bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Una FPIES in una neonata
Authors: Risso Francesco Maria , Romano Sara
Published: March 2021

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-immunoglobulin E cell-mediated gastrointestinal food allergy that usually occurs in infancy. The paper presents and discusses a case of FPIES with neonatal onset.
Se il problema sta alla radice...
Authors: Longhi Benedetta
Published: March 2021

The paper describes a case of polyradiculoneuritis secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. At the seven-month follow-up the patient still presented a motor dysfunction of the shoulder girdle.
Efforts for measles elimination in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries 2015–2019: A review
Authors: Al Awaidy Salah T. , Omer Iyad
Published: March 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) and member countries aimed to eliminate measles by 2020. In 1997, the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMR) had unanimously adopted a resolution for measles elimination reduction goals for the interruption of measles transmission in EMR countries by 2010. Among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO, Oman and Bahrain accomplished this goal and were certified. However, those countries noted a resurgence of measles cases in 2018–2019 and integrated measles-related goals in their health plans beyond 2020. Documentation of GCC countries’ achievements and setbacks from 2015 to 2019 was conducted with data from WHO, UNICEF, and published related literature. An analysis of underlying factors, such as gross domestic product per capita, the ratio of nationals to expatriate population, seasonal reporting of measles, and their relation to the achievements, limitations, and subsequent challenges of the last five years in these countries are described. The lessons learned in GCC countries included heightened national commitment toward measles elimination, surveillance, allocation of dedicated human resources, and adept public health strategies, which could help professionals worldwide to realign their strategies and reset the goals for elimination of measles.
Risk in Leadership and Management: Risk-seeking vs. Risk Averse
Authors: Dunn Samuel L. , Jensen Joshua D
Published: March 2021

The 21st century business environment is full of dangers and risk. At the same time, it is ripe with opportunities and rewards. As organizations continue to pursue opportunities and rewards with vigor, while minimizing unnecessary exposure to risk, leaders find themselves with one of two perspectives on risk: risk-seeking or risk averse. Leaders who are risk-seeking are not moved by the inherent dangers of risk, and understand risk to be a necessary part of the business landscape – and therefore engage risk head-on. Alternatively, leaders who are risk averse understand the implications of risk on the enterprise, and work to minimize, or even avoid risk altogether, or at least to the furthest extent possible. This paper examines risk from a leadership perspective. There are various types of risk that business leaders face, and those will be identified and described herein, along with a discussion of various approaches for addressing risk and how risk is manifested in the business environment. Finally, this paper will assist leaders in determining their own attitudes toward risk using various self-assessment tools.
Epistemologia e história dos conceitos de enunciação e de figuratividade na semiótica francesa
Authors: Silva Prado Maria Goreti , Santos Flavia Karla Ribeiro
Published: March 2021

Neste trabalho, historiografamos os conceitos de enunciação e de figuratividade para demonstrarmos como despontaram e se desenvolveram na semiótica francesa, disciplina que se preocupa com o modo como o sentido é construído no discurso. Considerando a operacionalidade desses dois conceitos no discurso e o fato de na semântica discursiva a figuratividade ser responsável pelo reconhecimento do discurso como verdadeiro, também buscamos explicitar como a enunciação e a figuratividade se relacionam. Percebemos que os dois conceitos foram concebidos inicialmente como elementos de análise presentes apenas na semântica discursiva, mas passaram a integrar todos os níveis do percurso gerativo do sentido em um segundo momento. Além disso, ambos passaram a ocupar um lugar de destaque dentro da semiótica após a publicação de De l’imperfection, de A. J. Greimas. Para chegarmos a esse resultado, aplicamos à pesquisa a metodologia da historiografia linguística, disciplina conhecida por descrever e interpretar os produtos e os trabalhos resultantes da história de uma ciência ou de um conceito através de um levantamento dos autores e de sua bibliografia. O método desenvolvido por pesquisadores como E. F. K. Koerner, P. Swiggers e C. Altman, consiste em periodizar, interpretar as transformações sofridas pelos conceitos e descrevê-las visando ao estabelecimento, à fundamentação e ao desenvolvimento da teoria ou do conceito historiografado, que, neste estudo, são os conceitos de enunciação e de figuratividade a partir de estudos realizados por A. J. Greimas, J. Fontanille, J.-C. Coquet, D. Bertrand, entre outros semioticistas.
Levels of Fear in Patients Scheduled for Amputation at The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
Authors: Jnr Reginald Arthur-Mensah , Coffie Sabina , Tetteh-Ahinakwa Lincoln , Kyei Abigail Agartha
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and levels of fear in patients scheduled for amputations at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. A total of 30 patients hospitalized at the surgical wards and the orthopaedic and accident center wards between November 2019 and May 2020 were included in the study. The Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) was used to measure the levels of fear in the patients the day before surgery.

Findings showed that the major type of amputation was below knee amputation, 16/30 (53.3%), the main reason for amputation was due to Diabetic foot wounds, 16/30 (53.3%), the immediate reaction to the news of the amputation was sadness, 12/30 (40%). All patients were afraid. Mean (SD) SFQ-s scores were 16.23 (9.22) and mean (SD) SFQ-l scores were 19.40 (9.65). Though the levels of fear were generally low, long term fear was higher among the patients than the short-term fear consequences of the surgery. Gender was significant associated with patients’ immediate reaction to fear. Age was significantly associated with the levels of fear.

