bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the use of pulse oximetry in COVID-19 disease
Authors: Silverston Paul
Published: August 2021

The pandemic has led to an increase in the use of pulse oximetry to assess and manage patients with COVID-19 disease. Paul Silverston explains the principles of pulse oximetry and the factors that can affect the reliability and accuracy of readings

Pulse oximetry is performed to detect and quantify the degree of hypoxia in patients with respiratory symptoms and illnesses, including patients with COVID-19 disease. Pulse oximeters are non-invasive, simple to use and inexpensive, but it is important to know how to interpret the readings in the context of the patient's symptoms and the other clinical findings. In COVID-19 disease, very small differences in the oxygen saturation reading result in significant differences in the way that the patient is managed, so it is important to be aware of the factors that can affect these readings. It is also important to appreciate that a low reading in a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 disease may be the result of another disease process.
Violence in primary care: a growing problem?
Authors: Winter George
Published: August 2021

Violence towards health professionals is on the rise. George Winter looks at this growing problem and what can be done to stop it
Improving health outcomes for people with learning disabilities
Authors: Nickalls Kelly
Published: August 2021

People with learning disabilities should have an annual health check. Kelly Nickalls looks at how a team in Kent have improved uptake in their patients
RESEARCH ROUNDUP
Authors: Winter George
Published: August 2021

George Winter provides an overview of recently published articles that are of interest to practice nurses. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided.
Essential skills for using research evidence in public health policy: a systematic review
Authors: Ziam Saliha , Gignac Pierre , Courant Élodie , Mc Sween-Cadieux Esther
Published: August 2021

Background:

Decisions related to the development and implementation of public health programmes or policies can benefit from more effective use of the best available knowledge. However, decision makers do not always feel sufficiently equipped or may lack the capacity to use evidence. This can lead them to overlook or set aside research results that could be relevant to their practice area.

Aims and objectives:

The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise the essential skills that facilitate the use of research evidence by public health decision makers.

Methods:

Thirty-nine articles that met our inclusion criteria were included. An inductive approach was used to extract data on evidence-informed decision-making-related skills and data were synthesised as a narrative review.

Findings:

The analysis revealed three categories of skills that are essential for evidence-informed decision-making process: interpersonal, cognitive, and leadership and influencing skills. Such cross-sectoral skills are essential for identifying, obtaining, synthesising, and integrating sound research results into the decision-making process.

Discussion and conclusions:

The results of this systematic review will help direct capacity-building efforts towards enhancing research evidence use by public health decision makers, such as developing different types of training that would be relevant to their needs. Also, when considering the evidence-informed decision-making skills development, there are several useful and complementary approaches to link research most effectively to action. On one hand, it is important not only to support decision makers at the individual level through skills development, but also to provide them with a day-to-day environment that is conducive to evidence use.
Longitudinal and transverse PAFs for an absorptive magneto-dielectric circular cylinder in light-sheets of arbitrary wavefronts and polarization
Authors: Mitri F. G.
Published: August 2021

Based upon the expression of the heat source function in photophoresis, generalized mathematical expressions for the longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) photophoretic asymmetry factors (PAFs) for a light-absorptive magneto-dielectric circular cylinder of arbitrary relative permittivity and permeability, illuminated by an arbitrarily shaped polarized light-sheet, are derived and computed. The L- and T-PAFs are directly proportional to the L and T components of the photophoretic force vector, respectively, induced by light absorption inside the particle, and their sign predicts the behavior of the force (pulling/attractive or pushing/repulsive). The partial-wave series expansion method in cylindrical coordinates is used, and the obtained mathematical expressions for the L- and T-PAFs depend on the beam-shape coefficients and the internal coefficients of the cylinder. Numerical examples illustrate the theory for TE and TM polarized plane waves, and nonparaxial Airy light-sheets with particular emphasis on absorption inside the cylinder and varying the Airy light-sheet parameters. The generalized expressions presented here are applicable to any light-sheet of an arbitrary wavefront, and offer additional quantitative observables for the analysis of the photophoretic force in applications in electromagnetic scattering, optical light-sheet tweezers, particle manipulation, radiative transfer, and other research fields.
Expansion tomography for large volume tissue imaging with nanoscale resolution
Authors: Chen Ruixi , Cheng Xiaofeng , Zhang Yongsheng , Yang Xiong , Wang Yu , Liu Xiuli , Zeng Shaoqun
Published: August 2021

