bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Centella asiatica Alters Metabolic Pathways Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of ß-Amyloid Accumulation
Authors: Speers Alex B. , García-Jaramillo Manuel , Feryn Alicia , Matthews Donald G. , Lichtenberg Talia , Caruso Maya , Wright Kirsten M. , Quinn Joseph F. , Stevens Jan F. , Maier Claudia S. , Soumyanath Amala , Gray Nora E. 
Published: December 2021

Centella asiatica is an herb used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its beneficial effects on brain health and cognition. Our group has previously shown that a water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) elicits cognitive-enhancing effects in animal models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease, including a dose-related effect of CAW on memory in the 5xFAD mouse model of ß-amyloid accumulation. Here, we endeavor to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of CAW in the brain by conducting a metabolomic analysis of cortical tissue from 5xFAD mice treated with increasing concentrations of CAW. Tissue was collected from 8-month-old male and female 5xFAD mice and their wild-type littermates treated with CAW (0, 200, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg/d) dissolved in their drinking water for 5 weeks. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis was performed and relative levels of 120 annotated metabolites were assessed in the treatment groups. Metabolomic analysis revealed sex differences in the effect of the 5xFAD genotype on metabolite levels compared to wild-type mice, and variations in the metabolomic response to CAW depending on sex, genotype, and CAW dose. In at least three of the four treated groups (5xFAD or wild-type, male or female), CAW (500 mg/kg/d) significantly altered metabolic pathways related to purine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. The results are in line with some of our previous findings regarding specific mechanisms of action of CAW (e.g., improving mitochondrial function, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing synaptic density). Furthermore, these findings provide new information about additional, potential mechanisms for the cognitive-enhancing effect of CAW, including upregulation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the brain and modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These metabolic pathways have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting the therapeutic potential of CAW in this neurodegenerative disease.
An Encounter With the Other: A Thematic and Content Analysis of DMT Experiences From a Naturalistic Field Study
Authors: Michael Pascal , Luke David , Robinson Oliver 
Published: December 2021

Introduction:N,N-dimethyltryptamine(DMT) is an endogenous serotonergic psychedelic capable of producing radical shifts in conscious experience. Increasing trends in its use, as well as new trials administering DMT to patients, indicate the growing importance of a thorough elucidation of the qualitative content, over and above structure, which the drug occasions. This is particularly in light of the hyper-real, otherworldly, and often ontologically challenging yet potentially transformative, nature of the experience, not least encounters with apparently non-self social agents. Laboratory studies have been limited by clinical setting and lacking qualitative analyses of experiential content, while online surveys’ limitations lie in retrospective design, uncontrolled use, and both of which not guaranteeing ‘breakthrough’ experiences, i.e., producing very strong psychoactive effects.Methods:We report on the first naturalistic field study of DMT use including its qualitative analysis. Screened, healthy, anonymised and experienced DMT users were observed during their non-clinical use of the drug at home (40–75 mg inhaled). In-depth semi-structured interviews (inspired by the micro-phenomenological technique) were employed immediately after their experience. This paper reports on the thematic analysis of one major domain of the breakthrough experiences elicited, the ‘other’. Thirty-six post-DMT experience interviews with mostly Caucasian (83%) males (eight female) of average 37 years were predominantly inductively coded.Results:Invariably, profound and highly intense experiences occurred. The first overarching category comprised the encounter with other ‘beings’ (94% of reports), encompassing super-ordinate themes including the entities’ role, appearance, demeanour, communication and interaction; while the second overarching category comprised experiences of emerging into other ‘worlds’ (100% of reports), encompassing super-ordinate themes of the scene, the contents and quality of the immersive spaces. Many further mid-level themes and subthemes also illuminate the rich content of the DMT experience.Discussion:The present study provides a systematic and in-depth analysis of the nuanced content of the otherworldly encounter within the breakthrough DMT experience, as well as elaborating on the resonances both with previous DMT studies focusing on entity encounters and other types of extraordinary experiences entailing such encounters. These include the alien abduction, folkloric, shamanic and near-death experience. Putative neural mechanisms of these features of the DMT experience and its promise as a psychotherapeutic agent are discussed in light of such findings.
Multimodal Interventions Are More Effective in Improving Core Symptoms in Children With ADHD
Authors: Ning Ke , Wang Tingzhao 
Published: December 2021

