bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico-aetiological Profile of Meningoencephalitis: A Prospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Centre, Hubli, Karnataka, India
Authors: . Amruth , Shetty Sushma , Chintamani Geeta , Krupashree G
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Meningoencephalitis is a syndrome leading to fatality and neurological damages. Worldwide, infection of the central nervous system is the most common cause of meningoencephalitis. In encephalitis, a leptomeningeal involvement along with inflammation of brain parenchyma is invariably present and the clinical symptoms reflect both diffuse and focal cerebral pathology as well as meningitis. Correct immediate diagnosis and introduction of early symptomatic and specific therapy has a dramatic influence upon survival and reduces the extent of permanent brain injury and also has major impact on the outcome. Aim: To study the clinical profile and aetiological causes of meningoencephalitis and also to analyse the mortality and morbidity due to meningoencephalitis in a tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted between December 2018 to December 2020 in a tertiary care centre, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubali, Karnataka, in which 184 patients of meningoencephalitis who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included. Detailed history and clinical examination was done followed by laboratory investigations, complete hemogram, serum electrolytes, liver function tests, Fundoscopy, Electroencephalography (EEG). Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) analysis including CSF culture and Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT), Computed Tomography (CT)/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Brain were also done and results analyzed. Microsoft (MS) Excel and MS word was used to obtain various types of graphs such as bar diagram, pie diagram. Percentages, means were calculated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistics software version 22.0. Results: Out of 184 patients majority of patients were in the age group of 31 to 50 years accounting for 85 (46.2%) of cases. Majority of patients were males (n=113) than females (n=71). Tubercular aetiology was found in 51.6%, viral cause in 25%, bacterial cause in 21.2%, fungal cause in 2.17% of patients. Out of 184 patients of meningoencephalitis, 50% patients recovered, 27.17% patients recovered with residual neurological deficit, 11.95% patients died and 10.86% were discharged . Conclusion: Detailed history and clinical examination along with appropriate investigations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis. The Tubercular (TB) Meningitis was common with high morbidity and mortality.
Implementation of Modified Peyton’s Method for Skill Training among Undergraduate Students in Prosthodontics
Authors: Singhania Ashika , Pisulkar Sweta Kale
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Simulation training has been practiced in dental schools all throughout. The pertinent use of simulation in any professional education program allows the students to get clarity for their clinical skills without the danger of harming the patient during the learning process. The success of different teaching methods in skill laboratories is still debated in the literature. One of them is Peyton’s approach which is designed for student: teacher ratio of 1:1. To overcome this modified Peyton’s method was introduce which allows each of the trainees to perform respective skill at least once. Aim: To evaluate and compare Modified Peyton’s approach with conventional teaching for skill training among undergraduate students in Prosthodontics. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study will be conducted in Department of Prosthodontics at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharshtra, India, from October 2022 to December 2023. The study will involve 70 third year BDS students randomly divided two groups equally. The study will be conducted in dental setting utilising the dental skill laboratory to make alginate impression. Group A will be taught using conventional method and group B will be divided into 10 groups and taught using modified Peyton method and evaluation will be done using Objective Structured Practical Examination and post-test. Expected Outcome: At the end of the study, student’s taught using modified Peyton’s method might show better result in OSPE and post-test. Conclusion: Modified Peyton’s method will prove beneficial to students learning new skill.
Out of Site, Out of Mind- A Rare Case of Adrenal Histoplasmosis from a Non Endemic Area
Authors: Sanikommu Dhruvi Reddy , Chandramouli Chandni , Chenthil KS , Bhavani K , Sowmya S
Published: September 2022

There has been a rising trend in the number of histoplasmosis cases reported in the recent years. However, in southern India, the number of cases is relatively less. This report is about a 46-year-old Indian male from Tamil Nadu who presented with decreased appetite, vomiting, and giddiness. In view of persistent hyponatremia and hypotension, a work-up for adrenal insufficiency was done, and serum cortisol was found to be low. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) showed bilateral adrenal enlargement with peripheral rim enhancement and hypodense areas within. There was a diagnostic dilemma between tubercular and fungal aetiology. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the adrenal gland showed features suggestive of histoplasmosis. The patient was treated with itraconazole along with steroid replacement therapy, leading to marked improvement in his overall condition. In immunocompetent individuals, disseminated histoplasmosis with adrenal gland involvement is a rare occurrence. As an unusual presentation of histoplasmosis, this case adds to the body of literature available from Tamil Nadu, which is a non endemic region for histoplasmosis, with only 15 cases being reported as of 2018.
Comparison between Plain Ropivacaine, Ropivacaine with Buprenorphine and Ropivacaine with Clonidine for Intrathecal use in Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgeries: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Vasanth D , Narayanan Vijay , Kumar SA Senthil
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Ropivacaine is an amide local anaesthetic agent. The lower limb surgeries involves the great somatic pain. By using these adjuvants such as buprenorphine and clonidine with local anaesthetic agent to know the effective intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Aim: To compare the anaesthetic characteristics in terms of quality of blockade when intrathecal ropivacaine with buprenorphine and ropivacaine with clonidine as adjuvant. Materials and Methods: The present study was a doubleblinded randomised control trial in which a total of 75 subjects were divided into three groups, with 25 per group-group R (Inj. Ropivacaine 0.75%-3 mL with 0.2 mL sterile water), group RB (0.2 mL Buprenorphine with Inj. Ropivacaine 0.75% 3 mL), and group RC (0.2 mL Clonidine with Inj. Ropivacaine 0.75% 3 mL). Onset and duration of blocks were observed. Haemodynamic parameters, and pain score were monitored intraoperatively and postoperatively. Data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0. The p-value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: The onset time of sensory and motor blockade for group RC was significantly more in comparison to R and RB groups (sensory block-5 minutes 50 seconds vs 3 minutes 39 seconds vs 3 minutes 50 seconds); and (motor block-6 minutes 52 seconds vs 4 minutes 39 seconds vs 4 minutes 74 seconds). Group RC had significantly longer duration of sensory block than R and RB groups (327 minutes 88 seconds vs 166 minutes 60 seconds (167 minutes) vs 222 minutes 44 seconds). Conclusion: Ropivacaine with clonidine showed significantly more duration of sensory block, motor block and time for first rescue analgesia with haemodynamic stability than ropivacaine and ropivacaine with buprenorphine.
Advancing Pulmonary Rehabilitation Approach in Improving Well-being in a Long COVID-19 Syndrome Case
Authors: Bhakaney Pallavi Rajeshwar , Vardhan Vishnu
Published: September 2022

