bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stationary structures of spin-orbit coupled polariton condensates in Bessel lattices
Authors: Chen Hai-Jun , Ren Yuan , Wang Hua ,   Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Space Engineering University, Beijing 101416, China,   Department of Basic Course, Space Engineering University, Beijing 101416, China,   State Key Laboratory of Laser Propulsion and its Application, Space Engineering University, Beijing 101416, China
Published: February 2022

Bessel optical lattice yields a non-spatially periodic column-symmetric optical lattice potential field, which has the characteristics of both infinite deep potential well and the ring-shaped potential well. A deep potential is formed in the center of the 0-order Bessel optical lattice. In the non-zero-order Beseel optical lattice, a ring-shaped shallow potential well with a central barrier can be formed. Exciton-polariton is a semi-light and semi-matter quasi-particle, which can achieve the Bose-Einstein condensate phase transition even at room temperature to form a polariton condensate. In addition, the polariton condensate is likely to realize sufficiently strong spin-orbit coupling due to the cavity-induced TE-TM splitting of the polariton energy levels. The polariton condensate can be realized at room temperature, and there can be spin-orbit coupling in it, which provides a new platform for the studying of quantum physics.

In this paper, the Bessel optical lattice is introduced into a polariton condensate. The stationary state structure of spinor two-component polariton condensate with spin-orbit coupling is investigated. By solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we first give a stationary state structures of the polariton condensate both in the laboratory coordinate frame and in the rotating coordinate frame. Owing to the introduction of the Bessel optical lattice, the stationary state structures of polariton condensate are diverse. We dispaly the stationary state structures of the basic Gaussian solitons and multipole solitons in the central deep potential well in the laboratory coordinate frame, and the ring solitons and multipole solitons in the central shallow potential well. We also dispaly the vortex ring soliton that exists in the rotating coordinate frame, and the stationary state structure of the component separation caused by the spin-orbit interaction. We analyze not only the influences of the spin-orbit coupling on the stationary state structures in the two coordinate frames, but also the stability of the multipole solitons in the rotating coordinate frame. It is found that the multipole solitons formed in the ring-shaped shallow potential well have better stability than in the central deep potential well, and they can maintain the relative structure and spatial distribution for a long time in the rotation process. In the rotating coordinate frame, even if the two-component separation conditions are not satisfied, the introduction of spin-orbit coupling can cause the two components to separate.
Estimation ofCoregonus ussuriensisage, growth, and maturation in China’s Amur River
Authors: Wang Jilong , Liu Wei , Li Peilun , Tang Fujiang , Lu Wanqiao
Published: February 2022

This study examined the age, growth, and maturation of 1,064Coregonus ussuriensisindividuals that were collected monthly from the middle section of the Amur River, China between 2016 and 2018. The fork length (FL) ranged from 14.9 to 49.1 cm for males and 21.5 to 58.8 cm for females, and the body weight (BW) ranged from 72.6 to 1,348.7 g for males and 107.9 to 2,854.9 g for females. The relationship of BW and FL was expressed as: BW♂= 0.0324 × FL2.708; BW♀= 0.014 × FL2.963. The sample ages ranged from 2 to 8 years for males and 2 to 9 years for females. We used the von Bertalanffy function based on otolith reading and observed FL data to simulateCoregonus ussuriensisgrowth, which has been suggested to be similar to that of other Salmonidae fishes. No significant difference in growth was determined between males and females. The monthly gonad somatic index (GSI) value ranged from 0.16% to 1.69% for males and from 0.73% to 16.15% for females, with a peak in November. Additionally, the reproductive staging suggested that theCoregonus ussuriensisspawning season was mainly in November and December. The size at maturity (FL50%) for males and females was 34.9 cm and 37.9 cm respectively, and the corresponding age (T50%) was 4.5 and 5.1, respectively. This study provides basic information for understanding the biological characteristics ofCoregonus ussuriensisand should aid in the assessment and management of fishery resources.
Distribution, ecological risk assessment and source identification of pollutants in soils of different land-use types in degraded wetlands
Authors: Han Yangyang , Wang Hongjie , Zhang Guangming , Zhang Shengqi , Liu Xingchun , Liu Ling
Published: February 2022

Background

Urbanization and global warming are generating ecological degradation and land pattern alteration problems in natural wetlands. These changes are greatly affecting the ecological services of wetlands. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the relationship between pollutants and land-use type for wetland restoration purposes. Zaozhadian Lake is a freshwater wetland in the North China Plain, which is facing degradation and land-use types changes. An experiment for analyzing soil pollutants was conducted in three land-use types of farmland, lake, and ditch in the Zaozhadian Lake. The aims of this study were to identify the distribution, pollution degree, and sources of pollutants in different land-use types, and to explore the influence of land-use type changes on contamination.

