bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VOCES Y OTREDAD. DE LAS CARTAS DESDE MI CELDA A BÉCQUER Y LAS BRUJAS
Authors: LÓPEZ SANTOS Miriam
Published: January 2022

La crítica especializada ha relacionado las leyendas de las cartas Desde mi celda de Bécquer con la insistencia por parte del autor en la búsqueda y recuperación del folclore y de las tradiciones populares. No obstante, el acercamiento a las mismas exige una doble lectura. La riqueza polifónica muestra que, al Bécquer folclorista, habría de añadírsele su faceta de lector afamado, imprescindible en su configuración como narrador de historias. El escritor sevillano mira al pueblo, recoge y bebe de la tradición, pero la filtra a través del prisma del movimiento gótico, de los ecos que aún permanecían en la literatura y que se atisbaban en las últimas manifestaciones de las narraciones románticas y en la incipiente narrativa realista. El largometraje recientemente estrenado Bécquer y las brujas ahonda en esta riqueza polifónica de una figura, construida desde la más pura otredad: la de la bruja.
Abstract: Literary scholarship has credited the legends collected in Bécquer’s letters Desde mi celda for the writer’s interest in the research and recovery of folklore and popular traditions. However, when approaching these traditional stories, another perspective is possible: Bécquer’s polyphonic narrations are rooted in his wide readings, from which he draws the material of his stories. The Sevillian writer observes and grasps the people’s cultural traditions, but through the filter of the Gothic, the echoes of the last romantic prose and the emerging realist narrative. The newly released film Bécquer y las brujas highlights the richness of his compositions, based on the purest otherness: the figure of the witch.
Psychometric properties of the Adolescents’Academic Motivation Scale (AAMS) in a representative sample of Dominican Republic high school students
Authors: Reyes Betty , Fernández Irene , Pérez-Belmonte Sergio , De los Santos Saturnino , Tomás José M. , Galiana Laura
Published: January 2022

Within the growing body of research that has focused on academic success, academic motivation has gathered considerable attention. The aim of this this research is to present the first validation of the Adolescents’ Academic Motivation Scale (AAMS). Total sample was composed by 1712 students of secondary education from two districts in the Dominican Republic. The main measurement outcome was the AAMS. Results from the CFA were satisfactory: χ2(5) = 57.73, p < .001; CFI = .970; RMSEA = .079 [.061, .097], and SRMR = .024. IRT analyses favored the two-parameter logistic model, indicating that items were not equally discriminant. Structural Equation Model with latent variables in which academic motivation was a significant predictor of grades resulted in excellent fit: χ2(53) = 182.76, p < .001; CFI = .980; RMSEA = .038 90% CI [.032, .044], and SRMR = .025. In sum, this work presents an exhaustive psychometric analysis of the AAMS in a representative sample of high school Dominican students.

Entre el creciente cuerpo de investigación que se ha centrado en el éxito académico, la motivación académica ha captado considerable atención. El objetivo de esta investigación es presentar la primera validación de la Escala de Motivación Académica de los Adolescentes (EMAA). La muestra total estuvo compuesta por 1712 estudiantes de secundaria de dos distritos de la República Dominicana. La medida principal fue la EMAA. Los resultados del AFC fueron satisfactorios: χ2(5) = 57.73, p < .001; CFI = .970; RMSEA = .079, 90% CI [.061, .097], y SRMR = .024. Los análisis de TRI favorecieron al modelo logístico de dos parámetros, indicando que los ítems no fueron igualmente discriminativos. El Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales en el que la motivación académica predecía de forma estadísticamente significativa las calificaciones obtuvo un ajuste excelente: χ2(53) = 182.76, p < .001; CFI = .980; RMSEA = .038 [.032, .044], and SRMR = .025. En resumen, este trabajo presenta un exhaustivo análisis psicométrico de la EMAA en una muestra representativa de estudiantes dominicanos de instituto.
Entrepreneurship attitudes and the Big Five: A cross-cultural comparison between Spain and the United States
Authors: Oliver Amparo , Schneider Barry H. , Galiana Laura , Puricelli David Alex , Schwendemann Marc , Tomás Jose Manuel
Published: January 2022

Culture may interact with personality to facilitate or inhibit entrepreneurial behaviors. 296 undergraduates in the United States and 257 in Spain completed the Big Five Personality Inventory and the Entrepreneurial Attitudes Scale for Students (Mean age = 20.16 years; SD = 3.39). We hypothesized that across cultures, conscientiousness and openness would predict greater risk taking whereas neuroticism and agreeableness would be a negative correlate. Personality variables explained a larger proportion of the variance in entrepreneurial attitudes in the U.S. data. The associations between the personality dimensions and entrepreneurship varied considerably by country and gender. Significant positive correlations were found between conscientiousness and risk taking only for Spanish men. Neuroticism was significantly and negatively correlated with risk taking only for American participants.

