bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of responsible parenthood in students of classical university under conditions of cultural educational space of region
Authors:   Kurgan State University, Hemanova S.V. , Khomutnikova E.A.
Published: March 2021

Presented is his article presents the experience of forming responsible parenting among university students, that is characterized by diversity and integration of it’s constituent areas, programs, development routes. The urgency of this problem is due to the interest of the state in the person of its social institutions in the high-quality preparation of young people for family life, since a strong family is a guarantee of stability and well-being of society and a leading factor in the preservation of spiritual and moral values and national customs. To participate in the study selected were 500 students of 1–3 courses, aged 18 to 21, of which 250 respondents were boys, 250 were girls. The sample was represented by students from five institutes of Kurgan state university without emphasis on their professional orientation. Based on research results, the article defines structure and content of value paradigm among young people in the sphere of family relations. Within the framework of inter-network interaction, researchers attempt to create conditions for the formation of ideological attitudes towards the family as the highest ethical value among students, and also to analyze the organization of gender-role interaction, and also make an attempt to provide opportunity for young people to build their own individual life trajectory. The experience gained in formation of family values and preparation for parenting at university is summarized in periodicals; collections of scientific papers, guidelines and textbooks on pedagogy and psychology of family and family education, speeches at conferences at various levels, and master classes.
The Practicality of Teaching Materials on Types of Crab in the Mangrove Forest Area to Improve Critical Thinking Skills for Islamic High School Students
Authors: Fauzan Nahri , Soendjoto Mochamad Arief , Zaini Muhammad
Published: March 2021

The crab is an organism that has pe a major role in the mangrove ecosystem. The preservation of the mangrove ecosystem cannot be separated from the roles and responsibilities of humans. This can be started by creating awareness and practicing thinking skills to provide solutions to various existing environmental problems. According to the results of the TIMSS study, the low scientific ability of Indonesian students, especially its implementation in the form of scientific literacy, has not shown a good improvement so that learning innovations are needed, one of which is the manufacture of environment-based teaching materials. The purpose of this study was to describe the practicality of the teaching materials "Crab Types in the Mangroves Area" in training students' critical thinking skills at MAN Tanah Laut. The type of research used is the Tessmer formative test. The research data were analyzed descriptively, practical data included the feasibility of using teaching material and student responses, indicating that the teaching materials developed were practical for use in learning and could improve the critical thinking skills of MA students.Abstrak Kepiting merupakan organisme yang memiliki peran besar dalam ekosistem mangrof. Kelestarian ekosistem mangrof tidak luput dari peran dan tanggung jawab manusia. Hal ini dapat dimulai dari menciptakan kesadaran dan melatih keterampilan berpikir agar dapat memberikan solusi-solusi dari berbagai permasalahan lingkungan yang ada.  Hasil studi TIMSS menunjukkan rendahnya kemampuan sains siswa Indonesia terutama implementasinya dalam bentuk literasi sains belum menunjukkan adanya peningkatan yang baik sehingga diperlukan inovasi pembelajaran salah satunya dengan pembuatan bahan ajar berbasis lingkungan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kepraktisan Bahan Ajar “Jenis Kepiting di Kawasan Mangrof” dalam melatihkan keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa MAN Tanah Laut. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah uji formatif Tessmer. Data hasil penelitian dianalisis secara deskriptif, data kepraktisan meliputi kepraktisan penggunaan bahan ajar dan respon siswa, menunjukkan bahwa bahan ajar yang dikembangkan praktis untuk digunakan dalam pembelajaran dan dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa MA.
UJI FREE DRAINING COLUMN LEACH MENGGUNAKAN VARIASI PERSENTASI MATERIAL PAF DAN NAF: STUDI KASUS OVERBURDEN TAMBANG BATUBARA
Authors: Novianti Yuniar Siska , Reza Muhammad , Fatmawati Evi , Ramanda Rully
Published: March 2021

Karakterisasi batuan penutup/overburden diperlukan untuk mengetahui penggolongan batuan berpotensi membentuk asam atau tidak sehingga dapat memperediksi potensi pembentukan air asam tambang pada kegiatan penaambangan. Salah satu bentuk karakterisasi batuan tersebut adalah dengan melakukan uji kinetik ynag berupa free draining column leach test (FDCL), tujuan pengujian FDCL ini adalah untuk mengetahui reaktivitas mineral sulfida, oksidasi dan kualitas air lindian. Dalam pengujian FDCL ini sampel diberikan berdasarkan persentasi material PAF dan NAF yaitu, kombinasi pertama adalah 40:60, kombinasi pertama adalah 50:50 dan kombinasi ketiga adalah 60:40. Pengujian ini mengguanakan siklus basah-kering dan dilakukan selama 22 hari dalam siklus harian, dan melakukan pengujian air hasil lindian dengan parameter pH, TDS dan EC. Dari hasil pengujian didapatkan bahwa ketiga kombinasi untuk nilai TDS dan EC sudah menunjukkan korelasi yang positif karena berada didalam range nilai kualitas air normal sebesar 0.5, pH awal hasil uji statik untuk batuan PAF pada pengujian ini sebesar 2.31 dan pH untruk batuan NAFnya sebesar 6.49 sehingga untuk hasil lindian pada parameter pH hari pertama berada pada kisaran 3 - 3.5 kondisi ini pada ketiga kombinasi mengalami perubahan nilai pH menuju pH netral setiap waktunya, namun pada hari ke 22 kombinasi pertama dan ketiga mengalami penurunan hal ini besar kemungkinan reaktivitas mineral sulfida masih berlangsung dan laju pelapukan batuan juga masih berproses. Sehingga harapannya jika siklus penyiraman dilanjutkan untuk siklus mingguan dan bulanan proses reaktivitas minerl sulfida dan oksidasi dapat menunjukkan nilai yang konstan. Dan untuk kombinasi yang memiliki peningkatan nilai pH yang baik ditunjukkan pada kombinasi 2 dengan pH hari pertama air lindian sebesar 3.5 dan menjadi 4.7 pada hari keduapuluh dua pengujian. Keywords: PAF; NAF; Free draining column leach test
BRICS Countries Possible Areas for Scientific Cooperation
Authors: Dezhina I.
Published: March 2021

