bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary Ovarian Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma- A Diagnostic Challenge with Clinicopathological Study of Eight Cases
Authors: Mulchandani Nikita , Narayana Suma Mysore , Premalata Chennagiri S , Agrawal Mohit , Pallavi Venkateshaiah Reddihalli
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The involvement of the Female Genital Tract (FGT) by lymphoma is extremely rare, with ovaries being most commonly affected. Less than 1% of lymphomas present with ovarian involvement and less than 1.5% of ovarian neoplasms are of lymphoid origin. Secondary involvement of ovary by systemic lymphoma is more common than Primary Ovarian Lymphomas (POL) which is usually Primary Ovarian Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PONHL) of B-cell lineage. Aim: To understand the clinicopathological and immuno- morphological features of Primary Ovarian Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted at Department of Pathology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, Karnataka. India, for a duration of 14 years between July 2006 to June 2020. Eight cases of PONHL were identified from departmental archives and clinicopathological and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) findings of these tumours were analysed. Results: The PONHL constituted 0.4% of all Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) reported during the study period. The patients age ranged from 13-60 years with a mean age of 34 years. Among eight cases of PONHL, two cases were of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), followed by one case each of High- Grade B-Cell Lymphoma, Not Otherwise Specified (HGBL, NOS), Follicular Lymphoma (FL), Burkitt Lymphoma (BL), Plasmablastic Lymphoma (PBL), Precursor B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (B-LBL), and precursor T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (T-LBL). Seven cases were staged IE (Ann Arbor staging system) while one case was designated as stage IIE. Conclusion: This was probably the first study on PONHL from India. The diagnosis of PONHL is challenging unless there is a high index of suspicion as these patients present with non specific pelvic symptoms and can be misdiagnosed as other epithelial, stromal or germ cell ovarian neoplasm which differs in treatment and prognosis. Histological examination with IHC and molecular testing are essential to establish a diagnosis.
Axillary Lymph Nodal Metastasis from Carcinoma of Unknown Primary (CUPAx)- An Orphan Disease
Authors: Nagaraj Renuka Bangalore , Ansari MD Khursid Alam
Published: November 2021

Metastasis to axillary lymph node occurs in adenocarcinoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma, and is a rare clinical entity that needs to be understood for management and its clinical outcome. The present case is of 72-year-old female patient who had a metastatic nodule in the axilla. No breast mass was palpable. Histology identified as metastatic adenocarcinoma, however mammography and Ultrasound Sonography test (USg) failed to detect the primary tumour. Immunohistochemistry showed that the excised lymph node was positive for Estrogen Receptor (ER) and negative for Progesterone Receptor (PR), suggesting the breast as the site for the primary tumour. Since the patient refused surgery, she was under follow-up for eight months. Now, she presented with recurrence of similar axillary swelling for two months.
A SINTAXE DO SUJEITO E O LIVRO DIDÁTICO
Authors: Souza Gabriele Damin de , Quarezemin Sandra
Published: November 2021

O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar a sintaxe do sujeito e o preenchimento da posição pré-verbal em alguns livros didáticos. Para tanto, analisamos três livros didáticos do tipo ‘manual do professor’. A nossa hipótese é a de que o material distribuído aos alunos e professores no ensino básico, tido como input da modalidade escrita da língua, prende-se ao que é canônico no que toca � posição de sujeito, ignorando as inovações na gramática do português brasileiro (PB). Partindo das contribuições da Teoria Gerativa sobre a sintaxe do sujeito, investigamos como o material usado no ensino básico apresenta o preenchimento dessa posição aos estudantes. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre o Parâmetro do Sujeito Nulo e sobre como a marcação paramétrica ocorre no PB, levando em conta os seguintes aspectos: as contribuições acerca da aquisição e aprendizagem de línguas, os conhecimentos implícito e explícito dos alunos e o input escrito da língua.
AS FUNÇÕES SINTÁTICAS ADJUNTO DE NOME E COMPLEMENTO DE NOME NO ENSINO DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA: CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA GRAMÁTICA GERATIVA
Authors: Cerqueira Mirian Santos de , Silva Leosmar Aparecido da
Published: November 2021

O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar uma discussão acerca das funções sintáticas adjunto de nome e complemento de nome, confrontando a perspectiva normativa com a perspectiva gerativista dos estudos da linguagem, de modo a contribuir para a reflexão sobre o ensino de Língua Portuguesa na Educação Básica. Do ponto de vista gerativista, partimos de hipóteses acerca da língua-I proposta por Chomsky (1986, 1994) no quadro da Teoria de Princípios e Parâmetros, o que nos leva a diferenciar aquisição de aprendizagem. No âmbito das gramáticas normativas, fazemos um breve levantamento, a fim de averiguar possíveis diferenças conceituais entre adjunto de nome (adjunto adnominal) e complemento de nome (complemento nominal). Como metodologia de pesquisa, adotamos o método hipotético-dedutivo. Os resultados de nosso estudo apontam para o fato de que a distinção entre as duas funções sintáticas em questão pode auxiliar os estudantes da Educação Básica do ponto de vista morfossintático, semântico, pragmático e textual-discursivo, razão que nos levou a elaborar uma proposta didática para o ensino dessas funções em aulas de Língua Portuguesa para os níveis fundamental e médio.
GRAMÁTICA NA ESCOLA: O ENSINO DE REGÊNCIA VERBAL COM APOIO DA SOCIOLINGUÍSTICA E DA TEORIA GERATIVA
Authors: Miara Fernanda Lima Jardim , Büchele Maria Amália Carneiro
Published: November 2021