La cultura puede interactuar con la personalidad para facilitar o inhibir las conductas emprendedoras.  296 estudiantes universitarios en Estados Unidos y 257 en España completaron el inventario de los Cinco Grandes de Personalidad y la escala de Actitudes Emprendedoras para Estudiantes (Media de edad = 20.16 años; DT = 3.39). Se hipotetiza que, a través de culturas, conciencia y apertura serán predictores de mayor toma de riesgos, mientras neuroticismo y amigabilidad lo harán en negativo. Las variables de personalidad explican una mayor proporción de varianza en actitudes emprendedoras en los datos estadounidenses. Las asociaciones entre las dimensiones de personalidad y emprendimiento varían considerablemente por país y género. Se encontraron correlaciones positivas significativas entre conciencia y toma de riesgos solo en hombres españoles. El neuroticismo correlaciona negativa y significativamente con la toma de riesgos, solo en el caso de los participantes americanos.
Self-perceived and reported mental health in older adults
Authors: Zamora Iniesta Tomás , Castell Gallud Pedro , Fernández Fernández Visitación , Castro Sáez Maravillas , Vicente Escudero Jose Luis , López Soler Concepción
Published: January 2022

Several studies assess mental health in older adults, but relatively few do so from a multi-informant perspective. In this work, discrepancies in self-perception and   third-person perception of the mental health of older adults were analyzed in two age groups and differentiated by sex and place of residence. Relationships between different scales that measure psychopathology and psychosocial competencies were also analyzed.
A sample of 288 older people aged between 60-95 years old (154 women, 53.47%) belonging to 12 municipalities in the Region of Murcia was employed, and the Older Adult Self-Report (OASR) questionnaire was used to measure the psychopathology of older people and the Older Adult Behavior Checklist (OABCL) instrument to find out the family's perception of these problems.
Outcomes show different perceptions of mental health among older people and their families, which worsen with increasing age, psychosocial risk status and female gender. This reflects the need to develop specific treatment protocols for each gender and psychosocial risk situation, in order to address the differential mental health needs in older people.

Son numerosos los trabajos que evalúan la salud mental de las personas mayores, pero relativamente escasos los que lo hacen desde una perspectiva multi-informante. En este trabajo se analizaron las discrepancias en la autopercepción y la percepción que tienen otros de la salud mental de las personas mayores, en dos franjas de edad, diferenciando por sexos, lugar de residencia y se analizaron las relaciones entre diferentes escalas que miden psicopatología y competencias psicosociales.
Se empleó una muestra de 288 personas mayores entre 60-95 años (154 mujeres, 53.47%) pertenecientes a 12 municipios de la Región de Murcia, y se empleó el cuestionario OlderAdultSelf-Report (OASR) para medir la psicopatología de las personas mayores y el instrumentoOlderAdultBehaviorChecklist (OABCL) para conocer la percepción de la familia de estos problemas.
Los resultados reflejan que existen diferentes percepciones de la salud mental entre personas mayores y sus familiares, que empeoran al aumentar la edad, la situación de riesgo psicosocial y el género femenino. Esto refleja la necesidad de desarrollar protocolos de tratamiento específicos para cada género y situación de riesgo psicosocial, con el fin de atender las necesidades diferenciales de salud mental de las personas mayores.
Intercultural Teaching in the EFL Classroom
Authors: Sobkowiak Paweł
Published: January 2022

The qualitative research reported in this article investigated whether and to what extent students’ intercultural competence is developed in the English language classroom at the secondary education level in Poland. In interviews teachers demonstrated their positive attitudes toward intercultural teaching and decent knowledge of the issue. However, the teachers’ narratives uncovered that they assigned the interculturality the secondary role, focusing on developing linguistic and sociolinguistic competences. The collected data revealed that students in class had very few opportunities to explore foreign cultures and compare/ contrast one culture with another. There was a lack of attention to teaching that promotes critical thinking skills among learners along with activities which foster them. However, there is insufficient evidence that teachers can currently do anything more, given the context in which they work, their constraints and lack of training and support. The findings of the current study have clear implications for curriculum designers, textbook writers and institutions in charge of teacher training - EFL syllabuses, teaching materials and teacher training should focus more on developing students’ intercultural and critical thinking skills.
Sexualized, platformed female bodies in male online practices
Authors: Rasmussen Penille Kærsmose Bøegh , Søndergaard Dorte Marie
Published: January 2022

Sexualized images of the bodies of girls and young women – in some cases taken without the knowledge of those depicted, in other cases exchanged as part of erotic or romantic interactions – sometimes turn up in closed groups on social media and on websites and other online platforms. In their efforts to mark and prove masculinity, the (presumably) male participants in these fora share, trade, and evaluate such imagery. The young women depicted are generally commented upon in condescending ways. Based on a combination of digital ethnography and analogue fieldwork and interviews at a vocational school in Denmark, this article explores how boys and young men use sexualized female bodies to negotiate boundaries of masculinity, gendered positioning, and intimacy. Through new materialist and poststructuralist perspectives, we attend to the entanglements of social and technological phenomena enacting these practices.
Embodied technology use:
Authors: Neag Annamaria , Sefton-Green Julian
Published: January 2022

