bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflective Practices in Teaching: A Study on Faculties of Royal University of Bhutan Colleges
Authors: Wangpo Kinga , Wangmo Sonam , Chaudhuri Kalpak , Pelden Yeshi 
Published: August 2021

Aims: Reflective practice refers to teachers' conscious efforts to question their daily activities in the classroom to help them learn and develop professionally. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of reflective practices among Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) faculty members, as well as if these activities differed according to demographic characteristics of the respondents. The study's theoretical framework is the four reflective lenses of Brookfield, namely: student's eye, colleague's eye, Research and theory, and personal experiences/ autobiographies.
Study Design: A descriptive research design with a quantitative approach was used in this study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Bhutan for a period of one year (2020-2021)
Methodology: A total of 186 faculty members from the colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan participated in the study using an online structured questionnaire through Google Form. Descriptive statistics, a one-sample t-test, One-way ANOVA, and an independent sample t-test were used to evaluate and present the findings.
Results: The findings revealed that Royal University of Bhutan colleges' faculty members engage in reflective practices, with student feedback being the most widely utilized strategy for reflection among the four lenses, and peer feedback being the least used technique. The results also showed that there were no differences in educators' reflective practices depending on gender, the number of years of teaching experience, or training attended during in-service years.
Conclusion: The study's main recommendations are to promote peer help in enabling classroom reflection and to provide faculty members with training and development opportunities in various teaching pedagogies.
Comparative Study between Patients with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Normal Pregnancy Regarding Presence of Helicobacter Pylori Antibodies
Authors: Aleem Nada S. Abdul , El-Dakhakhni Raghda A. , Hazzaa Sahar M. , Aglaan Nagwa I. , Borg Hesham M. 
Published: September 2021

Background: The severe form of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) that if left untreated may lead to significant maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a prevalent gram-negative flagellated spiral bacterium that colonizes the stomach of half of the world’s population. Researchers have hypothesized that maternal hormonal and immunological changes during pregnancy that prevent allogenic rejection of fetus reactivates the bacterium. Aim of the work is to compare between patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancy regarding presence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies for proper management.
Materials and Methods: A case-control study was carried out on ninety pregnant women at 5-15 weeks of gestation, thirty pregnant females with single living fetus complaining of HG (Group A), Thirty pregnant females who were multiple pregnancy and/or trophoblastic disorders complaining of HG (Group B) and Thirty pregnant females with normal pregnancy (Group C). Serum test for H. pylori IgG antibody titer was done for all patients and controls using enzyme immunoassay-based kit.
Results: H. pylori were noted in 32 hyperemetic cases and 6 control subjects. The presence of H. pylori increased the risk of HG more than two fold (OR = 2.923, 95% CI: 1.326-6.446, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: There is powerful correlation between H. pylori and hyperemesis gravidarum which proved in single, multiple pregnancy and/or trophoblastic disorders.
Malaria in Pregnancy Amidst Possession of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets (ITNs) in Orlu L.G.A. of Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogomaka I. A. , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi 
Published: August 2021

Malaria is one of the most dreadful diseases in pregnancy due because it affects not only the pregnant mother, but also the foetus especially in the Tropical African countries. Most endemic nations have embarked on free or affordable distribution of insecticide treated bed net as an alternative to drug interventions, yet many people, especially children and pregnant women stand the risk of malaria attack annually. Hence the study on the malaria status and possession of insecticide treated bed net (ITN) among pregnant women in Orlu LGA in 2019.A total of 600 pregnant women were encountered in health care service centersin the area, out of which 514 gave their consent and participated in the study. Blood samples were collected using finger pricking method, stains made directly on slides allowed to dry and then taken to diagnostic laboratory for parasitological analysis. The slides were stained with Giemsa stain and examined using X100 oil immersion objective lens. Biodata and other relevant information on the use/ non use of ITN were obtained using well- structured questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results obtained revealed that out of 514 participants examined,318(61.9%) had malaria parasites while 196(38.1%) had no malaria. Gravid related prevalence showed primed of having the highest prevalence of 69.1%, while the least infected were those of thirdgravidae, (44.3%). Trimester related prevalence also had the first trimester group of having the highest prevalence of 71.5%, while the least was observed among the second trimesters, 55.5%. Of 217 (42.2%) who use ITN,129 (59.4%) were infected while 63.6% of those who do not use had a malaria infection as well. Generally, this study revealed that it is not only the distribution or possession of ITN that reduces or prevents malaria infection, but the zeal and enabling environment to use the nets appropriately. A lot more is needed to really prevent malaria infection among the most vulnerable and indeed the entire populace through improved education strategy. Better enlightenment of the public as well as availability of coping strategies to really ameliorate the effect of extra heat and rashes from the bed nets are paramount.
