bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does ceramic translucency affect the degree of conversion of luting agents?
Authors: de Jesus Ricardo Huver , Quirino Andrea Soares , Salgado Vinicius , Cavalcante Larissa Maria , Palin William Mark , Schneider Luis Felipe
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Solely light-activated luting agents have been suggested for cementing procedures with aesthetic rehabilitations, but questions remain regarding their curing potential under more opaque prosthesis. To determine the degree of carbon double bond (C=C) conversion (DC) of four categories of luting strategies when considering the interposition of lithium-disilicate ceramic laminates with different translucencies during the photo-activation procedures.

Materials and methods

Four different luting strategies were considered: a dual-activated resin-based cement (control, RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE), a solely light-activated resin-based cement (RelyX Veneer, 3M ESPE), a flowable resin-based composite (Filtek Z350 XT Flow, 3M ESPE), and a pre-heated (68 °C for 30 min) regular resin-based composite (Filtek Z350 XT, 3M ESPE). The DC was determined by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (n = 6), 1 min after light-activation in two conditions: (a) with direct light exposure and (b) with light exposure with the interposition of lithium-disilicate disks (e.max Press, Ivoclar Vivadent) with 1.5 mm thickness with three translucent degrees: high translucency (HT), low translucency (LT), and medium opacity (MO). The translucency parameter (TP) formula was performed to quantitatively evaluate the ceramics’ translucencies using white (L* = 93.7, a* = 1.2, and b* = 0.8) and black (L* = 8.6, a* = − 0.7, and b* = − 1.5) backgrounds. The irradiance from the light curing unit (Bluephase G2, Ivoclar Vivadent) was calculated with a power meter (Ophir Optronics) with direct light exposure to the sensor and also with the interposition of the light ceramic discs. Degree of conversion data was submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05).

Results

Translucency parameters values were 16.4, 13.4 and 12.6 for HT, LT and MO ceramics—respectively—and affected the percentage of light transmission. For all ceramic translucencies the highest DC values were observed for the dual-activated resin-based cement followed by the solely light-activated resin-based cement, the flowable composite and then by pre-heated regular composite. The ceramic’s translucency influenced the DC only for the pre-heated composite.

Conclusions

The effect of the ceramic translucency on the curing behavior was dependent on the luting strategy. The DC was only affected for the pre-heated composite, which demonstrates lower conversion with the increased ceramic opacity.
Monte Carlo simulation of digital photon counting PET
Authors: Salvadori Julien , Labour Joey , Odille Freddy , Marie Pierre-Yves , Badel Jean-Noël , Imbert Laëtitia , Sarrut David
Published: April 2020

A GATE Monte Carlo model of the Philips Vereos digital photon counting PET imaging system using silicon photo-multiplier detectors was proposed. It was evaluated against experimental data in accordance with NEMA guidelines. Comparisons were performed using listmode data in order to remain independent of image reconstruction algorithms. An original line of response-based method is proposed to estimate intrinsic spatial resolution without reconstruction. Four sets of experiments were performed: (1) count rates and scatter fraction, (2) energy and timing resolutions, (3) sensitivity, and (4) intrinsic spatial resolution. Experimental and simulated data were found to be in good agreement, with overall differences lower than 10% for activity concentrations used in most standard clinical applications. Illustrative image reconstructions were provided. In conclusion, the proposed Monte Carlo model was validated and can be used for numerous studies such as optimizing acquisition parameters or reconstruction algorithms.
Transport systems, intracellular traffic of intermediates and secretion of β-lactam antibiotics in fungi
Authors: Martín Juan F.
Published: April 2020