We propose multidisciplinary interactions and well-thought-out rehabilitation programs to enhance patient outcomes and improve the quality of life of amputees.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 13, No. 1
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: March 2021

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Psychological Studies, Vol. 13, No. 1
Updated Distribution of Endangered Psathyrella ammophila in Poland – New Localities on Wolin Island
Authors: Mazurkiewicz-Zapałowicz Kinga , Stasińska Małgorzata , Bihun Magdalena Marta
Published: March 2021

Psathyrella ammophila is a psammophilous fungus most frequently inhabiting seashore beaches, sand dunes and sandy inland areas. Although it is a widely spread species, in some countries it is rare or threatened, including Poland, where it is classified as “endangered” (E). In Poland, P. ammophila has been found in 26 localities, including 14 new reports after 1970. We present two new Polish localities from white sand dunes at the western shore of the Baltic Sea (Wolin Island). Moreover, ecological information and macroscopic and microscopic features of the basidiocarp based on collected samples are presented. The problem of the disappearance of dunes as a primary habitat of P. ammophila is also discussed.
Comparative evaluation of various analgesics in irreversible pulpitis to reduce pain
Authors:   Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai 600077, India, Solete Pradeep
Published: March 2021

It is of interest to evaluate a single dose of three different analgesics compared to placebo in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. 120 patients were enrolled with severe pain in this prospective clinical trial. Patients were randomly divided into four groups after shaping and cleaning of root canals. This includes placebo, piroxicam 20mg, acetaminophen 325mg with aceclofenac sodium 100mg and acetaminophen 650mg. Participants were given a questionnaire to note the pain scores at various time intervals (6 hrs, 12 hrs, and 24 hrs) along with the respective tablets in a concealed manner. Data thus collected was analyzed for statistical significance. The severity of pain decreased in all the three interventional groups compared to the control group (p <0.01) at 6 hours. Zerodol-P and dolonex showed better pain reduction in comparison to the placebo and dolo 650 group (p <0.05) at 12 and 24 hours. Data shows that both zerodol-P and dolonex groups had similar effects at all time intervals. Thus, a single dose of analgesic such as Zerodol-P and Dolonex following shaping and cleaning of root canals relieved pain at all time intervals of the treatment. However, Dolo 650 performed better during the initial 6hrs after completion of the shaping and cleaning of root canals compared to the placebo.
Differential binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein variants to its cognate receptor hACE2 using molecular modeling based binding analysis
Authors:   Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Interdisciplinary Sciences & Technology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi - 110062, India, Krishnan Anuja
Published: March 2021

The current emergence of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and its ceaseless expansion worldwide has posed a global health emergency that has adversely affected the humans. With the entire world striving to understand the newly emerged virus, differences in morbidity and infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed across varied geographic areas, which have been ascribed to viral mutation and evolution over time. The homotrimeric Spike (S) glycoprotein on the viral envelope surface is responsible for binding, priming, and initiating infection in the host. Our phylogeny analysis of 1947 sequences of S proteins indicated there is a change in amino acid (aa) from aspartate (Group-A) to glycine (Group-B) at position 614, near the receptor- binding domain (RBD; aa positions 331-524). The two variants are reported to be in circulation, disproportionately across the world, with Group-A dominant in Asia and Group-B in North America. The trimeric, monomeric, and RBD of S protein of both the variant groups (A & B) were modeled using the Swiss-Model server and were docked with the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) employing the PatchDock server and visualized in PyMol. Group-A S protein’s RBD bound imperceptibly to the two binding clefts of the hACE2 protein, on the other hand, Group-B S protein’s RBD perfectly interacted inside the binding clefts of hACE2, with higher number of hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. This implies that the S protein’s amino acid at position 614 near the core RBD influences its interaction with the cognate hACE2 receptor, which may induce its infectivity that should be explored further with molecular and biochemical studies.
ANALYSIS OF THE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF GLOBAL ELECTRICAL MOBILITY
Authors: PULIDO SANCHEZ DANIEL , CAPELLAN PEREZ IÑIGO , MEDIAVILLA PASCUAL MARGARITA , DE CASTRO CARRANZA CARLOS , FRECHOSO ESCUDERO FERNANDO A.
Published: March 2021

Today, we are witnesses to the early days of a change in the mobility technology as oil reserves decline and society's environmental awareness increases. Electric technologies are intended to replace those based on hydrocarbons as they have been initially conceived as more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. However, the problem of the future availability of the materials required for this change has arisen. A large demand for this type of mobility could contribute to the depletion of these resources, leading to major problems for the manufacture of vehicles and all other technologies that use these materials if we do not find alternatives that allow us not to deplete these natural resources. These alternatives may involve not only a change in the materials used in electric vehicles but also the use of different modes of transport.
To help us estimate which materials related to the transition in the transport sector might be most critical in the future globally, the MEDEAS system dynamics simulation model will be used. Once the simulations on different scenarios have been run, we observe how aluminium, copper, cobalt, lithium, manganese and nickel have such a high demand that would practically cause the exhaustion of their reserves in several scenarios, so we will propose alternative measures to try to avoid their exhaustion due to the use of this type of mobility.