Essential Oils Bearing Plants of Cameroon – An Update
Authors: Fogang Vougmo , Meriçli Filiz , ÖzkumYavuz Dudu , Clovis Talla , Fogang Kenfack , Mamno Tagne 
Published: September 2021

In Cameroon, several plants are used both for their medicinal properties and as food. Many of them contain essential oils as one of their secondary metabolites. Although traditional healers rarely, if ever, use essential oils as the basis for their treatments, it is thought that the latter would be found in their products in view of the preparation processes used. And therefore several activities attributed to their drugs are linked to the presence of essential oils. Many studies have revealed the presence of essential oils in several plants found in Cameroon, and validated their traditional use. The purpose of this study is to identify these plants on the basis of studies carried out in order to make a review which will serve as support for future studies. This work reviewed available and accessible original articles in EBSCO, Ovid MEDLINE®, PubMed®, ScienceDirectTM, Scopus® and Web of ScienceTM databases on Cameroon plants studied for their essential oils. We have identified ninety plants that have been the subject of proven studies and scientific publication. They are mainly distributed in the families of Lamiaceae (14: 16%), Annonaceae (11: 12%), Rutaceae (10: 11%), Asteraceae (10 : 11%) and Myrtaceae (09 : 10%). We believe that an important work remains to be done in the search for new essential oils in Cameroon, because the country is endowed with a very great botanical diversity.
Effect of Formulation Parameter on Dissolution Rate of Flurbiprofen Using Liquisolid Compact
Authors: Sulaiman Halah Talal , Jaber Saba Hadee 
Published: September 2021

Attempts were made to improve solubility and the liquisolid technology dissolving of medication flurbiprofen. Liquisolid pill was developed utilizing transcutol-HP, polyethylene glycol 400, Avecil PH 102 carrier material and Aerosil 200 layer coating material. Suitable excipient amounts were determined to produce liquisolid powder using a mathematical model. On the other hand, flurbiprofen tablet with the identical composition, directly compressed, was manufactured for comparison without the addition of any unvolatile solvent. Both powder combination characterizations and after-compression tablets were evaluated. The pure drug and physical combination, and chosen liquisolid tablets were studied in order to exclude interacting with the differentional scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
The results showed that transcutol is the ideal solvent with a solubility of 260±3.9 mg/ml in flurbiprofen. All formula developed were determined to be flowable within the specified limitations. The transcutol-like liquidsolid tablet formula of 35 percent w/w flurbiprofen and carrier to coating ratio of 10 was the most acceptable for the disintegration time, the tablet weight and other approved tablet characteristics.
DSC thermographs demonstrated the development of a solid flurbiprofen amorphic solid solution for both the physical blend of the chosen liquisolid system and its tablets. The lack of chemicals interaction in medication and other components of the formula was demonstrated by the retention of all flurbiprofen characteristic peaks in all FTIR spectra. As an option to enhance solubility and dissolve flurbiprofen, which has a poor water solubility, liquisolid tablet has been evaluated.
Hepatoprotective Potential of Tecomella undulata Bark on Paracetamol and CCL4 Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: Invitro Analysis
Authors: Saxena Prasoon Kumar , Nanda Deepak , Gupta Ritu 
Published: September 2021

In this study the T. undulata bark was tested for its hepatoprotection against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatic damage and Carbon tetra chloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. The Invitro study was performed on HepG2 cell line .The Levels of serum marker enzymes i.e. AST, ALT (aminotransferases), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), GSH (reduced glutathione) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) in 70% Ethanol treated rats were monitored, respectively. The 70% Ethanol extract gave promising results as studied in detail. The Present study showed that the 70 % ethanolic extract of bark of T.undulata apparently revive the physiological integrity of hepatocytes. Thus the present study demonstrated the Hepatoprotective property of Tecomella undulate Bark.
