bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Testing for COVID-19 in São Paulo, Brazil: Results of a Population-Based Values and Attitudes Survey
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Guillermo Z. , Shilton Sonjelle , Saruê Maíra , Cesario Hilton , Banerji Abhik , Batheja Deepshikha , Cunha João Paulo , Baptista Rachel , Schirmer Janine , Reipold Eleva Ivanova , Dias Alvaro Machado
Published: March 2022

Background Brazil is among the countries in South America where the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the general population hardest. Self-testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is one of the community-based strategies that could help asymptomatic individuals at-risk of COVID-19, as well as those living in areas that are difficult for health personnel to reach, to know their infectious status and contribute to impeding further transmission of the virus. Methods A population-based survey was conducted in November 2021, to assess the acceptability of rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing among the population of São Paulo. Survey respondents were approached at more than 400 different street-points that were randomly selected using a five-stage randomization process. A 35-item structured questionnaire was used. Dependent variables for our analyses were the likelihood to use and willingness to pay for self-testing, and the likelihood of taking preventive measures to prevent onward transmission of COVID-19 following a reactive self-test result. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results Overall,417 respondents (44.12% female) participated; 19.66% had previously had COVID-19 disease. A minority (9.59%) felt at high-risk of COVID-19. The majority of both females and males (73.91% and 60.09%, respectively) were in favor of the idea of COVID-19 self-testing. Overall, if self-tests were available, almost half of the sample would be very likely (n = 54, 12.95%) or likely (n = 151, 36.21%) to use one if they felt they needed to. Upon receiving a positive self-test result, the majority of respondents would communicate it (88.49%), request facility-based post-test counseling (98.32%), self-isolate (97.60%), and warn their close contacts (96.64%).Conclusion Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing could be an acceptable screening tool in São Paulo. The population would be empowered by having access to a technology that would allow them to test, even if asymptomatic, when traveling, or going to work or school. If there is a surge in the incidence of cases,self-testing could be a good approach for mass case detection by Brazil’s already overstretched Unified Health System.
Ammoniated Straw Incorporation Improves Soil Structure with Increasing Grain Productivity in Dryland Areas
Authors: Li Yue , Li Jinchao , Feng Hao , Siddique Kadambot H.M.
Published: March 2022

To meet the increasing challenges for food security, agricultural management should aim to maximize grain yield and export from the field while improving soil fertility. However, the effects of different straw incorporation on soil aggregates, grain yield and soil C and N contents as well as their potential linkages remain poorly understood. In this study in China, we simultaneously investigated soil aggregates, SOC and TN and grain yield. The three treatments: (i) no straw (CK, the local traditional practice), (ii) straw plowed into the soil (SP), and (iii) ammoniated straw plowed into the soil (ASP, straw with low C/N ratios). The SOC content in the macro-aggregates (> 5 mm) and the micro-aggregates (≤ 0.25 mm) differed among the CK, SP, and ASP plots after 5 growing years, i.e., ASP > SP > CK. In addition, the ASP treatment had the highest grain yield, 5-year mean grain yield and aboveground biomass compared with CK and SP treatments. The ASP treatment significantly increased SOC and TN content in topsoil layers, relative to CK and SP treatments. These results suggest that we could potentially shape soil structure, increase yield stability, soil C and N content under ASP treatment. Our results highlight the importance of optimal crop straw returning on soil structure, grain yield and SOC and TN content, whereas long-term continuous measurements and observations are still required to have a good understanding of sustainable agriculture.
The exploitation of SnO2/Polypyrrole interface for the sensing of ammonia vapors using SPR technique: a theoretical and experimental analysis
Authors: Gahlot Ajay Pratap Singh , Paliwal Ayushi , Kapoor Avinashi
Published: March 2022

We use a laboratory-assembled Surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) system for the application of gas sensors around the room temperature for our work, as described in this publication. The SPR system gas sensor is based on the variance in the refractive index at the nanocomposite sensing material of SnO2/Polypyrrole (PPy) interface with gas adsorption (NH3). The value of the best thickness of the nanocomposite of SnO2 as Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOX ) and Polypyrrole(PPy), as Polymer, thin films were optimized using theoretical calculations based on the sharp SPR reflectance curve. In this work, we also include theoretical SPR curves by changing, one by one, the thickness of the SnO2 layer and PPy layer. The Surficial interaction of Ammonia (NH3 ) gas with our system of prism/Au/ SnO2/Polypyrrole nanocomposite gas sensing material was also studied experimentally for the validation of the theoretical findings. The gas sensing layer in the SnO2/Polypyrrole nanocomposite multilayer structure system is used to design a sensitive and effective ammonia gas sensor based on the phenomenon of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). The results obtained, highlighting the usefulness of the SPR setup for the study of the Ammonia vapors interaction of the metal-dielectric/polypyrrole nanocomposite material.
Efficient Tactile Encoding of Object Slippage
Authors: Willemet Laurence , Huloux Nicolas , Wiertlewski Michaël
Published: March 2022