The article evaluates science sectors and effectiveness of scientific research in the countries forming the BRICS group, as well as the current state of scientific and technological cooperation among the group members. The science sectors of the countries under consideration differ markedly, while facing similar problems relating to government regulations and external environments. The differences exist in total expenditures on research and development (as a share of GNP), in the scope of governmental funding (large in Russia and India, but small in China), and in the distribution of allocations among various areas and types of R&D activities. China appears to have the most well-adjusted science sector among the BRICS members. It includes not only strong universities but also high-tech companies that invest actively into research and development. The overall impact (inferred from citation indexes) of fundamental and exploratory research performed in BRICS countries remains low. BRICS's scientists prefer to collaborate with their colleagues from the world-leading countries rather than with their fellows from BRICS. Yet, in contrast to the world trend, in all BRICS countries, except Russia, a share of internationally co-authored publications is now decreasing. BRICS members have more similar interests and priorities in technological development, including infrastructural and large technological projects, than in science. Currently, bilateral cooperation in technology prevails, while the projects involving all members of the group still remain at the stage of preliminary evaluation and discussion. Russia cooperates most closely with China and India, including joint projects in such high-priority directions as new materials, photonics, biomedical, space and information technologies. For Russia, cooperation in technological development appears to be of most interest because it can lead not only to introduction of new technologies but also help to create large Russian innovative companies. Development of successful multilateral cooperation in science and technology among the BRICS members is the key for this group, originally formed for geopolitical reasons, to evolve into an effective economic union.
Emotional Performance of a Low-Cost Eco-Friendly PBL Methodology for Science Education. Approach in Prospective Teachers
Authors: Hernández-Barco Míriam Andrea , Sánchez-Martín Jesús , Cañada-Cañada Florentina , Corbacho-Cuello Isaac
Published: March 2021

The emotional dimension in education has become increasingly important in recent decades. Enhancing the emotional dimension of prospective teachers in science subjects is higher education stuff responsibility. The implementation of active methodologies could modify the traditional student-teacher roles that are encouraged by the educational policies implemented in the Bologna Process. The principal aim of this work is to describe a Project Based Learning methodology and to introduce it as potential resource for the emotional and cognitive improvement of 19 prospective primary teachers enrolled in a scientific subject. This is a qualitative study with a transversal sustainability approach in the context of a research line focused on Higher Education for Sustainable Development. A questionnaire was designed and filled by the students at two different times, before and after implementation of the activity. The initial feedback from students was surprisingly enthusiastic by the fact that they were working with rockets, despite of this is not a common emotion in the science field. The results show the emotional improvement of prospective teachers after the implementation. It is concluded that a correct science education is necessary during the training of teachers taking into account their emotional dimension and the social repercussion due to the future transmission.
Are Three Weeks of Oral Anticoagulation Sufficient for Safe Cardioversion in Atrial Fibrillation?
Authors: Naydenov Stefan , Manov Emil , Runev Nikolay
Published: March 2021

