bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bimbingan Agama Islam Dalam Mengembangkan Kecerdasan Spiritual Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Peradila Sani , Chodijah Siti
Published: January 2022

T Tujuan Penelitian Penyanyi Adalah untuk review Melihat hal penerapan Bimbingan agama Islam hearts mengembangkan Kecerdasan spiritual Anak Usia Dini, melakukan Pembinaan Terhadap Metode penerapan Bimbingan agama hearts mengembangkan Kecerdasan spiritual Anak Usia Dini, Dan Media Melihat hal Yang digunakan hearts penerapan Bimbingan agama hearts mengembangkan Kecerdasan dini Usia Anak spiritual . . Ibu Asuh Taman Kanak-kanak Nanda. Penelitian yang berawal dari permasalahan yang berkaitan dengan permasalahan anak yang mengalami permasalahan saat ini, seperti anak yang hamil di luar nikah, perkelahian, anak yang membunuh orang orang tuanya.Metode yang digunakan di Taman Kanak-kanak Bunda Asuh Nanda adalah metode langsung dengan kebiasaan menanamkan Bimbingan Agama Islam pada anak setiap hari yang diharapkan berdampak positif bagi anak di masa depan. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif yang dilakukan dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi langsung dan wawancara dengan informan yaitu Kepala Taman Kanak-kanak Bunda Asuh Nanda. Hasil penelitian yang penulis lakukan pelaksanaan pembinaan agama cukup signifikan, hasil pembinaan beragama menunjukkan arah yang positif. Guru yang membangun kecerdasan dalam pembinaan wajib memberikan pembinaan agama Islam dalam mengembangkan kecerdasan spiritual anak.Materi yang disampaikan bersumber dari Al-Qur'an dan Al-Hadits Hasil penelitian yang penulis lakukan yaitu pelaksanaan pembinaan agama cukup signifikan, hasil pembinaan beragama menunjukkan arah yang positif. Guru yang membangun kecerdasan dalam pembinaan wajib memberikan pembinaan agama Islam dalam mengembangkan kecerdasan spiritual anak. Materi yang disampaikan bersumber dari Al-Qur'an dan Al-Hadits Hasil penelitian yang penulis lakukan yaitu pelaksanaan pembinaan agama cukup signifikan, hasil pembinaan beragama menunjukkan arah yang positif. Guru yang membangun kecerdasan dalam pembinaan wajib memberikan pembinaan agama Islam dalam mengembangkan kecerdasan spiritual anak. Materi yang disampaikan bersumber dari Al-Qur'an dan Al-Hadits
Efektivitas Model Pakem Dalam Meningkatkan Konsentrasi Belajar Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Wijayanti Wahyu , Efendi Mukhlison
Published: January 2022

Child development, especially the age from birth to entering primary education or the age of 0-8 years is the golden age in the vulnerable human life that cannot be repeated. Therefore this period is the golden age in the vulnerable human life that cannot be repeated. Therefore this period is the right time to lay the foundations for other developments. The objectives of this research are: 1) To find out, to study the planning of the PAKEM learning model in Khairiah Jimbe Islamic Kindergarten Jenangan Ponorogo, 2) Implementation of the PAKEM learning model ini increasing early childhood learning concentration. 3) Knowing and assessing the evaluation of the implementation of the PAKEM learning model in increasing early childhood learning concentration. This research use qualitative research with the type of case study research. The data collected is in the from of primary data and secondary data and data sources come from data sources derived from observations, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis technique follows the  concepts put forward by miles and huberman, namely data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. Specifically, it can be described as follows: 1) PAKEM lerning planning is in accordance with Permendikbud Number 146 of 2014 article 2013. 2) The implementation of the PAKEM learning model in increasing the concentration of early childhood learning has been very good, seen from the teacher actively and creatively in teaching and give assignment. 3) The evaluation of learning in increasing the concentration of early childhood learning has been adjusted to the indicators of developmental achievement and refers to the standard of assessment
Pengembangan Media Zliqubo Untuk Meningkatkan Kecerdasan Visual Spasial Anak TK
Authors: Koesmadi Dita Primashanti , Wijayanti Arwendis , Rahayu Elisa
Published: January 2022