For unaccompanied refugee youth, technology occupies a central role in their lives. It helps them when crossing countries, finding a shelter, and accessing education, or even in negotiating family relations online (e.g., Çelikaksoy & Wadensjö, 2017; Marlowe & Bruns, 2020; Morrice et al., 2020). Research with young refugees shows that social media and smart devices have become essential means to resolve many challenges (Kutscher & Kreß, 2018). The aim of our article is to go beyond a utilitarian view of digital technologies and social media in the lives of migrant youth and show how digital actions can be extensions of bodily communications in relation to, for instance, locating the self within new cities, food, music, and religion. We introduce the concept of the migrant platformed body as a site of struggle for unity that brings past and present into continuous discussion in and through the uses of social media technologies.
Competency Needs of Industry 4.0 Companies
Authors: Plawgo Bogusław , Ertman Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Purpose: The main aim of the study is the analysis of the awareness of competency needs in businesses in relation to the development of Industry 4.0 and the possibility of meeting those needs within business cooperation networks. Methodology: We formed a model of competency needs for companies operating as part of Industry 4.0 in Poland, considering the needs of managers and other staff members. The model was then employed in empirical studies. The pilot empirical study was conducted using two methods: a quantitative CAWI method, which covered 81 companies from the metal processing and machine industry in Podlaskie Voivodship, and a qualitative IDI on a sample of 25 organizations. Findings: Manufacturing companies are not fully aware of the competency needs related to Industry 4.0, covered by the established model. Moreover, we found that the most strongly felt competency needs – both by managers and other employees – may not be met within the business cooperation network. In order to satisfy these needs, partners must be found outside the studied network. The business cooperation network that we studied may only satisfy the less noticeable competency needs. Implications: The developed competency model should be studied and further verified, including testing with a larger sample of companies, specifying the behavioral competency gaps related to Industry 4.0, their filling in using formal education systems, lifelong education, internships, and apprenticeships. The need for further research is dictated by the intensity of processes occurring within the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Value: The pilot nature of the study and its limited sample do not undermine its contribution to the body of knowledge as it confirms that the competencies of managers and other staff members are one of the key determinants of successful implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in Poland.
La Guerra Civil española en el cómic de autoría femenina
Authors: Moreno-Nuno Carmen
Published: January 2022

En este trabajo se estudia, desde la perspectiva de género, la representación que el cómic más contemporáneo está llevando a cabo sobre la guerra civil española. Para ello, el ensayo comienza repasando brevemente los cómics de autoría masculina que tienen a mujeres como protagonistas, para pasar, en una segunda parte, a analizar más detenidamente las novelas gráficas de autoría femenina Todo lo que nos contaron nuestros abuelos (Cachete Jack, 2012), Winnipeg: el barco de Neruda (Laura Martel, 2014) y Tante Wussi (Katrin Bacher y Tyto Alba, 2015). El análisis textual de estas obras mostrará que el cómic de autoría femenina se caracteriza por ofrecer una reflexión autoconsciente sobre la importancia de la transmisión de la memoria.
Myanmar: viento de democracia, viento de dictadura. Una mirada desde el mundo de la novela gráfica
Authors: Nuño Santana Fernando Eutiquio
Published: January 2022

La imagen, a diferencia del texto, presenta un componente afectivo que permite al observador empatizar, implicarse, con aquello que observa. Uno de los sucesos que más ha llamado la atención de la comunidad internacional en la actualidad ha sido la crisis de los rohingya en Myanmar, minoría étnica musulmana intensamente perseguida, forzando uno de los mayores exilios del siglo XXI. A lo largo del presente artículo, y tras un marco teórico sobre la conexión entre problemáticas actuales y novelas gráficas, analizaremos cómo a través de este formato se ha representado la convulsa situación política del país. Nuestra atención se centra en títulos como Crónicas Birmanas, Los refugiados rohingyas de Myanmar o Aung San Suu Kyi: La dama de Rangún. Como conclusión, podemos destacar la validez de este género de creaciones para aproximar de una manera documentada la complejidad de esta crisis y la diversidad de actores e intereses en ella implicados.
Casi toda la narrativa reciente sobre la Guerra Civil (2014–2018) y una breve reflexión sobre algunos conceptos clave
Authors: Valls Fernando
Published: January 2022

En el año 2004 se creó en Madrid la Asociación de la Memoria Social y Democrática (AMESDE) con el objetivo de «promover, estudiar y difundir el conocimiento del pasado», además de alcanzar, siguiendo a Blas de Otero, «la belleza siempre que no esté en contraposición a la verdad, es decir, a la justicia», según se lee en la presentación del primer volumen de la colección que trataremos, a cargo de Jaime Ruiz, presidente de dicho organismo.
Las letras españolas, a comienzos de 1969, desde la perspectiva mexicana
Authors: Valls Fernando
Published: January 2022