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), lasting >48 h, considered for cardioversion, are recommended ≥3 weeks of oral anticoagulation before sinus rhythm restoration because of high risk of development of left atrial thrombosis (LAT) and stroke. However, the optimal duration of anticoagulation in the presence of overt LAT is unknown. Methods: An open-label study, aiming to investigate the prevalence of spontaneous echo con-trast (SEC) and LAT before and after 3 weeks of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) treatment. We included 51 consecutive patients (50.9% males), mean age 69.3±7.4 years with paroxys-mal/unknown duration of AF, considered for cardioversion, who agreed to have transesophage-al echocardiography at enrollment and 3 weeks later. Results: At baseline SEC was present in 26 (50.9%) and LAT in 10 (19.6%) of 51 patients. After 3 weeks on DOAC, SEC persisted in 12 (25.0%) and LAT in 7 (14.5%) of 48 patients, p<0.05 vs base-line. Factors, associated most strongly with persistence of SEC/LAT were left atrial appendage (LAA) emptying velocity <20 cm/s (OR=2.82), LAA lobes >2 (OR=1.84) and indexed left atrial volume ≥34 ml/m2 (OR=1.37). Conclusions: The recommended minimal period of 3 weeks of oral anticoagulation lead to SEC/LAT resolution in 47% of our patients. To our opinion, LA/LAA morphology and function should be taken into account when determining the duration of DOAC treatment before planned cardioversion.
Pembelajaran Bagi Siswa Berkesulitan Belajar Matematika di Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Minsih Minsih , Yusa Pressilia , Hera Treny , Mujadid Imam
Published: March 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini dilaksanakan untuk mendeskripsikan gangguan kesulitan belajar matematika yang dialami siswa kelas rendah di MI Muhammadiyah Gonilan Kartasura. Salah satu penyebab kesulitan belajar matematika yaitu penggunaan metode dan strategi yang masih konvensional. Guru masih menerapkan pembelajaran yang yang berorientasi pada guru yaitu ceramah dan penugasan. Karena itu, penggunaan metode pembelajaran yang tepat dan cenderung melibatkan siswa untuk berpartisipasi secara aktif sangat diperlukan agar mempermudah proses pembelajaran terutama siswa yang mengalami berkesulitan belajar. Subjek dari penelitian ini adalah peserta didik yang mengalami kesulitan belajar matematika di kelas rendah. Data yang dianalisis berdasarkan hasil observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi yang selanjutnya menggunakan validitas data triangulasi sumber dan teknik. Hasil menyatakana bahwa terdapat beberapa strategi guru dalam mengatasi kesulitan belajar peserta didik kelas rendah MI Muhammadiyah Gonilan Kartasura. Strategi yang dilakukan berupa; 1) Memberikan jam tambahan/pretest, 2) Program remidial, 3) Memonitor peserta didik secara khusus, 4) Menggunakan media pembelajaran, dan 5) Memberikan motivasi. Dari strategi tersebut, dapat membantu kesulitan belajar siswa kelas rendah yang menalami berkesulitan belajar pada pelajaran matematika.
 
Cover SHEs: Conference Series
Authors: SHEs: Conference Series Cover
Published: March 2021

Cover SHEs: Conference Series
KAPUR SEBAGAI BAHAN TAMBAH UNTUK BETON NORMAL
Authors: Mulyono Tri
Published: March 2021

Penelitian ini berdasarkan standar nasional Indonesia (SNI 03-2834-1993) â€œTata CaraPembuatan Rencana Campuran Beton Normalâ€, proporsi kapur sebagai bahan tambah yangdisubstitusikan dalam semen untuk beton normal dimulai dari prosentase 10% kapur sampai70% kapur dalam berat. Hasil uji tekan dilakukan untuk beton menggunakan silinder umur28 hari. Data di analisis menggunakan silinder dan untuk kubus dilakukan konversi menjadisilinder. Hasil uji dan analisa penelitian dengan data yang terdistribusi normal dan homogenmemberikan hal sebagai berikut: (a) hasil uji untuk variasi kapur yang berbeda akanmenghasilkan dan berpengaruh terhadap kemudahan pekerjaan, dimana semakin besarpenambahan kapur akan menurunkan tingkat kemudahan pekerjaan. (b) penambahankapur tidak berpengaruh terhadap berat isi beton keras (c) rata-rata berat jenis yangdihasilkan sebesar 2330 kg/m3. (d) Komposisi optimal dari kapur sebesar 19% ditambahkansebagai substitusi semen menghasilkan nilai kekuatan tekan sebesar 22.3 Mpa.
Evaluation of the effect of MTNR1B rs10830963 gene polymorphism on the therapeutic efficacy of nateglinide in treating type 2 diabetes among Chinese Han patients
Authors: Song Jin-Fang , Zhang Jie , Zhang Ming-Zhu , Ni Jiang , Wang Tao , Zhao Yi-Qing , Khan Naveed Ullah
Published: March 2021

Genetic polymorphisms in the MTNR1B gene is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, there is no evidence about its impact on the therapeutic efficacy of nateglinide. This prospective case-control study was designed to investigate the effect of MTNR1B rs10830963 gene polymorphism on the therapeutic efficacy of nateglinide in treating T2DM. We genotyped untreated T2DM patients (N = 200) and healthy controls (N = 200) using the method of the high resolution of melting curve (HRM). Newly diagnosed T2DM patients (n = 60) with CYP2C9*1 and SLCO1B1 521TT genotypes were enrolled and given oral nateglinide (360 mg/d) for 8 weeks. The outcome was measured by collecting the venous blood samples before and at the 8th week of the treatment. The risk G allelic frequency of MTNR1B rs10830963 was higher in T2DM patients than the healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Post 8-week of treatment, newly diagnosed T2DM patients showed a less reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels and less increase in the carriers of genotype CG + GG at rs10830963 when compared with the CC genotype (P < 0.05). MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism was associated with the therapeutic efficacy of nateglinide in T2DM patients. Also, the CC homozygotes had a better effect than G allele carriers. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR13003536, date of registration: May 14, 2013.
Comparative assessment of drought monitoring indices susceptibility using geospatial techniques
Authors: Yue Hui , Liu Ying , Qian Jiaxin
Published: March 2021

