bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching [VAT] in Terms of Knowledge and Self-expressed Stigma Regarding COVID-19 and its Preventive Measures among Housekeeping Staff at Selected Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana: A Pre-experimental Study
Authors: Abonmai Khiumajuliu , Dular Sunil Kumar , Chhillar Rekha
Published: January 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by newly discovered virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The current study is here about Covid-19 and its preventive measures as housekeeping staffs are on the front lines of fighting this global pandemic, as they are responsible for deep cleaning, disinfecting and scrubbing the surfaces and areas that are hosts of potentially dangerous germs and viruses which can widely spread and affect so many lives.

Objectives: The objectives of the study have drawn to fulfill the research reflecting on the effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching [VAT] regarding COVID-19 and its preventive measures in terms of knowledge and self-expressed stigma among housekeeping staff at selected hospital, Gurugram, Haryana.

Materials and methods: A pre-experimental study with one-group pre-test post-test design was conducted among 100 housekeeping staff by convenient sampling technique in selected hospital, Gurugram, Haryana.

Results: Among 100 housekeeping staff, 91.66% were having previous knowledge regarding COVID-19, 76% were male and mean age was 54 years of age. Overall, 93 (93%), 7 (7%) and 0 (0%) participants had adequate, moderate and inadequate knowledge regarding COVID-19 and its preventive measures and 42 (42%), 58 (58%) and 0 (0%) participants had favorable, moderate and unfavorable stigma related to COVID-19. There was no significant association between the pre-test knowledge and self-expressed stigma regarding COVID-19 and its preventive measures with the demographic variables.

Conclusion: The study found a significant difference in knowledge and self-expressed stigma on COVID-19 and its preventive measures among housekeeping workers in a chosen hospital in Gurugram, Haryana, before and after VAT programme. It was proved that Video Assisted Teaching was effective in teaching COVID-19 and its preventive measures to housekeeping staff in a selected hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. With continuing education, housekeeping staff may become more aware about COVID-19 and reduces the spreading of the diseases.
Comparative Study of Drug Likeness and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Synthetic Antiviral Drugs to that of Remdesivir: In-silico Approach
Authors: C Akshatha , Vaidya Gayatri , Dharmashekara Chandan , Shreevatsa Bhargav , Vikas H. S. , Bhavana H. H. , Prasad Kollur Shiva , Srinivasa Chandrashekar , Patil Sharanagouda S. , Bindya S. , Ashwini P. , M Pallavi , Shivamallu Chandan , Achar Raghu Ram
Published: January 2022

COVID-19's recent appearance in Wuhan, China, has affected more than three million twenty-five million individuals worldwide. It is considered a pandemic disease by WHO. Till now, there is no approved therapeutic for treating COVID-19 infection. The involvement of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in coronavirus replication is crucial, and it could be a potential therapeutic target. To identify potent inhibitors against coronavirus, we have applied a molecular docking tool targeting RdRp by antiviral synthetic ligands and phytochemical ligands. Auto Dock 4.2.6 was used to do molecular docking in order to predict the most effective drug. In the present study, molecular docking studies of fifty ligands against the protein RNA dependent RNA polymerase. A comparative study was done using standard antiviral ligands Remdesivir. Out of fifty ligands, the top ten compounds were selected, which shows maximum binding affinity.Furthermore, ADME analysis and Lipinski's five rules were investigated to check the drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties of the top ten ligands. We observed from the following results that except few, all the ligands showed the best binding energy compared to standard ligands against coronavirus. Depending on the higher docking score, ADMET and drug-likeness prediction top five ligands were selected. This study will provide a lead molecule against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase for further in-vivo and in-vitro of coronavirus.
Time Series Models for COVID-19 New Cases in Top Seven Infected African Countries
Authors: Argawu Alemayehu Siffir
Published: January 2022

Introduction: In Africa region on the date of December 09, 2021 at 14:46 GMT, the total cumulative cases of COVID-19 was 8,889,437 with total deaths and total recoveries of 224,731 (2.5% of death rate) and 8,185,382 (92% of recovery rate) respectively. Thus, this study aimed modelling and forecasting of COVID-19 new cases in top seven infected African countries using time series models.

Methods: The top seven infected African countries COVID-19 new cases dataset was taken from our World COVID-19 dataset. The study period was from February 14 to September 06, 2020. Different time series models were used for modelling and forecasting of COVID-19 new cases data. Models comparisons were done by normalized BIC, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and R-squared values.

Results: The COVID-19 new cases data of Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, and South Africa were fitted by ARIMA (0,1,0), ARIMA (0,1,0), Damped trend, Brown, and ARIMA (0,1,14) models in the study period, respectively. Whereas Ghana, and Nigeria COVID-19 new cases data were followed by simple exponential smoothing models. The 95% confidence levels for lowest to highest forecasted COVID-19 new cases were 258 to 197 with decreasing trend in Algeria, 63 to 933 with increasing trend in Egypt, 636 to 2,141 with increasing trend in Ethiopia, 0 to 1,022 with constant trend in Ghana, 1,900 to 2,807 with increasing trend in Morocco, 0 to 543 with constant trend in Nigeria, and 2,056 to 2,444 with increasing trend in South Africa for the next one month (from September 7 to October 6, 2020).

