bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and sorption property study of Fe3O4/Al2O3/ZrO2 composite for the removal of cadmium, lead and chromium ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Tsegaye Fekadu , Taddesse Abi M. , Teju Endale , Aschalew Minbale 
Published: July 2020

Fe-Al-Zr ternary mixed oxides composite was synthesized via co-precipitation method for the removal Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The as-synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscope hyphenated with energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (SEM-EDX) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. The pH at the point of zero charge (pHpzc) of the sorbent and effect of ionic strength on sorption were also determined. The batch tests were conducted to optimize the various sorption parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, speed of agitation and initial metal concentration. The experimental results showed that the adsorbed amounts of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) tend to decrease with increase in pH. Freundlich isotherm model fits better the equilibrium data for the adsorbent. Kinetic data correlated better with both pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetic models. The spontaneous nature of the adsorption process was also confirmed from thermodynamic grounds. The nanosized adsorbent exhibited an adsorption efficiency of 96.65%, 96.55% and 97.2% for Cd(II), Cr(VI) and Pb(II), respectively, at optimum condition. Experimental results showed that the nanocomposite was effective for the removal of the title heavy metals from aqueous solution.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 105-121.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.10
Synthesis of Ag-Fe3O4 nanoparticles for degradation of methylene blue in aqueous medium
Authors: Saeed Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Muneer Majid , Akram Nadia , Haq Atta ul , Tariq Muhammad , Akram Fiza 
Published: July 2020

Fe3O4 known as magnetite is one of the oxides of iron which plays a major role in various fields of sciences. Fe3O4 was synthesized by precipitation method using NH3.H2O, FeCl2.4H2O and FeCl3.6H2O as precursor materials. For synthesis of 5% Ag-Fe3O4, the green synthetic method was used for immobilization of Ag nanoparticles on Fe3O4 using leaves extract of Calotropis gigantea plant. The synthesized Fe3O4 and 5% Ag-Fe3O4 were employed as catalyst in degradation of methylene blue. The photo catalytic activity of Fe3O4 was remarkably enhanced by doping of Fe3O4 with Ag nanoparticles. Advanced instrumental techniques including XRD, EDX, TGA and SEM were used for characterization of synthesized particles. The immobilization of Ag on Fe3O4 enhanced the photo degradation of methylene blue from 40 to 72% at 40 °C which confirms that 5% Ag-Fe3O4 is an active catalyst for treatment of dye contaminated water. Ag-Fe3O4 exhibited almost same catalytic activity in two successive cycles.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 123-134.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.11
Hexavalent chromium reduction from real electroplating wastewater by chemical precipitation
Authors: Verma Bharti , Balomajumder Chandrajit 
Published: July 2020

The immense use of chromium in the electroplating process leads to the discharge of hexavalent chromium in its effluent. Since Cr(VI) is highly toxic, its exposure poses an acute risk of health. On the contrary, Cr(III) which is naturally occurring, is much less toxic than Cr(VI). Therefore the easiest way to deal with Cr(VI) is to reduce it into its trivalent form. Exhaustive chemical analysis was done to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). And after the reduction process, precipitating agents such as (Ca(OH)2), (NaOH) and a combination of the two were used to precipitate Cr(III) as hydroxides. Various parameters were varied and optimized. It was observed that the % Cr(VI) reduction increased from 88% to 99.97% when the dosage of sodium metabisulfite increased from 40 mg/L to 100 mg/L at a pH of 2. The maximum removal of 98.2% was achieved by using the combination of Ca(OH)2 + NaOH at a pH of 9.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 67-74.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.6
Selective transportation of molybdenum from model and ore through poly inclusion membrane
Authors: Ali Nauman , Naz Nasiha , Shah Ziarat , Ali shah Anwar ul Haq , Khan Adnan , Nawaz Rubila 
Published: July 2020