Serodiagnosis of Hepatitis B Virus Using PreS Antigen from Pakistani Isolate SBS001
Authors: Iftikhar Saima , Aslam Farheen , Akhtar Muhammad 
Published: September 2021

Background: An estimated 325 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B and/or C and approximately, 5 million people are affected with hepatitis B. in Pakistan.This study aimed at developing PreS protein from Hepatitis B Virus Pakistani isolate (SBS001) with enhanced sensitivity to detect antibodies in serum as a diagnostic method.
Methods: Gene encoding PreS region from hepatitis B Virus was cloned and expressed in Escherchia coli. The recombinant protein preS-His was purified by Ni-IDA affinity chromatography. Antibodies were raised in rabbit. This protein was screened for detection of antibodies in HBV patients’ sera through ELISA. This ELISA procedure was compared with commercially available Kit used for diagnosis of HBV infection.
Results: Single band purified recombinant PreS protein was obtained with high titer of antibodies raised in rabbits. This recombinant protein was used in ELISA as antigen coated on the plate. That efficiently detected antibodies present in HBV patients. It was concluded that preS-His antigen/ protein A HRP-conjugate ELISA method was more sensitive than the commercial kit for detecting the antibodies present in HBV patient sera.
Conclusion: It was concluded that SBS001 PreS recombinant protein can be used in ELISA kits for detection of HBV in Pakistani population.
The Digital Reindustrialisation of Cities
Authors: Guallart Vicente 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe advanced technology of the early 21st century – digital fabrication, robots and global virtual connections – is giving us the opportunity to re‐evaluate our modes and locations for industrial production. Equally these notions can enhance our ability to tackle climate change. Vicente Guallart, co‐founder and former Director of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia and principal of Guallart Architects, explains why.
Programmable Multistable Perforated Shellular
Authors: Shi Jiahao , Mofatteh Hossein , Mirabolghasemi Armin , Desharnais Gilles , Akbarzadeh Abdolhamid 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDeveloping bistable metamaterials has recently offered a new design paradigm for deployable structures and reusable dampers. While most bistable mechanisms possess inclined/curved struts, a new 3D multistable shellular metamaterial is developed by introducing delicate perforations on the surface of Schwarz's Primitive shellular, integrating the unique properties of shellular materials such as high surface area, stiffness, and energy absorption with the multistability concept. Denoting the fundamental snapping part by motif, certain shellular motifs with elliptical perforations exhibit mechanical bistability. To bring the concept of multistability to a single motif, multistable shellular motifs are developed by introducing multilayer staggered perforations that form hinges and facilitate local instability. Adopting an n‐layer staggered perforation (n hinges) design leads to a maximum 2n−1 stable states within one shellular motif during loading and unloading. Three‐directional multistable shellulars are attained by extending the perforation design in three orthogonal directions. Harnessing snap‐through and snap‐back behaviors and self‐contact, the introduced multistable perforated shellulars exhibit strong rigidity both in loading and unloading, and enhanced energy dissipation. The introduced design strategy opens up new horizons for creating multidirectional multistable metamaterials with load bearing capabilities for applications in soft robotics, shape‐morphing architectures, and reusable and deployable energy absorbers/dampers.
Precise Layer‐Dependent Electronic Structure of MBE‐Grown PtSe2
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Tong , Sahdan Muhammad Fauzi , Arramel  , Xu Wenshuo , Xing Kaijian , Feng Yuan Ping , Zhang Wenjing , Wang Zhuo , Wee Andrew T. S. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract2D platinum diselenide (PtSe2) has received significant attention for 2D transistor applications due to its high carrier mobility. Here, using molecular beam epitaxy, the growth of 2D PtSe2 is investigated on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and their electronic properties are unveiled via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectra, and scanning tunnelling microscopy/spectroscopy as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. PtSe2 adopts a layer‐by‐layer growth mode on HOPG and shows a decreasing bandgap with increasing layer number. For the layer numbers from one to four, PtSe2 has bandgaps of 2.0 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.1, 0.6 ± 0.1, and 0.20 ± 0.1 eV, respectively, and becomes semimetal from the fifth layer. DFT calculations reproduce the layer‐dependent evolution of both the bandgap and band edges, suggest an indirect bandgap structure, and elucidate the underlying physics at the atomic level.
