bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogenic and Spoilage Causing Microorganisms Associated with Traditional Seafood Product Jaadi Manufactured in Southern and Western Coastal Belt of Sri Lanka
Authors: Devanmini Divisekera Divisekera Mudiyanselage Wasundara , Madage Samantha Sanath Kumara , Ayesha Jayawardana Thalawaththe Muhandiramlage Dilini , Darshana Medis Warnakulasuriyawadumesthrige Uditha , Nadeesha Indunil Ramasinghe Kurunegala Pathiranage , Gooneratne Jaanaki 
Published: September 2021

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate on microbial related food safety issues and microorganisms associated with the production of Sri Lankan traditional seafood Jaadi.
Place and Duration of Study: Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, between December 2013 to April 2016.
Methodology: Seven Jaadi processing centers along the Southern and Western coastal belt of Sri Lanka were evaluated for its compliance to food safety, in terms of environment, processing techniques, hygiene and sanitation, physiochemical and microbiological quality of the final product.
Samples drawn from all sites were analyzed for its water activity, salt content, pH and microbiological quality. Microorganisms associated with Jaadi production were isolated in selective media, followed by phenotypical, biochemical and molecular biological characterization.
Results: The pH, water activity and salt content of Jaadi samples ranged between 3.60-5.85, 0.73-0.82 and 24.82-40.47%, respectively. Thirteen bacterial strains and one fungal strain detected were strains found to be responsible for human pathogenesis and food spoilage. These include, Bacillus cereus strain I (MN726935.1), Bacillus cereus strain II (MN901259.1), Bacillus haikouensis strain I (MN901262.1), Bacillus haikouensis strain II (MN726976.1), Bacillus licheniformis (MN726987.1), Acinetobacter baumannii (MN901499.1), Bacillus pumilus strain I (MN901264.1), Bacillus pumilus strain II (MN901263.1), Bacillus paralicheniformis (MN901167.1), Bacillus thuringiensis strain I (MN901165.1), Bacillus thuringiensis strain II (MN901257.1), Bacillus cereus (MN901161.1), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (MN901156.1) and Trichoderma longibrachiatum (MN907169.1). Presence of such organisms clearly proclaims the poor hygienic practices and risks related to food safety in this traditional processing technology.
Conclusion: Jaadi processing facilities of Southern and Western coastal belt of Sri Lanka needs scientific and technical knowledge to upgrade their processing in order to assure food safety and product quality.
Failure to Quit Smoking Extent and Determinants among Attendees of Tobacco Cessation Clinic
Authors: Abushanab Rafat Hussam , Alshehri Abdullah H. , Alqthami Abdullah Muidh Y. , Alshehri Abdulsalam 
Published: September 2021

Smoking is a global health risk factor despite the efforts to control and the existance of tobacco cessation program. The objective of this study was to measure the proportion of people who failed to quit smoking at the end of six months after attending the smoking cessation clinic and to identify the factors associated with failure to quit. We used an analytical cross-sectional design which was conducted at Taif city, Saudi Arabia between January 2019 and March 2020. The attendees of smoking cessation clinic were invited to participate in the study. We used a questionnaire as the data collection too. The statistical package for the social sciences (IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp ) was used to analyze the data. The total responses was 393, out of them 201 (51.1%) failed to quit smoking after six months. Age, marital status, income, and occupation were significantly associated with the outcome variable (quit or not). Even before attending the clinic (62.3%) have indicated previous failed attempts. Among the different types of smoking, hookah showed a significant association with failure, while nicotine dependence did not showed any significance. Failure to quit was associated with advanced age, smoking hookah, while those who indicated the price of tobacco products as a reason to quit were more prone to fail in quitting smoking. In conclusion, smoking cessation can be influenced by a sociodemographic factors, willingness and family support. Smoking hookah is associated with higher rates of failure to quit smoking.