Expansion microscopy enables conventional diffraction limit microscopy to achieve super-resolution imaging. However, the enlarged tissue lacks an objective lens with sufficient working distance that can image tissues with whole-brain-scale coverage. Here, we present expansion tomography (ExT) to solve this problem. We have established a modified super-absorbent hydrogel (ExT gel) that possesses high mechanical strength and enables serial sectioning. ExT gel enables tissue and cell imaging and is compatible with various fluorescent labeling strategies. Combining with the high-throughput light-sheet tomography (HLTP) system, we have shown the capability of large volume imaging with nanoscale resolution of mouse brain intact neuronal circuits. The ExT method would allow image samples to support super-resolution imaging of intact tissues with virtually unlimited axial extensions.
The changing epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Southeastern China during 1963–2020: A retrospective analysis of surveillance data
Authors: Zhang Rong , Mao Zhiyuan , Yang Jun , Liu Shelan , Liu Ying , Qin Shuwen , Tian Huaiyu , Guo Song , Ren Jiangping , Shi Xuguang , Li Xuan , Sun Jimin , Ling Feng , Wang Zhen
Published: August 2021

Background

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a rodent-borne disease caused by hantavirus which was endemic Zhejiang Province, China. In this study, we aim to explore the changing epidemiology of HFRS in Zhejiang, identify high-risk areas and populations, and evaluate relevant policies and interventions to better improve HFRS control and prevention.

Methods

Surveillance data on HFRS during 1963–2020 in Zhejiang Province were extracted from Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention archives and the Chinese Notifiable Disease Reporting System. The changing epidemiological characteristics of HFRS including seasonal distribution, geographical distribution, and demographic features, were analyzed using joinpoint regression, autoregressive integrated moving average model, descriptive statistical methods, and Spatio-temporal cluster analysis.

Results

From 1963 to 2020, 114 071 HFRS cases and 1269 deaths were reported in Zhejiang Province. The incidence increased sharply from 1973 and peaked in 1986, then decreased steadily and maintained a stable incidence from 2004. HFRS cases were reported in all 11 prefecture-level cities of Zhejiang Province from 1963 to 2020. The joint region (Shengzhou, Xinchang, Tiantai, and surrounding areas), and Kaihua County are the most seriously affected regions throughout time. After 1990, the first HFRS incidence peak was in May-June, with another one from November to January. Most HFRS cases occurred in 21- (26.48%) and 30- years group (24.25%) from 1991 to 2004, but 41- (25.75%) and 51-years (23.30%) had the highest proportion from 2005 to 2020. Farmers accounted for most cases (78.10%), and cases are predominantly males with a male-to-female ratio of 2.6:1. It was found that the median time from onset to diagnosis was 6.5 days (IQR 3.75–10.42), and the time from diagnosis to disease report was significantly shortened after 2011.

Conclusions

We observed dynamic changes in the seasonal distribution, geographical distribution, and demographic features of HFRS, which should be well considered in the development of control and prevention strategies in future. Additional researches are warranted to elucidate the environmental, meteorological, and social factors associated with HFRS incidence in different decades.
Approaching precision public health by automated syndromic surveillance in communities
Authors: Chan Ta-Chien , Tang Jia-Hong , Hsieh Cheng-Yu , Chen Kevin J. , Yu Tsan-Hua , Tsai Yu-Ting
Published: August 2021

Background

Sentinel physician surveillance in communities has played an important role in detecting early signs of epidemics. The traditional approach is to let the primary care physician voluntarily and actively report diseases to the health department on a weekly basis. However, this is labor-intensive work, and the spatio-temporal resolution of the surveillance data is not precise at all. In this study, we built up a clinic-based enhanced sentinel surveillance system named “Sentinel plus” which was designed for sentinel clinics and community hospitals to monitor 23 kinds of syndromic groups in Taipei City, Taiwan. The definitions of those syndromic groups were based on ICD-10 diagnoses from physicians.

Methods

Daily ICD-10 counts of two syndromic groups including ILI and EV-like syndromes in Taipei City were extracted from Sentinel plus. A negative binomial regression model was used to couple with lag structure functions to examine the short-term association between ICD counts and meteorological variables. After fitting the negative binomial regression model, residuals were further rescaled to Pearson residuals. We then monitored these daily standardized Pearson residuals for any aberrations from July 2018 to October 2019.

Results

The results showed that daily average temperature was significantly negatively associated with numbers of ILI syndromes. The ozone and PM2.5 concentrations were significantly positively associated with ILI syndromes. In addition, daily minimum temperature, and the ozone and PM2.5 concentrations were significantly negatively associated with the EV-like syndromes. The aberrational signals detected from clinics for ILI and EV-like syndromes were earlier than the epidemic period based on outpatient surveillance defined by the Taiwan CDC.