A aula de Língua Portuguesa (LP) compreende os mais variados temas nas mais variadas estruturas linguísticas. A progressão da complexidade na fala e na escrita deve estar pautada na relação entre as experiências linguísticas do aluno, a investigação individual/coletiva e o conhecimento das regras e normas e de suas exceções, conforme prevê a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). A metodologia adotada deve desenvolver a pesquisa e a formulação de questões e hipóteses, promovendo, ao mesmo tempo, a construção da argumentação, além de trabalhar outras competências e habilidades – interpretação, capacidade de referenciação, intuição, organização lógica e estrutural. Para o ensino da regência verbal, abordagens como a Sociolinguística e a Teoria Gerativa têm muito a oferecer no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, uma vez que têm como base o uso real da língua e reconhecem a competência e a intuição do falante como estratégia para a compreensão da estrutura do português, atuando nas escolhas que ele pode fazer ao usar sua língua, adequando-a � situação e ao contexto em que está inserido. Neste artigo, nos propusemos a trazer os principais objetivos da disciplina de LP na BNCC, com foco na regência verbal. Nosso ponto de partida é a língua em uso em textos autênticos, para, então, serem inseridos os conceitos de norma e suas diferentes regras. Por fim, apresentamos nossas propostas como sequência de complexidade no ensino, em etapas que se iniciam no 6º ano do Ensino Fundamental II, bem como compartilhamos uma atividade que prevê o ensino de regência verbal para o Ensino Médio, vinculado a outras habilidades linguísticas.
UMA ANÁLISE CRÍTICA SOBRE QUESTÕES IDEOLÓGICAS A PARTIR DE TWEETS POSTADOS NA CONTA OFICIAL DO PRESIDENTE DO BRASIL, JAIR BOLSONARO
Authors: Miranda José Augusto Simões de , Heinig Otilia Lizete de Oliveira Martins
Published: November 2021

Este artigo, resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa, tem como objeto o gênero textual tweet — que foi postado na conta oficial do atual presidente da república Jair Bolsonaro, eleito em 2018, em sua rede social Twitter, no ano de 2019. A questão que norteia o estudo é o caráter ideológico dos tweets e sua relação com a (tentativa) de censura. Para que essa análise fosse possível, este trabalho foi embasado nas teorias de LA (Linguística Aplicada) — mais precisamente em seu movimento situado na pós-modernidade — que se caracteriza por um olhar mais crítico, retratado em uma LA indisciplinar, antidisciplinar, transgressiva ou ainda de desaprendizagem. Assim como teorias com questões de ideologia foram discutidas. Os resultados depreendidos sinalizam que o presidente da república repreende vieses ideológicos divergentes daqueles que assume e, portanto, cerceia sujeitos que contestem uma ordem social estabelecida.
RESENHA DO LIVRO “A MEMÓRIA DE FUTURO EM TELA: DIÁLOGOS ENTRE O CINEMA E BAKHTIN”
Authors: Marques de Souza Fábio , Martins Miranda Maria das Graças
Published: November 2021

O livro “A memória de futuro em tela: diálogos entre cinema e Bakhtin” (2020), escrito pelo Prof. Dr. Ivo Di Camargo Junior é um livro bem atraente e de grande relevância para os cinéfilos e estudiosos de todas as áreas científicas, pois trata e aborda a linguagem cinematográfica analisada pelos estudos linguísticos, em especial com a visão do filósofo russo Mikhail Bakhtin. A obra está dividida em 8 (oito) capítulos contendo subtítulos que abordam� questões como a memória de futuro produzida pela linguagem cinematográfica, citando em especial os filmes de ficção científicas “Blade Runner - O caçador de Andróides” (1982), “Filhos da Esperança” (2006), “Inteligência Artificial” (2001) e “Idiocracia” (2006), confrontando e correlacionando os diálogos entre passado, presente e futuro.� �
Development of the Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet as a Screening Tool
Authors: Lin Chun-Yi , Hung Yu-Chen , Chang Hsiu-Wen
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives: Hearing thresholds across frequencies must be obtained for hearing aid fitting. Narrow-band noise (NBN) and speech sounds are often used as stimuli in pediatric audiologic assessments to elicit children’s attention due to their wider frequency ranges as compared to pure tones. However, obtaining complete responses across frequency ranges is challenging in pediatric practice. Therefore, we developed a frequency-specific phoneme screening tool, the Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet, to help clinicians evaluate aided performance in pediatric practice.Subjects and Methods: A total of 30 adults with typical hearing and 30 children aged 3-12 years with hearing loss were recruited. Threshold ranges for the aided detection of Mandarin phonemes and NBN were measured using 95% confidence intervals. A stepwise regression analysis was then performed to identify the Mandarin phonemes that can predict NBN detection performance.Results: The Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet was developed based on the results of the regression analysis. It was shown that the phonemes /ɤ, a, tɕh/ could predict detection performance at different frequencies.Conclusions: The Mandarin Phoneme Detection Score Sheet can allow audiologists and early intervention professionals to determine the benefits of hearing aids for pediatric patients in the early stage of hearing loss conditions.
Assessing the Impact of Rythu Bandhu Scheme in Warangal District of Telangana
Authors: Amitha C. D. , Karthikeyan C. , Devi M. Nirmala
Published: November 2021

