bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Powerful subject pedagogical knowledge in teacher education and its integration into practice
Authors:   , Sheehan Helen Mary
Published: April 2022

In recent years the importance of subject specificity in secondary teaching has been more prominent in discussion of both the curriculum in schools and the content of initial teacher education provision (Carter, 2015). This study focuses on how subject specialism can be conceived and developed in a one-year postgraduate teacher education course. The review of literature outlines the policy context and different conceptions of teacher knowledge, adopting the position that teacher education should help trainees develop theoretical knowledge, alongside knowledge developed through experience, to support them in making professional judgements in their subject context. The case is made for a focus on integration of the knowledge developed in university and classroom settings. On this basis the study explores participants’ perceptions of the importance of the subject-specific elements of their course, the way in which this is developed and the extent to which it impacts on their practice. Adaptive theory (Layder, 1998) provides a framework for the design of this longitudinal study which followed eight secondary PGCE students over the course of one academic year as they trained to teach citizenship, history or geography. The data were generated through semi-structured interviews at three points in the year, and initial analysis at each phase was used to inform the development of the stages that followed. Initially analysis of the data used pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1986) and powerful knowledge (Young, 2014) as orienting concepts to explore student perceptions of the relationship between the theoretical and practical aspects of their training, particularly in relation to their subject specialism. In line with the adaptive approach emergent themes were also identified and pursued. The findings show that, whilst some participants experienced tension between the school and university settings, they valued both aspects of their training and the ways in which they developed their understanding of subject-specific pedagogical approaches are identified. Therefore, it is argued that teacher education courses should focus on integration of the knowledge developed in the school and university settings; the parts played by mentors, peers, university tutors and academic work are identified as factors with the potential to support this process. Based on the findings, the notion of powerful subject pedagogical knowledge is also offered as a more adequate conceptualisation of how subject-specific knowledge should be understood in the context of initial teacher education. This discussion highlights the varying experiences of participants from different subject areas and, on this basis, argues for a distinctive, subject-specific element in the design of teacher education programmes.
A Rare Case of Severe Post Adenoidectomy Secondary Haemorrhage
Authors: Singhal Gaurang , Nayak Pradeepti , Sharma Nishi
Published: April 2022

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are amongst the most common surgeries performed in children. Haemorrhage, after and during these procedures, is a major and known complication. Most commonly, the haemorrhage presents intraoperatively or in the immediate postoperative period and is self-limiting. However, secondary haemorrhage presenting after adenoidectomy where adenoidectomy alone was performed have been reported in very few patients. In this case, a 10-year-old male presented with history of upper airway obstruction including sleep apnoea, adenoid facies, and bilateral moderate conductive hearing loss since four years. He had no co-morbidities, history of bleeding diathesis. The pre-operative evaluation of the adenoids (clinically and radiologically) revealed no abnormal vasculature or anatomical variations. Conventional adenoidectomy and bilateral grommet insertion was performed under General Anaesthesia (GA). The postoperative period was entirely uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. Despite having no risk factors, he presented with profuse posterior epistaxis after conventional adenoidectomy on postoperative day 5. Immediate management was done by posterior nasal packing and intravenous amoxicillinclavulanate Definitive treatment was done by re-exploration and debridement of the remnant adenoid tissue using a microdebrider under GA the next day. The patients had no complaints postoperatively or at 6 months follow-up. The rarity of complications makes adenoidectomy a fairly safe procedure. However, despite being uncommon, secondary complications of adenoidectomy should be anticipated by surgeons to avoid dire consequences for the patient.
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Ferritin Levels in COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Upreti Shashi , Petwal Snigdha , Arya Anupama , Upreti Aditi , Mihir Narayan , Umar Sana
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has challenged the world. A complete blood workup as well as continuous tracking of haematological parameters play a vital role in revealing the risks of disease progression and eventually help in better treatment and outcome. Aim: To access the haematological parameters {Complete Blood Count (CBC), Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Serum Ferritin (S. ferritin) levels} in COVID-19 patients to correlate its association with the severity of the disease. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study in which 200 patients who were confirmed as COVID-19 positive by real time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in the month of July-August 2020 were included. Blood was collected from patients of COVID-19 using the routine methods and was evaluated for CBC and S. ferritin levels. Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) was also calculated. Results: The NLR was positively correlated with severity of COVID-19. Patients with higher NLR levels were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because of severity in their condition. In the present study, 42 of 47 (89.4%) ICU patients had S. ferritin levels >1000 ng/mL whereas only 8 (5.2%) of non ICU patients had S. ferritin levels >1000 ng/mL. Conclusion: The NLR and S. ferritin positively correlated with the severity of COVID-19 disease.
ЗВЕЗДЫ, ДОСТОЙНЫЕ ПАМЯТНИКА, "Земля и Вселенная"
Authors: Соломонов Ю.В.
Published: April 2022

