bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbiosis of cardiology and endocrinology
Authors: Verbovoy A. F. , Verbovaya N. I. , Dolgikh Yu. A.
Published: October 2020

In medical practice, there are often patients who have several diseases at once, both pathogenetically related to each other and not related. The article discusses endocrine diseases in which there are manifestations from the cardiovascular system - disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, pathology of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and acromegaly. These diseases reduce the quality of life of patients and increase the risks of cardiovascular complications. The article also discusses the features of cardiovascular manifestations in these diseases and indications for differential diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly increases the cardiovascular risks, which leads to a more rapid progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, vascular disorders are detected already at the stage of prediabetes. Therefore, it is necessary to identify disorders of carbohydrate metabolism as early as possible and initiate appropriate therapy. When prescribing antihyperglycemic therapy, preference should be given to drugs with a low risk of hypoglycemia (metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, type 2 sodium glucose co-transporter inhibitors). Thyroid dysfunctions - thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism - also have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system. Hypothyroidism often has a blurred clinical picture and manifestations from various organs, and therefore it is diagnosed late. Therefore, an active diagnosis of this condition should be carried out in persons with a combination of a wide variety of diseases, especially in old age. Adrenal pathology (pheochromocytoma, hyperaldosteronism and hypercorticism) is manifested by an increase in blood pressure. Differential diagnosis is worthwhile in case of severe arterial hypertension or resistance to antihypertensive therapy. In acromegaly, lesions of the cardiovascular system are quite common and are the main cause of death in these patients. Therefore, early detection of this pathology is especially important. Thus, such patients should be monitored jointly by a cardiologist and an endocrinologist, and timely diagnosis and treatment of endocrine pathology will help reduce their cardiovascular risks.
Evaluating the hydrologic and water quality performance of novel infiltrating wet retention ponds
Authors: Baird Joshua B. , Winston Ryan J. , Hunt William F.
Published: October 2020

Wet retention ponds temporarily store and slowly release stormwater to mitigate peak flow rates and remove particulate-bound pollutants. However, with sandy underlying soils, wet retention ponds may provide additional benefits through infiltration, thereby recharging groundwater and supporting baseflow in streams. Current design guidance often requires lining wet ponds to prevent infiltration; however, modern stormwater management strategies recommend maximizing runoff volume reduction through infiltration. Two infiltrating wet retention ponds in Fayetteville, NC, USA, were monitored for one year to assess volume reduction, peak flow mitigation, and water quality. In some months, 100% of stormwater runoff infiltrated and evaporated, with cumulative annual volume reductions of 60 and 51% for the two ponds. For events up to 76 mm (equivalent to the local 1-yr, 24-hr storm), measured peak flow reductions were similar to those of typical (non-infiltrating) wet ponds (median 99% reduction). Dissolved nitrogen species, total and dissolved phosphorus, and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations were significantly reduced in both ponds; mean percent reductions were greater than 30% for each of these pollutants. Effluent concentrations were on par with typical (non-infiltrating) wet ponds previously monitored in North Carolina. Due to the aforementioned runoff reduction, nutrient and TSS loads were reduced by (at minimum) 35 and 67%, respectively. Infiltrating wet ponds were able to meet both peak flow and volume mitigation goals, suggesting that they could be a common tool in regions with sandy soils.
Characteristics of free and submerged hydraulic jumps over different macroroughnesses
Authors: Ghaderi Amir , Dasineh Mehdi , Aristodemo Francesco , Ghahramanzadeh Ali
Published: October 2020

The present study deals with numerical simulations of the free and submerged hydraulic jumps over different shapes of roughness in various roughness arrangements and different Froude number conditions. The models were studied using three roughness shapes, i.e. triangular, square and semi-oval for 0.2 < T/I < 0.5, where T and I are height and distance of roughness, respectively. The results showed that the numerical model is fairly well able to simulate the free and submerged jump characteristics. The effect of roughness plays a role in the reduction of the relative maximum velocity which is greater in the submerged jump. The thickness of the boundary layer for both free and submerged jumps decreases with increasing the distance between the roughnesses. Triangular macroroughness has a significant effect on the length of the jump and shortest length with respect to the other shapes. The reduction in the submerged depth ratio and tailwater depth ratio depends mainly on the space of the roughnesses. The highest shear stress and energy loss in both jumps occur in a triangular macroroughness (TR) with T/I = 0.50 compared to other ratios and modes. The numerical results were compared with previous studies and relationships with good correlation coefficients were presented for the mentioned parameters.
Cost-benefit analysis of point-of-use devices for health risks reduction from pathogens in drinking water
Authors: Verhougstraete Marc , Reynolds Kelly A. , Pearce-Walker Jennifer , Gerba Charles
Published: October 2020

