Published: March 2022

Background

The unique features of smartphones have extended their use in different fields, especially in the health care domain. These features offer new opportunities to support patients with chronic conditions by providing them with information, education, and self-management skills. We developed a digital self-management system to support children with cancer and their caregivers in Iran (low- and middle-income country).

Objective

This study is aimed at the development and preliminary evaluation of a cancer self-management system (CanSelfMan) tailored to the needs of children with cancer and their parents or caregivers.

Methods

This study was conducted in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team between January and February 2020 at MAHAK’s Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center. We developed a self-management system in six stages: requirement analysis, conformity assessment, preparation of educational content, app prototyping, preliminary evaluation, and developing the final version.

Results

A total of 35 people (n=24, 69% parents and n=11, 31% children) volunteered to participate in the study. However, only 63% (15/24) of parents and 73% (8/11) of children were eligible to participate. By adopting a user-centered design approach, we developed a mobile app, CanSelfMan, that includes five main modules (knowledge base, self-management tips, self-assessment report, ask a question, and reminders) that provide access to reliable information about acute lymphocytic leukemia and the self-management skills required for side effect measurement and reporting. A web-based dashboard was also developed for oncologists and included a dashboard to monitor users’ symptoms and answer their questions.

Conclusions

The CanSelfMan app can support these groups by providing access to reliable information about cancer, facilitating communication between children or parents and health care providers, and helping promote medication adherence through a reminder function. The active participation of the target group can help identify their needs. Therefore, through the involvement of stakeholders such as patients, caregivers, and oncologists in the design process, we improved usability and ensured that the final product was useful. This app is now ready to proceed with feasibility studies.
Enhancing Entrepreneurship Education in Ordinary Secondary Schools to develop Employment opportunity: A case of Kinondoni District Dar Es Salaam -Tanzania
Authors: Soi Cleopa , Mkulu Demetria Gerold
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to enhance entrepreneurship education toward preparing secondary school students at Kinondoni District Dar es salaam in Tanzania for the creation of employment opportunities. The study aimed at assessing the roles of Entrepreneurship Education in developing employment opportunities for ordinary level secondary schools. The study employed a mixed-method design in examining these phenomena. One hundred and nineteen (119) participants were conveniently sampled and heads of schools were interviewed within 6 weeks. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data hence quantitative data were analyzed descriptively with the aid of SPSS version 22. All qualitative data obtained in the study were thematically analyzed. The study found that Entrepreneurship Education is a very crucial as it prepares student to be good citizens. Also, in today's environment of unpredictability, dynamic job market, and new technologies, are progressing with each passing day and the current generation is progressing towards a future without any inevitability. They might take years to master a particular trade or skill but with time it might disappear from the market, therefore destroying students' careers. The study concluded that teaching entrepreneurship as a study in education has to move beyond listing strategies for raising capital. Students need also to be equipped with skills enabling them to deal with negative attitudes, competition from cheap imports, and the choice of appropriate technologies. There is a distinguished need to improve training programs and make changes in the education system in Tanzania; there is also a need to develop entrepreneurs who would be able to navigate through local troubled waters.
ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE DIGGING POSITION ON THE LOADING OF THE AXIAL BEARING OF SLEWING PLATFORM DRIVE MECHANISMS IN HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS
Authors: Jovanović Vesna , Janošević Dragoslav , Pavlović Jovan
Published: February 2022

The paper defines the general mathematical model of hydraulic excavators for determining the boundary and possible digging resistances and equivalent loads of the axial bearing of the slewing platform drive mechanism throughout the excavator’s working area. Using a developed mathematical model and program, in the case of a 100000 kg hydraulic excavator with a shovel manipulator bucket volume of 6,5 m3, a detailed analysis was performed to examine the influence of the position and digging resistance on the loading of the axial bearing of the excavator slewing platform drive mechanism. The results of the performed analysis show that the equivalent loads, relevant for the selection of axial bearing of the excavator slewing platform, occur in the zone of the working area when the kinematic chain of the excavator has positions in which the manipulator mechanisms have coordinated interaction when they can overcome the greatest resistance forces in the stable operation of the excavator.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SINGLE POINT INCREMENTAL FORMING FOR ASYMMETRIC PARTS
Authors: Vosniakos George-Christopher , Pipinis Gabriel , Kostazos Protesilaos
Published: February 2022