En 1969 la Revista de la Universidad de México, fundada en 1930, le dedicó un monográfico a las «Letras españolas». De esta publicación formaban parte los exiliados españoles Luis Rius y Vicente Rojo. El número se gestó el año anterior, una fecha histórica y literaria clave, cuyas repercusiones nos siguen afectando. El presente trabajo analiza su contenido y sus colaboraciones en relación con lo que pasaba entonces en México para acabar preguntándonos por qué se hizo este número, qué se quería mostrar y qué idea pretendía darse de nuestras literaturas, constatando que los mismos prejuicios o desconocimiento que se les achaca a los estudios del interior se reproducen en parte aquí, pues no se presta a los escritores del exilio republicano la atención que merecen.
Maneras del decir: producción audiovisual y escuela secundaria. Un estudio sociopedagógico en la Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires
Authors: Schwamberger Cintia , Armella Julieta , Carpentieri Yanina , Dafunchio Sofía
Published: January 2022

This paper is based on the results of a socio-pedagogical study in a public secondary school situated in a context of urban poverty in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A qualitative methodology is used to recover elements of ethnography and audiovisual production through a documentary film workshop. This is a collaborative effort that explores audiovisual language as a research practice that allows us to use different forms of narration. We reflect on the students’ ways of saying when they take the camera. Our hypothesis is that the way in which students construct their narratives constitutes a narrative that is told by action and that is driven by and through images.
Deconstruyendo machos, construyendo personas. Relatos de alejamiento de la masculinidad hegemónica en España
Authors: Rodríguez-del-Pino Juan Antonio , Jabbaz Churba Marcela
Published: January 2022

This study analyzes some of the alternatives that certain men use as a means to challenge and redefine the place hitherto occupied by the hegemonic idea of masculinity. One of the major difficulties involved in this personal and social process, both external and internal, concerns the conflict with men who cling to a monolithic idea of masculinity. Moving away from the traditional model involves confrontations in multiple senses. With a methodology based on autobiographies, we observe how five men selected for the diversity of their characteristics reconstruct their life stories and critically reflect on their bodies and their assigned, perceived, and transformed gender.
ISIAH ZAGAR’S MAGICAL MOSAIC GARDENS IN PHILADELPHIA
Authors: Agatekin Elif
Published: January 2022

South Street in Philadelphia, which once used to be a dynamic and vivid district with its cosmopolite structure, turned into an abandoned area in the late 1950s. Isaiah Zagar and his wife Julia had moved to this street following Zagar’s depression in 1969, when the street was full of wrecked houses. Mosaic art was a form of rehabilitation for Zagar during his hard days. He started to cover the walls of his house and even some areas on the street with mosaic, and the facades of many buildings on the street became living canvases for Zagar’s art. When the owner of the derelict house next to his studio, which was also applied mosaic art by Zagar, wanted to sell the house in 2002, Zagar strongly objected the idea. Thanks to the attempts of Zagar and a group of supportive local art lovers, the house was opened to the public visits as a museum by an organization called Philadelphia Magic Garden following the trials lasting over two years. After this development, Zagar felt more willing to continue to commit his art and energy to this museum and the city. He lived on the street for 50 years and created 200 mosaic works of art across the city, more than 70 of which are located on South Street. Today, Philadelphia is proud of this open air art gallery, and this exceptional public art environment is the symbol of the city. This paper aims to examine the original mosaic language created by Isaiah Zagar through material variety and methods used. It also presents Zagar’s story of moving to the Street and his unique expression shaped by his previous life experiences. Key Words: Mosaic, Philadelphia’s Magic Garden, Isaiah Zagar, Public Art, Outsider Art.
Assessment of Health Seeking Behavior of Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy among Elderly Primi Mother
Authors: Dhale Prachi , Dhawale Pragati , Dosani Amrin , Dongare Gaurav , Thool Bali
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diagnosed by elevated blood glucose in pregnancy though the definition has changed repeatedly since its first description in the 1960’s. The most frequently reported perinatal consequence of GDM is macrosomia (usually defined as a neonate weighing over 4 kg) which can increase the risk of caesarean section and shoulder dystocia. For the mother, there are also potential longer-term consequences including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy and/or in later life. The investigators of a large international Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study aimed to identify a cut-point in the continuum to decide the blood glucose level (BGL) thresholds that should be used to define GDM.

Objective: To assess the incidence rate of gestational diabetes in pregnancy among the elderly primi mother. To assess the health seeking behavior of gestational diabetes in elderlyprimimothers.  To associate the demographic variables of gestational diabetes in elderly primi mothers.

Materials and Methods: A Descriptive research study was to assess the incidence and Health seeking behavior of gestational diabetes in pregnancy among the elderly primi mother. The target population for the study includes all antenatal women (12-36 weeks of gestation) who attend the antenatal clinics of AVBRH Out Patient Department. Sample consists of sub set of units that compose accessible population. In this study sample size was 100 elderly primi mother of selected area of community of Wardha. A tool is an instrument or equipment used for collection of data. A blue print was prepared prior to the construction of knowledge questionnaire based on which items were developed.

