bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effects of Noise Pollution on the Levels of Blood Cortisol, Testosterone, and Thyroid in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Abtahi-Eivary Seyed-Hosein , Tajpoor Ali , Firoozi Ali , Mehrzad Shahrzad , Beheshti Mohammad Hosein
Published: September 2021

Background: Noise pollution is a global problem causing changes in the secretion of various hormones and consequently affecting social well-being and quality of life in cities. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of noise pollution on the levels of testosterone, thyroid, and cortisol hormones in male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 70 male Wistar rats (200 - 250 g) were randomly assigned into one control and six experimental groups, with 10 rats in each group. Experimental groups were exposed to noise with different intensity (dB) and time (min) as follows: (I) 60 dB, 30 min; (II) 60 dB, 60 min; (III) 85 dB, 30 min; (IV) 85 dB, 60 min; (V) 110 dB, 30 min; (VI) 110 dB, 60 min; (VII) controls. Animals in the experimental groups were exposed to noise in an acoustic chamber designed for this purpose for 50 days. The Noise.exe software was used to generate noise, and the sound level meter (model TES 1358) was used to determine the accuracy of the intensity and frequency of sound. To determine plasma levels of the hormones, appropriate research and commercial kits were used, which were based on the ELISA method. To determine the concentration of hormones other than TSH, human assay kits were used. All statistical tests were performed in SPSS software version 21. Results: Serum levels of cortisol in the 110-dB (30 and 60 min), 65-dB (60 min), and 85-dB (60 min) groups were significantly higher than the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Also, cortisol levels in the 65-dB and 85-dB (30 minutes) groups were higher than the control group; however, the increase was not significant (P > 0.05). The levels of T4, T3, and TSH in the 60-dB and 85-dB groups were significantly lower than in the control group (P ≤ 0.05). The serum levels of T4, T3, and TSH hormones in the 110-dB group were insignificantly lower than the control group (P > 0.05). The serum level of testosterone in the 110-dB group was significantly lower than the control group (P ≤ 0.05). The mean serum levels of testosterone in the 65-dB and 85-dB groups were insignificantly lower than the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on this study, exposure to noise pollution increased cortisol secretion and decreased T4, T3, TSH, and testosterone levels in rats. As this hormonal imbalance may create direct and indirect effects, studies and strategies are recommended to control the imbalance of hormones in the polluted environments.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy: An Overview of the Changing Face of Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Safarzadeh Kozani Pouya , Safarzadeh Kozani Pooria , Rahbarizadeh Fatemeh
Published: September 2021

: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as the revolutionary cancer treatment method in recent years due to the heartwarming clinical outcomes in several types of hematologic malignancies. Since 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved four CAR T-cell products, including tisagenlecleucel [for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)], axicabtagene ciloleucel (for DLBCL), brexucabtagene autoleucel (for mantle cell lymphoma), and lisocabtagene maraleucel (for DLBCL). The efficacy optimization and toxicity management methods of CAR T-cell therapy are among the most investigated fields of cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, the favorable outcomes achieved by the aforementioned CAR T-cell products in hematologic malignancies have encouraged researchers to bring successful outcomes to solid tumor patients. This study aimed to highlight the outstanding characteristics and the manufacturing process of CAR T-cells and discuss the key lane leading to their clinically approved products.
Can Social Groups Be Units of Normative Concern?
Authors: Lyon Chris ,   Department of Philosophy, Florida State University
Published: September 2021

In social justice theory, it seems both important, but also potentially normatively and metaphysically suspect, to treat social groups as units of normative concern. This is also the source of much current controversy surrounding social justice politics. I argue that normative individualism is a (correct) metaethical clarification, but not necessarily a binding guide for all other (non-metaethical) normative theory or practice in the way we might assume. Supra-individual social entities can, in fact, be the irreducible subjects of concern in valid normative evaluations or prescriptions, owing to future-relevant causal properties. However, this idea is complex and requires careful elucidation. I address likely objections pertaining to group definitions, social ontology, conceptions of causation, counterfactuals, and the non-identity problem.
Diversifying . . . Aristotle? Engaging Diverse Students with New Approaches to the Nicomachean Ethics
Authors: Stewart Heather ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2021

Taking seriously the notion that diversifying our philosophical pedagogy is of both intrinsic and instrumental importance, this paper offers a defense of, and model for, a pedagogical approach aimed at making canonical philosophical texts more appealing—and more useful—for diverse students. Specifically, taking Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics as a case study, this paper considers how we might make this text more engaging for students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. It does so by offering a five-step model, which involves: situating the text in its historical context; acknowledging and addressing problematic content in the text; drawing out novel or underexplored themes and questions from the text; bringing the text into dialogue with diverse and contemporary philosophical approaches and issues (e.g., feminist philosophy, philosophy of race, and non-Western philosophies); and applying issues, themes, and concepts from the text to contemporary matters or current events as much as possible. Specific examples are offered regarding how to achieve each of these steps when teaching the Nicomachean Ethics.
A reconsideration of the construct of "a vocabulary for Japanese learners of English": A critical comparison of the JACET wordlists and new general service lists
Authors: Ishikawa Shin’ichiro
Published: September 2021

