bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of bronchial asthma and respiratory symptoms in a group of students from grodno. An example of standardized epidemiological survey
Authors: Ahiyevets Oleg
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Due to an insufficient knowledge of the real asthma prevalence rate among children and adults in Belarus, we conducted a population-based respiratory health survey.Aim of the study: The study aimed at estimating the prevalence rate of asthma and major respiratory symptoms among students of the Grodno Region (Western Belarus).Material and methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 and included 833 students aged 20-40 (young adults). Physician-diagnosed respiratory diseases and symptoms were ascertained using electronic version of the ISAAC questionnaire (web LimeSurvey).Results: The prevalence of asthma was 2.88% (physician-diagnosed). The obstructive (asthmatic) bronchitis (without established diagnosis of asthma) was found in 5.04% of the respondents. A chronic respiratory symptom occurring in the past 12 months and suggestive of asthma included attacks of dyspnea at rest, cough (5.88%) or in previous periods (8.88%), and wheezing in the chest (one of the most characteristic symptoms of asthma) - 8.04%, which may indicate a higher prevalence of asthma among patients. Wheezing and wheeze without diagnosed asthma, colds or infections were reported in a small number of cases (about 1.0%). 32 respondents (3.84%) can be attributed to the group of risk for asthma due to the presence of specific respiratory symptoms.Conclusions: The findings show a low prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma among students of Western Belarus. Relatively low prevalence of allergic disorders among respondents of Belarus suggest underdiagnosis of allergic diseases, in particular of asthma. Presumably, cases of asthma might be diagnosed as spastic bronchitis, “obstructive bronchitis”, “asthmatic bronchitis”, a traditional label for clinical manifestation of asthma in medical practice in the region.
The analysis of male nursing students and professionally active male nurses’ opinions on the presence of men in the nursing profession
Authors: Kręcichwost Marcel
Published: December 2019

Background: Since the 19th century nursing has been dominated by female nurses. Although the evolution of men into nursing profession has increased recently, the presence of male nurses still surprises patients. Despite the stereotype, more and more men replenish the nursing staf. Aim of the study: The main goal of the conducted research is to get to know male nursing students and male nurses’ opinions on the topic of the profession chosen by them, as well as to discover the level of satisfaction they derive from their work.Materials and methods: The research is based on the diagnostic poll method carried out according to the authorial questionnaire which consisted of 20 one-choice questions and one which required indicating three answers. He anonymous survey was directed to male nurses and male nursing students. 60 people took part in the research: 42 male nurses and 18 male students of nursing. Results: 47 respondents feel satisfaction derived from their work. 45% of respondents would choose nursing again if they could decide about their career one more time. 66.7% of the examined male nurses are pleased with their earnings, but 46.2 % of them work in a few places. The questionnaire in 53.3 % showed that they had chosen the profession of the male nurse, because they wanted to work in medical profession, and in the 25% they acknowledged that nursing was a perfect profession for them.Conclusions: During the research a low percentage of male nurses was observed in health care teams. Therefore, it should suggest a bigger promotion of this profession among men. The analysis of the results showed, moreover, that there is a need to continue examinations concerning the issue, in the aim of identifying possible problems and increasing the awareness of the society and potential students.Keywords: male nurse, student, man, nursing
The skin condition and the efectiveness of sonophoresis in smoking and non-smoking women aged 21-26. Preliminary report
Authors: Rudyk Anna , Chilicka Karolina , Bochenek Aneta , Bartczak Marlena , Więdłocha Klaudia , Dec Jagoda , Wesołowska Lidia
Published: December 2019

Background: Nicotine has a negative infuence on the human body, but its efect is particularly noticeable on the skin. It might quicken the natural skin aging process, cause unfavorable skin changes or intensify the course of many skin or mucosa diseases including cancer. It might also inhibit wound healing processes. Furthermore, tobacco smoke damages DNA as it is the source of free radicals. Nicotine increases the degradation of collagen and elastic fbres forming the basic skin structure and causes angiogenesis, too. These processes result in forming wrinkles and losing skin frmness as well as elasticity.Aim of the study: The study aims at assessing the infuence of active tobacco smoke on skin condition factors like hydration, lubrication, faking and the infammation of epidermis in a group of young women. Material and methods: The study was carried out in a group of young women (20 with tobacco dependence and 20 never smoking) aged 21-26. An interview was performed before the study. The study of greasiness, exfoliation and skin hydration was done using the device named Nati Analizer Beauty of Science. The skin of the subjects was not washed before the test and any skin caring preparations had not been applied since the day before. For a period of fve weeks the subjects underwent the treatments with the use of sonophoresis along with the introduction of a moisturizing and sebum regulating ampoule, in order to verify the efectiveness of cosmetic treatment. After a series of treatments the test was performed again with the use of the same device. Before the study, the researchers hypothesized that active nicotine smokers will have a worse skin condition than non-smokers.Results: The interview performed did show that smokers are aware of negative efects of nicotine on their skin, so they pay more attention to daily care, and use cosmetics with a strong moisturizing action. Active nicotine smokers did not have a worse skin condition than non-smokers. Conclusions: The results received have not confrmed the hypothesis and popular beliefs that skin condition of active smokers is worse than this of none-smokers. The sonophoresis treatment had a greater impact on reducing sebum secretion in non-smokers, but they increased the degree of moisture in non-smokers.Keywords: active smoking, passive smoking, skin hydration, skin lubrication
PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN ENGLAND
Authors: Randall-Smith Jane , Pritchard Catherine
Published: December 2019