The extraction of molybdenum from the aqueous solution through poly inclusion membrane (PIM) containing tri-caprylylmethylammonium chloride (Aliquat-336) as a carrier has been investigated. A solution of molybdenum in phosphoric acid was used as a feed side while sodium hydroxide was used as stripping reagent. The results indicate that maximum flux value was obtained at 0.16 M Aliquat-336. Increase in H3PO4 concentration from 0.05 to 1.5 M results into an increase in molybdenum ions. The maximum flux of 3.00×10−6 mol/m2s through PIM was found at 1.5 M H3PO4. The optimized conditions were applied for removal of Mo(VI) from ore and more than 97 % Mo(VI) was extracted.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 93-104.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.9
Prevalence and correlates of prehypertension and hypertension among adults in Delta State, Nigeria: a cross-sectional community-based study
Authors: Umuerri Ejiroghene M. , Aiwuyo Henry O. 
Published: July 2020

Background: There are indications that prehypertension precedes hypertension. Like hypertension, it is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.Objective: To determine the prevalence, awareness and correlates of prehypertension and hypertension among adults in Delta State, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We recruited adults aged ≥18 years from two communities in Delta State, Nigeria, using the multi-stage sampling technique. The study instrument was a modified WHO-STEPS questionnaire.Prehypertension and hypertension were defined using the JNC-7 criteria. Ethical approval was obtained before the recruitment of participants.
Results: Of the 852 adults studied, the mean (±SD) age was 42.64 (±16.07) years, females (55.9%) and urban dwellers (55.8%). The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension were 42.5% and 29.3%, respectively; both were higheramong urban dwellers. The peak age-group for prehypertension and hypertension were 25-34 and 35-44 years, respectively. Awareness of hypertension was low; 12.0% (102/852). Blood pressure category significantly correlatedwith age, body mass index, place of residence, level of education, employment status and fruit intake.
Conclusion: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in this study were high. Based on the premise that prehypertension is a precursor of hypertension and occurred more among youths, the higher prevalence of prehypertensiongives an inkling to rising prevalence of hypertension.
Keywords: Prehypertension, hypertension, adults, Nigeria, WHO STEPS
Funding: Nil
Self-reported adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Eribo Ekiuwa V. , Adeleye Omokhoa A. 
Published: July 2020

Background: Non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) favours drug resistance and wastes resources. These have negative implications for personal and public health.
Objective: To assess adherence levels, the associated factors and its association with increase in CD4 cell count in people living with HIV (PLHIVs).
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, systematically selected adult PLHIVs attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria self-reported their 28-day adherence to HAART and reasons for missing doses using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Their 6-month difference in CD4 cell count was also assessed.
Results: The participants totalled 425. Their mean age was 38.6 (SD, 10.1) years and 309 (72.7%) had secondary or tertiary education. The 28-day mean adherence level was 96.8% (SD, 7.9%) and 354 (83.3%) participants had optimaladherence (≥ 95%). Socio-demographic characteristics, side effects and having human reminders were not associated with adherence level, but 100% adherence level since placement on HAART was positively associated with a 6-monthincrease in CD4 cell count (p < 0.01; OR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.21 – 2.89). Reasons given by 156 respondents for missing doses included being too busy, 100 (64.1%), forgetting, 85 (54.5%) and sleeping off, 42 (26.9%).
Conclusion: Mean adherence was high and the majority of participants had optimal adherence. “Never missing a dose” was associated with improved CD4 cell counts, indicating better prognosis. Socio-demographic factors, side effects and human reminders were not associated with an increase in adherence. However, as there is no evidence that adherence improvement measures are detrimental, their use is still recommended.
Keywords: Medication adherence, HAART, HIV, drug resistance, Nigeria,
Funding: None declared
Autoeficacia en estudiantes universitarios: el rol del empoderamiento académico
Authors: Tumino Marisa Cecilia , Quinde Josué Mauricio , Lilian Noemí Casali  , Melissa Raquel Valega  
Published: July 2020