By comparing the vocabularies included in the Japan Association of College English Teachers (JACET) wordlists (1993, 2003, and 2016 editions) and recently released New General Service Lists (Brezina & Gablasova, 2013, Browne, 2013), we tried to identify the construct of “the vocabulary for Japanese learners” with which JACET researchers have been concerned. Our quantitative analysis has shown that it includes the vocabulary concerning (a) family and people, (b) houses and daily life, (c) foods and cooking, (d) clothes and fashions, (e) sports, (f) social meetings, (g) transportation, and (h) emotions and mental states, as well as (i) spoken English vocabulary and (j) non-basic forms. This finding will shed new light on the discussion of what kind of vocabulary should be included in pedagogical wordlists
Comparing the effectiveness of word cards and list learning with Japanese learners of English
Authors: Kitano Magda L. , Chiba Katsuhiro
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the recall of words learned through two deliberate learning techniques, word cards and list learning. While the literature points to word cards as being more effective, Japanese learners of English are seen to prefer list learning, which may indicate unique learning styles stemming from a non-alphabetic L1. To test the efficiency of the two techniques for Japanese learners, 25 university students of varying English proficiency were divided into four groups. Following the within-subject design, all groups were subjected to both treatments. Twenty low-frequency English words were learned within a 20-min period using one method, and then 20 more words were similarly learned with the other method. Subjects were tested immediately after the treatments, after a 20-min distraction period, and after an interval of 2 weeks. Results from all three testing stages indicated that list learning was more effective than word cards for these students.
Toward written error correction with a Japanese-English parallel corpus: Data-driven learning in the japanese EFL classroom
Authors: McGuire Michael
Published: September 2021

The concept of data-driven learning (DDL) – direct student use of corpora – has been gaining attention among researchers and teachers. DDL gives learners the chance to take an inductive approach to learning by recognizing patterns in corpus data rather than following abstract rules. However, very few studies focus on presenting clear practices that other teachers can readily use in their classes, particularly related to written error correction. This paper begins by reviewing research pertaining to DDL in student writing as well as using Japanese-English parallel corpora. It then outlines a recent study by Jenifer Larson-Hall (2015), notes weaknesses in the study, and outlines a current project (McGuire & Larson-Hall, under preparation).
Validating the construct of readability in EFL contexts: A proposal for criteria
Authors: Pinchbeck Geoffrey G.
Published: September 2021

This article examines how English as a foreign language learners might be better matched to reading texts using automatic readability analysis. Specifically, I examine how the lexical decoding component of readability might be validated. In Japan, readability has been mostly determined by publishers or by professional reading organizations who only occasionally publish their lists of readability ratings for specific texts. Without transparent readability methods, candidate texts cannot be independently evaluated by practitioners. Moreover, the reliance on centralized organizations to curate from commercially available texts precludes the evaluation of the multitudes of free texts that are increasingly available on the Internet. Previous studies that have attempted to develop automatic readability formulas for Japanese learners have used surface textual features of texts, such as word and/or sentence length, and/or they have used word-frequency lists derived from large multiregister corpora. In this article, I draw upon on the findings of a study that examines how such word-lists might be validated for use in matching Japanese learners to texts (Pinchbeck, manuscript in preparation). Finally, I propose a list of general criteria that might be used to evaluate the components of readability formulas in general.
An examination of the new general service list
Authors: Stoeckel Tim
Published: September 2021

The New General Service List (NGSL, Browne, Culligan, & Phillips, 2013b) was published on an interim basis in 2013 as a modern replacement for West’s (1953) original General Service List (GSL). This study compared GSL and NGSL coverage of a 6-year, 114-million word section of the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), and used COCA word frequencies as a secondary data source to identify candidates for addition to the NGSL. The NGSL was found to provide 4.32% better coverage of the COCA than the GSL. Moreover, several candidates were identified for inclusion to the NGSL: three are current members of the NGSL’s companion list, the New Academic Word List (Browne, Culligan, & Phillips, 2013a), five are words whose usage has increased in recent years, and five are individual types that appear to have been miscategorized during the original development of the NGSL. Because NGSL word selection was based on not only empirical but also subjective criteria, the article calls for the addition of annotations to the NGSL to explain decisions regarding low-frequency NGSL constituents and high-frequency non-constituents.
Evaluating the efficacy of yes-no checklist tests to assess knowledge of multi-word lexical units
Authors: Stubbe Raymond , Cochrane Yumiko
Published: September 2021