Microbial contamination of drinking water post-municipal treatment is difficult to predict as a risk factor for human health. One method to reduce morbidity or mortality from unpredictable exposures is through point-of-use (POU) treatment devices. The goal of this project was to assess the cost-benefit of POU water treatment at the tap in terms of protection from microbes in drinking water. This project estimated: (1) incidence of acute illness (AI), sequela, and mortality associated with waterborne pathogens; (2) illness reduction rates from using POU devices; and (3) healthcare cost reductions associated with POU devices. Infection rates and costs associated with 10 of the most common waterborne pathogens were identified and used to calculate national annual costs. We estimated 9M AI, 0.6M sequela, and 1,400 mortality cases that occur annually in the USA from these pathogens. The greatest cost-benefit was seen when considering the totality of disease burden reduction (AI, sequela, and mortality) including all pathogens at a national level and applying a 35% infection reduction, resulting in a total cost per averted disease case of $1,815. This study suggests that it is cost-beneficial to prevent water-related illness using POU devices.
Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in anaerobically digested gelatin industry wastewater
Authors: Blanco G. C. , Stablein M. J. , Tommaso G.
Published: October 2020

This work aimed to study the effect of using anaerobically digested gelatin industry wastewater as a culture medium for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in bubble column photobioreactors (PBRs). Batch experiments were carried out to determine the growth kinetics by inoculating microalgae in wastewater prepared with different dilutions and supplemented with Bold's Basal Medium (BBM). From the values of the saturation constants (KS = 50.25 mgN-NH4+·L−1) and substrate inhibition (KI = 28.12 mgN-NH4+·L−1) obtained in the adjustment to the Andrews kinetic model (R2 = 0.817), the PBRs achieved specific maximum growth rates (μmax) of 0.343 d−1, biomass productivity of 0.141 g·L−1·d−1, lipid content of 12.45%, lipid productivity of 17.63 mg·L−1·d−1 and instantaneous ammoniacal nitrogen consumption rates of 20.06 and 14.22 mg·L−1·d−1. The addition of wastewater to the culture medium provided an increase in biomass productivity of 57.45% in relation to the negative control. The results obtained demonstrate the high efficiency of C. vulgaris in the removal of nitrogenous compounds and the potential of using anaerobically digested gelatin industry wastewater in the production of microalgae biomass.
Educação escolar indígena
Authors: Bayer Mariana Ferreira , Florentino Oséias Poty Miri , Orzechowski Suzete Terezinha
Published: October 2020

Este trabalho tem como tema de pesquisa a gestão na escola indígena, a participação da coletividade e a autonomia dentro da realidade do território. A pesquisa é bibliográfica, documental e de campo, com estudos teóricos, estudos da legislação, levantamento e análise de dados empíricos sobre o trabalho pedagógico na gestão escolar em duas escolas indígena, sendo uma Guarani e outra Kaingang, localizadas dentro do município da Mangueirinha/Paraná, próximas ao Campus Avançado de Chopinzinho. O objetivo foi discutir a gestão democrática e identificar como ocorre a participação indígena na gestão escolar desde a construção do Projeto Político Pedagógico, identificando os sujeitos indígenas envolvidos no processo, os limites e as possibilidades de avanços que precisam ser construídas pelas escolas indígenas na gestão escolar tendo foco a Educação Escolar Indígena.
As intervenções estatais na Educação Escolar Indígena
Authors: Freire Arthur Ramalho
Published: October 2020

O presente artigo busca analisar a bibliografia sobre os processos de construção de intervenções estatais acerca da educação para as populações indígenas no território, hoje, chamado Brasil. Através da análise bibliográfica da história, começando com as missões jesuíticas que foram os primeiros responsáveis pela educação para as populações indígenas, depois com a Proclamação da República. A manutenção da educação tem como órgão responsável pela constituição e uniformização de uma política de estado o Serviço de Proteção aos Índios (SPI), o qual mantinha uma educação baseada nos ideais positivistas e evolucionistas. Em 1967, é fundada a Fundação Nacional do Índio (FUNAI), o então órgão oficial responsável em auxiliar na construção da Educação Escolar das populações indígenas.
Homem, águas, fronteiras e palavras
Authors: Costa Borges Welligton
Published: October 2020

O texto que se segue busca analisar as possibilidades conferidas pela narrativa literária a partir de um escritor que aqui defendemos como um exemplo do que Stuart Hall chama de “individuo fragmentado”. Em primeiro lugar, lista-se a necessidade da discussão de identidade, envolvendo e partindo de um ponto central, a saber, a pessoa do angolano José Eduardo Agualusa, escritor de ampla circulação pelos países lusófonos e em uma gama extensa de países e línguas. O objetivo central é o de analisar o escritor enquanto sujeito, sobretudo como um sujeito múltiplo a partir de sua experiência de descentramento identitário, que é também territorial, transnacional. Trata-se de perceber como sua obra faz um movimento que é, de certa forma, um espelho convexo de sua própria experiência.
Letras que subvertem
Authors: Giron Ferreira Larissa Cristhina
Published: October 2020