There are two main categories of dryness monitoring indices based on spectral feature space. One category uses the vertical distance from any point to a line passing through the coordinate origin, which is perpendicular to a soil line, to monitor the dryness conditions. The most popular indices are the Perpendicular Dryness Index (PDI) and the modified perpendicular dryness index (MPDI). The other category uses the distance from any point in feature space to the coordinate origin to represent the dryness status, for instance, the soil moisture (SM) monitoring index (SMMI) and the modified soil moisture monitoring index (MSMMI). In this study, the performances and differences of these four indicators were evaluated using field-measured SM (FSM) data based on Gaofen-1 (GF-1) wide field of view (WFV), Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) sensors. Performance evaluations were conducted in two study areas, namely an arid and semi-arid region of northwest China and a humid agricultural region of southwest Canada. We employed gradient-based structural similarity (GSSIM) to quantitatively assess the similarity of the structural information and structural characteristics among these four indicators. Monitoring SM in bare soil or low vegetation-covered areas in the semi-arid region, the SMMI, PDI, MSMMI, and MPDI from Near-infrared (NIR)-Red had significantly negative linear correlations with the FSM at 0-5 cm depth (P < 0.01). However, SMMI was better than PDI in estimating SM in bare soil, which was better than MSMMI and MPDI for GF-1. Moreover, the PDI and SMMI had similar SM evaluation abilities, which were better than those of MPDI and MSMMI for Landsat-8. The GSSIM map of the SMMI/PDI and the MSMMI/MPDI showed that the low change areas accounted for 99.89% and 98.89% for GF-1, respectively, and 95.78% and 94.45% for Landsat-8, respectively. This result indicated that the SMMI, PDI, MSMMI, and MPDI values from NIR-Red in low vegetation cover were similar. In monitoring SM in agricultural vegetation areas, the accuracy of the four indices from Short-wave Infrared (SWIR) feature space was higher than that from NIR-Red feature space for Sentinel-2. The SM monitoring effect of MSMMI and MPDI was better than that of SMMI and PDI. Due to the lack of SWIR band, GF-1 was limited in monitoring SM in vegetation-covered areas. The SMMI and MSMMI, which do not rely on the soil line, were more suitable than PDI and MPDI for retrieving SM in the complex surface environment depending on the soil line and the number of parameters. GF-1 with 16 m resolution had higher accuracy in SM assessment than Landsat-8 with 30 m resolution and had almost the same accuracy as Sentinel-2 with 20 m.
Accumulation of PAH in bivalves (Crassostrea gigas andMytilus coruscus) from Zhejiang coastal,China , and associtated human health risk assessment
Authors: li lei , li ziniu , xv guodong , wang cuihua , jiang mei
Published: March 2021

The paper reported the determination on PAHs concentrations in bivalves (Crassostrea gigas and Mytilus coruscus) from the Zhejiang coastal of China, and evaluate their composition, and assess their human health risk. The content of ΣPAHs in the two bivalves ranged from 48.30 to 61.08 ng/g. The main component of PAHs was Phenanthrene(11.08–15.79 ng/g). Comparing with HMW-PAHs, PAHs dominated by LMW-PAHs have higher absorption rates and lower purification rates. In the local coastal environment, the pyrolytic sources were an important role of the PAH pollution. At present, it assessed the health risks on consumption the two bivalves species,there was no threat to human health by eating shellfish accumulated PAH intakes, but there were some carcinogenic risks for heavier consumption of this two bivalves. The results will provide a reference value for the shellfish living marine environment in the region.
Plasma-Calprotectin as an Indicator for Immediate Need of Intensive Care Treatment in Suspected Sepsis
Authors: Parke Asa Emilia , Unge Christian , Yu David , Sunden-Cullberg Jonas , Stralin Kristoffer
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Decisions regarding need of transfer to intensive care of patients with sepsis in the emergency department is challenging. We hypothesised that the new biomarker plasma-calprotectin could be used to help select patients who need intensive care, since it already has shown to be a promising tool in the intensive care unit. Methods: This prospective study was performed on consecutive sepsis alert patients. The alert summons a multidisciplinary team of physicians from the emergency department, the Department of Infectious Diseases, and the intensive care unit, who evaluate patients for possible infection and decide where to transfer the patient. Blood sampling was performed on consecutive sepsis alert patients. C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were routinely analysed, p-calprotectin was analysed from frozen plasma samples using a specific turbidimetric assay. Results: Among 367 sepsis alert patients, 335 had an infection of whom 66 were immediately transferred to the intensive care unit or high dependency unit. 269 patients were transferred to ordinary wards. Median p-calprotectin for all infected patients was 2.2 (IQR 1.2–3.9), 3.3 (IQR 1.6–5.2) among those transferred immediately to intensive care unit/ high dependency unit and 2.1 (IQR 1.1–3.5) among those transferred to wards (p = 0.0001). Analysis of area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for transferral to higher care level showed superiority for p-calprotectin compared to procalcitonin and neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio, both regarding all sepsis alert cases and regarding the patients with infection (p < 0.001 for all comparisons)). The best p-calprotectin cut-off 4.0 mg/L showed sensitivity 42.5% and specificity 83% for transferral to ICU/HDU among patients with infection. Conclusion: In sepsis alert patients, p-calprotectin was significantly elevated in patients transferred immediately to intensive care. P-calprotectin was superior to traditional biomarkers as a predictor of need for intensive care. Trial registration: Not registered, as the sepsis alert was developed as a clinical supportive tool.
Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assistance and Synchronized Intermittend Mandatory Ventilation in Children Assessed by Electrical Impedance Segmentography: A Prospective Randomized Case-Control Crossover Trial
Authors: Brandt Jennifer Bettina , Mahlknecht Alex , Werther Tobias , Ullrich Roman , Hermon Michael
Published: March 2021