Development of Zliqubo Media (Quiet Book Puzzle) to Improve Visual Spatial Intelligence of Group B Kindergarten Children in Kwadungan District, Ngawi Regency. This study aims to: 1) Describe the effectiveness of Zliqubo (Puzzle Quiet Book) to improve the visual spatial intelligence of kindergarten children in group B in Kwadungan District, Ngawi Regency. 2) Describe the efficiency of Zliqubo (Quiet Book Puzzle) to improve the spatial visual intelligence of Group B Kindergarten children in Kwadungan District, Ngawi Regency. 3) Describe the attractiveness of Zliqubo (Puzzle Quiet Book) to improve the visual spatial intelligence of Group B Kindergarten children in Kwadungan District, Ngawi Regency. The research used was Borg & Gall Research and Development. The steps taken include analysis of potential and problems, data collection, product design, product validation, design revisions, product trials, product revisions. The product was tested on students through two stages of validation testing, namely a small group trial of 5 children and a large group trial of 15 children. The subject of the trial was the children of group B Kindergarten Dharma Wanita Dinden which consisted of a small group trial of 5 students and a large group trial of 13 students. Product viability is based on the results of the assessment of material experts, media experts and learning design experts. Data collection techniques using observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis in the form of quantitative descriptive. The results showed that the Zliqubo (Puzzle Quiet Book) which had been developed through a series of trials and expert validation was declared feasible. This is supported by expert material assessment with an average score of 3.42 included in the feasible category, assessment of experts with an average score of 3.7 including the feasible category, learning design expert assessment with an average score of 3.3 including eligible category. product trials get a percentage score (1) 100% of children can do activity I; (2) 93.75% of children can do activity II; (3) 87.5% of children can do activity III; (4) 89.7% of children easily carry out activities; (5) 94.86% of children are safe in playing activities with Zliqubo (Quiet Book Puzzle); (6) 92.30% of children feel happy when playing with Zliqubo (Puzzle Quiet Book). Based on the results of the research that has been done, it can be concluded that the Zliqubo (Puzzle Quiet Book) for the learning of Group B Kindergarten students in Kwadungan Subdistrict, Ngawi Regency is feasible to use.
Upaya Peningkatan Kemampuan Membaca Melalui Buku Cerita Bergambar Pada Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Nikmah Novalia Ungzilatun , Darwati Yuli
Published: January 2022

Early reading is a unique and important skill for children’s language development, as well as a means of communication for humans. Individuals will acquire new information, knowledge and new experiences through reading. The main and fundamental problem in this study is that many children are not able to read fluently. This study is aimed at early childhood with reading delays. This study aims to determine the improvement of reading comprehension through the method of reading picture story books. The method used in this research is descriptive and qualitative methods, the data is collected through observation and documentation. Based on the results of study, it was found that there was an increase in reading comprehension with picture story books.
As contribuições da Geografia da Saúde no monitoramento de vetores: Possibilidades e desafios em tempos de pandemia - COVID-19
Authors: Oliveira João , Fernandes Paulo , Silva Arcênio
Published: January 2022

Este trabalho é resultado de projetos de extensão e pesquisas entre Escola Técnica de Saúde da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, o Instituto Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, a Associação de Recicladores Autônomos e a Diretoria de Sustentabilidade da UFU, no monitoramento de vetores, por meio de ovitrampas. A degradação ambiental tem disseminado diferentes arbovírus (Aedes e Culex) em diferentes territórios, intensificando ameaças sanitárias e custos para a sociedade, com arboviroses como Dengue, Chikungunya e Zika, denominadas de doenças negligenciadas. O objetivo deste trabalho é de socializar e discutir o contexto do monitoramento de vetores tendo como contribuições a Geografia da Saúde em tempos de pandemia – COVID19. As ovitrampas e as palhetas foram monitoradas em campo e em laboratório. Paralelamente realizamos atividades, por meio de desenhos e/ou escritas, baseadas na Educação Popular em Saúde, relacionadas ao monitoramento, vetores, doenças e cuidados com a saúde ambiental. Os resultados demonstram que é possivel, com desafios, a replicação desta experiência exitosa, pelo baixo custo, eficiência e efetividade, enquanto estratégia de Vigilância Entomológica e Ambiental, com destaques para a mobilização social, mas em tempos de pandemia – COVID19 algumas estratégias ficaram comprometidas, mas não abandonadas, pois utilizamos as redes sociais como forma de mobilização social.
Ensemble of Deep Capsule Neural Networks: An Application to Pneumonia Prediction
Authors: Bodapati Jyostna , N Rohith V , Dondeti Venkatesulu
Published: January 2022

Pneumonia is the primary cause of death in children under the age of 5 years. Faster and more accurate laboratory testing aids in the prescription of appropriate treatment for children suspected of having pneumonia, lowering mortality. In this work, we implement a deep neural network model to efficiently evaluate pediatric pneumonia from chest radio graph images. Our network uses a combination of convolutional and capsule layers to capture abstract details as well as low level hidden features from the the radio graphic images, allowing the model to generate more generic predictions. Furthermore, we combine several capsule networks by stacking them together and connected them with dense layers. The joint model is trained as a single model using joint loss and the weights of the capsule layers are updated using the dynamic routing algorithm. The proposed model is evaluated using benchmark pneumonia dataset\cite{kermany2018identifying}, and the outcomes of our experimental studies indicate that the capsules employed in the network enhance the learning of disease level features that are essential in diagnosing pneumonia. According to our comparison studies, the proposed model with Convolution base from InceptionV3 attached with Capsule layers at the end surpasses several existing models by achieving an accuracy of 94.84\%. The proposed model is superior in terms of various performance measures such as accuracy and recall, and is well suited to real-time pediatric pneumonia diagnosis, substituting manual chest radiography examination.
On the Spectroscopic Analyses of Polytetrafluoroethylene Coated with Nano ZnO and SiO2
Authors: Hegazy Maroof A. , Ghoneim Rasha , Ezzat Hend A. , Zahran Heba Y. , Yahia Ibrahim S. , Elhaes Hanan , Ibrahim Medhat
Published: January 2022

On polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer nanocomposites coated with basically two metal oxides (MOs), SiO2 and ZnO, as well as a mixture of the two MOs, density functional theory (DFT) computations were performed. The B3LYPL/LAN2DZ model was used to evaluate PTFE polymer nano composites suggested model structures. The physical and electrical properties of PTFE modified on surface with ZnO and SiO2 coated layer by layer change Total dipole moment (TDM) and HOMO/LUMO band gap energy ∆Eto be 13.0082 Debye and 0.6889 eV, respectively. Moreover, TDM and band gap energy (∆E) improved to 10.6053 Debye and 0.2727 eV, respectively, when the nanofiller was increased to 8 atoms. In addition, the results of the Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MESP) and the Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) showed that PTFE coated with ZnO and SiO2 improved electrical characteristics and thermal stability. As PTFE coated with ZnO and SiO2 layer by layer, all stability characteristics, including electrical and thermal stability, were enhanced. The improved PTFE can be used as a corrosion-inhibiting layer for astronaut suits, according to the predicted results.
Effect of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy on Levels of Inflammatory Markers in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum of Patients With Breast Cancer and Periodontitis.
Authors: Dantas Felipe Torres , Silva Pedro Henrique Felix , Carrara Hélio Humberto Angotti , Reis Francisco Jose Candido dos , Frantz Fabiani Gai , Messora Michel Reis , Messora Flávia Aparecida Chaves Furlaneto , Palioto Daniela Bazan
Published: January 2022

Purpose: studies have demonstrated the positive impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on the control of local and systemic infection/inflammation in normosystemic and systemically compromised patients, represented by the improvement of periodontal clinical parameters and reduction in the levels of inflammatory markers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva and serum. This study aimed to evaluate periodontal clinical parameters and inflammatory mediators in GCF and serum, before and after NSPT, in patients with periodontitis and breast cancer, before chemotherapy. Methods: seventeen women with histopathological diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma and periodontitis were submitted to the evaluation of clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index – PI, bleeding on probing – BOP, probing depth – PD, clinical attachment level – CAL) and submitted to scaling and root planing (SRP), at an interval of 24 hours. At the beginning of the study (baseline), before NSPT, samples of tumor microenvironment fluid (TM), GCF and peripheral blood (serum) were collected for the determination of inflammatory markers IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-17, using the LUMINEX methodology. Seven days after SRP, new GCF and serum samples were obtained and analyzed.Results: TGF-β levels were significantly decreased in GCF and serum (p<0.05), while IL-17 concentrations were statistically reduced in GCF (p<0.05). Conclusion: NSPT decreased local and systemic inflammatory markers and may be an important tool in the multidisciplinary approach of women with breast cancer and periodontitis before chemotherapy.
Immune Responses and Protective Immunity in Pangasius Pangasius (Hamilton, 1822) as Induced by Outer Membrane Proteins of Edwardsiella Tarda and Aluminium Hydroxide Adjuvant Complex
Authors: Adikesavalu Harresh , Abraham Thangapalam Jawahar , Joardar Siddhartha Narayan
Published: January 2022

Edwardsiella tarda is considered one of the important bacterial fish pathogens. The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of E. tarda are structurally and functionally conserved, and immunogenic. This study assessed the effects of the OMPs of E. tarda CGH9 as a vaccine without aluminium hydroxide [AH] (T1) and with AH adjuvant (T2) on the respiratory burst (ROB) activity, lymphocyte proliferation of head kidney (HK) leukocytes, and serum antibody production in pangas catfish Pangasius pangasius. The ROB activity and lymphocyte proliferation of HK leukocytes increased in both vaccinated groups compared to control. Nonetheless, the T2 group showed a gradual increase in ROB activity and lymphocyte proliferation of HK leukocytes up to 3-weeks post-vaccination (wpv). The serum antibody production in the T1 group decreased initially for up to 2-wpv and increased from 3-wpv; whereas, in the T2 group, the serum-specific antibody levels were significantly high from 1-wpv compared to control. Simultaneously, the protective efficacy in terms of relative percentage survival (RPS) in the T2 group after injecting with a lethal dose of E. tarda CGH9 was high (89.00±15.56) compared to the T1 group (78.00±0.00). Furthermore, the catfish administered with a booster dose of E. tarda OMPs with or without AH adjuvant showed no additional increase in immune response or protective immunity. These results suggested that E. tarda OMPs and AH adjuvant complex has a higher potential to induce protective immunity, which may be a good choice as a vaccine to combat E. tarda infection in catfish.
Spatial Analysis of Urban Thermal Island in Northern Iran (Case Study: Rasht City)
Authors: Mohammadpourzeid Ali , Alijani Bohloul , Akbary Mehry , Zeaieanfirouzabadi Parviz
Published: January 2022

