bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Covid-19 Infection in Italy: A Statistical Study of an Abnormally Severe Disease
Authors: De Natale Giuseppe , Ricciardi Valerio , De Luca Gabriele , De Natale Dario , Di Meglio Giovanni , Ferragamo Antonio , Marchitelli Vito , Piccolo Andrea , Scala Antonio , Somma Renato , Spina Emanuele , Troise Claudia
Published: April 2020

We statistically investigate the Coronavirus Disease 19 (hereinafter Covid-19) epidemics, which is particularly invasive in Italy. We show that the high apparent mortality (or Case Fatality Ratio, CFR) observed in Italy, as compared with other countries, is likely biased by a strong underestimation of infected cases. To give a more realistic estimate of the mortality of Covid-19, we use the most recent estimates of the IFR (Infection Fatality Ratio) of epidemic, based on the minimum observed CFR, and furthermore analyse data obtained from the ship Diamond Princess, a good representation of a ‘laboratory’ case-study from an isolated system in which all the people have been tested. From such analyses we derive more realistic estimates of the real extension of the infection, as well as more accurate indicators of how fast the infection propagates. We then point out from the various explanations proposed, the dominant factors causing such an abnormal seriousness of the disease in Italy. Finally, we use the deceased data, the only ones estimated to be reliable enough, to predict the total number of infected people and the interval of time when the infection in Italy could stop.
The Banach-Tarski Paradox Dictates Snyergistic Routes for Scale-Free Neurodynamics
Authors: Tozzi Arturo , Peters James F.
Published: April 2020

Neuroscientists are able to detect physical changes in information entropy in available neurodata. However, the information paradigm is inadequate to fully describe nervous dynamics and mental activities such as perception. This paper provides an effort to build explanations to neural dynamics alternative to thermodynamic and information accounts. We recall the Banach–Tarski paradox (BTP), which informally states that, when pieces of a ball are moved and rotated without changing their shape, a synergy between two balls of the same volume is achieved instead of the original one. We show how and why BTP might display this physical and biological synergy meaningfully, making it possible to tackle nervous activities. The anatomical and functional structure of the central nervous system’s nodes and edges allows to perform a sequence of moves inside the connectome that doubles the amount of available cortical oscillations. In particular, a BTP-based mechanism permits scale-invariant nervous oscillations to amplify and propagate towards far apart brain areas. Paraphrasing the BPT’s definition, we could state that: when a few components of a self-similar nervous oscillation are moved and rotated throughout the cortical connectome, two self-similar oscillations are achieved instead of the original one. Furthermore, based on topological structures, we illustrate how, counterintuitively, the amplification of scale-free oscillations does not require information transfer.
Estimation of Unreported Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Infections from Reported Deaths: a Susceptible Exposed Infectious Recovered Dead Model
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Barchitta Martina , Battiato Sebastiano , Agodi Antonella
Published: April 2020

In the midst of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic, examining reported case data could lead to biased speculations and conclusions. Indeed, estimation of unreported infections is crucial for a better understanding of the current emergency in China and in other countries. In this study, we aimed to estimate the unreported number of infections in China prior to 23 March 2020 restrictions. To do that, we developed a Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered-Dead (SEIRD) model which estimated unreported cases and infections from the reported number of deaths. Our approach relied on the fact that observed deaths were less likely to be affected by reporting biases than reported infections. Interestingly, we estimated that R0 was 2.43 (95%CI= 2.42 – 2.44) at the beginning of the epidemic, and that 92.9% (95%CI= 92.5% - 93.1%) of total cases were not reported. Similarly, the proportion of unreported new infections by day ranged from 52.1% to 100%, with a total of 91.8% (95%CI= 91.6% - 92.1%) unreported infections. Agreement between our estimates and those from previous studies proved that our approach was reliable to estimate prevalence and incidence of undocumented SARS-CoV2 infections. Once tested on Chinese data, our model could be applied on other countries with different surveillance and testing policies.
Mass in de Sitter and Anti-de-Sitter Universes with Regard to Dark Matter
Authors: Gazeau Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2020