Rythu Bandhu Scheme (RBS) also Farmers investment Support Scheme is a welfare program to support farmer investment for two crops a year where the cash is paid directly by the Government of Telangana. A sample of 60 beneficiaries were selected from Warangal district of Telangana state. In order to find out the impact of RBS on beneficiaries - inputs purchasing power, continuity in farming, rural indebtedness, productivity, farm income(in Rs.) and cropping intensity were studied before and after implementation of RBS i.e., in 2016-17 and 2020-21 for beneficiaries.  Based on the results in respective year, “Z” test was applied to find out the difference after the implementation of scheme. From the analysis, it was found that significant difference was observed among respondents with respect to inputs purchasing power (6.74*), continuity in farming (2.93*), rural indebtedness (4.02*), productivity (3.72*), farm income (4.53*). RBS is increasing the beneficiaries capacity to purchase inputs with timely performing agricultural activities, their likeliness to continue farming and better coping with debt.
School Administrative Factors Influencing Sexual Violence against Children (SVAC) In Primary Schools of Urban District, Zanzibar
Authors: Abdallah Ahmed Ally
Published: November 2021

This study aimed at finding out school administrative factors influencing sexual violence against children (SVAC) in primary schools of Urban District, Zanzibar. The study used a qualitative research approach. A case study research design was employed. A purposive sample of 20 respondents who were primary school children and 22 key informants was drawn for this study. A semi-structured interview guide was used to solicit information from the respondents. The data were analyzed and used thematic data analysis technique to make meaning out of the data. Study findings revealed that, poor accountability of school management, misuse of authority by school teachers to children and ineffectiveness of reporting system on sexual violence cases were school administrative factors influencing SVAC in primary schools. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that owner of primary schools should employ workers who are self-disciplined, accountable and willing to take appropriate action to SVAC perpetrators regardless of their power, positions and authority. Moreover, a system of reporting SVAC cases should be in place and that laws, rules and regulations related to SVAC are reinforced to ensure that children use the school environment profitably and develop their full potential as responsible citizen.
Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Mariraj I. , Kumar M. Naveen , Rubitha N. S. Ani , Rameshwar R.
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the major causes for mortality and morbidity among the cardiovascular diseases in India. In this study the modifiable risk factors leading to ACS are considered and its prevalence in a Tertiary care hospital is studied.

Materials and Methods: This is a prospective type of study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with ACS were taken in this study. Their data was taken, and results were formulated in excel data sheet.

Results: Among the UA patients, 65% were found to be dyslipidaemic, 60% as obese, 45% as diabetics, 47.5% as hypertensive and 40% as smokers. Among the NSTEMI patients, 66.67% were found to be dyslipidaemic, 52.78% as hypertensive, 44.44% as smokers, 30.56% as diabetics and 27.78% as obese. Among the STEMI patients, 37.50% were found to be dyslipidemic, 25% as both diabetic and obese, 20.83% as hypertensive,12.5% as smokers.

Hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and obesity showed significance.

Conclusion: The prevalence of modifiable risk factors is a major concern for developing ACS and when they are modified there will be a great reduction in the incidence of ACS.
Evaluation of Anti Carcinogenic Activity of Trifolium pratense on Oral Cancer Cell- An in vitro Study
Authors: Muralidharan V. A. , Geetha R. V.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Trifolium pratense also known as the red clover is widely distributed in the tropics and in the subtropical regions. It is generally consumed in the form of tea by the northern states of India and some tribal people of Nepal and Bhutan. Studies reveal that it is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. It is due to the presence of unique isoflavones found in Trifolium pratense are Biohanin A and formononetin.

Aim: The main aim of the study is to find out whether Trifolium pratense extract has antiproliferative activity against oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Materials and Methods: The  dried buds of Trifolium pratense flowers  were purchased commercially and then powdered  Then MTT assays  was carried out to find out it’s inhibitory activity against oral carcinoma cells

Results and Discussion: From the assay it is evident that it shows a potent inhibitory activity against oral squamous carcinoma cells. Linear regression analysis revealed that the IC50 was found to be at 53.13µg/ml which is higher than that of other species of this family.

Conclusion: From the above study it is evident that Trifolium pratense has a very good inhibitory activity and hence can be used in the treatment of oral cancer.
Formulation and Evaluation of Nanoemulsion using Tazarotene and Curcumin
Authors: Phaugat Parmita , Nishal Suchitra , Khansili Aparna
Published: November 2021

Aims: To formulate and evaluate nanoemulsion of Tazarotene and Curcumin Study Design: Ultrsonication Methods.

