bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge Questionnaire in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Manas Lorisha , Chivese Tawanda , Coetzee Ankia , Conradie Madga , Morris Linzette Deidre
Published: December 2021

Background.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major public health concern. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that the global prevalence of hyperglycemia in pregnancy is 16.2%. In South Africa, the most recent prevalence of GDM ranges between 9.1-25.8%. Serious adverse events associated with GDM can be mitigated by lifestyle modifications and education. Good comprehension of GDM, and improved understanding has been shown to translate into better glycemic control and reduces peri-natal complications. Assessing the knowledge base of mothers with GDM, whether in a country like South Africa, or any other similar country, is therefore imperative in bridging the gap and improving their understanding and control of their condition.
Objective.
To ascertain the validity and reliability of translated, cross-culturally adapted South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the Malaysian GDM Knowledge Questionnaire (M-GDMKQ).
Methods.
This mixed-method study was conducted prospectively within a high-risk antenatal clinic setting. The study consisted of three phases. Women ≥18-years, with GDM who were able to read basic level English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa; and attended the high-risk antenatal clinic throughout the index pregnancy were consecutively sampled and stratified into three language groups across phases.
Results.
The cross-culturally adapted English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa South African GDMKQ demonstrated reasonable face and content validity. Kappa values ranged between Kappa (SE), -0.03 (0.18) to 0.89 (0.13) for the English version, Kappa (SE), -0.07 (0.18) to 0.53 (0.13) for the Afrikaans version and Kappa (SE), 0.28 (0.18) to 0.87 (0.17) for the isiXhosa version respectively. Cronbach alpha for the individual questions ranged from 0.31 to 0.90, while correlation between overall scores was rho=0.79 (p<0.001).
Conclusion.
While the translated and cross-culturally adaptation South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the GDMKQ were found to be feasible, acceptable and easy to comprehend, more research is required to confirm validity and reliability.
Magnetic particle-antiparticle creation and annihilation
Authors: Zheng Fengshan , Kiselev Nikolai , Yang Luyan , Kuchkin Vladyslav , Rybakov Filipp , Blügel Stefan , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal
Published: December 2021

A fundamental property of particles and antiparticles, such as electrons and positrons, is their ability to annihilate one another. Similar behavior is predicted for magnetic solitons~\cite{Kovalev_90}-- localized spin textures that can be distinguished by their topological index Q.Theoretically, magnetic topological solitons with opposite values of Q, such as skyrmions~\cite{Bogdanov_89} and their antiparticles -- antiskyrmions -- are expected to be able to merge continuously and to annihilate~\cite{Kuchkin_20i}. However, experimental verification of such particle-antiparticle pair production and annihilation processes has been lacking. Here, we report the creation and annihilation of skyrmion-antiskyrmion pairs in an exceptionally thin film of the cubic chiral magnet B20-type FeGe observed using transmission electron microscopy. Our observations are highly reproducible and are fully consistent with micromagnetic simulations. Our findings provide a new platform for fundamental studies of particles and antiparticles based on magnetic solids and open new perspectives for practical applications of thin films of isotropic chiral magnets.
Estimation of Energy Expenditure in Breeding Cows Grazing Rangelands with Different Herbage Allowance
Authors: Gómez Jimena , Casal Alberto , Carmo Martin Do , Orcasberro Soledad , Soca Pablo , Carriquiry Mariana
Published: December 2021

The energy partitioning between total heat production (HP) and retained energy (RE) on the efficiency of energy use was evaluated throughout the annual production cycle (gestation-lactation) of 46 multiparous beef cows grazing on two herbage allowances (HA) of Campos grassland (4 vs. 7 kg dry matter/kg body weight; BW; LO vs. HI). Total RE was greater (P < 0.01) for HI than LO cows and presented minimum values during early gestation and maximum values during early lactation associated to the greater (P = 0.02) RE-milk in the former ones. Whole-animal HP, estimated by the heart rate-O2 pulse technique, and cow metabolized energy (ME) intake did not differ between HA treatments, but relative to BW0.75, HP was greater (P = 0.04) for LO than HI cows. Total HP and ME intake were minimum in gestation and maximum in early lactation and ME intake was greater during early lactation for HI than LO cows, and per unit of BW0.75, tended (P < 0.10) to be less for HI than LO cows in winter. The energy efficiency of the annual cycle was not affected by treatments (0.19 vs. 0.12 ± 0.02 for HI and LO respectively; P > 0.10) and there were no differences between treatments in terms of grams of calf per MJ of ME intake (P > 0.10). Management of grazing intensity of Campos grasslands with high herbage allowance improved energy balance of the beef cow-calf system through partitioning of cow ME intake towards RE instead of maintenance.
Data-driven discovery of dimensionless numbers and scaling laws from experimental measurements
Authors: Xie Xiaoyu , Liu Wing Kam , Gan Zhengtao
Published: December 2021

