bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Behaviour Change Communication for Mothers on Complementary Feeding Practices and Infants’ Nutritional Status in Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Kolade Afolayan , Afolabi Adebukunola Olajumoke 
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The quality of feeding in early childhood depends on nutritional knowledge of mothers. Improving maternal nutrition knowledge is therefore pivotal towards promoting effective infants’ feeding behaviour.
Objective: Study assessed mothers’ knowledge about complementary feeding and complementary feeding practices. Study also assessed effectiveness of Behaviour Change Communication on mothers’ knowledge and complementary feeding practices, compared the nutritional status of infants whose mothers received intervention to infants of mothers in the control group.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study conducted among 204 mothers in rural and urban local government areas, South-west Nigeria between March and September, 2019. Sample size was estimated using formula for comparison of two proportions, eligible mothers were selected through multistage sampling technique. Study was conducted in three phases: pre-intervention phase, intervention and post intervention phases.
Intervention: Selected mothers were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Mothers in the intervention group received Behavior Change Communication on complementary feeding and were followed up for six months.
Data Analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25, Chi-square and repeated analysis of variance evaluated effectiveness of intervention, level of significance was < 0.05.
Results: BCC improved mothers’ knowledge about complementary feeding by 31.9% (χ2 = 21.62; p = 0.001), meal frequency by 16% (χ2 = 5.88, p = 0.01), dietary diversity by 19.6% (χ2 = 7.44, p = 0.01), minimum acceptable diet by 20.6% (χ2 = 13.09; p =0.01). Intervention also reduced under-weight by 14% (χ2 = 0.69, p = 0.01; (F(1,191) =275.34; p = 0.04) among intervention group.
Conclusion: Effective nutritional intervention for mothers towards improving nutritional status of children should incorporate appropriate behaviour change approach. This approach is capable of improving nutritional status of infants and children and consequently reduce malnutrition and related complications in early childhood.
Measuring Anger in Medical, Dental and Paramedical Post-graduate Students of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara, Gujarat, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chhasatia Anupsinh H. , Kataria Lakhan R. 
Published: August 2021

Background: Medical, dental and paramedical post-graduate students are an essential part of multi-specialty teaching institutes where resident doctors are the ones who come in the first contact with the patients. In this study emotion of residents was measured through their anger. Anger has negative impacts on daily life, doctor-patient relationships. Throughout the post-graduation program, students experience stress and burn out.
Aim: The study was conducted with an aim to measure the level of anger amongst the post-graduate medical, dental and paramedical students at Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining informed and written consent, 349 subjects were assessed through a semi-structured proforma and clinical anger scale to assess the level of anger. It was a cross-sectional single interview study. Enrolment of participants done for the tenure of 1 year from 2013 to 2014 and results assessed. At the end of the study, all CAS (clinical anger scale) parameters compared medical, dental and paramedical groups. Data analyzed through the SPSS v16 software package; One way ANOVA and independent t-test was applied.
Results: The overall anger was higher among post-graduate students. Post-graduate medical students had higher anger compared to paramedical post-graduate students. Female participants scored significantly lower on clinical anger compared to male participants. Post-graduates doing MD/MS were having significantly higher anger than post-graduates of MDS (p=0.002), MPT (0.000). Married participants scored lower on clinical anger compared to unmarried participants.
Conclusion: Overall anger is high in medical post-graduate students which have negative implications on doctor-patient relationships and patient care can get compromised so it is necessary to find the ways through which we can lower the anger.
Comparative Study between Stair-step Protocol of Clomiphene Citrate and Combined Clomiphene and Gonadotropins for Induction of Ovulation in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Sallam Sabah E. , El-shwaikh Shereef L. , Hodeib Hossam A. , El-kholy Dina G. 
Published: August 2021

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome affects 7 to 8% of women and may be the most common cause of female infertility. Anovulation, early pregnancy loss has all been implicated in the low fecundity. The aim of this study was to compare between the use of clomiphene citrate by stair-step protocol and use of combined clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Methods: This randomized non blinded controlled clinical study was carried out on 60 Patients who was selected from outpatient clinic of Tanta university hospitals from September 2019 to September 2020. Selected patients were allocated into two groups with 1:1 ratio. Group (A): was subjected to clomiphene citrate stair-step stimulation protocol. Group (B): was subjected to combined clomiphene and gonadotropins stimulation protocol.
