bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungi Diversity on Some Fruits and Biological Control using Two Plants Extracts
Authors: Besong Paul Ndip , Kinge Tonjock Rosemary
Published: May 2021

Fruits play an essential role in human nutrition by contributing the necessary growth factors like essential minerals and vitamins in human daily diet maintaining a good and normal health. But rot diseases caused by fungi cause severe losses of agricultural and horticultural crops every year. This work aimed to study fungi diversity on some fruits and carry out biological control using two plant extracts. A total of 17 infected fruit samples were collected from two local markets, small pieces of infected parts were inoculated on prepared plates of Potato Dextrose Agar. Incubation was done for 7 days and pure cultures were made, and pure isolated fungi were identified according to the recommended references. Ethanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Moringa oleifera were evaluated for in vitro antifungal activities on Aspergillus and Fusarium species isolated from spoilt tomatoes and banana using the Agar Dilution Method. Eleven different fungi species comprising nine genera were isolated from the 17 fruits collected from the Nkwen and main markets of Bamenda. The fungi were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum, Mucor sp, Fusarium sp, Mucor racemosus, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum sp, Nodulisporium sp, Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus. There was some diversity in isolation frequency of the fungi from the fruits. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium were the most common genera that colonized the fruits, with Aspergillus sp. found to be the most dominant fungi responsible for extensive damage of fruits. Ocimum gratissimum and Moringa oleifera leaf extracts had inhibitory activities on the test fungi. The diversity of the fungi identified in this study could be regarded as the most common causes of post-harvest deterioration of fruits. The findings of this study bring further evidence that Moringa oleifera and Ocimum gratissimum leaves extracts have the potential of becoming powerful and safe alternative means of fungi control on fruits instead of the harmful, expensive, environmentally unfriendly chemical fungicides.
Improved Biogas Production from Corn Stalks, Pig Manure and Eggshell
Authors: Adekola U. A. , Eiroboyi I. , Yerima Y. , Akinmoji T. E. B. , Uti L. O.
Published: May 2021

The need for an environmentally friendly energy source in the world has led to major diversification in renewable energy. Biogas provides a renewable energy source that will replace fossil fuel inevitably. The experiment was carried out using a self-designed laboratory-scale anaerobic biogas digester. The study was carried out at room temperature from 25 - 31°C for 20 days using corn stalk as the main substrate while Pig manure and eggshell were used as co-substrates. The findings showed that the biogas produced from the sample containing a blend of corn stalk, Pig manure, and eggshell resulted in higher biogas volume than the sample containing corn stalk and eggshell, corn stalk, and pig manure as well as the sample containing only corn stalk. This implies that the use of the corn stalk blend is a source of renewable energy. Thus, ensuring the sustainability of biogas production in the future.
Comparative Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy of Three Different Single File Systems: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Choudhary Deebah
Published: May 2021

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the canal cleaning efficacy of these three file systems using scanning electron microscopy.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Conservative dentistry and Endodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences Sehora, between October 2020 and December 2020.

Materials and Methods: Access cavity preparation was performed on sixty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth and working length was determined. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n=20) depending upon the file system used i.e. Group 1 (Reciproc Blue), Group 2 (Waveone Gold) and Group 3 (F360). Samples were split into two halves by creating longitudinal grooves on the buccal and lingual surfaces. The samples were sputter-coated with gold and examined under scanning electron microscope at 5000X. The dentinal wall of root canal at coronal, middle and apical thirds of each sample were evaluated for the presence of determining the canal cleanliness and then analyzed using a five-score index.

Results: The results of this study revealed that Group 1 (Reciproc Blue) exhibited better cleaning efficacy than samples of Group 2 (WaveOne Gold) and Group 3 (F360) at different locations in the canal i.e. coronal, middle and apical. The mean debris present was highest in coronal area for both group 2 and group 3 i.e. 2.1 and least was seen in apical area of group 1 i.e. 0.3. (p<0.05)

Conclusion: Reciproc Blue single-file showed highest cleaning efficacy followed by Waveone Gold and F360. Reciproc file also showed effective cleaning in the apical third of the canal.
A Three-part Broken Interlocking Femoral Nail: Novel Technique of Removal and Review of Literature
Authors: Raviraj A. , Sugumar K. Abhishek , Maalepati Vidyasagar , Shivareddy H. A. , Anand Ashish
Published: May 2021

A segmentally broken (three part) interlocking femoral nail with broken interlocking screw can be challenging to remove. We describe a novel technique for extraction of an unusual two level broken cannulated anterograde femoral nail to treat the delayed union with exchange nailing.  This is the first reported case of a three-part broken intramedullary interlocking nail with broken distal locking screws, where the broken hardware was removed without opening the facture site or the knee. This technique is simple and does not require specialized equipment. The surgical technique and review of literature is presented.
The Association between Smartphone usage and General Health in Adult Cancer Patients: A Study of the Turkish Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Oven Bala Basak , Nanah Abdel Rahman , Kalyenci Nursena , Celik Umay , Celik Serkan , Emirzeoglu Levent
Published: May 2021

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of smartphone screen time on general health status of adult patients with cancer compared to healthy participants in a Turkish population amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods: 146 participants took part in this study, 81 of them were cancer patients. The mean screen time throughout their last week was obtained from the smartphones of all participants. The health status of participants was analyzed via the General Health Survey (GHS) which was a self-reported questionnaire including 12 items rated on a Likert scale. The relationship between screen time and GHS score and related factors for participants was compared.

