bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tick communities of cattle in smallholder rural livestock production systems in Subsaharan Africa
Authors: Heylen Dieter J.A. , Kumsa Bersissa , Kimbita Elikira , Frank Mwiine Nobert , Muhanguzi Dennis , Jongejan Frans , Adehan Safiou Bienvenu , Toure Alassane , Aboagye-Antwi Fred , Ogo Ndudim Isaac , Juleff Nick , Fourie Josephus , Evans Alec , Madder Maxime
Published: March 2023

Background The majority of the African population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. To increase the productivity and sustainability of their farms, they need access to affordable yield-enhancing inputs of which parasite control is of paramount importance. We therefore determined the status of current tick species with the highest economic impact on cattle, by sampling representative numbers of animals in each of seven Sub-Saharan countries. Methods Data included tick species’ half-body counts from approximately 120 cattle at each of two district per country, collected four times in approximately one year (to include seasonality). Study sites were chosen in each country to include high cattle density and tick burden. Results East Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania) showed overall a higher diversity and prevalence in tick infestations compared to West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria). In East Africa,Amblyomma variegatum(vector ofEhrlichia ruminantium),Rhipicephalus microplus(Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, A. marginale),R. evertsi evertsi(A. marginale) andR. appendiculatus(Theileria parva) were most prevalent tick species of economic importance. While the latter species was absent in West Africa, here bothA. variegatumandR. microplusoccurred in high numbers.Rhipicephalus microplushad spread to Uganda, infesting half of the cattle sampled.Rhipicephalus appendiculatusis known for its invasive behaviour and displacement of other blue tick species, as observed in other East and West African. Individual cattle with higher body weights, as well as males, were more likely to become infested. For six tick species, we found reduced infestations when hosts’ were treated with anti-parasiticides. Conclusions Outcomes allow the determination of possible changes in presence and prevalence of ticks in each of the countries targeted, wich is of importance in the light of human-caused climate and habitat alterations or anthropogenic activities. As many of the ticks in this study are vectors of important pathogens, but also, as cattle may act as end-hosts for ticks of importance to human health, our study will help a wide range of stakeholders to provide recommendations for tick infestation surveillance and prevention.
Assessment of Retrospective Collection of EQ-5D-5L in a US COVID-19 Population
Authors: Sun Xiaowu , Fusco Manuela Di , Puzniak Laura , Coetzer Henriette , Zamparo Joann M. , Tabak Ying P. , Cappelleri Joseph C.
Published: March 2023

Background: The impact of COVID-19 goes beyond the acute phase of infection. It is imperative to evaluate health related quality of life (HRQoL) pre-COVID-19 , but there is currently no evidence of the retrospective application of the EQ-5D-5L for COVID-19 studies.
Methods: Symptom patients with SARS-CoV-2 at CVS Health US test sites were recruited between 01/31/2022-04/30/2022. Consented participants completed the EuroQol 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire twice: a modified version where all the questions were past tense to retrospectively assess pre-COVID-19 baseline QoL, and the standard version in present tense to assess current HRQoL. Duncan’s new multiple range test was adopted for post analysis of variance pairwise comparisons of EQ-VAS means between problem levels for each of 5 domains. A linear mixed model was applied to check whether the relationship between EQ visual analog scale (VAS) and utility index (UI)was consistent pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. Matching-adjusted indirect comparison was used to compare pre-COVID-19 UI and VAS scores with those of the US population. Cohen’s d was used to quantify the magnitude of difference in means between two groups.
Results: Of 676 participants, 10.2% were age 65 or more years old, 73.2% female and 71.9% white. Diabetes was reported by 4.7% participants and hypertension by 11.2%. The estimated coefficient for the interaction of UI-by-retrospective collection indicator (0=standard prospective collection, 1=retrospective for pre-COVID-19), -4.2 (SE: 3.2), P=0.197, indicates that retrospective collection does not significantly alter the relationship between EQ-VAS and UI. After adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, and percent of mobility problems, predicted means of pre-COVID-19 baseline VAS and UI were 84.6 and 0.866, respectively. Both means were close to published US population norms (80.4 and 0.851) than those observed (87.4 and 0.924). After adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, and hypertension, the calculated ES for UI and VAS were 0.15 and 0.39, respectively. Without retrospectively collected EQ-5D-5L, using US population norms tended to underestimate the impact of COVID-19 on HRQoL.
Conclusion: At a group level the retrospectively collected pre-COVID-19 EQ-5D-5L is adequate and makes it possible to directly evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on HRQoL.
(ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05160636)
Performance of Steel Coupling Beam with Trapezoidal Corrugated Web: Experimental tests and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Hamza Mariam , Muhaisin Muthana
Published: March 2023