An explanation of the origin of dark matter is suggested in this work. The argument is based on symmetry considerations about the concept of mass. In the Wigner's view, the rest mass and the spin of a free elementary particle in flat space-time are the two invariants that characterize the associated unitary irreducible representation of the Poincar\'e group. The Poincar\'e group has two and only two deformations with maximal symmetry. They describe respectively the de Sitter (dS) and Anti de Sitter (AdS) kinematic symmetries. Analogously to their shared flat space-time limit, two invariants, spin and energy scale for de Sitter and rest energy for Anti de Sitter, characterize the unitary irreducible representation associated with dS and AdS elementary systems. While the dS energy scale is a simple deformation of the Poincaré rest energy and so has a purely mass nature, AdS rest energy is the sum of a purely mass component and a kind of zero-point energy derived from the curvature. An analysis based on recent estimates on the chemical freeze-out temperature marking in Early Universe the phase transition quark-gluon plasma epoch to the hadron epoch supports the guess that dark matter energy might originate from an effective AdS curvature energy.
Automated Measurement of Attitudes Towards Social Distancing Using Social Media: A COVID-19 Case Study
Authors: Kayes A. S. M. , Islam Md. Saiful , Watters Paul A. , Ng Alex , Kayesh Humayun
Published: April 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has focused attention on the use of social distancing as the primary defence against community infection, yet forcing social animals to maintain that physical distance has presented significant challenges for health authorities and law enforcement. Anecdotal media reports suggest widespread dissatisfaction with social distancing as a policy, yet there is little prior work aimed at measuring community acceptance of social distancing. In this paper, we propose a new approach to measuring attitudes towards social distancing by using social media and sentiment analysis. Over a 4 month period, we found 82.5% of tweets were in favour of social distancing. The results indicate a widespread acceptance of social distancing in the community. We conclude by examining options for estimating the optimal (minimal) social distance required at scale, and the implications for securing widespread community support and acceptance of public health messaging.
A Proposal for Isotherm World Maps to Forecast the Seasonal Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Authors: Scafetta Nicola
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates whether the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic – also known as COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) – could have been favored by specific weather conditions. It was found that the 2020 winter weather in the region of Wuhan (Hubei, Central China) – where the virus first broke out in December and spread widely from January to February 2020 – was strikingly similar to that of the Northern Italian provinces of Milan, Brescia and Bergamo, where the pandemic has been very severe from February to March. The similarity suggests that this pandemic worsens under weather temperatures between 4°C and 11°C. Based on this result, specific isotherm world maps were generated to locate, month by month, the world regions that share similar temperature ranges. From January to March, this isotherm zone extended mostly from Central China toward Iran, Turkey, West-Mediterranean Europe (Italy, Spain and France) up to the United State of America, coinciding with the geographic regions most affected by the pandemic from January to March. It is predicted that next spring, as the weather gets warm, the pandemic will likely worsen in northern regions (United Kingdom, Germany, East Europe, Russia and North America) while the situation will likely improve in the southern regions (Italy and Spain). However, in autumn, the pandemic could come back and affect the same regions again. The Tropical Zone and the entire Southern Hemisphere, but in restricted southern regions, could avoid a strong pandemic because of the sufficiently warm weather during the entire year. Google-Earth-Pro interactive-maps are provided as supplements.
Age Adaptive Social Distancing: A Nonlinear Engineering Strategy to Contrast COVID-19 via Precision and Personalized Mitigation
Authors: Cannistraci Carlo Vittorio
Published: April 2020

COVID-19 severity is heterogeneously distributed over age strata, but current mitigation strategies are homogeneously applied to all population. Social-distancing and stay-home are effective conservative approaches but lack economical sustainability on long term. Conversely, herd-immunity is a nonrestrictive strategy which can cost remarkable number of human lives and can melt the healthcare system down.Here I propose an Age Adaptive Social Distancing (AASD) engineering strategy to mitigate COVID-19 outbreak. AASD is based on the scientific evidence that the fatality rate grows nonlinearly with age, hence also the containing strategy should adapt nonlinearly. Essentially, AASD suggests that ‘silent spreaders’ (age 0-39) should avoid/minimize direct and indirect contacts with individuals in ‘dangerous zone’ (age 40+). The rationale is: 0-19 should follow parents strategy, healthy 20-39 (low fatality rate) might conduct screened life under active surveillance, to sustain economy and acquire rational immunity; 40-59 should respect social distancing (waiting a therapy); 60+ should stay at home (waiting a vaccine). This might save human lives, reduce healthcare demand and improve economical sustainability. The final take-home message is that future studies should design precision and personalized strategies for specific contagious diseases that integrate different social constrains, active surveillance and contact tracing.
In-Vitro Comparative Quality Assessment of Different Brands of Doxycycline Hyclate Finished Dosage Forms: Capsule and Tablet in Jimma Town, South Weast Ethiopia
Authors: Abraham Leficho Woldemichael , Abuye Lambore Habtamu , Kebede Olbemo Selass , Suleman Wega Sultan
Published: April 2020

Persistent post market quality evaluation helps produce clear information on the current quality status of the different brands of a given drug and hence introduces biopharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent list of the products to the prescribers and users of it. This in turn facilitates access to essential medicines by breaking the high cost barrier imposed by few expensive brands of the product. This study was aimed at determining the quality and evaluating equivalence of doxycycline hyclate capsules and tablets in Jimma, Ethiopia. Ten brands of doxycycline hyclate capsules and tablets were tested for physic-chemical parameters. All investigated brands of doxycycline complied with the USP for dosage unifor¬mity, assay of active ingredient and single-point dissolution tests. One brand, D09 failed both hardness and friabilty tests. Comparisons of dissolution profiles applying fit factors confirmed that only brands D04, D06 and D07 had similarity with innovator. Ratio test approaches also showed significant variability existence between test products and comparators. This may question the product’s being categorized as a  to mean in-vitro dissolution evaluation suffices its market approval. This work, however, found equivalence problems between ‘comparators’ and interchangeability issues among doxycycline different brands already distributed in the market.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Shamshirian Amir , Heydari Keyvan , Shams Zahra , Aref Amir Reza , Shamshirian Danial , Tamtaji Omid Reza , Asemi Zatollah , Mirzaei Hamed , Mohammadi Neda , Zibaee Behdad , Karimifar Keyvan , Zarandi Bahman , Hedayatizadeh-Omran Akbar , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza
Published: April 2020

