bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial Serum Creatine Phosphokinase Level as an Indicator of Severity and Prognosis of Acute Organophosphorus Poisoning - A Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Chellappan Ajitha Kesi , Pillai Padmakumar Rajashekharan , Sam Regi David , Narayanan Ajith Syamala
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Organophosphorus poisoning is possibly the most common acute poisoning in the developing countries and is a global health problem.1,2 Between 750,000 and 3,000,000 of OP poisoning occur globally every year.3 OP insecticides bind and irreversibly inhibit butyrylcholinesterase. These compounds cause excessive stimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the central and autonomic nervous systems and at skeletal neuromuscular junctions.4 Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is also known as pseudocholinesterase.5 Due to the limitations in accuracy and cost of plasma pseudocholinesterase level estimation, alternate biochemical marker options for OP poisoning have been studied for evaluation of patients with OP poisoning. Increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels are seen in OP poisoning in early phase.6,7 This study was conducted to correlate initial serum CPK levels with the clinical severity at presentation and the final clinical outcome. METHODS This descriptive study was carried out after reviewing case records of patients >/= 18 years with acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning who were admitted under the Internal medicine department of Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram between January 2019 and December 2019. The severity of poisoning was categorized based on Peradeniya organophosphorus poisoning (POP) scale. Serum CPK level, serum pseudocholinesterase, and total dose of atropine in milligrams until the outcome in the hospital were recorded. The student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for the assessment of statistical significance. RESULTS Clinical severity as per POP SCALE was mild (score 0–3) in 24 (27 %), moderate (score 4–7) in 50 (55.81 %) and severe (score 8–11) in 16 (18 %) patients. Serum CPK, serum pseudocholinesterase level, and total atropine dose strongly correlated with clinical severity of OP poisoning. Our study strongly recommends serum CPK as an alternative marker. CONCLUSIONS Serum CPK level can be an effective biomarker in acute OP poisoning because its level can predict the prognosis of OP poisoning. KEY WORDS Creatine Phosphokinase, Organophosphorus Poisoning, Severity.
A Study of Maternal Mortality in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Andhra Pradesh, South India
Authors: Somasekhar Savitri , Bhaskara Priscilla
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Maternal mortality is measure of adequacy of health care system and socioeconomic status of the country. Globally every day thousands of women die of pregnancy related causes, majority in developing countries. It has adverse effect on family, society and country. METHODS In this retrospective study maternal deaths occurring in the Government General Hospital, Anantapur, from Jan 2018 to Oct 2021 were analysed using medical case records. RESULTS In present study, a total of 48 maternal deaths, with MMR of 142.35 per one lakh live births were analysed. Maximum number of deaths occurred in age group between 20 to 25 years. 68.75% were uneducated and 31.25 % had literacy just above 10th class. A majority, 95.8% belonged to low socioeconomic group. Most cases were unbooked, 91.69%. There were 81.25% of referred cases and 18.75% in house cases. G2 G3, primi formed the majority of study population. Major cause of MMR was due to direct cause, 77%. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy accounted for 35%, obstetric haemorrhage in 25% followed by pulmonary embolism/AF embolism, 10.4%. Indirect causes accounted for 23%. Anaemia accounted for majority of indirect cause, 72.9%. CONCLUSIONS Majority of maternal deaths occurred in patients from rural areas, unbooked uneducated patients and from poor socioeconomic status. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and obstetric haemorrhage are major direct causes of maternal deaths, anaemia being the commonest indirect cause. Access to antenatal care and skilled care during child birth play a vital role in reducing maternal mortality. KEY WORDS Maternal Mortality, Obstetric Haemorrhage, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Anaemia.
A Study on Outcome of Adult Acute Intestinal Obstruction in a Tertiary care Hospital of Kerala
Authors: V. Asha Jose
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND The commonest surgical emergency worldwide in adults is Acute intestinal obstruction. The commonest aetiology was found to be different in India and the western world and middle east. In the former it was obstructed inguinal hernia and in the later it was adhesions. Among the different diagnostic modalities radiology was accurate in 60 % of the patients. Demography reeled different aetiological factors and diagnostic methods adopted. Aims and Objectives of the Study- To elaborate the demography, clinical features, diagnosis and final outcome in the Adult intestinal obstruction. METHODS 57 patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for Adult acute intestinal obstruction (AAIO) were studied for their demography, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods adopted and operative findings were noted. The final outcome in the management of AAIO were elaborated. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 47.30 ± 6.74 years with the youngest patient aged 36 years and the eldest was aged 54 years. Adhesions was the commonest cause for intestinal obstruction in 25 / 57 (43.85 %) obstructed inguinal hernia in 19 / 57 (33.33 %) patients and tumours in 09 / 57 (15.78 %) patients. The mortality rate was 19.29 % (11 / 57) and the complication rate was 35.08 % (20 / 57). Radiological diagnosis was accurate in 26.31 % (15 / 57) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS The major aetiological agent was adhesions in the Adult Acute Intestinal obstruction followed by obstructed inguinal hernias and tumours. The change in the causative factor similar to the western literature was observed. CT abdomen must always be chosen as first choice for diagnosing AAIO before undertaking the surgery. Presence of strangulated bowel during surgery had grave mortality (p value - 0.001). Presence of shock was another factor contributing to the mortality (p – value - 0.021). KEY WORDS Intestine, Obstruction, CT Scan Abdomen, and Abdominal Emergencies
Comparative Study of Project Based Learning Over Lecture in Acquisition of 3D Anatomical Knowledge in Medical Students
Authors: A.N. Sabu
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND Many students attending ENT clinical postings were found to have difficulty in conceptualising the 3-dimensional (3 D) anatomy of the ear, nose and throat. Students in project-based learning (PBL) classrooms obtained higher scores than students in traditional classrooms. PBL using clay model and modelling compound have been successfully used to improve the 3 D anatomical understanding in medical students. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of PBL over lecture in the acquisition of 3 D anatomical knowledge among third-year undergraduate medical students and also to understand the student perception towards PBL. METHODS This quasi-experimental study was done at GMC, Ernakulam among 84 third-year undergraduate medical (MBBS) students who had given consent for the study. They were divided into 3 batches according to roll numbers (28 students in each). Two topics in ENT anatomy were selected. 14 students of one batch attended lecture class, while the remaining 14 attended PBL class. This was repeated for the remaining two batches. In the next week, a cross-over was given for the second topic. Pre-test and post-test for both topics were administered to all the students before and after the sessions. Feedback regarding the student perceptions about PBL was obtained. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of pre-test and post-test scores (p values of 0.001) in both lecture and PBL groups in both topics. The mean of pre-test scores of the lecture group and PBL in both topics did not show any significant difference. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of post-test scores in the case of nose topic (p value 0.004). 88% of students had a favourable view of PBL as a teaching methodology. There was no statistically significant difference across the genders in their perception of the PBL as a teaching-learning method. (p value 0.314) CONCLUSIONS The study shows that both PBL and lecture brought about significant change in the knowledge level of the student. The students had a favourable opinion regarding PBL as a teaching method. However, PBL was not found to be more beneficial than conventional lecture in the acquisition of knowledge. KEY WORDS Anatomy Education; Medical Education; Project-Based Learning; Didactic Lecture.
Antenatal Seropositivity to Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus - 2 in Bad Obstetric History
Authors: Jagannatha Babu Gowdara Rangaiah , Shamsundar Belgaum Vijayaraghavan
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND We wanted to evaluate seropositivity of IgM specific antibodies to toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 2 in antenatal women with bad obstetric history (BOH). METHODS It was a prospective study with subjects in two groups, study and a control group. Antenatal women with bad obstetric history were considered as a study group in which 70 subjects were included and 20 cases of antenatal women without BOH were in the control group. After informed consent, detailed history was noted in the proforma and 5 ml blood was collected aseptically in a vacutainer and serum was separated and subjected for demonstration of IgM antibody detection towards toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus 2 was detected by ELISA using the commercial kit as per manufacturers’ direction. RESULTS A total of 90 samples were tested. Study group of seventy (70) samples and control group of 20 from antenatal women. BOH history among the study group common was repeated abortion alone or in combination with others followed by intrauterine death alone or in combination. In the study group, IgM seropositivity was observed as follows with toxoplasma in 1(1.43 %), HSV2 in 4 (5.71 %) and equivocal in 7.14 %. No antibody was detected towards rubella and CMV. The control group showed IgM seropositivity of 5 % each for CMV and HSV-2 and equivocal results were noted in 10 % of cases for HSV-2. Seropositivity towards the pathogens was mainly observed in the younger age group of 21-25 years, HSV-2 seropositivity was observed in 18-20 years of age. The seropositivity to Toxoplasma was observed in the second trimester (13-24 weeks) and HSV-2 in the third trimester (25 to 36 + weeks). CONCLUSIONS All antenatal women with BOH should be routinely screened for TORCH infections so that early diagnosis and appropriate intervention will help in the proper management of these cases. KEY WORDS TORCH Infections; Bad Obstetric History (BOH); IgM Specific ELISA
Fat Embolism Syndrome - Diagnostic Dilemma During Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Parkar Nimisha Mahesh , Gomes Frida , Dessai Prabhav Pramod , Mendes Chandia Rose , Phadte Priyanka Suresh
Published: February 2022