Place and Duration of Study, Sample: Swami Dayanand Postgraduate Institute of Pharmaceuticals Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Rohtak; 2020-2021

Methodology: Oleic acid, tween 80, and propylene glycol were selected as oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant, respectively. The ratio of oil: surfactant: co-surfactant was selected based on a ternary phase diagram using the aqueous titration method. The selected ratio was employed to develop eight formulations of Tazarotene-curcumin by ultra-sonication. The formulations (F1-F8) were characterized using several physicochemical methods like pH, viscosity, particle size distribution, zeta potential, drug content, and in vitro release. The optimized formulation was selected based on the results of characterization.

Results: The formulations (F1-F8) were formulated by using the ultrasonication (high energy) method. The optimized formulation possessed particle size 121, 0.382 PDI, and -20.1 zeta potential. The in vitro release of F6 was found to be 90.9 ± 3.1 at 24 hours. It also passed the thermodynamic stability tests.

Conclusion: The current investigations conclude that Tazarotene-curcumin nanoemulsion can be used as an alternative to the oral route of tazarotene and is also useful in reducing the adverse effects associated with oral. The physicochemical evaluation of the formulation showed that the nanoemulsion had the necessary properties for a topical formulation.
Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Property of Maranta Arundinacea using Protein Denaturation Assay - An In vitro Study
Authors: Jose Shilpa Merlyn , Geetha R. V. , Rajeshkumar S.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Maranta arundinacea is a perennial plant which is seen in Mexico, central and South America. It was introduced and cultivated for its starch rich root which is known as arrowroot. It is gluten free and good for digestion. It also boasts metabolic rate and healthy sleep. Arrow root aid in lowering cholesterol which decreases the risk of heart diseases. It is a good substitute for breast milk because it’s loaded with magnesium, zinc and iron which promotes the growth and development of infants. Arrow root extract is previously known for its antibacterial and antifungal activity and also it gives relief from skin rashes, acne and skin sores.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory property of Maranta arundinacea using protein denaturation assay.

Materials and Methods: Maranta arundinacea (Arrowroot) was purchased commercially. Extract was prepared by adding 50 ml of distilled water and boiled at 50 degree Celsius and filtered. The extract was concentrated up to 10ml and the anti-inflammatory property was checked using protein denaturation assay and the readings were noted using a calorimeter.

% of inhibition= ControlO.D-sampleO.D ∗100/ControlO.D.

Results: It showed good anti inflammatory activity and thus it can be used as a potent alternative for anti inflammatory drugs.

Conclusion: Maranta arundinacea extract showed good potential for anti-inflammatory activity. Thus in future more research can be done for formulations of eco-friendly treatment methods.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infestations among Children in a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Danish J. S. , Vasanth P. , Subramanian V.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infestations are more common in developing countries and an important cause of morbidity in pediatric age group. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea, anemia, impaired cognitive function, growth retardation and poor academic performance among school going children.

Objectives: To analyze age, gender and most common parasitic infestations among children in a tertiary care hospital in south India.

Materials and Methods: Stool samples of pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital is analysed for a period of one year for detection of prevalence of parasitic infestations.

Results: In our study, 115 stool samples were analysed and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was found to be 7.82% (9/115).There were five different parasites encountered. The most common parasite identified was Giardia lamblia(4/9)(44.44%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica(2/9)(22.22%), Ascarislumbricoides(1/9)(11.11%), Trichuris trichiura(1/9)(11.11%), and Hymenolepis nana(1/9)(11.11%).

Conclusion: Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were found to be the most common organism in our study. Awareness about proper hygiene, sanitation and prophylactic anti-protozoal medications is important to prevent the occurrence and complications of intestinal parasitic infestations.
Effect of Fresh Frozen Plasma Transfusion Inpatients with Coagulation Abnormalities
Authors: Nagulan S. , Hariharan A. , Sureshkumar I. , Chitra S.
Published: November 2021

Aim: To study the efficacy of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) transfusion practice in patients with coagulation abnormalities varies in clinical practice.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Department of Transfusion Medicine, SMCH, Chennai, between the period of 2019-2020.

Methodology: The medical records of each patient receiving FFP transfusions that occurred in patients with coagulation abnormalities were reviewed and the data were collected based on pre-and post transfusion PT (>12 sec), APTT (>70sec) and INR (>1.5) and then analysed statistically. Patients with normal coagulation parameters were excluded from study.

Results: A total of 1259 units of fresh frozen plasma were transfused to 315 patients between the year 2019-2020. Of the 1259 units transfused 1133 units where transfused to 283 patients with coagulation abnormalities. Apparently 32 patients were excluded from the study as they had normal coagulation profile. Among 251 patients, 37 patients PT were greater than 12 seconds before FFP transfusion out of which the PT was corrected for 14 patients (37.8%) after FFP transfusion. In 228 patients APTT was greater than 70 seconds before FFP transfusion, out of which APTT was corrected in 18 patients (8%) after transfusion. INR values for all 251 patients were greater than1.5 before FFP transfusion, out of which INR was corrected in 84 patients (29%) after transfusion.