To systematically investigate the epidemiology of breast cancer risk factors in Iran, we performed a systematic search via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Persian databases for identifying studies published on breast cancer risk factors up to March 2019. Meta-analyses were done for risk factors reported in more than one study. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a fixed/random-effects models.Thirty-nine studies entered into the meta-analysis. Pooling of ORs showed a significant harmful effect for risk factors including family history (OR: 1.80, 95%CI 1.47-2.12), HRT (OR: 5.48, 95%CI 0.84-1.74), ER positive (OR: 1.87, 95%CI 1.41-2.33), PR positive (OR: 1.84, 95%CI 1.38-2.29), stress condition (OR: 2.67, 95%CI 1.84-3.50), passive smokers (OR: 1.68, 95%CI 1.34-2.03), full-term pregnancy at age 30 (OR: 3.41, 95%CI 1.19-5.63), abortion (OR: 1.84, 95%CI 1.35-2.33), sweets consumption (OR: 1.71, 95%CI 1.32-2.11) and genotype Arg/Arg (crude OR: 1.59, 95%CI 1.07-2.10), whereas a significant protective effect for late menarche (OR: 0.58, 95%CI 0.32-0.83), nulliparity (OR: 0.68, 95%CI 0.39-0.96), 13 to 24 months of breastfeeding (OR: 0.68, 95%CI 0.46-0.90), daily exercise (OR: 0.59, 95%CI 0.44-0.73) and vegetable consumption (crude OR: 0.28, 95%CI 0.10-0.46).This study suggest that factors such as family history, HRT, ER and PR positive status, stress condition, passive smokers, late full-term pregnancy, abortion, sweets consumption and genotype Arg/Arg might increase risk of breast cancer development, whereas late menarche, nulliparity, 13-24 months breastfeeding, daily exercise and vegetable consumption had an inverse association with breast cancer development.
COVID-19 and Importance of Social Distancing
Authors: Aslam Fahim
Published: April 2020

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus also known as COVID-19 was declared as a public health emergency by the WHO where over a million people have been affected by the disease with over 50000 deaths till date. Social distancing is a method to minimize crowd interactions and prevent the spread of disease within groups of people. This is a common practice which has been carried out over generations to minimize the spread of virus by limiting its reproduction rate (R0) among communities. The article focuses on how social distancing has been used to deal previous pandemics globally and the issues that needs to be addressed to tackle the COVID-19 threat.
Particularities of structure formation of aluminum-copper composite materials manufactured by casting technology
Authors: Kalinichenko V. A. , Kalinichenko A. S. , Grigoriev S. V.
Published: April 2020

To create friction pairs operating in severe working conditions, composite materials are now increasingly used. Composite materials obtained with the use of casting technologies are of interest due to the possibility to manufacture wide range of compositions at low price compared to powder metallurgy. Despite the fact that many composite materials have been sufficiently studied, it is of interest to develop new areas of application and give them the properties required by the consumer. In the present work the composite materials on the basis of silumin reinforced with copper granules were considered. Attention was paid to the interaction between the matrix alloy and the reinforcing phase material as determining the properties of the composite material. The analysis of distribution of the basic alloying elements in volume of composite material and also in zones of the interphases interaction is carried out. The analysis of the possibility of obtaining a strong interphase zone of contact between the reinforcing component and the matrix material without significant dissolution of the reinforcing material is carried out.
Research on the extent of environmental pollution by foundry emissions
Authors: Lazarenkov A. M.
Published: April 2020

The results of the study of emissions of harmful substances from sources of foundries with different production patterns are given, the share of foundry shops in emissions is determined, calculations of dispersion of harmful substances in the atmosphere are made, and air pollution is estimated in nearby residential areas and enterprise territories.

