bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) in Patients With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Study of the Method Effects Associated With Negatively Worded Items
Authors: Domínguez-Salas Sara , Andrés-Villas Montserrat , Sampol Aina Riera , Tauler Pedro , Bennasar-Veny Miquel , Aguilo Antoni , Rivera Francisco
Published: October 2021

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), determine the role of the method effect in the performance of the instrument, and identify the relationship with health perception, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients at cardiovascular risk. Methods: The final sample consisted of 293 patients at cardiovascular risk, with a mean age of 61.9 years (SD = 8.8), 49.8% of whom were women. The SOC-13, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Mos Sleep Scale were administered. The participant´s self-perceived health and quality of live were also evaluated. All analyses were carried out with SPSS 26.0 and EQS 6.1 statistical software. Results: The results showed an adequate reliability for the SOC-13, with a Cronbach's alpha of .789. The fit of the structures was not adequate in any of the cases (one factor, three factors, one second-order factor, and three first-order factors). By adding a latent factor resulting from the method effect, the three structure models showed an improved fit. Moreover, positive correlations were found with health perception, perceived quality of life, and perceived sleep quality. Conclusion: In conclusion, it appears that the SOC-13 is a suitable instrument for patients with cardiovascular risk in Spain, and it is also an indicator of health perception, quality of life, and perceived quality of sleep. Control of the method effect improves the fit of the instrument’s structure.Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN76069254, 08/04/2015 retrospectively registered.
Self-reported Symptom Burden Among Patients Attending Public Health Care Facilities in India: Looking through ICPC-3 Lens
Authors: Gupta Priti , Bharati Bhavna , Sahu Kirti Sundar , Mahapatra Pranab , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: October 2021

Objectives: The objectives of this study were: 1) to describe the socio demographics and classify chief complaints and reason to visit facilities of patients presenting to public healthcare facilities; 2) To explore difference in these complaints and ICPC-3 groups across socio-demographic and health system level.Design: Cross sectional studySettings: This study was conducted in three districts of Odisha, India. Within each district, the District hospital, one SDH (if available), two CHCs and two PHCs were selected. Thus a total of three DHHs, three SDHs, six CHCs and six PHCs were covered. Two tertiary health care facilities were also be included. Patients aged 18 years and above, attending the Outpatient Departments (OPD) of sampled health facilities were chosen as study participants through systematic random sampling. Results: In total 3044 patients were interviewed. In general, 65% of the sample reported symptoms as their chief complain for reason of encounter whereas 35% reported for disease and diagnosis. Most common reasons to encounter health facilities are fever, hypertension, abdominal pain, chest pain, arthritis, skin disease, cough, diabetes, and injury. Among symptoms categories, highest patients reported for general category (29%) followed by digestive system (16%). In the disease category circulatory system has the highest proportion followed by musculatory system. In symptom categories general, digestive and musculatory system were the key systems for reason of encounter in outpatient department irrespective of different groups of population. In terms of different tiers of health system, the top three reasons to visit OPD were dominated by circulatory system, respiratory system, musculatory system. Conclusion: This is the first Indian study using ICPC-3 classification for all the three levels of health care. Irrespective of age, socio economic variables and tiers of healthcare top three groups to visit public health facility according to ICPC-3 classification were consistent i.e., general, digestive, and circulatory. Implementation of standard management and referral guidelines for common diseases under these group will improve the quality and burden at public health facilities in India.
The Hopewell airburst event, 1699-1567 years ago (252-383 CE)
Authors: Tankersley Kenneth Barnett , Meyers Stephen D. , Meyers Stephanie A. , Jordan James A. , Herzner Louis , Lentz David L. , Zedaker Dylan
Published: October 2021

Meteorites, silicious vesicular melt glass, Fe and Si-rich magnetic spherules, positive Ir and Pt 25 anomalies, and burned charcoal-rich Hopewell habitation surfaces demonstrate that a cosmic airburst event occurred over the Ohio River valley during the late Holocene. A comet-shaped earthwork was constructed near the airburst epicenter. Twenty-nine radiocarbon ages demonstrate that the event occurred between 252 and 383 CE, a time when 69 near-Earth comets were documented. While Hopewell people survived the catastrophic event, it likely contributed to their cultural decline. The Hopewell comet airburst expands our understanding of the frequency and impact of cataclysmic cosmic events on complex human societies.
A Multidimensional Investigation of Sensory Processing in Autism: Parent- and Self-Report Questionnaires, Psychophysical Thresholds, and Event-Related Potentials in the Auditory and Somatosensory Modalities
Authors: Dwyer Patrick , Takarae Yukari , Zadeh Iman , Rivera Susan M , Saron Clifford D
Published: October 2021