Conclusion: We conclude that FFP transfusions in patients with coagulation abnormalities maycorrects the defect only in less percentage of patient population, as in our study it corrects only an average of 31% of patient population.
COVID-19 Clinical Manifestations & Concerns among the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 937 Health Hotline Callers in Jeddah
Authors: Moammer Khalid , Mandoura Najlaa Ahmed
Published: November 2021

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted telehealth as a crucial tool in delivering high quality healthcare with increased efficiency. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this has been evidently clear with the establishment of the robust Ministry of Health 937 COVID-19 hotline.  The objectives of our study are to describe the clinical patterns of COVID-19, identify the most common concerns of the 937 hotline callers and to identify the associations between the clinical presentation of COVID-19 and risk factors of the patients.through an Analytic Cross-Sectional study design. Results : The average age was 36.8 ± 15.7 years,  61.1% were males and 38.9% were females. 69.3% were Saudi and 30.7% were non-Saudis. 82.5% employed, whilst 17.5% were unemployed.The most commonly reported symptoms were fever, followed by fatigue and cough respectively. With 41.8%, 28.2% and 23.2% of participants reporting those symptoms respectively.  The most significant predictors of developing shortness of breath due to COVID-19 was chronic lung disease OR=5.7pvalue >0.01, chronic kidney disease, OR = 4.8 p value >0.02 and immunocompromised state OR = 19  >0.01. 82% of all calls to the hotline were related to COVID-19 testing, and 11% of all calls resulted in the caller receiving medical counselling and/or treatment without having to make a physical visit to a healthcare provider. Conclusion :  A  well-designed telehealth program can mitigate the need for a physical visit to the emergency room or clinic and as such reduce the load on front-line healthcare workers, reducing transmission and improving outcomes during infectious disease epidemics. It can also provide valuable insights into the presentation and risk factors of a new disease to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, management and control of the disease.
The Role of Leadership in Improving Efficiency, Effectiveness and Safety Measures of Hospitals, Primary Healthcare Centers, & Pharmaceutical Firms
Authors: Albejaidi Fahad
Published: November 2021

The aim of the current study is to investigate the impact of leadership of health care organizations on improving the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of their quality system and program. For this purpose data was collected from health care managers, directors of PHCs and hospitals of Saudi Arabia. Total 372 completed questionnaires were received and analyzed in the study. Non probability snow ball technique is used. PLS-SEM is used to analyze the data. Measurement model is developed to check the reliability and validity of the scales. It is found that scales are found reliable and valid after deleting two items from efficiency, two from effectiveness and two from safety. Structural model was run using bootstrapping. It is revealed that all the hypotheses are accepted and leadership of the hospitals and health organization has important role in improving quality of the services provided to hospitals.
The ultrafast, high‐pitch turbo FLASH mode of third‐generation dual‐source CT: Effect of different pitch and corresponding SFOV on image quality in a phantom study
Authors: Zhou Yang , Hu Lei , Du Silin , Jin Rui , Li Wangjia , Lv Fajin , Zhang Zhiwei
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To investigate the effect of different pitches and corresponding scan fields of view (SFOVs) on the image quality in the ultrafast, high‐pitch turbo FLASH mode of the third‐generation dual‐source CT using an anthropomorphic phantom.

Methods

The phantom was scanned using the ultrafast, high‐pitch turbo FLASH protocols of the third‐generation dual‐source CT with the different pitches and corresponding SFOVs (pitches: 1.55 to 3.2 with increments of 0.1, SFOVs: 50 cm to 35.4 cm). The objective parameters such as the CT number, image noises, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and artifacts index (AI), and image features from the head, chest, and abdomen were compared between the CT images with a pitch of 1.55 and SFOV of Ø 50 cm and a pitch of 3.2 and SFOV of Ø 35.4 cm. Then, the 18 series of CT images of the head, chest, and abdomen were evaluated by three radiologists independently.

Results

The differences in the CT numbers were not statically significant between the CT images with a pitch of 1.55 and SFOV of Ø 50 cm and a pitch of 3.2 and SFOV of Ø 35.4 cm from most body parts and potential combinations (p > 0.05), Most of the image noises and the AI from the images with the pitch of 1.55 were significantly lower than those with the pitch of 3.2 (p < 0.05), and the SNR and CNR from the images with the pitch of 1.55 were higher than those with the pitch of 3.2. There were significant differences in the first‐order features and texture features of the head (59.3%, 28.3%), chest (66%, 35.7%), and abdomen (71.6%, 64.7%) (p < 0.05). The subjective image quality was excellent when the pitch was less than 2.0 and gradually decreased with the increasing pitch. In addition, the image quality decreased significantly when the pitch was higher than 3.0 (all k≥0.69), especially in the head and chest.

Conclusions

In the ultrafast, high‐pitch turbo FLASH mode of the third‐generation DSCT, increasing the pitch and lowering the corresponding SFOV will change the image features and cause more artifacts degrading the image quality. Specific to the clinical needs, decreasing the pitch not only can expand the SFOV but also can improve the image quality.
Calcium Phosphate‐Coated and Strontium‐Incorporated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Can Effectively Induce Osteogenic Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Sutthavas Pichaporn , Tahmasebi Birgani Zeinab , Habibovic Pamela , van Rijt Sabine
Published: November 2021

