bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer Burden Among Arab-World Females in 2020: Working Toward Improving Outcomes
Authors: Mahdi Hala , Mula-Hussain Layth , Ramzi Zhian S. , Tolba Marwan , Abdel-Rahman Omar , Abu-Gheida Ibrahim , Khorshid Ola , Al Sukhun Sana , Siddiqi Nadeem P. , Al Mandhari Zahid , Al Hussaini Maysa
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This work presents the Arab-world females' cancers (AFCs) statistics in 2020, compared with the 2018 AFCs statistics, the Arab-world male cancers statistics, and the world females' cancers (WFCs) statistics in 2020. This can help set the stage for a better policy for cancer control programs and improve outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive review of the 2020 Global Cancer Observatory concerning AFCs was performed. Data on various cancers were compiled and compared among the countries in the region and WFCs.

RESULTS

A total estimate of 244,317 new cases and 132,249 deaths is reported in AFCs; representing 2.65% and 2.99% of WFCs, respectively, with an average crude incidence/mortality ratio of 116.2 (/100,000 population)/62.9 (/100,000 population) and an age-standardized incidence/mortality ratio of 137.7(/100,000 population)/77.2(/100,000 population) compared with 238.8(/100,000 population)/114.6(/100,000 population) and 186(/100,000 population)/84.2(/100,000 population) of WFCs, respectively. Five-year prevalent cases were 585,295; 2.28% of WFCs. In comparison to males, females accounted for 47.8% of the whole population, 52.9% in incidence, 46.9% in mortality, and 56.9% in the prevalence of patients with cancer. Mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) was 0.54 (range 0.39-0.62 in Arab countries, compared with 0.48 globally), and it ranged from 0.14 to 0.97 in the 30 AFC types. Breast cancer was the most common cancer in incidence and mortality, with an MIR of 0.39.

CONCLUSION

The 2020 descriptive analysis of the females' cancers in the Arab world revealed a relatively high MIR compared with females' cancers worldwide; a lower MIR compared with the males; and comparable MIR to 2018 one. We call for more in-depth studies to determine the causes of these differences that might translate into actionable interventions and better outcomes.
Temozolomide Followed by Combination With Low-Dose Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Patients With Microsatellite-Stable, O6-Methylguanine–DNA Methyltransferase–Silenced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The MAYA Trial
Authors: Morano Federica , Raimondi Alessandra , Pagani Filippo , Lonardi Sara , Salvatore Lisa , Cremolini Chiara , Murgioni Sabina , Randon Giovanni , Palermo Federica , Antonuzzo Lorenzo , Pella Nicoletta , Racca Patrizia , Prisciandaro Michele , Niger Monica , Corti Francesca , Bergamo Francesca , Zaniboni Alberto , Ratti Margherita , Palazzo Michele , Cagnazzo Celeste , Calegari Maria Alessandra , Marmorino Federica , Capone Iolanda , Conca Elena , Busico Adele , Brich Silvia , Tamborini Elena , Perrone Federica , Di Maio Massimo , Milione Massimo , Di Bartolomeo Maria , de Braud Filippo , Pietrantonio Filippo
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

This is a multicenter, single-arm phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of an immune-sensitizing strategy with temozolomide priming followed by a combination of low-dose ipilimumab and nivolumab in patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) and O6-methylguanine–DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)–silenced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with pretreated mCRC were centrally prescreened for MSS status and MGMT silencing (ie, lack of MGMT expression by immunohistochemistry plus MGMT methylation by pyrosequencing). Eligible patients received two priming cycles of oral temozolomide 150 mg/sqm once daily, days 1-5, once every 4 weeks (first treatment part) followed, in absence of progression, by its combination with ipilimumab 1 mg/kg once every 8 weeks and nivolumab 480 mg once every 4 weeks (second treatment part). The primary end point was the 8-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate calculated from enrollment in patients who started the second treatment part, with ≥ 4 out of 27 subjects progression-free by the 8-month time point as decision rule.

RESULTS

Among 716 prescreened patients, 204 (29%) were molecularly eligible and 135 started the first treatment part. Among these, 102 (76%) were discontinued because of death or disease progression on temozolomide priming, whereas 33 patients (24%) who achieved disease control started the second treatment part and represented the final study population. After a median follow-up of 23.1 months (interquartile range, 14.9-24.6 months), 8-month PFS rate was 36%. Median PFS and overall survival were 7.0 and 18.4 months, respectively, and overall response rate was 45%. Grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events were skin rash (6%), colitis (3%), and hypophysitis (3%). No unexpected adverse events or treatment-related deaths were reported.

