bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large Paraspinal Schwannoma Removal via the Retroperitoneal Approach: A Case Report
Authors: Bae Tae Woong , Kim Young Jin , So Jin-Shup
Published: April 2022

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from the Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath; these tumors usually occur in the head, neck, and extremities and account for almost 40% of extra-medullary tumors occurring in the human spine. The general consensus for the treatment of these tumors is gross total resection. However, due to differences in volume and the complex location involving both the spinal canal and the para-spinal area including the foramen, no consensus exists regarding the choice of a surgical approach. The classic surgical method is usually through the posterior or posterior-lateral approach. Here, we present a case of paraspinal schwannoma removed via the retroperitoneal approach.
Evaluación de un programa de intervención grupal en dolor crónico y fibromialgia.
Authors: Alonso Miguel R. , Tirado Sonia , Van-der Hofstadt Carlos J. , Rodríguez-Marín Jesús
Published: April 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la eficacia de un programa de intervención grupal en dolor crónico. La muestra está compuesta por 42 participantes, pacientes de la unidad de dolor del Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, de los cuales completaron el estudio 30. Los mismos cumplimentaron de forma voluntaria una batería de cuestionarios previa y posterior a la aplicación del programa. En el estudio se midió como variable dependiente el nivel de dolor y como variables independientes calidad de vida, ansiedad, depresión, arquitectura del sueño y autoeficacia. Los resultados muestran mejoras en casi todas las variables y diferencias en la eficacia del programa en pacientes con dolor crónico y fibromialgia. A la vista de los resultados concluimos que ambas entidades clínicas son equivalentes pero responden de manera distinta al programa porque parten de afecciones de distinta intensidad.
Preferencias de rol en la toma de decisiones clínicas: Diferencias de género
Authors: Mora Mercedes Guilabert , Mira Solves José Joaquín , Martínez Susana Lorenzo , Pérez-Jover Mª Virtudes , Carrillo Murcia Irene
Published: April 2022

Marco teórico: determinar a partir de las declaraciones de los/as pacientes si existen diferencias de género en la información proporcionada por el profesional para facilitar la participación del paciente en las decisiones clínicas. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Encuesta telefónica a 700 pacientes atendidos en hospitales y centros de salud del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Se preguntó a los pacientes sobre la información proporcionada por el médico y la actitud mantenida por el mismo durante la consulta. Resultados: Respondieron 687 pacientes (68,7%), 54,6% atendidos en hospitales y 45,4% en atención primaria. Encontramos diferencias en la mayor frecuencia con que los pacientes varones son informados, en atención primaria, de alternativas terapéuticas; y en la proporción de hombres dados de alta hospitalaria que afirmaron que pensaban que lo mejor era dejar la decisión en manos de su médico. Dichas diferencias sólo se mantienen en el grupo de pacientes menores de 30 años. Conclusiones: Los pacientes varones de atención primaria se consideran mejor informados sobre alternativas terapéuticas que las pacientes mujeres.
Rooted in Strength: Using Translanguaging to Grow Multilingual Readers and Writers
Authors: Turner Marianne
Published: April 2022

ROOTED IN STRENGTH: USING TRANSLANGUAGING TO GROW MULTILINGUAL READERS AND WRITERS

Cecilia M. Espinosa & Laura Ascenzi-MorenoNew York: Scholastic, 2021
Continuum-Scale Gas Transport Modeling in Organic Nanoporous Media Based on Pore-Scale Density Distributions
Authors: Liu Zizhong , Emami-Meybodi Hamid
Published: April 2022

We present a continuum-scale mass transport model informed by pore-scale density distribution for gas diffusion through organic nanoporous media. A diffusion model and a sorption model are developed by considering multiple transport and storage mechanisms, including bulk diffusion and Knudsen diffusion for free phase, and surface diffusion and multilayer adsorption for sorbed phase. The continuum-scale diffusion equation is derived based on the free-phase concentration for the overall mass conservation of free and sorbed phases, carrying a newly defined effective diffusion coefficient and capacity factor to account for multilayer adsorption. Diffusion in free and sorbed phases is coupled with the sorption model, which provides pore-scale multilayer adsorption properties by utilizing a pore-scale simplified local density (SLD) method combined with the modified Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR-EOS) for confinement effect. The model was first implemented to analyze adsorption data from a krypton (Kr) adsorption experiment on graphite. Then, we applied the developed diffusion model to conduct the sensitivity analysis of the effects of pore size on gas transport for Kr-graphite and methane-coal systems. The model was finally used to study Kr diffusion profiles through a coal matrix obtained by using X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) imaging. The results show that the sorbed phase occupies most of the pore space in organic nanopores with less than 10 nm due to multilayer adsorption, and surface diffusion contributes significantly to the total mass flux. Therefore, neglecting the volume of sorbed phase and surface diffusion in organic nanoporous rocks may result in considerable errors in the prediction of hydrocarbon production. We also compared Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Langmuir models by analyzing adsorption data for the wide pressure range up to the saturation pressure. The comparison between BET and Langmuir models shows that the Langmuir model can only match the adsorption isotherm at low pressure and yield lower effective surface diffusion coefficients. Therefore, implementing a Langmuir model may be erroneous for organic nanoporous media with strong adsorption capacity, particularly when pore pressure is high.
Pulmonary Amyloidosis Presenting as Recurrent Pleural Effusion and Hemoptysis Leading to Pulmonary Infarction and Fatal Cardiopulmonary Arrest: a case report
Authors: Fisher Bryant , Ikeji Chisom , Brackney Christopher , Dhupar Rajeev
Published: April 2022