Fungal secondary metabolites are synthesized by complex biosynthetic pathways catalized by enzymes located in different subcellular compartments, thus requiring traffic of precursors and intermediates between them. The β-lactam antibiotics penicillin and cephalosporin C serve as an excellent model to understand the molecular mechanisms that control the subcellular localization of secondary metabolites biosynthetic enzymes. Optimal functioning of the β-lactam biosynthetic enzymes relies on a sophisticated temporal and spatial organization of the enzymes, the intermediates and the final products. The first and second enzymes of the penicillin pathway, ACV synthetase and IPN synthase, in Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus nidulans are cytosolic. In contrast, the last two enzymes of the penicillin pathway, phenylacetyl-CoA ligase and isopenicillin N acyltransferase, are located in peroxisomes working as a tandem at their optimal pH that coincides with the peroxisomes pH. Two MFS transporters, PenM and PaaT have been found to be involved in the import of the intermediates isopenicillin N and phenylacetic acid, respectively, into peroxisomes. Similar compartmentalization of intermediates occurs in Acremonium chrysogenum; two enzymes isopenicillin N-CoA ligase and isopenicillin N-CoA epimerase, that catalyse the conversion of isopenicillin N in penicillin N, are located in peroxisomes. Two genes encoding MFS transporters, cefP and cefM, are located in the early cephalosporin gene cluster. These transporters have been localized in peroxisomes by confocal fluorescence microscopy. A third gene of A. chrysogenum, cefT, encodes an MFS protein, located in the cell membrane involved in the secretion of cephalosporin C, although cefT-disrupted mutants are still able to export cephalosporin by redundant transporters. The secretion of penicillin from peroxisomes to the extracellular medium is still unclear. Attempts have been made to identify a gene encoding the penicillin secretion protein among the 48 ABC-transporters of P. chrysogenum. The highly efficient secretion system that exports penicillin against a concentration gradient may involve active penicillin extrusion systems mediated by vesicles that fuse to the cell membrane. However, there is no correlation of pexophagy with penicillin or cephalosporin formation since inactivation of pexophagy leads to increased penicillin or cephalosporin biosynthesis due to preservation of peroxisomes. The penicillin biosynthesis finding shows that in order to increase biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites it is essential to adequately target enzymes to organelles.
Contrast diversity patterns and processes of microbial community assembly in a river-lake continuum across a catchment scale in northwestern China
Authors: Tang Xiangming , Xie Guijuan , Shao Keqiang , Hu Yang , Cai Jian , Bai Chengrong , Gong Yi , Gao Guang
Published: April 2020

Background

Microorganisms in rivers and lakes are essential for nutrient recycling in aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the ecological processes shaping microbial communities is of crucial importance for aquatic microbial ecology and biogeography. However, the diversity of microorganisms and the forces that control this diversity are poorly understood. This is particularly true within the framework of the river-lake continuum in arid regions.

Results

Using a whole catchment-sampling effort, we explored biogeographical patterns and mechanisms of microbial community (bacteria and archaea) assembly within the catchment of the largest inland once freshwater lake (Lake Bosten) in China. Water samples from headstream tributaries, the mainstream of the River Kaidu to downstream Lake Bosten were characterized using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Higher α-diversity was found in mainstream of River Kaidu and in the tributaries compared with Lake Bosten. And the microbial community composition was also significantly different between the lake and its connected river habitats. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated that salinity and total suspended solids were the most important environmental factors shaping the community variations. Overall, pure environmental and pure spatial factors explained 13.7 and 5.6% of the community variation, respectively, while 32.0% of the variation was explained by combined environmental and spatial variables. These observations suggested that spatially structured environmental variations mainly shaped the microbial biogeography in this region. Both deterministic and stochastic processes influenced the microbial community assembly in river and lake habitats, and the stochastic pattern was particularly pronounced for microbiome in river habitat. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed more abundant and complicated correlations among frequently occurred taxa in lake habitat compared with the river habitat, implying that ecological multispecies interactions (e.g., competition) shaped lake microbial community structures.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate an ecological succession along the river-lake continuum of microbial communities across the largest inland once freshwater lake basin in China, and highlight the effects of spatially structured environmental factors on regional microbial β-diversity and species interactions on local community assembly.
Acupuncture or auricular electro-acupuncture as adjuncts to lifestyle interventions for weight management in PCOS: protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study
Authors: Ee Carolyn , Smith Caroline A. , Costello Michael , Moran Lisa , Steiner Genevieve Z. , Stepto Nigel , Cave Adele , Albrehee Atekah , Teede Helena
Published: April 2020

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent women’s health condition with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological manifestations. Weight loss can improve these symptoms and is a key goal; however, many women find this difficult to achieve. Acupuncture is a Chinese medical treatment that involves insertion of very fine metal needles into specific areas of the body and has been shown to be efficacious for weight loss in non-PCOS populations. However, few studies have been conducted in women with PCOS. A variant of acupuncture, auricular electro-acupuncture (AEA), may have beneficial effects on sympathetic tone, which is associated with insulin resistance, obesity and PCOS.

Methods

This prospective three-arm open label parallel randomised controlled trial will assess feasibility and acceptability of acupuncture and/or AEA for weight loss in women with PCOS. We will enrol 39 women from the community aged between 18 and 45 years, with physician diagnosis of PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria: body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 40 kg/m2. Women will be randomly allocated to receive one of three treatments for 12 weeks duration: body electro-acupuncture + lifestyle interventions, AEA + lifestyle interventions, or lifestyle interventions alone. The lifestyle intervention in this study is telephone-based health coaching (between 4 and 13 phone calls, depending on individual need), provided by the Get Healthy Service. Primary outcomes of the study are feasibility and acceptability of trial methods as determined by recruitment and retention rates, adherence, acceptability, credibility, and safety. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric (body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference), metabolic (glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity obtained from a 2-h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test with area under the curve insulin calculated using the trapezoid rule), reproductive (androgen levels, menstrual cyclicity, clinical hyperandrogenism using the Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system), autonomic (heart rate variability, blood pressure), lifestyle (physical activity levels, diet quality, weight self-efficacy), quality of life, and psychological (depression and anxiety symptoms, internal health locus of control).