Steel coupling beam (SCB) is a substantial member of the hybrid coupled walls system. When coupled walls are linked by SCB rather than conventionally reinforced or diagonally reinforced coupling beams, the system's strength and energy dissipation capacities are greatly enhanced. A corrugated web may be used in SCB instead of a flat web o improve these characteristics even more. This paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation of the shear-carrying capacity and energy-dissipating capability of steel coupling beams with both types of webs (flat and corrugated). Full-scale specimens of hybrid coupled walls with SCB made with flat web and SCB with corrugated web were prepared and tested under monotonic loading. Finite elements software (ABAQUS) was used to implement the numerical analysis. Good agreement was noticed between the experimental and the numerical results. The results of this study are promising that to the possibility to enhance the load-carrying and ductility capacities of SCB using a corrugated plate instead of a flat plate as a web.
Solid medium for the direct isolation of bacterial colonies growing with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) as the sole carbon source
Authors: Dietz-Vargas Claudio , Valenzuela-Ibaceta Felipe , Pérez-Donoso José M.
Published: March 2023

Isolation of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria is a key step for the study of microbiological diversity, metabolic pathways and bioremediation, however current methods lack simplicity and versatility. We developed an easy method that allows the screening and isolation of bacterial colonies capable of degrading hydrocarbons, such as diesel or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as well as the pollutant explosive, 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The method uses a two-layer solid medium, with a layer of M9 medium, with a second layer containing the carbon source deposited trough the evaporation of ethanol. Using this medium we grew hydrocarbon-degrading strains, using diesel, phenanthrene or anthracene as the sole carbon sources, as well as three TNT-degrading isolates. Using this medium we isolated PAHs-degrading bacterial colonies directly from diesel polluted soils. Analysis revealed that bacteria grown in medium using PAHs as carbon source maintain their morphological characteristics when compared to cells grown on traditional media with glucose.
Radiated Power From Mobile Base Stations (Mbs) And the Level of Awarenes of Residents Living Close to It
Authors: Bello Aisha A. , Onyoku Grace O. , Usman Rilwan , Otto Muhammed Sani , Abdullahi Abdullahi Hassan
Published: March 2023

Low-frequency non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) emanates from antennas in Mobile Base Stations (MBS). There is a general concern that living close to a Mobile Base Station (MBS) could be associated with health effects such as headache, sleep disorder, and fatigue. Using a High-Frequency Spectrum Analyzer (HF-2025E) coupled with its hyper-log antenna (HL-7025) and a set of questionnaires, this work assessed radiated power on human body surface from eleven (11) MBSs located in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and knowledge of residents on EMR from MBSs. The result shows that mobile operators’ frequencies in the 900MHz band were found to be dominant. The minimum power density was 0.02 μWm-2 and the maximum power density was 927.97 μWm-2 in the 900 MHz bands. The maximum average absorbed radiated power was 297.77 μW on an adult male body surface area. These maximum values are below the ICNIRP standard of 4.5 Wm-2; concerns however, are on prolonged exposure whose value may exceed the ICNIRP limit. Results from the questionnaire show an average level (53% and 51%) of awareness of EMR from respondents living close to the MBSs and their safety issues. This paper recommends more public awareness of issues relating to EMR from MBSs.
Novel Protocol Using a Comprehensive Training ‘N’ Treatment (TNT) Approach Rapidly Reverses Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Loss of Taste and Smell Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Young Nicholas A. , Skaggs Caralee , Tran Frances , Murray Sara , Lara Montana Kay , Wolf Trevor H. , Popal Tamiem , Reisenauer Keighley , Osgood Nikki , Betzner Ikeca , Britt Gregg , Pena Jennifer , Gordon Eva , Simon Robert
Published: March 2023

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 and has a well-established set of clinical symptoms. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are among the non-life threatening sequalae observed with both acute and chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection. This can lead to the loss of taste and smell and has been observed in large subsets of COVID-19 patients. Although non-life threatening, loss of taste and smell can contribute to decreased quality of life and prevent sufficient nutrient intake, which may negatively affect prognosis and recovery. Despite progress in the treatment of other symptoms caused by COVID-19, there are currently no standardized treatment protocols to mitigate loss of taste and smell caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and most approaches thus far have evaluated sensory training and regimen-based treatment strategies independently. In this retrospective case series, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a comprehensive, combined treatment protocol for COVID-19-induced taste and smell dysfunction using olfactory and gustatory training in combination with vitamins and supplements, nasal irrigations, nerve stimulation exercises, and anti-inflammatory prophylaxis. Acutely infected patients with COVID-19-related loss of taste and smell were given a daily regimen of zinc, vitamin A, B-complex, vitamin D, and alpha lipoic acid in addition to saline nasal irrigation, fluticasone spray, nerve stimulation exercises, and repeated olfactory-gustatory training. Triamcinalone paste, theophylline, and prednisone were included daily with the observation of partial recovery. At two timepoints over approximately 20–37 days of treatment, taste and smell scores were quantified based on detection of agents included on each sensory training panel. Following this novel and comprehensive “Training ‘N’ Treatment” (TNT) protocol, every patient exhibited a complete recovery of taste and smell. Given the potential to provide relief to the many people with olfactory and gustatory dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the effectiveness of this protocol warrants validation in a larger study.
Malaria infection among adults residing in a highly endemic region from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Kalenda Nadine Kayiba , Nitahara Yuko , Tshibangu-Kabamba Evariste , Kalambayi Denis Mbuyi , Kabongo-Tshibaka Augustin , Tshituka Nestor Kalala , Mukenga Barthélemy Tshiebue , Candray-Medina Katherine-Sofia , Kaku Natsuko , Nakagama Yu , Speybroeck Niko , Ngoyi Dieudonné Mumba , Tumba Ghislain Disashi , Kaneko Akira , Kido Yasutoshi
Published: March 2023