Conclusion: The findings of the study used for preparedness planning against further spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in African countries. The author recommends that as many countries continue to relax restrictions on movement and mass gatherings, and more are opening their air spaces, and the countries’ other public and private sectors are reopening and then strong appropriate public health and social measures must be instituted on the ground again and again before the virus is distributed and attacked more and more peoples in the region. And, the researcher recommended that risk factors of COVID-19 new cases should be conducted for next time in Africa countries.
Correlation of Salivary Cortisol Levels with Anxiety in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients before and after Complete Denture Rehabilitation - An in vivo Study
Authors: Bansod Akansha Vilas , Pisulkar Sweta Kale
Published: January 2022

Background: Complete edentulism constitutes health care burden, resulting in alterations in physical, psychological and emotional behavior. Also, a reduction in quality of life is expressed by patients, raising their levels of stress and anxiety. Stressful situations cause increased blood pressure and heart rate resulting in the secretion of cortisol hormone, which stimulates gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis causing hyperglycemia, which may favor the occurrence of Diabetes. As the diabetic’s population is rapidly rising, Prosthodontists are certain to see a greater number of diabetic edentulous patients. Thus, there is a need to assess the relationship of complete denture rehabilitation with the generic health of edentulous patients which can be done by checking the stress levels, and their effects on systemic health.

Objectives: To determine anxiety levels and Salivary Cortisol levels in Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients and compare and correlate them before and after rehabilitation with Complete Dentures.

Methodology: It will be a cross-sectional study, carried out on edentulous diabetic patients aged 50-70 years visiting the Department of Prosthodontics of Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital. With consent for participation, Glycated Hemoglobin and anxiety levels will be determined, along with fabrication of complete dentures. Patients will be assessed at two stages; before and 1 month after complete denture rehabilitation.

Results: The research has been approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee. The results expected are the significant reduction in anxiety levels after Complete Denture Rehabilitation and thus, a definitive correlation between anxiety and salivary cortisol levels.

Conclusion: Adaptation of patients to their new set of Complete dentures can be improved by their clinicians by acquisition of the knowledge of relationship of the general health of the patient and correlating it to the dental rehabilitation.
Indications, Contraindications, and Clinical Significance of Holter Monitoring Device
Authors: Abdullah Marwah Yakoop , Zarei Traad Louai , Althaidy Mubarak Mohamed , Alghamdi Ibrahim Ahmed , Alkindy Abdulrhman Shamsuddin , Almalki Ibrahim Hassan , Barnawi Jomannah Fahad , Alfayez Eman Hassan , Alali Amjad Saad , Merza Saleh Fouad , Hasan Fatema Shaker , Almaghrabi Saad Khalid
Published: January 2022

Holter electrocardiogram monitoring devices are mainly indicated to assess the 24-hour heart rate and rhythm, enabling clinicians and physicians to evaluate the underlying disorders, possibly arrhythmias. The clinical significance of these modalities was apparent in different clinical events, including cardiac and non-cardiac ones. Many applications and clinical advantages were reported since the device was first reported, which changed the way how healthcare settings deal with and monitor cardiac rhythm and associated abnormalities. Evidence shows that Holter monitoring devices are useful in the appropriate patient populace and are very efficacious in diagnosing and following cardiac arrhythmias and other different cardiac conditions, which can significantly enhance the prognosis and management of cardiovascular patients. In this context, it has been shown that primary healthcare physicians should always be aware that many patients might be present with asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias. However, not many studies have adequately assessed them in the non-cardiac population, which calls for conducting more future investigations. In the present literature review study, we aim to discuss the indications, contraindications, and clinical significance of using the Holter monitoring device based on data from the relevant studies in the literature.
Characterization of Magnetorheological Fluid: A Study on Sedimentation and Redispersion
Authors: Prajapati Hiren , Lakdawala Absar
Published: January 2022

Herein, an induction method based setup for quantification of sedimentation behavior of magnetorheological fluids (MR fluids) consisting of 10% carbonyl iron powder in silicone oil is used. The effect of addition of Aerosil (stabilizer) on sedimentation is proposed with the help of “sedimentation index.” The proposed model of sedimentation index is compared with experimental measurement and is found to be in good agreement. In case of unavoidable event of settling, the important point is the ease of redispersion of sediment. This is directly evaluated with the help of a slider crank mechanism based setup which is proposed on the basis of the actual application. The quantification of redispersibility of the settled MR fluid is proposed using novel “redispersion index.” It is observed that increasing the concentration of Aerosil reduces the settling due to high off‐state viscosity, however, at the cost of redispersibility. In this study, the optimum trade‐off between the redispersibility and slow settling is obtained with 15% concentration of Aerosil in the MR fluid.
Ni, Co Hydroxide Modified by Partial Substitution of OH– with Cl– for Boosting Ultra‐Fast Redox Kinetics up to 500 mV s−1 in Supercapacitors
Authors: Chang Jin , Zhang Su , Shi Mengjiao , Feng Jing , Liu Zheng , Wei Tong , Fan Zhuangjun
Published: January 2022

