bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining the content of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, and As) in herbal plants collected from different sites in northern Vietnam
Authors: VUONG Truong Xuan 
Published: February 2021

Plants might contain heavy metals from the surrounding polluted environment. Medicinal herb and plants, commonly used in Vietnam, may pose a risk to public health when polluted with heavy metals such as Pb, Cd and As. This study aims to investigate the content of Pb, Cd, and As in five selected herb plants (Phyllanthus urinaria L., Plantago asiatica L., Eleusine indica L., Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr, and Artemisia vulgaris L.). The samples were collected from natural sites in some provinces in northern Vietnam. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As were determined by the Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The content of Pb, Cd and As was 0.247 ÷ 32.080 mg kg-1, 0.000 ÷ 1.099 mg kg-1, 0.000 ÷ 2.261 mg kg-1, respectively. A total of 50 out of the 58 investigated samples had concentrations of Pb, Cd, As lower than the permissible values of the World Health Organization (WHO). The remaining samples had contents of Pb or Cd or As significantly higher than the permissible limit defined by WHO.
Thực vật có thể bị ô nhiễm do hấp thụ kim loại nặng từ môi trường ô nhiễm xung quanh. Các loại cây thảo dược được sử dụng phổ biến làm thuốc chữa bệnh ở Việt Nam. Chúng có thể gây nguy hiểm cho sức khỏe cộng đồng khi bị ô nhiễm kim loại nặng (Pb, Cd...vv.). Nghiên cứu này nhằm điều tra hàm lượng Pb, Cd và As trong năm loại cây thảo dược (cây Diệp Hạ Châu, cây Mã Đề, cây Cỏ Mần Trầu, cây Sài Đất và cây Ngải Cứu). Các mẫu cây này được lấy từ các địa điểm mọc tự nhiên ở một số tỉnh khác nhau thuộc khu vực miền bắc Việt Nam. Hàm lượng của Pb, Cd, và As được xác định bằng phương pháp ICP-MS. Hàm lượng Pb, Cd và As trong các mẫu phân tích lần lượt nằm trong khoảng là 0.247 ÷ 32.080 mg. Kg-1, 0.000 ÷ 1.099 mg. Kg-1, 0.000 ÷ 2.261 mg. Kg-1. 50 trên 58 mẫu phân tích có hàm lượng Pb, Cd, As thấp hơn giới hạn cho phép do tổ chức y tế thế giới (WHO) quy định. Có 8 trên 58 mẫu cây phân tích có hàm lượng Pb hoặc, Cd hoặc As cao hơn tiêu chuẩn giới hạn của WHO.
Sesgos de género en la Educación Superior en España: propuestas de actuación
Authors: Megías-Bas Antonio 
Published: February 2021

En 1857, la Ley de Instrucción Pública (“Ley Moyano”) estableció que la enseñanza elemental fuera obligatoria y gratuita, tanto para niños como para niñas. Sin embargo, implantó diferencias en su formación académica, como consecuencia de las tareas y funciones asignados a cada sexo, repercutiendo, por consiguiente, en el acceso de las mujeres a la universidad. Las líneas fundamentales de esta ley se mantuvieron vigentes hasta finales del siglo XX. Tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial se inicia, desde organismos internacionales, la lucha contra las desigualdades entre mujeres y hombres. España cuenta con un marco legal a favor de la igualdad entre ambos, pero si se analiza, comprobamos que existen barreras que no son contempladas explícitamente en el ordenamiento jurídico, pero sí están presentes en la práctica, las cuales perpetúan la discriminación de las mujeres. Con el presente artículo se analizan los sesgos de género que actualmente persisten en la Educación Superior en España, así como la incoherencia entre el desarrollo legislativo y las prácticas cotidianas en las universidades, para alcanzar la igualdad real entre mujeres y hombres. La discriminación de las mujeres se constata tanto en el acceso a los puestos académicos de mayor categoría (cátedras), como a los de gestión (rectorados), por la pervivencia de sesgos de género en el sistema educativo universitario. Finalmente, se realizan propuestas para erradicar los sesgos de género y la violencia contra las mujeres en las universidades, en toda su estructura.
Low threshold soliton and a noise-like pulse conversion in an all-polarization-maintaining figure-eight cavity
Authors: Yuan Quan , Wang Tianshu , Ma Wanzhuo , Ji Haiying , Xiong Hao , Xu Yameng 
Published: February 2021