Conclusions

This system not only provides warning signals to the local health department for managing the risks but also reminds medical practitioners to be vigilant toward susceptible patients. The near real-time surveillance can help decision makers evaluate their policy on a timely basis.
A novel feature selection algorithm based on damping oscillation theory
Authors: Wang Fujun , Wang Xing
Published: August 2021

Feature selection is an important task in big data analysis and information retrieval processing. It reduces the number of features by removing noise, extraneous data. In this paper, one feature subset selection algorithm based on damping oscillation theory and support vector machine classifier is proposed. This algorithm is called the Maximum Kendall coefficient Maximum Euclidean Distance Improved Gray Wolf Optimization algorithm (MKMDIGWO). In MKMDIGWO, first, a filter model based on Kendall coefficient and Euclidean distance is proposed, which is used to measure the correlation and redundancy of the candidate feature subset. Second, the wrapper model is an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm, in which its position update formula has been improved in order to achieve optimal results. Third, the filter model and the wrapper model are dynamically adjusted by the damping oscillation theory to achieve the effect of finding an optimal feature subset. Therefore, MKMDIGWO achieves both the efficiency of the filter model and the high precision of the wrapper model. Experimental results on five UCI public data sets and two microarray data sets have demonstrated the higher classification accuracy of the MKMDIGWO algorithm than that of other four state-of-the-art algorithms. The maximum ACC value of the MKMDIGWO algorithm is at least 0.5% higher than other algorithms on 10 data sets.
Why do patients struggle with their medicines?—A phenomenological hermeneutical study of how patients experience medicines in their everyday lives
Authors: Fuller Joanne M. , Barenfeld Emmelie , Ekman Inger
Published: August 2021

Why do so many people struggle with their medicines despite decades of research on medicines taking? Research into how people experience medicines in their everyday life remains scarce with the majority of research in this area of focusing on whether or not people take their medicines as prescribed. Hence, this study used a phenomenological hermeneutical qualitative design to gain a deeper understanding of individuals’ perspectives on the lived experience of medicine-taking. Findings from this study highlight five main themes where participants experience medicines as: 1) life-saving and indispensable, 2) normal and a daily routine, 3) confusing and concerning, 4) unsuitable without adjustment, and 5) intrusive and unwelcome. These results can be the basis for mutually agreed prescribing through a co-creative approach that aims at enhancing open and honest dialogues between patients and healthcare professionals in partnership about medicines.
Compassionate goals predict COVID-19 health behaviors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Ospina Juan , Jiang Tao , Hoying Kennedy , Crocker Jennifer , Ballinger Taylor
Published: August 2021

We predicted that people with compassionate goals to support others and not harm them practiced more COVID-19 health behaviors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to protect both themselves and others from infection. Three studies (N = 1,143 American adults) supported these predictions and ruled out several alternative explanations. Compassionate goals unrelated to the health context predicted COVID-19 health behaviors better than the general motivation to be healthy (Studies 2 and 3). In contrast, general health motivation predicted general health behaviors better than did compassionate goals. Compassionate goals and political ideology each explained unique variance in COVID-19 health behaviors (Studies 1–3). Compassionate goals predict unique variance in COVID-19 health behaviors beyond empathic concern, communal orientation, and relational self-construal (Study 3), supporting the unique contribution of compassionate goals to understanding health behaviors. Our results suggest that ecosystem motivation is an important predictor of health behaviors, particularly in the context of a highly contagious disease.
Connections between prolactin and ovarian cancer
Authors: Alkharusi Amira , AlMuslahi Abdullah , AlBalushi Najwa , AlAjmi Radiya , AlRawahi Sami , AlFarqani Asmaa , Norstedt Gunnar , Zadjali Fahad
Published: August 2021

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by a high morbidity and mortality, highlighting a great need for a better understanding of biological mechanisms that affect OC progression and improving its early detection methods. This study investigates effects of prolactin (PRL) on ovarian cancer cells, analyzes PRL receptors (PRLR) in tissue micro arrays and relates PRLR expression to survival of ovarian cancer. A database, composed of transcript profiles from OC, was searched for PRLR expression and results were put in relation to survival. Expression of PRLR in OC tissue sections and OC cell lines SKOV3, OV2008 and OVSAHO was assessed using immunohistochemistry, western blots and quantitative real-time PCR. The biological function of PRLR was evaluated by proliferation, colony formation and wound healing assays. Levels of PRLR mRNA are related to survival; in epithelial OC a high PRLR mRNA expression is related to a shorter survival. Analysis of a tissue micro array consisting of 84 OC showed that 72% were positive for PRLR immuno-staining. PRLR staining tended to be higher in OC of high grade tumors compared to lower grades. PRLR mRNA and protein can further be detected in OC cell lines. Moreover, in vitro treatment with PRL significantly activated the JAK/STAT pathway. PRLR expression is associated with OC survivals. PRL and its receptor may play an onco-modulatory role and promote tumor aggressiveness in OC. Alternatively, increased PRLR levels may form a base for the development of PRLR antagonist or PRLR antagonist-drug conjugate to increase selective uptake of anti-cancer drugs.
Prevalence of dermatological toxicities in patients with melanoma undergoing immunotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mineiro dos Santos Garrett Náthali Felícia , Carvalho da Costa Ana Cristina , Barros Ferreira Elaine , Damiani Giovanni , Diniz dos Reis Paula Elaine , Inocêncio Vasques Christiane
Published: August 2021

Background

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized advanced melanoma care; however, their cutaneous side effects have not been definitively elucidated.