Metal oxides/hydroxides have attracted great attention as battery‐type electrodes for supercapacitors due to their high theoretical capacitance. However, their poor electrical conductivity and ion transport kinetic severely limit their rate performance, hindering the practical application for high power devices. Herein, a simple co‐precipitation method to synthesize partial substitution of OH– with Cl– in Co, Ni layered hydroxide in saturated NaCl solution is reported. The Cl– substitution significantly increases the interlayer H2O content from 5.3% to 10.2% by changing the polarity of the hydroxide layers, leading to ultrafast ion transport through the Grotthuss behavior. Moreover, the Cl– substitution also changes the electron configuration of Ni and Co, enhancing the electrical conductivity and redox activity. Thanks to the robust electrochemical kinetics, the Ni0.85Co0.15(OH)1.77Cl0.23 shows well‐maintained redox peaks at an ultrahigh scan rate up to 500 mV s–1 and an outstanding rate performance (1076.3 C g–1 at 1 A g–1 and 333.6 C g–1 at 100 A g–1), which are among the best in the previously reported Ni(OH)2 based electrodes. Therefore, this simple anion substitution strategy opens up a new concept for achieving ultrahigh rate battery‐type electrodes.
Visible Light Induced Aerobic Coupling of Arylboronic Acids Promoted by Hydrazone
Authors: Xia Hongyu , Wang Ganghu , Zhao Dongbo , Zhu Chunyin
Published: January 2022

A visible‐light‐induced oxidative coupling of arylboronic acids has been developed for the synthesis of biaryls. The reaction that employs polydentate hydrazones as the bifunctional catalyst works smoothly under room temperature. It is compatible with a wide range of functional group. The study of UV‐Vis spectrum indicated that hydrazone and its complex with CuI show major absorptions upon visible‐light, which secures the dual role of hydrazone as both ligand and photocatalyst in this reaction. Hence, the reaction is proposed to involve stepwise transmetallations, photo‐induced oxidations, and reductive elimination.

magnified image
Exploring Coupled Martensitic and Order–Disorder Phase Transitions in Fe7Pd3 Shape Memory Alloys Equilibrated Along the Bain Path: An Embedded Atom Method and Ab Initio Based Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Holm Alexander , Schmalfuß Jonathan , Mayr Stefan G.
Published: January 2022

The ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, Fe7Pd3, not only offers promising applications, but also reveals a number of unresolved scientific questions, including coupling between a series of martensite and order–disorder transitions, which are in the focus of the present study. To address and understand these aspects, which are of particular importance for controlling phase stability in , an ab initio based Monte Carlo simulation code is developed, whose results demonstrate that equilibrated ordered or disordered phases show distinct dependencies coupled to temperature and lattice structure. Moreover, in equiatomic domains emerging from initially randomized disorder, an intermediate, entropy stabilized phase is identified with significantly higher magnetic anisotropy energy, being advantageous for miniaturized applications. This phase, among other observed configurations, is comprehensively characterized by free energy landscapes and magneto‐structural coupling derived from vibrational analysis of molecular dynamics trajectories and full relativistic spin polarized density functional theory ground state calculations, respectively.
Excitonic Effects in Fe/As K‐Edge Absorption for Iron Based Superconductors: A Combined DFT and BSE Analysis
Authors: Ghosh Soumyadeep , Ghosh Haranath
Published: January 2022

This work provides a detailed theoretical calculations of Fe/As K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectra of six different iron based superconducting compounds FeSe, LiFeAs, NaFeAs, , , and , by using three distinct levels of calculations to evaluate the electron–hole interaction properly. First, density functional theory (DFT) in absence of core–hole effect which completely neglects the electron–hole interaction; second, supercell based core–hole calculations where the static electron–hole Coulomb interaction is taken into account; and finally, by solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation (BSE) which takes care of the dynamical screening of photo‐electron and core–hole. The characteristic peaked features and spectral weight distribution in Fe K‐edge absorption spectrum matches well in both the theoretical methods, especially when “core–hole” effect are explicitly considered for iron chalcogenides. Hence, the electron–hole screening effect is almost equivalent in both the methods for these compounds. Occurrence of an additional higher energy peak and bifurcation of some peaks in the BSE spectrum may be attributed to excitonic effects. BSE based As K‐edge absorption spectrum differs significantly with the DFT ones in some of the studied compounds, indicating more paramount excitonic effects for As edges. Nonresonant inelastic X‐ray scattering is also investigated at various momentum transfers and converges to corresponding X‐ray absorption spectrum at low momentum transfers.
A Switchable Dual‐Mode Actuator Enabled by Bistable Structure
Authors: Li Bo , Jiang Lei , Ma Wentao , Zhang Yakun , Sun Wenjie , Chen Guimin
Published: January 2022