We experimentally report a low threshold soliton and a noise-like mode-locked fiber laser using an all-polarization-maintaining figure-eight cavity. We built a bidirectional pump structure without a phase shifter at the beginning of the experiment. The resonator has a high mode-locking threshold of 620 mW. Afterwards, we used a phase shifter in the resonator, and the laser can self-start in a conventional soliton (CS) mode-locked state when pump1 reaches the threshold of only 70 mW. The CS pulse with a duration of 863.8 fs can be observed at 1560 nm. When the two pump powers increase to 350 mW and 50 mW, the conventional soliton can convert to noise-like pulses. The central wavelength and pulse duration of noise-like mode-locked pulse are 1560.4 nm and 417.9 fs, respectively. The laser can realize conversion between ultrafast pulses and high-energy pulses, and have a low threshold that can be used for nonlinear frequency conversion, supercontinuum generation, sensing, etc.
Clinical outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction versus femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK for high myopia: A meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Yanyan , Yin Yewei , Wu Xiaoying , Li Yuanjun , Xiang Aiqun , Lu Ying , Fu Qiuman , Hu Tu , Du Kaixuan , Wen Dan 
Published: February 2021

AimTo compare postoperative clinical outcomes of high myopia after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).MethodsFrom March 2018 to July 2020, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and several Chinese databases were comprehensively searched. The studies meeting the criteria were selected and included; the data were extracted by 2 independent authors. The clinical outcome parameters were analyzed with RevMan 5.3.ResultsThis meta-analysis included twelve studies involving 766 patients (1400 eyes: 748 receiving SMILE and 652 receiving FS-LASIK). Pooled results revealed no significant differences in the following outcomes: the logarithm of the mean angle of resolution (logMAR) of postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.02 to 0.00, I2= 0%, P = 0.07 at 1 mo; WMD = -0.00, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.01, I2= 0%, P = 0.83 at 3 mo; WMD = -0.00, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.00, I2= 32%, P = 0.33 in the long term), and the postoperative mean refractive spherical equivalent (WMD = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.09 to 0.03, I2= 13%, P = 0.30). However, the SMILE group had significantly better postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) than the FS-LASIK group (WMD = -0.04, 95% CI, -0.05 to -0.02, I2= 0%, P<0.00001). In the long term, postoperative total higher-order aberration (WMD = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.07, I2= 7%, P<0.00001) and postoperative spherical aberration (WMD = -0.15, 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.11, I2= 29%, P<0.00001) were lower in the SMILE group than in the FS-LASIK group; a significant difference was also found in postoperative coma (WMD = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.06 to -0.03, I2= 30%, P<0.00001).ConclusionFor patients with high myopia, both SMILE and FS-LASIK are safe, efficacious and predictable. However, the SMILE group demonstrated advantages over the FS-LASIK group in terms of postoperative CDVA, while SMILE induced less aberration than FS-LASIK. It remains to be seen whether SMILE can provide better visual quality than FS-LASIK; further comparative studies focused on high myopia are necessary.
A multidimensional functional fitness score has a stronger association with type 2 diabetes than obesity parameters in cross sectional data
Authors: Patil Pramod , Lalwani Poortata , Vidwans Harshada , Kulkarni Shubhankar , Bais Deepika , Diwekar-Joshi Manawa , Rasal Mayur , Bhasme Nikhila , Naik Mrinmayee , Batwal Shweta , Watve Milind 
Published: February 2021

Objectives
We examine here the association of multidimensional functional fitness with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as compared to anthropometric indices of obesity such as body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) in a sample of Indian population.

Research design and method
We analysed retrospective data of 663 volunteer participants (285 males and 378 females between age 28 and 84), from an exercise clinic in which every participant was required to undergo a health related physical fitness (HRPF) assessment consisting of 15 different tasks examining 8 different aspects of functional fitness.