Dimensionless numbers and scaling laws provide elegant insights into the characteristic properties of physical systems. Classical dimensional analysis and similitude theory fail to identify a set of unique dimensionless numbers for a highly-multivariable system with incomplete governing equations. In this study, we embed the principle of dimensional invariance into a two-level machine learning scheme to automatically discover dominant and unique dimensionless numbers and scaling laws from data. The proposed methodology, called dimensionless learning, can be treated as a physics-based dimension reduction. It can reduce high-dimensional parameter spaces into descriptions involving just a few physically-interpretable dimensionless parameters, which significantly simplifies the process design and optimization of the system. We demonstrate the algorithm by solving several challenging engineering problems with noisy experimental measurements (not synthetic data) collected from the literature. The examples include turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection, vapor depression dynamics in laser melting of metals, and porosity formation in 3D printing. We also show that the proposed approach can identify dimensionally homogeneous differential equations with minimal parameters by leveraging sparsity-promoting techniques.
Clinical Predictors of Lung Function in Patients Recovering from Mild COVID-19
Authors: Cortes-Telles Arturo , Figueroa-Hurtado Esperanza , Ortiz-Farias Diana Lizbeth , Zavorsky Gerald Stanley
Published: December 2021

Background: There are few studies have assessed lung function in Hispanic subjects recovering from mild COVID-19. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of impaired pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) as defined by values below the lower limit of normal (< LLN, < 5th percentile) in Hispanics recovering from mild COVID-19. We also examined the prevalence of a restrictive spirometric pattern as defined by the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) being ≥ LLN with the FVC being < LLN. Finally, we wanted to examine factors that cause the prevalence of an impaired DLCO to vary between studies.Methods: In this observational study, adult patients (n = 146) with mild COVID-19 were recruited from a Long-term follow-up COVID-19 clinic in Yucatan, Mexico between March, and August 2021. Spirometry, DLCO, and self-reported signs/symptoms were recorded 34 ± 4 days after diagnosis. Results: At post-evaluation, 20% and 30% patients recovering from COVID-19 were classified as having a restrictive spirometric pattern and impaired DLCO, respectively; 13% had both. The most prevalent reported symptoms were fatigue (73%), persistent cough (43%), shortness of breath (42%) and a blocked/runny nose (36%). Increased age, a blocked/runny nose, excessive night sweats, and a restrictive spirometric pattern increased probability of having an impaired DLCO. The proportion of patients with previous mild COVID-19 who had impaired DLCO increased by 12% when the definition of impaired DLCO was < 80% predicted instead of < LLN. Having severe (compared to mild) COVID-19 increased the percentage of those with impaired DLCO by 20%. Conclusions: One-third of patients with mild COVID-19 have impaired DLCO thirty-four days post-diagnosis. One-fifth of patients have a restrictive spirometric pattern. The criteria that define impaired DLCO and the severity of COVID-19 disease affects the proportion of those with impaired DLCO at follow-up.
Novel Antimicrobial Peptides Designed Using Recurrent Neural Network Reduce Mortality in Experimental Sepsis
Authors: Bolatchiev Albert
Published: December 2021

The amino acid sequences of 198 novel peptides were obtained using a generative long short-term memory recurrent neural network (LTSM RNN). To assess their antimicrobial effect, I synthesized 5 out of 198 generated peptides. The PEP-38 and PEP-137 peptides were active in vitro against carbapenem-resistant isolates of Klebsiella aerogenes (n=12) and K. pneumoniae (n=18). PEP-137 was also active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=17). The remaining three peptides (PEP-36, PEP-136 and PEP-174) showed no antibacterial effect. Then I investigated the effect of PEP-38 and PEP-137 (a single intraperitoneal administration of a 100 µg dose 30 min after infection) on animal survival in an experimental murine model of K. pneumoniae-induced sepsis. As a control, I used two groups of mice: one received sterile saline, and the other received inactive in vitro PEP-36 (a single 100 µg dose). The PEP-36 peptide was shown to provide the highest survival rate (66.7%). PEP-137 showed a survival rate of 50%. PEP-38 was found to be ineffective. The data obtained can be used to develop new antibacterial peptide drugs to combat antibiotic resistance.
Post-traumatic hollow viscus perforation with mesenteric and bowel ischemia
Authors: Prasad Niharika
Published: December 2021

BackgroundHollow viscus perforation and acute mesenteric ischemia are life-threatening conditions that must be recognized and managed appropriately. Computed tomography (CT) helps to visualize the bowel wall directly, as well as in the timely diagnosis of secondary signs of bowel ischemia.Case PresentationA young male presented with blunt trauma to the upper abdomen. A supine radiograph was suspicious of pneumoperitoneum and CT was performed to rule out perforation. The above finding was confirmed on CT, in addition, lack of enhancement of a segment of colon and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia was evident. He was managed with exploratory laparotomy and repair of the perforation with partial colectomy.ConclusionsThe radiologist should be familiar with signs of pneumoperitoneum on supine radiographs for detection of hollow viscus perforation. These must be viewed with an index of high suspicion in symptomatic patients, post-trauma, and, further cross-sectional imaging may still be required.
WITHDRAWN: Association Between Retinol-binding Protein and Sarcopenia in General Inpatient Older Adults: a Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Liu Kai , Chen Ying , Liu Tao , Zhang Kun , Li Yunqian , Zeng Min
Published: December 2021