Soft actuators are favored due to their flexibility and adaptability, but are limited to single actuation mode. Herein, a novel soft actuator with a dual‐kinestate performance is proposed. By subtly integrating a bistable compliant mechanism with artificial muscles, the soft actuator is capable of switching between binary motion and continuous motion with accurate output. Functions of overcoming external interference and regulating the snapping time are realized with programmed voltages. Two applications utilizing the switchable kinestate are illustrated, including a mechanical encryption display system with one actuator and an amplitude modulation system with two actuators in parallel. This novel soft actuator exhibits potential applications for the multi‐mode actuation of soft robots.
Peano‐Hydraulically Amplified Self‐Healing Electrostatic Actuators Based on a Novel Bilayer Polymer Shell for Enhanced Strain, Load, and Rotary Motion
Authors: Tian Ye , Liu Junjie , Wu Wenjie , Liang Xianrong , Pan Min , Bowen Chris , Jiang Yong , Sun Jingyao , McNally Tony , Wu Daming , Huang Yao , Wan Chaoying
Published: January 2022

The hydraulically amplified self‐healing electrostatic actuator is an emerging driving component for soft robotics, which is composed of a flexible dielectric polymer shell that is partially covered by conductive electrodes and filled with a liquid dielectric. However, the low permittivity and dielectric strength of the polymer shell remain a challenge that limits the actuator performance. Herein, a Peano‐hydraulically amplified self‐healing electrostatic actuator is constructed by innovatively integrating a bilayer polymer shell for combined favorable properties of high dielectric strength, dielectric permittivity, and elastic modulus. Compared with a traditional single‐layer shell actuator, the new bilayer actuator architecture generates an increased strain (164%) at 5 kV and improves load‐bearing capability (620 mN) at 6 kV, thereby providing a significantly enhanced actuation performance. The new actuator is further applied in driving a ratchet system, which converts the reciprocating motion of the actuator into a rotating motion and a flexible output torque, in order to protect the rotating components from impact. The high strain and load characteristics of the bilayer configuration and the easy‐to‐deform characteristics of the new actuator design make it an attractive approach to fabricate complex geometries and achieve a variety of motion modes in soft systems.
Symptom severity and posttraumatic growth in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: The moderating role of social support
Authors: Feng Yongshen , Zhou Xuezhen , Liu Qian , Deng Tao , Qin Xiuqun , Chen Biyuan , Zhang Lifeng
Published: January 2022

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). No study has investigated the moderating effect of social support and family function between symptom severity and PTG. The study aims to examine whether social support and family function moderate the relationship between symptom severity and PTG among parents of children with ASD. Using a cross‐sectional design, a total of 385 parents of children with ASD were recruited from September 2019 to November 2020 by convenience sampling. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Social Support Rating Scale, Autism Behavior Checklist, and Family Apgar Index. Both social support (r = 0.354, p < 0.01) and family function (r = 0.379, p < 0.05) were significantly related to PTG. Although symptom severity was not significantly related to PTG (p > 0.05), social support moderated the correlation between symptom severity and PTG [β(SE) = −0.134 (0.719), p < 0.01, 95% CI = (−3.552, −0.723)]; the positive association was stronger for low social support [β(SE) = 0.145 (0.054), t = 2.675, p < 0.01, 95% CI = (0.038, 0.252)], while the negative association was weaker for high social support [β(SE) = −0.121 (0.051), t = −2.378, p < 0.05, 95% CI = (−0.221, −0.021)]. Family function did not moderate the relationship (p > 0.05). Higher social support appears to buffer the detrimental effect of symptom severity on PTG, and social support seems to be an important factor when delivering interventions aimed at decreasing symptom severity and improving positive growth.

Lay Summary

Both social support and family function were positively associated with PTG. Providing sufficient perceived social support and enhancing family function promoted parents' positive psychological experience. Higher social support seemed to buffer the detrimental effect of symptom severity on PTG, and it could be an important intervention target for improving the psychological growth of parents of children with ASD.
Collaborative study results for oxidative gelation method (56–25.01)
Authors: Bettge Arthur D.
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

A collaborative trial for a method estimating the potential for oxidative gelation for wheat flour was conducted among 11 laboratories and results analyzed to facilitate inclusion of the method into the AACCI Approved Methods.

Findings

Statistical analyses indicated the method provided adequate repeatability (sr = 0.2–0.55) and reproducibility (sR = 0.84–2.87) within and among participating laboratories, respectively. It was noted that repeatability and reproducibility are statistical measures best applied for evaluating results deriving from methods that analyze a single component for quantity. These measures are less appropriate for measurement of dynamic systems involving multiple components, such as viscosity. Rank analyses were also used to analyze results and then discussed as an appropriate alternative means of evaluating consistency of the method among laboratories.

Conclusions

The method was approved by the AACCI/CGA Approved Method Committee.
Supplementation of Corriente steers stocked on bermudagrass pastures sod‐seeded with rye–ryegrass before the feedlot period
Authors: Rouquette Francis Monte , Norman Kelli D. , Long Charles
Published: January 2022

Core Ideas

Crossbreds had greater average daily gain (ADG) off rye–ryegrass than Corrientes.

Supplementation with 2 lb d–1 corn on rye–ryegrass increased ADG for crossbreds.