Keywords: Transport modes, mineral resources, system dynamics, lithium-ion batteries.
La patente de Maurice (magia y comunicación política)
Authors: Pastor Lluís
Published: March 2021

Por aquel entonces no era infrecuente hacer aparecer fantasmas. Aunque el público abriera los ojos hasta el dolor debido a su asombro, en los escenarios de la Inglaterra victoriana los magos reproducían los trucos según los cuales podían hacer presentes espíritus del más allá.
Lo que se avecina: ¡'el advergame experience'!
Authors: Vilajoana Alejandre Sandra
Published: March 2021

Una serie de televisión de éxito. Un anunciante que, mediante product placement virtual, emplaza sus productos en la serie en cuestión. Una audiencia que se reúne en las redes sociales para comentar los capítulos durante su emisión. ¿Cerramos el círculo? La nueva fórmula del advergame experience permite a los anunciantes aprovechar sinergias e integrar acciones publicitarias transmedia.
La anorexia lúdica de la 'media literacy'
Authors: Aranda Dani
Published: March 2021

En un artículo anterior que llevaba por título “¿Ludo... qué? Ludoliteracy under construction” argumentaba que los videojuegos no son únicamente una industria cultural potente sino que también son artefactos culturales y sociales, herramientas de aprendizaje y reproducción social y cultural que merecen una atención especial en las políticas actuales de alfabetización mediática. La ludoliteracy tiene como objetivo subrayar la importancia de una alfabetización mediática que se tome en serio el juego digital como objeto de estudio y coprotagonista de sus discursos.
Las tecnologías de la información transforman las profesiones
Authors: Vàzquez Garcia Mercè
Published: March 2021

Las tecnologías de la información han introducido cambios profundos en el planteamiento de las profesiones y el diseño de los puestos de trabajo. En los últimos años la tecnología se utilizaba para automatizar procesos que se realizaban manualmente y reducir así el coste de la mano de obra relacionada. Ahora bien, en la actualidad ya podemos afirmar que la innovación por medio de las tecnologías de la información tiende a automatizar el conocimiento.
15 frases interesantes sobre información
Authors: Cobarsí-Morales Josep
Published: March 2021

Con motivo del 15º aniversario de la actividad académica en Información y Documentación en la UOC, en el seno de los Estudios de Ciencias de la Información y de la Comunicación de la Universidad, proponemos 15 frases que nos pueden ayudar a reflexionar sobre la información en varios contextos y facetas.
Neural encoding of actual and imagined touch within human posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Chivukula Srinivas , Zhang Carey Y , Aflalo Tyson , Jafari Matiar , Pejsa Kelsie , Pouratian Nader , Andersen Richard A
Published: March 2021

In the human posterior parietal cortex (PPC), single units encode high-dimensional information with partially mixed representations that enable small populations of neurons to encode many variables relevant to movement planning, execution, cognition, and perception. Here, we test whether a PPC neuronal population previously demonstrated to encode visual and motor information is similarly engaged in the somatosensory domain. We recorded neurons within the PPC of a human clinical trial participant during actual touch presentation and during a tactile imagery task. Neurons encoded actual touch at short latency with bilateral receptive fields, organized by body part, and covered all tested regions. The tactile imagery task evoked body part-specific responses that shared a neural substrate with actual touch. Our results are the first neuron-level evidence of touch encoding in human PPC and its cognitive engagement during a tactile imagery task, which may reflect semantic processing, attention, sensory anticipation, or imagined touch.
Endoglycan plays a role in axon guidance by modulating cell adhesion
Authors: Baeriswyl Thomas , Dumoulin Alexandre , Schaettin Martina , Tsapara Georgia , Niederkofler Vera , Helbling Denise , Avilés Evelyn , Frei Jeannine A , Wilson Nicole H , Gesemann Matthias , Kunz Beat , Stoeckli Esther T
Published: March 2021

Axon navigation depends on the interactions between guidance molecules along the trajectory and specific receptors on the growth cone. However, our in vitro and in vivo studies on the role of Endoglycan demonstrate that in addition to specific guidance cue – receptor interactions, axon guidance depends on fine-tuning of cell-cell adhesion. Endoglycan, a sialomucin, plays a role in axon guidance in the central nervous system of chicken embryos, but it is neither an axon guidance cue nor a receptor. Rather, Endoglycan acts as a negative regulator of molecular interactions based on evidence from in vitro experiments demonstrating reduced adhesion of growth cones. In the absence of Endoglycan, commissural axons fail to properly navigate the midline of the spinal cord. Taken together, our in vivo and in vitro results support the hypothesis that Endoglycan acts as a negative regulator of cell-cell adhesion in commissural axon guidance.
Uncovering an allosteric mode of action for a selective inhibitor of human Bloom syndrome protein
Authors: Chen Xiangrong , Ali Yusuf I , Fisher Charlotte EL , Arribas-Bosacoma Raquel , Rajasekaran Mohan B , Williams Gareth , Walker Sarah , Booth Jessica R , Hudson Jessica JR , Roe S Mark , Pearl Laurence H , Ward Simon E , Pearl Frances MG , Oliver Antony W
Published: March 2021