Objective

To identify the prevalence of cutaneous toxicity in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy and/or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, which encompassed both clinical trials and observational studies describing the dermatological toxicities in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review under the number CRD42018091915. The searches were performed using the CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data

Results

A total of 9,802 articles were identified in the databases. The final sample comprised 39 studies. The evaluated drugs were ipilimumab, tremelimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab. The results suggest that the most prevalent side effect was grade 1 and 2 pruritus (24%), followed by grade 1 and 2 rash (21%) and grade 1 and 2 vitiligo (10%).

Conclusion

The most prevalent side effects in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors are pruritus, rash, and vitiligo, and they are rated mostly as grades 1 and 2 adverse events. Remarkably, vitiligo is most commonly found in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors.
Residual characteristics of etofenprox in the processing stages of rice cakes and cookies
Authors: Lee HyeSu , Im Moo-Hyeog
Published: August 2021

The changes in residual amounts of an insecticide (etofenprox) in processed rice cakes and cookies were investigated in this study. Test samples were sprayed with etofenprox during rice cultivation, and brown rice samples were dipped in a pesticide solution to investigate the effects of washing and processing. A multiresidue method for multiclass pesticides was employed for etofenprox analysis using a high-performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detector setup. Etofenprox was not detected in polished rice that was processed into rice cakes and cookies. The etofenprox residue levels were 2.13 mg/kg in each processing stage of brown rice products that were dipped in 400 mg/kg etofenprox solutions. The residual amounts of etofenprox in washed/polished rice and rice flour obtained by grinding were 1.25 and 0.77 mg/kg, respectively. The residual levels were 0.38 mg/kg in rice cakes prepared by cooking rice flour in a steamer for 20 min (a decrease of 82.1% compared to that in polished rice), 0.47 mg/kg in rice cookies baked in an oven for 20 min (a decrease of 78.0%), and 0.21 mg/kg in fried rice cookies (a decrease of 90.2%). Overall, the residual levels of etofenprox decreased in a range of 40–100% during the processing of rice cakes and cookies.
Facial femininity and perceptions of eating disorders: A reverse-correlation study
Authors: Douglas Valerie , Balas Benjamin , Gordon Kathryn
Published: August 2021

Eating disorders are prevalent in college students but college students are not accurate in identifying the presence of eating disorders (ED) especially when race is involved. Much has been researched about diagnostic ability in vignette form, but little outside of this. For example, it is not known how facial features, such as perceived femininity, may affect observers’ beliefs about the likelihood of disordered eating depending on race. In the present study, we examined how biases regarding facial appearance and disordered eating may differ depending on the race of face images. Using a technique called reverse correlation, we estimated the image templates associated with perceived likelihood of disordered eating using both White and Black Faces. Specifically, we recruited 28 college students who categorized White and Black faces according to perceived likelihood of an eating disorder diagnosis in the presence of image noise. Subsequently, we asked Amazon Mechanical Turk participants to categorize the resulting race-specific face templates according to perceived ED likelihood and femininity. The templates corresponding to a high likelihood of an ED diagnosis were distinguished from low-likelihood images by this second independent participant sample at above-chance levels. For Black faces, the templates corresponding to a high likelihood of an ED diagnosis were also selected as more feminine than low-likelihood templates at an above-chance level, whereas there was no such effect found for White faces. These results suggest that stereotyped beliefs about both femininity and the likelihood of disordered eating may interact with perceptual processes.
Efficacy of signal peptide predictors in identifying signal peptides in the experimental secretome of Picrophilous torridus, a thermoacidophilic archaeon
Authors: Singhal Neelja , Garg Anjali , Singh Nirpendra , Gulati Pallavi , Kumar Manish , Goel Manisha
Published: August 2021

Secretory proteins are important for microbial adaptation and survival in a particular environment. Till date, experimental secretomes have been reported for a few archaea. In this study, we have identified the experimental secretome of Picrophilous torridus and evaluated the efficacy of various signal peptide predictors (SPPs) in identifying signal peptides (SPs) in its experimental secretome. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometric (LC MS) analysis was performed for three independent P. torridus secretome samples and only those proteins which were common in the three experiments were selected for further analysis. Thus, 30 proteins were finally included in this study. Of these, 10 proteins were identified as hypothetical/uncharacterized proteins. Gene Ontology, KEGG and STRING analyses revealed that majority of the sercreted proteins and/or their interacting partners were involved in different metabolic pathways. Also, a few proteins like malate dehydrogenase (Q6L0C3) were multi-functional involved in different metabolic pathways like carbon metabolism, microbial metabolism in diverse environments, biosynthesis of antibiotics, etc. Multi-functionality of the secreted proteins reflects an important aspect of thermoacidophilic adaptation of P. torridus which has the smallest genome (1.5 Mbp) among nonparasitic aerobic microbes. SPPs like, PRED-SIGNAL, SignalP 5.0, PRED-TAT and LipoP 1.0 identified SPs in only a few secreted proteins. This suggests that either these SPPs were insufficient, or N-terminal SPs were absent in majority of the secreted proteins, or there might be alternative mechanisms of protein translocation in P. torridus.
Chemical and biological investigations of Limonium axillare reveal mechanistic evidence for its antidiabetic activity
Authors: Abdel-Sattar Essam , Shams Manal M. , Abd-Rabo Marwa M. , Mahmoud Nehad , Mahrous Engy A.
Published: August 2021

