bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfil de utilização de anestésicos locais de uma cidade brasileira com ênfase em diabéticos
Authors: Dos Santos Mariana Araújo , Gellen Paula Vitória Bido , Moreira Hyara Luz , Borges Tassia Silvana , Rodrigues Rodrigo Ventura
Published: June 2021

Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento de cirurgiões-dentistas que trabalham em consultórios particulares de Palmas, Tocantins, quanto à utilização de anestésicos locais em pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus. Materiais e método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo qualitativo, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da FAMERP de São José do Rio Preto, sob o protocolo 032/2007 e CAAE: 0065.0.000.140-07, respeitando-se a Resolução 466/12, do Conselho Nacional de Saúde. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de um questionário, utilizando um formulário estruturado. Resultados: de 113 participantes, 47 (41,6%) eram do sexo masculino e 66 (58,4%) do sexo feminino, com idade média de 35 anos. O anestésico mais utilizado pelos cirurgiões-dentistas avaliados foi a lidocaína 2% + adrenalina 1:100.000 (53,1%), o qual também é o mais utilizado para pacientes diabéticos controlados (64,6%). Quanto à variedade de anestésicos, 47,8% dos avaliados relataram possuir somente 3 tipos de anestésicos no consultório e que 83,2% nunca presenciaram nenhum problema decorrente do uso de anestésico. Além disso, 65,5% relataram não participar de cursos para atualização de conhecimentos, sendo que 53,1% mostraram-se insatisfeitos com o ensino de anestesiologia que receberam na graduação. Conclusão: observou-se que os cirurgiões-dentistas do atendimento odontológico particular de Palmas precisam de uma reciclagem profissional, a fim de atualizarem conhecimentos adquiridos na graduação sobre indicação e utilização de anestésicos locais em tratamentos odontológicos de pacientes com necessidades especiais, com ênfase em pacientes portadores de diabetes mellitus.
Nutritive Value and Preference of Guinea-Grass Ensiled with or without Additive by West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats
Authors: Abegunde T. O. , Babalola S. O. , Adeoye B. T. , Usman A. O. , Akinfemi O. M.
Published: June 2021

A study was designed to investigate silage additives’ effect on preference and nutritive value of five weeks re-growth guinea grass by West African dwarf (WAD) goats. The silages of five weeks re-growth guinea grass were made without additive (T1), with cassava peels additive (T2), and with fermented epiphytic juice of lactic acid bacteria in Panicum maximum (FEJPM) additive (T3). The effects of silage additives on preference, voluntary feed intake, growth, digestibility, and nitrogen utilization were assessed using 18 growing WAD goats (BW: 5.88±0.26 kg) in a completely randomized design. Dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T2 silage (40.70 g/100g) than in T1 silage (39.00) and T3 silage (34.60). Crude protein values were similar (p>0.05) in T1 and T3 silages (10.63 and 10.72 g/100g DM) that were significantly lower (p<0.05) than that in T2 silage (12.54 g/100g DM). The silages of guinea grass had acceptable physical attributes in terms of color, odor, and texture, with pH values ranging from 3.87- 4.97. T1 and T3 silages were rejected, whereas T2 silage was accepted well by the experimental WAD goats. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was significantly (p<0.05) the highest in the WAD goats fed T2 silage (303.30 g/day), and the lowest (p<0.05) was found in WAD goats fed T1 silage (271.60 g/day). Similar to the ADFI, the highest average daily gain (ADG) was found in WAD goats fed T2 silage (37.25 g/day), and the lowest ADG (p<0.05) was found in WAD goats fed T1 silage (24.50 g/day). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of WAD goats fed T2 silage (8.15) was superior to those of WAD goats fed T1 silage (13.63) and T3 silage (9.66). Crude protein and dry matter digestibility values were higher (p<0.05) in WAD goat fed T2 silage (68.24 and 63.87%, respectively) than in WAD goats fed T1 and T3 silages. Nitrogen intake and balance were significantly (p<0.05) the highest in WAD goats fed T2 silage (12.41 and 8.68 g/day, respectively), and these variables were similar in WAD goats fed T1 and T3 silages. Nitrogen retention was not affected by the silage additives. It was concluded that cassava peels were better than FEJPM as a silage additive since it improved fermentative quality, acceptability, feed intake, and digestibility of guinea grass silage by WAD goats.
Changes in Bovine Colostrum Metabolites during Early Postpartum Period Revealed by 1H-NMR Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Settachaimongkon S. , Wannakajeepiboon N. , Arunpunporn P. , Mekboonsonglarp W. , Makarapong D.
Published: June 2021

