bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infectious Waste Management in the Face of COVID-19 in a Rural Health Facility in Eastern Uganda
Authors: David Okia , Stanley Iramiot Jacob , Enid Kagoya Kawala , Rebecca Nekaka , Veronica Karungi , Drake Musoki , Alfred Oteko , Janet Nakisuyi , Emmanuel Aisu 
Published: April 2021

Aim: This study aimed to assess Infectious Waste Management in face of COVID-19, among Health care workers in Rural Health Facilities in Amuria district, Eastern Uganda. Little evidence exists of the challenges that occur while implementing Infectious waste management in the face of COVID-19 in resource-limited settings in Eastern Uganda. Our findings will close this apparent research gap and inform current district and national policies in Infectious Waste Management.
Materials and Methods: We conducted cross-sectional survey in five health facilities in Amuria district, using modified CDC Infection Control Assessment Tool for health facility, and a validated structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge of health care workers present on Infectious waste management in the face of COVID-19. Observation and in-depth interviews were also conducted in addition to assess the practice and attitude of staff towards infectious waste management.
Results: The five (100%) of the Health Facilities assessed in Amuria district lacked written infection prevention policies and procedures that are current, and are based on evidence-based guidelines. The facilities also had no competency-based training program that provides job-specific training on infection prevention policies and procedures to health care personnel. In terms of knowledge, Waste handlers had poor knowledge in infection control only 8.3% of the medical waste handlers could identify biohazard symbols and knew how infectious waste is segregated into the different categories at the point of generation. All (100%) of the health care workers were knowledgeable about the COVID-19 standard operating procedures.
Conclusion: The doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and laboratory personnel had good knowledge of infectious waste Management and were up to date with COVID-19 standard operating procedures. The Medical Waste handlers had poor knowledge of Infectious Waste Management and COVID-19 standard operating procedures. Medical Waste handlers also had a poor attitude, towards the use of personal protective gear while on duty. All the Medical Waste handlers were willing to be trained in Infectious Waste Management. The facilities assessed had no enabling environment for infection control (no policies and in-service training in infection control for staff).We recommend Medical Waste Handlers to be trained in infection control and prevention before and after they are employed.
Optimization of Selected Process Parameters Affecting Yield of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Ekaji F. A. , Akujobi C. O. , Umeh S. I. 
Published: April 2021

Aims: To optimize effects of selected process parameters affecting yield of green synthesized silver nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity.
Study Design: Study was designed with 3 factors Box Behnken Design (Minitab 17) and Response optimizer (Minitab 17) was used to determine optimum values of the factors.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, from March to November, 2020.
Methodology: After extraction by boiling, qualitative phytochemical analysis of leaves’ extracts of Ipeoma batatas, Commelina africana and Manihot esculenta was carried out. Following synthesis of silver nanoparticles as prescribed by Box Behnken design, yield of AgNPs was optimized with Response optimizer (Minitab 17). Then antibacterial activity of resulting AgNPs was tested against isolates of P. aeruginosa and E. coli.
Results: Extracts contained alkaloids, tannins, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, but no sterols and cardiac glycosides. Optimum pH, temperature and time obtained with Response Optimizer resulted in 62.6%, 55.8% and 54.9% increase in yield of AgNPs, with leaf extracts of C. africana, M. esculenta and I. batatas respectively, compared to un-optimized conditions. Absorbance for resulting AgNPs peaked between 380 to 400 nm. Zones of inhibition (mm) of P. aeruginosa with AgNPs synthesized using extracts of C. africana, I. batatas and M. esculenta were 10, 10 and 9 respectively, under un-optimized condition, and 12, 10 and 8 respectively, for optimized conditions. Against E. coli, they were 11, 11 and 12 for AgNPs synthesized with extracts of C. africana, I. batatas and M. esculenta respectively, under un-optimized condition, and 13, 9 and 11 respectively, for optimized conditions.