Results: Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative data because it is not normally distributed (Age, BMI and duration of infertility). Significance defined by p < 0.05. Chi-square analysis was used for the categorical variable (number of MGF). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative data because it is not normally distributed (Size of larger follicle and Endometrial thickness), Chi-square analysis was used for the categorical variables (Ovulation rate and Pregnancy rate). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare quantitative data which are not normally distributed (FSH and LH). Student t test was used for the quantitative data which are normally distributed (Prolactin and TSH).
Conclusions: In conclusion, the CC stair‐step protocol is a safe, simple option for the management of PCOS patients, having a larger number of mature Grafian follicle, lower endometrial thickness and higher ovulation rate compared to combined clomophine and gonadotrophin protocol.
Bionomics and Importance of an Emerging Pest Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) in the Cocoa Orchards of Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Kouamé Norbert N’Dri , N’Guessan François Kouamé , N’Guessan Pierre Walet , Acka Kotaix Alain Jacques , Tano Yao 
Published: August 2021

The cocoa tree is a very important plant in Côte d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) with a production of 2,15 million tons. In spite of this performance, cocoa production is attacked by several pests of which the emerging ones are Pseudotheraptus devastans (Distant). These insects attack cherelles, pods, gourmands and young shoots. This study aims to locate these pests and determine their importance in the different cocoa production areas. The device used is total randomization. The leaching carried out in the orchard revealed the presence of P.devastans in all the cocoa producing districts. The means were 0,02 ± 0,00 to 2,35 ± 0,38 P. devastans / tree. The districts of Sassandra-Marahoué, Comoé and Montagnes recorded more P.devastans. However, the districts of Bas-Sassandra, Lagunes et Lacs had fewer P.devastans.
The Effects of Primary Budget Deficits on Economic Growth: Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Mugo Patrick Mugendi , Masai Wafula , Osoro Kennedy 
Published: August 2021

Aims: The paper attempts to examine the effects of primary budget deficits on economic growth. It reviews the nature and direction of causality between primary budget deficit and economic growth. In the recent years, these have been debated both in developed and developing countries. In contributing to this ongoing debate, the study analyzes the case for Kenya from 1980 to 2016. The evidence is intended to provide policy insights for macroeconomic stability and sustained economic growth for shared prosperity in Kenya.
Study Design: The study employs quantitative time-series research design by utilizing Stata econometrics software.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Evidence from Kenya, from 1980 to 2016.
Methodology: The study employs unit root tests, Johansen cointegration analysis, a dynamic vector error correction model and a multivariate Toda-Yamamoto Granger-causality representation.
Results: The findings establish that the primary budget deficit, gross fixed capital formation, real interest rate, terms of trade, inflation growth and financial innovation have significant effects on GDP per capita growth in Kenya. Primary budget deficit has a strong and significant effect on GDP per capita growth both in short-run and long run. In the short-run, the results revealed that the primary budget deficit had a positive effect on economic growth which turned negative in the long-run. There was a unidirectional causality running from primary budget deficit to economic growth.
Conclusion: The study concludes that both in the short run and long run, primary budget deficit has strong and significant causal effects on economic growth in Kenya. The evidence underscores the need for the authorities to reduce high primary budget deficits, interest payments and domestic borrowings and strictly apply the golden rule of public finances to boost long term inclusive growth, in Kenya.