Humans exhibit a remarkably robust reaction to external perturbations that prevent dropping objects held in hand, using only tactile inputs. In less than 200 ms, the sensorimotor system processes tactile information stemming from the deformation of the skin, to determine the frictional strength of the contact and to react accordingly. Given the thousands of afferents innervating the fingertips, it is unclear how the nervous system can process such a large influx of data in a sufficiently short time span. In this study, we measured the deformation of the skin during the initial stages of incipient sliding for a wide range of frictional conditions. We show that the dominant patterns of deformation are sufficient to estimate the distance between the frictional force and the frictional strength of the contact. From these stereotypical patterns, a classifier is able to predict if an object is about to slide during the initial stages of incipient slip. The prediction is robust to the actual value of the interfacial friction, showing sensory invariance. These results suggest that the nervous system efficiently encodes tactile information by projecting the measured deformation of the skin onto a compact basis of deformation patterns, that we call Eigenstrains. Our findings suggest that only 6 of these Eigenstrains are necessary to classify the slippage sensed by tens of thousands of afferents. These findings are relevant to the understanding of the unconscious regulation of grasp, and the insights are directly applicable to the design of robotic grippers and prosthetics that rapidly react to external perturbations.
The Attitude of Addis Ababa University Undergraduate Pharmacy Student's toward Pharmaceutical Care and Perceived Barriers for the Provision of Pharmaceutical Care
Authors: Feroche Alemu Tadesse , Alemayehu Ermias , Erke Dagmait Awoke
Published: March 2022

Background: Pharmaceutical care plays a pivotal role starting from effective medication utilization to overall improvements in health-related quality of life of the patient by working closely with the patients and other health care providers.In many developed countries, the provision of PC is highly advocated but when we come to developing countries like Ethiopia even though students can acquire knowledge related to pharmaceutical care its applicability in practical settings is still in its infant age, hence it should be integrated with other health care system so that students can apply the knowledge they acquired during practical classes which in turn assists in enhancing pharmacotherapy and improving patients’ quality of life.Objective: To assess the attitude of undergraduate Addis Ababa University pharmacy students toward pharmaceutical care and perceived barriers for provision of pharmaceutical care.Methodology: An online descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July 17 2021 to August 30, 2021 in the college of health sciences, TASH, among 4th and 5th-year undergraduate pharmacy students to assess their attitude toward pharmaceutical care and perceived toward its implementation using a 13-item- standard PC attitude survey (PCAS) questionnaire and 12-items PC barrier questionnaires.Result: Over a seven-week study period, among 105 students, 94 students completed the online survey; achieved overall response rate was 89.5%. Response rate was 85% for 4th year students and 94% for 5th year students.Conclusion: Addis Ababa University Undergraduate pharmacy students showed positive attitude toward pharmaceutical care. Inadequate training in pharmaceutical care, Poor image of pharmacist’s role in society, very limited workplace in government and private hospitals, Lack of access to the patient medical record in the pharmacy and Inadequate internship period (hospital and community pharmacy) were the top perceived barriers by students for provision of pharmaceutical care.
Experiment and Simulation of SiC Particle Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing
Authors: Tang Jingming , Deng Qichao
Published: March 2022

During the friction stir processing (FSP), the influence of the pre-implanted reinforced particles on the temperature field and the flow field of the processed zone directly determines the microstructure and properties of the aluminum matrix composites fabricated by FSP. However, the differences in the characteristics of processed materials, especially the effect of pre-implanted reinforced particles on the flow of plastic materials, have rarely been reported. In this study, the temperature field of the processed zone was obtained by experimental measurement and numerical simulation. The model of the effect of the SiC particles as reinforced particles on the temperature field and the flow field of the processed zone was established. The influence of the SiC particles on the flow of plastic materials during the FSP was further investigated. The refinement, particle size and distribution of the SiC particles in the processed zone of the FSPed multi-pass composites were also discussed in detail. The results showed that the temperature field at the contact interface between the SiC particles and the matrix in the processed zone was not continuously distributed. Due to the collision and hindrance of the reinforced SiC particles, the flow direction of plastic materials in the processed zone had been changed many times during the flow process. The particle size of the SiC particles has a significant effect on the flow path of the processed plastic material.
Mmp13 deletion in mesenchymal cells increases bone mass and attenuates the cortical bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency
Authors: Ponte Filipa , Kim Ha-Neui , Warren Aaron , Iyer Srividhya , Han Li , Mannen Erin , Gomez-Acevedo Horacio , Nookaew Intawat , Almeida Maria , Manolagas Stavros C.
Published: March 2022

