bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstetric outcomes of women referred for delivery to a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania– a descriptive retrospective study based on a hospital birth registry
Authors: Lissu Carolyn , Volgsten Helena , Mazuguni Festu , Maro Eusebious
Published: February 2020

Background: Maternal mortality remains a great challenge in a low-income country like Tanzania, despite global and national efforts to improve women’s reproductive health. Timeliness and appropriateness of referral from a lower- to higher-level health facility comprise an important factor for the obstetrics outcome for pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the obstetric outcomes, such as maternal deaths, of women referred to KCMC, a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study based on a hospital birth registry was conducted, using consecutive stored data on pregnant women referred while in labor and managed at the KCMC tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania between the years 2000 and 2015. All referred pregnant women whose labor status information was missing during admission were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period, a total of 53662 deliveries were managed at KCMC. Among these, 6066 women were referred from lower health facilities, with 4193 (69.2%) of them being referred while in labor. The main reason for referral was poor progress of labor (31.0%), followed by prolonged labor (27.1%) and obstructed labor (19.5%). For 1859 (44.6%) women, delivery was by caesarean section. A total of 292 maternal deaths occurred between 2000 and 2015. Of these, almost a quarter (22.6%) occurred in women referred from other health facilities while in labor. Conclusions: Most of the maternal complications during labor and delivery were prevalent among women referred from lower health facilities. This underscores the need to strengthen lower health facilities’ ability to detect complications in timely manner and provide effective emergency obstetric care, as well as to refer women to higher-level facility.
Can digitally collected PROMs as intervention for post-treatment adaption improve cost effectiveness: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kuklinski David , Oschmann Laura , Pross Christoph , Busse Reinhard , Geissler Alexander
Published: February 2020

Background: The number of total knee and hip replacements (TKR/THR) has been increasing noticeably in high-income countries, such as Germany. Especially the number of revisions is expected to rise due to higher life expectancy and procedures performed on younger patients, impacting budgets of the health care systems. Quality transparency is the basis of holistic patient pathway optimization. Nevertheless, a nation-wide cross-sectoral assessment of quality from patient perspective does not yet exist. Several studies have shown that the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is effective in measuring quality and for monitoring post-treatment recovery. For the first time in Germany, we test whether early detection of critical recovery paths using PROMs after TKR/THR improves the quality of care in a cost-effective way and can be recommended for implementation into standard care.Methods/design: The study is a two-arm multi-center patient-level randomized controlled trial. Patients from nine hospitals are included in the study. Patient-centered questionnaires are employed to regularly measure digitized PROMs of TKR/THR patients from the time of hospital admission until 12 months post-discharge. An expert consortium has defined PROM alert thresholds at 1, 3, and 6 months to signal critical recovery paths after TKR/THR. An algorithm alerts study assistants if patients are not recovering in line with expected recovery paths. The study assistants then contact patients and their physicians to investigate and, if needed, adjust the post-treatment protocol. By adding sickness funds’ claims data, the cost-effectiveness of the intervention can be analyzed.Discussion: The study is expected to deliver an important contribution to test PROMs as an intervention tool and examine the determinants of high-quality endoprosthetic care. Depending on a positive and cost-effective impact, the goal is to transfer the study design into standard care. During the trial design phase, several insights have been discovered, with opportunities for efficient digital monitoring limited by existing legacy care models. Digitalization in hospital processes and the implementation of digital tools still represents challenges for hospital personnel and patients. Furthermore, data privacy regulations and the separation between the in- and outpatient sector are additional roadblocks to effectively monitor and assess quality along the full patient pathway.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00019916. Registered 26 November 2019 – retrospectively registered, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML& TRIAL_ID=DRKS00019916.
Research on the improvement of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children after reducing dust mite exposure: a randomized, double-blind, cross-placebo study protocol
Authors: Chen Ming , Wu YuFen , Yuan Shuhua , Chen Jiande , Li Luanluan , Wu Jinhong , Zhang Jing , Yin Yong
Published: February 2020