BackgroundReconciling results obtained using different types of sensory measures is a challenge for autism sensory research. The present study used questionnaire, psychophysical, and neurophysiological measures to characterize autistic sensory processing in different measurement modalities.MethodsParticipants were 46 autistic and 21 typically-developing adolescents. Participants and their caregivers completed questionnaires regarding sensory experiences and behaviours. Auditory and somatosensory ERPs were recorded as part of a multisensory ERP task. Auditory, tactile static detection, and tactile spatial resolution psychophysical thresholds were measured.ResultsSensory questionnaires strongly differentiated between autistic and typically-developing individuals, while little evidence of group differences was observed in psychophysical thresholds. Crucially, the different types of measures (neurophysiological, psychophysical, questionnaire) appeared to be largely independent of one another. However, we unexpectedly found autistic participants with larger auditory Tb ERP amplitudes had reduced hearing acuity, even though all participants had hearing acuity in the non-clinical range.LimitationsThe autistic and typically-developing groups were not well-matched, although this limitation does not affect our main analyses regarding convergence of measures within ASD. The autistic sample in the present study is not representative of the whole autistic constellation, limiting generalizability. Auditory ERPs and auditory thresholds were measured with non-equivalent stimuli.ConclusionsOverall, based on these results, measures in different sensory modalities appear to capture distinct aspects of sensory processing in autism, with relatively limited convergence between questionnaires and laboratory-based tasks. Generally, this might reflect the reality that laboratory tasks are often carried out in controlled environments without background stimuli to compete for attention, a context which may not closely resemble the busier and more complex environments in which autistic people’s atypical sensory experiences commonly occur. For this reason, sensory questionnaires may be more practically useful assessments of autistic people’s real-world sensory challenges. Further research is needed to replicate and investigate the drivers of the unexpected association we observed between auditory Tb ERP amplitudes and hearing acuity, which could represent an important confound for ERP researchers to consider in their studies.
High-Dose Immunoglobulin G Suppresses Local Inflammatory Reaction and Facilitates Functional Recovery Following Olfactory System Injury
Authors: Kobayashi Masayoshi , Nishida Kohei , Ishigami Eisuke , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: October 2021

BackgroundHead trauma can be a cause of refractory olfactory dysfunction due to olfactory nervous system injury. Anti-inflammatory treatment using steroids or anti-cytokine agents is known to contribute to functional recovery of the central and peripheral nervous systems in injury models, while there is a concern that they can induce adverse reactions. The present study examines if high-dose immunoglobulin G (IgG) can facilitate olfactory functional recovery following injury. MethodsOlfactory nerve transection (NTx) was performed in OMP-tau-lacZ mice to establish injury models. High-dose IgG was intraperitoneally injected immediately after the NTx and histological assessment of recovery within the olfactory bulb was performed at 5, 14, 42 and 100 days after the drug injection. X-gal staining labeled degenerating and regenerating olfactory nerve fibers and immunohistochemical staining detected the presence of reactive astrocytes and macrophages/microglia. Olfactory function was assessed using an olfactory avoidance behavioral test.ResultsHigh-dose IgG-injected mice showed significantly smaller areas of injury-associated tissue, fewer astrocytes and macrophages/microglia, and an increase in regenerating nerve fibers. An olfactory avoidance behavioral test showed improved functional recovery in the IgG-injected mice. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that high-dose IgG could provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction following head injuries.
Pilot Implementation of the Competence of Czech Paramedics to Administer Sufentanil for the Treatment of Pain in Acute Trauma Without Consulting a Physician: Observational Study
Authors: RENZA Metoděj , SYKORA Roman , PERAN David , HRICOVA Kristina , BRIZGALOVA Nikola , BAKUROVA Petra , KUKACKA Miloš
Published: October 2021

BackgroundThe use of intravenous opioids in the traumatic pain in pre-hospital care in the Czech Republic is based primarily on the indication of a physician. If the paramedic crew arrives at the site earlier or only on their own, analgesia is given after phone-call consultation with the physician or after his arrival at the site. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the indication and administration of sufentanil by paramedics in the treatment of pain in acute trauma adult patients without the physician’s control. MethodsParamedics underwent voluntarily the simulation training aimed at administering intravenously sufentanil to treat pain in acute trauma in adults without physician’s indication. Subsequently, the adverse events and efficacy were monitored for a six-month period and compared in two groups: administration of sufentanil by paramedics without this competence, who further consulted the administration by telephone with physicians (group Consultation) and those with this competence (group Competence).ResultsA total number of sufentanil administration in group Consultation was 88 and in group Competence 70. There was no respiratory arrest, bradypnea, or need for oxygen therapy reported in any of the study groups. The incidence of nausea was the same 3% in Consultation; (n = 3) and in Competence (n = 2). Vomiting was not reported in the Consultation group and in 6% in the Competence group (n = 4). Intravenous antiemetic drugs were used in the Consultation group only in 1% (n = 1) and in the Competence group in 7% of patients (n = 5) (p < 0,05). In both groups there was observed a decrease in the numeric rating scale (Consultation: M = - 3,2; SD = 1,2 points vs. Competence: M = - 3,9; SD = 1,8 points). ConclusionIntravenous administration of sufentanil by properly trained paramedics without consultation with a physician in acute trauma can be considered safe.
Intrinsically disordered sequences in the Polycomb protein Polyhomeotic regulate condensate formation
Authors: Kapur Ibani , Boulier Elodie , Francis Nicole
Published: October 2021