The objectives of this study were to characterize and compare non-volatile polar metabolite profiles of bovine colostrum, collected within 1 h and at 72 h after parturition, from crossbred Holstein cows raised in northeastern Thailand. The colostrum serum was characterized and compared using a non-targeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) technique combined with chemometric analysis. Results demonstrated that the main effect of post-parturition time provided a significant impact on the physical properties and major chemical constituents of colostrum, while the influence of farm origin and sampling month were likely undetectable. The 1H-NMR technique enabled to identify 45 non-volatile polar metabolites in the samples. Partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) allowed discrimination of colostrum metabolome not only according to different times after parturition, but also the origins of the farm as well as sampling months. Differential metabolites were statistically identified as potential biomarkers accountable for the discrimination. Besides basic nutritive compounds (amino acids and sugars), several bioactive metabolites such as ascorbate, creatine, carnitine, choline, acetylcarnitine, N-acetylglucosamine, ornithine, orotate, and UPD-glucose could be successfully elucidated. Our finding reveals the application of non-targeted 1H-NMR metabolomics as an effective tool to assess the biomolecular profiles of bovine colostrum and their essential dynamics during the first three days after parturition.
Different Developmental Stages and Developmental Ages of Humans in History: Culture and Socialization, Open and Closed Developmental Windows, and Advanced and Arrested Development
Authors: Oesterdiekhoff Georg W.
Published: June 2021

Piagetian cross-cultural psychology indicated that humans living in preindustrial nations do not develop the adolescent stage of formal operations but stay in the preoperational or concrete operational stage. The stage of formal operations originated among intellectual elites of early modern times and became a mass phenomenon in the 20th century, many empirical indicators suggest. Racial-biological approaches cannot explain these phenomena, but those that combine developmental psychology with socialization theory can. The culture of modern, industrial nations, with their systems of primary and secondary socialization and their systems of occupation and media, stimulate young brains and psyches to use open developmental windows so strongly that they can reach the formal operational stage successfully. Conversely, premodern cultures, across times and regions, do not stimulate humans to develop beyond the childhood stages. Accordingly, unused developmental windows in youth lead to early arrested development there. Both ethnographic data and Piagetian training studies indicate that premodern adults cannot skip stages, being stuck in the childhood stages throughout their lives. However, children born in premodern cultures can develop the formal operational stage when they move to modern cultures in their early years. Only the theory of (open or closed) developmental windows can explain these remarkable phenomena. Data indicate that every stage or substage described by developmental psychology was once the “developmental age” certain nations or social milieus had actually reached.
Adaptation of the Newton-Raphson and Potra-Pták methods for the solution of nonlinear systems
Authors: Souza Luiz Antonio Farani de , Castelani Emerson Vitor , Shirabayashi Wesley Vagner Inês
Published: June 2021

In this paper we adapt the Newton-Raphson and Potra-Pták algorithms by combining them with the modified Newton-Raphson method by inserting a condition. Problems of systems of sparse nonlinear equations are solved the algorithms implemented in Matlab® environment. In addition, the methods are adapted and applied to space trusses problems with geometric nonlinear behavior. Structures are discretized by the Finite Element Positional Method, and nonlinear responses are obtained in an incremental and iterative process using the Linear Arc-Length path-following technique. For the studied problems, the proposed algorithms had good computational performance reaching the solution with shorter processing time and fewer iterations until convergence to a given tolerance, when compared to the standard algorithms of the Newton-Raphson and Potra-Pták methods.
An Empirical Analysis of the Bid-ask Spread in the Continuous Intraday Trading of the German Power Market
Authors: Balardy Clara
Published: June 2021

Liquidity is decisive for a well-functioning market. As most of the literature on the subject is based on financial markets, the extrapolation of its insights to the power market is fragile. This paper shows the specificities of liquidity of the German power market. Using the bid-ask spread as a proxy, thanks to the detailed order book for the hourly contracts, I first describe the evolution of the liquidity over the trading session. The bid-ask spread has a “L-shaped” pattern over it. Second,I identify the four main drivers of the bid-ask spread: the volatility, the adjustments’ need (forecast errors), the activity and the concentration of the market. I find that an increase of the volatility or the market concentration increases the bid-ask spread while an increase of the adjustments’ need or the market activity decreases it.
«Eu desejaria ser útil para alguma coisa». Mariana Victoria de Portugal y los espacios de las transferencias culturales entre las cortes ibéricas a mediados del siglo XVIII
Authors: Rega Castro Iván
Published: June 2021

Este artículo aborda el papel cultural que desempeñó Mariana Victoria de Borbón en la corte de Lisboa, una infanta de España que se convirtió, por su matrimonio con el rey José I, en reina de Portugal. En estas circunstancias, son varios los factores —personales y políticos— que permitieron que esta reina consorte de origen español fuera una agente de las transferencias culturales entre las cortes hispana y portuguesa. El principal de ellos era la importancia de la actividad cinegética en la construcción de su imagen y asimismo en la renovación de algunos de los más representativos palacios reales y cazaderos de la corona portuguesa. El segundo factor fue el impulso de la ópera italiana y la política artístico-teatral implementada entre 1752 y 1755, que condujo a la construcción del Teatro Real de la Ópera de Lisboa y el teatro de Salvaterra de Magos.
Camprubí Pla, Xevi: La revolució de la impremta. La contribució de la tipografia al desenvolupament de la Catalunya moderna (Catarroja, 2020)
Authors: Vilà Urriza Natalia
Published: June 2021

Ressenya de:Camprubí Pla, Xevi (2020)La revolució de la impremta. La contribució de la tipografia al desenvolupament de la Catalunya modernaCatarroja, Barcelona: Editorial Afers, 207 p.ISBN: 978-84-16260-84-3
Picazo Muntaner, Antonio: Inquisició i corrupció (Palma, 2020)
Authors: Cassanyes Roig Albert
Published: June 2021