Ceramic (nano)materials are promising materials for bone regeneration applications. The addition of bioinorganics such as strontium (Sr) and zinc (Zn) is a popular approach to further improve their biological performance. However, control over ion delivery is important to prevent off‐target effects. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are popular nanomaterials that can be designed to incorporate and controllably deliver multiple ions to steer specific regenerative processes. In this work, MSNs loaded with Sr (MSNSr) and surface coated with a pH‐sensitive calcium phosphate (MSNSr‐CaP) or calcium phosphate zinc layer (MSNSr‐CaZnP) are developed. The ability of the MSNs to promote osteogenesis in human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) under basic cell culture conditions is explored and compared to ion administration directly to the cell culture media. Here, it is shown that MSN‐CaPs can effectively induce alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and osteogenic gene expression in the absence of other osteogenic stimulants, where an improved effect is observed for MSNs surface coated with multiple ions. Moreover, comparatively lower ion doses are needed when using MSNs as delivery vehicles compared to direct ion administration in the medium. In summary, the MSNs developed here represent promising vehicles to deliver (multiple) bioinorganics and promote hMSC osteogenesis in basic conditions.
Giant Non‐Resonant Infrared Second Order Nonlinearity in γ ‐NaAsSe2
Authors: He Jingyang , Iyer Abishek K. , Waters Michael J. , Sarkar Sumanta , Zu Rui , Rondinelli James M. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Gopalan Venkatraman
Published: November 2021

Infrared laser systems are vital for applications in spectroscopy, communications, and biomedical devices, where infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are required for broadband frequency down‐conversion. Such crystals need to have high non‐resonant NLO coefficients, a large bandgap, low absorption coefficient, and phase‐matchability among other competing demands; for example, a larger bandgap leads to smaller NLO coefficients. Here, the successful growth of single crystals of γ ‐NaAsSe2 that exhibit a giant second harmonic generation (SHG) susceptibility of d11 = 590 pm V−1 at 2 µm wavelength is reported; this is ~18 times larger than that of commercial AgGaSe2 while retaining a similar bandgap of ~1.87 eV, making it an outstanding candidate for quasi‐phase‐matched devices utilizing d11. In addition, γ ‐NaAsSe2 is both Type I and Type II phase‐matchable, and has a transparency range up to 16 µm wavelength. Thus, γ ‐NaAsSe2 is a promising bulk NLO crystal for infrared laser applications.
Two diverse carriers are better than one: A case study in α‐particle therapy for prostate specific membrane antigen‐expressing prostate cancers
Authors: Salerno Dominick , Howe Alaina , Bhatavdekar Omkar , Josefsson Anders , Pacheco‐Torres Jesus , Bhujwalla Zaver M. , Gabrielson Kathleen L. , Sofou Stavroula
Published: November 2021

Partial and/or heterogeneous irradiation of established (i.e., large, vascularized) tumors by α‐particles that exhibit only a 4–5 cell‐diameter range in tissue, limits the therapeutic effect, since regions not being hit by the high energy α‐particles are likely not to be killed. This study aims to mechanistically understand a delivery strategy to uniformly distribute α‐particles within established solid tumors by simultaneously delivering the same α‐particle emitter by two diverse carriers, each killing a different region of the tumor: (1) the cancer‐agnostic, but also tumor‐responsive, liposomes engineered to best irradiate tumor regions far from the vasculature, and (2) a separately administered, antibody, targeting any cancer‐cell's surface marker, to best irradiate the tumor perivascular regions. We demonstrate that on a prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐expressing prostate cancer xenograft mouse model, for the same total injected radioactivity of the α‐particle emitter Actinium‐225, any radioactivity split ratio between the two carriers resulted in better tumor growth inhibition compared to the tumor inhibition when the total radioactivity was delivered by any of the two carriers alone. This finding was due to more uniform tumor irradiation for the same total injected radioactivity. The killing efficacy was improved even though the tumor‐absorbed dose delivered by the combined carriers was lower than the tumor‐absorbed dose delivered by the antibody alone. Studies on spheroids with different receptor‐expression, used as surrogates of the tumors' avascular regions, demonstrated that our delivery strategy is valid even for as low as 1+ (ImmunoHistoChemistry score) PSMA‐levels. The findings presented herein may hold clinical promise for those established tumors not being effectively eradicated by current α‐particle radiotherapies.
Counselling students' responses to conducting role‐play activities online: An evaluation of MSc university students
Authors: Young Lauren
Published: November 2021

The transition to remote learning in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic was unprecedented and unanticipated, resulting in professional courses delivering content and conducting skills‐based practice online. For counselling students, placements also transitioned to online, meaning previous skills acquired through face‐to‐face learning required adapting for remote working. This project sought to evaluate UK‐based counselling students' experiences of participating in online role‐play activities. Through purposive sampling, individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed applying thematic analysis. The findings indicated participants identified fundamental differences between planned online content compared to the unanticipated transition they experienced due to the pandemic. Whilst varying attitudes were shared, all participants recognised the value of skill acquisition for future employability and all recommended an element of online practice should be embedded in future course delivery. Whilst limited to a specific sample, key recommendations were identified, including the importance of involving students in course development, recognising the importance of diversifying role‐play practices for skill development and the application of a transitions model to facilitate understanding of the student experience. Though making some progress towards understanding this unique experience, further evaluations conducted with students from different counselling fields and institutions are required to further strengthen the recommendations made.
Radiation diligence must continue when using newer fluoroscopes
Authors: Balter Stephen
Published: November 2021

Key Points

The ratio between patient and staff irradiation for a given procedure varies between different fluoroscopes.

