bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of Health Information Technology and Promotion of Personhood in Family-Centered Dementia Care: Intervention Trial
Authors: Brown Ellen L. , Ruggiano Nicole , Roberts Lisa , Clarke Peter J. , Davis Debra Lee , Agronin Marc , Geldmacher David S. , Hough Monica Strauss , Muñoz Mariateresa (Teri) H. , Framil C. Victoria , Yang Xin
Published: September 2021

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) often result in communication deficits that can lead to negative health outcomes as well as complications for caregiving and clinical care. Although augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have demonstrated efficacy in assisting persons living with dementia (PLWD) in communicating, few devices offer customization for the person's care preferences (e.g., clothing, food, activities) or are designed for integration into clinical care and caregiving. To address this issue, our research team is developing a novel electronic AAC prototype with a touchscreen to promote communication and personhood for PLWD. The current article describes the development of this technology and uses the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) 2013 Statement to describe the clinical trial that is planned to test its efficacy.

TARGETS:

PLWD and their care partners.

INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION:

Use of AAC Plus to promote communication and personhood for PLWD.

MECHANISMS OF ACTION:

AAC Plus will provide PLWD and care partners a way to communicate PLWD's daily preferences and provide clinical data for health care providers.

OUTCOMES:

Determine whether enhanced communication of daily preferences of PLWD will improve quality of life of PLWD and their care partners.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.govIdentifier: NCT04571502 (Date of registration October 1, 2020). [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(5), 225–234.]
Phenomenological model for the prediction of Moringa oleifera extracted oil using a laboratory Soxhlet apparatus
Authors: Díaz Y. , Tabio D. , Rondón M. , Piloto-Rodríguez R. , Fernández E.
Published: September 2021

Moringa oleifera is an oilseed crop with poten­tial for biodiesel production. The second step in this process is the extraction of oil. Extraction in hot water, with a Soxhlet apparatus and the ultrasound technique are the most commonly used methods. The aim of the present work was to obtain a phenomenological model for the Moringa oleifera oil extraction process using Soxhlet. Effective diffusivity for Moringa oil through the kernels is obtained, using the kinetics of the extraction process (experimentally determined) and the Fick’s diffusion second law for non-steady state. The value of 0.685·10-12 m2/s fully matched reports on effective diffusion coefficient for other solids. It was also verified from the statistical analysis and a linear fit for experimental data that the model can be used to describe the oil extraction process of Moringa oleifera in the Soxhlet extractor, responding to the diffusive phenomenon (process controlled by internal resistance).
Perceptions of Non-English Major College Students on Learning English Vocabulary with Gamified Apps
Authors: Fu Yang , Zhang Luying , Zhao Shuang , Chen Yang
Published: September 2021

As gamified English vocabulary learning Apps are increasingly popular among Chinese English learners, this study explores how non-English major college students, who may lack initiatives in foreign language learning, perceive those Apps. Following a qualitative approach, this study analyzed interview data from fifty-three students who have used gamified English vocabulary learning Apps in latest 12 months. The major findings of this study include: (1) the preferred game settings included challenge, team, leaderboard, competition, coins, and badges; (2) students perceived the motivation activation effects of the apps by receiving instant feedback, enjoyment, and sense of achievement, and inactivation effects considering the attention distraction, additional competitive pressure, and imperfect words matching; and (3) students believed that the apps helped to form vocabulary learning habits because of its convenience, rewarding mechanism, and group setting, while others did not because they had fixed learning routines. Then, this study explained and discussed the findings considering factors from or related to both the gamified Apps and students. This study explored the potential of the popular vocabulary learning Apps in enhancing students’ English learning motivation and learning habits and extended the scopes of research on gamification in foreign language education.
The Challenges of Initial Teacher Training
Authors: Graça Vânia , Quadros-Flores Paula , Ramos Altina
Published: September 2021

The initial training of teachers assumes great responsibility in the methodo-logical renewal of teachers. This study aims to know the thinking of higher education students, future teachers, regarding their knowledge and attitudes towards the curricular integration of Information and Communication Tech-nologies (ICT), as well as to identify inhibiting and propelling factors of the use of digital technology by future teachers. This study is part of the IFITIC Project, which aims to rethink educational practice with ICT in the initial training of future teachers in order to promote methodological renewal in Pre-school Education and the 1st and 2nd Cycles of Basic Education. We used the methodological design survey and for data collection we applied a ques-tionnaire survey, with closed questions, to students of Basic Education and Vocational Master's degree from two public higher education institutions in the North of Portugal. The results point to the existence of inhibiting factors such as lack of resources in training centers, and propellants to ICT integra-tion such as the availability of personal resources that can compensate for the lack of resources in school centers and ICT training by training schools. They also reveal a positive and open attitude on the part of students towards the educational use of ICT.
An Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-Based Learning Agent for Classifying Learning Styles in Self-Regulated Smart Learning Environment
Authors: Gambo Yusufu , Shakir Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: September 2021