Мир звезд очень разнообразен и интересен. Например, Сириус ( Большого Пса) и Канопус ( Киля) – самые яркие звезды нашего неба, имеющие блеск –1.47 и –0.72, а «летящая» Барнада в Змееносце, наоборот, видна только в телескоп (9.57), но обладает самым большим собственным движением – 10.358 угловой секунды в год. Омикрон Кита (2.0–10.1) и R Гидры (3.21–11.0) выделяются своими регулярными сильно амплитудными изменениями блеска – в максимуме они легко видны невооруженным глазом, а в минимуме доступны только телескопам. Омикрон Кита (Мира) дала название целому классу переменных звезд – мириды, спутник Сириуса – Сириус В (8.5) стал первым открытым белым карликом, да и самое его обнаружение стало торжеством небесной механики, сравнимым по значимости с открытием Нептуна, а тот же Канопус был главной навигационной звездой в полетах советских автоматических межпланетных станций. Все эти звезды стали для истории астрономии путеводными. Но отдельным особняком среди этих звезд является самая яркая белая Вега из созвездия Лиры, находящаяся на расстоянии 25.3 св. года от Солнца. Это пятая по яркости звезда, сильно уступающая в блеске Сириусу и Канопусу, заметно Центавра (–0.27) и лишь немного Арктуру ( Волопаса; –0.04), вторая после Арктура в Северном полушарии, третья по яркости звезда после Сириуса и Арктура, которую можно наблюдать в России. Не зря астрономы называют ее второй, после нашего светила, самой изученной звездой, а популяризаторы науки предлагают поставить памятник. Впрочем, звезда 61 Лебедя, которая почти в сто раз слабее по блеску, чем Вега, расположенная относительно нее недалеко на небесной сфере, готова с ней за этот памятник побороться. В истории астрономии был случай, когда эти звезды были «соперницами» и, что интересно, изучали их одни и те же люди…
МИКОБАКТЕРИОЗ ЛЕГКИХ: НЕРЕШЕННЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ АНТИБАКТЕРИАЛЬНОЙ ТЕРАПИИ, "Вестник Центрального научно-исследовательского института туберкулеза"
Authors: Зайцева А.С. , Степанян И.Э. , Шмелев Е.И.
Published: April 2022

Нетуберкулезный микобактериоз широко распространен во всем мире. Современное лечение пациентов с микобактериозом требует длительного применения многокомпонентной антибактериальной терапии, которая сама по себе создает проблемы как для врача, так и для пациента. В представленном обзоре освещены современные возможности и нерешенные вопросы терапии пациентов с микобактериозом легких.
ОЦЕНКА ДОСТОВЕРНОСТИ ПОЛОЖИТЕЛЬНЫХ РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ ДИАГНОСТИКИ ТУБЕРКУЛЕЗА, ПОЛУЧЕННЫХ МЕТОДОМ ПОЛИМЕРАЗНОЙ ЦЕПНОЙ РЕАКЦИИ В РЕЖИМЕ РЕАЛЬНОГО ВРЕМЕНИ НА ПОЗДНИХ ЦИКЛАХ АМПЛИФИКАЦИИ, "Вестник Центрального научно-исследовательского института туберкулеза"
Authors: Петрова Л.В. , Севастьянова Э.В. , Смирнова Т.Г. , Черноусова Л.Н.
Published: April 2022

Исследование проведено с целью оценки достоверности положительных результатов полимеразной цепной реакции в режиме реального времени (ПЦР-РВ) для диагностики туберкулеза (ТБ) при регистрации сигнала флуоресценции после 35-го цикла амплификации. Установлено, что среди 1168 лиц, обследованных с диагностической целью методом ПЦР-РВ и имевших положительный результат данного теста, 28,4% случаев составили лица, у которых ДНК M. tuberculosis выявили из мокроты на поздних циклах амплификации. В дальнейшем у этой группы лиц диагноз ТБ был подтвержден в 80,1% случаев. Аналогичная картина наблюдалась и для других видов диагностического материала. При исследовании промывных вод бронхов положительный результат ПЦР-РВ был получен у 47 лиц, из них у 24 (51,1%) – на поздних циклах амплификации, при этом подтверждение диагноза ТБ в данной группе составило 75%. При исследовании плеврального экссудата у 22 лиц из 84 (26,2%) положительный результат ПЦР-РВ был получен на поздних циклах амплификации, диагноз ТБ был подтвержден в 86,4% случаев. При исследовании ликвора у 5 лиц из 18 (27,8%) ДНК M. tuberculosis определили на поздних циклах, при этом у всех 5 лиц (100% случаев) в дальнейшем был диагностирован ТБ.
СОСТОЯНИЕ ОСНОВНЫХ ФОНДОВ И ФИНАНСИРОВАНИЕ МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ ПО БОРЬБЕ С ТУБЕРКУЛЕЗОМ В 2020 ГОДУ, "Вестник Центрального научно-исследовательского института туберкулеза"
Authors: Стерликов С.А. , Русакова Л.И.
Published: April 2022

