bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Longitudinal Study of Changes Observed in the 6-Min Walk Test Over a 4-Month Period in Healthy 6 to 12-Year-Old Children
Authors: Corral Tamara del , Tapia-Castañeda Javier , Ríos-Pérez Gonzalo , Triviño-López Paula , Sastre-Moreno Nerea , García-Fernández Pablo , de-Uralde-Villanueva Ibai López
Published: April 2021

Simpler and less expensive field tests, such as the 6-min walk test, have been employed to evaluate exercise tolerance in chronic paediatric conditions. However, patterns of longitudinal change for outcome measures could show initial gains attributable to normal growth and development in children. We aimed to verify the effect of growth on the distance achieved in 6-min walk test in children 6 to 12 years of age over a 4-month period. Healthy children from 6–12 years of age were recruited. Two trials of the 6-min walk test were performed on the same day and after a 4-month period. We employed the intraclass correlation coefficient to assess test-retest reliability when the 6-min walk test was applied with a 4-month time interval. 59 children (28 boys and 31 girls) were assessed. The distance covered in the 6-min walk test and anthropometric variables showed a statistically significant increase after 4 months. After 4 months, we established a 12% change from the initial measurement (79.69 m) as the minimal detectable change for a 90% confidence level, while a 15% change (94.66 m) was determined as the minimal detectable change for a 95% confidence level. Conclusions: The distance covered in the 6-min walk test improved as the children’s height increased, establishing a 12% change in the score of at least 79.69 m as the most appropriate value in interpreting longitudinal functional performance data when assessing exercise tolerance in healthy children aged 6 to 12 years.
Experimental Verification of the Field Theory of Specific Heat With the Scaling in Crystalline Matter
Authors: Gusev Yuri
Published: April 2021

The field (geometrical) theory of specific heat is based on the universal thermal sum, a new mathematical tool derived from the evolution equation in the Euclidean four-dimensional spacetime, with the closed time coordinate. This theory made it possible to explain the phenomena of scaling in the heat capacity of condensed matter. The scaling of specific heat of the carbon group elements with a diamond lattice is revisited. The predictions of the scaling characteristics for natural diamond and grey tin are verified with published experimental data. The fourth power in temperature in the quasi-low temperature behaviour of the specific heat of both materials is confirmed. The phenomenon of scaling in the specific heat, previously known only in glassy matter, is demonstrated for some zincblend lattice compounds and diamond lattice elements, with their characteristic temperatures. The nearly identical elastic properties of grey tin and indium antimonide is the cause for similarity of their thermal properties, which makes it possible to make conjectures about thermal properties of grey tin.
Effective anti-mycobacterial treatment for BCG disease in patients with Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD)
Authors: Mahdaviani Seyed Alireza , Fallahi Mazdak , Jamee Mahnaz , Marjani Majid , Tabarsi Payam , Moniri Afshin , Farnia Parisa , Daneshmandi Zahra , Parvaneh Nima , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Bustamante Jacinta , Mansouri Davood , Velayati Ali Akbar
Published: April 2021

Background/purpose:

Post-vaccination BCG disease typically attests to underlying inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), with the highest rates of complications in patients with Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). However, therapeutic protocols for the management of BCG-osis (disseminated) and persistent BCG-itis (localized) are still controversial.
Methods:

Twenty-four Iranian patients with MSMD (BCG-osis or BCG-itis), followed from 2009 to 2020 in Tehran, were included in the study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, and molecular diagnosis. The therapeutic protocol sheets were prepared to contain the types and duration of anti-mycobacterial agents.
Results:

BCG disease either as BCG-itis (33.3%) or BCG-osis (66.7%) was confirmed in all patients by positive gastric washing test (54.2%), microbial smear and culture (58.3%), or purified protein derivative (PPD) test (4.2%). The duration between BCG-osis onset and MSMD diagnosis was 21.6 months.

All except three patients were initiated on second-line anti-mycobacterial agents with either a fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin: 15 mg/kg/day, ciprofloxacin: 20 mg/kg/day, ofloxacin: 15 mg/kg/day), aminoglycoside (amikacin: 10-15 mg/kg/day, streptomycin: 15 mg/kg/day), and/or macrolide (clarithromycin: 15 mg/kg/day) along with oral rifampin (10 mg/kg/day), isoniazid (15 mg/kg/day), and ethambutol (20 mg/kg/day). Three patients showed a clinical response to rifampin, despite in vitro resistance. Fourteen (58.3%) patients received also adjuvant subcutaneous IFN-γ therapy, 50 µ/m2 every other day. At the end of survey, most patients (n=22, 91.7%) were alive and two patients died following BCG-osis and respiratory failure.
Conclusion:

We recommend the early instigation of second-line anti-mycobacterial agents in MSMD patients with BCG disease.
Insufficient Gestational Weight Gain and Infant Neurodevelopment at 12 Months of Age: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Motoki Noriko , Inaba Yuji , Shibazaki Takumi , Misawa Yuka , Ohira Satoshi , Kanai Makoto , Kurita Hiroshi , Tsukahara Teruomi , Nomiyama Tetsuo , Group The Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Published: April 2021