IgG Antibody Seroprevalence Post Covishield Vaccination in Western Uttar Pradesh: A Hospital Based Study
Authors: Kapoor Sangeeta , Yadav Sushil , Singh V. K. , Afifa Umme , Gupta Sudhir Kumar , Muniyal Himani , Kumar Anoop 
Published: September 2021

Background: Covid-19, a zoonotic disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus - 2 (SARSCov-2) has emerged as a worldwide infection and has been declared pandemic since March, 2020, by WHO. This has brought about tremendous burden on the health care system of not only the developing or the third world countries but also that of prosperous counties of the world. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the worldwide scientific and medical community to find a solution with the help of vaccines to control SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. An effective vaccine is one which leads to synthesis of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, thus aiding the control and decline of the pandemic.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the antibody titres post 1st dose and post 2nd dose Covishield vaccination and reveals the safety and efficacy of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(Recombinant) Covishield vaccine.
Methodology: The levels of IgG antibodies were estimated in 215 subjects (both normal subjects and Covid-19 positive subjects) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Technique.
Results: Two hundred & fifteen subjects from Teerthanker Mahaveer Hospital of Moradabad (western Uttar Pradesh) were enrolled for the study. The participants were divided into two different groups. Group I comprised of 215 subjects who received 1st dose of the Covishield vaccine. Group II comprised of 101 subjects who received both the doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(Recombinant) Covishield vaccine. Levels of IgG were analysed 28 days post 1st dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(Recombinant) Covishield vaccine and post 2nd dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(Recombinant) Covishield vaccination. After testing serologically for neutralising IgG antibodies, the titre was found to be below the threshold level of 1.1 in 67.40% of the subjects in the study group 1, whereas 32.60% (n=70) were found to be in the seroprotective range (i.e IgG titre > 1.1). Out of the total 101 participants who took both the doses, 39 participants (38.6%) were found to be in the seroprotective range (i.e IgG titre > 1.1).
Conclusion: The two doses of Covishield vaccination (4 weeks interval) given to subjects resulted in increase in IgG antibody titre (Neutralising Antibodies) against both spike protein and nucleocapsid protein after 1st dose and 2nd dose and that single dose may suffice for seroprotection in subjects with previous history of COVID-19 who had recovered from the disease.
Spectral irradiance simulation for evaluating light environments for indoor plants
Authors: Sugano Soma , Nitta Ryo , Shindo Kan , Nomoto Akihisa , Yoda Shu , Shigemura Tamaho , Ishii Masahisa , Tanabe Shin‐ichi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn recent years, interest in biophilic design and indoor greenery has increased. However, the growth of indoor plants may become stunted under unfavorable light conditions. Therefore, we must evaluate the light environments required for indoor plants to thrive. We propose a new method to assess indoor light environments for indoor plants by using spectral irradiance simulation. We verify the accuracy of the spectral irradiance simulation via actual measurements in a university classroom. Additionally, we confirm the calculation accuracy of the photosynthetic photon flux density, which is strongly correlated with photosynthesis in plants. We evaluate indoor light environments for indoor plants in 3D models by applying a few concepts from plant physiology.