Results
The odds of being diabetic in the highest quartile of BMI were not significantly higher than that in the lowest quartile in either of the sexes. The odds of being a diabetic in the highest WHR quartile were significantly greater than the lowest quartile in females (OR = 4.54 (1.95, 10.61) as well as in males (OR = 3.81 (1.75, 8.3). In both sexes the odds of being a diabetic were significantly greater in the lowest quartile of HRPF score than the highest (males OR = 10.52 (4.21, 26.13); females OR = 10.50 (3.53, 31.35)). After removing confounding, the predictive power of HRPF was significantly greater than that of WHR. HRPF was negatively correlated with WHR, however for individuals that had contradicting HRPF and WHR based predictions, HRPF was the stronger predictor of T2DM.

Conclusion
The association of multidimensional functional fitness score with type 2 diabetes was significantly stronger than obesity parameters in a cross sectional self-selected sample from an Indian city.
Skewed logit model for analyzing correlated infant morbidity data
Authors: Mwenda Ngugi , Nduati Ruth , Kosgei Mathew , Kerich Gregory 
Published: February 2021

Background
Infant morbidity is a topic of interest because it is used globally as an indicator of the status of health care in a country. A large body of evidence supports an association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and infant morbidity. When estimating the relationship between the predictors and the estimated variable of morbidity severity, the latter exhibits imbalanced data, which means that violation of symmetry is expected. Two competing methods of analysis, that is, (1) probit and (2) logit techniques, can be considered in this context and have been applied to model such outcomes. However, these models may yield inconsistent results. While non-normal modeling approaches have been embraced in the recent past, the skewed logit model has been given little attention. In this study, we exemplify its usefulness in analyzing imbalanced longitudinal responses data.

Methodology
While numerous non-normal methods for modeling binomial responses are well established, there is a need for comparison studies to assess their usefulness in different scenarios, especially under a longitudinal setting. This is addressed in this study. We use a dataset from Kenya about infants born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive mothers, who are also screened for BV. We aimed to investigate the effect of BV on infant morbidity across time. We derived a score for morbidity incidences depending on illnesses reported during the month of reference. By adjusting for the mother’s BV status, the child’s HIV status, sex, feeding status, and weight for age, we estimated the standard binary logit and skewed logit models, both using Generalized Estimating Equations.

Results
Results show that accounting for skewness in imbalanced binary data can show associations between variables in line with expectations documented by the literature. In addition, an in-depth analysis accounting for skewness has shown that, over time, maternal BV is associated with multiple health conditions in infants.

Interpretation
Maternal BV status was positively associated with infant morbidity incidences, which highlights the need for early intervention in cases of HIV-infected pregnant women.
Molecular characterization and the mutation pattern of SARS-CoV-2 during first and second wave outbreaks in Hiroshima, Japan
Authors: Ko Ko , Nagashima Shintaro , E. Bunthen , Ouoba Serge , Akita Tomoyuki , Sugiyama Aya , Ohisa Masayuki , Sakaguchi Takemasa , Tahara Hidetoshi , Ohge Hiroki , Ohdan Hideki , Kubo Tatsuhiko , Kishita Eisaku , Kuwabara Masao , Takahashi Kazuaki , Tanaka Junko 
Published: February 2021

Background
In this study, we performed molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Hiroshima and its mutation pattern between the first and second waves of the outbreak.

Method
A total of 55 nasal swab samples from the first wave in Hiroshima and 13 from the second wave were examined quantitatively by RT-qPCR and qualitatively by nested PCR using specific primers. Four samples from each wave underwent next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis including controls and all sequences retrieved in Japan from GISAID and GenBank. Subsequently, mutations were examined.

