bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of a Three-Dimensional Discrete Memristive Chaotic System with Infinite Wide Parameter Range
Authors: Huang Lilian , Liu Jin , Xiang Jianhong , Zhang Zefeng
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a new discrete memristive chaotic system with infinitely wide parameter range is designed. Firstly, a discrete memristor based on a triangular wave function is constructed. The memristor conforms to the definition of generalized memristor, and a new three-dimensional memristive chaotic system is designed based on it. Numerical simulations show that it can generate chaotic sequences with high complexity.Otherwise, an improved perturbation method is proposed to estimate the output sequence of the differential system. At the same time, it is proved mathematically that the new system can always be in chaotic or hyperchaotic state with infinitely wide parameter range under certain conditions. By observing the Lyapunov exponent spectrum and the phase diagram, it is found as the absolute value of the parameter increases, the output range and ergodicity of the new system are also enhanced, and the new system has super multi-stability. This paper analyzes the mechanism of the discrete memristive chaotic system generating infinitely coexisting attractors, puts forward a method to make ordinary chaotic systems easier to obtain super multi-stability, and verifies it. The results show it is effective. Finally, the DSP hardware platform is used to implement the new system, which proves the physical existence and realizability of the system.
Organic Mulching can Suppress Litchi Downy Blight Through Modification of Soil Microbial Community Structure and Functional Potentials
Authors: Xu Dandan , Ling Jinfeng , Qiao Fang , Xi Pinggen , Zeng Yani , Zhang Jianfan , Lan Cuizhen , Jiang Zide , Peng Aitian , Li Pingdong
Published: November 2021

Background: Organic mulching is an important management practice in agricultural production to improve soil quality, control crop pests and diseases and increase the biodiversity of soil microecosystem. However, the information about soil microbial diversity and composition in litchi plantation response to organic mulching and its attribution to litchi downy blight severity was limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulching on litchi downy blight, and evaluate the biodiversity and antimicrobial potential of soil microbial community of litchi plantation soils under organic mulching. Results: Organic mulching could decrease the disease incidence in the litchi plantation. As a result of high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS rDNA gene illumine sequencing, higher bacterial and fungal community diversity indexes were found in organic mulching soils, the relative abundance of norank f norank o Vicinamibacterales, norank f Vicinamibacteraceae, norank f Xanthobacteraceae, Unclassified c sordariomycetes, Aspergillus and Thermomyces were significant more than that in control soils. Isolation and analysis of antagonistic microorganism showed that 29 antagonistic bacteria strains and 37 antagonistic fungi strains were unique for mulching soils.Conclusions: Thus, we believe that organic mulching has a positive regulatory effect on the litchi downy blight and the soil microbial communities, and so, is more suitable for litchi plantation.
Development of the Paternal Brain in Humans throughout Pregnancy
Authors: Diaz-Rojas Françoise , Matsunaga Michiko , Tanaka Yukari , Kikusui Takefumi , Mogi Kazutaka , Nagasawa Miho , Asano Kohei , Abe Nobuhito , Myowa Masako
Published: November 2021

Previous studies have demonstrated that paternal caregiving behaviours are reliant on neural pathways similar to those supporting maternal care. Interestingly, a greater variability exists in parental phenotypes in males than in females among individuals and mammalian species. However, less is known about when or how such variability emerges in human males. We investigated the longitudinal changes in the neural, hormonal and psychological bases of expression of paternal caregiving in humans throughout pregnancy and the first four months postpartum. We measured oxytocin and testosterone, paternity-related psychological traits and neural response to infant-interaction videos using fMRI in first-time fathers and childless men at three time points (early–mid-pregnancy, late-pregnancy and postpartum). We found that paternal-specific brain activity in prefrontal areas distinctly develops during middle-to-late pregnancy and is enhanced postpartum. Additionally, among fathers, the timing of the development of prefrontal brain activity was associated with specific parenting phenotypes.
Exploring the Clinical Characteristics of the Lymph Nodal Metastatic Regions in Patients with Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Shin Wonkyo , Kim Sun-Young , Park Sangyoon , Kang Sokbom , Lim Myong Cheol , Seo Sang-Soo
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate clinical factors that can help determine the extent of lymphadenectomy required in endometrial cancer patients and confirm the differences of metastatic lymph node regions based on the risk factors for endometrial cancer patients.
Methods

The medical records of 468 endometrial cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed between January 2006 and December 2018. Patients were categorized into pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and pelvic plus para-aortic lymph nodes dissection (PPALND) groups. Demographics, recurrence-free survival, and 5-year overall survival rates were compared, and the clinical factors affecting survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards model.
Results