One of the many challenges facing Japanese university students studying English is the multi-word phrase. The English language contains a large number of such multiple-word items, which act as single words with a single meaning. This study is concerned with evaluating the efficacy of yes/no checklist tests to assess knowledge of multi-word units. Participants (n = 206) took a yes-no test of 30 real words and 15 pseudowords. The 30 real words were selected from the students’ textbook, based on the teacher’s intuition of the words and multi-words posing the greatest learning burden for the students. Twenty-one of the selected words were single-word items. The remaining nine were multi-words, such as “get up” and “take turns”. Forty-five minutes following completion of the yes-no test, an English to Japanese translation test of the same 30 real words was taken by the same participants to evaluate the efficacy of yes/no test. Results suggest that the yes-no vocabulary test format may be able to measure student knowledge of multi-word lexical units as (or more) effectively than single-word units.
LUCIS Land Use Model Based on Land Cover Conflict Areas: The Case of Gölbaşı District
Authors: KARABACAK Kerime , BAYAR Rüya
Published: September 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri tabanlı LUCIS (Land Use Conflict Identification Strategy) modelini inceleyerek Ankara’nın Gölbaşı ilçesi için bu modelin bir uygulamasını yapmaktır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda öncelikle tarım,
koruma ve yerleşim alanlarının uygunluğunu saptamak üzere hedef ve amaçlar belirlenmiş; bu amaçlara uygun veri envanteri yapılmış ve orijinal modeldeki kriterler esas alınarak ARC GIS 10.1 yazılımı kullanılarak uygunluk analizleri
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Uygunluk analizleri için her bir alan alt kategorilerde değerlendirilmiş, elde edilen kriterler hiyerarşik düzende uygunluk analizlerine tabi tutulmuş ve tümevarım yoluyla 3 temel alan için uygunluk haritaları
üretilmiştir. Ardından bu üç temel alan; düşük, orta ve yüksek olarak sınıflandırılarak çakıştırılmış, piksel bazında örtüşen alanlar belirlenmiş ve öznitelik tablosundaki kodların birleşimine göre yine; düşük, orta ve yüksek çatışma
alanları oluşturulmuştur. Çatışma olmayan alanlar eski özelliğini korurken, çatışma alanlarında bir sonraki tercih baskın özelliğe göre belirlenmiştir. Böylece izleyen dönemde hangi pikselin hangi ana alana ayrılacağına karar verilerek
amaca ulaşılmıştır. Sonuç olarak Gölbaşı ilçesinin %66’sında arazi örtüsü sınıflarının çatıştığı ve bu çatışmanın daha ziyade orta derecede olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çatışma alanlarına bağlı olarak ortaya çıkan atamalarda ise ilçenin
kuzey kesiminde yerleşim alanlarının genişleyeceği, diğer alanların ise hemen hemen aynı kalacağı görülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuç mevcut arazi örtüsü ve gelişimi ile değerlendirildiğinde LUCIS model Gölbaşı ilçesi için başarılı
bir netice vermiştir.
Comparative Turkish Adaptation of The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in Cancer Caregivers: A Validity And Reliability Study
Authors: Gökçe ESKİN Serap , Kırag Nukhet , Gözüm Sebahat
Published: September 2021

The mental health and well-being of a population are determined by measuring the psychological distress levels of individuals in society. As psychological distress is quite common, especially in families caring for cancer patients,
it is important to determine the level of stress. The effective strategy may need to target all members of the primary patient's family. In order to achieve this, there is a need for practical, reliable, useful and multifunctional
scanning tools. This study was carried out to test the comparatively validity and reliability of the Turkish form of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and to reveal its explanatory power. The study used a methodological
design. The study consist of total 150 people of which 75 relatives of cancer patients treated in a University Hospital Chemotherapy Unit and 75 healthy individuals from general population who did not have family members with cancer.
The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale is a short measurement tool for anxiety and mood disorders. Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated to determine the reliability of the scale, factor and fit analyses were done to
reveal its validity, and correlation and upper-lower 27% values were calculated to reveal its discriminating power. Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale was 0.91. The p-value for standardized factor loads, t values, and the explanatory
values of the items were less than 0.001. The goodness of fit indices was within an acceptable range. Total scores showed significant differences according to the lower 27%-upper 27% groups. The Turkish version of the K10 scale
is a valid, reliable and practical tool that can be used both in the healthy population and in groups with high stress risk to determine the level of distress.
An Unknown Group from White Ground Uschak Rugs: Selendi Rugs with Scorpion Motif
Authors: UĞURLU Servet Senem
Published: September 2021