The assessment of the share of foundries in environmental pollution by machine-building enterprises showed that they make up about 82% of dust, about 60% of carbon oxide, about 70% of nitrogen dioxide, about 93% of phenol, formaldehyde, etc.
Impacts of a novel defensive symbiosis on the nematode host microbiome
Authors: Dahan Dylan , Preston Gail M. , Sealey Jordan , King Kayla C.
Published: April 2020

Background: Bacteria adapted to live within animals can protect their hosts against harmful infections. Beyond antagonism with pathogens, a ‘defensive’ bacterial symbiont could engage in additional interactions with other colonizing micro-organisms. A single bacterium might thus have cascading ecological impacts on the whole microbiome that are rarely investigated. Here, we assess the role of a defensive symbiont as a driver of host-associated microbiota composition by using a bacterial species ( Enterococcus faecalis ) that was previously experimentally adapted ( Enterococcus faecalis ) to a nematode host model ( Caenorhabditis elegans ). Results: An analysis of 16S rRNA data from C. elegans exposed to E. faecalis and subsequently reared in soil, reveal that symbiont adaptation to host environment or its protective potential had minimal impact on microbiota diversity. Whilst the abundance of Pseudomonas was higher in the microbiota of hosts with protective E.faecalis (and another protective species tested), three other genera – Serratia, Klebsiella and Salinispora – were less abundant in hosts colonized by all E. faecalis strains. In addition, the protective effect of E. faecalis against opportunistic Staphylococcus aureus pathogens was maintained despite multi-species interactions within the microbiota. Conclusions: Our results reveal the degree to which a new, evolving symbiont can colonise and maintain its conferred phenotype (i.e., pathogen-resistance) with minimal disruption to the host microbiota diversity.
Evaluation of different antioxidants during in vitro establishment of allspice (Pimenta dioica L. Merrill): a recalcitrant species
Authors: Vásquez-Hernández Sugey , Cruz-Cruz Carlos Alberto , Santiago-Santiago Maricela , Bello-Bello Jericó Jabín
Published: April 2020

Background: Pimenta dioica L. Merrill is a tree whose fruits are used as a spice due to their culinary and therapeutic uses. Conventional propagation techniques using seeds and cuttings do not guarantee the phytosanitary quality of this crop. Therefore, the use of Plant Tissue Culture techniques are an option for in vitro establishment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different antioxidant agents (Methylene blue, L-cysteine and silver nanoparticles) added to MS (Murashige and Skoog) culture medium at different concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg L-1) during axenic establishment of buds used as explants of P. dioica. Results: The percentage of survival, oxidation and contamination was determined, as well as the content of soluble phenols, cell wall-linked phenols, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation. Results showed significant differences among the different antioxidants for the evaluated variables; the highest survival occurred in the treatments with the addition of L-cysteine with percentages greater than 40 %, while the lowest survival occurred in the control treatment, 100 and 200 mg L-1 methylene blue, with 0, 3.3 and 0% survival, respectively. The highest percentage of oxidation was observed in the control treatments, 100 and 200 mg L-1 methylene blue with 96.67% oxidation, while the lowest percentages were observed in explants treated with L-cysteine, with 30% oxidation. Treatments with 100 and 200 mg L-1 AgNPs had the lowest contamination values, with 20%. Biochemical determinations showed that L-cysteine and 50 and 100 mgL-1 AgNPs resulted in an increase in the content of soluble phenols. The highest contents of cell wall-linked phenols were obtained in treatments with 200 mg L-1 methylene blue, L-cysteine, and 200 mg L-1 AgNPs. Analysis of antioxidant capacity revealed that all treatments had a reaction of scavenging / reduction mechanisms free radicals. Regarding lipid peroxidation, the highest content of malondialdehydes was observed in the control treatment and 200 mgL-1 methylene blue. Conclusion: the addition of L-cysteine to the culture medium showed a higher survival rate, decreased oxidation, greater production of phenolic compounds, increased antioxidant capacity and decreased lipid peroxidation, this amino acid being an alternative to reduce oxidation during in vitro introduction of allspice and other species that exhibit recalcitrance in vitro during establishment.
Effect of semaphorin 3A expression on clinicopathological features and prognosis in oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Pham Hai Thanh , Kondo Satoru , Endo Kazuhira , Wakisaka Naohiro , Aoki Yoshitaka , Nakanishi Yosuke , Kase Kina , Mizokami Harue , Kano Makoto , Ueno Takayoshi , Hatano Miyako , Kita Makiko Moriyama , Sugimoto Hisashi , Yoshizaki Tomokazu
Published: April 2020

Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) is a well-known axon guidance molecule in the nervous system. It is also known as a tumor suppressor in various cancers. In the present study, we examined the relationships between SEMA3A and clinicopathologic features and neoangiogenesis and its prognostic significance for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients. Thirty-two OPC patients who underwent biopsy and 17 normal patients who underwent tonsillectomy were analyzed for SEMA3A expression by immunohistochemical analysis. We also analyzed 22 OPC specimens for CD34 expression as a marker of neoangiogenesis. SEMA3A was significantly downregulated in OPC compared with normal tonsil tissues (p = 0.005). SEMA3A expression was negatively correlated with CD34 expression, which suggested that a higher microvascular density corresponded to a lower expression of SEMA3A (r = -0.466, p = 0.033). Moreover, the higher SEMA3A expression cohort showed better survival than the lower SEMA3A expression cohort regardless of human papillomavirus (HPV) status (p = 0.035). These results suggest that SEMA3A expression is a prognostic marker for survival and is associated with antiangiogenesis in OPC.
Digestive Involvement in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Multi-center Study
Authors: Shang Haitao , Huang Chao , Chen Yuhua , Zhang Shengyan , Yang Pengcheng , Hong Gaichao , Zhang Lei , Hou Xiaohua
Published: April 2020

