bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les parcours d’apprentissage de jeunes Français en situation d’interruption
d’études : recension critique des travaux
Authors: Madiba Marie Sophie
Published: February 2023

Cet article consiste en une revue documentaire synthétique et critique de
travaux sur les parcours d’apprentissage de jeunes en situation d’interruption
d’études en France. L’enjeu est de proposer des pistes de collecte de données pour
mieux appréhender leurs parcours d’études. À partir de cette revue et de l’approche
des parcours de vie, nous avons analysé des travaux portant sur les parcours
d’interruption d’études de jeunes collégiens et lycéens. Les études de devis mixte
avec une perspective longitudinale permettent de mieux identifier, et, d’évaluer le
rôle des différents événements s’inscrivant au cours, et, au-delà de la période
d’interruption d’études des individus. Les études biographiques complétées
d’observations contribuent à une meilleure compréhension des liens entre les formes
distinctes de parcours et l’expérience subjective, et, singulière des
acteurs.
La solidarité féminine au service de la sexualité dans les séries à choeur féminin (2010-2020)
Authors: Morin Céline
Published: February 2023

Les séries télévisées ont longtemps privilégié la figure de l’héroïne qui, dans son cheminement vers l’émancipation personnelle, devait vaincre les obstacles sexistes en mobilisant des ressources individuelles. Ce mouvement se double aujourd’hui d’une vague de séries que nous appelons « à choeur féminin », centrées sur des couples ou des groupes de femmes très solidaires. Cet article explore six de ces productions : Girls, Mom, Jane the Virgin, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Grace & Frankie et Sex Education. Dans ces séries, les personnages mettent leurs amitiés au service de forums intimes, où la solidarité féminine est mise au service de la sexualité individuelle, en ayant pour socle la reconnaissance des désirs et des pratiques. Cette perspective ouvre la voie à des innovations majeures de représentations, comme, entre autres, la diversification des corporalités représentées ou l’ouverture des âges de la sexualité, des adolescent·e·s aux personnes âgé·e·s.
Scripts sexuels et pratiques affectives lesbiennes dans The L Word
Authors: Maiorano Sabrina
Published: February 2023

L’impact de la série lesbienne The L Word (2004-2009) a été retentissant dans la culture populaire et au sein des communautés lesbiennes en termes de reconnaissance et de visibilité. Près de quinze ans plus tard, il importe de porter un regard critique sur la série, du fait des transformations politiques du mouvement LGBTQ+ et de la place grandissante des perspectives queer. Cet article propose d’analyser les scripts sexuels et de genre qui sont véhiculés dans la série (principalement dans la saison 1) à la lumière du concept de pratiques affectives. La sexualité lesbienne dans The L Word est traversée par de multiples rapports de pouvoir entre les personnages féminins (inégalités de race, d’âge, de classe et d’expérience sexuelle). La prise en compte des affects dans les scripts sexuels et les archétypes lesbiens dans The L Word donne à voir une représentation hétérogène mais lesbonormative de la sexualité lesbienne.
Palaeobiological study of the Holocene micromammal assemblage from the Cueva del Hueso (Castrillón, Asturias, NW Spain)
Authors: Cernadas-Garrido Antonio , Álvarez-Vena Adrián , Álvarez-Lao Diego
Published: February 2023

The Cueva del Hueso is located in Castrillón, Asturias. In this work, we carried out a taxonomic, palaeoecological and biochronological study of the micromammals that inhabited the cave environment during the genesis of its most recent level, Level 0. The recovered assemblage presents considerable diversity, yielding a minimum of 286 individuals belonging to 16 taxa. This species association indicates that the landscape would be dominated by open areas and forested patches, with cooler climatic conditions than the current. The presence of Rattus sp. and Mus musculus, along with the climatic inferences, have allowed estimating a relative chronology for Level 0 between 450 AD and 1850 AD.
CAGE17-1-Leg 2 cruise report
Authors: Rasmussen Tine L. , Nielsen Tove , Laier Troels , Olsen Bjørn R. , Iversen Steinar , Sert Mohamed , Jansson Per , Serov Pavel
Published: February 2023

From the afternoon of May 19th to the early morning of June 2nd 2017, CAGE-WP6 at the Department of Geology Uit, the Arctic University of Norway, arranged a scientific cruise aimed at investigating sediment cores and porewater, and water masses, at the western Svalbard margin, Fram Strait, East Greenland Ridge, and Storfjorden Trough, visiting methane seep sites off Vestnesa Ridge, and in Storfjorden Trough on R/V “Helmer Hanssen”. Investigated areas were (in order of visiting sites on the cruise): Prins Karls Forland (PKF) (overlap with ‘leg 1’ 17th to 19th of May – see Leg 1 report), southern Yermak Plateau, Vestnesa Ridge, East Greenland Ridge, Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden.