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between serum retinol binding protein levels and sarcopenia in elderly general hospitalized patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 682 elderly patients with Barthel-index ≥100 on admission. Sarcopenia was defined according to the recently updated Asian Sarcopenia Working Group 2019 criteria. The skeletal muscle mass index was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum prealbumin, albumin, hemoglobin, blood creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and retinol binding protein are also detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between serum RBP levels and sarcopenia, and to adjust for potential confounding factors.Results:There are 105 cases of sarcopenia, 56 males and 49 females. The total prevalence of sarcopenia is 15.40% in general inpatients, of which 16.47% are males and 14.33% are females.For men and women, it was observed that the serum retinol binding protein in sarcopenia patients was significantly lower than that without sarcopenia (24.43±8.12 vs 29.98±9.91, P<0.001) and(23.27±5.13 vs 28.35±6.63, P < 0.001),The fully adjusted model showed that male and female low retinol binding protein participants had a 2.341(1.176,4.660) and 2.911(1.324-6.400) times higher risk of sarcopenia than normal retinol binding protein respectively.Conclusion: Low levels of retinol binding protein are associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia in elderly general hospitalized patients.
Impact of Diagnosis-Related Group Payment System on the Variation in Hospitalization Expenditures: A Case-Control Study with a Propensity-Score-Matched Control Group
Authors: Fan Xiaoqi , Wang Zhifan , Huo Shanshan , Chen Ziyan , Jian Weiyan
Published: December 2021

Background
One of the important ways to reduce medical costs and improve quality of care is to enable physicians to provide standard medical services according to clinical guidelines, and the medical payment system is a significant means of guiding the behaviour of health service providers. This study aims to investigate whether the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system can improve the consistency of health services.
Method
Inpatients with three types of disease—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cerebral infarction (CI)—were enrolled from 25 county-level hospitals in a DRG pilot city in China. Inpatients from hospitals that implemented DRG payment were selected as the intervention group, and similar inpatient cases from hospitals that still implemented fee-for-services (FFS) payment were designated as the control group. A propensity matching score (PSM) was used for data matching to control for age, gender and disease severity. The variation of hospitalization expenditures and their trends before and after implementation of the DRG policy were described by using these matched samples.
Results
After DRG implementation, the standard deviation (SD) of hospitalization expenditures in the COPD, AMI and CI intervention groups decreased by 11094 yuan, 4833 yuan and 425 yuan, respectively, which were 5972, 2484, and 2938 yuan more than that in the control group. In each year after DRG implementation, the interquartile range (IQR) of hospitalization expenditures was smaller in DRG group than that in FFS group. In most years, the degree of variation in costs of the intervention group decreased more than that of the control group. The medians of hospitalization expenditures of the intervention groups were lower than the fixed cost, while most medians of the control groups were higher than the fixed cost.
Conclusion
A comparison of patients with similar demographics and disease characteristics revealed that patients in the DRG group experienced a smaller degree of variation in hospitalization expenditures, and indicated the expenditures had a tendency to become progressively more concentrated over time. It is suggested that DRG system can promote better consistency in health services and reduce medical costs.
Timing Shift Based Bi-residual Network Model for the Detection of Electricity Stealing
Authors: Zheng Ying , Deng Lingli , Li Jingfu , Zhuo Ling , Fan Huaijin , Feng Wenjiang
Published: December 2021

With the increasing number of electricity stealing users, the interests of countries are jeopardized and it brings economic burden to the government. However, due to the small-scale stealing and its random time coherence, it is difficult to find electricity stealing users. To solve this issue, we first generate the hybrid dataset composed of real electricity data and specific electricity stealing data. Then, we put forward the timing shift based bi-residual network (TS-BiResNet) model. It learns the features of electricity consumption data on two aspects, i.e., shallow features and deep features, and meanwhile takes time factor into consideration. The simulation results show that TS-BiResNet model can detect electricity stealing behaviors that are small-scaled and randomly coherent with time. Besides, its detection accuracy is superior to benchmark schemes, i.e., long short-term memory (LSTM) model and Bi-ResNet model.
Constant Light in Early Life Induces Depressive-Like Behavior in Chickens Via Modulation of Hippocampal BDNF/ERK Pathway
Authors: Yang Yang , Xu Peirong , Liu Jie , Zhao Mindie , Cong Wei , Han Wanwan , Wang Deyun , Zhao Ruqian
Published: December 2021

Background

Light management plays an important role in broiler growth and behavior. Constant light in early post hatch stage has been a common practice for improving feed intake and body weight gain in broiler chickens, while whether and how constant light in early life affects the behavior in broiler chickens is rarely reported.
Results

In this study, newly hatched chickens were kept in either constant light (24L:0D, LL) or natural photoperiod (12L:12D, LD) for 7 days and maintained in constant light thereafter from 8 d to 21 d of age. Constant light did not affect chicken body weight, while increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) in 7 d and 21 d and every week feed conversion ratio (FCR). Constant light exposure in early life induces depressive-like behaviors, which was associated with higher corticosterone (CORT), lower melatonin and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) plasma. Concurrently, constant light exposure increased the mRNA expression of clock related genes and suppressed the expression of antioxidative genes in the hippocampus of both 7- and 21-day-old chickens. Moreover, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in hippocampus was suppressed by constant light exposure.
Conclusions