Results: A finding shows that (41%) were having good, (40%) were having very good, (17%) were having average and (2%) were having excellent knowledge score. The minimum score was 05 and maximum score was 14, the mean score for the test was 8.93 ± 2.23 and mean percentage of knowledge was 59.54%. There was no significant association in relation to age, education, occupation, No.of gravida, income etc.
Optimization and Characterization of Self Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery System loaded with 18- β Glycerrhetinic acid
Authors: Farooqui Heena , Upadhyay Prashant
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study was to prepare, optimize and evaluate self nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) containing 18- β glycerrhetinic acid which enhances the dissolution profile or bioavailability of the drug in comparison to pure suspension of 18- β glycerrhetinic acid.18- β glycerrhetinic acid loaded SNEDDS having geranium oil as oil phase, tween 80 as a surfactant, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as co-surfactant were prepared using pseudo ternary phase diagram and Box-Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the different formulations. Optimized formulations were characterized for self-emulsifying time, globule size, zeta potential, and drug release. The mean droplet size and PDI of the optimized formulation were found to be in a variation of 93.42 nm and 0.401 respectively. FTIR data showed no physicochemical interaction between excipients and drug. The encapsulation efficiency of optimised 18- β glycerrhetinic acid SNEDDS was found 80.12±1.52% , % transmittance was found 99.34±0.134% and the viscosity of all the formulations was found 0.8872 cp. Three-dimensional response surface plots and two-dimensional contour plots of the responses across the selected factors were constructed that explained the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Release kinetics was calculated by using KinetDS3.0. It was concluded that prepared formulations were formulated with approximately desired mean droplet size confirmed by Box- Behnken experimental design as well as properly optimized and characterized.
A Cross Sectional analysis on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Plastic Surgery among Plastic Surgeons in India
Authors: Selvaraj Sanjay , Sundaramurthy Narayanamurthy , Mahipathy Surya Rao Rao Venkata , Durairaj Alagar Raja , Jeyachandiran Anand Prasath , Rajendran Suresh
Published: January 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the amount of elective procedures dramatically. We, as healthcare workers, are at grave danger of contracting COVID-19. It is consequently critical for plastic surgeons to maintain their safety while attempting to resume routine activities as soon as possible. The goal of this research is to learn more about plastic surgery practises during the COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to serve as many people as possible while conserving medical resources for future crises.

Objective: To study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on plastic surgery among plastic surgeons in India

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire. The study population is made up of plastic surgeons, and the study location was chosen from several hospitals in India. The study duration was 6 months. Data was obtained using the snowball sampling method using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire with 27 questions. The data was entered into an excel spreadsheet and analysed with SPSS version 16 software, with Fisher's exact test used for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 61 participants were included in the study. The majority (60.7%) do not work in COVID-19 care in their hospital but the majority of the participants who took part in this study work in a hospital which is recognised as a COVID-19 centre for treatment (65.6%). 31 participants in their working hospitals there are more than 100 COVID-19 patients are being treated currently in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and covid ward (50.8%) and but majority of the participants do not work in COVID-19 centre (60.7%). The Association between centres having separate wards for COVID and non-COVID patients and whether plastic surgeons working in COVID-19 centre on applying fisher’s exact test the p-value was found to be 0.215. The Association between centres having separate wards for COVID and non-COVID patients and practicing microsurgery during this pandemic on applying Fisher’s exact test the p-value was found to be 0.884. The Association between screening patients for COVID during emergency and group of patients operated without waiting for COVID report during emergency on applying Fisher’s exact test the p-value was found to be 0.408

Conclusion: The current study demonstrates how the COVID-19 epidemic has affected the plastic surgery department and imposed restrictions. Plastic surgeons should be kept up to speed and informed on the latest information and techniques for treating this problem, as well as infection prevention and control. Using online lectures and webinars to continue education for young plastic surgery trainees is beneficial during this time.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Hydroxy and Chloro-Substituted Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Ammaji Shaik , Masthanamma Shaik
Published: January 2022

Chalcones are a class of natural products reported with a wide range of biological activities. Among them antibacterial is much promising and many potent chalcones have been emerged as useful antibacterial agents. In view of this, we synthesized 15 chalcones (3a-3o) containing both hydroxyl and chlorine substituents and studied them by using spectroscopic methods. The compounds were tested for antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris, among other harmful microorganisms. The compounds have moderate to high antibacterial activity, among them heteroaromatic ring containing compounds  (3m, 3n, and 3o) elicited higher activity than the standard drug benzyl penicillin. The compound 3m having the pyridinyl compound displayed the maximum activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris, with zone of inhibition (in mm) values of 27.52±0.16, 28.85±0.11, 22.05±0.16, and 23.18±0.17, respectively. The synthesized compounds could be used as lead molecules in the development of novel antibacterial medicines.
Determination of Platelets Parameters among People Vaccinated with Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine - COVID Vaccine at Khartoum State -Sudan
Authors: Mohamed Wafa Salah Eldein Ibrahim , Abdallah Elharam Ibrahim , Omer Alaa Eltayeb , Eltayeb Lienda Bashier
Published: January 2022

Background: The global SARS-CoV-2 vaccination program has been hampered by the rare-and initially inexplicable emergence of vaccine-associated thrombosis, particularly venous territory strokes or other venous obstructions, including portal vein thrombosis, which has been dubbed Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT). So, this study was conducted to determine platelets parameters among people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine at Khartoum state.