Background:Amyloidosis is a disease caused by deposition of protein fibrils throughout the body leading to a wide range of clinical presentations. Pulmonary amyloidosis is a rare disorder that has many manifestations, making prompt diagnosis and treatment difficult. Pulmonary involvement is typically divided into three subtypes including tracheobronchial, nodular pulmonary, and diffuse alveolar-septal amyloidosis. Pulmonary amyloidosis can often be mistaken for pneumonia or malignancy with symptoms ranging from recurrent pleural effusions to fatal pulmonary hemorrhage. Case Presentation:In this case report, we describe a 63 year-old male who initially presented with dyspnea, recurrent pleural effusions, bilateral consolidations, and small volume hemoptysis. Ultimately, this culminated in massive hemoptysis and cardiopulmonary failure. Autopsy demonstrated diffuse alveolar amyloidosis with large pulmonary infarcts from deposition of amyloid in blood vessel walls. Conclusions:Pulmonary amyloidosis is a challenging diagnosis that can have fatal consequences, but early suspicion may allow for early diagnostic procedures, change in management, and improved outcomes.
Is Trifecta safe for small valve size from mid-term outcome?
Authors: Wakami Tatsuto , Koizumi Shigeki , Koyama Tadaaki
Published: April 2022

Background: Several studies have reported a high structural valve deterioration (SVD) rate for the Trifecta valve. We analyzed the midterm outcomes of the Trifecta valve and risk factors for early SVD.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 patients who underwent Trifecta implantation between January 2012 and December 2017.Results: We encountered seven cases of Trifecta valve failure. We performed redo aortic valve replacements in five patients and transcatheter aortic valve replacements in two patients. The free rate of SVD was 96.1% at five years and 92.6% at seven years. The mean pressure gradient and peak velocity in the first postoperative echocardiogram in patients with SVD were higher than those in patients with SVD. The SVD-free rates of the 19 mm valve and other valves were 93% and 95.6% at five years and 89.6% vs. 95.6% at seven years, respectively. Although not statistically significant, the 19 mm valves tended to be SVD. Noncoronary cusp tears were seen in all patients who underwent a redo surgery.Conclusions: The most common cause of SVD was noncoronary cusp tear. Patients with a high postoperative mean pressure gradient are at a high risk of SVD. The small size of the Trifecta for a small annulus or Valsalva sinus may be a risk factor for early SVD.
Flow-Based Intrusion Detection on Software-Defined Networks: A Multivariate Time Series Anomaly Detection Approach
Authors: ZAVRAK Sultan , İskefiyeli Murat
Published: April 2022

In this study, SAnDet architecture, which can do an anomaly-based intrusion detection by taking advantage of the capabilities offered by SDN architecture, is presented and implemented as controller application. A detailed description of this system which consists of three main modules which are statistics collector, anomaly detector, and anomaly prevention is given. More specifically, Replicator Neural Networks (RNN) which is a special variant of the autoencoder, and EncDecAD methods which a special type of LSTM networks that can produce successful results especially in given data series, were used to identify unknown attacks using flow features collected from OpenFlow switches. In experiments, flow-based features extracted from network traffic data including different types of attacks, are given as input into models as time series. The results of the methods are calculated in terms of the ROC and AUC metrics. Experimental results show that EncDecAD outperforms RNN and the methods proposed in the literature.
Toxicity of the microcystin-producing cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa to Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: XU YU , Xu Wujie , Hu Xiaojuan , Su Haochang , Wen Guoliang , Yang Keng , cao yucgeng
Published: April 2022

