bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Resistance to Cefazolin in a Military Hospital in Alkharj
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. 
Published: September 2021

Aim: This study aimed to describe the trends in resistance to cefazolin in a military hospital in Alkharj.
Methodology: This was a retrospective study that was conducted in Alkharj to describe the trends in resistance to cefazolin from 1st of January 2020 to 30th of June 2021. The results of bacterial cultures were collected from the microbiology laboratory in the hospital.
Results: The susceptibility rate of gram negative bacteria to cefazolin in 2020 was more than 50% except Enterobacter cloacae (susceptibility rate=0) and that the resistance of Escherichia coli to cefazolin was increased from 36% in 2020 to 48% in 2021. The present study showed that cefazolin should not use to treat infections caused by Enterobacter cloacae because of the high resistance rate (100%).
Conclusion: The present study showed that the bacterial resistance of several pathogens to cefazolin was high. It is important to monitor antimicrobial susceptibility continuously and to use antibiotics wisely to minimize emergence of drug resistant bacteria.
Knowledge and Perception about Diabetes and its Risk Factors
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. , Alrawili Abdulrahman S. , Alkhawaja Faisal Z , Alqahtani Huwayzi F. , Alanazi Rayan H. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that increases the risks of developing other diseases in diabetic patients and can affect their quality of life.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine knowledge and perception of risk of diabetes mellitus among the public in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: The survey in the present cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the public knowledge and perception of risk of diabetes mellitus using a validated survey. The survey was converted to an online form using Google Forms.
Results: About 79.69% of the respondents use one or more medication and 70.31% of them had at least one chronic disease. About 34.37 % of the respondents were overweight respondents or had obesity. About 93.75% of the respondents said that they know the main risk factors and the protective factors of diabetes. More than 90 % of them have a good knowledge about diabetes and about antidiabetic drugs but more than 54% of them said that they need additional information about diabetes and about antidiabetic medications.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that more efforts should be made to increase the public knowledge about diabetes and an awareness program including lectures, workshops are essential to avoid getting diabetes among the public and to maintain good glycemic control among diabetic patients.
Simultaneous Photocatalytic Esterification and Addition Reaction of Fatty Acids in Kemiri Sunan (Reutealis trisperma sp.) Oil over CuO/TiO2 Catalyst - A Novel Approach
Authors: Redjeki Athiek Sri , Sukirno Sukirno , Slamet Slamet 
Published: September 2021

A novel approach, namely photocatalytic esterification and addition reaction of unsaturated fatty acids using CuO/TiO2 catalyst has been investigated in kemiri sunan oil. The objectives of this study are to reduce the free fatty acid (FFA) content by using catalyst CuO/TiO2, characterization of the catalyst and the operation condition of reaction. The CuO/TiO2 catalyst was synthesized by the impregnation of TiO2 P25 powder with copper nitrate solution as a precursor and followed by calcination. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) result showed that copper oxide was highly dispersed on the TiO2 surface. The X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) result showed that Cu is in the state of CuO (Cu2+), while Ti is in Ti4+ ( TiO2). The bandgap energy of CuO/TiO2 was smaller than TiO2 P25. It was found that the reactions conducted in the presence of CuO/TiO2 in a photoreactor under UV irradiation can perform esterification and addition reaction of the FFA, simultaneously. The optimum reduction of the FFA was under condition of 4% loading CuO/TiO2, 4 hours reaction time, 30:1 (mole/mole) methanol to oil ratio, 5% (w/w) catalyst amount. The conversion of FFA was at around 59%. The Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) results showed that the addition reaction of -eleostearic acid simultaneously occured at 100% conversion. Although the photocatalyst selectivity in FFA reduction was relatively low, but double bond reduction of -eleostearic acid (C18:3) was very high. The reduction of multiple double bond is considered as positive poin to improve the oxidative stability of the product. The simultaneous esterification and addition reactions mechanism has been proposed. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