La autoeficacia académica constituye un factor importante para el desempeño óptimo en la universidad. En el actual modelo de enseñanza- aprendizaje, el empoderamiento académico aparece como un proceso que facilita la adquisición de herramientas necesarias para desarrollar la autoeficacia. El empoderamiento del estudiante puede potenciar su accionar para mejorar sus habilidades, adaptarse y transformar su entorno.
El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación entre el empoderamiento académico y la autoeficacia de los estudiantes universitarios. Para ello se analizaron los datos de 440 estudiantes de diferentes años y carreras, mediante tres escalas tipo Likert adaptadas al ámbito académico. Se aplicaron correlaciones de Pearson y ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) a las variables estudiadas. Los resultados han mostrado que el Empoderamiento Psicológico desempeña un papel mediador entre el Empoderamiento Estructural y la Autoeficacia. Estos resultados destacan el papel trascendente de las condiciones estructurales que deben sostener el proceso de aprendizaje.
A Study on Assessment of Communication Skills and Perceived Barriers among Medical Students
Authors: Tenglikar Pallavi V , Mendagudli Roopa R , Nigudgi Shantkumar R 
Published: July 2020

ntroduction: Good communication skills are a core competency for all health professionals. Any formal training on communication is in not given to students in the present curriculum. Hence the study was conducted to assess existing level of communication skills and student perceived communication barriers among third year medical students.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of a medical college for 2 months among a convenient sample of 40 medical students. The existing levels of communication skills of students were assessed using Kalamazoo Essential elements check list and communication barriers as perceived the student were obtained using a pretested questionnaire.
Results: The communication skills were very good in 50% of students, 20% excellent and 30% were having poor to average skills. Majority of the students reported lack of familiarity with place and person as a barrier [78.3% males, 58.8% females] followed by perceived interpersonal barriers like age difference, socioeconomic class difference.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that most of the students have very good level of communication skills, but still 30% were falling in poor to average levels. All students perceived one or the other barriers for communication but more so with familiarity with place and person. Formal training of students on communication skills in curriculum is necessary to overcome various barriers and enable them to communicate effectively.
NCCN Task Force Report: Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Carlson Robert W. , Brown Elizabeth , Burstein Harold J. , Gradishar William J. , Hudis Clifford A. , Loprinzi Charles , Mamounas Eleftherios Paul , Perez Edith A. , Pritchard Kathleen , Ravdin Peter , Recht Abram , Somlo George , Theriault Richard L. , Winer Eric P. , Wolff Antonio C. , _ _ 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) first published the NCCN Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines in 1996. The Guidelines address the treatment of all stages of breast cancer across the spectrum of patient care and have been updated yearly. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer has undergone an especially rapid evolution over the past few years. Therefore, the NCCN Breast Cancer Guidelines Panel was supplemented by additional experts to form the Adjuvant Therapy Task Force to provide a forum for an extended discussion and expanded input to the adjuvant therapy recommendations for the Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines. Issues discussed included methods of risk-stratification for recurrence; how biologic markers such as HER2 status, quantitative estrogen receptor, or genetic markers can be incorporated as prognostic or predictive factors; and how age, menopausal status, and estrogen receptor levels impact benefits from chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Additionally, the task force discussed the strategies for use of aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal women and the potential incorporation of trastuzumab into adjuvant therapy of women with HER2/neu positive breast cancer. This supplement summarizes the background data and ensuing discussion from the Adjvuant Task Force meeting. (JNCCN 2006;4[suppl 1]:S-1–S-26)
Erreur de diagnostic : préférences adaptatives et impérialisme
Authors: Lemay Marie-Pier 
Published: July 2020

Cet article porte sur le concept de préférence adaptative tel qu’il est apparu en philosophie féministe politique et anglophone depuis les années 2000. Ce concept désigne les préférences formées conformément à un milieu oppressif et qui vont à l’encontre du bien-être. Dans un premier temps, il sera question des deux théorisations les plus influentes à l’heure actuelle : celles développées par les philosophes Martha Nussbaum et Serene Khader. Ensuite, j’évaluerai ces positions à l’aune des récents travaux des anthropologues féministes Saba Mahmood et Lila Abu-Lughod, dans lesquels elles remettent en question le projet politique de la philosophie féministe sous-jacent aux préférences adaptatives.
France Daigle : le roman mode d’emploi
Authors: Gauvin Lise 
Published: July 2020