Discussion

This study addresses the feasibility and acceptability of novel interventions to treat overweight/obesity in PCOS. Study findings have the potential to generate a new understanding of the role of acupuncture and auricular acupuncture in weight management.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, 8/6/18 ACTRN12618000975291
A single-arm feasibility cohort study of rivaroxaban in antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Legault Kimberly , Blostein Mark , Carrier Marc , Kahn Susan , Schulman Sam , Shivakumar Sudeep , Wu Cynthia , Crowther Mark A.
Published: April 2020

Background

There is uncertainty regarding the safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulant agents in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We performed a multicenter feasibility study to examine our ability to identify and obtain consent from eligible APS patients and to obtain 95% adherence with daily rivaroxaban administration, in order to inform and power a larger study. Clinical outcomes of bleeding and thrombosis were also collected.

Methods

APS patients with prior venous thromboembolism (VTE) were recruited over 2 years (Oct 2014–Sept 2016) and followed for ≥ 1 year. Patients were assessed clinically every 3 months and had pill counts performed every 6 months. Numbers of patients fulfilling study criteria, as well as those consenting to participate, were tracked, and percentage adherence based on pill counts was recorded. These data were compared against the feasibility endpoints. Rates of thrombosis and bleeding were calculated. Criterion for feasibility was obtaining consent from 135 of 150 identified APS patients over 2 years.

Results

Ninety-six eligible patients were identified, and 14 declined participation. Eighty-two patients were followed for a mean of 19 months, representing 129.8 patient-years. Average rivaroxaban adherence was 95.0%. During follow-up, there were 4 thromboembolic events (2 cerebrovascular and 2 VTE). There were no episodes of major bleeding.

Conclusions

Adequately powered comparative trials using patient-important outcomes in APS are unlikely to be successful due to inability to recruit sufficient numbers of study subjects. This study does not reveal a higher than expected risk of recurrent thromboembolic disease compared to historical cohorts; however, this is an uncontrolled study in relatively low-risk APS patients.

Trial registration

The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02116036, April 16, 2014.
Fractures of implant fixtures: a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Yu Han-Chang , Kim Young-Kyun
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that may affect implant fixture fractures.

Methods

Patients who experienced implant fixture removal at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2007 to 2015 due to implant fixture fracture were included. Implant/crown ratio, time of implant fracture, clinical symptoms before implant fracture, treatment of fractured implants, and the success and survival rate of the replaced implants were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Thirteen implants were fractured in 12 patients. Patient mean age at the time of fracture was 59.3 years. Of the 13 implants, 7 implants were placed at our hospital, and 6 were placed at a local clinic. The mean crown/implant ratio was 0.83:1. The clinical symptoms before fracture were screw loosening in five implants, marginal bone loss in five implants, and the presence of peri-implant diseases in five implants. All the fractured implants were removed, and 12 out of the 13 sites were re-implanted. Parafunctions were observed in two patients: one with bruxism and one with attrition due to a strong chewing habit.

Conclusions

Several clinical symptoms before the fracture of an implant can predict implant fixture failure. Therefore, if these clinical symptoms are observed, appropriate treatments can be taken before more serious complications result.
Compositional characteristics and oxidative stability of chia seed oil (Salvia hispanica L)
Authors: Abad Abrehem , Shahidi Fereidoon
Published: April 2020

Fatty acid composition and triacylglycerols (TAG) profile of chia seed oil were determined. The main fatty acids present in the tested oil were α-linolenic acid (Ln, 61.1%) > linoleic acid (L, 16.6%) > palmitic acid (P, 6.7%) > oleic acid (O, 6.0%) > stearic acid (S, 3.2%). Five major triacylglycerols in chia oil were LnLnLn, LnLLn, LnLnP, LnOLn, and LLLn and these contributed more than 76% to the total. The oxidative stability under autoxidative and photooxidative conditions before and after the removal of their minor components was also determined. In addition, tocols, chlorophylls and carotenoids were measured in the oil. Oil samples were stripped of their minor components by using a facile silicic acid and charcoal in one pot rather than in a column. Storage under Schaal oven condition and photooxidation were also monitored for both crude oil (non-stripped) and stripped oil using stationary phase material. Total tocopherol contents were in the order of β−/γ- 282.68, δ- 47.44, and α-tocopherols 10.94 mg/kg of oil. Stripping removed all the minor components including tocopherols, chlorophylls and carotenoids. Oxidative stability of the tested seed oil was primarily affected by its composition of fatty acids, triacylglycerols, minor components, and storage conditions.