Ressenya de:Picazo Muntaner, Antoni (2020)Inquisició i corrupcióPalma: Illa Edicions, 125 p.ISBN 978-84-947890-8-3
Contemporary State of Readiness of First School Pedagogues to Use Pro-Health Education Technologies
Authors: Kotyk Tetiana , Kierzkowska Iryna
Published: June 2021

The article includes the current issues of maintaining the health of younger students, namely determining the readiness of primary school teachers to use pro-health technologies in the educational process. For this purpose, a teacher survey was used, and the results of the experi-mental study were analyzed and generalized. Teachers' answers to thirteen questions of the survey were described in detail, and the ranking of exercises used by teachers during "PE-minutes" during primary school lessons was presented.
It was concluded that the use of health-promoting technologies is not a very widespread phenomenon in the practice of primary school tea-chers. The least used are aromatherapy, color therapy, musical accompaniment and art technology. On the basis of the received conclusions, it was predicted that the basic condition for the functioning of a health-promoting educational environment is the use of a complex of functional components, ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of influencing the conscious behavior of students.
Suporte à dirigibilidade de um veículo elétrico através do gerenciamento de consumo de bateria
Authors: Nascimento Gabriel Dos Santos , David José Maria N. , Dantas Mario A. R.
Published: June 2021

Este artigo propõe uma aplicação para apoiar a percepção do motorista quanto ao consumo de bateria de um veículo elétrico, como também, aos modos de condução dele. Simulou-se a captação de dados através de um simulador de contexto capaz de reproduzir o consumo e autonomia de um veículo elétrico. Para avaliar nossa solução foi utilizada a metodologia de Design Science Research (DSR).
Navegação autônoma e detecção visual usando uma plataforma robótica de baixo custo
Authors: França Danilo , Couto Leandro , Souza Jefferson
Published: June 2021

Este trabalho apresenta uma plataforma robótica e aplicação de baixo custo de um robô em uma tarefa de detecção visual e perseguição de um objeto, utilizando um smartphone como sensor e realizando a detecção do objeto atraves de Visão Computacional. Os resultados são comparados com os de uma técnica tradicional da robótica móvel, mostrando que o método proposto mostra resultados comparáveis enquanto oferece flexibilidade muito maior.
Sistema Web para Apoio ao Processo de Editoração de Anais de Eventos para Publicação no Open Journal System 3
Authors: Pereira Filho Ronaldo Alves , Araújo Rafael D.
Published: June 2021

A editoração de trabalhos de eventos científicos em formato de anais é um processo árduo, mas essencial para que sua indexação seja feita corretamente e com qualidade. É um processo que envolve diferentes Sistemas de Informação cuja troca de informação é feita, geralmente, de forma manual. Dessa forma, este trabalho visa propor um Sistema de Sistemas de Informação para suporte ao processo de editoração de anais de eventos gerenciados pelo Journal and Event Management System (JEMS) e publicados no Open Journal System (OJS), versão 3. Resultados preliminares mostram uma boa aceitação dos usuários e o potencial de reduzir o tempo gasto nesse processo.
O ensino de Estrutura de Dados auxiliado por uma Plataforma Didática na Web
Authors: Borges Lucas Fernando , Martinez Ana Claudia , Ribeiro Thiago Pirola
Published: June 2021

As disciplinas iniciais de programação e algoritmos dos cursos da área de computação exigem um certo grau de abstração que, normalmente, não é cobrado no ensino médio. A partir de estudos prévios das maiores dificuldades de alunos dos cursos de programação e, tentando colaborar para diminuir as barreiras iniciais, este trabalho apresenta um simulador desenvolvido em plataforma Web, no qual é possível realizar manipulações de estruturas de dados com resultados visuais.
Uma proposta de framework para simulação de casas inteligentes usando Unity
Authors: Santos Cael G. B. , Sousa Gabriela D. S. , Reis Josivan R. , Nascimento Roberto P.
Published: June 2021

Com o crescente desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias no campo da domótica e Internet das Coisas surgem novas oportunidades para a criação de ambientes inteligentes para usuários que carecem de algum tipo de tecnologia assistiva. Considerando os custos associados à construção desse tipo de ambientes, simuladores se tornam um componente importante para o seu desenvolvimento, de modo a minimizar o tempo e o custo de implementação do projeto. Assim, este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de framework para simular casas inteligentes que atendam as necessidades e especificidades do usuário.
Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying in Dementia: a Survey Study of Dementia Care Specialists
Authors: Nakanishi Allison , Cuthbertson Lauren , Chase Jocelyn
Published: June 2021

Background

Current Canadian Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation requires individuals to have the mental capacity to consent at the time of the procedure. Advance requests for MAiD (ARs for MAiD) could allow individuals to document conditions where MAiD would be desired in the setting of progressive dementia.

Methods

Greater Vancouver area dementia care clinicians from family practice, geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry, and palliative care were approached to participate in an online survey to as­sess attitudes around the appropriateness of ARs for MAiD. Quantitative analysis of survey questions and qualitative analysis of open-ended response questions were performed.