Signifcant changes were brought about in health and social care in England in 2013, as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. As part of the changes in 2013, a network of local Healthwatch organisations was set up to act as the people’s champion for health and social care in their local area. Healthwatch Shropshire is one of these local Healthwatch. It gathers experiences and opinions from patients, carers, service users and the wider public about publicly funded health and social care services and uses this information to infuence health and social care service delivery. Healthwatch Shropshire also recruits and trains volunteers to support its work, in particular, specially trained volunteers visit locations where health and social care services are provided and report on their fndings. Healthwatch Shropshire also has information and signposting services, provides volunteering opportunities, and has a statutory authority to visit locations where health and social care services are being delivered.Keywords: patient participation, consumer participation, public opinion
Publishing with impact factor – a blessing or a curse?
Authors: Lionis Christos
Published: December 2019

Reporting and publishing research from a country with limited research capacity experiences from an editor Christos Lionis as chief and associate editor that serves certain European and International biomedical journals presents key issues that researchers need to be aware when they prepare, present and submit their work to maximise their chances of publication. Sufficient reporting and all the steps: (a) Planning ahead or thinking about the type or research, (b) Choosing a suitable journal, (c) Considering what before submission – are discussed in the article. However, a successful publication with an impact factor in a well-recognized journal is not only achieved by the fundamental steps that the author needs to undertake but also by certain “secrets” which are presented within the paper. Common pitfalls when research is reported will be highlighted by the author, while recommendations for a successful reporting of the research findings. To what extent publishing with impact factor is a blessing or a curse would be also approached within the paper. The information that this article provides is based on personal experiences of an editor in certain biomedical journals but it is important not to forget that in clinical practice it is critical to be passionate about discoveries to make an effect in regards to the patients’ benefits.
The knowledge about CPR in the students of nursing
Authors: Wojczyk Aneta
Published: December 2019

Background: First aid is a set of actions taken in order to save a person in a state of sudden health threat which is performed by a person at the scene. Sudden breathing and/or circulation malfunction, which can arise anytime and anywhere, is the cause of the untimely death of many people. As CPR must be started immediately in such cases, therefore, it is so essential to train the population in recognizing the state and undertaking the action. A casual witness who starts the CPR procedure, immediately after the diagnosis of the sudden cardiac infarct, helps to increase the chance for survival up to 50 per cent. Aim of the study: The aim of this work was to verify the state of knowledge of nursing students in the field of diagnosis of the sudden cardiac infarct, the application of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Material and methods: The study group consisted of 100 nursing students in their second and third year of Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole. The participation in the survey was completely anonymous and voluntary. Selfprepared questionnaire comprising 17 questions was used. Results: The method of diagnosis of the cardiac infarct, as indicated by 47% (47) of the respondents, is no pulse at the carotid artery. 42% (42) reported that it is the lack of consciousness and breath. The AED in 70% (70) of the respondents would be used in the unconscious victims with abnormal breathing, while 63% (63) of the respondents know that during analysis by the AED the victim should not be touched. Conclusions: The knowledge of nurses-to-be in recognizing the symptoms of the sudden cardiac infarct is low and not satisfactory. The results for cardiopulmonary resuscitation are also disappointing, so is the knowledge about an automatic external defibrillator.
Case-law of the European Court of Human Rights in juvenile cases. Selected cases
Authors: Czyż Elżbieta
Published: December 2019

The right to a fair trial, rules on deprivation of liberty are important standards in the entire procedure of dealing with juveniles, from detention to the end of court proceedings. The judgments of the European Court of Human Rights cited in the article illustrate what are the problems with complying with this standard in practice in several European countries, including Poland. It seems that one of the reasons may be declarative, apparent treatment of the rights of child/juvenile, especially when it concerns procedural rights. Teaching a young person respect for the law and responsibility for his behaviour requires subjective treatment so that he can feel, on his own example, the operation of a system based on clear, predictable, understandable rules.
Presumption of the child’s origin from the husband of the mother within 300 days of marriage termination or annulment, and in the event of judicial separation – de lege lata and de lege ferenda remarks
Authors: Zozula Jolanta
Published: December 2019