The Polycomb group (PcG) complex PRC1 localizes in the nucleus in the form of condensed structures called Polycomb bodies. The PRC1 subunit Polyhomeotic (Ph) contains a polymerizing sterile alpha motif (SAM) that is implicated in both PcG body formation and chromatin organization in Drosophila and mammalian cells. A truncated version of Ph containing the SAM (mini-Ph), forms phase separated condensates with DNA or chromatin in vitro, suggesting PcG bodies may form by phase separation. In cells, Ph forms multiple condensates, while mini-Ph forms a single large nuclear condensate. We therefore hypothesize that sequences outside of mini-Ph are required for proper condensate formation. We identified three distinct Intrinsically Disordered Regions (IDRs) in Ph based on sequence composition and complexity. We tested the role of each IDR in Ph condensates using live imaging of transfected Drosophila S2 cells. We find that each IDR uniquely affects Ph SAM-dependent condensate size, number, and morphology.
Active immunization by COVID-19 mRNA vaccine results in rapid antibody response and virus reduction in breakthrough infection by Delta (B.1.617.2)
Authors: Hirotsu Yosuke , Tsutsui Toshiharu , Kakizaki Yumiko , Miyashita Yoshihiro , Iwase Fumiaki , Maejima Makoto , Sugiura Hiroki , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Omata Masao
Published: October 2021

Vaccination is expected to suppress COVID-19 infection. However, breakthrough infections have increased following vaccination because of the spread of variants of concern, notably Delta (B.1.617.2 lineage). Virological and serological data pertaining to post-vaccination infections are limited. Here, we conducted genome analysis determined the viral lineages that infected patients following vaccination. Changes in viral load, antibody levels, and viral antigen levels following infection were analyzed. At the time of infection, Delta-infected patients had a 6.2-fold and 12.3-fold higher viral load compared with Alpha and other lineages, respectively. Viral lineages (Delta:Alpha:Other) of infection were 0:12:0 in the fully vaccinated group, 1:11:0 in the partially vaccinated group, 9:16:0 in the shortly after vaccination group, and 254:229:165 in the unvaccinated group. Breakthrough infections occurred regardless of retention of high antibody titers following vaccination. At the time of diagnosis, Delta-infected patients showed high viral load with or without vaccination. However, no fully vaccinated patients developed severe disease, and the rapid increase in anti-spike antibodies occurred approximately 1 week after onset of symptoms. Concomitantly, a decrease in viral antigen levels was observed in fully vaccinated patients, shortening the time to negative result by approximately 2 days compared with unvaccinated patients.
Collectively, even if breakthrough infection occurs, the rapid antibody response in fully vaccinated individuals contributes to prevention of severe disease, possibly because of suppression of viral replication.
Tensor Decomposition of Largest Convolutional Eigenvalues Reveals Pathological Predictive Power of RhoB in Rectal Cancer Biopsy
Authors: Pham Tuan , Ravi Vinayakumar , Liu Na , Luo Bin , Fan Chuan-Wen , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: October 2021

RhoB protein belongs to the Rho GTPase family, which plays an important role in governing cell signaling and tissue morphology. RhoB expression is known to have implications in pathological processes of diseases. Investigation in the regulation and communication of this protein detected by immunohistochemical staining on the microscope is worth exploring to gain insightful information that may lead to identifying optimal disease treatment options. In particular, the role of RhoB in rectal cancer is not well-discovered. Here, we report that methods of deep learning-based image analysis and the decomposition of multiway arrays discover the predictive factor of RhoB in two cohorts of rectal-cancer patients having survival rates of less and more than 5 years. The analysis results show distinctions between the tensor-decomposition factors of the two cohorts.
Morphological Changes of The Root Apex In Anterior Teeth With Periapical Periodontitis: An In-Vivo Study
Authors: Zhang Chen-chen , Liu Ya-jing , Yang Wei-dong , Zhang Qian-nan , Zha Ming-zhu , Wen Shan-hui , Wang Qi
Published: October 2021

Introduction: The aim was to analyze the morphological changes of root apex in anterior teeth with periapical periodontitis. Methods: 32 untreated anterior teeth with periapical periodontitis were enrolled, compared with the healthy contralateral teeth. Cone-beam computed tomography was used to measure diameter of the apical constriction. 3D reconstruction technique was used to reconstruct the teeth, analysis the constriction forms, and measure the distances of constriction to apical foramen and anatomical apex respectively. Results: The difference value between buccolingual and mesiodistal diameter was (0.06±0.09) mm in periapical periodontitis and (0.04±0.04) mm in healthy teeth (p<0.05). The mean distances between apical constriction and anatomical apex were (0.97±0.25) mm and (1.59±0.48) mm in periapical periodontitis and healthy teeth. The mean distances of apical constriction to apical foramen were (0.39±0.12) mm and (0.70±0.18) mm in periapical periodontitis and healthy teeth. The most common form of apical construction was flaring (65.6%) in periapical periodontitis. Conclusions: The anterior teeth with periapical periodontitis had shorter distances of apical constriction to anatomical apex and apical foramen, bigger disparities between the diameters of buccolingual and mesiodistal, and higher proportion of flaring apical construction.
Androgen Receptor Expression Associates With Distinctive Clinicopathological and Molecular Features in ER-Positive and ER-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Hu Taobo , Liu Yiqiang , Zhao Guiyang , Wang Shu , Long Mengping
Published: October 2021