Hip Range of Motion and Strength Predict 12‐Month Physical Function Outcomes in Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: The Delaware Spine Studies
Authors: Coyle Peter C. , Knox Patrick J. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Pugliese Jenifer M. , Sions J. Megan , Hicks Gregory E. 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate whether poor hip range of motion (ROM) and strength predict 12‐month physical function decline among older adults with chronic low back pain (LBP) and whether hip osteoarthritis modifies those relationships.MethodsAt baseline, passive ROM and strength measurements were taken for hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; ultrasound images and self‐reported symptoms were used to evaluate hip osteoarthritis presence (eg, osteophytes and hip pain). At baseline and 12 months, performance‐based (repeated chair rise, self‐selected gait speed, 6‐minute walk test [6MWT]) and self‐reported (Quebec LBP Disability Questionnaire, Late‐Life Function & Disability Instrument [LLFDI] basic and advanced lower extremity scales) physical function outcomes were assessed. Regression models were constructed for each outcome predicted by baseline hip ROM and strength measures, with adjustment for potential covariates. To avoid collinearity, hip ROM and strength measures with the strongest unadjusted correlations were included in final models. The hip osteoarthritis presence by hip ROM/strength interaction was also explored.ResultsHip abduction strength predicted repeated chair rise (β = −0.297, P < 0.001), gait speed (β = 0.160, P = 0.003), 6MWT (β = 0.159, P ≤ 0.001), Quebec LBP Disability Questionnaire (β = −0.152, P = 0.003), and LLFDI basic lower extremity scale (β = 0.171, P = 0.005) outcomes. Regarding hip ROM, extension predicted repeated chair rise (β = −0.110, P = 0.043) and LLFDI advanced lower extremity scale (β = 0.090, P = 0.007) outcomes, external rotation predicted gait speed (β = 0.122, P = 0.004) outcomes, and abduction predicted LLFDI basic lower extremity scale (β = 0.114, P = 0.026) outcomes. The hip osteoarthritis interaction was not significant for any model.ConclusionReduced hip strength and ROM predict physical function decline; hip osteoarthritis presence may not modify these relationships.
A simplified adaptive tracking control for nonlinear pure‐feedback systems with input delay and full‐state constraints
Authors: Wang Nan , Fu Zhumu , Tao Fazhan , Song Shuzhong , Wang Tong 
Published: September 2021

SummaryThis article investigated the adaptive backstepping tracking control for a class of pure‐feedback systems with input delay and full‐state constraints. With the help of mean value theorem, the system is transformed into strict‐feedback one. By introducing the Pade approximation method, the effect of input delay was compensated. Radial basis function neural networks are utilized to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions. Furthermore, in order to reduce the computational burden by introducing backstepping design technique, dynamic surface control technique was employed. In addition, the number of the adaptive parameters that should be updated online was also reduced. By utilizing the barrier Lyapunov function, the closed‐loop nonlinear system is guaranteed to be semi‐globally ultimately uniformly bounded. Finally, a numerical simulation example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Polymyxin B‐Triggered Assembly of Peptide Hydrogels for Localized and Sustained Release of Combined Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Shi Yejiao , Wareham David W. , Yuan Yichen , Deng Xinru , Mata Alvaro , Azevedo Helena S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRepurposing old antibiotics into more effective and safer formulations is an emergent approach to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Herein, a peptide hydrogel is reported for the localized and sustained release of polymyxin B (PMB), a decade‐old antibiotic with increasing clinical utility for treating multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative bacterial infections. The hydrogel is assembled by additing PMB solution into a rationally designed peptide amphiphile (PA) solution and its mechanical properties can be adjusted through the addition of counterions, envisioning its application in diverse infection scenarios. Sustained release of PMB from the hydrogel over a 5‐day period and prolonged antimicrobial activities against Gram‐negative bacteria are observed. The localized release of active PMB from the hydrogel is shown to be effective in vivo for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the Galleria mellonella burn wound infection model, dramatically reducing the mortality from 93% to 13%. Complementary antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and enhanced antimicrobial effect against the Gram‐negative Acinetobacter baumannii are observed when an additional antibiotic fusidic acid is incorporated into the hydrogen network. These results demonstrate the potential of the PMB‐triggered PA hydrogel as a versatile platform for the localized and sustained delivery of combined antimicrobial therapies.
Black Germanium Photodetector Exceeds External Quantum Efficiency of 160%
Authors: An Shu , Liao Yikai , Shin Sangho , Kim Munho 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, a viable method is demonstrated to realize high‐performance germanium (Ge) photodetectors (PDs) on the nanostructured Ge surface, namely black Ge, formed by chlorine (Cl2) gas‐based reactive ion etching at room temperature. Black Ge surface has spike‐like pyramidal structures with a width and height up to 150 and 570 nm, respectively. Average reflection of black Ge is reduced to 2% at a wavelength range from 1 to 2 µm, while that of planar Ge is ≈37%. Light absorption is strongly enhanced by the significantly reduced reflection, thereby leading to an increase in responsivity of black Ge PDs. Moreover, external quantum efficiency (EQE) exceeds 160% at 1550 nm, indicating the existence of internal gain resulted from multiple carrier generation in Ge nanostructures. Therefore, this work provides an effective and reliable approach to significantly enhance photodetection performance of Ge‐based optoelectronic devices.