Land surface temperature (LST) is one of the key parameters in hydrology, meteorology, and the surface energy balance.The one-window algorithm of Kim et al. Uses Landsat satellite imagery to model the earth's surface temperature.These trends are validated using meteorological data. Two main and basic factors play a major role in the temporal and spatial trend of the thermal islands of Rasht. These two factors of climate change that have occurred in the last two decades in the region of Gilan province and the city of Rasht. The second factor that has greatly enhanced the effect of the first factor is the human factor that has greatly included other urban factors in Rasht, including urban management and proper urban planning in the province and the city of Rasht. These two factors in the temporal and spatial trend of urban thermal islands have caused thermal islands to rapidly increase the growth of the city and urban population from the urban center to the western and southwestern regions and have very negative effects on land use changes and human areas. It has caused the construction of Rasht city.
Patients´ experiences in a newly established clinic for late complications after colorectal and anal cancer treatment: a qualitative study
Authors: Oggesen Birthe Thing , Akbar Momena , Hamberg Marie Louise Sjødin , Danielsen Anne Kjaergaard , Thomsen Thordis , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: January 2022

Purpose
Treatment of late complications is not systematically provided in Denmark. We therefore established a clinic to treat patients´ late complications. With this study we wanted to explore patients´ experiences with treatment and care in the clinic, including their recommendations for the future organization and structure of the clinic.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative semi-structured interview study with patients who had attended our late complication clinic after treatment for colorectal or anal cancer.
Results
We included 14 patients. We found two main categories: 1: benefitting from the late complication clinic and 2: preparation and delivery of the consultations. Patients benefitted from attending the late complication clinic and some experienced complete relief from symptoms. Others did not, but they gained hope that they might be able to receive treatment in the future. Patients wished for more information about late complications, preferring that the most common symptoms were described along with patient-friendly treatment options. The patients were satisfied with telephone consultations, as they were easy to fit into a daily schedule, and patients found it easy to express themselves openly.
Conclusions
Patients were satisfied with the late complication clinic as they felt it gave them a safety net. For the future, patients recommended provision of more information about late complications and possible treatments.
Self Efficiency And Symptom Control of Cancer Patients
Authors: Kurt Seda , Sarıkaya Nihan Altan
Published: January 2022

Objective: This cross-sectional study was planned to evaluate the self-efficacy and symptom control of cancer patients and to determine the factors affecting them. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 329 cancer patients who were treated in the Medical Oncology Clinic of a university hospital between April and June 2019 and accepted to participate in the study. Data were collected using the Patient Characteristics Information Form, Cancer Behavioral Inventory-Short Version (CBI-SV), and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Percentage, mean, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance were used in the analysis of the data. Results: The mean CBI-SV score of the patients was 79.10±17.55. It was determined that the highest mean score of ESAS of the patients was in the symptom of fatigue (3.53±2.81). Some symptoms were statistically lower in patients with good income, working, and non-smokers. Also it was determined that the self-efficacy levels of the patients with good income and quitting smoking were higher (p<0.05). At the same time, as the patients' self-efficacy scores increased, the severity of the symptoms they experienced decreased statistically (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the patients' self-efficacy score was above the moderate level, the most intense symptom experienced by the patients was fatigue, and the severity of the symptoms decreased as the patients' self-efficacy level increased. In line with these results; the symptoms, self-efficacy perceptions and affecting factors of cancer patients should be evaluated by nurses at regular intervals, and care and consultancy services should be provided.
Evaluation of VEP Parameters in Patients Before and After Cardiopulmonary By-Pass Surgery
Authors: Güneş Alper , Konuk Serife Gulhan , Demir Helin Deniz , Kurt Semiha , Naseri Erdinç , Erkorkmaz Ünal
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Coronary bypass surgery is emphasized in aetiology of ischemic optic neuropathy. Our aim in this study was to investigate the pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) in patients before and after coronary bypass surgery.Methods: Thirty-one patients were included in the study. After a full ophthalmological evaluation, PVEP was assesed in the pre and postoperative periods. Operative times, hematological parameters, blood pressures, number of transfusions, body temperatures, anaesthetic drugs and systemic illnesses were recorded for each patient. Results: The mean age of the patients were 59±10.4 years. There was 22 men and 9 women in the study. Only 3 of them needed transfusion during the surgery. The mean duration of the surgery was 3.2±0.7 hours. None of the patients had a history of visual disturbance or postoperative ischemic optic neuropathy. The mean VEP P100 amplitude was not statistically significantly different but the mean VEP P100 latency showed statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative periods. (p=0.014) This significance was more appereant in patients with systemic illnesses. (p= 0.023) There was a positive correlation between the age and VEP P100 latency. (r = 0.402, p< 0.05) Conclusions: Although surgical techniques and equipments are developing each day in the field of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, the contributing factors such as hypothermia, anemia and diabetes still seem to affect neurophysiological functions even after a noncomplicated surgery.
Mesoscale geomorphic change on barrier estuarine regime at the tropical coast of Chandipur, India: Evidence from assessment of grain-size distribution
Authors: Saha Koushik , SINHA SUBHAJIT
Published: January 2022