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as experiências femininas durante momentos das Reformas Religiosas no século XVI. Nesse sentido, as trajetórias de Jeanne de Jussie e Marie Dentière, uma freira e uma adepta do protestantismo calvinista, respectivamente, nortearão as observações sobre o quadro em questão. São levados em conta os artifícios que essas personagens utilizaram para refletir sobre o seu meio, sobretudo a leitura e a escrita. Há também destaque para as discussões das relações entre gênero. Ainda, todos estes pontos estão inseridos em um recorte que compreende parte da Europa francófona no século XVI, espaço que viveu os impactos do poder de circulação de ideias viabilizado pela utilização da imprensa.
Catábase permanente na escrita romanesca do Memorial de Aires
Authors: De Paula Neto Marcos Eustáquio , Silva Junior Augusto Rodrigues da
Published: October 2020

Nossa proposta analisa o Memorial de Aires (1908), de Machado de Assis, tendo em vista a mundividência cínica expressa no diário do diplomata narrador. A catábase – “viagens aos infernos” e procura pela abedoria – permite a composição do manuscrito enquanto proscrito e anotador da atualidade viva. Fruto de tarefa diária e filosófica, a escrita do conselheiro é facultada pela catábase e editada em forma de romance-diário. Por intermédio da crítica tanatográfica, interpretamos o insulamento como estratégia de criação da obra que, embora estoica, revela-se cínica e irônica. Esses encontros teóricos, fomentados pela polifonia e pelos problemas de poética recebem o aporte dos seguintes estudiosos: Bakhtin, Bachelard, Branham e Goulet-Cazé; Bosi, Paulo Bezerra e Augusto Silva Junior.
Guiando os viajantes, ensinando os transeuntes
Authors: Jobim Khalil
Published: October 2020

Nosso objetivo nesse artigo é analisar algumas maneiras de percorrer a cidade de Natal no começo do século XX propostas por intelectuais natalenses nesse período, problematizando de que maneira o porto de Natal passou a integrar tais itinerários de viagem no espaço citadino propostos por um desses autores, Manoel Dantas. Do ponto de vista teórico, nos guiaremos pelas reflexões de autores como Michel de Certeau e Franco Moretti, que analisam essas maneiras de percorrer a cidade por meio das palavras, usando os mapas construídos por elas como ferramentas analíticas. Tomaremos como fontes alguns artigos publicados no jornal A república, bem como a obra “Natal daqui a cinquenta anos”, de Manoel Dantas.
The Problem of Regional Inequality in Social and Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Authors: Bondarenko N. E. , Gubarev R. V.
Published: October 2020

Today’s social and economic development of Russian regions is characterized by extreme unevenness and depends on many factors affecting the potential possibilities of the territory. Proceeding from this fact, the article studies key economic trends, which research theoretical foundations of regional growth and territorial development, reveals their main idea and identifies factors influencing the development of regions in order to use them in the analysis of Russian regional inequality. The authors investigate differentiation of Russian regions’ inequality by a number of social and economic parameters and distinguish groups of regions, which gives an opportunity to discover key factors of their development and find reasons for their backwardness. On the basis of the comparative analysis they came to the conclusion that territorial polarization of Russian regions goes on rising, mainly in wages, investment budget revenues, while investment concentration is still observed in regions with max competitive advantages, i. e. high agglomeration and rich in raw materials. According to the authors, these problems can be resolved by complex measures of state policy, which have both general regional and selective nature. For each group of regions lines of selective regional policy were put forward, which could effectively smooth regional disproportions and promote the development of economy as a whole.
Iontophoretic Mediated Intraarticular Delivery of Deformable Liposomes of Diclofenac Sodium
Authors: Vanaja Kenchappa , S. Salwa , Murthy S. Narasimha , Shivakumar H.N.
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

Topical therapy is ineffective in case of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) as it is not able to maintain
therapeutic levels of drug in the affected joint due to its inability to surpass the dermal circulation and penetrate into deeper
tissues. One of the approaches to enhance deep tissue penetration of drugs is to increase drug delivery much above the dermal clearance. The objective of the present work was to formulate negatively charged deformable liposomes (DL) of diclofenac sodium (DS) using biosurfactants and target the same to the synovial fluid by application of iontophoresis.

Methods:

Deformable liposomes loaded with diclofenac sodium were formulated and characterized for surface morphology,
particle size distribution, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. In vitro permeation of the diclofenac from aqueous solution, conventional liposomes, and deformable liposomes under iontophoresis was performed using Franz diffusion cells and
compared to passive control. Intraarticular microdialysis was carried out to determine the time course of drug concentration
in the synovial fluid at the knee-joint region of hind limb in Sprague Dawley rats.