BackgroundAbnormal gestational weight gain (GWG) increases the risk of obstetric-related complications. This investigation examined the impact of GWG on infant neurodevelopmental abnormalities at 12 months of age using the data of a nationwide Japanese cohort study.MethodsQuestionnaire data were obtained from the ongoing Japan Environment and Children’s Study cohort study. GWG was subdivided as below, within, or above the reference values of the Institution of Medicine pregnancy weight guidelines. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire, third edition (ASQ-3) is a parent-reported developmental screening instrument for children across five domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify correlations between GWG and developmental delay defined as ASQ-3 scores of less than two standard deviations below the mean.ResultsA total of 30,694 mothers with singleton live births and partners who completed the questionnaire were analyzed. The prevalence of mothers below, within, and above the GWG guidelines was 60.4% (18,527), 32.1% (9,850), and 7.5% (2,317), respectively. We recorded 10,943 infants (35.7%) who were outliers in at least one ASQ-3 domain. After controlling for covariates, GWG below established guidelines was associated with a significantly higher risk of developmental delay for the communication (odds ratio [OR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.34), gross motor (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05-1.24), fine motor (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.24), problem solving (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18), and personal-social domains (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.24).ConclusionThis large survey revealed a possible deleterious effect of insufficient GWG on infant neurodevelopment.The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry on 15 January 2018 (number: UMIN000030786).
Nanoparticles Prepared From Pterostilbene (PTE): A New Strategy for Reducing Blood Glucose and Improving Diabetic Complications
Authors: Zhao Xi , Shi Anhua , Ma Qiong , Yan Xueyan , Bian Ligong , Zhang Pengyue , Wu Junzi
Published: April 2021

Aim: New envisions are put forward on the cross application of plant extracts and biomaterials, especially new conjectures are put forward on glucose lowering nanodrug delivery systems.Study design and methods: In this study, pterostilbene (PTE) was esterified with acryloyl chloride firstly, and then 3-acrylamidophenyl boric acid (AAPBA) and PTE esterified by acryloyl chloride were copolymerized into p(AAPBA-b-PTE). The characterization and structure of its polymer were examined. Additionally, p(AAPBA-b-PTE) nanoparticles and insulin loaded p(AAPBA-b-PTE) nanoparticles were prepared. The properties of pH, temperature and glucose sensitivity were investigated. And tested the drug loading and release of NPs. The nanoparticle toxicity was observed through cell and animal experiments, and the nanoparticle biodegradation process under physiological conditions was also observed. Finally, the effects of NPs on reducing blood sugar, antioxidation and improving micro inflammation were investigated in vivo.Results: Based on PTE, we successfully synthesized p(AAPBA-b-PTE) NPs. The NPs were basically round in shape with sizes between 150 and 250 nm. It has good pH and glucose sensitivity. The entrapment efficiency (EE) of insulin loaded NPs is about 56%, and the drug loading (LC) is about 13%. The highest release of insulin was 70%, and the highest release of PTE was 85%. Meanwhile, the insulin could undergo self-regulation according to the change of glucose concentration, thus achieving an effective and sustained release. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the NPs were safe and nontoxic. Under physiological conditions, it can be completely degraded within 40 days. Fourteen days after the mice were injected with p(AAPBA-b-PTE) NPs, there were no obvious abnormalities in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Moreover, the NPs can effectively reduce blood glucose, improve the antioxidant capacity and improve the micro inflammation status in mice.Conclusions: Using PTE as raw material, p(AAPBA-b-PTE) NPs were successfully prepared, which can effectively reduce blood glucose, improve antioxidant capacity, and reduce inflammatory response. It provided a new way for the combination of plant extracts and biomaterials to regulate and treat diseases through NPs or other dosage forms.
Characterization of Multidrug-resistant and Virulent Klebsiella Pneumoniae Strains Belonging to the High-risk CG258 Isolated from Inpatients in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Nakamura-Silva Rafael , Oliveira-Silva Mariana , Furlan João Pedro Rueda , Stehling Eliana Guedes , Miranda Carlos Eduardo Saraiva , Pitondo-Silva André
Published: April 2021

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) clones have become a major threat to global public health. The CG258 is considered a high-risk CG and the K. pneumoniae strains belonging to it are known to be often multi-resistant and to spread mainly in the hospital environment. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence factors, and the clonal relationships among 13 K. pneumoniae strains belonging to CG258 from patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Teresina, in the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil. Ten strains were classified as MDR and three as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Three different β-lactamase-encoding genes ( bla KPC , bla OXA-1- like , and bla CTX-M-Gp1) and six virulence genes ( fimH , ycfM , mrkD , entB , ybtS , and kfu ) were detected. Moreover, two hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae strains and one capsular K-type 2 were found. Multilocus sequence typing analysis revealed 10 different sequence types (STs) (ST14, ST17, ST20, ST29, ST45, ST101, ST268, ST1800, ST3995, and ST3996) belonging to CG258, being two (ST3995 and ST3996) described for the first time in this study.
Sexual Function Alteration in First Trimester of Pregnancy Among Vietnamese Women
Authors: Linh Hoang Dao Nhat , An Le Sy Phuc , Tam Le Minh , Huy Nguyen Vu Quoc
Published: April 2021