Conclusion: Leaf extracts of C. africana, I. batatas and M. esculenta can be used in synthesizing AgNPs, with marked antibacterial activities. Box Behnken design is useful for optimization of effects of process parameters.
Candidatus
Halectosymbiota
Authors: Filker Sabine 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Hal.ec.to.sym.bi.o'ta. Gr. masc. n.
hals
,
halos
salt, salt water; Gr. prep.
ektos
outside; N.L. masc. n.
symbiota
(from Gr. n.
symbiotes
) one who lives with a companion, partner; N.L. masc. n.
Halectosymbiota
an ectosymbiont from salt water organisms.

Halobacterota / Halobacteria / Halobacteriales / Halorubraceae /
Candidatus
Halectosymbiota

The genus
Candidatus
Halectosymbiota corrig., originally described as
Ca
. Haloectosymbiotes, was established based on a 16S rRNA taxonomic marker gene sequence of the only identified species in this genus,
Candidatus
Halectosymbiota riaformosensis.
Ca
. Halectosymbiota riaformosensis was observed to live as ectosymbiont on a halophile scuticociliate, which was isolated from a thalassohaline solar saltern pond (12% salinity) in Faro, Portugal. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that
Ca
. Halectosymbiota is phylogenetically affiliated to the genera
Halolamina
(sequence similarity to
H. pelagica
: 87%) and
Halobaculum
(sequence similarity to
H. magnesiiphilum
85%). Based on scanning electron microscopy micrographs and fluorescence
in situ
hybridization, cells are rod‐shaped and approximately 1.8 × 0.6 μm in size. Cells are densely covering the surface of the host, with approximately 0.52 epibiotic cells per μm
2
. Free‐living forms were not observed.
Candidatus
Halectosymbiota riaformosensis is sensitive to anisomycin. Known habitats are aquatic hypersaline environments.

Type species
: Not applicable.
Recent Advances for Improving Functionality, Biocompatibility, and Longevity of Implantable Medical Devices and Deliverable Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Kutner Neta , Kunduru Konda Reddy , Rizik Luna , Farah Shady 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe great majority of medical devices elicit foreign body response (FBR) postimplantation. FBR is a major hurdle to develop a successful device for impaired organs, leading to failure of devices/treatments. In recent times, several advantageous technologies have been developed based on either surface modifications or localized drug delivery systems (DDSs) in order to overcome the FBR limitation, which enhanced the success of implantable medical devices. The recent advances for improving the functionality, biocompatibility, and longevity of implantable medical devices and deliverable DDSs are discussed here. It is believed that these advances will further guarantee the improvement of existing implants and deliverable entities while enabling the development of new therapy technologies. Such technologies are anticipated to be long‐term patient‐friendly and thus lead to a higher quality of life.
Magnetic Helical Hydrogel Motor for Directing T Cell Chemotaxis
Authors: Wang Zhen , Fu Dongmei , Xie Dazhi , Fu Shaoming , Wu Juanyan , Wang Shuanghu , Wang Fei , Ye Yicheng , Tu Yingfeng , Peng Fei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMicro/nanomotors are attracting booming research enthusiasm with their revolutionary potential in biomedicine, sensing, and nanoengineering. Among the motors proposed, magnetic micro/nanomotors are of great interest with their high controllability and field biocompatibility. Yet the fabrication of magnetic actuated especially helical motors requires expensive and complicated instruments, 3D printing or glancing angle deposition, etc. Here, a soft and biocompatible helical poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel motor via a versatile set‐up is engineered. The obtained helical hydrogel motor offers high capacity for chemokine CXCL12 and superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, which can then allow magnetic manipulation. With a low strength rotating magnetic field, the system is able to perform 3D precision navigation, necessary to steer the robotic system to a model diseased area. The chemokine cues from the hydrogel motor, acting as the synthetic leader cell, then directs immune T cell chemotactic migration. In a previously reported cell manipulating motor system, towing or pushing a single/two cell was demonstrated, with limited efficiency. This motor platform represents a novel approach for directing endogenous cell chemotaxis and organizing immune response.