The increasing development in smart and mobile technologies are transforming learning environments into a smart learning environment. Students process information and learn in different ways, and this can affect the teaching and learning process. To provide a system capable of adapting learning contents based on student's learning behavior in a learning environment, the automated classification of the learners' learning patterns offers a concrete means for teachers to personalize students' learning. Previously, this research proposed a model of a self-regulated smart learning environment called the metacognitive smart learning environment model (MSLEM). The model identified five metacognitive skills-goal settings (GS), help-seeking (HS), task strategies (TS), time-management (TM), and self-evaluation (SE) that are critical for online learning success. Based on these skills, this paper develops a learning agent to classify students' learning styles using artificial neural networks (ANN), which mapped to Felder-Silverman Learning Style Model (FSLSM) as the expected outputs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the consistency of classification data, and positive results were obtained with an average accuracy of 93%. The data from the students were grouped into six training and testing, each with a different splitting ratio and different training accuracy values for the various percentages of Felder-Silverman Learning Style dimensions.
A Design of Personal Learning Network on Social Networking Tools with Gamification for Professional Experience
Authors: Arsarkij Janejira , Laohajaratsang Thanomporn
Published: September 2021

This research aimed to design a novel teaching and learning process in the professional experience training. The Successive Approximation Model (SAM) was applied in the design steps. The attainment of the designed framework derived from numbers of theoretical reviews, as well as the analytical data collected from the expert interviews. The proposed framework included the components of a Personal Learning Network (PLN), the process of PLN, and the professional experience procedure. The components of PLN were: learning resources, learning tools, learning content, and learning activities. In addition, the process of PLN consisted of Creation, Connection, Cognition, and Contribution. The professional experience incorporated nine main activities particularly, enrolling in the course, joining three compulsory seminars, doing two major periods of internship, mentor visiting, submitting assignments, and completing the course. These three concepts were combined into the framework of integrated learning activities, which occurred in social networking tool, Course Networking (CN). It operated as the learning tool utilized the newly created addable badges as a part of gamification features. The assessment results from the eleven experts revealed that the teaching and learning practice using personal learning networks on social networking tools with gamification in the professional experience proved to have high levels of standard evaluation, innovative attributes, design process, teaching and learning procedure, and teaching and learning activities.
A Research-Based Smart Classroom in An Exercise Physiology Course
Authors: Su Hongyan
Published: September 2021

The outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated the construction of educational informationization and strengthened the integration and application of education and digitalization. Educators have increased demands for smart education to guarantee the quality of online teaching during the epidemic. As a key factor of smart education, smart classroom is expected to produce an important effect on education and teaching. However, at the present stage, there are some problems with smart classroom, such as complex equipment environment and inadequate combination with professional knowledge. Exercise Physiology is a course with strong practicality. For the traditional teaching mode, it is hard for students to gain a deep understanding of related knowledge. In view of this, this paper attempts to introduce a research-based teaching mode based on the smart classroom environment, make it run through three parts of the class, i.e., pre-class, in-class and post-class, make use of all kinds of equipment and functions in the smart classroom to form an interactive teaching mode that integrates pre-class, in-class and post-class. To be specific, the process includes storing in the cloud, pushing smartly, asking questions, creating scenarios, forming an individual learning mode, combining online teaching method with collaborative learning mode, giving quantitative results according to the status of collaborative learning and finally performing feedback evaluation and expanding after-class knowledge. Through the practical teaching of Exercise Physiology, the teaching mode established in this study can achieve a good teaching effect and teaching quality. In particular, it is of great significance for promoting students’ classroom satisfaction and ability to analyze problems and developing good learning habits in them.
Application of Virtual Scenario Teaching in Spoken English Teaching
Authors: Han Mengqing , Niu Shanshan
Published: September 2021