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) in children has become a major respiratory inflammatory disease with a high incidence that is increasing yearly. In China, 54.93% of children with asthma have AR, which often requires synchronous treatment. House dust mites (HDMs) are common allergens that often cause attacks of AR and asthma. Reducing allergen exposure is one of the most important measures to control and treat AR and asthma attacks. Hestelia Mite Bait, containing 0.1% emamectin, is a new tool for trapping and killing dust mites that can reduce the number of dust mites on mattresses, thereby may reduce stimulation by allergens and ultimately improve asthma and rhinitis symptoms. This single-centre, randomized double-blind cross-placebo trial will explore the improvement of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children after reducing dust mite exposure.Methods: We will recruit 60 children (aged 3-12 years) who have been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma and are allergic to dust mites as confirmed by a serum allergen test. Participants will randomly receive the Hestelia Mite Bait intervention for 8 weeks and the placebo intervention for 8 weeks. There will be a 4-week washout period between the two interventions. The primary outcome is the v isual analogue scale (VAS) score of AR symptoms; the secondary outcomes include the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) score, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score , changes in the dust mite level, drug usage for asthma and AR , Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 (ACQ-5) score, frequency of acute asthma attacks and emergency visits, and frequency of hospitalization.Discussion: This study will scientifically and objectively evaluate the improvement effect on rhinitis and asthma after reducing dust mite exposure and provide a convenient means for the prevention and treatment of children's airway allergic diseases in the future.Trial registration : ChiCTR1900024688 (www.chictr.org.cn) registration date: July 21, 2019
Morphological parameters of fourth lumbar spinous process palpation: a three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography
Authors: Feng Qi , Zhang Lei , Zhang Mengyao , Wen Youliang , Zhang Ping , Wang Yi , Zeng Yan , Wang Junqiu
Published: February 2020

Background: The localization of lumbar fourth spinous process (L4-SP) is an important anatomical landmark, and identifying its accurate position is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of waist diseases. Methods: Five hundred participants were scanned with positive and lateral computed tomography (CT), which aimed to clarify anatomic characteristics of L4-SP. Anatomical parameters of the surface localization of L4-SP were measured and recorded through a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction Results: Five hundred participates were classified into three types according to the position of BC with the iliac spine. There are just 266 that the line between the highest point of the iliac spine on both sides located on L4-SP (type Ⅰ, 53.20%), 16 above L4-SP (type Ⅱ, 3.20%), and 218 below L4-SP (type Ⅲ, 43.60%). BC in type Ⅰ (15.92±1.30 mm) is longer than type Ⅲ (15.56±1.32 mm). While the angle combined with AB and BC are different in the three groups, the angle in type Ⅰ (173.00±4.83°) is larger than that in type Ⅱ (164.69±5.50°) and type Ⅲ (159.45±8.39°). Other measurements were not found any significant differences between above. Conclusion : The traditional palpation for L4-SP is not absolutely exact. The accuracy rate is only 53.20%, and the errors may cause serious consequences.
Aqueous humour cytokine profiles in eyes with Coats disease and the association with the severity of the disease
Authors: Zhao Peiquan , Liang Tingyi , Xu Yu , Zhu Xiuyu , Zhang Xiang , Li Jing
Published: February 2020

Background: To investigate aqueous humour (AH) cytokine profiles in eyes with Coats disease and analyze the association between cytokine concentrations and the severity of the disease. Methods: The study included 36 patients (36 eyes) with Coats disease and 15 control patients (15 eyes) with congenital cataract. AH samples were obtained preoperatively and the concentrations of 22 different cytokines were measured through Cytometric Bead Array technology. Clinical characteristics of Coats disease, including the extent of retinal exudation and exudative retinal detachment (ERD), were recorded for analysis. Results: The concentrations of 8 cytokines (VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, IP-10, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) were significantly higher in the Coats disease group than in the control group (all P < 0.002). Except for VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, the concentration of the other cytokines listed above showed a significant increase from stage 2 to stage 3 (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the concentrations of VEGF, IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1α showed a significant and positive association with the extent of retinal exudation and ERD (all r > 0.4, P < 0.05). Among these, IL-8 showed a strong association with the extent of retinal exudation and ERD (all r > 0.7, P < 0.001). The concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, Fractalkine, RANTES, G-CSF and GM-CSF were very low in both groups. Conclusions: Various cytokines in the AH, including elevated VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, IP-10, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of Coats disease. Increasing severity of Coats disease is significantly associated with the AH concentrations of VEGF, IL-8, MCP-1 and MIP-1α. Further clinical treatment aimed to reduce vascular leakage and antagonize neovascularization and inflammation may be useful in preventing the progression of Coats disease.
High Preoperative Serum sVCAM-1 Concentration as a Predictor of Early Ovarian Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Jakimovska Marina , Černe Katarina , Verdenik Ivan , Kobal Borut
Published: February 2020