Background
Despite their potential to undermine malaria control and elimination efforts, infected adults who live in endemic areas are an overlooked aspect of public health strategies. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of malaria, to identify underlying parasites species, and to assess predicting factors among adults residing in an endemic area from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional survey included subjects aged 18 years and above who were interviewed using a standard questionnaire and tested for malaria using a rapid diagnostic test and a nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the effect of potential predictive factors on malaria infection.
Results
The prevalence of malaria was estimated 60.2% [95%CI: 55.5; 64.8] in this population category. Parasite species identified included P. falciparum (87.4%), P. malariae (39.9), and P. ovale (7.5%) which occurred primarily as single species infections of P. falciparum ( 55.3% of malaria cases) and mixed P. falciparum/ P. malariae infections (26.1%). Putative episodes of clinical malaria dated back more than a month in 50% of participants whereas no episode was evoked within a 48-hours period interval prior to the survey. The likelihood of malaria infections decreased significantly with age (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 0.98 [95%CI: 0.87; 0.98]; p = 0.006) and indoor insecticide spraying (aOR = 0.1 [95%CI: <0.01; 0.58]; p = 0.032).
Conclusion
Adults infected with malaria constitute a potentially important latent reservoir for the transmission of the disease in the study setting. They should specifically be taken into account in public health measures and translational research.
First record of two cardinal fishes (Kurtiformes: Apogonidae) and a gobioid fish (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) from the Odisha coast, India
Authors: Patra Suman , Gouda Rajeswari , Behera Rajesh Kumar , Mohapatra Sandeep , Rout Sushree Swati , Patro Shesdev , Mishra Subhrendu Sekhar , Mohapatra Anil
Published: March 2023

Two cardinal fish species, Apogonichthyoides sialis (Jordan & Thompson 1914) and Oestorhinchus fleurieu Lacepède 1802, and one oxudercid goby, Trypauchenichthys sumatrensis Hardenberg 1931 are reported herein for the first time from the coastal waters of Odisha, India. This paper deals with the diagnostic characters and distributional information of all these three species to document their occurrence for the first time from Odisha state. Confusion in identity of these two apogonids along Odisha coast is cleared, while report of this oxudercid goby forms it’s only the second record from India.
An Invalidity Strategy against Patent Barriers: Evidence from Chinese Enterprises
Authors: Guo Qing , Qi Yong , Deng Yuting , Kang Zhengyang
Published: March 2023

In the global trade market, patents evolve into strategic barriers to block overseas competitors. Patent invalidity proceeding, the acknowledged countermeasure, is nevertheless a double-edge sword. Drawing on a conjunction of resource-based view theory and synergy theory, an invalidity strategy for the foreign enterprises against the barriers is provided, i.e., challenging the infringed patent cooperatively. A mediated moderating model together with samples consisting of Inter Partes Review proceedings pertaining to Chinese enterprises spanning a time period from 2012 to 2020 are introduced to empirically examine the cooperative invalidity strategy. We show that the strategy is indeed effective. Further analyses demonstrate that a foreign enterprise would receive some higher odds of the patent being invalided when cooperating with an NPE/NPEs compared to a PE/PEs. Additionally, dynamic capability mediates the relationship between the strategy and the outcome of an invalidity proceeding while patent quality plays a moderating role.
JEL Classification: O31; O34; K41
Citric acid cross-linked regenerated bacterial cellulose as biodegradable and biocompatible film for food packaging
Authors: Yu Qingqing , Yang Luyu , Wang Shujun , Zhang Lei , Sun Dongping
Published: March 2023