The ultimate goal of learning the English language is oral communication. Virtual scenario teaching (VST) provides the speaking and listening opportunities for learners of spoken English, and allows students to actively participate in the creation of an English environment. Based on VST, this paper summarizes the status quo of spoken English teaching, applies VST to the teaching of spoken English, and evaluates the teaching effect. The results show that VST enhances the students’ ability of language expression, and stimulates their learning interest. With the aid of VST, students can master relevant knowledge, learn spoken English more fluently, and acquire better skills of oral expression. About 95% of teachers speak highly of VST. The research results lay a theoretical basis for reforming and improving the teaching of spoken English.
Quantitative Analysis on the Evaluation Indicators of Teaching Abilities of Physical Education Teachers in Colleges and Universities
Authors: Luo Xinjun
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the teaching abilities of physical education (P.E.) teachers in colleges and universities. First, an evaluation indicator system for the teaching abilities of P.E. teachers in colleges and universities was constructed using the Delphi method, and then the weights of indicators at each level were determined using the expert survey method, so that a standard scale was formed for the teaching ability evaluation system. After that, empirical analysis was performed on the evaluation indicator system. The research results show that the teaching ability evaluation indicator system for P.E. teachers in colleges and universities proposed in this paper can be used to give a quantitative analysis on teachers’ teaching abilities and clearly reflect their deficiencies in teaching. This will allow teachers to understand what to improve in their teaching so that their teaching abilities will be enhanced. This research provides theoretical and practical references for the evaluation of P.E. teachers’ teaching abilities in higher education institutions in China, and thus, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to promoting the reform of P.E. teaching in higher education and the professional development of teachers.
A Guide to Sexing Salamanders in Central Appalachia, United States
Authors: Rucker Lacy E. , Brown Donald J. , Jacobsen Carl D. , Messenger Kevin R. , Wild Erik R. , Pauley Thomas K.
Published: September 2021

Documenting the sex of individuals encountered during wildlife research and monitoring activities is important for understanding and tracking changes in populations. However, sexing salamanders can be particularly difficult because secondary sex characters are often subtle or only visible during the breeding season, and guidance on species-specific sex determination is lacking from most field guides. The purpose of this guide is to provide a reference to assist biologists in the Central Appalachian region with identifying sex of live adult salamanders. In the main text we provide summary tables and figures to serve as concise references in the field. We provide individual species accounts that contain concise yet comprehensive information for each species based on the published literature, as well as many images depicting sexually dimorphic characters. Our focal region encompasses partial or entire distributions for 56 species of salamanders in 5 families (Ambystomidae, Cryptobranchidae, Plethodontidae, Proteidae, and Salamandridae). We identified seven morphological characters that are strongly sexually dimorphic and useful for sexing live, nonanesthetized, adult salamanders in the field, with males of individual species exhibiting one to five of the characters. We identified more than 20 additional characters that are weakly sexually dimorphic, difficult to distinguish in the field, or species-specific. Our guide serves as a synthesis of sexually dimorphic characters for salamanders in Central Appalachia, and we anticipate it will have broad value for researchers, monitoring programs, and salamander enthusiasts in eastern and central North America.
Impacted Whether They Know It or Not
Authors: Cameron J. Kevin
Published: September 2021

In the past 20 years, schools have been increasingly exposed to school shootings in which many of the victims are targeted at random. Despite recent progress in coping with school crises such as suicide, accidental death, and targeted violence, the advent of random-type school shootings has left mental health, education, law enforcement, and other professionals struggling to deal with this type of traumatic event in terms of its aftermath and its prevention. In this chapter, a systems-oriented approach—rather than an individually-focused approach to traumatic events—the Traumatic Event Systems (TES) model, is proposed to increase the understanding and the effectiveness of professionals in responding to the aftermath of school shootings. The companion model, the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA), is proposed with a trauma-informed threat assessment practice that creates a nexus between prior trauma and future violence potential through an understanding of the “trauma-violence continuum.”
Community-Based Tourism and Local People's Perceptions Towards Conservation
Authors: Ayorekire Jim , Mugizi Francis , Obua Joseph , Ampaire Grace
Published: September 2021

Uganda is among the most bio-diverse countries and a competitive wildlife-based tourism destination in the world. Community-based tourism approach has been adopted in the country's conservation areas as a strategy to ensure that local communities benefit and support wildlife conservation. This chapter analyses local communities' perceptions of conservation and the benefits they get from tourism in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area. The study reveals that local communities were concerned about loss of protected resources and support their conservation irrespective of the benefits they get from tourism in the conservation area. There is need to design conservation programmes that focus on local community-conservation-benefits nexus which take into consideration the perceived conservation values, strategies for benefit sharing and incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems.
The Indigenous Roles of Women in Household Food Security in Limpopo Province
Authors: Rankoana Agnes Sejabaledi
Published: September 2021

The chapter describes women's roles in home-gardening to ensure household food security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Focus group discussions confirmed the women continue to produce indigenous crops as part of their cultural obligations to provide for household food security. This implies that the women are capable of maintaining the health and welfare of their households by ensuring food availability, accessibility, and utilization, which are important elements of food security. The study has implications for ending hunger and malnutrition as food is produced and preserved for future consumption. The food and preservation practices adopted by the women in the study could be incorporated into climate change mitigation and adaptation policies to address the challenge of poverty and malnutrition as per the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2.
Exploring the Science of Vhavenda Traditional Architectural Design and Building Technology
Authors: Madima Thizwilondi Joanbeth , Mathoho Eric Ndivhuho , Tshikukuvhe Livhuwani Daphney , Amaechi Ekene Kingsley
Published: September 2021