Results: The median screen time and GHS of participants  were 180 minutes (10-945) and 13.5 (4-28), respectively. After screen time was categorized in respect to the mean of 180 minutes, A younger age (p=0.007), higher educational status (p=0.03), and early-stage disease (p=0.03) were each associated with increased screen time. Cancer stage had a correlation with GHS (add p value and correlation coefficient). While educational level was positively related with screen time (r=0.216, p=0.009), age (r=-0.471, p<0.001) and cancer stage (r=-0.332, p=0.03) were negatively correlated. Screen time was not found to be associated with GHS scores in both cancer patients and healthy participants.

Conclusion: Although smartphone usage has been increasing secondary to the dependence on social networks and increasing in-person restrictions, it did not affect the mental wellbeing among patients with cancer nor healthy participants.
Pattern Recognition System Program Advancement to Compensate Strip Expansion on 1-Map Strips
Authors: Buera Maria Virginia S. , Mendoza Mariane A. , Gomez Frederick Ray I.
Published: May 2021

Package singulation process is where the whole strip was sheared to produce individual units. Existing singulation program for 1-map strip have only six (6) pattern recognition system (PRS) points along the whole strip with 240 mm length. Considering the length of the strip, it is prone with misalignment especially when the unit pitching is small. Due to a big gap of PRS points, the compensation of unit pitch has a significant variable value due to strip expansion that results to misalignment when not monitored. PRS works to calculate and compensate the appropriate alignment of the strip including the unit pitching. Distance between adjacent PRS points divided by the number of cut lines it covers results to the unit pitch. The lesser accumulation of strip expansion, the more it compensates and align with the actual unit pitch. Modification of PRS Program to add PRS points along the strip in order to lessen the distance between adjacent PRS points were made and results were promising compared with the existing with only 6 PRS points. It has been found out that unit pitch varies by adding PRS points that will compensate the expansion of the whole strip.
Backside Chippings Improvement through Wafer Dicing Parameter Optimization and Understanding the Anistropic Silicon Properties
Authors: Agudon Aiza Marie E. , Bacquian Bryan Christian S.
Published: May 2021

Semiconductor Companies and Industries soar high as the trend for electronic gadgets and devices increases. Transition from “manual” to “fully automatic” application is one of the advantages why consumer adapt to changes and prefer electronic devices as one of daily answers. Individuals who admire these electronic devices often ask how they are made.

As we look inside each device, we can notice interconnected microchips commonly called IC (Integrated Circuit). These are specially prepared silicon wafers where integrated circuit are developed. Commonly, each device is composed of numerous microchips depending on the design and functionality

IC production is processed from “front-end” to “back-end” assembly. Front-end assembly includes wafer fabrication where electrical circuitry is prepared and integrated to every single silicon wafers. Back-end assembly covers processing the wafer by cutting into smaller individual and independent components called “dice”. Each dice will be placed into Leadframe, bonded with wires prior encapsulating with mold compounds. After molding, each IC will be cut through a process called singulation. Afterwards, all molded units are subjected for functional testing.

Dice is central to each IC; it is where miniature transistor, resistor and capacitor are integrated to form complex small circuitry in microchips.

Pre-assembly (Pre-assy) stations have the first hand prior to all succeeding stations. Live wafers are primary direct materials processed in these stations. Robust work instruction and parameter must be practiced during handling and processing to avoid gross rejection and possible work-related defects.

The paper is all about the challenges to resolve and improved the backside chippings in 280um wafer thickness in mechanical dicing saw. The conventional Mechanical dicing process induce a lot of mechanical stress and vibration during the cutting process which oftentimes lead to backside chipping and die crack issues. However, backside chippings can mitigate with proper selection of parameter settings and understand the silicon wafer properties.
Elimination of Intermetallic Coverage Over-etching on Aluminum Pad
Authors: Jaylo-Sia Jonalyn , Pulido Jonathan , Gomez Frederick Ray
Published: May 2021

Intermetallic coverage (IMC) is one of the critical wirebond output responses that is usually checked to ensure the ball to pad integrity. The success of wirebonding relies on the formation of an interfacial intermetallic growth of ball bond to ensure it can withstand reliability stresses. The challenging approach in IMC analysis detect as over-etching around IMC area that leads to inaccurate IMC data collection. To address the over-etching, we generate a new method which is backside polishing that results to a reliable IMC data collection and help reduced the cycle time of IMC data gathering.
Therapeutic Role of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - A Review
Authors: Kausar Tahreem , Anwar Sadaf , Hanan Entesar , Yaseen Mifftha , Aboelnaga Shimaa M. H. , Azad Z. R. Azaz Ahmad
Published: May 2021