Materials & Methods: A total of 50 AstraZeneca vaccinated participants (22 male and 26 female) were utilized as a case and 50 healthy non-vaccinated participants (21 male and 29 female) were used as control. The age of both groups ranged between (20-62) years with a mean of 34.6 ± 11.9. Platelets parameters were assayed for all patients using Sysmex KX-21.

Results: The statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference in platelets count and platelets indices when compared according to vaccine intake and gender. Also, the most frequent symptoms among vaccinated people were: muscle pain at the site of puncture (56%), fatigue (54%), fever (34%), headache (22%), nausea (16%), and diarrhea (6%) respectively and developed no symptoms (30%).

Conclusions: The study concludes that the side effects of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine in Khartoum state, Sudan was consistent with the manufacturers’ data.  Healthcare providers and recipients of vaccines can be more confident about the safety of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
Formulation Development and Evaluation of Doxofylline Sustained-Release Tablets by Using Chitosan and Guar Gum
Authors: Avhad Pawan , Gupta Revathi
Published: January 2022

The sustained-release dosage form is a well-characterized and reproducible dosage form that is designed to control drug release profile at a certain rate to reach desired drug concentration in blood plasma or at the target site. There is immense demand in the market for new sustained-release formulations used for new drug molecules which release the drug at a sustained rate. Doxofylline is one of the widely useful drugs in the market and needs to be given in a single dose for a long duration of time. For the same, we have prepared a sustained released Doxofylline tablet.

Aim: This research was done to design, formulate and evaluate Doxofylline sustained-release tablets by using different concentrations of Chitosan and Guar Gum. 

Methods: The factorial design was used to prepare Doxofylline sustained-release tablet. Doxofylline sustained-release tablets were prepared to employ different concentrations of Chitosan, Guar Gum, Lactose, and Magnesium Stearate in different combinations by wet granulation technique. Total 9 formulations were designed, formulated, and evaluated for the hardness, thickness, friability, % drug content, and in-vitro drug release.

Results: A study of the release of drug by in-vitro found that F8 is to be the best efficient formulation which consists of both Chitosan and Guar Gum helped in delayed the release of drug up to 24 hours and performs excellent release of drug in starting hours of drug release in the body. The drug released from the F8 formulation indicates the kinetic model of First Order, by anomalous diffusion. The formulation F8 shows optimum thickness, hardness and at 40ºC±2 99.35% drug release after 24 hours shows optimum formulation. 

Conclusion: This study concludes that better drug release was observed by using natural polymers.  Doxofylline with natural polymer shows good release and better dissolution rate as compared with a single synthetic polymer. Synthetic drug with natural polymer shows more future scope and this work will help the researcher in the future.
Causes of Death in COVID-19: A Minireview
Authors: Dhale Shravani , Chakole Swarupa , Bhatt Neha
Published: January 2022

Background: More than two million people have died worldwide as a result of the new corona strain virus SARS-CoV-2 and the associated COVID-19 syndrome. Older patients with pre-existing health problems are more likely to die from their illness. We found that septic shock and multiple failures were the most common causes of death, mainly due to inflammation of the lungs, although there was no definitive study on the causes of death and the role of pre-existing conditions. In a few cases, respiratory failure caused by excessive alveolar injury was the cause of immediate death. Comorbidities such as asthma, heart disease, and obesity were present in most cases.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that COVID-19 was related to death in the majority of decedents, rather than being a direct product of pre-existing health conditions and comorbidities. As a result, we conclude that COVID-19 killed most patients, with pre-existing health issues playing only a minor role in the death mechanism.
Ischemia in intracerebral hemorrhage: A comparative study of small‐vessel and large‐vessel diseases
Authors: Zhang Ailing , Ren Mengyang , Deng Wenjing , Xi Meijing , Tian Long , Han Zhuoya , Zang Weiping , Hu Hao , Zhang Bin , Cui Ling , Qi Peihong , Shang Yingjie
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed to compare effects of cerebral small‐vessel disease (cSVD) burden and cerebral artery stenosis (CAS) on acute ischemia in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their interaction with mean arterial pressure (MAP) change.

Methods

We recruited consecutive patients with acute primary ICH. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography were performed to quantify diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesions, CAS, and cSVD markers, which were calculated for the total cSVD score. Multivariable regression models were adopted to explore their associations by DWI lesions size (<15 vs. ≥15 mm) and median MAP change stratification.

Results

Of 305 included patients (mean age 59.5 years, 67.9% males), 77 (25.2%) had DWI lesions (small, 79.2%; large, 20.8%) and 67 (22.0%) had moderate and severe CAS. In multivariable analysis, small DWI lesions were independently associated with higher total cSVD score (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36–2.41). and large DWI lesions were associated with more severe CAS (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.17–5.38). This association was modified by MAP change (interaction p = 0.016), with stratified analysis showing an increased risk of large DWI lesions in severe CAS with greater MAP change (≥44 mmHg) (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.13–10.74) but not with mild MAP change (<44 mmHg) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.20–7.34).