Цель исследования: провести мониторинг состояния основных фондов организаций, оказывающих специализированную медицинскую помощь по профилю «фтизиатрия», и финансирования противотуберкулезных мероприятий по итогам 2020 г. Материалы и методы. Проанализированы данные официального статистического наблюдения. Использованы ранее разработанные и опубликованные методы расчета показателей. Допустимыми уровнями износа считали: для зданий и сооружений – 24%, оборудования – 50%, автотранспорта – 60%. Результаты: 2020 год характеризовался нарастанием износа всех компонентов основных фондов. Высших отметок за 8-летний период наблюдения достигли показатели износа зданий лечебных и диагностических подразделений (42,4%), оборудования (77,2%) и автотранспорта (83%). Для поддержания основных фондов в стабильном состоянии в 2020 г. требовалось 6,6 млрд руб., в то время как их обновление было профинансировано на 4,2 млрд. Ведомственная целевая программа «Предупреждение и борьба с социально значимыми инфекционными заболеваниями» не предусматривает финансирования обновления основных фондов в необходимом отрасли объеме. Финансирование противотуберкулезных мероприятий в 2020 г. в рублевом эквиваленте составило 92 млрд руб., что меньше, чем в 2019 г. – 94,7 млрд руб. (снижение на 2,9%). В долларовом эквиваленте финансирование снизилось с 1,571 до 1,384 млрд долл. США (на 11,9%). Подушевое финансирование противотуберкулезных мероприятий при этом практически не изменилось (678,5 руб./чел. в 2019 г. и 680,4 руб./чел. в 2020 г.). Отмечается средней силы корреляция (r = 0,6) скорректированного показателя подушевого финансирования противотуберкулезных мероприятий и распространенности туберкулеза по субъектам Российской Федерации. Заключение. В 2020 г. продолжилась долговременная тенденция недофинансирования обновления основных фондов противотуберкулезных медицинских организаций, что привело к нарастанию их износа. Целесообразно целевое выделение федеральных средств на обновление основных фондов. Снижение финансирования противотуберкулезных мероприятий как в долларовом, так и в рублевом эквиваленте связано с перераспределением финансовых средств на борьбу с новой коронавирусной инфекцией – COVID 19. Подтвердилась корреляция скорректированного подушевого финансирования противотуберкулезных мероприятий с показателем распространенности туберкулеза. Наибольшее подушевое финансирование требуется в регионах с высокой распространенностью туберкулеза. Отмечаются недостаточные инвестиции в обучение сотрудников и курацию, а также социальную поддержку больных туберкулезом по сравнению с инвестициями в закупки медикаментов для лечения больных туберкулезом.
Enhancement of Small-Scale Businesses in Post-COVID era through Cooperatives in Nigeria
Authors: Alhaji Usman Usman, , Nkechi Ojiagu,
Published: April 2022

Small-scale businesses are the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and the Covid-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world did not leave this sector untouched. As a result of the devastating effect of measures adopted in curbing the spread of the virus, many small businesses appear to be grappling to find their bearing. Hence, this paper examined the enhancement of small-scale businesses in the Post-Covid-19 era through cooperatives in Nigeria and seeks to establish that cooperatives remain the only essentialist and mutual option for small-scale businesses to remain relevant in a turbulent environment. The ex-post factor study revealed that many small businesses in Nigeria were badly hit by the pandemic and emerging from the aftermath of the virus has not been easy. The paper also indicated that institutional formations like cooperative societies can only help to salvage the plight of small business owners and equally has the capacity to revamp the sector. The paper concluded that the support small businesses might need to revive their business lie within cooperatives and only active involvement can enable proof. The paper, therefore, recommended among others that small business owners should endeavour to join or form cooperative societies and be active in the patronage of cooperatives services. This is because cooperative societies have been proven to have the capacity to empower and revive dying businesses. The government should be made to understand the capacity of cooperatives in economic development and adequately partner with them in incorporating small businesses into cooperative societies.
Logistic Regression without Intercept
Authors: Zeng Guoping
Published: April 2022

Logistic regression is a popular statistic modelling algorithm in predicting a binary outcome. Although logistic regression almost always has an intercept, logistic regression without intercept is sometimes appropriate or even necessary. However, logistic regression without intercept has rarely been discussed other than being used explicitly or implicitly. In this paper, we aim at filling this gap by systematically studying logistic regression without intercept. Specifically, we study the 4 most important aspects of logistic regression: (1) Maximum Likelihood Estimate, (2) data configuration (complete separation, quasi-complete separation and overlap) to categorize the existence and uniqueness of maximum likelihood estimate, (3) multicollinearity, and (4) monotonic transformations of independent variables. We adopt an extensional method in that we first present results for logistic regression with intercept and then extend the results to the case of without intercept. Our numerical examples further compare logistic regression with intercept and without intercept.
Reported Profiles of Women Who Have Sex with Women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Pius Saronga Happiness
Published: April 2022

Aims: This study explored socio-economic characteristics, sexual and health behaviour of women who have sex with women (WSW) in Tanzania. The study was conducted to increase public and policy-makers awareness about WSW characteristics, findings may be useful in planning essential public health interventions targeting the WSW.

Methodology: We involved WSW and community leaders in this study. We used a cross-sectional descriptive formative design and conducted the study in Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke districts in Dar-es-Salaam Region in Tanzania. We performed data collection through focus group discussion (FGD), in-depth interviews (IDIs), key informant interviews (KIIs) and life stories. We applied inductive thematic analysis where open coding approach was adopted using participants’ language. We employed grounded theory approach in the analysis.

Results: WSW in Tanzania belong to various sexual groups including lesbian, transgender, tomboy and bisexual. Although sex between women is practiced by women of all ages, it is most common among young women. It is practiced by married women and women with children and commonly starts during Secondary School. WSW are of varying socio-economic status (education and income) with some WSW facing poorer socio-economic status due to rejection, stigma and discrimination propagated by family and the wider community. WSW engage in risky behaviours, sexual and other health-related behaviours such as promiscuity, transactional sex, alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse.