20. yüzyıl başında Balkan Yarımadasında Transilvanya kiliselerinde 16.-17. yüzyıllara tarihlendirilen Osmanlı Halıcılığının erken ve klasik dönemine ait 400’e yakın halı tespit edilmiştir. Bu halılar genellikle namazlık boyutlarında
ve desen kompozisyonlarında olmaları ile dikkat çekmektedir. Transilvanya’da bulunan Osmanlı halıları içerisinde birbirinden çok farklı gruplar vardır. Bunlar içerisinde Beyaz Zeminli Uşak Halıları oldukça farklı bir gruptur. Bu
halılar, geçmişte Uşak iline, günümüzde ise Manisa iline bağlı olan Selendi ilçesinde dokunduğu düşünülmektedir. Beyaz zeminli Uşak halılarının desen kompozisyonları kuşlu, çintemanili, üç benekli ve akrepli olarak isimlendirilmektedir.
1640 tarihli Es’ar Defteri gibi Osmanlı belge ve kayıtlarında Akrep motifli halılar dışında diğer halıların adı geçmektedir. Kurt Erdmann, Ferenc Batári, Marino Dall’Oglio, Stefano Ionescu, Michael Franses gibi dünya çapında önemli
halı uzmanları, Akrep motifli halıların hakkında kayıt bulunmamasına karşın bu halıların Selendi’de diğer halılarla aynı atölyede dokunduğunu kabul etmektedirler. Bu uzmanlar neden olarak akrep motifli halılar ile diğer beyaz zeminli
Selendi halılarının aynı malzeme, teknik, uygulama özellikleri ve renk benzerliklerinin olduğunu belirtmektedirler. Dünya çapında önemli halı uzmanları, akrep motifini akrep, yengeç, geometrik olarak stilize edilmiş iki hayvanın
mücadelesi olarak tanımlamışlardır. Akrep motifi kare birim içerisinde geliştirilmiş, halı ortasındaki alanda sütun oluşturan motifler arasına tam ve şaşırtmacalı raportlar halinde yerleştirilmiştir. Motiflerin oluşturulmasında
düz, kırık ve diyagonal çizgiler kullanılmıştır. Araştırma olarak “Beyaz Zeminli Uşak Halılarından Bilinmeyen Bir Grup: Akrep Motifli Selendi Halıları” konusunun seçilmesindeki amaç; ülkemizdeki Türk Halıcılığı ile ilgili araştırma
ve yayınlarda daha önceden fark edilmemiş olmasıdır. Bu halı grubunun Türkiye’de günümüze ulaşan örneğinin olmaması, Türk Halıcılığı için eksikliktir. Yurtdışı müze ve koleksiyonlarda dört farklı örneği bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca bu
konuda öncü olarak kabul edilen yurtdışı yayınlar vardır. Bu araştırmada, ülkemizde bilinmeyen ve tanınmayan Osmanlı Uşak Halıları içerisindeki Beyaz Zeminli Uşak Halılarından Akrep Motifli Selendi Halılarının, motif ve desen özellikleri
incelenecektir. Bu halıların Transilvanya kiliselerinde bulunma nedenleri, bölgenin coğrafi ve sosyal yapısı araştırılacaktır.
Effect of Refuse Dump on Ground Water Quality at Farin-Gida Area of Mando, Kaduna State
Authors: Adamu S. M. , Ijah A. A. , Ozoani H. C. , Rasheed F. M. , Emmanuel J. O. , Ingoroko T. S. , Adedire O. O. , Zaka E. J.
Published: September 2021

This study shows the effect s of solid waste dumpsite on ground water quality in Farin-gida, Kaduna State Nigeria. Water samples were collected from six (6) different wells in three(3) strategic areas that have major dumpsites in Farin-gida. These samples were collected in November from both bore holes and hand dug wells within (0-50 meters) to the dumpsite. The following physico-chemical properties of well water was tested for, in the laboratory thus; Total Dissolve Solid, Total Alkalinity, Fluoride, PH, Turbidity and Electrical Conductivity. The results obtained as shown in table 1,2 and 3 respectively indicate that all the wells have varying levels of physico-chemical concentration that is different from the standard as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), which implies that the water from the study areas are not safe for drinking. Hence, should be treated.
Households’ Waste Scenario during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Outlook from Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Mou Rani , Sarkar Md. Abdur Rouf
Published: September 2021

With pandemic progression and the stay-at-home situation, household are producing more dangerous medical waste. Households became the most vulnerable and unprotected sector of coronavirus transmission due to the unconsciousness and lack of guidance of hazardous waste management. Therefore, waste management is a critical concern to public health. This study examines household waste generation and waste management issues in Bangladesh during COVID-19 from March 2020 to August 2021. The study showed that adequate identification, collection, transportation, processing, separation, and disposal are the challenges of safe waste management. Each activity bears a high risk of getting infected because of lack of proper guidance and protection. Moreover, the improper disposal of hazardous waste causes immense soil, water and air pollution that might have negative effects to the human body. Some suggested guidelines to a better COVID-19 household’s waste management are discussed in the context of Bangladesh.
Does Academic Work Environment in Thailand Private Universities Affect the Organizational Commitment of Lecturers?
Authors: Rajapakshe Wasantha
Published: September 2021

This study examines how the academic work environment influences lecturers' job performance and organizational commitment among private university academicians in Thailand. The paper presents that the perception of organizational climate has a significant effect on some academics' job performance, revealing that the perception of organizational climate is positively related to the job performance of many senior academics and junior academics than those with middle level of experience and academic ranks. It also presents a strong relationship between organizational climate and organizational commitment. Climate dimensions, such as coworkers' behavior, the job itself, and freedom are significantly related to organizational commitment. It also presents that supervisors' behavior, facilities, academic environment, teaching and research, job security, and administration duties are not significant factors influencing lecturers' positive attitude toward the respective organization. Thus, findings and implications can provide valuable insights for educational policymakers and university administrators in Thailand. University administrators can focus more on academic freedom, workload, and conflict among coworkers to improve lectures' educational practices and related positive outcomes.
Prevalence and Updated Management of Paralytic Ileus: A Simple Review
Authors: Alahmari Ali Mohammed A. , Alsuayri Abdullah Hassan F. , Alsadi Hdinan Mohammed J. , Alshahrani Basem Khaled G. , Alyahya Fahad Mohammed Abdullah , Saadi Saud Kashem Al , Alamri Ayman Dhaifallah A. , Alshahrani Hezam Shalan , Alamri Faris Theyab M. , Alshahrani Mohammed Ayed M. , Albalawi Amal Abdullah , Alnaim Muna Faisal
Published: September 2021