Microcystis aeruginosa is a common kind of harmful bloom algae, which was also frequently found as a dominant microalgae specie in shrimp breeding ponds. And it was found that blooms always induced massive death of shrimp, but the toxic effects of M. aeruginosa on Litopenaeus vannamei are still not completely understood. In this paper, the toxicity of M. aeruginosa cells to L. vannamei was examined, and the toxic components in the cells were analyzed through high-pressure liquid chromatography (HLPC). In addition, the immune response of shrimp to the microalgal extract was assessed by measuring the activity of immune-related enzymes, as well as the transcription of the relevant genes. Overall, both M. aeruginosa cells and the algal extract resulted in a 100% mortality rate in shrimp, whereas the cell-free culture medium was ineffective. And HPLC analysis results revealed the presence of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) at a concentration of 190.40 mg/kg of cells. In addition, the activity and gene transcription of two immune related enzymes, SOD and LZM, were both significantly reduced in shrimp hepatopancreas ( p < 0.05) after injection with cell extract. However, reduced glutathione (GSH) content was slightly increased, but the ratio of GSH to GSSG was down, and the transcription of gst gene function as detoxification, was significantly downregulated ( p <0.05). The results demonstrated that M. aeruginosa cell extract was highly toxic to L. vannamei , and exerted a negative effect on shrimp immunity including reduction of antioxidant capacity, antibacterial activity and detoxification activity, due to microcystin-LR.
Gate All around CNTFET based Ternary Content Addressable Memory
Authors: Ganie Sabzar Shafi , Singh Amandeep
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a design of gate all around CNTFET based ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). TCAM cell is designed and simulated in HSPICE using top gated CNTFET (TG-CNTFET) & gate all around CNTTFET (GAA-CNTFET). Dual chirality technique is used to design TCAM cell i.e. different chirality for n-type CNTFET & p-type CNTFET which utilizes different threshold voltages and hence improve the performance. Comparative analysis has been done for various parameters viz. Static noise margin (SNM), delay, power and power delay product (PDP). It has been found that GAA-CNTFET based TCAM gives better SNM and power as compared to TG-CNTFET based TCAM, however TG-CNTFET based TCAM gives less delay.
Ethical values and principles to guide the fair allocation of resources in response to a pandemic: a rapid systematic review
Authors: O'Sullivan Lydia , Aldasoro Edelweiss , O'Brien Áine , Nolan Maeve , McGovern Cliona , Carroll Áine
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe coronavirus 2019 pandemic placed unprecedented pressures on healthcare services and magnified ethical dilemmas related to how resources should be allocated. These resources include, among others, personal protective equipment, personnel, life-saving equipment, and vaccines. Decision-makers have therefore sought ethical decision-making tools so that resources are distributed both swiftly and equitably. To support the development of such a decision-making tool, a systematic review of the literature on relevant ethical values and principles was undertaken. ObjectivesTo identify ethical values and principles in the literature which relate to the equitable allocation of resources in response to an acute public health threat, such as a pandemic. MethodsA rapid systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, LitCOVID and relevant reference lists. The time period of the search was January 2000 to 6th April 2020, and the search was restricted to human studies. January 2000 was selected as a start date as the aim was to capture ethical values and principles within acute public health threat situations. No restrictions were made with regard to language. Ethical values and principles were extracted and examined thematically. ResultsA total of 1,618 articles were identified. After screening and application of eligibility criteria, 169 papers were included in the thematic synthesis. The most commonly mentioned ethical values and principles were: Equity, reciprocity, transparency, justice, duty to care, liberty, utility, stewardship, trust and proportionality. In some cases, ethical principles were conflicting, for example, Protection of the Public from Harm and Liberty. ConclusionsAllocation of resources in response to acute public health threats is challenging and must be simultaneously guided by many ethical principles and values. Ethical decision-making strategies and the prioritisation of different principles and values needs to be discussed with the public in order to prepare for future public health threats. An evidence-based tool to guide decision-makers in making difficult decisions is required. The equitable allocation of resources in response to an acute public health threat is challenging, and many ethical principles may be applied simultaneously. An evidence-based tool to support difficult decisions would be helpful to guide decision-makers.
Implementation of Remote Online Assessments in the Undergraduate Medical Education: A Students’ Satisfaction Survey from a Developing Country
Authors: Ali Syed Muhammad Hammad , Zil-E-Ali Ahsan , Chaudhry Minahil Fatima , Khalil Javed , Asim Malik
Published: April 2022

Background
COVID-19 pandemic brought on new challenges to medical education with regards to the transition to online education and examination methods. The purpose of this study was to understand the issues encountered during the implementation of a remote online system of examination and the student satisfaction, in undergraduate settings of a low-income country.
Methodology:
Our study includes data from a diverse population of five undergraduate classes of medicine and four classes from dentistry of a private medical school. A Remote Online Assessment (ROA) system was designed using free software to transform the traditional in-person high-stakes examination into an online equivalent. The first phase consisted of three principal activities with appropriate student training leading to a summative online exam at the end of it. Each activity was coupled with student feedback the detailed analysis of which guided the implementation process.
Results
More than 800 students took part in the implementation process of ROA. Feedback at all three intervals showed a significantly higher level of satisfaction in the clinical year students than in the preclinical. The overall satisfaction rate was lower among female students. The highest level of satisfaction was achieved after online one-on-one training of students in smaller groups with mini-mock exams. The most commonly identified obstacles were the insufficient time for exam completion (n = 614) and internet speed and connectivity issue (n = 470). While the majority of the students regarded this novel ROA not better than the traditional in-person examination, they acknowledged its significance in helping them continue their studies and prepare for their mid-term summative exam syllabus.
Conclusions
Unfamiliarity with online learning systems could impede the implementation of ROA in low-income countries. Conducting multiple online mock activities coupled with training in short groups with more focus on females and preclinical students can lead to satisfaction regarding such an online examination system.
Decoupling the Impact of Financial Sector Development on Income Inequality in Africa: Further Insights from Geographical Regions and Governance Factors
Authors: Ashenafi Biruk , Dong Yan
Published: April 2022

