bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SURVEY METHOD IN IDENTIFYING NON–TARIFF BARRIERS AT EXTERNAL MARKET ANNOTATION
Authors: Volkov Roman G. , Sabelnikova Ekaterina M.
Published: April 2018

The article addresses the problem of identifying non-tariff barriers for businesses at external market, that has become more significant over the last few decades. The analysis of three major approaches to identifying non-tariff barriers –analysis of official reports, online survey and direct interview of exporters – revealsthe advantages of the latter. However, the reliability of data obtained from a survey crucially depends on the solution of various problems including the compilation of barrier list that the survey participants would use to respond. The experience of the existing studies shows that theUNCTAD classification of non– tariff measures is the one most frequently used.Building on the outcome of trial surveys, the authorsfind some disadvantages of applying this classification intactas this may distort the survey results. To solve this problem, the authors propose criteria for a barrier list and, finally, propose a modified list of barriers for company and enterprise surveys based on the UNCTAD classification.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN TRADE IN GOODS OF THE EAEU WITH ASEAN, SCO AND EU
Authors: Ozhigina Vera V.
Published: April 2018

The article considers tendencies, peculiarities and problems of formation of geographical, commodity, industrial structure of export and import of goods, by the degree of their technological intensity (manufacturing), between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and regional integration groups, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), European Union (EU) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The analysis was conducted using UNCTAD statistics on the digit commodity codes of the International Standard Trade Classification (SATC). The directions of trade diversification are offered. The countries for access of the EAEU to the markets of manufactures of ASEAN, EU and SCO are selected. Positive changes in the structure of trade, especially with ASEAN as well as the SCO, are noted. On the basis of calculation of index of intra-industry trade the sensitive goods are allocated, in trade by which EAEU competes with integration groups, the directions of development of industrial cooperation and inclusion in Global Value Chains (GVC) are offered. The presence of a large number of sensitive positions in trade with China, India, Poland, Great Britain, France, Vietnam, Singapore is noted. Prospective export products have been identified into these integration groups, recommendations to reduce barriers to trade have been developed.
ESTIMATION OF COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF TRADE OF THE EAEU MEMBER STATES WITH REGIONAL MEGASTRUCTURES
Authors: Markosyan Ashot Kh.
Published: April 2018

The constantly growing competition in world markets is accompanied not only by the strengthening of the economic influence of certain countries – regional leaders, but also by the frequent clash of those countries that are struggling to gain regional or global leadership in foreign trade. Developing countries, meanwhile, are becoming the epicenter of competition, but due to inadequate economic development, underdevelopment of financial institutions, global dependence on raw materials, technological backwardness, they try to resist the competition of world powers through integration with large regional countries. Despite the fact that attempts to regional economic integration of developing countries do not lead to significant success, however this does not affect the creation of new and expansion of existing integration associations. Understanding the importance of this task, especially the role of individual regional integration groupings in geopolitical and geoeconomic relations, in the aspect of determining priorities and areas of cooperation, the article analyzes the comparative advantages of foreign trade of a number of integration groupings and assesses the ways and opportunities for developing their relations with the EAEU countries.
INFLUENCE OF MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS ON EXPORT CHANGES OF THE EAEU MEMBER COUNTRIES
Authors: Assanseitova Saadat M. , Svinukhov Vladimir G. , Kovaleva Elvira V.
Published: April 2018

The article examines the impact of some macroeconomic indicators, such as added value in industry, R & D expenditure, average crude oil price, on the export change for the EAEU member countries. For the study the authors used the open statistical databases of the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank, as well as the statistical offices of the EAEU member countries for the period from 2004 to 2017. Using correlation analysis, the authors establish a connection between the indicators and use them to construct a three-factor regression model. It is shown that the change in exports in a sufficiently high degree depends on the fluctuations in the values of the selected indicators. The authors also analyze the development of the EAEU countries through the dynamics of the gross domestic product, exports, imports, trade turnover and foreign direct investment for the study period, showing the value of exports in the final indicator through a change of its share in GDP and comparing the EAEU states both among themselves and with similar indicator of the leading economically developed countries.
ASSESSMENT OF CAPITAL FLOWS BETWEEN THE EAEU MEMBER STATES AND OTHER REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSOCIATIONS
Authors: Galoyan Diana R.
Published: April 2018

Over the past decade, the importance of so-called collective investments has grown in the world economy, especially in OECD countries. Such investments are made through investment companies, mutual funds, fund and investment trust companies. OECD member countries have formed a unified system for regulating collective investment, the purpose of which is to create common investment conditions for all member countries of this organization. This article studies the evolution of the geographical distribution of various forms of international capital flows, from the point of view of deepening regional cooperation, as well as their structural features, which can serve as a basis for assessing the effectiveness of capital investments and the features of economic development in individual regions, particularly in the EАEU countries.
PERSONAL REMITTANCES IN THE EAEU MEMBER COUNTRIES AND THE MAIN PLAYERS OF OTHER REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSOCIATIONS
Authors: Tadevosyan Zoya A.
Published: April 2018