Interpretation

Total cSVD burden is associated with small DWI lesions, whereas the degree of CAS is associated with large DWI lesions, specifically with greater MAP change, suggesting that large‐artery atherosclerosis may be involved in ischemic brain injury, which is different from small‐vessel pathogenesis in ICH.
Atomically Thin 2D Interfaces as Sensors for Molecular Permeability through Cellular Layers and Thin Tissues
Authors: Koman Volodymyr B. , Gong Xun , Bakh Naveed A. , Silmore Kevin , Salem Daniel P. , Lew Tedrick Thomas Salim , Kuehne Matthias , Kozawa Daichi , Park Minkyung , Strano Michael S.
Published: January 2022

The permeability of cell layers plays a critical role in the life sciences and medicine. It remains a long‐standing challenge to assess molecular transport through cell layers with subcellular spatial resolution. Herein, a novel sensing platform employing atomically thin and photoluminescent MoS2 monolayers as 2D sensing interfaces is developed to detect the diffusion of probe molecules through cellular layers and tissues. The 2D form factor enables monolayer MoS2 to serve as an array of 20 164 optical sensors covering a total area of 420 × 420 µm2, being the only nanosensor interface that can spatially image molecular permeability in this way. In a single layer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), regions with diffusivities ranging from 1 × 10−9 to 3 × 10−8 cm2 s−1 are found that are in part spatially correlated with the immunofluorescence of vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin proteins found on the cell membrane. However, the new technique clearly identifies these locations as breaks of nanoscale cellular junctions less than 40 nm in length in intercellular clefts that are otherwise impossible to measure with conventional microscopy. With the ability to measure permeability through various tissues, this 2D sensing interface allows the measurement of biological properties to assist the development of targeted therapeutics and mechanistic models.
Flexible Pressure Sensors Based on Bionic Microstructures: From Plants to Animals
Authors: Tan Yuewu , Liu Xuehong , Tang Wei , Chen Jing , Zhu Zhengfang , Li Lin , Zhou Nian , Kang Xiaoyang , Xu Dongliang , Wang Lei , Wang Guixue , Tan Hui , Li Hui
Published: January 2022

Numerous wearable devices have been applied in people's daily lives. As the core component of wearable devices, flexible pressure sensors play an especially important role in various fields because of their excellent adaptability to the environment. Various high‐performance flexible pressure sensors have been developed, and much research is still being conducted to increase the performance of flexible pressure sensors. A variety of materials with excellent properties have been created, many advanced manufacturing methods have been developed, and different microstructures have been attempted and applied to flexible pressure sensors. To optimize the performance of sensors, flexible pressure sensors with bionic microstructures from the perspective of bionics have attracted increasing attention, which can bring new designs and improve the performance. This paper mainly summarizes various kinds of flexible pressure sensors with bionic structures developed in recent years. The main contents include the following parts: an introduction to the current state‐of‐the‐art flexible pressure sensors; substrate and active materials, sensing mechanisms, key parameters, and sensitivity optimization strategies; various kinds of bionic microstructures applied to flexible pressure sensors and characterization of the performance; applications of flexible pressure sensors; and prospects and potential challenges of flexible pressure sensors.
Synthesis, Catalytic Activity and Comparative Leaching Studies of Calix[8]arene‐Supported Pd‐NHC Complexes for Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Couplings
Authors: Abi Fayssal Sandra , Naret Timothée , Buendia Julien , Labattut Axel , Huc Vincent , Martini Cyril , Schulz Emmanuelle
Published: January 2022

A rapid and scalable synthesis of supported NHC−Pd(II)‐pyridine complexes on a benzyloxycalix[8]arene macrocycle is reported. Their subsequent use in Suzuki‐Miyaura benchmark reactions led to the optimisation of the nature of the ligands around the metal centre, delivering two very active precatalysts. They both promote the cross‐coupling of challenging API precursors at low catalytic loadings, when used as insoluble species in EtOH as a green reaction solvent. Moreover, their activity has been shown to be comparable or even superior to that of more conventional homogeneous catalysts. Of main importance, a simple filtration of the insoluble supported catalysts after reaction afforded the lowest Pd contamination values in the target products, in some cases directly approaching the levels authorised by the industrial regulations. Offering furthermore the possibility of easy palladium recovery in the current context of its overconsumption, we are convinced that these calixarene‐supported NHC‐PEPPSI Pd complexes are valuable tools for the fine chemical industry, to prepare metal‐free functionalised biaryl compounds in high yields, ranging from 76 to 94%.

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TFAA/DMSO‐Promoted Fluorination of P(O)−H and P(O)−OH Compounds: Compatible Access to Fluorophosphonates and Phosphonofluoridates
Authors: Li Qi‐Wei , Zhang Xin‐Yue , Lu Lu , Wu Zi‐Qian , Li Ji , Li Gui‐Zhi , Sun Kai , Yang Shang‐Dong , Yang Bin
Published: January 2022

A TFAA/DMSO/NaF‐based system for the efficient fluorination of P(O)−H and P(O)−OH compounds has been developed. Without adding highly toxic and expensive fluorination reagents, this novel transformation provides direct and compatible access to a variety of fluorophosphonates and phosphonofluoridates in a one‐pot manner.