Methods

In this study, surface sediments (0–10 cm) of three land types (farmland, lake, and ditch) in Zaozhadian Lake were collected, and heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg), As, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and organic matter (OM) were determined. Kriging interpolation was used to visualize the pollutants distribution. The pollution degree of TN and TP was evaluated by the Nemerow pollution index. The pollution of heavy metals and As was evaluated by the geological accumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (RI). Then, dual hierarchical clustering analysis and the principal component analysis were performed to further analyze the impact of land type changes on pollutants.

Results

The heavy metal contents in the farmland were higher than other areas, while the TN (3.71 ± 1.03 g kg-1) and OM (57.17 ± 15.16 g kg−1) in lake sediments were higher than that in other regions. Farmland, lake, and ditches had low ecological risks, with RI values of 84.21, 71.34, and 50.78, respectively. The primary heavy metal pollutants are Pb, Cu, and Ni. Furthermore, Cu, As, Ni, Pb, and Zn were primarily derived from agriculture pollution, the source of Cd was the industrial pollution, and Cr mainly originated from natural sources. Nutrients primarily came from the decomposition of aquatic animals, plants, and human-related activities. When the lake area was converted into farmland, the heavy metal concentrations in the soils increased and the TN and OM decreased. Based on the results, this study put forward key strategies including the adjustment of the land-use type and restriction of the entry of pollutants into the wetland ecosystems in the Zaozhadian Lake. More attention should be paid to the impact of land-use type change on pollutants in wetlands.
Gut microbiota differences between paired intestinal wall and digesta samples in three small species of fish
Authors: Nyholm Lasse , Odriozola Iñaki , Martin Bideguren Garazi , Aizpurua Ostaizka , Alberdi Antton
Published: February 2022

The microbial gut communities of fish are receiving increased attention for their relevance, among others, in a growing aquaculture industry. The members of these communities are often split into resident (long-term colonisers specialised to grow in and adhere to the mucus lining of the gut) and transient (short-term colonisers originated from food items and the surrounding water) microorganisms. Separating these two communities in small fish are impeded by the small size and fragility of the gastrointestinal tract. With the aim of testing whether it is possible to recover two distinct communities in small species of fish using a simple sampling technique, we used 16S amplicon sequencing of paired intestinal wall and digesta samples from three small Cyprinodontiformes fish. We examined the diversity and compositional variation of the two recovered communities, and we used joint species distribution modelling to identify microbes that are most likely to be a part of the resident community. For all three species we found that the diversity of intestinal wall samples was significantly lower compared to digesta samples and that the community composition between sample types was significantly different. Across the three species we found seven unique families of bacteria to be significantly enriched in samples from the intestinal wall, encompassing most of the 89 ASVs enriched in intestinal wall samples. We conclude that it is possible to characterise two different microbial communities and identify potentially resident microbes through separately analysing samples from the intestinal wall and digesta from small species of fish. We encourage researchers to be aware that different sampling procedures for gut microbiome characterization will capture different parts of the microbiome and that this should be taken into consideration when reporting results from such studies on small species of fish.
Effects of starch sugar by-product on rumen in vitro digestibility, in situ disappearance rate, and milking productivity of the lactating dairy cow
Authors: Choi Yongjun , Kim Suhun , Lee Sangrak , Na Youngjun
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of starch sugar by-product (SSB) feeding on the rumen in-vitro digestibility, in situ disappearance rate, and lactating dairy cow.

Methods

To determine the rumen in vitro digestibility, 50 mL of the buffer-rumen fluid mixture was dispensed into a 125 mL serum bottle containing 0.5 g of dry matter (DM) of substrates. Nitrogen gas (N2, 99.9% pure) was flushed into the serum bottles and three replications were incubated at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h. To determine the in-situ disappearance rate, SSB was incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours in nylon bags (5 × 10 cm, 45*m pore size) placed within the ventral sac of two cannulated Holstein cows.. A total of sixteen Holstein Friesian cows (60.5 ± 20.4 months old, 706.8 ± 3.4 kg initial body wieght) fed experimental diets during the experimental periods. The treatments were basal diet (control) and 3.0% DM of SSB, with the diet formulated according to national research council (NRC) nutrient requirements of dairy cattle guideline. An experiment was conducted with a randomized block design for six weeks based on body weight.

Results

Soluble fraction (fraction a) of DM and crude protein (CP) was 28.99 and 11.92%DM, fraction b of DM and CP was 44.63 and 31.61% DM, and c value of DM and CP was 26.38 and 56.47%DM. As an increase SSB level in total mixed ration (TMR), there was a decrease in gas production at 0, 16, and 48 h (p < 0.05). As an increase SSB level in TMR, there was a decrease in acetate to propionate ratio at 8, 16, 24, and 48 h (p < 0.05). Dry matter intake, milk production, and milk composition did not differ between the treatments. All blood profile contents did not differ between treatments.