The scientific sampling was done within the framework of several ongoing projects at the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: “CAGE – Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate”-WP6: “Methane Release, Ocean Acidification and CO2”. Planned surveys north of Svalbard was abandoned due to extensive sea ice cover and the East Greenland Ridge was surveyed instead. Sea ice over outer Vestnesa prevented surveys there and Storfjorden trough was also completely covered, but the sea ice broke up towards the end of the cruise and thus could be surveyed during the very last part of the cruise.

A total of 15 gravity cores (c. 60 m), and 20 CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) casts were performed along the western Svalbard margin (Vestnesa and PKF and Yermak). Data were also collected at East Greenland Ridge and in Storfjorden Trough and Storfjorden, brine overflow was detected. The CTD casts and chirp- and multibeam lines from PKF May 17-19th are reported in the cruise report for Leg 1.

Chirp profiles and multibeam lines were acquired during transits and in surveys (mapping of East Greenland Ridge, moraine systems and basins in Storfjorden Trough, active and inactive pockmarks at Vestnesa Ridge and over and to find potential core sites.

The cruise may be known as: CAGE17_1_leg2
Putative source and niche shift pattern of a new alien ant species (Odontomachus troglodytes) in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Tzong-Han , Chan Kai-Wei , Hsu Feng-Chuan , Lin Chung-Chi , Tseng Hui-Yun
Published: February 2023

Alien species may pose substantial impacts on biodiversity around the globe through international trade and travel. A niche shift hypothesis was proposed to explain the adaptive change of alien or invasive species in new habitats. However, whether niche shifts occur in alien species likely depends on both characteristics inherent to the species itself and its original distribution. Here we identified a newly exotic trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus troglodytes) in Taiwan by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The possible distribution range and the niche shift pattern were evaluated using ecological niche modelling. The results indicated that exotic O. troglodytes in the newly distributed area displayed a significant niche shift with low niche overlap and high niche expansion. This study reveals a long-distance invasive event from central Africa to Southeast Asia (more than 10,000 km) and predicts the potential distribution range of this new alien species in Taiwan.
Prohexadione calcium enhances rice growth and tillering under NaCl stress
Authors: Zhang Rongjun , Zheng Dianfeng , Feng Naijie , Qiu Quan-Sheng , Zhou Hang , Liu Meiling , Li Yao , Meng Fengyan , Huang XiXin , Huang Anqi , Li Yixiang
Published: February 2023

Salt stress affects crop quality and reduces crop yields, and growth regulators enhance salt tolerance of crop plants. In this report, we examined the effects of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) on improving rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and tillering under salt stress. We found that NaCl stress inhibited the growth of two rice varieties and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, electrolyte leakage, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. Foliar application of Pro-Ca reduced seedling height and increased stem base width and lodging resistance of rice. Further analyses showed that Pro-Ca application reduced MDA content, electrolyte leakage, and membrane damage in rice leaves under NaCl stress. Pro-Ca enhanced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of rice seedlings, while increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX) at the tillering stage under salt stress. Overall, Pro-Ca improves salt tolerance of rice seedlings at the tillering stage by enhancing lodging resistance, reducing membrane damages, and enhancing photosynthesis and antioxidant capacities of rice seedlings.
Elevated serum FGF21 levels predict heart failure during hospitalization of STEMI patients after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Gu Lingyun , Jiang Wenxi , Jiang Wenlong , Xu Zhuowen , Li Weizhang , Zhang Hua
Published: February 2023

Background

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has multiple cardioprotective effects including modulation of glucolipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidative stress, but its association with the heart failure during hospitalization in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been reported.

Methods

A total of 348 STEMI patients treated with emergency PCI were included from January 2016 to December 2018. Relevant biochemical indicators were measured by central laboratory. Serum FGF21 levels were measured by ELISA. The occurrence of heart failure during hospitalization was recorded. Patients’ cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography.

Results

Serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in the STEMI group with heart failure than in the group without heart failure (249.95 ± 25.52 vs. 209.98 ± 36.35, P < 0.001). Serum FGF21 levels showed a strong positive correlation with N-terminal precursor B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in STEMI patients (r = 0.749, P < 0.001). FGF21 was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of heart failure during hospitalization in STEMI patients by binary logistic regression analysis. The area under curve (AUC) for FGF21 to predict the development of heart failure during hospitalization in STEMI patients was 0.816 (95% CI [0.770–0.863]) according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Conclusion

Elevated serum FGF21 levels have been shown to be a strong predictor of heart failure during hospitalization in patients with STEMI after emergency PCI.
Application of FDS to Predicting Fire Spread in a Horizontal Cable Tray
Authors: Jang Hyo-Yeon , Han Ho-Sik , Hwang Cheol-Hong , Lee Sang Kyu
Published: February 2023