Background: Role of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in ovarian cancer is largely unclear. It was shown that mesothelial expression mediates tumour cell invasion and is associated with metastases in advanced ovarian cancer.Results: Mean sVCAM-1 serum concentration in all patients before operation was 1564.68 ± 435.65 ng/ml while mean ascites level was 801.84 ±244.35 ng/ml. Follow up period was minimum 27 and the maximum 58 months. Patients were divided in two groups according to time to recurrence. Group A: 20 patients with disease progress or relapse within 12 months (mean serum level 1660.54±417.93 ng/ml; mean ascites level 827.92±290.36) and group B: 17 patients with tumour relapse after more than 12 months (mean serum level 451.91±441.15ng/ml; mean ascites level 771.16±179.93). There was statistically significant difference in serum concentration and not in ascites concentrations of sVCAM-1, grade, histology and stage and tumour between the groups. There was a correlation between serum and ascites concentrations in group A and not in the patients from group B. Increased sVCAM-1 concentration in serum and ascites relates to advance ovarian cancer.Conclusions: This is the first study demonstrating that higher serum sVCAM-1 concentrations at the time of diagnosis might be predictive for early relapse. Serum sVCAM-1 can be potential marker for ovarian cancer follow-up.
Investigator initiated clinical trials (IICTs): a systematic search in registries comparing Czech Republic and Portugal in terms of funding policies and scientific outcomes
Authors: Madeira Catarina , Hořavová Lenka , Santos Francisco dos , Batuca Joana , Nebeska Katerina , Souckova Lenka , Kubiak Christine , Demotes Jacques , Demlová Regina , Monteiro Emília Carreira
Published: February 2020

Background: Clinical trials provide one of the highest level of evidence to support medical practice. Investigator initiated clinical trials (IICTs) answer relevant questions in clinical practice that may not be addressed by industry. This study aims to compare, for the first time, two European Countries in terms of registered IICTs, respective funders, scientific outcome and its impact on the national performance in IICTs. Methods: A retrospective systematic search of registered IICTs, over the past 13 years, using four clinical trials registries was carried out in two European countries with similar population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but with different governmental models to fund clinical research. Each completed IICT was screened for sponsors, funders, type of intervention and associated publications. Results: IICTs involving Czech Republic and Portugal were n=439 (42 % with hospitals as sponsors) and n=328 (47 % with universities as sponsors), respectively. Funding agencies (national and international) supported only 25 % and 18 % of the IICTs in Czech Republic and Portugal, respectively. The Czech Ministry of Health, through the Health Research Council, supported 61 IICTs and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and High Education, through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia , supported 27 IICTs. Among these, trials with investigational medicinal products represent 52 % (n= 32/61) and 4 % (n=1/27) in Czech Republic and Portugal, respectively. The Czech Republic presented a higher percentage of IICTs´ publications in high impact factor journals (IF>21) with national investigators as authors, when compared to Portugal (86 % vs 15 %). Conclusion: We found a better performance of Czech Republic in terms of number and scientific outcome of IICTs when compared to Portugal. These findings might be related to the existence of specific and periodic funding for clinical research in Czech Republic, although further data still need to be collected to confirm this relationship.
COMPETITION FACTORS IN THE MOBILE COMMUNICATION MARKET
Authors: Bondarenko A. , Gordienko V. , Dutchenko O.
Published: February 2020

One of the most important areas of study of the features of an enterprise's economic activity, especially in conditions when the market is constantly evolving and changing, is the analysis of the enterprise's competitiveness. The importance of research on this topic is that a high level of competitiveness of the company is a guarantee of high profits. In today's conditions, competition is a determining factor in price ordering, an incentive for innovative processes (the introduction of new inventions and technologies into production). It contributes to the crowding out of production of inefficient enterprises, the rational use of resources.
Therefore, a constant competitiveness study is necessary both for the enterprise (in order to improve and maintain its position) and for the state (to control the relevant industry).
The purpose of this article is a practical study of the competitiveness of Kyivstar JSC in the mobile communications market, namely, the identification of the competitive advantages of the company and the formation of the general condition of this market on the basis of a study of the activities of leaders providing mobile communications services in Ukraine. To cover the situation on the market of mobile operators, in addition to Kyivstar, we briefly analyze the activities of the main competitors of MTS (Vodafone) and Lifecell. The article explores the competitiveness of Kyivstar JSC, considers the main methods for researching competitiveness, defines indicators of market share, relative market share, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, and builds a competitiveness polygon. An analytical study of Kyivstar’s competitiveness in the mobile services market in Ukraine revealed the existence of a number of problems. The Kyivstar company itself is actively engaged in economic activities and every year increases the number of its customers by positioning itself as a leading mobile operator with the best coverage throughout Ukraine.
Keywords: competitiveness, market capacity, market concentration, market share, relative market share
AUDIT SERVICE MARKET ANALYSIS IN UKRAINE
Authors: Zhukova T. , Hanus I. , Plikus I.
Published: February 2020

