bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Contributing to Diagnostic Discordance Between Store-and-Forward Teledermatology Consultations and In-Person Visits: Case Series (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Michelle S , Stavert Robert
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Use of asynchronous store-and-forward (SAF) teledermatology can improve access to timely and cost-effective dermatologic care and has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research has found high diagnostic concordance rates between SAF teledermatology and face-to-face clinical diagnosis, but to our knowledge, none have used specific cases to illustrate factors contributing to diagnostic discordance.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and illustrate characteristics that may have contributed to diagnostic discordance between store-and-forward teledermatology and in-person clinical diagnosis in a series of patients.

METHODS

We identified 7 cases of diagnostic discordance between teledermatology and in-person visits where the favored diagnosis of the in-person dermatologist was not included in the differential diagnosis formulated by the teledermatologist. Cases were identified from a previously published retrospective chart review of 340 SAF teledermatology consultations, which was previously performed at an academic community health care system in the greater Boston area, Massachusetts, from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2017. Of 99 patients who completed an in-person dermatology appointment after their teledermatology consultation, 7 had diagnostic disagreement between the teledermatologist and in-person dermatologist where the diagnosis in the in-person consultation was not included in the differential diagnosis in the original teledermatology consult. These 7 cases were examined by 2 author reviewers to identify factors that may have contributed to diagnostic discordance.

RESULTS

Factors contributing to diagnostic discordance between SAF teledermatology consultations and in-person visits included poor image quality, inadequate history or diagnostic workup, inability to evaluate textural characteristics, diagnostic uncertainty due to atypical presentations, and evolution in appearance of skin conditions over time.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified multiple factors that contributed to diagnostic discordance. Recognition and mitigation of these factors, when possible, may help to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis. Continuing education of referring providers and implementation of standardized guidelines for referrals may also be helpful in reducing the risk of misdiagnosis due to inherent limitations of teledermatology services.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PH-DEPENDENT COLON-TARGETED TABLETS OF RIFAXIMIN BY DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT
Authors: RAWOOF MD  , RAJNARAYANA K  , AJITHA M
Published: October 2020

Objective: The research is designed at formulating and evaluating pH-sensitive rifaximin colon-targeted tablets for targeted action in proximal colon.

Method: The colon-targeted tablets are done by granulation of three levels of polymers such as Eudragit L30D, Carbopol 974P, and ethyl cellulose. The evaluation parameters such as swelling studies, drug dissolution, in vitro drug release studies, stability, and the Fourier transform infrared studies carried out for optimized formulations.

Results: Physicochemical parameters of all the 27 formulations (RF1-RF27) evaluated and RF21 is chosen for further investigation based on weight variation, hardness, drug content, and swelling index. The in vitro drug release studies indicate that the optimized formulation RF21 released 98.75% drug within 24 h. The stability studies indicate that the formulation is stable.

Conclusion: An effective and stable pH-dependent rifaximin colon-targeted tablet formulated for the targeted treatment of bowel syndrome.
POTENTIAL USES OF THE PEEL AND SEED OF PASSIFLORA EDULIS SIMS F. EDULIS (GULUPA) FROM ITS CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, ANTIOXIDANT, AND ANTIHYPERTENSIVE FUNCTIONALITIES
Authors: LAURA GONZÁLEZ  , ANDREE ÁLVAREZ  , ELIZABETH MURILLO  , CARLOS GUERRA  , JONH MÉNDEZ
Published: October 2020

Objective: Assess the performance of a crude ethanolic extract, a dichloromethane fraction and a hydroalcoholic residue, which are the basis for chemically and biologically characterizing the husk and seed of Passiflora edulis f. edulis, collected in the region and Colombia with a view to determining potential uses.

Methods: Agroindustrial residues of gulupa (peel and seed) were analyzed through a bromatological study; subsequently, they were macerated with ethanol (96%). The crude ethanolic extract was partitioned with dichloromethane, leaving a hydroalcoholic residue. The content of total phenols, the composition of phytophenols (high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), the total antioxidant capacity using 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS●+) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-pyridyl hydrazyl (DPPH●), the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and the ferric reduction power (FRAP) were determined to the extract, the fraction, and the residue. The evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and the cell viability assay with diphenyl bromide 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-) il) -2,5-tetrazolium on human leukocytes complemented the characterization.

Results: Agroindustrial waste of P. edulis f. edulis, peel and seed, contains as main constituents: Protein (8.49 and 7.29%), fiber (34.2 and 55.7%), phosphorus (1.67 and 3.09), and boron (53.3 and 58.4 mg/kg), respectively. The seed showed 25.5% oil. The crude seed extract exhibited a higher phenolic content (15.34 gEAG/100 g). Likewise, it presented the highest antiradical capacity against ABTS●+ and DPPH● (706.17 and 82.81 trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity [TEAC], respectively) and antioxidant in ORAC and FRAP (142.79 TEAC and 103.63 equivalent ascorbic acid EAA, respectively). The ACEI activity (50% inhibitory concentration 17.62 mg/L) of the crude seed extract was higher than the other samples. No toxicity was found in the samples evaluated at concentrations higher than those of the biological activities manifested.