The protective effect of estrogens against cortical bone loss is mediated via direct actions on mesenchymal cells, but functional evidence for the mediators of these effects has only recently begun to emerge. We report that the matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) is the highest up-regulated gene in mesenchymal cells from mice lacking the estrogen receptor alpha (ERa). In sham-operated female mice with conditional Mmp13 deletion in Prrx1 expressing cells (Mmp13DPrrx1), the femur and tibia length was lower as compared to control littermates (Mmp13f/f). Additionally, in the sham-operated female Mmp13DPrrx1 mice cortical thickness and trabecular bone volume in the femur and tibia were higher and osteoclast number at the endocortical surfaces was lower, whereas bone formation rate was unaffected. Notably, the decrease of cortical thickness caused by ovariectomy (OVX) in the femur and tibia of Mmp13f/f mice was attenuated in the Mmp13DPrrx1 mice; but the decrease of trabecular bone caused by OVX was not affected. These results reveal that mesenchymal cell–derived MMP13 regulates osteoclast number, bone resorption, and bone mass. And increased production of mesenchymal cell-derived factors are important mediators of the adverse effect of estrogen deficiency on cortical, but not trabecular, bone.
Carbon Dioxide and Particulate Emissions from The 2013 Tasmanian Firestorm: Implications for Australian Carbon Accounting
Authors: Ndalila Mercy Nelima , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: March 2022

BackgroundUncontrolled wildfires in Australian temperate Eucalyptus forests produce significant smoke emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulates. Emissions from fires in these ecosystems, however, have received less research attention than the fires in North American conifer forests or frequently burned Australian tropical savannas. Here, we use the 2013 Forcett–Dunalley fire, that caused the first recorded pyrocumulonimbus event in Tasmania, to understand CO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from a severe Eucalyptus forest fire. We investigate the spatial patterns of the two emissions using a fine scale mapping of vegetation and fire severity (50 m resolution), and utilising available emission factors suitable for Australian vegetation types. We compare the results with coarse-scale (28 km resolution) emissions estimates from Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) to determine the reliability of the global model in emissions estimation. ResultsThe fine scale inventory yielded total CO2 emission of 1.125 ± 0.232 Tg and PM2.5 emission of 0.022 ± 0.006 Tg, representing a loss of 56 t CO2 ha -1 and 1 t PM2.5 ha -1. The CO2 emissions were comparable to GFED estimates, but GFED PM2.5 estimates were lower by a factor of three. This study highlights the reliability of GFED for CO2 but not PM2.5 for estimating emissions from Eucalyptus forest fires. Our fine scale and GFED estimates showed that the Forcett–Dunalley fire emitted 30% of 2013 fire emissions in Tasmania, and 26-36% of mean annual fire emissions for the State, representing a significant single source of emissions. Conclusions Our analyses highlight the need for improved PM2.5 emission factors specific to Australian vegetation, and better characterisation of fuel loads, particularly coarse fuel loads, to quantify wildfire particulate and greenhouse gas emissions more accurately. Current Australian carbon accountancy approach of excluding large wildfires from final GHG accounts likely exaggerates Tasmania’s claim to carbon neutrality; we therefore recommend that planned and unplanned emissions are included in the final national and state greenhouse gas accounting to international conventions. Advancing these issues is important given the trajectory of more frequent large fires driven by anthropogenic climate change.
High Levels Of Triglycerides And Apolipoprotein B Increase The Risk Of Colorectal Polyp Recurrence After Endoscopic Resection
Authors: Du Jia-yu , Huang Gui-ying , Xie Yong-chun , Li Nan-xi , Lin Zhi-wei , Zhang Li
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Rates of colorectal polyp incidence and recurrence are high, so this study investigated risk factors of colorectal polyp recurrence after endoscopic surgery.Methods: This retrospective study analyzed various blood lipid indices for 357 patients at our hospital who underwent intestinal polypectomy from January 1, 2018, to June 1, 2020, 161 of them recurred during a follow-up of about 1 year. Potential associations between blood indices and risk of recurrence were analyzed.Results: Levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B were significantly higher among patients who experienced recurrence than among those who did not. Binary logistic regression identified three independent risk factors for recurrence: triglycerides (odds ratio 1.763, 95% confidence interval 1.003-3.098, P = 0.049), apolipoprotein B (5.438, 1.411-20.961, P = 0.014) and the number of polyps (2.54, 1.649-3.911, P < 0.001).Conclusion: High levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B in the blood are independent risk factors for colorectal polyp recurrence.
Linkage to HIV care and early retention in care rates in the Universal Test-and-Treat era: a population-based prospective study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Nicol Edward , Basera Wisdom , Mukumbang Ferdinand C , Cheyip Mireille , Mthethwa Simangele , Lombard Carl , Jama Ngcwalisa , Pass Desiree , Laubscher Ria , Bradshaw Debbie
Published: March 2022