The study aims to summarize the updated evidence regards, epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestations, and management of paralytic ileus. Lower abdominal surgical procedure, particularly big open cuts and increased bowel operations, is linked with an increased hazard of bowel obstruction. Though, numerous risk issues have been revealed to upsurge the probability and resistance of intestinal obstruction, such as prolonged abdominal / pelvic surgery, lower gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, open surgery, retroperitoneal spine surgery, opioid use, cancer peritoneal, intra-abdominal inflammation (sepsis / peritonitis), delayed enteral nutrition or nasogastric (NG) tube placement, and hypokalemia. Signs of intestinal obstruction are tachycardia caused by any interruption of movement, absence of abdominal pain, abdominal distention and tenderness, shortness of breath, and hypovolemia. Bowel sounds disappear and flatulence is not discharged, leading to gastric stasis, which can cause hiccups, discomfort, and easy vomiting. Preventive measures include avoiding unnecessary exposure and over-processing of the intestine or traction of the mesentery. Treatment is conservative, as this condition is mostly self-limited. Pharmacologic Therapy have little place, but there are some exceptions of adequate values.
Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight among Female Nurse Students, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mustafa Hassanat Elbashir Mohammed , Elfaki Badria Abd Alla Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Aims: The aims of the study to estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight among females’ students to adopt strategies to combat these problems and decrease their risk.

Study design: A cross-sectional study design.

Methodology: It was conducted among 129 participants at Um Al-Qura University collage of nursing, 2017. Stratified proportional random sampling was adopted, structured questionnaire and checklist for body height and weight were used to collect data. Agreement from each participant was taken and then written consent was obtained. The data was analyzed used SPSS version 20. A descriptive statistic was done, BMI was calculated to estimate the prevalence and Chi Square test for statistically significant was used.

Results: Shown that the prevalence of overweight and obesity were 9.0% for each and insignificant (P=Value 0.266) similar among age groups.

The study included 129 females, 51% at age group of 22-25 years and 88% with moderate family income. Also, a high significant obesity 10%, was found among single, while overweight was a high among married participants 45% (P value= 0.002). Addition to high insignificant obesity associated with high family income (P value=0.450).

Conclusions: The study explored that the prevalence of both overweight and obesity were high and similar among participants age groups, and strongly associated with many risk factors which should be considering a serious health problem that need specific attention from the community and health sectors.
Persuasion in Instructions of COVID-19 by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health
Authors: Bajri Ibtesam Abdul Aziz
Published: September 2021

This study analyzes the persuasive strategies of instructions used by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Saudi Arabia. It is intended to emphasize the given instructions and advice provided by the Saudi ArabiaMoH. Twenty-four short service messages on Coronavirus are randomly selected and analyzed to identify the Aristotle’s threemajor persuasive strategies exploration used as a baseline. To measure the nature and relevance of the persuasive strategies, textual content analysis is used. This hopefully cultivate their interest in learning further about the persuasive context used in different fields of linguistic endeavor. It is concluded that Ministry of Health (MoH) has used a variety of persuasive techniques and tones. It is revealed that the MoH uses the strategies of persuasion separately or combined with each other. These strategies involve the use of logos, pathos, and ethos. It is also found that in every persuasive strategy, there are different techniques that can be specified and pointed out, affirming that multiple techniques may apply in one strategy or another. Moreover, the most recurrent types of persuasive strategies used in text exploration are ethos and logos, while in persuasive techniques; simple and direct language, emergency information language and personal pronoun are predominantly used based on the content analysis. In addition, purposeful and reasonable tones are highly emphasized in the text exploration.
Formulation and Evaluation of Miconazole Nitrate Loaded Nanoparticles for Topical Delivery
Authors: Pawar Ashish Y. , Jadhav Khanderao R. , Ahire Komal D. , Mahajan Tushar P.
Published: September 2021

The aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate Miconazole nitrate (MN) polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for systemic delivery of the active ingredient after topical administration. The Solvent evaporation approach was used to make nanoparticles for topical delivery of MN. Particle size, entrapment efficiency and SEM were all measured in MN-SLN. A consistent size distribution (PI 0.300) was used to generate aqueous NPs dispersions with a mean particle size less than 250 nm. After 3 months of storage, the produced semi-solid systems had a mean particle size of less than 250 nm and a PI of less than 0.500. The F5 formulation was been chosen as the model formulation from among the nine nanoparticle formulations developed (F1 to F9). The reason for this was that, according to the ICH stability guidelines, formulation F5 was judged to be optimal and stable. The F5 formulations of miconazole nanoparticles shows the highest entrapment efficiency (93.28%) and drug loading (86.64%). In conclusion, there are two major advantages of using miconazole nanoparticle drug delivery systems. i.e., they are topical preparations that assemble in the hair follicles and wrinkles to produce a systemic and local action. It is possible that nanoparticles will be the most effective treatment for fungal skin infections.
Formulation & Evaluation of Naringin Nanoethosome by Cold Method
Authors: Pawar Ashish Y. , Jadhav Khanderao R. , Naikwade Komal , Mahajan Tushar P.
Published: September 2021