Conclusion: The agroindustrial residues of P. edulis f. edulis (peel and seed) are rich in nutrients, which propose them for use in food matrices. The ethanolic extract from seed showed the highest antioxidant, antiradical, and inhibitory biological activity of the ACEI so that it could be proposed the gulupa seed as a promising phytotherapeutic product associated with its phenolic content, especially its flavonoids. The results obtained allow an added value to the fruit, reducing the chances that its waste contributes to environmental pollution.
STUDY OF POTENTIAL ANTITUSSIVE ACTIVITY OF GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA GRANULES BY USING A COUGH MODEL INDUCED BY SULPHUR DIOXIDE GAS IN MICE
Authors: Shitole Mayuri , Pawar Vijaykumar
Published: October 2020

In respiratory diseases cough is most common symptom. When cough becomes severe, opioids are potent, but they have side effects like sedation, constipation. Therefore, there is a necessary to have effective antitussive formulation, which does not have respiratory depressant activity. The present study was carried out to analysis antitussive activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. using a cough model induced by sulphur dioxide gas in experimental mice. The effect of the granules of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract on SO2 gas induced cough in experimental animals have very significant effects at the level of p<0.01 in inhibiting the cough reflex at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, in comparison with the control group. Mice were showed an inhibition of 41.17%, in cough on treatment with Glycyrrhiza glabra granules at 60 min experiment. The antitussive activity of the granules was comparable to that of codeine sulphate (10, 15, 20 mg/kg body weight), a standard anti-tussive agent. Codeine sulphate, as a standard drug for suppression of cough, produced 25.29%, 33.33%, 47.13% inhibition in cough at a dose of 10 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively, whereas, codeine sulphate (20 mg/kg) showed maximum 47.13% (p<0.001) inhibition at 60 min of the experiment.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF KIGELIA AFRICANA (LAM.) BENTH. EXTRACTS ON TM3 LEYDIG CELLS
Authors: NELISIWE PRENATE MASUKU  , SOGOLO LUCKY LEBELO
Published: October 2020

Objective: The study reports the effects of acetone, methanol, and aqueous Kigelia africana extracts on the TM3 Leydig cells.

Methods: The total phenolic contents were determined using Folin–Ciocalteu’s method. Antioxidant activity was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl assay and flavonoid content assessed using quercetin as standard. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed.

Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were analyzed. Acetone extracts showed highest total phenolic content (105±3.65 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g) followed by methanol extracts (10.64±0.32 mg GAE/g) and, last, the water extract with the total phenolic content of 4.27±0.65 mg GAE/g. The same trend was observed with total flavonoid content where results recorded for acetone, methanol, and water extracts were 3.63 ±0.20 mg/g quercetin equivalent (QE), 0.16±0.01 mg QE/g, and 0.01±0.00 mg QE/g, respectively. The three extracts showed lower IC50 values compared to ascorbic acid (0.143±0.05 mg/ml, 0.023±0.004 mg/l, and 0.043±0.03 mg/ml for acetone, methanol, and water extracts, respectively). At 0.5 mg/ml of acetone extract, there was an increase in the testosterone production compared to the control.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that K. africana could be recommended for use in the treatment of male infertility.
ANTIDIABETIC, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTI-HELMINTHIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL OF MUSA PARADISIACA
Authors: OLUWAFEMI OMONIYI OGUNTIBEJU
Published: October 2020

The medicinal and economic values of medicinal plants remain vital to the well-being, growth, and development of humans, especially those living in developing countries. It has been shown that due to the availability, less side effects, general acceptance by local people, medicinal plants contribute significantly to improving health-care delivery system by supplying important pharmaceutical and pharmacological ingredients that are affordable to the teaming majority of people. It is estimated that 30% of pharmaceutical products that are sold globally is rich in compounds derived from plant materials. It is also of interest to report that over 80% of the people in developing countries, mostly in Asia and Africa depend heavily on plant products in the treatment and management of various disease conditions. The interest in demand and utilization of medicinal plants has also increased significantly due to the high cost of orthodox medications, lack of good transportation, lack of storage facilities, inadequate availability of health professionals, and lack of the will and political power to provide basic health needs for the citizens of these developing countries. Musa paradisiaca is one of such medicinal plants believed to have multi-faceted health benefits and its health benefits extend to different countries of the world. It is a stable crop found in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America commonly consumed as energy-yielding food but with many medicinal values as well. It is used in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, parasitic infection, microbial infections, renal, and liver dysfunction. This manuscript focuses on the antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, and nutritional values of M. paradisiaca.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING SUBLINGUAL FILM OF PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION
Authors: RITA N WADETWAR  , FARHEEN ALI  , PRANITA KANOJIYA
Published: October 2020

Objective: Oromucosal route could be an alternative over the conventional route for paroxetine hydrochloride (PXH) as it offers direct systemic delivery, by avoiding extensive first-pass metabolism, which results in poor systemic absorption. The film dissolves quickly when placed in mouth without need of water thus helpful in providing rapid onset of action.