BLM (Bloom syndrome protein) is a RECQ-family helicase involved in the dissolution of complex DNA structures and repair intermediates. Synthetic lethality analysis implicates BLM as a promising target in a range of cancers with defects in the DNA damage response; however, selective small molecule inhibitors of defined mechanism are currently lacking. Here, we identify and characterise a specific inhibitor of BLM’s ATPase-coupled DNA helicase activity, by allosteric trapping of a DNA-bound translocation intermediate. Crystallographic structures of BLM-DNA-ADP-inhibitor complexes identify a hitherto unknown interdomain interface, whose opening and closing are integral to translocation of ssDNA, and which provides a highly selective pocket for drug discovery. Comparison with structures of other RECQ helicases provides a model for branch migration of Holliday junctions by BLM.
Plyometric jump training effects on the physical fitness of individual-sport athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Sole Silvia , Ramírez-Campillo Rodrigo , Andrade David C. , Sanchez-Sanchez Javier
Published: March 2021

Background

The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to explore the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT) on the physical fitness of individual sport athletes (ISA).

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched through PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS electronic databases. We included controlled studies that incorporated a PJT intervention among ISA (with no restriction for age or sex), that included a pre-to-post intervention assessment of physical fitness (e.g., sprint; jump). From the included studies, relevant data (e.g., PJT and participants characteristics) was extracted. We assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the PEDro scale. Using a random-effects model, meta-analyses for a given outcome was conducted. Means and standard deviations for a measure of pre-post-intervention physical fitness from the PJT and control groups were converted to Hedges’ g effect size (ES). Heterogeneity was assessed using theI2statistic. The risk of bias was explored using the extended Egger’s test. The statistical significance threshold was set atp< 0.05. Moderator analyses were conducted according to the sex, age and sport background of the athletes.

Results

Twenty-six studies of moderate-high methodological quality were included (total participants,n= 667). Compared to controls, PJT improved vertical jump (ES = 0.49;p< 0.001;I= 0.0%), linear sprint (ES = 0.23;p= 0.032;I2= 10.9%), maximal strength (ES = 0.50;p< 0.001;I2= 0.0%) and endurance performance (ES = 0.30;p= 0.028;I2= 11.1%). No significant effect was noted for sprint with change of direction (ES = 0.34;p= 0.205;I2= 70.9%). Athlete’s sex, age and sport background had no modulator role on the effect of PJT on vertical jump, linear sprint, maximal strength and endurance performance. Among the included studies, none reported adverse effects related to the PJT intervention.

Conclusions

PJT induces small improvements on ISA physical fitness, including jumping, sprinting speed, strength and endurance.
Failure of three Recommended Regimens to Treat a Case of Gastritis Caused by Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Mansour Musa Basheer , Ahmedana Sara Elsheikh
Published: March 2021

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative pathogen that leads to chronic bacterial infection. Approximately, 50% of the world’s population is affecting even though the precise route of transmission is not known. Up to 90% of people infected with H. pylori never experience symptoms or complications and the majority remains asymptomatic. Treatment failure can occur and physician must deal with case as recommended by guidelines. This report describes the management of a man with gastritis caused by H. pylori that was failed to the three recommended regimens. The patient was initially (first visit) diagnosed as a case of stomach pain (irritation) due to spicy/chilly food. Then the patient was followed regularly up to six visits approximately for 25 weeks with clinical and laboratory assessment provided by medical prescription of recommended regimens. This paper has been reported to describe an unexpected beneficial response to treatment, report unlabeled or unapproved uses of medication and show a positive personal impact despite, the lack of advanced medical facility.
Precancer Lesions of the Cervix among Treatment Experienced HIV Positive Women at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Awolude Olutosin A. , Oyerinde Sunday O.
Published: March 2021

Background: Cervical precancer lesions, caused by persistence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, is common among women living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.  However, there remains paucity of information on these dysplastic lesions especially in low- and middle-income countries of the world as there are few programmes that have incorporated routine screening as a standard of care.

Aim: To determine the pattern of precancer lesions of the cervix among treatment experienced HIV positive women in a large antiretroviral therapy programme in South West Nigeria.

Study Design: Retrospective review of clinical records.

Place and Duration of Study: HIV Programme in College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between January 2014 and December 2015. 

Methodology: A review of the Pap smear results of 468 women attending the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan over a 2-year period was done. The cytological results were analyzed with biosocial variables. Level of significance was set at 95% confidence level.