At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the global economy has acquired a new powerful development factor in the form of private remittances due to international labor migration, mainly from developing countries. Remittances represent an important source of external financing for households, particularly in developing countries, and thus can measure the economic contribution of large industrialized countries to poorer countries in terms of financial flows, and the dependence of poorer countries on this kind income. In some countries of the EAEU, economic growth as well as advances in poverty reduction are closely intertwined with trends in the dynamics of migration and remittances from abroad. In order to identify the role of remittances in the EAEU countries, as well as in the main countries of other regional economic associations, the article analyzes the dynamics of transfers and their impact on the economies of countries.
Valve-sparing aneurysmal root/ascending aorta replacement in a 9-year-old patient with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Bogdanov V. , Gladyshev I. , Kharisova E. , Harenko I.
Published: April 2018

A clinical case report of a 9-year-old patient with a severe form of Marfan syndrome and significant enlargement of the aortic root and mitral/tricuspid valve failure is presented. The patient underwent successful one-stage surgical repair including reimplantation of the aortic valve using David procedure, mitral valve annuloplication and De Vega valvuloplasty of the tricuspid valve.Received 21 November 2017. Revised 19 February 2018. Accepted 27 February 2018.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.Author contributionsAll authors contributed equally to the work.
7-O-aminoalkyl-2,3-dehydrosilibinins: Synthesis and in vitro Anti-cancer Efficacy
Authors: Ma Da-You , Zhang Li-Chao , Peng Kun-Jian , Zeng Jiang , Liu Li-Jun , Luo Zhi-Yong , Liu Su-You
Published: April 2018

Background:

The heptaprotective flavonolignan silibinin and dehydrosilibinin have exhibited
moderate antiproliferative activities toward many cancer cell lines. Considering of the nontoxic profile of these
natural products, chemical modification to enhance the anticancer potentials is promising.

Method:

A series of 7-O-aminoalkyl-2,3-dehydrosilibinin derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their
antiproliferative activities against several cancer cell lines.

Results:

A number of the synthesized dehydrosilibinin derivatives exhibited greatly enhanced potency with 50%
growth inhibition at low micromolar concentrations. Structure activity study indicated that the distance between
N and 7-O on the side chain has a limited influence on the antiproliferative activity, while the presence of a
morpholino group decreases the antiproliferative activities dramatically. Flow cytometry based assays on human
colon cancer HCT116 cells revealed that 6a and 6c, two of the most potent derivatives, effectively arrested the
cell cycle in the G2 phase and stimulated cell apoptosis.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that attaching an appropriate tertiary amino alkyl side chain through 7-Oalkylation
on 2,3-dehydrosilibinin, would be a viable strategy for the development of silibinin derivatives as
anticancer agents.
Inhibitory Effect of Filipendula ulmaria on Mammary Carcinogenesis Induced by Local Administration of Methylnitrosourea to Target Organ in Rats
Authors: Bespalov Vladimir G. , Alexandrov Valerij A. , Vysochina Galina I. , Kostikova Vera A. , Semenov Alexandr L. , Baranenko Denis A.
Published: April 2018

Background:

The meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) may have a cancer prophylactic
activity, since its extracts exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other effects. We investigated the ability of
a meadowsweet decoction to inhibit mammary carcinogenesis induced by intramammary injections of Methylnitrosourea
(MNU) to the target organ in rats.

Materials and Methods:

The chemical composition of meadowsweet extracts was studied by traditional methods.
In animal experiments, adult outbred female rats received single injections of MNU at a dose 1mg directly
into the tissue of each mammary gland. After carcinogenic exposure one group (MNU) of rats continued to
receive standard feed and tap water throughout life. In another group (MNU+meadowsweet), rats were given
daily a decoction of the meadowsweet instead of drinking water and standard feed.

Results:

Meadowsweet extracts showed a sufficiently high content of flavonoids and tannins and also some
individual phenolic compounds. In rats after injections of MNU the overall incidence of tumors was 90% with
tumor multiplicity of 3.1. The majority of rats (86%) developed multiple malignant tumors of the mammary
gland (most often adenocarcinomas). In rats from the group MNU+meadowsweet, there was a statistically significant
decrease of the overall tumor multiplicity-by 1.5 times, and the incidence and multiplicity of breast
tumors-by 1.6 and 2.2 times, respectively.