Methods: Fast dissolving film of PXH was prepared using Pullulan in various combinations of 32 full factorial design by solvent casting technique. Prepared films were subjected to mechanical, in vitro, and ex vivo characterization.

Results: The physicochemical characteristics such as mass uniformity, thickness, surface pH, and folding endurance were found satisfactory. The formulation (F3) containing 4% w/v Pullulan showed maximum release 94.31% and ex vivo permeation 92.67% through goat oral mucosa in 15 min. Uniform drug loading was observed in all the batches with disintegration time <25 s. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed the compatibility of drug with polymer. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that there was uniform mixing of all ingredients. Optimized batch F3 was found to be stable for 1 month as no significant changes were observed in % cumulative drug release and weight of film.

Conclusion: Pullulan a natural biodegradable polymer allocates good physical property to film. Hydrophilic nature of polymer imparts fast disintegrating property to film.
ANTI-METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS POTENTIAL OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN TERMINALIA CATAPPA AND THEIR PROPOSED IN SILICO MECHANISM OF ACTION
Authors: LOKESH RAVI  , DIVYA JINDAM  , SUGANYA KUMARESAN  , VENKATESH SELVARAJ  , JAYARAMA REDDY
Published: October 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial potential of leaves of this Terminalia catappa and identify the mechanism of action for those phytochemicals present in this leaves.

Methods: Phytochemicals were extracted using maceration and the extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the chemical structure. Antibacterial potential was evaluated using agar well diffusion. The phytochemicals were subjected to in silico protein–ligand docking study to identify the mechanism of action.

Results: In vitro antibacterial study demonstrated that the ethanol extract of the leaves has significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) with a zone of inhibition of 16 mm and 18 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 2 mg/ml. The chloroform and hexane extracts of the leaves did not demonstrate any significant activity. Based on GC-MS analysis and literature review, 12 phytochemicals were identified to be present in the ethanol extract of the T. catappa leaves. These molecules were subjected to in silico protein–ligand docking study against common drug target proteins of SA and MRSA. Among the studied ligands, granatin A demonstrated the highest significance to inhibit topoisomerase IV with a binding energy of −11.3 kcal/mol and produced 7 hydrogen bonds, followed by punicalin with −10.7 kcal/mol binding energy toward penicillin-binding protein 2a with 6 hydrogen bonds.

Conclusion: Phytochemicals of T. catappa demonstrates significant drug ability potential against drug-resistant MRSA pathogen and demands further investigation on their individual activity and mechanism.
A REVIEW ON HYDROTROPY: A POTENTIAL APPROACH FOR THE SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF POORLY SOLUBLE DRUG
Authors: JYOTI JOSHI  , NIDHI NAINWAL  , VIKAS ANAND SAHARAN
Published: October 2020

Solubility is one of the significant parameters to accomplish wanted centralization of medication in foundational flow for pharmacological reaction to appear. Medication adequacy can be seriously constrained by poor watery dissolvability, and a few medications additionally show reactions because of their poor solvency. There are numerous strategies which are utilized to upgrade the fluid solvency. The capacity to increment watery solvency would thus be able to be a profitable guide to expanding proficiency as well as lessening reactions for specific medications. The ability to augment watery dissolvability would subsequently have the option to be a beneficial manual for extending capability just as diminishing responses for explicit medications. Therapeutic adequacy of a medication relies on the bioavailability and at last on the solvency of medication particles. Solvency is one of the significant parameters to accomplish wanted convergence of medication in fundamental course for pharmacological reaction to appear. Because of cutting edge inquire about and advancement, there are assortments of new medications and their subordinates are accessible. In any case, over 40% of lipophilic medication up-and-comers neglect to achieve showcase because of poor bioavailability, despite the fact that these medications may display potential pharmacodynamic exercises. The lipophilic medication that achieves market requires a high portion to accomplish appropriate pharmacological activity. Hydrotropy is one of the solvency improvement methods which upgrade dissolvability to numerous folds with utilization of hydrotropes such as sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, urea, niacinamide, and so forth and have numerous focal points as, it does not require substance alteration of hydrophobic medications, utilization of natural solvents, or readiness of emulsion framework and so forth.
PREVENTIVE ROLES OF BIOACTIVE NATURAL COMPOUNDS IN OXIDATIVE AND NITROSATIVE STRESS MEDIATED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: SATYAPRAKASH BERAIYA  , PIR MOHAMMAD ISHFAQ  , ZAVED AHMAD  , SWATI TRIPATHI  , SIDDHARTHA KUMAR MISHRA
Published: October 2020