Being a highly contagious disease, Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has shown its impact throughout the world. Clinical manifestations are seen primarily involving the respiratory system. Fever, cough, fatigue, and breathlessness are the commonly seen symptoms. Several cases of COVID-19 manifest as viral pneumonia-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). COVID19 symptoms appear not only during the course of the illness but also as its after effects. Long COVID-19 is said to be multisystem syndrome, categorised as postacute or chronic depending upon the time frame. It is characterized by the presence of symptoms beyond four weeks of the actual disease. Change in structural components in the lung leads to having a functional consequence on the body, affecting the cognitive, psychosocial, mental and physical well-being of the patients. Studies have shown alveolar damage same as ARDS. The most common pulmonary sequences seen are dyspnoea, cough (dry/with expectoration) and decreased diffusion capacity leading to reduced endurance. The present case report was of a 45-year-old nurse, who presented with the symptoms of postacute long COVID-19. Her previous scan of thorax showed a severity score of 11/25 after being tested COVID-19 positive. In view of the presenting complaints, a tailor-made pulmonary rehabilitation program was administered which showed great improvement in overall health condition. This case had been reported to document the effects of post COVID rehabilitation program on aspects such as functional capacity, quality of life, anxiety and depression using novel measures such as Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT), World Health Organisation Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21). Rehabilitation has been proven to be effective and safe in improving the exercise performance, quality of life affected due to COVID-19 and psychological function of the patients.
Formalin Sediment Cytology of Small Biopsy Samples: An Adjunct to Histopathology
Authors: Vijay Jahnvi , Kumar B Deepak , Murthy V Srinivasa
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Cytological evaluation of malignant neoplasms forms an integral part of diagnostic work-up in any malignant disorders. Sediment cytology or more aptly called as biopsy sediment cytology is a technique that involves study of smears prepared from sediment of biopsy specimen fixatives. The preliminary diagnosis on sediment cytology helps in planning and early initiation of treatment. Aim: To evaluate the cytomorphological features of sediment cytology of small biopsy samples and compare the same with histopathological diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of two months from July 2021 to August 2021 at ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. A total of 51 samples were included for the study. The sediments of biopsy specimens were collected in a test tube, centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 minutes and smears were prepared. Stained smears were evaluated for presence and morphology of cells. The morphology was compared with histopathological diagnosis of biopsy specimens. The concordance rate was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient in non neoplastic/benign lesions and malignant lesions separately. A p value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: Biopsies from gastrointestinal system accounted for the maximum number of cases (16 cases, 31.4%), followed by biopsies from oral cavity (15 cases, 29.4%) and female genital tract (11 cases, 21.5%). Sediment cytology yielded diagnostic material in 46 cases (90.2%). The diagnostic yield was 90.2% with an overall concordance of 60.8%. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy was 65.12%, 100% and 60.8% respectively. The concordance rate in non neoplastic/benign lesions was r=0.99, with p=0.0001, whereas with respect to malignant lesions, concordance rate was r=0.86 with p=0.0003. Conclusion: Cytological evaluation plays an important role in early and effective planning of appropriate treatment. Biopsy sediment cytology although an adjunct to histopathology has practical utility and fulfills the desired role of any cytological sample in providing a provisional diagnosis.
MANAGEMENT OF HERPES ZOSTER (NAMLA) THROUGH UNANI MEDICINE: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Ismail Bhoraniya Abdullah , Qayyum Ifra Abdul , Abidurrahman Syed , Kalam Mohd Afsahul , Nawab Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Background and Aim: Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and is pain full infection prevalent worldwide. The inappropriate and delayed treatment causes prolongation of the disease with debilitating symptoms and postherpetic neuralgia. Combination therapy has shown a reduction in pain, burning, and arrest of the progression of the disease which was cost-effective and easy to apply. In the Unani system of medicine, herpes can be correlated with Namla or Sa’iya. Material And Method: A 60-year-old male patient, approached the outpatient department of the National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorder (NRIUMSD), Hyderabad, with complaints of severe burning, itching, pain, blisters of the skin, and fever for 3 days. The examination of the skin revealed a herpes zoster (Namla). The patient was treated with the Unani compound formulations; Marham Safed Kafoori (topical) over infected skin, Habb-i-Asgandh 2 Tablet, Sharbat-e-Unnab 20 ml, Ma’jun Chobchini 5gm two times daily for 6 weeks. A rapid decrease in pain was observed after 7 days of treatment according to Zoster Specific Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) Questionnaire. Result: Lesions of Herpes Zoster were found completely crusted and healed within 6 weeks. Conclusion: Repeated topical application and oral administration of compound formulations gave complete relief. So, Unani medicine has potential efficacy in healing herpes zoster.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ARTAVA KSHAYA BY AYURVEDA TREATMENT: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Kamble Priyanka , C Swathi , Chaturvedi Ashutosh
Published: September 2022