Introduction: HIV care, linkage, and retention are key weaknesses in South Africa’s national antiretroviral therapy (ART) program, with the greatest loss of patients in the HIV treatment pathway occurring before ART initiation. Very few studies have investigated the proportion of people newly diagnosed with HIV linked-to and retained-in-care in the ‘Universal Test-and-Treat’ era. This study investigated linkage-to and early-retention-in-care (LTRIC) rates among adults newly diagnosed with HIV in a high-HIV prevalent rural district. Methods: We conducted an observational prospective cohort study from December 2017 to August 2019 to investigate LTRIC rates for adults with a new HIV diagnosis in uThukela district, South Africa. Patient-level survey and clinical data were collected using a one-stage-cluster design from 18 healthcare facilities and triangulated between HIV and laboratory databases and registered deaths from Department of Home Affairs. We used Chi-square tests to assess associations between categorical variables, and results were stratified by HIV status, sex, and age. Confidence intervals (CI) and p-value of £0.05 were reported to consider statistical significance. Results: Of the 5,637 participants recruited from December 2017 to June 2018, 21.2% [1,194/5,637; CI: 15.8-26.5] had confirmed HIV. Of the HIV-positive participants, 70.9% were women, and 46.5% were aged 25–34 years. Although 82.7% of participants (987/1,194) were linked-to-care within 3 months, only 46.1% (551/1,194; CI: 31.0-61.3) remained-in-care 12 months after initiating ART and 5.2% (62/1,194; CI: 4.0-6.6) were deceased. While a significantly higher proportion of men were linked-to-care at 3 months compared to women [85.1% (292/343); CI: 80.4-88.9 vs. 81.7 (695/851); CI: 75.0-86.9, p=0.03], a significantly proportion of women [49.5% (419/847); CI: 34.3-64.7] remained-in-care at 12 months than men [38.0% (132/347); CI: 24.6-53.6, p=0.01). Nearly half of the participants retained-in-care were aged 35–49 years (49.1%). Post-secondary education (p=0.05) and child support grants (p=0.03) were independently significantly associated with retention. Conclusion: We found high initial linkage-to-care rates, but less than 50% of participants remained-in-care at 12 months. Significant effort is required to retain PLHIV in care, especially during the first year after ART initiation. Our findings suggest that interventions could target women aged 18–34 years; more research is needed to understand barriers to LTRIC for men.
Crosstalk between mucosal microbiota, host gene expression, and sociomedical factors in the progression of colorectal cancer
Authors: Kim Namjoo , Gim Jeong-An , Lee Beom Jae , Choi Byung il , Yoon Hee Sook , Kim Seung Han , Joo Moon Kyung , Park Jong-Jae , Kim Chungyeul
Published: March 2022

Various omics-based biomarkers related to the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been identified. In this study, we attempted to identify gut microbiome-based biomarkers and detect their association with host gene expression in the initiation and progression of CRC by integrating analysis of the gut mucosal metagenome, RNA sequencing, and sociomedical factors. We performed metagenome and RNA sequencing on colonic mucosa samples from 13 patients with advanced CRC (ACRC), 10 patients with high-risk adenoma (HRA), and 7 normal control (NC) individuals. All participants completed a questionnaire on sociomedical factors. The interaction and correlation between changes in the microbiome and gene expression were assessed using bioinformatic analysis. When comparing HRA and NC samples, which can be considered to represent the process of tumor initiation, 28 genes and five microbiome species were analyzed with correlation plots. When comparing ACRC and HRA samples, which can be considered to represent the progression of CRC, seven bacterial species and 21 genes were analyzed. When comparing ACRC and NC samples, 16 genes and five bacterial species were analyzed, and four correlation plots were generated. A network visualizing the relationship between bacterial and host gene expression in the initiation and progression of CRC indicated that Clostridium spiroforme and Tyzzerella nexilis were hub bacteria in the development and progression of CRC. Our study revealed the interactions of and correlation between the colonic mucosal microbiome and host gene expression to identify potential roles of the microbiome in the initiation and progression of CRC. Our results provide gut microbiome-based biomarkers that may be potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in patients with CRC.
Community Surveillance of Omicron in Ontario: Wastewater-based Epidemiology Comes of Age.
Authors: Arts Eric , Brown Stephen , Bulir David , Charles Trevor , DeGroot Christopher , Delatolla Robert , Desaulniers Jean-Paul , Edwards Elizabeth , Fuzzen Meghan , Gilbride Kimberley , Gilchrist Jodi , Goodridge Lawrence , Graber Tyson , Jüni Peter , Kirkwood Andrea , Knockleby James , Kyle Christopher , Landgraff Chrystal , Mangat Chand , Manuel Douglas , McKay Mike , Mejia Edgard , Mloszewska Aleksandra , Ormeci Banu , Oswald Claire , Payne Sarah Jane , Peng Hui , Peterson Shelley , Poon Art , Servos Mark , Simmons Denina , Sun Jianxian , Yang Minqing , Ybazeta Gustavo
Published: March 2022

Wastewater-based surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been implemented at building, neighbourhood, and city levels throughout the world. Implementation strategies and analysis methods differ, but they all aim to provide rapid and reliable information about community COVID-19 health states. A viable and sustainable SARS-CoV-2 surveillance network must not only provide reliable and timely information about COVID-19 trends, but also provide for scalability as well as accurate detection of known or unknown emerging variants. Emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron in late Fall 2021 presented an excellent opportunity to benchmark individual and aggregated data outputs of the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance Initiative in Canada; this public health-integrated surveillance network monitors wastewaters from over 10 million people across major population centres of the province. We demonstrate that this coordinated approach provides excellent situational awareness, comparing favourably with traditional clinical surveillance measures. Thus, aggregated datasets compiled from multiple wastewater-based surveillance nodes can provide sufficient sensitivity (i.e., early indication of increasing and decreasing incidence of SARS-CoV-2) and specificity (i.e., allele frequency estimation of emerging variants) with which to make informed public health decisions at regional- and state-levels.
Job Satisfaction of Ready-Made Garments Workers of Bangladesh: A Study on Nassa Super Garments Limited
Authors: Fm.Asikullah
Published: March 2022