Results

Of 630 clinicians approached, 80 were included in the data analysis. 64% of respondents supported legislation allowing ARs for MAiD in dementia. 96% of respondents articulated barriers and concerns, including determination of capacity, protecting the interests of the future individual, navigating conflict among stakeholders, and identifying coercion. 78% of respondents agreed with a mandatory capacity assessment to create an AR, and 59% agreed that consensus between clinicians and substitute decision-makers was required to enact an AR.

Conclusion

The majority of Vancouver dementia care clinicians participat­ing in this study support legislation allowing ARs for MAiD in dementia, while also articulating ethical and logistical concerns with its application.
Infosomatische Wende
Authors: Tsvasman Leon
Published: June 2021

In this meta-essay, the author, a visionary inspired by cybernetics, probes the causes of intelligence in our world, with some old questions revealing surprising answers. He advocates a humanistic social order that he calls sapiocracy and, in a ‘Buberian Dialogue’, outlines his comprehensive vision of a world with artificial intelligence, which is redefined as an ‘infosomatic presence’. The publication’s innovative form of a coherent collection of essays serves the holistic and synthetic purpose of profiling cross-discourse similarities against their differences. The authentic language used in the publication is due to the author’s natural lecturing style, which he calls ‘wording by thinking’.
Ein Unterrichtsansatz zu Kleists Erzählung Das Bettelweib von Locarno.. Entwurf einer Visualisierung für den Lese- und Literaturunterricht
Authors: Pytlík Petr
Published: June 2021

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt einen Unterrichtsentwurf als Ergänzung zum traditionellen schriftorientierten Lese- und Literaturunterricht vor. In der Einleitung werden kurz die theoretischen Grundlagen der Verwendung von Visualisierungen zur Förderung des Lernens, besonders die Ansätze der Dual-Coding-Theorie, vorgestellt. Anschließend wird der Prozess der Entstehung von mentalen Bildern bei der Textwahrnehmung und deren Externalisierung erörtert, um im letzten Teil zu einem konkreten Entwurf für den Leseunterricht am Beispiel der Erzählung Das Bettelweib von Locarno von Heinrich von Kleist zu kommen. In diesem Beitrag wird angenommen, dass die Externalisierung von inneren Bildern „in den Köpfen“ der Lernenden eine effektive Ergänzung zum erfolgreichen Literaturunterricht darstellt.
On Divine Transcendence and Non-Transcendence
Authors: Grier Philip T. ,   Hegel Society of America
Published: June 2021

The governing theme in Hegel’s account of the history of religions is the gradual emergence and separation of spirit from nature, culminating in the “infinite” transcendence of spirit over nature. Within the story of spirit itself, however, a more subtle and complex problem arises: the possible transcendence of infinite over finite spirit, of divine over human nature. Hegel firmly insisted that divine and human nature are one, a unity, thereby apparently ruling out the possibility of a transcendence of one over the other. And yet, it is not easy to dismiss the notion that infinite (divine) spirit must nevertheless in some respects transcend finite (human) spirit. The remainder of the essay attempts to tease apart several aspects of this problem, exploring possible senses of ‘transcendence’ (of infinite over finite spirit) that might be maintained, without violating Hegel’s central and profound theological claim.
The Animacy of Stone
Authors: Govaerts Brecht ,   The Center for Process Studies
Published: June 2021

This article undertakes a critical analysis of the adoption of process metaphysics in the field of archaeology and anthropology for the explanation of animism. The field of "new animism" has adopted process metaphysics in order to counter the nineteenth-century definition of animism as epistemological projection toward animism as ontological condition. This shift from epistemology to ontology has the danger of equating animism with process metaphysics as such. By examining the category ofpropositional judgment within Whitehead's metaphysics, I argue that the condition of animism emerges through a judgment of truth, which is aesthetic. It is through Whitehead's integration of propositional judgment within his metaphysical system that one can understand that an ontological approach toward animism is not necessarily opposed to a refiective type of experience.
Use of different conditioning agents and quality evaluation of two lots of annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds
Authors: Fernandes Alana Chocorosqui , Faria Julio Cezar Tannure , Faria José Marcio Rocha , Pires Raquel Maria Oliveira , Carvalho Everson Reis , Santos Heloisa Oliveira
Published: June 2021

Due to the low germination of annatto seeds (Bixa orellana L.), it is necessary to test different techniques that facilitate and enable its production, such as the use of the physiological conditioning method. Here, we aimed to characterize the germination of two annatto seed lots under physiological conditioning. For this, two lots of seeds (newly-collected and stored) were submitted to physiological conditioning using an aerated solution of 1) deionized water; 2) cathodic water; 3) potassium nitrate 0.3%; 4) sodium nitroprusside 100 µM; for 24h and 48h, and an additional treatment (control) without conditioning. After the germination test, ungerminated seeds were submitted to a tetrazolium test at 0.075% at 30 °C, in the dark for 24 h. We used a completely randomized factorial design (4 x 2 + 1) with four replications of 25 seeds per treatment. Despite the low germination already mentioned in the literature for this species, we obtained high germination without any type of dormancy-break pretreatment, even in lots stored for over 10 years with a water content of 8%, characterizing this species as non-dormant. The germination and viability of Bixa orellana were influenced by seed water content decrease. The conditioning agents were not efficient to increase annatto seed germination. Further studies are needed to classify these seeds according to their storability.
Strategies in a corpus of simultaneous interpreting. Effects of directionality, phraseological richness, and position in speech event
Authors: Dayter Daria
Published: June 2021