It is crucial for policy makers and environmental managers to determine the future dynamics of coastal wetlands, especially the existence of their response, disruption, and recovery regimes. Reconstruction of meso-scale evolution in coastal ecosystems can help to adapt coastal resource management techniques to the natural scales of system activity, thereby encouraging true biodiversity. This research provides an overview of decadal (mesoscale) geomorphic transition by high-resolution grain size analysis of a sediment deposit from a barrier estuary regime on the Chandipur coast, India. Coastal marshland’s grain size distribution (GSD) has generally been analyzed using End Member Mixing Models (EMMA) and Probability Density Function (PDF) methods (e.g. log-normal, log skew-Laplace). Although these techniques do not consider the compositional nature of the records, which can undermine the outcomes of the interpretation of sedimentary deposits. The approach to reliable granulometric analysis of lithostratigraphic sequences aims at establishing direct links between fluid dynamics and subsequent shifts in the texture of sediments. In this study, GSD analysis of marsh sediment is represented by compositional data analysis (CoDa) and a multivariate statistical framework. Barrier estuary evolution, presented by time lapses of satellite maps coupled with grain size and carbon content of marsh sediment, primarily reflects the evolving hydrodynamics of the back barrier area. These findings will provide a statistically robust analysis of the depositional system in coastal marshland. Multiannual environmental variations in the back barrier configuration illustrate the importance of this applied approach with respect to bridging the basis of estuarine evolution and process information.
Practical Tracking Control Under Actuator Saturation for a Class of Flexible-Joint Robotic Manipulators Driven by DC Motors
Authors: Li Jian , Zhu Lingling
Published: January 2022

This paper is devoted to the practical tracking control for a class of flexible-joint robotic manipulators driven by DC motors. Different from the related literature where control constraint is neglected and the disturbances are excluded or only exist in one subsystem, actuator saturation is considered in this paper while the disturbances are present in all the three subsystems. This leads to the incapability of the traditional schemes on this topic. For this, a novel control design scheme is proposed by skillfully incorporating adaptive dynamic compensation technique, constructive methods of command filters and an auxiliary system for the actuator saturation into the backstepping framework, and in turn to design a practical tracking controller which ensures that all the states of the resulting closed-loop system are bounded and the system output practically tracks the reference signal. It is worthwhile strengthening that a more wider class of reference signals can be tracked since they are only first order continuously differentiable but twice or more in the related literature. Finally, a numerical example is provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Research on the Promotion of New Energy Vehicles Based on Multi-Source Heterogeneous Data
Authors: Sun Bing , Ju Zhuofang
Published: January 2022

Under the background of green development, new energy vehicles(NEVs), as an important strategic emerging industry, play a crucial role in energy conservation and emission reduction. In the post-epidemic era, steadily promoting the promotion of NEVs will be a hot topic. Based on heterogeneous source data, combined with the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and econometric methods, this paper explores whether individual purchase decisions and company-level cooperative research and development will promote the promotion of new energy vehicles. The results show that whether BEV, HEV, or PHEV, users are more concerned about space dimension, power performance, and design style; Patent collaboration network analysis indicates that NEV enterprises are establishing close partnerships, which will urge the promotion of NEVs; For BEV and HEV models, new energy vehicle companies will invest more patents and R&D investment will better expedite the advancement of NEVs.
Hepatic serine and lipid metabolism drive diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Metallo Christian , Handzlik Michal , Gengatharan Jivani , Frizzi Katie , McGregor Grace , Martino Cameron , Rahman Gibraan , Gonzalez Antonio , Moreno Ana , Green Courtney , Lin Terry , Ideguchi Yoichiro , Fallon Regis , Chaix Amandine , Wallace Martina , Mali Prashant , Gantner Marin , Calcutt Nigel , Knight Robin
Published: January 2022

Type 2 diabetes represents a disease spectrum in which chronic metabolic dysfunction damages multiple organ systems including liver, kidneys, and peripheral nerves1,2. While onset and progression of these co-morbidities are linked with insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia3-7, aberrant amino acid metabolism also contributes to pathogenesis of diabetes and potentially its complications8-10. Serine and glycine are closely related non-essential amino acids11,12 that are consistently reduced in patients with metabolic syndrome10,13-16, but the mechanistic drivers of serine deficiency and the downstream metabolic and phenotypic consequences remain unclear. Low systemic serine, a serine-opathy, is also emerging as a hallmark of macular and peripheral nerve disorders. Specifically, serine deficiency correlates positively with impaired visual acuity and peripheral neuropathy (PN)17-19. Here we demonstrate that aberrant serine homeostasis in the liver drives serine and glycine deficiencies in genetically obese and hyperglycaemic mice. This serine-opathy can be diagnosed with a serine tolerance test that quantifies systemic serine disposal. Mimicking these metabolic alterations via dietary serine/glycine restriction together with high fat intake dramatically accelerates thermal hypoalgesia in mice and reduces epidermal sensory nerve density, which are accompanied by extensive sciatic nerve lipid remodeling. These phenotypes were subsequently normalized by myriocin, linking serine-associated PN with sphingolipid biosynthesis. These findings identify systemic serine deficiency and dyslipidemia as novel risk factors for PN that may be exploited therapeutically.
Acceptability and User Experiences of a Patient-Held Smart Card for Antenatal Services in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Itanyi Ijeoma Uchenna , Iwelunmor Juliet , Olawepo John , Gbadamosi Semiu , Ezeonu Alexandra , Okoli Adaeze , Ogidi Amaka Grace , Conserve Donaldson , Powell Byron , Onoka Chima Ariel , Ezeanolue Echezona Edozie
Published: January 2022