Before now, historiographies and archival accounts of African innovations have often been told from mainly a Western and Eurocentric perspective. This chapter aims to expand this argument. It does this through a philosophical appraisal of the trajectory of progression in the traditional architectural designs and building technologies in the pre-colonial Vhavenda communities. This means exploring the scientific bases behind the progression of the different shapes and forms of the architectural designs and the building technology in the traditional Vhavenda communities. What counts is not whether these progressions have followed a Eurocentric notion of science, but rather unearthing the local rationale within which they are justified, and are hence ought to be regarded as “science.” Following these objectives, two questions are very important: (1) What are the major changes in the traditional Vhavenda architectural designs and building infrastructures? (2) How are these changes justified within the Vhavenda indigenous knowledge system?
Constitutional Provision in Protecting and Managing Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Authors: Chowdhury Jahid Siraz , Wahab Haris Abd , Mohd Saad Mohd Rashid , Hamidi Mashitah , Roy Parimal K. , Ahmad Mokbul M.
Published: September 2021

Methodologically, this study aligns with the analytical philosophy and the indigenous standpoint and cultural interface theory. This study found that the education system itself is contaminated with colonial legacy and historical ontology of ‘State'. The recommendations are the participation of indigenous people in deciding their education and making curricula. Although the location of this study is remote and rural, this phenomenon occurs in many countries. Therefore, this research would contribute to efforts in this regard over the world to merge humanity.
Education and Epistemicide in Africa
Authors: Ntihirageza Jeanine , Ibrahima Aissetu
Published: September 2021

Epistemicide is the exclusion or elimination of indigenous knowledge systems at the expense of the imperious, domineering, and colonial knowledge systems. To combat epistemicide in Africa and liberate the minds of the current generation, the authors propose a comprehensive ubuntu based model of education. This model suggests four interrelated strategies of liberation: 1) decolonization, 2) revalorization, 3) revitalization, and 4) construction and creation (DRRC) of knowledge. This chapter examines the contextual and conceptual background of education in Africa through a historical lens, provides a detailed description of the proposed model, and outlines some potential implementation challenges.
Digital Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge in South African Rural Communities
Authors: Masenya Tlou Maggie
Published: September 2021

Indigenous knowledge is mainly preserved in the memories of elders, and most of this knowledge is slowly disappearing in rural communities due to various factors such as death, sickness, and memory loss. Digital preservation is regarded as one of the modern methods to preserve indigenous knowledge as it can be shared with others and be passed on to future generations. But how can indigenous knowledge be documented and preserved to benefit indigenous knowledge owners and accessible for future generations? The chapter thus looked into the policy, techniques, and technologies being employed to document and preserve indigenous knowledge in rural communities. Knowledge management frameworks were also used as underpinning theories to guide the study. The findings revealed that rural communities are still relying mostly on traditional methods such as oral tradition, storytelling, and community of practice in sharing their indigenous knowledge in this digital era.
Depicting the Vhavenda Women Initiation Schools and Their Cultural Practices in Limpopo Province
Authors: Tshifhumulo Rendani
Published: September 2021

Growing up for many African people has been marked by rites of passage. Vhavenda girls attend various initiation schools that served as rites of passage from one stage to another. The purpose of this study was to explore the initiation schools attended by Vhavenda girls for knowledge preservation. The study is qualitative where data was collected from 15 traditional knowledge holders purposefully using interviews as a tool to collect data. The study revealed that girls attended different schools at various stages from Musevhetho, followed by Vhusha then Domba, which is divided into Tshikanda, Ludodo, and Tshilalandoima. All these schools served a critical purpose on the development of a girl child through to adulthood stage. Knowledge shared in the school covered mostly life skills and human physiology. With the introduction of formal schools, the former was discarded and labeled barbaric leaving a void and opening a door to many social challenges faced by girl children within the Vhavenda community members.
Entrepreneurial Success and Opportunities for Women and Female Youth in Pakistan
Authors: Manzoor Farkhanda , Jabeen Ghazala
Published: September 2021

Entrepreneurship adventures and small business setups run and controlled by Pakistani youth and particularly students have a crucial economic and social impact. The white-collar professions are more preferred and pursued as compared to business models and trading opportunities. The factors considered for Pakistani entrepreneurs are entrepreneurial traits, development of creative leadership capabilities, overcoming the tyranny of fear, perfectionism and criticism, creative thinking, and development of business ideas. Role of women as entrepreneurs in Pakistan is central, and women's participation is vital for the prosperity of the economy of Pakistan. The collection of data and type of business involved demonstrate that the key factors and challenges are entrepreneurial characteristics and traits, employee requirements, motivation to become entrepreneurs, factors and challenges in development of business, profitability, sustainability, and success story.
The Effect of Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors on Obesity
Authors: Yankey Ortis , Amegbor Prince M. , Essah Marcellinus
Published: September 2021