Objective: To investigate the effect of sensory integration training combined with EEG biofeedback on core symptoms in children with ADHD.Methods: Fifty-two children with attention-deficit, hyperactive-impulsive and combined ADHD were selected. They were randomly divided into control group, sensory integration training group, EEG biofeedback group, and sensory integration training + EEG biofeedback group, and after 4 months of intervention, concentration time and impulsive- hyperactivity and hyperactivity index scores on the PSQ scale were assessed.Results: Compared with that before the intervention, the attention time was significantly increased (P &lt; 0.01), and the impulsive-hyperactivity and hyperactivity index scores were significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.01). After the intervention, the attention time was significantly higher than that of the control group (P &lt; 0.05, P &lt; 0.01), the attention time of the multimodal intervention group was significantly higher than that of the single intervention group (P &lt; 0.01), and the impulsive-hyperactivity and hyperactivity index scores were significantly lower than those of the single intervention group (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Multimodal intervention can significantly improve the concentration level of children with ADHD, and significantly improve the behavioral symptoms of impulsive-hyperactivity and hyperactivity. Multimodal interventions were more effective than single interventions in improving core symptoms in children with ADHD. The results of this study provide a reference for related research and practical application.
The Role of Attitudes Toward Medication and Treatment Adherence in the Clinical Response to LAIs: Findings From the STAR Network Depot Study
Authors: Aguglia Andrea , Fusar-Poli Laura , Amerio Andrea , Placenti Valeria , Concerto Carmen , Martinotti Giovanni , Carrà Giuseppe , Bartoli Francesco , D'Agostino Armando , Serafini Gianluca , Amore Mario , Aguglia Eugenio , Ostuzzi Giovanni , Barbui Corrado ,   The STAR Network Investigators
Published: December 2021

Background: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are efficacious in managing psychotic symptoms in people affected by severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The present study aimed to investigate whether attitude toward treatment and treatment adherence represent predictors of symptoms changes over time.Methods: The STAR Network “Depot Study” was a naturalistic, multicenter, observational, prospective study that enrolled people initiating a LAI without restrictions on diagnosis, clinical severity or setting. Participants from 32 Italian centers were assessed at three time points: baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Psychopathological symptoms, attitude toward medication and treatment adherence were measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10) and the Kemp's 7-point scale, respectively. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate whether attitude toward medication and treatment adherence independently predicted symptoms changes over time. Analyses were conducted on the overall sample and then stratified according to the baseline severity (BPRS &lt; 41 or BPRS ≥ 41).Results: We included 461 participants of which 276 were males. The majority of participants had received a primary diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (71.80%) and initiated a treatment with a second-generation LAI (69.63%). BPRS, DAI-10, and Kemp's scale scores improved over time. Six linear regressions—conducted considering the outcome and predictors at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up independently—showed that both DAI-10 and Kemp's scale negatively associated with BPRS scores at the three considered time points. Linear mixed-effects models conducted on the overall sample did not show any significant association between attitude toward medication or treatment adherence and changes in psychiatric symptoms over time. However, after stratification according to baseline severity, we found that both DAI-10 and Kemp's scale negatively predicted changes in BPRS scores at 12-month follow-up regardless of baseline severity. The association at 6-month follow-up was confirmed only in the group with moderate or severe symptoms at baseline.Conclusion: Our findings corroborate the importance of improving the quality of relationship between clinicians and patients. Shared decision making and thorough discussions about benefits and side effects may improve the outcome in patients with severe mental disorders.
The Epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Under the Influence of COVID-19 in China
Authors: Yan Xiangyu , Wang Xuechun , Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Lei , Zhang Bo , Jia Zhongwei 
Published: December 2021