Enhancement of Catalytic Activity and Selectivity for the Gaseous Electroreduction of CO2 to CO: Guidelines for the Selection of Carbon Supports
Authors: Lim Chulwan , Lee Woong Hee , Won Jong Ho , Ko Young‐Jin , Kim Sangkuk , Min Byoung Koun , Lee Kwan‐Young , Jung Won Suk , Oh Hyung‐Suk 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTo secure the economic feasibility of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), a method of using support materials to reduce the amount of catalyst loading and increase catalytic activity for CO2RR can be a solution. Herein, guidelines for selecting carbon support materials suitable for CO2RR are reported. In a gaseous CO2‐fed CO2RR electrolyzer, an Ag nanoparticle‐composited carbon nanocage (denoted as Ag/CNC) electrode exhibits an optimal performance for CO2RR with a partial current density of ≈400 mA cm−2. Ag/CNC showcases a uniformly dispersed morphology with Ag nanoparticles and sufficient hydrophobicity after the reaction to prevent flooding, which is known to inhibit the mass transfer of CO2. Furthermore, the CNCs possess small amounts of carbon defects; this suppresses the catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is a side reaction of CO2RR. Results of a three‐stack cell experiment with the Ag/CNC electrode reveal the possibility of a support‐based strategy for achieving an industrial‐level scaling of CO2RR. This study suggests that the support material for CO2RR should be considered not only on the basis of the morphology of carbon, uniform dispersion of Ag nanoparticles, and hydrophobicity of the electrode but also factors influencing the HER, such as carbon defects.
Death Pathways of Cancer Cells Modulated by Surface Molecule Density on Gold Nanorods
Authors: Zhang Fulei , Hou Yi , Zhu Minhui , Deng Bo , Zhao Mengxin , Zhu Xiandi , Sun Yun , Chen Di , Jiang Cheng , Wang Liming , Chen Chunying , Chen Huaiwen , Chen Han , Zheng Hongliang , Li Wei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNecrosis induces strong inflammation with undesirable implications in clinics compared with apoptosis. Fortunately, the switch between necrosis and apoptosis could be realized by tailoring the appropriate structural properties of gold nano rods (GNRs) that could precisely modulate cell death pathways. Herein, the intracellular interaction between GNRs and organelles is monitored and it is found that lysosomes dominates necrosis/apoptosis evoking. Then the surface molecule density of GNRs, which is first defined as ρsurf. molecule (Nsurf. molecules/(a × π × Diameter × Length)), mediates lysosome activities as the membrane permeabilization (LMP), the Cathepsin B and D release, the cross‐talk between lysosome and different organelles, which selectively evokes apoptosis or necrosis and the production of TNF‐α from macrophages. GNRs with small ρsurf. molecule mainly induce apoptosis, while with large ρsurf. molecule they greatly contribute to necrosis. Interestingly, necrosis can be suppressed by GNRs with higher ρsurf. molecule due to the overexpression of key protease caspase 8, which cleaves the RIP1‐RIP3 complex and activates caspase 3 followed by necrosis to apoptosis transition. This investigation indicates that the ρsurf. molecule greatly affects the utility of nanomaterials and different structural properties of nanomaterials have different implications in clinics.