The median follow-up period was 55 months (range, 6–142 months). The mean age was higher in the PPALND group than in the PLND group (51.0 vs. 54.5 years; P < 0.001). The PPALND group had a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, lymphovascular invasion, endocervical invasion, and FIGO grade (P = 0.001) than the PLND group. The PPALND group had higher 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates than the PLND group. While comparing lymph node (LN) metastasis confirmed pathologically, the group with confirmed metastasis showed a higher number of high-risk group patients than lymph node-negative patients. However, no difference was observed in pelvic LN metastasis, pelvic plus para-aortic LN metastasis, and isolated para-aortic LN metastasis groups.
Conclusions

When treating patients with endometrial cancer, risk group evaluation is an important factor for determining LN dissection. Our study found no differences in clinical factors of metastatic LN regions.
Broiler Behaviour Differs From Males to Females When Under Different Light Wavelengths
Authors: Paixão Sandro José , Mendes Angélica Signor , Possenti Marco Antonio , Sikorski Rosana Reffatti , Vale Marcos Martinez do , de Souza Cleverson , Guimarães Bruno Evangelista , de Moura Daniella Jorge , Nääs Irenilza de Alencar , Nunes Isadora Bischoff
Published: November 2021

It is well established that different light wavelengths affect broiler behavior. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of four light wavelengths on broiler behavior from 1 to 42-days of age. Birds were housed at a stocking density of 13 birds/m2, in 32 boxes of 1.56 m2. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial of 4x2 (four colors x two sexes), with four replicates. Behavioral variables were accessed through cameras and observed in person thrice a week for 30 min per day in three different periods. Data was organized according to age groups and analyzed by data mining approach with the different light wavelengths as the classes. Natural behavior of male broilers reared in environments with green. Blue light was more relevant to the classification of male broilers behavior (96.9 and 96.9% accuracy and 0.8 and 1.0 of class precision of behavior classification, respectively). Blue and green lights affected the behavior of male broilers starting at 7-days of age, increasing the presence at the bird feeder, and reducing the idle period.
Unterstützungsbedarfe Hochschullehrender in Lehramtsstudiengängen und Weiterbildungsangebote im ‹digitalen› Sommersemester 2020
Authors: Liebold Mariane , Odrig Verena , Tolle Juliane , Dallmann Christine , Schaarschmidt Nadine
Published: November 2021

Die pandemiebedingten Veränderungen des Hochschulbetriebs im Sommersemester 2020 forderten Hochschuldozierende hinsichtlich ihrer digitalisierungsbezogenen Kompetenzen heraus. Das Vorwissen und die bis dato gesammelten Erfahrungen mit Blick auf eine digitale Lehre deckten sich oftmals nicht mit den neuen aus der Not heraus entstandenen Anforderungen an die Lehrenden. In den Lehramtsstudiengängen ist es unabdingbar eine medienpädagogische Handlungskompetenz an die Studierenden zu vermitteln, über die Dozierende im Hochschulzusammenhang selbst verfügen müssen. Doch welche Möglichkeiten wurden den Lehrenden zum Ausbau der eigenen Kompetenzen angeboten? Inwiefern wurden die während des Sommersemesters 2020 angebotenen Weiterbildungen den entsprechenden Bedarfen gerecht? Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt eine Studie vor, die sich mit den Weiterbildungsangeboten für Hochschullehrende an sächsischen Universitäten während des ‹digitalen› Sommersemesters befasst und diese thematisch mit den Unterstützungsbedarfen Dozierender in den Lehramtsstudiengängen der Technischen Universität Dresden vergleicht. Als Grundlage für diesen Vergleich dient ein vorab eigens entwickelter Kompetenzrahmen, welcher auf vorhandenen Konzepten und Modellen zu Medienkompetenz (Baacke 1997) und Medienpädagogischer Kompetenz (Blömeke 2000) beruht.
Media and History: Discourse of Historical Responsibility in a Changing World
Authors: Буллер А. , Линченко А.А.
Published: November 2021

В статье проанализированы особенности трансформации аксиологических функций медиа в отношении общественных представлений о прошлом в контексте антагонистического, космополитического и агонического проектов коллективной памяти. Обосновывается мысль, что переход от антагонистического к космополитическому типу коллективных воспоминаний в прошлом столетии и обозначившийся в начале XXI в. поворот к элементам агонического типа способствуют трансформации функций медиа и повышению их аксиологического статуса как среды развертывания дискурса исторической ответственности. Это связано с усилением роли и значения медиа в качестве инструмента конструирования самого дискурса исторической ответственности, а также инструмента демаркации различных ценностных сред обращения к прошлому и их носителей – сообществ памяти.