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerged infection raised wide concerns for the pneumonia and respiratory manifestations. Also, digestive complications are frequently observed in COVID-19 patients but the significance remains undetermined.MethodsA retrospective analysis of alimentary symptoms, liver dysfunctions and other clinical parameters of 514 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (282 mild, 162 severe and 70 critical cases) admitted to the 3 designated medical units of Wuhan Union Hospital from Jan 20 to Feb 29, 2020 was performed.Results1) A series of alimentary symptoms, including poor appetite(50.2%), diarrhea(25.5%), nausea(16.3%), vomit(11.9%) and abdominal pain(3.3%), presented in COVID-19 patients.2) Diarrhea was common gastrointestinal symptom with higher morbidity in the severe and critical patients (32.1% and 27.1% respectively), and 13.2% patients developed diarrhea in the first 3 days after onset of symptoms. Those with diarrhea were reported more apparent systemic inflammation and liver injury in severe and critical cases compared with patients without diarrhea.3) Notably, 31 patients (6.03%) presented with diarrhea in the absence of respiratory symptoms. These patients were observed less systemic inflammatory activity relative to diarrhea patients combined with respiratory symptoms.4) Also, liver injury was high incident in COVID-19 patients with increased alanine aminotransferase (43.3%), aspartate transaminase (36.7%) and decreased albumin (80.9%), but less increased total bilirubin (10.9%) and direct bilirubin(14.2%), which were more serious in the severe to critical patients.ConclusionsOur data favored in the process of novel SARS-CoV-2 infection. There may be a “gut-type” in the clinical prevention and management that differ from the “lung-type” in COVID-19 sufferers.
The multi-epitope vaccine prediction to combat Pandemic SARS-CoV-2, an immunoinformatic approach
Authors: Kibria K. M. Kaderi , Islam Md. Shaid bin , Ullah Hedayet , Miah Mojnu
Published: April 2020

Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) leads to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) recently declared as a pandemic for its outbreak within almost 190 countries worldwide. No effective drugs and/or vaccines authenticated against this rapidly spreading virus till now. This study aims to establish an efficient multi-epitope vaccine that could elicit both T-cell and B-cell responses sufficient to recognize confirmed surface proteins of the virus. The sequences of the viral surface proteins, e.g. envelope protein (E), membrane glycoprotein (M), and S1 and S2 domain of spike surface glycoprotein (S) collected from the NCBI database. We adopted an immunoinformatic strategy to identify the immunogenic region of the proteins and assessed their affinity with MHC class-I and MHC class-II by various bioinformatics tools. Top epitopes have been selected and assessed for population coverage and conservancy among 180 SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Along with the above analyses, and results of Antigenicity, Allergenicity, and transmembrane location prediction, we selected top epitopes from these four proteins. The epitopes were assembled by the AAY linker to form a multi-epitope vaccine is 70 aa long, can be synthesized commercially. This should be processed by Antigen-presenting cells; consequently, the surface proteins might be recognized by the helper and cytotoxic T-cells as well as by B-cells. We also assessed the structural and various physicochemical properties of the novel chimeric peptide for its suitability as a multi-epitope vaccine. This in-silico study leads to a rationally designed potential vaccine candidate that could be assessed by wet-lab experiments driving towards efficient combat of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Collaborative school culture and educators’ job satisfaction relationship: gender as a moderator
Authors: Hans Setiadi Wijaya Nikodemus , Prajogo Wisnu , Kusumawati Heni
Published: April 2020

Job satisfaction is an important attitude of employees toward work contexts, which measures the effectiveness of various individuals in the workplace. Not surprisingly, studies on this topic were obtained by researchers on organizational behavior. This study deals with the association between collaborative school culture (CSC) and job satisfaction. In addition, gender is considered as a moderator. In total, 221 educators from high schools and universities took part in this study. It was revealed that CSC and its dimensions were positively associated with the educators’ job satisfaction. The moderating effect of gender on CSC and job satisfaction was partial. Gender was found to moderate the effects of teachers’ collaboration and unity of purpose learning on job satisfaction, namely, the impact of the variables on job satisfaction were lower for women respondents than for men respondents. This study contributes to theory by giving evidence on the importance of each specific cultural dimension for job satisfaction and the possible impact of gender on the relationships. Education practitioners should consider introducing such a culture into their institutions to increase educators’ job satisfaction.
Electro-assisted adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions by biochar
Authors: Mahdi Zainab , El Hanandeh Ali , Jimmy Yu Qiming
Published: April 2020