Introduction: A healthy sexual life would contribute to a lasting intimate couple relationship; pregnant women were susceptible to physical, psychological and social changes leading to sexual alterations and dysfunction in pregnancy. In Vietnam, despite not being a novel domain, sexuality has not been extensively evaluated due to the influence of Eastern tradition, which creating promotes unsecured feelings of insecurity when talking about sex.Aim: To investigate the female sexual function alteration during the 1st trimester of pregnancy and some related factors among Vietnamse women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 383 women aged from 18 years old having routine antenatal visits at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from April 2016 to March 2017. Data were collected by interviews using is Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.Main outcome measures: Subjects’ sexual function alteration, using the validated Vietnamese version of Female Sexual Function Index.Results: The prevalence of women with female sexual function alteration before pregnancy was 53% and in 1st trimester was 88.8%. The frequency of intercourses during 1st trimester of pregnancy is lower than before pregnancy (p<0.05). The main reasons of no sexual activity during pregnancy were fear of harming the fetus (75.1%) and prefer not to be satisfied in the short-term rather than hurt the baby (73.5%). Factors affected female sexual function were age, time of living-together, age of 1st sexual intercourse, pregnancy planning, obstetrical history, sexual initiative, religion, academic level, and jobs (p<0.05).Conclusions: Sexual function alteration among first trimester pregnant women is a problem which should be considered, and medical staff should provide counseling to them to improve the quality of their sexual life and maintain normal course of pregnancy.
Sexual Function Alteration in First Trimester of Pregnancy Among *** Women
Authors: Linh Hoang Dao Nhat , An Le Sy Phuc , Tam Le Minh , Huy Nguyen Vu Quoc
Published: April 2021

Introduction: A healthy sexual life would contribute to a lasting intimate couple relationship; pregnant women were susceptible to physical, psychological and social changes leading to sexual alterations and dysfunction in pregnancy. In ***, despite not being a novel domain, sexuality has not been extensively evaluated due to the influence of Eastern tradition, which creating promotes unsecured feelings of insecurity when talking about sex.Aim: To investigate the female sexual function alteration during the 1st trimester of pregnancy and some related factors among *** women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 383 women aged from 18 years old having routine antenatal visits at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, *** Hospital from April 2016 to March 2017. Data were collected by interviews using is Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.Main outcome measures: Subjects’ sexual function alteration, using the validated *** version of Female Sexual Function Index.Results: The prevalence of women with female sexual function alteration before pregnancy was 53% and in 1st trimester was 88.8%. The frequency of intercourses during 1st trimester of pregnancy is lower than before pregnancy (p<0.05). The main reasons of no sexual activity during pregnancy were fear of harming the fetus (75.1%) and prefer not to be satisfied in the short-term rather than hurt the baby (73.5%). Factors affected female sexual function were age, time of living-together, age of 1st sexual intercourse, pregnancy planning, obstetrical history, sexual initiative, religion, academic level, and jobs (p<0.05).Conclusions: Sexual function alteration among first trimester pregnant women is a problem which should be considered, and medical staff should provide counseling to them to improve the quality of their sexual life and maintain normal course of pregnancy.
Research on Overlying Strata Control of Longitudinal and Latitudinal Filling Mining
Authors: zhang Fuyu , Guo Zhongping , He Chengqian , Leng Chao
Published: April 2021

Abstract: In order to solve the problem of "three unders" coal resources and respond to the national green mining policy, combining with the advantages of short wall strip filling and long wall strip filling, we propose a longitude and latitude filling mining method with high recovery ratio and simple operation,where a latitude and longitude filling network is gradually constructed behind the working face to control the subsidence of the overlying strata.This article introduces the filling system, technological process and filling pipeline layout of the latitude and longitude filling mining method, and constructs the latitude and longitude filling mechanics model by using the elastic foundation theory, and gives the calculation formula for the roof subsidence and the stress of the filling body.By means of numerical simulation,the control of the longitudinal and latitudinal filling overburden was researched.The influence of the quality of the filling, the width of the filling, the spacing of the filling on the roof subsidence and the reasonable filling parameters of the 1207 working face were determined.The roof subsidence, the stress of the filling body and the deformation of the ground surface during the mining process were monitored by means of field monitoring, and the excellent control effect of the latitude and longitude filling mining on the overlying strata is confirmed in practical applications.
Medicinal Plants Used for Malaria Treatment in Gamba Village, North Region of Cameroon: Ethnopharmacological Survey; In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Khaya Senegalensis Bark.
Authors: Gouissi Davy-Hyacinthe Anguechia , Nzangue Roselyne Teponging , Kalaza Josue Haskandi , Pabo Willy , Chegaing Siméon Pierre Fodouop
Published: April 2021