Root and bark of Limonium axillare (Forssk) Kuntze are used as antidiabetic remedies in parts of East Africa, but this activity has never been fully investigated. To validate its ethnobotanical use, we compared the chemical and pharmacological profiles of the ethanolic extracts of L. axillare root (REE) and aerial parts (AEE). Administration of REE (500 mg kg-1) reduced streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia by 44%, restored serum insulin levels, reestablished Glut2 and Glut4 expression and ameliorated pancreatic tissue damage in diabetic rats. In vitro studies revealed a strong radical scavenging effect, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition activity of REE at IC50 at 25.2, 44.8 and 89.1μg/mL, respectively. HPLC analysis identified ten phenolic compounds in REE with umbelliferone as the major constituents at 10 ± 0.081 mg/g of extract. Additionally, six compounds were isolated from REE including, β-sitosterol-3-palmitate, β-sitosterol, myricetin and gallic acids with two new tetrahydrofuran monoterpenes; 2-isopropyl- 3,4,4, trimethyl-tetrahydrofuran (3), and 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-3,4 dicarboxylic acid (4), the latter was revealed by molecular docking to be a good ligand to glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase a key enzyme in glycolysis.
Establishment of a cardiac telehealth program to support cardiovascular diagnosis and care in a remote, resource-poor setting in Uganda
Authors: DeWyer Alyssa , Scheel Amy , Kamarembo Jenipher , Akech Rose , Asiimwe Allan , Beaton Andrea , Bobson Bua , Canales Lesley , DeStigter Kristen , Kazi Dhruv S. , Kwan Gene F. , Longenecker Chris T. , Lwabi Peter , Murali Meghna , Ndagire Emma , Namuyonga Judith , Sarnacki Rachel , Ssinabulya Isaac , Okello Emmy , Aliku Twalib , Sable Craig
Published: August 2021

Introduction

To address workforce shortages and expand access to care, we developed a telemedicine program incorporating existing infrastructure for delivery of cardiovascular care in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Our study had three objectives: 1) assess feasibility and clinical impact 2) evaluate patient/parent satisfaction and 3) estimate costs.

Methods

All cardiology clinic visits during a two-year study period were included. All patients received an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram performed by a local nurse in Gulu which were stored and transmitted to the Uganda Heart Institute in the capital of Kampala for remote consultation by a cardiologist. Results were relayed to patients/families following cardiologist interpretation. The following telemedicine process was utilized: 1) clinical intake by nurse in Gulu; 2) ECG and echocardiography acquisition in Gulu; 3) echocardiography transmission to the Uganda Heart Institute in Kampala, Uganda; 4) remote telemedicine consultation by cardiologists in Kampala; and 5) communication of results to patients/families in Gulu. Clinical care and technical aspects were tracked. Diagnoses and recommendations were analyzed by age groups (0–5 years, 6–21 years, 22–50 years and > 50 years). A mixed methods approach involving interviews and surveys was used to assess patient satisfaction. Healthcare sector costs of telemedicine-based cardiovascular care were estimated using time-driven activity-based costing.

Results

Normal studies made up 47%, 55%, 76% and 45% of 1,324 patients in the four age groups from youngest to oldest. Valvular heart disease (predominantly rheumatic heart disease) was the most common diagnosis in the older three age groups. Medications were prescribed to 31%, 31%, 24%, and 48% of patients in the four age groups. The median time for consultation was 7 days. A thematic analysis of focus group transcripts displayed an overall acceptance and appreciation for telemedicine, citing cost- and time-saving benefits. The cost of telemedicine was $29.48/visit.

Conclusions

Our data show that transmission and interpretation of echocardiograms from a remote clinic in northern Uganda is feasible, serves a population with a high burden of heart disease, has a significant impact on patient care, is favorably received by patients, and can be delivered at low cost. Further study is needed to better assess the impact relative to existing standards of care and cost effectiveness.
Information Technology Laws Mapping the Evolution and Impact of Social Media Regulation in India
Authors: Shankar Ravi , Ahmad Tabrez
Published: August 2021

