bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reasons reported by women for choosing the levonorgestrel intrauterine system as a contraceptive method
Authors: Laporte Montas , Charles Charles M. , Metelus Sherly , Peloggia Alessandra , Paez Gabriela de O. , Juliato Cassia T. , Bahamondes Luis 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the reasons provided by women for choosing the use of the 52 mg levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) as a contraceptive method.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study from January 2021 to August 2021 at the University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. Women who had never used the 52 mg LNG‐IUS and were requesting it for contraception answered a questionnaire asking for their sociodemographic characteristics, the last contraceptive method in use, how they received information about the device, and their main reasons for choosing the method.ResultsWe enrolled 516 women, 365 (70.7%) of whom were under the age of 35 and 352 (68.2%) of whom were parous. The last contraceptive method in use was a short‐acting reversible method among 387 (80.8%) women, 454 (88%) reported that they wanted to use the IUS only for contraception, and the main source of information was their health care providers. The main reported reasons for choosing the method were because it is safe, has high contraceptive efficacy, and reduces menstrual bleeding.ConclusionHealth care providers should continue their efforts to provide guidance about the LNG‐IUS, including the non‐contraceptive benefits, which may contribute to a reduction in the number of unplanned pregnancies.
Sparking Learning through Remix Journaling: Authenticating Participatory Ways of Knowing
Authors: Redmond Theresa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study examined the impact of remix journaling as a new media literacy practice on undergraduate students’ engagement and ownership of learning. Using arts‐based pedagogy combined with new media literacies, this study chronicles students’ perspectives on knowledge‐building, expression, and social agency through remix journaling. Findings suggest remix as a contemporary literacy practice that expands and enhances students’ critical thinking while cultivating authentic classroom cultures that bridge digital worlds by supporting reader engagement and the development of media literacies. Findings have implications for educational professionals, administrators, librarians, and media specialists seeking low‐tech, high impact strategies for cultivating new media literacy practices in their classrooms and school communities.
XGBoost‐basedintelligence yield prediction and reaction factors analysis of amination reaction
Authors: Dong Jing , Peng Lichao , Yang Xiaohui , Zhang Zelin , Zhang Puyu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBuchwald‐Hartwig amination reaction catalyzed by palladium plays an important role in drug synthesis. In the last few years, machine learning‐assisted strategies emerged and quickly gained attention. In this article, an importance and relevance‐based integrated feature screening method is proposed to effectively filter high‐dimensional feature descriptor data. Then, a regularized machine learning boosting tree model, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, is introduced to intelligently predict reaction performance in multidimensional chemistry space. Furthermore, convergence, interpretability, generalization, and the internal association between reaction conditions and yields are excavated, which provides intelligent assistance for the optimal design of coupling reaction system and evaluating the reaction conditions. Compared with recently published results, the proposed method requires fewer feature descriptors, takes less time, and achieves more accurate prediction accuracy.
Highly sensitive carbon paste electrode modified with a synthesized ferrocenyl Schiff base for trace determination of Ce(III) in real samples
Authors: Arabhalvaei Nastaran , Soleymanpour Ahmad , Shafaatian Bita 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA recently new synthesized Schiff base was investigated to determine its capability as a modifier in carbon paste matrix to construct a potentiometric cation sensor. The developed modified carbon paste sensor under the optimized conditions reveals a Nernstian slope of 19.4 mV/decade to cerium(III) from 7.5 × 10−9 to 1.5 × 10−3 M and a low detection limit of 5.4 × 10−9 M. The specifications of the sensor were investigated according to the carbon paste composition, appropriate temperature and pH range, selectivity, and applicability. The sensor possesses a stable and short response time of 5 s. It represents many advantages such as feasible construction, renewability, wide determination range, high selectivity to Ce(III) ion, low limit of detection. The sensor was successfully carried out as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration and determination of cerium(III) ion in mineral and spring water samples. The temperature dependence of the sensor potential was tested, and it was concluded that the sensor has a very low thermal coefficient in the temperature range of 15–55°C.