The current literature on the finance-inequality nexus lacks evidence in decoupling the impact of banking and the stock market on income inequality in Africa. Besides, the analysis is limited to the continental level without accounting for geographic regions and governance differences. We offer an answer on how financial sector development affects income inequality in Africa by isolating the impact of the banking, stock market, and composite index. The paper identified the heterogeneous effect by geographical regions and incorporated the role of governance from 1980 to 2017 across 49 African countries. Using a panel data fixed effect regression and two-stage least squared estimation techniques (2sls), we show that the banking, stock market, and the composite development widens income inequality. The relationship corroborates an inverted U shape hypothesis. Besides, corruption and political instability are essential elements in exacerbating income inequality. The geographical region configuration also shows that the continental level effect is highly driven by financial development in the Northern and Southern African countries. The direct implication of our result is that the current financial development in Africa is not inclusive, and the credit is directed to people who already access financial services. We highlight that financial inclusion, digitalization, easing the cost of borrowing money, ensuring good governance, and pro-poor financial development reverses the relationship presented in this paper.
An Ultra-steep Slope Two-dimensional Strain Effect Transistor
Authors: Das Sarbashis , Das Saptarshi
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A Systematic Literature Review on Software- refactoring Techniques, Challenges, and Practices
Authors: Akhtar Salwa Muhammad , Nazir Makia , Ali Arshad , Khan Ahmed Salman , Atif Muhammad
Published: April 2022

Software-refactoring improves the quality and reduces the complexity during the whole life cycle of the software system. The objective of this work is to elicit the existing challenges and refactoring techniques and practices to counter those challenges. This study presents a systematic literature review based upon the scientific literature published since January 2000. After rigorously applying the SLR protocol defined by Barbara Kitchenham, we identify 36 articles discussing software- refactoring challenges, techniques, and practices. We point out complexity, understandability, and maintainability as three challenges of traditional software engineering that are resolved by software-refactoring. This SLR identifies assertions, program slicing, graph transformation, software metrics, and metamodeling, as five commonly used refactoring techniques. Moreover, eight main challenges of software-refactoring, namely determining refactoring and code location, selecting refactoring type and technique, managing refactoring dependency, consistency maintenance, refactoring ordering and increase in testing cost, are also highlighted. The findings of this work suggest that software-refactoring techniques can resolve challenges of traditional software engineering.
Straw decomposition: profound effect of incorporation than irrigation
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhou Jie , Zamanian Kazem , Zhang Kai , Zhao Jie , Zang Huadong , Yang Yadong , Zeng Zhaohai
Published: April 2022

Aims The peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) straw decomposition process was investigated to understand the determinant factors governing the decomposition rate and the nutrient release from straw.Methods A two-year field experiment was carried out with two factors: two irrigation regimes (without and with irrigation at wheat flowering stage) and three straw incorporation rates (3, 6, and 9 t ha-1). The filled nylon mesh bags with straw buried at 20 cm soil depth. The residual straw weight, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content were measured as nylon mesh bags were sampled.Results The decomposition dynamics of labile and intermediate pools were similar based on the 3-pool model analysis. Straw incorporation rate rather than irrigation regime controlled the decomposition process, which increased with incorporation rates. At the high incorporation rate, the released N, P, and K were approximately to 39%, 30%, and 87% of the required regional fertilizer input for winter wheat, respectively. Furthermore, the released N from straw decomposition was strongly related to the released K as indicated by the stoichiometry ratio. The random forest model predicted that temperature, precipitation, and initial straw nutrients were the main drivers for peanut straw decomposition, especially at the early stage. Conclusions We revealed the nutrient stoichiometry and release characteristics of in situ peanut straw decomposition, and found that incorporation rate exhibits a profound effect than irrigation on the decomposition process.
Why is the Shift from Brown Economy to Green Economy Important in South Asian Economies? A Panel Cointegration Analysis
Authors: Kousar Shazia , Bhutta Aamir Inam , Ullah Muhammad Rizwan , Shabbir Aiza
Published: April 2022

To achieve economic growth is the prime concern for both the developed and developing economies. This study, thus, frames that “why is the shift from brown economic growth to green economic growth important?” To achieve this, the study empirically investigates that how traditional and green GDP contribute towards the level of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. In this regard, the study collects data for the period of 2000-2018 from five South Asian economies (Pakistan, India, Sri-Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh). The study applies CIPS unit-root and Westerlund co-integration tests to identify the order of integration and co-integration relation among variables. Furthermore, DOLS and FMOLS are used to test the hypotheses. The study finds that both traditional (brown) GDP and green GDP have negative impact on poverty and inequality, however, green GDP contributes more than traditional GDP in reducing poverty and inequality. Moreover, the study shows positive (negative) impact of traditional GDP (green GDP) on environmental degradation indicating that green GDP helps improving the quality of environment. Hence, it is crucial to shift from brown to green economy as it reduces (improves) poverty and inequalities (environmental quality). The study recommends substituting traditional growth patterns with green growth patterns to deal with economic problems in South Asia.
Therapeutic intervention of Chenopodium quinoa seeds extract against cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Majeed Lubna , Faisal Muhammad Naeem , Khan Junaid Ali , Majeed Wafa
Published: April 2022