Artava Kashaya is the condition in which menstruation does not occur at the appropriate time, which can be correlated with oligomenorrhea with scanty menstrual blood flow. The principle of treatment is focused on Agni Deepana, Sroto Shodhan, Artava Pravartana and Vata Kapha Shaman. Hence in the current case report treatment scenario was selected for the management and follow-up was done every 15 days. The present case study was carried out by following good clinical practice guidelines, studies on irregular menstruation, and Ayurveda textual references. Written informed consent of the patient was taken before starting the treatment. A detailed history of the patient with all necessary clinical and physical examination and laboratory investigations were carried out. The patient had got her menstruation regularly with normal duration while taking medicine. Also, the amount of flow was improved, and the intensity of pain was reduced effectively from moderate to mild. Even after the cessation of medicine, she got her menstruation in 30 days with a normal amount of flow. Hence, the most common gynecological problem in adolescent girls is mostly amenorrhea or menorrhagia due to frequent ovulation that can be triggered by the presence of oligomenorrhoea which is a physiological condition after menarche, and which usually happens after a period of a regular cycle. Therefore, Artava Kshaya can be correlated with oligomenorrhoea or hypomenorrhea. Artava Kshaya is explained by Acharya Sushruta in Sushrut Samhita Sutra sthan chapter 15 with the characteristics of Yathochit Akal Darshan with Alpartava and sometimes featured with Yoni Vedana.
Bioethanol Production from Various Lignocellulosic Materials by Encapsulated Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3095
Authors: Bhakare Sagar , Wagh Mahesh S. , Kale Pravin , Gadhave Avinash
Published: September 2022

Bioethanol has a greater promise for environmental safety and energy security than fossil fuels. The alternate source required to meet the fuel's requirements can be provided by bioethanol. Untapped sugar-rich sources, like cellulose-rich household wastes, industrial wastes, and agricultural wastes, can all be used to make bioethanol at a minimal cost. The study's objective was to determine whether saccharomyces cerevisiae cells from the encapsulated NCIM 3095 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be used to make low-cost ethanol from a variety of lignocellulosic wastes, including newspaper, banana leaves, gram straw, soybean straw, and cow dung. To reduce bacterial contamination and serve as an external growth stimulator, benzathine penicillin G and ammonium sulfate were added to each sample broth containing calcium alginate-encapsulated yeast cells. The samples were fermented for ten days. The ethanol content was evaluated every three days. The largest yield of bioethanol was produced by soybean straw (10.0%), while the lowest was by cow dung (4.0%).
Impact of Front Line Demonstration on Pigeon Pea in Farmers Field through a Cluster Approach
Authors: Rajashekar B. , Rajashekhar M. , Reddy T. Prabhakar , Reddy M. Jagan Mohan , Shankar Adi , Ramakrishna K. , Jahan Afifa
Published: September 2022

In the operational region of KVK, Palem, a total of 175 cluster frontline demos (CFLDs) on pigeon pea were carried out with the Redgram variety PRG-176 from 2019–20 to 2021–2022. Through farmer meetings and group discussions, the crucial inputs in the production technology now in use were identified. The results for pigeon peas showed an overall yield trend of 12.50 to 13.00 q/ha and a yield improvement of 11.11 to 11.84% over the yield from local methods, respectively. Due to significant heterogeneity in the extent of adoption of recommended technology based on the level of risk associated in terms of cost, convenience, ability, and knowledge of the concerned practice, the yield levels were significantly lower under local practices. Pigeon pea had an average extension gap, technology gap, and technology index of 128.30, 125, and 8.93%, respectively. The average gross and net returns of the pigeon pea crop demonstration were, respectively, 72895 and 47045 percent higher than the farmers' practices. Throughout the trial, the average benefit cost ratio was found to be greater in pigeon pea, at 2.8 respectively. The technological gap and index percentage were found to vary as a result of differences in agro-climatic parameters, soil fertility, biotic stressors, socioeconomic status, and management practices. Therefore, it is plainly clear from the data that the frontline demonstration program's use of superior varieties, packaging, and processes together with scientific intervention has contributed to raising the productivity and profitability of pulses in the global economy.
Rainfall Forecast Verification in Different Blocks of Banka District of Bihar
Authors: Sahu Jubuli , Prasad Muneshwar , Pandit Ashok , Kumari Sweeti , Kumar Birendra , Kumar Santosh , Sohane R. K. , Singh K. K.
Published: September 2022