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common kitchen spice that belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. It is rich in phytochemistry that is promoting health benefits.  It is used as a home remedy to support the common cold, headaches, and pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiemetic, antiulcer, and anti-cancer, antiplatelet, anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering activities. Gingerols are key ingredients found in ginger that convert into zingerone, shogaol, and parasols, giving flavor and odor. Zingerone and shogaol are present in limited quantities in fresh ginger and more in dried or extracted goods. Especially 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol  are pharmacological properties that are effective in antipyretic, analgesic, and hypotensive. The present review is about different therapeutic properties of ginger, including antioxidant properties, anti-diabetic properties, anti-cancer properties etc.
Herbal Liposomes: Natural Network for Targeted Drug Delivery System
Authors: Salunkhe Vijay R. , Patil Prasanna S. , Wadkar Ganesh H. , Bhinge Somnath D.
Published: May 2021

Herbal medicines have tremendous therapeutic potential that can explored across various effective drug delivery system. Decoctions, herbal teas, tinctures, glyceritum, oxymel, and use much soap, herbal tablets, herbal capsules, and herbal cream, herbal books, and prepared the confection of the most commonly available forms of dosage. The less use of herbal formulations in recent decades due to their lack of standardization. It is possible to use plant extract and isolated constituents to overcome this problem. But these phytoconstituents are suffering from drawbacks, mostly due to problems with stability and low lipid solubility. Novel drug delivery such as liposomes plays an important role in problem solving. Infact, compliance with the patient also improves. The review article discusses the recent status of new herbal liposomal formulations and describes the different ways in which these formulations are prepared.
Diabetes Mellitus with Silent Myocardial Ischemia: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study of Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Siddiq Muhammad Zohaib , Memon Shahid Hussain , Ali Anwar , Almas Tabassum , Razzaq Atiya , Ahmed Farhan
Published: May 2021

Background: Previous studies have established the fact that diabetic patients are predominantly inclined towards silent myocardial infarction (SMI). The objective of the present study is to determine the incidence of SMI in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, patient data was gathered on a predesigned proforma regarding the detailed history of dyspnea, DM and its duration, chest pain either present or not. Those patients who had normal ECG labeled negative for SMI, while those who had either ST-segment elevation or ST-segment deviation on resting ECG were positive for SMI. Study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi- Pakistan.

Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 54.21±8.65 (40-70) years. Out of 210, majority were female (51.90%).Overall, 94(44.76%) patients were obese, 122(58.09%) were hypertensive, 90(42.85%) had dyslipidemia and 98(46.66%) diabetic patients were smokers. There were 93 (44.3%) DM patients who had SMI. Moreover, 109(51.90%) patients had a family history of myocardial ischemia.

Conclusion:  The SMI incidence among diabetic patients was found higher in local population. It is proposed that diabetic patients with demonstrated cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy must be screened for the manifestation of SMI.
Comparing the Rate of Perineal Tears with and Without Episiotomy in Primigravida Women
Authors: Neelam . , Batool Kiran , Kadir Sadia , Fatima Kaneez , Nadeem Afshan , Durani Tahira Afzal
Published: May 2021

Objective: To compare the frequency of perineal tears (3rd and 4th degree) with and without episiotomy in primigravida women.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at peoples Medical College Hospital (PMCH) Nawabshah.

Duration of Study: Six month from March 2015 to September 2015.

Study Design: Randomized control trial.

Subject and Methods: In this study 322 primigravida women with singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation were included. The patients were kept in labour room till the second stage of labour. The patients were divided into two groups equally. In Groups-A, right mediolateral episiotomy was performed after infiltration with local anaesthesia at the time of crowing. The Group B in which episiotomy was not given. After delivery, patients were examined for extension of episiotomy in Group A and 3rd and 4th degree perineal tear in both groups.

Results:  Mean age was 27.83±6.27 years in group A and 27.60±4.93 years in group B (p=0.724). Mean gestational age was 38.17±1.25 weeks was in group A and 38.11±119 weeks in group B (p=0.644). The rate of 3rd and 4th degree perineal tear was significantly higher in group A as compare to group B [60.87% vs. 47.83% p=0.019] and [39.13% vs. 26.09% p=0.013] respectively.

Conclusion: Episiotomy was found to be an important risk factor for extension of the perineal tear. It should be practiced only where it is indicated like rigid perineum, any instrumental delivery and shoulder dystocia.
Association between Working Memory and Obesity among Secondary School Children
Authors: Christina S. Dorcas , Sangeetha A. , Kumaresan M. , Varadharaju B. , Hemachandrika C.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Obesity is not just a term but a threat faced by the younger generation. It affects the vital systems of our body and very importantly impairs the cognitive functions of our brain. Lack of exercise, lethargy, increased usage of electronic gadgets is some of the notable reasons for childhood obesity. This study has been designed to find out how obesity is playing a role in a child’s short term memory skills.