Results:

The vesicles were found to display a high entrapment (> 60%) and possess a negative zeta
potential lower than -30 mV. The size of the vesicles was varied from 112.41 ± 1.42 nm and 154.6
± 3.22 nm, demonstrated good stability on the application of iontophoresis. The iontophoretic flux
values for the DS aqueous solution, conventional liposomes and deformable liposomal formulation
were found to be 7.55 ± 0.42, 16.75±1.77and 44.01 ± 3.47 μg/ cm2 h-1, respectively. Deformable liposomes
were found to display an enhancement of 5.83 fold compared to passive control. Iontophoresis
was found to enhance the availability of DS deformable liposomes (0.56 ± 0.08 μg.h/ml)
in the synovial fluid by nearly 2-fold over passive delivery (0.29 ± 0.05 μg.h/ml).

Conclusions:

Results obtained indicate that iontophoretic mediated transport of deformable liposomes could improve the
regional bioavailability of diclofenac sodium to the synovial joints, an efficient mode for treating MSD in elderly.
Aortic Dissection: A Review of the Pathophysiology, Management and Prospective Advances
Authors: Sayed Ahmed , Munir Malak , Bahbah Eshak I.
Published: October 2020

:

Aortic dissection is an emergent medical condition, generally affecting the elderly, characterized
by a separation of the aortic wall layers and subsequent creation of a pseudolumen that
may compress the true aortic lumen. Predisposing factors mediate their risk by either increasing tension
on the wall or by causing structural degeneration. They include hypertension, atherosclerosis,
and a number of connective tissue diseases. If it goes undetected, aortic dissection carries a significant
mortality risk; therefore, a high degree of clinical suspicion and a prompt diagnosis are required
to maximize survival chances. Imaging methods, most commonly a CT scan, are essential
for diagnosis; however, several studies have also investigated the effect of several biomarkers to
aid in the detection of the condition. The choice of intervention varies depending on the type of dissection,
with open surgical repair remaining of choice in those with type. In dissections, however,
the role of conventional open surgery has considerably diminished in complicated type B dissections,
with endovascular repair, a much less invasive technique, proving to be more effective. In uncomplicated
type B dissections, where medical choice reigned supreme as the optimal intervention,
endovascular repair is being explored as a viable option which may reduce long- term mortality outcomes,
although the ideal intervention in this situation is far from settled.
Cardiac Complications Attributed to Hydroxychloroquine: A Systematic Review of the Literature Pre-COVID-19
Authors: Fram Georgi , Wang Dee D. , Malette Kelly , Villablanca Pedro , Kang Guson , So Kent , Basir Mir B. , Khan Arfaat , McKinnon John E. , Zervos Marcus , O’Neill William W.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Hydroxychloroquine has been used for rheumatological diseases for many
decades and is considered a safe medication. With the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been an increase
in reports associating cardiotoxicity with hydroxychloroquine. It is unclear if the cardiotoxic
profile of hydroxychloroquine is previously underreported in the literature or is it a manifestation
of COVID-19 and therapeutic interventions. This manuscript evaluates the incidence of cardiotoxicity
associated with hydroxychloroquine prior to the onset of COVID-19.

Methods:

PubMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for keywords derived from
MeSH terms prior to April 9, 2020. Inclusion eligibility was based on appropriate reporting of cardiac
conditions and study design.

Results:

A total of 69 articles were identified (58 case reports, 11 case series). The majority (84%)
of patients were female, with a median age of 49.2 (range 16-92) years. 15 of 185 patients with cardiotoxic
events were in the setting of acute intentional overdose. In acute overdose, the median ingestion
was 17,857 ± 14,873 mg. 2 of 15 patients died after acute intoxication. In patients with
long-term hydroxychloroquine use (10.5 ± 8.9 years), new onset systolic heart failure occurred in
54 of 155 patients (35%) with median cumulative ingestion of 1,493,800 ± 995,517 mg. The majority
of patients improved with the withdrawal of hydroxychloroquine and standard therapy.

Conclusions:

Millions of hydroxychloroquine doses are prescribed annually. Prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic, cardiac complications attributed to hydroxychloroquine were uncommon.
Further studies are needed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system to
understand the presence or absence of potential medication interactions with hydroxychloroquine
in this new pathophysiological state.
Applications of Poly(caprolactone)-based Nanofibre Electrospun Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Zhang Wei , Weng Tingting , Li Qiong , Jin Ronghua , You Chuangang , Wu Pan , Shao Jiaming , Xia Sizhan , Yang Min , Han Chunmao , Wang Xingang
Published: October 2020