Graphical abstract
Role of Endocannabinoids in Energy-Balance Regulation in Participants in the Postobese State—a PREVIEW Study
Authors: Drummen Mathijs , Tischmann Lea , Gatta-Cherifi Blandine , Cota Daniela , Matias Isabelle , Raben Anne , Adam Tanja , Westerterp-Plantenga Margriet
Published: April 2020

Context

Endocannabinoids are suggested to play a role in energy balance regulation.

Objective

We aimed to investigate associations of endocannabinoid concentrations during the day with energy balance and adiposity and interactions with 2 diets differing in protein content in participants in the postobese phase with prediabetes.

Design and Participants

Participants (n = 38) were individually fed in energy balance with a medium protein (MP: 15:55:30% of energy from protein:carbohydrate:fat) or high-protein diet (HP: 25:45:30% energy from P:C:F) for 48 hours in a respiration chamber.

Main Outcome Measures

Associations between energy balance, energy expenditure, respiratory quotient, and endocannabinoid concentrations during the day were assessed.

Results

Plasma-concentrations of anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), palmitoyethanolamide (PEA), and pregnenolone (PREG) significantly decreased during the day. This decrease was inversely related to body mass index (AEA) or body fat (%) (PEA; OEA). The lowest RQ value, before lunch, was inversely associated with concentrations of AEA and PEA before lunch. Area under the curve (AUC) of concentrations of AEA, 2-AG, PEA, and OEA were positively related to body fat% (P < .05).

The HP and MP groups showed no differences in concentrations of AEA, OEA, PEA, and PREG, but the AUC of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was significantly higher in the HP vs the MP group.

Conclusions

In energy balance, only the endocannabinoid 2-AG changed in relation to protein level of the diet, whereas the endocannabinoid AEA and endocannabinoid-related compounds OEA and PEA reflected the gradual energy intake matching energy expenditure during the day.
Hypocalcemia After Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy in a Pregnant Woman
Authors: Lebrun Benjamin , De Block Christophe , Jacquemyn Yves
Published: April 2020

Hypoparathyroidism during pregnancy is a very rare endocrine disorder. The majority of cases are postsurgical (75%). Managing pregnant or nursing women with hypoparathyroidism is challenging due to complications arising from either under- or overtreatment, including premature delivery or fetal death, abortion, stillbirth, perinatal death, and neonatal tetany. Specific adaptations are needed within each time period to meet the fetal, neonatal, and maternal calcium requirements. A systematic search was performed on PubMed using the search terms “pregnancy” and “hypoparathyroidism.” Included were articles published in English between January 1, 1966, and January 1, 2018. We provide an overview of all published cases (n = 43) of hypoparathyroidism in pregnancy, including a case report of a 29-year-old pregnant woman who underwent a total thyroidectomy before her current pregnancy because of a therapy-resistantant Graves’ disease. The procedure was complicated by postsurgical hypoparathyroidism. She carried out the pregnancy to term with minor complaints of paresthesia and muscle cramps. Furthermore, we discuss treatment, complications, and follow-up of hypoparathyroidism in pregnancy. Treatment of hypoparathyroidism in pregnancy should still be individualized, depending on the patient’s complaints and serum levels of calcium, which should be maintained in the lower normal range of 2.15 to 2.55 mmol/l, according to the literature. We recommend monitoring calcium levels every 3 to 4 weeks throughout the pregnancy, within 1 week postpartum, and monthly during lactation to ensure normocalcemia.
Battle Buddies: Rapid Deployment of a Psychological Resilience Intervention for Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Albott Cristina Sophia , Wozniak Jeffrey R. , McGlinch Brian P. , Wall Michael H. , Gold Barbara S. , Vinogradov Sophia
Published: April 2020

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its rapid global spread have created unprecedented challenges to health care systems. Significant and sustained efforts have focused on mobilization of personal protective equipment, intensive care beds, and medical equipment, while substantially less attention has focused on preserving the psychological health of the medical workforce tasked with addressing the challenges of the pandemic. And yet, similar to battlefield conditions, health care workers are being confronted with ongoing uncertainty about resources, capacities, and risks; as well as exposure to suffering, death, and threats to their own safety. These conditions are engendering high levels of fear and anxiety in the short term, and place individuals at risk for persistent stress exposure syndromes, subclinical mental health symptoms, and professional burnout in the long term. Given the potentially wide-ranging mental health impact of COVID-19, protecting health care workers from adverse psychological effects of the pandemic is critical. Therefore, we present an overview of the potential psychological stress responses to the COVID-19 crisis in medical providers and describe preemptive resilience-promoting strategies at the organizational and personal level. We then describe a rapidly deployable Psychological Resilience Intervention founded on a peer support model (Battle Buddies) developed by the United States Army. This intervention—the product of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the Departments of Anesthesiology and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical Center—also incorporates evidence-informed “stress inoculation” methods developed for managing psychological stress exposure in providers deployed to disasters. Our multilevel, resource-efficient, and scalable approach places 2 key tools directly in the hands of providers: (1) a peer support Battle Buddy; and (2) a designated mental health consultant who can facilitate training in stress inoculation methods, provide additional support, or coordinate referral for external professional consultation. In parallel, we have instituted a voluntary research data-collection component that will enable us to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness while also identifying the most salient resilience factors for future iterations. It is our hope that these elements will provide guidance to other organizations seeking to protect the well-being of their medical workforce during the pandemic. Given the remarkable adaptability of human beings, we believe that, by promoting resilience, our diverse health care workforce can emerge from this monumental challenge with new skills, closer relationships, and greater confidence in the power of community.
18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings in a patient with bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Pan Bo , Wang Shicun , Chen Zongke , Zou Guichang
Published: April 2020

Adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) is a rare bilateral adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent nodular adrenal hyperplastic disease. Most patients with AIMAH are usually asymptomatic and only a small percentage present with subclinical or apparent Cushing’s syndrome caused by excessive corticosteroid secretion. Herein, we reported the case of a 51-year-old female with bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with mild fluorodeoxyglucose uptake based on PET/CT imaging findings. Her symptoms resolved after surgical resection of the right adrenal gland.
Outcome of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy children: Antibiotic stewardship in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections
Authors: Khan Ejaz Ahmed , Raja Mazhar Hussain , Chaudhry Shehla , Zahra Tehreem , Naeem Salman , Anwar Masuma
Published: April 2020

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the outcome of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in healthy children.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 314 children aged 3-36 months in the paediatric outpatient clinic and emergency department with symptoms of URTI (fever, cough, rhinorrhoea) for ≤5 days. Patient’s demographics, clinical features, laboratory data and outcome were recorded. Follow up phone calls were made to parents on day 7 (response 93.6%) and day 14 (response 94.6%) to record outcome.

Results: A total of 314 children with URTIs were included. Majority (57.6%) were males and <1year of age (40%). Common manifestations of URTI were fever (89%), cough (79%), rhinorrhoea (62%), pharyngitis (79%) and conjunctivitis (46%). More than half (53%) had history of contact with URTI in a family member. Mean duration of symptoms was 2.7±1.3 days. Majority (93%) of children were given supportive treatment and only 6.7% received antibiotics initially. Most of children (76%) recovered within one week and 91.8% within two weeks with supportive care only. Only 4% children were hospitalized and 12% required follow up visit of which 16% needed oral antibiotics. Complications or deaths did not occur.

Conclusions: Majority of URTIs in healthy children resolved with supportive treatment and do not require antibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship in simple URTIs should be practiced using awareness and advocacy campaigns.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1420

How to cite this:Khan EA, Raja MH, Chaudhry S, Zahra T, Naeem S, Anwar M. Outcome of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy children: Antibiotic stewardship in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):642-646.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1420

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Recent advances in understanding and managing hepatic encephalopathy in chronic liver disease
Authors: Kerbert Annarein J. C. , Jalan Rajiv
Published: April 2020

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common, severe complication of advanced chronic liver disease (CLD) and has a devastating impact on the patient’s quality of life and prognosis. The neurotoxin ammonia and the presence of systemic and neurological inflammation are considered the key drivers of this neuropsychiatric syndrome. Treatment options available in routine clinical practice are limited, and the development of novel therapies is hampered owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of HE. This review article aims to outline the current understanding of the pathomechanisms of HE and the recent advances in the identification and development of novel therapeutic targets.
Volunteer activity as a means of instilling fire safety skills to preschool children
Authors: Sidorkin Vladimir , Chistyakova Anna , Volodchenkova Vera , Chistyakov Andrey , Volodchenkov Roman
Published: April 2020