Oxidative stress has emerged as one of the targets in several medical conditions and in several types of clinical researches. Growing evidences from research on diverse diseases show that oxidative stress is conjoined with the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. This review has examined the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. A vast variety of medicinal plants and products have been utilized for the prevention of diabetes and its related complications. Natural products such as phenolic acids and flavonoids construct one of the most ubiquitous groups of plant phenolics. At present, the effect of dietary phenolics is of extreme concern due to their antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and as quenchers of singlet oxygen formation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as reactive nitrogen species play either harmful or beneficial roles in biological systems depending on pathophysiological conditions. This review extends on the fundamental aspect of ROS in biological processes and diseases and how natural bioactive compounds of fruits and vegetables regulate their health improving properties. Flavonoids and phenolics acids are the most important groups of secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds in plants. Diverse phytochemical agents have become the backbone in pharmacotherapy of diabetes by virtue of their antioxidant properties along with their other pharmacological actions. Consequently, accession to obstruction the generation of reactive free radicals or abduct the reactive free radical may yield direct and casual approach for the medication of diabetes and its complications.
BERCHEMIA ZEYHERI (SOND.) GRUBOV: MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: ALFRED MAROYI
Published: October 2020

Berchemia zeyheri is a small-to-medium-sized deciduous fruit tree widely used as herbal medicine. This study was aimed at providing a critical review of the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of B. zeyheri. Documented information on the biological activities, medicinal uses, and phytochemistry of B. zeyheri was collected from several online sources which included BMC, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science. Additional information on the biological activities, phytochemistry, and medicinal uses of B. zeyheri was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as book chapters, books, journal articles, and scientific publications obtained from the university library. This study showed that the bark and roots of B. zeyheri are used for magical purposes and as herbal medicine for anemia, backache, baby’s navel problems, cough, dysentery, headache, rectal ulcers, stomach problems, tonic, and vomiting and ethnoveterinary medicine for infectious diseases in cattle. Phytochemical analyses revealed that the aerial parts, bark, and heartwood of B. zeyheri are characterized by alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols, and steroids. Pharmacological research revealed that B. zeyheri crude extracts have anthelmintic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity activities. Future ethnopharmacological research should focus on conducting detailed phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological studies.
CONTAMINATION OF WATER WITH HELMINTH EGGS: A CASE STUDY OF SOURANI DAM LAKE-TARTUS GOVERNORATE
Authors: KANAAN AL-TAMEEMI  , AMAL DAYOUB  , MERVAT MAZLOOM
Published: October 2020

Objective: In view of the serious prevalence of helminth and ease of infection, our research focuses on the detection of the prevalence of helminth eggs in the Sourani Dam Lake (Tartus governorate) water reflecting the health services and environmental circumstances in this region.

Methods: The study was carried out on water samples of AL-Sourani Dam Lake with the aim to investigate the quality of water from October 2015 to September 2016 and verify the existence of helminth eggs according to their characteristics.

Results: Our results showed a presence of helminth eggs such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia saginata, and Hymenolepis nana in water samples. The total prevalence was 1.57 egg/L. T. saginata eggs were the most prevalent, followed by the eggs of A. lumbricoides, while the eggs of H. nana were the least prevalent, especially in summer and autumn.

Conclusion: Due to the presence of helminth eggs in samples, it is recommended that sewage treatment plants be established and that health awareness be increased to decrease their prevalence.
NOVEL NOVEL STABILITY-INDICATING HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHIC ASSAY METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF HYDROCORTISONE AND TETRACYCLINE IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Authors: MUNI SAI VARAGANTI  , PRASANTHI CHENGALVA  , ARUNA GUNDALA
Published: October 2020

Objective: A combination of hydrocortisone and tetracycline as topical ophthalmic ointment is used for skin irritations, eye infections, inflammation, skin infections, acne, and rashes. The objective of the current work is to a simple, rapid, accurate, and precise, stability-indicating reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of hydrocortisone and tetracycline in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form.

Methods: The separation was carried out in Discovery C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using mobile phase ratio of water (pH 2.2 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid):acetonitrile (40:60 v/v) in an isocratic elution mode with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min at detection wavelength of 244 nm. The injection volume was 10 μl and the column temperature was set at 30°C.

Results: The retention time for hydrocortisone and tetracycline was found to be 2.214 ± 0.001 min and 3.497 ± 0.001 min, respectively. Calibration curves were linear (r2=0.999) at a concentration range of 2.5–15 mg/ml for both hydrocortisone and tetracycline. The percentage recoveries were found to be 99.13–99.67% for hydrocortisone and 99.39–99.61% for tetracycline. Relative standard deviation was found to be 0.3% for both the drugs. Limit of detection and limit of quantification values of hydrocortisone and tetracycline were found to be 0.09 μg/ml and 0.27 μg/ml and 0.17 μg/ml and 0.52 μg/ml, respectively. The drugs were subjected to various stress conditions and found no interference of degraded products peak at the retention times of analyte peaks.