These findings imply that constant light exposure in early life disrupts hippocampal expression of clock genes and BDNF/ERK pathway, which contributes to depressive-like behaviors in the chicken.
Heterologous Expression of Pediocin/Papa in Bacillus Subtilis
Authors: Wang Genyu , Guo Zhijun , Zhang Xueqian , Wu Hao , Bai XiuMei , Zhang Hailiang , Hu Richa , Pang Yuanxiang , Gao Zi’ang , Yan Lili , Huang Cuiying , Zhang Le , Pan Chunli , Liu Xuelian
Published: December 2021

Listeria moniocytogenes is food-borne pathogen. Pediocin is group II α bacteriocin with anti-listeria activity, naturally produced by Pediococuus acidilactic and Lactobacillus plantarum. Gene pepA/papA encode for pediocin. Expression and secretion of active papA was relayed on transporter papC and accessary protein papD on the same operon in native host. The excretion machines were also necessary for pediocin protein expression in heterologous host of E. coli, Lactobacillus lactis, and Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, two vector carrying codon sequence of papA mature peptide was constructed, with or without His tag. Both fragments were inserted into plasmid pHT43 and transformed Bacillus subtilis WB800N. The strains were induced with IPTG to secrete recombination protein PA1 and PA2 respectively. Supernatant from both recombination strains can inhibit Listeria monocytogenes ATCC54003 directly. The fused protein possesses inhibition activity as a whole, exempting from cleavage of leading peptide. Protein PA1 can be purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) metal affinity chromatography. This is the first report for active pediocin expression without assistance of papCD in heterogenous host.
Astigmatism Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Younger Children With Severe Congenital Ptosis After Frontalis Suspension Surgery
Authors: Tan Yilan , Wang Xilang , Tang Jing , Xiang Jianbo , Tao Lijuan , Luo Yulin
Published: December 2021

Background: To examine the astigmatism characteristics and surgical outcomes in patients with unilateral severe congenital ptosis following frontalis suspension surgery.Methods: We included 53 congenital ptosis patients who underwent frontalis suspension surgery in Hunan Children‘s Hospital. Each patient underwent a refractive examination before and after surgery to assess astigmatism. We also evaluated the effects and complications associated with the procedure.Results: Degree of astigmatism in ptotic and fellow eyes was -1.45±0.59 D and -0.66±0.51 D before surgery. Ratio of severe astigmatism in ptotic and fellow eyes was 51.3% and 12.8%. The fellow eyes presented with with-the-rule astigmatism (WR; 71.8%) and against-the-rule astigmatism (AR; 20.5%) types, with no cases of oblique astigmatism (OA). Ptotic eyes demonstrated higher frequencies of AR (59.0%) and OA (10.2%) than did fellow eyes. Furthermore, the former showed increased astigmatism, followed by a gradual decrease at the 6-month, before significantly decreasing at the 1-year postoperatively. The ratio of postoperative AR and OA astigmatism cases in ptotic eyes decreased to 35.9% and 7.7% 1 month postoperatively. However, there was a postoperative increase in the WR ratio from 30.8% to 56.4% after 1 month. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a success rate of 81.4% at 6 months and 62.9% at 12 months which was influenced by the following complications: suture reaction, epithelial keratopathy, infection and granuloma, lid lag, and recurrence. Conclusion: Frontalis suspension surgery can effectively and safely correct congenital ptosis in younger patients, which may ameliorate the development of amblyopic astigmatism.
Identification of Circulating Tfh/Th Subsets as Biomarker of Hospital-acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Peng Yuan , Tao Tao , Yu Ni-Wen , Chen Cheng
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe incidence rate of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is increasing in ICU patients, which is usually associated with dysregulated immune responses. Previous study has revealed Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells were essential for the formation and maintenance of geminal centers for anti-viral immune response, however, little is known about it during HAP.MethodsA total number of 62 patients with HAP and 10 healthy individuals were recruited. Lower respiratory tract secretion and blood samples were taken for microbiological examinations. Uncontrolled and controlled HAP patients were identified on the basis of its respiratory function or hemodynamics, according to the ATS guidelines of HAP. Circulating Tfh cells (CXCR5+Foxp3-CD4+) and Th cells (CXCR5-FoxP3-CD4+) in all individuals were analyzed by flow cytometry.ResultsClinically, 34 patients had uncontrolled HAP and 28 patients were controlled HAP. Patients were mainly infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.p), Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is noted that Tfh/Th ratio was increased in patients with uncontrolled HAP than controlled HAP (P<0.05). Especially, Tfh/Th ratio was also higher in K.p-infected than non-K.p-infected patients (P<0.05). Furthermore, Tfh/Th ratio was significantly elevated in patients with BSIs compared to those without BSIs (P<0.01). Furthermore, Tfh/Th ratio showed an association with PCT, and the combination of Tfh/Th and PCT could serve as a better predicting marker for deterioration of HAP. Accordingly, HAP patients with high Tfh/Th ratio had a lower rate of survival in 28 days.ConclusionTfh/Th ratio is useful for identifying the severity of the patients with HAP and increased Tfh/Th ratio indicates uncontrolled HAP. Circulating Tfh/Th subsets could be used as a prognostic biomarker and may provide novel insight for the pathogenesis of HAP.
Modulatory Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor on Cytokines and Clinical Features of Sarcoidosis
Authors: Elahi Morvarid , Talreja Jaya , Koth Laura L. , Samavati Lobelia
Published: December 2021