The analysis of the audit services market clearly demonstrates a significant fluctuation in the quantity and cost of services in different regions, which in most cases depends on the concentration of industrial enterprises, the solvency of the audit customers themselves and their understanding of the cost and quality of audit services. This article is dedicated to this, in which such fundamental issues of the activities of audit firms and auditors as entering the professional services market, the quality of such services, and pricing for audit services are examined. The analysis of the audit services market clearly demonstrates a significant fluctuation in the quantity and cost of services in different regions, which in most cases depends on the concentration of industrial enterprises, the solvency of the audit customers themselves and their understanding the cost and quality of audit services. The article considers such problems of the auditors and audit firms activities as entering the professional services market, the quality of such services, and pricing of audit services. The analysis of the market of audit services is presented, which demonstrates a significant fluctuation in the quantity and cost of services in different regions, which in most cases depends on the solvency of audit customers, the concentration of industrial enterprises and the quality of audit services provided. The analysis of the audit activities results and the state of the market for audit services indicates that the audit market suffers from changes occurring in the country, which indicate that the audit market is functioning and transforming as a result of a number of factors, in particular: crisis phenomena in society; stricter requirements for the audit profession by regulators; imperfection of the legislative framework; lack of a mechanism for pricing audit services; lack of punishment for false information in the reports of auditors; insufficient number of highly qualified auditors; decrease in solvency of audit customersю It was found that, along with a decrease in the number of subjects of audit activity in the Register of Audit Firms, there is a tendency to increase the volume of services provided. It is proved that in order to increase the value of the audit, introduce and operate a system for ensuring the quality of audit services, improve the professional knowledge of practicing accountants, increase the market for audit services and ensure the important role of the audit profession recognized in our society, constant monitoring and development of decisions on issues related to the functioning of the audit system in Ukraine are necessary.
Keywords: audit, market, competition, audit quality, cost of audit services, subjects of audit activity
LABOR MIGRATION OF UKRAINIANS IN THE USSR: GUEST WORKER’S DIARY
OF STAGNATION ERA AS A SOURCE TO THE STUDY OF THE PHENOMENON
Authors: Korol V. M. , Korol S. M. , Lysenko A. A
Published: February 2020

The publication is devoted to the study of the features of the phenomenon of Ukrainians
labour migration during the Soviet era. Since the early 1970s, oil and gas production and sales abroad have become a major contributor to USSR profits. More and more personnel from the entire Soviet Union had to be recruited to produce hydrocarbons in the Far North. Thousands of Ukrainians went to work to develop oil fields and build infrastructure. The state government encouraged them with high pay and benefits.
Diary of a Ukrainian guest worker Mykola Havrysh is introduced to scientific circulation in the publication. M. Havrysh was born in Sumy region, and at the Stagnation period he worked on the development of oil fields in Western Siberia. This diary describes the life of the author and his construction team chronologically from the autumn of 1974 to the
summer of 1975.
Different aspects and variants of motivation of workers to come to the Far North are
defined in the text. The everyday life and leisure activities of the Soviet workers of the northern oil-producing territories are vividly illustrated. Staying in a harsh climate has made a significant impact on people’s lives. The daily life described in the pages of the diary is marked by unpretentiousness. Hunting and drinking alcohol were the most common entertainments for oilmen. The text of the published diary is accompanied by scanned copies of the author’s sketches and photographs from the Havrysh family archive.
Key words: labour migration, guest workers, Far North, Stagnation period, diary, everyday life.
Raman spectroscopy study of manganese oxides: Tunnel structures
Authors: Post Jeffrey E. , McKeown David A. , Heaney Peter J.
Published: February 2020

Raman spectra were collected for an extensive set of well-characterized tunnel-structure Mn oxide mineral species employing a range of data collection conditions. Using various laser wavelengths, such as 785, 633, and 532 nm at low power levels (30–500 µW), as well as the comprehensive database of standard spectra presented here, it is generally possible to distinguish and identify the various tunnel structure Mn oxide minerals. The Raman mode relative intensities can vary significantly as a function of crystal orientation relative to the incident laser light polarization direction as well as laser light wavelength. Consequently, phase identification success is enhanced when using a standards database that includes multiple spectra collected for different crystal orientations and with different laser light wavelengths. For the hollandite-group minerals, the frequency of the Raman mode near 630 cm–1 shows a strong linear correlation with the fraction of Mn3+ in the octahedral Mn sites. With the comprehensive Raman database of well-characterized Mn oxide standards provided here (and available online as Supplemental Materials1), and use of appropriate data collection conditions, micro-Raman is a powerful tool for identification and characterization of biotic and abiotic Mn oxide phases from diverse natural settings, including on other planets.
Study of light nuclei by polarization observables in electron scattering
Authors: Sirca Simon
Published: February 2020

Electron-induced proton, neutron and deuteron knock-out remains the
most versatile probe of the electro-magnetic properties and spin
structure of light nuclei. The advent of highly polarized beams and
targets and improvements in recoil polarization methods, as well as
analysis and simulation techniques, have enabled us to study the static
and dynamical properties of few-body systems with unprecedented
precision. Recent experiments at Jefferson Lab and MAMI are presented
and put into perspective of state-of-the art Faddeev calculations, with
focus on the ^\mathbf{3}\mathbf{He}3𝐇𝐞
nucleus.
Virial expansion coefficients in the unitary Fermi gas
Authors: Endo Shimpei
Published: February 2020