This paper examined the effect of socio-economic and environmental factors on obesity in Cleveland (Ohio) using an OLS model and three spatial regression models: spatial error model, spatial lag model, and a spatial error model with a spatially lagged response (SEMSLR). Comparative assessment of the models showed that the SEMSLR and the spatial error models were the best models. The spatial effect from the various spatial regression models was statistically significant, indicating an essential spatial interaction among neighboring geographic units and the need to account for spatial dependency in obesity research. The authors also found a statistically significant positive association between the percentage of families below poverty, Black population, and SNAP recipient with obesity rate. The percentage of college-educated had a statistically significant negative association with the obesity rate. The study shows that health outcomes such as obesity are not randomly distributed but are more clustered in deprived and marginalized neighborhoods.
Visualization of E-Gov Adoption Models in a Developing Region
Authors: Alfalah Adel
Published: September 2021

Advancements of information and communication technologies (ICT) have made it possible for governments to shift a vast majority of their services online, creating what is known as electronic government (e-gov). Many researchers have been studying the factors influencing users' behavioural intentions to use such services. This study methodically examines and visualizes the various relationships between variables and their overall performance by reviewing the findings of 51 publications in the context of the Arab gulf countries (known as GCC countries). The study provides a holistic diagrammatic representation of the synthesized models depicting the various types and directions of relationships between variables, followed by a weight analysis of the frequently used relationships in order to determine their overall cumulative performance. The outcomes of this review contribute to theory and practice by identifying e-gov adoption research patterns and gaps and by providing recommendations to policymakers and officials involved in developing and implementing e-gov systems.
A Meta-Analysis of Facebook-Assisted Learning Outcomes and Their Gender Differences
Authors: Yu *Zhonggen , Yu Liheng
Published: September 2021

Social media applications such as Facebook have received wide attention in their use in education. However, it is still hard to arrive at a conclusion regarding whether a Facebook-assisted approach is effective in education and whether there are any significant gender differences in the learning outcomes. Based on rigid inclusion criteria, this study included 21 peer-reviewed high-quality journal articles. Through a meta-analysis using Reviewer Manager 5.3, the authors concluded that a Facebook-assisted approach could obtain significantly higher learning outcomes than the non-Facebook-assisted one with a medium effect size (d = 0.42) and that females could achieve significantly better learning outcomes than males with a very small effect size (d = -0.21) in the Facebook-assisted education. Future research could examine the effect of educational use of other social media applications, as well as in sociological, psychological, or educational dimensions.
Importance of Marketing Mix Elements in Determining Consumer Purchase Decision in the Retail Market
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh , Al Shaikh Mohammed Emad , Alzoubi Haitham M.
Published: September 2021

This research aimed to identify the linkages between marketing mix elements and the purchase decision process among consumers in the Malaysian retail industry. To fulfill this objective, the present study followed a quantitative survey for gathering the data from the consumers of department stores at the East Coast region in Malaysia. All of the obtained data were inserted and coded using SPSS and then analysed by AMOS 18. The findings indicated that the impact of advertising on the consumers' purchase decision is positive and statistically significant. Besides that, the findings demonstrated that distribution intensity has a negative effect on purchase decision, whereas price plays a key important role in affecting purchase decisions process of the consumers. Lastly, the findings of this paper verified that store image and store location have significant positive linkages with purchase decision. These outcomes enhance our understanding on the role of marketing mix elements in determining a consumer's purchase decision, particularly in the retail context.
Customer Purchase Intention Towards Dairy Products
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Kumar Dilip
Published: September 2021

The research paper attempts to understand the various parameters leading to customer purchase intention toward the dairy products. The study paper draws its insights and conclusions by using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by incorporating confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) statistical technique along with using structural equation modeling (SEM). As per the outcome of the study, customer services variable comes out to most positively influence the attitudes of the consumers towards purchase intention followed by price of the product, quality of the dairy products, and last but not least, product packaging. This research paper identifies various factors which are making an impact on the customers' minds while purchasing milk and milk products. This paper carried out a review of literature in the field of customer purchase intention and dairy industry in order to understand the current practices, identify gaps, and suggest future research agendas.
Synthesis and Characterization of Semiconductor Composites Gas Sensors Based on ZnO Doped TiO2 Thin Films by Laser-Induced Plasma
Authors: Khalil Souad G. , Mutter Mahdi M.
Published: September 2021