Background: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology with a significant heterogeneity in organ manifestations, severity, and clinical course. Subjects with sarcoidosis share several features such as, non-necrotizing granuloma, hypergammaglobulinemia, increased local and circulating inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pluripotent chemokine produced by various cell types. The expression of MIF at sites of inflammation suggests a regulatory role in the function of macrophages. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of MIF in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of sarcoidosis patients in association with clinical features and other cytokines. Methods: Sera and BALs of sarcoidosis patients (n=55) were collected at the time of diagnosis and patients were followed longitudinally for 3 years. Additionally, fifteen healthy controls participated in the study. The medical records of all patients including, demographics, radiography stages, pulmonary function tests, and organ involvements were recorded. The levels of MIF, IL-18, IL-10, IL-6, IFN-γ and lysozyme in serum and BAL samples were measured by ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Results: Serum MIF had a remarkable positive correlation with IL-10 and IFN-γ but had a negative correlation with serum IgG levels. Importantly, longitudinal follow-up showed a positive correlation between MIF and % predicted diffusion capacity (%DLCO) at 3-year. Serum IL-18 had a significant positive correlation with serum lysozyme, but a negative correlation with % predicted total lung capacity at 3-year follow up. We identified two groups of sarcoidosis subjects with distinct clinical and cytokine features. A group with prominent extrapulmonary involvement, and low serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels and a group with elevated serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between BAL IL-18 and BAL MIF in sarcoidosis subjects.Conclusions: Patients with low serum MIF, IL-10 and IFN-γ levels has severe and mostly extrapulmonary sarcoidosis with elevated lysozyme and IL-18 levels. Our work provides understanding of phenotypic diversity in association with heterogeneity in cytokine landscape in sarcoidosis.
Flexible, Sensitive, Multifunctional Rubber-based Sensor with Multiple Responses to Infrared, Temperature, Humidity and Strain
Authors: Zheng Zhongjie , Yang Li , Yang Yunpeng , Lin Baofeng , Fu Lihua , Xu Chuanhui
Published: December 2021

Flexible wearable electronic sensors have attracted immense interest in human motion detection, body temperature monitoring and personal healthcare monitoring. However, most of reported sensors cannot integrate multifunctional applications at the same time though they own excellent single achievement of strain sensing or humidity sensing. Herein, we fabricate a multifunctional rubber-based flexible sensor (MRFS) with responses to infrared, temperature, humidity and strain. The sensor owns a superior strength (5.66 MPa), high stretchability (367%), high temperature coefficient of resistance (2.046%/℃) and high photothermal conversion efficiency (78.6%). For the sensing applications, it shows a rapid sensing of only 0.5 s for the temperature and humidity changes as well as a sensitive response to low-powered near infrared of 0.14 W/cm2, body temperature change from 33.6 to 35.6 ℃, and small amount of moisture on human skin. Moreover, the MRFS shows a considerable strain sensing for human joint motion and an antibacterial property.
Future low-carbon electricity in Africa: how much material is needed?
Authors: Barron Karla Cervantes , Hakker Maaike E , Cullen Jonathan M
Published: December 2021

African countries are expected to experience some of the worst climate effects, while trying to provide higher electricity access and increase wellbeing.Concrete, steel, and aluminium pre­sent the largest opportunities for action, given their high mass or embodied emissions projections.Embodied emissions related to material use for electricity plants are evaluated in three scenarios: a refer­ence scenario, and two scenarios related to the Paris Agreement (where renewable energy increases), resulting in higher embodied emissions as renewables are integrated.Pursuing strategies to increase the use of renewables should be done along material efficiency strategies to reach the total low-carbon potential.
THE ROLE OF THE SRI LANKAN ARMY IN POST-DISASTER SITUATIONS IN TERMS OF PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Authors: Karunathilaka BGNI , R. Ambepitiya Kalpana
Published: December 2021

This studys primary purpose is to identify the factors affecting Sri Lankan military personnels behavioural patterns while providing humanitarian assistance in post-disaster situations. The study has used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Interviews were done with a few military personalities in a qualitative approach, and the answers were analysed using discourse analysis. The researcher has used a structured questionnaire in the quantitative method. A sample size of 308 military personalities has participated. Independent two-sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and structural equational modelling were used. The main factors of the research, which are attitude towards behaviour, social norms, self-efficacy, knowledge and practice, were identified using the discourse analysis method. Gender, training gained by the military personnel, difficulties encountered by them, and their work experience years failed to affect humanitarian assistance significantly. In structural equational modelling, social norms, knowledge, and practice significantly affected humanitarian aid. However, attitude towards behaviour and self-efficacy did not show any significant effect on humanitarian assistance. This study will provide the necessary information for policymakers and military institutions in Sri Lanka to develop military personnel skills in post-disaster situations. Moreover, this researchs findings will help the individuals, especially the researchers, conduct studies in the same field.
CARCINOME EPIDERMOIDE SUR PAPILLOME INVERSE DU SINUS MAXILLAIRE: A PROPOS DUN CAS
Authors:   Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacyof FES, Sidi Mohammed Ben-Abdellah University, Morocco., Alami Zenab ,   RadiatherapyDepartement, Oncologyhospital, Hassan II UniversityHospital Center, FES, Morocco., Zahrae Farhane Fatima ,   Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacyof FES, Sidi Mohammed Ben-Abdellah University, Morocco.,   RadiatherapyDepartement, Oncologyhospital, Hassan II UniversityHospital Center, FES, Morocco., Amrani Sara ,   Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacyof FES, Sidi Mohammed Ben-Abdellah University, Morocco.,   RadiatherapyDepartement, Oncologyhospital, Hassan II UniversityHospital Center, FES, Morocco., Hassani Wissal ,   Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacyof FES, Sidi Mohammed Ben-Abdellah University, Morocco.,   RadiatherapyDepartement, Oncologyhospital, Hassan II UniversityHospital Center, FES, Morocco., Bouhafa Touria ,   Faculty of Medecine and Pharmacyof FES, Sidi Mohammed Ben-Abdellah University, Morocco.,   RadiatherapyDepartement, Oncologyhospital, Hassan II UniversityHospital Center, FES, Morocco.
Published: December 2021