Supplementation with corn–fishmeal increased the ADG of Corrientes on bermudagrass.

In the feedlot, Corrientes had lower ADG and higher feed/gain ratios than crossbreds.

The best management strategy for Corrientes was pasture without a feedlot period.
The World Vegetable Center Amaranthus germplasm collection: Core collection development and evaluation of agronomic and nutritional traits
Authors: Schafleitner Roland , Lin Ya‐ping , Dinssa Fekadu Fufa , N'Danikou Sognigbé , Finkers Richard , Minja Ruth , Abukutsa‐Onyango Mary , Nyonje Winnie Akinyi , Lin Chen‐yu , Wu Tien‐hor , Sigalla Jeremiah Phanuel , van Zonneveld Maarten , Hsiao Yun‐yin , Kumar Sanjeet , Wu Wan‐jen , Wang Hsin‐I , Lin Shou , Yang Ray‐yu
Published: January 2022

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an underutilized crop increasing in popularity as a grain and as a leafy vegetable. It is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, and adapts well to a range of production systems. Currently, the lack of improved cultivars limits the use of the crop. Breeding‐improved cultivars requires access to large collections of amaranth biodiversity stored in genebanks. The task of searching such vast collections for traits of interest can be eased by generating core collections, which display the diversity of large collections in a much smaller germplasm set. The World Vegetable Center amaranth collection contains around 1,000 accessions of 13 species; among them, there are 281 accessions of four species important for use as vegetable amaranth in Africa (A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus, and A. dubius). Based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker genotype diversity, a core collection (CC) of 76 accessions, cultivars, and selections was assembled. To a large extent, it represents the diversity of the whole collection. The CC was evaluated for yield and nutritional parameters during the cool and warm seasons in Tanzania and Taiwan and a pretest for variation of drought tolerance in the CC has been performed. Cultivar Madiira 2, an improved cultivar developed for vegetable production in Africa, outperformed all other tested cultivars in terms of yield stability, but several CC accessions had higher yield, lower wilting score, and higher nutrient content than Madiira 2. This indicates the core collection can be used for further improvement of amaranth cultivars.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Benzylic Silylation of Diarylmethyl Carbonates with Silylboranes under Base‐Free Conditions
Authors: Asai Kento , Hirano Koji , Miura Masahiro
Published: January 2022

A palladium‐catalyzed benzylic silylation of diarylmethyl carbonates with silylboranes has been developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly even under external base‐free conditions, and the corresponding benzylic silanes are formed in good to high yields. The obtained benzyl silane derivatives can work as the benzylic nucleophiles by the action of a suitable fluoride source and react with some carbon electrophiles to deliver the corresponding benzylic C−C cross‐coupled products. Additionally, while still preliminary, the allylic silylation of the isoelectronic allylic carbonates is also achieved.
Arbitrage, contract design, and market structure in Bitcoin futures markets
Authors: De Blasis Riccardo , Webb Alexander
Published: January 2022

Perpetual futures, first proposed by Shiller (1993), have only seen wide use in cryptocurrency markets. We examine the contract design and market microstructure differences for the behavior of Bitcoin quarterly and perpetual futures prices and assess the implications for market participants and policymakers. We find perpetual futures exhibit multiple “u‐shaped” curves, seasonal effects, and opening effects despite lacking opening and closing hours. There is suggestive evidence of spillover effects between perpetual and quarterly futures contracts. We find quarterly futures offer cash‐and‐carry arbitrage opportunities, but similar to Hattori and Ishida (2021) these opportunities primarily exist during market dislocations.
Finding the right words: Articulating the value of mental health promotion. A focus group study
Authors: Cresswell‐Smith Johanna , Mäkikärki Nonni , Appelqvist‐Schmidlechner Kaija , Wahlbeck Kristian
Published: January 2022

The Lapinlahti Hospital initiative in Helsinki has transformed a disused psychiatric hospital into an open site for mental health promotion. The current study uses qualitative methods to explore how the initiative may promote population mental health. The phenomenological study comprised of data from 7 focus group including 28 participants. Resulting data were thematically analysed to articulate how the initiative supports mental wellbeing in different ways. Mental health benefits were categorized into three themes; mental health value, civil values and common values which were comprised of nine subthemes; paradigm shift, social inclusion, personal meaning, regeneration, ambience, stigma, sustainability, democracy and environment. Mental health promotion emphasises the impact of daily environments in which people live their lives. Results from this study support the use of broad based actions which promote different components of mental wellbeing simultaneously. Psychiatric hospitals may offer historically meaningful sites for such actions.
Prospects of microbial polysaccharides‐based hybrid constructs for biomimicking applications
Authors: Qamar Sarmad Ahmad , Riasat Areej , Jahangeer Muhammad , Fatima Rameen , Bilal Muhammad , Iqbal Hafiz M. N. , Mu Bo‐Zhong
Published: January 2022