Operator irradiation is also affected by the way that the fluoroscope is clinically used.

Diligence in monitoring of both patient and staff irradiation are still required when using newer fluoroscopes.
The dinosaur that still roars
Authors: Blankenship James C.
Published: November 2021

Key Points

Rotational atherectomy (RA) and orbital atherectomy (OA) are both effective in ablating calcified lesions in preparation for coronary stenting. It remains unclear, which is superior.

This meta‐analysis of eight non‐randomized studies comparing OA and RA finds that RA causes fewer dissections and perforations but OA is associated with fewer myocardial infarctions, mortalities, and target vessel revascularizations.

Limitations of this meta‐analysis prevent any firm conclusions about which are superior. Experience with one device or the other may be more important than which is chosen.
Was Menschen bewegt, die etwas bewegen
Authors: Poppe Christian
Published: November 2021

Im Profil: Dr. Christian Poppe, Program Manager Rollout Digitalisierung bei Covestro Deutschland
Neue Perspektiven für Betriebsingenieure
Authors: Woppowa Ljuba
Published: November 2021

Corona, Klima, Energie, Lieferengpässe ‐ all dies sind nicht nur Themen der Nachrichtenagenturen, sondern Herausforderungen, denen sich Betriebsingenieure im praktischen Alltag stellen müssen. Sie bieten aber auch neue Perspektiven für diese Garanten einer zuverlässigen Produktion und bestmöglichen Anlagenverfügbarkeit. Zur Diskussion darüber lädt die VDI‐Gesellschaft Verfahrenstechnik und Chemieingenieurwesen zum 12. Jahrestreffen der Betriebsingenieure am 26.11.2021 ein.
Temperaturprofile im Hydrocracker überwachen
Authors: Miceli Pietro
Published: November 2021

Da herkömmliche Thermoelemente bei Multipoint‐Sonden im Hydrocracker aufgrund der extremen Prozessbedingungen in Feldtests bereits nach kurzer Zeit drifteten, haben sich die Verantwortlichen einer Raffinerie in entschieden, auf Thermoelemente vom Typ iTherm ProfileSens von Endress + Hauser zu setzen und haben somit sowohl die Produktivität als auch die Sicherheit der Anlage erhöht.
Pneumatische Drehantriebe überwachen
Authors: Saal Franz
Published: November 2021

Pneumatischen Drehantriebe werden durch eine Neuentwicklung der Sensorik in der Lage sein, erweiterte Aufgaben zu erfüllen. Eine davon besteht darin, die Veränderungsprozesse an Armaturen und den Antrieben, wie Belag, Abtrag, Korrosion, Kavitation, Schwergang, gebrochene Wellen usw., zu messen. Den Veränderungsprozess kann die ‐Direktmessung nicht aufhalten, jedoch die schädlichen Auswirkungen maßgeblich verhindern.
Disziplinübergreifend in einem Datenmodell
Authors: Kiesel Johanna
Published: November 2021

Der Betreiber des Industrieparks Höchst (ISH) und Experte für chemienahe Dienstleistungen mit Über 100 Standorten in Deutschland, hat sich im Engineering für einen Paradigmenwechsel entschieden und setzt eine Softwareplattform von Aucotec ein.
Large herbivores facilitate an insect herbivore by modifying plant community composition in a temperate grassland
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Wang Shengnan , Prather Chelse , Wan Ho Yi , Zhu Hui , Nummi Petri , Inbar Moshe , Gao Qiang , Wang Deli , Zhong Zhiwei
Published: November 2021

Large herbivores often co‐occur and share plant resources with herbivorous insects in grassland ecosystems; yet, how they interact with each other remains poorly understood. We conducted a series of field experiments to investigate whether and how large domestic herbivores (sheep; Ovis aries) may affect the abundance of a common herbivorous insect (aphid; Hyalopterus pruni) in a temperate grassland of northeast China. Our exclosure experiment showed that 3 years (2010–2012) of sheep grazing had led to 86% higher aphid abundance compared with ungrazed sites. Mechanistically, this facilitative effect was driven by grazing altering the plant community, rather than by changes in food availability and predator abundance for aphids. Sheep significantly altered plant community by reducing the abundance of unpalatable forbs for the aphids. Our small‐scale forb removal experiment revealed an “associational plant defense” by forbs which protect the grass Phragmites australis from being attacked by the aphids. However, selective grazing on forbs by sheep indirectly disrupted such associational plant defense, making P. australis more susceptible to aphids, consequentially increasing the density of aphids. These findings provide a novel mechanistic explanation for the effects of large herbivores on herbivorous insects by linking selective grazing to plant community composition and the responses of insect populations in grassland ecosystems.
Reintroduction of native plants indicates the return of ecosystem services after iron mining at the Urucum Massif
Authors: Gastauer Markus , Ramos Silvio Junio , Caldeira Cecílio Frois , Siqueira José Oswaldo
Published: November 2021