Conclusions:

Meadowsweet extract can be considered an effective inhibitor of breast carcinogenesis.
Ultrastructural Changes in the Vessels of Hemomicrocirculatory Bed of the Iliac Lymph Nodes of White Rats in the Durable Action of the Opioid Nalbuphine
Authors: Valko Olesya , Holovatsky Andriy
Published: April 2018

This article represents the electronic-microscopic examination of blood vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the iliac lymph nodes of white rats, males of reproductive age, who, during six weeks, received narcotic opioid analgesic – nalbuphine, increasing the weekly dose of the medicine to create a model of physical opioid dependence according to Ukraine Patent #76564 U.It was determined that opioid nalbuphine causes the reactive changes in the blood vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the iliac lymph nodes in the early stages of drug administration – within 1-2 weeks. A prolonged six-week administration of nalbuphine leads to profound destructive changes in the microvessels: the lumen of the hemocapillaries, which contains mainly the destructively altered erythrocytes, is expanding; the wall of microvessels, accompanied by hemorrhages into the vascular space, is violated; the structure of endotheliocytes nuclei changes, their cytoplasm swells, and organelles are damaged in it; the basement membrane thickens; the perivascular space swells and dilates. One week after the abolition of nalbuphine, the inverse changes in the blood vessels of hemomicrocirculatory bed do not occur.
Should Dental Schools Invest in Training Predoctoral Students for Academic Careers? Two Viewpoints
Authors: Fung Brent , Fatahzadeh Mahnaz , Kirkwood Keith L. , Hicks Jeffery , Timmons Sherry R.
Published: April 2018

This Point/Counterpoint considers whether providing dental students with academic career training and teaching experiences during their predoctoral education would be valuable to recruit dental academicians. While training the next generation of dentists continues to be the primary focus for dental schools, the cultivation and recruitment of dental faculty members from the pool of dental students remain challenges. Viewpoint 1 supports the position that providing dental students with exposure to academic career opportunities has positive value in recruiting new dental faculty. The advantages of academic careers training as a required educational experience in dental schools and as a potential means to recruit dental students into the ranks of faculty are described in this viewpoint. In contrast, Viewpoint 2 contends that such career exposure has limited value and argues that, across the board, allocation of resources to support preparation for academic careers would have a poor cost‐benefit return on investment. Adding a requirement for educational experiences for all students would overburden institutions, students, and faculty according to this viewpoint. The authors agree that research is needed to determine how and where to make predoctoral curricular changes that will have maximum impact on academic recruitment.
A National Survey of U.S. Dental Students’ Experiences with International Service Trips
Authors: Lambert R. Frederick , Wong Chloe A. , Woodmansey Karl F. , Rowland Brianna , Horne Steven O. , Seymour Brittany
Published: April 2018

Globalization, along with the increasing prevalence of non‐communicable diseases, their risk factors, and poor oral health, demands global approaches to oral health care. Trained health care workers’ providing volunteer services abroad is one model used for improving access to dental services for some communities. Currently, little is known about U.S. dental student involvement in international clinical service volunteerism. The aim of this exploratory study was to capture national survey data from predoctoral dental students about their interest in and experience with global health service trips. The survey sought to assess students’ past experiences and current and future interest in programs providing dental and/or medical services in order to lay the foundation for further research. A 12‐question web‐based survey was distributed in May 2017 to 22,930 students enrolled in U.S. dental schools. A total of 1,555 students responded, for a response rate of 7%. Respondents were evenly distributed across the four academic years. Approximately 22% (n=342) of the respondents had already participated in a service trip experience, 83% reported interest in a service trip while in school, and 92% were interested after graduation. Reported motivations for international trips included the desire to care for the underserved and to obtain a more global view of health and disease. Concerns were expressed regarding costs and time constraints. This study provided preliminary, exploratory data on dental student engagement with international service trips. Both interest and participation in international service trips among responding students were high, reflecting current trends in both dentistry and medicine. Dental education may have an opportunity to guide student engagement in more sustainable and ethical volunteering in the U.S. and abroad.
Clinical Dental Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Diagnostic Errors and How to Avoid Them
Authors: Nikdel Cathy , Nikdel Kian , Ibarra-Noriega Ana , Kalenderian Elsbeth , Walji Muhammad F.
Published: April 2018

Diagnostic errors are increasingly recognized as a source of preventable harm in medicine, yet little is known about their occurrence in dentistry. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of clinical dental faculty members’ perceptions of diagnostic errors, types of errors that may occur, and possible contributing factors. The authors conducted semi‐structured interviews with ten domain experts at one U.S. dental school in May–August 2016 about their perceptions of diagnostic errors and their causes. The interviews were analyzed using an inductive process to identify themes and key findings. The results showed that the participants varied in their definitions of diagnostic errors. While all identified missed diagnosis and wrong diagnosis, only four participants perceived that a delay in diagnosis was a diagnostic error. Some participants perceived that an error occurs only when the choice of treatment leads to harm. Contributing factors associated with diagnostic errors included the knowledge and skills of the dentist, not taking adequate time, lack of communication among colleagues, and cognitive biases such as premature closure based on previous experience. Strategies suggested by the participants to prevent these errors were taking adequate time when investigating a case, forming study groups, increasing communication, and putting more emphasis on differential diagnosis. These interviews revealed differing perceptions of dental diagnostic errors among clinical dental faculty members. To address the variations, the authors recommend adopting shared language developed by the medical profession to increase understanding.
Self‐Directed Digital Learning: When Do Dental Students Study?
Authors: Jackson Tate H. , Zhong James , Phillips Ceib , Koroluk Lorne D.
Published: April 2018