Conclusion

A diet containing 3.0% SSB could be fed to ruminants without adverse effects on rumen fermentation.
An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization with Multiple Strategies for PID Control System Design
Authors:   Department of Computer and Communication, Shu-Te University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Chang Wei-Der
Published: February 2022

In this paper, an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) with multiple subpopulations is developed for PID control system designs. The original single population needs to be divided into several subpopulations, and each subpopulation then tackles a corresponding performance index of the system. Under this proposed structure, several PID controllers can be simultaneously designed to meet different performance indexes when the algorithm is executed only one time. It is a great improvement because the general PSO algorithm with a single population can only deal with one performance index. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme, a complicated chemical nonlinear process called the continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is illustrated. Three different kinds of control operations are simulated including the step response control, set-point tracking control, and unstable equilibrium point control. For each control case five different performance indexes are assigned to guide the PID controller design combined with the nonlinear CSTR system. Simulation results will sufficiently confirm the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Diffusion Weighted Imaging on a 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Scanner as a Diagnostic Tool in Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Das Ruchira , Singh Archana , Saha Sudipta , Saha Shubham , Pal Dilip Kumar , Das Utpalendu , Karmakar Madan
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of prostate including Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) is greatly evolving as a diagnostic tool in prostate cancer. Incidence of prostate cancer in India is on rise with most of the cases been diagnosed in late stages. In this scenario, DWI imaging can pick up the cases at an earlier stage causing a significant impact in the patient management. Aim: To assess the role of DW-MRI as a non invasive initial investigation tool in prostate carcinoma prior to biopsy. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective observational study conducted during April 2014 to March 2015 in the Department of Radiodiagnosis in collaboration with Department of Urology in a hospital in Kolkata. A total of 34 patients with a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer underwent prostate DWI-MRI by a 3T scanner before Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies. IBM Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used for statistical analysis and the sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were determined. Results: All patients (100%) with biopsy proven adenocarcinoma showed diffusion restriction. A total of 95.8% were PI-RADS 5. False positive results were found in two patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 100% (95% CI=85.75% to 100.00%), 80% (95% CI=44.39% to 97.48%), 92.31% (95% CI=74.87% to 99.05%) and 100% (95% CI=63.06% to 100.00%) Conclusion: From the present study, it was noted that sensitivity of DWI is very high (100%). DWI also has a high specificity and positive predictive value. Hence, DWI is one of the most effective adjunct non invasive tools for initial investigation in prostate carcinoma which improves the diagnostic performance and helps in performing targeted biopsies from the suspicious prostatic lesion.
Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Tale of Two Cases with Unusual Presentation
Authors: Paridhi . , Kumar Varsha , Varma Kachnar , Verma Ritu , Misra Vatsala
Published: February 2022