Lung is the prime organ for respiration, facing health issues when exposed to environment. Acute lung injury due to direct and indirect stimuli provokes an inflammatory response resulting in alveolar epithelial barrier dysfunction, increase membrane permeability and ultimately pulmonary edema. Approximately eight million deaths were reported each year with direct or indirect exposure to smoke. Current study was designed to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of Chenopodium quinoa seeds extract against cigarette smoke-induced pathophysiological alterations in the lung parenchyma. Results revealed that serum oxidative marker (TOS) were significantly (P <0.05) reduced in all the treatment groups in comparison to control positive group while, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly (P <0.05) increased in all the treatment groups in comparison to control positive group. Gene expression analysis result indicated highly significant (P <0.05) down regulation of Nrf-2 signaling pathway (Keap-1, NFR-1 and Nfe-212) and dual-oxidases (Duox, Duoxa-1, and Duox-2) in all the treatment groups in comparison to control positive group. Histopathology of the lung tissues indicated the decreased infiltration of leukocytes at the site of alveoli and decreased hyaline membrane thickening in all the treatment groups in comparison to control positive group. Overall results concluded that the therapeutic efficacy of Chenopodium quinoa seeds extract against cigarette smoke-induced pathophysiological alterations in the lung parenchyma due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy to restore lung homeostasis.
The green tea catechin EGCG provides proof-of-concept for a pan-coronavirus attachment inhibitor
Authors: Colpitts Che C. , LeBlanc Emmanuelle V.
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emphasized the serious threat to human health posed by emerging coronaviruses. Effective broadly-acting antiviral countermeasures are urgently needed to prepare for future emerging CoVs, as vaccine development is not compatible with a rapid response to a newly emerging virus. The green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has broad-spectrum antiviral activity, although its mechanisms against coronavirus (CoV) infection have remained unclear. Here, we show that EGCG prevents human and murine CoV infection and blocks the entry of lentiviral particles pseudotyped with spike proteins from bat or highly pathogenic CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, in lung epithelial cells. Mechanistically, EGCG treatment reduces CoV attachment to target cell surfaces by interfering with attachment to cell-surface glycans. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are a required attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 and are shown here to be important in endemic HCoV-OC43 infection. We show that EGCG can compete with heparin, a heparan sulfate analog, for virion binding. Our results highlight heparan sulfate as a conserved cell attachment factor for CoVs, and demonstrate the potential for the development of pan-coronavirus attachment inhibitors, which may be useful to protect against future emerging CoVs.
Psychometric testing of the Medicines Related – Consultation Assessment Tool using recorded simulated consultations and pharmacy educators to investigate tool validity and interrater/intrarater reliability.
Authors: Middleton Helen , Grimes Lesley , Wills Sarah , Steinke Douglas , Shaw Matthew
Published: April 2022

BackgroundDemonstrating a person-centred approach in a consultation is a key component of delivering high-quality healthcare. To support development of such an approach requires training underpinned by valid assessment tools. Given the lack of a pharmacy-specific tool, a new global consultation skills assessment tool: the Medicines Related – Consultation Assessment Tool (MR-CAT) was designed and tested.AimThis study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the MR-CAT CAT using psychometric methods.MethodsPsychometric testing involved analysis of participants’ (n = 13) assessment of fifteen pre-recorded simulated consultations using the MR-CAT. Analysis included discriminant validity testing, intrarater and interrater reliability testing, and internal consistency testing for each of the five sections of the MR-CAT. ResultsInternal consistency for the overall global assessment and each of the five sections of the MR-CAT was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.97). The MR-CAT discriminated well at the global level (p <0.001). Moderate to high intrarater reliability was observed at the global level and for all sections of the MR-CAT (rho = 0.64 – 0.84) in the test-retest analysis. Moderate to good interrater reliability (Kendall’s W = 0.68 – 0.90) was observed at the global level and for all sections of the MR-CAT. ConclusionsThe MR-CAT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing person-centred pharmacy consultations. Moreover, its unique design means that the MR-CAT can be used in both formative and summative assessment.
The Effect of Intellectual Capital Efficiency on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Ethiopia
Authors: Tegegne Habtamu Getachew
Published: April 2022

The study examines the role of intellectual capital efficiency and its components on financial performance of commercial banks. To achieve study objectives Pulic 1998 value added intellectual coefficient is adopted to measure the effect of intellectual capital efficiency. The study adopted explanatory research design with arrangement of secondary data analysis via document analysis, quantitative approach, and deductive method of inquiry. Panel data used with a sample of 13 banks over the study period 2010/11-2017/18. Descriptive and regression analysis were performed to analyze the data using STATA 12. Econometric model estimation procedures and multiple regression assumptions were tested accordingly. The fixed effect regression result revealed that human capital efficiency has positive significant associated with financial performance. Whereas, capital employed efficiency and structural capital efficiency was positive and negative insignificant impact on financial performance. While, the random effect regression result also proposed value added intellectual capital and bank size have positively associated with financial performance. However, bank specific factors (Tangibility of asset and Leverage) and Macroeconomic factors (Gross domestic product and Inflation) have positive and negative respectively, but statically insignificant with financial performance of commercial banks in Ethiopia.
Cold Plasma Based Enhancement of Colonization of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) and Fungal Resistance of Seeds
Authors: Nayab Nabiha , Rafique Muhammad Shahid , Aftab Muhammad Nauman , Mohsin Tahira , Ramzan Minahil , Arshad Tehreem , Tariq Rabia
Published: April 2022