The Growth and Development (G&D) curriculum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry uses self‐directed web‐based learning modules in the place of lectures and includes scheduled self‐study times during the 8 am–5 pm school hours. The aim of this study was to use direct observation to evaluate dental students’ access patterns with the self‐directed, web‐based learning modules in relation to planned self‐study time allocated across the curriculum, proximity to course examinations, and course performance. Module access for all 80 students in the DDS Class of 2014 was recorded for date and time across the four G&D courses. Module access data were used to determine likelihood of usage during scheduled time and frequency of usage in three timeframes: >7, 3 to 7, and 0 to 2 days before the final exam. The results showed a statistically significant difference in the likelihood of module access during scheduled time across the curriculum (p<0.0001). Among the students, 64% accessed modules at least once during scheduled time in G&D1, but only 10%, 19%, and 18% in G&D2, G&D3, and G&D4, respectively. For all courses, the proportion of module accesses was significantly higher 0–2 days before an exam compared to the other two timeframes. Module access also differed significantly within each timeframe across all four courses (p<0.001). There was no association between module access and course performance. In this non‐traditional, non‐lecture, self‐directed curriculum, students rarely accessed learning modules during syllabus‐budgeted self‐study time and accessed modules more frequently as course exams approached.
Engaging Oral Health Students in Learning Basic Science Through Assessment That Weaves in Personal Experience
Authors: Leadbeatter Delyse , Gao Jinlong
Published: April 2018