Le papillome inverse (IP) est un type inhabituel de tumeur benigne marque par une forte agressivite locale, un taux eleve de recidive aprÃ¨s chirurgie et un risque imprevisible dassociation a un carcinome epidermoide. Le traitement du papillome inverse degenere est principalement chirurgical associe a une radiotherapie complementaire. Nous rapportant le cas dune patiente agee de 63ans traitee au service de radiotherapie du CHU Hassan II de FES pour un carcinome epidermoide sur papillome inverse.
PROPOSAL OF A DATA MODEL FOR MANAGING BLOKCHAIN-BASED TRUST BETWEEN ACTORS IN AN ELECTORAL PROCESS
Authors:   Laboratoire des Sciences et Technologies de lInformation et de la Communication, Ecole Superieure Africaine des TIC, LASTIC-ESATIC, Abidjan , Cote dIvoire , 18bp 1501 Abidjan 18., Koffi Kanga , Beman Hamidja Kamagate ,   Laboratoire des Sciences et Technologies de lInformation et de la Communication, Ecole Superieure Africaine des TIC, LASTIC-ESATIC, Abidjan , Cote dIvoire , 18bp 1501 Abidjan 18., Tiekoura Coulibaly ,   Laboratoire des Sciences et Technologies de lInformation et de la Communication, Ecole Superieure Africaine des TIC, LASTIC-ESATIC, Abidjan , Cote dIvoire , 18bp 1501 Abidjan 18., Souleymane Oumtanaga ,   Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique et Telecommunication, Institut National Polytechnique Felix HouphouÃ«tBoigny , Cote dIvoire , Yamoussoukro.
Published: December 2021

In this paper we propose a tool (reference data model) for the improvement of trust, based on blokchain technologies, between the different actors of an electoral process. Our contribution focuses in a first step on the implementation of a data model having all these public attributes and thus public classes whose methods are coupled to cryptographic techniques. In a second step, we propose an underlying formalism of this model using a matrix representation of the different actors, the different transactions and the working criteria allowing to validate these transactions and blockchains. This formalism allows to find a transaction performed by one of the actors of the electoral chain and also the data block in which this transaction is validated. Also, an algorithm allowing to reinforce the trust is proposed.
A IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DO PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE ALIMENTAÇÃO ESCOLAR (PNAE) EM MUNICÍPIOS DO NORTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Antoniolli Elitana , Cristofoli Maria Silvia
Published: December 2021

Este artigo versa sobre o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar e se insere no contexto da análise de implementação de políticas públicas educacionais. Apresenta como objetivo principal analisar o processo de implementação do PNAE em municípios situados no norte do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Estrutura-se na pesquisa documental e bibliográfica acerca da temática, empregando as técnicas de análise documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados demonstram que a implementação do PNAE depende de três pilares básicos: recursos financeiros, agentes da política e sistema normativo que rege o programa.
APROXIMAÇÕES ENTRE O LEGADO FREIREANO E A EDUCAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL E TECNOLÓGICA: UMA ANÁLISE TEXTUAL DISCURSIVA DO ESTATUTO DO INSTITUTO FEDERAL FLUMINENSE
Authors: Rezende da Silva Arthur Da , Bastos Costa de Oliveira Rafael
Published: December 2021

Este artigo objetiva investigar a relação entre o legado freireano e a Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (EPT), com base nesta questão: Em quais aspectos observa-se a influência de Paulo Freire no Instituto Federal Fluminense? Metodologicamente, optou-se pela técnica de análise de dados conceituada como Análise Textual Discursiva (ATD), a partir do documento institucional que reformula o Estatuto do IFF. A análise aponta a presença do legado freireano  no Estatuto do IFF, por visar à formação emancipatória do estudante e oportunizar experiências de uma gestão democrática.
Relationship between meteorological and hydrological droughts in the upstream regions of the Lancang–Mekong River
Authors: Li Jiqiu , Wang Yinfei , Li Yungang , Ming Wenting , Long Yunshu , Zhang Mingda
Published: December 2021