Electro-assisted adsorption was investigated for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ removal using date seed biochar (DSB-Electro). Compared with pristine biochar, the results showed that DSB-Electro effectively increased the adsorption capacity of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ by 21% to 94%. Significant differences were observed between Pb2+ and Cu2+ adsorption compared with Ni2+, which could be explained based on ion polarizing power. Under the same voltage, Ni2+ solution shows the highest electric conductivity; thereby more Ni2+ is transported to the biochar anode, giving them a greater chance to interact with the surface groups. Electro-assisted adsorption occurred rapidly as around 88% of Pb2+ and Ni2+ adsorbed within the first 3 h, while 96% of Cu2+ occurred within the first hour of contact. Reversing the polarity did not seem to cause significant desorption of the adsorbed ions as the amount released from reversing polarity was less than 38%, indicating that only a small fraction of the ions was held by the electrostatic charge introduced by the current. It was likely that the enhanced charge facilitated other adsorption mechanisms by bringing the ions in contact with the biochar initially via electrostatic force. Electro-assisted adsorption can improve the biochar economic feasibility for metals removal (particularly Ni2+) from industrial streams.
Visible light-assisted NGO-Fe3O4 composite activated peroxydisulfate for degradation of oxytetracycline
Authors: Bai Jing , Wu Junfeng , Li Zhi , Wang Zhaodong , Liu Zuwen , Liu Biao , Mao Yanli , Guo Yifei , Wang Xianli
Published: April 2020

A nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide/Fe3O4 composite (NGO-Fe3O4) was prepared through the simplified hydrothermal and deposition-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The degradation efficiency of oxytetracycline (OTC) by NGO-Fe3O4 activated peroxodisulfate (PDS) under visible light irradiation was studied. The degradation efficiency reached 100% within 32.5 min (the initial OTC concentration 50 mg L−1 and PDS 1 mM; [NGO-Fe3O4]:[ PDS] = 4:1; pH = 3.0). No apparent decrease in degradation efficiency was observed after five cycles. SO4−· and ·OH were the main active oxides for OTC degradation in this system. Moreover, four degradation pathways were proposed, namely hydroxylation, dehydration, decarbonylation and demethylation according to the analysis results of high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Adsorption of hexavalent chromium using modified walnut shell from solution
Authors: Li Jingyi , Ma Jie , Guo Qiehui , Zhang Shenglong , Han Huayun , Zhang Shusheng , Han Runping
Published: April 2020

Modified walnut shell (MWS) was obtained using diethylenetriamine through a grafting reaction and its adsorption capacity toward Cr(VI) was enhanced. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental analysis and the results showed that the modification was effective. To optimize experimental conditions, the effect of temperature, solution pH, salinity, contact time, and Cr(VI) concentration on adsorption quantity were performed in batch mode. It showed that the adsorption ability for Cr(VI) onto MWH can reach 50.1 mg·g−1 at 303 K with solution pH 3. Both the solution pH and salinity had a great impact on the adsorption capacity. The Langmuir model can predict the equilibrium process while the pseudo-second-order model can describe the kinetic process. The Yan model can be used to predict the column process. Additionally, there was also some regeneration ability for Cr-loaded MWH. Consequently, MWS is effective for removing Cr(VI) from solution.
Прохождение низкоэнергетических электронов и плотность незаполненных состояний сверхтонких слоев TCNQ на поверхности окисленного кремния
Authors: Комолов А.С. , Лазнева Э.Ф. , Герасимова Н.Б. , Соболев В.С. , Панина Ю.А. , Пшеничнюк С.А. , Асфандиаров Н.Л. , Handke B.
Published: April 2020

The results of the study of the formation of unoccupied electronic states and of the interface potential barrier during thermal deposition of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) films, up to 7 nm thick, on the (SiO2)n-Si surface are presented. The electronic properties of the surface under study were determined using the total current spectroscopy (TCS) technique and as testing electron beam with energies in the range from 5 eV to 20 eV above the Fermi level. The formation of a potential barrier in the (SiO2)n-Si / TCNQ structure was accompanied by an increase in the surface work function from 4.2 ± 0.1 eV to 4.7 ± 0.1 eV. Based on the results of TCS experiments, the DOUS function of the studied TCNQ film is constructed. To analyze the experimental DOUS, the orbital energies of the studied TCNQ molecules were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level, which was followed by the correction procedure and by the allowance for the condensed phase polarization energy. DOUS of the TCNQ films has four main maxima in the energy range studied. The DOUS maximum at an energy of 7.0 eV above EF is mainly formed by pi* orbitals. Three DOUS maxima located in the energy range from 8.0 eV to 20 eV above EF are formed by approximately the same number of pi* and sigma* type orbitals.
Приближения эффективной среды для описания многокомпонентных композитов
Authors: Апресян Л.А. , Власова Т.В. , Красовский В.И. , Крыштоб В.И. , Расмагин С.И.
Published: April 2020

Several generalizations of the approximation of the effective Bruggeman medium using elliptic cells are compared, namely the “uniaxial” anisotropic approximation and two isotropic models averaged over random orientations and random conductivities of particles, allowing one to consider multicomponent composites with different filler particles.
Gamified Mobile Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Japanese University Students With Depressive Symptoms: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yokomitsu Kengo , Irie Tomonari , Sekiguchi Mayu , Shimizu Ayako , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Merry Sally Nicola , Stasiak Karolina
Published: April 2020

Background

Evidence shows that computerized self-help interventions are effective for reducing symptoms of depression. One such intervention, SPARX, is a gamified mobile computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) developed for adolescents in New Zealand, which was shown to be as effective as usual care for young people with mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression. However, gamified cCBT has not yet been tested in Japan.