The article is dedicated to the institution of the presumption of the child's origin from the husband of the mother as one of three ways to determine the child's origin from the father. In the opinion of the author, with the current availability of genetic tests (DNA), the regulation “extending” this presumption to children born after the termination or annulment of marriage, after the judicial separation and declaring any of the parents to be deceased, does not implement the principle of protecting the good of the child and in particular his right to grow up in the family and the identity right. The current shape of the regulation of the Family and Guardianship Code regarding this presumption significantly hinders, and certainly delays, the possibility of establishing biological paternity and granting the biological father the status of legal father, which is most desirable and justified. The current legal status is not favorable either for the child, his biological father or his mother's ex-husband. Taking into account the progress of genetics by the legislator and enabling the recognition of paternity on the basis of out-of-court DNA test results at any time of the child's birth after the termination or annulment of his mother's marriage by the genetic father, would significantly improve the paternity determination procedure and relieve the courts. These changes are also of great importance in the context of family evolution and the growing acceptance of informal relationships in which children are born and raise.
Implementation of developmental tasks by socially maladjusted youth
Authors: Porembska Marta
Published: December 2019

The subject of this article focuses on the implementation of development tasks by socially maladjusted youth. According to the concept of Robert J. Havighurst, a person reaching a certain age of life has specific development tasks to fulfill. Mastering developmental tasks means achieving social and mental adaptation appropriate for a given phase of life. On the other hand, difficulties in coping with a developmental task indicate that the individual deviates from patterns and norms, and this may lead to an increase in the symptoms of maladjustment. The article presents the results of own research on the implementation of development tasks declared by socially maladjusted youth
Programa disfruta de la experiencia, voluntariado de mayores y envejecimiento activo en el medio rural -Andorra (Teruel)
Authors: Alloza Margarita , Garcés Meritxel , Lázaro Ana , Quílez Agustín , Sánchez Teresa , Muñoz María José
Published: December 2019

Se describe un programa de envejecimiento activo local que emplea actividades de tiempo libre para lograr sus objetivos. Aprovecha las sinergias entre varias entidades. Las técnicas empleadas parten de la idea de dar valor a la experiencia personal de los voluntarios. Se reconoce inspiración en técnicas participativas pero es un equipo técnico quien diseña y coordina las actividades. Se proporciona a la persona mayor participante un rol activo puesto que se considera clave para el logro de un ocio terapéutico. Gran parte de las actividades son intergeneracionales. Se considera que este tipo de actividades tienen gran potencial para activar a voluntarios mayores.A local program of Active Aging is described. For the aim achievement, leisure time activities are organized. This experience takes advantage of the synergies among several institutions. The used techniques have been designed from the eldest personal experiences. It is recognized inspiration in participative techniques but it is the professional team who lead and coordinate the activities. The role provided to the volunteers is definitively active because it is considered the key point to achieve a therapeutic leisure. The most of the arranged activities are intergenerational. Intergenerational activities are considered as very suitable for eldest activation.
Gestión de la Diversidad Cultural: recursos y herramientas del Trabajo Social
Authors: Raya-Diez Esther , Ezquerro Sáenz Maria , Serrano-Martinez Cecilia
Published: December 2019

Vivimos en sociedades diversas social y culturalmente. La Unesco ha señalado la riqueza de la diversidad cultural en el desarrollo económico y social. Sin embargo, la confluencia en el territorio de personas con diferente cultura, costumbres, lengua y/o religiones suele ser fuente de conflicto. Existen diferentes situaciones de sociabilidad que conllevan a diferentes formas de gestionar la diversidad cultural con resultados distintos en el eje inclusión exclusión. En el artículo se analiza la gestión de la diversidad cultural como ámbito de intervención del Trabajo Social. Se presentan las competencias profesionales, los recursos disponibles y se muestran ejemplos de actividades de gestión de la diversidad en diferentes ámbitos de intervención.We live in social and cultural diverse societies. UNESCO has pointed out the richness of cultural diversity in economic and social development. However, the confluence in the territory of people with different culture, customs, language and / or religions is often a source of conflict. There are different situations of sociability that lead to different ways of managing cultural diversity with different results in the axis of exclusion inclusion. The article analyses the management of cultural diversity as an area of Social Work intervention. Also, it presents professional competences, available resources and examples of diversity management activities in different areas of intervention.
RESEÑA de: López Peláez, A., Gómez Ciriano, E.J. 2019. Austerity, Social Work and Welfare Policies: a Global Perspective
Authors: Díaz de Mera Emilio
Published: December 2019

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Comparative investigation of oxidative degradation of organic dye in the presence of H2O2 and CuO nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel method and green synthesis using flower (Matricaria chamomilla) extract
Authors: Kaušpėdienė D. , Zubrytė E. , Gefenienė A. , Jovaišaitė M. , Gefenas V. , Binkienė R. , Ragauskas R. , Selskienė A. , Pakštas V.
Published: December 2019