CONCLUSION

The MAYA study provided proof-of-concept that a sequence of temozolomide priming followed by a combination of low-dose ipilimumab and nivolumab may induce durable clinical benefit in MSS and MGMT-silenced mCRC.
Steroidogenic Factor 1 Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis of Adult Female Mice
Authors: Smith Olivia E , Roussel Vickie , Morin Fanny , Ongaro Luisina , Zhou Xiang , Bertucci Micka C , Bernard Daniel J , Murphy Bruce D
Published: March 2022

The orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) is an indispensable regulator of adrenal and gonadal formation, playing roles in sex determination, hypothalamic development, and pituitary function. This study aimed to identify the roles of SF-1 in postnatal female reproductive function. Using a progesterone receptor–driven Cre recombinase, we developed a novel murine model, characterized by conditional depletion of SF-1 [PR-Cre;Nr5a1f/f; conditional knockout (cKO)] in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Mature female cKO were infertile due to the absence of ovulation. Reduced gonadotropin concentrations in the pituitary gland that were nevertheless sufficient to maintain regular estrous cycles were observed in mature cKO females. The cKO ovaries showed abnormal lipid accumulation in the stroma, associated with an irregular expression of cholesterol homeostatic genes such as Star, Scp2, and Acat1. The depletion of SF-1 in granulosa cells prevented appropriate cumulus oöphorus expansion, characterized by reduced expression of Areg, Ereg, and Ptgs2. Exogenous delivery of gonadotropins to cKO females to induce ovulation did not restore fertility and was associated with impaired formation and function of corpora lutea accompanied by reduced expression of the steroidogenic genes Cyp11a1 and Cyp19a1 and attenuated progesterone production. Surgical transplantation of cKO ovaries to ovariectomized control animals (Nr5a1f/f) resulted in 2 separate phenotypes, either sterility or apparently normal fertility. The deletion of SF-1 in the pituitary and in granulosa cells near the moment of ovulation demonstrated that this nuclear receptor functions across the pituitary-gonadal axis and plays essential roles in gonadotropin synthesis, cumulus expansion, and luteinization.
The Frequency and Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Anees Muhammad , Farooq Omair` , Raza Muhammad , Mumtaz Asim
Published: March 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and its underlying risk factors in patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of patients admitted in Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Farooq Hospital, West Wood Branch, Lahore during the period from 1st April, 2020 to 30th June, 2020. COVID-19 was diagnosed on basis of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) through nasal swab. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected at the time of admission in the hospital. AKI was diagnosed on basis of ≥ 0.3 mg/dl increase in serum Creatinine (sCr) from baseline during the hospital stay. The outcome of study was AKI.

Results: One hundred and seventy-six patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited of which most were males (78.4%). The mean age was 51.26 ± 15.20 years and the frequency of AKI was 51.1%. The risk factors for AKI were increasing age (OR=2.10, p=0.017); presence of COVID-19 symptoms (OR=6.62, p=0.004); prolonged hospital stay (OR=2.26, p=0.011); Diabetes Mellitus (OR=1.81, p=0.057); hypoxemia (OR=5.98, p=0.000); leukocytosis (OR=2.91, p=0.002); lymphopenia (OR=5.77, p=0.000); hypoalbuminemia (OR=4.94, p=0.000); elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR=6.20, p=0.000) and raised D-diamers (OR=3.16, p=0.000).

Conclusions: AKI was present in half of the COVID-19 patients. The most significant risk factors for AKI were increasing age, prolonged hospital stay, hypoxemia, hypoalbuminemia, DM and raised inflammatory markers.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.4980

How to cite this:Anees M, Farooq O, Raza M, Mumtaz A. Frequency and Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury in patients with COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.4980

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Vitamin B12 in Pregnancy and its Relationship with Maternal BMI and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kanwal Aasia , Bashir Aisha
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To determine the levels of vitamin B12 in pregnant women and to explore the relationship of vitamin B12 with maternal BMI and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Physiology, UHS, Lahore from February 2019 to March 2020. Ninety pregnant women in early third trimester of pregnancy were selected. Forty-five women had gestational diabetes and forty-five were healthy pregnant women. Serum vitamin B12 and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were determined by ELISA and glucose oxidase method respectively. 1st trimester BMI was also recorded. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data.

Results: Serum vitamin B12 was significantly lower in GDM group (149.41±13.66) as compared to non-GDM group (357.49±42.07). BMI was significantly higher in GDM group (32.94±2.10) as compared to non-GDM group (23.52±1.83). Significant negative correlation (-0.78**) was observed between 1st trimester BMI and vitamin B12 in late pregnancy. Regression analysis revealed that high BMI was associated with decrease in vitamin B12 and increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (3.26***). Moreover, vitamin B12 was partially mediating the relationship between BMI and FBG.

Conclusion: Low vitamin B12 levels have an association with maternal BMI and gestational diabetes mellitus.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5120

How to cite this:Kanwal A, Bashir A. Vitamin B12 in Pregnancy and its Relationship with Maternal BMI and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5120

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Ex-vivo experimental strategies for assessing unconstrained shoulder biomechanics: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Genter Jeremy , Croci Eleonora , Ewald Hannah , Müller Andreas M. , Mündermann Annegret , Baumgartner Daniel
Published: March 2022

Background: Shoulder biomechanics cannot be measured directly in living persons. While different glenohumeral joint simulators have been developed to investigate the role of the glenohumeral muscles in shoulder biomechanics, a standard for these simulators has not been defined. With this scoping review we want to describe available ex-vivo experimental strategies for assessing unconstrained shoulder biomechanics.

Objective: The scoping review aims at identifying methodological and/or experimental studies describing or involving ex-vivo simulators that assess unconstrained shoulder biomechanics and synthesizing their strengths and limitations.