Acute onset of breathlessness and type 1 respiratory failure in young patients in the orthopaedic ward with traumatic pelvic or long bone fractures often raise suspicion of thromboembolic event, classic fat embolism and fat embolism syndrome (FES). However, in the era of the prevailing pandemic, the clinical presentation may cause suspicion of Covid-19 infection, creating a dilemma for diagnostic purposes, causing inadvertent delays in definitive management. Although clinically significant in 30 % of cases, FES in subclinical form is believed to be occurring in a large percentage of patients with long bone and pelvic fractures, secondary to a rise in intramedullary pressure and venous sinusoidal disruption. Debris of bone and fat gain access to the systemic and pulmonary circulation cause mechanical obstruction as well as multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. FES can be recognised by classic Bergman’s triad1 characterised by hypoxaemia, petechial rash and mental changes. We present a case of fat embolism syndrome that was reported in a tertiary care centre during the peak of the Covid19 pandemic.
Estratégias de difusão da educação em museus por meio da escrita: a atuação do Museu Histórico Nacional em seu Anais e na Revista do Ensino
Authors: Faria Ana Carolina Gelmini de
Published: February 2022

O presente trabalho se propõe refletir, a partir de publicações do autor Roger Chartier, como o mesmo aprofunda a investigação sobre a composição dos textos nas materialidades que os dão a ler, enfatizando aspectos que intencionam a liberdade cerceada do leitor (tais como o autor, as formas tipográficas e os protocolos de leitura). Como aproximação do exercício empírico elejo um texto de uma funcionária do Museu Histórico Nacional, Sigrid Pôrto de Barros, sobre educação em museus que foi publicado em dois suportes diferentes - os Anais do Museu Histórico Nacional e a Revista do Ensino do Rio Grande do Sul - servirá de apoio para a construção da análise. Conclui que o sentido do texto não é indiferente à materialidade do objeto que o comunica, ou seja, a forma transforma o sentido do escrito.
"Fala pouco e bem, ter-te-ão por alguém": escolarização, moralização e produção de sentido a partir das memórias de José Lins do Rego e Graciliano Ramos (Brasil, 1930-1945)
Authors: Silva Katiene Nogueira da , Menezes Roni Cleber Dias de
Published: February 2022

O artigo em tela se debruça sobre o processo de escolarização elementar no Brasil na primeira metade do século XX, adotando como ângulo de observação a produção de sentido e os discursos de moralização contidos nas práticas de escolarização da infância. Para tal, privilegia o exame das memórias autobiográficas acerca das experiências escolares de dois escritores célebres da literatura nacional, José Lins do Rego e Graciliano Ramos, presentes, respectivamente, nos títulos Doidinho e Infância. Exemplares típicos dos romances de formação, os itinerários dos autores-personagens nos convidam a cruzar as memórias daquelas práticas de ensino com o desenho que apresentam das relações familiares, instituições escolares, imagens da profissão docente e das hierarquias e transformações sociais que caracterizam a sociedade brasileira do período.
Factors that Influence Business Success
Authors: Gunawan Addinil
Published: February 2022

Business today seems to be something that must be owned by someone. Because in business we can arrange for themselves what is in it, unlike the case with work or become employees with many attachments in it. In running a business, it is very necessary for a leader who is wise in making decisions and can arrange for his subordinates to be able to bring the company led to success. A leader must be able to solve every problem that threatens the company. Various attempts were made so that the problem can be solved appropriately without bringing negative influence. Someone who founded a business must have an initial goal to be achieved, because with the goals can increase the enthusiasm for leaders and subordinates in achieving that goal so they will always work hard to achieve that goal. This discussion is intended to broaden the reader's insight so that he can run his business, especially in dealing with various obstacles or problems that come. This study uses the literature review method which requires some literature derived from journals as a reference. This research shows that there are many success factors in doing business, not just mere activities, but there are others that are important to know.
Facile synthesis of 5-Isopropyl-2,3-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diol by Friedel-Crafts and Determination of Partition Coefficient in n- Octanol/Water
Authors: Ulfa Siti Mariyah , Miranda Alma , Dwisari Fath , Rahman Mohammad Farid
Published: February 2022

The wide therapeutic effect of quinone-based drugs has received considerable interest for a long time. In this research, Friedel-Crafts performed a facile synthesis of quinone derivatives using the mixture of Brønsted acid. Reflux of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone (1), isopropanol, glacial acetic acid, and H2SO4 for 15 minutes gave yellow oil product of 5-isopropyl-2,3-dimethylbenzene-1,4-diol (2) as a major product. Characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) revealed the methine proton splitting for isopropyl at δ 3.13 ppm, which has a cross-coupling with aromatic carbon at δ 119.6 ppm suggested the substitution of a proton on quinone ring with isopropyl group. Analysis Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) showed the broad spectrum of –OH, the vibration of CH sp3, and isopropyl groups. The minor products identified as 5-isopropyl-2,3-dimethylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (3), 5-isopropyl-2,3-dimethyl-1,4 phenylene diacetate (4), and 2,3-dimethylbenzene-5,6-isopropyl-1,4-diol (5) confirmed from 2D HETCOR and MS analysis. The partition coefficient (log P) of compound 2 showed a higher solubility by 1.9-fold compared to hydroquinone 1. It is suggested that an additional methyl group increased the partition into the organic phase.
Tropem pierwszych francuskich survival horrorów
Authors: Jankowski Filip
Published: February 2022

Celem artykułu jest wykazanie, iż pierwowzory gier z gatunku survival horror, którego początek stereotypowo datuje się na lata 90.XX wieku, można odnaleźć jeszcze w latach 80. Na przykładzie wybranych gier powstałych w owej dekadzie we Francji autor dowodzi, iż już tytuły takie jak Infernal Runner, Le Pacte oraz Zombi ukształtowały poetykę gier survival horror, opartą na ikonografii literatury i filmu grozy, osaczeniu sterowanych awatarów, konfrontacji z obiektami budzącymi efekt grozy oraz symulacji stanów psychicznych postaci.
Nowa deiksa? Nowa anafora? Nowa semantyka? Językowa gra w oczywistość płci
Authors: Jabłoński Arkadiusz
Published: February 2022