In this study, CuO nanoparticles have been synthesized via a simple sol–gel method and green synthesis using flower (Matricaria chamomilla) extract. XRD analysis of the synthesized CuO nanoparticles clearly indicated a crystalline nature with a monoclinic structure regardless of the method of synthesis, while SEM revealed that the used synthesis methods affected the morphology of the CuO nanoparticles. The oxidative degradation kinetics of the organic dye Methyl Orange (MO) in the presence of the synthesized catalyst CuO and H2O2 has been investigated and compared depending on the dye concentration, reaction time and temperature. The catalytic activity of CuO was studied by measuring the UV–visible spectrum of the MO dye solution treated with CuO and H2O2. It was determined that the MO degradation reaction kinetics followed the pseudo-first-order mechanism. Thermodynamic studies indicated an endothermic nature (∆H# = +73.03 kJ mol–1) and a decrease in randomness at the catalyst CuO/solution interface during the reaction (∆S# = –0.021 kJ mol–1 K–1). At the same conditions, the green synthesized CuO nanoparticles exhibit similar activity properties as CuO synthesized using the sol–gel method. Besides, the green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles is simple and uses a small number of chemicals. The obtained CuO may be a promising catalyst for the oxidative degradation of organics, especially used in medical procedures.
Software to Report Product and Manufacturing Information in QIF Files
Authors: Lipman Robert R.
Published: December 2019

The QIF PMI Report (QPR) software generates a spreadsheet from a Quality
Information Framework (QIF) file containing Product and Manufacturing Information
(PMI). QIF is a unified XML framework standard for computer-aided quality QIF
systems, available free to all implementers. QIF enables the capture, use, and
re-use of metrology-related information throughout the Product Lifecycle Management
(PLM) and Product Data Management (PDM) domains. PMI consists of annotations and
attributes that define product geometry and product specifications. PMI includes
annotations to specify Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), as well as
non-geometric data such as surface texture specifications, finish requirements,
process notes, material specifications, and welding symbols.
Assessing food retail competitors with a multi-criteria GIS-based method
Authors: Roig-Tierno Norat , Baviera-Puig Amparo , Buitrago-Vera Juan , Escriba-Perez Carmen
Published: December 2019

Given the importance of competition in the retail sector, this research builds on spatial interaction theory to develop the competition index (CI). For this, geographic information systems (GIS) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were used. AHP results reveal that key factors to assess competitors relate to location and branding. The proposed method was tested by evaluating 45 supermarkets in the city of Castellón (Spain). Using this method, sales targets can be adapted to each outlet’s individual circumstances.
La gestion des informations dans le cadre de l’analyse criminelle de la délinquance sexuelle sérielle
Authors: Chopin12 Julien , Aebi Marcelo F.
Published: December 2019

Cette recherche s’intéresse à la quantité d’information nécessaire aux systèmes de gestion des liens permettant d’identifier les cas sériels de criminalité violente. L’objectif de cette recherche est de tester empiriquement et de discuter de la pertinence de réduire le contenu de ces outils. Les données utilisées proviennent d’une extraction de la base de données du ViCLAS en France. Les analyses portent sur un échantillon de variables les plus utilisées dans le cadre des agressions sexuelles. Des analyses descriptives et factorielles sont utilisées pour déterminer quelles informations sont collectées par les policiers et comment elles pourraient être réduites empiriquement en agrégeant les données corrélées. Les résultats montrent qu’environ 65 % des modalités testées sont utilisées dans moins de 5 % des cas d’agressions sexuelles. Les résultats des analyses factorielles montrent qu’il est possible de réduire drastiquement l’outil. Les implications pratiques de ces résultats sont discutées dans une perspective d’investigation policière.
Processus de changement des adolescents auteurs de violences sexuelles
Authors: Roman1 Pascal , Cuttelod Thérèse , Espeil-Marc Sylvie , Gorry Dorothée , Lavèze Frédérique , Ravit Magali
Published: December 2019

Cet article présente les principales avancées issues d’une recherche menée conjointement sur deux sites cliniques, en Suisse et en France, et consacrée à l’évaluation des processus de changement des adolescents auteurs de violences sexuelles. L’objectif est de dégager les principaux indicateurs cliniques de ces changements, à partir d’une étude longitudinale portant sur un petit nombre d’adolescents (N =9), engagés dans une démarche psychothérapeutique sous mandat judiciaire en groupe. L’étude s’appuie sur une démarche qualitative, qui associe principalement deux types de recueil de données cliniques : épreuves projectives en test-retest d’une part et enregistrement des verbatims de séances de groupe d’autre part. À partir de l’analyse croisée de ces données, un certain nombre d’indicateurs cliniques peuvent être mis en évidence, qui permettent d’esquisser une modélisation des processus de changement chez les adolescents. Au-delà, les éléments de compréhension qui émergent de la recherche permettent de tracer des perspectives pour le soin psychothérapeutique des adolescents.
L’évolution du réseau social des femmes victimes de violence conjugale
Authors: Nolet1 Anne-Marie , Morselli Carlo , Cousineau Marie-Marthe
Published: December 2019