A Facile and Rapid Approach to Lotus‐Seedpod‐Structured Electronic Skin for Monitoring Diverse Physical Stimuli
Authors: Huang Yanhao , Chen Libo , Zheng Shaodi , Wu Xiaotian , Liu Lei , Zhang Kai , Ke Kai , Liu Zhengying , Yang Wei , Yang Mingbo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlthough the burgeoning Internet of Things has created soaring demand for electronic skin (e‐skin), a facile and eco‐friendly approach towards the scalable fabrication of the hierarchical active layer for such a system is still limited in the stage of development. Herein a sensing layer with lotus‐seedpod‐like structures is reported that is readily prepared by multi‐melt multi‐injection molding (M3IM). Because of the shear flow and thermodynamic factors in M3IM, silica microspheres in the core layer of the polyethylene/silica composite are inclined to migrate to the interface between the skin layer of ethylene‐α‐octene block copolymer/carbon nanotube composite and core layer, resulting in lotus‐seedpod‐like structures consisting of micro‐pits and asperities formed on the surface of the peeled skin layer. The sensitivity of the fabricated e‐skin is significantly affected by the number of micro‐pits on the lotus‐seedpod‐like structure, which mainly depend on the silica mass fraction in the composites. For instance, the e‐skin made from the composites with 66.67 wt% silica exhibits a sensitivity of 19.87 kPa−1 over a wide linear range of 0.017–11.5 kPa and demonstrates excellent durability and reproducibility, enabling multiple signal detection. This work sheds light on the rapid and scalable fabrication of sensors using a polymer melt processing strategy.
IR and UV Laser‐Induced Graphene: Application as Dopamine Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Santos Nuno F. , Pereira Sónia O. , Moreira Ana , Girão Ana V. , Carvalho Alexandre F. , Fernandes António J. S. , Costa Florinda M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLaser‐induced graphene (LIG) is inexpensive, fast, and easy to produce when compared to many other forms of graphene. Within the biosensing field, LIG electrodes are most often produced via infrared (IR) laser irradiation of polyimide sheets. Nevertheless, the usage of ultraviolet (UV) laser to produce LIG provides advantages in terms of sensor miniaturization because of its inherently higher scribing resolution. Yet, studies on the electrochemical performance of UV LIG, its relation with morphological and structural aspects as well as its comparison with IR LIG are still lacking. This work shows that both LIGs present swift electron transfer kinetics constituting excellent electrodes for electroanalysis. Extreme sensitivities of 93 and 58 µA µm−1 cm−2 at physiologically relevant dopamine (DA) concentrations are found for IR and UV LIG, respectively. Such sensitivities and good selectivity are achieved in the presence of physiologically relevant concentrations of ascorbic and uric acids, contrasting to the related literature employing IR LIG where such interferents are below the physiological range. Despite providing lower sensitivity, UV LIG is still an excellent material for DA biosensors, with the above‐mentioned advantages in terms of miniaturization. To our knowledge, these are among the highest sensitivities reported for voltammetric measurement of DA using carbon‐based materials.
Visible Light‐Induced Synthesis of Functionalized Coumarins
Authors: Singh Jitender , Sharma Anuj 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFunctionalized coumarins are privileged scaffolds which display diverse pharmacological and physiological activities, and a myriad of applications in medical science and biomedical research. Owing to these multifarious activities of coumarins, synthetic chemists are actively engaged in developing new and superior methods for their synthesis. In the last decade, the synthesis of functionalized coumarins via visible light‐induced methodologies has turned into one of the most significant and fundamental missions in organic synthesis. This review covers the literature on the synthesis of functionalized coumarins under visible light‐assisted methodologies.magnified image
The role of process intensification in the current business context of the chemical process industry
Authors: John Jinu Joseph , Gueneau de Mussy Jean Paul , Kuhn Simon , Van Gerven Tom 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThere is always a discord between the academia and the industry on what is need‐to‐have and nice‐to‐have in terms of novel chemical processes and technologies. The International Process Intensification Conference (IPIC) was organized to hear both sides and to help bridge the knowledge gaps on either side in order to bring about a well‐informed cohesive understanding into where the field of process intensification (PI) should be headed. This perspective is written to publicize the findings and conclusions of the Industrial Day workshop during IPIC 2019 to give an insight into what drives the current business context of the chemical process industry, the role of PI to realize these driving factors and the challenges involved in implementing these intensified solutions. Four of the promising PI fields ‐ continuous manufacturing, alternative energy sources, 3D printing and multifunctional processes ‐ were also discussed among a group of experts from the respective fields to identify essential knowledge gaps, their role in the current business context and the challenges involved in commercializing these technologies.