Results: The mean age of the participants reviewed was 37.1+/- 8.7 years.  The mean duration of ART among the participants was 19.5 (±14.0) months. The prevalence of any form of squamous Intraepithelial lesions (SIL) varied from 10.0% among those on ART for up to 12 months to 1.4% among those with more than 18 months of ART use (p=022) and polygamous relationship is significantly associated with dysplastic cervical lesions among this studied  cohort (p=0.043)

Conclusion: While ART appears to have anti-Human Papillomavirus (HPV) activities as observed in the pattern of cervical dysplastic lesions, polygamy, a common family setting in this environment seems to promote development of SIL among these WLHIV. These findings require further studies to corroborate in the light of limitations of difficulty in disaggregating the duration of HIV diagnosis from the onset of treatment as most were already on treatment before the screening and failure of baseline Pap smear test at the entry point to determine the rate of progression.
Principal Component Analysis for Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Rainfed Shallow Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L)
Authors: Raj Prince , Kumar Anand , Satyendra . , Singh S. P. , Kumar Mankesh , Kumar Ravi Ranjan , Prasad Bishun De o , Kumar Sanjay
Published: March 2021

The genetic diversity was estimated using seventy two genotypes of rice in a randomized block design with three replications at the rice research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour (Bhagalpur) during Kharif, 2019-20 to determine the contribution of fifteen quantitative traits to the total variability in rice using Principal component analysis. In the present investigation PCA was performed for fifteen quantitative traits of rice. All the 3PCs exhibited more than 1.0 Eigen value and showed about 95.00% variability. Therefore, these PCs were given due important for the further explanation. The PC1 showed 77.28 per cent variation of total variation followed by second to third components which accounted 15.65 and 2.05 per cent of total variation presented among the genotypes, respectively. PC1 contributed 77.28% of the total variation and correlated with total carbohydrate, generation of H2O2, days to 50% flowering, biological yield, number of fertile grains per panicle, panicle length and flag leaf area while PC2 explained an additional 15.65% of the total variation and dominated by total carbohydrate, days to 50% flowering, harvest index, biological yield, total number of spikelet’s and plant height. PC III accounted 2.05 per cent of the total variability and correlated with the traits like days to 50% flowering, biological yield, total number of spikelet’s, 1000-seed weight, plant height, harvest index, generation of H2O2 and panicle length had maximum positive contribution Since, a total of 95.00% of the total variation was contributed by PC1 and PC2, therefore, these two principal components can be allowed for simultaneous selection of yield contributing traits in desi chickpea. Genotype usually found in more PC, were CR3933-13-2-1-4-1-2-1, TTB1011-14-171-2-2-1-2-1, TTB1032-45-937-2-3-3-1-1, (Santepheap3/IR49830-7/RajendraMahsuri)-1-3-1, (BR11/IR8041OB)-2-1-1, (RajendraMhasuri/CN1039)-4-2-1, TTB1011-14-243-1-2-2-2-1, TTB1032-45-937-2-3-3-1-1, CR4138-3-1-1, CR4139-9-2-1, CR4139-9-2- and CR4128-9-1-1. Genotypes fall in a common principal component were observed to be the most important factor for seed yield. These genotypes may further be utilized in breeding programmes for improving seed yield and these genotypes can be considered an ideotype breeding material for selection of traits viz. more total number of seed per plant and 100-seed weight further utilization in precise breeding programme.
Pollutants Removal in Sewage Wastewater Efficiency and Kinetic of Ammonia Nitrogen Removal through Subsurface Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (SSVFCW)
Authors: Houndedjihou Dègninou , Kodom Tomkouani , Wolff Delmira Beatriz , Marchioro Luis Gustavo , Formentini Thiago Augusto , Bawa Limam Moctar , Djaneye-Boundjou Gbandi
Published: March 2021

Aims: The removal of some pollutants such as ammonia nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5), phosphate and some solids (total (TS), fixed (TFS) and volatile (TVS)) from sewage wastewater was investigated in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SSVFCW).

Study Design: The bed of the constructed wetland is composed of gravel and Canna indica is used as vegetation.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Federal University of Santa Maria, southern Brazil, under subtropical climate from June to September 2019.

Methodology: Three kinds of samples of water collected (Raw, septic tank and outlet from the wetland) one time per week were analyzed according to American standards. Anions were analyzed by gas chromatography using 930 compact IC Flex Metrohm. Statistical analysis performed using ANOVA and U test of Mann-Whitneyto investigate the statistical difference were performed by STATISTICA and Origin software.

Results: A total of 10 samples of each kind of water were collected and analyzed. In the conditions of this study, the removal percentage is 89.88, 88.00, 84.93, 84.62, 84.31, 72.94, 41.71, 15.63 respectively for COD, TKN, NH4+-N, TVS, BOD5, TS, TFS and PO43--P. Environment temperature, hydraulic retention time have an effect on the performance of the wetlands system. The effect of the contact time shows that adsorption process is a partway of ammonia nitrogen removal in the wetland. Among the three models of kinetic studied to describe the removal of ammonia nitrogen, Stover-Kincannon and second order models showed a better fit than the first order model.

Conclusion: The nitrification and adsorption are the principal process of ammonia removal in the wetland. The plant has been found to be very efficient on the removal of ammonia nitrogen, TKN, COD, BOD5 while phosphate removal has been found too weak.
Bayesian Analysis of Factors Influencing Milk Productivity of Small-hold Dairy Buffalo Farmers in South Luzon, Philippines
Authors: Saludes Thelma , Takeshita Hironobu
Published: March 2021

This study analyzed the factors influencing milk productivity of smallholder dairy buffalo farmers in South Luzon, Philippines. We used a cross-sectional data collected from 61 dairy buffalo farmers. This is the first local study to apply a Bayesian approach. The empirical results revealed that among the socio-economic, farm, and technology characteristics investigated, the household size have a positive effect, the number of lactating dairy buffalo negative effect, and the technology adoption of data recording a positive effect on milk productivity of dairy buffalo farmers rendering these factors significant in the analysis of productivity.
Glue Voids Reduction on QFN Device through Material and Process Improvement
Authors: Jr. Edwin M. Graycochea , Manalo Endalicio D. , Rodriguez Rennier S. , Gomez Frederick Ray I.
Published: March 2021