Effect of Humidity on the Writing Speed and Domain Wall Dynamics of Ferroelectric Domains
Authors: Spasojevic Irena , Verdaguer Albert , Catalan Gustau , Domingo Neus 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe switching dynamics of ferroelectric polarization under electric fields depends on the availability of screening charges in order to stabilize the switched polarization. In ferroelectrics, thin films with exposed surfaces investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), the main source of external screening charges is the atmosphere and the water neck, and therefore relative humidity (RH) plays a major role. Here, it is shown how the dynamic writing of domains in BaTiO3 thin films changes by varying scanning speeds in the range of RH between 2.5% and 60%. The measurements reveal that the critical speed for domain writing, which is defined as the highest speed at which electrical writing of a continuous stripe domain is possible, increases non‐monotonically with RH. Additionally, the width of line domains shows a power law dependence on the writing speed, with a growth rate coefficient decreasing with RH. The size of the written domains at a constant speed as well as the creep‐factor μ describing the domain wall kinetics follow the behavior of water adsorption represented by the adsorption isotherm, indicating that the screening mechanism dominating the switching dynamics is the thickness and the structure of adsorbed water structure and its associated dielectric constant and ionic mobility.
Curated collections for educators: Six key papers on teaching procedural skills
Authors: Quinn Antonia , Falvo Lauren , Ford Tabitha , Kennedy Sarah , Kaminsky Jennifer , Messman Anne 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundCompetence in teaching procedural skills is required for faculty in all specialties. Regardless of involvement in undergraduate medical education (UME) versus graduate medical education (GME), faculty will likely be involved in teaching procedures to novice learners at some point, with the goal of having the learner achieve graduated independence and technical competence in a skill set. A large body of literature exists addressing the best practices for teaching and maintaining procedural skills. We searched for articles that describe the best practices for teaching procedural skills to all levels of learners.MethodsWe conducted a literature search for papers on procedural skills training and teaching. We also made a call for papers on social media from members of the online #MedEd and #FOAMed communities. Once a list of the articles was compiled, we conducted a three‐round modified Delphi process to identify those illustrating best practices for teaching procedural skills by both junior and senior faculty.ResultsWe identified 98 relevant articles on the topic of procedural skills training. Six articles were deemed to be highly relevant after three rounds of the modified Delphi. Best practices included using an established educational framework when designing procedural skills teaching sessions, providing positive feedback to learners with opportunities for improvement, and demonstrating the procedure to the learners.ConclusionsMedical educators should employ evidence‐based practices when designing and delivering procedural skills sessions. Educational frameworks provide faculty developers and facilitators with an organized approach to teaching these sessions. Maintenance of procedural skills over time is key; faculty can utilize simulation‐based procedural training and deliberate practice to prevent decay of learned skills.
The advanced lung cancer inflammation index is a novel independent prognosticator in colorectal cancer patients after curative resection
Authors: Horino Taichi , Tokunaga Ryuma , Miyamoto Yuji , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Akiyama Takahiko , Daitoku Nobuya , Sakamoto Yuki , Yoshida Naoya , Baba Hideo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI), which comprehensively evaluates the patient body composition and inflammation/nutritional status, is reportedly associated with the patient outcome in lung cancer. However, the clinical significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after curative resection remains unclear.MethodsA total of 813 CRC patients after curative resection between April 2005 and June 2019 in a single institution were retrospectively enrolled. The association of the preoperative ALI (calculated as follows: body mass index × albumin value/neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio) with clinicopathological factors, postoperative complications, and survival was analyzed.ResultsA low ALI was significantly associated with male gender, older age, a higher depth of tumor invasion, progressed TNM stage, and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positivity. Both postoperative complications and severe complications occurred more frequently in the ALI‐low group than in the ALI‐high group (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively), especially postoperative complications in stage III patients (P < .001) and severe complications in stages II and III patients (P = .024 and P = .004, respectively). In addition, a low ALI was an independent predictor of a poor overall survival (hazard ratio: 2.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.52–3.50, P < .001) and relapse‐free survival (hazard ratio: 1.73, 95% confidence interval: 1.22–2.44, P = .002), especially in older patients, and in patients without lymph node metastasis or severe postoperative complications.ConclusionThis study suggests that preoperative ALI may serve as a novel independent predictive index for severe postoperative complications and recurrence in CRC patients after curative resection.