Growing misuse of social media calls for an urgent move towards greater legal regulation to control the menace of fake news, hate speech and disinformation among democracies. The online interactions have undergone an evolution that threatens not only free speech, privacy, data protection, national security but democracy as a whole. The subject matter assumes significance, in a democracy like India, which has recently notified a new regulatory regime - Information Technology Rules, 2021, that has fundamentally changed the regulation of online content in India. This development warrants for revisiting the prior regulatory regimes to analyse the new rules and guidelines and its impact on public sphere. The review paper aims at mapping the evolution of laws governing online content in India. The fact-finding review paper is based on reviewing existing laws, regulations, policies, research papers, media reports, articles. It also seeks to explore the linkages between the legislative regulatory gaps and regulatory framework covering rules and principles on instances of internet governance to find solutions and future developments. After critically examining new guidelines, the study found out a case of overreaching provisions that dilute free speech and privacy.
Media Technologies in the Corporate Model of Media Education Opportunities and Prospects
Authors: Yarnykh Veronica
Published: August 2021

The modern world is the world of media. Several factors have a significant impact on the development of the corporate education system. Among them are the development of digital education tools, transmedia literacy and generation Y and Z in the labour market. COVID 19 infodemic is only strengthening the influence of these factors. Approaches to corporate education changed fundamentally. In the corporate education system, not only content has changed, but also approaches, technologies, and tools for developing competencies. It is critically important to add a media educational component to the system of corporate L&D. It’s necessary now to develop also the corporate model of media education. And the development of media education technologies has great meaning in the modern corporate sector. Among them are microlearning, mobile education, development of project management skills, etc. All these competencies could to strengthen the competitive advantages of the company in the new media and informational reality of the corporate sector. Today it is necessary to talk about the use of transmedia in the corporate training system. Opportunities for the development of the transmedia ecosystem bring benefits to companies targeting Generation Y and Z.
Kant’s Argument for Transcendental Idealism in the Transcendental Aesthetic Revisited
Authors: Melamedoff-Vosters Damian
Published: August 2021

This paper provides a novel reconstruction of Kant’s argument for transcendental idealism in the Transcendental Aesthetic. This reconstruction relies on two main contentions: first, that Kant accepts the then-ubiquitous view that all cognition is either from grounds or consequences, a view he props up by drawing a distinction between logical and real grounds; second, that Kant, like most of his contemporaries, holds that our representations are the most immediate grounds of our cognition. By stressing these elements, the most threatening objection to Kant’s argument can be avoided, namely, the claim that Kant ignores the possibility that our representations of space and time are subjective in origin, but objective as regards their applicability. My reconstruction shows that this so-called neglected alternative objection is based on a conceptual confusion about the nature ofa prioricognition.
Investigating the effect of the Teucrium polium aqueous extract on the liver of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Abdollahi-Karizno Mahdi , Aramjoo Hamed , Roshanravan Babak , Hosseini Mehran , Zarban Asghar , Naseri Mohsen
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Teucrium polium (TP) has been traditionally used for treatment of the diabetes mellitus, kidney and liver diseases, and inflammations but some studies have reported the hepatotoxicity effects of this plant. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of TP aqueous extract on the liver of the diabetic rats.

Methods

Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: (Control) Normal rats that were gavaged with normal saline (1 mL), (TP100) Normal rats (Non-diabetic) that were gavaged with TP (100 mg/kg), (DM) diabetic model rats, which became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), (DTP100) diabetic rats that were gavaged with TP (100 mg/kg), and (DTP200) diabetic rats that were gavaged with TP (200 mg/kg). The effects of the aqueous extract on the blood glucose, body weight, the activities of enzyme markers of liver damage (Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)) were investigated in the serum of the control and treated groups. At the end of study liver histopathology and the total antioxidant activity (TAA) test were evaluated. Finally, obtained data were analyzed by the SPSS software (version 16).

Results

Results showed that the AST and ALT levels were significantly increased in the diabetic rats (p<0.001). A comparison of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses of TP administration in diabetic rats also showed a significant difference (p=0.01), indicating a better performance of 100 mg/kg dose. No significant difference was found between the control group and rats treated by the TP (TP100) (p=0.382). Also, triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in the treated groups compared to the diabetic untreated group.

Conclusions

Findings of the study revealed no hepatotoxicity, and the hepatoprotective effects of the TP were proved in the present study.
Mean oscillation and boundedness of multilinear operator related to multiplier operator
Authors: Zhao Qiaozhen , Huang Dejian
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the boundedness of certain multilinear operator related to the multiplier operator from Lebesgue spaces to Orlicz spaces is obtained.
NLRP3 inflammasome activation and oxidative stress status in the mild and moderate SARS-CoV-2 infected patients: impact of melatonin as a medicinal supplement
Authors: Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh Hadi , Hosseini Abdolkarim , Aghamollaei Hossein , Fasihi-Ramandi Mahdi , Alishiri Gholamhossein , Saeedi-Boroujeni Ali , Hassanpour Kazem , Mahmoudian-Sani Mohammad-Reza , Farnoosh Gholamreza
Published: August 2021