Background: In traditional medicine, the floral diversity permits the inhabitants of North Cameroon to use a great number of plants to fight against Malaria. The aim of this study was to identify plants used in traditional medicine to treat malaria, and to verify the scientific basis for the use of one of these plants in the locality of Gamba.Methods: An Ethnopharmacological survey was carried out on 15 traditional healers. We collected data on use of medicinal plants using questionnaires. Then in-vivo antimalarial activity of the decoctioned and macerated aqueous extracts of khaya senegalensis trunk bark was evaluated. The 4-day suppressive peters test was realised on mus musculus swiss albino mice. On day one, mice were infected with 107 plasmodium berghei parasitized red blood cells through intra-peritoneal inoculation. 2 hours after infestation, mice in batches of 6 were treated orally at a dose of 75, 150.300 mg/Kg for macerated aqueous extract and 65, 120.260 mg/Kg for decoctioned extract daily during 3 days at an administration volume of 10 ml/Kg. An extract was considered (% reduction): Highly active (between 100-90 %); moderate (between 90-50 %); weak (between 50-10 %); Inactive (between 0 %). P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 18 plant species belonging to 12 families were identified for the preparation of 12 recipes. The decocted aqueous extract of khaya senegalensis showed moderate anti-plasmodial activity (% reduction = 52.46%) at the highest dose of 260 mg/kg with p<0.001 compared to the positive control group. The aqueous macerate at doses of 150 and 300mg/kg gave respectively a percentage reduction of parasitaemia of 59.42% and 71.80% and also showed moderate anti-plasmodial activity; with p<0.001 between the different extracts and the positive control (99.18%).Conclusion: In conclusion, extracts of khaya senegalensis showed moderate anti-plasmodial activity. It would therefore be necessary to evaluate the anti-malarial activity in-vivo and the toxicity of the aqueous extracts macerated using other solvents and also test the other plants listed.
Leaf Image-based Plant Disease Identification using Color and Texture Features
Authors: Ahmed Nisar , Asif Haﬁz Muhammad Shahzad , Saleem Gulshan , Younus Muhammad Usman , Anwar Sadia , Anjum Muhammad Rizwan
Published: April 2021

Identification of plant disease is usually done through visual inspection or during laboratory examination which causes delays resulting in yield loss by the time identification is complete. On the other hand, complex deep learning models perform the task with reasonable performance but due to their large size and high computational requirements, they are not suited to mobile and handheld devices. Our proposed approach contributes automated identification of plant diseases which follows a sequence of steps involving pre-processing, segmentation of diseased leaf area, calculation of features based on the Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), feature selection and classification. In this study, six color features and twenty-two texture features have been calculated. Support vector machines is used to perform one-vs-one classification of plant disease. The proposed model of disease identification provides an accuracy of 98.79% with a standard deviation of 0.57 on 10-fold cross-validation. The accuracy on a self-collected dataset is 82.47% for disease identification and 91.40% for healthy and diseased classification. The reported performance measures are better or comparable to the existing approaches and highest among the feature-based methods, presenting it as the most suitable method to automated leaf-based plant disease identification. This prototype system can be extended by adding more disease categories or targeting specific crop or disease categories.
Prognostic Analysis of Different Therapeutic Regimens in Patients With Acute Cardiogenic Cerebral Embolism
Authors: Hu Lan , Duan Guangxin , Xu Yuan , Cao Yongjun
Published: April 2021

Background

Intravenous rt-PA within 4.5h can reduce the degree of disability of acute ischemic stroke at 3 months, it is limited by the time of onset, the financial burden, or the risk of bleeding that the patient and his or her family consider, rt-PA is available to a very small number of patients.In practical clinical work, anticoagulant therapy and antiplatelet therapy within the 4.5h period of acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism (CCE) are more common. Few previous studies have observed and analyzed the functional outcomes at 3-month after receiving intravenous thrombolysis, or anticoagulation, or antiplatelet therapy within 4.5h from onset of cardiogenic cerebral embolism subtype.
Methods

The purpose of our study was to analyze clinical baseline data of patients with acute cardiogenic cerebral embolism and compare 3-month prognosis after different antithrombotic therapies administered within 4.5h from event onset. Our retrospective study cohort consisted of 335 patients with CCE hospitalized at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in China from December 2011 to December 2016. Patients were assigned to a group according to early-acute treatment therapy. Baseline, clinical, and laboratory data, and 3-month prognosis were analyzed.
Results