Single point incremental forming (SPIF) that will produce non-symmetric sheet metal parts has been rarely dealt with so far. SPIF of a Francis hydro-turbine vane made of aluminum alloy is studied as a typical example in this work. At first, a concave geometry, encompassing the desired vane shape is designed, from which the formed part will be ultimately cut out. The necessary SPIF toolpaths are created by using the CAM software normally used for milling processes. Based on these toolpaths, a finite element simulation is setup using shell elements with a particular emphasis on substantial time scaling and due care on tool-sheet contact parameters. For validation purposes the part was manufactured and digitized by a white light scanner. It exhibited tolerable deviation from the targeted nominal geometry. Simulation predicted a significant part of this deviation, proving its indispensability in checking out toolpaths and process parameters for non-symmetric parts, yet at non-negligible computational time.
LI-HE’S MODIFIED HOMOTOPY PERTURBATION METHOD FOR DOUBLY-CLAMPED ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED MICROBEAMS-BASED MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM
Authors: Anjum Naveed , He Ji-Huan , Ain Qura Tul , Tian Dan
Published: February 2022

This paper highlights Li-He’s approach in which the enhanced perturbation method is linked with the parameter expansion technology in order to obtain frequency amplitude formulation of electrically actuated microbeams-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The governing equation is a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The obtained results are compared with the solution achieved numerically by the Runge-Kutta (RK) method that shows the effectiveness of this variation in the homotopy perturbation method (HPM).
THE ENHANCED HOMOTOPY PERTURBATION METHOD FOR AXIAL VIBRATION OF STRINGS
Authors: He Ji-Huan , El-Dib Yusry O.
Published: February 2022

A governing equation is established for string axial vibrations with temporal and spatial damping forces by the Hamilton principle. It is an extension of the well-known Klein-Gordon equation. The classical homotopy perturbation method (HPM) fails to analyze this equation, and a modification with an exponential decay parameter is suggested. The analysis shows that the amplitude behaves as an exponential decay by the damping parameter. Furthermore, the frequency equation is established and the stability condition is performed. The modified homotopy perturbation method yields a more effective result for the nonlinear oscillators and helps to overcome the shortcoming of the classical approach. The comparison between the analytical solution and the numerical solution shows an excellent agreement.
FFT-BASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MDR TRANSFORMATIONS FOR HOMOGENEOUS AND POWER-LAW GRADED MATERIALS
Authors: Willert Emanuel
Published: February 2022

It is shown how the Abel transform solution to the general axisymmetric normal contact problem for homogeneous and power-law graded elastic materials, which is paramount for the solution of different classes of tribological problems with the help of the method of dimensionality reduction (MDR), can be written in terms of explicit convolutions. These can be very efficiently evaluated with the 1D Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), which reduces the numerical complexity of the transformations from the order of N2 for the standard matrix-vector-multiplication (MVM) algorithm to the order of N. Convergence and performance of the proposed method are studied in detail. As an illustrative example a fretting wear simulation based on the new implementation is shown, the results of which are compared to the standard MVM implementation.
Performance Analysis of Castellated Steel I-Beam using FRP Stiffeners
Authors: Pawar Kirti , Kumbhar Popat
Published: February 2022