Polysaccharides are biobased polymers obtained from renewable sources. They exhibit various interesting features including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. Microbial polysaccharides are produced by several microorganisms including yeast, fungi, algae, and bacteria. Microbial polysaccharides have gained high importance in biotechnology due to their novel physiochemical characteristics and composition. Among microbial polysaccharides, xanthan, alginate, gellan, and dextran are the most commonly reported polysaccharides for the development of biomimetic materials for biomedical applications including targeted drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Several chemical and physical cross‐linking reactions are performed to increase their technological and functional properties. Owning to the broad‐scale applications of microbial polysaccharides, this review aims to summarize the characteristics with different ways of physical/chemical crosslinking for polysaccharide regulation. Recently, several biopolymers have gained high importance due to their biologically active properties. This will help in the formation of bioactive nutraceuticals and functional foods. This review provides a perspective on microbial polysaccharides, with special emphasis given to applications in promising biosectors and the subsequent advancement on the discovery and development of new polysaccharides for adding new products.
Stage‐specific differential expression of zinc transporter SLC30A and SLC39A family proteins during prostate tumorigenesis
Authors: Prasad Ram R. , Raina Komal , Mishra Neha , Tomar Munendra S. , Kumar Robin , Palmer Amy E. , Maroni Paul , Agarwal Rajesh
Published: January 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) initiation and progression uniquely modify the prostate milieu to aid unrestrained cell proliferation. One salient modification is the loss of the ability of prostate epithelial cells to accumulate high concentrations of zinc; however, molecular alterations associated with loss of zinc accumulating capability in malignant prostate cells remain poorly understood. Herein, we assessed the stage‐specific expression of zinc transporters (ZNTs) belonging to the ZNT (SLC30A) and Zrt‐ and Irt‐like protein (ZIP) (SLC39A) solute‐carrier family in the prostate tissues of different genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of PCa (TMPRSS2‐ERG.Ptenflox/flox, Hi‐Myc+/−, and transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate), their age‐matched wild‐type controls, and 104 prostate core biopsies from human patients with different pathological lesions. Employing immunohistochemistry, differences in the levels of protein expression and spatial distribution of ZNT were evaluated as a function of the tumor stage. Results indicated that the expression of zinc importers (ZIP1, ZIP2, and ZIP3), which function to sequester zinc from circulation and prostatic fluid, was low to negligible in the membranes of the malignant prostate cells in both GEMM and human prostate tissues. Regarding zinc exporters (ZNT1, ZNT2, ZNT9, and ZNT10) that export excess zinc into the extracellular spaces or intracellular organelles, their expression was low in normal prostate glands of mice and humans; however, it was significantly upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma lesions in GEMM and PCa patients. Together, our findings provide new insights into altered expression of ZNTs during the progression of PCa and indicate that changes in zinc homeostasis could possibly be an early‐initiation event during prostate tumorigenesis and a likely prevention/intervention target.
Feasibility of isodose‐shaped scintillation detectors for the measurement of gamma knife output factors
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Yang Hye Jeong , Jeong Jae Young , Schaarschmidt Thomas , Kim Yong Kyun , Chung Hyun‐Tai
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Scintillation detectors were 3D printed based on a gamma knife (GK) dose distribution to calculate the volume averaging effect. The collimator output factors were measured using isodose‐shaped scintillators (ISSs) and compared with those of a micro‐diamond detector and previous reports.

Methods

An absorbed dose distribution in a spherical dosimetry phantom with a radius of 8 cm was obtained from GK treatment planning software (Leksell GammaPlan [LGP], Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Two types of ISSs were fabricated to fit the 97.2% (ISS‐1) and 95.6% (ISS‐2) isodose surfaces. The volume averaging correction factors were obtained by dividing the absorbed dose to water in the central voxel (CV) by that in the ISS. The correction effect due to the difference between the ISS and water was calculated by Monte Carlo simulations. Ten ISS detectors, five of each type, were used to measure the output factors of the 4‐ and 8‐mm collimators of a GK Icon to assess system consistency. The output factors of seven GKs were measured using two ISS detectors, one of each type, and a PTW T60019 (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) micro‐diamond detector.

Results

The detector output ratios (DORs) measured using the five ISSs of each type were consistent, with standard uncertainties less than 0.2%. In the 4‐mm field, the volume averaging correction factor ratios were 1.018 and 1.026, and the output factors after all corrections were 0.827 (0.006) and 0.825 (0.006) for ISS‐1 and ISS‐2, respectively. In the 8‐mm field, the volume averaging correction factor ratios were 1.000 for both ISS types, and the output factors were 0.898 (0.003) and 0.900 (0.003) for ISS‐1 and ISS‐2, respectively. The ISS detectors could measure the output factors of a GK with uncertainties comparable to that of the PTW 60019 detector. The output factors of all detectors decreased with the dose rate.