Learning basic science forms an essential foundation for oral health therapy and dentistry, but frequently students perceive it as difficult, dry, and disconnected from clinical practice. This perception is encouraged by assessment methods that reward fact memorization, such as objective examinations. This study evaluated use of a learner‐centered assessment portfolio designed to increase student engagement with basic science in an oral health therapy program at the University of Sydney, Australia. The aim of this qualitative study based on focus groups was to investigate students’ engagement with basic science courses following introduction of the portfolio. Three assessments were conducted in three subsequent semesters: one based on students’ interest in everyday phenomena (one student, for example, explored why she had red hair); the second focussed on scientific evidence and understanding of systemic diseases; and the third explored relations between oral and general health. Students were encouraged to begin with issues from their personal experience or patient care, to focus on what they were curious about, and to ask questions they really cared about. Each student prepared a written report and gave an oral presentation to the entire cohort. After the portfolios were completed, the authors held focus groups with two cohorts of students (N=21) in 2016 and analyzed the results using Zepke's framework for student engagement research. The results showed that the students successfully interweaved personal experience into their studies and that it provided significant motivation for learning. The students described their learning in terms of connection to themselves, their peer community, and their profession. Many additional benefits were identified, from increased student engagement in all courses to appreciation of the relevance of basic science. The findings should encourage dental and allied dental educators to reconsider the effects of assessments and seek integrative methods to help students engage in meaningful knowledge production and understand that what they are learning goes beyond acquisition of scientific facts.
Comparison of Dental Students’ PAT Scores with Their Performance in Preclinical Technique Courses: Identifying the Need for Early Interventions
Authors: Schultz-Robins Michele , Markowitz Kenneth , DeCastro Jeanette , Jiang Shuying
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to determine if lower scores on the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) of the Dental Admission Test (DAT) predicted which dental students required remediation in three preclinical restorative dentistry courses at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. The academic records of 489 dental students from the graduating Classes of 2010 through 2015 were evaluated. The results showed that, for all three courses (Preclinical General Dentistry I, Preclinical General Dentistry II, and Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics), the remediating students had significantly lower mean PAT scores than did the passing students. A one‐unit decrease in a student's PAT score was associated with a 43% increase in the odds of remediating the Preclinical General Dentistry I lab, a 29% increase in the odds of remediating the Preclinical Fixed Prosthodontics lab, and a 47% increase in the odds of remediating the Preclinical General Dentistry II lab. The mean PAT score for passing students was 18.84 (standard deviation 2.35), and the mean PAT score for students requiring remediation was 17.03 (standard deviation 2.18). Studies like this can be useful because if students at risk of failing these courses are identified early and appropriate supports are provided, the need for remediation may be reduced if not eliminated.
Dental Students’ Skills Assessments: Comparisons of Daily Clinical Grades and Clinical and Laboratory Assessments
Authors: Bertoli Elizangela , Lawson Kristy Pepper , Bishop Susan S.
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to compare the daily clinical grades of third‐year dental students during routine clinical activities involving direct and indirect operative procedures to clinical and laboratory assessments. The authors compared students’ daily clinical grades to graded clinical assessments and compared daily clinical grades to laboratory assessments at one U.S. dental school. A total of 50 third‐year students (participation rate: 98%) participated in this study during the school year of 2014–15. The study analyzed the students’ daily clinical grades and graded assessments during regular clinical activities and two laboratory examinations. The results found no statistically significant differences between daily grades and the clinical assessments (p=0.2845). There were statistically significant differences between daily clinical grades and laboratory assessments (p=0.0024). This study found higher grades were given for procedures completed and graded in the clinical setting. Further studies are needed to explore the possibility of clinical grades being positively skewed.
The Role of Digital 3D Scanned Models in Dental Students’ Self‐Assessments in Preclinical Operative Dentistry
Authors: Lee Cliff , Kobayashi Hiro , Lee Samuel R. , Ohyama Hiroe
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to determine how dental student self‐assessment and faculty assessment of operative preparations compared for conventional visual assessment versus assessment of scanned digital 3D models. In 2016, all third‐year students in the Class of 2018 (N=35) at Harvard School of Dental Medicine performed preclinical exams of Class II amalgam preparations (C2AP) and Class III composite preparations (C3CP) and completed self‐assessment forms; in 2017, all third‐year students in the Class of 2019 (N=34) performed the same exams. Afterwards, the prepared typodont teeth were digitally scanned. Students self‐assessed their preparations digitally, and four faculty members graded the preparations conventionally and digitally. The results showed that, overall, the students assessed their preparations higher than the faculty assessments. The mean student‐faculty gaps for C2AP and C3CP in the conventional assessments were 11% and 5%, respectively. The mean digital student‐faculty gap for C2AP and C3CP were 8% and 2%, respectively. In the conventional assessments, preclinical performance was negatively correlated with the student‐faculty gap (r=−0.47, p<0.001). The correlations were not statistically significant with the digital assessments (p=0.39, p=0.26). Students in the bottom quartile significantly improved their self‐assessment accuracy using digital self‐assessments over conventional assessments (C2AP 10% vs. 17% and C3CP 3% vs. 10%, respectively). These results suggest that digital assessments offered a significant learning opportunity for students to critically self‐assess themselves in operative preclinical dentistry. The lower performing students benefitted the most, improving their assessment ability to the level of the rest of the class.
O DEBATE SOBRE IDENTIDADE, CULTURA E CONHECIMENTO EM UM PROGRAMA DE MESTRADO PROFISSIONAL EM EDUCAÇÃO DE JOVENS E ADULTOS: PROCESSOS FORMATIVOS PARA A DOCÊNCIA E PARA A EDUCAÇÃO DE JOVENS E ADULTOS
Authors: Laffin Maria Fernandes , Nascimento Audemara Rodrigues , Amorim Antonio
Published: April 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é situar um ensaio mediante uma análise teórica acerca da relação entre identidade e cultura no contexto do conhecimento fundamental e formativo na Educação de Jovens e Adultos, no Programa de Mestrado Profissional em EJA. Para tanto, busca-se uma definição conceitual dos termos identidade e cultura, ao mesmo tempo em que se investiga a constituição da identidade cultural brasileira a partir da contribuição das matrizes étnicas presentes na história do Brasil, seguida de discussões sobre identidade, cultura e conhecimento na EJA no contexto atual. Este texto resulta de pesquisa bibliográfica e reflexões do aporte teórico de Munanga (2009), Sacristán (2006), Silva (2000) e Freire (1979), entre outros que discutem as múltiplas referências e a diversidade da identidade cultural dos sujeitos que frequentam a EJA e sua relação com o currículo. A análise teórica apresenta como resultado a necessidade do reconhecimento da diversidade cultural do povo brasileiro pela EJA. Discute, por fim, a proposição de uma escola aberta às múltiplas identidades presentes na escolarização na EJA e na formação docente.
HIGHER EDUCATION IN ANCIENT INDIA
Authors: Chahar Satyendra Singh , Singh Nirmal
Published: April 2018

University education -on almost modern lines existed in India as early as 800 B.C. or even earlier. The learning or culture of ancient India was chiefly the product of her hermitages in the solitude of the forests. It was not of the cities. The learning of the forests was embodied in the books specially designated as Aranyakas "belonging to the forests." The ideal of education has been very grand, noble and high in ancient India. Its aimaccording to Herbert Spencer is the 'training for completeness of life' and ‘the molding o character of men and women for the battle of life’. The history of the educational institutions in ancient India shows a glorious dateline of her cultural history. It points to a long history altogether. In the early stage it was rural, not urban. British Sanskrit scholar Arthur Anthony Macdonell says "Some hundreds of years must have been needed for all that is found" in her culture. The aim of education was at the manifestation of the divinity in men, it touches the highest point of knowledge. In order to attain the goal the whole educational method is based on plain living and high thinking pursued through eternity.
ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS ON GERMINATION OF RAPHANUS SATIVA SEEDS
Authors: Rajpoot Jitendra
Published: April 2018