Background
Poor maternal, newborn and child health outcomes remain a major public health challenge in Nigeria. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions such as patient-held smart cards have been proposed as effective solutions to improve maternal health outcomes. Our objectives were to assess the acceptability and experiences of pregnant women with the use of a patient-held smartcard for antenatal services in Nigeria.
Methods
Using focus group discussions, qualitative data were obtained from 35 pregnant women attending antenatal services in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue State, Nigeria. The audio-recorded data were transcribed and analyzed using framework analysis techniques such as the PEN-3 cultural model as a guide.
Results
The participants were 18-44 years of age (median age: 24 years), all were married and the majority were farmers. Most of the participants had accepted and used the smartcards for antenatal services. The most common positive perceptions about the smartcards were their ability to be used across multiple health facilities, the preference for storage of the women’s medical information on the smartcards compared to the usual paper-based system, and shorter waiting times at the clinics. Notable facilitators to using the smartcards were its provision at the “Baby showers” which were already acceptable to the women, access to free medical screenings, and ease of storage and retrieval of health records from the cards. Costs associated with health services was reported as a major barrier to using the smartcards. Support from health workers, program staff and family members, particularly spouses, encouraged the participants to use the smartcards.
Conclusion
These findings revealed that patient-held smart card for maternal health care services is acceptable by women utilizing antenatal services in Nigeria. Understanding perceptions, barriers, facilitators, and supportive systems that enhance the use of these smart cards may facilitate the development of lifesaving mobile health platforms that have the potential to achieve antenatal, delivery, and postnatal targets in a resource-limited setting.
Innovative nanomaterials for bone remains consolidation: performance evaluation and impact on 14C dating and on palaeogenetic analysis
Authors: Porpora Francesca , Zaro Valentina , Liccioli Lucia , Modi Alessandra , Meoli Arianna , Marradi Giulia , Barone Serena , Vai Stefania , Dei Luigi , Caramelli David , Fedi Mariaelena , Lari Martina , Carretti Emiliano
Published: January 2022

An innovative protocol for the consolidation of ancient bone remains based on the use of nanometric hydroxyapatite (HAP) was set up and tested through a multidisciplinary approach. A new protocol for the synthesis of HAP nanoparticles was developed, and the composition of the obtained nanomaterial were investigated through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); sizes, shape and morphology of the synthesized particles were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The consolidation performance was evaluated by testing the new nanomaterial on degraded ancient bone findings. An increase of the mineral density and of the micro-hardness of the bone were observed. The new consolidation method was also tested to assess possible effects on the palaeogenetic analysis and radiocarbon dating on the treated bones. The consolidation treatment has no substantial impact on the genetic characterisation of the skeletal remains and does not introduce any contaminations that could affect radiocarbon dating. This consolidation procedure represents a more compatible conservation tool with respect to traditional procedures: it has been shown that the treatment is effective, easily-applicable and not detrimental for 14C dating and palaeogenetic analysis.
The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Albumin as Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Ishikawa Masashi , Iwasaki Masae , Namizato Dai , Yamamoto Makiko , Morita Tomonori , Ishii Yosuke , Sakamoto Atsuhiro
Published: January 2022

Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a highly prevalent and serious complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of AKI and the cut-off values after isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). A total of 329 adult patients, who underwent isolated OPCAB between December 2008 and February 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: non-AKI, early AKI and late AKI groups. The early AKI group or the late AKI group were defined as ‘having AKI that occurred before or after 48 hours postoperatively’, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of AKI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the cutoff value, the sensitivity, and the specificity of the predictors. On the multivariate analysis, the emergency surgery, the preoperative serum albumin, and the postoperative day 1 neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NL ratio) were identified as the independent predictors of AKI. However, neither albumin nor the NL ratio predicted late AKI. The present study showed the preoperative albumin and the postoperative day 1 NL ratio were the robust and independent predictors of postoperative early AKI in isolated OPCAB.
Right Superior Temporal Gyrus Altered Functional Activity in Patients With Definite Vestibular Migraine
Authors: Yang Xu , Li Zhe-Yuan , Si Li-Hong , Shen Bo , Ling Xia
Published: January 2022