Accuracy in rainfall forecast plays an important role in farming operations. Here, a study has been done to verify the forecast and actual rainfall data of 11 blocks of Banka district at KVK, Banka. To verify the accuracy of rainfall forecast for the financial year 2020-21 several statistical tools has been used i.e., Forecast Accuracy (ACC) or Ratio Score or Hit Score, Hanssen and Kuipers Scores or True Skill Score (HK score), Probability of detection (POD), Heidke Skill Score (HSS), False alarm ratio, Critical Success index (CSI), Missing Rate (MR) and BIAS score. Forecast Accuracy (ACC) ranged from 0.81 to 0.87 and the highest accuracy of rainfall prediction was observed in Katoriya block and lowest accuracy observed in Amarpur, Dhoraiya and Rajoun block. Similarly, Critical Success Index (CSI) was recorded with the values range of 0.4 to 0.6 for respective blocks of Banka district. Heidke Skill Score (HSS) was accounted as 0.50 for Amarpur, Banka, Barahat, Bounsi, Belhar, Dhoraiya, Rajoun and Shambhuganj and for rest of the blocks it was 0.6. The higher accuracy (87.1 per cent) was recorded in Katoriya block followed by Fullidumar (86.3 per cent) and Chandan (85.4 per cent). The highest no. of rainy days was observed in Katoriya block (75 no.) followed by Chandan (74 no.). POD value ranges between 0.8-0.9, FAR value between 0.3-0.5, MR and BIAS value ranges between 0.8-0.9 and 1.3 -2.0 respectively.
Effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid & Indole Acetic Acid on Growth, Yield and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)
Authors: Vidyullatha Lingam Meghana Mercy , Topno Samir Ebson
Published: September 2022

The present experiment was carried out during Zaid 2021. In order to study the “Effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Indole Acetic Acid on Growth, Yield and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo. L). The trail was conducted at Biotechnology polyhouse, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agriculture Institute and Prayagraj. The foliar spray two growth regulators like Naphthalene Acetic Acid and Indole Acetic Acid were spray separately at different concentration (NAA @10ppm, 20ppm, 30 ppm, 40 ppm, 50 ppm, 60 ppm, 70 ppm, 80 ppm. IAA @ 100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm, 400 ppm, 500 ppm, 600 ppm, 700 ppm, 800 ppm. The result revealed among all the treatments foliar application of NAA (80 ppm) is significantly gave positive impact on growth, yield and quality parameters.

i.e. Vine length (153.96 cm), number of days for 1st male flower (33.6 Days), No.  of days for 1st female flower (38.83 Days), No. of Node at which 1st Male flower appears ( 4 . 1 ), No. of Node at  which 1st Female flower appears ( 5 . 83) No. of Male flowers (207.33), No. of Female flowers(5.3) fruits per   plant (3), diameter of the fruit (22.53 cm), length of the fruit(13.4cm), fruit yield per plant (1.4 kg), fruit yield per hectare (12.46 t), total soluble solids (11.30 Brix°), gross returns (3,73,800 Rs/ha), net returns (2,39,844 Rs/ha) and Benefit: cost ratio (2.79) were obtained among all other treatments with foliar application of NAA @80 ppm compared to other treatments.
Effect of Foliar Application of Zinc on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Ankush . , Kumar Vinai , Kumar Sarvesh , Singh A. K. , Bisarya Dipti
Published: September 2022

Aims: The study was aimed to observe “Effect of foliar application of Zinc on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)”.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD).

Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted at the research fields of School of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar (Punjab) during rabi season in the year 2021-2022.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted with eight treatments and three replicationswere T1- Absolute Control, T2- RDF (Chemical Control) 120:60:40 NPK, T3- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% ), T4- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% ), T5- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% ), T6- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% ), T7- RDF 120:60:40 NPK + Zinc ( Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% + 60 DAYS 0.5%), T8- 75% RDF + Zinc (Spray @ 15 DAYS 0.5% + 30 DAYS 0.5% + 60 DAYS 0.5%).

Results: The results showed that the foliar application of Zinc at different stages, along with recommended dose of fertilizer had a positive effect on plant height, number of leaves per plant, Chlorophyll by SPAD value and grain yield of crop. It was reported that at harvest, the highest values of growth parameters like plant height (cm) were recorded in T7 (97.07cm), number of leaves per plant was in T7 (11.03), Chlorophyll by SPAD value was in T5 (37.37) and grain yield was in T7 (61.70 q/ha) which were significantly higher over control treatments where we did not applied Zinc.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that along with RDF, foliar application of Zinc has positive effects on growth and development of plant as well as helps in increasing the yield of the crop as compared to the no foliar application Zinc. Along with this, it has also been found that foliar application of Zinc should be done in splits ie. at15 days intervals at crucial stages of crop which helps in maximum absorption of nutrients that ultimately affects the yield of the crop . Since the Zinc fertilizers like Zinc sulfate is a cheap and easily available fertilizer, it could find wider acceptability among farmers.
Pre-sowing Seed Treatments with Selected Organics on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Chickpea Var Desi Himmat
Authors: Harish Ummigari , Rai Prashant Kumar
Published: September 2022