Cet article vise à analyser l’évolution du réseau social des femmes victimes de violence conjugale en référence au concept d’autonomie relationnelle, défini comme une liberté de choisir parmi un ensemble diversifié d’options. Des entrevues individuelles ont été réalisées avec 30 femmes victimes de violence conjugale, permettant de dégager quatre étapes à travers lesquelles leur réseau change dans le temps : la relation violente, la rupture, le suivi en maison d’hébergement et le post-suivi. Les données sont analysées à partir des mesures de contrainte et de contrainte dyadique, qui permettent de saisir dans quelle mesure les femmes sont enfermées dans leur réseau social et/ou dans des relations avec certains acteurs en particulier. La contrainte des femmes diminue avec la rupture et le passage en maison d’hébergement, puis augmente pour la période post-suivi. Les relations contraignantes, principalement négatives et mitigées pendant la relation violente et la rupture, deviennent de plus en plus positives avec le passage en maison d’hébergement et le post-suivi. Les implications de ces résultats pour l’intervention et la recherche sont discutées.
Preferences and constraints: The value of economic games for studying human behavior
Authors: Pisor Anne C , Gervais Matthew M , Purzycki Benjamin G , Ross Cody T
Published: December 2019

As economic games have spread from experimental economics to other social sciences, so too have critiques of their usefulness for drawing inferences about the “real world.” What these criticisms often miss is that games can be used to reveal individuals’ private preferences in ways that observational and interview data cannot; further, economic games can be designed such that they do provide insights into real-world behavior. Here, we draw on our collective experience using economic games in field contexts to illustrate how researchers can strategically alter the framing or design of economic games to draw inferences about private-world or real-world preferences. A detailed case study from coastal Colombia provides an example of the subtleties of game design and how games can be combined fruitfully with self-report data. We close with a list of concrete recommendations for how to modify economic games to better match particular research questions and research contexts.
Mechanistic basis of the inhibition of SLC11/NRAMP-mediated metal ion transport by bis-isothiourea substituted compounds
Authors: Manatschal Cristina , Pujol-Giménez Jonai , Poirier Marion , Reymond Jean-Louis , Hediger Matthias A , Dutzler Raimund
Published: December 2019

In humans, the divalent metal ion transporter-1 (DMT1) mediates the transport of ferrous iron across the apical membrane of enterocytes. Hence, its inhibition could be beneficial for the treatment of iron overload disorders. Here we characterize the interaction of aromatic bis-isothiourea-substituted compounds with human DMT1 and its prokaryotic homologue EcoDMT. Both transporters are inhibited by a common competitive mechanism with potencies in the low micromolar range. The crystal structure of EcoDMT in complex with a brominated derivative defines the binding of the inhibitor to an extracellular pocket of the transporter in direct contact with residues of the metal ion coordination site, thereby interfering with substrate loading and locking the transporter in its outward-facing state. Mutagenesis and structure-activity relationships further support the observed interaction mode and reveal species-dependent differences between pro- and eukaryotic transporters. Together, our data provide the first detailed mechanistic insight into the pharmacology of SLC11/NRAMP transporters.
Searching for solutions to the missing heritability problem
Authors: Pallares Luisa F
Published: December 2019

Rare genetic variants in yeast explain a large amount of phenotypic variation in a complex trait like growth.
Distinct roles for S. cerevisiae H2A copies in recombination and repeat stability, with a role for H2A.1 threonine 126
Authors: House Nealia CM , Polleys Erica J , Quasem Ishtiaque , De la Rosa Mejia Marjorie , Joyce Cailin E , Takacsi-Nagy Oliver , Krebs Jocelyn E , Fuchs Stephen M , Freudenreich Catherine H
Published: December 2019

CAG/CTG trinuncleotide repeats are fragile sequences that when expanded form DNA secondary structures and cause human disease. We evaluated CAG/CTG repeat stability and repair outcomes in histone H2 mutants in S. cerevisiae. Although the two copies of H2A are nearly identical in amino acid sequence, CAG repeat stability depends on H2A copy 1 (H2A.1) but not copy 2 (H2A.2). H2A.1 promotes high-fidelity homologous recombination, sister chromatid recombination (SCR), and break-induced replication whereas H2A.2 does not share these functions. Both decreased SCR and the increase in CAG expansions were due to the unique Thr126 residue in H2A.1 and hta1Δ or hta1-T126A mutants were epistatic to deletion of the Polδ subunit Pol32, suggesting a role for H2A.1 in D-loop extension. We conclude that H2A.1 plays a greater repair-specific role compared to H2A.2 and may be a first step towards evolution of a repair-specific function for H2AX compared to H2A in mammalian cells.
Scholarly Publishing Literacy at the University of South Florida Libraries: From Advising to Active Involvement
Authors: Johnston Chelsea , Boczar Jason
Published: December 2019