Background: Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are major public health priorities in China, but are influenced by the COVID-19 epidemic. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures on five major STD epidemics in China.Methods: A monthly number of newly reported cases of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, and syphilis from January 2010 to December 2020 were extracted to establish autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. Each month's absolute percentage error (APE) between the actual value and model-predicted value of each STD in 2020 was calculated to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on the STDs. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the confirmed COVID-19 case numbers and the COVID-19 control measures' correlations with the case numbers and the APEs of five STDs in 2020.Results: The actual number of five STDs in China was more than 50% lower than the predicted number in the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic, especially in February. Among them, the actual number of cases of hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and syphilis in February 2020 was more than 100% lower than the predicted number (APE was −102.3, −109.0, and −100.4%, respectively). After the sharply declines of STDs' reported cases in early 2020, the case numbers recovered quickly after March. The epidemic of STDs was negatively associated with the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures, especially for restrictions on gathering size, close public transport, and stay-at-home requirements (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: COVID-19 had a significant but temporary influence on the STD epidemic in China. The effective control of COVID-19 is vital for STD prevention. STD services need to be improved to prevent STDs from becoming a secluded corner in the shadow of COVID-19.
Influência dos extrativos na cor e durabilidade natural da madeira de Jurema-preta
Authors: Nogueira Sara Sebastiana , Castro Vinicius Gomes , Araujo Poliana Coqueiro Dias 
Published: December 2021

A madeira de Jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret) é amplamente comercializada na região Nordeste do país, mas nem sempre gera produtos com alto valor agregado devido a desinformação sobre seus potenciais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da variação longitudinal intra espécie na resistência natural ao ataque do fungo Ganoderma sp, causador da podridão branca, e na colorimetria da madeira. A espécie, independente da altura do tronco testada, demonstrou-se altamente resistente ao fungo em ensaio de laboratório. Porém, houve diferença entre a susceptibilidade da madeira do topo do tronco em relação as partes inferiores, da mesma forma que houve diferença na cor da madeira, que apresentou um tom menos avermelhado do que a da base. Essas diferenças se devem a maior presença de extrativos solúveis em acetona na madeira do cerne. Compostos polifenólicos possuem capacidade fungicida, afetam a tonalidade vermelha da madeira e são extraíveis com o solvente orgânico acetona.
TÍNH CHẤT ĐIỆN, TỪ VÀ QUANG CỦA HỆ VẬT LIỆU NANO TỔ HỢP ĐA PHA ĐIỆN TỪ Ni0,6Zn0,4Fe2O4-BaTiO3
Authors: Lâm Đào Sơn , Linh Đinh Chí , Dũng Đặng Đức , Dung Nguyễn Thị , Giang Lê Thị , Thành Trần Đăng 
Published: December 2021

Vật liệu nano tổ hợp đa pha điện từ có công thức thành phần xNi0.6 Zn0.4Fe2O4/(1-x)BaTiO3 (x = 0; 0,1; 0,3; 0,5) (xNZFO/(1-x) BTO) với kích thước hạt cỡ 80-100 nm được chế tạo bằng phương pháp nghiền cơ năng lượng cao kết hợp xử lý nhiệt. Các đặc trưng cấu trúc, tính chất điện, từ và quang đã được khảo sát. Giản đồ nhiễu xa tia X thể hiện vật liệu tồn tại hai pha độc lập của Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 (NZFO) và BaTiO3 (BTO). Ở nhiệt độ phòng, do ảnh hưởng của việc tăng hàm lượng của pha sắt từ NZFO từ x = 0 đến x = 0,5, trong dải điện trường cực đại cỡ 10 kV/cm, giá trị của độ phân cực điện dư (Pr), lực kháng điện (Ec) và độ từ hóa bão hòa (Ms) tăng mạnh, có giá trị tương ướng từ 0,0055-0,0158 µC/cm2, 1,05-3,2 kV/cm, và 0,6 -31,2 emu/g. Bên cạnh đó, những ảnh hưởng của hàm lượng pha sắt từ NZFO đến tính chất quang của vật liệu đã được nghiên cứu hệ thống. Khi hàm lượng NZFO tăng từ x = 0 đến x = 0,5, giá trị năng lượng vùng cấm của vật liệu đã suy giảm từ 3,2 xuống 2,65 eV.
A DESIGN OF PORTABLE MINI SOLAR PANEL COMBINED WITH MICRO HYDROPOWER SYSTEM FOR POWER GENERATION
Authors: Awang Mariah , Mawardi bin Mohd Rani Muhammad , Diyana binti Abdul Samad Fadhilah , Syafiq Syazwan M.M. , Kamaruzaman Musa Mohd , Rahman M.A.A , Yusop Fatimah , Hamidon Nuramidah 
Published: December 2021