Inclusion criteria: All unconstrained glenohumeral joint simulators published in connection with ex-vivo or mechanical simulation experiments will be included. Studies on glenohumeral simulators with active components to mimic the muscles will be included. We will exclude studies where the experiment is static or the motion is induced through an external guide, e.g., a robotic device.

Methods: We will perform database searching in PubMed, Embase via Elsevier and Web of Science. Two reviewers will independently assess full texts of selected abstracts. Direct backward and forward citation tracking on included articles will be conducted. We will narratively synthesize the results and derive recommendations for designing ex-vivo simulators for assessing unconstrained shoulder biomechanics.
The improvement of inflammatory markers and disease progression among moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study from two second referral hospitals in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Romadhon Pradana Zaky , Bintoro Siprianus Ugroseno Yudho , Suryantoro Satriyo Dwi , Asmarawati Tri Pudy , Nur Rosyid Alfian , Savitri Merlyna , Amrita Putu Niken Ayu , Diansyah Muhammad Noor , Prayoga Ami Ashariati , Windradi Choirina , Mahdi Bagus Aulia , Widiyastuti Krisnina Nurul , Novendrianto Dwiki , Agustin Esthiningrum Dewi , Alkaff Firas Farisi , Prahasanti Kartika , Dewanto Didi Darmahadi
Published: March 2022

Background: To date, coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) has no definitive treatment. Thrombosis and hypercoagulation may occur in the advanced stage. Further study on how to use anticoagulants is still required to promote the best prognosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 110 moderate, 140 severe, and 81 critical patients receiving unfractioned heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux was conducted. Data were collected from March 15th to August 31st 2020 at Universitas Airlangga and Husada Utama Hospital. A comparative study of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, all-cause mortality rate, length of stay, and days of death among three severities of COVID-19 was done. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the correlation between inflammatory state after anti-coagulant with patients’ mortality.

Results: Two deaths occurred in moderate cases, 36 deaths in severe cases, and 70 deaths in critical cases on ventilators. On day 13, moderate and severe groups showed decreased WBC, neutrophils, NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p < 0.05). NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p<0.05) in critically ill and ventilated patients decreased. Day-13 evaluation revealed 32.73% decrease of inflammatory markers in moderate group; 32.86% in severe patients; and 16.05% in critically ill, ventilated patients. A significant correlation between day 13 inflammatory status with mortality was seen in moderate and critical cases with a ventilator (r=0.337; p< 0.05 and r=0.25; p 0.05). Inflammatory profile on day 6 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.36; p < 0.05) and day 13 ([aOR] = 4.15; p < 0.05) was associated with patients’ mortality.

Conclusions: Anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients lower inflammation markers. Evaluating inflammatory status is essential to predict the mortality. Inflammatory markers on day 13, based on the severity of COVID-19 and comorbidities, were associated with mortality in moderate and critical cases.
Um relato de uma experiência de ensino de geometria usando mosaicos e o modelo de Van Hiele
Authors: Quintino de Oliveira Junior Rogerio Luiz , Ribeiro de Campos André Victor
Published: March 2022

Neste artigo, relatamos uma experiência vivida, em 2019, por um dos autores deste trabalho em sala de aula durante a elaboração de sua dissertação de mestrado. Nela, procurou-se ensinar, de forma lúdica, alguns conceitos e definições sobre triângulos e quadriláteros para uma turma do 7º ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola municipal da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Para este projeto, utilizou-se da arte dos mosaicos e do Modelo de níveis de aprendizado de geometria de Van Hiele como suporte teórico para a experiência. Os mesmos conteúdos de geometria foram ensinados em duas turmas do 7º ano, uma da maneira tradicional, com explicação no quadro junto com o livro e a apostila da escola e, na outra, utilizou-se a arte dos mosaicos. Por último, esse trabalho aponta algumas vantagens na percepção geométrica e na aprendizagem dos alunos da turma que usou a interdisciplinaridade entre Matemática e Arte.
Mário de Andrade: turista aprendiz em terra arrasada, da Amazônia a São Paulo, até dizer chega
Authors: Gobbi Marcia Aparecida , Búfalo Joseane
Published: March 2022

O objetivo deste ensaio é apresentar algumas reflexões sobre os tempos atuais em determinadas regiões brasileiras articuladas a algumas impressões presentes em textos de Mário de Andrade, sendo eles: seu diário de viagens denominado O Turista Aprendiz, o conto “Primeiro de Maio” e excertos de cartas conjugadas com fotografias feitas por Mário de Andrade e outras, recentes, de textos jornalísticos e sites livres. Sem a pretensão de apresentar discussões teóricas sobre uso de imagens, elas nos servem como inspirações para pensar sobre e a partir de diferentes temporalidades. Ao comemorarmos 100 anos da Semana de Arte Moderna, reunimos brevemente aspectos da obra de Mário além da Semana, que se oferece como fundamental para os desdobramentos posteriores em sua obra literária e política. O que é possível pensar neste quase um século de viagens e 100 anos de Semana de Arte Moderna? Trata-se de “uma” semana de arte entre tantas outras possibilidades em curso para abordar arte moderna no país. São registros em formas de cenas sem a pretensão de cobrir todo o pensamento andradino e nem mesmo os acontecimentos mais recentes. Por ora, provocar pensamentos a partir das transformações históricas em médio e curto períodos é nosso objetivo.
Questões de gênero e sexualidade para todas/todos: discussão e inclusão
Authors: Costa Jéssica Gomes das Mercês , Moreira Patrícia Machado
Published: March 2022

Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir as questões de gênero e sexualidade associadas à inclusão de pessoas com deficiência visual, a partir de um jogo didático realizado com estudantes de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB). Além disso, levantamos o debate sobre a necessidade de discutir a diversidade e diferença no âmbito da formação inicial dos professores de Ciências. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa contou com dois momentos: o primeiro foi o processo de construção do jogo didático inclusivo; e o segundo momento se caracterizou pela discussão acerca da jogabilidade desse material didático e da importância desta temática na formação inicial docente, através da técnica de grupo focal. Discutir sobre as diferenças (físicas, sexuais, de gênero etc.) na escola, especialmente com deficientes visuais, é buscar uma transformação na sociedade, a fim de que haja inclusão plena no espaço físico escolar, a partir de uma educação adequada e adaptada a todas/todos. Ao final, conclui-se que apesar dos avanços legais e da maior visibilidade do movimento de inclusão, ainda há uma lacuna na formação inicial docente que precisa ser preenchida com temáticas que abranjam as diferenças entre os sujeitos, resultando em práticas pedagógicas que compreendam e atendam às diferenças.
Infância, educação e linguagem em Michel de Montaigne
Authors: Carniel Flávia Rocha , Cunha Marcus Vinicius
Published: March 2022

Tomando por base o conceito de infância elaborado por Philippe Ariès, este artigo mostra que as manifestações de Michel de Montaigne sobre a educação de crianças são tipicamente modernas, pois se pautam no interesse psicológico e na preocupação moral. Utilizando metodologia fundamentada em conceitos da retórica, o artigo analisa os ensaios de Montaigne intitulados “Pedantismo” e “Da educação das crianças”, destacando o valor atribuído pelo autor à linguagem e à comunicação entre aluno e professor. Destaca-se que Montaigne atribui o sucesso da docência às qualidades pessoais do professor, cuja sensibilidade pode ser desenvolvida pelo contato com as artes. As conclusões sugerem a necessidade de rever os conceitos educacionais vigentes na atualidade.
História e seu ensino no Espírito Santo: entre rupturas, permanências e resistências
Authors: Frechiani Bitte Regina Celi , Dos Santos Sonia Maria
Published: March 2022

O presente artigo tem por objeto de análise a história do ensino de história com recorte temporal entre os anos de 1970 a 1990 no estado do Espírito Santo (ES) e objetiva identificar e compreender as rupturas e permanências neste ensino nas Propostas Curriculares do estado. Assim, buscamos entabular um diálogo com  autores que abordam o ensino de História no Brasil como Bittencourt (2004, 2010) e Fonseca (2012), bem como com teses e dissertações da Biblioteca da UFES e do IFES de Vitória, no ES. O estudo aponta  nuanças nas Propostas Curriculares do ES em consonância com a conjuntura maior no Brasil. Sinaliza, também, a resistência dos professores frente aos documentos normatizadores produzidos na noosfera.
Absolute phase retrieval of shiny objects using fringe projection and deep learning with computer-graphics-based images
Authors: Ueda Kazumasa , Ikeda Kanami , Koyama Osanori , Yamada Makoto
Published: March 2022

Fringe projection profilometry is a high-precision method used to measure the 3D shape of an object by projecting sinusoidal fringes onto an object. However, fringes projected onto a metallic or shiny object are distorted nonlinearly, which causes significant measurement errors. A high-precision measurement method for shiny objects that employs computer graphics (CG) and deep learning is proposed. We trained a deep neural network by projecting fringes on a shiny object in CG space. Our results show that the method can reduce the nonlinear fringe distortion caused by gloss in real space.
Resolution-enhanced ptychography framework with an equivalent upsampling and precise position
Authors: Lv Wenjin , Zhang Junhao , Chen Hao , Yang Dongyu , Ruan Tianhao , Zhu Yupeng , Tao Ye , Shi Yishi
Published: March 2022

As a lensless imaging technique, ptychography provides a new way to resolve the conflict between the spatial resolution and the field of view. However, due to the pixel size limit of the sensor, a compromise has to be reached between the spatial resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we propose a resolution-enhanced ptychography framework with equivalent upsampling and subpixel accuracy in position to further improve the resolution of ptychography. According to the theory of pixel superresolved techniques, the inherent shift illumination scheme in ptychography can additionally enhance the resolution with the redundant data. An additional layer of pooling is used to simulate the downsampling of a digital record, and the pixel superresolved problem is transformed into an automatic optimization problem. The proposed framework is verified by optical experiments, both in biological samples and the resolution targets. Compared to the traditional algorithm, the spatial lateral resolution is twice as large using the same data set.
Design and error calibration of an on-axis deflectometric microscope
system
Authors: Gu Zhixiong , Wang Daodang , Ruan Yang , Kong Ming , Xu Xinke , Liang Rongguang
Published: March 2022