INTRODUCTION Successful open access (OA) publishing in libraries requires careful guidance and organization. Support and services offered vary depending on available resources as well as the robustness of a library’s publishing program. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM This article describes the connection between publishing services and scholarly publishing literacy through examples from the University of South Florida (USF) Libraries. The USF Libraries’ OA publishing program includes journals, textbooks, conference proceedings, and more. Our program balances advocating for open access with advising for actions that serve our partners’ goals. This invites trust, sustainable relationships, and opportunities for new work. NEXT STEPS At the USF Libraries, more work must be done to formally assess our efforts. Our program will also explore new ways to support the ethical standards expected of libraries by pursuing stronger policies on diversity and inclusion. Using everyday work to demonstrate best practices is a manageable way to strengthen scholarly publishing efforts. We hope to continue growing our services, empowering our partners, and exploring our roles as advisors and advocates.
Migraine aura, a predictor of near-death experiences in a crowdsourced study
Authors: Kondziella Daniel , Olsen Markus Harboe , Lemale Coline L. , Dreier Jens P.
Published: December 2019

Background

Near-death experiences (NDE) occur with imminent death and in situations of stress and danger but are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that NDE are associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep intrusion, a feature of narcolepsy. Previous studies further found REM abnormalities and an increased frequency of dream-enacting behavior in migraine patients, as well as an association between migraine with aura and narcolepsy. We therefore investigated if NDE are more common in people with migraine aura.

Methods

We recruited 1,037 laypeople from 35 countries and five continents, without any filters except for English language and age ≥18 years, via a crowdsourcing platform. Reports were validated using the Greyson NDE Scale.

Results

Eighty-one of 1,037 participants had NDE (7.8%; CI [6.3–9.7%]). There were no significant associations between NDE and age (p > 0.6, t-test independent samples) or gender (p > 0.9, Chi-square test). The only significant association was between NDE and migraine aura: 48 (6.1%) of 783 subjects without migraine aura and 33 (13.0%) of 254 subjects with migraine aura had NDE (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.29). In multiple logistic regression analysis, migraine aura remained significant after adjustment for age (p < 0.001, OR = 2.31), gender (p < 0.001, OR = 2.33), or both (p < 0.001, OR = 2.33).

Conclusions

In our sample, migraine aura was a predictor of NDE. This indirectly supports the association between NDE and REM intrusion and might have implications for the understanding of NDE, because a variant of spreading depolarization (SD), terminal SD, occurs in humans at the end of life, while a short-lasting variant of SD is considered the pathophysiological correlate of migraine aura.
Comparative Antibacterial Analysis and Synergistic Potency of the Leaf Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. and Gongronema latifolium Benth. on Some Enteric Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Awomukwu D. A. , Anumudu C. K. , Ogbolosingha A. J.
Published: December 2019

The research was undertaken to investigate the comparative phytochemical and in-vitro antibacterial activity of the single and combined strengths of the leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Linn and Gongronema latifolium Benth. on some enteric bacterial isolates. The sensitivity test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were carried out using a modified agar-well diffusion method.  The enteric bacterial isolates tested included Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella Typhi and Enterobacter aerogenes.  Standard methods were applied to obtain the ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts. The ethanol extracts of O. gratissimum and G. latifolium produced highly significant inhibitory activity against all the enteric bacterial isolates tested.  Comparatively, the ethanol plant extracts were more potent than the commercially available drug, Ciprofloxacin and the aqueous plant extracts. The isolates were sensitive at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/ml for the ethanol extract but varied from 2.5 mg/ml - 5.0mg/ml in the aqueous extract.  It was also observed that the synergistic antibacterial effect of the medicinal plant extracts was greater than the singular antibacterial effect of the individual plant extracts in both the ethanol and aqueous extracts. The potency of the individual extracts and the combined effect may be due to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, tannins and saponins in the leaves of the plants.  This study partly validates the use of the plant extracts in the treatment of disease caused by the enteric bacterial isolates by multiple traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria, however, strict adherence to dosage is recommended.  The leaf extract is a potential source of the new drug if the components are purified and enhanced for treating infections caused by these enteric pathogens.
Ethno Veterinary Medicine and Common Diseases of Chicken Producers in Western Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Markos Shishay
Published: December 2019

A survey was conducted in three agro-ecologies of western zone of Tigray from June to September 2019 with the aim of identification of common poultry diseases and ethno veterinary practices. Multi stage sampling procedures were employed to select were das, sample kebeles and respondents in which three rural were das were selected by purposive sampling technique; stratified purposive techniques were employed to select nine sample kebeles, purposive random sampling techniques were used to select a total of 385 respondents and random sampling was employed to select chickens for ectoparasites identification. A pretested semi–structured questionnaire was employed to generate data. Descriptive statistics of frequency procedures of SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the survey data. Kruskal- Wall’s test option of Non-parametric test of SPSS 22 was employed to test proportion difference of each qualitative variable among the altitudes. Newcastle disease (27.79%), salmonella pullorum (25.45%), Coccidiosis (22.08%), fowl typhoid (10.95%), fowl cholera (7.53%), fowl pox (4.68%) and infectious Coryza (1.56%) were the major economically important infectious diseases that devastate village chicken production in the study area. A chicken mite (54.3%) was the most prevalent ectoparasites followed by lice (25.2%) and fleas (14.5%) while tick (6%) was the least prevalent ectoparasites. Forty-three medicinal plant species belonging to 30 families were identified and documented. Fabaceae and Rutaceae, the most dominant plant families, were represented by seven (16.28%) and four species (9.3%), respectively. Herbs (41.38%) and tree (47.4%) were the major growth forms of the medicinal plant species used for chicken diseases’ treatment and ectoparasites prevention, respectively. Leaf was the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation of remedies for chicken diseases’ treatment (41.38%) and ectoparasites’ prevention (57.9%). In conclusion, chicken producers used ethno veterinary medicine plant species for chicken health management in the study area. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate safety, toxicity, standardize dose and efficacy of the medicinal plant species. Moreover, species composition of the identified infectious diseases and parasites and its associated risk factors should be conducted.
Local Geology, Shear Strength Properties and Bearing Capacity of Coastal Plain Sands in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa-Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ilori Abidemi Olujide , Uko Charles Etim Akpan , Umoh Ini Christopher
Published: December 2019