The present study entitled, “Pre-Sowing Seed Treatments With Suitable Organics on Growth, Yield, Yield attributing Traits in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) var Desi Himmat” was carried out with Panchagavya, Neem Leaf Extract, Vermiwash, Tulsi Leaf Extracts of varying concentrates at the duration of 12 hrs. To assess these treatments' effects on Chickpea and find the optimal pre-sowing treatment. The results depicted that seed treatment showed significant variation for all the recorded characters and performed well compared to the untreated control. Seed treatment with T2-Panchagavya at 10% for 12 hrs. recorded field emergence of 92.33% and plant height at maturity 71.33 cms, days to 50% flowering is 63.67 days, and days to 50% pod setting 71.67 days, days to maturity is 106.33 days, 32.99 pods per plant, 1.91 seeds per pod, 14.33 gm seed yield per plant, 23.66 gm of 100 seed weight, 35.80 gm of biological yield per plant and 39.11% of harvest index. At par treatment, T4-Vermiwash at 8% for 12 hrs. performed well with 13.66 gm seed yield per plant, and the 36.52% harvest index was promising. Thus, treating T2-Panchagavya at 10% for 12 hrs. was so productive and can be suggested for cultivation on a commercial scale.
Cognitive Decline in Long-term Care Residents Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Webber Colleen , Myran Daniel T. , Milani Christina , Turcotte Luke , Imsirovic Haris , Li Wenshan , Tanuseputro Peter
Published: September 2022

This study examines the incidence of cognitive decline among long-term care residents in Ontario before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Huge Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges—A Confusing Coexistence
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhu Rui , Liu Tong
Published: September 2022

This case report describes a man in his 30s with no known medical history presented to the emergency department with 6 hours of vertigo, vomiting, dysarthria, and left-sided weakness and was subsequently diagnosed with stroke-heart syndrome.
Core Outcome Sets in Child Health
Authors: Lei Ruobing , Shen Quan , Yang Bo , Hou Tianchun , Liu Hui , Luo Xufei , Li Yuehuan , Zhang Junhua , Norris Susan L. , Chen Yaolong
Published: September 2022

Importance

Developing core outcome sets is essential to ensure that results of clinical trials are comparable and useful. A number of core outcome sets in pediatrics have been published, but a comprehensive in-depth understanding of core outcome sets in this field is lacking.

Objective

To systematically identify core outcome sets in child health, collate the diseases to which core outcome sets have been applied, describe the methods used for development and stakeholder participation, and evaluate the methodological quality of existing core outcome sets.

Evidence Review

MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched using relevant search terms, such as clinical trials, core outcome, and children, along with relevant websites, such as Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET). Four researchers worked in teams of 2, performed literature screening and data extraction, and evaluated the methodological quality of core outcome sets using the Core Outcome Set–Standards for Development (COS-STAD).

Findings

A total of 77 pediatric core outcome sets were identified, mainly developed by organizations or researchers in Europe, North America, and Australia and mostly from the UK (22 [29%]) and the US (22 [29%]). A total of 77 conditions were addressed; the most frequent International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision category was diseases of the digestive system (14 [18%]). Most of the outcomes in pediatric core outcome sets were unordered (34 [44%]) or presented in custom classifications (29 [38%]). Core outcome sets used 1 or more of 8 development methods; the most frequent combination of methods was systematic review/literature review/scoping review, together with the Delphi approach and consensus for decision-making (10 [14%]). Among the 6 main types of stakeholders, clinical experts were the most frequently involved (74 [100%]), while industry representatives were rarely involved (4 [5%]). Only 6 core outcome sets (8%) met the 12 criteria of COS-STAD.

Conclusions and Relevance

Future quality of pediatric core outcome sets should be improved based on the standards proposed by the COMET initiative, while core outcome sets methodology and reporting standards should be extended to pediatric populations to help improve the quality of core outcome sets in child health. In addition, the COMET outcome taxonomy should also add items applicable to children.
Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Among Refugee Children and Adolescents Living in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods
Authors: Foverskov Else , White Justin S. , Frøslev Trine , Sørensen Henrik T. , Hamad Rita
Published: September 2022

Importance

Refugee children and adolescents are at increased risk of mental health difficulties, but little is known about how the characteristics of the neighborhood in which they resettle may affect vulnerability and resilience.

Objective

To test whether neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with risk of psychiatric disorders among refugee children and adolescents and examine whether the association differs by sex, age at arrival, and family structure.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This quasi-experimental register-based cohort study included refugees in Denmark aged 0 to 16 years at the time of resettlement from 1986 to 1998. A refugee dispersal policy implemented during those years assigned housing to refugee families in neighborhoods with varying degrees of socioeconomic disadvantage in a quasi-random (ie, arbitrary) manner conditional on refugee characteristics observed by placement officers. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between neighborhood disadvantage and risk of psychiatric disorders, adjusting for relevant baseline covariates.