Information on the relationship between meteorological drought (MD) and hydrological drought (HD) can serve as the basis for early warning and mitigation of HD. In this study, the standardized precipitation index and standardized streamflow index were applied to characterize MD and HD, respectively, and the evolution characteristics of MD and HD were assessed in the upstream regions of the Lancang–Mekong River (ULMR) from 1961 to 2015. Furthermore, the relationship between MD and HD was investigated using the Pearson correlation and wavelet analysis. The results revealed that (1) there was no significant change in the annual precipitation and streamflow; however, the ULMR experienced successive alternations of wet and dry episodes; (2) the average duration and magnitude of MD and HD increased with an increase in the time scale, while the duration and magnitude of MD lengthened and amplified in HD; (3) MD more likely propagated to HD as the time scale increased, and the propagation time exhibited marked seasonality, which was shorter in the wet season and longer in the dry season; and (4) there was a positive correlation between MD and HD; these two types of drought exhibited similar resonance frequency and phase-shift characteristics, and HD lagged behind MD.
Photocatalytic ozonation in an immersion rotary body reactor for the removal of micro-pollutants from the effluent of wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Mehling Simon , Schnabel Tobias , Londong Jörg
Published: December 2021

Carrier-bound titanium dioxide catalysts were used in a photocatalytic ozonation reactor for the degradation of micro-pollutants in real wastewater. A photocatalytic immersion rotary body reactor with a 36-cm disk diameter was used, and was irradiated using UV-A light-emitting diodes. The rotating disks were covered with catalysts based on stainless steel grids coated with titanium dioxide. The dosing of ozone was carried out through the liquid phase via an external enrichment and a supply system transverse to the flow direction. The influence of irradiation power and ozone dose on the degradation rate for photocatalytic ozonation was investigated. In addition, the performance of the individual processes photocatalysis and ozonation were studied. The degradation kinetics of the parent compounds were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. First-order kinetics were determined for photocatalysis and photocatalytic ozonation. A maximum reaction rate of the reactor was determined, which could be achieved by both photocatalysis and photocatalytic ozonation. At a dosage of 0.4 mg /mg DOC, the maximum reaction rate could be achieved using 75% of the irradiation power used for sole photocatalysis, allowing increases in the energetic efficiency of photocatalytic wastewater treatment processes. The process of photocatalytic ozonation is suitable to remove a wide spectrum of micro-pollutants from wastewater.
Incidence of Restenosis Following Rapamycin or Paclitaxeleluting Stent in
Coronary Stent Implantation
Authors: Shakarami Amir
Published: December 2021

Background & Objectives:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is chiefly characterized by atherosclerosis
and plaque formation in coronary arteries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of
coronary anatomy as a predictor of restenosis and stent thrombosis in coronary artery disease
(CAD) patients 5 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods:

In this prospective study, 1070 patients with stent restenosis or stent thrombosis over
past 5 years were enrolled. Coronary angiography was performed to evaluate coronary restenosis
and stent thrombosis 5 years after PCI. Stent restenosis was defined as >50% angiographic in-stent
lumen reduction. Stent thrombosis was defined as sudden complete occlusion of stent presenting
with acute myocardial infarction in that territory. Demographic data, clinical features and anatomic
factors were prospectively reviewed. Baseline, procedural, and post-procedural characteristics of
patients were recorded for analysis.

Results :

Among demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension and diabetes
mellitus) and anatomic factors were predictive risk factors for restenosis/thrombosis,
p=0.001. The most common site for stent restenosis was proximal to the mid part of the LAD
artery, followed by RCA and LCX. A greater diameter of LCX, a greater angle of LM-LAD than
LM-LCX and left dominancy increase the incidence of LAD stent restenosis/thrombosis. In this
study, the least common restenosis/thrombosis rate in relation to the total number of PCI was in the
Ramus intermedius artery.

Conclusion:

The outcomes of the study indicated that anatomic factors can predict increased risk
of restenosis among CAD patients who underwent PCI.
Comparative In vitro Metabolism of Enflicoxib in Dogs, Rats, and Humans:
Main Metabolites and Proposed Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Solà Josep , Menargues Àngel , Homedes Josep , Salichs Marta , Serafini Maria Teresa , Encina Gregorio
Published: December 2021

Background:

Enflicoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of the coxib family
characterized by a long-lasting pharmacological activity that has been attributed to its active
metabolite E-6132.

Objective:

The aim of this work was to explore enflicoxib biotransformation in vitro in humans,
rats and dogs, and to determine its metabolic pathways.

Method:

Different in vitro test systems were used, including hepatocytes and liver and non-hepatic
microsomes. The samples were incubated with enflicoxib and/or any of its metabolites at 37°C
for different times depending on the test system. The analyses were performed by liquid chromatography
coupled with either radioactivity detection or high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Results:

Enflicoxib was efficiently metabolized by cytochrome P-450 into three main phase I
metabolites: M8, E-6132, and M7. The non-active hydroxy-pyrazoline metabolite M8 accounted
for most of the fraction metabolized in all the three species. The active pyrazol metabolite E-6132
showed a slow formation rate, especially in dogs, whereas metabolite M7 was a secondary metabolite
formed by oxidation of M8. In hepatocytes, diverse phase II metabolite conjugates were
formed, including enflicoxib glucuronide, M8 glucuronide, E-6132 glucuronide, M7 glucuronide,
and M7 sulfate. Metabolite E-6132 was most probably eliminated by a unique glucuronidation reaction
at a very low rate.