With regard to cable tray fires, comparing the prediction results obtained through fire simulations with the measurement results from fire experiments conducted under real-life conditions is essential to ensure the predictive reliability of the model. In determining the validity of the calculation process and procedure performed in a specific fire experiment, the result may vary depending on the user’s capability. This is because of the high user dependence due to the characteristics of the fire model. In this study, we examined whether the actual spread of fire could be similarly predicted when the physical quantities of cable tray fires suggested by previous studies were applied. We also applied a fire modeling method considering the arrangement of cables to predict appropriate fire spread in a nuclear power plant and then performed a comparative analysis of the results and the experimental results. The prediction results, in terms of the fire spread time, varied depending on the arrangement type (whether loosely and tightly arranged) of cables. Finally, we devised a process of accurately predicting the heat release rate (HRR) curve as compared to the experimental results by using a sensitivity analysis of the input parameters (density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity) corresponding to the physical properties considered in the fire model.
Effects of Optical Properties of Smoke Particles on Fire Detection Characteristics predicted by a Fire Dynamic Simulator Model
Authors: Hong Ter-Ki , Park Seul-Hyun
Published: February 2023

This study examined the smoke detection time prediction performance of the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) in relation to the optical properties of smoke particles. Specifically, this work explored how smoke detection times are affected by the mass-specific light extinction coefficient, an input value needed to predict FDS smoke detection times. Therefore, a smoke generator and a smoke detection sensor that employs the light extinction principle were installed in a fire compartment, with the mass-specific light extinction coefficients of the smoke particles generated by the smoke generator measured through Gravimetric Sampling and Light Extinction (GSLE) experiments. FDS fire simulations were performed under the same conditions as the smoke detection experiments to compare the Optical Per Meter (OPM) of the detector. The results confirmed that the F DS fire simulation was consistent with the smoke detection experiments when the measured mass-specific light extinction coefficient of the smoke particles was entered as input. In addition, it was found that fluctuations in the mass-specific light extinction coefficient, an optical property of smoke particles, may significantly affect smoke detection times by directly affecting the OPM.
Unusual Presentation of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy-A Case Series
Authors: Vidhyalakshmi Ramadoss Kabilan , Tripathy Saswati , Murugesan Anuradha , Kumari N Sajeetha , Ananda Preethika
Published: February 2023

A rare condition called Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) causes a pregnant woman’s heart to weaken and expand. It occurs in the last month of pregnancy or within five months of delivery. The presented paper was a series of three cases with unusual presentations of PPCM. Cases 1 and 2 demonstrated unique PPCM presentations that included abrupt cardiogenic shock and failure symptoms and signs. The postpartum period’s typical PPCM appearance is illustrated by case 3. The index patients (cases 1 and 2) had low systemic blood pressures, acute respiratory distress, and reduced cardiac output that was indicative of cardiogenic shock. An early echocardiogram was ordered as a result, and the results were suggestive of heart failure. Their varying clinical manifestations posed a significant diagnostic problem due to the heterogeneity. Even though they are uncommon, such catastrophic presentations including acute respiratory distress and low-output cardiac failure can happen. In these unusual cases, rapid pharmacological and mechanical support is required. In order to provide patients with the finest and most efficient care possible, it is crucial to understand the aetiology, clinical signs and symptoms, management, and prognosis of PPCM. Thus, physicians need to be familiar with different presentations of PPCM and always consider it with a high index of suspicion to expedite treatment for a potentially lethal condition to get a better outcome.
Analysis of Food Insecurity among Rural Farming Households: Evidence from Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria
Authors: Abraham Ajao Olajide , Helen Ayeni Feyisayo , Adeiza Bello Muhammad , Abiodun Ahmed Ismail , Emmanuel Fanifosi Gbenga
Published: February 2023

Food insecurity is a major global challenge that is more prevalent in developing nations like Nigeria with varying degrees of impact on households and demanding immediate attention from policymakers. This study assessed the level of insecurity among farming households in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) approach. The data for the study was collected from 140 farming households selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize the socioeconomic attributes of the farming households and the coping strategies adopted during periods of food shortages, and the binary probit model to examine the determining factors of the food security status of the households. The HFIAS analysis result revealed that 83.7% of the households were food insecure at varying levels. The binary probit results revealed that household size, annual household income, cooperative membership, and access to extension services are the key determinants of household food security status in the study area. Given the study findings, we recommended the need for increasing the awareness of rural farming households on the use of family planning for enhancing household food-nutrition security. Farming households are also encouraged to diversify their livelihood to improve their income and participate in cooperatives and farming groups so that they can have access to resources that can aid to improve their productivity. Additionally, extension services should be made accessible to rural farming households as this will help to improve their productivity and hence, household food security.
The Effect of Cashless Policy on Economic Growth in Nigeria: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Authors: A. Gbanador Monday
Published: February 2023