This work presents the development of n-type (TiO2) and p-type (ZnO) gas-sensitive materials from ZnO doped TiO2thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD) on a glass substrate as a gas sensor of CO2gas. TiO2gas-sensing layers have been deposited over a range of ZnO content (0, 20, and 40) wt %. The obtained thin films analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrical characterization shows that TiO2:ZnO thin films were p-type conductivity and ZnO added was unable to change the composition to the n-type conductivity. There are notable gas-sensing response differences between n-type and p-type ZnO doped TiO2thin film. The responses toward all tested oxidizing gases tend to increase with operating temperature for the n-type TiO2films. Besides, the p-type ZnO doping results in a significant response improvement toward tested oxidizing gases such as CO2gas at the low operating temperature of 60 °C.
Fabrication and Characterization of Nb2O5 Dopant Al Thin Films Prepared by DC Reactive Plasma Sputtering Technique
Authors: Khalil Souad G. , Mutter Mahdi M. , Jassim Oras A.
Published: September 2021

The development of niobium oxide (Nb2O5) thin films is an important work as a result of wide applications of this oxide in the field of material science and thin-film applications. In this study, thin-film microstructures of aluminum (Al)-doped Nb2O5 were prepared by DC plasma sputtering on glasses substrate. The ratio of doping was (0.5, 1, and 1.5) wt. % Al. The obtained samples were thermally treated at 450 °C. Characterized and analyzed the physical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-Visible spectroscopy for optical properties investigation. Results showed that the average crystalline size of Nb2O5:0.5%Al film was found at 26.47 nm and the structure was a monoclinic phase for all samples. The distribution of grain size was found lower than 36.3 nm and uninformed particles on the surface. The analyzed optical properties showed the absorption decreased from 0.46 to 0.05 with increasing the wavelength and Low energy gap values decreased from 3.10 eV for Nb2O5 samples to 2.84 eV for 1.5%Al samples. In general, the doping by aluminum improved the physical properties of Nb2O5 films.
Biocompatibility of Alginate -Graphene Oxide Film for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Kadhim Ishraq Abd Ulrazzaq
Published: September 2021

The present paper indicates promising potential of Sodium Alginate) Alg)/Graphene oxide (Go) films in fields bone tissue engineering (TE). The Sodium Alginate (Alg)/Graphene oxide (Go) films, were fabricated via (solvent casting method). The interaction of Sodium Alginate (Alg) with Graphene oxide (Go) via hydrogen bonding was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The swelling degree of Sodium Alginate (Alg)/Graphene oxid (Go) films was also studied. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of Sodium Alginate (Alg)/Graphene oxide (Go) films disclosed its non-cytotoxic effect on the cell lines (MG-63) in-vitro test, the viability of cell lines on the films, and hence its appropriateness as potent biomaterial for tissue engineering.
An Experimental Study of Nonlinear Behavior of Graphite/Epoxy Laminate under a Three-Point Bending Test
Authors: Bellahkim Mouad , Benbouras Youssef , Maziri Aziz , Mallil El Hassan , Echaabi Jamal
Published: September 2021

In this work, an attempt has been made to study the experimental of behavior for carbon/epoxy woven laminates under a three-point bending test by varying the support span and the geometrical dimensions of the specimens. Two principles stacking sequences are studied ([45 / 0]2s & [90 / 0]6 ) to observe the effect of the layer orientation in the failure modes. This study has allowed us to confirm the relationship between the bending behavior of the specimens and the span-to-thickness ratio (l/h). Finally, a digital microscope was selected in order to characterize the succession of the failure and the failure modes, mainly the delamination damage.
A Modern-World View of Host–Microbiota–Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Tan Chin Yee , Ramirez Zeni E , Surana Neeraj K
Published: September 2021

The microbiota—the diverse set of commensal microbes that normally colonize humans—represents the first line of defense against infectious diseases. In this review, we summarize the direct and indirect mechanisms by which the microbiota modulates susceptibility to, and severity of, infections, with a focus on immunological mechanisms. Moreover, we highlight some of the ways that modern-world lifestyles have influenced the structure-function relationship between the microbiota and infectious diseases. Ultimately, understanding how the microbiota influences infectious risks will facilitate development of microbiota-derived therapeutics that bolster host defenses.
Elevated N-Linked Glycosylation of IgG V Regions in Myasthenia Gravis Disease Subtypes
Authors: Mandel-Brehm Caleigh , Fichtner Miriam L , Jiang Ruoyi , Winton Valerie J , Vazquez Sara E , Pham Minh C , Hoehn Kenneth B , Kelleher Neil L , Nowak Richard J , Kleinstein Steven H , Wilson Michael R , DeRisi Joseph L , O’Connor Kevin C
Published: September 2021