Materials and Methods: A Cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 125 secondary school children from random urban south Indian population. The students were asked to fill in their general details along with height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference and asked to play a set of matching games and put in their score to measure working memory.

Results: Association between corresponding memory task scores and BMI indicates a strong negative correlation (r = -.008) and (r = -.07).

Conclusion: The present results therefore indicate that there is an association between obesity and poorer working memory performance in secondary school children. Therefore to conclude, the extent to which children are physically active is influenced by a multiple and interrelated factors. Addressing physical inactivity and its contribution to childhood overweight obesity requires a broad and holistic approach.
A Review on Chemical Composition, Biosynthesis of Steviol Glycosides, Application, Cultivation, and Phytochemical Screening of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni
Authors: Gunasena Mylange Dona Kasundi Mekhala , Sachinthanie Senarath Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage Uththara , Senarath Wathuge Thamara Priyanthi Sandun Kumari
Published: May 2021

Aims: Stevia rebaudiana which is commonly known as sweet leaf herb is used to extract non caloric sweet steviol glycosides. Thus based on available reports about its chemical composition, biosynthesis of steviol glycosides, application, cultivation, and phytochemical screening an attempt has been made to review to Stevia rebaudiana in context of its medicinal and pharmaceutical importance.

Methodology: Literature search have been done in the web using google scholar, PubMed as search platform. More than two-thirds of the references are within 15 years.

Results: According to the literature search S. rebaudiana leaves contain non caloric steviol glycosides and pharmaceutically important other phytochemicals. Miccropropagation is the best propagation method to overcome difficulties in conventional propagation methods.

Conclusion: It is concluded that in vitro cultures has potential to extract important phytochemicals used in various pharmaceutical, food (flavoring agents, food additives) and perfume industries.
Complications of Advanced Stage of Various Types of Thyroid Tumors at Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Laghari Ahsan Ali , Khaskheli Ghulam Akbar , Bhurt Amjad Ali , Bhurt Amjad Ali , Bhurt Amjad Ali , Baloch Tufail Ahmed , Pathan Rafique Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Objective: To determine the complications associated various types of tumors of advanced stage of thyroid disease at tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration: Two years study from April 2018 to March 2020 was conducted in Liaquat University of Medical and health sciences Jamshoro.

Patients and Methods: All patients were admitted from Outpatient department (OPD) with advance stage of tumor of thyroid and either of gender were included. The patients were evaluated fully after history and clinical examinations berries sign and specific investigations of thyroid profile (T3,T4,TSH), ultrasound of thyroid,  fine-needle aspiration cytology FNAC, image guided biopsy,  frozen section biopsy  for confirmation  of diagnosis, indirect laryngoscopy,  x - Ray neck  and MRI. All the patients were assessed for pre-operative evaluation (complications) with advanced stage of thyroid tumors. All the data regarding developed complications was recorded via study proforma. Data was analyzed by using the SPSS version 20.  

Results: Most of the patients were found with age groups of 20 to 34 years and 35 to 55 years. Out of all, 25 patients were diagnosed papillary carcinoma, 12 patients were diagnosed as follicular carcinoma, 7 patients had Anaplastic carcinoma, 4 patients were diagnosed lymphoma and 2 patients were diagnosed as medullary carcinoma. As per complications of advanced disease 23 patients had thyroid swelling with cervical lymphadenopathy and pain, 13 patients had thyroid swelling with change of voice, 7 patients had thyroid swelling with dyspnea and dysphagia, 5 patients were  presented with thyroid swelling with bony pain, weight loss and pathological fractures, 2 patients were presented with thyroid swelling with diarrhea.

Conclusion: Various complications such as swelling, pain, hemorrhage, cervical lymphadenopathy, change in voice, weight loos, pathological fracture, dyspnea and dysphagia were frequently seen in patients presented with advanced stage of thyroid disease.
Development of a Validated Stability Indicating Rp-Hplc Method for the Estimation of Pirfenidone in Bulk Drug and Tablet Dosage form
Authors: Vanitha C. , Singirikonda Sravani
Published: May 2021

Objective: The present work focused on developing a validated stability indicating RP-HPLC method for the estimation of pirfenidone in bulk drug and tablet dosage form.

Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on symmetry C18 (150 mm x 4.6, 5 micron) with a 1 ml/min flow rate at 315nm. The mobile phase employed was orthophosphoric acid buffer: acetonitrile (65:35). Column temperature was maintained at 30ºC. Pirfenidone was subjected to different forced degradation conditions according to ICH guidelines, including acid, base and neutral hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. 

Results: In alkali, acidic, oxidation and UV degradation conditions the drug shows considerable degradation. Pirfenidone was stable under neutral hydrolysis and thermal degradation. Pirfenidone was stable under extreme degradation conditions showing less than 8% of degradation in all degradation conditions. This result showed that pirfenidone was stable under stress degradation. Then the optimized method was validated for the parameters like linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness as per ICH guidelines.
Evaluation of Changes Induced in the Probiotic Escherichia coli M17 Following Recurrent Exposure to Antimicrobials
Authors: Mbarga M. J. A. , Podoprigora I. V. , Volina E. G. , Ermolaev A. V. , Smolyakova L. A.
Published: May 2021

Introduction: It is already well known that the exposure of certain bacteria, pathogenic or not, to antimicrobials is likely to increase their virulence and induce the development of direct or cross resistance to antimicrobials, but there is almost no information available regarding probiotics.

