bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water collection systems in the prehistory of Menorca: the Circle 6 cistern at Torre d’en Galmés
Authors: De Salort Giménez Carlos , Corral García Borja , Astiz Carmen Lara , Pons Machado Joaquín , Rodríguez Florit Agustí , Robledo Ardila Pedro
Published: September 2021

Human settlements during prehistoric and historic times on the island of Menorca have been linked to the easy access to water supplies. Therefore, most of the pre-Talayotic (2300-1200 BCE) and Talayotic (1200-123 BCE) communities are found concentrated along the Migjorn Miocene platform composed of limestone and calcarenite that covers the southern half of the island. Several structures have been documented that relate to underground water collection and rainwater harvesting and storage, i.e. wells, systems for canalization, filtering and storing water in cisterns, puddles and natural or artificial storage pits. As part of an archaeological project to study domestic spaces in the Talayotic settlement of Torre d’en Galmés, a large prehistoric cistern —fallen into disuse after the 7th and 8th century CE— was excavated in 2016. This find has allowed us to evaluate the several options for water collection used in the settlement, and to relate this structure to the known architectural characteristics of the houses during this period —3rd and 2nd centuries BCE— and to other prehistoric and historic structures on the island of Menorca.
The Vascos site: potential use of groundwater for water supply
Authors: Del Pozo Tejado Jesús , Izquierdo Benito Ricardo , Mejías Moreno Miguel
Published: September 2021

The Muslim city of Vascos (Navalmoralejo, Toledo) was inhabited from the 9th to the11th centuries A.D. The reasons that justify its specific location are unknown, although the latest research considers this settlement to be a centre related to metallurgical work. The archaeological excavations carried out evidence a population greater than a thousand inhabitants. A city of such a magnitude must have had a water supply system, sufficient to meet the demand of the population, as well for derived secondary activities. Today some archaeological remains both inside and outside the city have been identified, which could be related to the original supply system. It is considered that the possibilities of water supply were complicated when the geological, hydrogeological and weather conditions are taken into account. This difficulty raises the hypothesis of a water supply and possibly of underground origin. After an analysis of the hydrogeological conditions of the environment, and in line with the identified remains, a possible supply system is proposed, characterized by the maximum use of available surface and underground water resources. This system combines waters of both origins, thus forming a truly integral system of resource management that arose as a result of a shortage of temporary water in the surroundings of the city of Vascos.
Confirmed detection of Palaeogene and Jurassic orbitally-forced sedimentary cycles in the depth domain using False Discovery Rates and Bayesian probability spectra
Authors: Weedon Graham P.
Published: September 2021

It has been common practice to assume that power spectral backgrounds in cyclostratigraphy conform to a first-order autoregressive (AR1) model. Vaughan et al. (2011, Paleoceanography) argued that an unbiased approach to fitting the spectral backgrounds, as well as adjustment of confidence levels for multiple frequency testing, should be mandatory during the search in the depth domain for significant spectral peaks. To address these requirements Smoothed Window Averaging to find spectral backgrounds are combined with False Discovery Rates (FDR) for setting confidence levels and were applied to time series from seven Oligocene and Jurassic formations. Bayesian probability spectra provide an alternative method for detecting regular cyclicity. Pre-whitening the linearly detrended time series prior to calculation of Bayesian probabilities avoids confounding effects due to red noise.
In all seven formations there are sub-sections associated with spectral peaks exceeding the 5% FDR, in four formations they even exceed the 0.01% FDR.  Elevated Bayesian probability at the same frequencies as these significant power spectral peaks, supports the detection of regular cyclicity. This prevalence of detections conflicts with the assertion of Vaughan et al. (2011) that “almost certainly the vast majority of cycle detections … in the stratigraphy literature are false.” In previous publications spectral peaks exceeding the standard 95% level were considered significant so very high confidence levels were not reported. Nevertheless, the examples re-studied demonstrate that pre-Neogene cyclostratigraphic time series do indeed contain regular cycles most likely linked to orbital-forcing.
Rhaetian (Late Triassic) Milankovitch Cycles in the Tethyan Dachstein Limestone and Laurentian Passaic Formation Linked by the g2-g5 Astronomical Metronome
Authors: Hinnov Linda A. , Cozzi Andrea
Published: September 2021