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma has been proposed as an emerging tool for improving the motility and activity of Plant Growing Promoting Bacteria (PGPB). The main objective of this research is to enhance the functional activity of isolated bacterial strain of Bacillus lichenformis (Plant growth Rhizobacteria) by treating this cultural strain under Cold Micro Plasma at atmospheric pressure in the presence of magnetic field and without magnetic field. The plasma treated and untreated bacterial strain have been inoculated in different apple seeds. In order to see the germination rate, these seeds were placed in petri plates and to check the growth, these seeds were planted in pots. It is observed that the seeds treated with plasma without magnetic field show faster germination rate and growth of apple seeds in their dormancy period, whereas seeds treated with plasma in the presence of magnetic field exibit enhanced fungal resistance. Micro cold plasma has been observed to improve seed’s sprouting and germination, plant production during dormancy period and enhanced plant’s fungus resistance.
Effective adsorption of Pb 2+ on porous carbon derived from functional Octadecahedron ZIF-8
Authors: Chen Menglan , Wang Hongxia , Song Fangxiang , Zeng Xian , Wu Nian , Luo Honghuan , Cai Xiaoqin , Li Yan
Published: April 2022

An adsorbent ZO (oxidized ZIF-8-derived carbon) was prepared on the ZIF-8-derived carbon (ZC) by Hummer's method. The removal rate and adsorption amount of Pb2+ was measured on different molar ratio of 2-Hmim to 2, 2 '-bipyridine in ZO, including 1:1 (1:1 ZO) and 1:2 (1:2 ZO). The adsorption experiments show that the best condition to adsorb Pb2+ in Pb2+ solution for 1:1 ZO is adsorbent dosage of 20 mg, adsorption time of 16 h, initial Pb2+concentration of 15 mg/L, and pH = 3; that for 1:2 ZO is adsorbent dosage of 15 mg, adsorption time of 18 h, initial Pb2+ concentration of 15 mg/L, and pH = 4. The adsorption data fits the quasi-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption model. The competitive adsorption results show that 1:1 ZO and 1:2 ZO have a superior selectivity for Pb2+ competing with Cu2+ and Fe2+.This study shows 1:2 ZO is more helpful for the removal of Pb2+ than 1:1 ZO.
The stability of multi-component plasmas subjected to sheared flows parallel to the background magnetic field
Authors: Shahzad K. , Aman Aman-ur-Rehman , Hamza Muhammad Yousaf
Published: April 2022

Shear flow instability is studied in multi-component plasma. The excitation of low frequency electrostatic instabilities in a collision less plasmas of two system of species (H+, O+, e−) and (H−, O+, e−) is studied. Inertialess electrons follow the Boltzmenian distribution. The massive ions (oxygen) and the light species (hydrogen) provide the inertia. Light ions may be both positive hydrogen as well as negative hydrogen ions. Many authors have generally neglected the low concentration of hydrogen ions in oxygen plasma of ionosphere, but we have pointed out that the hydrogen ions as impurity plays a significant role to increase the growth rate of ion acoustic wave (IAW). We study the effect of shear on the following two systems of species separately and then compare the results of two systems numerically. We observed that in presence of shear the growth rate of the system with negative hydrogen ion is larger than with positive hydrogen ion. Fluid theory is used to study the three cases of ion-acoustic perturbations with same shear flow, different shear flow and zero shear flow. The kinetic model is used to study the effects of electron current in presence of negative shear flow. Ion-acoustic waves (IAWs) can easily be excited and overflow the heavy ion Landau damping either by electron parallel current or sheared flows of ion species. Our results may helpful to solve possible applications of low frequency space and laboratory plasmas.
Unraveling the molecular cues of sophorolipid-caped gold-nanoparticle induced ROS stress and apoptotsis-like cell death in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Shikha Sristy , Kumar Vineet , Jain Ankita , Dutta Dipak , Bhattacharyya Mani Shankar
Published: April 2022