Job satisfaction has been an ordinary and important matter around the world. Job satisfaction is considered as one of the factors of employees’ productivity, as it enables workers to be more productive and concentrate on their work with unrelenting attention. In Bangladesh, ready-made garments (RMG) are the mainstay of economy. So, it is rational for RMG workers to be satisfied with their job in order to contribute more to our economy. But it is a matter of regret that most of the employees of RMG sector suffer unavailability of leaves and rest, lack of evaluation of personal interest, long working hours, unhygienic canteen and toilet facility, which lead to increase their workload and stress level and finally make them less productive. However, our study found that more than 50% workers of Nassa Super Garments Ltd are satisfied with their job, 35% are neutral and only 12% are dissatisfied with their job. Moreover, job security, working condition and decision-making process, unavailability of leaves and rest, pay and other financial incentives, lack of evaluation of personal interest, inefficient canteen facility and rewards and recognition are found statistically significant predictors of employees’ job satisfaction. Among the statistically significant variables unavailability of leaves and rest, lack of evaluation of personal interest and inefficient canteen facility have negative relation with job satisfaction because unstandardized coefficient (B) and standardized coefficient (Beta) are negative. Regression model expresses 90.1% of total variance in the dependent variable (Job satisfaction), whereas ANOVA table indicates that the model is fit and significant for analysis.
Inhibiting IRE-1 RNase signaling decreases HIV-1 Tat-induced inflammatory M1 state in microglial cells
Authors: Pinto Aguinaldo Roberto , Ferrary Monique , Terenzi Hernán , Silveira Douglas Bardini
Published: March 2022

HIV-1 transactivator (Tat) protein plays a critical role in neurological disorders resulting from viral infection, commonly known as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Previous studies have shown that circulant Tat induces M1 microglial activation, one of the hallmark features of HAND, and this is coupled with ER stress and subsequent Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) deflagration. Here, we demonstrate that bystander stimuli of Tat in microglial cells result in the simultaneous overexpression of IRE1-related markers and production of M1-typed pro-inflammatory mediators. We also show that blocking IRE1/XBP-1 signaling using 4µ8C diminishes such inflammatory response. These findings reinforce a role for the IRE1/XBP-1 pathway in HIV-1 neuropathology and suggest that targeting IRE1 RNase activity using 4µ8C or analogue compounds may provide a therapeutic intervention to mitigate against neuroinflammation in HAND.
Head-on collision of dust-ion acoustic solitary waves in a plasma with a nonextensive electron
Authors: Pakzad H. R. , Javadzadeh R. , Nobahar D.
Published: March 2022

This paper is devoted to the study of head-on collision between a couple of dust-ion acoustic solitary (DIAS) waves in an unmagnetized dusty plasma comprised of inertial ions, negatively charged stationary dust grains and nonextensive electrons. To this end, using the extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo approach, two Kortwege–de Vries equations for solitary waves are derived and the analytical phase shifts after the head-on collision of two DIAS waves are obtained. In the following, based on the numerical calculations the effects of the relative density and nonextensivity on phase shifts are investigated. The results show that the presence of nonextensive electrons in dusty plasma has noticeable effect on the characteristics of DIAS waves' collision. We believe that these results can be of usable in getting more insight into the DIAS waves' collision in laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.
Magnetic graphene oxide/carboxymethyl-imidazolium-grafted chitosan Schiff base nanocomposite: a new PdNPs support for efficient catalytic reduction of hazardous nitroarenes
Authors: Yahya Rana
Published: March 2022

The relevance of aryl amines as raw materials for a variety of applications has prompted substantial research into developing highly efficient protocols for hazardous nitroarenes reduction. To that end, a new sustainable and heterogeneous palladium nanocatalyst was fabricated by immobilization of PdNPs on the new magntic support composed of carboxymethyl-imidazolium ionic liquid-grafted chitosan Schiff base and magnetic graphene oxide (CMICSB-MGO) nanocomposites. The spectral, thermal, and microscopic analyses results revealed the successful formation of the magnetic support and nanocatalyst. The activity of the new nanocatalyst (CMICSB-MGO-Pd) in the catalytic reduction of hazardous nitroarenes to convert them into valuable aminoarenes was studied. The findings demonstrated that the new nanocatalyst has excellent catalytic activity, superior recoverability, as well as outstanding reusability under very mild reaction conditions. Moreover, this nanocatalyst can be recycled up to 8 catalytic runs, without significant loss in its efficacy or Pd leaching. Thus, the new magnetic support and nanocatalyst are more eco-friendly and sustainable choices for large-scale use and could pave the way for developing other metal-based catalysts for versatile applications in the future.
Hypertriglyceridemia May be a Key Independent Predicting Factor for Gallbladder Cancer Risk in Gallbladder Stone Disease Patients: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Wan Yong , Zhang Jianqin , Chen Min , Ma Mao , Sheng Binwu
Published: March 2022