Abstract: Castellated beams are now widely used for a variety of structural applications. Castellated beams are the ones which have perforations in their web part. However, these perforations increase stress concentration around the openings, and also get subjected to web post-buckling. To reduce these post-buckling failures and increase the load-carrying capacity, the castellated steel I-beams are provided with different types of stiffeners at various locations. In this paper, the behaviour of a hexagonal castellated steel I-beam (ISMB) under point loading is investigated using carbon fibre polymer (CFRP) strips as stiffeners. Two different types of CFRP strip stiffeners are provided in the transverse direction and around the openings of the castellated beam. The finite element analysis of these stiffeners has been carried out by using ABAQUS software. The results show that the use of CFRP stiffeners for castellated beams enhances load-carrying capacity up to 20% and reduces the deflection by 12% as compared to the control castellated beam. The use of transverse CFRP stiffener reduces the web buckling failure and increases the load carrying capacity effectively as compared to the stiffeners used along the openings. As a result, it is preferable to use transverse stiffeners instead of the stiffeners used along of the openings. Keywords: Abacus software, Castellated beam, CFRP, Openings, Transverse stiffeners
Sentimental Analysis-A Review
Authors: Arora Anil , . Gitanjali
Published: March 2022

Abstract: Sentiment can be defined as a view or opinion that is held or expressed. Whereas, sentiment analysis (SA) is a process of computationally identifying and categorizing opinions expressed in a piece of textual content, particularly to decide the writer's attitude towards a particular topic, product or issue. SA also known as opinion mining is widely used in many domains such as products, services, issues and politics to analyze user’s behaviors or opinion regarding the related topics. Sentiment analysis is used to analyse the review of product, political issues, reviews on the social media such as face book, twitter, movies etc. where the different users can provide feedback and analyze it. It is also important for Business development by providing the product review and knows exactly what the customer wants. In this work, we have reviewed the latest developments in sentiment analysis. Keywords: Machine Learning, Supervised Learning, Support Vector Machine, Naive Bayes.
‘Born or Built?’ Exploring visitor understandings of robotics
Authors: Bilgin Gizem , Kerruish Erika , Kennett Rod , DeSalle Rob , Beck Anita , Jordan Alex , Newton-Walters Doug , Cracknell Matt
Published: March 2022

The ‘Born or Built? — Our Robotic Future’ (‘BOB?’) exhibition examines relationships between humans, robots and artificial intelligence. It encourages visitors to explore ethical and social issues surrounding these new technologies and invites visitors to post their own questions. We examine visitor responses to the exhibit “A of the Day”, which encourages visitors to engage by writing down their own question prompted by their experience in ‘BOB?’. As responses were submitted, it became apparent that the questions posed by visitors were potentially a valuable contribution to future science communication policy about robotics, and to those designing and implementing these technologies. We performed a content analysis that distilled themes in visitors' open-ended questioning that conveyed visitor knowledge and insight into what science communication about robotic technologies needs to address. Taken this way, visitors' questions form a moment of dialogue between the public and science communicators, engineers and researchers in which visitors contribute their knowledge and ideas about robotics. Such moments of dialogue are potentially valuable if the public is to be included in the development of robotics technology to build trust in robotics technology.
A no-go theorem for superpositions of causal orders
Authors: Costa Fabio
Published: March 2022

The causal order of events need not be fixed: whether a bus arrives before or after another at a certain stop can depend on other variables – like traffic. Coherent quantum control of causal order is possible too and is a useful resource for several tasks. However, quantum control implies that a controlling system carries the which-order information – if the control is traced out, the order of events remains in a probabilistic mixture. Can the order of two events be in a pure superposition, uncorrelated with any other system? Here we show that this is not possible for a broad class of processes: a pure superposition of any pair of Markovian, unitary processes with equal local dimensions and different causal orders is not a valid process, namely it results in non-normalised probabilities when probed with certain operations. The result imposes constraints on novel resources for quantum information processing and on possible processes in a theory of quantum gravity.
Shiite Pilgrimage to Atabat in the Context of Iranian-Iraqi Relations in Second Half of the 19th - Early 20th Centuries
Authors: Ardashnikova Anna N. , Konyashkina Tamara A.
Published: February 2022