Background
Androgen receptor (AR) expression is frequently observed in breast cancer, but its association with estrogen receptor (ER) expression of breast cancer remains unclear.
Methods
In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological and molecular features associated AR loss in ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer respectively, trying to elucidate the molecular correlation between AR and ER.
Results
Our results showed that AR loss was associated with different clinicopathological characteristics in ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer. Moreover, the expression of AR was correlated with different molecular features in ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the role of AR in ER-positive breast cancer is distinctive from that in ER-negative breast cancer.
Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Medicine JCM-16021 for Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Study Protocol for a Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Zheng Ya , Ching Jessica , Cheng Chung-wah , Lam Wai-ching , Chan Kam-Leung , Zhang Xuan , Lam Pui-yan , Wu Xing-yao , Zhong Linda L.D. , Cao Pei-hua , Lo Cho-wing , Cheong Pui-kuan , Lin Zhi-xiu , Koh Matthew , Wu Justin , Bian Zhao-xiang
Published: October 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal functional disease. Adults with IBS may experience abdominal pain, change of bowel habits, and abnormal stool form without organic disease. IBS can seriously affect their work productivity and quality of life, especially diarrhea-predominant Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Chinese Herbal Medicine JCM-16021 has been shown to be potentially effective in improving the symptoms of IBS-D based on a small scale clinical trial. Hence, a large scale clinical study is designed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of JCM-16021 for IBS-D with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Liver Stagnation and Spleen Deficiency (LSSD).Methods: This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 392 eligible participants will be enrolled with two-week run-in, eight-week treatment and eight-week follow-up. After run-in period, participants will be randomized to receive either JCM-16021 or placebo for eight weeks, and will have post-treatment follow up for another 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the improvement rate on the Global Assessment of Improvement (GAI) at week 10. The secondary outcomes consist of changes of IBS-D symptoms, TCM pattern improvement, IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL), IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS), safety, etc. Results: A standard protocol has been developed for the study. The protocol will provided a detailed procedure to conduct a clinical trial and verify if the Chinese medicine JCM-16021 would significantly improve the overall symptoms of IBS-D with LSSD pattern of TCM by relieving abdominal pain, reducing stool frequency, improving the stool consistency and improving quality of life. The consolidated evidence from the study can shed light on the treatment of IBS-D with Chinese medicine.Conclusion: The protocol will provide details for investigators about the study following SPIRIT Statement. High-quality evidence on the efficacy and safety of Chinese Medicine JCM-16021 for IBS-D will be provided through strict compliance with the protocol.Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT03457324. Registered 8 February 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03457324?term=NCT03457324&draw=2&rank=1
Research on the drying Mechanism of Astragali Radix during Processing
Authors: Peng Jie , Wu Meng-Mei , Ye Li-Fang , Wu Meng-Hua , Ma Zhi-Guo , Cao Hui , Zhang Ying
Published: October 2021

Backgroundstragali Radix (Huangqi) is an important Chinese herbal medicine that is always processed into pieces for clinical use. There are many operations required after harvesting, among which drying of AR pieces is a key step. Unfortunately, research on the drying mechanism is still limited.MethodsLow-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques were applied to study the water status and water distribution during the drying process. The contents of bioactive ingredients and texture changes were measured by HPLC and texture analyzer, respectively.ResultsDuring the drying process, the moisture content first decreased rapidly. After a particular time, the moisture content decreased slowly, and the equilibrium value was reached. The trends for changes in flavonoid glycoside and flavonoid aglycone contents in AR pieces were entirely opposite. The relaxation times T22 and T23 and the peak areas A22 and ATotal decreased significantly during drying. In addition, the intensity of the water signal decreased from the surface to the interior. The textural parameters hardness, adhesion and fracturability increased without an apparent change in springiness. The parameters of LF-NMR and the texture analyzer were correlated with water content.Conclusions﻿This study indicated that HPLC, LF-NMR, MRI and texture analyzers provide a scientific basis for elucidating the principles for drying of AR pieces. The method is useful and shows potential for popularization and application; accordingly, it can easily be extended to other radix and/or rhizoma Traditional Chinese Medicinal materials.
The 532 nm Laser Treatment Promotes The Proliferation of Tendon-Derived Stem Cells and Up-Regulates Nr4a1 To Stimulate Tenogenic Differentiation
Authors: Li Ming , Zhu Yiming , Pei Qing , Deng Yuhao , Ni Tao
Published: October 2021

Background

The combination of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and stem cell transplantation with tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs) as seed cells provides a new treatment strategy for tendon injury. Nevertheless, the effect of LLLT on the biological behavior of TDSCs and its internal mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of LLLT with a wavelength of 532 nm on the proliferation and differentiation of TDSCs of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.
Methods