Results
Viral load ranged 7.85 × 101−1.42 × 108 copies/ml. Of 68 samples, one was Asian type-O, 65 were European type-GR, and 2 were undetectable. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that Japan was infected with various Asian strains (L, S, V, O) from January through April. By second week of March, European strains (G, GH, GR) had appeared, and GR strains became predominant after mid-March. The first case in Hiroshima was classified as Asian strain O, and the rest were GR strains. Then, second wave of GR strains appeared independently with 11–15 base mutations. Comparing the first- and second-wave GR strains, mutation rate was 1.17–1.36 × 10−3 base substitutions per site per year; in addition, amino acid changes occurred at S1361P and P3371S in ORF1a, A314V in ORF1b, and P151L in N. All seven GR strains were D614G variants with R202K and G203R mutations in N. A single-nucleotide insertion in ORF8 that causes a defect in ORF8 protein was found in one isolate (S66) from the second wave.

Conclusion
Our findings reveal the evolutionary hierarchy of SARS-CoV-2 in Japan. The predominant D614G variants and a new form of ORF8 deletion in Hiroshima provide the clue for role of viral factor in local outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2.
Acute kidney injury in patients with severe COVID-19 in Mexico
Authors: Casas-Aparicio Gustavo A. , León-Rodríguez Isabel , Alvarado-de la Barrera Claudia , González-Navarro Mauricio , Peralta-Prado Amy B. , Luna-Villalobos Yara , Velasco-Morales Alejandro , Calderón-Dávila Natalia , Ormsby Christopher E. , Ávila-Ríos Santiago 
Published: February 2021

Introduction
Some patients with COVID-19 pneumonia present systemic disease involving multiple systems. There is limited information about the clinical characteristics and events leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). We described the factors associated with the development of AKI and explored the relation of AKI and mortality in Mexican population with severe COVID-19.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of individuals with severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at the largest third-level reference institution for COVID-19 care in Mexico between March and April 2020. Demographic information, comorbidities, clinical and laboratory data, dates of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and hospitalization, mechanical-ventilator settings and use of vasoactive drugs were recorded.

Results
Of 99 patients studied, 58 developed AKI (58.6%). The risk factors for AKI were older age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01–1.13, p = 0.024); obesity (OR = 6.58, 95% CI = 1.8–24.05, p = 0.040); and the need for IMV (OR = 6.18, CI = 1.29–29.58, p = 0.023). The risk factors for mortality were obesity (OR = 5.57, 95% CI = 1.48–20.93, p = 0.011); requirement of vasoactive drugs on admission (OR = 5.35, 95% CI = 1.16–24.61, p = 0.031); and AKI (OR = 8.61, 95% CI = 2.24–33.1, p = 0.002). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with AKI stage 3 (79.3%) and AKI stage 2 (68.7%) compared with those with AKI stage 1 (25%; p = 0.004). Fifty-three patients underwent the furosemide stress test (FST) to predict progression to AKI stage 3. Of those, 12 progressed to AKI stage 3 (22%). The ROC curve for the FST had an AUC of 0.681 (p = 0.009); a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 54.5%.

Conclusions
AKI was common in our cohort of patients with severe pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk factors for AKI were older age, obesity and the need for of IMV on admission. The risk factors for mortality were obesity, requirement of vasoactive drugs on admission and AKI. Mortality was more frequent in patients with AKI stages 2–3. The FST had an acceptable predictive capacity to identify patients progressing to AKI stage 3.
Estimating the disease burden of Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus patients considering its complications
Authors: Kim Juyoung , Yoon Seok-Jun , Jo Min-Woo 
Published: February 2021

Background
The burden of diabetes is considerable not only globally but also nationally within Korea. The Global Burden of Disease study derived the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of diabetes depending on its complications as individual severity using prevalence-based approach from 2017. Conversely, the Korean National Burden of Disease study based on an incidence-based approach does not incorporate the severity of diseases. This study aimed to simulate incidence-based DALYs of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), given diabetic complications as disease severity using a Markov model.

Methods
We developed a model with six Markov states, including incident and existing prevalent cases of diabetes and its complications and death. We assumed that diabetes and its complications would not be cured. The cycle length was one year, and the endpoint of the simulation was 100 years. A 5% discount rate was adopted in the analysis. Transition cases were counted by 5-year age groups above 30 years of age. Age- and sex-specific transition probabilities were calculated based on the incident rate.