The discovery of nanoparticles exhibiting antimicrobial properties has emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic tools against an array of microbial pathogens. In this study, we investigated the influence of pH, temperature and sophorolipid (SL) concentration on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Synthesized sophorolipid capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-SL) were checked for antibacterial potential against Vibrio cholerae, as well as we investigated the molecular mechanism(s) underlying this activity. We found that AuNPs-SL treatment increases the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level that causes oxidative stress to the bacterial cells. The surge in ROS level further causes membrane depolarization, change in membrane permeability, and ATP depletion. Beside this, gene expression studies revealed overexpression of genes employed in the mitigation of high ROS levels, maintenance of membrane integrity and transport, DNA structure, and metal homeostasis. Furthermore, we also observed cell death (apoptosis) occur as a consequence of AuNPs-SL treatment in V. cholerae. Also, AuNPs-SL treatment increases membrane permeabilization that results in leakage of cellular contents such as protein and DNA.
A theoretical study of the valence tautomerism of 1H-pyrazolium-4-olates (X = O) and related compounds (X = S, Se, NH): Relative stabilities, protonation effects and tautomerization barriers
Authors: Alkorta Ibon , Elguero Jose
Published: April 2022

The valence isomerism of a series of heterocyclic mesomeric betaines (HMBs) belonging to class 5, called pseudo-semi-conjugated HMBs, have been studied theoretically both the neutral and the protonated species. These HMBs are 1H-pyrazol-2-ium-4-olates and related compounds where the oxygen atom has been replaced by S, Se atoms and an NH group. The main conclusion of the present work is that the ring/open valence tautomerism is possible both for neutral and protonated although it has never been observed experimentally.
A signal enhancement method based on the reverberation statistical information
Authors: YU Ge , Sun Jiangjiang , Li Xiukun
Published: April 2022

Reverberation is the main background interference in underwater active sonar target detection that seriously interferes with the extraction of target echo. In this paper, a signal enhancement algorithm utilizing fractional lower-order moments based on reverberation statistical distribution information is proposed. As fractional lower-order moments can only be applied on symmetric α-stable random variables, energy redistribution method is proposed to make reverberation signal satisfy the symmetric α-stable distribution. To evaluate the proposed algorithm, an experiment involving simulated linear frequency modulation reverberation with the proposed method and comparison methods is performed and discussed. Moreover, an experiment is conducted using reverberation as measured from the lake. The results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better reverberation suppression and signal enhancement performance compared with other methods.
Electrical Programmable Low-loss high cyclable Nonvolatile Photonic Random-Access Memory
Authors: Meng Jiawei , Peserico Nicola , Ma Xiaoxuan , Zhang Yifei , Popescu Cosmin-Constantin , Kang Myungkoo , Miscuglio Mario , Richardson Kathleen , Hu Juejun , Sorger Volker
Published: April 2022

The retention-of-state functionality provided by memories is fundamental to any Turing machine and neural network, hence is critical for any information system today. While emerging optical machine learning accelerators and photonic neuromorphic computing paradigms provide promising signal processing and computing performance, the lack of a photon-photon force in the universe makes storing optical information challenging. Fortunately, phase change materials provide such a missing memristive nonvolatile function via their reconfigurable crystalline structure and allow for rapid optical READ paradigms. However, demonstrations of photonic memory are limited by high optical loss, low state-cyclability, and rely on cumbersome non-CMOS like optical programmability. To overcome all three shortcomings and unlock the full potential of optical information storage and access, here we introduce a photonic random-access memory featuring vanishing low optical loss, demonstrate more than half a million switching cycles, a 100x improvement over state-of-art, and realize electrical programmability on-chip. The exceedingly low optical absorption (0.0015 dB/μm) is achieved via a novel broadband transparent phase change material, Ge2Sb2Se5 integrated atop a nanophotonic waveguide of a silicon chip. We show a highly efficient signal modulation (0.2 dB/μm) achieved by realizing a newly designed paired micro-heaters along both sides of waveguide, which allows for electronic-standard programmability of these photonic memories. When interrogated by an optical beam, they offer picosecond-short memory READ latency. Furthermore, we demonstrate a partial amorphization scheme realizing multi-state memory levels on a single heater enhancing footprint efficiency. Lastly, we verify the energy and switching speed and show how each trades-off with heater-to-waveguide proximity and signal strength, respectively. Such as CMOS-near electronically programmed and optical read photonic random-access memory with low-optical loss yet efficient programmability can become a crucial building block for network edge AI system of the looming industry 4.0 era.
In-memory Search with Memristors for Highly Efficient Similarity-Measurement-Based Data Mining
Authors: Li Yi , Yang Ling , Huang Xiao-Di , Zhou Houji , Yu Yingjie , Bao Han , Li Jiangcong , Ren Shengguang , Wang Feng , Ye Lei , He Yuhui , Chen Jia , Pu Guiyou , Li Xiang , Miao Xiang Shui
Published: April 2022

Similarity search, that is, finding similar items in massive data, is a fundamental computing problem in many fields such as data mining, and information retrieval. However, for large-scale and high-dimension data, it suffers from high computational complexity, requiring tremendous computation resources. Here, based on the one-selector-one-resistor memristors, for the first time, we propose an in-memory search (IMS) system with two innovative designs. First, by exploiting the natural distribution law of the devices resistance, a hardware local sensitive hash encoder has been designed to transform the real-valued vectors into more efficient binary codes. Second, a compact memristive ternary content addressable memory is developed to calculate the Hamming distances between the binary codes in parallel. Our IMS system demonstrated a 168× energy efficiency improvement over all-transistors counterparts in clustering and classification tasks, while achieving a software-comparable accuracy, thus providing a low-complexity and low-power solution for in-memory data mining applications.
Evaluation of a Fast Proxy of Vs30 (Vs30m)
Authors: Saqlain Muhammad , ZADA UMAR , Hussain Wakeel
Published: April 2022