Conclusion: WSW are of varying socio-economic characteristics, sexual and health behaviours. This may mean unique public health needs for different WSW and thus calling for tailored health education, health promotion, as well as socio-economic interventions to improve health-related behaviours, for better health outcomes of the WSW.
Annual, Seasonal and Monthly Rainfall Variability at Dharwad in Karnataka
Authors: Amith G. , M. Rebasiddanavar Revappa , Haroli Mahesh , Panchulaxmi M. , Thimmareddy Hemareddy , Ramesh .
Published: April 2022

Rainfall is one of the important weather factors deciding the economy, food habits, industries and work force of the area. Distribution of rainfall throughout the year further decides cropping pattern, variety to be cultivated and duration of the crop and management practices for efficient rainfall utility. In this regard 51 year past rainfall data (1970-2020) of Dharwad district of Karnataka was collected from Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), UAS, Dharwad for analysing seasonal, annual and monthly variabilities. From the analysis we found that the rainfall varied in the range of 417 to 1316 mm with the average of 748 mm and with the variation of 22 per cent. Five years moving rainfall average showed declining trend. July month recorded highest average rainfall of 136 mm with the lowest variation (39 per cent). Though January month recorded lowest rainfall (one mm), the highest variation was observed in February. Southwest (Jun-Sept), Northeast (Oct-Dec), Winter (Jan-Feb) and Post monsoon (March-May) contributed 65 per cent, 19 per cent, 1per cent and 15 per cent, respectively of the annual rainfall of Dharwad district. The lowest variation in rainfall over the years was observed in Southwest monsoon (27 per cent) while winter season showed highest variation. Farmers can be advised to take long duration crops like Cotton and Maize in kharif because of nearly even distributed rainfall for the months from June- October and early sowing in case of rabi to harness the more moisture for better yield. Summer sowing should be avoided because of more uncertainty in rainfall.
Morphological Characterization of Tulip Cultivars at 1587m above Mean Sea Level under Kashmir Himalayas
Authors: Hamid Masoodi Nasir , Nayeem Sofi M.
Published: April 2022

Morphological characterization of tulip cultivars was carried out during 2018-19 at Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture SKUAST- K Shalimar with an objective to assess the genetic diversity on the basis of qualitative and quantitative traits of growth, flowering and propagation ratio. Results based on analysis of variance depict sufficient genetic diversity among the genotypes. The variability response for minimum to maximum values ranged  (92.00 to  107.00) for days to bulb sprouting after planting (117.00 to 164.00) for days to flowering,( 4.70 to 8.20 cm) for flower diameter, (9.00 to 18.00) days for  duration of flowering, (23.13 to 72.22) cm for Plant Height (cm), 3.5 to 6.50  for number  of leaves per plant, (1.13  to 1.72)  for number of bulbs plant-1- and 12.30 to  21.20g  for bulb weight plant-1. However minimum days to sprouting 92.00 were recorded after planting resulted with cultivar first Sprout and also maximum days (107.00) were recorded with Royal virgin. Maximum days taken to flowering (164.00) were noticed with La courtine and minimum (117.00) with Royal virgin. Highest values for flower diameter 8.20 cm were recorded with Antartica whereas lowest (4.70cm) with Royal virgin. Duration of flowering resulted maximum18.00 days with cultivar La courtine and minimum 9.00 days with Royal virgin. Plant height (72.22cm), number of leaves (6.50) were observed maximum with cultivar La courtine where as minimum (23.13 cm) and (3.5 cm) respectively with Royal virgin. Maximum number ofbulbsplant-11.72 & Bulb weight plant-1 (21.20gm) were recorded with cultivar Happy generation where as minimum values (1.13 & 12.30gm) respectively with cultivar Royal virgin. It was concluded that highly significant varietal differences indicated the presence of high amount of variability. This morphological variability  delaminated cultivars First proud, Happy generation Purple prince, Royal virgin, Triple A in early group, Antartica, Avenue, Darwiorange, Niigata  (mid cultivars)  and  La courtine as  late flowering  cultivar.
Identification and Evaluation of Gamma Ray Induced Mutants in Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)
Authors: Sathyanarayana E. , Singh Jitendra , Das B. K.
Published: April 2022

The present investigations was carried out to isolate and evaluation of gamma ray induced mutants in gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) the experiments were carried out at Floriculture Research Farm, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishvidyalaya, Raipur, India, during winter of 2018-19 and 2019-20. Five cultivars of gladiolus viz. American Beauty (V1), Dull Queen (V2), Saffron (V3), Candyman (V4) and Summer Sunshine (V5) were irradiated with different doses (0, 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 Gy) of gamma rays from 60Co source and planted under open field condition in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with factorial concept. In this experiment different morphological characters i.e. maximum plant height, chlorophyll content, number of spikes per plot and minimum number of days required for first floret opening was observed at 15 Gy gamma rays. Ionising radiation had a negative effect on plants treated with greater doses (45 Gy and 55 Gy), but not so much on plants treated with lower levels (15 Gy and 25 Gy). Stable mutant were found and isolated in gladiolus cultivar American Beauty having yellow throat of red colour at 45 Gy, total spike colour of tepals was orange red at 55 Gy and light yellow colour was recorded in cv. Saffron at 45 Gy. A stable pinkish white colour mutant in cv. Dull Queen at 45 Gy.
Agromet Advisory Services for Climate Smart Agriculture
Authors: Amith G. , Ramesh . , Avinash G. , Haroli Mahesh , Thimmareddy Hemareddy , Dharani C.
Published: April 2022