Background Gallbladder stone diseases (GSD) is a main risk factor of gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study aimed to reveal their bridge relating to metabolic syndrome. Material/Method We summarized the clinical and experimental data of 2210 GBC patients, from 3524 Chinese patients, in our hospital from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2020. The metabolic syndrome indexes, influencing factors for both GBC and GSD, were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression in this case-control study. Result There were significant higher morbidity of GBC in the overall, GSD and non-GSD with hypertriglyceridemia patients versus non-hypertriglyceridemia ones (P<0.001, all). In GSD patients, univariate regression showed significantly positive correlation between serum triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), fasting insulin (FINS) levels, Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), female being, body mass index, hypertriglyceridemia and hazard of GBC with GSD (P<0.001, all), while significantly negative correlation to systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), hypertension and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P<0.05, all); multivariate regression showed that serum triglyceride, was the most significantly positive associated to GBC (P<0.001, all) among the hazard factors including serum triglyceride, LDL-c levels, HOMA-IR, female being. In non-GSD ones, multivariate regression showed that HOMA-IR was the most significantly positive associated to GBC among the hazard factors including serum TG, LDL-c levels, HOMA-IR, female being, hypertriglyceridemia, while DM had a significantly inversion negative association (P<0.001). Conclusion We found initially that hypertriglyceridemia could be the remarkable independent predicting factor of GBC risk with GSD, while insulin resistance might act as the first one in non-GSD. Thus, we advocated initially the sharp rise of serum TG levels as the potential of a candidate diagnostic or prognostic biomarker of GBC with GSD.
Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19 Patients and Prediction Model: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Yi , Jehangir Qasim , Li Pin , Gudimella Deepthi , Mahale Pooja , Lin Chun-hui , Apala Dinesh R. , Krishnamoorthy Geetha , Halabi Abdul Rahman , Patel Kiritkumar , Poisson Laila , Balijepally Venugopal , Sule Anupam A , Nair Girish B.
Published: March 2022

Background Patients with COVID-19 infection are commonly reported to have an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The choice of anti-thrombotic agents and doses in COVID-19 patients are currently being studied in randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies. There exists a need for individualized risk stratification of venous thromboembolism (VTE) to assist clinicians in decision-making on anticoagulation. We sought to identify the risk factors of VTE in COVID-19 patients, which could help physicians in prevention, early identification and management of VTE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and improve clinical outcomes in these patients. Methods This is a multicenter, retrospective database of four main health systems in southeast Michigan, United States. We compiled comprehensive data for adult COVID-19 patients who were admitted between 1st March 2020 and 31st December 2020. Four models including random forest, multiple logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and decision trees were built on the primary outcome of in-hospital acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and tested for performance. The study also reported hospital length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS in the VTE and the non-VTE patients. Four models were assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and confusion matrix.Results The cohort included 3531 admissions, 3526 had discharge diagnosis, and 6.68% patients developed acute VTE (N=236). VTE group had a longer hospital and ICU LOS than non-VTE group (hospital LOS 12.2 days vs 8.8 days, p<0.001; ICU LOS 3.8 days vs 1.9 days, p<0.001). 9.8% patients in VTE group required more advanced oxygen support, compared to 2.7% patients in non-VTE group (p<0.001). Among all four models, the random forest model had the best performance. The model suggested that blood pressure, electrolytes, renal function, hepatic enzymes and inflammatory markers were predictors of in-hospital VTE in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions and Relevance Patients with COVID-19 have increased risk for VTE, and patients who developed VTE had a prolonged hospital and ICU stay. This random forest prediction model for VTE in COVID-19 patients identifies predictors which could aid physicians in making clinical judgment on empirical dosages of anticoagulation.
Zinc Variability in Pecan Orchards: Implications for Leaf Sampling and Nutrient Recommendations
Authors: Smith Cyrus A. , VanLeeuwen Dawn , Heerema Richard J. , Sherman Joshua D. , Comeau Mary J. , Walworth James L.
Published: March 2022