Milankovitch cycles have long been suspected of having been recorded in the shallow marine Lofer cyclothems of the Rhaetian Dachstein Limestone of the European Northern and Southern Calcareous Alps. However, sufficient evidence has not yet been forthcoming to make a compelling case for Milankovitch control on the cyclothems. At the same time, there is overwhelmingly strong evidence that Milankovitch cycles were influencing the paleoclimates of Rhaetian Laurentia and the wet-dry playa lake deposits of the Passaic Formation (Newark Basin, USA). The strongest cycles in these deposits, the McLaughlin cycles, have been linked to the metronomic g2-g5, or 405 kyr orbital eccentricity cycle. Thus, Milankovitch cycles were operating throughout the Rhaetian, and being global in nature, likely played a role in the genesis of the coeval Lofer cyclothems. The Dachstein Limestone in the Julian Alps, relatively  undisturbed by tectonics, exhibits strong Milankovitch-like cyclicity, including evidence for g2-g5 cycling. The shallow marine Dachstein and continental Passaic formations provide evidence for complementary forcing mechanisms and active aquifer-limno-eustasy: low sea level in Lofer exposure facies is reflected in wet Passaic playa lake deposits, and high sea level in Lofer subtidal facies in dry Passaic playa lake deposits. The Dachstein and Passaic formations are further linked by the g2-g5 metronome; a provisional correlation is proposed, subject to future validation by additional, as yet undeveloped chronostratigraphic constraints.
Misplaced confidence: limits to statistical inference in cyclostratigraphy
Authors: Smith David G.
Published: September 2021

Spectral (frequency-domain) analysis is used for quantitative confirmation of cyclicity in climate-proxy data. Cyclostratigraphic power spectra are typically accompanied by ‘confidence limits’, whether or not a statistical test has been explicitly invoked. Peaks in spectral power suggest candidate cyclic frequencies; confidence limits (CLs) appear to provide a visual guide to their relative importance, and are conventionally used in a correspondingly informal way. Confidence limits are, however, inseparable from formal tests of statistical significance; they derive from a statistical null hypothesis, and provide a threshold for its acceptance or rejection. In the procedure conventionally used in cyclostratigraphy (and implemented in several specialised software packages), noise models and confidence limits are generated automatically. Although the user may be unaware of it, the null hypothesis on which these CLs are based is calibrated for a (confirmatory) test of significance at exactly one frequency. Extending their application to an exploratory search of spectral peaks at all frequencies is statistically inadmissible. Debate over the role and correct calculation of CLs in cyclostratigraphy remains unresolved: this contribution seeks to clarify the disagreement over their use by explaining the role of CLs in statistical significance tests generally, and comparing it with their conventional use in cyclostratigraphy. Through examples of the correct and incorrect use of the conventional method, I show that the customary informal use of statistical test criteria cannot be sustained. Significance thresholds cannot be calculated in most cases; wrongly estimated confidence limits lead to false positive cycle identifications, with adverse consequences for calibration of the geological time scale.
Estimation of the ages of Devonian and Cretaceous stage boundaries in the Geologic Time Scale
Authors: Agterberg F. P. , Gradstein F. M. , Gale A.S.
Published: September 2021

Estimation of the ages of period and stage boundaries of the Geologic Time Scale (GTS) has a long history that commenced over a century ago with the pioneering work of Arthur Holmes. Frequencies, precision and accuracy of radiogenic isotope age determinations used for time scale construction continue to increase steadily. Later stage boundary age estimates are accompanied by error bars based on 2-sigma age dating errors with incorporation of stratigraphic uncertainty. Most GTS2004 and GTS2012 results involved spline-curve fitting. In GTS2012, Milankovitch-type orbital climate cyclicity was used to tune the Neogene geologic time scale while seafloor spreading was combined with sedimentary cycle scaling to construct the Paleogene time scale, and it also contributed to the construction of the Cretaceous and Jurassic time scales. Geomathematical procedures continue to be refined for the next GTS which is in Gradstein et al. (2020). In this study smoothing splines are used to construct Devonian and Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous time scales. This methodology and its results are described and some estimates are refined by incorporating Milankovitch cycle durations.
Maximum entropy spectral analysis of uneven time series in the geosciences
Authors: Pardo-Igúzquiza Eulogio , Dowd Peter A.
Published: September 2021

Time series with a non-constant sampling interval (i.e., uneven time series) are ubiquitous in the geosciences. This is due to random sampling, gaps in sampling, missing data, hiatuses, or the transformation between a spatial scale and a temporal scale when, for example, the sedimentation rate is not constant. The preferred approach in the spectral analyses of these uneven sequences are interpolation-free spectral methods, and the Lomb-Scargle periodogram is a popular choice. In the work presented here, the maximum entropy spectral estimator, modified to deal with uneven time series, is proposed as an alternative to the periodogram. The appeal of this approach is that the maximum entropy spectral estimator is a high resolution estimator. The proposed methodology uses the equivalence between the maximum entropy and the autoregressive spectral estimator. The permutation test is used to assess the statistical confidence of the estimated power spectrum and real and simulated time series are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology. This study shows that the maximum entropy spectral estimation of uneven time series avoids the side lobe problem that plagues the Lomb-Scargle periodogram whilst maintaining its high resolution for short time series. The maximum spectral estimator works well in cases where large proportions of the data are randomly missing, when there are gaps in the data, where there is one or more significant hiatus in the process that generates the data, and for time series with random sampling.
Direct and indirect assessment of the amount of naturally occurring asbestos in fractured rocks
Authors: Piana F. , Barale L. , Botta S. , Compagnoni R. , Fidelibus C. , Tallone S. , Avataneo C. , Cossio R. , Turci F.
Published: September 2021