Badanie języka i procesów językowych wspierane jest przekonaniem o ich powiązaniu z pewną weryfikowalną rzeczywistością. Jednocześnie nie wszystkie parametry języka odzwierciedlają rzeczywistość w sposób dokładny. Co więcej, postulowanie sztywnego odzwierciedlania rzeczywistych właściwości desygnatów w języku może wykazywać znamiona manipulacyjnej gry komunikacyjnej. W artykule proponuje się analizę w terminach tak rozumianej gry kilku fragmentarycznych, acz raczej ogólnie reprezentatywnych przykładów użycia wybranych elementów o charakterze deiktycznym i anaforycznym przy zaznaczaniu płci desygnatu (nie zawsze tożsamej z rodzajem gramatycznym) w tekstach z zasobu komunikacyjnego współczesnej polszczyzny.
Zdystansowana zabawa, czyli o adaptacji narzędzi ludycznych w kształceniu na odległość
Authors: Kaźmierczak Paulina
Published: February 2022

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie trudności związanychz adaptacją materiałów wykorzystywanych podczas nauczania językapo lskiego jako obcego. Narzędzia używane dotychczas w czasie zajęć stacjonarnych nie zawsze mogą być skutecznie wprowadzane na lekcjach online. W artykule zaprezentowane są sposoby adaptacji tradycyjnych materiałów oraz wady i zalety takiego rozwiązania. Opis zastosowania poszczególnych form uatrakcyjniających kształcenie na odległość został oparty na doświadczeniach zebranych w trakcie prowadzenia cyklu zdalnych zajęć dla obcokrajowców.
Rynek gier wideo w Polsce
Authors: Miodońska Paulina , Raczyk Andrzej
Published: February 2022

Celem pracy jest identyfikacja prawidłowości charakteryzujących proces kształtowania się rynku gier wideo w Polsce. Wzięto przy tym pod uwagę podział producentów gier wideo ze względu na rok powstania, kategorie oraz platformy produkowanych gier. Badaniami objęto firmy posiadające główną siedzibę w Polsce według stanu na koniec 2017 roku.
Atividade antimicrobiana do biossurfactante produzido por Pseudomonas sp. CCMICS 105
Authors: Silva Oliveira Thalyta , Santos Sidnei Cerqueira dos , Da Cruz Silva Sebastião , Viana Campos Ana Cristina
Published: February 2022

O uso irracional e indevido de antibióticos tem proporcionado condições favoráveis para desencadear a resistência dos microrganismos. Os biossurfactantes têm apresentado propriedades farmacêuticas promissoras, principalmente relacionada com a função antimicrobiana. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana do biossurfactante produzido pela linhagem Pseudomonas sp. CCMICS 105 contra cepas microbianas patogênicas. A produção do biossurfactante foi realizada em meio salino mineral e o tensoativo foi extraído com a mistura dos solventes clorofórmio e etanol. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada contra as cepas Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis e Candida albicans, usando os testes de concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração bactericida mínima (CBM). O biossurfactante produzido pela linhagem bacteriana inibiu todas as cepas testadas, apresentado resultados equivalentes para CIM e CBM. A prospecção de biossurfactante com potencial antimicrobiano é uma alternativa para descobertas de novos antibióticos.
A family of asymptotically independent statistics in polynomial scheme containing the Pearson statistic
Authors: Savelov Maxim P.
Published: February 2022

We consider a polynomial scheme with N outcomes. The Pearson statistic is the classical one for testing the hypothesis that the probabilities of outcomes are given by the numbers p
1, …, pN
. We suggest a couple of N − 2 statistics which along with the Pearson statistics constitute a set of N − 1 asymptotically jointly independent random variables, and find their limit distributions. The Pearson statistics is the square of the length of asymptotically normal random vector. The suggested statistics are coordinates of this vector in some auxiliary spherical coordinate system.
Conversion of bleached soda bagasse paper-grade pulp to dissolving-grade pulp using different hemicelluloses removing post-treatments with emphasis on IONCELL-P process
Authors: Gilan Kajal Moradian , Hedjazi Sahab , Lê Huy Quang , Abdolkhani Ali , Ceccherini Sara , Viljanen Mira , Sixta Herbert
Published: February 2022

Paper-grade pulp, rich in hemicellulose content, is a cheap source for producing dissolving pulps. The main challenge in the conversion of a cheap paper-grade pulp to a higher-valued dissolving pulp is the selective removal of hemicelluloses, while maintaining the pulp reactivity. This paper presents a comparison of different hemicellulose extraction methods such as cold caustic extraction, IONCELL-P(ulp) and xylanase treatment on converting fully bleached soda bagasse paper-grade pulp to dissolving pulp. IONCELL-P(ulp) treatment, using an optimized1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate/water as the extraction medium, yielded 85% xylan removal, which is comparable to the cold caustic extraction or a combination of xylanase treatment and cold caustic extraction. A complete separation of the two polymers by IONCELL-P(ulp) is not possible due to the overlap of the molecular masses of the cellulose and xylan molecules, an inherent characteristic of sugarcane bagasse pulp. All the investigated methods effectively removed xylan, with differences in the selectivity and the reactivity of the remaining pulp.
Preparation and characterization of electrospun sulfonated polysulfone/ZrO2 composite nanofiber membranes
Authors: Karanfil Gamze
Published: February 2022