We found that the most common cause of CCE was non-valvular atrial fibrillation (96.2%, 85.2%, and 95.3%) and the most common concomitant disease was hypertension (88.5%, 70.5%, and 78.7%) in the thrombolytic-, anticoagulant-, and antiplatelet-treated group, respectively. The overall intracranial hemorrhagic conversion rate hemorrhage in the acute phase of CCE (during hospitalization) in our cohort was high (26 cases, 7.8%), with the highest incidence in the thrombolytic group (13 cases, 16.7%),4 cases experienced extracranial (1.2%, P = 0.316).; further, 164 cases showed good prognosis at 3 months as measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS ≤ 2), with the majority of cases in the anticoagulant group (P = 0.018).
Conclusions

Anticoagulant therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with cardiac stroke subtype who fail to receive intravenous rtPA thrombolysis within the thrombolytic time window.
Neutrosophic Variational Inequalities with Applications in Decision-Making
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Khan Madad , Iqbal Suhail
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we introduced some new concepts of a neutrosophic set such as neutrosophic convex set, strongly neutrosophic convex set, neutrosophic convex function, strongly neutrosophic convex function, the minimum and maximum of a function f with respect to neutrosophic set, min and max neutrosophic variational inequality, neutrosophic general convex set, neutrosophic general convex function and min, max neutrosophic general variational inequality. We introduced some basic results on these new concepts. Moreover, we discussed the application of neutrosophic set in optimization theory. We developed an algorithm using neutrosophic min and max variational inequality and identified the maximum and minimum profit of the company.
Whole exome sequencing of oral epithelial dysplasias reveals an association with new genes
Authors: Adorno-Farias Daniela , Tarquinio Sandra , González-Arriagada Wilfredo , Palominos Rodrigo Alberto Santibáñez , Martín Alberto Jesus Martín , Santos Jean Nunes dos , Fernandez-Ramires Ricardo
Published: April 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Photonic Microwave and RF Channelizers using CMOS Compatible Kerr Micro-combs
Authors: Tan Mengxi , xu xingyuan , Moss David
Published: April 2021

We report broadband RF channelizers based on integrated optical frequency Kerr micro-combs combined with passive micro-ring resonator filters, with microcombs having channel spacings of 200GHz and 49GHz. This approach to realizing RF channelizers offers reduced complexity, size, and potential cost for a wide range of applications to microwave signal detection.
Vanishing weekly hydropeaking cycles in American and Canadian rivers
Authors: Déry Stephen J. , Hernández-Henríquez Marco A. , Stadnyk Tricia A. , Troy Tara J.
Published: April 2021

Sub-daily and weekly flow cycles termed ‘hydropeaking’ are common features in regulated rivers worldwide. Weekly flow periodicity arises from fluctuating hydropower demand and production tied to socioeconomic activity, typically with higher consumption during weekdays followed by reductions on weekends. Here, we propose a novel weekly hydropeaking index to quantify the 1920-2019 intensity and prevalence of weekly hydropeaking cycles at 400 sites across the United States of America and Canada. A robust weekly hydropeaking signal exists at 1.1% of sites starting in 1920, peaking at 17.0% in 1963, and diminishing to 3.2% in 2019, marking a 21st century decline in hydropeaking intensity. We propose this decline may be tied to recent, above-average precipitation, socioeconomic shifts, alternative energy production, and legislative and policy changes impacting water management in regulated systems. Vanishing weekly hydropeaking cycles may offset some of the prior deleterious ecohydrological impacts from hydropeaking in highly regulated rivers.
Towards Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Magnetic Nanoparticles Integrated into 3D Reduced Graphene Oxide for Heterogeneous Fenton Organic Dye Degradation
Authors: Sadegh Fatemeh , Politakos Nikolaos , Sanz Oihane , Modarresi-Alam Ali Reza , Tomovska Radmila
Published: April 2021

Composite Fenton nanocatalyst was prepared by water-based in situ creation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles integrated within self-assembly 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogel. It was used for degradation of Acid Green 25 (AG-25) organic dye in aqueous solution, in presence of H2O2. By investigating the conditions that maximize the dye adsorption by the 3D composite, it was found that the pH of the solution should be adjusted between the pKa of the functional groups presented on the rGO surface (carboxylic acid) and that of the dye (sulfonic acid) to promote electrostatic interactions dye − 3D structure. Performed under these conditions, Fenton degradation of AG-25 in presence of H2O2 was completed in less than 30 min, including all the intermediate products, as demonstrated by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of the aqueous solution after discoloration. Moreover, this was achieved in a solution with as high dye concentration as 0.5 mg/mL, with only 10 mg of 3D composite catalyst, at room temperature and without additional energy input. The high performance was attributed to the creation of charge transfer complex between the rGO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles throughout covalent bond C-O-Fe, the formation of which was promoted by the in situ synthesis procedure.
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Literature
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y.
Published: April 2021