Elevated N-linked glycosylation of IgG V regions (IgG-VN-Glyc) is an emerging molecular phenotype associated with autoimmune disorders. To test the broader specificity of elevated IgG-VN-Glyc, we studied patients with distinct subtypes of myasthenia gravis (MG), a B cell–mediated autoimmune disease. Our experimental design focused on examining the B cell repertoire and total IgG. It specifically included adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing to quantify and characterize N-linked glycosylation sites in the circulating BCR repertoire, proteomics to examine glycosylation patterns of the total circulating IgG, and an exploration of human-derived recombinant autoantibodies, which were studied with mass spectrometry and Ag binding assays to respectively confirm occupation of glycosylation sites and determine whether they alter binding. We found that the frequency of IgG-VN-Glyc motifs was increased in the total BCR repertoire of patients with MG when compared with healthy donors. The elevated frequency was attributed to both biased V gene segment usage and somatic hypermutation. IgG-VN-Glyc could be observed in the total circulating IgG in a subset of patients with MG. Autoantigen binding, by four patient-derived MG autoantigen-specific mAbs with experimentally confirmed presence of IgG-VN-Glyc, was not altered by the glycosylation. Our findings extend prior work on patterns of Ig V region N-linked glycosylation in autoimmunity to MG subtypes.
Natural versus Laboratory World: Incorporating Wild-Derived Microbiota into Preclinical Rodent Models
Authors: Oh Ji Hoon , Rehermann Barbara
Published: September 2021

Advances in data collection (high-throughput shotgun metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics) and analysis (bioinformatics and multiomics) led to the realization that all mammals are metaorganisms, shaped not only by their own genome but also by the genomes of the microbes that colonize them. To date, most studies have focused on the bacterial microbiome, whereas curated databases for viruses, fungi, and protozoa are still evolving. Studies on the interdependency of microbial kingdoms and their combined effects on host physiology are just starting. Although it is clear that past and present exposure to commensals and pathogens profoundly affect human physiology, such exposure is lacking in standard preclinical models such as laboratory mice. Laboratory mouse colonies are repeatedly rederived in germ-free status and subjected to restrictive, pathogen-free housing conditions. This review summarizes efforts to bring the wild microbiome into the laboratory setting to improve preclinical models and their translational research value.
Interactions Between Running Volume and Running Pace and Injury Occurrence in Recreational Runners: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Ramskov Daniel , Rasmussen Sten , Sørensen Henrik , Parner Erik Thorlund , Lind Martin , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: September 2021

Context

The combination of excessive increases in running pace and volume is essential to consider when investigating associations between running and running-related injury.

Objectives

To complete a secondary analysis, using a dataset from a randomized trial, to evaluate the interactions between relative or absolute weekly changes in running volume and running pace on the occurrence of running injuries among a cohort of injury-free recreational runners in Denmark.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Running volume and pace were collected during a 24-week follow-up using global positioning systems data. Training data were used to calculate relative and absolute weekly changes in running volume and pace.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 586 recreational runners were included in the analysis. All participants were injury free at baseline.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Running-related injury was the outcome. Injury data were collected weekly using a modified version of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire. Risk difference (RD) was the measure of injury risk.

Results

A total of 133 runners sustained running-related injuries. A relative weekly change of progression >10% in running volume and progression in running pace (RD = 8.1%, 95% CI = −9.3%, 25.6%) and an absolute weekly change of progression >5 km in running volume and progression in running pace (RD = 5.2%, 95% CI = −12.0%, 22.5%) were not associated with a statistically significant positive interaction.

Conclusions

Given that coaches, clinicians, and athletes may agree that excessive increases in running pace and running volume are important contributors to injury development, we analyzed the interaction between them. Although we did not identify a statistically significant positive interaction on an additive scale in runners who progressed both running pace and running volume, readers should be aware that an interaction is an important analytical approach that could be applied to other datasets in future publications.
Monitoring Postmatch Fatigue During a Competitive Season in Elite Youth Soccer Players
Authors: Evans Daniel A. , Jackson Daniel T. , Kelly Adam L. , Williams Craig A. , McAuley Alexander B.T. , Knapman Harry , Morgan Paul T.
Published: September 2021

Context

Countermovement jump (CMJ) and perceived wellness measures are useful for monitoring fatigue. Fatigue indicators should simultaneously show sensitivity to previous load and demonstrate influence on subsequent physical output; however, these factors have not been examined.

Objective

To explore the efficacy of CMJ and wellness measures to both detect postmatch fatigue and predict subsequent physical match output in elite youth soccer players.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Patients or Other Participants

Sixteen soccer players (18 ± 1 years) from 36 English Football League Youth Alliance League fixtures.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Physical match outputs (total distance, high-speed running, very high-speed running, and accelerations and decelerations [AD]) were recorded using a 10-Hz global positioning system and 200-Hz accelerometer device during competitive match play. The CMJ height and perceived wellness were assessed weekly and daily, respectively, as indirect indicators of fatigue. Four subunits of wellness (perceived soreness, energy, general stress, and sleep) were measured using customized psychometric questionnaires.