In this study, polysulfone (PSF) polymer, which is primarily intended to be used as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) was selected and sulfonated to increase proton conductivity. In order to improve the water uptake (WU) and ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the produced membranes, zirconium oxide (ZrO2) inorganic additive was added at different ratios and composite nanofiber membranes were produced by electrospinning. The electrospinning parameters were optimized to obtain the sulfonated polysulfone (sPSF)–ZrO2 nanofiber composite membranes and the optimum conditions were determined as 70 % polymer concentration, 26 kV voltage, 0.25 mL h−1 feed rate, and 15 cm needle–collector distance. Structural characterizations of the produced nanofiber composite membranes were carried out and their swelling behavior was investigated. When the results were examined, it was observed that the IEC values decreased with the increase in the amount of ZrO2 and it was thought that the inorganic additive would affect the continuity of the sulfone groups by blocking the pores. Similarly, according to the swelling behavior results, there was a decrease in the WU capacity and swelling ratio (SR) due to the blocking effect of ZrO2 in nanofiber composite membranes with an additive ratio of more than 5 %. Compared with the literature, the results showed that sPSF–ZrO2 nanofiber composite membranes show potential for applications as PEMs.
Dualism and superposition in the analysis of English synthetic compounds ending in-er
Authors: Mattiello Elisa , Dressler Wolfgang U.
Published: February 2022

This article studies the role of synthetic-compound families, both formal families and their semantic (or rather conceptual) subfamilies, in the analysis of synthetic compounds (SCs). For this purpose, four formal families of English non-Latinate synthetic compounds sharing their second base and three Latinate families have been investigated. Unlike previous approaches ranging from a purely syntactic treatment of SCs to a more lexical treatment, this study aims at providing a novel explanation for these complex formations. First, it argues that SCs have an ambiguous nature, hovering between (a) morphological suffixation of a verb/word group and (b) morphological derivation and subsequent compounding. Second, it emphasizes the importance of compound families and subfamilies in SCs’ formation and interpretation. By combining a corpus-based analysis with a qualitative synchronic and diachronic investigation of seven compound families – namelyX-breaker,X-holder,X-killer,X-maker,X-manager,X-producer, andX-provider – the article provides a fine-grained semantic categorization of their subfamilies. Results show that (a) a homogeneous approach to SCs is not sufficient to account for observations in corpus data and (b) there are different types of SCs reflecting different constructional types. Nearly all results from questionnaires completed by native speakers confirm, or are at least compatible with our results. From a theoretical viewpoint, these results suggest a novel addition to the definition of productivity in word-formation: i.e., the ability to create new (sub-)families. The basic ambiguity between a derivational and compositional analysis of SCs can be resolved by assuming dualism and superposition of suffixing and compounding, similar to Albert Einstein’s assumption of duality and superposition of waves and particles (photons) for light. Thus, several subfamilies (clearly or predominantly) consist of derivations, others of compounds, still others show superposition of both, and at least partial superposition seems to be possible for most of the other subfamilies.
The crystal structure of 7-Bromo-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-quinoxaline, C14H9BrClN2
Authors: Zhang Lilei , Cheng Tianyu
Published: February 2022

C14H8BrClN2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 17.1347(11) Å, b = 3.8441(2) Å, c = 18.4127(12) Å, β = 97.861(2)°, V = 1201.40(13) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0388, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1302, T = 170 K.
From Diversity Hire to Diverse Critic
Authors: Qureshi Bilal
Published: February 2022

FQ columnist Bilal Qureshi reflects upon his own career as a film critic of color in light of America’s current culture wars surrounding issues of race, representation, wokeness, and white privilege. Noting that the backlash to diversification has coalesced in the form of opposition to a hollowed-out conception of Critical Race Theory, Qureshi suggests an ancillary development within mainstream journalism that he calls Critical Representation Theory: the uplift of the minority critic as a representational course correction. He argues that Critical Representation Theory means that critics of color are pigeonholed by identity in terms of the films they are assigned and likewise restricts their responses through the narrow lens of race. Using the examples of Eternals (Chloé Zhao, 2021) and Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021)—two recent blockbusters notable for their diverse casting, or lack thereof—Qureshi argues for a critical practice removed from political and representational imperatives.
DESAIN LEMBAR KERJA PESERTA DIDIK (LKPD) PRAKTIKUM BERBASIS INKUIRI TERBIMBING PADA MATERI HIDROLISIS GARAM
Authors: Kurniawati Anindita , Susatyo Eko Budi
Published: February 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kelayakan Lembar Kerja Peserta Didik (LKPD) Praktikum Berbasis Inkuiri Terbimbing pada Materi Hidrolisis Garam berdasarkan penilaian kelayakan serta angket tanggapan peserta didik. Penelitian yang dilakukan merupakan penelitian pengembangan atau Research and Development (RD) menggunakan model 4-D yang diadopsi dari penelitian Thiagarajan. Tahapan penelitian model 4-D dibagi menjadi empat tahapan, keempat tahapan tersebut adalah tahap pendefinisian (define), tahap perancangan (design), tahap pengembangan (develop), dan tahap penyebaran (disseminate). Penelitian dilakukan sampai tahap pengembangan (develop) dimana dilakukan sampai pada tahap uji coba skala kecil. LKPD praktikum dianalisis kelayakannya. LKPD praktikum dinyatakan layak apabila dalam penilaian kelayakan mendapatkan kriteria sangat layak atau layak dan memperoleh tanggapan yang sangat baik atau baik dari peserta didik. LKPD Praktikum divalidasi kelayakannya oleh tiga validator ahli kemudian diperoleh rata-rata sebesar 36,66 yang berada pada kriteria layak. Tanggapan peserta didik diperoleh dari 15 peserta didik kelas XI MIPA 5 SMA N 12 Semarang tahun pelajaran 2019/2020 dan didapatkan rata-rata sebesar 49,26 yang termasuk dalam kriteria sangat baik dengan nilai reliabilitas sebesar 0,80. Simpulan dari penelitian yang dilakukan adalah desain LKPD praktikum berbasisi inkuiri terbimbing pada materi hidrolisis garam layak untuk digunakan dalam pembelajaran kimia.
Increased serum cystatin C levels and responses of pancreatic α- and β-cells in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Yuan Hui-qing , Miao Jia-xi , Xu Jia-ping , Zhu Su-xiang , Xu Feng , Wang Xiao-hua , Wang Chun-hua , Yu Chao , Wang Xue-qin , Su Jian-bin , Zhang Dong-mei
Published: February 2022