The effects of hurricanes on the stochastic population growth of the endemic epiphytic orchid Broughtonia cubensis living in Cuba
Authors: Raventós José , Mújica Ernesto , González Elaine , Bonet Andreu , Ortega‐Larrocea M. Pilar 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe carried out a posthurricane evaluation of Broughtonia cubensis (Lindl.) Cogn., an endemic Cuban epiphytic orchid, after Hurricane Ivan (2004). We studied the transient responses in the stochastic dynamics of the species at three different sites over 13 successive years (2006–2019), monitored plot inventories (464 individuals in 10 transects) and built stochastic population models. The deterministic stochastic growth rate values () did not significantly differ (F = 2.76; p > 0.076) among the three sites over the 2006–2019 period. The long‐term stochastic growth rate was 0.973 [0.932, 1.034]. The matrix elements that had the largest effect on were the transition to and stasis within the largest size class. Transient responses explained an average of 86% of the variation in the observed population growth rates , compared to 4% of the variation in the vital rates . Because transient dynamics are dependent on the population size composition, we ran extinction risk analyses under two scenarios: a population composed mainly of juveniles and another composed mainly of adults. There was little risk of falling below the quasi‐extinction threshold before 25 year for both juveniles and adults. However, the risk of quasi‐extinction was almost certain for both size classes by 80 year. We also simulated the effect of increasing the hurricane occurrence probability over 80 year on the population. There was little risk of extinction before 20 year in the baseline model, but there was a significant risk of extinction within 5 year when 90% of the individuals were affected by a new hurricane event.
Ambulatory Medication Safety: Vaccination and Laboratory Screening for Patients Receiving Immunomodulatory Therapies
Authors: McDonnell Anne M. , Iversen Maura , Khinkar Roaa M. , Frits Michelle , Fiskio Julie , Desai Sonali 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveImmunomodulatory therapies improve the management of chronic diseases but can be associated with infectious risk. The present study was undertaken to examine the laboratory screening practices for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and tuberculosis (TB) and rates of vaccination for pneumococcal and influenza in patients prescribed select immunosuppressive agents at our institution.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted to review patients who were prescribed a select immunosuppressive over 3 years. Data were extracted from electronic health records to identify rates of screening and vaccination prior to initiation or at any time. Logistic regression models were developed to identify predictors of screening and vaccination.ResultsWe identified 2,396 patients prescribed immunosuppressive medications by rheumatology (52.6%) and non‐rheumatology specialties. Rates of screening at any time point were 84.5% (2,025 of 2,396) for HBV, 76.7% (1,838 of 2,396) for HCV, and 71.8% (1,720 of 2,396) for TB. Patients who had either in‐system primary care providers (PCPs) or rheumatologists were more likely to receive pneumococcal vaccinations (odds ratio [OR] 1.98 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.55–2.54] and OR 4.08 [95% CI 2.76–6.02], respectively). Patients with dermatologic (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.14–2.45]) or rheumatologic providers (OR 2.5 [95% CI 1.86–3.36]) were more likely to be vaccinated for influenza.ConclusionMore than 70% of patients were screened for either HBV, HCV, or TB at some point. Rates of pneumococcal vaccination were better than rates of influenza vaccination. Patients with in‐system PCPs were more likely to be screened and vaccinated. Establishing and executing consistent processes for screening and vaccination prior to immunosuppressive treatment remains a priority in ambulatory settings.
An Engineered Patient‐Derived Tumor Organoid Model That Can Be Disassembled to Study Cellular Responses in a Graded 3D Microenvironment
Authors: Landon‐Brace Natalie , Cadavid Jose L. , Latour Simon , Co Ileana L. , Rodenhizer Darren , Li Nancy T. , Wu Nila C. , Bugbee Eryn , Chebotarev Aleks , Zhang Ji , Wouters Bradly G. , McGuigan Alison P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPatient‐derived organoids (PDOs) are emerging as powerful models to capture the genetic heterogeneity of human tumors. However, the self‐assembling nature of PDOs limits their use in studies of the impact of microenvironmental heterogeneity on tumor cell function. Here, a paper‐based model, the Tissue Roll for Analysis of Cellular Environment and Response (TRACER) is adapted, using patterned polymer infiltration, to enable controlled assembly and disassembly of organoid structures to study the impact of both genetic and microenvironmental heterogeneity on tumor cell behavior. In the adapted platform (TRACER2), pancreatic cancer PDOs establish oxygen gradients across the tissue and in response exhibit graded cell viability, proliferation, hypoxia‐response gene transcription, and response to gemcitabine therapy. Further, PDOs retrieved from the hypoxic regions of the TRACER2 cultures show graded transcriptional changes in immunosuppression‐related genes and upon co‐culture, after TRACER2 disassembly, induce graded functional changes in Jurkat cells and macrophage cells. Therefore, TRACER2 offers a novel platform to dissect the effects of microenvironmental parameters on tumor cell function.