Naturally-Occurring Asbestos (NOA) may constitute a severe health risk when metamorphic rocks are excavated for large infrastructure projects. For public acceptance, a reliable assessment of the content of NOA is necessary for the design of the construction site, workers’ safety, and spoil management. Direct measurements of NOA content can be made by SEM-EDS analyses on an adequate number of samples. Such measurements are sufficiently precise but questions about the representativity of the samples may arise, especially when the rock units are structurally and lithologically complex. Therefore, in order to corroborate the direct assessments, alternative and indirect assessments can be performed by measuring the fracture volumetric porosity, provided that almost all the NOA is deposited as veins in the fractures of the rock mass. Statistical sampling and inference procedures can be applied to derive such an index. In this paper, an indirect assessment of NOA is reported and compared with the assessment obtained by direct measurements. The application is to a metamorphic rock formation through which a tunnel is to be driven as part of the ”Gronda di Genova” highway development in Genoa, Italy. Even though significant approximations are made, the indirect assessment is relatively close to the direct measurement.
Statistical analysis of the structural trends in the Galician Margin and their relationship with the Cenozoic evolution of the northwestern sector of the Iberian Margin
Authors: Maestro A. , Jané G. , Llave E. , López-Martínez J. , Bohoyo F. , Druet M.
Published: September 2021

Statistical methods of crust surface analysis based on Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and applied to structural elements have become a useful tool in tectonic studies. This paper presents a DTM morphostructural analysis of the Galicia Margin and the Iberian and Biscay abyssal plains, which has identified about 5,800 lineaments. The highest number of lineaments are located in the Charcot and Coruña Highs, in the western sector of the Galicia Bank, in the marginal platforms zone and in the Galicia northern margin. The lineaments analysis shows that they have two dominant directions, E-W and NE-SW. In addition, two other relative maxima of NW-SE and N-S directions have been determined. The cumulative total length of the identified lineaments exceeds 45,000 km. The statistical parameters have a length mode of around 5,000 m, a length average of about 7,800 m and a log-normal distribution of the length frequency. The orientations determined from the analysis of the lineaments are a reflection of the crustal scale fault systems established from gravimetric and magnetic anomalies and multi-channel seismic profiles. These faults developed in the Galicia Margin during the Variscan and Alpine orogenies and were reactivated under the recent stress field.
Piezometric evolution of the principal groundwater bodies in the Upper Guadiana basin. Period 1980-2018
Authors: Mejías Moreno Miguel , Del Pozo Tejado Jesús
Published: September 2021

The IGME has been carrying out the piezometric monitoring in the upper Guadiana basin since the 1970s. This hydrogeological data collected during recent decades, combined with the climatological records of the same period, constitute key data for understanding the hydrogeological evolution of the upper Guadiana basin, in which the majority of the GWB are at risk of not meeting the environmental objectives established by the WFD. In the period 1980-2018, the wet period of 2009-2014 stands out, which followed a period of intense drought in which minimum piezometric measures were reached at a generalized level. The piezometry of the analyzed GWB has followed a trend consistent with the climatological sequence, although a more detailed study has allowed the identification of differentiated behaviours amongst the analyzed GWB. Thus, it turns out that the upper basin of the Guadiana has been registering a piezometric drawdown process since 1980, considered as a scenario like the natural state, partially recovered after the aforementioned wet period of 2009-2014. The partial recovery associated with this period has occurred in a differentiated way for each GWB, based on its hydrogeological characteristics and the position each occupies in the block of the upper Guadiana basin.
The Andalusian E-W coast. Discussion on its geological significance
Authors: Sanz de Galdeano C.
Published: September 2021

The Andalusian coast from the Cabo de Gata to Malaga has as a whole an E-W direction. The tectonic units are arranged obliquely along it, in general with the lower ones outcropping the in the eastern part and the upper ones in the western part. Since the continental shelf is narrow, this obliquity cannot be recovered before the slope, which suggests the existence of a fault along the slope. In support of this interpretation, it should be noted that in the westernmost part of the Betic Internal Zone there are significant dextral E-W faults (i.e. parallel to the E-W coast), which are some of the E-W faults cutting up the Internal Zone facilitating its westwards translation, greater in the southern most sectors displaced by the faults. These westwards displacements were linked to the opening of the Alboran Sea, due to the pressure that this produced especially on its northern border (on the other hand, deformations also occurred on the Rifian border). Later, important E-O antiforms were formed and the erosion of the S flank of the antiform situated directly to the N of the coast produced the existing scarp.
The "Gonzalo y Tarín" historical fossil collection of the province of Granada from the Geominero Museum (IGME, Madrid, Spain)
Authors: Menéndez S. , Quiralte M. Victoria
Published: September 2021