The study surveys the existing literature on strategies in simultaneous interpreting (understood here as transformations indicative of interpreting procedures that manifest in the product of interpreting). On the basis of the survey, a summary of eight strategies which are present in various research strands is compiled. I use a parallel bidirectional corpus of Ru-En simultaneous interpreting to extract a random sample of 360 fragments and investigate the presence of the eight strategies in the sample. The type of strategy is then correlated with three variables: direction of interpreting, position of the source fragment in the original text, and phraseological richness of the source fragment. The findings indicate that all the strategies, including an additional transformation category (incorrect interpretations), are present in the sample, although some of them are considerably less common than earlier literature purports. All three variables have significant association with the type of strategy, although in cases of directionality this holds only for saucissonnage and omission. A close analysis of three coding categories—omission, explicitation, and incorrect interpretations—suggests that interpreters in this corpus orient more towards a performative than informative function of their SI.
Involvement of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and its related molecules in atrial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Li Qiaoqiao , Lai Yingyu , Gao Xiaoyan , Li Xin , Deng Chun-Yu , Guo Huiming , Zhao Junfei , Yang Hui , Xu Yuwen , Wu Shulin , Xue Yumei , Rao Fang
Published: June 2021

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia. Atrial fibrosis is a significant feature of atrial fibrillation though its mechanism is not well understood. We searched the Gene Expression Omnibus database to compare mRNA expression patterns between atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm samples; one hundred and forty eight differentially expressed genes were identified. Most of these genes were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix organization process and collagen-activated tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathway. To screen hub genes involved in atrial fibrosis, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network and found that three hub genes (SERPINE1/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1/PAI-1, TIMP Metallopeptidase Inhibitor 3/TIMP3 and decorin/DCN) play vital roles in atrial fibrosis, especially plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression was positively correlated with the p53 signaling pathway. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and p53 protein expression levels were verified in patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation by Western blot analysis. Compared with the sinus rhythm controls, p53 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protein expressions were upregulated in the atrial tissues of patients with atrial fibrillation. p53 was also found to regulate plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 based on the results of cellular and molecular experiments. Thus, the p53/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 signaling axis may participate in the pathophysiological processes of atrial fibrillation, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 may serve as a new therapeutic biomarker in atrial fibrillation.
Assessment of Utilization of HBCP Services for Children Diagnosed with Chronic and Terminal Illnesses Aged between 1-14 Years in Meru County, Kenya
Authors: Kubai P. K. , Mutema A. M. , Kei M. R.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Worldwide, 57 million people died in 2008 from Chronic Illnesses, an estimated 40 million were in need of HBCP services with 6.6 - 10.8 million Children and adolescents dying [1,2]. 98% of Children with Chronic and Terminal illnesses (CI/TI) are found in low and middle-income Countries. Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Children are on the rise in Sub Saharan Africa. Kenya has lagged in implementation of Home Based Care to mitigate effects of CI/TI [3]. According to WHO, 2017 and Ministry of Health-Kenya 2013, millions of Children are affected by these Illnesses such as Tuberculosis, Asthma, Congenital abnormalities, HIV/AIDS and Cancer among others [4,5]. These illnesses have made families’ to suffer emotional, psychosocial and economic hardships [6,7]. Evaluation of utilization of Home Based Care Program (EHBCP) services is significant in assessing effectiveness and quality delivery of HBCP [8,9]. 

Aims: To assess usage of minimum essential package required in provision of Home Based Care program services for Children aged between 1-14 years diagnosed with selected Chronic and Terminal illnesses in Meru County Kenya.

Study Design:  A descriptive Cross Sectional Survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Conducted in Meru County Kenya Health facilities between June 2018 and Dec 2019.

Methodology: Descriptive Cross Sectional Survey of 245 Health Care Providers and Caregivers of Children diagnosed with selected by proportionate to size sampling and simple random sampling from different health facilities across Meru County was utilized.

Results: Utilization, delivery of quality and effective Home Based Care program was positively associated with age, experience of Health Care Workers (HCWs) 4.8 [95% CI = 1.06 – 21.68, P = 0.041]. HCWs profession, gender and years of work were positively related to utilization and delivery of HBCP services 3.03 [95%CI = 1.64 – 5.59, P<0.001].