Results

Simple linear regression showed that match AD predicted energy (R2 = 0.08, P = .001), stress (R2 = 0.09, P < .001), and total wellness (R2 = 0.06, P = .002) at 2 days postmatch. The CMJ (R2 = 0.05, P = .002), stress (R2 = 0.08, P < .001), sleep (R2 = 0.03, P = .034), and total wellness (R2 = 0.05, P = .006) measures at 5 days prematch predicted AD during the subsequent match.

Conclusions

The CMJ and wellness measures may be useful for detecting postmatch fatigue. Wellness scores, but not CMJ, at 5 days prematch influenced subsequent match output and therefore may be used to plan and periodize training for the upcoming microcycle.
Concussion History and Heart Rate Variability During Bouts of Acute Stress
Authors: Harrison Adam , Lane-Cordova Abbi , La Fountaine Michael F. , Moore Robert Davis
Published: September 2021

Context

After a sport-related concussion, many athletes experience persisting neurophysiological alterations. These alterations may be absent at rest but emerge during moments of physiological stress. Unnoticed and untreated neurophysiological dysfunction may negatively affect long-term neurologic health in adolescent athletes, as they are at a critical point in development.

Objective

To assess cardio-autonomic functioning in athletes with and those without a history of concussion by quantifying measures of heart rate variability (HRV) during times of physical and mental exertion.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Thirty-four male Hockey Quebec Midget-AAA hockey players were separated into those with (n = 16; age = 16.06 ± 0.73 years, body mass index = 23.29 ± 1.79) and those without (n = 18; age = 15.98 ± 0.62 years, body mass index = 23.60 ± 2.49) a history of concussion.

Intervention(s)

All athletes underwent a series of HRV recording sessions (1) at rest, (2) while completing a cognitive task at rest, and (3) while completing a cognitive task after a bout of submaximal aerobic exercise.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Time-domain measures of HRV, including mean NN intervals, SD of NN intervals, and root mean square of successive NN interval differences, were quantified for each assessment.

Results

No differences in characteristics were evident between groups. No between-groups differences in HRV at rest were observed. However, during the cognitive task at rest and after aerobic exercise, athletes with a history of concussion demonstrated a higher SD of NN intervals (78.1 ± 4.3 versus 63.2 ± 4.1 milliseconds and 71.2 ± 4.3 versus 65.2 ± 3.8 milliseconds, respectively; F1,31 = 4.31, P = .046) and root mean square of successive NN interval differences (75.8 ± 6.0 versus 59.0 ± 5.6 milliseconds and 74.0 ± 5.5 versus 59.0 ± 5.2 milliseconds, respectively; F1,31 = 4.88, P = .04) than athletes without a history of concussion.

Conclusions

Concussive injuries may result in long-term cardio-autonomic dysfunction. These deficits may not be present at rest but may be triggered by physiological stress.
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis associated with Demodex overgrowth or demodicosis on the face – A report of five cases
Authors: Huang Hui-Peng , Hsu Chao-Kai , Chao Sheau-Chiou , Yang Chao-Chun , Chen Gwo-Shing , Lin Chih-Hung , Huang Chang-Ming , Lee Julia Yu-Yun
Published: September 2021

Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is classified into Ofuji disease, immunosuppression-associated EPF, and infancy-associated EPF. The association of EPF with Demodex infestation is rarely reported. We report five cases of EPF with Demodex overgrowth. All patients were young females presenting with recurrent, itchy papulopustules on the face for 2 months to 2 years. Laboratory tests revealed eosinophilia (n = 2) and iron deficiency anemia (n = 1). Skin biopsy of papulopustular lesions was performed in each patient, and all revealed folliculocentric infiltration with eosinophils. Infundibular pustules containing Demodex mites were found in two patients. All patients had high Demodex densities examined by superficial needle-scraping method (7–18 mites/5 pustules) and/or thumbnail-squeezing method (37–255 mites/cm2). Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, the patients were either first treated as having demodicosis or as having EPF. According to the treatment responses, the cases might represent Demodex-induced EPF or EPF-like reaction (Cases 1–3) or demodicosis superimposed on EPF (Cases 4 and 5). In sum, we report five cases of EPF with Demodex overgrowth (demodicosis). These cases illustrate that the possibility of Demodex overgrowth should be considered in cases of EPF with incomplete treatment response to indomethacin and/or oral corticosteroids. Conversely, EPF should be considered in cases of demodicosis with incomplete responses to antiparasitic treatment.