Traditionally, power systems are built to take energy from high-voltage levels and distribute it to lower-voltage networks. Transmission networks are connected to major generating units. However, there will be an excessive number of tiny generators connected to distribution networks in the future. The portable power production system is mostly responsible for the excessive energy delivered, particularly when the user is experiencing a breakdown (function). The loss of integrity, as well as the breakdown and failure of electrical power transmission systems, appears to be an issue rooted (problem statement) in the highly practical and applied domains of electrical and power engineering. The objective of this project is to design and construct a portable power production system that uses renewable energy. The research also aims to determine the maximum and sufficient power consumption from solar energy and micro-hydropower systems in order to provide adequate energy for the space in the event of a power fail. The data for this study was collected using a Digital Multimeter, which was used to measure the resistance (R), voltage (V), current (A), and power (W). The results of the test reveal that the portable power production based on renewable energy has enough capacity to create electricity during a power failure as well as provide adequate loads such as LED lights, mini fans, and phone chargers. This study can also be improved by creating a higher-voltage micro turbine motor and a higher-voltage solar panel for the solar system to increase the operation time.
The The Contribution of “A Sister of Notre Dame” and the “Nun of Calabar” to Montessori Education in Scotland, Nigeria and Beyond
Authors: Williams Maria Patricia 
Published: December 2021

Although the English Montessori Movement was declining, two educators, trained in the Method in England in the 1920s, contributed significantly to the continuity of Montessori education. “A Sister of Notre Dame”, was the anonymous author of A Scottish Montessori School, published in1932. The “Nun of Calabar”, established Montessori schools between 1926 and 1934 in Nigeria. Their work is placed within the political, social, and cultural context of the time.
Pelatihan Maple untuk Kalkulus Bagi Guru-Guru Matematika Sekolah Candle Tree Serpong Utara Tangerang Selatan Banten dan Sekitarnya
Authors: Pujiastuti Christina Eni , Riyono Joko 
Published: December 2021