The global depletion of petrochemical resources, coupled with the environmental problems caused by the widespread use of traditional plastics, have brought more attention to exploring biodegradable materials. However, the high preparation cost and complex manufacturing processes leave us few choices of raw materials of biodegradability. Herein, regenerated bacterial cellulose (RBC) was used to prepare a kind of environmentally-friendly material that degrades rapidly. Further addition of citric acid (CA) enhances its mechanical properties and degradability, resulting in a CA-cross-linked regenerated cellulose (CA-RC) film with a fracture strength of 93.40 MPa and Young's modulus of 4.2 GPa, which behaves better than commercial plastic wrap in food preservation. In addition, the film could be completely degraded in soil within two weeks, of which the biocompatibility is verified by both cell proliferation and hemolysis experiments. The results show that the CA-RC films have great application prospects in food packaging and biomedical materials.
Development and implementation of Interprofessional Education: Global perspectives
Authors: Delawala Farhin , Heymans Yolande , Christmals Christmal Dela
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Several published theoretical guidelines and evaluations are available to guide the development and implementation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) programmes. However, it is expedient to learn from the practical experiences of experts involved in the development and implementation of IPE programmes to support the development and implementation of new programmes. This study explored the perspectives of international experts on the development and implementation of IPE programmes, including the challenges faced.
Methodology: A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used where fifteen international experts in the development and implementation of IPE were purposively sampled and interviewed. A semi-structured interview guide, using the key areas of IPE programme development and implementation was used. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.
Results: Four themes were identified and described: IPE structure in higher education institutions; faculty and student involvement; challenges and opportunities; and evaluation and quality improvements in IPE programmes.
Conclusion: Interprofessional education programmes are gaining ground internationally. Each continent presents special contextual issues regarding the development and implementation of IPE programmes, nevertheless, the challenges and opportunities that confront the development of the programmes are commonly noted, although to different extents. Institutional culture, resource limitations, already packed curricula, and professional hierarchies and rivalry were challenges identified. Comprehensive stakeholder engagements are very important in overcoming challenges and sustaining IPE programmes. Despite the push for making IPE compulsory in undergraduate health professions’ education, with some accreditation bodies requiring IPE as a component of the curricula for accreditation, it is important to consider the context compulsory IPE.
Research on Topology Dynamic Perception and Line Parameter Identification of Distribution Network
Authors: He Baina , Dai Xueting , Li Hui , Dong Yanchen , Wu Shuo , Liu Yang , Meng Fantao , Dai Weihan , Wei Yuanlong
Published: March 2023

The absence of network topology and line parameter information data affects the condition monitoring, analysis and control of active distribution networks. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a method to identify the topology and line parameters of distribution network using the measured values obtained by intelligent meters and phasor measurement units. The initial model of topology and line parameter identification based on linear regression is solved by orthogonal triangular decomposition to obtain the initial values of topology and line, and the improved Newton Raphson (NR) is used to accurately identify the network topology and parameters. The proposed method is validated on IEEE 33 bus test system.
Quantitative LC-MS study of compounds found predictive of COVID-19 severity and outcome
Authors: Roberts Ivayla , Muelas Marina Wright , Taylor Joseph M. , Davison Andrew S. , Winder Catherine L. , Goodacre Royston , Kell Douglas B.
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCTION
Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in December 2019 multiple metabolomics studies have proposed predictive biomarkers of infection severity and outcome. Whilst some trends have emerged, the findings remain intangible and uninformative when it comes to new patients.
OBJECTIVES
In this study, we accurately quantitate a subset of compounds in patient serum that were found predictive of severity and outcome.
METHODS
A targeted LC-MS method was used in 46 control and 95 acute COVID-19 patient samples to quantitate the selected metabolites. These compounds included tryptophan and its degradation products kynurenine and kynurenic acid (reflective of immune response), butyrylcarnitine and its isomer (reflective of energy metabolism) and finally 3’,4’-didehydro-3’-deoxycytidine, a deoxycytidine analogue, (reflective of host viral defence response). We subsequently examine changes in those markers by disease severity and outcome relative to those of control patients’ levels.
RESULTS & CONCLUSION
Finally, we demonstrate the added value of the kynurenic acid / tryptophan ratio for severity and outcome prediction and highlight the viral detection potential of ddhC.
Clustering of Cancer Responses to Stressors: Insights for Cancer Treatment and Disease Understanding
Authors: Hadi Christopher El , Hilal George , Aoun Rita
Published: March 2023

Cancer cells have unique metabolic activity in the glycolysis pathway compared to normal cells, which allows them to sustain their growth and proliferation. Therefore, inhibiting glycolytic pathways may provide a promising therapeutic approach to cancer treatment. In this first-of-its-kind study, we analyzed the genetic responses of cancer cells to stressors, particularly drugs that target the glycolysis pathway. Gene expression data for experiments on different types of cancer cells were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus and fold-change in expression was then clustered after dimensionality reduction. We identified four response clusters, the first and third were affected the most by anti-glycolytic drugs, consisting mainly of squamous and mesenchymal tissues, showing higher mitotic inhibition and apoptosis. Drugs acting on several glycolytic targets at once resulted in such responses. The second and fourth clusters were relatively unaffected by the treatments, succumbing the least to glycolysis inhibitors. These clusters are mainly gynecological and hormone-sensitive, with drugs acting on hexokinases mainly inducing this response. This study highlights the importance of analyzing the molecular states of cancer cells to identify potential targets for personalized cancer treatments and to improve our understanding of the disease.
Resonant exciton scattering reveals Raman forbidden phonon modes in layered GeS
Authors: Jadczak Joanna , Andrzejewski Janusz , Debus Joerg , Ho Ching-Hwa , Bryja Leszek
Published: March 2023