Conclusion: A rapid and accurate reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for simultaneous estimation of hydrocortisone and tetracycline, and the method was validated as per the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. Hence, the developed method can be successfully applied for the simultaneous estimation of hydrocortisone and tetracycline in bulk and ointment formulation.
Mexico and China in the US manufacturing market: An empirical analysis
Authors: Cuevas Ahumada Víctor M. , Calderón Villarreal Cuauhtémoc
Published: October 2020

This paper conducts a disaggregated comparative analysis of China’s and Mexico’s export dynamism in the US manufacturing market over the period 1994-2015 and, against this backdrop, it estimates a panel data econometric model showing the impact of key variables on Mexico’s export performance across manufacturing subsectors of different technology categories. Export performance is measured in terms of import market shares in the US and numerous econometric issues are addressed to produce a plausible model. In addition to capturing some heterogeneity among different manufacturing subsectors, this study shows that: (i) a depreciation of the real exchange rate calculated for each subsector worsens (rather than improves) Mexico’s export performance, which is likely due not only to the high import content of Mexican manufacturing exports, but also to the increasing weight of the private sector’s external liabilities; (ii) a fall in domestic unit labor costs has a positive impact on Mexico’s export performance, which highlights the importance of raising labor productivity faster than wages; and (iii) a reduction in US unit labor costs deteriorates Mexico’s export performance. In this context, the empirical evidence leads to clear-cut policy recommendations to raise export performance and thus economic growth.
Factores de las TIC que contribuyen a mejorar el desempeño del negocio de las MIPyMES
Authors: Islas Pineda Jorge Alberto , López Pérez Jesús Fabián , Palomo González Miguel Ángel
Published: October 2020

El presente artículo tiene como propósito mostrar los factores, de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC), que contribuyen a mejorar el desempeño del negocio de las MIPyMES, desde la perspectiva basada en recursos (RBV), para la realización del estudio se entrevistaron a 51 dueños de MIPyMES, para analizar la relación de los factores propuestos con la mejora del desempeño del negocio. Los datos recopilados se analizaron mediante el modelo de regresión múltiple. Como resultado, se obtuvo un modelo final que muestra a, las inversiones financieras, las capacidades de uso, el gobierno y las estrategias de implementación de las TIC, como los factores que contribuyen a mejorar el desempeño del negocio de las MIPyMES, siendo, las inversiones financieras de las TIC, el factor con mayor impacto en el desempeño.
Disminuir el costo de las pensiones: una alternativa desde los mercados financieros de Colombia y México
Authors: Agudelo Torres Gabriel Alberto , Gavira Durón Nora , Franco Arbeláez Luis Ceferino
Published: October 2020

Un elemento determinante para las finanzas públicas de los países latinoamericanos corresponde a la estimación del monto de las reservas actuariales correspondientes a las pensiones financiadas total o parcialmente por los gobiernos centrales, federales y regionales. En este artículo se propone una estrategia de gestión de portafolios pensionales, que considera la dinámica estocástica de los precios de los activos e integra una estrategia de cobertura dinámica que permite reducir el costo de las rentas vitalicias, aplicado a Colombia y México. En el primer caso, la estrategia de gestión del portafolio propuesta representa un ahorro promedio en el gasto público de 44.56%, equivalente a $3,803 millones de dólares aproximadamente, en el segundo caso, el ahorro es de 38.06%, equivalente a $16,631 millones de dólares aproximadamente. El planteamiento es relevante puesto que permitiría liberar recursos públicos invertidos en reservas actuariales pensionales o comprometidos para vigencias futuras, con los beneficios fiscales y principalmente sociales que ello conlleva, al dar soporte a una mayor cobertura de los sistemas de retiro o su utilización en la cobertura de otro tipo de necesidades de la población.
La investigación-acción como estrategia educativa para la obtención de aprendizajes significativos en la promoción de la salud en salud pública en alumnos de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM
Authors: García García Juan José , Moreno Altamirano Laura , Flores Ocampo Angélica Estefanía
Published: October 2020

Introducción: La educación para la salud juega un papel muy importante para la promoción de la salud, la prevención y limitación del daño. También contribuye al empoderamiento de las personas, individual y colectivamente, para construir una cultura de la salud y tomar decisiones saludables. Como parte de los objetivos de la asignatura Promoción de la Salud en el Ciclo de Vida, y con el propósito de llevar a cabo una experiencia docente, se eligió estudiar “La alimentación, el estado nutricional y su relación con los trastornos de la atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) en estudiantes de secundaria”.Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la investigación-acción en la práctica en comunidad, para favorecer la actividad docente en la obtención de aprendizajes significativos y compromiso social.Método: El de la “investigación-acción”. Un grupo de alumnos de segundo año de la carrera de medicina fue el protagonista del proceso. Se elaboró un proyecto de investigación en el que se destacó la organización de experiencias y conocimientos previos en el área de estudio. Se diseñó un cuestionario sobre alimentación y se utilizó un cuestionario validado sobre TDAH, ambos fueron aplicados por los alumnos de medicina, realizaron la somatometría, impartieron pláticas para una alimentación saludable y elaboraron una base de datos. Después de cada actividad se llevaron a cabo reuniones con ellos para recuperar y organizar la experiencia.Resultados: Los alumnos señalaron que la actividad les permitió integrar lo aprendido previamente, identificar sus limitaciones académicas, caracterizar un problema real de salud pública, aplicar sus conocimientos y desarrollar habilidades e identificar el valor de la promoción de la salud.Conclusiones: La participación en actividades en donde se vincule la investigación con la acción facilita el aprendizaje significativo. Se consideró la práctica educativa como una acción comprometida con el contexto social en el que se vive.
Eventos de neurociencias: un nuevo alcance gracias a la pandemia de la COVID-19
Authors: Ramírez Moreno David Fabián
Published: October 2020