The inflammasome as a multiprotein complex has a role in activating ASC and caspase-1 resulting in activating IL-1β in various infections and diseases like corona virus infection in various tissues. It was shown that these tissues are affected by COVID-19 patients. According to the current evidence, melatonin is not veridical while possessing a high safety profile, however, it possesses indirect anti-viral actions owing to its anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and immune improving properties. This study aims to assess the impacts of melatonin as the complementary treatments on oxidative stress agents and inflammasome activation in patients with COVID-19. Melatonin supplement (9 mg daily, orally) was provided for the patients hospitalized with a COVID-19 analysis for 14 days. For measuring IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α cytokines and malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level and the expression of CASP1 and ASC genes, blood samples were gathered from the individuals at the start and termination of the therapy. Our findings indicated that melatonin is used as a complementary treatment to reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines, MDA, and NO levels in COVID-19 patients and significantly increase SOD level, however, the levels of IL-10 cytokine possesses no considerable changes. The findings revealed that genes of CASP1 and ASC were dysregulated by melatonin regulating the inflammasome complex. Based on the findings of the current study, it is found that melatonin can be effective as a medicinal supplement in decreasing the inflammasome multiprotein complex and oxidative stress along with beneficial impacts on lung cytokine storm of COVID-19 patients.
Growing With Lady Flower Gardens: Governance in a Land-based Initiative Focused on Building Community, Well-being and Social Equity Through Food
Authors: Roszko Ashley M. , Beckie Mary A.
Published: August 2021

The local food sector has been gaining strong momentum in the province of Alberta but inclusiveness, social equity, and affordability remain issues of concern. Lady Flower Gardens (LFG) is a community-based initiative that is working to address these issues. Established in 2012 on private land in the northeast edge of Edmonton, Alberta, LFG provides opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged individuals to develop skills in growing food for their own consumption, contribute a share of the harvest to the Edmonton Food Bank, and develop relationships and build community in a healthy and safe environment. LFG collaborates with a number of social service agencies and two universities in the development of this land-based, experiential learning model. In this case study we examine LFG’s evolving governance structure, from a small informal grassroots initiative to a self-governed Part 9 non-profit company, registered with the provincial government. We gathered data from in-depth semi-structured interviews as well through site visits, participant observation and documentary research. Our analysis uses a food justice lens and the Policy Arrangement Approach as adapted by Van der Jagt et al. (2017) to examine LFG’s actors, partnerships and participation, resources, discourse, and rules. Investigating these dimensions of LFG provides insights into the complexity of factors, both internal and external, that have influenced the development and governance of this local food initiative and its ability to contribute to inclusiveness, social equity, and food justice. Our research reveals that LFG aligns strongly with FLEdGE’s good food principles of food access and ecological resilience, while also intersecting with the principle of farmer livelihoods through the creation of new training opportunities.
Meaning as Motivator to Address Distancing in the Food System
Authors: Rideout Karen
Published: August 2021

Distancing in the food system prevents people from having full knowledge and making informed choices about what and how they produce, exchange, prepare, and eat food. This becomes problematic when the dominant industrial food system contributes to myriad negative human health, ecological, and social outcomes. This paper reports on findings from a study that aimed to better understand distancing from the perspectives of people engaged in resisting it, focusing on their motivations for action to inform policy approaches to improve food system health. The research, conducted in India and Canada, comprised participant observation with organizations working to connect the production and consumption of food, as well as interviews with activists, consumers, and farmers involved with those organizations. These food system actors were motivated primarily by a conviction that food is important, which was illustrated by meaningful relationships built and maintained through food, by soulful connections with food, and by a sense that everything – including food – is interconnected. The findings identify connection around food as a source of meaning in life. From meaning comes awareness of broader issues, a sense of value and care, and ultimately motivation for action or change. This could have implications for healthy food system governance if frameworks such as determinants of health and healthy food environments are used to inform healthy public policies that cultivate a sense of meaning and awareness of the intrinsic value embedded in food.
Working for Justice in Food Systems on Stolen Land? Interrogating Food Movements Confronting Settler Colonialism
Authors: Bohunicky Michaela , Levkoe Charles , Rose Nick
Published: August 2021

The evolving practice and scholarship surrounding food movements aim to address social, political, economic and ecological crises in food systems. However, limited interrogation of settler colonialism remains a crucial gap. Settler colonialism is the ongoing process of invasion that works to systematically erase and replace Indigenous Peoples with settler populations and identities. While many progressive and well-intentioned food movements engage directly with issues of land, water, identity, and power, critics argue they have also reified capitalism, white supremacy, agro-centrism and private property that are central to the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous Peoples. Scholars and advocates have called for greater accountability to the contradictions inherent in working towards social and ecological justice on stolen land. We write this paper as three settler activist-scholars to interrogate ways that social movements are responding to this call. A community-engaged methodology was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with individuals working in settler-led food movement organizations in Northwestern Ontario, Canada and in Southern Australia. We present our findings through three intersecting categories: 1) Expressions of settler inaction; 2) Mere inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and ideas; and, 3) Productive engagements and visions to confront settler colonialism. To explore the possibility of deeper engagements that confront settler colonialism, we suggest a continuum that moves from situating our(settler)selves within the framework of settler colonialism to (re)negotiating relationships with Indigenous Peoples to actualizing productive positions of solidarity with Indigenous struggles. We argue that this work is essential for food movements that aim to transform relationships with the land, each other, and ultimately forge more sustainable and equitable food futures.
Alkaline sizing – Have we got it wrong?
Authors: de Clerck Peter
Published: August 2021