Analysis of composite pecan leaf samples typically used to determine need for nutrient applications does not account for variability among trees in the sampled area. To account for this unmeasured variability, pecan orchard block nutrient standards are greater than actual single tree nutrient requirements. In 2018 and 2019, we measured variability in a pecan orchard block by evaluating nutrient status of all trees in a study area consisting of two cultivars (Wichita and Western) grafted on open-pollinated ‘Ideal’ seedlings. Foliar zinc (Zn) coefficient of variation (cv) ranged from 0.186 to 0.255 within individual cultivars and years but was as high as 0.30 when combining cultivars within a year. The ‘Western’ cultivar had higher foliar Zn concentrations than ‘Wichita’, but Zn concentrations were not consistently associated with other leaf nutrient levels, soil Zn status, or other soil properties. Using observed foliar Zn variability, we determined that it is necessary to sample 35 trees for a composite sample to achieve a relative margin of error of 10% and 95% confidence level in a pecan orchard block with more than 1000 trees. We developed field scale foliar Zn recommendations based on individual tree research that indicates a minimum acceptable leaf Zn concentration of ≈15 mg·kg–1 is needed to maintain optimal photosynthetic function in Zn chelate fertigated pecan trees. Assuming a Zn cv of 0.30 and a composite sample comprised of leaves from 35 trees, the minimum acceptable orchard block Zn level to ensure that less than 5% of trees had suboptimal levels of Zn was 27.6 mg·kg–1. An orchard block Zn level below 23.4 mg·kg–1 indicates that more than 5% of trees in the block had suboptimal foliar Zn concentrations.
Flower Forms and Ploidy Levels Impact Fertility in Althea
Authors: Lattier Jason D. , Contreras Ryan N.
Published: March 2022

Althea (Hibiscus syriacus) is a popular shrub known for its vibrant summer blooms and winterhardiness; however, althea produces capsules with numerous seeds that germinate and cause a nuisance in production and the home landscape. Breeding for sterile forms has long been a goal of Hibiscus breeders, yet many popular “sterile” cultivars have been reported as weedy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate female and male fertility of tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars, and to evaluate the female fertility of pentaploid progeny resulting from 4x × 6x and 6x × 4x crosses. More than 600 self-pollinations were performed on 21 cultivars, yet only 24% of self-pollinations resulted in filled capsules, for an overall rate of four seeds per pollination. Significant differences were observed among taxa for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Highest capsule set was observed on self-pollinated White Chiffon® and Pink Chiffon®. Anecdotally, we observed reduced vigor in the S1 generation of most taxa. However, ‘Woodbridge’ produced vigorous seedlings through the S2 generation. More than 2000 cross-pollinations were also performed, resulting in more than 15,000 seeds. To evaluate female fertility, 28 taxa were pollinated with a variety of male parents. Fertility was measured as seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Significant differences were found among taxa within and among flower forms (single, semidouble, and double) for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination. Double-flowered forms had reduced female fertility. Taxa previously reported to be sterile were found to be fertile, including ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Diana’, ‘Helene’, and ‘Minerva’. Two hexaploids, ‘Pink Giant’ and Raspberry Smoothie™, had reduced female fertility compared with tetraploids. Male fertility was estimated for 20 cultivars by pollinating between one and 23 cultivars. For male fertility, significant differences were found among taxa for seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination; however, no significant differences in male fertility were observed among flower forms. Four taxa had relatively high fertility with more than 10 seeds per capsule and seeds per pollination, including Blue Satin®, Lil’ Kim™, Bali™, and Tahiti™. In addition to the significant differences among female and male fertility of each taxon, capsule set varied widely among individual cross combinations. Significant differences of female fertility were found in pairwise comparisons between almost all pentaploid taxa and the mean of tetraploid control cultivars. No difference in percent seed germination was observed between 4x × 6x and 6x × 4x crosses (45% and 45%, respectively) but both were significantly lower than seeds from open-pollinated tetraploids (89%). The reduced fertility of pentaploids will likely lead to new reduced fertility or sterile cultivars for the nursery industry, especially if combined with double flowers.
Ações educativas sobre Diabetes Mellitus na Educação de Jovens e Adultos em Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso
Authors: COSTA Gleyson Souza da , SANTI Adriana , VIOLA Luis Fellipe , TERUEL Adriana Marília Zanato , PEREIRA Amanda Rodrigues , LISBOA Andressa Marques Cunha , SILVA Gabriella Vaz da , SOUZA Mayra Cleres de
Published: March 2022

O Diabetes Mellitus tipo II (DM II) é uma disfunção endócrina de elevada prevalência, sendo a prevenção primária um meio importante para o seu controle na população. Assim, este projeto objetivou a realização de ações de caráter educativo sobre o DM II, voltadas a Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) no município de Rondonópolis/MT. Foram realizadas aferições dos fatores de risco e a realização de palestras e discussões com os participantes (n=30). Não foram observadas alterações na glicemia capilar, contudo, mais de 40% dos alunos, com idades entre 12 e 55 anos, estavam nas faixas de sobrepeso e obesidade em graus variados, 20% tiveram pressão arterial na faixa de normal-alto e em 13,33% se observou estágio I de hipertensão. Por fim, as ações educativas realizadas permitiram para além da aquisição de conhecimentos, a troca de experiências sobre o DM2 de forma democrática e respeitando os diferentes saberes dos jovens e adultos envolvidos.
Video Observed Treatment is an Innovative Method of Tuberculosis Treatment Observation in Resource-Limited Health Care Settings
Authors: Pavlyuchenkova N. A. , Vasilyeva I. A. , Samoylova A. G. , Tyulkova T. E.
Published: March 2022

The objective of the study: to analyze the potential use of video observed therapy (VOT) as one of the fields of mobile health care for treatment of patients with tuberculosis, to substantiate prospects of using VOT as an alternative to directly observed therapy including settings with limited health care resources.