Se presenta una experiencia pedagógica en la forma de un simposio de actualización. Trasmitido en su totalidad usando herramientas tecnológicas gratuitas, rompiendo así barreras para el acceso a la información.
Pensamiento complejo en la educación médica: un reto ineludible ante la pandemia de COVID-19
Authors: Servín Hernández David
Published: October 2020

Ante la crisis de la pandemia de COVID-19, la educación médica debe transformarse, a fin de que contribuya a edificar una práctica clínica innovadora y factible. En el camino por recorrer, es esencial el desarrollo de los principios del pensamiento complejo, que inducen a: mirar las interacciones de los elementos que subyacen a la emergencia, ejercer el trabajo interprofesional, vivir relaciones humanas auténticas con el paciente, investigar la multi-inter-dimensionalidad de los fenómenos, articular la atención clínica del individuo con el contexto del sistema de salud. Por consiguiente, las escuelas de medicina tienen el reto ineludible de formar a estudiantes capaces de integrar tales principios, a fin de complejizar su pensar y su actuar. Frente a la disrupción que la pandemia provoca en las actividades docentes en las universidades y en los hospitales, la tecnología y las bases didácticas son decisivas para construir aulas virtuales, sin embargo, debe permear el paradigma de la complejidad en las tareas académicas. En este sentido, es fundamental implementar experiencias de pensamiento complejo, de modo que los estudiantes aprendan a aproximarse sistémicamente a los problemas de salud-enfermedad, a navegar en la incertidumbre, y a ser co-creadores de una realidad que manifieste las cualidades de salud y bienestar individual, local y global.
Science Diplomacy and South-South Cooperation for Emergency Response: The Case of COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America
Authors: Echeverria Luisa Fernanda , Aquino Valle Karina Elizabeth , Widmaier Muller Claudia Natalie
Published: October 2020

AbstractLatin America is a highly culturally and socioeconomically diverse region and it has a long story dealing with a weak, inequitable, inefficient and fragmented health system. The world faces a global health crisis without precedent, where global action and solidarity are crucial. This article highlights the importance of South-South cooperation actions based on science diplomacy, from countries in Latin America, for health-related emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As the qualitative research, this article will first present the concepts of science diplomacy and South-South Cooperation; secondly it will describe how these two concepts can contribute to emergencies associated with health related situations. Then, this article will review initiatives from Latin America to address the current pandemic. Finally, the general conclusions of the article will be presented. The management of the pandemic requires the best public health strategies contributing to its containment, but also an integrated approach using the transfer of good practices between the Global South, creating a network of scientists and diplomats working together to find possible solutions to the disease. South-South cooperation in Latin America occurs mainly bilaterally, especially with other countries in the Global South. Latin America has to work as a region to generate more spaces for collaboration, addressed by governments to achieve universal health.
Rupturas da Aliança Terapêutica: um estudo de caso malsucedido em psicoterapia psicanalítica com paciente borderline
Authors: Dotta Patricia , Feijó Luan Paris , Barcellos Serralta Fernanda
Published: October 2020

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo compreender os processos de ruptura da Aliança Terapêutica (AT) de um caso de psicoterapia psicanalítica (PP) interrompida, realizada com paciente com Transtorno de Personalidade Borderline (TPB). Trata-se de estudo de caso sistemático, que contempla 15 sessões de PP, com um paciente com queixas impulsividade e dificuldades de relacionamento e sua terapeuta. As sessões foram gravadas em vídeo e transcritas. A identificação das rupturas na AT foi feita pelo Rupture Resolution Rating System. Foram encontradas 100 rupturas da AT, destas 69% são rupturas de evitação e 31% de confrontação. Foram verificadas 30 contribuições da terapeuta para as rupturas acontecerem. As rupturas de evitação são mais sutis e de difícil identificação, apresentando-se em maior frequência do que as de confrontação. Diante de pacientes com TPB, os terapeutas devem desenvolver habilidades para fazer intervenções com foco sobre a AT. Destaca-se a necessidade de outros estudos que busquem replicar a pesquisa em outros casos, de sucesso e insucesso terapêutico.
Estimation of residual stress level in plasma coatings of increased thickness
Authors: Kravchenko Igor N. , Chekha Tatyana A. , Bogachev Boris A. , Shamarin Yuriy A.
Published: October 2020