Aim: To assess the changes induced in susceptibility to antibiotics, biofilm formation, growth rate and relative pathogenicity in the probiotic Escherichia coli M17 (EC-M17) after long exposure to antimicrobials namely ampicillin, kanamycin, cefazolin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

Methods: After determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the 4 antimicrobials above-mentioned by the microdilution method, EC-M17 was exposed to increasing subinhibitory doses ranging from MIC/8 to MIC for 8 days. The susceptibility to antibiotics of the mutants obtained was assessed by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, biofilm formation by the Congo red agar method and with crystal violet bacterial attachment assay, and relative pathogenicity was assessed using a Galleria melonella waxworm model.

Results: Exposure to antimicrobials induces noticeable changes in EC-M17. The highest adaptation to antimicrobials was observed on AgNPs with 8-fold increase in MIC and 16-fold increase in MBC of AgNPs. EC-M17 exposed to ampicillin, kanamycin and silver nanoparticles became resistant to ampicillin, ceftazidime, ceftazidime/clavulanate and tetracycline while exposure to cefazolin induced a significant decrease in sensitivity to tetracycline and ampicillin and resistance to ceftazidime/clavulanate and ceftazidime. The strain exposed to ampicillin was the only one to produce more biofilm than the control strain and except the EC-M17 exposed to cefazolin, all other EC-M17 strains were more pathogenic on G. melonella model than the control.

Conclusion: Data in this investigation suggest that repeated exposure of the probiotic EC-M17 to antimicrobials may induce changes in antimicrobials susceptibility, biofilm formation, growth rate, and relative pathogenicity. Therefore, as far as possible, the probiotic E. coli M17 should not be used in combination with antibiotics and further investigations are required to expand similar work on more probiotics in order to avoid resistance build-up which might be transmitted by horizontal transfer.
Development of Validated Stability-indicating High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography Method for Estimation of Rabeprazole Sodium and Aceclofenac in Bulk Drug
Authors: Shewale Sunil , Undale Vaishali , Shelar Maruti , Bhalchim Vrushali , Deshmukh Atul
Published: May 2021

Objective: To develop a validated stability-indicating high performance thin layer chromatography method for the estimation of Rabeprazole Sodium (RZL) and Aceclofenac (ACF) in bulk drugs.

Methods: A high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for the separation of RZL & ACF on plates precoated with aluminium back silica gel 60 F254. Different mobile phases were used on trial and error basis for separation of two drugs. The final mobile phase selected for analysis was toluene: ethyl acetate: methanol: acetic acid: ammonia in the ration of 6:4:1:0.2:0.1 (v/v). Both the drugs showed maximum absorbance at 279 nm which was selected as the detection wavelength throughout the experimental work. Developed method was validated as per ICH guidelines. Forced degradation of drugs was carried out under various stress conditions and HPTLC method was used for analysing the stability of drugs.

Results: HPTLC method was successfully developed for separation of RZL and ACF with clear separation of bands of the drugs. Method validation after assessment of various parameters indicated low % RSD within an acceptable limit of < 2.0 and the stability studies indicated the satisfactory separation of both the drugs from that of degraded products with considerable % recovery profile.

Conclusion: The developed method is rapid, reliable, precise, and reproducible and demonstrates the suitability of the method for stability determination of rabeprazole and aceclofenac.
Acceptance and Behavior of Social Media Use: Causality Analysis of Media Needs, Media Choice and Intervening Characteristics of Social Media Innovations
Authors: Raharjo J. S. Dwi , Kholil . , Sunuantari Manik
Published: May 2021

Social media as one of the implementations of CMC has been widely used by more than half of the world's population in various forms of fulfilling needs and choices in interaction and communication, which is a phenomenon that we can see today. This research aims to see to what extent these needs and choices influence the acceptance and use of social media directly or indirectly through the characteristics of the innovation possessed by these social media.

The research method used is a quantitative approach through a survey of the population of the reseacrh, namely students of the communication science study program of PTS in DKI Jakarta, represented by 378 respondents who have been validated. Data analysis using SEM modeling which is divided into measurement and structural models.