An on-axis deflectometric microscope system (ODMS) is proposed for the
microscopic surface measurement with high accuracy and a large slope
dynamic range. To reduce the geometry sensitivity, a beam splitter is
employed to build the coaxial configuration among the illumination
screen, camera, and tested sample, which facilitates the calibration
of system geometrical parameters. Due to the small working distance,
the system model miscalibration in the model-ray-tracing-based “null”
testing could cause obvious geometrical aberrations. In this paper,
the geometrical aberrations due to the system model miscalibration are
analyzed, and the corresponding calibration method based on
computer-aided reverse optimization is applied to achieve accurate
measurement. In addition, the systematic error introduced by the
system components in the ODMS are also discussed. Both the simulation
and experiment have been carried out to demonstrate the feasibility
and high accuracy of the proposed measurement method. The proposed
system is compact in structure, large in measurable slope range, and
high in spatial resolution, providing a viable metrological tool for
the microscopic testing of various freeform surfaces, microstructural
elements, and micro-devices.
The Monkeys and Parrots of Gold Rush-era California
Authors: Conrad Cyler
Published: March 2022

As immigrant gold miners migrated en masse to San Francisco and northern California during the Gold Rush-era (ca. 1849–1855), they experienced new animals. Stopping in ports throughout Central and South America, these argonauts saw, felt, smelled, heard, and occasionally consumed, mammals, birds, reptiles, and many more creatures, which were wholly exotic to those species found at home. Two types of animals that the Gold Rush populace encountered during this era include parrots and monkeys. Although found throughout tropical environments in areas far distant from northern California, these animals became quickly imported to San Francisco during the early 1850s. A wild, turbulent Gold Rush-era helped facilitate the importation of these exotic animal types, both for comfort and entertainment, as they helped provide a source of companionship for miners unaccustomed to the shock of 1850s northern California.
Digital Human Character
Authors: Liliweri Alo
Published: March 2022

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Neonatal sepsis due to Coxsackievirus B3 complicated by liver failure and pulmonary hemorrhage
Authors: Thach Rasmey , Gitto Lorenzo
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a single-stranded RNA included in the “Human Enterovirus B” category associated with multiple, even severe, health issues in humans. Newborns are at risk of life-threatening conditions due to enteroviral infections. In newborns, the infection can be transmitted vertically, intrapartum or postpartum, and potentially through breast milk. Neonatal sepsis may result in severe complications, such as liver failure and pulmonary hemorrhage, with subsequent death.

Case presentation

A male newborn was admitted to the emergency department with fever, generalized hypotonia, hypo-reactivity to external stimuli, multiple episodes of apnea and desaturation, and metabolic acidosis. Laboratory studies revealed disseminated intravascular coagulation, and evidence of progressive multiorgan failure. Polymerase chain reaction performed on specimens collected at the time of admission returned positive for Enterovirus, specifically Coxsackievirus B3 VP1 gene. The patient eventually succumbed after several days due to severe sepsis, despite aggressive treatment with immunoglobulins and Pleconaril. An autopsy revealed hemorrhage in the lung, liver, heart, and gastric mucosa.

Conclusions

Enteroviral neonatal infections should be included in the differential diagnosis of a newborn presenting with fever, failure to thrive, and hyporeactivity, especially if symptoms arise during the classic CVB3 season. Maternal medical history should be reviewed for any possible febrile symptoms associated with a recent enterovirus infection. Aggressive treatment with immunoglobulins and, if available, Pleconaril could effectively treat the infection.
Modification of PVC/CPE Blends with Coupling Agent and its Mechanism
Authors: Song C. , Li K. , Li S.
Published: March 2022

In this thesis, the modification of PVC/CPE blends was investigated. Addition of aromatic diamines into PVC/CPE blends as a coupling agent, greatly increases the impact strength of the blends. At the same time, other mechanical properties such as the tensile and bending strength can be improved as well.

With the aid of solvent etching, the multiphase microstructure of the blends has been studied using a scanning electron microscope. The relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of the blends has been discussed.

It was shown that there were coupling and crosslinking reactions in the blends with coupling agents. The concentration of the reacted coupling agent was related to the mechanical properties of the blends quantitatively.

Using probability methods, the concentration of the coupled molecules formed in the blends can be calculated. The influence of the ratio of PVC to CPE on the coupling effectiveness can be predicted.
Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Material Synthesis by on Line Coupling Twin Screw Extruder with a Microwave Oven
Authors: Jiguet S. , Bounor-Legaré V. , Melis F. , Michel A.
Published: March 2022

A new process for elaborating continuously organic-inorganic hybrid materials by reactive extrusion is presented. This synthesis consists in formulating a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA)/tetrapropoxysilane (TPOS or Si(OC3H7)4)/catalyst blend by a corotating twin screw extruder followed by two successive reaction steps: on line microwave crosslinking reaction and hydrolysis-condensation reactions leading to a silica network cografted onto the organic matrix.