Use of sodium alginate biopolymer as an extracting agent of methylene blue in the polymer‐enhanced ultrafiltration technique
Authors: Oyarce Estefanía , Santander Paola , Butter Bryan , Pizarro Guadalupe Del C. , Sánchez Julio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, the removal of methylene blue (MB) cationic dye from an aqueous solution was investigated using the polymer‐enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) technique with sodium alginate (SA) as an extracting soluble polymer, in combination with an ultrafiltration membrane of regenerated cellulose with a 10 kDa molar mass cut‐off. SA was characterized via Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. For ultrafiltration studies, the washing method was used to evaluate various experimental variables, such as the pH, SA dose and initial MB concentration, and adsorption isotherms to identify the optimal adsorption conditions. Finally, the regeneration of the SA polymer was evaluated in five consecutive cycles of adsorption–desorption of MB. In the obtained characterization results, the structural composition of SA and the characteristic thermal stability of the polymer were verified. The PEUF results demonstrated that a retention capacity of 98% of the MB was realized at pH 8.0 using 0.025 g of SA at an initial optimal MB concentration of 50 mg L−1. It is possible to observe that the Freundlich model better explain the interaction between the dye and the polymer surface. According to the results is demonstrated the regeneration capacity of the polymer and its subsequent reuse.
A facile preparation of the superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane materials and its performances based on the supercritical fluid foaming
Authors: Wen Huayin , Jia Yalan , Xiang Bin , Zhang Wenhuan , Luo Shikai , Liu Tao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe supercritical foaming (SCF) method was proposed to conveniently fabricate superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface. The effect of foaming parameters on the cellular structure, wettability, mechanical properties and thermal properties was investigated. This work indicates that the microstructure plays an important role in the superhydrophobicity of the PDMS materials. When the cell size and cell wall size, respectively, reach to 103.6 and 29.7 μm, the water contact angle (WCA) of the microcellular PDMS foams can achieve the maximum value 158°, and the air occupies about 90.6% of the contact areas. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of superhydrophobic PDMS materials can reach to 0.81 MPa, indicating that the superhydrophobic PDMS materials are useful. Moreover, the superhydrophobic PDMS materials show good thermal stability and excellent adiabatic property. And the method is simple and convenient, which can be used for the preparation of the superhydrophobic surfaces.