Subjects and Methods. The relevant studies were searched for in the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, IMEMR and IMSEAR, and clinicaltrials.gov. 40 publications devoted to video observed treatment of tuberculosis abroad and in Russia were selected. The recommendations of the World Health Organization on the use of digital technology in tuberculosis treatment, in particular video observed treatment have been studied.

Results. The article highlights the advantages of video observed treatment of tuberculosis, the possibility of implementing this approach in different groups of patients taking into account the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessing effectiveness of its use (improved treatment adherence, higher number of completed observations, better responsibility of patients for the disease and therapy, economic benefits for the health system and the patient). The study speculates on the potential implementation of video observed therapy of tuberculosis in the Russian Federation.
Photoemission spectral functions from the three-body Green's function
Authors: Riva Gabriele , Audinet Timothée , Vladaj Matthieu , Romaniello Pina , Berger Arjan
Published: March 2022

We present an original strategy for the calculation of direct and inverse photo-emission spectra from first principles.
The main goal is to go beyond the standard Green's function approaches, such as the $GW$ method, in order to find a good description not only of the quasiparticles but also of the satellite structures, which are of particular importance in strongly correlated materials.
To this end we use as a key quantity the three-body Green's function, or, more precisely, its hole-hole-electron and electron-electron-hole parts, and we show how the one-body Green's function, and hence the corresponding spectral function, can be retrieved from it.
We show that, contrary to the one-body Green's function, information about satellites is already present in the non-interacting three-body Green's function. Therefore, simple approximations to the three-body self-energy, which is defined by the Dyson equation for the three-body Green's function and which contains many-body effects, can still yield accurate spectral functions. In particular, the self-energy can be chosen to be static which could simplify a self-consistent solution of the Dyson equation.
We give a proof of principle of our strategy by applying it to the Hubbard dimer, for which the exact self-energy is available.
REPAIR OF EYE LID AND CANALICULAR LACERATION: CASE REPORT
Authors:   Department A of Ophthalmology, Mohammed V University Souissi, Rabat, Morocco., Rifai Kamelia , Boualila Lina ,   Department A of Ophthalmology, Mohammed V University Souissi, Rabat, Morocco., Moutamani Salma ,   Department A of Ophthalmology, Mohammed V University Souissi, Rabat, Morocco., Ouafa Cherkaoui Lalla ,   Department A of Ophthalmology, Mohammed V University Souissi, Rabat, Morocco.
Published: March 2022

The canalicular laceration of the lacrimal tract is a pathology of young adults with male predominance in 59% of the cases. The main etiologies found are aggressions, public road accidents, falls and dog bites. The most common lacerations are those of the lower lacrimal canaliculus (56% of cases). Diagnosis is made by slit lamp examination. Tear trauma is a deferred emergency. Tear repair should be done by an experienced surgeon. We present the clinical case of a 30 year-old young man, with no notable pathological history. He is a victim of a knife attack with the right eye point of impact. Following the aggression, a 5mm long lower eyelid laceration was observed in the inner corner of the right eye, with injury to the inferior canaliculus. A Mini-MonokaÂ® monocanalicular intubation stent was inserted on the seventh day with anastomosis of the proximal and distal ends of the canaliculus laceration. The skin was then sutured with a polyglactin 8/0 suture. The postoperative treatment consisted of tobramycin and dexamethasone eye drops four times per day for a duration of 10 days. A good progression was observed: the position of the inferior lacrimal punctumwas adequate, and syringation was normal. The Mini-MonokaÂ® was removed after 14 weeks. We obtained good anatomical, esthetic and functional results in this patient.
Nickel allergic contact dermatitis
Authors: Tamrazova O. B. , Seleznev S. P.
Published: March 2022

The article provides basic information about nickel-associated allergic contact dermatitis (NACD). Nickel is a common metal that is commonly used in alloys for jewelry, accessories and household items. Contact with this metal often leads to the development of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. The prevalence of NACD among the population is high: up to 19% among adults and about 10% among children and adolescents. It is noted that in female’s sensitization to nickel is observed several times more often than in males. On the risk of developing an allergic reaction to nickel, the integrity of the skin barrier, the frequency of contacts with nickel-containing household items, the presence of piercings, high humidity and hyperhidrosis are of decisive importance. Nickel ions entering the body through the alimentary route are capable of both sensitizing the body and forming tolerance to it. The pathogenesis of NACD is based on the classic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. The main clinical forms of this allergic dermatosis, as well as the characteristic features of the course of the disease are presented. The features of the course of NACD in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are analyzed in detail. The presented data clearly demonstrate that contact allergy to nickel can not only maintain, but also significantly aggravate the course of AD. The main criteria for the differential diagnosis between simple contact and allergic contact dermatitis are shown schematically. The need for early identification and termination of contact with nickel-containing household items is noted as the initial stage of NACD treatment. The main treatment for NACD is local therapy with topical glucocorticosteroids.