Extrusion feed rate (Q), temperature, microwave oven power (P), and microwave curing time (tmw) were studied. Crosslinking density was evaluated before and after hydrolysis-condensation reactions and compared with the previous results obtained in static conditions. These materials tailored by an on line process present a permanent elasticity at high temperature (up to 200 °C) and a certain optical transparency. This new approach offers the possibility to synthesize massive samples based on organic-inorganic hybrid material.
Water Penetration Stability in Water Assisted Injection Molded Symmetric Ribs
Authors: Liu S.-J. , Wu Y.-C. , Lai P.-C.
Published: March 2022

Water assisted injection molding technology has received extensive attention in recent years, due to its light weight, relatively lower resin cost per part, faster cycle time, and its flexibility in the design and manufacture of plastic parts. However, there are still some unsolved problems that confound the overall success of this technology. Unstable water penetration in molded symmetric channels is one of them. This report was to study the water penetration behavior in the water assisted injection molded symmetric cavity. Experiments were carried out on an 80-ton injection-molding machine equipped with a water injection unit. A plate cavity with symmetric water channels was used. The materials used were amorphous polystyrene and semi-crystalline polypropylene. Various processing variables were studied in terms of their influence on the water penetration behavior inside the symmetric parts: melt temperature, mold temperature, melt fill speed and fill pressure, short-shot size, water temperature and water pressure, and water injection delay time and water hold time. The effect of channel layout was also investigated. Tapered channels were found to mold parts with better penetration stability than flat channels. In addition, the penetration behaviors of water and gas in molded symmetric parts were also compared. The experimental results suggested that water penetration stability is more stable than that of gas in molded symmetric parts.
Simultaneous Biaxial Stretching of Polypropylene Resins of Varying Tacticity
Authors: Capt L. , Rettenberger S. , Münstedt H. , Kamal M. R.
Published: March 2022

The simultaneous biaxial stretching behavior of three Ziegler-Natta-based isotactic polypropylene resins of varying isotacticity was studied using a laboratory film stretcher that simulates closely stretching conditions encountered in the commercial process. The effect of isotacticity on the final morphology and end film properties was associated with the effect of isotacticity on the thermal properties of the resin. The results showed that the degree of undermelting, △Tum= Tm–T, determines the phase composition of the polymer before stretching and the morphology and orientation of the stretched films. The size and orientation of the crystallites in the stretching plane is mostly determined by the degree of undermelting. The elongation at break was correlated with the residual crystallinity of the film before stretching, and the elastic modulus was correlated with the final degree of crystallinity and the density of tie chains.
Ökumenischer Lagebericht 2021 Orthodoxie
Authors: Heller Dagmar
Published: March 2022

Dieser Artikel versucht, einen Überblick über die derzeitige Situation der Orthodoxie (sowohl byzantinisch-orthodoxe als auch orientalische Kirchen) zu geben. In der byzantinischen Orthodoxie besteht seit 2019 ein einseitiges Schisma, das sich auch auf die ökumenischen – vor allem bilateralen – Beziehungen auswirkt. Gleichzeitig gibt es aber auch ökumenische Aufbrüche in der Diaspora. Von den 6 orientalisch-orthodoxen Kirchen sind vier von kriegerischen Konflikten in ihren Mutterländern betroffen. Exemplarisch stellt der Artikel die Situation der Armenisch-Orthodoxen Kirche mit dem Konflikt um Berg-Karabach dar sowie die Äthiopisch-Orthodoxe Tewahedo Kirche.
Fretting fatigue of carbon steels in the high cycle fatigue regime
Authors: Neuner Frank Christian , Nützel Ralf , Höppel Heinz-Werner
Published: March 2022

Fretting fatigue can be a serious problem for many engineering applications. Relative motions between components in contact can generate surface and subsurface damage, which leads to failure of the component. Hence, it is very reason that the microstructural condition strongly influences the so-called fretting fatigue behaviour. Nevertheless, the microstructural influence on the fretting fatigue behaviour has not been very well investigated up to now. To investigate systematically the influence of specific microstructural parameters on the fretting fatigue behaviour, a broad variety of different iron-base materials were selected for this study. Based on a variation of the grain size and of the ferrite /pearlite morphologies, a detailed understanding of microstructural, effects on the fretting fatigue behaviour can be derived. In general, a reduction of the fatigue life compared to uniaxial fatigue tests by up to 50 %, depending on the respective microstructure, normal load and strain amplitude, was observed.
Ausbreitungsverhalten kurzer Risse in Magnesiumwerkstoffen
Authors: Biallas Gerhard , Maier Hans Jürgen , Essert Mark , Gall Kenneth A.
Published: March 2022

In der Magnesiumdruckgusslegierung AM60B sind kurze Risse bei Spannungsintensitäten unterhalb des Schwellenwertes für lange Risse und teilweise sogar unterhalb des effektiven Schwellenwertes ausbreitungsfähig. Wechselwirkungen zwischen Mikrostruktur und Ausbreitungsverhalten wurden auch noch bei Rissen einer Größe von mehr als 0,4 mm beobachtet. Im Bereich der Dendritengrenzen, die aus aluminiumreicherer α-Phase und der β-Phase Al12Mg17 bestehen, und in der Umgebung intermetallischer Phasen vom Typ AlMnSi wurde auch das Wachstum von Rissen dieser Größenordnung noch verlangsamt und teilweise sogar gestoppt. Bei vergleichbaren Rissgrößen und Spannungsintensitäten waren die mittleren Wachstumsraten deutlich größer als in Aluminiumdruckguss.
Zerstörungsfreie Messmethoden am Hahn-Meitner-Institut
Authors: Manke Ingo , Kardjilov Nikolay , Schneider Rainer , Haibel Astrid , Denker Andrea , Rack Alexander , Hilger André , García-Moreno Francisco , Banhart John
Published: March 2022