The most frequent parameter used to quantify seismic site response in ground motion models is time-averaged shear wave velocity in the top 30 m of a site (Vs30), used by many engineering design codes and most recently by published empirical-scaling equations to estimate the amplitudes of strong ground motion. The current study explores the potential comparison of the results from the predictive equations and formula recommends by the international building code. In order to avoid forward modeling and inverse modeling, 53 synthetic and real data models with distinct types of Vs profile were used, to determine the theoretical dispersion curves. In the prediction equation, VR36 and VR40 were employed to estimate Vs30. Furthermore, the use of VR40, based on the 53 different models, shows a good agreement with Vs30. The correlation is significantly influenced by the thickness of the first layer. The findings calculated by the correlation are not in the acceptable zone for layer thicknesses of 10 < H < 20 m and thin layers at shallow depths with lower shear wave velocity.
Identification of Resistance to Geminivirus and Whitefly in Pepper
Authors: Sandra Yuke Mareta Ariesta , Maharijaya Awang , Sobir Sobir
Published: April 2022

Pepper yellow leaf curl disease caused by geminivirus (Geminiviridae) is a major problem in chili pepper production. The availability of resistant varieties to geminivirus and whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) as its vector has the potential to overcome this problem. The use of resistant varieties has various advantages, namely reducing pest control costs, producing no harmful chemical residues, and being acceptable and usable by farmers in the long term. This study aims to identify genotypes that are resistant to geminivirus and its vector. Nineteen chili pepper genotypes obtained from the Center for Tropical Horticulture Studies of IPB University were examined in this study by conducting field and laboratory tests. Based on the results, several chili pepper genotypes were found to be resistant to whiteflies and geminivirus. However, none of those genotypes had sufficient vector and virus resistance. This study also found that there was a significant correlation between the numbers of surviving imago and pupae with disease incidence, as well as between disease incidence and disease severity. Thus, the resistance to whitefly as a geminivirus vector can potentially reduce disease severity in chili pepper plants.
Quantum cloud theory: Collapse expectations of matter proportions
Authors: Qu Wenjing
Published: April 2022

Most of metabolic processes are extremely complicated but occur spontaneously and steadily, the essential reason of which may be either a thermodynamic problem or related to some quantum properties. Here, collapse selection is interpreted with an analytical model of energy transfer, from which the concept of quantum cloud is defined as that during undetectable changes of a group of particles between its effective changes, particles are in the superposition of various energy states and the group is named as a cloud. It is deduced from the interpretation of collapse selection and the notion of matter proportions that cloud collapses have different expectations: active cloud collapses have least-time expectation while passive collapses have matter-proportion expectation.
The impact of mask-wearing influenced by restricted interest and repetitive behavior on the mental distress of individuals with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multisite survey
Authors: Tamon Hiroki , Itahashi Takashi , Yamaguchi Sosei , Tachibana Yoshiyuki , Fujino Junya , Igarashi Miki , Kawashima Makiko , Takahashi Riina , Shinohara Nozomi , Noda Yoshihiro , Nakajima Shinichiro , Hirota Tomoya , Aoki Yuta
Published: April 2022

Background
The coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic has caused considerable changes in daily life. For children with autism spectrum disorder, adapting to the “new normal,” including mask-wearing, may be difficult because of their restricted interest and repetitive behaviors symptoms. We aimed to examine the relationships between restricted interest and repetitive behaviors symptoms and the impact of mask-wearing on their social communications during the pandemic.
Methods
We recruited 102 children with autism spectrum disorder and collected data on sleep and exercise and the restricted interest and repetitive behaviors symptom frequency before and during the pandemic using an international questionnaire. Then, we conducted factor analyses to compute the restricted interest and repetitive behaviors severity composite scores, which are divided into lower-, such as sensory seeking, and higher-order, such as restricted interest. We also asked about the mask-wearing culture using a bespoke questionnaire. Using Spearman’s rank correlation analyses, we examined the relationships between the before pandemic restricted interest and repetitive behaviors symptoms and the impact of mask-wearing on their social communications during the pandemic.
Results
The current participants spent significantly less time outdoors during the pandemic than before (rho = 0.75, p = 0.005). We also revealed children who exhibited lower-order restricted interest and repetitive behaviors before the pandemic had more challenges with mask-wearing. Mask-wearing was associated with an uncomfortable sensation (rho=-0.34, p = 0.0004) and difficulty in referring to others’ emotions while wearing masks (rho=-0.30, p = 0.0002). We also found an association between higher-order restricted interest and repetitive behaviors and an uncomfortable sensation (rho=-0.42, p = 0.00001).
Conclusions
These symptoms could be an important predictor for children with autism to adapt to the new normal.