A measure of functioning in adults With ADHD: Psychometric properties of the general life functioning scale‐parent version
Authors: Zhao Xin , Kennedy Traci M. , Hayes Timothy , Gnagy Elizabeth M. , Pelham William E. , Molina Brooke S. G. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe General Life Functioning Scale (GLF) was developed to provide a complementary alternative to existing measures of impairment. We examined the psychometric properties of the GLF‐Parent version (GLF‐P), given the known value of informant ratings.MethodsThe GLF‐P was administered to parents of adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosed in childhood and a nonADHD comparison group in the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study. GLF‐P ratings described 334 participants (ADHD = 186; comparison = 148) rated at age 25 (Mage = 24.80 years, SDage = 0.46, range = 24–26) and 401 participants (ADHD = 237; comparison = 164) rated at age 30 (Mage = 29.30, SDage = 0.64, range = 28–33). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used.ResultsEFAs suggested and CFAs confirmed a five‐factor solution. We found measurement invariance across diagnostic and age groups, satisfactory internal consistency, construct validity, and known‐group validity.ConclusionPsychometric results suggest the GLF‐P as a helpful adjunctive measure of functioning. Further research is needed to determine the utility of the GLF across diverse settings.
Virtual dental teaching and its effect on test success – A cross‐over study
Authors: Liebermann Anja , Seefelder Julia , Nold Ephraim , Huth Karin Christine , Erdelt Kurt 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this cross‐over investigation was to analyze the effect of virtual teaching using virtual reality (VR) within a dental learning environment by preclinical students with or without dental professional experience on test performance.MethodsPreclinical students (N = 82) were randomly divided into two groups for cross‐over testing of tooth morphology knowledge: (a) anterior VR‐group (group 1) using the VR‐glasses as an additional learning tool for the anterior tooth morphologies and (b) posterior VR‐group (group 2) using it for the posterior tooth morphologies also in addition to conventional learning. All students used the VR‐glasses for 1 week independent of time and location depending on group. The students had to recognize teeth (anterior or posterior within two separate tests after three [anterior test] and 6 weeks [posterior test] of practical course) and note the tooth number and characteristics in written form. Former dental experience (dental technician/assistance) was noted. Test results were analyzed to quantify the effect of virtual teaching on test scores. Data were analyzed with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Mann–Whitney U test (p = 0.05).ResultsBy differentiating the two student groups (use of VR glasses for anterior/posterior teeth) within the dental experience group, significantly better test results (p = 0.040) were shown for group 1 in the total posterior teeth test score. Furthermore, no other significant differences, but a possible tendency, in the test results and thus no effect of the use of the VR glasses on both VR groups could be analyzed (p ≥ 0.051).ConclusionsUsing the VR tooth learning environment predominantly did not lead to a significant improvement of test results. Anterior teeth test scores predominantly showed significantly better results than posterior teeth test scores.
Microscopic techniques for fabrication of polyethersulfone thin‐film nanocomposite membranes intercalated with UiO‐66‐SO3H for heavy metal ions removal from water
Authors: Gul Seema , Latafat Kanwar Rehan , Asma Maliha , Ahmad Mushtaq , Kilic Zeyneb , Zafar Muhammad , Ding Yifu , Malik Aamir 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEnvironmental remediation of heavy metals from wastewater is becoming popular area in the field of membrane technology. Heavy metals are toxic in nature and have ability to bioaccumulate in water bodies. In current study, zirconium‐based metal organic frameworks (MOFs), that is, UiO‐66 and UiO‐66‐SO3H with a mean diameter of 200 nm were synthesized and intercalated into polyethersulfone (PES) substrate to fabricate thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes via an interfacial polymerization (IP) method. TFN membranes exhibit higher selectivity and permeability as compared to thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes for heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). Zirconium‐based MOFs are highly stable in water and due to smaller pore size enhanced hydrophilicity of TFN membranes. In addition, TFN membrane with functionalized MOF (UiO‐66‐SO3H) performed best as compared to TFC and TFN with UiO‐66 MOF. The effect of loading of different weight percentages (wt%) of both MOFs for TFN membranes was also investigated. The TFN membranes with loading (0.2 wt%) of UiO‐66‐SO3H displayed highest permeability of 9.57 LMH/bar and notable rejections of 90% and 87.7% toward Cd and Hg, respectively. To our best understanding, it is the first study of intercalating functionalized UiO‐66‐SO3H in TFC membranes by IP and their application on heavy metals especially Cd and Hg.