The Bearing capacity of the soil within Uyo metropolis in South-Eastern State of Akwa Ibom was investigated in this study. The soil belongs to Coastal Plain Sand often called the Benin Formation in the geology of Niger Delta. Both Field and Laboratory methods were employed in the study. The field method consisted of Cone Penetration Test (CPT) with a 2.5 ton Dutch Guada cone penetrometer, and the Light weight penetrometer LRS 10. For the CPT, depth of investigation was refusal depth which varies from about 9.0 m to 20.0 m. The depth of investigation by the LRS 10 was not more than 6.0 m. The direct parameter the LRS 10 evaluates is the relative density. Soil sounding with the LRS 10 indicated for all the sites a ‘loose to medium’ consistency. No dense or very dense stratum was encountered. The Laboratory method employed was the Direct shear box tests This was used to determine the cohesive property and angle of shearing resistance of the soil, that is the C- ∅ property. The cohesion varies very widely; with a value ranging from a zero value to 54 kN/m2. The angle of shearing resistance ranges from 8º to 30.7º, with more than ninety percent falling below 28º, indicating a highly compressible soil that is prone to local shear failure. Ultimate bearing capacities are as low as 100.93 kN/m2 and as high as 571.1 kN/m2. Settlement associated with safe bearing pressure estimated from CPT data ranged from 0.35 cm to 3.89 cm. while that from laboratory gives lesser values, thereby making that from the field value conservative.
Fluorescent Polysaccharide Nanogels for the Detection of Tumor Heterogeneity in Drug‐Surviving Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Chenglong , Wang Fanchen , Zhang Jinguo , Liu Lingshan , Xu Guoxiong , Dou Hongjing
Published: December 2019

Tumor metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance have been associated with tumor heterogeneity, and thus the identification of tumor heterogeneity has great significance in medicine. The approach provides a way to identify and isolate various cell subtypes from drug‐surviving ovarian cancer cells, by synthesizing a series of polysaccharide nanogels and using them in flow cytometry analysis. The results show that the drug‐surviving OVCAR‐3 cells that are subjected to paclitaxel intervention comprise various cell subtypes, including drug‐resistant and non‐drug‐resistant cell subtypes. Besides, there are significant differences between the drug‐resistant cell subtype and non‐drug‐resistant cell subtype in terms of their migration and invasion behavior. In addition, the phenotype switch genes are detected by mRNA sequencing, and it is found that different subtypes show significant genetic differences with regard to their drug resistance, metastasis, and proliferation. In particular, modifying polysaccharide nanogels with lipids can promote the uptake of nanogels by drug‐resistant cells, and thus the lipid modification can enhance the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug carrier against drug‐resistant cells. These studies reveal the heterogeneity of drug‐surviving tumor cells, as well as the significant differences in drug‐resistance, migration, and invasion capabilities of different subtypes, and demonstrate a way to overcome drug resistance.
Rapid 3D Printing Magnetically Active Microstructures with High Solid Loading
Authors: Shao Guangbin , Ware Henry Oliver T. , Li Longqiu , Sun Cheng
Published: December 2019

The capability of fabricating magnetically active 3D microstructures is crucial for miniaturization of microrobots or microactuators. While additive manufacturing using magnetic nanoparticle‐infused polymer resin offers the highly desirable precision and flexibility, the difficulty in handling resin with higher solid loading of magnetic nanoparticles needed to maximize the magnetic actuation forces remains to be the main obstacle. The increased viscosity of the magnetic resin not only significantly reduces the fabrication speed, but also makes the process vulnerable to the precipitation of the suspended magnetic nanoparticles. Herein, a comprehensive solution that synergizes the optimization of magnetic photopolymerizable resin and the high‐speed 3D printing using microcontinuous liquid interface production (μCLIP) process is reported. An optimized magnetic photopolymerizable resin with 30 wt% solid loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is well dispersed over 72 h. Process characteristics of the magnetic photopolymerizable resins with variation in the solid loading of magnetic nanoparticles are investigated experimentally. The capability of 3D printing centimeter‐size samples with sub‐75 μm fine features using high solid loading (30 wt%) is also demonstrated. The increased printing speed using μCLIP significantly reduces the fabrication time to the order of minutes to hours, making the process more robust against the precipitation of the magnetic particles.
Enhanced Thermal Stability of Halide Perovskite CsPbX3 Nanocrystals by a Facile TPU Encapsulation
Authors: Shi Jindou , Ge Wanyin , Gao Wenxing , Xu Meimei , Zhu Jianfeng , Li Yongxiang
Published: December 2019