The article is focused on the study of various aspects of the Shiite pilgrimage to the holy land of Iraq - atabat, which was an important part of the Shia-Sunni and interstate relations of the two neighbouring countries. Having a long history and having been actively practised during the entire period of the Qajar rule in Iran, it was interrupted in the 1920ies for political reasons connected with the adoption of new principles of state building in both countries. The article, based on archival documentary materials and travelogues both in Russian and Persian, partly introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, creates a detailed picture of the pious wandering of the Shiа which is analyzed in its religious and political aspects.
Caliphate in the Ideological Dialogue of the Islamic World: The Case of Pan-Islamic Congress in Cairo (1926)
Authors: Kirillina Svetlana A. , Safronova Alexandra L. , Orlov Vladimir V.
Published: February 2022

The article analyses the historical role and typological features of the movements for defense of the Caliphate that arose in various parts of the Muslim world as a result of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the Caliphate. The liquidation of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 by the Republican leadership of Turkey put again on the agenda the question of the Muslim unity and transregional cooperation. The authors focus on the new round of socio-political discussions about the unity of the Ummah and the future fate of the Caliphate. The extensive dialogue of the defenders of the idea of Caliphate and supporters of its restoration from different Islamic countries led to the emergence of various ideological approaches to this issue which reflected regional specifics in the interpretation of the essence of this institution in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Using the vivid example of the Pan-Islamic Congress for the Caliphate in Cairo (1926), the article examines the reasons for disagreements in the political, religious and philosophical matters among the advocates of Caliphate from the main Islamic regions. The article focuses on the difficulties faced by the Islamic thinkers - supporters of the Caliphate in the drastically changed conditions of world geopolitics and the wide spread of ideas of secular statehood. The article investigates the historical and cultural origins of interest in the concepts of the Caliphate among Muslims in various parts of the Islamic world. The article also explores various types of reactions of Muslims in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia to the repudiation of the Caliphate by the Republican Turkey.
Investigating the relations between the Mongols and Christians and its role in the collapse of Islamic governments. From the beginning of the Mongol conquests until Abaqa Khan’s death
Authors: Shalsouz Sajjad
Published: February 2022

The emergence of the Mongols and their invasion of Islamic lands is the most important phenomenon of the thirteenth century which dealt a severe blow to the Muslim governments present in the Islamic world and shook and sometimes uprooted their political-military as well as social and economic structures. At this time, the Christians of Europe and the Catholic Church, as well as the Christians living in the Eastern and Islamic lands, who saw the Muslims as their long-time enemy, tried to accompany the Mongols and interact with them from various religious, political, and military aspects to suppress and destroy the existing Islamic governments in the region, including the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, the Ayyubids the Levant and the Mamluks in Egypt. The present research, with theoretical analysis and review of historical events of this time and evaluating the available data, emphasizes not only the effective role of Christians in the Mongols confrontation with Islamic governments. It also explains their relations with the Mongols, taking into account the ruling families of the Mongols.
Post-discharge evaluation of patients with Covid-19 infection
Authors: ÇETİN Adil , GÖKÇEK Mebrure Beyza , ASLANER Hümeyra , KAYA ERTEN Zeliha , BENLİ ÖZÇAKIR Ayşenur Canan
Published: March 2022

Introduction: This study was conducted retrospectively, cross-sectional and descriptively to evaluate the telemonitoring results of discharged patients who had been hospitalized due to Covid-19 during the pandemic.Methods: This study was composed of data which were obtained through the folders of 862 patients who had gotten their Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests positive, were treated in hospital and discharged between 28.08.2020 and 16.09.2020. This study was completed with folders of 760 patients whose data were overall. Descriptive statistics were given as mean, standard deviation, median, minimum and maximum. Percentages were used for categorical data. Also, the Chi-Square test was used to determine differences between the groups in categorical variables. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used so as to analyze normal distribution of data.Results: In the study, the age median of patients who stated their clinical condition as good and average, was lower compared to patients whose clinical status was bad (p=0.001). 45% of patients with poor condition were rehospitalized and 35% of them were directed to emergency service (p<0.001).Conclusions: Results have demonstrated that even if those patients were discharged, their problems still continued in their homes, and they need support. Moreover, it is considered that home-monitoring and home attendant care services for elderly patients have to be improved qualitatively.Keywords: Covid-19, Home Care, Discharge Period