Synthesis and antitumor evaluation of some new thiazolopyridine, nicotinonitrile, pyrazolopyridine, and polyhydroquinoline derivatives using ceric ammonium nitrate as a green catalyst
Authors: Raslan Reham R. , Hessein Sadia A. , Fouad Sawsan A. , Shmiess Nadia A. M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA novel series of thiazolo[5,4‐b]pyridine, polysubstituted pyridines, pyrazolo [3,4‐b] pyridine‐5‐carbonitriles, and polyhydroquinoline were synthesized via one‐pot reaction of 2‐iminothiazolidin‐5‐one, acetyl pyridine, pyrazolone, and/or cyclohexanone with various aldehydes, some active methylene and ammonium acetate in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). The resulting compounds were generated in high yields in a short amount of time, and the structures of the novel compounds were confirmed using IR, 1H NMR, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectra. The cytotoxic activity of 15 substances was tested in vitro against HePG‐2 and Caco‐2 cell lines. The results of antitumor assay confirmed that quinoline 12d compounds possess higher cytotoxic activity against two cell lines closed to doxorubicin, which is used as a standard anticancer drug. Also, 12c compounds are more efficient antitumor against the 2‐cell lines. While compounds 1 showed moderate activity toward Caco‐2. On the other hand, most of the tested compounds exhibited moderate to low cytotoxic activity toward the two cell lines. Based on the results, some of the newly synthesized derivatives showed excellent antitumor activity that qualified them for biomedical applications.
Genomic evidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 reinfection in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Park Ae Kyung , Rhee Jee Eun , Kim Il‐Hwan , Kim Heui Man , Lee Hyeokjin , Kim Jeong‐Ah , Lee Chae Young , Lee Nam‐Joo , Woo SangHee , Lee Jaehee , No Jin Sun , Rhie Gi‐Eun , Wang Seong Jin , Lee Sang‐Eun , Park Young Joon , Park Gemma , Kim Jung Yeon , Gwack Jin , Yoo Cheon‐Kwon , Kim Eun‐Jin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic continues, reinfection is likely to become increasingly common. However, confirming COVID‐19 reinfection is difficult because it requires whole‐genome sequencing of both infections to identify the degrees of genetic differences. Since the first reported case of reinfection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in the Republic of Korea in April 2020, four additional cases were classified as suspected reinfection cases. We performed whole‐genome sequencing of viral RNA extracted from swabs obtained at the initial infection and reinfection stages of these four suspected cases. The interval between initial infection and reinfection of all four suspected cases was more than 3 months. All four patients were young (10–29 years), and they displayed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic during the initial infection and reinfection episodes. The analysis of genome sequences combined with the epidemiological results revealed that only two of the four cases were confirmed as reinfection, and both were reinfected with the Epsilon variant. Due to the prolonged COVID‐19 pandemic, the possibility of reinfections with SARS‐CoV‐2 variants is increasing, as reported in our study. Therefore, continuous monitoring of cases is necessary.
Total antioxidant capacity as a marker of severity of COVID‐19 infection: Possible prognostic and therapeutic clinical application
Authors: Yaghoubi Neda , Youssefi Masoud , Jabbari Azad Farahzad , Farzad Faramarz , Yavari Zahra , Zahedi Avval Farnaz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, causative pathogen of the known COVID‐19 pandemic is not well clarified. In this regard oxidative stress is one of the topics that need to be investigated. Therefore, the present research was performed to explore the relationship between the oxidant/antioxidant system and COVID‐19 exacerbation. Sera were collected from 120 patients with COVID‐19 infection and 60 healthy volunteers as the control group. The patient group consisted of 60 cases with mild disease and 60 severely ill patients. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and nitric oxide (NO) as well as serum activities of the two main antioxidant defense enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured. TAC levels were considerably lower in patients compared with healthy individuals (p < 0.05) and also between patients with mild and severe diseases (p < 0.05). A rather decreasing trend was also found in NO concentration as well as SOD and CAT activity, though, the observed differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that COVID‐19 patients may be susceptible to depleted total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, showing such variations in blood samples of infected individuals could be considered as a predictive marker of COVID‐19 severity.