The study aimed to investigate resting-state functional brain activity alterations in patients with definite vestibular migraine (dVM). Seventeen patients with dVM, 8 patients with migraine, 17 health controls (HCs) were recruited. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), fractional ALFF (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were calculated to observe the changes in spontaneous brain activity. Then brain regions with altered fALFF were selected for seed-based functional connectivity analysis. Compared with HCs, VM patients showed significantly increased ALFF values in the right temporal lobe (Cluster size = 91 voxels, P=0.002, FWE corrected), and significantly increased ReHo values in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) (Cluster size = 136 voxels, P=0.013, FWE corrected). Compared with patients with migraine, patients with VM showed significantly increased fALFF values in the right parietal lobe (Cluster size = 43 voxels, P=0.011, FWE corrected) and right frontal lobe (Cluster size =36 voxels, P=0.026, FWE corrected), significantly increased ReHo values in the right thalamus (Cluster size = 92 voxels, P=0.043, FWE corrected). Our findings documented that patients with VM showed enhanced spontaneous functional activity in the right temporal lobe (STG, MTG, and ITG) compared with HCs, and increased spontaneous activity in the right parietal lobe-frontal lobe-thalamus compared with patients with migraine. Patients with VM and migraine both had altered brain function, but the regions involved are different.
Serum IgG4 Concentration is a Potential Predictive Biomarker in Glucocorticoid Treatment for Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Authors: Mukai Shoichiro , Sakamoto Naotaka , Kakinoki Hiroaki , Shibuya Tadamasa , Moriya Ryosuke , Nishihara Kiyoaki , Noguchi Mitsuru , Shin Toshitaka , Fujimoto Naohiro , Igawa Tsukasa , Ishii Tatsu , Haga Nobuhiro , Enokida Hideki , Eto Masatoshi , Kamba Tomomi , Sakai Hideki , Saito Seiichi , Terada Naoki , Kamoto Toshiyuki
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To evaluate the management and outcome of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (iRPF) in Japan, and identify its clinical biomarker. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 129 patients with iRPF treated between January 2008 and May 2018 at 12 university and related hospitals. Patients treated with glucocorticoid were analyzed to identify a predictive biomarker. These patients were classified into three groups according to overall effectiveness (no change: NC, complete response: CR and partial response groups: PR), and each parameter was compared statistically.Results: Male-female ratio was 5: 1, and median age at diagnosis was 69 (33-86) years. Smoking history was reported in 59.6% of the patients. As treatment, 95 patients received glucocorticoid therapy with an overall response rate of 84%. As a result, serum concentration of IgG4 was significantly decreased in NC group compared with the other two groups (56.6mg/dL vs 255mg/dL, 206mg/dL, P=0.0059 and 0.0078). ROC analysis was performed between the non-responder (NC) and responder groups (CR+PR) to identify the cut-off value of serum IgG4 as a predictive marker. As a result, AUC was 0.793 and the values of sensitivity and specificity were 0.85 and 0.64, respectively, under the cut-off values of 67.6mg/dL. Conclusions: In the majority of iRPF patients, glucocorticoid therapy resulted in a favorable response. Pre-treatment serum IgG4 concentration may have potential as a predictive biomarker of steroid treatment.
Ferroelectricity Modulates Polaronic Coupling at Multiferroic Interfaces
Authors: Husanu Marius-Adrian , Popescu Dana , Hrib Luminita , Negrea Raluca , Istrate Cosmin , Pintilie Lucian , Teodorescu Cristian , Bisti Federico , Lev Leonid , Mishchenko Andrey , Schmitt Thorsten , Pasuk Iuliana , Filip Lucian , Strocov Vladimir
Published: January 2022

Physics of the multiferroic interfaces is currently understood mostly within a phenomenological framework including screening of the polarization field and depolarizing charges. Largely unexplored still remains the band dependence of the interfacial charge modulation, as well as the associated changes of the electron-phonon interaction, coupling the charge and lattice degrees of freedom.
Here, multiferroic heterostructures of the colossal-magnetoresistance manganite La1-xSrxMnO3 buried under ferroelectric BaTiO3 and PbZrxTi1-xO3 are explored using soft-X-ray angle-resolved photoemission. The experimental band dispersions from the buried La1-xSrxMnO3 identify coexisting two-dimensional hole and three-dimensional electron charge carriers. The ferroelectric polarization modulates their charge density, changing the band filling and orbital occupation in the interfacial region. Furthermore, these changes in the carrier density affect the coupling of the 2D holes and 3D electrons with the lattice which forms large Froelich polarons inherently reducing mobility of the charge carriers. We find that the fast dynamic response of electrons makes them much more efficient in screening of the electron-lattice interaction compared to the holes. Our k-resolved results on the orbital occupancy, band filling and electron-lattice interaction in multiferroic oxide heterostructures modulated by the ferroelectric polarization disclose most fundamental physics of these systems needed for further progress of beyond-CMOS ferro-functional electronics.
Quantized wrinkles and fracture of stiff membranes on soft films
Authors: Meng Yancheng , Xiang Henggao , Zhang Jianqiang , Hu Zhili , Yin Jun , Li Liqiang , Zhang Zhuhua , Guo Wanlin
Published: January 2022