Background: Cannabis refers to a flowering plant in the family Cannabaceae, which has been used medically, recreationally, and industrially. The history of cannabis has been both long and complex, however, the last few decades have seen a large increase in the volume of literature on this topic. The objective of the present bibliometric analysis is to capture the characteristics of peer-reviewed publications on the topic of cannabis and cannabinoid research.Methods: Searches were run on April 02, 2021, and results were exported on the same day to prevent discrepancies between daily database updates. Only “article” and “review” publication types were included; no further search limits were applied. The following bibliometric data were collected: number of publications (in total and per year), authors and journals; open access status; journals publishing the highest volume of literature and their impact factors; language, countries, institutional affiliations, and funding sponsors of publications; most productive authors; and most highly-cited publications. Trends associated with this subset of publications were identified and presented. Bibliometric networks were constructed and visualized using the software tool VOSviewer.Results: A total of 29 802 publications (10 214 open access), published by 65 109 authors were published in 5474 journals from 1829 to 2021. The greatest number of publications were published over the last 20 years. The journal that published the largest number of publications was Drug and Alcohol Dependence (n=705). The most productive countries included the United States (n= 12 420), the United Kingdom (n=2236), and Canada (n=2062); many of the most common intuitional affiliations and funding sponsors also originated from these three countries.Conclusions: The number of publications collectively published on the topic of cannabis follows an upward trend. Over the past 20 years, the volume of cannabis research has grown steeply, which can be largely attributed to the existence of a large amount of funding dedicated to research this topic. Future research should continue to investigate changes in the publication characteristics of emerging cannabis research, especially as it is expected that the body of publications on this topic is expected to rapidly grow.
Fabrication and Characterization of an Antibacterial Chitosan/Silk Fibroin Electrospun Nanofiber Loaded with a Cationic Peptide for Wound-dressing Application
Authors: Khosravimelal Sadjad , Chizari Milad , Farhadihosseinabadi Behrouz , Moghaddam Mehrdad Moosazadeh , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher
Published: April 2021

Wound infections are still problematic in many cases and demand new alternatives for current treatment strategies. In recent years, biomaterials-based wound dressings have received much attention due to their potentials and many studies have been performed based on them. Accordingly, in this study, we fabricated and optimized an antibacterial chitosan/silk fibroin (CS/SF) electrospun nanofiber bilayer containing different concentrations of a cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) for wound dressing applications. The fabricated CS/SF nanofiber was fully characterized and compared to the electrospun silk fibroin and electrospun chitosan alone in vitro. Then, the release rate of different concentrations of peptide (16, 32, and 64 µg/ml) from peptide-loaded CS/SF nanofiber was investigated. Finally, based on cytotoxic activity, the antibacterial activity of scaffolds containing 16 and 32 µg/ml of peptide was evaluated against standard and multi-drug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from burn patients. The peptide-loaded CS/SF nanofiber displayed appropriate mechanical properties, high water uptake, suitable biodegradation rate, a controlled release without cytotoxicity on Hu02 human foreskin fibroblast cells at the 16 and 32 µg/ml concentrations of peptide. The optimized CS/SF containing 32 µg/ml peptide showed strong antibacterial activity against all experimental strains from standard to resistant. The results showed that the fabricated antimicrobial nanofiber has the potential to be applied as a wound dressing for infected wound healing, although further studies are needed in vivo.
A Long contiguous stretches of homozygosity disclosed a novel biallelic pathogenic variant in STAG3 causing Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Authors: Mellone Simona , Zavattaro Marco , Vurchio Denise , Ronzani Sara , Caputo Marina , Leone Ilaria , Prodam Flavia , Giordano Mara
Published: April 2021

Background: Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) refers to an etiologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by hypergonadotropic hypogonadism that represents a major cause of infertility in women under 40 years. Most cases of isolated POI still appear sporadically, but ∼10–15% have an affected first-degree relative, indicating a significant genetic etiology. Several genes implicated in development, meiosis, hormonal signaling and metabolism are involved in the genetic form of the disorder in both syndromic and isolated POI. However, most cases of POI remain unsolved even after exhaustive investigation. Results: Here is reported a 19-year-old Senegalese female affected by non-syndromic POI showing primary amenorrhoea, who well answered to the hormonal induction of puberty reaching a complete sexual maturation in two years. In order to investigate the presence of a genetic defect, aCGH-SNP analysis was performed. A 13.5 Mb long contiguous stretch of homozygosity (LCSH) region on chromosome 7q21.13-q22.1 was identified where the exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous 4-bp deletion (c.3381_3384delAGAA) in STAG3 . Pathogenic variants in this gene, encoding for a meiosis-specific protein, have been previously reported as cause POI in only seven families and recently as cause of infertility in a male. The here identified mutation leads to the truncation of the last 55 aminoacids, confirming the important role in meiosis of the STAG3 C-terminal domain. Conclusions: In conclusion we identified a loss of function variant in STAG3 in a Senegalese woman with POI reinforcing the role the cohesin complex in the genetic etiology of this disorder. This gene should be included in the screening of POI to offer a better genetic counseling and long term follow-up considering the risk of ovarian tumor in woman carrying pathogenic variants in genes involved in germ cell differentiation.
Dependent behavior and the model of family relations in the system of "safe" attachment
Authors: Grygorieva Svitlana
Published: April 2021