The article deals with actual problems of the transformation of the axiological functions of media in relation to public representations of the past in the context of antagonistic, cosmopolitan and agonistic projects of collective memory. The transition from the antagonistic to the cosmopolitan type of collective memories in the last century and the turn towards elements of the agonistic type that has emerged today contribute to the transformation of media functions. This transformation is associated with the strengthening not so much of their epistemological status as their axiological status in relation to the past. The axiological status of media is associated with understanding it as a significant environment for the deployment of the discourse of historical responsibility. Modern media act as a tool for constructing the very discourse of historical responsibility, as well as a tool for demarcating various value environments of referring to the past and their carriers - communities of memory.
The British Jingo and the German Viking: the Emergence and Reception of the Colonial Hero Image of Cecil Rhodes and Carl Peters
Authors: Турыгин А.А. , Зимина Е.В.
Published: November 2021

Литература, наряду с официальными источниками, может дать представление о формировании культа двух одиозных деятелей колониальной эпохи – Сесила Родса и Карла Петерса. Их деятельность на африканском континенте, получившая неоднозначную оценку при жизни, впоследствии была переосмыслена официальной пропагандой, привела к изменению общественного мнения о колониализме и имперских ценностях. Африканское прошлое Империи в Великобритании вылилось в одну из форм протеста 2020 г., в то время как в Германии его пересмотр был связан с оценками национал-социализма, реанимировавшего идеи колониализма.

The paper considers the colonial policy of Kaiser Germany and the British Empire in Africa via periodicals and fiction. Alongside with official sources, fiction can provide an insight into the way the cult of the two most notorious colonialists – Cecil John Rhodes and Carl Peters – emerged. Their activities in the African continent, cautiously assessed even in their lifetime, was reconsidered in official propaganda and by writers of the 19th-20th centuries, which led to the change in public opinion regarding colonialism and imperial values. The process of reconsidering went in different ways, however. The imperial past of the British Empire was shown in the protests of 2020 in the UK, whereas in Germany this reconsideration is closely connected with the reassessment of the Nazi period that attempted to revive colonial ideas of the first quarter of the 20th century.
"I am at your disposal": a letter from Karl Lamprecht to Nikolai Kareev, 1914
Authors: Долгова Е.А. , Дмитриева Н.А. , Штольценберг Ю.
Published: November 2021

В публикации реконструируется малоизвестная часть биографии Н.И. Кареева (1850–1931), связанная с пятинедельным пребыванием на территории Германии в на-чале Первой мировой войны. В центре публикации – письмо К. Лампрехта Н.И. Карееву, написанное в июле 1914 г. и выявленное в Научно-исследовательском отделе рукописей РГБ. Поводом к написанию письма для Н.И. Кареева стало обращение за помощью в содействии/протекции по вопросу возвращения на родину. Письмо вносит дополнительные ноты в изучение роли личных контактов ученых. Публикуется оригинал письма и перевод текста с немецкого языка.

This article reconstructs a little-known part of the biography of Nikolay I. Kareev (1850-1931), associated with a five-week stay in Germany at the beginning of the First World War.. In the center of the publication is a letter from Karl Lamprecht to Nikolay Kareev, written in July 1914 and identified in the Research Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library. The reason for writing a letter to Kareev was to ask for help in promoting / protecting the issue of returning to the homeland. The letter adds additional notes to the study of the role of personal contacts of scientists and should be taken into account when reconstructing the scientific biography of Russian and German professors. The original letter and the translation of the text from the German language are published.
“We are familiar with your level of competence in historiography” The correspondence from Henri See to Nikolay Kareev in 1930-1931
Authors: Слискова В.В.
Published: November 2021

В статье рассматривается переписка Николая Ивановича Кареева с французским историком Анри Сэ, материалы которой отложились в Научно-исследовательском отделе рукописей Российской государственной библиотеки. Они представляют собой письма, полученные Н.И. Кареевым от А. Сэ в 1930–1931 гг., в которых обсуждалась подготовка одной из его последних работ – статьи для французского научного издания «Revue d’histoire moderne».