TDSCs were isolated from Achilles tendons of SD rats and identified by cell morphology and flow cytometric analysis. Energy density gradient experiment was performed to determine the ideal energy. Then TDSCs were treated with LLLT using a wavelength of 532 nm at a fluence of 15J/cm2. Cell response after irradiation was observed at 6, 12 and 24 hours to ascertain cell morphology and cell proliferation. RT-PCR was used to detect the RNA expression levels of the key genes of TDSCs differentiation including Scx, Tnmd, Mkx and Dcn, PPARγ, Sox9 and Runx2. Then gene chip microarray was used to detect the expression of differential genes after 532 nm laser intervention in TDSCs, and the target genes were screened out to verify the role of target genes in this process.
Results

When the 532 nm laser energy density was 15 J/cm2, the proliferation capacity of TDSCs was improved (2.73 ± 0.24 vs. 1.81 ± 0.71, P < 0.05), and the expression of genes related to tenogenic differentiation of TDSCs was significantly increased (P < 0.01), showing the potential of tenogenic differentiation. After RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses, we speculated that Nr4a1 was involved in the tenogenic differentiation process of TDSCs regulated by 532 nm laser treatment. Subsequent experiments confirmed that Nr4a1 regulated the expression of the tenogenic differentiation genes scleraxis (Scx) and tenomodulin (Tnmd) in TDSCs, affecting the process.
Conclusion

A 532 nm laser with 15J/cm2 regulated the process of TDSC proliferation and tenogenic differentiation by up-regulating Nr4a, which could accelerate tendon healing.
Screening of phytochemicals from Golden apple of discord, Cydonia oblonga against the pTen and HBx using in silico-based tools.
Authors: Khan Elhan , Ahmad Iffat Zareen
Published: October 2021

Background

Phytochemicals derived from Cydonia oblonga have been investigated for their anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities in many cancer cells lines. The reported bioactive compounds are evaluated in-silico to develop a novel antagonist against pTEN and HBx to target hepatocellular carcinoma. Lower expression of pTEN or higher expression of HBx represents the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Objective

This research is intended to identify the best candidate which interacts with our target proteins (pTEN and HBx) from the quince seeds by using computational methodologies.
Materials and Methods

The ternary structures of protein and phytochemicals reported in quince like derivatives of caffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol and quercetin, Chrysoeriol, Catechin and other compounds are retrieved from the online databanks. Druglikness analysis and ADMET profiling was done, followed by docking analysis. Lastly, molecular dynamics study was done to determine the complexes stability.
Results

Docking study revealed that CQA derivatives have the significant inhibitory potential of 3CQA and 5CQA with binding affinity of -7.53 and -7.49 against pTEN and -5.94 and -6.01 against HBx in comparison to the standard drug doxorubicin. The average RMSD and RMSF value for protein-ligand complexes were found quite stable comparative to the standard, while parameters like gyration and SASA supports the complexes having the significant binding and stability especially against pTEN.
Conclusion

The results obtained from the evaluation depict 3CQA and 5CQA shows best stability especially with the p10 protein target. Hence, these compounds have to be considered for detailed experimental studies to understand its biological function against HCC.
Reversed Phase Transformation of β→α-Sn at Elevated Temperatures towards Quantum Material Integration on Silicon
Authors: Covian Alejandra Cuervo , Liu Shang , Gardener Jules , Akey Austin , Levin Barnaby , Wang Xiaoxin , Liu Jifeng
Published: October 2021

α-Sn and SnGe alloys have recently attracted much attention as a new family of topological quantum materials. However, bulk α-Sn is thermodynamically stable only at <13°C. Moreover, scalable integration of α-Sn quantum materials/devices on Si has been hindered by a large lattice mismatch. To address these challenges, we demonstrate compressively strained α-Sn doped with 2-4 at.% Ge on a native oxide layer on Si, grown at 300-500°C through a reversed β-to-α-Sn phase transformation without relying on epitaxy. The size of α-Sn microdots reaches up to 200 nm, ~10x larger than the upper size limit for α-Sn formation reported before. Furthermore, the compressive strain makes it one of the few candidates for 3D topological Dirac semimetals with interesting applications in spintronics. We find that Ge-rich GeSn nanoclusters in the as-deposited materials seeded the reversed β-to-α-Sn transition at elevated temperatures. This process can be further optimized for SnGe quantum material and device integration on Si.
Lane Line Detection System Based on Improved Yolo V3 Algorithm
Authors: Ji Gaoqing , Zheng Yunchang
Published: October 2021

Aiming at the problems of low accuracy and poor real-time performance of Yolo v3 algorithm in lane detection, a lane detection system based on improved Yolo v3 algorithm is proposed. Firstly, according to the characteristics of inconsistent vertical and horizontal distribution density of lane line pictures, the lane line pictures are divided into s * 2S grids; Secondly, the detection scale is adjusted to four detection scales, which is more suitable for small target detection such as lane line; Thirdly, the convolution layer in the original Yolo v3 algorithm is adjusted from 53 layers to 49 layers to simplify the network; Finally, the parameters such as cluster center distance and loss function are improved. The experimental results show that when using the improved detection algorithm for lane line detection, the average detection accuracy map value is 92.03% and the processing speed is 48 fps.Compared with the original Yolo v3 algorithm, it is significantly improved in detection accuracy and real-time performance.
Fabrication of GO/PAN Nanofiber Membrane Grafted With Chitosan As Efficient Adsorbent For Dye Removal
Authors: Lu Yanran , Zhang Wen , Wang Mei , Zhang Hua , Li Jiahui , Luo Wenhao
Published: October 2021