Improving the stability of all‐inorganic halide perovskite nanocrystals has become an urgent task that cannot be ignored in practical applications. Lead halide perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Br, I, Cl) compounds are considered as the potential materials for next‐generation light‐emitting devices due to their superior optical properties. However, they are threatened by thermal degradation and atmospheric moisture. In order to better solve this practical problem, CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) and CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6 nanocrystals (NCs) are tested under heating and cooling cycles, and the photoluminescence (PL) intensity loss of different perovskite materials at high temperatures is investigated. In addition, a thermoplastic polyurethane encapsulation strategy is proposed to improve their properties of thermal degradation and moisture resistance. This inexpensive and convenient method not only greatly reduces the PL intensity loss, but also shows excellent PL performance even in water. The encapsulated material has both flexible and elastic properties, which paves the way for the next commercial processing of all inorganic perovskite materials.
Knowledge Discovery in Nanophotonics Using Geometric Deep Learning
Authors: Kiarashinejad Yashar , Zandehshahvar Mohammadreza , Abdollahramezani Sajjad , Hemmatyar Omid , Pourabolghasem Reza , Adibi Ali
Published: December 2019

Herein, a new approach for using the intelligence aspects of artificial intelligence for knowledge discovery rather than device optimization in electromagnetic (EM) nanostructures is presented. This approach uses training data obtained through full‐wave EM simulations of a series of nanostructures to train geometric deep learning algorithms to assess the range of feasible responses as well as the feasibility of a desired response from a class of EM nanostructures. To facilitate the knowledge discovery, this approach combines the dimensionality reduction technique with convex‐hull and one‐class support‐vector‐machine (SVM) algorithms to find the range of the feasible responses in the latent response space of the EM nanostructure. More importantly, the one‐class SVM algorithm can be trained to provide the degree of feasibility of a response from a given nanostructure. This important information can be used to modify the initial structure to an alternative one that can enable an initially unfeasible response. To show the applicability of this approach, it is applied to two important classes of binary metasurfaces (MSs), formed by an array of plasmonic nanostructures, and periodic MSs formed by an array of dielectric nanopillars. These theoretical and experimental results confirm the unique features of this approach for knowledge discovery in EM nanostructures.
Stereoselective Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of Extremely Distorted Chiral Nanographenes Embedding Hextuple Helicenes
Authors: Roy Myriam , Berezhnaia Veronika , Villa Marco , Vanthuyne Nicolas , Giorgi Michel , Naubron Jean‐Valère , Poyer Salomé , Monnier Valérie , Charles Laurence , Carissan Yannick , Hagebaum‐Reignier Denis , Rodriguez Jean , Gingras Marc , Coquerel Yoann
Published: December 2019

We report a molecular design and concept using π‐system elongation and steric effects from helicenes surrounding a triphenylene core toward stable chiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with a maximal π‐distortion to tackle their aromaticity, supramolecular and molecular properties. The selective syntheses, and the structural, conformational and chiroptical properties of two diastereomeric large multi‐helicenes of formula C90H48having a triphenylene core and embedding three [5]helicene units on their inner edges and three [7]helicene units at their periphery are reported based on diastereoselective and, when applicable, enantiospecific Yamamoto‐type cyclotrimerizations of racemic or enantiopure 9,10‐dibromo[7]helicene. Both molecules have an extremely distorted triphenylene core, and one of them exhibits the largest torsion angle recorded so far for a benzene ring (twist=36.9°).
Atomistic Simulations of COSAN: Amphiphiles without a Head‐and‐Tail Design Display “Head and Tail” Surfactant Behavior
Authors: Malaspina David C. , Viñas Clara , Teixidor Francesc , Faraudo Jordi
Published: December 2019

Cobaltabisdicarbollide (COSAN) anions have an unexpectedly rich self‐assembly behavior, which can lead to vesicles and micelles without having a classical surfactant molecular architecture. This was rationalized by the introduction of new terminology and novel driving forces. A key aspect in the interpretation of COSAN behavior is the assumption that the most stable form of these ions is the transoid rotamer, which lacks a “hydrophilic head” and a “hydrophobic tail”. Using implicit solvent DFT calculations and MD simulations we show that in water, 1) the cisoid rotamer is the most stable form of COSAN and 2) this cisoid rotamer has a well‐defined hydrophilic polar region (“head”) and a hydrophobic apolar region (“tail”). In addition, our simulations show that the properties of this rotamer in water (interfacial affinity, micellization) match those expected for a classical surfactant. Therefore, we conclude that the experimental results for the COSAN ions can now be understood in terms of its amphiphilic molecular architecture.