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Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells Protect the Host from the Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Bladder
Authors: Huang Jiaoyan , Fu Liuhui , Huang Jida , Zhao Jie , Zhang Xin , Wang Wenyan , Liu Yeyang , Sun Bowen , Qiu Ju , Hu Xiaoyu , Liu Zhihua , Guo Xiaohuan
Published: January 2022

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are crucial in orchestrating immunity and maintaining tissue homeostasis in various barrier tissues, but whether ILCs influence immune responses in the urinary tract remains poorly understood. Here, bladder‐resident ILCs are comprehensively explored and identified their unique phenotypic and developmental characteristics. Notably, bladder‐resident ILCs rapidly respond to uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) infection. It is found that ILC3 is necessary for early protection against UPEC infection in the bladder. Mechanistically, UPEC infection leads to interleukin (IL)‐1β production in the bladder via a MyD88‐dependent pathway, which promotes ILC3 activation. ILC3‐expressed IL‐17A further recruits neutrophils and controls UPEC infection in the bladder. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for bladder ILCs in the host defense against UPEC infection.
Strategies for Electrochemically Sustainable H2 Production in Acid
Authors: Hou Yuxi , Lv Jiangquan , Quan Weiwei , Lin Yingbin , Hong Zhensheng , Huang Yiyin
Published: January 2022

Acidified water electrolysis with fast kinetics is widely regarded as a promising option for producing H2. The main challenge of this technique is the difficulty in realizing sustainable H2 production (SHP) because of the poor stability of most electrode catalysts, especially on the anode side, under strongly acidic and highly polarized electrochemical environments, which leads to surface corrosion and performance degradation. Research efforts focused on tuning the atomic/nano structures of catalysts have been made to address this stability issue, with only limited effectiveness because of inevitable catalyst degradation. A systems approach considering reaction types and system configurations/operations may provide innovative viewpoints and strategies for SHP, although these aspects have been overlooked thus far. This review provides an overview of acidified water electrolysis for systematic investigations of these aspects to achieve SHP. First, the fundamental principles of SHP are discussed. Then, recent advances on design of stable electrode materials are examined, and several new strategies for SHP are proposed, including fabrication of symmetrical heterogeneous electrolysis system and fluid homogeneous electrolysis system, as well as decoupling/hybrid‐governed sustainability. Finally, remaining challenges and corresponding opportunities are outlined to stimulate endeavors toward the development of advanced acidified water electrolysis techniques for SHP.
Design of shell and tube heat exchangers considering the interaction of fouling and hydraulics
Authors: Lemos Julia C. , Costa André L. H. , Bagajewicz Miguel J.
Published: January 2022

We extend a formulation of the heat exchanger design optimization with fouling modeling to consider the effect of fouling on hydraulics. A shell‐side fouling model was added so the optimization can consider cases with fouling in the tube and shell sides. The focus is the design of heat exchangers with fouling behavior associated with a threshold model, like in crude preheat trains. We solve the optimization problem by using a newly proposed Set Trimming technique. We compare our results with the traditional approach of using fixed fouling factors and the previous approach of not considering the hydraulic impact of fouling. We conclude that considering the deposit thickness leads to more realistic results that are different than the ones obtained using the previous approaches. Moreover, we show that previous approaches can render designs with larger pressure drops than the maximum imposed by the constraints, as well as exchangers with higher areas.
Think Big: A multinational collaboration to promote children's role as coresearchers in participatory research
Authors: Marinkovic Chavez Katitza , Gibbs Lisa , Saracostti Mahia , Lafaurie Andrea , Campbell Rona , Sweeney Dominique , Hernández María Teresa , Sotomayor María Belén , Escobar Florencia , López‐Ordosgoitia Rocío , Giraldo Cadavid Diana Alexandra , Aristizábal García Diana Marcela , Wright Marcus , Charalampopoulos Dimitrios , Miranda Edgardo , Alisic Eva
Published: January 2022

The field of participatory research with children developed largely thanks to shared learning between different cultures, places, and disciplines. However, grand narratives and power relationships in academia inherited from colonialism and imperialism can threaten to obstruct the transformative value of this approach. In this article, we present the case of Think Big, a multinational collaboration for participatory research with children that involved adult and child coresearchers from Australia, Chile, Colombia, and the United Kingdom. Our aim was to explore how this project helped build solidarities between adult researchers from different countries and disciplines. We applied a methodology of diffraction to explore the processes and outcomes of this collaboration and presented our insights using the metaphor of a tree to explain the roots (knowledges and frameworks), trunk (ongoing collaboration and communication between the teams from different countries), branches (local projects), and fruits (research outcomes) of our work. Based on our experience, we proposed that multinational collaborations for participatory research offer important opportunities for adult researchers to collaborate with children to generate more democratic knowledge about their lives and to generate more egalitarian relationships between adult researchers from different places and backgrounds. However, it is important to anticipate that multinational collaborations are more likely to be affected by social and political upheavals, and language barriers must be overcome to decentralize academia. Also, the organizations involved in these collaborations need to develop strategies that facilitate funding, ethics clearance, and international research agreements.