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare soft tissue tumour, accounting for 3% of all childhood cancers. RMS can arise virtually anywhere in the body as it originates in embryonal mesenchyme. Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) are the most prevalent subtypes of RMS but arise through diverse biological mechanisms. RMS generally presents as an expanding mass that tends to be very painful and causes symptoms related to the compression of structures present nearby. Metastases of such tumours are common and can occur in bone, lungs and other organs leading to pain, difficulty with respiration, pleural effusion, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia. In this article, two unusual presentations of ERMS have been reported. First case is of a 28-year-old adult male who presented in surgical Out Patient Department (OPD) with recurrent episodes of painful acute urinary retention since one year. Another case was of a six-year-old girl presenting with aural fullness and serosanginous discharge from right ear, ear pain and decreased hearing since two years. Since five year survival rate of such tumour is less than 30%, therefore, an awareness of the typical signs and symptoms, radiological features, histomorphological features in a case of paediatric and adult ERMS can help a pathologist to consider this tumour in the differential diagnoses, even at unusual sites.
To Assess Knowledge of Glaucoma in General Practitioners, Resident Doctors and Interns in Anand District, Gujarat, India
Authors: Sisodia Sonal Dhruvpal , Jani Harsha Chetan , Parikh Anuja , Hingorani Priya Ishwar
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Glaucoma has been established as the second most leading cause of blindness after cataract, which is usually irreversible and accounts for 10.1% of total blindness worldwide. Glaucoma has affected 79.6 million people worldwide by 2020. The estimated prevalence of glaucoma for India is 12 million. The Government of India aims to reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25/1000 by 2025 and disease burden by one-third from current levels. In a developing country, like India, ‘physician of first contact’ may be a general practitioner, resident doctor or intern. Aim: To assess knowledge of glaucoma in general practitioners, resident doctors and interns, in Anand district, Gujarat and to identify the level of difference of knowledge in each group and to suggest remedial measures for the same. Materials and Methods: A descriptive semi-structured questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India, after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee between July-September 2017. Informed written consent was taken from 240 medical doctors comprising of interns (undergoing compulsory rotatory internship), 1st to 3rd year resident doctors (postgraduate students) working in different wards of all the clinical department and general practitioners practising in radius of 15 kilometers of the main hospital located in Anand district of Gujarat state (80 in each category) and a questionnaire was administered. Participants were inquired of about the knowledge of glaucoma, the sneak thief of sight. Residents of Ophthalmology were excluded to avoid bias. Cramer’s V association, Chi-square test and Fisher's-Exact tests were applied. Results: Respondents included general practitioners, residents, interns (80:80:80). Glaucoma knowledge was to be higher in residents as compared to interns and general practitioners. About 78.75% residents scored 7 and above, out of 10 whereas 61.25% interns and 50% general practitioners obtained the same score. Conclusion: The authors found that knowledge about glaucoma in multi-scale medical practitioners is not uniform and reasonably less than it shall be. Resident doctors (fresh graduates and completed compulsory rotatory internship) have better knowledge about various aspects of glaucoma as compared to general practitioners and interns which demands the need for frequent reorientation programme and internship in Ophthalmology guiding about various aspects of disease entities responsible for blindness.
Role of Immunohistochemical Expression of p53 in Intestinal Epithelial Cells to Detect Dysplasia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: George Neethu Elizabeth , Sarojini . , Thomas George
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has a genetic predisposition, in which patients are more prone to develop colorectal carcinoma. Dysplasia, a precursor of malignancy, can be very difficult to detect based on histopathological features alone. Tumour suppressor gene, p53, is overexpressed in IBD even when there is no histological evidence of dysplasia. Therefore, p53 can be used as a tissue biomarker for routine surveillance to initiate treatment for prevention of carcinoma. Aim: To identify the diagnostic utility of p53 immunohistochemistry in the detection of dysplasia in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional diagnostic study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India, from June 2016 to June 2018. Total 31 cases of intestinal biopsies in patients with chronic bloody diarrhoea were selected for the study. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining using anti p53 antibody was done in all the cases to detect the expressed protein. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Significance of p53 immunostains was done using Fischer’sexact test. Results: The age group of patients with IBD ranged from 15 years to 73 years with a bimodal age peak between 20-29 years and 60-69 years. Male predominance was seen among 20 cases while 11 cases were among females. Negative staining for p53 was seen in 28 cases which were negative for dysplasia histopathologically. Only one case which was histopathologically positive for dysplasia and one of the negative cases of dysplasia showed p53 positivity. Another case which was histopathologically positive for dysplasia showed negative staining for p53. Sensitivity of p53 in this study was 50% while the specificity was 96.55%. Conclusion: The finding of positive p53 expression in dysplasia positive case follows the fact that p53 mutations found in dysplastic mucosa precedes progression to neoplasia. In contrast, positive p53 expression in a case that was negative for dysplasia histopathologically, should be handled cautiously and warrants regular follow-up in order to prevent neoplastic progression. However, diagnosis of dysplasia should not be made in areas of active inflammation as inflammatory changes can lead to regenerative atypia which could result in over interpretation of histological features and attributing it to dysplasia.
Rhino-orbital Fungal Invasion in Post COVID-19 Cases at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in Hyderabad- A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Venkatesh BM Shanker , Bhavani P Ganga , Manjusha K , Sultana Sania
Published: February 2022