Naringin is a flavonoid which shows various pharmacological effects, such as, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant,cholesterol lowering activity, free radical scavenging activity. Although naringin is easily found in citrus fruits but has lower bioavailability, biodistribution and undergoes biotransformation to naringenin. To overcome this, the main objective of this work is to formulate  nanoethosome formulation containing naringin.  The use of nanoethosomes as vesicle drug carrier having ability to increase solubility, improve biodistribution, slows the biotransformation which improves the activity of naringin for treating neurological disorder. The ethosomes were formulated by varying the variables such as concentrations of soya lecithine, polyethylene glycol, and ethanol. The formulations were evaluated  with entrapment efficiency, and particle size. Results specify that prepared nanoethosomes of naringin shows decreased particle size, better entrapment efficiency as compared to rigid ethosomes. The F4 was selected as optimized formulation which was further characterized for vesicle size determination. The F4  shows vesicles size of 145.9 nm having 83.9% entrapment efficiency. The nanoethosomes were  proved to be significantly superior in terms of amount of drug permeated into the skin, with an enhancement ratio of 3.77 when compared to rigid ethosomes. Our results suggests that nanoethosomes are an efficient carrier for improved naringin permeation & stability.
Utility of Pramana in Ayurveda – A Review
Authors: Manjula K. , Vaidya Vd. Arun , Asokan V. , Vyas Tejas Kumar
Published: September 2021

Ayurveda has inculcated many principles from darshana shastra. Pramana is one such principle which is widely used in Ayurveda with certain modifications in its applicability. With the keen observation and analytical skill the ancient sages identified the pramana as the tool to gain thorough knowledge. Ayurveda has adopted pramana namely aptopadesha, pratyaksha, anumana, yukti along with other types. The word pramana and pariksha are used synonymous in Ayurveda. Systematical analysis and gaining the exact knowledge is pariksha. Vast application of these can be seen in the treatises. Thus a literary review is taken up as an attempt to understand the utility of pramana in Ayurveda with respect to understand the basic concepts, field of research, diagnosis and treatment of disease is done.
Etiology, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Compartment Syndrome: A Simple Review
Authors: Albalawi Yazeed Ali S. , Albaltan Reema Ibrahim A. , Alzahrani Turki Abdullah A. , Almutairi Ahad Mohammed , Almatari Meshael Alawi , Almuthhin Yasser Sultan M. , Kassarah Zahraa Abbas A. , Alhujayri Wejdan Mohammed K. , Aldabbab Habib Yousef , Alahmadi Turki Abdullah A.
Published: September 2021

The study aimed to summarize the updated evidence regards, Etiology, Diagnosis and Management of Acute compartment syndrome. Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a condition in which pressure builds up inside a closed osteofascial compartment, impairing local circulation. Early diagnosis and treatment are credited with the best outcomes following Acute Compartment Syndrome. The severity of compartment syndrome varies from mild to severe. Fasciotomies should be performed very soon if the patient have acute compartment syndrome. The treatment of late compartment syndrome (delayed or missing diagnosis) is more problematic. Long duration of acute compartment syndrome without treatment can cause irreversible damage that’s why early intervention is a must, non-operative measurement is preferred if possible, to prevent any surgical complications, however if surgery is needed it must be performed with Two-incision fasciotomy being the most used method.
Short Term Follow Up of Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Treated with Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Authors: Balaraman R.
Published: September 2021

Vertebral compression fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures, 30-50% of all women develop vertebral compression fractures. In this study the mean age of 64 years with youngest case of age of 55 years and oldest case. 55 % of patients included in the study are female. One case had systemic hypertension, one case had Parkinsonism, and one case had Coronary Artery Disease. A significant reduction in analgesic intake was revealed. The patients without any analgesics increased from 0.5% (n=2) pre operative to 85.7% (n=30) at the six months follow-up (P less than 0.0001). pain score of ODS for immediate, 1month, 2 month, 3rd month and 6 month and found that(patient active measure) pam is reduced after immediate to 1 month till 6 month(p<0.05), and after 3 rd month to 6 month no difference in pam score was observed.
Recovery of woody but not herbaceous native flora 10 years post old‐field restoration
Authors: Parkhurst Tina , Prober Suzanne M. , Standish Rachel J.
Published: September 2021

Vegetation recovery in old fields towards mature reference states is often limited by abiotic and biotic thresholds resulting from agricultural land use legacies, as commonly highlighted using state and transition models. Old‐field restoration may include interventions (e.g. planting of vegetation) to overcome these thresholds and assist transition between states. However, our understanding of the effectiveness of these interventions is limited.

Using a point‐intercept transect method, we surveyed nine sites, each comprising a triplet of fallow cropland, planted old field and woodland reference plots to reflect states of old‐field restoration, from the degraded state to the reference state. We compared ground cover attributes, and richness and cover of woody and herbaceous flora species, using ANOVA and multivariate analyses.

We found that a decade after planting, cover of leaf litter and woody debris in planted old fields were significantly higher than in the fallow croplands; however, woodland reference conditions were not achieved. Cover of logs was similar to the fallow cropland. Woody species cover and richness were similar in planted old fields and woodland reference plots, with planted old fields having more than 60% of the shrub species richness and cover, and similar tree species richness, to the woodland reference plot.

