bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of soil and water salinity on dietary behavior and health risk of coastal communities in Bangladesh
Authors: Shuvo Suvasish Das , Zahid Md. Ashrafuzzaman , Rahman Mohammad Mahfuzur , Parvin Rashida
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of soil and water salinity on dietary behavior and health risk in the coastal people of Bangladesh. This study was conducted among 240 respondents in rural coastal sub-districts in Khulna and Patuakhali of Bangladesh using a simple random sampling technique. To evaluate the association between health risk and salinity exposure categories, a multinomial logit regression analysis was conducted and statistical signiﬁcance was declared at p ≤ 0.05. A significantly higher amount of salinity (NaCl) level was found in radish, potato, bean, bitter gourd, rice, shallow tube-well, and pond water from Patuakhali than Khulna. Males and those aged 36–50 years (RRR:1.89, SE:0.58) and 51–65 years (RRR:4.51, SE:1.81) were associated with hypertension compared with the females (RRR:0.57, SE:0.18) and age group 20–35 years. Consumption of shallow tube-well water (RRR:3.12, SE:1.46), salt content rice (RRR:1.36, SE:0.50), salt content vegetables (RRR:1.09, SE:0.09), salt content fish (RRR:2.77, SE:0.47), and intake of table salt (RRR:1.05, SE:0.03) were signiﬁcantly associated with risk factors of hypertension (p < 0.01). A sustainable policy for salt reduction through dietary interventions along with the promotion of low saline foods and drinking water must be a priority with special emphasis on coastal areas.
Study on the dynamic characteristics of shallow groundwater level under the influence of climate change and human activities in Cangzhou, China
Authors: Yan Baizhong , Li Xiaomeng , Hou Junliang , Bi Pan , Sun Fengbo
Published: November 2020

Based on the monitoring data of groundwater level, mining data and meteorological data from 1986 to 2015 in Cangzhou City, the change characteristics of depth of groundwater level were studied. On this basis, the nonparametric statistical test method (Mann–Kendall method) was used to study the trend of depth of groundwater level. Besides In addition, the principal component analysis method and grey correlation method were used to study groundwater influence factors. Finally, the multivariable time series model was used to predict the depth of groundwater level. The results showed that in the past 30 years, influenced by human activities and meteorological changes, the groundwater flow field in 1986–2015 was generally move from southwest to northeast, the depth of groundwater level was increasing from the initial 3.26 to 4.06 m, with an annual increase rate of 0.027 m/a; the contribution rate of exploitation factor, precipitation factor, evaporation factor were 40, 20 and 40%; the fitting figure of the observed values and the predicted values were very good, with an average relative error of 7.73%. According to the prediction schemes, when the evaporation increases by 5%, and the agricultural exploitation decreases by 5%, the depth of groundwater will reach 3.39 m; when the evaporation increases by 10%, and the agricultural exploitation decreases by 10%, the depth of groundwater will reach 3.32 m. This study had important reference significance for regional groundwater treatment and rational utilization.
How anatase TiO2 with {101} {001} and {100} surfaces affect the photooxidation process of roxithromycin
Authors: Wei Zhigang , Chen Shiyun , Fang Yangfei , Wang Zhenrui , Liang Kai , Amakanjaha Anselem C. , Zhong Yuanhui
Published: November 2020

TiO2 crystals are widely used in photocatalytic processes due to their low cost and fabulous catalytic performance. As described in our previous study, three types of TiO2 with the main surfaces of {101}, {001} and {100} were synthesized. In this study, the three types of TiO2 are used to investigate roxithromycin (ROX) photocatalytic degradation kinetics and the pH effect. For photocatalytic degradation, the obtained data have shown that the overall order of optimal degradation is shown as {101} > {001} > {100}. The photooxidation kinetics for {101} facet conforms to first-order kinetics at from pH 5 to pH 10, and most of the photooxidation kinetics for {001} and {100} facets are fitted well with the zero-order and second-order kinetics, respectively. The pH effects are varied to the three types of TiO2, of which {101} has the best degradation effect at pH values 4, 7 and 8, while {001} works best at pH 5 or pH 6, and {100} has a relatively obvious effect at pH 4 and pH 9. The relation between adsorption and oxidation has been tested and proved that the strong adsorption corresponds to the fast oxidation.
The Block Relevance (BR) Analysis Makes the Choice of Methods for Measuring Lipophilicity and Permeability Safer and Speeds Up Drug Candidate Prioritization
Authors: Caron Giulia , Vallaro Maura , Ermondi Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

The Block Relevance (BR) analysis with its recent implementation in MATLAB is a computational
tool that allows deconvoluting the balance of intermolecular interactions governing a given drug discoveryrelated
phenomenon described by a QSPR/PLS model. Here we discuss a few applications to show how BR
analysis can make faster and more efficient the assessment of the drug-likeness of drug candidates. First, we
describe how identifying the best chromatographic system provides reliable log Poct surrogates and log P in apolar
environments. Then we focus on permeability and show how BR analysis allows to check the universality of
passive permeability among cell types and the identification of the PAMPA method that provides the same picture
in terms of balance of intermolecular interactions as cell-based systems.
Interaction of Flavonoids with Serum Albumin: A Review
Authors: Xue Peiyu , Zhang Guangjie , Zhang Jie , Ren Li
Published: November 2020