Exposures

A neighborhood disadvantage index combining information on levels of income, education, unemployment, and welfare assistance in the refugees’ initial quasi-randomly assigned neighborhood.

Main Outcomes and Measures

First-time inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder before age 30 years.

Results

Median (IQR) baseline age in the sample of 18 709 refugee children and adolescents was 7.9 (4.7-11.7) years; 8781 participants (46.9%) were female and 9928 (53.1%) were male. During a median (IQR) follow-up period of 16.1 (10.2-20.8) years, 1448 refugees (7.7%) were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder (incidence rate, 51.2 per 10 000 person-years). An increase of 1 SD in neighborhood disadvantage was associated with an 11% increase in the hazard of a psychiatric disorders (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.21). This association did not differ between male and female individuals, refugees who arrived at different ages, or those from single- vs dual-parent households. In secondary analyses using prescribed psychiatric medication as the outcome, a similar association with neighborhood disadvantage was found (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03-1.14).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, neighborhood disadvantage was associated with an increase in risk of psychiatric disorders. The results suggest that placement of refugee families in advantaged neighborhoods and efforts to enhance the neighborhood context in disadvantaged areas may improve mental health among refugee children and adolescents.
Optimizing Conducting Polymer Top Electrodes for Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wei Wanxia , Dong Xinyun , Zhou Xianmin , Lu Xin , Liu Yang , Chen Jianping , Xie Cong , Zhou Yinhua
Published: September 2022

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a promising solution‐processed electrode for printable organic solar cells (OSCs). PEDOT:PSS‐based top electrode has been used in fullerene OSCs, but hasn't been successfully used in nonfullerene OSCs. The PEDOT:PSS electrode suffers energy level mismatch with emerging nonfullerene active layers and poor wettability on the top of those active layers. In this work, two types of PEDOT (alcohol‐dispersed PEDOT:F and aqueous PEDOT:PSS PH1000) are combined to fabricate efficient top electrodes for nonfullerene OSCs. The alcohol‐dispersed PEDOT:F solves the issues of the energy level mismatch and poor wetting. PEDOT:PSS is transfer‐printed onto the PEDOT:F to obtain high electrical conductivity for hole collection. Nonfullerene OSCs with the PEDOT:F/PEDOT:PSS polymer top electrodes (vacuum‐free processing) show power conversion efficiency of 12.46% based on PM6:Y6:PC71BM active layer.
Heterogeneous Interfacial Layers Derived from the In Situ Reaction of CoF2 Nanoparticles with Sodium Metal for Dendrite‐Free Na Metal Anodes
Authors: Zhou Xuefeng , Liu Fanfan , Wang Yujie , Yao Yu , Shao Yu , Rui Xianhong , Wu Feixiang , Yu Yan
Published: September 2022

Sodium‐metal batteries, with high energy density and low cost, are emerging stars in the field of large‐scale energy storage and power batteries. The application of sodium metal is hindered by side reactions between the active sodium metal anode and the electrolyte, unstable solid electrolyte interphase, and dendrite growth caused by the uneven distribution of sodium ions. Here, heterogeneous interface layer composed of the sodium fluoride and metallic cobalt (NaF/Co) is constructed in situ and spontaneously by introducing the CoF2 nanoparticles confined in carbon to the Na metal surface. The NaF/Co artificial interface layer with high Young's modulus, high Na+ conductivity, high surface energy, and strong sodiophilicity renders the Na+ evenly distributed, suppresses Na‐dendrite growth, and reduces side reaction with electrolyte. Due to these virtues, the Na||Na symmetric cells with NaF/Co interface layers demonstrate long cycle life (1000 h at 1.0 mA cm−2, 1.0 mAh cm−2). Moreover, when the NaF/Co/Na anode is matched with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode, the produced full battery (Na3V2(PO4)3||NaF/Co/Na) exhibits a long lifespan of 1000 cycles at 15 C and a high‐rate capacity of ≈52 mAh g−1 at 60 C. This work provides a new strategy to solve the dendrite growth of Na metal anodes.
Recent Progress and Challenges in Mixed Ionic–Electronic Conducting Membranes for Oxygen Separation
Authors: Kwon Young-il , Nam Gyeong Duk , Lee Gahyeon , Choi Soomin , Joo Jong Hoon
Published: September 2022

Carbon neutrality refers to the state of making net‐zero emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a key concept in tackling global warming. It can be achieved by offsetting carbon emissions as well as balancing reduced and emitted emissions. Globally, CO2 is emitted mainly from fossil fuel power plants. The use of carbon capture and storage technology, including pre‐, post‐, and oxy‐fuel combustion capture, in power plants can provide a carbon‐neutral strategy that allows for the sustainable use of fossil fuels while potentially reducing CO2 emissions. Oxy‐fuel combustion capture facilitates CO2 capture by simplifying combustion products through the reaction of recirculated flue gas with a high‐purity oxygen. Oxygen transport membranes, which produce pure oxygen by oxygen transport via oxides at high temperatures, have attracted increased interest because they can improve overall efficiency when integrated with oxy‐fuel combustion capture. Dual‐phase membranes with fluorite structure have greater potential for commercialization than perovskite‐based single‐phase membranes, which have poor chemical and mechanical properties. However, despite these advantages, their low oxygen permeability remains a critical issue. This review focuses on progress in the development of dual‐phase membranes and summarizes various approaches that can facilitate bulk diffusion and surface exchange, which affect the oxygen permeability.
Unusual lesions seen in the caudals of the hadrosaur, Edmontosaurus annectens
Authors: Anné Jennifer , Whitney Megan , Brocklehurst Robert , Donnelly Kevin , Rothschild Bruce
Published: September 2022