Spatiotemporal evolution, pattern of diffusion, and influencing factors of the COVID‐19 epidemic in Hainan Province, China
Authors: Gao Xing , Li Gang , Wang Jiaobei , Xu Tingting 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWithin 1 month after the first case occurred in Hainan Province, China, the number of confirmed cases rose to 168, and there was no increase in almost 3 months. As the southernmost province and a famous tourist destination in China, its regular economic exchanges and high‐intensity population movements may affect the spread of the epidemic. It is of great theoretical and practical significance to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution, the pattern of diffusion, and factors influencing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic in Hainan Province. Basic and geographic information of confirmed COVID‐19 cases was obtained from government websites and other official media. We examined the groups of infection and calculated the diffusion ratio to demonstrate the trend of the epidemic. Map drawing, spatial analysis, and partial least squares regression were used to express the spatiotemporal evolution, the pattern of diffusion, and factors affecting the epidemic. Furthermore, we have made recommendations on the formulation and adaptation of possible future preventive steps. Results show that the COVID‐19 epidemic in Hainan Province has substantial spatial heterogeneity but minimal distribution. The tourist city and central city have formed a dual‐core pattern for the spread of the epidemic, which could extend to other similar regions. Population density, mobility, and level of urban development have been the major factors of epidemic distribution in the study area.
Do recent meteorological drought events in central Italy result from long‐term trend or increasing variability?
Authors: Romano Emanuele , Petrangeli Anna Bruna , Salerno Franco , Guyennon Nicolas 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Mediterranean area is one of the most important “hotspot” where the effects of climate change are more evident, with an increase of extreme events such as hot waves and intense droughts. From this perspective, central Italy, which in the recent past suffered from the impact of intense negative anomalies of precipitation on water resources, shows peculiar characteristics, being its meteoclimatic regime determined by global, regional and local factors. In this context, this study aims at exploring the variability in time and space of the precipitation regime in central Italy over the period 1960–2020 analysing global factors, represented by indexes of teleconnection, and local factors such as orography and distance to the sea. Findings indicate an increase of drought events during the last 20 years, in a general pattern characterized by stationary precipitation amounts. This trend is clearer on the Tyrrhenian coast with a number of months under severe drought conditions increasing from 5% (1965–1999) to 24% (2000–2020). The strengthening of the periodic signal of precipitation is related mainly to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation Index and the Western Mediterranean Oscillation Index. Considering the relationship between precipitation and teleconnection patterns over short time scales (few months), correlations are stronger with the North Atlantic Oscillation index and in general with the Atlantic patterns rather than with the Artic patterns, especially for the Adriatic side.