The adsorption is widely used to remove dyes from wastewater because of its low cost, simple preparation, and environmental friendliness. However, the existing adsorbents suffer from difficult recycling, inconvenient use, and low regeneration rate. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and graphene oxide (GO) was mixed for electrospinning GO/PAN nanofiber membrane and then chitosan (CS) was grafted to obtain CS-GO/PAN nanofiber membrane. CS-GO/PAN membrane were characterized with FE-SEM, EDX, FT-IR and, WCA. The effects of membrane types, dosage, solution pH on the removal of dye sunset yellow (SY) were systematically investigated. The results showed that more than 80% of SY were removed within 15 min at pH 2 using 100 mg CS-GO/PAN membrane. Adsorption kinetic data were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model and adsorption equilibrium achieved within 240 min. The isotherm study followed the Langmuir model with the actual maximum adsorption capacity of 211.54 mg/g. After 5 adsorption-desorption cycles, the adsorption efficiency and the desorption efficiency of CS-GO/PAN were over 90% and 93%, respectively. Moreover, the membrane recovered easily from the water while its integrity was still maintained. The CS-GO/PAN membrane demonstrates the virtue of high adsorption capacity, easy operation, and good reusability, which could be considered as a promising material for adsorbing dyes in wastewater.
Analysis of a Two-Year Independent Screening Effort for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Rural Egypt
Authors: Tawfik Sara , Mansour Ahmed , Selim Norhan Lotfy , Habib Ahmed M. , Fouad Yousef A. , Tawfik Mohamed A. , Al-Feky Mariam
Published: October 2021

Background: The third epidemic of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has majorly involved middle income countries in which tailored screening and local guidelines require development. The data regarding ROP prevalence and cutoff numbers for screening in Egypt are lacking.Methods: Retrospective analysis of an independent screening effort spanning 2 years and involving 32 neonatal care units within Sharkia governorate, Egypt. Infants of gestational age (GA) ≤ 34 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) ≤ 2000 g were included, as well as those with unstable clinical course. Two eyecare centers located in Sharkia and Cairo governorates served as referral centers for any required interventions.Results: Of the 276 screened infants, 133 (48.19%) had some form of ROP that was bilateral in 127 (95.49%) of them. Aggressive posterior ROP (AP-ROP) was detected in both eyes of 24 infants (8.7%). The median (IQR) GA of infants with ROP was 32 (30 - 34) weeks, and the median (IQR) BW was 1600 (1350 - 2000) g. Sixty-three infants (47.37%) required treatment. Of the total 84 eyes that were treated, 73 (86.9%) received intravitreal ranibizumab, 8 (9.52%) underwent laser ablation therapy, and 3 eyes (3.57%) underwent surgery. Primary outcome was favorable in 83 eyes (98.81%). Applying the American Academy criteria would have led to the missing of 36.84% of infants with ROP and 28.57% of those requiring treatment in our sample.Conclusion: The incidence of both ROP and AP-ROP in the Egyptian rural setting appears to be in the high end of global reported rates. Prevention measures should urgently be planned and implemented.
Optimization of Electrodeposition Time on the Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 Thin Films for Thin Film Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Shafi Muhammad Aamir , Bouich Amal , Khan Laiq , Ullah Hanif , Guaita Julia Mari , Ullah Shafi , Soucase Bernabe Mari
Published: October 2021

Electrochemical deposition was used to create a quaternary CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) kesterite thin layer. An aqueous solution of CZTS was used to deposit a thin layer over Indium Tin Oxide. The effects of deposition time (variation) on CZTS thin films under ambient conditions were investigated in this study. Several available characterization systems were used to study the samples as they were produced. The polycrystalline description of the layer is inveterate by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM as well as AFM study show that deposition time improved surface morphology and topography of CZTS thin films which increase several nm in grain size. Furthermore, depending upon the deposition duration, the optical study reveals an acceptable bandgap in a range of 1.44 to 1.71 eV. Characteristics of high-quality CZTS absorber layers for solar cell applications are discovered to be affected by deposition time variation. To check the effect of this bandgap variation (1.44 to 1.71 eV) on the performance of a CZTS based thin film solar cell, a simulation software SCAPS-1D is being used.
Analysis: An intrinsic viral cycle
Authors: Mitchell Ross , Zhang Jinhai
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most significant events in modern human history. It is ongoing and any means that can be used to understand its dynamics is critical for mitigating its harmful effects. Most COVID-19 studies are justifiably biologically oriented. Nonetheless, given the wealth of data that are available, COVID-19 can also be studied from a mere signal processing perspective. Recent reports in the news have discussed a putative 2-month cycle in COVID-19 cases, which prompted us to conduct a rigorous time series analysis. Our analysis indeed finds strong evidence for cyclicity, but the period is more like 4 months and a long-term modulation of its amplitude is also present. These quantitative results imply that “waves” in pandemics are controlled by an intrinsic viral cycle and knowing this can be used to predict and prepare for them.
Applied causal inference methods for sequential mediators
Authors: Popovic Maja , Richiardi Lorenzo , Scelo Ghislaine , Fasanelli Francesca , Heude Barbara , Zugna Daniela
Published: October 2021