Background: Assessing relative differences of integrated impedance as a surrogate of volume changes between neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) by using electric impedance segmentography in children.Methods: Performed as a prospective randomized case-control crossover trial in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary center including eight mechanically-ventilated children, four sequences of two different ventilation modes were consecutively applied. The children were randomized in two groups; one that was started on neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and the other on synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. During ventilation, electric impedance segmentography measurements were recorded.Results: The relative difference of vertical impedance between both ventilatory modes was measured (median 0.52, IQR 0-0.87). These differences in left apical lung segments were present during the first (median 0.58, IQR 0-0.89, p=0.04) and second crossover (median 0.50, IQR 0-0.88, p=0.05) as well as across total impedance (0.52 IQR 0-0.87; p=0.002). During neurally adjusted ventilatory assist children showed a shift of impedance towards caudal lung segments, compared to synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation.Conclusion: Electrical impedance segmentography enables dynamic monitoring of transthoracic impedance. Segmental measurements, however, were of low reproducibility due to various limiting factors in its application. For further evaluation, larger prospective clinical trials are necessary.
Evaluation and Influencing Factors of Agricultural Eco-efficiency in Jilin Agricultural Production Zone Based on Super-SBM and Panel Regression Methods
Authors: Guo Yanhua , Tong Lianjun , Mei Lin
Published: March 2021

Agricultural eco-efficiency is a meaningful index that assess the agricultural sustainable development. Based on the super SBM-DEA approach incorporating agricultural carbon emissions and panel data regression, this study evaluates agricultural eco-efficiency and then investigates the influencing factors in agricultural production zone of Jilin Province. The empirical results show the following: (1) During the observation period, the average agricultural eco-efficiency exhibits a flat “M-shaped” fluctuating trend, a trend of fluctuant growth with phase characteristics, and the agricultural eco-efficiency of each county still has much room for improvement. (2) Significant spatial differences exist in agricultural eco-efficiency across counties. All of the studied counties, except for Nong’an, Huadian, Lishu, Yitong, Gongzhuling, and Qianguo, need to change the input and output structure to optimize agricultural eco-efficiency. (3) The panel data regression model verifies that the agricultural technology extension level, agricultural economic development level, agricultural industry structure, agricultural mechanization intensity and urbanization level have close correlations with agricultural eco-efficiency. (4) The research findings have important implications for policy makers formulating agricultural environmental policies in accordance with the local conditions of various counties.
Monitoring Hydrogen Peroxide Using Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Screen Printed Electrodes During Metal Assisted Chemical Etching Processes
Authors: Lan Chun-Wen , Kubendhiran Subbiramaniyan , Sison Gavin , Hsu Hsiao Ping
Published: March 2021

The concentrations of etchant solution substituents in metal assisted chemical etching (MACE) processes control the morphology and reflectivity of subsequently etched wafers. In particular, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a vital role in the MACE process. Unfortunately, the H2O2 concentration is not stable when prolonging the etching process at higher temperatures. As a result, the commercialization of MACE processes for the production of IP texturization has appeared industrially unattractive. Herein, we proposed an innovative method to monitor hydrogen peroxide during the MACE process with an electrochemical method. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) prepared through an environmentally benign electrochemical method was used to modify a screen-printed electrode (SPE). Under an optimized condition, the RGO/SPE was used to test etching solutions. The MACE process was conducted and the hydrogen peroxide concentration within the etching solution was checked by the RGO/SPE. The RGO/SPE demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance and could record changes to H2O2 concentrations with cyclic voltammetry (CV). Interestingly, the presence of copper (Cu) in the etching solution catalyzed not only the etching process, but also the electrochemical reduction of H2O2. After etching, the reflectivity and structural morphology of the etched wafers were checked. The described modified electrode is disposable, and the fabrication process is rapid and inexpensive, allowing for real time application in, and control of, MACE processes.
Graph Hierarchy: A novel framework to analyse hierarchical structures in complex networks
Authors: Moutsinas Giannis , Shuaib Choudhry , Guo Weisi , Jarvis Stephen
Published: March 2021

Trophic coherence, a measure of a graph’s hierarchical organisation, has been shown to be linked to a graph’s structural and dynamical aspects such as cyclicity, stability and normality. Trophic levels of vertices can reveal their functional properties, partition and rank the vertices accordingly. Trophic levels and hence trophic coherence can only be defined on graphs with basal vertices, i.e. vertices with zero in-degree. Consequently, trophic analysis of graphs had been restricted until now. In this paper we introduce a hierarchical framework which can be defined on any simple graph. Within this general framework, we develop several metrics: hierarchical levels, a generalisation of the notion of trophic levels, influence centrality, a measure of a vertex’s ability to influence dynamics, and democracy coefficient, a measure of overall feedback in the system. We discuss how our generalisation relates to previous attempts and what new insights are illuminated on the topological and dynamical aspects of graphs. Finally, we show how the hierarchical structure of a network relates to the incidence rate in a SIS epidemic model.
Organisation and Timeline of Measures in French Psychiatric Establishments during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic: EvOlu’Psy Study
Authors: Legrand Guillaume , Boisgard Catherine , Canac Bernard , Cardinaud Zuzana , Gorla Michela Giugiario , Gregoire Elisabeth , Jamon Caroline , Oussal Tarik , Vaury Pascal
Published: March 2021