A novel microdeletion upstream of HOXD13 in a Chinese family with synpolydactyly
Authors: Jia Weimin , Zhou Xiaopei , Guo Naiqiang , Zhang Dazhi , Hou Meiqi , Luo Yalin , Peng Xuejie , Yang Xue , Zhang Xianqin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSynpolydactyly (SPD) is a digital malformation with the typical clinical phenotype of the webbing of 3/4 fingers and/or 4/5 toes, and combined with polydactyly. In this study, we investigated a Chinese family with SPD and genetic analysis found that all of the affected individuals in the family carry a heterozygous 11,451 bp microdeletion at chr2:176933872‐176945322 (GRCh37), which is located upstream of HOXD13 gene, the known disease gene for SPD1. All the affected individuals in the family carry the heterozygous deletion variant, and the variant co‐segregated with SPD in the family. Thus, we speculate that the 11,451 bp microdeletion is the disease‐causing variant in the family. To date, the microdeletion associating with SPD1 which we identified is the smallest deletion upstream of the HOXD13 gene and not altering the sequence of the HOXD13 gene.
Biosynthesis of Fungal Drimane‐Type Sesquiterpene Esters
Authors: Huang Ying , Hoefgen Sandra , Valiante Vito 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDrimane‐type sesquiterpenes exhibit various biological activities and are widely present in eukaryotes. Here, we completely elucidated the biosynthetic pathway of the drimane‐type sesquiterpene esters isolated from Aspergillus calidoustus and we discovered that it involves a drimenol cyclase having the same catalytic function previously only reported in plants. Moreover, since many fungal drimenol derivatives possess a γ‐butyrolactone ring, we clarified the functions of the cluster‐associated cytochrome P450 and FAD‐binding oxidoreductase discovering that these two enzymes are solely responsible for the formation of those structures. Furthermore, swapping of the enoyl reductase domain in the identified polyketide synthase led to the production of metabolites containing various polyketide chains with different levels of saturation. These findings have deepened our understanding of how fungi synthesize drimane‐type sesquiterpenes and the corresponding esters.
Copper‐Catalyzed Aza‐Sonogashira Cross‐Coupling To Form Ynimines: Development and Application to the Synthesis of Heterocycles
Authors: Lavernhe Rémi , Torres‐Ochoa Rubén O. , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNitrogen‐substituted alkynes, such as ynamines and ynamides, are versatile synthetic building blocks. Ynimines bearing additional nucleophilic and electrophilic centers relative to ynamines and ynamides are expected to have high synthetic potential. However, their chemical reactivity remains unexplored owing mainly to the lack of synthetic accessibility. We report herein a versatile copper‐catalyzed synthesis of ynimines from readily available O‐acetyl ketoximes and terminal alkynes. A wide range of O‐acetyl ketoximes derived from diaryl ketones, aryl alkyl ketones and dialkyl ketones underwent cross‐coupling with a diverse set of terminal alkynes to afford the ynimines in good to excellent yields. An unprecedented [5+1] heteroannulation reaction exploiting the reactivity of the ynimine generated in situ was subsequently developed for the synthesis of medicinally important heterocycles, including isoquinolines, azaindoles, azabenzofurans, azabenzothiophenes and carbolines.