Virial expansion is widely used in cold atoms to analyze high
temperature strongly correlated many-body systems. As the n-th order
virial expansion coefficient can be accurately obtained by exactly
solving up to n-body problems, the virial expansion offers a few-body
approach to study strongly correlated many-body problems. In particular,
the virial expansion has successfully been applied to unitary Fermi gas.
We review recent progress of the virial expansion studies in the unitary
Fermi gas, in particular the fourth order virial coefficient.
An investigation of the appearance of a long range nuclear potential in ultra low energy nuclear synthesis
Authors: Oryu Shinsho , Watanabe Takashi , Hiratsuka Yasuhisa , Takeda Masayuki
Published: February 2020

A new potential, the generalgeneralparticleparticletransfertransferpotentialpotential:
so called “GPT” potential was represented in the previous paper which
indicates a Yukawa-type potential for shorter range, but a
1/r^n1/rn-type
potential for longer range where n=2n=2
includes the Efimov-like potential in the hadron system. In order to
confirm the existence of a GPT potential, we investigate the possibility
of Cs+2d\rightarrow→La
reaction on the three-ion quasi-molecule
CsD_22
which is covered by twelve Pd or a CsD_22Pd_{12}12-cluster,
where the three-body bound states and wave functions for D-Cs-D
molecular and d-Cs-d nuclear systems are calculated. We obtain an
approximate E2-transition from the molecular states to the nuclear
states. The transition ratio between the short range nuclear potential
with the 1/r^21/r2-type
long range potential and without long range potential is
W_{i\rightarrow f}^{E2';L}/W_{i\rightarrow f}^{E2';S}\approx 10^8Wi→fE2′;L/Wi→fE2′;S≈108.
If the reaction Cs+2D\rightarrow→La
is experimentally observed, then the existence of the GPT potential
could be confirmed.
Study of groundwater contamination and drinking suitability in basaltic terrain of Maharashtra, India through PIG and multivariate statistical techniques
Authors: Wagh Vasant , Mukate Shrikant , Muley Aniket , Kadam Ajaykumar , Panaskar Dipak , Varade Abhay
Published: February 2020

The integration of pollution index of groundwater (PIG), multivariate statistical techniques including correlation matrix (CM), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and various ionic plots was applied to elucidate the influence of natural and anthropogenic inputs on groundwater chemistry and quality of the Kadava river basin. A total of 80 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major ions during pre- and post-monsoon seasons of 2012. Analytical results inferred that Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4 and NO3 surpass the desirable limit (DL) and permissible limit (PL) of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in both the seasons. The elevated content of total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl, SO4, Mg, Na and NO3 is influenced by precipitation and agricultural dominance. PIG results inferred that 52.5 and 35%, 30 and 37.5%, 12.5 and 20%, 2.5 and 5% groundwater samples fall in insignificant, low, moderate and high pollution category (PC) in pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. PC 1 confirms salinity controlled process due to high inputs of TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl and SO4. Also, PC 2 suggests alkalinity influence by pH, CO3, HCO3 and F content. PIG and statistical techniques help to interpret the water quality data in an easier way.
Mathematical modeling estimates of the reliability of rumors in mass media
Authors: Chernyaev Alexander A. , Ivashko Alexander G.
Published: February 2020

One of the most important tasks of the contemporary society includes fighting the spreading false information. The unprecedented transition from the traditional media to the modern methods of receiving news has created many problems with verifying its authenticity. Contemporary journalists have to compete with a huge data stream of ordinary users, which is why the main quality factor is the time to publish a news article. As a result, an increasing number of traditional news sources report unclarified information due to the rush to be first. This paper considers a method for determining the presence of hearing in the mass media for the Russian language. This method aims to study the possibility of searching for rumors among users’ messages in social networks. Achieving this goal requires various methods of text analysis, including semantic and linguistic analysis, as well as the analysis of the distribution of records relative to time segments. During the research, the authors have analyzed different popular tools for obtaining data from social networks. In addition, they have manually compiled and marked a sample for training the neural network. As a tool for solving the problem, we used a neural network based on a multi-layer perceptron. The inputs receive a set of 15 metrics that evaluate all aspects of hearing, and as an output, the probability of hearing. The test was performed using various metrics that showed high results for the constructed neural network model. Cross-validation has shown that the model is able to withstand various checks at a high level.
Novel Application of Pentabromobenzyl Column for Simultaneous Determination of Eight Antifungal Drugs Using High-performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Abou El-Alamin Maha M. , Sultan Maha A. , Atia Mostafa A. , Aboul-Enein Hassan Y.
Published: February 2020

Aim:

A new, accurate and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid
chromatography (RP-HPLC) as an analytical method for the quantitative determination of eight
antifungal drugs in spiked human plasma has been described optimized and validated.