The paper is focused on the glue voids reduction on critical semiconductor quad-flat no-leads (QFN) device processed on a stencil printing type of die attach machine. Process optimization through material preparation improvement was done to mitigate the silver lumps of the sintering glue which is a main contributor on the voids occurrence. Eventually, the glue voids were reduced to less than the allowed 5% limit. For future works, the learnings and configuration could be used on devices with similar requirement.
Quality Control Assessment of Diagnostic X-Ray Units in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Authors: Suleiman Suleiman Ameir , Salum Salum Kombo , Kimaro Ebenezer
Published: March 2021

Regular execution of quality control (QC) tests in medical diagnostic X-ray units is primarily important to provide high-quality images and proper diagnoses with least hazard. The performance criteria in diagnostic radiology in Zanzibar Islands, Tanzania were followed in accordance with the QC guidelines, and the values of the measured parameters were compared with the tolerance limits. The study was designed to perform QC tests on the diagnostic X-ray units in governmental and private hospitals. In this study six QC tests (beam alignment, beam collimation, kV reproducibility, half-value layer (HVL), mAs linearity and kV accuracy) were carried out by using beam alignment tool and Unfors non-invasive X-ray test device (Xi R/F&MAM detector). The measured parameters were conducted in two periods, from 2017 to 2018 (14 X-ray units were considered) and from 2019 to 2020 (16 X-ray units were considered). In both periods, the QC test results indicated that 100% of the X-ray units had acceptable HVL≥ 2.3 mm Al at 80 kVp. In the first period (2017−2018), the QC results showed that 78.57% and 85.71% had acceptable beam alignment (≤3% of the focus to image distance) and beam collimation (≤ ± 2 cm). Of the X-ray units evaluated, 85.71% had tolerable kV reproducibility of 5%, and 71.43% had mAs linearity within the tolerance limit of 10%, whereas 85.71% had acceptable kV accuracy within the tolerance limit of 5%. In the second period (2019−2020), the tolerance limits of X-ray units exceeded by 8.04% for kV reproducibility, 8.04% for kV accuracy, 16.07% for mAs linearity, 8.93% for beam alignment and 8.04% for beam collimation. The exceeded tolerance limits could be attributed to the new X-ray units which have full support of service agreements signed during the second period and increase of the compliances with the Tanzania Atomic Energy Act. No 7 of 2003 and its regulations. Results obtained highlight the need to regularly carry out comprehensive QC tests together with routine equipment maintenance.
Continuity With a Difference: Rising to Prominence
Authors: Finch Paul
Published: March 2021

Architectural journalist, publisher and founder of the World Architecture Festival Paul Finch charts the ebbs and flows of the post‐Second World War London architectural scene and its genealogy. He shows where AHMM fits into this family tree, but also how their embracing of ‘generalism’ and ‘good architecture’ applied to the everyday has set them apart from some of their peers.
Very Much an English Story
Authors: Cook Peter
Published: March 2021

Archigram founder member and co‐founder of CRAB Studio Peter Cook remembers early soirées at architectural theorist and historian Reyner Banham's house, coming across first David Allford and seeing the early flowerings of his son Simon Allford and Paul Monaghan as teachers and architects, and their subsequent professional rise during his tenure as Chairman at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London.
The ExtraOrdinary: Some Thoughts on Architecture and the Theatre of Everyday Life
Authors: Allford Simon
Published: March 2021

Writing on behalf of AHMM, Simon Allford describes the founding directors’ catalytic joint project, the Fifth Man, developed in their final year at university: its insights, the personalities that influenced it and how, over 30 years later, its dictums are still a guiding light in their contemporary practice as they explore the idea of how the ordinary can become ExtraOrdinary architecture.
Reimagining the Home
Authors: Allen Isabel
Published: March 2021

Isabel Allen is Editorial Director of BEAM (Built Environment and Architecture Media). Here she describes how three decades of innovation – and an ongoing delight in the poetic possibilities of the home – make AHMM perfectly positioned to deliver a new kind of housing that responds to the practical and psychological challenges of these extraordinary times.
The Invention of Projects that Create an Address
Authors: Zogolovitch Roger
Published: March 2021

Roger Zogolovitch, founder and Creative Director of Solidspace, and AHMM founding director Simon Allford have had a decades‐long relationship developing ideas and building together. Over the years their friendship has been consolidated by fine dining and mutual respect that has made Solidspace a serial client. And one where architect and client work as a symbiotic whole. Here Zogolovitch writes of their kipper breakfast meetings and of two recent developments for apartments and offices in South‐East London.
A Symbiotic Relationship: Reminiscences of the Family
Authors: Morris Joe
Published: March 2021

Architect Joe Morris was a student of Simon Allford and Paul Monaghan's design unit at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. After graduation he joined the still‐small practice and subsequently rose through the ranks before leaving to form his own architectural firm, Morris+Company, which has worked with AHMM on some large urban schemes.
The New Establishment: Politics and Performance
Authors: Anderton Frances
Published: March 2021