The number of fires caused by children remains quite high. The constant employment of adults, a high pace of life, and other factors adversely affect the development of skills for safe behavior of children. In the preschool period, the foundation is laid for a conscious and responsible attitude to personal security issues. In order to improve the training of preschool children in fire safety rules and their effective socialization, the active use of volunteer labor is proposed. Volunteers are professional workers, parents, schoolchildren, and students. They can teach children how to deal with fire and provide first aid, which is necessary to save their own lives. When organizing and conducting classes with children, volunteers must take into account their psychological, age, physiological and physical characteristics. Volunteers need special training in the field of fire safety, knowledge of methods and methods for conducting classes with children. Activities such as reading fiction, games, sports, talking, situational game tasks, will allow the child to put the acquired knowledge and skills into practice. The ongoing targeted training of volunteers for working with children will contribute to the effective formation of a system of safe behavior among preschool children.
Personal and professional modeling of operational and service functioning of employees of operational divisions of internal affairs bodies
Authors: Vahnina Viktoriya , Naumova Svetlana
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the problem of personal-professional modeling of the operational and official functioning of employees of operational units of the internal affairs bodies. A model of personal and professional suitability of employees of the units to ensure the safety of persons subject to state protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is proposed, taking into account the specific characteristics of the activity and features of the region. Conceptual and theoretical modeling within the framework of personal-professional diagnostics and professional selection involves building a holistic concept of psychological diagnostics and its theoretical justification, which allows to improve the quality and efficiency of operational-service functioning. In the article, modeling is understood as a systematization of the psychological characteristics of the activities of police officers in certain typical professional situations, which allows you to create a generalized professiogram of the specialist’s activity, which is used in professional psychological selection, staff selection, and in the process of professional and psychological preparation. The object of the study is the operational and official functioning of employees of operational units. The subject of the research is the model of personal and professional suitability of employees of the operational investigative unit to ensure the safety of persons subject to state protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The hypothesis of the study: the model of personal and professional suitability of an employee of the unit for ensuring the safety of persons subject to state protection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), taking into account the specific characteristics of the activity, can improve the quality of their operational and official functioning.

The professiographic analysis made it possible to single out the basic structural elements of the personality-professional profile. The following groups of professionally important qualities are attributed to these elements: verbal thinking, emotional-volitional, communicative-organizational, moral and ethical, business qualities, as well as such a characteristic as physiological reserves of the body.
Features of intellectual and personal potential of students at the academy of the Federal penitentiary service of Russia
Authors: Koval'chuk Il'ya , Kostina Lyubov'
Published: April 2020

The article presents the results of an empirical examination of the intellectual and personal potential of cadets studying at the Academy of the Federal penitentiary service of Russia. The study involved 275 cadets of various specializations during the initial professional training at the Academy's training center. 75 of them are cadets of specialty "Operatively-search activity"; 100 persons are cadets of specialization "Organization mode of correctional system establishments "; 50 persons are cadets of specialty "Penitentiary psychology"; 50 persons are cadets of "Logistics in correctional system establishments ". The correlation of indicators of intellectual and personal potential of cadets Of the Academy of the Federal penitentiary service of Russia with socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the chosen specialization is established. The role of psychologists of the Federal penitentiary service of Russia in improving the intellectual and personal potential of cadets, as well as working with teachers and course officers is outlined.
Performance of Mulching and Fertigation on Nutrient Uptake and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench) for Seed Production
Authors: Nagegowda N. S. , Hebbar S. Shankar , Shilpashree V.M.
Published: April 2020

Application of water soluble fertilizer @ T4-150:75:150 NPK kg/ha through fertigation either with mulch (14.05q/ha) or non-mulch (11.83q/ha) recorded significantly higher seed yield than fertilization through soil application (9.92 q/ha). The increased seed yield of 16.91 and 10.14 per cent was noticed in fertigation with mulch or without mulch treatment over soil application, respectively. NPK fertigation @150:75:150kg per ha with mulch (T4) resulted in higher NPK uptake in stem (63.49, 14.12&121.42 kg/ha), leaves (117.65 19.42&122.43 kg/ha) and in fruits (146.79 28.05&162.66 kg/ha), respectively than the fertilizer applied through soil at harvest. Maximum fertilizer use efficiency and water use efficiency were recorded in the treatment with integrated application of fertigation and mulch.
Impact of Cluster Promotion Programme on Socio-Economic Aspects on Women Sericulture farmers in Karnataka, India
Authors: Geetha G.S. , Dasari Joyce Rani , Saha Amit
Published: April 2020

This study was based on the primary household data collected to determine the impact of Cluster Promotion Programme (CPP) introduced to augment the production of bivoltine silk in India by Central Silk Board in coordination with state sericulture departments. Many technological interventions were made at individual and at community levels to increase the knowledge and adoption of new sericulture technologies. Studies in ten clusters attempted to address the impact of scheme on knowledge and adoption of new technologies and also on socio economic status of women sericulture farmers in Karnataka. Paired t-test was used to find out the impact of CPP on the beneficiaries before and after adopting the technological intervention. The findings this study indicated that the implementation of CPP has led to increased mulberry leaf production, dfls consumption, cocoon yield, cocoon price and income. Similarly, they found to have greater access to extension personnel (50.64%), extension communication activities (53.95%) and training (40%). Access to community intervention increased from 20 to 33%, credit increased to tune of 48.53% and self help group by 78.57%. Thus, implementation of CPP had increased knowledge and adoption of new technologies as well as socio economic status of women farmers. It may also be stated that the scheme was brought in a paradigm shift in the silkworm rearing in rural Karnataka. The sustained Bivoltine Silk Production depends to a large extent on transfer of new technologies at individual and community levels in a project mode with extensive planning and execution with greater involvement of the farmers in general and women farmers in particular in all stages.
Changes in Physicochemical and Bioactive Profile of Garlic Pulp by High Voltage Electric Field
Authors: Poojitha P , Athmaselvi K.A.
Published: April 2020