Die Eigenspannungen im Inneren eines mechanischen Bauteils sichtbar zu machen oder die verborgene innere Struktur eines Objekts auf den Mikrometer genau zu studieren, sind nur zwei Beispiele für den Einsatz zerstörungsfreier Messmethoden am Hahn-Meitner-Institut (HMI) in Berlin. An dieser Stelle sollen einige der wichtigsten davon sowie ihre Anwendungsfelder vorgestellt werden.
On the effects of rough ground and atmospheric absorption on aircraft noise
Authors: Campos Luiz Manuel Braga da Costa , dos Santos Silva Manuel José , de Sousa Oliveira João Manuel Gonçalves
Published: March 2022

The noise received from an aircraft is modified by atmospheric attenuation and reflections from the ground. The interference of direct and reflected waves is simplest for a flat ground, whereas multiple reflections can occur for rough ground or mountainous surroundings. The ground characteristics, like reflection and absorption factors or impedance, also affect the received sound. All these effects have to be considered with respect to the path of the aircraft. Most of the literature about ground effects on aircraft noise considers a point source over a flat ground, using the method of images, that does not extend readily to rough ground. The effect of rough ground on aircraft noise can be modelled by: (i) identification of reflection points (there may be several points); (ii) use of a complex reflection coefficient (with amplitude and phase changes) at each reflection point; (iii) adding all reflected waves within line-of-sight of the receiver, that is not blocked by terrain (there is no blockage for a flat ground).
Measurement of Deformed Aluminum Layer of Bond Pads in Cu-Wire Bonded Integrated Circuit Devices Using a Etching Approach
Authors: Premkumar Jeromerajan , Srikanth Narasimalu
Published: March 2022

In the copper ball bond process, aluminum squeezes out under the ball deformation process since it is softer than copper. The final thickness of the copper ball decides the overall strength of the bond and hence knowledge of its final thickness helps to optimize the ball bond force during the bonding process. An etching method is developed for the analysis of the squeezed aluminum beneath the copper wire ball bond. The aluminum remnant obtained from the etching method is compared with that from the conventional cross-section method. It was found that the results are comparable and the present developed etched method is simple and elegant.
Anmerkungen zum chronologischen Verhältnis von Hioberzählung und Hiobdichtung
Authors: Bührer Walter
Published: March 2022

Der Aufsatz evaluiert im ersten Teil die zunehmend vertretene These der Eigenständigkeit der Hiobdichtung gegenüber der Hioberzählung kritisch und bewertet sie als unwahrscheinlich. Der zweite Teil bietet eine knappe redaktionsgeschichtliche Analyse der Hioberzählung, um die Grundzüge der Buchwerdung des Hiobbuches darzustellen: Die ursprüngliche Hioberzählung wurde in einem zweiten Schritt um Hi 2,11–13 und die ursprüngliche Hiobdichtung erweitert und in einem dritten Schritt durch Hi 1,6–12; 2,1–10; 42,7–10 ergänzt.
(You’re) The Devil in Disguise: The Theme of Disguise in 1 Samuel and 1 Kings
Authors: Yap Timothy
Published: March 2022

Within the books of Samuel and Kings, there are three royal figures who put on disguises in the final days of their reigns. This article examines the theme of disguise and how it functions in 1Sam 28, 1Kgs 14 and 1Kgs 22. Disguises serve two purposes within these texts: first, they help the characters cover up their provenance in their attempts to avoid God’s word and other people. Second, disguises also serve to reveal the characters’ attitude and intentions towards God’s prophetic word. Despite the attempts made to manipulate the prophetic word, these disguises are not only futile, but God’s word has the final say. Attention is also paid to how the motif of »disguise« helps to explain the nature of judgments that close these narratives.
Erfolgsfaktor Pilotprojekt im Rahmen des Change Managements
Authors: Dombrowski Uwe , Hanke Tobias
Published: March 2022

In den heute sehr dynamischen Umgebungsbedingungen für produzierende Unternehmen gewinnt die Geschäftsprozessoptimierung (GPO) und -neugestaltung immer mehr an Bedeutung. Die daraus resultierenden Veränderungsprozesse sind im komplexen Unternehmensumfeld oftmals schwierig umzusetzen. Im Rahmen eines Reorganisationsprojekts der IAP GmbH bei einem deutschen Automobilhersteller konnte die Bedeutung des Pilotprojekts als ideales Mittel zur Initialisierung von Veränderungsprozessen im Bereich der GPO bestätigt werden. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird das Pilotprojekt als ein Vorhaben zur exemplarischen Umsetzung des Soll-Zustands innerhalb eines abgegrenzten Versuchsbereichs beschrieben. Infolgedessen stellt es ein strukturiertes Überzeugungskonzept dar, das sowohl die Praxistauglichkeit eines Soll-Konzepts argumentieren als auch die Veränderungsprozesse in den Köpfen der Mitarbeiter umsetzen kann und soll. Somit kann die anschließende Transformation des Ist-Zustands in einen Soll-Zustand beschleunigt werden. Ferner werden Erfolgsplanung, Mitarbeiterqualifikation und Motivation sowie Erfolgsmessung und Potenzialnachweis als wesentliche Kriterien zur erfolgreichen Umsetzung von Pilotprojekten herausgestellt und anhand des Praxisbeispiels belegt.
The impact of COVID-19 on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Palo Amanda , D'Souza Johann M.
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to challenges in providing cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite the presence of the pandemic and the risk of contracting illness, therapists can continue to utilize exposure with response prevention (ERP), which is the gold standard psychotherapy treatment for OCD. Therapists can ethically implement ERP by focusing on core treatment tenets while incorporating guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mitigate risk for COVID-19 exposure. The pandemic has also provided an opportunity to more widely implement ERP through virtual telehealth appointments, which have notable benefits as well as some drawbacks.
Effect of annealing time on the structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of NiS thin films
Authors:   Department of biology, Faculty of sciences, University Elchahid Hamma Lakhder, 39000 El Oued, Algeria, Gahtar A. , Benali A. ,   Department of biology, Faculty of sciences, University Elchahid Hamma Lakhder, 39000 El Oued, Algeria, Benramache S. ,   Material Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Biskra, 07000, Algeria, Zaouche C. ,   Material Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Biskra, 07000, Algeria
Published: March 2022