A meta‐analysis comparing first‐line immunosuppressants in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Giovannelli Jonathan , Ciron Jonathan , Cohen Mikael , Kim Ho‐Jin , Kim Su‐Hyun , Stellmann Jan‐Patrik , Kleiter Ingo , McCreary Morgan , Greenberg Benjamin M. , Deschamps Romain , Audoin Bertrand , Maillart Elisabeth , Papeix Caroline , Collongues Nicolas , Bourre Bertrand , Laplaud David , Ayrignac Xavier , Durand‐Dubief Françoise , Ruet Aurélie , Vukusic Sandra , Marignier Romain , Dauchet Luc , Zephir Hélène ,   NEMOS (Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group in Germany), NOMADMUS (Neuromyelitis Optica study Group in France), OFSEP (Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques) investigators
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveAs phase III trials have shown interest in innovative but expensive drugs in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), data are needed to clarify strategies in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). This meta‐analysis compares the efficacy of first‐line strategies using rituximab (RTX), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), or azathioprine (AZA), which are still widely used.MethodsStudies identified by the systematic review of Huang et al. (2019) were selected if they considered at least two first‐line immunosuppressants among RTX, MMF, and AZA. We updated this review. The Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and ClinicalTrials databases were queried between November 2018 and April 2020. To be included, the hazard ratio (HR) [95% CI] for the time to first relapse after first‐line immunosuppression had to be available, calculable, or provided by the authors.ResultsWe gathered data from 919 NMO patients (232 RTX‐, 294 MMF‐, and 393 AZA‐treated patients). The risk of first relapse after first‐line immunosuppression was 1.55 [1.04, 2.31] (p = 0.03) for MMF compared with RTX, 1.42 [0.87, 2.30] (p = 0.16) for AZA compared with RTX, and 0.94 [0.58, 1.54] (p = 0.08) for MMF compared with AZA.InterpretationThe findings suggest that RTX is more efficient than MMF as a first‐line therapy. Even if the results of our meta‐analysis cannot conclude that RTX has a better efficacy in delaying the first relapse than AZA, the observed effect difference between both treatments combined with the results of previous studies using as outcome the annualized relapse rate may be in favor of RTX.
Circularly Polarized Luminescence from π‐Conjugated Chiral Perylene Diimide Luminophores: The Bay Position Effect
Authors: Kitahara Maho , Mishima Kohei , Hara Nobuyuki , Shizuma Motohiro , Kanesaka Aoba , Nishikawa Hiroyuki , Imai Yoshitane 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThree types of chiral perylene diimide luminophores bearing ethynyl, phenyl, and ethynylphenyl substituents (BPP‐Ethy, BPP‐Ph, and BPP‐EthyPh) at the bay positions were prepared. The chiroptical properties of the compounds in their solution (in CHCl3) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐film solid states were investigated. Similar to the chiral BPP molecules bearing no substituents at the bay position, BPP‐Ethy, BPP‐Ph, and BPP‐EthyPh luminophores emitted no clear circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in CHCl3 solution. In contrast, the chiral BPP‐Ethy, BPP‐Ph, and BPP‐EthyPh luminophores exhibited intense aggregation‐induced enhanced CPL (AIEnh‐CPL) in the PMMA‐film state; BPP exhibited similar properties. Although the four luminophores were of the same absolute configurations, the CPL signs of the chiral BPP‐EthyPh were opposite to those of BPP, BPP‐Ethy, and BPP‐Ph. This could be attributed to the effects of the substituents at the bay position.
Effective visible‐light CO2 photoreduction over (metallo)porphyrin‐based metal–organic frameworks to achieve useful hydrocarbons
Authors: Hariri Roya , Dehghanpour Saeed 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have proved to be particularly appropriate for CO2 conversion. In the present work, we report metalloporphyrin‐based MOFs, PCN‐222(M) (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), which promote photocatalytic CO2 conversion to valuable chemicals. These ultra‐highly stable frameworks are constructed from Zr6 clusters and metalloporphyrin linkers. Metalloporphyrinic MOF has been synthesized and employed as a visible‐light photocatalyst for carbon dioxide to form formate. The effect of metalloporphyrinic PCN‐222(M) on CO2 reduction has been studied. Remarkably, PCN‐222(M) is highly efficient in visible light‐driven CO2 reduction into formate ion compared with the nonmetal porphyrinic PCN‐222. Metal ions of porphyrinic linkers play a great role in CO2 sorption, light harvesting, bandgap, photoluminescence (pL) intensity, and charge transfer, which influence CO2 reduction. CO2 adsorption and activation over metal ions of porphyrinic linkers play a significant part in the improvement of the conversion efficiency; the product obtained was characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) analyses. The reaction mechanism has been discussed in detail.