The study of pathologies in the fossil record allows for unique insights into the physiology, immunology, biomechanics, and daily life history of extinct organisms. This is especially important in organisms that have body structures dissimilar to those of extant organisms as well as transitional groups whose extant relatives may have very dissimilar physiologies. Comparisons between modern groups and their fossil ancestors are further complicated by the fact that fossil groups may have experienced unique biomechanical stresses as well as possessing a mixture of anatomical features seen in their related extant groups. In this study, we present lesions in the caudal vertebrae of the hadrosaur, Edmontosaurus annectens from the Ruth Mason Dinosaur Quarry of South Dakota, which exhibit unique morphologies. X‐ray microtomography was performed on the most extreme example of this morphology to allow for both a detailed and more accurate diagnosis of the pathologic condition as well as virtual conservation of the specimen. Based on the location, the overall morphology of the lesion, and the relative “normal” appearance of the internal microstructure, the most probable cause is postulated as long‐term biomechanical stresses exerted on this section of the tail by both lateral and dorsoventral motions of the tail. This deduction was based on a process of elimination for a variety of known osteological conditions; however, future work is needed to determine the nature of the stresses and why this condition has not been recorded in more hadrosaurian specimens.
Investigation of the Transporting Behavior of Framework DNA Nano‐Devices Across the Artificial Blood‐Brain Barrier (BBB)
Authors: Chen Xiao , Liu Dunfang , Wu Yuanyuan , Yao Han , Xia Qian , Yang Yang
Published: September 2022

This study focused on exploring the ability of self‐assembled DNA frameworks to cross the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). We designed and assembled a series of DNA origami structures with equal quantity of nucleic acid materials but different morphologies and rigidities, such as barrel, soccer ball, icosahedron, and compared their transport efficiency in an in vitro BBB model. It was observed that the relatively large and soft structures could better penetrate the BBB through a lysosome irrelative transcytosis process, while the smallest and most rigid structure was blocked severally accompanied with an obvious lysosome digestion once internalized by the endothelial cells.
Charge‐Transfer Transitions Govern the Reactivity and Photophysics of Vicinally Diphosphanyl‐Substituted Diborapentacenes
Authors: Jin Tao , Bolte Michael , Lerner Hans‐Wolfram , Mewes Jan‐Michael , Wagner Matthias
Published: September 2022

2,3‐Difluoro‐5,14‐dihydro‐5,14‐diborapentacene (DBP) was endowed with two vicinal Ph2P groups by an SNAr reaction at both CF sites using Ph2PSiMe3. Computations reveal the ambipolar product P to undergo P‐to‐B charge transfer under ambient light irradiation. Consequently, P is prone to photooxidation by air, yielding the Ph2P(O) species PO. With S8 or [Me3O][BF4], P furnishes the Ph2P(S) or Ph2P(Me)+ derivatives PS or [PMe][BF4]2. Along the series P, PO, PS, and [PMe][BF4]2, the redox potentials shift anodically from E1/2=−1.89 V to −1.02 V (CH2Cl2). Thus, derivatization of the Ph2P group allows late‐stage modulation of the LUMO‐energy level of the DBP. Derivatization also influences the emission properties of the compounds, as PO shows green (521 nm) and [PMe][BF4]2 red (622 nm) fluorescence in C6H6, while P and PS are dark. With CuBr and AgBr, P forms dimeric [M(μ‐Br)]2 complexes [PCu]2 and [PAg]2, which show pronounced metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT), making P a promising ligand for photocatalysts.
Observing Nearby Nuclei on Paramagnetic Trityls and MOFs via DNP and Electron Decoupling
Authors: Tan Kong Ooi , Yang Luming , Mardini Michael , Boon Cheong Choon , Driesschaert Benoit , Dincă Mircea , Griffin Robert G.
Published: September 2022

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is an NMR sensitivity enhancement technique that mediates polarization transfer from unpaired electrons to NMR‐active nuclei. Despite its success in elucidating important structural information on biological and inorganic materials, the detailed polarization‐transfer pathway from the electrons to the nearby and then the bulk solvent nuclei, and finally to the molecules of interest‐remains unclear. In particular, the nuclei in the paramagnetic polarizing agent play significant roles in relaying the enhanced NMR polarizations to more remote nuclei. Despite their importance, the direct NMR observation of these nuclei is challenging because of poor sensitivity. Here, we show that a combined DNP and electron decoupling approach can facilitate direct NMR detection of these nuclei. We achieved an ∼80 % improvement in NMR intensity via electron decoupling at 0.35 T and 80 K on trityl radicals. Moreover, we recorded a DNP enhancement factor of
∼90 and ∼11 % higher NMR intensity using electron decoupling on paramagnetic metal‐organic framework, magnesium hexaoxytriphenylene (MgHOTP MOF).
Effects of the Pt Shell Thickness on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on a Well‐Defined Pd@Pt Core‐Shell Model Surface
Authors: Hashiguchi Yuta , Nakamura Isao , Honma Tetsuo , Matsushita Toshiyuki , Murayama Haruno , Tokunaga Makoto , Choe Yoong‐Kee , Fujitani Tadahiro
Published: September 2022