Semiconducting layered group-IV monochalcogenides such as black phosphorous and germanium monosulfide with an anisotropic puckered crystalline structure in each layer have recently attracted much attention due to their unique optical and electronic properties. However, exciton-phonon interactions were only superficially elucidated, although they tremendously affect the opto-electronic operation principles and performance. We study the resonant Raman scattering and the photoluminescence of the optically active Γ-exciton in layered GeS flakes and evaluate the exciton and phonon responses on variations in the excitation energy, laser-light and emission polarizations, temperature, and laser power. The resonant Raman scattering leads to the observation of dark first- and second-order optical phonon modes whose symmetries and energies are calculated by means of a density functional perturbation theory. We reveal a double-resonance mechanism activating the Raman forbidden (dark) longitudinal-optical scattering processes: For (quasi)-resonantly exciting excitons in the GeS flakes the selection rules become relaxed so that a fourth-order Fröhlich intraband process is mediated by the scattering of the electron with a longitudinal-optical and an acoustic phonon. Our experiments demonstrate considerable coupling between phonons and photogenerated carriers in GeS flakes and the high efficiency of multi-order scattering in optical processes, and outline that layered GeS as direct band-gap semiconductor provides a promising material system for opto-electronic applications.
Was beeinflusst unseren Umgang mit Online Hate Speech?
Authors: Josupeit Christina
Published: March 2023

Um die Frage zu beantworten, ob und wie stark die Reaktion auf Online Hate Speech (OHS) von spezifischen situativen und personenbezogenen Merkmalen abhängt, ist ein mehrstufiges Verfahren mit Mixed-Methods-Ansatz geplant und teilweise schon umgesetzt. In diesem Beitrag werden Zwischenergebnisse aus der ersten Teiluntersuchung vorgestellt. Es wurde eine reale Situation, in der Studierende in einem WhatsApp-Gruppenchat mit antisemitischen Posts konfrontiert gewesen sind, retrospektiv analysiert. Zu diesem Zweck wurden problemzentrierte Interviews mit Gruppenmitgliedern durchgeführt (n = 6) sowie eine standardisierte Umfrage unter den Gruppenmitgliedern deskriptiv ausgewertet (n = 115). Deutlich wurde, dass die Mehrheit der befragten Studierenden als Reaktion auf OHS geschwiegen hat und dass diese Reaktionsweise massgeblich mit dem Diskussionsverlauf begründet wurde. Personen, die sich zu Wort gemeldet haben, beziehen sich in ihrer Begründung stärker auf die OHS selbst. Die Ergebnisse veranlassen dazu, die bisherigen theoretischen Bezüge zur Erklärung des Schweigens in einer solchen Situation kritisch in den Blick zu nehmen. Schlussfolgerungen für den Hauptteil der Studie werden abschliessend diskutiert.
Partizipative Mediendidaktik als Gateway für ziviles Engagement von Heranwachsenden und die Rolle persönlicher Lernumgebungen
Authors: Schlütz Daniela , Fehr Ada , Fecke Malin , Tellisch Christin
Published: March 2023

Ausgehend vom Modell von Gotlieb und Sarge (2021), in welchem Attribute partizipativer Mediennutzung (sich ausdrücken, sich darstellen und mit anderen zusammenarbeiten) mit motivationalen Prozessen der Selbstbestimmung sowie der Ausbildung zivilgesellschaftlicher Fähigkeiten verbunden werden, modelliert dieser theoretisch-konzeptionelle Beitrag den Zusammenhang zwischen partizipativen Praktiken von Kindern und Jugendlichen in digitalen Medienumgebungen und ihrem zivilem Engagement. Dabei wird auf das heuristische Strukturmodell einer partizipativen Mediendidaktik nach Mayrberger (2019) sowie Überlegungen zum selbstbestimmten Lernen zurückgegriffen, um kommunikationswissenschaftliche Konzepte mit medienpädagogischen und bildungswissenschaftlichen Ansätzen zu kombinieren. Die Herausbildung und Förderung partizipativer Fähigkeiten von Heranwachsenden im Rahmen partizipativer Mediendidaktik in formalen und informellen Bildungskontexten begreifen wir demnach als potenziellen Zugang für ziviles, staatsbürgerliches Engagement der jungen Zielgruppe. Vor diesem Hintergrund argumentieren wir, dass der Gestaltung der persönlichen Lernumgebung (PLE) und der damit verbundenen Zusammenstellung medialer Arrangements in unterschiedlich gelagerten Lernkontexten durch die Heranwachsenden eine wichtige Bedeutung zukommt. Anhand quantitativer Befragungsdaten zur Nutzung des Study Webs im Rahmen selbstbestimmten Lernens exploriert der Beitrag beispielhaft das Potenzial digitaler persönlicher Lernumgebungen und damit partizipativen Handelns in Bildungszusammenhängen für das zivile Engagement Heranwachsender.
Dynamically restoring conformal invariance in (integrable) $\sigma$-models
Authors: Aliaj Rigers , Sfetsos Konstantinos , Siampos Konstantinos
Published: March 2023