Introduction: In India, especially in Southern part of the country during the second wave of the pandemic there has been a sudden surge of rhino-orbital invasion by various fungi like Fusarium, Mucor, Aspergillus etc., in post Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. Several risk factors have been attributed like lowering of cell-mediated immunity by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), lymphopenia and associated reduction in CD4+ (Cluster of Differentiation) and CD8+ cell population, Steroid-induced hyperglycaemia, immunosuppression, and uncontrolled diabetes. Aim: To detect rhino-orbital fungal conquering post COVID-19 cases. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done at a tertiary eye care centre in Hyderabad, between May 2021 to June 2021 and the study subjects were post COVID-19 patients with fungal invasion reporting to Government SD Eye Hospital and Government ENT Hospital. The patients were evaluated for associated co-morbidities, location of fungal infection, use of steroids, oxygen therapy usage and microbiologically identified the causative fungi. Descriptive analysis was done and data was presented as numbers and percentages were calculated. Results: Overall, 470 cases of post COVID-19 suspected fungal invasion cases were referred from the Ophthalmology and ENT departments, of which 287 (61.06%) cases were culture positive for various fungal elements. Fusarium spp. was predominantly seen in 165 cases (57.49%) followed by Aspergillus spp. in 71 cases (24.74%), Mucor was isolated in 42 cases (14.64%) cases and other fungi like Candida spp. were isolated in 5 cases (1.74%) and Bipolaris spp. was seen in 4 cases (1.39%). Pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was present in 233 cases (81.18%) cases, corticosteroid intake for the treatment of COVID-19 was recorded in 203 (70.73%) cases and oxygen therapy was administered in 160 (55.74%) cases. Conclusion: As per the evaluation especially in post COVID-19 patients there seems to be a nexus between diabetes, imprudent use of steroids, decreased immune status, inappropriate use of oxygen therapy and invasion of fungi, therefore cautious and prudent use of the steroids and oxygen among the COVID-19 treatment protocol is advised.
Impact of School-based Online Oral Health Education Programme during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interventional Study in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aboubakr Rabaa Mahmoud , Tounsi Abrar
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Oral Health (OH) is essential to general health and quality of life. It is affected by the individual's experiences and perceptions. Aim: To evaluate the effect of online Oral Health Education (OHE) programme on OH knowledge level on school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This interventional cross-sectional study was conducted virtually on school students in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, between February 2021 and May 2021. The sample was based on non probability convenience sampling technique in which 489 students participated in the study. The electronic survey consisted of questions about demographics, school characteristics, and OH knowledge. Online OHE was conducted by dental students of Vision colleges via Zoom and Microsoft teams. Collected data were analysed using using IBM, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, IL, USA. Comparison of differences in the mean knowledge scores across different variables was done using independent t-test for two means and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for more than two means. Linear regression analysis was used to analyse the association between knowledge and other variables in a multivariate environment, and presented by β coefficients and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI). Significance level was set at p-value <0.05. Results: Online education had significantly increased the level of knowledge about OH compared to no education (β: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.89, p-value=0.04). Students in public schools had significantly higher level of knowledge about OH compared to private schools (β: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.10, 1.11, p-value=0.02). Compared to ‘1st to 3rd grade’, students in ‘middle to high grades’ had significantly lower knowledge about OH (β:-1.17, 95% CI:-1.87,-0.47, p-value=0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that the online health education programme increased the OH knowledge of school students. Students in public schools had higher level about OH compared to private schools’ students. Additionally, primary schools’ children had higher knowledge than middle and higher schools’ children.
Implementing a Fever Clinic for Managing Section COVID-19 Patients using Hydroxychloroquine Protocol- An Experience from a Primary Healthcare Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Otaibi Azzam F Al , Tourkmani Ayla M , Khogali Abuobieda , Khashan Ibrahim H Al , Yousef Attiat Yousef , Abdelaziz Alaa , Alreshaed Abdulrahman N , Sakkak Maher A Al
Published: February 2022

Introduction: During the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was limited information and evidence about therapeutic interventions for management of COVID-19 infections. Consequently, fever clinics were established in Saudi Arabia to provide supportive treatment for all COVID-19 patients as specialised clinics. During the early months of 2020, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was being used as part of the Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) protocol for management of COVID-19 infections. Aim: To report the experience with implementing fever clinic utilising the HCQ-based protocol for adults with mild and moderate symptoms of COVID-19, and provide further evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of HCQ. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in one of the primary healthcare centres in Saudi Arabia. All patients with suspected or confirmed COVID19 who visited the fever clinic and met the eligibility criteria of starting HCQ based protocol were included in the study. Beside supportive treatment, the intervention dose of HCQ was 400 mg twice a day for one day followed by 200 mg twice a day for another four days. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for data analyses. Results: A total of 108 patients with mean age of 36 years with Standard Deviation (SD) of 9.3 were included in the study. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 27.1 (SD 4.9). In addition, 73.1% of the patients were males and 25% were smokers. The study findings showed that the fever clinic was effective in managing the symptoms of COVID-19 and treating the patients regardless of the use of or completion of HCQ. In particular, on day 6, cough improved in >85% of the patients and fever was resolved in >83% of patients. However, there were no statistically significant differences among the patients who received/completed HCQ and those who did not start or complete the protocol in terms of negative conversion based on the Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab real-time Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) by day 14, and resolution/improvement of symptoms on day 6 (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study documented the experience of implementing a fever clinic to manage the suspected and confirmed COVID19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms during the initial phase of the pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The study findings revealed that the concept of fever clinics was useful for managing suspected and confirmed cases. At the same time, there were no additional benefits of HCQ compared to the supportive treatment in this study.
Severity of COVID-19 Disease in Vaccinated and Non Vaccinated COVID-19 Positive Cases: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sagi Padma Sravani , Kumar A Venkata Kalyan , Bhanu Sahila , Keerthi C , Neeraja D , Srinivasrao R , Durga T , Prasad BR Shyam
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccine was reported to be used in China, after the outbreak of Coronavirus. COVID-19 Vaccine requires validation of efficacy and adverse reactions as target vaccine population include high risk over the age of 60, medical frontline workers and people working in essential industries. After Spanish flu, COVID-19 pandemic is most devasting situation in the world. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in COVID-19 positive vaccinated cases compared to non vaccinated cases. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Super specialty hospital from July 2021 to September 2021. COVID-19 positive was confirmed by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test in vaccinated and non vaccinated patients, admitted in a government super specialty hospital. Severity of the disease was studied in 1423 non vaccinated and 601 vaccinated cases of all age group above 18 years. Patients were categorised based on symptoms and oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) in to MildSpO2 > 94%, Moderate- SpO2 <94%, Severe- SpO2 <90%. Patients were subdivided into three groups based on age-18- 44 years, 45-64 years and ≥65 years age. Data was collected and tabulated using Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0. The statistics of percentage was used. Results: A total of 2024 COVID-19 positive cases were studied, out of which, 1423 were non vaccinated and 601 were vaccinated. Among non vaccinated group of 1423 cases, 712 cases had mild symptoms, 510 patients were of moderate symptoms, 201 patients were of severe symptoms. In 601 vaccinated cases, mild cases were 352, moderate cases were 185 with SpO2 <94%-90%, 64 cases are severe with SpO2 <90%. In this study the vaccinated patients had less severe disease with mild symptoms, in the cases of present study from COVID-19 compared to non vaccinated cases. Conclusion: Vaccine Effectiveness was noted after two doses. Vaccinated people had less severe symptoms and disease compared to non vaccinated people. Finding would support the effort to maximize vaccine with two doses among vulnerable population.
PERCEPÇÃO DO RACISMO ESTRUTURAL NO ACESSO AO SERVIÇO PÚBLICO DE ABASTECIMENTO DE ÁGUA NO BAIRRO NEGRO RUA NOVA, EM FEIRA DE SANTANA, BAHIA
Authors: Santos Thiago Assunção dos , Moraes Luiz Roberto Santos , Larrea-Killinger Cristina
Published: February 2022