The value and importance of the collections of fossils, minerals and rocks housed in the Geominero Museum is due to their origin, closely related to the Commission for the Geological Map of Spain, the germ institution of the current Geological and Mining Institute of Spain. Joaquín Gonzalo y Tarín was commissioned to carry out geological research in the province of Granada. In order to carry out these geological studies, many fossils were collected and taxonomically identified. These specimens later became part of the bulk of the material deposited in the rock collection repository of the Commission for the Geological Map of Spain, the origin of the future Museum that was inaugurated in 1927. However, the documentation corresponding to these collections has suffered some damage over time, so that on many occasions it is necessary to carry out arduous research work to establish its authorship. It is precisely this work that has led to the identification of fossils collected by Gonzalo y Tarín in the province of Granada. It is a set of 84 specimens, among the 199  records that currently make up the total collection of the Granada fossils deposited in the Geominero Museum. A catalogue of them all has been prepared, describing the labelling stuck and/or attached presented by each record, typifying two new types of labels related to the Commission.
Hydrogeological characteristics of carbonated cretaceous aquifers and their relationship with complexes of collapsed dolines and ponds in Serrania de Cuenca (province of Cuenca, Spain)
Authors: Martínez-Parra Marc
Published: September 2021

The carbonate formations of the cretaceous period of Serrania de Cuenca (Spain), constitute karstified aquifers of great importance and abundant karstic morphologies, both internal (caverns, pit-caves) and external (limestone pavements, collapsed dolines, karst ponds). The lithological variations and the different degree of fracturing and karstification condition the vertical connection of the aquifers, defining irregular aquifer strips of greater secondary porosity that will function as a semi-confined aquifer and that may constitute local aquifers. This influences the hydrodynamic behaviour of the aquifer and main springs and their relationship with karst morphologies, particularly with Cañada del Hoyo pond complex and the so-called “Torcas de los Palancares” collapsed dolines. The study of hydrochemistry and ionic relations evidence the influence of lithology on the chemistry of its groundwater, predominantly calcium and magnesium bicarbonated facies, and the phenomenon of possible disconnection, precipitation and evaporation in the ponds, with bicarbonated magnesium groundwater.
Similarities between bottled water and Premium water
Authors: Díaz-Muñoz José Ángel , Pardo-Igúzquiza Eulogio , Corral-Lledó María del Mar , Galindo-Rodríguez Elena , Ontiveros-Beltranena Carlos
Published: September 2021

There has been an increase in the consumption of mineral water and the creation of new national and international brands in recent decades. Traditionally the origin of bottled water has been ground water, now it is possible to find water from icebergs, glaciers, rain, etc. There is a wide range of prices, some of which are restricted to social minorities who can afford to pay for them. These waters are known as “premium” waters. The question that arises is whether there exists, in terms of physicochemical composition, an economic justification for some of the existing brands; or if the price corresponds to an important of marketing job, advertising or the exoticness of the origin. Statistical methods have used to try to answer this question.
Education and science to safeguard the human right to water: the role of groundwater
Authors: Custodio Emilio
Published: September 2021

All human beings have the right to be able to access the water they need for their reasonable subsistence, in quantity, quality, place, and time, and according to what is common in their surroundings. This is a right which is external to the person. When water is available to the person, the right is not in exclusivity, but implies the obligation to share it with other neighbours and society, so they can also exert their right to get water in quantity and quality. When water is not available, the right is to access it. This involves duties, such as contributing to the effort and cost of making water available and its safe disposal in the environment. Besides water being a vital resource, it is an essential part of the environment, which provides important ecological functions and services to mankind. Furthermore, water has an economic value as a factor of production. Thus, there is competition for the use of water and at the same time complementarity between water use and the environment, nuanced by the economic and social value of water. This brings ethical and moral  considerations, based on scientific principles and applying to technological developments. Science is the necessary basis for understanding what is needed for sound governance. However, economic and social considerations dominate the scene, with the related ethical and moral conditions. Good water quality is an aspect which is equally or more important than quantity as far as the human right to water is concerned. Groundwater plays a key and often decisive role, due to its ubiquity, large aquifer storage, long associated response to external action and complex relationships with the other components of the hydrological cycle.
Two paleogeographic realms in the Late Paleozoic of the Carnic Alps and some reflections on the Permian Mesogea
Authors: Argyriadis Ion , Vachard Daniel
Published: September 2021