Integrable λ-deformed
σ-models
are characterized by an underlying current algebra/coset model CFT
deformed, at the infinitesimal level, by current/parafermion bilinears.
We promote the deformation parameters to dynamical functions of time
introduced as an extra coordinate. It is conceivable that by
appropriately constraining them, the beta-functions vanish and
consequently the σ-model
stays conformal. Remarkably, we explicitly materialize this scenario in
several cases having a single and even multiple deformation parameters.
These generically obey a system of non-linear second-order ordinary
differential equations. They are solved by the fixed points of the RG
flow of the original σ-model.
Moreover, by appropriately choosing initial conditions we may even
interpolate between the RG fixed points as the time varies from the far
past to the far future. Finally, we present an extension of our analysis
to the Yang–Baxter deformed PCMs.
Chaos in the vicinity of a singularity in the three-body problem: The equilateral triangle experiment in the zero angular momentum limit
Authors: Parischewsky Hugo D. , Trani Alessandro A. , Leigh Nathan W. C.
Published: March 2023

We present numerical simulations of the gravitational three-body
problem, in which three particles lie at rest close to the vertices of
an equilateral triangle. In the unperturbed problem, the three particles
fall towards the center of mass of the system to form a three-body
collision, or singularity, where the particles overlap in space and
time. By perturbing the initial positions of the particles, we are able
to study chaos in the vicinity of the singularity. Here we cover both
the singular region close to the unperturbed configuration and the
binary-single scattering regime where one side of the triangle is very
short compared to the other two. We make phase space plots to study the
regular and ergodic subsets of our simulations and compare them with the
outcomes expected from the statistical escape theory of the three-body
problem. We further provide fits to the ergodic subset to characterize
the properties of the left-over binaries. We identify the discrepancy
between the statistical theory and the simulations in the regular subset
of interactions, which only exhibits weak chaos. As we decrease the
scale of the perturbations in the initial positions, the phase space
becomes entirely dominated by regular interactions, according to our
metric for chaos. Finally, we show the effect of general relativity
corrections by simulating the same scenario with the inclusion of
post-Newtonian corrections to the equations of motion.
UM NOVO COMPOSTO DE COORDENAÇÃO DINUCLEAR PROJETADO PARA NÃO APRESENTAR DANOS OXIDATIVOS E EFEITOS TOXICOLÓGICOS
Authors: da Silva Jamerson , Galembeck André , Belian Mônica , Silva Wagner , Santos Jandyson , Silva Neto Jacinto , Aguiar Jaciana , Gonçalves Teresinha
Published: March 2023

A NEW DINUCLEAR COORDINATION COMPOUND DESIGNED TO HAVE NO OXIDATIVE DAMAGE AND TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS. The synthesis, characterization, acute toxicity, antitumor activity, and histopathological analysis of a novel dinuclear platinum(2+) complex − [Pt(DACH-κ2N)µ-(C4H2O6-κ4O)Pt(DACH-κ2N)] − is reported. Through acute toxicity tests, it was possible to place the platinum complexes into categories according to the OECD protocol. The dinuclear complex was classified in category 2 (cisplatin - category 1; and oxaliplatin - category 2). Analyzing the interaction between dsDNA and dinuclear complex was observed an Tm increase, suggesting that the dinuclear complex-dsDNA interact probably through of the interstrand form. Evaluations of tumor masses extracted from mice inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma demonstrated a percent of tumor inhibition similar for cisplatin and oxaliplatin, but statistically different and superior for the case of the dinuclear complex. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin showed 41.4 and 40.8% inhibition, respectively, while the dinuclear complex presented 66.3%. The histopathological analysis demonstrated that the group treated with cisplatin showed more significant tissue damage, moderate hepatic steatosis, and nephritis. The livers, spleens, and kidneys of the animals treated with the dinuclear complex were within the normality range with no tissue lesions, and absence of metastasis.
Environmental hygiene in outdoor food markets in Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Nijhawan Anisha , Budge Sophie , Reddy Olivia , Bartram Jamie , Howard Guy
Published: March 2023

Outdoor food markets represent important locations where foodborne illnesses and other infectious diseases can spread. Countries in Africa face particular challenges given the importance of these markets in food supply and low rates of access to safely managed water and sanitation. We undertook a scoping review of evidence related to disease transmission in food markets in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and identified 46 papers for data extraction and synthesis. Vendor behaviour or awareness was reported in the majority of papers and about half reported on market infrastructure. Fewer studies have been reported on regulatory environments or food contamination. Studies on water supply, sanitation and handwashing facilities focused on the presence of services and did not evaluate quality, thus conclusions cannot be drawn on service adequacy. Studies of vendor behaviour were primarily based on self-reporting and subject to bias. Most studies reported high levels of vendor awareness of the need for hygiene, but where observations were also conducted, these showed lower levels of behaviours in practice. Our findings suggest that there are limited studies on environmental hygiene in outdoor food markets and this is an area warranting further research, including into the quality of services and addressing methodological weaknesses.
Removal of phosphate with a polyacrylonitrile composite functionalized by a metal organic framework-enhanced layered double hydroxide
Authors: Song Jianzhi , Cha Ligen , Sillanpää Mika , Sainio Tuomo
Published: March 2023