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a percepção da população do bairro Rua Nova a respeito da qualidade da prestação do serviço público de abastecimento de água sob a ótica do racismo estrutural. Para tanto, foi utilizada metodologia qualitativa buscando maior rigor técnico e empírico, e dentro dessa abordagem a Observação Participante como técnica de pesquisa, tendo-se recorrido aos instrumentos entrevista semiestruturada e dados secundários do IBGE. Como resultado, o bairro Rua Nova apresenta uma população de rendimento mensal baixo, com sua maioria percebendo até 2 salários-mínimos, e majoritariamente classificados pelo IBGE como de cor/raça negra. Os componentes do saneamento básico pesquisados estão praticamente universalizados em termos de cobertura, o abastecimento de água com 96,99% e esgotamento sanitário com 95,27%. Entretanto, a percepção dos moradores do bairro negro Rua Nova quanto à qualidade do serviço público prestado pela concessionária estadual foi central nessa pesquisa tendo se revelado desigual, por privar a população do direito à água com regularidade e quantidade suficiente, colocando em risco a saúde dessas pessoas. Tal ato é compreendido como discriminatório à população negra submetida ao racismo estrutural.
BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS ABOUT GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT:
Authors: Prado Nágela Bianca do , Moraes Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de
Published: February 2022

This study aims to present a bibliometric overview about the relationship between GSCM and environmental sustainability in academic articles indexed on Web of Science and Scopus databases, between 2000 and 2020. For this, it was used the  bibliometric analysis procedure combining a quantitative and a qualitative approach, reporting the main findings through   bibliometric indicators and VOSviewer software. In relation to the findings, it was possible to confirm and identify that (a) in the last twenty years the theme has gained relevance, with an increasing number of studies; (b) the main research authors on the topic are American and Chinese, with a special focus on Joseph Sarkis and Syed Khan; (c) the main countries whose universities focus their research on GCSV and sustainability are the United States and China; (d) the Journal of Cleaner Production is the journal that most indexes subjects related to the theme; (e) the manufacturing sector is the most investigated; (f) the effectiveness of implementing GCSV faces numerous barriers, which become more complex according to the region; and (g) recent research is studying the relationship between GSCM and information technology. Finally, the originality of the study lies in providing a broad and in-depth overview about the GSCM framework, combining a mixed analysis methodology, contributing to future research on the theme.
Mulher, escolarização e tendências em curso
Authors: Pereira Ana Cristina Furtado , Favaro Neide de Almeida Lança Galvão , Semzezem Priscila
Published: February 2022

Este estudo, de natureza qualitativa, por intermédio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, objetiva analisar o processo histórico de acesso da mulher à escolarização, especialmente ao Ensino Superior no Brasil, levando em conta suas contradições e as tendências em curso. Constata-se que o acesso feminino à escolarização e ao Ensino Superior esteve diretamente relacionado à expansão do capital e seus desdobramentos: urbanização, ingresso da mulher na exploração capitalista e conversão da educação em mercadoria. As desigualdades permanecem nas escolhas profissionais e nos rendimentos das mulheres, mas tendem a se reduzir. Preconiza-se que a luta pela emancipação feminina ultrapassa a questão identitária, demandando sua articulação com um projeto societal mais amplo.
Violência e a práxis da psicologia: contribuições de Ignácio Martín-Baró
Authors: Lins e Silva Costa Mariana , Mari Shima Barroco Sonia
Published: February 2022