En los Alpes Cárnicos, dos ámbitos paleogeográficos están en contacto tectónico. El ámbito de Zollner See es alpídico y en posición tectónicamente baja; el ámbito de Auernig es dinárico y en posición alta y flotante. El ámbito de Zollner See, autóctono, se caracteriza por un edificio varisco, que culmina en el Kasimoviense superior, y es transgredido en discordancia angular por formaciones detríticas rojas de tipo Gröden, y a continuación por calizas y dolomías yesíferas con Bellerophon. Este ámbito se encuentra sistemáticamente afectado por una esquistosidad verdadera de dirección 110°. El ámbito de Auernig presenta en su base el Gzheliense y alcanza, sin interrupciones estratigráficas significativas, hasta el Pérmico inferior alto, representado por las calizas de Trogkofel; estas últimas se encuentran dominadas en discordancia erosiva por esquistos rojos bastante similares al Gröden, pero que difieren por su espesor, mucho menor, como por su textura y composición. A techo de la sucesión se localiza una formación con Bellerophon de facies mucho más pelágica que su equivalente del ámbito de Zollner See, sobre la que se sedimentó el típico Tríásico de los Alpes Meridionales. Fuera de los Alpes Cárnicos, el ámbito de Zollner See se puede identificar en la Toscana septentrional, Islas Baleares (Menorca) o los Pirineos septentrionales, y sobre todo en la Cordillera Cantábrica, que presenta una serie casi idéntica a la de Zollner See. El ámbito de Auernig puede encontrarse en la Toscana meridional y la Isla de Elba.
Impact analysis and update to 2018 of the economic and social value of the MAGNA Plan (geological mapping at 1:50,000 scale)
Authors: Herrero de Egaña Alfonso , Vivancos José , García-Cortés Ángel
Published: September 2021

In a study published in 2005, García-Cortés and colleagues developed a social and economic evaluation for the MAGNA Plan (García-Cortés et al, 2005a) based on the value that user companies assigned to this product, their willingness to pay for these maps and if they are currently not available their willingness to pay for the necessary costs for the geological investment. This new study is based on the above precedent, first by analyzing the impact of its dissemination in scientific publications, and second by updating up to 2018 the economic and social value of the MAGNA Plan (Geological Map of Spain at 1:50,000 scale). The authors have applied the methodology developed in 2005 to the new data available from 2004 to 2018, in order to be able to update the value of the cumulative number of MAGNA geological survey sheets sold to companies. The new evaluation process has also allowed us to highlight some additional issues of interest, such as the different demand profiles for each of the various user types of geological maps in Spain and the excellent economic returns achieved by the Spanish public investment in the MAGNA Plan, thanks to the substantial savings generated by the different users of the maps in the development of their business activities, and finally regarding the potential impact of the current IGME (Spanish Geological Survey) free electronic  downloading of the scientific dissemination of geological knowledge.
Louis-Joseph Proust and the first analysis of Asturian coal. Chronicle of some forgotten chemical tests in the mining-industrial history of Asturias
Authors: González Prieto Luis Aurelio , González-Pumariega Solís Pelayo , González Palomares David
Published: September 2021

Mining historiography has considered that the first chemical tests of Asturian coal were carried out in the early 1840s by the English chemist Thomas Cooper and the French engineer Adrien Paillette, and were of low scientific quality and the result of the urgency of the economic and business interests of the moment. For his part, Jovellanos reported that after the creation of the Trubia Munitions Factory, Louis-Joseph Proust had participated in the tests carried out in his smelting furnaces, without further investigation on this matter. It was not until 1986 that Luis Adaro Ruíz-Falcó published a document that refers the shipment of Langreo coal to the laboratory of the Artillery School of Segovia, to be analyzed by Proust and to study the possibility of using them as fuel to obtain quality iron in the Trubia furnaces, although he regretted not having located the results of the same. The digitization of a large  number of scientific publications and magazines from the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, has allowed us to find two completely forgotten texts of Proust in which he describes the different Asturian coal analyzed, as well as the results obtained, comparing them with others of English origin and from various parts of Spain (Bélmez, Extremadura and Villanueva del Río). We consider that making these important documents known and integrating them in the context of the time period in which they were produced, constitutes a significant contribution to the industrial-mining history of Asturias.
Geochronology of the mega-landslides of the last million years in Tenerife. Part I A Review and new Ar/Ar ages
Authors: Ferrer Gijón Mercedes , González de Vallejo Luis Ignacio , García López-Davalillo Juan Carlos
Published: September 2021

To date, the ages of the large flank landslides which occurred in Tenerife (Canary Islands) during the last million years have been estimated from the ages of the volcanic deposits chronologically related to the landslides, although very scarce data made expressly for this specific purpose are available. In order to get a more precise estimation of these ages, the bibliographical data previously published (1972-2019) on the age of subaerial and submarine volcanic deposits related to the megalandslides of Icod or Las Cañadas, La Orotava, Güímar and Micheque or Acentejo have been collected and reviewed. In addition, new Ar/Ar age determinations from rocks obtained inside the galleries crossing the filling of the landslide valleys of La Orotava, Güímar and Micheque are shown, including some age determinations of the lava flows underlying the landslide debris deposits (‘mortalón’). As a result, we have obtained the following representative ages for the Tenerife landslides: Icod: ~170 ka; La Orotava: ~560, ~530 y ~500(?) ka; Güímar: ~830 ka; and Micheque: 810-830 ka. In the case of the La Orotava landslide, the new age data suggest the occurrence of several overlapping landslides with time intervals of tens of thousands of years. This hypothesis represents a new approach to the study of flank instability processes in volcanic islands, and new scenarios to interpret landslide ages data. On the other hand, it also implies a greater complexity in the landslide mechanisms, and a greater recurrence of the volcanic megalandslides. In Part II of this paper (Ferrer et al., 2020–this volume), new data related to the age, mechanisms and development of Tenerife landslides are presented and discussed, as complementary information.
Ziziphus oenoplia Mill.: A Systematic Review on Ethnopharmacology,
Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of an Important Traditional Medicinal
Plant
Authors: Nahrin Afsana , Junaid Md. , Afrose Syeda Samira , Barua Antica , Akter Yeasmin , Alam Muhammad Shaiful , Sharmin Tania , Ferdousy Sakia , Hosen S.M. Zahid
Published: September 2021