Ohmic heating is an unconventional rapid sterilizing technique for complex food fluids. In this study, garlic pulp was ohmic heated at 13.33, 20 and 26.66 V/cm and also in conventional means. The effect of high voltage electric field-induced ohmic heating for increasing the shelf-life and maintaining the quality of garlic pulp was investigated. The physicochemical properties like pH and colour were determined and microbial growth study was carried out for both the ohmic heated and conventionally heated garlic pulp throughout the storage period. During storage, the physiochemical changes were at a rapid rate in conventionally heated garlic pulp when compared with the ohmic heated pulp. Garlic pulp ohmic heated at high voltage gradient (26.66 V/cm) could extend the storage period upto 60 days without adding preservatives. Bioactive compounds were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography and found to have 8.83 µg/mL, 30.28 µg/mL, 9.04 µg/mL of alliin, pyruvic acid and diallyl disulphide content, respectively in garlic pulp ohmic heated at high voltage gradient. Whereas, in conventional heating, alliin, pyruvic acid and diallyl disulphide are found to be 4.71 µg/mL, 22.97 µg/mL, 4.64 µg/mL, respectively
Bioplastics for Sustainable Development: General Scenario in India
Authors: Sinan Mominul
Published: April 2020

Plastic is a major environmental pollutant in the environment. The petroleum derived plastics are mostly non biodegradable and take long time to break down. Thus ecosystem is getting affected by this pollution. So the approach to produce plastic using microbes is a novel approach. Bio-plastics are generally bio-based, they may be or may not be biodegradable but their properties are closed to synthetic polymers. In biodegradation process micro-organisms convert plastics into water, carbon dioxide, and compost. Bioplastics are generally prepared from biomass such as polysaccharides, starch, lipids, proteins, cellulose etc. These biodegradable polymers can be used in various fields like agriculture, automotives, medicine, controlled drug release and packaging etc. That means bio-plastic is eco-friendly.

Scientists around the world working for the progressive development searching for substitute of fossil fuel derived plastic for sustainable development of the future environment. They are exploring the possibility of using different waste materials to produce the bio-based polymers.

India has a potential in the development of bioplastic market. Environmental awareness programs, easy availability of feedstock and government backing are boosting the bioplastic market. New products are coming in the market with the help of homemade technology.
Solar Light Induced Photocatalysis for Treatment of High COD Pharmaceutical Effluent with Recyclable Ag-Fe Codoped TiO2: Kinetics of COD Removal
Authors: Bhatti Darshana Tushar , Parikh Sachin Prakashbhai ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, VVP Engineering College affiliated to Gujarat Technological University, Rajkot, Gujarat India,   Department of Chemical Engineering, L.D. College of Engineering affiliated to Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat India
Published: April 2020

A wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is found in various water streams. These synthetic non-biodegradable organics create trouble in conventional wastewater treatment due to toxicity. There is a strong need to develop substitute technology such as visible light driven photocatalysis with a reusable photocatalyst to completely oxidize these substances into carbon dioxide and water. Sol-gel method was used for synthesis of Fe doped TiO2 and Ag-Fe codoped TiO2 nanoparticles with 0.5 wt% Fe and Ti/Ag molar ratio 30 (Ag-Fe CT 30). The morphology and structure of nanoparticles were studied using various analytical techniques. Ag-Fe CT 30 photocatalyst has exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity compared to commercial TiO2, undoped TiO2 and Fe doped TiO2 nanophotocatalysts under solar and UV irradiation for removal of an antifungal drug intermediate, Difloro triazole acetophenone (DFTA) from water. COD reduction efficiency was highest with Ag-Fe CT 30 under solar and UV irradiation proves the potential of Ag-Fe CT 30 photocatalyst to absorb both UV as well as visible radiations. Ag-Fe CT 30 has shown good stability for 4 runs without much decline in the efficacy. This study provides insights on the solar application of a reusable Ag-Fe CT 30 photocatalyst for the treatment of high strength COD wastewater. Kinetics of COD reduction by photocatalysis has been determined.
Transoral robotic surgery for the benefit of patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary: our experience at St George’s University Hospital, London
Authors: Mistry R , Walker A , Kim D , Ofo E
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary represents 1–5% of all head and neck cancers and presents a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. In approximately 40% of cases, a primary tumour location remains unknown despite investigation. With advancements in our understanding of the role of high-risk human papilloma virus in head and neck cancer, transoral robotic surgery presents an option for diagnosis and therapy.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective case series from a single centre. Case notes were reviewed for 28 patients who had transoral robotic surgery for head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary between May 2015 and July 2019.