The results of the research indicate that social media needs and choices have a significant effect on social media acceptance, social media needs and the choices have a significant effect on social media use behavior, then also the social media needs and choices through the characteristics of innovation have a significant effect on social media acceptance and needs. The choice of social media through the characteristics of innovation has a significant effect on the behavior of using social media. This research also shows that the need factors include personal needs, social needs and the need for tension relief and choice factors, namely media richness and critical mass of social media have an influence in accepting and using social media by students.
Traditional Architecture in Romanian Philately (II): the Case Study Regarding Households from Chiojdu Mic, Curteni and Curtișoara
Authors: Cioruța Bogdan-Vasile , Pop Alexandru Leonard
Published: May 2021

As the traditional Romanian architecture is little known abroad and sporadically threatened with major changes due to the incursions of various neo-modernist architectural currents, it is appropriate to bring back to the attention of the general public, the image of what was and still is there. In this context, this study aims to emphasize the beauty and uniqueness of traditional architecture in terms of the tools offered by Romanian philately. Knowing that philately is an ambassador of promoting Romanian cultural values locally, but also abroad, the present study tried to outline this aspect in relation to the ethnographic and architectural specifics. Thus, the architectural specificity of three areas is desired, this time from the localities of Chiojdu Mic (Buzău), Curteni (Vaslui), and Curtișoara (Gorj), using stamps, illustrated postcards, and other philatelic effects. The results of the investigation, carried out through the consultation of sites with predominantly philatelic content (on platforms such as Colnect®, Delcampe®, PicClick®, StampWorld®, etc), confirm the preoccupation of the Romanian thematic philately for the local architecture; at the same time, indicate the availability of the community towards the promotion of the cultural heritage.
Sex: Advantage
Authors: Paczesniak Dorota , Neiman Maurine , Jokela Jukka
Published: May 2021

One of the important unanswered questions in evolutionary biology is why sexual reproduction is so common. In theory, sex is so costly that individuals that reproduce sexually should be at a major disadvantage relative to asexually reproducing competitors. This leads to the expectation that sex should lose in competition with asexual reproduction and thus be rare in nature, which is in striking contrast to its widespread occurrence. This profound disconnect between theory and reality has motivated decades of research into potential advantages of sexual reproduction. While much progress has come from these efforts, why sex predominates is still unclear. It is likely that part of the answer is linked to an advantage of sex under pressure from coevolving parasites. Other important processes may be increased rate of adaptation, more efficient clearance of deleterious mutations and other costs associated with asexuality that are not direct consequences of the lack of recombination.

Key Concepts

The fundamental difference between sexual and asexual reproduction is that sex produces offspring that due to recombination differ from their siblings and their parents by having both unique and different combinations of alleles in their genome.

In theory, sex should be rare because it breaks up allele combinations that have proven to work well together and because sexual females waste resources on production of sons that do not directly contribute to population growth.

The predominance of sex in nature indicates that production of genetically distinct offspring must also generate profound benefits.

Comparing the geographic distribution of sexual and asexual populations can provide insights into the advantages and disadvantages of sex.

The most direct and powerful way to study sex is to compare coexisting sexual and asexual females that are phylogenetically close relatives and ecologically very similar apart from their reproductive mode.

Benefits of sex likely include increased rate of adaptation, clearance of harmful mutations and potential advantages of genetic diversity with respect to the evasion of biological enemies.

The transition to asexuality may lower the fitness of asexual phenotypes and thus the cost of sex, in which case the maintenance of sex is easier to explain.
Computer‐Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)
Authors: Séror Jérémie
Published: May 2021

The digital age has been marked by an explosion in the availability of software programs and applications designed to support research. Word processors, database management software, corpus software, and statistical analysis and programming packages have impacted in fundamental ways how scholars of all persuasions approach and conduct research, including the development of digital tools to support qualitative research. Also known as computer‐assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) or qualitative data analysis software (QDAS), these computer programs are designed to assist researchers as they engage in the process and tasks of carrying out qualitative data analysis. This entry provides an overview of the affordances of these tools, including recent developments and their potential to allow researchers to work digitally with qualitative data to enhance the efficiency and validity of the analytical process and its research outcomes.
New Literacies of Online Research and Comprehension
Authors: Leu Donald J. , Kiili Carita , Forzani Elena , Zawilinski Lisa , O'Byrne W. Ian , McVerry J. Greg
Published: May 2021

This entry explores the question of how to conceptualize literacy as a deictic concept, one that continually changes as new technologies for literacy and learning emerge. It suggests a dual‐level conceptualization of theory: a New Literacies theory as an overarching theory that encompasses perspectives and findings from the many studies of literacy, which are referred to as new literacies theories, using lower case. It then focuses special attention on an important lower‐case theory, the new literacies of online research and comprehension. This new literacies theory frames online reading as a process of problem‐based inquiry involving the new skills, strategies, dispositions, and social practices that take place as we use the Internet to solve problems and answer questions. Current understanding of online reading to learn from a New Literacies perspective is informed by recent research using assessments that measure students' ability to conduct online research in science and comprehend what they read in a virtual online world. Findings suggest that online reading requires different skills than reading paper materials; that differences across modes of reading are important for school learning; and that the Internet is best conceived as a literacy issue rather than a technology issue.
Uses of Language Assessments
Authors: Nguyen Phuong
Published: May 2021