The study investigated the effect of cashless policy on economic growth in Nigeria using quarterly time series data spanning through the period of 2012 to 2021 while the research design adopted for the study was the ex-post facto research design. Diagnostic test such as serial correlation, heteroskedasticity and Cusum test were conducted. Phillip-Peron and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) were used to carry out unit root test on the variables while the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) was used for the data analysis. The findings revealed a significant relationship between Cheque (CQ) and Internet banking (IB) with the Gross Domestic Product while the relationship between the Automated Teller Machine and the Gross Domestic Product is negatively insignificant. The study concludes that cashless policy influences economic growth in Nigeria and therefore suggests that the Central Bank of Nigeria should encourage Banks to offer quality ATM services to their customers. This is expected to boost the adoption of alternative payment system which is amongst the rationale for introducing the cashless policy.
Igbo Indigenous Culture at the Mercy of Western Culture Dominance: What can the Mass Media do?
Authors: Ijeoma Emetumah Fatima , N. Okalla Fabian , Igbokwe Basilia , Chyrsogonus Obioha Chimezie , I. O. Megwa Godswill , Williams Etumnu Emeka
Published: February 2023

The goal of this study was to examine the role of the mass media in the sustenance of Igbo indigenous culture. The study's theoretical underpinning was the Agenda Setting Theory. In this study, the survey research design was used. The population consists of 555,500 residents in the Owerri Metropolis. The sample size of 384 was determined using the Wimmer and Dominick sample size calculator, and the multistage sampling procedure was used as the sampling method. To collect the data, a questionnaire was used as the instrument. Findings revealed that at a mean score of 3.0 (N = 360), the mass media promote foreign culture more than Igbo indigenous culture. It was also revealed that, on average, 62% of mass media have not been effective in sustaining the Igbo indigenous culture. We, therefore, conclude that the mass media promote the Igbo indigenous culture to a moderate extent. However, they pay more attention to promoting foreign cultures than the Igbo indigenous culture. Because of the lack of commitment they put in, they have become ineffective in sustaining the Igbo indigenous culture. We recommend that the mass media put more effort into promoting the Igbo indigenous culture by ensuring that their contents promote indigenous culture rather than western culture; also, more space or time should be allocated to indigenous cultural content, while the western cultural content to be disseminated by the media should be censored and limited.
Contribution of the Provençal Well for the Improvement of the Thermal Comfort in the Building in Turbulent Regime
Authors: N’wuitcha Kokou , Essoavana Samah Ouro-Djobo , Kolani Yendouban , Banna Magolmèèna , Zeghmati Belkacem
Published: February 2023

In the current energy context, geothermal systems are highly developed in the building field. Among these interesting systems on the energy plan, one finds in particular the earth-to-air heat  exchanger commonly called ‘Canadian or Provençal well’. It consists of tubes buried in which the ambient air is pushed in order to be refreshed in contact with the ground whose temperature is quasi-constant throughout the year. In this work, a study of the performance of an earth-to-air heat exchanger was undertaken by means of numerical modeling of heat exchange by forced convection in a buried tube. The transfer equations in the tube are discretized using the finite volume method in turbulent regime and solved using the Thomas algorithm. For the determination of the ground temperature, the model of the semi-infinite mass subjected to a periodic excitation was adopted. The soil temperature was used as a boundary condition for the buried tube.

The results show that the interest of the earth-to-air heat exchanger is major, since it improves throughout the year, the thermal conditions sought. It intervenes in an effective way on the damping of the thermal amplitudes in the building. The variation of the diameter and the length of earth-to-air heat exchanger does not influence notably the distribution of the streamlines and isotherms but affect significantly the values of stream function and temperature inside de tube of the earth-to-air heat exchanger. When diameter of the pipe increases, the outlet temperature increases. The increase of the length of the earth-to-air heat exchanger leads to the isotherms increase as a result of the intensification of heat exchange between the walls and the convective jet. The temperature in the air outlet compartment is lower as the length of the earth-to-air exchanger increases.
Coronary Artery Ectasia as a Predictor of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Saleh Saad Ahmed , Ahmed Gaafar Ayman , Salama Mai Abd El-Moniem , Mohamed Abd El-Mageed Randa
Published: February 2023

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterised as localised or widespread non-obstructive lesions of the epicardial coronary arteries with a luminal dilation more than 1.5 times the neighbouring normal segments or vessel diameter. Isolated CAE is CAE in the absence of severe coronary artery stenosis. This aberrant dilatation of coronary arteries can produce angina pectoris and even myocardial infarction in people without coronary artery disease owing to vasospasm, dissection, or thrombus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the connection between                 CAE and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study which was carried out on 300 cases. Cases were divided into two groups: Group I: including about 22 STEMI cases with CAE and Group II: including about 278 STEMI cases without CAE. All cases in this study were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory tests, standard 12-leads ECG, resting transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and coronary angiography.