Results

Transoral robotic surgery identified an oropharyngeal primary tumour in 19 of 28 (67.8%) patients. All oropharyngeal primaries were p16 positive. The base of tongue identification rate was 63.2%. Median length of inpatient stay postoperatively was 1.0 day. Normal oral intake resumed within 48 hours in 96% (27/28) of patients. Three patients (10.3%) suffered minor postoperative bleeds that were all managed conservatively.

Discussion

The base of tongue primary identification rate (63.2%) in this series is consistent with that previously reported (43–63%; 95% confidence interval). Primary tumour identification rate if a patient is p16 positive is 86.3% (19/22), with 100% of these being oropharyngeal. We suggest future investigation into p16 status as a means of stratifying patients with head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary for transoral robotic surgery.

Conclusion

Transoral robotic base of tongue mucosectomy (or lingual tonsillectomy) is a promising technique that offers a high yield of positive identification for the primary tumour. It is well tolerated with minimal associated morbidity. Our findings are comparable with those in the current literature.
Co-experience, co-production and co-governance: an ecosystem approach to the analysis of value creation
Authors: Strokosch Kirsty , Osborne Stephen P.
Published: April 2020

This conceptual article explores the interplay between the participation of service users and third sector organisations and the related implications for value creation. It draws on public service logic, which uses value as a lens through which to view public service delivery and presents an ecosystem perspective to understand the interconnectivity and complexity of value creation. To illustrate the conceptual discussion, a contextual case study of the Scottish Social Security Agency and its services is presented. The analysis demonstrates that value creation is enabled and constrained by the congruence of goals among actors, the strategic direction and a participatory approach that combines ‘lived experience’ with expertise. The article adds to theory by understanding value creation from a systemic perspective, emphasising the interplay of participative processes and the wider societal context. For policy and practice, it suggests a change in how value is articulated, promised, created and measured.
The Aguascalientes Longitudinal Study of Child Development: baseline and first results
Authors: Miranda Alfonso , González Osiel Dávila , Aguilar-Rodriguez Adriana , Antonio A. Aréchar , Zizumbo-Colunga Daniel , Rodríguez-Martínez Yahaira , Sainz-Santamaría Jaime
Published: April 2020

This paper introduces the readership to the Aguascalientes Longitudinal Study of Child Development (EDNA) and presents the first descriptive results. EDNA is a prospective, multi-thematic, and multidisciplinary longitudinal study of the cohort of children that began first grade in August 2016 in the public schools of the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico. The sample contains a group of 1,000 pupils from 100 public schools who are representative of the study population. Recontact is planned to occur every two years for at least three waves. The baseline survey was conducted between 2017 and 2018. The study consists of an interview with the primary carer of the randomly chosen pupil, an interview with the pupil at school and an interview with the pupil’s teacher at the premises of the Institute of Education of Aguascalientes. EDNA aims to identify and contribute to solving the problems faced by Mexican children to achieve healthy physical and intellectual development on their way to adult life.
Engaging parents in community-based support to develop co-parental relationships that positively impact on their children: a voluntary sector perspective
Authors: Cramphorn Katie
Published: April 2020

The importance of community engagement as part of a strategy to reduce conflict between children’s parents is becoming increasingly recognised by central government. This paper presents the experiences of volunteers and voluntary sector staff delivering a community-based relationship support initiative. Findings and recommendations reflect that extensive work is required to manage expectations in community-based initiatives and that cultural resistance and environmental barriers pose a challenge to engaging parents in community-based support.
Study on defect-induced damage behaviors of ADP crystals by 355 nm pulsed laser
Authors: Lian Yafei , Cai Dongting , Sui Tingting , Xu Mingxia , Zhao Yuan’an , Sun Xun , Shao Jianda
Published: April 2020

High-quality ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4, ADP) crystals were grown in Z direction and in defined crystallographic direction (θ=90°, φ=45°) by the rapid growth method, respectively. Defect-induced damage behavior in 355 nm of three types of ADP samples cutting in type-II matching and third harmonic generation direction from the as-grown crystals were investigated, including the initial laser induced damage (LID) characteristics and the physical and chemical properties of defects which serve as the damage precursors. The evaluations of damage behaviors include the “sampling” laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) by 1-on-1 and R-on-1 methods, bulk damage growth and bulk damage morphology. UV-visible transmittance spectrum, ultraviolet absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, positron annihilation spectrum and the online light scattering measurements were carried out to investigate the defect-induced damage behavior in ADP crystals. The study will provide a reference for the investigations on laser induced damage properties of ADP crystals in short wavelength.