Objective

This trial is designed to investigate whether a Japanese-adapted version of SPARX improves depressive symptoms in Japanese university students with mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms.

Methods

In this 7-week, multicenter, stratified, parallel-group, superiority randomized trial, participants will be allocated to either a treatment condition (SPARX) or a wait-list control condition. SPARX is a fully automated program, which will be delivered to the mobile phone or tablet device of the participants. SPARX is designed as an interactive fantasy game to guide the user through seven modules that teach key CBT strategies. All participants will be recruited from universities via advertisements on online bulletin boards, the campus newspaper, and posters. Participants in the treatment condition will use the SPARX program weekly. The primary outcome is the reduction of depressive symptoms (using Patient Health Questionnaires-9) measured at baseline and weekly: once after the 7-week intervention and once at a 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include satisfaction with the program and satisfaction with life, measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale; positive and negative moods, measured by the Profile of Mood States Second Edition; social functioning, measured by the EuroQol Instrument; rumination, measured by the Ruminative Responses Scale; and coping, measured by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced Inventory.

Results

This study received funding from The Research Institute of Personalized Health Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, and obtained institutional review board approval in September 2019. Data collection began in April 2019.

Conclusions

Results of this trial may provide further evidence for the efficacy of gamified cCBT for the treatment of depression and, specifically, provide support for using SPARX with Japanese university students.

Trial Registration

Japan Primary Registries Network UMIN000034354; https://tinyurl.com/uu7xd77

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/15164
Nurse-Led Education and Engagement for Diabetes Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Singh Arti , Nichols Michelle
Published: April 2020

Background

As the impact of diabetes grows steeply in sub-Saharan Africa, improvement of the control and treatment of diabetes is a goal that health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa must achieve in the near future. Sub-Saharan Africa faces a number of challenges in addressing the increasing effects of diabetes. One important factor is the shortage of adequately trained health care workers. Diabetes management in sub-Saharan Africa would benefit from innovative approaches that are founded upon solid theoretical constructs, built upon existing human resources and infrastructure, and culturally tailored to the priorities and needs of the local population. Existing resources, such as mobile phones and task-shifting strategies, may be used to assist individuals with glycemic self-management and to facilitate management of additional day-to-day clinical responsibilities.

Objective

The objective of the Nurse-Led Education and Engagement Study for Diabetes Care (NEEDS) mixed-methods protocol is to develop a practical, collaborative, effective, and sustainable program for diabetes prevention and management specifically for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa. The protocol aims to improve access to care through task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile health technology.

Methods

This study was designed using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach that consisted of surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and focused ethnography. Novel approaches, such as task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile technology, were implemented for type 2 diabetes mellitus health care in sub-Saharan Africa—currently an under-researched area.

Results

Data collection began in February 2018, after ethics approval, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. As of May 2020, participant surveys have been completed (N=100), key informant interviews (n=7) have been completed, and focus groups (5 focus groups; patients, n=18; caregivers, n=6; community leaders, n=2; and faith leaders, n=3) as well as focused ethnographic field observations have been completed. All audio recordings have been transcribed and transcripts of sessions recorded in Twi have been translated to English. Data analysis is currently underway and anticipated completion is in the spring of 2020. Following data analysis, investigators plan to publish study findings.

Conclusions

Insights from this study will inform the preliminary development of a feasible and effective nurse-led education and engagement mobile health intervention that has the potential to reduce diabetes-related morbidity, mortality, and burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/15408
Short-Term Wearable Sensors for In-Hospital Medical and Surgical Patients: Mixed Methods Analysis of Patient Perspectives (Preprint)
Authors: Joshi Meera , Archer Stephanie , Morbi Abigail , Arora Sonal , Kwasnicki Richard , Ashrafian Hutan , Khan Sadia , Cooke Graham , Darzi Ara
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Continuous vital sign monitoring using wearable sensors may enable early detection of patient deterioration and sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore patient experiences with wearable sensor technology and carry out continuous monitoring through questionnaire and interview studies in an acute hospital setting.