Results:  Regarding MACE in the studied groups, Incidence of reinfarction and cardiac death were significant higher in cases with STEMI and CAE than cases with STEMI alone. In univariate regression analysis, CAE (OR: 3.59, p value =0.022) was a significant predictor of cardiac death but age, male sex, and EF were not. Also, in multivariate regression analysis CAE (OR: 3.49, p value =0.029) was a significant predictor of cardiac death but age, male sex, and EF were not smoking with high warfarin consumption. Further, Markis classification 1 and 3 were the most frequent phenotype among cases. In STEMI cases, the incidence of reinfarction and cardiac death were significantly higher in cases with STEMI and CAE than cases with STEMI alone. So, CAE is a significant predictor of cardiac death.
Hemoglobin Level as a Predictor of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Short-term Outcomes in Stemi Patient Treated with Pharmacoinvasive Strategy versus Primary PCI
Authors: Abd-el-Sadek Al-Rossasy Ahmad Zakaria , Mohammad Al-Laithy Amany , Hussein El-Barbary Yasser , Mohammad Al-Masry Magdy
Published: February 2023

Background: Anaemia is prevalent among cases with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and has been linked to poor clinical prognosis. Guidelines for cases with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommend timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) as the preferred reperfusion strategy. If timely pPCI cannot be performed, a pharmacoinvasive strategy (PI) is recommended within 12 hours of symptom onset. The aim of this work was to study and assess the impact of hemoglobin level as a predictor of MACE and short-term outcomes in cases treated with Primary PCI vs pharmacoinvasive strategy.

Methods: This prospective case-control observational study was conducted on 100 cases that were divided into 2 groups. Group I consisted of 50 anaemic cases & group II consisted of 50 cases that were not anaemic. Both groups were subdivided into A subgroups that underwent revascularization by pPCI and B subgroups that underwent revascularization by pharmacoinvasive strategy.

Results: There was no significant difference in LVEF, infarct site and final TIMI flow, the anaemic groups showed statistically significant more total MACE than non-anaemic groups whether revascularized by pPCI or pharmacoinvasive strategy. As expected, anaemic cases tended to have higher bleeding complications especially those undergoing pharmacoinvasive strategy. The anaemic cases also were less likely to be discharged on RAAS and beta blockers.

Conclusions: Anaemic cases whether revascularized with pPCI or pharmacoinvasive strategy tend to have higher incidence of MACE and major bleeding with no significant difference in mortality. There was no significant difference between LVEF between the study groups.
Nutrient Content, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Baby Corn as Influenced by Varieties and Levels of Fertilizers
Authors: Medhi Dhabanita , Dutta Rinjumoni
Published: February 2023

A field experiment was conducted to find out the performance of different baby corn varieties at different levels of fertilizers. The experiment was conducted using three baby corn varieties viz., VL Baby corn-1, CMVL Baby corn-2, and G-5414 and four fertilizer levels viz., 60-40-40 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1, 75-50-50 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1, 90-60-60 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1 and 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1 replicated thrice at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the summer season of 2018 using split plot design. The uptake of N, P and K in cob and total uptake was recorded as the highest for G-5414 and in baby corn Stover it was highest for CMVL Baby corn -2. Application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1 resulted in the highest nutrient content and uptake in cob as well as in baby corn Stover. The available soil nutrient after harvest was recorded significantly higher with the application of 105-70-70 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1. The lowest available nutrient was found with the application of 60-40-40 N-P2O5-K2O kg.ha-1. The nutrient content and uptake by baby corn cob as well as by Baby corn stover differs with varieties and increases with increasing levels of fertilizer doses.
Inductive Cum Target Yield Model Based Fertilizer Prescription for Chickpea Cultivation in North Western Mollisol
Authors: Srivastava Ajaya , Bahadur Raj , Shrivastav Akshay , Dey Pradip
Published: February 2023

A field experiment was conducted in an Aquic hapludoll at D7 block of Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (29° N Latitude and 79°29’ E Longitude), as the per technical program of All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response Correlation to study the effect of soil and applied nutrients on chickpea to ensure balanced fertilization. Response to selected combinations of three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1), four levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1 ), four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg K2O ha-1) at different fertility levels of chickpea was studied. Basic data for fertilizer prescription was computed on the basis of soil analysis, nutrient uptake and grain yield. Nutrient requirement for production of one quintal of grain yield of chickpea was found to be 4.41 kg nitrogen, 0.62 kg phosphorus and 2.53 kg potassium. Percent contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was 37.05, 72.16 and 35.61, from soil, whereas from other sources as FYM was 68.31, 16.15 and 37.20 percent; chemical fertilizer 160.01, 16.79 and 93.51 and conjoint joint use of chemical fertilizer with FYM 64, 15.57 and 95.22 in terms of N, P and K respectively. Fertilizer prescription equations were generated by these basic data. These fertilizer prescription equations are valuable for efficient and judicious use of costly fertilizers to improve farmer’s economic conditions.
Effect of Exercise Program on Cancer Related Fatigue and Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment - Pilot Study (Part-2)
Authors: . Shambhavi , Lobo Diana
Published: February 2023

Background: Even after effective treatment, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most prevalent and debilitating issue for cancer patients. Daily life, social interactions, reintegration, and general quality of life are all severely impacted by CRF.

Aim: This study was done to determine the effect of exercise program on cancer related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients on cancer treatment.