The article deals with the epistolary materials of Russian historian Nikolay Kareev which were found in the Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library. Materials consist of the letters that N. Kareev received from French historian Henri Sée in 1930-1931. Historians discussed the preparation of N. Kareev’s last article which was specially written for the “Revue d’histoire moderne” in 1930. The letters complement the part of N. Kareev’s scientific biography concerning his scientific contacts with French historians and his publishing activity in 1930-1931. The documents were found in the Manuscript Department of the Russian State Library and prepared for publication by V.V. Sliskova.
Obedience to the law – more than bondage: Grand Duchy of Finland in Confrontation with the Russian Empire
Authors: Экштут С.А.
Published: November 2021

Рецензия на сборник документов «Россия и независимость Финляндии: 1899–1920 гг.» (М.: «Политическая энциклопедия», 2021). В трех томах опубликовано 1358 документов (более 42% предстают перед читателем впервые) из ГА РФ, РГИА, РГАСПИ, РГАЭ, РГАВМФ, РГВА, из архивов МИДа ‒ АВПРИ и АВП РФ, Архива Президента Российской Федерации и Национального архива Финляндии.

The article presents f review of the collection of documents "Russia and the independence of Finland: 1899-1920." (Moscow: "Political Encyclopedia", 2021). In three volumes, 1358 documents were published (more than 42% appear before the reader for the first time) from the State Archives of the Russian Federation, RGIA, RGASPI, RGAE, RGAVMF, RGVA, from the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - AVPRI and AVP RF, Archive of the President of the Russian Federation and the National Archives of Finland.
Development of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Fingerprints for Warburgia Ugandensis Herbal Materials
Authors:   Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, Meshack O Onyambu , Nicholas K Gikonyo ,   Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, Hudson N Nyambaka ,   Department of Chemistry, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, Grace N Thoithi ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Tom O Okumu ,   Kenya Bureau of Standards, Nairobi, Kenya
Published: November 2021

Warbugia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) is among the 10 most utilised medicinal plants in East Africa. Stem bark and leaves are used as remedies for malaria, stomachache, coughs and skin diseases. Consequently, the plant is endangered because of uncontrolled harvest and lack of domestication. There is therefore fear of poor quality commercialised products due to lack of evaluation mechanisms. This study explored the chemical profiles that could be used to confirm its authenticity and purity. W. ugandensis used as reference during method development was harvested from Kenyatta University Medicinal Plant Research Garden (KUMPRG). Six other samples were obtained from different geographical locations in Kenya. The samples were identified by a botanist and a voucher specimen (MO/002- 008/2013) deposited in the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. Samples were harvested and processed by World Health Organization (WHO) recommended methods. Chromatographic profiles of the leaf and stem bark were established based on parameters arrived at iteratively. The study characterised over 100 compounds in the leaf and stem bark. Based on area percent and known medicinal value, 22 compounds from the leaf and 38 from the stem bark were selected as major chemical profiles. The compounds in the stem bark included gamma-sitosterol (1.0%–2.5%), squalene (0.2%–4.6%), isolongifolene (1.2%–2.8%), phenol 2-methoxy (0.8%–1.8%) and nerolidol (0.3%–1.5%). Those in the leaf included nerolidol 2 (0.3%–1.1%), phytol (0.6%–1.7%), 2-methoxy phenol (0.2%– 2.2%), gamma-tocopherol (0.2%–0.9%), vitamin E (0.4%–1.5%) and gamma-sitosterol (1.8%–4.9%). Most of these compounds were characterised in W. ugandensis for the first time. The profiles therefore can form fingerprints for use to evaluate its quality, purity and authenticity.
A Multicentre Study on Average Warfarin Dose to Maintain Therapeutic International Normalised Ratio with Time in Therapeutic Range of More than 75% in Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors:   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Kee Hooi Ang , Nazari Ishmah Musfirah ,   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Seow Huey Low ,   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Yinwen Ng ,   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Xin Ying Oon ,   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, A/P Suppiah Valliyamai ,   Pharmacy Department, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: November 2021

Large interindividual variability and over-anticoagulation resulting bleeding complications due to narrow therapeutic index of warfarin has causes its pharmacodynamic activity to be highly variable. Studies shown that ethnicity, age and gender contribute to warfarin response variability. Good coagulation control of time in therapeutic range (TTR) > 75% was chosen to determine the average warfarin dose in atrial fibrillation (AF) among ethnicity, age and gender. Data from Warfarin Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic of selected Pulau Pinang hospitals were used for the analysis of average warfarin dose in AF among ethnicity, age and gender. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria from 2015–2016 were followed up for a year. Five hundred and seventy-six patients were included. Two hundred and ten patients had good coagulation control of TTR > 75% with mean warfarin dose of 3.05 ± 1.25 mg. Only Chinese and Indian have significant difference in average warfarin dose with 2.86 ± 1.10 mg and 4.11 ± 1.40 mg, respectively (p = 0.008). Average warfarin dose was found not significantly different among gender and age. As for TTR achievement, 210 (36.4%) were able to achieve TTR > 75%, 134 patients achieved TTR 60%–75% and 232 patients has TTR < 60%. The median day to achieve three consecutive targeted international normalised ratio (INR) is 186.5 days for atrial fibrillation patient newly started on warfarin therapy in 2015 until 2016. Indian patients required a higher warfarin dose than Chinese patients. This study found that mean warfarin doses were not affected by age and sex.
Effect of Genetic Modification of Maize Plant on Pharmaceutically Important Properties of Its Starch
Authors:   Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria, Bakre Lateef Gbenga , Olayemi Olubunmi Jumoke ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Research, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria, Adegbesan Aderinsola Dupe ,   Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria, Bamiro Oluyemisi Adebowale ,   Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria, Kunle Olobayo Olufunsho ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Research, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria
Published: November 2021