Conclusion

The volume averaging effect of an ISS developed in‐house could be calculated using known dose distributions. The collimator output factors of the GK Perfexion/Icon models measured using ISS detectors were consistent with those of a commercial synthetic micro‐diamond detector and recent studies.
Effective Training Improves Disaster Response
Authors: Adams Hunter , Southard Mark , Forbes Steven , Leinweber Butch , Nix Daniel K.
Published: January 2022

Preparedness training and continuity‐of‐operations plans helped a Texas water utility's staff keep mission‐essential functions going and water flowing during 2021’s record‐breaking winter storm.
Lessons from a quarter century of being human in protein science
Authors: Jaswal Sheila S.
Published: January 2022

Over the past quarter century, my engagement with the protein society has allowed me to witness first‐hand the evolution of our deepening understanding of the complexity of protein folding landscapes. During my own evolution as a protein scientist, my passion for protein folding has deepened into an obsession with mapping and decoding the thermodynamic and kinetic secrets of protein landscapes—especially those of rebel proteins, whose “nontraditional” behavior has challenged our paradigms and inspired the expansion of our models and methods. It is perhaps not surprising that I see parallels in the evolution of the landscape framework and in the development of our own trajectories as humans in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Just as with proteins, however, we need to recognize that our individual human landscapes are not isolated from our local departmental and institutional communities, and are integrated into the larger networks of our STEM disciplines, academia, industry, and/or government, not to mention society. My experience with hundreds of participants in the Being Human in STEM (HSTEM) initiative that Amherst College undergraduates and I co‐founded in 2016 has helped me find hope for STEM and humanity. If we commit to reconciling our identities as scientists with our responsibilities as human beings, together we can accelerate the evolution of individual, community, and societal landscapes to contribute to addressing the dire challenges facing our planet.
Ductal and acinar components of mixed prostatic adenocarcinoma frequently have a common clonal origin
Authors: Lindh Claes , Samaratunga Hemamali , Delahunt Brett , Bergström Rebecka , Chellappa Venkatesh , Yaxley John , Lindberg Johan , Egevad Lars
Published: January 2022

Background

Ductal adenocarcinoma (DA) is an aggressive subtype of prostate cancer. It is most commonly seen in mixed tumors together with conventional acinar adenocarcinoma (AA). The genetic profile of DA and its clonal origin is not fully characterized.

Objective

To investigate whether DA represents a distinct genetic subtype and to investigate the somatic relationship between the ductal and acinar components of mixed cancers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In 17 radical prostatectomy specimens ductal and acinar tumor components from the same tumor foci were dissected. DNA was extracted and genomic sequencing performed. After exclusion of two cases with low cell yield, 15 paired samples remained for analysis.

Results

In 12 of 15 cases a common somatic denominator was identified, while three cases had clonally separate components. In DA, TMPRSS2‐ERG gene fusions were detected in 47% (7/15), clonal FOXA1 alterations in 33% (5/15) and SPOP alterations in 27% (4/15) of cases. In one case KIAA1549−BRAF fusion was identified. Genome doubling events, resulting in an increased ploidy, were identified in the DA in 53% (8/15) of cases, but not seen in any AA. PTEN and CTNNB1 alterations were enriched in DA (6/15) but not seen in any AA. No cancers showed microsatellite instability or high tumor mutation burden.

Conclusions

Ductal and acinar prostate adenocarcinoma components of mixed tumors most often share the same origin and are clonally related. DA components in mixed tumor often exhibit genome doubling events resulting in aneuploidy, consistent with the aggressive nature of high grade prostate cancer.
Using National Data to Explore Online and Offline Reading Comprehension Processes
Authors: Neugebauer Sabina Rak , Han Insook , Fujimoto Ken A. , Ellis Emmaline
Published: January 2022

Despite the common and growing use of and instruction on digital reading in schools, the ways in which reading comprehension may operate differently in paper and online environments are still underexplored. Using publicly available national datasets, we explore similarities and differences in how varied comprehension processes relate to each other in these spaces. Analyses using a Bayesian unidimensional graded response model found that paper‐based reading performance involved hierarchical comprehension processes consistent with traditional theories of reading comprehension while digital hypermedia reading did not involve these same processes. This research provides usable knowledge for supporting researchers, and teachers in uncovering the unique educational benefits and challenges of online reading.
Learning by doing and corporate diversification
Authors: Ryu Wonsang , McCann Brian T. , Wan William P.
Published: January 2022

Research Summary

We examine how learning‐by‐doing (LBD) rates in manufacturing, the extent to which performance depends on own production experience, are associated with firms' diversification decisions. We argue that the LBD rates of industries affect the characteristics of not only the first‐order knowledge that firms generate via operating a particular process but also the second‐order knowledge that firms develop about the learning process itself. We maintain that first‐order knowledge generated via LBD has low transferability; accordingly, firms are less likely to diversify as their industries exhibit higher rates of LBD. We also argue that second‐order knowledge about LBD affects the locus of diversification; specifically, firms are more likely to choose target industries with similar LBD rates. Hypotheses are tested using data from over 350 U.S. manufacturing industries.