Methods and Materials:

The analyzed compounds were voriconazole (VOR), luliconazole (LUL),
clotrimazole (CLO), tioconazole (TIO), posaconazole (POS), ketoconazole (KET), sertaconazole
(SER) and terconazole (TER).

Results:

The separation of the analyzed compounds was conducted using a novel pentabromobenzyl
column known as COSMOSIL PBB-R (150 mm × 4.6 mm I.D., particle size 5 μm). The analysis of
the studied drugs was determined within 14 min using a diode array detector and the mobile phase
consisted of: 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 2.1): Methanol (2: 98 v/v). A linear
response was observed for all compounds in the range of concentration studied. Sample preparation
was done through liquid-liquid extraction using diethyl ether.

Conclusion:

This proposed method was validated in terms of linearity, limit of quantification, limit
of detection, accuracy, precision and selectivity. The method was successfully applied for the
determination of these drugs in their pharmaceutical formulations and in human plasma samples.
In Silico Discovery of Novel Phytoconstituents of Amyris pinnata as a Mitotic Spindle Kinase Inhibitor
Authors: Parmar Ghanshyam R. , Shah Ashish P. , Sailor Girish U. , Seth Avinash Kumar
Published: February 2020

Background:

Despite many successes in the discovery of numerous cancer chemotherapeutic agents from natural sources, some of the moieties were dropped because of its inefficiency or serious toxicity. Mitosis is an ordered series of fundamentally mechanical events in which identical copies of the genome are moved to two discrete locations within the dividing cell. The crucial role of the mitotic spindle in cell division has identified, which is an important target in cancer chemotherapy. In the present study, we are reporting molecular docking studies and in silico pharmacokinetic profiles of selected phytoconstituents obtained from Amyris pinnata.

Methods:

Molecular docking studies of selected phytoconstituents were performed using iGEMDOCK. The crystal structure of the protein was exported from the protein data bank (PDB id: 4C4H). In silico pharmacokinetic profile of selected phytoconstituents was performed using the SWISSADME server.

Results:

Compound AMNP6 showed higher binding affinity as compared to the standard ligand. All the selected phytoconstituents have passed the Lipinski rule of five and shown no violations.

Conclusion:

: Good binding affinity and drug likeliness of the AMNP6 suggest that it can be further investigated and explored as mitotic spindle kinase inhibitor in cancer disease.
MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN MEMBACA PERMULAAN MELALUIMEDIA BALOK HURUF PADA KELOMPOK B TK NEGERI PEMBINA BANTUL
Authors: Masyithoh Syari’ati
Published: February 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan membaca permulaan melalui balok huruf pada kelompok B1 TK Negeri Pembina Bantul. Kemampuan membaca permulaan yang ditingkatkan ialah menyebutkan bunyi huruf yang ada didalam kata, menyebutkan kata dengan jelas, dan menyusun huruf membentuk kata yang memiliki makna. Jenis penelitian ini adalah Penelitian Tindakan Kelas kolaboratif yang menggunakan model Kemmis Mc Taggart. Subjek penelitian ini adalah anak kelompok B1 TK Negeri Pembina Bantul sebanyak 17 anak yang terdiri dari 5 anak perempuan dan 12 anak laki-laki. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan membaca permulaan  dapat meningkat setelah diberikan tindakan dengan menggunakan balok huruf yang diberi penyangga sehingga memudahkan anak untuk mencoba menyusun huruf dengan cara diputar dan memberikan tantangan pada anak yang dilakukan secara bersamaan dengan teman menyerupai perlombaan, serta pemberian reward secara kongkret yakni menggambar bintang pada punggung telapak tangan anak.Kata kunci: kemampuan membaca permulaan, media balok huruf, kelompok B.
IMPROVING STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES THROUGH STUDENT TEAM ACHIEVEMENT DIVISION LEARNING MODEL
Authors: Widyani Gitta Permata , Sukirno Sukirno
Published: February 2020

A good learning method is a part of the factors that the school manage to improve students’ activities in a class. A cooperative learning model is one of the learning models are often used by teachers in their teaching learning process. This research aims to improve student learning activities through the implementation of student team achievement divisions (STAD) learning model. This research is a Classroom Action Research conducted in two cycles involving 30 students of class XII Social 1 SMA N 1 Wonosari academic year 2018/2019. Data were collected with an observation and a documentation equipped with observation sheets, observation guidelines, and field notes. Analysis of the data used a qualitative and quantitative approach consisting of data processing, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The result shows that the Implementation of STAD learning model can improve Accounting Learning Activities of students Class XII Social 1 SMA N 1 Wonosari supported by an increase in average of learning activities score from 56,02% (in cycle I) to 92,07% (cycle II). Results are discussed and recommendation are provided.Keywords: Accounting Learning Activities, STAD
Кластеризация марганца в ZnS : Mn, Mg, полученного методом высокотемпературного самораспространяющегося синтеза
Authors: Бачериков Ю.Ю. , Ворона И.П. , Охрименко О.Б. , Кладько В.П. , Жук А.Г. , Окулов С.М. , Полищук Ю.О. , Гильчук А.В. , Романенко Ю.М. , Кидалов В.В.
Published: February 2020