Genetic engineering of maize plants for improved yield, drought and pest resistance has received considerable attention in agricultural research. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of genetic modification of maize plant on some pharmaceutically relevant fundamental properties of its isolated starches. Properties of starches isolated from PVA 39 and IWD 15 maize genotypes were compared with starch from unmodified maize grains. Morphology studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were evaluated. Swelling capacity, amylose content, pasting behaviour of the starches were also determined. SEM revealed that all the starches are largely irregular and polygonal with few round shaped granules. FTIR showed identical peaks in all the starch samples and DSC revealed higher enthalpies of starch gelatinisation from the modified grains. Modification also increased amylose content, swelling capacity and viscosity of the starches. Genetic modification increased amylose content which positively affected pharmaceutically important properties like moisture sorption and viscosity, thus, increasing their value in formulations especially as binders.
Evaluation of service pressure regulation strategy on the performance of a rural water network based on pulse demand; using the method of characteristics
Authors: Negharchi Saeid Mohammadzade , Shafaghat Rouzbeh
Published: November 2021

Reducing the occurrence of pipe bursts, reducing leakage, and reducing energy consumption are the three main goals in implementing pressure control programs in water distribution networks. Service pressure regulation strategy is an evolved approach that encompasses all goals of pressure management. This paper has investigated this approach in a rural network with hydraulic complexities as a case study so that some parts of the network have excess pressure and other low pressure. A computer code based on the method of characteristics (MOC) has been developed for network hydraulic analysis. The generated code analyzes unsteady flow, pressure-driven demand analysis, and dynamic adjustment of pressure control valves based on the target node. Also, the experimental results of a laboratory network have been applied to validate and calibrate the numerical simulation. In addition, by measuring the flow rate and pressure of the network and the results of the minimum night flow method, three consumption patterns were used to generate pulsed nodal demands. Studies show that creating pressure-management areas by hydraulic analysis by MOC will determine the best control strategies. The mean pressure decreased 54% by applying this strategy. Furthermore, the average fluctuations of pressure reduced from 9.7 meters to 3.5 meters.
Rhodamine-B dye removal using aliquat-336 modified amberlite XAD-4 resin in fixed-bed columns in series
Authors: Iqbal Muzaffar , Datta Dipaloy
Published: November 2021

The present work reports studies on the effective removal of Rhodamine-B (RhB) using Aliquat-336 modified Amberlite XAD-4 resin in the fixed-bed columns in series. The effect of flow rate (Q = 2 to 6 mL·min−1), bed height (h = 3.5 to 7 cm) and initial RhB dye concentration (Cin = 10 to 20 mg·L−1) was studied. When a single column was used, 93% RhB dye was removed in 3 h at Q= 2 mL·min−1, Cin = 10 mg·L−1, and h = 7 cm. When three columns in series were used, almost 100% dye was removed until 80 h. The maximum breakthrough time (142 h) and saturation time (244 h) were found by keeping Q= 2 mL·min−1, h = 7 cm of each column and Cin = 10 mg·L−1. Mathematical modeling of the breakthrough curves was done by using Yoon-Nelson, Clark, Wolborska, and pore diffusion models. The Clark model best fitted the experimental data. The possible interaction mechanism between Aliquat-336 and RhB dye was proposed. The column was regenerated in continuous mode using 1 M HCl solution and maintaining a flow rate of 2 mL·min−1.
Investigation on the performance evaluation of vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland for the treatment of rural wastewater
Authors: Shruthi R. , Shivashankara G. P.
Published: November 2021