Mediation analysis aims at estimating to what extent the effect of an exposure on an outcome is explained by a set of mediators on the causal pathway between the exposure and the outcome. In this context, the total effect of the exposure on the outcome can be decomposed into the natural indirect effect, i.e. the effect explained by the mediators jointly, and the natural direct effect, i.e. the effect unexplained by the mediators. However finer decompositions are also possible in presence of independent or sequential mediators. As sequential mediation analysis is increasingly common in epidemiology, applied researchers have to interface with difficulties related to the application, implementation, and interpretation of the methods pro- posed in literature. We review four statistical methods to analyse multiple sequential mediators, all based on the counterfactual framework: the inverse odds ratio weight- ing approach, the inverse probability weighting approach, the imputation approach and the extended imputation approach. These approaches are described, compared and implemented using a case-study with the aim to investigate the role of adverse reproductive outcomes and infant respiratory infections on infant wheezing in the Ninfea birth cohort.
Efficacy of Selected Insecticides as Replacement for Neonicotinoids in Managing Sweetpotato Whitefly on Poinsettia
Authors: Gill Gunbharpur Singh , Chong Juang Horng
Published: October 2021

Management of sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), one of the most economically important pests of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), relies heavily on neonicotinoid insecticides. Growers are seeking insecticide alternatives to neonicotinoids due to market demands. Although several systemic and translaminar insecticides have been suggested as alternatives to neonicotinoids, no published study has simultaneously compared their efficacies against sweetpotato whiteflies. This study compared the efficacies of 10 systemic and translaminar alternative insecticides with those of two systemic neonicotinoids, when all products were applied as foliar spray (twice at 14 d) or substrate drench (once) against sweetpotato whiteflies on poinsettia plants. Sweetpotato whitefly nymph and adult densities were examined 2 weeks before the first application (pretreatment), and weekly after the application for 8 weeks. Results showed that insecticides varied greatly in their efficacy, particularly against adults, and that spray application provided more effective suppression of nymphs than drench application. Spray and drench applications of imidacloprid and dinotefuran were consistently the most effective against sweetpotato whitefly nymphs and adults. Among the neonicotinoid alternatives, cyantraniliprole was the most effective insecticide in reducing sweetpotato whitefly nymph densities by both spray and drench application methods, with efficacy comparable to those of imidacloprid and dinotefuran. Although less effective than cyantraniliprole, foliar sprays of afidopyropen, chloratraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, flonicamid, flupyradifurone, pyrifluquinazon, spirotetramat, and sulfoxaflor + spinetoram were also effective against nymphs and could serve as partners in an insecticide rotation program.
The efficient use of wind force in sailing procedures onboard Tall Ship “Mircea”
Authors:   “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, NEDELCU L.
Published: October 2021

The phenomenon of air mass movement is caused by the uneven distribution on the earth's surface of their thermal and pressure values. The uneven distribution of pressure in the horizontal direction is due to the combined action of thermal and dynamic causes and produces a movement called wind. Air temperature differences create different densities, which leads to maximum and minimum barometric pressure differences. The movement of air from a high to a low pressure area is called wind. This research presents the efficient applicability of wind force in sailing procedures onboard sailing ships. For the practical view of this study, the Tall Ship "Mircea" sails are referred to.
Analysing the forecast of electricity grid losses
Authors: Dan PREOȚESCU
Published: October 2021

Electricity grid losses, having a relevant impact on the financial situations of all network operators, are a major concern both in the transmission and distribution sector. Understanding the physical phenomenon underlying electricity grid losses is important to identify proper measures for reducing it, without impacting the quality of service and/or supplied electricity. Forecasting the volume accurately is also a relevant and challenging objective. In this paper, we analyze the main aspects that have to be taken into account in the forecasting process. Furthermore, the sensitive issue of the “commercial losses” or nontechnical losses is addressed briefly, pointing out the main characteristics and the associated perspective.
Attacks on IoT devices for power consumption
Authors: S. BÎRLEANU
Published: October 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that contain electronics embedded in their architecture to communicate and feel the interactions between them or with the external environment. In the coming years, IoT-based technology will provide advanced levels of service and will virtually change the way people live their daily lives. Advances in medicine, engineering, business, agriculture, smart cities and smart homes are just some of the categorical examples in which the IoT is strongly established. In other words, IoT is the connection of any device (from mobile phones, vehicles, appliances and other embedded elements with sensors and actuators) to the Internet, so that these objects can exchange data with each other in a network. It is interesting to note that the difference between IoT and the Internet is the absence of human role.
Measurement and analysis of vibrations of electric motors on board container ships
Authors: L. PANA
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this paper is to measure and analysis the vibrations of electric motors on board container ships, in order to reduce the maintenance costs and implicitly in making the optimal decisions. In general, the faults that underlie electric motors are primarily due to mechanical and electrical efforts. Mechanical stresses occur as a result the overloads and rapid load variations. On the other hand, the overcurrents and overvoltages are usually in the close accordance with the power supplies. In this regard the mechanical faults cannot be analyzed by changing the parameters like voltage, current, power, frequency but in practice we can do analysis by used the high-performance testers with intelligent software for measuring the motor vibrations. The MarVib DC650 tester was used in this paper for analysis and measurement the vibrations of electric motors.
METODOLOGÍA DE LA INVESTIGACIÓN
Authors: García Casanova María Guadalupe
Published: October 2021