Diseases, trauma, and injuries are highly prevalent conditions that lead to many critical
tissue defects. Tissue engineering has great potentials to develop functional scaffolds that mimic natural
tissue structures to improve or replace biological functions. In many kinds of technologies,
electrospinning has received widespread attention for its outstanding functions, which is capable of
producing nanofibre structures similar to the natural extracellular matrix. Amongst the available
biopolymers for electrospinning, poly (caprolactone) (PCL) has shown favorable outcomes for tissue
regeneration applications. According to the characteristics of different tissues, PCL can be modified
by altering the functional groups or combining with other materials, such as synthetic polymers,
natural polymers, and metal materials, to improve its physicochemical, mechanical, and biological
properties, making the electrospun scaffolds meet the requirements of different tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine. Moreover, efforts have been made to modify nanofibres with
several bioactive substances to provide cells with the necessary chemical cues and a more in vivo
like environment. In this review, some recent developments in both the design and utility of electrospun
PCL-based scaffolds in the fields of bone, cartilage, skin, tendon, ligament, and nerve are
highlighted, along with their potential impact on future research and clinical applications.
Simulation of Bronchial Airflow in COPD Patients
Authors: Salcedo-Hernandez L.F. , Torres-Sanmiguel C.R. , Urriolagoitia-Sosa G. , Torres-San Miguel G.P. , Aguilar-Perez L.A. , Urriolagoita-Calderon G.
Published: October 2020

Aim:

This research tackles the problem of assessing airflow inside both a healthy and a COPD bronchus ramification, by a Finite Element Method (FEM) computational mode.

Background:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is considered the third leading cause of death worldwide, smoking being the most common risk factor. In the case of emphysema, the appearance of bullae in the upper and middle lobes is frequent.

Objective:

Bullae tend to increase their size progressively with time, severely clogging bronchi. In this research, bullae with different sizes are modelled as semi-spheres located at the internal wall of a 3D tomographic-based bronchi model.

Methods:

Several numerical analyses were performed by applying fluid interaction focused on the behaviour of flow through a fifth generations bronchus bifurcation in different cases and degrees of the advance of COPD.

Results:

The outcome provides the gradients of flow speed and pressure within the bronchus ramification in the considered cases.

Conclusion:

The methodology herein proposed is applicable to determine the airflow within any patient’s bronchus bifurcation were bullae appear, and thereby to assess and improve the design of custom treatments.
Biobutanol Production from Plant Biomass
Authors: Tigunova Olena O. , Kamenskyh Dmytro S. , Tkachenko Tatiana V. , Yevdokymenko Vitalii A. , Kashkovskiy Volodymyr I. , Rakhmetov Dzhamal B. , Blume Yaroslav B. , Shulga Sergey M.
Published: October 2020

Microbiological conversion of biosphere renewable resources to produce useful products, in particular biofuels, is currently one of the pressing problems of biotechnology. To establish a microbiological production of biobutanol at an industrial scale, strains with high-yield solvent production on plant biomass as a cheap substrate are needed.

This paper summarizes the main outcomes of the authors’ original research focused on a) obtaining new butanol-producing strains of Clostridium genus, b) testing different sources of non-food raw material as a substrate for fermentation. A comparison of different methods of biomass pretreatment and their efficiency for the accumulation of butanol in the liquid medium is also reported.

In particular, the efficiency of butanol production by C. acetobutylicum strains isolated or mutagenized by the authors on a) ground green rapeseed, switchgrass, sweet sorghum, soybean, wheat biomass; b) components of switchgrass after thermobaric hydrolysis and c) paper mill sludge from the pulp as substrates is reported. This paper also highlights the progress made concerning substrate pre-treatment and optimization of cultivation conditions to increase butanol production. Finally, future directions to optimize the different biotechnological steps leading to butanol production are discussed.
Gene Frequency of CYP2D6*4 and *10 Variants in Karachi Population
Authors: Fatima Tamkeen , Zeb Farah , Farooq Ahsana Dar
Published: October 2020

Background:

In the human population, CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic group of
genes involved in metabolizing ~25% of all clinically used neuroleptic and antidepressant
drugs. The CYP2D6*4 and CYP2D6*10 variants are prevalent in Asian population exhibiting
variable drug metabolizing ability thereby affecting drug therapeutic responses.

Objective:

To determine the genotypic frequencies of CYP2D6*1 (Normal metabolizer), *4
(Poor metabolizer) and *10 (Intermediate metabolizer) variants among schizophrenic subjects
and control group from a sub-set of Karachi population.

Methods:

Genomic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (gDNA) was extracted and amplified with
CYP2D6*4 and *10 primers using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and digested by Bacillus
stereothermophilus (BstN1) and Hemophilus parahemolyticus (Hph1) restriction enzymes. The
digested gDNA bands were identified as wild type or mutants and their genotypic frequencies
were estimated by Hardy-Weinberg Equation (HWE).

Results:

In normal subjects, frequencies of CYP2D6*1 wild allele (57%) coded functional enzyme,
CYP2D6*4 variant (9%) producing non-functional enzyme and CYP2D6*10 allele (70%)
producing altered enzyme with reduced activity that was most prevalent in schizophrenic patients.

Discussion:

Drug response is a complex phenomenon that is governed by genetic and environmental
factors. Antipsychotic drug metabolism among schizophrenic patients with variable drug
responsesis related to CYP2D6 polymorphism. Clinically, it is imperative to differentiate between
responders and non-responders using the treatment, otherwise the drug will be either nonefficacious
or toxic to the patients. Therefore, a gene testing system needs to be established to
identify patient’s genotype(s) predicting whether they are normal, poor, intermediate or ultrarapid
drug metabolizer thereby allowing clinicians to adjust dose(s) of antipsychotic drug(s).