Conclusion:

The phase I metabolism of enflicoxib was qualitatively very similar among rats, humans
and dogs. The low formation and glucuronidation rates of the active enflicoxib metabolite
E-6132 in dogs are postulated as key factors underlying the mechanism of its long-lasting pharmacokinetics
and enflicoxib's overall sustained efficacy.
Agomelatine: An Astounding Sui-generis Antidepressant?
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhou Qi-Gang , Naveed Muhammad , Li Lian-Di , Sheng Gang , Du Zi-Wei , Zhou Ya-Ping , Nan Sun , Zhu Ming-Yi
Published: December 2021

:

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the foremost causes of disability and premature death worldwide. Although the available antidepressants are effective and well tolerated, they also have many limitations. Therapeutic advances in developing a new drug's ultimate relation between MDD and chronobiology, which targets the circadian rhythm, led to a renewed focus on psychiatric disorders. In order to provide a critical analysis about antidepressant properties of agomelatine, a detailed PubMed (Medline), Scopus (Embase), Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and PsycInfo search was performed using the following keywords: melatonin analog, agomelatine, safety, efficacy, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, circadian rhythm, sleep disorders, neuroplasticity, MDD, bipolar disorder, anhedonia, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and mood disorders. Agomelatine is a unique melatonin analog with antidepressant properties and a large therapeutic index that improves clinical safety. Published articles revealed that agomelatine is a melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) agonist and 5HT2C receptor antagonist. The effects receptors' on melatonin receptors enable the resynchronization of irregular circadian rhythms with beneficial effects on sleep architectures. In this way, agomelatine is accredited for its unique mode of action, which helps to exert antidepressant effects and resynchronize the sleep-wake cycle. To sum up, an agomelatine has not only antidepressant properties but also has anxiolytic effects.
Preclinical Investigation of Radiopharmaceuticals: An Accurate and Multidisciplinary
Approach
Authors: Schillaci Orazio , Urbano Nicoletta , Scimeca Manuel , Bonanno Elena
Published: December 2021

Background:

The development of less expensive and pivotal methodologies capable of
supporting the researchers in the radiopharmaceutical pre-clinical investigations could provide a
crucial incentive for conducting biomedical research involved in the realization of tailored target
therapies.

Objective:

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the capability of a digital autoradiography
system equipped with a laser scanning device to perform [18F] choline biodistribution evaluation in
a xenograft mouse model of prostate cancer.

Methods:

PC3 prostate cancer cells were used to develop NOD/SCID mice xenografts. The biodistribution
of the radiopharmaceuticals was evaluated at 30, 60, and 120 min after injecting in excised
organs by using a digital autoradiography system equipped with a super-resolution laser
screen. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to correlate the [18F] choline
uptake with morphological and molecular tumours characteristics.

Results:

The reported data clearly indicate the possibility of performing accurate biodistribution
studies using the digital autoradiographic system equipped with a super-resolution screen. Specifically,
a significant increase in the [18F] choline inhibitor uptake in PC3 tumours compared to heart,
bowel, liver, and kidney at both 30 and 60 min was observed. More importantly, the digital autoradiographic
system showed signal uptake almost exclusively in the PC3 tumors at 60 min post-injection.
Noteworthy, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated a strong overlapping between the
[18F] choline uptake and the proliferation index (Ki67 expression).

Conclusions:

The use of an autoradiography system in pre-clinical investigations could shed new
light on the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the tissues damage induced by therapeutical radiopharmaceuticals.
HUMANISTIC ASPECTS OF ECOLOGICAL VALUES IN BUDDHISM AND TAOISM AND THEIR SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
Authors: LAZOREVYCH Iryna
Published: December 2021

The tendency to seek the harmonization of the relationship between nature and man is as relevant as ever. In the social value discourse, increase in the role of religion and religions in public space encourages religions themselves to become useful to society with their environmental narratives, and society – to be more attentive to their potential. After all, now the answers to the question of how to save humanity without global losses and how to move from a destructive type of development to a regulated one are as relevant as ever. How to mobilize moral and intellectual potential? It is obvious that global problems affect absolutely all segments of the population: Christians and Buddhists, agnostics and atheists. Undoubtedly, these issues concern churches and their spiritual leaders. In the article, the author reveals humanistic aspects of ecological ideas of the East (on the example of Buddhism and Taoism), explains the resource of Buddhist and Taoist environmental wisdom in its heuristic possibilities for today. Relevant guidelines are important for analysis and reflection, at least because they have mentally shaped the ecological culture of its adherents. And as is known, the ecological construct of a number of Eastern countries is recognized in the West as worthy of approval and imitation for the formation of a model of sustainable development and potential establishment of environmentally friendly society. The author focuses not so much on the dogmatic features of the substantiation of Buddhist and Taoist ideas (in tendencies and directions), as on the identification of their common humanistic logic, which can be understood and accepted by Western people (they do not have to become the followers of relevant Eastern doctrines). The researcher also considers the value potential of the worldview cultures in the aspect of sacralization of the rhythms of nature, reverence for its beauty as an image of wise cosmic “industry”. The article implements the disciplinary interaction of religious studies, applied ethics, aesthetic hermeneutics.