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) is a strategy for guiding the transformation and reorientation of agricultural production in light of the new realities of climate change. CSA manage the climate risks by adapting and building resilience of agricultural and food security system to climate change at multiple levels. CSA involves dissemination of the advance weather information to the farmers through different state of art information technology (SMS, apps and e-mail) are being taken to control and minimize of loss of crop due to pest and diseases incidences. Increase agricultural productivity and incomes; adapt to and build resilience to climate change; and reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are the three pillars of the CSA. Under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, the Agrometeorological Advisory Service (AAS) of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), collects and organises climate/weather, soil, and crop information and combines it with weather forecast to assist farmers in making management decisions. Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs), and the IMD Mausam Website are examples of CSA projects. They deliver crop-specific alerts to farmers using meteorological parameters and a variety of print, visual, radio, and IT-based media, including short message service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response Service (IVRS). This CSA will assist farmers in anticipating the occurrence of pests and illnesses, allowing for the scientific and sensible scheduling of preventative actions.
Impact of Petroleum Excise Tax Costs on Firm Productivity in Uganda
Authors: Opiso Julius , Nkundabanyanga Stephen Korutaro , Tumwine Sulait , Kigongo Kaawaase Twaha , Senyonga Livingston , Echegu Simon
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of petroleum fuel excise tax costs on productivity of generator-reliant firms in Uganda. Most studies investigated the association between corporate tax and firm productivity, value added tax and firm productivity. This study contributes to the neglected area on the influence of petroleum excise tax costs on firm productivity. In this paper, we employ the ordinary least square (OLS) method for estimations. The results show a negative impact of petroleum fuel excise tax costs on the productivity of manufacturing firms, driven by the severe tax burden. In addition there is a negative significant association between tax cost and household welfare. Therefore tax policy actors should formulate policies that not only raise tax revenue but also boost business growth.
Groundwater Quality Assessment of Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State in Nigeria
Authors: Pessu Oritsedere , N. Ugbebor John , Ugwoha Ejikeme
Published: April 2022

An assessment of the quality of groundwater in Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA) was carried out in September 2020 (Late wet season). A total number of 29 samples were collected from different selected locations of the study area. The samples were collected from private and government bore holes. The pH, Total dissolved solids (TDS), Salinity, Turbidity, Hardness, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Phosphate, Nitrate, Sulphate, and Total bacterial count (TBC) were determined according to American Public Health Association (APHA) standard techniques. The results showed that the mean pH, TDS, Salinity, Turbidity, Hardness, BOD, COD, Phosphate, Nitrate, Sulphate, and TBC in the water samples were 7.0 ±0.59, 176.0 ±132.2mg/L, 0.14 ±0.11g/kg, 0.32 ±0.05 NTU, 59.58 ±34.89mg/L, 11.59 ±3.41mg/L, 14.90 ±4.18mg/L, 0.97 ±0.46mg/L, 2.62 ±1.27mg/L, 9.44 ±5.94mg/L, and 4.92 ±2.94 x 102 cfu/mL, respectively. The calculated Water quality index (WQI) of the different sampling points showed the least WQI was 50.3 and the highest WQI was 66.9. Overall, the WQI indicated “Poor” quality of groundwater in the Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.
National and subnational burden of stroke in Iran from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Fallahzadeh Aida , Esfahani Zahra , Sheikhy Ali , Keykhaei Mohammad , Moghaddam Sahar Saeedi , Tehrani Yeganeh Sharifnejad , Rezaei Negar , Ghasemi Erfan , Azadnajafabad Sina , Mohammadi Esmaeil , Koolaji Sogol , Shahin Sarvenaz , Rezaei Nazila , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: April 2022

Background

Data on the burden of stroke and changing trends at national and subnational levels are necessary for policymakers to allocate recourses appropriately. This study presents estimates of the stroke burden from 1990 to 2019 using the results of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study.

Methods

For the GBD 2019, verbal autopsy and vital registration data were used to estimate stroke mortality. Cause‐specific mortality served as the basis for estimating incidence, prevalence, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs). The burden attributable to stroke risk factors was calculated by a comparative risk assessment. Decomposition analysis was applied to determine the contribution of population aging, population growth, and changes in the age‐specific incidence rates.

Results

In 2019, the number of prevalent cases, incident cases, and deaths due to stroke in Iran were 963,512; 102,778; and 40,912, respectively. The age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and the age‐standardized death rate (ASDR) decreased from 1990 to 2019. Of national stroke ASDRs in 2019, 44.7% (35.7–54.7%) were attributable to hypertension and 28.8% (15.2–57.4) to high fasting plasma glucose. At the subnational level, the trend of the stroke incidence and mortality rate decreased in all provinces. Stroke was responsible for 4.48% of total DALYs in 2019 (3.38% due to ischemic stroke, 0.87% due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and 0.22% due to subarachnoid hemorrhage).