Abstrak: Pelajaran matematika merupakan pelajaran yang cukup sulit bahkan mungkin membosankan bagi sebagian siswa. Untuk itu diperlukan sebuah cara pembelajaran yang menarik dan mudah dipahami. Suatu bahan ajar yang menarik dan interaktif akan sangat mendukung proses pembelajaran menjadi lebih baik. Dari hasil diskusi penulis dengan beberapa guru dari sekolah Candle Tree Serpong Utara Tangerang Selatan Banten yang kemudian menjadi Mitra program pengabdian kepada masyarakat disepakati bahwa perlu diadakan pelatihan perangkat lunak Maple bagi guru-guru tersebut. Tujuan dari Pelatihan ini agar guru mengenal perangkat lunak Maple dan dapat menggunakannya dalam proses pembelajaran matematika di sekolahnya. Disebabkan pandemi COVID-19 yang masih terjadi, maka pelatihan dilaksanakan secara daring dengan zoom meeting. Diawali dengan penyampaian teori Kalkulus dilanjutkan dengan pengenalan perangkat lunak Maple dan terakhir dengan demo pembuatan program sederhana untuk Kalkulus dan menggambar grafik animasi. Uji awal dan uji paska tentang Maple dilakukan untuk mengetahui hasil dari pelatihan ini. Hasil menunjukkan kenaikkan yaitu dari 5,6% yang menjawab benar saat sebelum pelatihan dan menjadi 7,3% yang menjawab benar setelah pelatihan. Adapun evaluasi dari pelaksanaan pelatihan berdasarkan jawaban kuesioner yang diberikan memberikan pernyataan 80% menyatakan pelatihan sangat baik. Dampak dari pelatihan ini beberapa guru sudah dapat membuat grafik menggunakan Maple dalam materi bahan ajarnya.Abstract: Mathematics is fairly a difficult subject that may be boring for some studens. We need a way of learning that is interesting and easy to understand. An interesting and interactive teaching material will support the learning processfor the better. The result of the author’s discussion with several teachers from Candle Tree School, Serpong Utara,Tangerang, South Banten. They were agreed that Maple software training should be held for these teachers. The purpose of this training is for teachers to be familiar with Maple software and be able to use it. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the training was carried out online with a zoom meeting. Beginning with the presentation of the theory of Calculus followed by an introduction to the Maple software and finally with a demonstration of making a simple program for Calculus and drawing animated graphics. Pre-test and pos-test on Maple were conducted to find out results of this training. The results showed an increase from 5.6% who answered correctly before the training and to 7.3% who answered correctly after the training. The evaluation of the implementation of the training based on the answers to the questionnaire given, 80% stated that the training was very good. The impact of this training is that some teachers have been able to create graphs using Maple in their.
EVALUATION OF THE VESSEL AGE BY APPLYING THE ACCELERATION PLETHYSMOGRAM ANALYSIS
Authors: Молчанова Елизавета Александровна , Лужнов Петр Вячеславович 
Published: December 2021

В работе приведены понятия жесткости, эластичности и тонуса сосудов, а также же их взаимосвязь с общим состоянием сосудистой стенки. Описан индекс, объединяющий влияние вышеперечисленных факторов на состояние сосудистой системы и дающий представление о возрасте сосудов пациента, а также показана связь этого индекса с возрастом человека. Представлен обзор способов определения возраста сосудов с помощью контурного анализа пульсовой волны. Среди предложенных способов был выделен подход на основе контурного анализа сигнала пульсовой волны, а также ее второй производной. В данном исследовании проводилась разработка алгоритма расчета показателя возраста сосудов (VA), базирующаяся на анализе сигнала и его второй производной. При этом особое внимание уделялось физической интерпретации параметров, входящих в состав расчетной формулы. С помощью представленного алгоритма в группе из трех испытуемых был определен сосудистый возраст. Из анализа полученных результатов было выявлено влияние физиологических факторов на значение возраста сосудов. Предложены методики, позволяющие исключить влияние этих факторов на значения показателя VA и тем самым получить более точные результаты. Также представлены стратегии дальнейшего развития исследований в этом направлении
In The paper presents the concepts of rigidity, elasticity and tone of blood vessels, as well as their relationship with the general state of the vascular wall. An index is described that combines the influence of the above factors on the state of the vascular system and gives an idea of the age of the patient's vessels, and also shows the relationship of this index with the age of a person. An overview of the methods for determining the age of blood vessels using the contour analysis of the pulse wave is presented. Among the proposed methods, an approach based on the contour analysis of the pulse wave signal, as well as its second derivative, was singled out. In this study, an algorithm was developed for calculating the indicator of vascular age (VA), based on the analysis of the signal and its second derivative. In this case, special attention was paid to the physical interpretation of the parameters included in the calculation formula. Using the presented algorithm, vascular age was determined in a group of three subjects. From the analysis of the results obtained, the influence of physiological factors on the value of the age of the vessels was revealed. Methods are proposed that allow to exclude the influence of these factors on the values of the VA indicator and thereby obtain more accurate results. Also presented are strategies for the further development of research in this direction