In a rural country like India, low cost and decentralized treatment units like the vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSSF CW) can be reflected as a novel wastewater system. In this concern, a pilot-scale VSSF CW unit of size 0.92 m × 0.92 m × 0.85 m bed planted with Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis was operated for a 12-month duration to treat simulated rural wastewater. During the operation, a constant head arrangement was made to maintain a continuous flow to achieve 5 different Hydraulic Retention Times (HRTs) of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days in each season, such as winter, summer and rainy, to investigate the performance of the unit under different retention times. The reactor showed optimum removal efficiency at 6 days HRT at 12.5 cm/day Hydraulic Loading Rate (HLR) for organic matter removal. Both macrophytes and the microbial biomass of filter media effectively treated the rural wastewater. Average removal efficiency of the reactor during the entire study was 64.73%–88.80% for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 74.96%–95.34% for Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 40.13%–79.45% for Ammonia Nitrogen, 25.36%–65.65% for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, 22.86%–58.48% for Phosphate phosphorus, 23.50%–55.45% for Total phosphorous, 74.91%–98.59% for Faecal Coliforms and 71.14%–95.31% for Total Coliforms respectively. Two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey's test showed that HRT had a significant impact on removal efficiency but not the season. Overall performance of the unit was good and study suggested that VSSF CW can be a smart alternative technology to treat rural wastewater before final disposal.
Interplay Between Endocannabinoid System and Neurodegeneration:
Focus on Polypharmacology
Authors: Seghetti Francesca , Gobbi Silvia , Belluti Federica , Rampa Angela , Bisi Alessandra
Published: November 2021

:

Pharmacological treatment of complex pathologies, such as neurodegenerative
diseases still represents a major challenge, due to the networked pathways involved in
their onset and progression that may require equally complex therapeutic approaches.
Polypharmacology, based on the simultaneous modulation of multiple targets involved in
the disease, may offer the potential to increase effectiveness and reduce the drawbacks related
to the use of drug combinations. Clearly, this approach requires both the knowledge
of the systems responsible for disease development and the discovery of new attractive
targets to be exploited to design a multitarget drug. Over the last years, an ever increasing
interest has focused on the endocannabinoid system, implicated in the modulation of several
physiological functions, among which neuroinflammation, a crucial process for most
neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, the cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 represents
a promising therapeutic target, being overexpressed in microglia cells and thus involved
in neuroinflammation. The indirect modulation of this system through the inhibition of
the main enzymes responsible for endocannabinoids metabolism, namely fatty acid amide
hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase, may also significantly affect neurodegenerative
processes. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the opportunities posed by the
endocannabinoid system for neurodegenerative diseases management, mainly focusing on
the potential for a multitarget strategy.
Effectiveness of a Mobile Device–Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Luo Yuanhui , Xia Wei , Cheung Ankie Tan , Ho Laurie Long Kwan , Zhang Jingping , Xie Jianhui , Xiao Pin , Li Ho Cheung William
Published: November 2021

Background

Caring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer.

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer.

Methods

Parents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention.

Results

The participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38).

Conclusions

The mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer.

Trial Registration

Clinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242
A Pipeline to Understand Emerging Illness Via Social Media Data Analysis: Case Study on Breast Implant Illness
Authors: Dey Vishal , Krasniak Peter , Nguyen Minh , Lee Clara , Ning Xia
Published: November 2021

Background

A new illness can come to public attention through social media before it is medically defined, formally documented, or systematically studied. One example is a condition known as breast implant illness (BII), which has been extensively discussed on social media, although it is vaguely defined in the medical literature.

Objective

The objective of this study is to construct a data analysis pipeline to understand emerging illnesses using social media data and to apply the pipeline to understand the key attributes of BII.

Methods

We constructed a pipeline of social media data analysis using natural language processing and topic modeling. Mentions related to signs, symptoms, diseases, disorders, and medical procedures were extracted from social media data using the clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System. We mapped the mentions to standard medical concepts and then summarized these mapped concepts as topics using latent Dirichlet allocation. Finally, we applied this pipeline to understand BII from several BII-dedicated social media sites.

Results

Our pipeline identified topics related to toxicity, cancer, and mental health issues that were highly associated with BII. Our pipeline also showed that cancers, autoimmune disorders, and mental health problems were emerging concerns associated with breast implants, based on social media discussions. Furthermore, the pipeline identified mentions such as rupture, infection, pain, and fatigue as common self-reported issues among the public, as well as concerns about toxicity from silicone implants.