The term ‘allelopathy’ was coined to describe the effect of the one plant on neighbouring plants. The word Allelopathy has been derived from two Greek words Allelon meaning ‘each other’ and Pathos meaning ‘to suffer’ i.e. the injurious effects of one plant upon another However, Molisch (1937) coined this term which refers to all biochemical interactions (stimulatory and inhibitory) among plants, including micro-organisms
RIGHT TO EDUCATION IN ISLAM
Authors: Singh Seema
Published: April 2018

Women Education provides them, most vital qualities of confidence, capacity to work and thereby leads to their empowerment. Muslim women who by virtue of social norms and had suffered backwardness due to lack of education though Islam as a religious bigotry in it. Several organizations individuals, through theoretical and practical applications have lifted the backwardness of Muslim women and as a result Muslim women have conquered to dark areas of ignorance and fear. Muslim women welfare performers in different walks of life over a period of time.
A STUDY OF CASHLESS TRANSACTION BEHAVIOR OF BANK CUSTOMERS IN DISTRICT MATHURA, UP
Authors: Chandra Sumit , Mittal Priya
Published: April 2018

There are many substitutes for cash in the modern economy ranging from debit cards, pre-paid cards, credit cards and mobile wallets. When compared to cash, these instruments differ in a number of key characteristics. Temporal separation or degree of coupling is the extent to which a purchase and the payment for the transaction from resources are separated in time. If the two are de-coupled, people may not perceive a sense of separation from money at the time of incurring the expenditure and hence may overspend. The second characteristic is related to the pain of payment flowing from salience. It is argued that people perceive the pain of payment depending on the tangibility or salience of the outflow. A third feature is the stringency of budget constraint –while cash limits one’s ability to spend to the amount of cash in hand, a debit card expands it to the balances available in the account and a credit card further relaxes it to include future earnings as well. The study is based on the survey of the behavior of 200 bank customers at district Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (Interacting with different Banks of the district). Literate/educated and young respondents are found interested towards cashless transaction in comparison to illiterate and old aged respondents. In a comparison of debit cards with cash, studies suggest that with the use of debit cards, the level of consumption tends to be higher. In a comparison of credit cards with cash, this effect is more pronounced. Credit cards often are associated with more spending resulting in an increase in debt as well. The demonetization undertaken by the government is a large shock to the economy. The impact of the shock in the medium term is a function of how much of the currency will be replaced at the end of the replacement process and the extent to which currency in circulation is extinguished. While it has been argued that the cash that would be extinguished would be “black money” and hence, should be rightfully extinguished to set right the perverse incentive structure in the economy, this argument is based on impressions rather than on facts. While the facts are not available to anybody, it would be foolhardy to argue that this is the only possibility. As argued above, it is possible that these cash balances were used as a medium of exchange.
THE CHALLENGES OF TEACHING-LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT IN INDIA
Authors: Chand Bharati
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the challenges of teaching English in multicultural context in India. Teaching English to the Indian students is the biggest challenge. Though enough awareness is prevailing among the students, parents and society, the majority of our students struggle a lot to acquire the language.It presents a brief history teaching English in India. It highlights factors of teaching-learning of English language in the multicultural context in India.There is an urgent need to teach English language in order to communicate outside our own language group for any practical purpose like business, tourism, cultural exchange, administration and social work. The increasing awareness of importance of English in the present moment demands to learn the language for special and specific purposes and for widening our intellectual horizon.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ATTITUDE OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS TOWARDS PRIVATIZATION OF EDUCATION
Authors: Sharma Pratibha , Khan Mahe Pecker
Published: April 2018

For the purposes of education, privatization implies the withdrawal of the state intervention from this sector. Privatization has other implications too, like the initiation of the process of private ownership in a sector that is controlled by the state. In a broader sense, privatization is the induction of private management and control in the public sector enterprise or a sector controlled by the state as in the case of education. The objective of the present study was to access the significant difference (if any) in attitude of prospective teachers(B.Ed. Students ) of different gender and type of institutions of Bareilly city of Uttar Pradesh towards privatization of education..The descriptive survey method and random sampling technique were used. For data collection self-constructed -“Attitude of Prospective Teachers towards Privatization of Education was used. Investigation revealed that generally, gender and type of institution do not play significant role in reference to teachers’ attitude towards privatization of education.
The Web-Based Physician is Ready to See You: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of Physicians Using a Mobile Medical App to Evaluate Patients With Sexually Transmitted Diseases in China (Preprint)
Authors: Cao Bolin , Zhao Peipei , Bien-Gund Cedric , Tang Weiming , Ong Jason J , Fitzpatrick Thomas , Tucker Joseph D , Luo Zhenzhou
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Web-based medical service provision is increasingly becoming common. However, it remains unclear how physicians are responding to this trend and how Web-based and offline medical services are linked.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to examine physicians’ use of mobile medical apps for sexually transmitted disease (STD) consultations and identify the physicians who frequently use mobile medical apps to evaluate patients with STD.