This article examines a model of family relations, namely the “mother-child” dyad, built on the basis of a study of the lateral profile of normo-typical adolescents and their mothers. Testing the position of postures (comparing the interlacing of the fingers, crossing the arms on the chest, aiming and applauding) revealed a highly significant inverse correlation for the leading eye. This suggests that there is a significant interaction between the structures of the brain of the mother and the child in the thalamus (visual hillocks). The asymmetry of the brain structures of the mother-child dyad indicates their difference in the style of processing sensory information. These differences give rise to the dominance of the pair in the leading hemisphere of the brain (left or right) and, accordingly, in the style of thinking, which does not coincide in this pair. Thus, the state of "reliable" attachment in the mother-child dyad depends on whether the mother is ready to accept a different way of thinking (reading and processing sensory information) in her child. Based on the physiological characteristics of the structure of the brain of the mother and child, we will consider the system of dependent personality behavior, caused by disorders of interaction and attachment.
Holistic assessment of competitiveness of Bulgarian farming enterprises
Authors: Bachev Hrabrin , Koteva Nina
Published: April 2021

The problem of determining the level of competitiveness of various economic organizations is among the most topical academic and practical issues. However, there is no widely accepted and comprehensive framework for understanding and assessing the competitiveness of farming enterprises in different market, economic, institutional and natural environments. This presentation suggests and applies a holistic approach for assessing the competitiveness of Bulgarian farms as a whole and different specializations. This novel framework includes appropriate criteria, indicators and reference values for the four pillars of farm competitiveness – Economics efficiency, Financial endowment, Adaptability and Sustainability. The multi-criteria assessment of farm competitiveness in Bulgaria has found that the level of competitiveness of farms is at a good level, with low adaptive potential and economic efficiency, to the greatest extent contributing to lower competitiveness. More than a third of all farms in the country has a low level of competitiveness. The most competitive are the farms in the beekeeping, followed by field crops, mixed livestock and crop productions, and the lowest in grazing livestock. The proposed approach should be improved and applied more widely and periodically, increasing accuracy and representativeness.
Analysis of religious tourism in Ukraine: challenges of time and prospects
Authors: Panchenko Svitlana
Published: April 2021

The main objectives of tourism business management are to develop and implement new strategies for promoting the product in the tourism market with the help of new technologies, as well as improve the existing ones due to using the main management functions. The article aims to improve the religious tourism sector in the modern tourism market and draw attention to religious tourism management. Research methods include analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, forecasting, as well as the use of systemic, activity-oriented, historical and culturological approaches. The article offers some ways of solving the issues of religious tourism, taking into account the specifics of this sector. It also covers some problematic issues in religious tourism in the context of the main management functions. The article proves that the potential of religious tourism is unrealized in terms of management and marketing research on tourism. The crisis of the global tourism industry, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has done significant harm to the entire tourism sector of Ukraine’s economy. But it opens a unique window of opportunities for Ukraine to become a world-famous religious destination. The WTTC drew attention to this, urging public and private sector leaders to work together to pave the way for the economic recovery, needed for the travel and tourist industry and create millions of jobs.
The Phenomenology of Change: How Conflict Drives Urban Transformation
Authors: Verloo Nanke , Davis Diane
Published: April 2021

Here we propose a new methodology for learning from conflict, referred to as a 'phenomenology of change' approach. This framework can be used to ascertain how, why, and under what conditions conflicts can lead to social, spatial, and political transformations in the urban built environment.
This approach builds on examination of ongoing struggles and actions undertaken by citizens and urban governing officials during conflict. It uses this evidence to document whether and how authority is renegotiated as well as the conditions under which the issues under contention and the identity
positions of stakeholders will positively or negatively impact the likelihood of built environmental change. Drawing on the five case studies in the special issue, we come to four general conclusions. 1. Change is more likely when actors strategically combine one action repertoire with another.
2. Conflicts over space are particularly well suited to the formation of institutionalized engagement processes for renegotiating authority, thus making change more probable. 3. Despite the importance of negotiating with institutions during conflict, opportunities to engage in such processes
are not equally distributed among all races and classes of citizen. 4. The temporality of conflict – that is, the length of struggle – has a direct bearing on both the likelihood and durability of change. The article concludes with a focus on the roles of urban professionals in
mediating conflict, reflecting on their relations with both citizens and governing authorities, and discussing how insights drawn from a phenomenology of change framework can be used by professionals to enhance desired transformations in the urban built environment.
Governance through Conflict: Consensus Building in the Fenicia Urban Renewal Project in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Pinilla Juan Felipe , Arteaga Martín
Published: April 2021