A violência é um dos grandes problemas brasileiros e uma importante questão para a Psicologia como ciência e profissão. Diante disso, o presente texto, tem como objetivo expor, do ponto de vista psicológico, a explicação psicossocial de Martín-Baró para a violência, e, refletir criticamente sobre o papel da Psicologia em relação ao enfrentamento às condições que promovem violência social.  A violência precisa ser compreendida como um fenômeno psicossocial, quando assumimos os pressupostos da constituição social do psiquismo e da unidade dialética sujeito-sociedade com propósito de superar as dicotomias comumente atribuídas a essa relação. Conclui-se que a obra de Martín-Baró sobre violência contém explicações importantes que precisam ser apropriadas pela Psicologia, e que sob a perspectiva histórico-dialética, presente na delimitação do seu objeto e da sua metodologia, assume caráter ético e político.
Representatividad de los pueblos ribereños em el presupuesto público: um análisis desde la perspectiva de la gestión participativa
Authors: Silva Rayane de Lima , Mendonça Junior João Paulo Vasconcelos , Barros Jones Nogueira , Nebot Carmen Pineda , Sobrinho Mario Vasconcellos
Published: February 2022

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar el nivel de gestión participativa de ciudades ribereñas en lo que respecta a la planificación y ejecución de los gastos públicos, clasificando posteriormente las ciudades según la escala de participación social establecida por Airnstein (2019), de modo que este análisis pueda servir para reflexionar sobre la situación social de estos municipios. La investigación fue realizada en ciudades de la Isla de Marajó, en el estado de Para, lugar que tiene la mayor concentración de pueblos ribereños y los menores Índices de Desarrollo de Brasil. La metodología utilizada fue el análisis documental y entrevistas semiestructuradas a líderes políticos de los municipios, por medio del análisis de contenido. Entre las conclusiones del estudio podemos destacar que no existe conciencia, por parte de la administración, del poder ciudadano. Hay baja o ninguna representatividad popular institucionalizada. El nivel de participación social, según la escala aplicada, se concentra en el nivel de manipulación, información y consulta. Ninguno de los municipios analizados mantiene el ideal de gestión participativa basado en el control ciudadano.
Transforming Educators in the United States and South Africa: An International Collaboration to Enhance Culturally Responsive Inclusive Practices
Authors: Jez Rebekka J. , Hauth Clara M. , Ramers Lauren H.
Published: February 2022

This qualitative exploratory case study addresses constructs of educational inequity on a global scale through an iterative analysis of the cultural experiences of 61educators from South Africa and the United States. The project provided an online and in-person network for educators to discuss cross-cultural challenges, educational system assets, and inclusive strategies for supporting culturally and linguistically diverse learners. A shared professional development process, designed from an adapted Changemaking process, increased the knowledge, understanding, and application of innovative, culturally responsive inclusive practices of new teachers while also serving as an opportunity for veteran teachers to receive additional teacher training. Educators exchanged ideas on increasing positive classroom management, motivating learners using empathy, collaborating effectively, linking learning and postsecondary transition experiences, and improving partnership with families. This global and cultural exchange exposed them to unique and diverse educational perspectives, a critical aspect in supporting all learners within the K-12 educational system. Results of this project indicate that using the adapted Changemaking process increased educators' awareness of culturally responsive inclusive practices, allowed participants to make comparisons between global contexts, developed empathy, and inspired collaborative engagement and leadership within their individual educational settings.
Improving dryland seedling recruitment using fungicide seed coatings
Authors: Hoose Benjamin W. , Geary Bradley D. , Richardson William C. , Petersen Steven L. , Madsen Matthew D.
Published: February 2022

The success of seed‐based restoration in dryland regions of the world is often low or sporadic, with most mortality occurring between germination and emergence. Fungal pathogenesis is one process that may reduce seedling emergence and limit restoration success.

Our objective was to determine whether fungicide seed coatings constitute an economically viable strategy for increasing emergence by reducing fungal pathogenesis and mortality.

We performed an experiment across two sites and three years, using bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) as a model species. We found that fungicide coatings increased germination by 8.8% and emergence by 54.0% on average compared to the control. A cost analysis indicated that the fungicide coating was economically viable with an average estimated effective cost reduction of 18.8% under the study conditions.

There was a strong interaction (P < 0.001) between the effects of the fungicide coating, site and year on emergence. The fungicide coating increased emergence compared to the control in five of the six sites and years, with the effect ranging from a 33.7% decrease (P = 0.042) to a 150.9% increase (P = 0.004).

The observed interaction was likely related to the effect of the hydrothermal microsite environment on disease severity. In the site and year that the fungicide coating performed worse than the control, prolonged periods of exceptionally low soil moisture may have reduced disease severity through a variety of individual and community scale mechanisms.