Au moment où France Daigle commence à publier, la littérature acadienne compte déjà des auteurs reconnus, dont Antonine Maillet qui a reçu le prix Goncourt, des maisons d’édition, des prix littéraires et une critique qui recense les oeuvres publiées. Mais « de sa cohabitation forcée avec la majorité anglophone, dont chaque concession doit être durement négociée, [l’Acadie] hérite d’un sentiment de minorisation » ou d’« illégitimité profondément ancré dans son inconscient collectif » (Boudreau, 2004). Dans un pareil contexte, comment structurer l’intégration des langues dans le roman ? Quels risques l’écrivain acadien court-il en utilisant le parler vernaculaire dans ses écrits ? Quelle distance s’établit-il entre sa propre compétence langagière et celle de ses personnages ? Ce sont les questions auxquelles tente de répondre France Daigle dans ses ouvrages, notamment,La beauté de l’affaire : fiction autobiographique à plusieurs voix sur son rapport tortueux au langage(1991),1953 : chronique d’une naissance annoncée(1995),Pas pire(1998) etPour sûr(2011), fictions qui renvoient à une discussion explicite sur la façon de penser et de parler la langue et à une manière subversive de concevoir la forme romanesque.
D’une conscience du désastre à la poétique du réenchantement : Biblique des derniers gestes, Écrire en pays dominé, Un dimanche au cachot et Les neuf consciences du Malfini de Patrick Chamoiseau
Authors: Crainic Corina 
Published: July 2020

Biblique des derniers gestes (2002), Écrire en pays dominé (1997), Un dimanche au cachot (2007) et Les neuf consciences du Malfini (2009), de Patrick Chamoiseau, agissent comme les échos d’oeuvres telles que L’esclave vieil homme et le molosse (1997), explorant ce que nous définissions, à la suite de Dominique Chancé, comme la volonté de réenchanter le monde. Et celle-ci est à saisir tout comme elle semble être à constituer, c’est-à-dire par la recherche d’un équilibre délicat et, par moments, inatteignable entre la conscience de la détresse et celle de l’espoir. La manière de procéder est singulière, dans la mesure où elle inscrit l’humour, la joie et, surtout, l’espoir là où il n’y a a priori que désolation. C’est alors l’opulence de la poétique qui est envisagée, singulière, susceptible qu’elle serait d’épuiser l’aporie grâce à la pratique, tout aussi déconcertante que prometteuse, de la prise de distance, du doute (Descartes, 1979 [1641]) et de la « verticalité qui écartèle » (Bachelard, 2016 [1943]). Ainsi, une poétique du réenchantement puisant à la fois à la conscience du désastre et à certaines pensées de Blanchot (1980), cette étonnante transcendance du vivre, permettrait d’approcher, même de manière lacunaire, une cime de la conscience, si ce n’est de la sensibilité.
Le commun est-il le sujet du pluriel ?
Authors: Thériault Joseph Yvon 
Published: July 2020

Le pluralisme postmoderne est au coeur des analyses compréhensives des sociétés contemporaines. Comme paradigme, il est aussi de plus en plus utilisé pour comprendre la réalité sociohistorique des communautés minoritaires francophones canadiennes, notamment l’Acadie. J’affirme ici que le paradigme pluraliste est inadéquat pour comprendre le cheminement historique d’une minorité nationale, d’une communauté d’histoire. Il ne peut rendre compte d’un sujet acadien. Cette démonstration est basée sur : 1) une critique du paradigme pluraliste et, 2) de son utilisation dans l’étude des francophonies minoritaires ; 3) un rappel de la centralité du sujet dans les démocraties modernes et, 4) de la compréhension de l’Acadie historique comme sujet moderne ; 5) enfin, sur l’idée que le commun ne permet pas de saisir toute la complexité du sujet. L’histoire du sujet (acadien), c’est l’histoire de l’articulation du monde systémique (l’économie, les régulations technoscientifiques, l’État) à une référence culturelle. L’analyse du sujet n’est pas le repliement d’une référence sur elle-même, elle est l’histoire de la constitution d’une pluralité dans un monde commun.
Prognostic value of complementary biomarkers of neurodegeneration in a mixed memory clinic cohort
Authors: Gramkow Mathias Holsey , Gjerum Le , Koikkalainen Juha , Lötjönen Jyrki , Law Ian , Hasselbalch Steen Gregers , Waldemar Gunhild , Frederiksen Kristian Steen 
Published: July 2020

Background
Biomarkers of neurodegeneration, e.g. MRI brain atrophy and [18F]FDG-PET hypometabolism, are often evaluated in patients suspected of neurodegenerative disease.