In this work, we prepared thin films of nickel sulfide by spray pyrolysis on substrates of the glass at temperature of 300°C. The solution used is a mixture of nickel acetate and thiourea as a source of nickel and sulfur respectively, acetic acid was used as a complexing agent, and then heated the resulting layers in an ordinary furnace at 300°C at different times of 1h, 2h and 3h to study the annealing time effect on the physical and chemical properties. The characterization methods used indicate remarkable changes in the structural, electrical, morphological and optical properties of NiS films under annealing time. The results obtained have shown that the prepared NiS films contain good crystallization, dense morphology, good stochiometric ratio and high conductivity, and these specifications make them a potential candidate as electrode material for application in super-capacitors.
Methods Validation of Pork Authentication in Processed Meat Products (Sausages) Through Densitometry Analysis
Authors: Hermanto Sandra , Rudiana Tarso , Zein Muhammad Ihda Hamlu Liwaissunati , Wisudawati Asih Widi
Published: March 2022

Analysis of the halalness of food products based on animal origin needs to be carried out, especially for critical food products such as processed meat products (sausages). Some processed meat products are found that they are contaminated by pork in the processing. This research was conducted to determine the validity of the analysis method of pork contamination in one of the processed products (beef, pork, and goat sausages) based on the characteristics of the protein profile. Beef, pork, and goat sausages that have been purchased from supermarkets in Jakarta and South Tangerang are used as the sample.The praparation of sample was preceded by extraction of the sausage protein in PBS buffer pH 7.2. Then, the dissolved protein content was tested, and the protein extract was separated by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The protein profile result from SDS-PAGE separation was followed by densitometric analysis (ImageJ) to obtain biomarker protein candidates. The validation of the analytical method includes the precision (repeatability), test for accuracy, linearity, and robustness of the method by varying the extraction pH. The results show that the protein extract has the differences in protein content and composition for each sample. The SDS-PAGE analysis results show that biomarker protein candidates appeared below 50 kDa which were thought to be the protein fraction of actin. The precision and accuracy test results obtained for each sample have met the required standards, namely with a KV value <5% and a percent recovery value> 95%. The results of the linearity test and the toughness of the method also show that the test method is quite effective in testing the halalness of animal food products, especially in sausage products which are contaminated by pork.
Improving a procedure for determining the factors that influence the need of higher education institutions for specialists of the highest qualification
Authors: Maistrenko Oleksandr , Khoma Vitalii , Shcherba Andrii , Olshevskyi Yurii , Pereverzin Yurii , Popkov Oleh , Kornienko Alexander , Shatilo Oleksandr , Maneliyk Andriy
Published: March 2022

A method for calculation of coefficients of the impact of factors on the need for specialists of the highest qualification was proposed. The method is based on expert evaluation methods, in particular, on determining the importance, degree of realization, and tendency of factors that affect the need for highly qualified specialists. The method implements the unit of data reliability verification based on the Kendall coefficient of concordance and Pearson criterion. The method applies an original approach to determining the competence of experts, in particular, by taking into consideration self-evaluation, mutual evaluation, and objective evaluation. The proposed method makes it possible to take into account the influence of factors on the need for specialists of the highest qualification with the possibility of forecasting.
The totality of factors that influence the need for specialists of the highest qualification and the magnitude of their impact was determined. They were determined by calculating the indicators of each of the criteria regarding importance, realization, and tendency. Determining was carried out using the algorithm for calculating the coefficients of influence of the factors on the need for specialists of the highest qualification.
In general, the following groups of factors were determined: conditions of scientific and scientific-pedagogical activity at a certain institution of higher education, the attractiveness of scientific and scientific-pedagogical activity in a certain country (region), development of industry (speciality). A group of 30 experts was selected to determine the numerical values of the factors, which satisfies the condition for achieving a confidence probability of 0.94.
The results of the evaluation of expert judgments revealed that the most influential factors are: social protection (0.87), budget for higher education (0.99), remuneration (0.9), and prestige of scientific and pedagogical activities (0.91). The least influential are: the number of primary positions in the area (0.48) and self-realization opportunities at a higher education institution (0.58).