Overall, these results indicate that fungicide seed coatings have the potential to improve dryland restoration efforts.
Mechanical Activation of Immune T Cells via a Water Driven Nanomotor
Authors: Xie Dazhi , Fu Dongmei , Fu Shaoming , Chen Bin , He Weidong , Wilson Daniela A. , Peng Fei
Published: February 2022

As a key step during immune response, antigen recognition requires direct mechanical interaction between T cells and antigen presenting cells. Upon subjection to mechanical forces, mechanotransduction is triggered. In this study, the mechanical forces generated by water driven synthetic Au‐Zn nanomotors are used to activate mechanosensitive Jurkat T cells. The triggering and activation of the cellular Ca2+ channel is observed. It is revealed that the mechanosensitive cells experience different degrees of activation upon receiving different mechanical input signals and demonstrate that external mechanical forces can optimize T cell activation. Compared with T cell activation with cytokines which can lead to the risky widespread activation of T cells and systemic immune storm, nanomotors can present mechanical force and achieve localized immune cell stimulation. It is expected that mechano nanomotors will contribute to the emerging T cell immunology field and facilitate more comprehensive understanding of the T cell mechanical response and function.
Quasi‐1D Electronic Transport in a 2D Magnetic Semiconductor
Authors: Wu Fan , Gutiérrez‐Lezama Ignacio , López‐Paz Sara A. , Gibertini Marco , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , von Rohr Fabian O. , Ubrig Nicolas , Morpurgo Alberto F.
Published: February 2022

Electronic transport through exfoliated multilayers of CrSBr, a 2D semiconductor of interest because of its magnetic properties, is investigated. An extremely pronounced anisotropy manifesting itself in qualitative and quantitative differences of all quantities measured along the in‐plane a and b crystallographic directions is found. In particular, a qualitatively different dependence of the conductivities σa and σb on temperature and gate voltage, accompanied by orders of magnitude differences in their values (σb/σa ≈ 3 × 102 to 105 at low temperature and negative gate voltage) are observed, together with a different behavior of the longitudinal magnetoresistance in the two directions and the complete absence of the Hall effect in transverse resistance measurements. These observations appear not to be compatible with a description in terms of conventional band transport of a 2D doped semiconductor. The observed phenomenology—and unambiguous signatures of a 1D van Hove singularity detected in energy‐resolved photocurrent measurements—indicate that electronic transport through CrSBr multilayers is better interpreted by considering the system as formed by weakly and incoherently coupled 1D wires, than by conventional 2D band transport. It is concluded that CrSBr is the first 2D semiconductor to show distinctly quasi‐1D electronic transport properties.
Facile, Real‐Time Identification of Blood Components with Self‐Powered Organic–Inorganic Heterostructure Photodetectors
Authors: Park Taehyun , Kim Daekwan , Shin Bongguen , Hur Jaehyun , Yoo Hocheon
Published: February 2022

A rapid and efficient opto‐electrical method for the determination of blood components is demonstrated through a tin oxide (SnO2) quantum dot (QD) fluorene copolymer heterojunction photodetector (FP‐PD). The photo‐active materials, the device structure, and the sensing system are carefully designed to provide miniaturization at a low cost. SnO2 QDs are synthesized with a one‐step solvothermal reaction and a photodetector, and then fabricated in a simple sequential spin‐coating process. Under optimal conditions, the SnO2 QD/FP‐PD shows remarkable responsivity, detectability, fast responses, and stability under self‐powered operation. In this research, optical characteristics of blood components, and interactions between the photodetector and blood components from illuminating two different wavelengths of ultraviolet light, are systemically investigated. Furthermore, three different blood component mixtures are successfully determined by the SnO2 QD/FP‐PD based on specific absorption phenomena, which provides a simple and efficient technique for emergency medical care and health monitoring systems.
Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐Based Neural Interfaces for Recording and Stimulation: Fundamental Aspects and In Vivo Applications
Authors: Bianchi Michele , De Salvo Anna , Asplund Maria , Carli Stefano , Di Lauro Michele , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Stieglitz Thomas , Fadiga Luciano , Biscarini Fabio
Published: February 2022

Next‐generation neural interfaces for bidirectional communication with the central nervous system aim to achieve the intimate integration with the neural tissue with minimal neuroinflammatory response, high spatio‐temporal resolution, very high sensitivity, and readout stability. The design and manufacturing of devices for low power/low noise neural recording and safe and energy‐efficient stimulation that are, at the same time, conformable to the brain, with matched mechanical properties and biocompatibility, is a convergence area of research where neuroscientists, materials scientists, and nanotechnologists operate synergically. The biotic–abiotic neural interface, however, remains a formidable challenge that prompts for new materials platforms and innovation in device layouts. Conductive polymers (CP) are attractive materials to be interfaced with the neural tissue and to be used as sensing/stimulating electrodes because of their mixed ionic‐electronic conductivity, their low contact impedance, high charge storage capacitance, chemical versatility, and biocompatibility. This manuscript reviews the state‐of‐the‐art of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐based neural interfaces for extracellular recording and stimulation, focusing on those technological approaches that are successfully demonstrated in vivo. The aim is to highlight the most reliable and ready‐for‐clinical‐use solutions, in terms of materials technology and recording performance, other than spot major limitations and identify future trends in this field.