Background:

Ziziphus oenoplia Mill. (Family- Rhamnaceae) an important shrub, often
found throughout the hot regions of tropical Asia and northern Australia, is commonly well known as
Jackal jujube in English. It is a folk herbal medicine used as an abdominal pain killer and antidiarrhoeal
agent.

Objective:

The review aims to provide up-to-date information on the vernacular information, botanical
characterization, distribution, ethnopharmacological uses, pharmacological activities, and chemical
constituents of Z. oenoplia for possible exploitation of treatment for various diseases and to suggest
future investigations.

Method:

This review was performed by studying online resources relating to Z. oenoplia and diverse
resources, including scientific journals, books, and worldwide accepted databases from which information
was assembled to accumulate significant information and relevant data in one place.

Results:

Investigations on Z. oenoplia have been focused on its pharmacological activities, including
its antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic, antiulcer, antiplasmodial, anticancer, wound healing,
anthelmintic, antioxidant, analgesic and antinociceptive, hypolipidemic activity, anti-inflammatory,
immunomodulatory and antidiarrheal activities. Phytochemical studies resulted in the isolation of fatty
acids, flavonoids, phenols, pentacyclic triterpenes, hydroxycarboxylic acids, aliphatic hydroxy ether,
and cyclopeptide alkaloids.

Conclusions:

Most of the ethnopharmacological relevance of Z. oenoplia is justified, but more studies
are needed. Further investigations are necessary to fully understand the mode of action of the active
constituents and to exploit its preventive and therapeutic potentials.
Ru Nanoparticle Functionalized Silica Nanotubes as a Catalyst for CO2
Hydrogenation Reaction
Authors: Srivastava Vivek
Published: September 2021

:

The catalytic display of supported heterogeneous catalysts is essentially reliant on their
constitutive elements, including active species and supports. Accordingly, the scheme and development
of active catalysts with synergistically enhanced outcomes between active sites and supports
are of high importance. A simple NaBH4 reduction method was used to synthesize cylindrical
amine-functionalized silica nanotubes supported Ru catalyst (ASNT@Ru catalyst), including
amine functionality. The physicochemical properties of the material were analyzed by various analytical
methods such as SEM-TEM analysis, N2 physisorption, ICP-OES, XPS, etc., and all the data
were found in good agreement with each other. Amine-free SNT support using the calcination
process was also synthesized to examine the effect of amine in ASNT support on the uniform Ru
dispersion. Taking advantage of the fundamental physical and chemical properties of ASNT support
and well-distributed Ru NPs, the ASNT@Ru catalyst was utilized for CO2 hydrogenation reaction,
which gave excellent catalytic activity/ stability in terms of a good quantity of the formic.
Catalysts recycling was recorded five times, and formic acid was obtained in good quantity.
The Potential Applications of Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Niknam Malikeh Rad , Attari Farnoosh
Published: September 2021

:

Scientists encounter many obstacles in traditional cancer therapies, including the side effects on the healthy cells, drug resistance, tumor relapse, the short half-life of employed drugs in the blood circulation, and the improper delivery of drugs toward the tumor site. The unique traits of stem cells (SCs) such as self-renewal, differentiation, tumor tropism, the release of bioactive molecules, and immunosuppression have opened a new window for utilizing SCs as a novel tool in cancer treatment. In this regard, engineered SCs can secrete anti-cancer proteins or express enzymes used in suicide gene therapy which locally induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells via the bystander effect. These cells also stand as proper candidates to serve as careers for drug-loaded nanoparticles or to play suitable hosts for oncolytic viruses. Moreover, they harbor great potential to be employed in immunotherapy and combination therapy. However, tactful strategies should be devised to allow easier transplantation and protection of SCs from in vivo immune responses. In spite of the great hope concerning SCs application in cancer therapy, there are shortcomings and challenges to be addressed. This review tends to elaborate on recent advances on the various applications of SCs in cancer therapy and existing challenges in this regard.
Influence of Cultural and Religious Practices on the Management of Pregnancy at Mbombela Municipality, South Africa: An Explorative Study
Authors: Drigo Lucia , Makhado Lufuno , Lebese Rachel Tsakani , Chueng Maphuti Judas
Published: September 2021

Background:

Cultural norms bring substantial weight in women’s decision-making, especially concerning the choice of the birth location. Cultural and religious practices may influence how pregnant women respond to Antenatal Care (ANC) services, feel confident about which questions to ask, or participate in the discussions about their care plan or birth options.