Managerial Summary

We investigate how manufacturing firms' diversification decisions differ depending on the LBD rates of their industries. LBD rates reflect the extent to which production performance depends on own production experience. Consistent with our argument that production knowledge generated from LBD is difficult to transfer to new contexts, results indicate that firms in high‐LBD industries are less likely to diversify than those in low‐LBD industries. We also argue, however, that firms in high‐LBD industries can develop general know‐how to accelerate LBD and that this know‐how is applicable in other high‐LBD manufacturing contexts. Therefore, they prefer to enter other high‐LBD industries to leverage that know‐how. Our results show that firms are more likely to choose diversification into industries with similar LBD rates.
Characterization of virulence determinants and phylogenetic background of multiple and extensively drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from different clinical sources in Egypt
Authors: El-baz Rana , Said Heba Shehta , Abdelmegeed Eman Salama , Barwa Rasha
Published: January 2022

Escherichia coli is a multifaceted microbe since some are commensals, normally inhabiting the gut of both humans and animals while others are pathogenic responsible for a wide range of intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. It is one of the leading causes of septicemia, neonatal meningitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis, pyelonephritis, and traveler’s diarrhea. The present study aims to survey the distribution and unravel the association of phylotypes, virulence determinants, and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from different clinical sources in Mansoura hospitals, Egypt. One hundred and fifty E. coli isolates were collected from different clinical sources. Antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence determinants, and virulence encoding genes were detected. Moreover, phylogenetic and molecular typing using ERIC-PCR analysis was performed. Our results have revealed that phylogroup B2 (26.67%) with the greatest content in virulence traits was the most prevalent phylogenetic group. Different virulence profiles and varying incidence of virulence determinants were detected among tested isolates. High rates of resistance to different categories of antimicrobial agents, dramatic increase of MDR (92.67%), and emergence of XDR (4%) were detected. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed great diversity among tested isolates. There was no clustering of isolates according to resistance, virulence patterns, or phylotypes. Our research has demonstrated significant phylogenetic diversity of E. coli isolated from different clinical sources in Mansoura hospitals, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. E. coli isolates are equipped with various virulence factors which contribute to their pathogenesis in human. The elevated rates of antimicrobial resistance and emergence of MDR and XDR mirror the trend detected globally in recent years.

Key points

• Clinical E. coli isolates exhibited substantial molecular and phylogenetic diversity.

• Elevated rates of antimicrobial resistance and emergence of XDR in pathogenic E. coli.

• B2 Phylogroup with the highest VS was the most prevalent among pathogenic E. coli.
ALPS, FAS, and beyond: from inborn errors of immunity to acquired immunodeficiencies
Authors: Consonni Filippo , Gambineri Eleonora , Favre Claudio
Published: January 2022

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a primary immune regulatory disorder characterized by benign or malignant lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity. Classically, ALPS is due to mutations inFASand other related genes; however, recent research revealed that other genes could be responsible for similar clinical features. Therefore, ALPS classification and diagnostic criteria have changed over time, and several ALPS-like disorders have been recently identified. Moreover, mutations inFASoften show an incomplete penetrance, and certain genotypes have been associated to a dominant or recessive inheritance pattern.FASmutations may also be acquired or could become pathogenic when associated to variants in other genes, delineating a possible digenic type of inheritance. Intriguingly, variants inFASand increased TCR αβ double-negative T cells (DNTs, a hallmark of ALPS) have been identified in multifactorial autoimmune diseases, while FAS itself could play a potential role in carcinogenesis. These findings suggest that alterations of FAS-mediated apoptosis could trespass the universe of inborn errors of immunity and that somatic mutations leading to ALPS could only be the tip of the iceberg of acquired immunodeficiencies.
Assessing the influence of sea surface temperature and arctic sea ice cover on the uncertainty in the boreal winter future climate projections
Authors: Cheung Ho-Nam , Keenlyside Noel , Koenigk Torben , Yang Shuting , Tian Tian , Xu Zhiqing , Gao Yongqi , Ogawa Fumiaki , Omrani Nour-Eddine , Qiao Shaobo , Zhou Wen
Published: January 2022

We investigate the uncertainty (i.e., inter-model spread) in future projections of the boreal winter climate, based on the forced response of ten models from the CMIP5 following the RCP8.5 scenario. The uncertainty in the forced response of sea level pressure (SLP) is large in the North Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the Arctic. A major part of these uncertainties (31%) is marked by a pattern with a center in the northeastern Pacific and a dipole over the northeastern Atlantic that we label as the Pacific–Atlantic SLP uncertainty pattern (PA∆SLP). The PA∆SLP is associated with distinct global sea surface temperature (SST) and Arctic sea ice cover (SIC) perturbation patterns. To better understand the nature of the PA∆SLP, these SST and SIC perturbation patterns are prescribed in experiments with two atmospheric models (AGCMs): CAM4 and IFS. The AGCM responses suggest that the SST uncertainty contributes to the North Pacific SLP uncertainty in CMIP5 models, through tropical–midlatitude interactions and a forced Rossby wavetrain. The North Atlantic SLP uncertainty in CMIP5 models is better explained by the combined effect of SST and SIC uncertainties, partly related to a Rossby wavetrain from the Pacific and air-sea interaction over the North Atlantic. Major discrepancies between the CMIP5 and AGCM forced responses over northern high-latitudes and continental regions are indicative of uncertainties arising from the AGCMs. We analyze the possible dynamic mechanisms of these responses, and discuss the limitations of this work.