Excessive phosphorus causes eutrophication problems. The adsorptive removal of phosphate is prevalent and practical in large-scale applications, such as column adsorption. A metal organic framework (MOF)-enhanced layered double hydroxide (LDH) adsorbent material was developed and studied for batch adsorption and then combined with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to form MOF/LDH/PAN composite beads working as a functional material for columns. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the well-dispersed adsorbent powder in porous composite beads. The Fowler–Guggenheim isotherm model described the phosphate adsorption behavior of the MOF/LDH powder with a maximum capacity of 74.96 mg P/g. Mass transfer in the composite beads was successfully described with the Fickian diffusion model. The composite-packed fixed bed treated 37.95 BVs of the influent (55.51 mg P/L phosphate solution) and achieved an uptake of 18.92 mg P/g, with a removal efficiency of 96.42%, before the breakthrough point in the column study. The phosphate-loaded composite bed was regenerated with 0.1 M NaOH to 70% efficiency within 30 BVs. The polymer composite can be considered a practical solution for adsorption-based water treatment applications in tank and column processes where powder adsorbents cannot be applied.
Introducción a la gramática inglesa. Guía gramatical para hispanoparlantes
Authors: Quinn Padraic
Published: March 2023

Este libro representa un compendio de todo lo que he aprendido en mi viaje como «profe de inglés» (y de lingüística) en contextos hispanoparlantes durante la última década. Durante este largo tiempo he observado múltiples dificultades en el aprendizaje de inglés que, en muchos casos, se deben a la falta de recursos apropiados, explicaciones confusas o imprecisas, y didácticas poco cautivadoras, entre otros factores. Por ende, el presente trabajo se escribe con la intención de facilitar el proceso de adquisición de la lengua inglesa a través de explicaciones de temas gramaticales concisos, en la primera lengua de los lectores. Evidentemente, el texto se enfoca en el estudiante colombiano, precisamente el que habla dialecto costeño; no obstante, el contenido aplica a cualquier interesado en aprender más sobre la gramática de la lengua inglesa. Por último, enfatizo en que este libro se ha escrito como un material de apoyo al docente, pero no se puede reemplazar una buena clase con un textbook. Este simplemente se presenta como una herramienta más en su repertorio para lanzarse en este viaje fascinante y motivante. Good luck!
Lysine-specific Demethylase 6A Upregulates Cadherin-1 and Accelerates
Gastric Cancer Growth
Authors: Li Deguan , Zhang Shangxin , Yan Qiang , Li Yongxiang
Published: March 2023

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth among all common malignancies globally.
Genetic research has revealed several genes that are frequently dis-regulated in GC, such as
lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) and cadherin-1 (CDH1).

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the expression profile and role of KDM6A in GC, as well
as the molecular pathway involved.

Methods:

The expression profile and overall survival data of KDM6A were retrieved from the
TCGA database. Expression levels of KDM6A were also measured in GC patient samples and
compared with those of healthy controls. Furthermore, stable silencing of KDM6A was introduced
into the GC cell line NCI-N87, followed by assessments of cell proliferation, migration and invasion,
in the xenograft mouse model. The metastatic status of mice injected with NCI-N87 cells was
also analyzed.

Results:

In patients diagnosed with GC, KDM6A was upregulated. Silencing KDM6A reduced the
proliferation, migration and invasion of cells, as well as the growth of xenograft tumors. KDM6A
knockdown also inhibited metastatic behaviors of injected NCI-N87 cells, as well as elevated
CDH1 expression, leading to reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Conclusion:

KDM6A serves as an oncogene in GC and exerts its pro-tumor functions by repressing
the expression of CDH1.
A graph-based multilevel property extraction network for predicting protein drug target binding affinity
Authors: Chen Peng , Huang Yujing , Wang Bing , Gu PengYing
Published: March 2023

Background:

As the basic material of life, protein regulates physiological activities such as material in and out of cells, signal transduction, metabolism and so on. However, studies have shown that proteins cannot perform these functions alone in cells, and need to be combined with ligands to perform functions.

background:

As the basic material of life, protein regulates physiological activities such as material in and out of cells, signal transduction, metabolism and so on. However, studies have shown that proteins cannot perform these functions alone in cells, and need to be combined with ligands to perform functions.

Objective:

The discovery of drugs is based on this mechanism to be developed. But at present, it is difficult to discover new drugs through biological experiments, which lead to high cost, deteriorate the environment and make the human body more resistant to drugs.

objective:

The discovery of drugs is based on this mechanism to be developed. But at present, it is difficult to discover new drugs through biological experiments, which lead to cost high, deteriorate the environment and make human body more resistant to drugs. The rapid development of computer can assist researchers to screen out potential drugs that can bind to proteins in advance. In the past few decades, most of drug-target affinity prediction methods have disadvantages in high requirements on data set and difficulties to predict the binding strength of drug-target.

Method:

The rapid development of computers can assist researchers in screening potential drugs that can bind to proteins in advance. In the past few decades, most of the protein drug-target affinity prediction methods have had disadvantages of high requirements on data set and difficulties to predict the binding strength of drug-target.

method:

This paper proposes a multi-level feature extraction model based on graph convolution to predict drug-target affinity. The model uses an integrated neural network of CNN and GNN to learn the characteristics of the input data of drug-targets.