Background: The onset of COVID-19 required rapid organisational changes in the mental health domain. Most mental health-care departments appear to have set up infection control measures and also organised planning, coordination and measures that enabled them to provide psychiatric care in a restrictive environment. Our objective was to assess the organisation by psychiatric facilities in France of their response to COVID-19, while considering their timelines and their sectorMethods: An audit with 48 items was proposed to 331 hospitals in metropolitan France with a capacity for full-time, that is, inpatient psychiatric hospitalisation of adults.Results: Of the 331 establishments contacted, 94 (28.4%) agreed to respond to the survey questionnaire. Full-time inpatient hospitalisation was completely or partially maintained by 94.7% of facilities. Specific measures concerning respect for patients' rights included updates of their procedures on the following themes, reported by 58.5% of establishments. Overall, 74.5% had set up a dedicated channel of care for patients at risk of severe COVID-19, and 52.1% a system for routine screening at admission for these risk factors. Nearly half the establishments (48.9%) reported they had set up specific training programmes for patients about barrier measures and social distancing.Conclusions: French psychiatric establishments on the whole were able to provide a necessary reorganisation of their management of patients and their families, regardless of facility status. Patients' rights nonetheless seem to have not received the attention they merited during the early pandemic period. Somatic management of patients with mental illness must absolutely be improved.
Amazonian terrestrial water balance inferred from satellite-derived water vapor isotopes
Authors: Shi Mingjie , Worden John , Bailey Adriana , Noone David , Risi Camille , Fu Rong , Worden Sarah , Herman Robert , Payne Vivienne , Pagano Thomas , Bowman Kevin , Bloom Alexis , Saatchi Sassan S , Liu Junjie , Fisher Joshua
Published: March 2021

The evolution of the Amazon forest is tightly coupled to its terrestrial water balance (evapotranspiration minus precipitation, or ET-P), as an increase in ET-P reduces soil moisture, increasing water stress. However, large differences of ~ 50% between current monthly estimates of ET-P make it challenging to confidently quantify its spatio-temporal distribution and evolution. Here, we show that new satellite observations of the HDO/H2O ratio of water vapor, spanning 2003 to 2020, constrain estimates of the Amazon water balance with monthly precision of ~ 20%. The HDO/H2O ratio of water vapor is sensitive to the difference between ET and P, rather than to either flux alone, because lighter isotopes preferentially evaporate and heavier isotopes preferentially condense. Consequently, variable bias and sensitivity errors that result from combining different ET and precipitation products are minimized with this proxy. Our analysis demonstrates these data can quantify the spatial patterns of Amazon water balance from monthly to interannual time scales.
Synthetic Approach of Ternary Magnesium Niobate(Mg–Nb–O) Compounds
Authors: Rahman M. W.
Published: March 2021

Magnesium based niobium oxides (Mg–Nb–O) were prepared by solid–state reactions owing to understand the function of transition metal oxides as promoters/catalysts for practical application. Magnesium niobate (Mg3Nb6O11) was synthesized for the first time in nearly pure form reported in this context. MgNb2O6 and Mg4Nb2O9 were prepared in oxidizing conditions; on the contrary, Mg3Nb6O11 preferred reducing environment. Stoichiometric mixtures of the precursor materials MgO, Nb2O5 and/or metallic Nb were annealed for the syntheses which revealed the effect of temperature on phase formation, reaction kinetics and heat of reaction. The products were examined by ex–situ, in–situ X–ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Crystallographic parameters of various binary and ternary compounds (Mg/Nb/O) formed in different calcination conditions, were extracted by Rietveld method. In–situ experiment results in single step reaction for the MgNb2O6 synthesis and the heat of formation of the solid–state reaction obtained to be minimum (93 kJ/mol). In contrast, the formation of Mg4Nb2O9 and Mg3Nb6O11 compounds towards pure phases rather complicated due to multistep reactions and corresponding heat of formation were estimated to be 140 and 190 kJ/mol. Experimental results have been discussed based on kinetic and thermodynamic constrains.
Reproductive History and Pregnancy Incidence of Malian and Beninese Sex Workers Before and Suring Sex Work Practice
Authors: Sullivan Gentiane Perrault , Guédou Fernand Aimé , Tounkara Fatoumata Korika , Béhanzin Luc , Camara Nana , Aza-Gnandji Marlène , Dembele Bintou Keita , Azonnadou Odette , Théra Ismaila , Avery Lisa , Alary Michel
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND: To reduce maternal mortality, access to family planning and reproductive health care services is a key strategy. Access to and use by marginalized populations pose a substantial challenge. Sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa are a good example. The objective of this study was to describe the reproductive history of female sex workers (FSWs) before and during sex work.METHODS: FSWs aged ≥18 years were recruited in Cotonou (Benin), and Bamako (Mali), to answer a face-to-face questionnaire inquiring on reproductive history. Descriptive analyses were carried out and comparisons made between countries using Pearson chi-square and between the periods before (BSW) and during sex work (DSW) practice within women in each country using McNemar chi-square. In addition, multiple imputations were used to estimate and compare the incidence rate of pregnancy BSW and DSW.RESULTS: Mean age was 26 years in Mali (n=322) and 35 years in Benin (n=330). More women had at least one pregnancy BSW compared to DSW in both Mali (62.1% vs 33.5%) and Benin (91.2% vs 32.7%). The pregnancies occurring DSW had lower livebirth rates (57.9% vs 74.7% - Mali, 17.6% vs 60.6% - Benin) and ended more often with a therapeutic abortion, DSW compared to BSW, especially in Benin (65.2% vs 25.6%). The level of complications associated with therapeutic abortion was high, both DSW (23%) and BSW (20%). The incidence rate of pregnancy was about twice lower DSW compared to BSW [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.49; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.37-0.66 in Mali and IRR: 0.45; 95% CI: 0.32-0.63 in Benin].CONCLUSION: In both Benin and Mali, FSWs had more pregnancies during the period preceding sex work practice, about twice more than during sex work when considering the differences in incidence rates. Single mothers need to be supported to avoid sex work as a financial solution. On the other hand, the reproductive needs of FSWs need to be acknowledged to reduce maternal mortality within this marginalized population. It is of paramount importance that interventions remain focused on reproductive health and prevent unwanted pregnancies, answer contraceptive needs and provide safe therapeutic abortions.
Effective Removal of Arsenic in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Equilibrium and Kinetic Study
Authors: Hassan Sara Hassan , Syed Shane Zehra , Ahmed Zubair , Talpur Mohammad Younis , Chang Muammar Ali
Published: March 2021