METHODS

In August 2017, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey among physicians registered on a mobile medical app in China. We collected data on physicians’ demographic information, institutional information, and Web-based medical practices. We compared physicians who used mobile medical apps to evaluate patients with STD frequently (at least once a week) with infrequent users. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify physicians who frequently evaluated patients with STD on mobile medical apps.

RESULTS

A total of 501 physicians participated in the survey. Among them, three-quarters were men and the average age was 37.6 (SD 8.2) years. Nearly all physicians (492/501, 98.2%) recommended their last Web-based patient with STD to subsequently see a physician in the clinic. More than half (275/501, 54.9%) of physicians recommended STD testing to Web-based patients, and 43.9% (220/501) provided treatment advice to patients with STD. Of all physicians, 21.6% (108/501) used mobile medical apps to evaluate patients with STD through Web more than once a week. Overall, 85.2% (427/501) physicians conducted follow-up consultation for patients with STD using mobile medical apps. Physicians working at institutions with STD prevention materials were associated with frequent evaluation of patients with STD on mobile medical apps (adjusted odds ratio=2.10, 95% CI 1.18-3.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians use mobile medical apps to provide a range of services, including Web-based pre- and posttreatment consultations and linkage to offline clinical services. The high rates of referral to clinics suggest that mobile medical apps are used to promote clinic-seeking, and not replace it. Physicians’ use of mobile medical apps could benefit sexual minorities and others who avoid formal clinic-based services.
A Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Intervention (LifeSteps) for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Biello Katie B , Psaros Christina , Krakower Douglas S , Marrow Elliot , Safren Steven A , Mimiaga Matthew J , Hightow-Weidman Lisa , Sullivan Patrick , Mayer Kenneth H
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

New HIV infections occur at a disproportionately high rate among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). It is, therefore, essential that comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, specifically tailored to their needs and perceptions, are developed, tested, and disseminated. Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in decreasing HIV transmission among men who have sex with men; however, adherence is critical to its efficacy. In open-label studies among YMSM, adherence was suboptimal. Hence, behavioral approaches that address the unique challenges to YMSM PrEP adherence are needed.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the protocol for intervention refinement and a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a PrEP adherence intervention, LifeSteps for pre-exposure prophylaxis for young men who have sex with men (LSPY).

METHODS

This study includes the following 2 phases: formative qualitative interviews with approximately 20 YMSM and 10 key informants for intervention adaptation and refinement and a pilot RCT of up to 50 YMSM to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the LSPY, compared with the PrEP standard of care, to improve PrEP adherence. Participants will be recruited at 3 iTech subject recruitment venues in the United States.

RESULTS

Phase 1 is expected to begin in June 2018, and enrollment of phase 2 is anticipated to begin in early 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Few rigorously developed and tested interventions have been designed to increase PrEP adherence among YMSM in community settings, despite this population’s high HIV incidence. The long-term goal of this intervention is to develop scalable protocols to optimize at-risk YMSM’s PrEP uptake and adherence to decrease the HIV incidence.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR

DERR1-10.2196/10661
A Mobile App for Identifying Individuals With Undiagnosed Diabetes and Prediabetes and for Promoting Behavior Change: 2-Year Prospective Study (Preprint)
Authors: Leung Angela YM , Xu Xin Yi , Chau Pui Hing , Yu Yee Tak Esther , Cheung Mike KT , Wong Carlos KH , Fong Daniel YT , Wong Janet YH , Lam Cindy LK
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

To decrease the burden of diabetes in society, early screening of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes is needed. Integrating a diabetes risk score into a mobile app would provide a useful platform to enable people to self-assess their risk of diabetes with ease.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the profile of Diabetes Risk Score mobile app users, (2) determine the optimal cutoff value of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score to identify undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes in the Chinese population, (3) estimate users’ chance of developing diabetes within 2 years of using the app, and (4) investigate high-risk app users’ lifestyle behavior changes after ascertaining their risk level from the app.

METHODS

We conducted this 2-phase study among adults via mobile app and online survey from August 2014 to December 2016. Phase 1 adopted a cross-sectional design, with a descriptive analysis of the app users’ profile. We used a Cohen kappa score to show the agreement between the risk level (as shown in the app) and glycated hemoglobin test results. We used sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve to determine the optimal cutoff value of the diabetes risk score in this population. Phase 2 was a prospective cohort study. We used a logistic regression model to estimate the chance of developing diabetes after using the app. Paired t tests compared high-risk app users’ lifestyle changes.