Functional and ecological correlates of the primate jaw abductors
Authors: Dickinson Edwin , Pastor Francisco , Santana Sharlene E. , Hartstone‐Rose Adam 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWhile the adductor musculature of the primate jaw has been extensively analyzed within the context of dietary and social ecology, little is known about the corresponding muscles of jaw abduction. Nonetheless, these muscles significantly contribute to a species' maximum gape potential, and thus might constrain dietary niche diversity and impact social display behaviors. In this study, we quantify the architectural properties of the digastric (a jaw abductor) and lateral pterygoid (a jaw abductor and anterior translator) across a broad sample of male and female anthropoid primates. We test the hypothesis that the abductor musculature reflects specialization to dietary and behavioral ecology. Our sample comprises 14 catarrhine and 13 platyrrhine species spanning a wide range of dietary and social categories. All specimens were sharp dissected and muscles subsequently chemically digested using a standardized protocol. Our findings demonstrate that relative fascicle lengths within the lateral pterygoid (but not the digastric) are significantly greater within species that habitually consume larger food items. Meanwhile, canine length is more strongly associated with fascicle lengths in the digastric than in the lateral pterygoid, particularly within males. Neither dietary mechanical resistance nor the intensity of social competition relates to the size or architectural properties of the jaw abductors. These findings suggest that dietary—and to a lesser extent, socioecological—aspects of a primate's life history may be reflected in the architecture of these muscles, albeit to varying degrees. This underlines the importance of considering the complete masticatory apparatus when interpreting the evolution of the primate jaw.
Plasmon Coupling‐Induced Hot Electrons for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Yuan Xu , Zhen Wenlong , Yu Sijia , Xue Can 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe present the fabrication of core‐shell‐satellite Au@SiO2‐Pt nanostructures and demonstrate that LSPR excitation of the core Au nanoparticle can induce plasmon coupling effect to initiate photocatalytic hydrogen generation from decomposition of formic acid. Further studies suggest that the plasmon coupling effect induces a strong local electric field between the Au core and Pt nanoparticles on the SiO2 shell, which enables creation of hot electrons on the non‐plasmonic‐active Pt nanoparticles to participate hydrogen evolution reaction on the Pt surface. In addition, small SiO2 shell thickness is required in order to obtain a strong plamon coupling effect and achieve efficient photocatalytic activities for hydrogen generation.
A Comprehensive Study of the Ca2+ Ion Binding of Fluorescently Labelled BAPTA Analogues
Authors: Csomos Attila , Kontra Bence , Jancsó Attila , Galbács Gábor , Deme Ruth , Kele Zoltán , Rózsa Balázs József , Kovács Ervin , Mucsi Zoltán 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSince its development, the ionophore BAPTA (1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy)‐ethane‐N,N,N’,N’‐tetraacetic acid) has been used unchanged in calcium sensing applications. In this work we present a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of novel alterations in the structure of BAPTA, with a focus on the systematic modification of the chain connecting the two aromatic rings of the molecule (denoted as “linker”). A bis‐(diethylamino)xantene fluorophore was also attached to the structures in a fixed position and the structure‐fluorescence response relationship of these molecules was investigated in addition. The effect of the linker's length, the number of oxygen atoms in this chain and even the removal of one of the rings was tested; these all proved to significantly alter the characteristics of the compounds. For example, it was found that the second aromatic ring of BAPTA is not essential for the turn‐on of the fluorescence. We also demonstrated that successful sensing can be realized even by replacing the chain with a single oxygen atom, which suggests the availability of a new calcium binding mode of the chelator. The reliable turn‐on characteristic, the steep Ca2+ fluorescence titration curve and the intense fluorescence emission combine to make this compound a prospective candidate as a calcium sensing molecular probe in diagnostic neurobiological applications.