In this study, we report the efficient catalytic activity for the removal of arsenic contamination from water using L-cysteine derived iron oxide nanoparticles. The catalytic ability was checked by ICP-MS. Best optimized magnetite iron oxide nano particles at pH-10 were confirmed through different characterization techniques such as TEM, XRD, EDS, FTIR and zeta potential analyzer, respectively. TEM was confirmed the smallest particle size in the range of 5-30 nm. The application study was performed by ICP-MS instrument to check the removal efficiency of arsenic by iron oxide magnetite nano catalyst first on synthetic water prepared on laboratory was 99.8% and then checked on real water samples collected was 81.09% from arsenic contaminated sites areas of Larkana exceeded arsenic concentration from 10ug/l as compared to WHO limit, The adsorption capacity of arsenic on the prepared porous iron oxide nanoparticles was 1.96 mg/g proved that the particles having higher surface area with excellent catalytic degradation property. The adsorption dataset best fits in the Langmuir model and obeyed the pseudo-second-order model. Herein, we report the simple and greener synthesized iron oxide nano-adsorbent and their effective ability for the removal of arsenic from water source using advanced ICP-MS technique.
Immune-related adverse events associated with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors used as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Gu Jingjing , Zhang Weidong , Bian Chunming , Huang Guanhong
Published: March 2021

Background

In recent years programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), have opened a new era of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment,while yielding higher rates of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) than platinum-based chemotherapy. This network meta-analysis indirectly compared the incidences of irAEs of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor + chemotherapy, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor alone, and dual PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor combinations.
Methods

We found 12 phase II or III randomized clinical trials (RCTs) including 8,453 patients with NSCLC by searching Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov. Summary risk ratios(RRs) and 95% confidence interval were used to compare the rate of irAEs for different ICI-based treatments using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects.
Results

In addition to platinum-based chemotherapy, in terms of dermatologic irAEs, durvalumab had the lowest rate compared to pembrolizumab + platinum, nivolumab, atezolizumab + platinum, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab + ipilimumab. In terms of gastrointestinal irAEs, pembrolizumab had the lowest rate compared to nivolumab, nivolumab + ipilimumab, durvalumab, atezolizumab + platinum, and pembrolizumab + platinum. For endocrine irAEs, pembrolizumab + platinum had the lowest rate compared to pembrolizumab, atezolizumab + platinum, durvalumab, nivolumab, and nivolumab + ipilimumab. For pneumonitis, atezolizumab had the lowest rate compared to durvalumab nivolumab, atezolizumab + platinum, pembrolizumab + platinum, and pembrolizumab. For liver irAEs, durvalumab had the lowest rate compared to pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab + platinum, pembrolizumab + platinum.
Conclusions

These findings suggested that, for patients with advanced NSCLC at high risk of irAEs, durvalumab for patients with dermatologic and liver irAEs, pembrolizumab for patients with gastrointestinal irAEs, pembrolizumab + platinum for patients with endocrine irAEs, and atezolizumab for patients with pneumonitis may be the preferred treatment regimens rather than other immune-based therapies.
Experimental Study on Coupling Characteristics of Cutting Heat and Cutting Vibration Under Different Tool Wear States
Authors: Li Songyuan , Li Shuncai , Hu Yuting , Popov Eugene
Published: March 2021