Regulation of the thermal and stress state of the “coating-base” system is an important step of the coatings quality management and is carried out by changing the thermal power of the plasma jet per unit of the sprayed surface by controlling the movement velocity of the plasma torch and the sprayed material flow rate. (Research purpose) The research purpose is development of a mathematical model that describes the process of layer-by-layer coatings formation and the change in the thermal state of the coating-base system during plasma spraying. (Materials and methods) We have used finite differences, finite elements and marching for solving the thermal and strength problems in internal stresses determining. We have used a technique for determining thermal fields, considering the dependence of thermal-physical and mechanical properties of the coating and base materials on temperature, the occurrence of plastic deformations and stress relaxation. A mathematical model has been designed for calculating a thermal field with a moving boundary considering the nonlinear nature of coating growth during layer-by-layer deposition and the dependence on the thermophysical properties of the coating-base system materials. We have substantiated the method that allows eliminating the existing shortcomings of traditional technologies for design and experimental studies of the thermal and stress state of the coating-base system, as well as automatization of the process of solving the numerical model and increasing the efficiency of the entire research cycle. (Results and discussion) It was found that when the flow rate of the sprayed material is changed from 0.1 to 1.0 grams per second and the plasma torch travel velocity is from 10 to 350 millimeters per second, the residual stresses in PG-19M-01 coatings on steel change their sign and can be both compressive and tensile. Varying the coating conditions allows reducing the level of residual stresses by 3-5 times. The article shows that a decrease in the level of residual stresses corresponds to an increase in the coating adhesion strength at a constant mass average temperature of the particles during the deposition process and is achieved by controlling the sprayed material flow rate and the plasma torch velocity, pre-heating the substrate and cooling. (Conclusion) It was found that the use of the proposed model makes it possible to evaluate the effect of the parameters of the spraying process (plasma torch travel velocity, spray material consumption, thermal state of the substrate before spraying, cooling conditions during spraying) on the residual stresses level.
Development of hardware and software platform for collection and processing of operational data of agricultural equipment
Authors: Zub Dmitriy V.
Published: October 2020

The article denotes to the issues of the use of modern digital technologies for the development of mobile monitoring system for technical condition of the agricultural machinery for predicting the resource and planning the maintenance. (Research purpose) The research purpose is developing a structure and hardware and software tools for creating a platform for collecting and processing operational data of agricultural machinery. (Materials and methods) Based on modern microcontroller technology, authors created a two-level structure of the hardware and software platform, a scheme of first-level modules designed to collect data from sensors and pre-process it, a scheme of a second-level module for collecting information from first-level modules, structuring it and transmitting it to a remote server via a GPRS channel for storage, processing and analysis. The article presents the developed database structure and site layout on a remote server to control incoming information and graphical representation of the dynamics in measured parameters. (Results and discussion) The created platform has been installed on the Kioti CK22 tractor for experimental research and demonstrated at the agro-industrial exhibition-forum “Field Day of the Ryazan region-2019” on July 19, 2019. (Conclusions) With relatively low hardware costs, the developed platform has sufficient functional and computational resources to implement mobile monitoring of the technical condition of units and aggregates of agricultural machines and their compliance with technological modes of soil treatment. The universal structure of the developed platform can serve as a basis for digitalization of many other objects of agricultural production in such industries as animal husbandry; crop production; accounting, storage and processing.
Improvement of electric spark surfacing method
Authors: Sayfullin Rinat N. , Gaskarov Ilnar R. , Pavlov Nikolay I.
Published: October 2020

Electric spark treatment of wear-resistant coatings is one of the resource-saving technologies that improve the durability of parts of mechanisms and machines. The limitations of the use of this technology are low performance, non-continuity of the coating, high roughness, as well as limited thickness of the surfaced layer. (Research purpose) The research purpose is to study the effect of additional introduced DC voltage between the electrode and the product, as well as the effect of different brands of electrodes on the thickness of the spark coating. (Materials and methods) Conducted research on the SZ-8100 micro-welding apparatus, the source of additional input voltage was the SHE-56 laboratory autotransformer, changed the voltage in the range of 0-75 volts; as materials for the electrode used wolfram, nickel, 65G steel, VK20 metal-ceramic alloy. (Results and discussion) It was found during the spark surfacing with additionally introduced constant voltage between the electrode and the workpiece, that with increasing DC current increasing of coating thickness is observed when using the electrode made of 65G steel on modes 1 and 2, wherein the maximum thickness recorded at a current of 13-17 and 23-26 amps. It was also found that electrodes of nickel, wolfram, ВК20 showed no changes in coating thickness with increasing voltage between the electrode and the workpiece, however, at the maximum modes of operation of SZ-8100 microsurfacing apparatus (mode 3) with increasing voltage, the thickness of 65G steel, wolfram and ВК20 decreases compared to the initial state (without additional imposed voltage between the electrode and the workpiece). It was noted that the destruction of the electrode material occurs in these modes. (Conclusions) An effective electrode for increasing the thickness of the surfacing layer by introducing an additional constant voltage between the electrode and the product was an electrode made of 65G steel.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis - enigma at the medicine’s crossroads
Authors: Pavlovic Dragan , Djordjevic Jelena , Pavlovic Aleksandra , Stjepanovic Mirjana , Baralic Marko
Published: October 2020