El contenido de esta cuarta edición se divide en cuatro partes con un excelente desarrollo didáctico, apuntalado mediante la inclusión de esquemas que ilustran las explicaciones de cada sección.
TECNOLOGÍA DE LA INFORMACIÓN
Authors: Ortega Barba Claudia Fabiola
Published: October 2021

La elección de esta obra, Tecnología de la información, responde al interés por mostrar cuáles son las posibilidades de las bibliotecas en donde se ha optado por la automatización de sus procesos a través de la tecnología de la información, y cómo este saber resulta fundamental para lo interesados en la educación y la investigación, pues son estos espacios los que albergan parte del conocimiento.
NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY: EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN – CHARTING THE FUTURE
Authors: Dolhan Haili , Ishak Naimah
Published: October 2021

Upon gaining independence from the British colonial occupation in 1957, Malaysia believes that education is instrumental to the development of the nation’s economy. Thus, educational development in Malaysia is based upon increasing access to education, increasing equity in education, increasing quality in education and improving efficiency and effectiveness of education management.

Secondly, the development of education in Malaysia reflects the multifaceted role it assumes in creating a progressive and united Malaysian society towards enhancing the quality of the lives of our children and generations to come.

Hence, no one should be excluded from the mainstream of development. At the same time, the mindsets, cultures and values which the people and social institutions are imbued with need to be strengthened in line with the nation’s aspirations to progress in its own mould.

In implementing these goals, the MOE (Ministry of Education) has formulated the Education Development Master Plan (EDMP) 2006-2010 as a comprehensive and integrated master plan for education development under 9thMalaysia Plan (9MP). EDMPwas developed in line with the national development plans and policies by taking into account the Third Outline Perspective Plan, Five Year Malaysia Plans, the framework laid out in the National Mission, the National Integrity Plan and others including national education development plans and policies. The plan is aimed at «Pioneering Change: ANational Mission» and put forward the policies the policies, goals, strategies, priorities, actions plans, key performance indicators, time-lines and budget for education development.
ALGUNAS CONSIDERACIONES SOBRE LA TEORÍA PEDAGÓGICA DE LEIBNIZ
Authors: Téllez Maqueo Ezequiel
Published: October 2021

El propósito de estas líneas es desarrollar algunos consejos de interés para la ciencia pedagógica propuestos por Leibniz, obtenidos de una de sus obras más representativas para la pedagogía, el Nuevo método para aprender y enseñar la ciencia del derecho (1667), en cuya primera sección Leibniz se revela como un brillante consejero sobre aquellos conocimientos y habilidades que niños y jóvenes deben aprender desde los cinco hasta los dieciocho años; las materias en las que necesitan ser instruidos, y los aspectos aristotélicos de la enseñanza relacionados con la pedagogía de Leibniz. Recomendaciones ingeniosas y propuestas inteligentes alcanzadas a través de su propia experiencia, reflejan en él a un profesor bien dispuesto para el conocimiento de un cuerpo esquemático de verdades relativas a todos los campos del saber.
21 MATRIMONIOS QUE HICIERON HISTORIA
Authors: Pliego Ballesteros María
Published: October 2021

La narración biográfica de 21 matrimonios, elegidos por el autor - a través de veinte siglos: dos del siglo IV, tres de la Edad Media, dos del Renacimiento, uno del siglo XVIII, cuatro del siglo XIX y nueve del siglo XX—, brinda un acervo histórico de los vaivenes europeos que, teniendo en común el interés del doctor Castillo por lafamilia, entretejen circunstancias perfectamente ubicadas no solo en lugar y tiempo, sino con un tratamiento psicológico de las diferencias personales y conyugales, que nos dejan admirados por lo complicados que somos los seres humanos.
FUNDAMENTOS PARA LA EDUCACIÓN EN LA PAZ
Authors: López de LLergo Ana Teresa
Published: October 2021

LOS FUNDAMENTOS PARA LA EDUCACIÓN EN LA PAZ, PRESENTADOS ENeste texto, surgen de un estudio1 en el que se vincula la paz con losvalores y las virtudes. Se complementa con un planteamiento dondese indican los medios para alcanzarla, tanto en el interior de la personacomo en las relaciones con quienes la rodean.