Many words have been written regarding alkaline sizing of paper. The learned works often launch directly into cellulose-size reactions. Starch – a carbohydrate with a similar surface chemistry to cellulose – rarely features in the considerations. Yet the contact of size with the starch may be far more intimate and extensive than the contact with cellulose. It is suggested that the reaction of the size with starch is an important and overlooked contribution to our understanding of sizing.
Effects of experimental parameters on methane production and volatile solids removal from tomato and pepper plant wastes
Authors: Camarena-Martínez Saraí , Martínez-Martínez Juan H. , Saldaña-Robles Adriana , Nuñez-Palenius Hector G. , Costilla-Salazar Rogelio , Valdez-Vazquez Idania , Lovanh Nanh , Ruiz-Aguilar Graciela M. L.
Published: August 2021

In Mexico, protected agriculture generates large amounts of tomato and pepper plants residues (TPW and PPW, respectively). Given the limited information on methane production from anaerobic digestion of these wastes, this study aimed to determine the effects of the substrate/inoculum (S/I) ratio, temperature, and total solids content on methane production and volatile solids (VS) removal by two subsequent batch experiments (Experiments A and B). Experiment A was performed to evaluate the substrate/inoculum ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 at room temperature (22 ± 4.5 °C). Based on the best methane yield from experiment A, a new experiment was established (Experiment B) using only tomato wastes, where temperature was kept at 29 °C and 39 °C. The total solids content was analyzed depending on the S/I ratio used. For both substrates, an S/I ratio of 0.5 was the most appropriate for methane production. The temperature had a positive effect on volatile solids removal and methane yield. In contrast, the total solids content (% TS) only had a positive effect on methane production. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of the S/I ratio on methane production from tomato and pepper plant wastes.
Effect of CaCO3 on the wood properties of tropical hardwood species from fast-growth plantation in Costa Rica
Authors: Moya Roger , Gaitán-Álvarez Johanna , Berrocal Alexander , Araya Fabio
Published: August 2021

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the precipitation of CaCO3 via subsequential in-situ mineral formation based on a solution-exchange process of two solution-exchange cycles via impregnation with CaCl2 in ethanol and NaHCO3 in water. The effects were investigated in terms of the structure of the wood and the thermal, physical, mechanical, and decay resistance properties of nine species commonly used in commercial reforestation in Costa Rica. The thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the woods with the highest formation of CaCO3 showed a more pronounced signal at 200 °C in relation to untreated/wood; therefore, they were more thermostable. The fire-retardancy test showed that flame time in CaCO3/wood composites was longer than for untreated/wood in half of the species tested, presenting a positive effect of mineralization. Wood density, decay resistance, modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) in flexion, and MOR in compression were slightly affected by mineralization. Water absorption increased, but it had no negative effect on the dimensional stability. In general, mineralization can be a chemical treatment to increase the dimensional stability and fire resistance of hardwood species without modifying the wood’s physical and mechanical properties.
Evaluation methods for groundwater inflows into rock tunnels: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Frenelus Wadslin , Peng Hui , Zhang Jingyu
Published: August 2021

Groundwater inflow into tunnels is always a salient topic in Hydrology, Hydraulic Engineering, Hydrogeology, Rock Engineering and allied sciences. In fact, tunnels particularly built below the groundwater table, often face groundwater inflows during their excavation, and even sometimes after they are put into operation. These inflows, habitually regarded as unpredictable geological hazards, cause instabilities in the surrounding rocks of tunnels, and lead to considerable damages such as injuries, loss of lives, and huge-scaled economic expenses. It is argued that groundwater conditions are of decisive significance for the design and running of tunnels. Therefore, accurate prediction or evaluation of groundwater inflows into tunnels is of paramount importance. Such prediction, although it is still challenging, has been broached by many researchers with diverse methods. However, a state-of-the-art review of these methods has not yet been presented. This paper reviews the assessment methods of groundwater inflows into tunnels built in rocky media. The results mainly include analytical, semi-analytical, empirical, semi-empirical, numerical, machine learning, and other methods used in the field. This was made possible by selecting and analysing relevant scientific articles published by various worldwide Journals. In addition, some recommendations and future trends are pointed out. This paper can provide useful references in understanding groundwater inflows prediction in different points of view and their limits in terms of applicability and accuracy.