Hierarchical Hybrid Supports and Synthesis Strategies for Hydrodesulfurization of Recalcitrance Organosulfur Compounds
Authors: Ganiyu Saheed A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt is undisputed that there is a paradigm shift in the global trend of crude oil towards being more sour and heavier than usual light sources. Consequently, the hydrotreating activity becomes a bottleneck with high content of S, N, metals and other impurities than expected. On the other hand, the price of petroleum products lately witnessed instability and fell to the lowest average price (<USD 20) in recent times. In the same vein, the regulation to control the emission of toxic compounds in the atmosphere become stricter as promulgated by various policymakers. In this sense, robust hydrotreating catalysts with characteristics efficient catalytic activity, selectivity and stability are highly desirable. Recently, different approaches have been used to improve and cushion the unprecedented effect emanated from economic, social and environmental challenges posed by heavy and sour crude sources, price instability of the refined products and regulation to lower the sulfur to minimum level or zero parts per millions (ppm). Importantly, the role of support in catalysis cannot be over emphasized, whilst the surface area and porosity, mechanical and thermal stability, dispersion of active metals, acidity/basicity have been greatly improved, the increased activity, stability and selectivity has been observed significantly. In this review, hybrid supports based on aluminosilicates (zeolitic types) and other notable supports from recent literatures were explored and discussed for Ni(Co)Mo(W) supported catalysts for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of heavy organosulfur molecules. The emphasis on the hybrid supports’ varied characteristics for HDS of organosulfur molecules, where there are necessities for fast diffusion of reactants and products, better dispersion of MoS2 crystallites, high surface area and pore volume, and increased acidity of the catalysts are greatly emphasized. Furthermore, the progress made so far on different HDS active phases viz. noble metals, metal phosphides, intermetallic silicides, carbides and iron‐zinc are highlighted in this write‐up, irrespective of the support composition in the supported catalysts formulations. The need for application of predictive tools, like machine learning (ML) in the design and development of HDS catalysts, and performance evaluation of HDS activity towards achieving better catalytic operation was briefly highlighted. Finally, the review will serve as a summary of scientific efforts in this regards and bridge a gap for the newcomers to investigate the topic in a better way through proper selection and efficient catalysts design.
A novel adaptive pseudospectral method for the optimal control problem of automatic car parking
Authors: Chen Xuesong , Mai Heng , Zhang Zemian , Gu Fangqing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel adaptive pseudospectral (NAP) method for solving the time‐energy optimal control model to minimize the parking time and the energy output of the vehicle. The time‐energy optimal control model is first discretized into a nonlinear programming problem at Gauss collocations by the NAP method. Subsequently, we prove the equivalence between the nonlinear programming problem derived from the NAP method and the time‐energy optimal control model problem. Compared to those of the interior point method and the piecewise gauss pseudospectal method, simulation results show that the NAP method has higher computational efficiency and accuracy in solving the time‐energy optimal control model problem.
An analytic treatment of magnetically deformed neutron stars
Authors: Zamani Mina , Bigdeli Mohsen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, we develop an analytic treatment, which would allow us to model magnetic deformation of neutron stars in the quasi‐Newtonian framework. We assume non‐magnetic, spherical relativistic stars as backgrounds and regard the magnetic fields as the perturbation. We analyze the problem by taking density profiles from various analytic approaches. The first density profile is the n = 1 solution of the Lane‐Emden equation, the second one is a parabolic ansatz for density and the last density distribution is a fourth‐order polynomial with a free parameter fit to a relativistic solution obtained from a microphysical equation of state (EoS). In this article, the EoS of neutron matter is obtained from the lowest order constraint variational (LOCV) method. Furthermore, both purely poloidal and purely toroidal magnetic field configurations are obtained by solving the Euler's magnetohydrodynamic equations. We almost incorporate all the magnetic field configurations assessed from different density profiles. In order to study the structure of the neutron stars, the magnetic pressure, and density should be treated as perturbations of non‐magnetized stars. We find out that the stellar shape is prolate for positive distortion (purely toroidal magnetic field) and oblate for negative distortion (purely poloidal magnetic field). The magnetic effect on the gravitational mass is also explained.
Making sense of senseless murders: The who, what, when, and where?
Authors: Reale Kylie S. , Beauregard Eric , Chopin Julien , Wells Nathan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe phenomenon of “senseless” or “motiveless” homicide refers to homicides that lack an objective external motivation. Despite the unique challenges these homicides pose to police, few empirical studies have been conducted on the topic and existing studies are limited to clinical studies using small samples. To overcome existing empirical shortcomings, the current study used a sample of 319 homicide cases where no motive was established during the investigation to describe the “who” (offender and victim characteristics), “what” (modus operandi, crime characteristics), “where” (encounter, crime, and body recovery associated locations), and “when” (time of the crime) of the entire criminal event. Findings provide insight into the entire crime‐commission process and suggest a different dynamic to “senseless” homicide from what has been described in previous literature. Implications for police investigative practice are discussed.