Conclusion: Current study concludes that utilization of Minimum HBCP essential package by participants was not effective and the quality delivery of minimum HBCP essential services was inadequate, which agrees with Sips et al., 2014 study that poor service delivery leads to inadequate utilization, it concludes that restructuring HBCP services would meet individual needs for ill Children.
Advancing Computer-Aided Drug Discovery (ACADD): In-Silico Approach towards Nuclear Receptors by Big Data
Authors: Palaniammal K. , Mani M. Saravana Roentgen , Kumar R. Mohan
Published: June 2021

The progression of drug discovery and development is time consuming and costly. Advancing Computer-aided drug discovery (ACADD) is an effective tool in reducing the time and cost of research and development. This study deals with the evaluation of the nuclear receptors for the in-silico biological activity using ligand betulinic acid and dexamethasone. Docking results showed that binding energy was -74.190 kcal/mol when compared with that of the standard (-51.551 kcal/mol). Interaction energy -44.16 & -25.14 kcal/mol) of the ligands also coincide with the binding energy. These ligands have shown the best ligand-receptor interaction based on their structural parameters.
Customer Value Co-Creation Intention, Practices and Experience in Self-Service Technologies
Authors: Galdolage Badra Sandamali
Published: June 2021

Many service encounters are moving from traditional physical interfaces to technologically incorporated self-service options. However, it is surprising that very limited extant literature is devoted to understanding the movement towards self-service technologies. Therefore, this study aims at understanding customer value co-creation intention, practices including both the value co-creation and co-destruction and their co-creation experiences in self-service technology context. Based on the positivistic approach, a quantitative study carried out distributing self-administered questionnaires to 600 individuals chosen based on a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method. Study found that customer value co-creation intention has significant positive effects on customer value co-creation practices and significant negative effects on customer value co-destruction in SSTs. Value co-creation practices show a strong positive effect on customer functional experiences and ‘positive emotional experiences’ while having a negative effect on ‘negative emotional experiences. In contrast, co-destruction shows inverse relationships. This study assists practitioners to understand why customers collaborate with SSTs, what they do in co-creating value and how this links with their experience. Service providers can use this understanding to facilitate customer co-creation by securing positive customer experiences and achieving competitive advantage by designing and delivering value enhancing self-service technological interfaces from both strategic and operational perspectives.
MicroRNA expression profiling with a droplet digital PCR assay enables molecular diagnosis and prognosis of cancers of unknown primary
Authors: Laprovitera Noemi , Riefolo Mattia , Porcellini Elisa , Durante Giorgio , Garajova Ingrid , Vasuri Francesco , Aigelsreiter Ariane , Dandachi Nadia , Benvenuto Giuseppe , Agostinis Federico , Sabbioni Silvia , Berindan Neagoe Ioana , Romualdi Chiara , Ardizzoni Andrea , Trerè Davide , Pichler Martin , D'Errico Antonietta , Ferracin Manuela
Published: June 2021

Metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer‐related deaths. Particularly, challenging is the management of metastatic cancer of unknown primary site (CUP), whose tissue of origin (TOO) remains undetermined even after extensive investigations and whose therapy is rather unspecific and poorly effective. Molecular approaches to identify the most probable TOO of CUPs can overcome some of these issues. In this study, we applied a predetermined set of 89 microRNAs (miRNAs) to infer the TOO of 53 metastatic cancers of unknown or uncertain origin. The miRNA expression was assessed with droplet digital PCR in 159 samples, including primary tumors from 17 tumor classes (reference set) and metastases of known and unknown origin (test set). We combined two different statistical models for class prediction to obtain the most probable TOOs: the nearest shrunken centroids approach of Prediction Analysis of Microarrays (PAMR) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) models. The molecular test was successful for all formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples and provided a TOO identification within 1 week from the biopsy procedure. The most frequently predicted origins were gastrointestinal, pancreas, breast, lung, and bile duct. The assay was applied also to multiple metastases from the same CUP, collected from different metastatic sites: The predictions showed a strong agreement, intrinsically validating our assay. The final CUPs' TOO prediction was compared with the clinicopathological hypothesis of primary site. Moreover, a panel of 13 miRNAs proved to have prognostic value and be associated with overall survival in CUP patients. Our study demonstrated that miRNA expression profiling in CUP samples could be employed as diagnostic and prognostic test. Our molecular analysis can be performed on request, concomitantly with standard diagnostic workup and in association with genetic profiling, to offer valuable indications about the possible primary site, thereby supporting treatment decisions.
Spatial Extent of Fluorescence Quenching in Mixed Semiconductor–Metal Nanoparticle Gel Networks
Authors: Rosebrock Marina , Zámbó Dániel , Rusch Pascal , Pluta Denis , Steinbach Frank , Bessel Patrick , Schlosser Anja , Feldhoff Armin , Hindricks Karen D. J. , Behrens Peter , Dorfs Dirk , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: June 2021