The effect of the Pt shell thickness on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a Pd@Pt core‐shell catalyst was studied using surface science technics and computational approaches. We found Pt shells on Pd rods to be negatively charged because of charge transfer from the Pd substrate when the shell thicknesses were 0.5 or 1 monolayer (ML). The activities of the ORR of the model surface with a Pt shell of 0.5 or 1 ML were similar and more than twice the activities of a Pt/C or Pt rod. The relationship between the ORR activity and the thickness of the Pt shell was the exact opposite of the relationship between the Pt binding energy and the Pt shell thickness. The indication was that more negatively charged Pt had higher ORR activity. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that a single layer of Pt atoms located on Pd was negatively charged compared to pure Pt and resulted in a lower barrier to the rate‐limiting step of the ORR.
Surface microstructures and oxygen evolution properties of cobalt oxide deposited on Ir(111) and Pt(111) single crystal substrates
Authors: Todoroki Naoto , Tsurumaki Hiroto , Shinomiya Arata , Wadayama Toshimasa
Published: September 2022

We investigated the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity changes of cobalt oxide (CoOx) thin films on Ir(111) and Pt(111) substrates by repeated OER measurements in 0.1 M KOH. Atomic force microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the as‐prepared CoOx/Ir(111) and CoOx/Pt(111) showed similar surface morphologies of the CoOx thin films and almost the same OER overpotentials, which were estimated to be around 430 mV. However, after three OER measurements, the overpotential of CoOx/Ir(111) decreased by 70 mV, whereas that of CoOx/Pt(111) increased slightly. Structural analysis showed that CoOx/Ir(111) revealed the island‐like nanostructures of CoOx dispersed on Ir(111) surface, accompanied by the generation of CoOOH. In contrast, for CoOx/Pt(111), the Pt(111) substrate remains covered by the CoOx thin film. The results suggest that the interaface at CoOx (CoOOH) nano‐islands and Ir(111) substrate are responsible for reducing the OER overpotential.
Emulation of greenhouse‐gas sensitivities using variational autoencoders
Authors: Cartwright Laura , Zammit‐Mangion Andrew , Deutscher Nicholas M.
Published: September 2022

Flux inversion is the process by which sources and sinks of a gas are identified from observations of gas mole fraction. The inversion often involves running a Lagrangian particle dispersion model (LPDM) to generate simulations of the gas movement over a domain of interest. The LPDM must be run backward in time for every gas measurement, and this can be computationally prohibitive. To address this problem, here we develop a novel spatio‐temporal emulator for LPDM sensitivities that is built using a convolutional variational autoencoder (CVAE, a two‐piece neural network capable of condensing and reconstructing images). With the encoder segment of the CVAE, we obtain approximate (variational) posterior distributions over latent variables in a low‐dimensional space. We then use a spatio‐temporal Gaussian process emulator on the low‐dimensional space to emulate new variables at prediction locations and time points. Emulated variables are then passed through the decoder segment of the CVAE to yield emulated sensitivities. We show that our CVAE‐based emulator outperforms the more traditional emulator built using empirical orthogonal functions and that it can be used with different LPDMs. We conclude that our emulation‐based approach can be used to reliably reduce the computing time needed to generate LPDM outputs for use in high‐resolution flux inversions.
Pesticide concentration monitoring: Investigating spatio‐temporal patterns in left censored data
Authors: Laroche Clément , Olteanu Madalina , Rossi Fabrice
Published: September 2022

Monitoring pesticide concentration is very important for public authorities given the major concerns for environmental safety and the likelihood for increased public health risks. An important aspect of this process consists in locating abnormal signals, from a large amount of collected data. This kind of data is usually complex since it suffers from limits of quantification leading to left censored observations, and from the sampling procedure which is irregular in time and space across measuring stations. The present manuscript tackles precisely the issue of detecting spatio‐temporal collective anomalies in pesticide concentration levels, and introduces a novel methodology for dealing with spatio‐temporal heterogeneity. The latter combines a change‐point detection procedure applied to the series of maximum daily values across all stations, and a clustering step aimed at a spatial segmentation of the stations. Limits of quantification are handled in the change‐point procedure, by supposing an underlying left‐censored parametric model, piece‐wise stationary. Spatial segmentation takes into account the geographical conditions, and may be based on river network, wind directions and so forth. Conditionally to the temporal segment and the spatial cluster, one may eventually analyze the data and identify contextual anomalies. The proposed procedure is illustrated in detail on a data set containing the prosulfocarb concentration levels in surface waters in Centre‐Val de Loire region.