Materials and Methods: One group before-and-after study was done among patients with breast cancer, gynecological cancers, and head and neck cancers on cancer treatment who were selected by purposive sampling method, in selected hospital. Pretest CRF was assessed using a FACIT-F scale (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness therapy: Fatigue) and QOL was assessed by FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General) Version 4 scale.

Results: Majority (60%) of the respondents were had >50 years of age. Maximum percentage of the sample (76.7%) were females and rest of them were males. Maximum percentage (33.3%) of the respondents had breast cancer and least percentage (10%) had neck cancer. The pretest fatigue score of the cancer patients (pre-test mean= 26.27) was lower than post-test fatigue scores (post- test1 =25.87, post -test 2 = 27.40 and post- test 3=29.00). Fatigue scores are interpreted as higher the score lower the fatigue level. Similarly, the mean and standard deviation of the QOL score at post -test 2 (48.60±7.152) which was higher than the pre-test mean and standard deviation (45.23±8.029). Repeated measures ANOVA, indicates that exercise programme is effective in reducing CRF and improving QOL(P=.05).

Conclusion: As per the study findings exercises shows effective in reducing CRF. Hence exercise programs may be used as adjunct therapy for cancer patients on cancer treatment to reduce CRF.
Effect of Nursing Intervention on Emotional Intelligence, Self-esteem and Empathy of Nursing Students Undergoing Clinical Experience in Paediatric Units-Pilot Study (Part-2)
Authors: Sera Castelino Patsey , Leonilda Mendonca Theresa
Published: February 2023

Background: Nurses working in paediatric settings face a number of challenges. Nurses can be emotionally drained while they see their young patients suffer. Therefore, nurses need to be emotionally intelligent.

Objectives: The effect of nursing intervention on emotional intelligence (EI), self-esteem and empathy of baccalaureate nursing students undergoing clinical experience in paediatric units.

Materials and Methods: The present study adopted a quasi experimental repeated measures time series design in which 60 third year baccalaureate nursing students undergoing clinical experience in paediatric units were assigned to either the experimental or control groups. Pre testing of emotional intelligence, self-esteem and empathy was done using the EI (Pc-Sc) scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, respectively. The study intervention included a nursing intervention programme offered in 5 two-hour sessions for 5 days. Post-test was conducted on the 30th and 60th day.

Statistical Analysis: Two factor repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison within the group and between the groups.

Results: In the experimental group, the mean and standard deviation of the different areas of EI and overall EI score, self-esteem and empathy at post test 2 were higher than the mean and standard deviation at pretest. There was a significant change in the EI, self-esteem and empathy scores in the follow ups in the experimental group, indicating that the nursing intervention was effective in enhancing the EI, self-esteem and empathy of baccalaureate nursing students.

Conclusion: Courses to train the emotional intelligence skills, self-esteem and empathy should be included in the nursing curriculum so as to improve nursing standards of both students and nurses in providing quality care to the patients.
Staying Home
Authors: Grinberg Golda Rose
Published: February 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, a third-year medical student who chose hospice for her infant with a life-limiting condition considers her uncertainty about whether the family may have extended their brief time together through medical intervention.
Dr Herman A. Barnett, Black Civil Rights Activists, and the Desegregation of The University of Texas Medical Branch in 1949
Authors: Gamble Vanessa Northington
Published: February 2023

In May 1949, Herman A. Barnett III, a 23-year-old Black veteran, applied to The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. His application occurred in the wake of Black student protests against the segregationist policies of The University of Texas and of judicial victories by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to eradicate racial inequalities in state-financed graduate and professional education. Barnett’s application prompted the state to fund a medical school at the Texas State University for Negroes, the only time a state ever attempted to thwart desegregation by financing a separate Black medical school. Barnett was clearly qualified for admission to UTMB, and if the school rejected him, he had agreed to be a plaintiff in an NAACP lawsuit. Legal action was not necessary, however. In August 1949 Barnett was accepted into UTMB, thereby becoming the second African American person to desegregate a Southern medical school. Barnett was technically admitted on a contract basis as a student at the Texas State University for Negroes in Houston and was to have transferred there later. The Black medical school was never built and Barnett graduated from UTMB in 1953. This review analyzes the role that Barnett and Black civil rights activists played in the history of medical education in the US and the dismantlement of racially exclusionary policies in medical schools.
Deciphering the Heterogeneity Landscape of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Precise Selection in Translational Medicine
Authors: Li Ye , Chen Yin‐Hsueh , Liu Bing‐Yun , Nie Qing , Li Li‐Jun , Duan Xu , Wu Lian‐Zhi , Chen Gang
Published: February 2023