Results
The total DALY estimates of T2DM were 5,417 and 3,934 per 100,000 population in men and women, respectively. The years of life lost in men were relatively higher than those in women in most age groups except the 80–84 age group. The distribution of years lived with disability by gender and age group showed a bell shape, peaking in the 55–59 age group in men and 65–69 age group in women.

Conclusions
The burden of T2DM considering its complications was larger compared to the outcomes from previous studies, with more precise morbid duration using the Markov model.
Avaliação das temperaturas de superfície obtidas por sensoriamento remoto nas estações seca e chuvosa
Authors: Nunes Leticia Gonçalves , Menezes Filho Frederico Carlos Martins de 
Published: February 2021

As ilhas de calor estão presentes no meio urbano possuindo como alguns fatores contribuintes para sua ocorrência, a supressão de áreas verdes e aumento de superfícies impermeáveis. Para estimar a temperatura de superfície, destaca-se a utilização do sensoriamento remoto. O presente trabalho objetiva avaliar a correlação entre as temperaturas superficiais obtidas por imagens de satélite e as observadas em estação meteorológica, na cidade de Rio Paranaíba – MG. Na verificação da correlação nas estações seca e chuvosa calculou-se: REQM, EMA, R², r, IC e ICmod. A estação seca apresentou resultados de maior correlação (IC= 0,94; R²= 0,91; r= 0,95) em relação à estação chuvosa (IC =0,43 R²= 0,07; r= 0,26) e a análise de todo o período propiciou resultados favoráveis para as métricas (IC=0,90; R²=0,77; r=0,88). Tal resultado corrobora a utilização do sensoriamento remoto como alternativa para aquisição de dados de temperatura superficial em locais com ausência de dados meteorológicos.
Nurses’ Work Motivation and their Demographics: Basis for Human Resource Management
Authors: Dayrit Richard Dennis Juinio 
Published: February 2021

This study assessed the level of work motivation of 245 nurses generated through snowball sampling in a tertiary government hospital in Hail City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale. The results indicated that the nurses had a low level of amotivation, moderate levels of all subtypes of extrinsic regulation, and moderate levels of intrinsic regulation leading to an overall moderate level of work motivation. Significant differences in levels of work motivation were observed in the domain of amotivation when nurses were grouped according to work position; in the domain of extrinsic motivation-social when nurses were grouped according to civil status, monthly salary and years of experience in the institution; in the domain of extrinsic motivation-material when nurses were grouped according to years of experience in the institution; in the domain of introjected regulation when the nurses were grouped according to age and civil status; and in the domains of identified regulation and intrinsic motivation when they were grouped according to civil status (p≤0.05). Hospital administrators need to implement specific human resource management strategies such as: (1) the implementation of a fair system of staff performance appraisal through management by objectives; (2) the provision of training needs of staff for learning and career development; (3) mechanisms that foster social support among healthcare teams; (4) mechanisms that promote nurse engagement, autonomy and empowerment; and (5) a consistent and equitable system of rewards and promotions in order to enhance the level of work motivation of nurses.
Blended Learning in Saudi Higher Education Framework, Implications, and limitations
Authors: Alharbi Samar 
Published: February 2021

In the modern era of teaching and learning, the education system witnessed many changes. New methods of teaching and learning are utilised in order to adapt to the growth of technology. Teachers used some teaching methods, such as online teaching, face to face teaching or a combination of both online and face to face known as blended learning (BL) environment. BL has been proven its advantages empirically in many studies. One of the significant advantages is that BL is used as an extended learning environment to reinforce knowledge and make learning more accessible by utilising technology and online resources. However, there are some drawbacks of implementing blended learning, such as the demand of time and teachers' efforts to provide feedback and follow up students. This paper examined the use of BL in higher education. The first part of this paper reviewed some empirical studies in BL. The second part presented the theoretical framework of using BL. Benefits and challenges of implementing BL in higher education regarding Saudi universities are explained. Lastly, the paper concluded with some critical remarks.