Conclusion

ASIR and ASDR of stroke are decreasing nationally and subnationally; however, the number of incident cases and deaths are increasing in all SDI quintiles, possibly due to population growth.
The effect of a short computerized growth mindset intervention with implementation intentions on French students entering university
Authors: Parada Sacha , Verlhiac Jean‐François
Published: April 2022

The goal of this study is to test the effect of a growth mindset (GM) intervention with an added implementation intentions (II) protocol on French first‐year university students' mindset, creating a new type of psychosocial intervention (GMII). We exposed participants to 3 intervention conditions (GMII vs. GM vs. control), measured mindset via self‐reported measures during 3 stages (online questionnaire 2 weeks before the intervention; experimental session with exposure to the intervention; online questionnaire 2 weeks after the intervention), and assessed scholastic performance by testing participants on a subject they had to learn during the experimental session. We found a positive effect of the GMII on participants' mindset (fostering a GM) compared to the other conditions. However, we did not find any link between GM and learning performance. Implications are discussed in light of recent literature and critics on mindset theory and interventions.
Ultrafine MoS2/Sb2S3 Nanorod Type‐II Heterojunction for Hydrogen Production under Simulated Sunlight
Authors: Li Wei , Ma Teng‐Hao , Dang Yan‐Yan , Liu Xiao‐Yun , Li Jia‐Yuan , Wang Chuan‐Yi
Published: April 2022

Transition metal sulfides (TMSs) have been widely used as photocatalytic materials in view of the merits of broadband light harvesting and low work function. However, the photocorrosion generally leads to the unstable photoactivity. Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) is a TMS semiconductor with prominent structural stability due to its large‐size microstructure. However, the slow body‐to‐surface carriers’ migration dramatically hinders its application in photocatalysis field. Herein, to gain a stable TMS‐based photocatalyst with high photoactivity for hydrogen production, the ultrafine MoS2 served as cocatalyst is grown in situ on the surface of Sb2S3 nanorods to form a type‐II heterostructured catalyst via a green hydrothermal procedure. In view of the narrow bandgap feature of both materials, the as‐prepared heterostructured catalyst possesses prominent broadband‐light harvesting. Owing to the synergistic promotion of built‐in electric field, the photocarriers’ migration in depletion region is significantly speeded up so that their recombination is effectively hindered, thereby this novel catalyst possesses 34.9‐fold and 11.7‐fold higher hydrogen evolution reaction photoactivity than that of bare Sb2S3 and MoS2 under simulated sunlight irradiation. On account of the formation of Mo (MoS2)‐S (Sb2S3) and Sb (Sb2S3)‐S (MoS2) coordination interactions in heterointerface, highly enhanced photostability is presented even being handled during long‐term irradiation. This study provides an insight for gaining a stable TMS‐based photocatalyst with high‐performance.
Enabling Tunable Water‐Responsive Surface Adaptation of PDMS via Metal–Ligand Coordinated Dynamic Networks
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Crisci Ralph , Finlay John A. , Cai Hongyi , Clare Anthony S. , Chen Zhan , Silberstein Meredith N.
Published: April 2022

Polymers are at the core of emerging flexible sensor and soft actuator technology. Ideal candidates not only respond to external stimuli but also have programmable response intensity and speed. Incorporating dynamic interactions into polymers has been widely studied. However, most research has focused on synthesis methods and on optical and mechanical effects of these interactions. Here, a new and tunable method of enabling environmentally adaptive polymers are introduced. Specifically, polar functionalities are “hidden” within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). When unveiled, these polar functionalities change the hydrophilicity of the polymer. Water is the stimulus that triggers the exposure of polar functionalities by disrupting interfacial equilibrium and driving surface reconstruction. This reversible adaptation is governed by the dynamics of a metal–ligand coordinated polymer, and therefore can be easily tailored by the choice of network structure, metal cations, and counter anions. PDMS is a particularly exciting polymer for this functionality because of the negative consequences of its intrinsically high hydrophobicity in many applications. However, this design concept is applicable to a wide range of polymers and can be expanded to other dynamic interactions such as reversible covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, and ionic bonding, to empower programmable responsive functionality and therefore enhance material performance.
A Mono‐Boron Complex‐Based Fluorescent Nanofilm with Enhanced Sensing Performance for Methylamine in Vapor Phase
Authors: Li Min , Luo Yan , Yang Jinglun , Qi Yanyu , Huang Rongrong , Wang Gang , Liu Jianfei , Liu Zhongshan , Fang Yu
Published: April 2022