In this work, mixing and co‐gelation of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and highly luminescent CdSe/CdS core/shell nanorods (NRs) are used as tools to obtain noble metal particle‐decorated macroscopic semiconductor gel networks. The hybrid nature of the macrostructures facilitates the control over the optical properties: while the holes are trapped in the CdSe cores, the connected CdSe/CdS NRs support the mobility of excited electrons throughout the porous, hyperbranched gel networks. Due to the presence of Au NPs in the mixed gels, electron trapping in the gold NPs leads to a suppressed radiative recombination, namely, quenches the fluorescence in certain fragments of the multicomponent gel. The extent of fluorescence quenching can be influenced by the quantity of the noble metal domains. The optical properties are monitored as a function of the NR:NP ratio of a model system CdSe/CdS:Au. By this correlation, it demonstrates that the spatial extent of quenching initiated by a single Au NP exceeds the dimensions of one NR, which the Au is connected to (with a length of 45.8 nm ± 4.1 nm) and can reach the number of nine NRs per Au NP, which roughly corresponds to 400 nm of total electron travel distance within the network structure.
In Situ Synthesis of Graphene‐Coated Silicon Monoxide Anodes from Coal‐Derived Humic Acid for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Shuai , Zhou Jigang , Wang Jian , Pathiranage Sameera , Oncel Nuri , Robert Ilango Pushparaj , Zhang Xin , Mann Michael , Hou Xiaodong
Published: June 2021

Silicon monoxide (SiO) is attaining extensive interest amongst silicon‐based materials due to its high capacity and long cycle life; however, its low intrinsic electrical conductivity and poor coulombic efficiency strictly limit its commercial applications. Here low‐cost coal‐derived humic acid is used as a feedstock to synthesize in situ graphene‐coated disproportionated SiO (D‐SiO@G) anode with a facile method. HR‐TEM and XRD confirm the well‐coated graphene layers on a SiO surface. Scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy and X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectra analysis indicate that the graphene coating effectively hinders the side‐reactions between the electrolyte and SiO particles. As a result, the D‐SiO@G anode presents an initial discharge capacity of 1937.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and an initial coulombic efficiency of 78.2%. High reversible capacity (1023 mAh g−1 at 2.0 A g−1), excellent cycling performance (72.4% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g−1), and rate capability (774 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1) results are substantial. Full coin cells assembled with LiFePO4 electrodes and D‐SiO@G electrodes display impressive rate performance. These results indicate promising potential for practical use in high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.
Flexible MXene Framework as a Fast Electron/Potassium‐Ion Dual‐Function Conductor Boosting Stable Potassium Storage in Graphite Electrodes
Authors: Cao Bin , Liu Huan , Zhang Peng , Sun Ning , Zheng Bin , Li Ying , Du Huiling , Xu Bin
Published: June 2021

Graphite anodes show great potential for potassium storage, however, their capacity fades quickly owing to substantial interlayer expansion/shrinkage (i.e., up to 60%) induced structural degradation. Here, Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets are used as a fast electron/potassium‐ion dual‐function conductor to construct the framework of all‐integrated graphite nanoflake (GNF)/MXene (GNFM) electrodes. The continuous MXene framework constructs a 3D channel for fast electron/potassium‐ion transfer and endows GNFM electrodes with a high structural stability. Owing to this unique MXene framework, GNFM electrodes exhibit much enhanced potassium storage performances than that of the conventional polymer‐bonded electrodes even at high mass loadings. Moreover, GNFM electrodes also show impressive cyclability in non‐flammable electrolytes and are further used as anodes to assemble novel non‐flammable potassium‐ion capacitors that show an excellent cyclability and high energy/power densities (113.1 Wh kg–1 and 12.2 kW kg–1). New insights into phase transition mechanism in GNFM electrodes are verified by operando XRD. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that MXene can promote electron transfer and potassium diffusion in the heterointerface between GNF and MXene. Therefore, the results demonstrate that all‐integrated GNFM electrodes designed with MXene as multifunctional frameworks provide a new paradigm for producing efficient potassium storage anodes.
Toward Mechanochromic Soft Material‐Based Visual Feedback for Electronics‐Free Surgical Effectors
Authors: Giordano Goffredo , Gagliardi Mariacristina , Huan Yu , Carlotti Marco , Mariani Andrea , Menciassi Arianna , Sinibaldi Edoardo , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: June 2021

A chromogenically reversible, mechanochromic pressure sensor is integrated into a mininvasive surgical grasper compatible with the da Vinci robotic surgical system. The sensorized effector, also featuring two soft‐material jaws, encompasses a mechanochromic polymeric inset doped with functionalized spiropyran (SP) molecule, designed to activate mechanochromism at a chosen pressure and providing a reversible color change. Considering such tools are systematically in the visual field of the operator during surgery, color change of the mechanochromic effector can help avoid tissue damage. No electronics is required to control the devised visual feedback. SP‐doping of polydimethylsiloxane (2.5:1 prepolymer/curing agent weight ratio) permits to modulate the mechanochromic activation pressure, with lower values around 1.17 MPa for a 2% wt. SP concentration, leading to a shorter chromogenic recovery time of 150 s at room temperature (25 °C) under green light illumination. Nearly three‐times shorter recovery time is observed at body temperature (37 °C). To the best of knowledge, this study provides the first demonstration of mechanochromic materials in surgery, in particular to sensorize unpowered surgical effectors, by avoiding dramatic increases in tool complexity due to additional electronics, thus fostering their application. The proposed sensing strategy can be extended to further tools and scopes.
Bi‐Shell Valve for Fast Actuation of Soft Pneumatic Actuators via Shell Snapping Interaction
Authors: Qiao Chuan , Liu Lu , Pasini Damiano
Published: June 2021