Hierarchical Nanostructured Electrospun Membrane with Periosteum‐Mimic Microenvironment for Enhanced Bone Regeneration
Authors: Liu Laijun , Shang Yuna , Li Chaojing , Jiao Yongjie , Qiu Yanchen , Wang Chengyi , Wu Yuge , Zhang Qiuyun , Wang Fujun , Yang Zhimou , Wang Lu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAn ideal periosteum substitute should be able to mimic the periosteum microenvironment that continuously provides growth factors, recruits osteoblasts, and subsequent extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization to accelerate bone regeneration. Here, a calcium‐binding peptide‐loaded poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) electrospun membrane modified by the shish‐kebab structure that can mimic the periosteum microenvironment was developed as a bionic periosteum. The calcium‐binding peptide formed by the negatively charged heptaglutamate domain (E7) in the E7‐BMP‐2 with calcium ion in the tricalcium phosphate sol (TCP sol) through electrostatic chelation not only extended the release cycle of E7‐BMP‐2 but also promoted the biomineralization of the bionic periosteum. Cell experiments showed that the bionic periosteum could significantly improve the osteogenic differentiation of the rat‐bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) through both chemical composition and physical structure. The in vivo evaluation of the bionic periosteum confirmed the inherent osteogenesis of this periosteum microenvironment, which could promote the regeneration of vascularized bone tissue. Therefore, the hierarchical nanostructured electrospun membrane with periosteum‐mimic microenvironment is a promising periosteum substitute for the treatment of bone defects.
Self‐Oscillating 3D Printed Hydrogel Shapes
Authors: Nava‐Medina Ilse B. , Gold Karli A. , Cooper Savannah M. , Robinson Kyle , Jain Abhishek , Cheng Zhengdong , Gaharwar Akhilesh K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBelousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reactions have been used to investigate periodic spatial patterns due to the oscillatory nature of the reaction. However, these systems have not been confined, nor controlled, in macro‐scaled architectures, making it hard to translate observations to natural behavior. Here, a poly(electrolyte) complex is designed that can be ionically or covalently reinforced to construct 3D geometries with additive manufacturing techniques. Printed geometries varied in shape, size, and angle to investigate spatiotemporal pattern formation in 3D. Size variations correlated to trends in oscillating pattern frequencies, demonstrating a geometry effect on spatial alterations. Overall, the combination of 3D printing techniques with self‐oscillating chemical reactions allows to model, study, and further understand macro‐scale patterns observed in nature. The proposed approach can be used to design smart structure to replicate biological oscillators such as cardiac arrhythmias, neuron signaling, and camouflage skin patterns.
Intrinsic Electronic Transport Properties and Carrier Densities in PtS2 and SnSe2: Exploration of n+‐Source for 2D Tunnel FETs
Authors: Sato Yuichiro , Nishimura Tomonori , Duanfei Dong , Ueno Keiji , Shinokita Keisuke , Matsuda Kazunari , Nagashio Kosuke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractVan der Waals 2D heterostructures are the ideal platform for tunnel field‐effect transistors (TFETs) because of dangling‐bond‐free heterointerfaces. However, the limited selection of n+‐source materials restricts 2D‐TFET research. In this study, intrinsic electron transport properties and carrier density (n) of bulk PtS2 are experimentally examined by Hall measurements to explore its use as an n+‐source material suitable for TFETs in comparison with SnSe2. Despite the similar maximum depletion widths (WDm) and apparently metallic ID–VG curves at room temperature for both bulk samples, the Hall measurements elucidate that n ≈ 3.6 × 1017 cm−3 in PtS2 is much smaller than ≈4.7 × 1018 cm−3 in SnSe2. They also reveal that this difference comes from the depth of the donor level below the conduction band. Therefore, although band‐to‐band tunneling current is successfully observed in the n‐PtS2/p‐WSe2 TFET, VG modulates the n‐PtS2 source as well as p‐WSe2 channel due to the nondegenerate doping of PtS2, resulting in a degraded subthreshold swing. The analysis of the WDm–donor concentration (ND) relation elucidates that ND is not evaluated only by WDm but is largely affected by the energy gap. The general WDm–ND relation for different energy gaps provides a guide to select 2D materials suitable for TFETs.