Conclusions

Our study could inspire future studies on the suggested symptoms and factors of BII. Our study provides the first analysis and derived knowledge of BII from social media using natural language processing techniques and demonstrates the potential of using social media information to better understand similar emerging illnesses.
A Pipeline to Understand Emerging Illness Via Social Media Data Analysis: Case Study on Breast Implant Illness (Preprint)
Authors: Dey Vishal , Krasniak Peter , Nguyen Minh , Lee Clara , Ning Xia
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

A new illness can come to public attention through social media before it is medically defined, formally documented, or systematically studied. One example is a condition known as breast implant illness (BII), which has been extensively discussed on social media, although it is vaguely defined in the medical literature.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to construct a data analysis pipeline to understand emerging illnesses using social media data and to apply the pipeline to understand the key attributes of BII.

METHODS

We constructed a pipeline of social media data analysis using natural language processing and topic modeling. Mentions related to signs, symptoms, diseases, disorders, and medical procedures were extracted from social media data using the clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System. We mapped the mentions to standard medical concepts and then summarized these mapped concepts as topics using latent Dirichlet allocation. Finally, we applied this pipeline to understand BII from several BII-dedicated social media sites.

RESULTS

Our pipeline identified topics related to toxicity, cancer, and mental health issues that were highly associated with BII. Our pipeline also showed that cancers, autoimmune disorders, and mental health problems were emerging concerns associated with breast implants, based on social media discussions. Furthermore, the pipeline identified mentions such as rupture, infection, pain, and fatigue as common self-reported issues among the public, as well as concerns about toxicity from silicone implants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study could inspire future studies on the suggested symptoms and factors of BII. Our study provides the first analysis and derived knowledge of BII from social media using natural language processing techniques and demonstrates the potential of using social media information to better understand similar emerging illnesses.

CLINICALTRIAL
Machine Learning–Based Prediction Models for Different Clinical Risks in Different Hospitals: Evaluation of Live Performance (Preprint)
Authors: Sun Hong , Depraetere Kristof , Meesseman Laurent , Cabanillas Silva Patricia , Szymanowsky Ralph , Fliegenschmidt Janis , Hulde Nikolai , von Dossow Vera , Vanbiervliet Martijn , De Baerdemaeker Jos , Roccaro-Waldmeyer Diana M , Stieg Jörg , Domínguez Hidalgo Manuel , Dahlweid Fried-Michael
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Machine learning algorithms are currently used in a wide array of clinical domains to produce models that can predict clinical risk events. Most models are developed and evaluated with retrospective data, very few are evaluated in a clinical workflow, and even fewer report performances in different hospitals. In this study, we provide detailed evaluations of clinical risk prediction models in live clinical workflows for three different use cases in three different hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to evaluate clinical risk prediction models in live clinical workflows and compare their performance in these setting with their performance when using retrospective data. We also aimed at generalizing the results by applying our investigation to three different use cases in three different hospitals.

METHODS

We trained clinical risk prediction models for three use cases (ie, delirium, sepsis, and acute kidney injury) in three different hospitals with retrospective data. We used machine learning and, specifically, deep learning to train models that were based on the Transformer model. The models were trained using a calibration tool that is common for all hospitals and use cases. The models had a common design but were calibrated using each hospital’s specific data. The models were deployed in these three hospitals and used in daily clinical practice. The predictions made by these models were logged and correlated with the diagnosis at discharge. We compared their performance with evaluations on retrospective data and conducted cross-hospital evaluations.

RESULTS

The performance of the prediction models with data from live clinical workflows was similar to the performance with retrospective data. The average value of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) decreased slightly by 0.6 percentage points (from 94.8% to 94.2% at discharge). The cross-hospital evaluations exhibited severely reduced performance: the average AUROC decreased by 8 percentage points (from 94.2% to 86.3% at discharge), which indicates the importance of model calibration with data from the deployment hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Calibrating the prediction model with data from different deployment hospitals led to good performance in live settings. The performance degradation in the cross-hospital evaluation identified limitations in developing a generic model for different hospitals. Designing a generic process for model development to generate specialized prediction models for each hospital guarantees model performance in different hospitals.
Title: End user experience of Hayat app and dashboard: qualitative assessment of usability, community engagement and validity of data for antenatal care provision and routine immunization in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan (Preprint)
Authors: Tahir Hasan Nawaz , Zaidi Shehla , Riaz Atif , Sadia Afreen , Najmi Rabia , Sayani Saleem
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

An mHealth app was developed for front line health workers, to strengthen maternal, neonatal and child health services through increased transparency, accountability, and improved governance by collecting and disseminating real-time data. Key features included tracking frontline health workers through Global Positioning System during outreach visits, registration of clients; and recording data.

OBJECTIVE

In this paper we report the end user experiences of the captured during the qualitative end line study of the Hayat app. This includes perceptions and experience of the using the digital app with a focus on usability, validity of data, and community response. This paper aims to identify barriers and enablers to integration of mhealth and inform how digital technology can be utilized for strengthening the district health systems in LMICs.