Abstract The ZnS:Mn, Mg powder is fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with the simultaneous introduction of Mn and Mg impurities. It is found that the simultaneous introduction of Mn and Mg impurities leads to the nonuniform distribution of manganese forming regions with a lower and higher Mn concentration. In the latter case, the manganese ions form paramagnetic clusters. At the same time, numerous centers of self-activated luminescence form in the synthesized ZnS:Mn, Mg due to mechanical stress and lattice strain. Additional annealing leads to a more uniform Mn distribution in the formed ZnS:Mn, Mg phosphor, which is accompanied by an increase in the intensity of the manganese photoluminescence band and quenching of the self-activated luminescence band.
Создание и исследования структур металл-диэлектрик--полупроводник на основе сегнетоэлектрических пленок
Authors: Афанасьев M.C. , Киселев Д.А. , Левашов C.A. , Сивов A.A. , Чучева Г.В.
Published: February 2020

Abstract The effect of the synthesis temperature on the microstructure and the electrophysical properties of metal–dielectric–semiconductor structures based on ferroelectric films of the composition Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO_3 upon the formation of p -type silicon substrates with [100] orientation is studied. It was experimentally established that an increase in the synthesis temperature leads to an improvement in the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ferroelectric films. The temperature stability and stability in the behavior of the capacitance–voltage characteristics of MIS structures on the number of switching cycles are shown.
Исследование фазовых переходов и термодинамических свойств модели Поттса с C-=SUB=-q-=/SUB=-=4 на гексагональной решетке с взаимодействиями вторых ближайших соседей
Authors: Рамазанов М.К. , Муртазаев А.К. , Магомедов М.А. , Мазагаева М.К.
Published: February 2020

Magnetic structures of the ground state, phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of the 2D ferromagnetic Potts model with the number of spin states q = 4 on a hexagonal lattice with next-nearest neighbors interactions are investigated by the Monte Carlo method based on the Wang-Landau algorithm. It is shown that taking into account the antiferromagnetic interactions of the next-nearest neighbors leads to the appearance of frustration and a violation of magnetic ordering. The orders of the phase transitions are investigated using the Binder fourth-order cumulant method and histogram analysis of data. It is established that a first-order transition is observed in the model being investigated.
Энергетический спектр и спектр оптического поглощения фуллерена C-=SUB=-24-=/SUB=- в модели Хаббарда
Authors: Силантьев А.В.
Published: February 2020

Anticommutator Green’s functions and energy spectra of fullerene C24 with the D6, D6d, and Oh symmetry groups have been obtained in an analytical form within the Hubbard model and static fluctuation approximation. The energy states have been classified using the methods of group theory, and the allowed transitions in the energy spectra of fullerene C24 with the D6, D6d, and Oh symmetry groups have been determined.
Анизотропия плазмы при извлечении из нее заряженных частиц
Authors: Мартенс В.Я.
Published: February 2020

The anisotropic perturbation of a hollow-cathode reflex discharge plasma when electrons are extracted from it through an axial channel in the cathode-reflector is experimentally investigated. The expansion of the extracted electrons energy spectrum in the direction of extraction was observed as the external accelerating electric field increased. The energy spectrum expansion is associated with the plasma electrons directional movement towards the emitting surface of plasma. The axial gradients of the concentration and the electric potential are assumed to be the reasons for the directional movement of electrons.
Прямые оптические методы исследования в аналитике фенола
Authors: Алукер Н.Л. , Лаврентьева А.Л. , Суздальцева Я.М.
Published: February 2020

The study investigates the applicability of direct optical methods to measure phenol in water without the use of “wet chemistry” and concentration techniques. The detection limits are estimated for determining phenol concentration from absorption spectra and luminescence. Inelastic scattering (Raman effect) of the solvent is proposed as the mechanism that limits the use of direct luminescence analysis to measure phenol concentrations; the scattering becomes comparable to the luminescent signal at phenol concentration near 10 μg l-1, even though the sensitivity of the method is high enough to detect concentrations that are 50 times lower
Delayed Auditory Feedback and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment for the Enhancement of Speech Fluency in Adults Who Stutter: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moein Narges , Mohamadi Reyhane , Rostami Reza , Nitsche Michael , Zomorrodi Reza , Ostadi Amir , Keshtkar Abbasali
Published: February 2020

Background

Stuttering is a complex speech disorder that affects speech fluency. Recently, it has been shown that noninvasive brain stimulation may be useful to enhance the results of fluency interventions in adults who stutter. Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) is a method to enhance speech fluency in individuals who stutter. Adjunctive interventions are warranted to enhance the efficacy of this intervention.