Trabecular volumetric bone mineral density of the occipital bone at preferred screw placement sites measured by quantitative computed tomography
Authors: Moser Manuel , Adl Amini Dominik , Okano Ichiro , Oezel Lisa , Shue Jennifer , Carrino John A. , Sama Andrew A. , Cammisa Frank P. , Girardi Federico P. , Hughes Alexander P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study aimed at quantifying trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the external occipital protuberance (EOP) and the upper cervical spine. A retrospective review of patients who underwent non‐contrast enhanced computed tomography of the cervical spine that included the occipital bone up to the EOP between 2007 and 2020 was conducted. Measurements of trabecular vBMD were performed in the occipital midline area, with the region of interest extending 4.5 mm above and below the center of the EOP, as well as the C1 lateral masses and the C2 vertebral body using asynchronous quantitative computed tomography. Eighty‐six patients (female, 37.2%) were included for analysis. The patient population was 81.4% Caucasian with a mean ± SD age of 62.3 ± 13.1 years. Total bone thickness at the EOP was 16.7 ± 3.4 mm, with a ratio of trabecular to total bone thickness of 0.44. Trabecular vBMD (mean ± SD) was significantly higher at the EOP than at C1 and C2 (EOP = 612.3 ± 145.8 mg/cm3, C1 average = 290.3 ± 66.5 mg/cm3, C2 = 305.8 ± 78.8 mg/cm3; p < 0.001). A significant strong correlation between trabecular vBMD of C1 and C2 was observed (r = 0.744; p < 0.001), but only low correlations between the EOP and C1 (r = 0.295; p = 0.008) and C2 (r = 0.413; p < 0.001). In individuals > 65 years of age, cervical vBMD was significantly lower, but remained high at the EOP. Clinical significance: Trabecular vBMD at the EOP is significantly higher than at the upper cervical vertebrae and remains high in older populations. Together with morphological information about the occipital bone, these results might be helpful for occipitocervical fixation when deciding about uni‐ or bicortical screw placement at the EOP.
Structural and pathological changes in the enthesis are influenced by the muscle contraction type during exercise
Authors: Ozone Kaichi , Kokubun Takanori , Takahata Kei , Takahashi Haruna , Yoneno Moe , Oka Yuichiro , Minegishi Yuki , Arakawa Kohei , Kano Takuma , Murata Kenji , Kanemura Naohiko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMechanical stress is involved in the onset of sports‐related enthesopathy. Although the amount of exercise undertaken is a recognized problem during disease onset, changes in muscle contraction type are also involved in the increase in mechanical stress during exercise. This study aimed to clarify the effects of increased mechanical stress associated with muscle contraction type and amount of exercise on enthesis. Twenty mice underwent treadmill exercise, and the muscle contraction type and overall load during exercise were adjusted by varying the angle and speed conditions. Histological analysis was used to the cross‐sectional area of the muscle; area of the enthesis fibrocartilage (FC), and expression of inflammation‐, degeneration‐, and calcification‐related factors in the FC area. In addition, the volume and structure of the bone and FC area were examined using microcomputer imaging. Molecular biological analysis was conducted to compare relative expression levels of inflammation and cytokine‐related factors in tendons. The Overuse group, which increased the amount of exercise, showed no significant differences in parameters compared to the sedentary mice (Control group). The mice subjected to slow‐speed downhill running (Misuse group) showed pathological changes compared to the Control and Overuse groups, despite the small amount of exercise. Thus, the enthesis FC area may be altered by local mechanical stress that would be increased by eccentric muscle contraction rather than by mechanical stress that increases with the overall amount of exercise. Clinical Significance: The muscle contraction type might be more involved in the onset of sports‐related enthesopathy rather than the amount of exercise.
Formation of sacha inchi oil microemulsion systems: effects of non‐ionic surfactants, short‐chain alcohols, straight‐chain esters and essential oils
Authors: Song Xiaoqiu , Wang Jinyu , Li Shuaitao , Wang Yifei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study reports the formation of sacha inchi oil (SIO) microemulsions for food and cosmetic applications. Effects of non‐ionic surfactants, short‐chain alcohols, essential oil and straight‐chain esters on the phase behavior and formulation of U‐type microemulsion were investigated. Pseudo ternary phase diagrams were constructed to assess the influence of these factors using water titration method. Structural transitions were measured along several water dilution lines using conductivity and viscosity tools.RESULTSAmong four different surfactants, Tween 80 solubilized the maximum oil and induced the formation of a U‐type microemulsion system. Oil solubilization was decreased in the presence of short‐chain alcohols. In addition, the system containing straight‐chain esters as the cosolvent showed a higher expansion effect in the U‐type areas than that containing essential oils. Finally, upon water dilution of three systems with SIO/ethyl acetate of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3, microstructural transition from W/O to bicontinuous occurred at 200 g kg−1 (w/w) water content, and then to O/W structure at 650 g kg−1 (w/w) water content.CONCLUSIONStraight‐chain esters as cosolvent is a potential strategy to extend the dilutability of SIO microemulsions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.