The performance of a film‐based fluorescent sensor is highly dependent on the innovative design of the sensing films aiming to elevate usability of sensing units, and enhance mass transfer of analytes within the fluorescent adlayer. Herein, a highly porous and uniform fluorescent nanofilm which is fabricated through an interfacially confined dynamic‐covalent reaction between benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbo‐hydrazide and a mono‐boron complex of 8‐hydroxy‐quinoline is reported. Remarkably, the thicknesses of the nanofilms prepared in this way can be modulated from tens to hundreds of nanometers. In addition, the nanofilms demonstrate much improved photochemical stability. Sensing performance studies reveal that the nanofilm is super‐sensitive and selective to the presence of amines, especially methylamine (MA) in vapor phase. Specifically, the detection limit to MA is lower than 2.82 mg m−3, and the presence of the vapors of water, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and other common organic compounds showed little effect upon the sensing. Moreover, the sensing is highly reversible. With the innovation in adlayer structure, substrate effect as commonly found in routine film‐based sensing is avoided, which must bring convenience for device making. In this work, different film‐based sensors are fabricated, suggesting their potential applications in various scenarios.
Dual‐Emission of Fluorescence and Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence for Ratiometric and Colorimetric Oxygen Sensing and Detection Based on Dispersion of Pure Organic Thianthrene Dimer in Polymer Host
Authors: Liu Haichao , Pan Guocui , Yang Zhiqiang , Wen Yating , Zhang Xiangyu , Zhang Shi‐Tong , Li Weijun , Yang Bing
Published: April 2022

To improve room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) property, thianthrene (TA) is chemically modified into three intramolecular dimers (1TA1TA, 1TA2TA, and 2TA2TA) at different active sites. They all show dual‐emission of fluorescence and RTP after deoxygenation when they are dispersed in polymer matrix to form films. As for the RTP emission among their films, 2TA2TA shows the largest red shift peaking at 540 nm, the longest lifetime of 36.5 ms, and the highest RTP efficiency of 40.7%. These RTP characteristics enable 2TA2TA to act as a self‐referenced ratiometric and colorimetric probe for oxygen sensing and detection at low concentration. As a result, 2TA2TA exhibits the highest quenching efficiency of 98.4% and highest sensitivity (KSV = 13.32 KPa−1) for quantitative oxygen detection. Besides, these oxygen‐sensitive materials can also be used to study aerodynamics through a direct and visual observation of emission intensity/color distribution. Overall, the new‐generation optical probe will be developed in oxygen sensing and detection with high sensitivity, good reversibility, and reproducibility by using the pure organic materials with single‐molecule dual‐emission of fluorescence and RTP through the dispersion of the materials in polymeric host.
Role of primary cilia and Hedgehog signaling in craniofacial features of Ellis–van Creveld syndrome
Authors: Thomas Davis C. , Moorthy Janani Dakshina , Prabhakar Vaishnavi , Ajayakumar Ahana , Pitchumani Priyanka Kodaganallur
Published: April 2022

Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EvC) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder involving pathogenic variants of EVC and EVC2 genes and classified as a ciliopathy. The syndrome is caused by mutations in the EVC gene on chromosome 4p16, and EVC2 gene, located close to the EVC gene, in a head‐to‐head configuration. Regardless of the affliction of EVC or EVC2, the clinical features of Ellis–van Creveld syndrome are similar. Both these genes are expressed in tissues such as, but not limited to, the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and placenta, while the predominant expression in the craniofacial tissues is that of EVC2. Biallelic mutations of EVC and EVC2 affect Hedgehog signaling and thereby ciliary function, crucial factors in vertebrate development, culminating in the phenotypical features characteristic of EvC. The clinical features of Ellis–van Creveld syndrome are consistent with significant abnormalities in morphogenesis and differentiation of the affected tissues. The robust role of primary cilia in histodifferentiation and morphodifferentiation of oral, perioral, and craniofacial tissues is becoming more evident in the most recent literature. In this review, we give a summary of the mechanistic role of primary cilia in craniofacial development, taking Ellis–van Creveld syndrome as a representative example.
Teaching the “acid–base” subject in biochemistry via virtual laboratory during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Avcı Filiz
Published: April 2022

Virtual laboratories have started to be the leading alternative teaching tools during the Covid‐19 pandemic process. The “Acid–Base” subject is among those that form the foundations of biochemistry. Students can learn the “Acid–Base” subject in a secure environment, with remote access through the use of virtual laboratory simulations. Simulation was applied to fourth‐year undergraduate students in Turkey who want to obtain a bachelor's degree in science teaching during the present study. During the application process, the students conducted different experiments on the concepts of strong acid, strong base and pH, which are the basic concepts of biochemistry. In addition, student opinions regarding the application were also obtained. It was thus determined that the majority of the students were able to write hypotheses, test their accuracy and report the test findings correctly; a small number of students started to apply the simulations after examining them in accordance with scientific terminology. At the end of the application, the students also stated that they had fun during the application which also provided effective learning. It is recommended that classroom activity which is integrated with simulation be used in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Science Laboratory Applications courses.
Optimization of an artificial neural network topology using response surface methodology for microbial fuel cell power prediction
Authors: Malekmohammadi Sima , Mirbagheri Seyed Ahmad
Published: April 2022