Rapid motion in soft pneumatic robots is typically achieved through actuators that either use a fast volume input generated from pressure control, employ an integrated power source, such as chemical explosions, or are designed to embed elastic instabilities in the body of the robot. This paper presents a bi‐shell valve that can fast actuate soft actuators neither relying on the fast volume input provided by pressure control strategies nor requiring modifications to the architecture of the actuator. The bi‐shell valve consists of a spherical cap and an imperfect shell with a geometrically tuned defect that enables shell snapping interaction to convert a slowly dispensed volume input into a fast volume output. This function is beyond those of current valves capable to perform fluidic flow regulation. Validated through experiments, the analysis unveils that the spherical cap sets the threshold of the snapping pressure along with the upper bounds of volume and energy output, while the imperfect shell interacts with the cap to store and deliver the desired output for rapid actuation. Geometry variations of the bi‐shell valve are provided to show that the concept is versatile. A final demonstration shows that the soft valve can quickly actuate a striker.
Hydrogen Environmental Benefits Depend on the Way of Production: An Overview of the Main Processes Production and Challenges by 2050
Authors: Germscheidt Rafael L. , Moreira Daniel E. B. , Yoshimura Rafael G. , Gasbarro Nathália P. , Datti Evandro , dos Santos Pãmyla L. , Bonacin Juliano A.
Published: June 2021

Hydrogen (H2) is presented as an important alternative for clean energy and raw material in the modern world. However, the environmental benefits are linked to its process of production. Herein, the chemical aspects, advantages/disadvantages, and challenges of the main processes of H2 production from petroleum to water are described. The fossil fuel (FF)‐based methods and the state‐of‐art strategies are outlined to produce hydrogen from water (electrolysis), wastewater, and seawater. In addition, a discussion based on a color code to classify the cleanliness of hydrogen production is introduced. By the end, a summary of the hydrogen value chain addresses topics related to the financial aspects and perspective for 2050: green hydrogen and zero‐emission carbon.
Bioinspired Robotic Vision with Online Learning Capability and Rotation‐Invariant Properties
Authors: Berco Dan , Shenp Ang Diing
Published: June 2021

Reliable image perception is critical for living organisms. Biologic sensory organs and nervous systems evolved interdependently to allow apprehension of visual information regardless of spatial orientation. By contrast, convolutional neural networks usually have limited tolerance to rotational transformations. There are software‐based approaches used to address this issue, such as artificial rotation of training data or preliminary image processing. However, these workarounds require a large computational effort and are mostly done offline. This work presents a bioinspired, robotic vision system with inherent rotation‐invariant properties that may be taught either offline or in real time by feeding back error indications. It is successfully trained to counter the move of a human player in a game of Paper Scissors Stone. The architecture and operation principles are first discussed alongside the experimental setup. This is followed by performance analysis of pattern recognition under misaligned and rotated conditions. Finally, the process of online, supervised learning is demonstrated and analyzed.
Confirmation of Ogden syndrome as an X‐linked recessive fatal disorder due to a recurrent NAA10 variant and review of the literature
Authors: Gogoll Laura , Steindl Katharina , Joset Pascal , Zweier Markus , Baumer Alessandra , Gerth‐Kahlert Christina , Tutschek Boris , Rauch Anita
Published: June 2021

Ogden syndrome is a rare lethal X‐linked recessive disorder caused by a recurrent missense variant (Ser37Pro) in the NAA10 gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of the N‐terminal acetyltransferase A complex (NatA). So far eight boys of two different families have been described in the literature, all presenting the distinctive and recognizable phenotype, which includes mostly postnatal growth retardation, global severe developmental delay, characteristic craniofacial features, and structural cardiac anomalies and/or arrhythmias. Here, we report the ninth case of Ogden syndrome with an independent recurrence of the Ser37Pro variant. We were able to follow the clinical course of the affected boy and delineate the evolving phenotype from his birth until his unfortunate death at 7 months. We could confirm the associated phenotype as well as the natural history of this severe disease. By describing new presenting features, we are further expanding the clinical spectrum associated with Ogden syndrome and review other phenotypes associated with NAA10 variants.
Hydrogels with Tunable Physical Cues and Their Emerging Roles in Studies of Cellular Mechanotransduction
Authors: Narasimhan Badri Narayanan , Horrocks Matthew S. , Malmström Jenny
Published: June 2021

The extracellular matrix provides complex biophysical cues to cells which respond to these signals with signaling cascades that determine various cellular processes including fate. Many material systems have been explored to mimic the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix to determine the cell responses to mechanical cues. While stiffness has emerged as an important regulator of cell behavior, recently, other mechanical properties such as strain stiffening and viscoelasticity have also emerged as potent regulators. This review explores the substrates used for studying mechanotransduction and strategies adopted to impart more complex mechanical cues including spatiotemporal control of mechanical properties. In addition, practical considerations for designing hydrogels for cell culture are discussed and the response of cells to viscoelastic cues in particular is discussed in depth. Recent mechanotransduction studies of combinations of mechanical and other cues are finally reviewed. It is anticipated that such multiphysical cues will further the understanding of mechanotransduction involved in complex processes such as migration and mechanical memory and provide a framework in controlling cell behavior.