Objective
Our primary objective was to investigate prognostic properties of atrophy and hypometabolism.

Methods
From March 2015-June 2016, 149 patients referred to a university hospital memory clinic were included. The primary outcome was progression/stable disease course as assessed by a clinician at 12 months follow-up. Intracohort defined z-scores of baseline MRI automatic quantified volume and [18F]FDG-PET standardized uptake value ratios were calculated for all unilaterally defined brain lobes and dichotomized as pronounced atrophy (+A)/ pronounced hypometabolism (+H) at z-score <0. A logistic regression model with progression status as the outcome was carried out with number of lobes with the patterns +A/-H, -A/+H, +A/+H respectively as predictors. The model was mutually adjusted along with adjustment for age and sex. A sensitivity analysis with a z-score dichotomization at −0.1 and −0.5 and dichotomization regarding number of lobes affected at one and three lobes was done.

Results
Median follow-up time was 420 days [IQR: 387-461 days] and 50 patients progressed. Patients with two or more lobes affected by the pattern +A/+H compared to patients with 0–1 lobes affected had a statistically significant increased risk of progression (odds ratio, 95 % confidence interval: 4.33, 1.90–9.86) in a multivariable model. The model was partially robust to the applied sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion
Combined atrophy and hypometabolism as assessed by MRI and [18F]FDG-PET in patients under suspicion of neurodegenerative disease predicts progression over 1 year.
An advanced data collection procedure in bivariate drought frequency analysis
Authors: Amirataee Babak , Montaseri Majid , Rezaie Hossein 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn recent years, the bivariate frequency analysis of drought duration and severity using independent drought events and copula functions has been under extensive application. Meanwhile, emphasis on the procedure of independent drought data collection leads to the omission of the actual potential of short‐term extreme droughts within a long‐term independent drought. However, a long‐term individual continuous drought as an Unconnected Drought Runs can be considered as a combination of short‐term Connected Drought Runs. Thus, an advanced and new procedure of data collection in the bivariate drought characteristics analysis has been developed in this study. The results indicated a high relative advantage of the new proposed procedure in analysing bivariate drought characteristics (i.e., drought duration and severity frequency analysis). This advantage has been reflected in the more appropriate determination of the best copula and significant reduction in the uncertainty of bivariate drought frequency analysis.
Individualized SAR calculations using computer vision‐based MR segmentation and a fast electromagnetic solver
Authors: Milshteyn Eugene , Guryev Georgy , Torrado‐Carvajal Angel , Adalsteinsson Elfar , White Jacob K. , Wald Lawrence L. , Guerin Bastien 
Published: July 2020

PurposeWe propose a fast, patient‐specific workflow for on‐line specific absorption rate (SAR) supervision. An individualized electromagnetic model is created while the subject is on the table, followed by rapid SAR estimates for that individual. Our goal is an improved correspondence between the patient and model, reducing reliance on general anatomical body models.MethodsA 3D fat‐water 3T acquisition (~2 minutes) is automatically segmented using a computer vision algorithm (~1 minute) into what we found to be the most important electromagnetic tissue classes: air, bone, fat, and soft tissues. We then compute the individual’s EM field exposure and global and local SAR matrices using a fast electromagnetic integral equation solver. We assess the approach in 10 volunteers and compare to the SAR seen in a standard generic body model (Duke).ResultsThe on‐the‐table workflow averaged 7′44″. Simulation of the simplified Duke models confirmed that only air, bone, fat, and soft tissue classes are needed to estimate global and local SAR with an error of 6.7% and 2.7%, respectively, compared to the full model. In contrast, our volunteers showed a 16.0% and 20.3% population variability in global and local SAR, respectively, which was mostly underestimated by the Duke model.ConclusionTimely construction and deployment of a patient‐specific model is computationally feasible. The benefit of resolving the population heterogeneity compared favorably to the modest modeling error incurred. This suggests that individualized SAR estimates can improve electromagnetic safety in MRI and possibly reduce conservative safety margins that account for patient‐model mismatch, especially in non‐standard patients.