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are among the newest bioelectrical devices that have attracted significant attention because they convert biodegradable organic matter to electricity. MFC design can be improved by understanding and predicting the performance of MFC under different conditions and substrate concentrations. However, few mathematical models have been investigated due to problems caused by the high sensitivity of MFC systems. In this research, a multilayer neural network (NN) was used to predict the generated power of a cell with three inputs (concentration, time, and resistance). Response surface methodology with factors including the number of first layer neurons, number of second layer neurons, training epochs, validation check, and training percentage was used to obtain the optimum structure of the network, and mean squared error (MSE). NN had the minimum MSE when the Number of neurons in the first and second hidden layers, the training epochs, validation check, training percentage were 28, 20, 1000, 100, and 70, respectively. This built network had an excellent ability to predict, and was 98%. According to the results, increasing COD concentration increases generated power and system utilization time. In addition, reducing the external resistance up to 100 Ω can lead to more power obtained.
Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma mimicking cutaneous sarcoidosis
Authors: Daldoul Mariem , Korbi Mouna , Akkari Hayet , Sriha Badreddine , Belhadjali Hichem , Zili Jameleddine
Published: April 2022

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a benign skin disorder, with, unknown cause. It appears as erythematous papules or annular plaques. Few challenging cases of AEGCG have been reported in the literature. We describe a rare clinical presentation of AEGCG mimicking cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Synthesis of Oxygen‐Deficient WO3−x Nanoplates and Hollow Microspheres Decorated on a Carbon Cloth for Supercapacitors
Authors: Han Wenjing , Zhong Minglong , Ju Hui , Chen Deping , Yuan Lei , Liu Xudong , Wang Chaoyang
Published: April 2022

Oxygen‐deficient CC−WO3−x nanoplates and hollow microspheres on carbon fabrics cloth were synthesized utilizing a simple solvent‐thermal route. The obtained CC−WO3−x possess an improved electronic conductivity because of the oxygen‐deficient effect and a higher specific surface area due to the unique nano‐structural features. The CC−WO3−x exhibits a high capacitance of 804 F g−1, excellent rate performance (>80 %) while the current density is enhanced five‐fold and superior cycling stability by retaining 109.5 % after 14000 cycles at 30 mV s−1. In addition, an asymmetric electrochemical capacitor (ASC) reveals a competitive energy storage performance (50.7 W h kg−1 at 1.3 KW kg−1). The reasons for its good electrochemical property are that the novel hybrid nanoplates and hollow microspheres structure with oxygen‐deficient and binder‐free, which is conducive to exposing more electroactive sites and enhancing electrical conductivity, therefore accelerating ion diffusion, facilitating charge transportation, and promoting the capacitive contribution for rapid charge‐discharge kinetics synchronously.The route is anticipated to reveal a new way to prepare hybrid nanostructure with oxygen‐deficient and binder‐free metal oxide‐based electrode material.
Provide a level of support that attracts students with disabilities to campus
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2022

Wright State University officials worked to create an inclusive culture even before Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. Tom Webb, ADA/504 Coordinator and Director of the Office of Disability Services, shared how his office provides extensive support to students.
Colleges and universities should ensure that their actions do not have an adverse impact on students with disabilities
Authors: Charmatz Marc
Published: April 2022

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, mirrors Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and race, respectively (29 U.S.C. 794; 20 U.S.C. 1681; and 42 U.S.C. 2000(d)). But there are differences between Section 504 and Title IX and Title VI, including but not limited to the statutory language which in Section 504 applies to qualified individuals with disabilities, while there is no such limitation in Title IX and Title VI. Further, Section 504 contains an auxiliary aids and services and a reasonable modifications requirement that do not appear in Title IX and Title VI. Finally, Section 504 has been interpreted by the courts to include adverse impact as well as adverse treatment. All three points — qualified individual with a disability, auxiliary aids and services, and adverse impact — have important implications for colleges and universities.
Comparing the efficacy of control strategies for infectious disease outbreaks using field and simulation studies
Authors: Chaulagain Bhim , Contina Jean Bertrand , Mills Karasi , Seibel Rachel L. , Mundt Christopher C.
Published: April 2022

Diseases characterized by long distance inoculum dispersal (LDD) are among the fastest spreading epidemics in both natural and managed landscapes. Management of such epidemics is extremely challenging because of asymptomatic infection extending at large spatial scales and frequent escape from the newly established disease sources. We compared the efficacy of area‐ and timing‐based disease management strategies in artificially initiated field epidemics of wheat stripe rust and complemented with simulations from an updated version of the spatially explicit model EPIMUL, using model parameters relevant to field epidemics. The model was further used to expand the number of epidemic mitigations beyond that feasible to incorporate in the field. The field experiment was conducted for 2 years in two locations having different climatic conditions. Culling and protection treatments were applied at different times after epidemic initiation and to different spatial extents surrounding the outbreaks. In each experiment, treatments were replicated four times in plots 33.5 m long and 1.52 m wide with a 0.76 × 0.76 m inoculated focus centered within each plot. Disease gradients were assessed along the center lines of the plots at 1.52 m intervals both upwind and downwind from the focus. Both field and simulation results indicated that control measures applied over the entire population were highly effective in suppressing the epidemics by more than 99% but may not always be logistically and economically feasible at large spatial scales. Comparison between the variable sized treatment areas and application timings suggested that implementing contiguous premises (CP) cull at 1 day after first sporulation in the outbreak focus reduced rust by 52% and 60% in Corvallis and Madras, respectively. However, altering the cull size did not significantly affect the disease epidemic development, which suggested that early timing had a greater influence in suppressing the epidemics than did increased area of application. However, sufficiently large, treated areas may compensate for a delay in application timing to some extent. Results from these replicated treatments may help to devise appropriate management strategies for other LDD pathogens.