METHODS

Qualitative assessment was carried out in select rural districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan and select catchments of Bamyan and in Badakshan Province in Afghanistan. Methods used for assessment included 17 focus group discussions with LHWs and 28 key informant interviews with health workers and key stakeholders. Thematic content analysis was undertaken based on an adapted framework derived from the World Health Organization guide for “Monitoring and Evaluating Digital Health Interventions” and technology acceptance model.

RESULTS

The study revealed high usability of the app both by the stakeholders. Overall, the app improved quality and timeliness of data, improved immunization coverage and maternal care through supportive supervision and monitoring of frontline health workers. Data validity improved and health managers were confident of the reliability of data collected through the app. However, connectivity issues, difficulty in access to remote sites, security issues, lack of incentives and increased workload were some of the perceived barriers identified by the end users.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of smart phone-based application has high acceptability among the HCPs, and has benefitted the existing health system functioning but providing reliable data, and better monitoring. However, successful integration of app in the health system will require inter sectorial collaboration to address the challenges identified in implementation.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Accuracy of Wearable Transdermal Alcohol Sensors: Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Brobbin Eileen , Deluca Paolo , Hemrage Sofia , Drummond Colin
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

There are a range of wearable transdermal alcohol sensors that are available and are being developed. These devices have the potential to monitor alcohol consumption continuously over extended periods in an objective manner, overcoming some of the limitations of other alcohol measurement methods (blood, breath, and urine).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our systematic review was to assess wearable transdermal alcohol sensor accuracy.

METHODS

A systematic search of the CINAHL, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus bibliographic databases was conducted in February 2021. In total, 2 team members (EB and SH) independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The methodological quality of each study was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The primary outcome was transdermal alcohol sensor accuracy. The data were presented as a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We identified and analyzed 32 studies. Study designs included laboratory, ambulatory, and mixed designs, as well as randomized controlled trials; the length of time for which the device was worn ranged from days to weeks; and the analyzed sample sizes ranged from 1 to 250. The results for transdermal alcohol concentration data from various transdermal alcohol sensors were generally found to positively correlate with breath alcohol concentration, blood alcohol concentration, and self-report (moderate to large correlations). However, there were some discrepancies between study reports; for example, WrisTAS sensitivity ranged from 24% to 85.6%, and specificity ranged from 67.5% to 92.94%. Higher malfunctions were reported with the BACtrack prototype (16%-38%) and WrisTAS (8%) than with SCRAM (2%); however, the former devices also reported a reduced time lag for peak transdermal alcohol concentration values when compared with SCRAM. It was also found that many companies were developing new models of wearable transdermal alcohol sensors.

CONCLUSIONS

As shown, there is a lack of consistency in the studies on wearable transdermal alcohol sensor accuracy regarding study procedures and analyses of findings, thus making it difficult to draw direct comparisons between them. This needs to be considered in future research, and there needs to be an increase in studies directly comparing different transdermal alcohol sensors. There is also a lack of research investigating the accuracy of transdermal alcohol sensors as a tool for monitoring alcohol consumption in clinical populations and use over extended periods. Although there is some preliminary evidence suggesting the accuracy of these devices, this needs to be further investigated in clinical populations.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42021231027; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=231027
Teamwork skills pada peer consultant writing center dan mahasiswa pengguna jasanya
Authors: Vebriana Gennesia , Rukmini Elisabeth
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Writing centers (WC) as a writing consultation would help students complete their scientific writing and improve their non-technical skills. This study aimed to determine the effect of WC on students' teamwork abilities. 

Data Collection Methods. This research is a cross-sectional descriptive and explorative study. The quantitative method measured students' teamwork utilizing the Teamwork Skills Questionnaire at three points of collection. The qualitative method collected data from in-depth interviews. Both types of data came from peer-consultants (PC) and users of WC services. 

Data Analysis. Quantitative data analysis used the repeated measure of one-way ANOVA, and qualitative data analysis used the content analysis.

Results and Discussion. We found that the p-value is 0.857 for the PC and 0.044 for the user from the data analysis. Results showed a significant increase in the user's teamwork ability. Although the quantitative results of the PC were not significant, from the qualitative analysis, PCs explained that the WC could train teamwork indirectly through communication skills, adaptation, leadership, and collaboration.

Conclusion. The teamwork skills that students have before and after the WC program was categorized as high. WC had a subtle influence on the teamwork ability of the PC and its users. We suggest that the university elaborate the WC as one of the students' services.