To reduce the net losses of biodiversity and ecosystem services caused by iron ore mining in Brazil, mineland rehabilitation using native plant species is necessary. However, systematic knowledge about which plant species are the best candidates for mineland rehabilitation is lacking. Therefore, iron mining companies working on the Urucum Massif reintroduce as many native herb and shrub species as possible to achieve the rehabilitation of savanna vegetation communities. To this end, seeds are collected from nearby native ecosystems, and seedlings are rescued from logged areas or produced in a local nursery. Monitoring is necessary to assess the persistence of the reinstated communities and their similarity to natural reference conditions. Ideally, monitoring efforts should compare the floristic composition of the rehabilitating sites with that of natural reference ecosystems. Here, we compared sites that had undergone two or three years of rehabilitation after iron ore mining on the Urucum Massif, MS, Brazil, with native reference sites. The species composition as well as structural, taxonomic, and phylogenetic diversity indices were compared between the reference and rehabilitating sites. Despite the differences in species composition between the rehabilitating and reference sites, we found more than 50 native species and partial recovery of the vegetation structure in the rehabilitating sites. Furthermore, we detected similar levels of animal‐dispersed plant species at rehabilitating and reference sites. These environmental indicators indicate that trial‐and‐error approaches are indeed able to establish considerable native species diversity during mineland rehabilitation. Furthermore, the partial recovery of the vegetation structure suggests the gradual return of soil functions in the long term, and the presence of zoochorous species is expected to attract seed‐dispersing animals that enable gene flow as well as the arrival of additional plant species. Nevertheless, the high cover values of alien exotic species, which are negatively correlated with the diversity of the reinstated communities, endanger the success of mineland rehabilitation in the Urucum Massif, and effective control methods for invasive populations are required. These efforts should be accompanied by enrichment plantings to maintain the diversity of native plant communities at the rehabilitation sites and ongoing environmental monitoring.
Feeding on epibenthic zooplankton by Long‐tailed Ducks: patch structure, profitability, and food web implications
Authors: Lovvorn James R. , Brooks Marjorie L.
Published: November 2021

Models of the trophic needs and impacts of mobile predators in food web networks typically do not consider interactions between prey dispersion and threshold prey densities needed for profitable foraging. As a result, the biomass of predators that can be supported, or direct and indirect impacts of those predators on other food web components, may be poorly estimated. In Simpson Lagoon on the U.S. Arctic coast, epibenthic amphipods and especially mysid shrimp comprised most of the diets of fish, and of Long‐tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) which strongly dominated prey consumption. Based on mean prey densities and gross estimates of prey biomass consumed, earlier studies estimated that continuous immigration of mysids into the lagoon was needed to support the predators. Comparison of variances from net samples vs. different probability density functions (PDFs) around reported means indicated that prey were not normally distributed, and instead occurred in patches with a skewed and wide range of densities. We used the functional response of captive Long‐tailed Ducks eating mysids, and a foraging energetics model, to identify minimum prey densities these diving ducks needed to feed profitably. Based on PDFs that assumed prey densities in all 1‐m2 cells (patches for single feeding dives on potential mysid swarms) were independent, we simulated prey grids with slightly skewed to highly skewed distributions for the reported sample means. Results showed that the greater the range of patch densities, the smaller the fraction of prey biomass that was profitably available to the ducks, thereby increasing the requisite immigration of mysids. Consumption by ectothermic predators further decreased prey available and advanced the date and increased the amount of mysid influx required. The models also showed that the birds had to seek areas with non‐independent clusters of high‐density feeding patches as prey declined in late summer. Thus, spatially continuous measures of patch structure over larger scales are needed to estimate the fraction of prey that is functionally available. Our study emphasizes that when estimating trophic needs and impacts of mobile endothermic predators, simple means of prey density can be misleading, owing to interactions of prey patch structure with profitability thresholds.
Bettering Utility Assistance to Low‐Income Households
Authors: Costello Kenneth W.
Published: November 2021

This article begins with the premise—supported by real‐world evidence—that the affordability of electricity and natural gas to all households demands some form of special utility assistance (SUA) or subsidy. With the expectation in most jurisdictions for rising electric and natural gas rates over the next several years driven in part by the emergence of clean energy and “electrification” mandates, energy affordability has become a greater concern for regulators, utilities and consumer groups, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Numerical study of chemical reaction and heat transfer of MHD slip flow with Joule heating and Soret–Dufour effect over an exponentially stretching sheet
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Sinha Sharad , Sharma Anil , Agrawal Priyanka , Kumar Dadheech Praveen
Published: November 2021

A study of Soret–Dufour effects along with chemical reaction, viscous dissipation combining on MHD Joule heating for viscous incompressible flow is presented. It is assumed that fluid is flowing past an angled stretching sheet saturated in porous means. The slip conditions of velocity, concentration, and temperature are accounted for at the boundary. The mathematical expression of the problem contains highly nonlinear interconnected partial differential equations. To convert governing equations into ordinary differential equations, appropriate similarity transformations were utilized. These differential equations with boundary constraints are resolved by homotopy analysis method. Expression for velocity, concentration, and temperature are derived in the form of series. Effects of numerous physical parameters, for example, Schmidt number, Soret number, buoyancy ratio parameter, slip parameter, and so forth, on various flow characteristics are presented through graphs. Numerous values of velocity, concentration, and temperature gradient are tabulated against different parameters. Results show that the fluid velocity increases by enhancing the Soret number, Dufour number, or permeability parameter. The fluid's concentration rises as the Soret number increases, while it falls as the Dufour number, chemical reaction parameter, or permeability parameter increases.