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a complex, multisystem disease with chronic course significantly affecting patients? quality of life. Physical and mental exertion intolerability, muscle pain, and sleep problems are the main features accompanied often with cognitive inefficacy and vegetative symptoms. Prevalence is 7?3000 per 100,000 adults. It is estimated that 90% of the patients are misdiagnosed. Pathogenesis is still only speculative but current research points to disturbances in the immunological system, inflammatory pathways, autonomic and central nervous system, muscle and mitochondria, as well as alterations of gut microbiota and gut permeability. The onset is typically acute, following an infectious disease. Exertional intolerance lasting for more than six months is an important diagnostic factor. The core features must be moderate to severe and present at least 50% of the time. Diagnostic criteria should be fulfilled and differential diagnosis should be made to exclude other potential pathological conditions or to diagnose comorbidities. Brain magnetic resonance imaging morphometry has shown gray matter atrophy in occipital lobes bilaterally, right angular gyrus, and the posterior division of the left parahippocampal gyrus, consistent with memory problems and potentially with impairment of visual processing. Treatment is still symptomatic and of partial benefit. Symptomatic treatment can include medications for controlling pain and sleep problems, graded exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Larger controlled trials are needed to shed more light on this challenging condition.
Accounting Quality and Alliance Contract Provisions
Authors: Ge Rui , Ji Yuan , Louis Henock
Published: October 2020

We show that the number of governance provisions imposed on a firm by a strategic alliance partner decreases with the firm's accounting quality. This effect is weaker when the firm has greater bargaining power and stronger when the alliance project is riskier. Moreover, the net benefit to an alliance partner of imposing an additional governance provision on its counterparty apparently increases when the counterparty accounting quality is low, resulting in an enhancement of the partner's market value and a reduction in its bankruptcy risk. Furthermore, alliance partners adopt fewer provisions based on their counterparties' accounting numbers when the counterparties' accounting quality is poor.

JEL Classifications: D74; M41.
Lender Monitoring and the Efficacy of Managerial Risk-Taking Incentives
Authors: Hong Hyun A. , Ryou Ji Woo , Srivastava Anup
Published: October 2020

Firms provide convexity in managers' compensation plans (vega) to induce risk-averse managers to pursue risky, positive net present value projects. The resulting alignment of managers' and shareholders' incentives creates conflicts with lenders, who face an increased risk of default when managers pursue risky investments. We hypothesize that lenders would respond by stepping up their monitoring and threatening foreclosure to inhibit managers from acting on their vega incentives. Strong lender monitoring should, thus, reduce the efficacy of vega incentives. We test this hypothesis in a unique setting, where lenders purchase credit insurance, reduce their exposure to downside risk, and lower their monitoring. Afterward, we find a stronger association between vega incentives and the firms' risky investments. We contribute to the literature by showing that strong lender monitoring reduces the effectiveness of vega incentives and, thus, of the compensation mechanisms that boards of directors put in place to resolve manager-shareholder conflicts.

JEL Classifications: G32; G33; M41; M48.
The Decreasing Trend in U.S. Cash Effective Tax Rates: The Role of Growth in Pre-Tax Income
Authors: Edwards Alexander , Kubata Adrian , Shevlin Terry
Published: October 2020

We develop a linear corporate tax function where taxes paid are regressed on pre-tax income and an intercept. We show that if the intercept is positive, cash ETRs are a convex function of pre-tax income. We present large-sample evidence consistent with this ETR convexity. Thus, although firms may have stable linear tax functions (i.e., constant parameters in the linear tax model) representing stable tax avoidance behavior, ETRs can change over time because of growth in pre-tax income. Consequently, simply examining changes (or differences) in cash ETRs is nondiagnostic about whether tax avoidance has changed over time (or differs across firms). We illustrate our argument by showing that all of the observed downward trend in cash ETRs documented by Dyreng et al. (2017) can be explained by growth in pre-tax income. The wholesale concern about increased tax avoidance over time might be overstated.

Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text.

JEL Classifications: G39; H20; H25; H26.
Fasting Blood Glucose and COVID-19 Severity: Nonlinearity Matters
Authors: Alahmad Barrak , Al-Shammari Abdullah A. , Bennakhi Abdullah , Al-Mulla Fahd , Ali Hamad
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVE

Fasting blood glucose (FBG) could be an independent predictor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity and mortality. However, when included as a predictor in a model, it is conventionally modeled linearly, dichotomously, or categorically. We comprehensively examined different ways of modeling FBG to assess the risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Utilizing COVID-19 data from Kuwait, we fitted conventional approaches to modeling FBG as well as a nonlinear estimation using penalized splines.

RESULTS

For 417 patients, the conventional linear, dichotomous, and categorical approaches to modeling FBG missed key trends in the exposure-response relationship. A nonlinear estimation showed a steep slope until about 10 mmol/L before flattening.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results argue for strict glucose management on admission. Even a small incremental increase within the normal range of FBG was associated with a substantial increase in risk of ICU admission for COVID-19 patients.