Conclusion :

Genotyping of CYP2D6 alleles among schizophrenic patients indicated prevalence
of *4 and *10 variants in Karachi population producing non-functional (poor metabolizer)
and reduced functional (intermediate metabolizer) drug metabolizing enzymes phenotypes,
respectively. Hence, dose adjustment is crucial otherwise schizophrenia condition will not be
improved satisfactorily. Therefore, CYP2D6 gene screening program should be included in
clinical practice to help clinicians to prescribe appropriate doses according to patient’s genotype
and minimize sufferings of schizophrenics including side effects of drug that might occur
at high drug concentrations.
Synthesis, Characterization and Comparative Study of TiO2 and ZnO Nanoparticles and their Application as a Photocatalysts for a Trichromatic Dye
Authors: Kouhail Meriem , Zakia El Ahmadi , Abbes Benayada
Published: October 2020

Background:

The textile industrial effluents cause profound imbalances in ecosystems, when released into nature; dyes are oxidized by micro-organisms, resulting in a decrease in the dissolved oxygen, which is necessary for the aquatic life. For this reason, it is important to implement economic, efficient, and green methods ensuring both the discoloration and detoxification of water.

Objective:

TiO2and ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel and precipitation methods, respectively. These two nanoparticles were used to compare photocatalytic degradation under UV and solar irradiation for three reactive azoic dyes (trichromatic): Reactive Bezactive Yellow (RBY), Reactive Bezactive Red (RBR), and Reactive Bezactive Blue (RBB).

Methods:

The structural, i.e., morphological surface properties of the synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared, X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

X-ray diffraction shows that TiO2has a tetragonal structure with an anatase form. The effects of some operational parameters, such as the amount of TiO2 and ZnO, initial dye concentration, dye mixtures, and pH, were examined. The progress of photodegradation reaction was monitored by UV-Visible spectroscopy for decolorization and by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for degradation, and the efficiency of degradation was confirmed by Chemical Oxygen Demand measurement.

Results:

The dye degradation was found to be better in the presence of solar irradiation than under UV irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO was higher than TiO2 when used in its optimal conditions.

Conclusion:

The percentage of degradation of each dye is different, and the order of degradation of the three reactive dyes is as follows: RBY> RBR> RBB.
Focusing on the research work undertaken in the Kamitani Group
Authors: Kamitani Masahiro
Published: October 2020

Chemical reactions are central to industrial processes and manufacturing. The ability to combine atoms into molecules and also break these molecules into various smaller components provides us with the building blocks for countless products and processes. However, not all reactions
are efficient and they require energy to be completed. In many cases the amount of energy required to begin the reaction, the activation energy is too high and the rate of the reaction, how quickly it runs, is too slow. Thankfully, there is a solution. Catalysts are substances that can be
added to reactions that can increase the rate of a reaction and/or lower the activation energy. They are also re-usable because they are not consumed during the reaction, meaning only a small amount of catalyst is needed to greatly improve a reaction. Chemical engineers have learned how to
produce or improve catalysts and hence reactions that are required for industry. Unfortunately, the majority of catalysts come in the form of rare precious metals making them expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain for logistic and even political reasons. To get around this reliance on
rare elements Masahiro Kamitani, Assistant Professor at Kitasato University in Japan founded a research group dedicated to the development and application of iron catalysts.
Research on explosive vapour detection system for high level security check of terrorist explosives
Authors: Yoshii Yotsumi
Published: October 2020

The terrorist attacks that occurred in the US on 11 September 2001 ushered in an era of increased security and tighter restrictions for those wishing to travel by aeroplane. In 2015, an article by ABC News revealed that an internal investigation of the Transportation Security Administration
showed significant security failures at numerous airports across the US. Undercover investigators were able to smuggle mock explosives and banned weapons through checkpoints in 95 per cent of cases. One of the main reasons for mock explosives and banned weapons getting through checkpoints
is the increase in the amount of travellers and volume of cargo. Aeroplanes need to be able to take off on time, so inspecting 100 per cent of the goods and people that are travelling is practically impossible. A team of researchers based within the National Institute of Technology, Toyama
College in Japan is tackling this problem by investigating a means of developing an explosive vapour detection system. Associate Professor Yotsumi Yoshii and Professor Iwao Mizumoto are leading the project, the aim of which is to facilitate high-level security checks for terrorist explosives
and therefore prevent disastrous events in the future
Complete nondestructive evaluation of three-dimensional residual stress distribution using X-ray diffraction
Authors: Ogawa Masaru , Korsunsky Alexander M
Published: October 2020