Unlocking the Electrochemical–Mechanical Coupling Behaviors of Dendrite Growth and Crack Propagation in All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Yuan Chunhao , Lu Wenquan , Xu Jun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDendrite growth and crack propagation are two major hurdles on the road towards the large‐scale commercialization of lithium metal all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). Due to the high multiphysics coupled nature of the underlying dendrite growth mechanism, understanding it has been difficult. Herein, for the first time, an electrochemical‐mechanical model is established that directly couples dendrite growth and crack propagation from a physics‐based perspective at the cell level. Results reveal that overpotential‐driven stress propels a crack to penetrate through the solid electrolyte, creating vacancies for dendrite growth, leading to the short circuit of the battery. Thus, high lithiation/charging rate and low conductivity of electrolytes can accelerate the electrochemical failure of the battery. It is further discovered that Young's modulus ELLZO of the electrolyte has competing contributions to the fracture and dendrite growth; specifically, when ELLZO = 40–100 GPa, the short circuit is triggered early. A larger toughness value hinders the crack propagation and mitigates the Li dendrite growth. The developed multiphysics model provides an in‐depth understanding of the coupling of crack propagation and dendrite growth within ASSBs and an insightful mechanistic design guidance map for robust and safe ASSB cells.
Optimization of E. coli tip‐sonication for high‐yield cell‐free extract using finite element modeling
Authors: Ferdous Sakib , Dopp Jared L. , Reuel Nigel F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOptimal tip sonication settings, namely tip position, input power, and pulse durations, are necessary for temperature sensitive procedures like preparation of viable cell extract. In this paper, the optimum tip immersion depth (20–30% height below the liquid surface) is estimated which ensures maximum mixing thereby enhancing thermal dissipation of local cavitation hotspots. A finite element (FE) heat transfer model is presented, validated experimentally with (R2 > 97%) and used to observe the effect of temperature rise on cell extract performance of Escherichia coli BL21 DE3 star strain and estimate the temperature threshold. Relative yields in the top 10% are observed for solution temperatures maintained below 32°C; this reduces below 50% relative yield at temperatures above 47°C. A generalized workflow for direct simulation using the CONSOL code as well as master plots for estimation of sonication parameters (power input and pulse settings) is also presented.
Cross‐linked poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐titanium tetrachloride complex: A novel stable solid TiCl4 equivalent as a recyclable polymeric Lewis acid catalyst for regioselective ring‐opening alcoholysis of epoxides
Authors: Rahmatpour Ali , Sajjadinezhad Seyed Mehrzad 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCross‐linked poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) resin beads were prepared as macromolecular ligand precursors by suspension copolymerization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinking agent in water. Subsequently, the resulting polymer carrier precursor was readily combined with titanium tetrachloride to form a stable polymeric coordination complex (PNVP/TiCl4), and this novel stable TiCl4 equivalent evaluated as a heterogeneous and reusable solid Lewis acid catalyst for the regio‐and stereoselective nucleophilic ring opening of various epoxides with various alcohols to prepare β‐alkoxy alcohols in excellent yields without generating any waste. The MBA‐cross‐linked PNVP and resultant catalyst were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE–SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Moreover, the catalyst is very stable, easily separated, and reused at least five times without significant loss of activity. In terms of scope, yields, the amount of catalyst used, and reaction time, the PNVP‐TiCl4 complex catalyst is an improvement over previously reported heterogeneous catalysts for ring opening of epoxides methods. Further, the experimental outcome revealed that using the copolymer beads as carriers with a high percentage of crosslinking and the high mesh size leads had an adverse effect on the reaction rate.