Background

Increased serum cystatin C (CysC) can predict the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Meanwhile, impaired pancreatic α- and β-cell functions get involved in the pathophysiological processes of T2D. So this study was to explore the relationships between serum CysC levels and pancreatic α- and β-cell functions in T2D.

Methods

In this cross-sectional observational study, a total of 2634 patients with T2D were consecutively recruited. Each recruited patient received a serum CysC test and oral glucose tolerance test for synchronous detection of serum C-peptide and plasma glucagon. As components of pancreatic β-cell function, insulin secretion and sensitivity indices were evaluated by C-peptide area under the curve (AUC-CP) and C-peptide-substituted Matsuda’s index (Matsuda-CP), respectively. Fasting glucagon (F-GLA) and post-challenge glucagon calculated by glucagon area under the curve (AUC-GLA) were used to assess pancreatic α-cell function. These skewed indices and were further natural log-transformed (ln).

Results

With quartiles of serum CysC levels ascending, AUC-CP, F-GLA and AUC-GLA were increased, while Matsuda-CP was decreased (P for trend <0.001). Moreover, serum CysC levels were positively related to lnAUC-CP, lnF-GLA and lnAUC-GLA (r= 0.241, 0.131 and 0.208, respectively, P < 0.001), and inversely related to lnMatsuda-CP (r= –0.195, P  < 0.001). Furthermore, after controlling for other relevant variables via multivariable linear regression analysis, serum CysC levels were identified to account for lnAUC-CP (β= 0.178, t= 10.518, P  < 0.001), lnMatsuda-CP (β= –0.137, t= –7.118, P  < 0.001), lnF-GLA (β= 0.049, t= 2.263, P = 0.024) and lnAUC-GLA (β= 0.121, t= 5.730, P  < 0.001).

Conclusions

Increased serum CysC levels may be partly responsible for increased insulin secretion from β-cells, decreased systemic insulin sensitivity, and elevated fasting and postprandial glucagon secretion from α-cells in T2D.
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) with efficient electromagnetic shielding: Preparation and evaluation
Authors: Pourjafar Mohammad , Behrooz Rabi , Nayyeri Vahid , Shalbafan Ali
Published: February 2022

Carbon fiber (CF)-filled fiberboard specimens for electromagnetic (EM) shielding applications were produced in this study by mixing CF with wood fiber (WF). The aim of this work was to study the panel properties with different loadings (1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, and 10%) of CF. The mechanical, physical, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of the produced medium density fiberboard (MDF) were analyzed. The shielding effectiveness (SE) of the CF1 sample was 23.5 dB to 35.0 dB in the frequency range of 8.2 GHz to 12.4 GHz. The maximum SE of 64 GHz to 76 dB was obtained for the CF10 sample. The investigation of the mechanical properties of MDF panel indicated that the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and internal bonding (IB) of the composite panels were less than those of the control panel. The MOR, MOE, IB, thickness swelling (TS), and water absorption (WA) of the panel with 1% CF (CF1) were 24.7 MPa, 2,510 MPa, 0.69 MPa, 14.5%, and 52.3% respectively. Generally, the MDF panels with 1% CF exhibited a greater ability for EM shielding applications because of their acceptable properties according to the EN 622-5 (2019) standard and appropriate EM shielding of at least 20 dB.
Effects of the membrane-covered technology and superphosphate on the compost quality and nitrogen-containing gas emissions during aerobic composting
Authors: Cao Jie , Li Ruirong , Qu Haoli , Wang Pengjun , Fu Jingjing , Chen Mingjiang , Chen Yongsheng
Published: February 2022