It is interesting to consider just how many of us don't think about the importance of mechanical engineering when we go about our daily lives. Whether we are crossing bridges, getting into our cars, riding on trains, flying in planes or entering buildings, we are relying on mechanical
engineers and researchers to have performed an enormous amount of calculations to ensure the integrity of these structures. Indeed, the main purpose of many engineering activities is to design structures against failure. By employing physics, mathematical principles, experience, technical
knowledge and modelling capabilities, teams can confidently predict the safe operations of complex engineering systems. Dr Masaru Ogawa, who is based at the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Kogakuin University, is working alongside Professor Alexander M Korsunsky and a number
of researchers to elucidate the origins and effects of residual stresses. They are using the eigenstrain reconstruction method to estimate 3D residual stress distribution.
Creation of POM complexes with multiple bonds between typical elements and transition metals and control of self-assembly
Authors: Nagata Koichi
Published: October 2020

The strongest materials on the planet, when viewed at a small of scale are all just molecules and atoms arranged in a particular order and held together by chemical bonds. Strength, flexibility and conductivity are all properties determined by the atomic structure of a given material.
Chemists have long understood how different materials will interact to form new ones in reactions and this has advanced many discoveries and products in the industrial space. As an example, electronics, batteries and display screens all rely on materials that can take and receive electrons
into their chemical bonds. This gives them the functionality to transmit and store electricity, and change colour and brightness at the push of a button. Other materials that support our modern life are magnetic, light absorbing or involve catalytic reactions, meaning they speed up the reaction
of other materials, which greatly increases the yield and/or speed of the reaction. Catalysts are incredibly important for the manufacturing of many materials, and new elements that can perform these functions are highly sought after. Professor Koichi Nagata is based in the Department of Chemistry
at Tohoku University, Japan, and is an expert in the field of solution chemistry, the aim of his research is to design and synthesise ubiquitous metal oxides that are abundant in the earth's crust as molecular ions to create crystalline solids by precisely arranging them to form hierarchical
functional materials.
Development of a modular compensator that achieves improvement in the amount of power generation of a solar cell system by equalizing electrical characteristics
Authors: Uno Masatoshi
Published: October 2020

Interest in photovoltaic systems, which are a renewable energy technology that transforms the energy from the Sun into electricity using photovoltaics, or solar panels, is on the rise. With non-renewable energy sources such as coal and fuel recognised as finite, the importance of improving
renewable sources, such as solar energy, is more and more pressing. Unfortunately, there are still many challenges and drawbacks associated with photovoltaic systems, which is why research in this area is of the utmost importance. Dr Masatoshi Uno is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering
in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Ibaraki University, Japan. He has a multitude of research interests spanning switching power converters, cell equalisers, life evaluation for supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries and the development of fuel cell systems. Dr
Masatoshi Uno's work seeks to enable photovoltaic systems to deliver impressive power at low cost and complexity and overcome the challenges associated with traditional photovoltaic systems.
Влияние давления при эпитаксии на свойства слоев GaN
Authors: Сахаров А.В. , Лундин В.В. , Заварин Е.Е. , Усов С.О. , Брунков П.Н. , Цацульников А.Ф.
Published: October 2020

Growth of GaN layers by MOVPE on sapphire substrates at various pressures, including above atmospheric, was studied. It is shown that epitaxy at higher pressures does not change the crystal perfection of the layers, the electron mobility, and the impurities incorporation, but leads to the formation of a surface with a smaller lateral scale of inhomogeneities. The epitaxy pressure also affects the ratio of the intensity of the band-edge and impurity-related lines in the photoluminescence spectra and the leakage currents in the reverse-biased Schottky barrier.
Распыление вольфрама ионами бериллия и неона
Authors: Мелузова Д.С. , Бабенко П.Ю. , Зиновьев А.Н. , Шергин А.П.
Published: October 2020

Sputtering yields for tungsten under Be and Ne ion bombardment as well as angular dependencies of the sputtering yields were calculated using molecular dynamics simulation. The results for Ne are in good agreement with experimental data. The obtained results for Be-W sputtering are needed to calculate the impurity influx into the plasma when the divertor material - tungsten - is bombarded with Be ions in ITER tokamak plasma. A model that explains the universal behavior of near-threshold sputtering yields for light ion-induced sputtering of tungsten was proposed.
A Smartphone-Based Technique to Detect Dynamic User Preferences for Tailoring Behavioral Interventions: Observational Utility Study of Ecological Daily Needs Assessment
Authors: Nicol Ginger E , Ricchio Amanda R , Metts Christopher L , Yingling Michael D , Ramsey Alex T , Schweiger Julia A , Miller J Philip , Lenze Eric J
Published: October 2020

Background

Mobile health apps are promising vehicles for delivering scalable health behavior change interventions to populations that are otherwise difficult to reach and engage, such as young adults with psychiatric conditions. To improve uptake and sustain consumer engagement, mobile health interventions need to be responsive to individuals’ needs and preferences, which may change over time. We previously created an ecological daily needs assessment to capture microprocesses influencing user needs and preferences for mobile health treatment adaptation.