Purpose:

The study aimed to explore and describe the influence of cultural practices on the management of pregnancy in the Mbombela Municipality of Mpumalanga Province.

Methods:

Using a qualitative approach, pregnant women who failed to completely attend ANC services were purposively sampled, and individual unstructured in-depth interviews were employed to collect data. The study consisted of a sample size of 18 pregnant women, and data saturation was reached. Tech’s method of analysis was followed for data analysis.

Results:

Study findings revealed a significant theme: cultural practices and pregnancy management, encompassing three sub-themes: cultural practices in pregnancy, cultural medication taken by pregnant women, and the effects of cultural practices on pregnancy management.

Conclusion:

It is recommended that women should be given health education concerning ANC services every day while they wait in primary health care clinics. Accordingly, the healthcare professionals should encourage the active involvement of all pregnant women in health promotion gatherings and offer chances for clarity seeking. Despite the availability of free maternal healthcare services in primary healthcare clinics, women still consult traditional healers during pregnancy and believe in cultural practices. It is therefore important that programs developed for maternal services be congruent to the cultural practices of women to be serviced.
Controversies Surrounding Medical Clearance in Psychiatry Patients: Evidence, Recommendations, and Potential Approach
Authors: Alam Walid
Published: September 2021

Background:

Despite the evidence and guidelines recommending otherwise, routine
testing remains pervasive in the management of patients presenting to the Emergency Department
(ED) for behavioral complaints under the guise of Medical Clearance (MC). The aim of
this review is to highlight the evidence available concerning routine laboratory testing in psychiatry
patients presenting to the ED, underline available guidelines, list possible reasons for
over-testing, and propose a possible approach based on all the evidence and recommendations.

Methods:

Electronic database searches were carried out in Medline/PubMed and Google
Scholar, with the period set from January 1, 1990, to March 1, 2021. The search process was
focused on studies in which MC was evaluated in the management of patients presenting for
psychiatric complaints to the ED. The references listed in each identified article were also
screened and manually searched.

Results:

A total of 14 relevant studies were found. The majority of the studies evaluated the
impact of routine laboratory testing on the management and disposition of adults in the ED
presenting for an acute psychiatric condition. Two studies investigated the use of a screening
tool to rule out the presence of acute medical illness.

Conclusion:

While ED physicians are faced with many challenges, such as litigation and fear
of diagnostic uncertainty, few solutions have been proposed. A suggested approach relies on
history taking, physical examination, and assessment of mentation to evaluate for the presence
of an organic etiology requiring further testing. Adequate communication between the ED physician
and psychiatrist, along with shared decision-making, are also the key to optimizing care.
Volatile compounds trigger the pleasant strong aroma of new cultivar Gama Melon Parfum during growth and maturation
Authors: Hasbullah Umar Hafidz Asy'ari , Supriyadi Supriyadi , Daryono Budi Setiadi
Published: September 2021

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Gama Melon Parfum (GMP) is the new cultivar from cross-breeding of Natsuno Omoide (NO3) female parent and Miyamauri (MR5) male with phenotypic characteristics that is prominent such as very strong pleasant aroma when ripe. The physiological characteristics will be changed which have an impact on the formation of volatile compounds during fruit development. Therefore, the profile of strong volatile aroma compounds during fruit development to is critical to be identified. The volatile compounds analysis was performed on fruits harvested at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after pollination and storage at -20°C. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for volatile identification. The results showed some volatile compounds changed during fruit development consisted of 8 esters, 2 alcohols, 1 acid, 3 terpenoids, and 3 hydrocarbons. The profile of volatile compounds was dominated by esters, followed by alcohols and acid respectively. Interestingly, the characteristics of the volatile compounds can differentiate between the ripe stage and unripe stage using principal component analysis. The findings of this study can be used to improve the quality aroma of GMP.
Identifying elements of mushroom business development in Malang City with a Canvas model approach
Authors: Citraresmi Ardaneswari Dyah Pitaloka , Haryati Novi , Permanasari Paramyta Nila
Published: September 2021