METHODS

Patients were recruited for a wearable sensor study and were asked to complete a 9-item questionnaire. Patients responses were evaluated using a Likert scale and with continuous variables. A subgroup of surgical patients wearing a Sensium Vital Sign Sensor was invited to participate in semistructured interviews. The Sensium wearable sensor measures the vital signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. All interview data were subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 500 patients, 453 (90.6%) completed the questionnaire. Furthermore, 427 (85.4%) patients agreed that the wearable sensor was comfortable, 429 (85.8%) patients agreed to wear the patch again when in hospital, and 398 (79.6%) patients agreed to wear the patch at home. Overall, 12 surgical patients consented to the interviews. Five main themes of interest to patients emerged from the interviews: (1) centralized monitoring, (2) enhanced feelings of patient safety, (3) impact on nursing staff, (4) comfort and usability, and (5) future use and views on technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the feedback from patients using wearable monitoring sensors was strongly positive with relatively few concerns raised. Patients felt that the wearable sensors would improve their sense of safety, relieve pressure on health care staff, and serve as a favorable aspect of future health care technology.
Digital Health Needs of Women With Postpartum Depression: Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lackie Madison E , Parrilla Julia S , Lavery Brynn M , Kennedy Andrea L , Ryan Deirdre , Shulman Barbara , Brotto Lori A
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Although approximately 10% of new mothers in Canada develop postpartum depression (PPD), they face many barriers when accessing care. eHealth offers a unique opportunity to provide psychosocial skills and support to new mothers; however, patient populations are not consistently engaged in eHealth development processes. Thus, the diversity of women’s backgrounds and needs are often not reflected in existing tools.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to engage women from a variety of backgrounds and locations around British Columbia (BC) who have previously experienced PPD to determine the unmet psychoeducational needs of women with PPD and how a web-enabled platform used to deliver psychosocial skills and education to assist in the management of PPD could fulfill those needs.

METHODS

Focus groups were conducted in 7 cities across BC with a total of 31 women (mean age 34.5 years, SD 4.9), with each group ranging from 2-7 participants. Focus groups were cofacilitated by the study coordinator and a local service provider in each community using a semistructured guide to discuss participants’ needs, ideas, and opinions as they relate to the use of technology in PPD management. Transcripts were approached inductively using thematic analysis to identify themes and qualitative description to frame what was observed in the data.

RESULTS

A total of 5 themes were identified: bridging gaps to meet needs; providing validation to combat stigma; nurturing capacity to cope, manage, and/or reach wellness; empowering people to take ownership over their mental health; and offering customization to ensure relevance. Each theme identified a need (eg, combatting stigma) and a way to address that need using a web-enabled intervention (eg, providing validation). At the intersection of these themes was the overarching value of promoting agency for women experiencing PPD.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultimately, new mothers require accessible mental health care that promotes their agency in mental health care decision making. Our participants believed that a web-enabled intervention could help meet this need. These data will be used to guide the design of such an intervention, with the eventual implementation of this resource as a first-line management option for PPD.
Comparing the Keyto App and Device with Weight Watchers’ WW App for Weight Loss: Protocol for a Randomized Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Locke Sean R , Falkenhain Kaja , Lowe Dylan A , Lee Terry , Singer Joel , Weiss Ethan J , Little Jonathan P
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Obesity and being overweight are major contributing factors for many diseases. Calorie restricted diets often fail to result in sustained long-term weight loss. Very low–carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diets have been suggested to have superior metabolic and weight loss effects. Keyto is a low-cost, highly scalable mobile health (mHealth) app paired with a noninvasive biofeedback tool aimed at facilitating weight loss through a personalized healthy and predominantly plant- and fish-based ketogenic diet.

OBJECTIVE

This protocol describes a randomized trial comparing the efficacy of the Keyto mHealth app and device intervention to that of Weight Watchers’ WW app in individuals who are overweight or obese. The primary outcome is weight loss after 12 weeks. Secondary and exploratory outcomes, including metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, will be assessed at 12, 24, and 48 weeks.

METHODS

A total of 144 participants will be recruited and randomized to either the Keyto program or Weight Watchers program. Study participants will be guided through the study via video conference or phone calls and will undergo a fasting blood analysis performed by a third-party diagnostic lab at weeks 0 and 12 to assess metabolic and cardiovascular risk markers. All participants will be asked to weigh themselves daily on a study-provided Bluetooth-enabled scale. Participants randomized to the Keyto arm will also be asked to measure their breath acetone levels, a measure of ketosis, with the Keyto device 3 times per day.

RESULTS

Recruitment started in December 2019. Rolling recruitment is expected to be completed by July 2020. Data collection and analysis of the primary intervention phase is expected to be completed in October 2020. The 24- and 48-week follow-ups are expected to be completed in January 2021 and July 2021, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial will provide high-quality evidence regarding the efficacy of the Keyto weight loss program in individuals who are overweight and obese in a free-living condition. This study also fills a gap by examining the impact of a ketogenic diet emphasizing plant- and fish-based fats on blood lipid profile and cardiovascular disease risk.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04165707; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04165707.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/19053