Objective

The objective of our study was to test the utility of a needs assessment anchored within a mobile app to capture individualized, contextually relevant user needs and preferences within the framework of a weight management mobile health app.

Methods

Participants with an iOS device could download the study app via the study website or links from social media. In this fully remote study, we screened, obtained informed consent from, and enrolled participants through the mobile app. The mobile health framework included daily health goal setting and self-monitoring, with up to 6 daily prompts to determine in-the-moment needs and preferences for mobile health–assisted health behavior change.

Results

A total of 24 participants downloaded the app and provided e-consent (22 female; 2 male), with 23 participants responding to at least one prompt over 2 weeks. The mean length of engagement was 5.6 (SD 4.7) days, with a mean of 2.8 (1.1) responses per day. We observed individually dynamic needs and preferences, illustrating daily variability within and between individuals. Qualitative feedback indicated preferences for self-adapting features, simplified self-monitoring, and the ability to personalize app-generated message timing and content.

Conclusions

The technique provided an individually dynamic and contextually relevant alternative and complement to traditional needs assessment for assessing individually dynamic user needs and preferences during treatment development or adaptation. The results of this utility study suggest the importance of personalization and learning algorithms for sustaining app engagement in young adults with psychiatric conditions. Further study in broader user populations is needed.
Engagement, Acceptability, Usability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Self-Monitoring Mobile Health Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Belgian Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Compernolle Sofie , Cardon Greet , van der Ploeg Hidde P , Van Nassau Femke , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Jelsma Judith J , Brondeel Ruben , Van Dyck Delfien
Published: October 2020

Background

Although healthy aging can be stimulated by the reduction of sedentary behavior, few interventions are available for older adults. Previous studies suggest that self-monitoring might be a promising behavior change technique to reduce older adults’ sedentary behavior. However, little is known about older adults’ experiences with a self-monitoring–based intervention aimed at the reduction of sedentary behavior.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate engagement, acceptability, usability, and preliminary efficacy of a self-monitoring–based mHealth intervention developed to reduce older adults’ sedentary behavior.

Methods

A mixed methods study was performed among 28 community-dwelling older adults living in Flanders, Belgium. The 3-week intervention consisted of general sedentary behavior information as well as visual and tactile feedback on participants’ sedentary behavior. Semistructured interviews were conducted to explore engagement with, and acceptability and usability of, the intervention. Sitting time was measured using the thigh-worn activPAL (PAL Technologies) accelerometer before and after the intervention. System usage data of the app were recorded. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t tests; qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented using pen profiles.

Results

Participants mainly reported positive feelings regarding the intervention, referring to it as motivating, surprising, and interesting. They commonly reported that the intervention changed their thinking (ie, they became more aware of their sedentary behavior) but not their actual behavior. There were mixed opinions on the kind of feedback (ie, tactile vs visual) that they preferred. The intervention was considered easy to use, and the design was described as clear. Some problems were noticed regarding attaching and wearing the self-monitoring device. System usage data showed that the median frequency of consulting the app widely differed among participants, ranging from 0 to 20 times a day. No significant reductions were found in objectively measured sitting time.

Conclusions

Although the intervention was well perceived by the majority of older adults, no reductions in sitting time were found. Possible explanations for the lack of reductions might be the short intervention duration or the fact that only bringing the habitual sedentary behavior into conscious awareness might not be sufficient to achieve behavior change.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04003324; https://tinyurl.com/y2p4g8hx
Exploring the Effects of a Brief Biofeedback Breathing Session Delivered Through the BioBase App in Facilitating Employee Stress Recovery: Randomized Experimental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chelidoni Olga , Plans David , Ponzo Sonia , Morelli Davide , Cropley Mark
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Recovery from stress is a predictive factor for cardiovascular health, and heart rate variability (HRV) is suggested to be an index of how well people physiologically recover from stress. Biofeedback and mindfulness interventions that include guided breathing have been shown to be effective in increasing HRV and facilitating stress recovery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a brief app-based breathing intervention (BioBase) in enhancing physiological recovery among employees who were induced to cognitive and emotional stress.

METHODS

In total, we recruited 75 full-time employees. Interbeat (RR) intervals were recorded continuously for 5 min at baseline and during cognitive and emotional stress induction. The session ended with a 5-min recovery period during which participants were randomly allocated into 3 conditions: app-based breathing (BioBase), mindfulness body scan, or control. Subjective tension was assessed at the end of each period.

RESULTS

Subjective tension significantly increased following stress induction. HRV significantly decreased following the stress period. In the recovery phase, the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (P=.002), the percentage of successive RR intervals that differed by >50 ms (P=.008), and high frequency (P=.01) were significantly higher in the BioBase breathing condition than in the mindfulness body scan and the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback breathing interventions digitally delivered through a commercially available app can be effective in facilitating stress recovery among employees. These findings contribute to the mobile health literature on the beneficial effects of brief app-based breathing interventions on employees’ cardiovascular health.