In contrast, whilst herbaceous species contributed more than half the plant species richness in reference woodland plots, there were significantly fewer herbaceous species in the planted old fields, which were more similar to the fallow croplands. Cover of exotic annual forbs in planted old fields was about half that of fallow cropland, and exotic annual grass cover was similar to the reference woodland.

Our results show that active restoration of old fields increased leaf litter, woody debris and cover and richness of trees and perennial shrubs. However, native herbaceous species richness, and to some extent cover, remained similar to the fallow cropland. To effect transitioning of the herbaceous layer to the woodland reference state, further intervention such as removal of exotics, followed by sowing or planting native herbaceous species, may be necessary.
Ultrasound Classification of Finger Pulp Blood Flow in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lescoat Alain , Robin François , Belhomme Nicolas , Ballerie Alice , de Saint Riquier Marine , Sebillot Martine , Albert Jean‐David , Le Gallou Thomas , Perdriger Aleth , Jégo Patrick , Coiffier Guillaume , Cazalets Claire
Published: September 2021

Objective

To define a semiquantitative classification of finger pulp blood flow (FPBF) and to evaluate whether this classification could be used to assess FPBF in healthy controls and in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods

Thirty controls and 86 SSc patients were consecutively included. A classification of FPBF including 5 grades (from grade 0 [no signal] to 4 [signal detected on the entire finger pulp, including the subepidermal vascular network]) was evaluated. This classification was explored in basal conditions and after hand baths in hot and cold water in controls. Its relevance was also assessed at room temperature in SSc patients.

Results

In controls, power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) of FPBF was improved after hot challenge (P = 0.024), whereas cold challenge decreased FPBF (P = 0.001). FPBF correlated with the vasodilation status assessed by the resistivity index of radial arteries (Spearman's correlation coefficient = –0.50, P = 0.0049). Grade 0 was more frequent in SSc patients than in controls (22.1% versus 3.3%; P < 0.05). In SSc patients, grade 0 was associated with severity markers of the digital vasculopathy such as digital ulcers (DUs) (current or past) (P < 0.05) or ulnar artery occlusion (P < 0.05). On the other hand, DUs were less frequent in patients with grade 4 (P < 0.05). A pathologic threshold of <2 (grade 0 or 1) was significantly associated with DUs (odds ratio 6.67 [95% confidence interval 2.31–19.21], P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

PDUS allowed a semiquantitative evaluation of FBPF in SSc patients and controls. Further studies are warranted to validate these results in independent SSc populations and to compare PDUS to existing tools assessing digital blood flow.
Fabrication of Polyether–Ether–Ketone Foams with Superior Properties and Mitigated Weld Lines by Microcellular Injection Molding
Authors: Feng Yu-Teng , Wang Lin , Mi Hao-Yang , Gu Laifa , Dong Binbin , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu
Published: September 2021

Polyether–ether–ketone (PEEK) as an engineering plastic with excellent mechanical properties requires strict processing conditions. Introducing microcells in PEEK parts is beneficial for reducing the material cost and improving their tenacity. Herein, foamed PEEK parts are fabricated using microcellular injection molding with supercritical nitrogen as the blowing agent. Using optimum processing conditions obtained from orthogonal array experiments based on finite‐element simulation, the foamed PEEK parts achieve a 10% average weight reduction and display a typical sandwich structure with an average cell size of 30 μm in the core region. The cell size is larger, whereas the cell density and skin layer thickness are smaller in the region near the gate than the region far from the gate. The foamed PEEK parts show a slight drop in the tensile modulus and tensile strength but a significant improvement in the elongation at break when compared with the solid parts. Moreover, the foamed PEEK parts with weld lines exhibit less reduction in tensile properties than the solid counterparts, attributed to their tighter interfacial adhesion at the weld line. This study successfully produces foamed PEEK parts with high weight reduction and ductility and provides insights into the weld line mitigation through microcellular injection molding.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a MP159 Superalloy after Pre‐tensile Deformation and Subsequent Annealing
Authors: Gu Ji , Gan Bin , Bi Zhongnan , Song Min
Published: September 2021

Pre‐tensile deformation and subsequent annealing treatments are conducted on a MP159 superalloy. It is shown that pre‐tensile deformation can significantly improve the strength of the alloy with obvious sacrifice of the ductility. The subsequent annealing treatment further improves the strength of the alloy but without the consumption of the ductility. The strength and ductility synergy are due to the annealing‐induced stacking faults (SFs) and γ′ nanoprecipitates. The length and density of the annealing‐induced SFs increase with increasing the imposed pre‐tensile strain, and the formation of the SFs contributes significantly to the strain‐hardening rate and the ductility of the superalloy.
Advanced Engineering for Cathode in Lithium–Oxygen Batteries: Flexible 3D Hierarchical Porous Architecture Design and Its Functional Modification
Authors: Wu Yuan‐Guo , Zhu Xing‐Bao , Wan Wei‐Hua , Man Zi‐Ning , Wang Yu , Lü Zhe
Published: September 2021