Stiff membranes on soft substrates may wrinkle and fold during compression1-11, but the strong post-buckling nonlinearity3,12 and the propensity of overall bending of these systems4,9,11 under large compression make the intriguing morphological evolution ill-controlled and less understood. Here, we present a simple peeling strategy that controllably makes stiff nanomembranes on soft microfilms wrinkled, then folded with a preset period, and ultimately fractured into regular ribbons. The fold and fracture periods exhibit a quantized, stepped dependence on the microfilm thickness, with the period doubled per step. The controlled wrinkle-to-fold-to-fractures transitions can be quantified by both computations and a scaling law, showing generality to different forms of compressive loading. This quantized wrinkle evolution deepens our understanding of complex behaviors of such natural and artificial systems as cerebral cortexes, skins, and coating materials, and opens a way to advanced manufacturing by fracturing large-area nanomembranes into uniformly shaped microflakes.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas Stutzeri S116 Provides Insights into the Mechanism of Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Peng , Yuan Wenfeng , Huang Yitie , Zhang Caiyu , Ni Chide , Lin Qi , Zhu Zhihuang , Wang Jianxin
Published: January 2022

To identify suitable biocatalysts applied in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), Pseudomonas stutzeri S116 isolated from marine sludge was investigated, which possessed excellcent bioelectricity generation ability (BGA). Herein, P. stutzeri as a bioanode and biocathode achieved maximum output voltage (254.2 mV and 226.0 mV), and power density of (765 mW/m2 and 656.6 mW/m2). Complete genome sequencing of P. stutzeri was performed to reveal its potential microbial functions. The results exhibited that the strain was the ecologically dominant Pseudomonas, and its primary annotations were associated with energy production and conversion (6.84%), amino acid transport and metabolism (6.82%) and inorganic ion transport and metabolism (6.77%). The thirty-six genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation indicate that strain possesses an integrated electron transport chain. Moreover, many genes encoding redox mediators (mainly riboflavin and phenazine) were detected in the databases. Simultaneously, thiosulfate oxidization and dissimilatory nitrate reduction were annotated in the sulfur metabolism and nitrogen metabolism pathway. Gene function and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis indicated BGA of P. stutzeri probably was attributed to its cytochrome c and redox mediators, which enhance extracellular electron transfer (EET) rate.
Osteopontin as a Tumor Marker in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Rani Shikha , Sehgal Alka , Kaur Jasbinder , Pandher Dilpreet Kaur , Punia RPS
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This is due to the nonspecific symptoms and no effective screening methods. Currently CA 125 is used as a tumor biomarker for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but it has its own limitations. So, there is need for other tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. To determine the diagnostic test characteristics of plasma osteopontin (OPN) in detecting ovarian malignancy and comparing its performance with carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA 125). Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic test evaluation. Women with adnexal mass detected by clinical or radiological examination were enrolled as suspected cases. Women who presented with other gynecological conditions were enrolled as controls. OPN and CA 125 levels were measured in all enrolled subjects. Results: Among 106 women enrolled, 26 were ovarian cancer, 31 had benign ovarian masses and 49 were controls. Median plasma CA 125 levels were higher in subjects with ovarian cancer (298 U/ml; IQR 84-1082 U/ml vs. 37.5U/ml; IQR 17.6-82.9U/ml; P<0.001).CA 125 sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios were 88.5%, 61.3%,2.10 and 0.19 respectively. Median plasma OPN levels were higher in subjects with ovarian cancer (63.1 ng/ml; IQR 39.3-137 ng/ml vs. 27ng/ml; IQR 20-52ng/ml; P=0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of OPN were 50%,87%,2.58 and 0.62, respectively. Conclusion: OPN levels were higher in ovarian cancer than in the benign ovarian mass and had better specificity than CA125. OPN can better differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian mass as compared to CA125.
Benefits of Sustained Physical Activity From Middle-Age To Early Old Age On Quality Of Life In Early Old Age
Authors: Lee Mikyung , Lee Hyeonkyeong , Song Ki Jun , Lee Young-Me
Published: January 2022

This secondary data analysis study aimed to examine the changes in physical activities (PAs) over time (2009-2017) in the same participants and to determine an association between changes in PA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in early older adults (n=994) using data from the Korea Health Panel Survey. The HRQoL was measured using the EuroQol quality-of-life system and the amount of PA were grouped to 4 activity levels (remained inactive, became inactive, became active, and remained active). The association of changes in PA over 8 years with HRQoL was examined using logistic regression analysis while controlling for socioeconomic and behavioral factors. The total PA decreased from 1,859.72±1,760.01 MET-minutes in 2009 to 1,264.80 ±1,251.14 MET-minutes in 2017 (P < 0.001). In 2017, 142 (14.3%) remained inactive, whereas 419 (42.2%) remained active. The participants who remained inactive at early old age were more likely to be at the lowest 10% HRQoL of the sample (odds ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.09–3.48). This indicates that educating middle-aged adults who are relatively inactive must be a priority in order to maintain and improve PA, enhance HRQoL, and maximize the benefits of PA in old age.