Objective

Individuals who stutter have pathological activation patterns in the primary and secondary auditory areas. Consequently, in this study, we hypothesize that stimulation of these areas might be promising as an adjunctive method to fluency training via DAF to enhance speech therapy success in individuals with a stutter. We will systematically test this hypothesis in this study.

Methods

This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. All participants will receive DAF. The intervention group will additionally receive real transcranial direct current stimulation, while the control group will be exposed to sham stimulation. The assignment of the participants to one of these groups will be randomized. Before starting the treatment program, 2 preintervention assessments will be conducted to determine the severity of stuttering. Once these assessments are completed, each subject will participate in 6 intervention sessions. Postintervention assessments will be carried out immediately and 1 week after the last intervention session. Subsequently, to explore the long-term stability of the treatment results, the outcome parameters will be obtained in follow-up assessments 6 weeks after the treatment. The primary outcome measurement—the percentage of stuttered syllables—will be calculated in pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments; the secondary outcomes will be the scores of the following questionnaires: the Stuttering Severity Instrument–Fourth Edition and the Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering.

Results

This protocol was funded in 2019 and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Iran University of Medical Sciences in June 2019. Data collection started in October 2019. As of February 2020, we have enrolled 30 participants. We expect data analysis to be completed in April 2020, and results will be published in summer 2020.

Conclusions

We anticipate that this study will show an adjunctive effect of transcranial direct current stimulation, when combined with DAF, on stuttering. This should include not only a reduction in the percentage of stuttered syllables but also improved physical behavior and quality of life in adults who stutter.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT03990168; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03990168

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/16646
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Nursing Education: Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Feng-Qin , Leng Yu-Fei , Ge Jian-Feng , Wang Dan-Wen , Li Cheng , Chen Bin , Sun Zhi-Ling
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create an interactive three-dimensional (3D) world, which gives users a sense of spatial presence. In nursing education, VR has been used to help optimize teaching and learning processes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in nursing education in the areas of knowledge, skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of VR in nursing education based on the Cochrane methodology. An electronic literature search using the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), up to December 2019 was conducted to identify studies that reported the effectiveness of VR on knowledge, skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time. The study selection and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the selected studies was determined using the Cochrane criteria for risk-of-bias assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies, including 821 participants, were selected for the final analysis. We found that VR was more effective than the control conditions in improving knowledge (standard mean difference [SMD]=0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.75, P<.001, I2=47%). However, there was no difference between VR and the control conditions in skills (SMD=0.01, 95% CI –0.24 to 0.26, P=.93, I2=37%), satisfaction (SMD=0.01, 95% CI –0.79 to 0.80, P=.99, I2=86%), confidence (SMD=0.00, 95% CI –0.28 to 0.27, P=.99, I2=0%), and performance time (SMD=–0.55, 95% CI –2.04 to 0.94, P=.47, I2=97%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that VR can effectively improve knowledge in nursing education, but it was not more effective than other education methods in areas of skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time. Further rigorous studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these results.
Effect of an intelligent physical examination system on improving the satisfaction of patients with chronic disease: a preliminary study (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Xin , Duan Ruxin , Shen Yao , Jiang Hua
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

The doctor-patient relationship is very important for healthcare quality. Improving the patients satisfaction is important for doctor-patient relationship. The relationship between patients with chronic disease and doctors often established in the process of physical examination in outpatient clinics. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Internet of Thing (loHT) introduce the possibility of developing an intelligent system in hospitals to establish a good doctor-patient relationship through improving the satisfaction of patients.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish an intelligent physical examination system and preliminarily investigate its effect on improving the satisfaction of patients with chronic disease.

METHODS

An intelligent chronic disease management system based on the AI in the internet of health things was established. This system was combined with traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. A total of 115 patients with chronic disease, who underwent physical examination in our hospital from August, 2019 to November, 2019 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 55 patients were in the intelligent system (intelligent group) and 60 patients were in the traditional system (control group). We collected the satisfaction questionnaire of patients who took physical examination in these two systems. Satisfaction score between intelligent group and control group was compared.

RESULTS

A total of 106 patients were finally taken into analyzed. There was no statistical difference in age, gender, education or income level between intelligent group and control group. We found significant differences in the five aspects of satisfaction (1. the physical examination environment; 2. the attitude and responsiveness of doctors; 3. the attitude and responsiveness of nurses 4. the effectiveness of getting results; 5. the information of physical examination and medical advices) (p＜0.05). Moreover, in the logistic regression, the differences were still statistically significant after adjusting age, gender, education and income level.

CONCLUSIONS

The intelligent physical examination system might be an effective tool in improving the satisfaction of patients with chronic disease. This could play an important role in establishing a good doctor-patient relationship.

CLINICALTRIAL