Frances Anderton, an old friend of AHMM, is a Los Angeles‐based curator, writer and broadcaster on design and architecture. Here she remembers their student bar conversations in London 30 years ago and describes two of the practice's most prestigious contemporary buildings: the Soho Place offices/theatre at Tottenham Court Road, Richmond House for the temporary relocation of the House of Commons.
Toward Faster Organic Photodiodes: Tuning of Blend Composition Ratio
Authors: Saggar Siddhartha , Sanderson Stephen , Gedefaw Desta , Pan Xun , Philippa Bronson , Andersson Mats R. , Lo Shih‐Chun , Namdas Ebinazar B.
Published: March 2021

The ability of a light‐sensor to detect fast variation in incident light intensity is a vital feature required in imaging and data transmission applications. Solution‐processed bulk heterojunction (BHJ) type organic photodiodes (OPDs) have gone through key developments, including dark current mitigation and longer linear dynamic range. In contrast, there has been less focus on increasing OPD response speed (f–3dB). Here, bulk heterojunction OPDs based on electron‐donating polymer poly[thiophene‐2,5‐diyl‐alt‐5,10‐bis((2‐hexyldecyl)oxy)dithieno[3,2‐c:3′,2′‐h][1,5]naphthyridine‐2,7‐diyl] (or PTNT) and electron‐accepting phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (or PC71BM) are reported. The intrinsic charge transport characteristics required for fast speed OPDs are discussed, and an analytical model for the same is developed. The OPDs present 0.8 MHz f–3dB under no applied voltage bias for a typical blend ratio of 1:1 by weight. It is shown that balanced electron and hole mobility is a critical criterion for faster speed OPDs, which can be realized by tuning the composition ratio of the bulk heterojunction. By tuning PTNT and PC71BM blend ratio, the f–3dB was successfully raised by more than quadruple to 4.5 MHz. The findings provide a tool to set device architecture for faster next‐generation light sensors.
In Vivo Quantification of Nanoparticle Association with Immune Cell Subsets in Blood
Authors: Ong Yih Rue , De Rose Robert , Johnston Angus P. R.
Published: March 2021

Nanoparticles offer great promise for more effective drug delivery. However, their particulate nature typically results in rapid systemic clearance by immune cells in blood. Currently, to understand these interactions, nanoparticle association is probed ex vivo with whole blood. While ex vivo assays give important information about the relative cell association, they do not consider changes in immune cell homeostasis or the complex mixing behavior that occurs in vivo. To address this, a nanoparticle in vivo immune‐cell association assay is developed to study the in vivo association of unmodified and poly(ethylene glycol) modified liposomes with immune cells, and compared this to the ex vivo association in static whole blood. In vivo, it is observed that neutrophils play a significantly greater role in nanoparticle binding than suggested by ex vivo assays. The increased influence of neutrophils in vivo is largely due to a significant increase in number of circulating neutrophils after intravenous injection. Conversely, the number of circulating monocytes significantly decreased after intravenous injection, leading to significantly less total association of liposomes to monocytes compared to ex vivo. This novel in vivo immune cell binding assay sheds new light on the fate of nanoparticles following intravenous delivery.
Biologically Plausible Artificial Synaptic Array: Replicating Ebbinghaus’ Memory Curve with Selective Attention
Authors: Roe Dong Gue , Kim Seongchan , Choi Yoon Young , Woo Hwije , Kang Moon Sung , Song Young Jae , Ahn Jong‐Hyun , Lee Yoonmyung , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: March 2021

The nature of repetitive learning and oblivion of memory enables humans to effectively manage vast amounts of memory by prioritizing information for long‐term storage. Inspired by the memorization process of the human brain, an artificial synaptic array is presented, which mimics the biological memorization process by replicating Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve. To construct the artificial synaptic array, signal‐transmitting access transistors and artificial synaptic memory transistors are designed using indium–gallium–zinc‐oxide and poly(3‐hexylthiophene), respectively. To secure the desired performance of the access transistor in regulating the input signal to the synaptic transistor, the content of gallium in the access transistor is optimized. In addition, the operation voltage of the synaptic transistor is carefully selected to achieve memory‐state efficiency. Repetitive learning characterizing Ebbinghaus’ oblivion curves is realized using an artificial synaptic array with optimized conditions for both transistor components. This successfully demonstrates a biologically plausible memorization process. Furthermore, selective attention for information prioritization in the human brain is mimicked by selectively applying repetitive learning to a synaptic transistor with a high memory state. The demonstrated biologically plausible artificial synaptic array provides great scope for advancement in bioinspired electronics.
Engineering the Optical Emission and Robustness of Metal‐Halide Layered Perovskites through Ligand Accommodation
Authors: Dhanabalan Balaji , Biffi Giulia , Moliterni Anna , Olieric Vincent , Giannini Cinzia , Saleh Gabriele , Ponet Louis , Prato Mirko , Imran Muhammad , Manna Liberato , Krahne Roman , Artyukhin Sergey , Arciniegas Milena P.
Published: March 2021