Hydration activity and mechanical properties of steel slag used as cementitious materials
Authors: Hou Jiwei , Liu Jiaxiang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe massive steel slag not only occupies land resources but also pollutes the environment, so it is necessary to efficiently utilize steel slag. In this article, the hydration activity and mechanical properties of steel slag used as cementitious materials were studied. Results showed the steel slag was difficult to hydrate at room temperature within 3 days. After the steel slag was autoclaved at 215°C, 2 MPa for 3 h, its hydration degree was 1/3 of that of Portland cement. The expansion rate of the steel slag‐cement cementitious materials increased linearly with the increase of steel slag content. When the content of steel slag was 60%, the specimen was cracked under boiled conditions and pulverized under autoclaved conditions. The strength of mortar first increased and then decreased with the increase of steel slag content. When the content of steel slag was 10%, the mortar produced the highest 28‐day compressive strength of 49.01 MPa and flexural strength of 8.78 MPa.
Glacial landscape configuration influences channel response to flooding
Authors: Reid David A. , Hassan Marwan A. , McCleary Richard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe influence of glaciation‐induced watershed configuration on channel response to flooding remains a topic of comparatively little research despite the prevalence of paraglacial landscapes. This study examines the response of Guichon Creek, a 1,200 km2 catchment in the southern interior of British Columbia, to major flood events during consecutive freshets with return periods of 20–40 years. The glacial history of the Guichon Creek landscape has influenced the spatial pattern of sediment availability to the channel, with erosion of thick glaciofluvial deposits located adjacent to the mainstem channel leading to extensive destabilization of downstream reaches. Over the two flood events, Guichon Creek widened by a factor of eight, but only downstream of sediment sources. Where sediment was not available to enter the channel, major changes in width were not observed. At least 163,000 ± 83,000 m3 and 73,890 ± 11,752 m3 of sediment entered the stream channel during the 2017 and 2018 freshets, respectively, representing an input more than 200 times the mean annual transport capacity. Between 40% and 60% of this sediment was of a sufficient caliber to be transported as bedload. While aggradation and degradation exceeding several meters in depth was observed at some sites, net increase in storage was small, indicating substantial sediment export. Specific patterns of channel change downstream of sediment input sites correspond to gradients in stream power. We present a conceptual model contrasting profile form, sediment availability, and transport capacity between a previously glaciated and a non‐glaciated basin of similar size and relief. These findings illustrate the broad implications of glacial landscape history on channel response to flooding, and have direct implications for river management, particularly as it pertains to channel stability and aquatic habitat.
Implementation bottlenecks of the National Health Insurance program in Nepal: Paving the path towards Universal Health Coverage: A qualitative study
Authors: Gurung Gaj Bahadur , Panza Alessio 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMost low and low‐middle income countries adopting National Health Insurance (NHI) programs to achieve Universal Health Coverage are struggling to implement the program due to underlying problems at implementation. However, there is a lack of research that focuses on these problems. The Nepal NHI program initiated in 2016 has experienced numerous implementation challenges. This qualitative study delves into the NHI program's inputs and throughputs/implementation bottlenecks. The study based in Nepal's four districts included 28 in‐depth interviews, six focus group discussions, and identified 12 themes that pointed to the NHI program's inadequate inputs causing bottlenecks. The analysis employed the Grounded Theory. The main challenges identified were insufficiently defined NHI implementations guidelines, conflicting Act clauses, a lack of HIB organizational guidelines, and inadequate human resources. The major throughput bottlenecks were difficulty enrolling the insurees, the inability to select the health providers competitively and to act as a prudent purchaser of the services. These inadequate inputs and throughput bottlenecks led to negative outputs such as insurees' high dropouts, and low coverage of poor households. The NHI program's sustainability might be at stake if the identified problems persist, further exacerbated by the plummeting economic situation in the country due to COVID‐19.