Pharmacophore‐linked pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidines as EGFR‐TK inhibitors: Synthesis, anticancer evaluation, pharmacokinetics, and in silico mechanistic studies
Authors: Gaber Ahmed A. , El‐Morsy Ahmed M. , Sherbiny Farag F. , Bayoumi Ashraf H. , El‐Gamal Kamal M. , El‐Adl Khaled , Al‐Karmalawy Ahmed A. , Ezz Eldin Rogy R. , Saleh Marwa A. , Abulkhair Hamada S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTargeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) with small inhibitor molecules has been validated as a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer therapy. Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine is a versatile scaffold that has been exploited for developing potential anticancer agents. On the basis of fragment‐based drug discovery, considering the essential pharmacophoric features of potent EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors, herein, we report the design and synthesis of new hybrid molecules of the pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine scaffold linked with diverse pharmacophoric fragments with reported anticancer potential. These fragments include hydrazone, indoline‐2‐one, phthalimide, thiourea, oxadiazole, pyrazole, and dihydropyrazole. The synthesized molecules were evaluated for their anticancer activity against the human breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7. The obtained results revealed comparable antitumor activity with that of the reference drugs doxorubicin and toceranib. Docking studies were performed along with EGFR‐TK and ADMET profiling studies. The results of the docking studies showed the ability of the designed compounds to interact with key residues of the EGFR‐TK through a number of covalent and noncovalent interactions. The obtained activity of compound 25 (IC50 = 2.89 µM) suggested that it may serve as a lead for further optimization and drug development.
Red‐Blood‐Cell‐Membrane‐Coated Metal‐Drug Nanoparticles for Enhanced Chemotherapy
Authors: Liang Shuya , Wang Miaomiao , Wang Jun , Chen Guanzhi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTo overcome high toxicity, low bioavailability and poor water solubility of chemotherapeutics, a variety of drug carriers have been designed. However, most carriers are severely limited by low drug loading capacity and adverse side eﬀects. Here, a new type of metal‐drug nanoparticles (MDNs) was designed and synthesized. The MDNs self‐assembled with Fe(III) ions and drug molecules through coordination, resulting in nanoparticles with high drug loading. To assist systemic delivery and prolong circulation time, the obtained MDNs were camouflaged with red blood cell (RBCs) membranes (RBCs@Fe‐DOX MDNs) to improve their stability and dispersity. The RBCs@Fe‐DOX MDNs presented pH‐responsive release functionalities, resulting in drug release accelerated in acidic tumor microenvironments. The outstanding in vitro and in vivo antitumor therapeutic outcome was realized by RBCs@Fe‐DOX MDNs. This study provides an innovative design guideline for chemotherapy and demonstrates the great capacity of nanomaterials in anticancer treatments.
Mode Interaction in Cold‐Formed Steel Members: State‐of‐Art Report
Authors: Camotim Dinar , Martins André D. , Dinis Pedro B. , Young Ben , Chen Man‐Tai , Landesmann Alexandre 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis work provides a state‐of‐art report on the most recent findings concerning the behaviour, strength and Direct Strength Method (DSM) design of cold‐formed steel (CFS) columns and beams affected by mode coupling phenomena not adequately covered by the current specifications for CFS members, namely local‐distortional (L‐D), local‐distortional‐global (L‐D‐G), distortional‐global (D‐G) and global‐global (flexural‐torsional/flexural ‐ FT‐F) interaction. The paper addresses experimental tests, numerical simulations and DSM‐based design approaches, intended to (i) acquire in‐depth knowledge on the non‐linear behaviour (elastic and elastic‐plastic), load‐carrying capacity and failure mode nature of the members under consideration, and (ii) make use of the above knowledge to develop, propose and assess the merit of efficient DSM‐based design approaches to estimate their failure loads or moments. Initially, illustrative column results are briefly presented to help grasp some fundamental concepts, namely the characterisation of the (i) above mode coupling phenomena, (ii) different sources of mode interaction that may lead to failure load/moment erosion and (iii) the most detrimental initial geometrical imperfections ‐ also presented are the currently codified DSM design curves, as well as two recently developed strength curves for column flexural‐torsional and beam distortional failures. Then, the paper addresses separately each mode coupling phenomenon dealt with, for columns, and only L‐D and D‐G interaction for beams. For columns undergoing L‐D and L‐D‐G interaction, beams experiencing L‐D interaction and angle columns susceptible to FT‐F interaction, the work reported includes experimental studies, numerical simulations and DSM‐based design considerations and/or guidelines. For the remaining coupling phenomena only numerical results are reported, but they unveil interesting (and unexpected) behavioural features that will help plan future test campaigns and achieve efficient design approaches. Finally, the paper closes with a few concluding remarks and a perspective about future developments in this field.