Language assessments and tests are used in many contexts and for a variety of purposes. This entry presents their various uses and explains the relationship between language test use and validity. In assessment of individual test takers, language tests can be used for gatekeeping, placement, and diagnostic purposes as well as for assessing learners' achievements. Additionally, language tests are used to evaluate the effectiveness of language programs or for research purposes. Language test use plays a central role in test validation, driving the validity argument. A validity argument provides an overall evaluation of the proposed interpretations and uses of test scores through an analysis of evidence for and against the intended interpretations and uses in addition to their consequences.
Australian study touts patient satisfaction with depot buprenorphine
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2021

In a study funded by Camurus, which makes the depot versions of buprenorphine, patients receiving the medication had better satisfaction with the treatment than those receiving oral buprenorphine, highlighting the importance of patient‐reported outcomes as alternative endpoints to traditional markers of treatment outcome. The depot version is injected subcutaneously in weekly or monthly doses. Oral (sublingual) buprenorphine is taken daily.
N‐Doped Carbon Modifying MoSSe Nanosheets on Hollow Cubic Carbon for High‐Performance Anodes of Sodium‐Based Dual‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Beibei , Liu Yangjie , Hu Xiang , Zhong Guobao , Li Junwei , Yuan Jun , Wen Zhenhai
Published: May 2021

Sodium‐based dual‐ion batteries (SDIBs) have been envisaged as one of the promising rechargeable energy storage devices by virtue of the low cost and considerably high energy density. But the exploration of high‐performance anode materials yet remain a grand challenge. Herein, an elaborate design is reported to fabricate nanohybrids of N‐doped carbon film modifying MoSSe nanosheets supported on hollow cubic N‐doped carbon (MoSSeNSs@NC/hC‐NC), which features abundant anionic defects, few‐layered MoSSe with expanded interlayer spacing, good conductivity, and hollow structure. These favorable properties and structure are greatly conducive for Na+ storage, as evidenced by displaying desirable electrochemical properties of high capacity, good rate capability, and excellent stability. The impressive capability for Na+ storage in the MoSSeNSs@NC/hC‐NC motivates to set up a full SDIBs device by coupling with EG cathode, which show a discharge capacity of 185 mA h g–1 at 1 A g–1 with the capacity retention of almost 100% over 2000 cycles.
Deployable Structures Based on Buckling of Curved Beams Upon a Rotational Input
Authors: Mhatre Saurabh , Boatti Elisa , Melancon David , Zareei Ahmad , Dupont Maxime , Bechthold Martin , Bertoldi Katia
Published: May 2021

Inspired by the recent success of buckling‐induced reconfigurable structures, a new class of deployable systems that harness buckling of curved beams upon a rotational input is proposed. First, experimental and numerical methods are combined to investigate the influence of the beam's geometric parameters on its non‐linear response. Then, it is shown that a wide range of deployable architectures can be realized by combining curved beams. Finally, the proposed principles are used to build deployable furniture such as tables and lamp shades that are flat/compact for transportation and storage, require simple or no assembly, and can be expanded by applying a simple rotational input.
An Advanced Tunable Multimodal Luminescent La4GeO8: Eu2+, Er3+ Phosphor for Multicolor Anticounterfeiting
Authors: Pei Pengxiang , Wei Ruiping , Wang Binbin , Su Junxia , Zhang Zhichao , Liu Weisheng
Published: May 2021

The development of advanced luminescent materials is of great importance to the anticounterfeiting application and still confronts with lots of challenges. At present, most anticounterfeiting luminescent materials are based on a monotonous photoluminescence model, which is easily faked by substitutes. Therefore, in this work, a multimodal La4GeO8: Eu2+, Er3+ material is reported, which can emit red, purple, baby blue, and green light under the increased excitation wavelength from 250 to 380 nm. Meanwhile, the phosphor also shows green upconversion luminescence under the NIR (980 and 808 nm) laser irradiation. Moreover, the phosphor features excellent stability and humidity resistance against harsh conditions. Based on the integrated feature, a functional anticounterfeiting application is designed. Results demonstrate that the multimodal luminescent feature can be easily detected by using a portable ultraviolet lamp or NIR (808 or 980 nm) laser. The unique characteristic will be complicated to counterfeit and show high‐level security in the field of advanced anticounterfeiting.
Evolving Highly Active Oxidic Iron(III) Phase from Corrosion of Intermetallic Iron Silicide to Master Efficient Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation and Selective Oxygenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Hausmann J. Niklas , Beltrán‐Suito Rodrigo , Mebs Stefan , Hlukhyy Viktor , Fässler Thomas F. , Dau Holger , Driess Matthias , Menezes Prashanth W.
Published: May 2021