The Fenicia project is an urban redevelopment project in an area of downtown Bogotá, within the immediate vicinity of Los Andes University, the principal promoter of the project. The project has not yet been completed but the way in which it has been formulated, as well as its
characteristics and basic objectives, have made it a reference point in the city of Bogotá. From the very beginning, the project has confronted numerous conflicts and tensions between the different stakeholders involved in its implementation. The conflict management approach implemented
in this case study has contributed to correcting many of the equity concerns that other urban renewal projects in the city have generated. It does so by promoting inclusive and deliberative dynamics between the promoter, local authorities, and property owners in the zone. Land readjustment
is an instrument that could allow the current property owners to remain in the area, participate as partners in the benefits of the project, and play a leading role in decision-making processes.
Agonistic Conflict as a Distinct Type of Contentious Politics: Learning from Protests For and Against Asylum Seekers in Israel
Authors: Hatuka Tali , Wijler Miryam
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on a particular form of protest that emerges in what this paper calls an 'agonistic environment'. It defines the latter as a form of contentious politics within deliberative democracies in which concurrence rather than estrangement is more likely to define the relationship
between citizens and the state. It then asks what is the nature of conflict in such environments, and will activism in the settings be more or less likely to generate change. Finally, it considers whether protest in agonistic environments produces a form of shared knowledge among parties to
the conflict, particularly with respect to the possibility of change and how best to achieve it? In exploring these questions, the paper focuses on the political dynamics in Israel associated with the wave of African asylum seekers who arrived from 2010 to 2012, most of whom originated from
Eritrea and Sudan. Using a quantitative approach, the paper analyses this agonistic environment focusing on two dimensions: (a) protest events; and (b) state policy and juridical decisions as well as legal initiatives aimed at challenging state policy and relevant court decisions. By highlighting
the scalar mismatch between protests focused on delimited urban spaces and responses of authorities at the scale of the nation – in this case, legal rulings – the paper further advances our understanding of agonistic conflict and how it produces change.
Cytochrome Oxidase C Subunit I (COI) for Identification and Genetic Variation of Loaches (Nemacheilus fasciatus)
Authors: Riyadini Amalia Ayuk , Widodo Maheno Sri , Fadjar Mohamad
Published: April 2021

Nemacheilus fasciatus is an Indonesian freshwater fish species that can be found in river waters on Java. This fish has a morphological similarity between species. This study aims to identify species of samples found and know their genetic kinship. This study used the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as a molecular marker, and then the results were analyzed using MEGA X software. The genetic structure and phylogeny of N. fasciatus sequences were combined with outgroup species from GenBank and analyzed using Maximum Likehood (ML), Pairwise Genetic Distance and Bootstrapping Phylogeny Model of Kimura 2 Parameters. The results showed that the primary pairs of LCO1490 and HCO2198 used to amplify the sample N. fasciatus with COI as a marker. The nucleotide frequencies of these loaches are A=26.5%, T=23.8%, C=19.9% and G=29.9%. The estimated Transition/Transversion bias (R) is 0.60. The number of haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.972, and nucleotide (Pi) diversity was 0.05115. The kinship of N. fasciatus compared to the outgroup is closer to N. pallidus than N. chrysolaimos. Research needs to be conducted with a larger sample size for the genetic diversity of N. fasciatus in Indonesia.
What Security Means to Me
Authors: Bynoe Chloe
Published: April 2021

On November 27, 2020, Chloe Bynoe, a Gen Z content creator, discussed what security means to her and the importance of ethical and critical decision making at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The key points discussed were the issues that are considered important by Gen Z, the importance of security, and the importance of critical and ethical decision making.
Intelligence Challenges of the Data Rich World
Authors: Gratton Phil
Published: April 2021

On November 24, 2020, Phil Gratton presented Intelligence Challenges of the Data Rich World at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a group panel for questions and answers. Main discussion topics included the abundance of data; non-threat related data-sets; and legislative and operational advancements towards contributing to cutting-edge intelligence processes.
How policing has changed since COVID-19
Authors: Rashid Asif
Published: April 2021

Superintendent Asif Rashid of Calgary Police discussed policing changes since COVID-19 on November 26, 2020 at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with the other speakers of the panel. The key points discussed were how policing was changed to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19, emergency management systems, and technological issues.
Cyber investigation: A new frontier for police
Authors: Macdonald Kathy
Published: April 2021

On November 26, 2020, Kathy Macdonald, M.O.M, presented on Cyber Investigation: A New Frontier for Police at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The main points discussed were centered on the evolving nature of cybercrime, the resulting challenges, and steps forward to address the security issues it presents. Following the presentation, there was a question and answer period to allow for attendees of the conference to engage with Kathy Macdonald’s presentation and the topic of cybercrime.
Social Media as a Recruitment Tool by Extremist Groups
Authors: Shaikh Mubin
Published: April 2021

On November 25, 2020, Professor Mubin Shaikh presented Social Media as a Recruitment Tool by Extremist Groups at the 2020 CASIS West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question and answer period with other speakers. The key points of discussion focused on how the rise of social media has created recruitment opportunities for extremist groups, and how these opportunities have compounded during the COVID-19 pandemic.