The mushroom agroindustry has a profitable business opportunity for farmers because it is easy to cultivate, needs short planting time, and does not require extensive planting land. Moreover, the price of post-harvest products is quite high. To face increasingly intense competition, mushroom agroindustry actors need to implement strategic management to increase business competitiveness. The purposes of this study are to identify a business model using the business mode canvas (BMC) approach, analyse the internal and external factors of mushroom agroindustry and formulate alternative business development strategies using SWOT analysis. The result shows that the business model of mushroom agroindustry viewed by nine elements of BMC. By SWOT analysis, mushroom agroindustry has internal strength in its business that is on clear consumer segmentation (0.650). The weakness is anticipating the fewer consumers’ enthusiasm toward healthy food products (0.500). The opportunity of mushroom agroindustry is optimizing the online market (1.200). The threat is competitors from other food products (0.525). Some alternatives of developing the business are based on hold and maintain position consists of four combined strategies: developing and increasing product quality (SO), increasing promotion and services (ST), marketing the products by social media (WO), and evaluating the quality of business relationship (WT).
Physical Activity Behaviors and COVID-19 Symptoms
Authors:   The College of Science Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA, Zeigler Zachary , Lawrence Jacob ,   The College of Science Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA, Jamison Alexa ,   The College of Science Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA, Salzano Pete ,   The College of Science Engineering and Technology, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Published: September 2021

Statistical modeling indicated that COVID-19 would have afflicted more than 60% of the US population. Social distancing, self-quarantine, and widespread shutdowns were imposed. The push to stay at home and the decreased availability of exercise facilities have potentially reduced physical activity (PA). The purpose of this observational, correlational study was to determine if there is a relationship between PA level and symptoms of COVID-19. Subjects were asked to complete a single Survey Monkey questionnaire. The survey asked demographic questions, PA behaviors, and questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms. Chi-square analysis was run to determine frequency differences within the PA group and specific COVID-19 symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis was run to determine if PA was a unique predictor of the number COVID-19 symptoms experienced. Sixty male and 85 female (n = 145) subjects completed this study.
Quantifying the Impact of COVID-19 on Telemedicine Utilization: Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Vogt Emily Louise , Welch Brandon M , Bunnell Brian E , Barrera Janelle F , Paige Samantha R , Owens Marisa , Coffey Patricia , Diazgranados Nancy , Goldman David
Published: September 2021

Background

While telemedicine has been expanding over the past decade, the COVID-19–related restrictions regarding in-person care have led to unprecedented levels of telemedicine utilization. To the authors’ knowledge, no studies to date have quantitatively analyzed both national and regional trends in telemedicine utilization during the pandemic, both of which have key implications for informing health policy.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate how trends in telemedicine utilization changed across the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using data from doxy.me, the largest free telemedicine platform, and the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Clinical Center, the largest clinical research hospital in the United States, we assessed changes in total telemedicine minutes, new provider registrations, monthly sessions, and average session length from March to November 2020. We also conducted a state-level analysis of how telemedicine expansion differed by region.

Results

National telemedicine utilization peaked in April 2020 at 291 million minutes and stabilized at 200 to 220 million monthly minutes from May to November 2020. Surges were strongest in New England and weakest in the South and West. Greater telemedicine expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic was geographically associated with fewer COVID-19 cases per capita. The nature of telemedicine visits also changed, as the average monthly visits per provider doubled and the average visit length decreased by 60%.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an abrupt and subsequently sustained uptick in telemedicine utilization. Regional and institute-level differences in telemedicine utilization should be further investigated to inform policy and procedures for sustaining meaningful telemedicine use in clinical practice.
Investigating Mental Health Service User Opinions on Clinical Data Sharing: Qualitative Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Authors: Adanijo Abimbola , McWilliams Caoimhe , Wykes Til , Jilka Sagar
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Sharing patient data can help drive scientific advances and improve patient care, but service users are concerned about how their data are used. When the National Health Service proposes to scrape general practitioner records, it is very important that we understand these concerns in some depth.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate views of mental health service users on acceptable data sharing to provide clear recommendations for future data sharing systems.

METHODS

A total of 4 focus groups with 4 member-checking groups were conducted via the internet between October 2020 and March 2021, with a total of 22 service users in the United Kingdom. Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes.

RESULTS

Six main themes, with several subthemes were identified, such as the purpose of data sharing—for profit, public good, and continuation of care; discrimination through the misattribution of physical symptoms to mental health conditions (ie, diagnostic overshadowing) alongside the discrimination of individuals or groups within society (ie, institutional discrimination); safeguarding data by preserving anonymity and confidentiality, strengthening security measures, and holding organizations accountable; data accuracy and informed consent—increasing transparency about data use and choice; and incorporating service user involvement in system governance to provide insight and increase security.

CONCLUSIONS

This study extends the limited research on the views and concerns of mental health service users regarding acceptable data sharing. If adopted, the recommendations should improve the confidence of service users in sharing their data. The five recommendations include screening to ensure that data sharing benefits the public, providing service users with information about how their data are shared and what for, highlighting the existing safeguarding procedures, incorporating service user involvement, and developing tailored training for health care professionals to address issues of diagnostic overshadowing and inaccurate health records. Adopting such systems would aid in data sharing for legitimate interests that will benefit patients and the National Health Service.

CLINICALTRIAL