Effects of soil compaction and moisture on the growth of Juncus tenuis
Authors: McCurdy James D. , Small Zachary D. , Tseng Te‐Ming , Brosnan James T. , Reasor Eric H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractJuncus tenuis Willd. is a warm‐season, perennial weed of turfgrass. In wet and compacted soils, it is well documented, yet little is known regarding the interaction effects of compaction and soil moisture on its rooting and foliar growth. A greenhouse experiment examined the effects of soil compaction and moisture on the above‐ and belowground growth of J. tenuis. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 3 × 3 arrangement with four replications and two runs. Factors included soil compaction (bulk densities of 1.56, 1.77, and 2.00 g cm–3) and soil moisture (10.9, 27.9, and 59.6% volumetric water content). Juncus tenuis was transplanted into pots, acclimated for 7 d, and subjected to the treatments for a 10‐wk period. Foliar growth was harvested every 2 wk and root growth was destructively assessed. Cumulative foliar and root biomass varied in response to compaction and soil moisture; however, no significant soil moisture × compaction interactions were detected. The effect of compaction on foliar and root biomass accounted for 15 and 12% of the explained variation, respectively. Increasing the bulk density from 1.56 to 2.00 g cm–3 reduced foliar and root biomass by 29 and 40%, respectively. Soil moisture accounted for ≥84% of the variation in foliar and root biomass. Increasing the soil moisture from 10.9 to 59.6% increased foliar and root biomass by 150 and 230%, respectively. The results suggested that cultural practices that prioritize soil moisture modification while alleviating compaction may reduce the presence of J. tenuis within maintained turfgrass.
Analysis of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy by means of Bayesian inference and separation of the parameters for scattering strength and spectral dependence of the scattering
Authors: Hohmann Martin , Karabayir Ayse , Herzler Paul , Späth Moritz , Klämpfl Florian , Schmidt Michael 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFor many applications in tissue optics, knowledge of the scattering coefficient or at least the reduced scattering coefficient is essential. In addition, its spectral dependence is also an important feature, as this provides information about scatterer sizes. While the characterization of the spectral dependence should be a simple fit, experimental results show strong fluctuations even for the same tissue type. For in‐vivo measurements, this problem is even greater. Therefore, it is the aim of this study to analyze the instabilities of the scattering characterizations and find a solution for it by means of Bayesian inference. In this study, this behavior is investigated using the example of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. It can be shown that the currently used fitting functions are unstable for the fitting as both parameters for characterizing the reduced scattering coefficient describe the spectral dependence as well as the scattering strength. However, by a simple coordinate transform, a stable mathematical description of the scattering is derived. By the fact that a posteriori probability of the reduced scattering coefficient narrows down significantly with the Bayesian inference, the new fitting function is verified.
The picric acid removal from aqueous solutions by multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/EDTA/carboxymethylcellulose nanocomposite: Central composite design optimization, kinetic, and isotherm studies
Authors: Azadfar Mina , Tahermansouri Hasan , Qomi Mahnaz 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe removal of hazardous picric acid is of great importance to making healthy and drinkable water. In this research, a nanocomposite (MWCNT‐EDTA‐CMC) based on carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐COOH) modified by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and ethylenediamintetraacetic acid (EDTA) was prepared for adsorption and removal of picric acid from aqueous solutions. MWCNT‐EDTA‐CMC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Central composite design (CCD) was used to study the influence of pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial picric acid concentrations on the removal percentage of picric acid. At optimum conditions (pH 3.0, MWCNT‐EDTA‐CMC dosage 0.050 g, picric acid concentration 30 mg L−1), high removal efficiency (97.67%) was obtained for picric acid which was reasonably well predicted by the model. The adsorption process was demonstrated by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models for both adsorbents. In addition, the consumed MWCNT‐EDTA‐CMC could be reused up to 3th cycle of regeneration.