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (MSC‐EVs) have been considered promising therapeutics for disease treatments. However, MSC‐EVs harvested from different tissues present unique biological features reflective of their origins. The heterogeneity of MSC‐EVs constitutes an important barrier to their precise application in clinical translation that may probably lead to uncertain therapeutic effects. To give hints for future clinical translation, five MSCs are employed, whose derived EVs are most intensively utilized, namely bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMMSCs), umbilical cord stem/stromal cells (UCSCs), adipose‐derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs), dermal stem/stromal cells (DSCs) and dental pulp stem/stromal cells (DPSCs) and the heterogeneity landscape of the corresponding MSC‐EVs are documented. Overall, the basic parameters, stability, and biosafety of different MSC‐EVs are indiscriminate. Strikingly, UCSC‐EVs exhibit distinguishing productivity. UCSC‐EVs as well as DPSC‐EVs present better drug loading/delivery capacity. In addition, the heterogeneity of different MSC‐EVs in cargo diversity, cellular affinity, organ biodistribution, and therapeutic effects may cue the rational selection in different disease treatments. Through a combined assessment, a rational strategy is combined for selecting MSC‐EVs in future clinics. Offering a panoramic view of MSC‐EVs harvested from different tissues, the current study may provide guidelines for the precise selection of MSC‐EVs in next‐generation therapeutics.
Advanced Biomaterials for Promoting Endometrial Regeneration
Authors: Yin Zhe , Wang Juan , Cui Wenguo , Tong Chao
Published: February 2023

The endometrium, as the innermost structure of the uterine cavity, plays a direct role in the implantation of the fertilized egg, its conception, and the formation of normal menstruation. In recent years, with the increasing rate of uterus‐related surgeries, the damaged endometrium often fails to repair itself to its original state, resulting in a high incidence of menstrual disorders and reduced fertility in women in their reproductive years. Therefore, it is essential to repair the damaged endometrium to reduce menstrual disorders, pregnancy difficulties, and other adverse events. Biomaterials have become an important medical tool for tissue repair due to their excellent biocompatibility, shape plasticity, and functional versatility. Functional biomedical materials play an important role in endometrial repair through rational design, which is expected to fundamentally address the current shortcomings of endometrial repair to maximize repair, maintain female fertility, and solve the problem of medically induced endometrial destruction. This review describes the potential and several aspects of the design, function, and application of different biomedical materials capable of repairing endometrium. In brief, this review provides a comprehensive summary and outlook of biomaterials for endometrial repair.
A Versatile Design‐Enabled Analysis of Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Liu Qi , Yao Jianhua , Huang Zichen , Wang Shuning , Jiang Jizong , Cao Ya , Bei Yihua , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2023

Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered as potential biomarkers for treatment and diagnosis of many diseases. Most of the existing methods for the EV analysis only have a single function and thus reveal limited information carried by EVs. Herein, a phosphatidylserine‐targeting peptide‐facilitated design that enables the versatile analysis of circulating EVs for varying requirement is proposed. In the design, DNA probes are inserted into the EV membrane through hydrophobic interactions, and accelerate the removal of protective shielding from DNA‐gated metal–organic framework, thereby releasing a large number of methylene blue molecules to amplify the electrochemical signal. Electrochemical results demonstrate equally high sensitivities toward the quantification of EVs derived from different cell sources using an indiscriminative DNA probe. More importantly, the probe can be endowed with extended function for more accurate classification of cell‐specific features through the identification of specific EV biomarkers, and demonstrates the potential use in the diagnosis of cardiovascular in a principle‐of‐proof study for clinical application. Therefore, the method provides a versatile design for the identification of EV features, and may address the needs of clinical diagnosis in the future.
Fracture Detection in Bio‐Glues with Fluorescent‐Protein‐Based Optical Force Probes
Authors: Zhou Yu , Centeno Silvia P. , Zhang Kuan , Zheng Lifei , Göstl Robert , Herrmann Andreas
Published: February 2023

Glues are being used to bond, seal, and repair in industry and biomedicine. The improvement of gluing performance is hence important for the development of new glues with better and balanced property spaces, which in turn necessitates a mechanistic understanding of their mechanical failure. Optical force probes (OFPs) allow the observation of mechanical material damage in polymers from the macro‐ down to the microscale, yet have never been employed in glues. Here, the development of a series of ratiometric OFPs based on fluorescent‐protein–dye and protein–protein conjugates and their incorporation into genetically engineered bio‐glues is reported. The OFPs are designed to efficiently modulate Förster resonance energy transfer upon force application thereby reporting on force‐induced molecular alterations independent of concentration and fluorescence intensity both spectrally and through their fluorescence lifetime. By fluorescence spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state and by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, stress concentrations are visualized and adhesive and cohesive failure in the fracture zone is differentiated.
Picoampere Dark Current and Electro‐Opto‐Coupled Sub‐to‐Super‐linear Response from Mott‐Transition Enabled Infrared Photodetector for Near‐Sensor Vision Processing
Authors: Kumar Mohit , Lim Seokwon , Kim Jisu , Seo Hyungtak
Published: February 2023