A lab-scale experiment was conducted to assess effects of the membrane-covered technology and superphosphate on the compost quality and emissions of nitrogen-containing gases during aerobic composting. The results showed that the membrane-covered technology increased the temperature of the compost pile and accelerated degradation of organic matter. The membrane-covered (T1) sample attained a germination index (GI) of 50% and 80%, approximately 2 and 9 d earlier, respectively, relative to the control (CK) sample. However, the application of superphosphate might have an adverse effect on the GI value. The NH3 and N2O emissions during the aerobic composting were decreased by 25.8% and 13.1%, respectively, for the T1 sample compared to the CK sample, while these were reduced correspondingly by 21.3% and 27.2% for the superphosphate addition (T2) sample. Compared with the superphosphate addition, the membrane-covered approach reduced the NH3 emission but not the N2O emission. Thus, the membrane-covered aerobic composting is a potential technology for the adequate utilization of organic waste as a resource.
Interaction of the electrical conductivity of recycled pulp colloidal suspension with chitosan and bentonite as a papermaking additive system
Authors: Taheri Ali Askar , Rahmaninia Mehdi , Khosravani Amir
Published: February 2022

The performance of chitosan biopolymer-bentonite microparticle system in recycled pulp colloidal suspension of old corrugated containers with different electrical conductivities was considered. Various instrumental analyses (atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) were applied to characterize the applied chemicals. The results indicated that the mentioned system could increase the process and mechanical properties in comparison to the control sample. Although increasing the electrical conductivity of the recycled pulp decreased the performance of chitosan-bentonite system to some extent, the system was successful in its mission even at the highest electrical conductivity, i.e., increasing the retention, drainage, tensile index, tear index, bending strength and internal bonding strength, with improvement of approximately 41%, 32%, 8%, 16%, 26%, and 57% in comparison with the control samples, respectively. Therefore, this method can be a fascinating approach to the papermaking process. Moreover, the probable reasons of the mentioned achievements were considered and discussed.
Sayote (Sechium edule) fiber isolated at varying acid hydrolysis time and reinforcement to starch/PVOH composite blends
Authors: Bandao-Antonio Jennifer , Diaz Jose Mario A.
Published: February 2022

The chemo-mechanical extraction of sayote (Sechium edule) fibers and their use as reinforcement to biodegradable starch/polyvinyl alcohol composite blends were studied. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the removal of hemicelluloses from the fiber surface after 7 and 10 h of acid hydrolysis time. Scanning electron micrographs show the removal of surface impurities during chemical-mechanical treatment. There was a more exposed fiber surface after 7 and 10 h of acid hydrolysis time. However, fibers acid hydrolyzed for 10 h revealed the presence of more cracks on the fiber surface. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that 7 h acid hydrolyzed fiber had the highest relative crystallinity index of 64.9% as compared to the fiber that was acid hydrolyzed for 10 h with a relative crystallinity index of 58.6%. Both 7 h and 10 h acid hydrolyzed fibers gave 20% yield after extraction. The fiber that was hydrolyzed for 7 h was used as reinforcement to starch/polyvinyl alcohol composite and gave a bending and tensile strength of 5.36 MPa. The unreinforced composite gave a bending and tensile strength of 2.85 MPa. The scanning electron micrograph of the reinforced composite revealed a more homogeneous surface and lesser starch granule exposure as compared to the unreinforced composite with a rough and bumpy surface. The onset of degradation and carbonization of the fiber reinforced composite was seen at around 280 and 580 °C respectively.
The simultaneous and synergistic sorption of phenanthrene and cadmium using biomass derived from rice roots
Authors: Zhang Dong , Liu Hanqiang , Jin Yi , Pan Dongning , Yu Wentao , Lu Li , Lü Ting , Zhao Hongting
Published: February 2022

Evaluating the sorption performance of coexisting phenanthrene and cadmium on rice roots is critical for a better understanding of plant sorption and uptake of combined pollutants. Batch sorption kinetics and isotherms of phenanthrene and cadmium on rice root biomass, as well as key factors in both single and binary systems, were evaluated to access any potential synergistic effects. Results showed that rice root biomass effectively and simultaneously removed phenanthrene and cadmium from aqueous solutions. The presence of a co-solute led to synergistic effects on the sorption, enhancing the affinity parameters, i.e., the Kd (linear model), from 2530 to 3970 L/kg for phenanthrene, and the KF (Freundlich model), from 640 to 777 L/kg for cadmium. The well fitted pseudo-second-order kinetics implied that the coexisting pollutants slowed the sorption rates, decreasing the sorption rate (k2) from 0.185 to 0.155 g/mg/min for phenanthrene and from 0.0361 to 0.00146 g/mg/min for cadmium. The results suggested that further studies should carefully evaluate the remediation and risk-assessment in rice-arable soil under combined pollution.
Formation of the genetic structure of cattle populations by single locus DNA fragments depending on their productivity direction and origin
Authors: Shelyov A. , Kopylov K. , Vdovychenko Yu. , Kramarenko S. , Kramarenko O.
Published: February 2022