Modern technology constantly requires smaller, more efficient lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs). To meet this need, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is used to create an innovative cathode design with both a hierarchical porous nanostructure and a 3D flexible macroscopical morphology. This method employs architectural optimization to further improve cathodic ORR and OER performance via heteroatom doping, surface‐sprouted carbon nanofibers (CNFs) grafting, and boundary exposing. The cathode consists of a 3D hierarchical porous graphene foam (PGF), along with RuO2 nanoparticles impregnated and nitrogen doped CNFs (RuO2@NCNFs), where the PGF serves as a structural support and cathodic current collector, and the RuO2@NCNFs work as a superior bi‐functional catalyst. The cathode delivers an outstanding discharge capacity of 8440 mAh gcathode−1 while maintaining a recharge plateau at ≈4.0 V, and can cycle for over 700 rounds without obvious degeneration under a fixed capacity. Notably, this free‐standing cathode can be directly used in LOBs without the need for additional substrates or current collectors. Therefore, the current densities and capacities herein are calculated based on the total weight of the cathodes. These results demonstrate the RuO2@NCNFs‐PGF cathode's remarkable potential for LOB applications, and this rational cathodic structure may be extended to other highly efficient catalyst applications.
Randomly Induced Phase Transformation in Silk Protein‐Based Microlaser Arrays for Anticounterfeiting
Authors: Fan Yuqing , Zhang Chunhuan , Gao Zhenhua , Zhou Wu , Hou Yue , Zhou Zhonghao , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: September 2021

Anticounterfeiting labels based on physical unclonable functions (PUFs) exhibit high security with unreplicable code outputs, making them an ideal platform to realize unbreakable anticounterfeiting. Although various schemes are proposed for PUF labels, the utilization of natural randomness suffers from unpredictable signal extraction sites, which poses a challenge to efficient and convenient authentication for practical anticounterfeiting applications. Here, a covert optical PUF‐based cryptographic protocol from silk protein‐based microlaser (SML) arrays that possess hidden randomness of lasers for unclonable lasing signals as well as a defined location for efficient identification is proposed. The initial SMLs are patterned by casting laser dye‐doped regenerated silk fibroin solution, resulting in a uniform microlaser array with regulated positions. With the SML array as substrate, random methanol microdroplets are stochastically sprayed on the SML array, which eventually induces uneven lasing signal changes of the patterned microlasers. The treated SML array possesses the deterministic readout sites of laser signals and unrepeatable signal distribution characteristics, which can guarantee efficient authentication and high security when serving as an anticounterfeiting label.
Switchable Photonic Bio‐Adhesive Materials
Authors: Kim Minkyu , Lee Hansol , Krecker Michelle C. , Bukharina Daria , Nepal Dhriti , Bunning Timothy J. , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: September 2021

A soft photonic bio‐adhesive material is designed with real‐time colorimetrical monitoring of switchable adhesion by integrating a responsive bio‐photonic matrix with mobile hydrogen‐binding networking. Synergetic materials sequencing creates a unique iridescent appearance directly coupled with both adhesive ability and shearing strength, in a highly reversible manner. The responsive photonic materials, having a physically hydrogen‐bonded chiral nematic organization, vary their adhesion strength due to a transition in cohesive and interfacial failure mechanism in humid surroundings. The bright color appearance shifts from blue to red to transparent and back due to a change in pitch length of the chiral helicoidal organization that also triggers coupled changes in both mechanical strength and interfacial adhesion. Such reversible strength‐adhesion‐iridescence triple‐coupling phenomenon is further explored for design of super‐strong switchable bio‐adhesives for synthetic/biological surfaces with quick remotely triggered sticky‐to‐nonsticky transitions, removable conformal soft stickers, and wound dressings with visual monitoring of the healing process, to colorimetric stickers for contaminated respiratory masks.
A General Crosslinker Strategy to Realize Intrinsic Frozen Resistance of Hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Dong , Liu Yonglan , Liu Yanghe , Peng Yipeng , Tang Yijing , Xiong Liming , Gong Xiong , Zheng Jie
Published: September 2021

Development and understanding of antifreezing materials are fundamentally and practically important for materials design and delivery. However, almost all of antifreezing materials are either organic/icephobic materials containing no water or hydrophilic hydrogels containing antifreezing additives. Here, a general crosslinking strategy to fabricate a family of EGINA‐crosslinked double‐network hydrogels with intrinsic, built‐in antifreezing and mechanical properties, but without any antifreezing additives is proposed and demonstrated. The resultant hydrogels, despite large structural and compositional variations of hydrophilies, electrolytes, zwitterions, and macromolecules of polymer chains, achieved strong antifreezing and mechanical properties in different environments including solution state, gel state, and hydrogel/solid interfaces. Such general antifreezing property of EGINA‐crosslinked hydrogels, regardless network compositions, is likely stemmed from their highly hydrophilic and tightly crosslinked DN structures for inducing strong water–network bindings to prevent ice crystal formation from free waters in hydrogel networks. EGINA‐crosslinked hydrogels can also serve as a key component to be fabricated into smart windows with high optical transmittance and supercapacitors with excellent electrochemical stability at subzero temperatures. This work provides a simple, blueprint antifreezing design concept and a family of antifreezing hydrogels for the better understanding of the composite–structure–property relationship of antifreezing materials and the fundamentals of confined water in wet soft materials.