In a green energy economy, electrocatalysis is essential for chemical energy conversion and to produce value added chemicals from regenerative resources. To be widely applicable, an electrocatalyst should comprise the Earth's crust's most abundant elements. The most abundant 3d metal, iron, with its multiple accessible redox states has been manifold applied in chemocatalytic processes. However, due to the low conductivity of FeIIIOxHy phases, its applicability for targeted electrocatalytic oxidation reactions such as water oxidation is still limited. Herein, it is shown that iron incorporated in conductive intermetallic iron silicide (FeSi) can be employed to meet this challenge. In contrast to silicon‐poor iron–silicon alloys, intermetallic FeSi possesses an ordered structure with a peculiar bonding situation including covalent and ionic contributions together with conducting electrons. Using in situ X‐ray absorption and Raman spectroscopy, it could be demonstrated that, under the applied corrosive alkaline conditions, the FeSi partly forms a unique, oxidic iron(III) phase consisting of edge and corner sharing [FeO6] octahedra together with oxidized silicon species. This phase is capable of driving the oxyge evolution reaction (OER) at high efficiency under ambient and industrially relevant conditions (500 mA cm−2 at 1.50 ± 0.025 VRHE and 65 °C) and to selectively oxygenate 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
Wirelessly Actuated Thermo‐ and Magneto‐Responsive Soft Bimorph Materials with Programmable Shape‐Morphing
Authors: Zhang Jiachen , Guo Yubing , Hu Wenqi , Sitti Metin
Published: May 2021

Soft materials that respond to wireless external stimuli are referred to as “smart” materials due to their promising potential in real‐world actuation and sensing applications in robotics, microfluidics, and bioengineering. Recent years have witnessed a burst of these stimuli‐responsive materials and their preliminary applications. However, their further advancement demands more versatility, configurability, and adaptability to deliver their promised benefits. Here, a dual‐stimuli‐responsive soft bimorph material with three configurations that enable complex programmable 3D shape‐morphing is presented. The material consists of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and magnetic‐responsive elastomers (MREs) via facile fabrication that orthogonally integrates their respective stimuli‐responsiveness without detrimentally altering their properties. The material offers an unprecedented wide design space and abundant degree‐of‐freedoms (DoFs) due to the LCE's programmable director field, the MRE's programmable magnetization profile, and diverse geometric configurations. It responds to wireless stimuli of the controlled magnetic field and environmental temperature. Its dual‐responsiveness allows the independent control of different DoFs for complex shape‐morphing behaviors with anisotropic material properties. A diverse set of in situ reconfigurable shape‐morphing and an environment‐aware untethered miniature 12‐legged robot capable of locomotion and self‐gripping are demonstrated. Such material can provide solutions for the development of future soft robotic and other functional devices.
Unambiguous Determination of Electrostatically Driven Molecular Packing in a Triphenylene–Surfactant Complex Monolayer
Authors: Mallik Samapika , Erimban Shakkira , Kaleeswaran Swamynathan , Kumar Sandeep , Daschakraborty Snehasis , Nayak Alpana
Published: May 2021

Emergence of ordered structures during molecular self‐assembly at interfaces is influenced by a variety of thermodynamic and kinetic factors that are not well understood. Experiments alone can only inform about the final architecture keeping self‐assembly pathways inaccessible. Here with the help of molecular dynamic simulations, the intricate details of the self‐assembly processes and resultant ordered structures of a triphenylene–surfactant complex monolayer at air–water interface are reported. The monolayer is observed to be stable and reversible using surface manometry and real‐time Brewster angle microscopy. Not only that the simulated isotherm and 2D density profiles are in good agreement with experimental observations, the simulation results bespeak the crucial role of specific electrostatic interactions forming the nanostructures at the interface analyzed via orientational structural profiles, radial distribution, and Z‐density profiles. Moreover, real‐space visualization using atomic force microscopy suggests that the molecular packing is preserved in the monolayer even after transferring onto a silicon substrate. Since the rational designing of organic electronics requires nanoscale control of molecular structures on solid substrates, it is anticipated that these results will be of fundamental importance.
Binder‐Free Electrodes with High Energy Density and Excellent Flexibility Enabled by Hierarchical Configuration for Wearable Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Shaoqing , Zhou Weiya , Xia Xiaogang , Lu Zhao , Chen Penghui , Wang Zibo , Xiao Zhuojian , Xi Wei , Wang Yanchun , Rao Guanghui , Xie Sishen
Published: May 2021

There is strong demand for higher energy density and flexible lithium ion batteries recently. Unfortunately, electrodes built by conventional methods cannot meet these requirements simultaneously due to the large amount of inactive additives needed for sufficient flexibility. Herein, by utilizing a continuous single‐walled carbon nanotube reticulation and designing an all‐in‐one hierarchical configuration, binder‐free electrodes are fabricated via an in situ integration procedure. The electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance against up to 20 000 cycles of bending and high energy density (up to 493 Wh kg−1electrode and 820 Wh L−1electrode). The hierarchical configuration takes full diverse advantages of different carbon nanostructures. The as‐obtained novel binder‐free electrodes exhibit not only good cyclability (up to ≈90% capacity retentions after 1500 cycles) with only 4 wt% additive materials, but also show enhanced kinetic process, in comparison to those of traditional electrodes. Furthermore, based on the as‐designed electrodes, flexible cells are assembled and a practical wearable system is fabricated, manifesting that they can be used in a stable and flexible power supply for smart systems.