Aim. Our work was aimed at investigating the specificities in the formation of the genetic structure of populations
depending on the productivity direction of cattle, bred in Ukraine, using single locus DNA fragments, and studying the
impact of the parental form on genetic polymorphism of modern intensive specialized breeds as a factor. Methods. The
following methods were used in the work: veterinary methods (peripheral blood sampling); molecular-genetic meth-
ods (the isolation and genotyping of DNA samples of dairy (83 animals), meat (192 animals) and aboriginal (43 ani-
mals) cattle, bred in Ukraine, were performed by 10 microsatellite loci from the list, recommended by the International
Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG); the complex of statistics methods was used for mathematic-statistical analysis,
using modern software. Results. The analysis by 10 microsatellite loci demonstrated the specificities of genetic dif-
ferentiation and the similarities between the investigated cattle populations, bred in Ukraine. Our results provide new
information about the impact of artificial selection factors on single locus DNA fragments under the specialization of
cattle breeds. The impact of the factor of ancestral form on the genetic structure was determined and confirmed by the
same polymorphism spectra of the investigated DNA fragments in the maternal and derivative breeds. Another con-
firmation was found in the differences, observed in animals of different productivity directions, which are a probable
result of the breed-forming process, demonstrated by the results of the mathematic calculations of the data obtained.
It was shown that microsatellite DNA loci are highly informative markers of genetic processes, occurring in domestic
cattle populations. Conclusions. The specificities in the formation of the genetic structure of populations depending
on the productivity direction of animals were determined. The impact of the parental form on genetic polymorphism
of modern intensive specialized breeds was noted. It was found that among 10 microsatellite loci, used by us, there
were loci in each group of animals, regarding which the hypothesis about their neutrality was reliably rejected accord-
ing to the results of Ewens-Watterson test: for dairy cattle (INRA023, ETH3, ETH225, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10 and
SPS115), for meat cattle (TGLA122 and ETH225), and for aboriginal cattle (TGLA126, INRA023 and TGLA227). We
determined a high level of genetic diversity, remarkable for each investigated cattle population, bred in Ukraine, and
general tendencies of differentiation in the selected populations depending on the targeted breeding work, on the level
of polymorphism of microsatellite DNA loci (Friedman’s test: P < 0.01), and a similar genetic picture for a number of
loci of investigated DNA fragments, which may be related to the history of creating these breeds.
Soluble cuticular wax composition and antimicrobial activity of the fruits of Chaenomeles species and an interspecific hybrid
Authors: Lykholat Y. V. , Khromykh N. O. , Didur O. O. , Okovytyy S. I. , Sklyar T. V. , Davydov V. R. , Lykholat T. Y. , Kovalenko I. M.
Published: February 2022

Plants of the genus Chaenomeles Lindl. (Rosaceae) naturally grow in Southeast Asia and represent the richest resource of biologically active compounds with beneficial properties for humans. Plants of C. japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. and C. speciosa (Sweet) Nakai species, and interspecific hybrid C. × superba (Frahm) Rehder (C. japonica × C. speciosa, Superba group) have been successfully introduced in the steppe zone of Ukraine and bear fruits. In this study, we evaluated chemical composition of fruit cuticular waxes and antimicrobial activity of fruit extracts. The soluble waxes were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and 26–36 compounds, representing 91.7–96.6% of the total soluble cuticular waxes, were identified. Waxes of Chaenomeles fruits belonged to six classes, namely fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ethers and alkanes. Aldehydes 7-hexadecenal and heptacosanal, and alkanes hexatriacontane and tetrapentacontane were the main constituents in the soluble cuticular waxes of C. speciosa and C. × superba fruits, accounting for more than half of the total contents. However, alkane tetrapentacontane, alcohol 8,10-hexadecadien-1-ol and heptacosanal prevailed in C. japonica fruit waxes. Isopropanolic fruit extracts exhibited dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against four Gram-negative bacteria, five Gram-positive bacteria and one fungal strain in the disc diffusion assay. In general, extracts from the Chaenomeles fruits demonstrated higher activity against Gram+ bacteria than Gram- strains. The strongest inhibiting activity was shown against Staphylococcus epidermidis (by the fruit extracts of C. × superba and C. speciosa), Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Candida albicans (both by C. × superba fruit extract). Results of the study confirmed accumulation of the bioactive compounds in the fruit waxes of different Chaenomeles species and antimicrobial ability of Chaenomeles fruits as well. These findings revealed the bioactive compounds in fruit cuticular waxes and suggested health-promoting properties of introduced Chaenomeles species.
Emotional control and illness acceptance in patients with multiple sclerosis –
preliminary findings
Authors: Obrembska Magdalena , Bednarski Igor A. , Głąbiński Andrzej
Published: February 2022

Aim of the study: Mental disorders occur in about 75% of patients with multiple
sclerosis (MS). Examination of the mental state of patients with multiple sclerosis is
important for assessing the course of the disease and undertaking appropriate
therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to assess emotional control and
disease acceptance in multiple sclerosis. Methods: 66 people were qualified for the
study, including 34 patients with multiple sclerosis and 32 age- and sex-matched
controls. Emotional control was assessed using the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale
(CECS), and disease acceptance was evaluated using The Acceptance of Illness Scale
(AIS). Additionally, a proprietary questionnaire was used to assess auto and allopsychic
orientation and to collect demographic data. Results: Stronger suppression of depression
and a lower level of disease acceptance were found in the group of patients with
multiple sclerosis compared to patients suffering from neurological diseases without
organic brain damage. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis with higher
education achieved results suggesting a higher level of suppression of emotions and
suppression of depression than education-matched controls. Patients with multiple
sclerosis with secondary and higher education scored significantly higher, which means
worse illness acceptance, than those with primary education. Conclusions: Due to the
association of emotional suppression with the development of chronic diseases and the
level of disease acceptance with adaptation to a chronic health condition, it is
recommended to periodically assess these correlates as part of standard psychological
examination in patients with multiple sclerosis.