The unique combination of organic and inorganic layers in 2D layered perovskites offers promise for the design of a variety of materials for mechatronics, flexoelectrics, energy conversion, and lighting. However, the potential tailoring of their properties through the organic building blocks is not yet well understood. Here, different classes of organoammonium molecules are exploited to engineer the optical emission and robustness of a new set of Ruddlesden–Popper metal‐halide layered perovskites. It is shown that the type of molecule regulates the number of hydrogen bonds that it forms with the edge‐sharing [PbBr6]4‐ octahedra layers, leading to strong differences in the material emission and tunability of the color coordinates, from deep‐blue to pure‐white. Also, the emission intensity strongly depends on the length of the molecules, thereby providing an additional parameter to optimize their emission efficiency. The combined experimental and computational study provides a detailed understanding of the impact of lattice distortions, compositional defects, and the anisotropic crystal structure on the emission of such layered materials. It is foreseen that this rational design can be extended to other types of organic linkers, providing a yet unexplored path to tailor the optical and mechanical properties of these materials and to unlock new functionalities.
Biomimetic Liposomal Nanoplatinum for Targeted Cancer Chemophototherapy
Authors: Liu Xue‐Liang , Dong Xiao , Yang Si‐Cong , Lai Xing , Liu Hai‐Jun , Gao Yuhao , Feng Hai‐Yi , Zhu Mao‐Hua , Yuan Yihang , Lu Qin , Lovell Jonathan F. , Chen Hong‐Zhuan , Fang Chao
Published: March 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is limited by tumor hypoxia. Platinum nanoparticles (nano‐Pt) as a catalase‐like nanoenzyme can enhance PDT through catalytic oxygen supply. However, the cytotoxic activity of nano‐Pt is not comprehensively considered in the existing methods to exert their multifunctional antitumor effects. Here, nano‐Pt are loaded into liposomes via reverse phase evaporation. The clinical photosensitizer verteporfin (VP) is loaded in the lipid bilayer to confer PDT activity. Murine macrophage cell membranes are hybridized into the liposomal membrane to confer biomimetic and targeting features. The resulting liposomal system, termed “nano‐Pt/VP@MLipo,” is investigated for chemophototherapy in vitro and in vivo in mouse tumor models. At the tumor site, oxygen produced by nano‐Pt catalyzation improves the VP‐mediated PDT, which in turn triggers the release of nano‐Pt via membrane permeabilization. The ultrasmall 3–5 nm nano‐Pt enables better penetration in tumors, which is also facilitated by the generated oxygen gas, for enhanced chemotherapy. Chemophototherapy with a single injection of nano‐Pt/VP@MLipo and light irradiation inhibits the growth of aggressive 4T1 tumors and their lung metastasis, and prolongs animal survival without overt toxicity.
Construction of an Alternative NAD+ De Novo Biosynthesis Pathway
Authors: Ding Yong , Li Xinli , Horsman Geoff P. , Li Pengwei , Wang Min , Li Jine , Zhang Zhilong , Liu Weifeng , Wu Bian , Tao Yong , Chen Yihua
Published: March 2021

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a life essential molecule involved in versatile biological processes. To date, only two de novo biosynthetic routes to NAD+ are described, both of which start from a proteinogenic amino acid and are tightly controlled. Here, a de novo quinolinic acid pathway starting from chorismate, which provides an alternative route (named as the C3N pathway) to NAD+ biosynthesis, is established. Significantly, the C3N pathway yields extremely high cellular concentrations of NAD(H) in E. coli. Its utility in cofactor engineering is demonstrated by introducing the four‐gene C3N module to cell factories to achieve higher production of 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine and develop an efficient C3N‐based whole‐cell bioconversion system for preparing chiral amines. The wide distribution and abundance of chorismate in most kingdoms of life implies a general utility of the C3N pathway for modulating cellular levels of NAD(H) in versatile organisms.
Contributions of biomass/solid fuel burning to blood pressure modification in women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dillon David T. , Webster Gregory D. , Bisesi Joseph H.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Approximately 2½ billion people worldwide rely on solid/biomass fuel as fuel for cooking/heating the home. Environmental exposure to the smoke associated with biomass fuel burning has been associated respiratory diseases, cardiac disorders, and altered blood pressure. Therefore, a systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to study this relationship across multiple studies.

Methods

Searches were performed using PRISMA guidelines for articles using Web of Science, PubMed, Toxline, and Web of Science of peer reviewed papers with no beginning time restriction until February 2017. The search yielded 10 manuscripts after application of inclusion criteria, which encompassed 93 724 participants. Outcomes included (a) the proportion of people with a clinical diagnosis of hypertension in an exposed (vs. unexposed) population or (b) correlation coefficients examining degree of exposure and systolic/diastolic blood pressure.

Results

The four studies reporting effect sizes for hypertension (N = 92 042) had a weighted mean effect size of r = .12 [−0.02, 0.27], z = 1.66, p = 0.097. The six studies reporting effect sizes for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (N = 1682) had weighted mean effect sizes of r = .15 [0.06, 0.24], p = 0.001, and r = .09 [0.03, 0.15], p = 0.002, respectively.

Conclusion

These analyses revealed that there is a small‐but‐significant relationship between biomass fuel exposure and an increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but the relationship between biomass fuel and hypertension specifically remains unclear.