The thermo-mechanical-vibration coupling characteristics of turning system has always been an important research topic in the field of machining, and the material, states and performance of cutting tools will directly affect this coupling characteristics. In this paper, a synchronous testing system for cutting temperature and cutting vibration is built to collect the cutting temperature and cutting vibration near the tip of three worn tools D1 (new blade), D2 (moderately worn blade) and D3 (severely worn blade). Based on the test data and the grey correlation theory, the coupling characteristics of cutting temperature rise and cutting vibration of tools in different wear states are analyzed. Based on the experimental data and least square method, (1) the regression model of cutting temperature rise about cutting vibration and cutting parameters (2) the regression model of cutting vibration about cutting temperature rise and cutting parameters have been established respectively. The undetermined parameters and correlation coefficients are obtained by MATLAB software programming. The research show that the coupling of cutting heat and cutting vibration of tools D1 and D2 is one-way coupling, that is, cutting vibration significantly affects cutting heat, but cutting heat has little effect on cutting vibration, while the coupling of cutting heat and cutting vibration of tool D3 is a bidirectional coupling.
Mean Arterial Pressure Should Above 65 mmHg at Vasopressor Weaning — Exploratory Study of Optimal Weaning Blood Pressure for Patients in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Wang Zichen , Zhang Luming , Ma Wen , Li Chengzhuo , Yin Haiyan , Lyu Jun
Published: March 2021

Objective:Vasopressors are one of the main treatments for severe hypotension or shock, which commonly occurs in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the appropriate timing for vasopressor weaning. This study aims to explore the effect of blood pressure at vasopressor weaning on the probability of in-hospital mortality.Design: Single-center retrospective observational study.Setting: ICU from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between 2008 and 2019.Patients: ICU patients who received vasopressor treatment were selected. Patients younger than 18 years old, died before vasopressor weaning or without blood pressure measurement at weaning were excluded. Finally, 8,298 patients were included.Result: General additive model (GAM) result showed that blood pressures at weaning had “U-shape” non-linear relationship with in-hospital mortality probability. The optimal levels of weaning mean arterial pressure(WMAP), weaning systolic blood pressure(WSBP), and weaning diastolic blood pressure(WDBP) were 85, 120, and 65 mmHg, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed the optimal WMAP, WSBP,WDBP has deviations between diagnoses. The “cut-point” of a lower mortality probability for WMAP was 65 mmHg. ROC curves showed that mean arterial blood pressure as an indicator exhibited the best prediction performance. Cox regression demonstrated that patients with WMAP equal to or higher than 65 mmHg will have 61% lower risk of in-hospital mortality.Conclusion: WMAP is a powerful indicator for in-hospital mortality, and its value should be greater than 65 mmHg and close to 85 mmHg to reach the highest survival probability for ICU patients after vasopressor treatment.
Impact of COVID-19 on Air Quality in Central and Eastern China
Authors: Feng Haixia , Ning Erwei , Feng Haiying , Li Jian , Wang Qi
Published: March 2021

The focus of this paper is mainly on COVID-19’s impact on the air quality in central and eastern China using MCD19A2 aerosol optical depth (AOD) product data as well as the impact of human activities (mainly traffic behavior) on air quality. The main conclusions are the following: Significant data are still missing in MCD19A2 AOD product data, which led to the abnormal increase of AOD in southern China in February and the decline of analysis accuracy in AOD and air quality; COVID-19 had the important impact on air quality index (AQI) and peak congestion delay index (PCDI), resulting in the precipitous decrease of AQI and PCDI in Q1 2020, and the peaks of the AQI during the epidemic period were almost closely related to people's activities. AQI, PM2.5, and NO2 was significantly positively correlated with PCDI. Therefore, the alleviation of traffic congestion plays an important role in improving the air quality.
Effects of lipid emulsion on the formation of Escherichia coli –Candida albicans mixed species biofilm on PVC
Authors: Li Shanshan , Duan Wanshi , Lei Yujie , Wang Zhonghui , Fu Chaojiang , He Liang , Shen Zhenghai , Li Minjie , Chen Ying , Huang Yunchao
Published: March 2021

Patients receiving lipid emulsion have an increased risk of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRSBI) in the clinic. More than 15% of CRBSI are found to be polymicrobial. The objective of the study was to explore the mechanism and effects of lipid emulsion on the formation of Escherichia coli-Candida albicans mixed species biofilm (BF) on the surface of polyvinylchloride (PVC) materials. Mixed BFs were achieved by co-culturing Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Candida albicans (Ca) with PVC in various concentrations of lipid emulsion respectively. Crystal violet (CV) staining and XTT assay were performed to test the formation of BFs and the viability of bacteria in BFs. The microstructures of BFs were observed by a combined approach of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study found that lipid emulsion promoted the formation of Escherichia coli-Candida albicans mixed biofilm, especially 10% lipid emulsion. The mechnism of lipid emulsion prompting mixed biofilm formation may be significantly up-regulating the expression of flhDC, iha, HTA1, and HWP1 genes associated with bacterial motility, adhesion and biofilm formation. For prevention of central venous catheter-associated infections, medical professionals should maintain strict aseptic precautions when handling lipid emulsion and avoid using high concentrations of lipid emulsion for a long time as much as possible. The study provides interesting information for future research in biomaterial related infection.