RESULTS

A total of 13,289 people used the app in phase 1a. After data cleaning, we considered 4549 of these as valid data. Most users were male, and 1811 (39.81%) had tertiary education or above. Among them, 188 (10.4%) users agreed to attend the health assessment in phase 1b. We recommend the optimal value of the diabetes risk score for identifying persons with undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes to be 9, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.74), sensitivity of 0.70 (95% CI 0.58-0.80), and specificity of 0.57 (95% CI 0.47-0.66). At the 2-year follow-up, people in the high-risk group had a higher chance of developing diabetes (odds ratio 4.59, P=.048) than the low-risk group. The high-risk app users improved their daily intake of vegetables (baseline: mean 0.76, SD 0.43; follow-up: mean 0.93, SD 0.26; t81=–3.77, P<.001) and daily exercise (baseline: mean 0.40, SD 0.49; follow-up: mean 0.54, SD 0.50; t81=–2.08, P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The Diabetes Risk Score app has been shown to be a feasible and reliable tool to identify persons with undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes and to predict diabetes incidence in 2 years. The app can also encourage high-risk people to modify dietary habits and reduce sedentary lifestyle.
Contents, Followers, and Retweets of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention�s Office of Advanced Molecular Detection (@CDC_AMD) Twitter Profile: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Fung Isaac Chun-Hai , Jackson Ashley M , Mullican Lindsay A , Blankenship Elizabeth B , Goff Mary Elizabeth , Guinn Amy J , Saroha Nitin , Tse Zion Tsz Ho
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The Office of Advanced Molecular Detection (OAMD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), manages a Twitter profile (@CDC_AMD). To our knowledge, no prior study has analyzed a CDC Twitter handle’s entire contents and all followers.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the contents and followers of the Twitter profile @CDC_AMD and to assess if attaching photos or videos to tweets posted by @CDC_AMD would increase retweet frequency.

METHODS

Data of @CDC_AMD were retrieved on November 21, 2016. All followers (N=809) were manually categorized. All tweets (N=768) were manually coded for contents and whether photos or videos were attached. Retweet count for each tweet was recorded. Negative binomial regression models were applied to both the original and the retweet corpora.

RESULTS

Among the 809 followers, 26.0% (210/809) were individual health professionals, 11.6% (94/809) nongovernmental organizations, 3.3% (27/809) government agencies’ accounts, 3.3% (27/809) accounts of media organizations and journalists, and 0.9% (7/809) academic journals, with 54.9% (444/809) categorized as miscellaneous. A total of 46.9% (360/768) of @CDC_AMD’s tweets referred to the Office’s website and their current research; 17.6% (135/768) referred to their scientists’ publications. Moreover, 80% (69/86) of tweets retweeted by @CDC_AMD fell into the miscellaneous category. In addition, 43.4% (333/768) of the tweets contained photos or videos, whereas the remaining 56.6% (435/768) did not. Attaching photos or videos to original @CDC_AMD tweets increases the number of retweets by 37% (probability ratio=1.37, 95% CI 1.13-1.67, P=.002). Content topics did not explain or modify this association.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms CDC health communicators’ experience that original tweets created by @CDC_AMD Twitter profile sharing images or videos (or their links) received more retweets. The current policy of attaching images to tweets should be encouraged.
BACTERIAL AGGLUTINATION BY A LECTIN FROM THE LEAVES OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT, PIMENTA DIOICA (L.) MERR
Authors: H Surya P , K Elyas K , Madayi Deepti
Published: April 2018

Objective: The current investigation involves the purification, characterization of the lectin from the leaves of Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr. (Myrtaceae) a medicinal plant, and its application in bacterial typing.Methods: A lectin was purified from the leaves by cation exchange chromatography. SDS PAGE revealed the molecular weight of the purified lectin. Biochemical characterization was carried out by performing various tests. Hemagglutination inhibition was conducted to detect the sugar specificity. Additionally, bacterial agglutination was performed to predict whether the purified lectin was able to agglutinate the bacterial strains.Results: SDS PAGE analysis revealed the lectin to be a tetramer in the range of 43-66 kDa. The purified lectin agglutinated human, avian, and mouse erythrocytes, and was inhibited by 125 mmol of mannose and xylose. The lectin was stable at 0-60 ° C for 30 min and was unaffected by either 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME) or Dithiothreitol (DTT) (50-250µM). A pH of 6.0–8.0 was found optimum for its activity and was nearly independent of metal ions. The purified lectin contained about 20% carbohydrate as estimated by Anthrone method. Purified lectin agglutinated the Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris.Conclusion: The isolated lectin was found to possess significant hemagglutinating activity. Due to its ability to agglutinate Gram negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris, it could be used for bacterial typing and for the design of bacterial filters.