Results:

This paper proposes a multilevel feature extraction model based on graph convolution to predict protein drug-target affinity. The model uses an integrated neural network of Text CNN and GNN to learn the characteristics of the input data of drug-targets.

result:

Experimental results on the benchmark datasets of Davis and Kiba showed that the proposed graph-based convolution network achieves good performance on drug-target affinity prediction.

Conclusion:

Experimental results on the benchmark datasets of Davis and Kiba showed that the proposed graph-based convolution network achieves good performance on drug-target affinity prediction.

conclusion:

The results showed that the multi-level feature extraction network model based on graph convolution (GCN-GAT-GCN) is more effective in learning molecular feature information.

other:

None
Mental Health, Adherence, and Self-Management Among Children with Diabetes
Authors: Nagy Beáta Erika , Munkácsi Brigitta , Kovács Karolina Eszter
Published: March 2023

Nowadays, the investigation of mental health is a popular and important topic. Several national and international researchers have been trying to discover the different mechanisms, effects and efficacy among healthy people and patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. It is particularly important to monitor this phenomenon in childhood and adolescence regularly. The developmental processes are further hampered by the physical, mental, social and spiritual development due to the different illnesses. Therefore, it is clear that mapping mental health and various therapeutic procedures, as well as their positive and negative effects, are of paramount importance in diabetes and obesity.

In this research, after analysing the scales of ten international questionnaires, a complex Diabetes Adherence Questionnaire with 58 statements was created, the characteristics and subscales of which (1. Self-management; 2. Emotional feedback - emotional reactions associated with blood sugar level measurement; 3. Social support - parents and family; 4. Social support - peer relationships; 5. Denial of the disease; 6. Positive consequences of adherence; 7. Negative consequences of adherence, pain, discomfort, burden; 8. Relationship with the medical team; 9. Concern about the future) are described in the present book chapter. We also introduce our latest research findings on the relationship between adherence and mental health, covering selfevaluated health and quality of life, satisfaction with life, subjective well-being, vision and depression, stating that positive variables show a positive while negative variables correlate negatively with adherence.
Clinical Research
Authors: Patel S.S. , Patel Aditya
Published: March 2023

The clinical trial could either be an Explanatory Trial/ Randomised Control
Trial (RCT) or Correlational Trial/ Pragmatic Trial. For developing new molecules as a
drug, RCTs require human studies conducted in 4 phases called Phase I to phase IV of
clinical trials. Pragmatic Trials are Correlational Trials. As such RCT & Pragmatic
Trials are not dichotomous, there is a continuum. A PRECIS has been developed to
assess the said trials. The reverse pharmacology approach is recommended to generate
scientific evidence to make herbal drugs more efficacious & safe. These aspects are
elaborated on in this chapter. 
Development of integrated STEM education learning units to access students' systems thinking abilities
Authors: Wahono Bevo , Husna Arinal , Hariyadi Slamet , Anwar Yenny , Meilinda Meilinda
Published: March 2023

This research aims to develop a Biology Science learning unit based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) that is valid, practical and effective in accessing students' system thinking skills. The topic ,of the Biology Science learning unit is the water cycle. The development used the ADDIE model research and development for the research method. The research subjects were 32 grade VII students from State Junior High School in Jember. The research findings showed that the average validation result of STEM-based learning units was 95.3%. These can be considered valid. The Paired Sample Test result is 0.001 or less than 0.05, so there is a significant difference between the pretest and post-test results. The average effectiveness test score is 0.73, higher than the typical gain test score, and the results include the high criteria. Finally, the average percentage of practicality tests is in the high category of 89%.  System thinking skills are needed in learning activities to describe and solve a problem using integrated STEM education. Therefore, the STEM-based learning unit on the water cycle topic could be applied in the learning process to acquire students' system thinking abilities in the Biology Science learning unit. Finally, assessing student responses during the learning using this learning unit is pivotal for future research.
Development of digital teaching material in the South Sumatra traditional games course
Authors: Suningsih Taruni , Rukiyah Rukiyah , Andarini Rindang Senja
Published: March 2023

The advances in technology and information development are increasingly rapid is a great potential that learners can utilize to improve the quality of learning. It is consistent with the characteristic of students as active users of digital technology. So, lecturers need to make updates to improve the quality of learning. One of them is by providing teaching material according to the needs of students. This study aims to develop digital teaching material for the South Sumatra Traditional Games course at the Study Program of Early Childhood Education Teacher Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sriwijaya University. This study used the ADDIE Research and Development (RD) method with five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Data collection techniques were carried out through interviews, questionnaires, and tests. Data analysis techniques using quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The results showed that the evaluation of digital teaching material products that experts had carried out showed that the material aspect scored 87,5% in the Very Good category, the language aspect scored 85% in the Very Good category, and the media aspect scored 92,5% in the Very Good category. Based on this evaluation, it can be concluded that the digital teaching material in the developed South Sumatra Traditional Games courses are valid, feasible, and practical to be used in the learning process. Research can be continued by developing interactive digital teaching material.