Light‐intensity selective superlinear photodetectors with ultralow dark current can provide an essential breakthrough for the development of high‐performing near‐sensor vision processing. However, the development of near‐sensor vision processing is not only conceptually important for device operation (given that sensors naturally exhibit linear/sublinear responses), but also essential to get rid of the massive amount of data generated during object sensing and classification with noisy inputs. Therefore, achieving the giant superlinear photoresponse while maintaining the picoampere leakage current, irrespective of the measurement bias, is one of the most challenging tasks. Here, Mott material (vanadium dioxide) and silicon‐based integrated infrared photodetectors are developed that show giant superlinear photoresponse (exponent >18) and ultralow dark current of 4.46 pA. Specifically, the device demonstrates an electro‐opto‐coupled insulator‐to‐metal transition, which leads to outstanding photocurrent on/off ratio (>106), a high responsivity (>1 mA W−1), and excellent detectivity (>1012 Jones), while maintaining response speed (τr = 6 µs and τf = 10 µs). Further, intensity‐selective near‐sensor processing is demonstrated and night vision pattern reorganization even with noisy inputs is exhibited. This research will pave the way for the creation of high‐performance photodetectors with potential uses, such as in night vision, pattern recognition, and neuromorphic processing.
Highly Selective On‐Surface Reactions of Aryl Propiolic Acids via Decarboxylative Coupling
Authors: Kong Huihui , Viergutz Lena , Liu Lacheng , Sandvoß Alexander , Peng Xinchen , Klaasen Henning , Fuchs Harald , Studer Armido
Published: February 2023

Aryl propiolic acids are introduced as a new class of monomers in the field of on‐surface chemistry to build up poly(arylenebutadiynylenes) through decarboxylative Glaser coupling. As compared to aryl alkynes that are routinely used in the on‐surface Glaser coupling, it is found that the decarboxylative coupling occurs at slightly lower temperature and with excellent selectivity. Activation occurs through decarboxylation for the propiolic acids, whereas the classical Glaser coupling is achieved through alkyne CH activation, and this process shows poor selectivity. The efficiency of the decarboxylative coupling is documented by the successful polymerization of bis(propiolic acids) as monomers. It is also found that the new activation mode is compatible with aryl bromide functionalities, which allows the formation of unsymmetric metal‐organic polymers on the surface by chemoselective sequential reactions. All transformations are analyzed by a scanning tunneling microscope and are further studied by density functional theory calculations.
Terminal Atom‐Controlled Etching of 2D‐TMDs
Authors: Huang Ziwei , Deng Wei , Zhang Zhengwei , Zhao Bei , Zhang Hongmei , Wang Di , Li Bailing , Liu Miaomiao , Huangfu Ying , Duan Xidong
Published: February 2023

The controlled etching of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (2D‐TMDs) is critical to understanding the growth mechanisms of 2D materials and patterning 2D materials but remains a major comprehensive challenge. Here, a rational strategy to control the terminal atoms of 2D‐TMDs etched holes is reported. Using laser irradiation combined with an improved anisotropic thermal etching process under a determined atmosphere, terminal atom‐controlled etched hole arrays are created on 2D‐TMDs. By adjusting the gas atmosphere during the thermal etching stage, triangular etched hole arrays terminated by the tungsten zigzag (W‐ZZ) edge (in an Ar/H2 atmosphere), hexagonal etched hole arrays terminated alternately by the W‐ZZ edge and sulfur (selenium) zigzag (S‐ZZ or Se‐ZZ) edge (in a pure Ar atmosphere), and triangular etched hole arrays terminated by the S‐ZZ (Se‐ZZ) edge (in an Ar/sulfur [selenium] vapor atmosphere) can be obtained. Density functional theory reveals the forming energy of different edges and the different activities of metal atoms and chalcogenide atoms under different atmospheres, which determine the terminal atoms of the holes. This work may enhance the understanding of the etching and growth of 2D‐TMDs. The 2D‐TMDs hole arrays constructed by this work may have important applications in catalysis, nonlinear optics, spintronics, and large‐scale integrated circuits.
Poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide Colloidal Arrays as Templates for Droplet‐Assisted Fabrication of Plasmonic Nanostructure Patterns
Authors: Balderas‐Valadez Ruth Fabiola , Nagel Alessandro , Kanehira Yuya , Bald Ilko , Pacholski Claudia
Published: February 2023

The homogeneous and ordered coverage of substrate surfaces with nanostructures is still a challenge and is often tackled today, for example, by inkjet printing. In this case, drying effects in printed liquid droplets can lead to undesired pattern formation. Herein, colloidal arrays of poly‐N‐isopropylacrylamide are used for site‐selective self‐assembly of gold nanoparticles on large areas. The soft colloids support the drying process of gold nanoparticle dispersion droplets and leave room for capillary convection and Marangoni convection flow. This results in homogenous gold nanoparticle arrays with different shapes after drying, which can be converted into solid gold nanostructures by thermal treatment, paving the way for a simple bottom‐up fabrication strategy for highly ordered nanostructure arrays on large areas.