Flavonoids are plant products abundant in every day diets and are claimed to be beneficial for the human health. After absorption, flavonoids are transported by the serum albumin (SA), the most abundant carrier blood protein, through the formation of flavonoids-SA complex. This review deals with the current state of knowledge on the flavonoids-SA complex forthe past 10 years, mainly involving multi-spectroscopic techniques and molecular dynamics simulation studies to explore the binding mechanism, thermodynamics and structural aspects of flavonoids, binding to SA. Especially, the novel methods such as capillary electrophoresis, high performance affinity chromatography approach, native mass spectrometry, and microscale thermophoresis, used in the characterization of the interaction between flavonoids and SA as well as flavonoid-based fluorescent probe for the SA measurement, are also included in this review.
A Urinary Metabolomics Analysis Based on UPLC-MS and Effects of Moxibustion in APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: He Rui , Liu Juntian , Huang Chang , Liu Jinyi , Cui Herong , Zhao Baixiao
Published: November 2020

Background:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with the symptoms of cognitive impairment and decreased learning and memory abilities. Metabolomics can reflect the related functional status and physiological and pathological changes in the process of AD. Moxibustion is a unique method in traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used in the treatment and prevention of diseases for thousands of years.

Methods:

A total of 32 APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into the model group, moxibustion group, moxa smoke group and smoke-free moxibustion group (n=8/group), using the random number table method, while eight C57BL/6 mice were used as the control group. The five groups were measured for 20 min/day, 6 days/week, for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks’ experiment, all the mice were placed in metabolic cages to collect urine continuously for 24 hours, for UPLC-MS analysis.

Results:

Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the different metabolites among the five groups, and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed to reveal the effects on the metabolic variance. Sixteen potential biomarkers were identified among the five groups, primarily related to amino acid metabolism, starch metabolism, sucrose metabolism, interconversion of pentose and glucuronate, and aminoacyl biosynthesis. There were 17 differences in the potential metabolites between the control and model groups, involving the metabolism of amino acid, purine, pyrimidine, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, and biosynthesis of pantothenate and coenzyme A. Fifteen potential biomarkers were identified between the model and moxibustion groups, related to starch metabolism, sucrose metabolism, interconversion of pentose and glucuronate, glyoxylate, dicarboxylate anions and some amino acid metabolism.

Conclusion:

Moxibustion can regulate the metabolism of substance and energy by improving the synthesis and decomposition of carbohydrates and amino acids in APP/PS1 transgenic AD model mice.
APOE Genotypes and Brain Imaging Classes in Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Camarda Cecilia , Torelli Paola , Pipia Carmela , Sottile Gianluca , Cilluffo Giovanna , Camarda Rosolino
Published: November 2020

Objective:

To evaluate in 419 stroke-free cognitively normal subjects (CN) aged 45-82 years
covering during a long prospective study (11.54 ± 1.47 years) the preclinical to dementia spectrum: 1)
the distribution of small vessel disease (V) and brain atrophy (A) aggregated as following: V−/A−,
V−/A+, V+/A−, V+/A+; 2) the relationship of these imaging classes with individual apolipoprotein E
(APOE) genotypes; 3) the risk of progression to Alzheimer Disease (AD) of the individual APOE genotypes.

Methods:

Participants underwent one baseline (t0), and 4 clinical and neuropsychological assessments
(t1,t2,t3, and t4). Brain MRI was performed in all subjects at t0, t2, t3 and t4.. White matter hyperintensities
were assessed through two visual rating scales. Lacunes were also rated. Subcortical and global
brain atrophy were determined through the bicaudate ratio and the lateral ventricle to brain ratio, respectively.
APOE genotypes were determined at t0 in all subjects. Cox proportional hazard model was used
to evaluate the risk of progression to AD.

Results:

The imaging class of mixed type was very common in AD, and in non amnestic mild cognitive
impaired APOE ε4 non carriers. In these subjects, frontal and parieto-occipital regions were most affected
by small vessel disease.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the APOE ε3 allele is probably linked to the brain vascular pathology.
Targeting Pathological Amyloid Aggregates with Conformation-Sensitive Antibodies
Authors: Bigi Alessandra , Loffredo Gilda , Cascella Roberta , Cecchi Cristina
Published: November 2020

Background:

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not directly caused by the
presence of senile plaques but rather by the detrimental effects exerted on neuronal cells by toxic soluble
oligomers. Such species are formed early during the aggregation process of the Aβ1-42 peptide or can be
released from mature fibrils. Nowadays, efficient tools for an early diagnosis, as well as pharmaceutical
treatments targeting the harmful agents in samples of AD patients, are still missing.

Objective:

By integrating in vitro immunochemical assay with in vivo neuronal models of toxicity, we
aim to understand and target the principles that drive toxicity in AD.

Methods:

We evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of A11 and OC conformational antibodies to target
a range of pathologically relevant amyloid conformers and rescue their cytotoxic effects in neuronal
culture models using a number of cellular readouts.

Results:

We demonstrated the peculiar ability of conformational antibodies to label pathologically relevant
Aβ1-42 oligomers and fibrils and to prevent their detrimental effects on neuronal cells.

Conclusion:

Our results substantially improve our knowledge on the role of toxic assemblies in neurodegenerative
diseases, thus suggesting new and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools for
AD.
An Overview on COVID-19 Pandemic: from Discovery to Treatment
Authors: Panati Kalpana , Tatireddygari Venkatramana Reddy Arva , Narala Venkata Ramireddy
Published: November 2020

:

Recently, novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China has been
declared as pandemic by WHO. Until now, no evidence is documented regarding its wild animal
reservoir or intermediary host, but, human-to-human transmission, asymptomatic carriers were
very much observed. The number of confirmed cases and death toll have been increased almost all
over the world indicating its potential threat to public health. Though the phylogenetic analysis
shows some similarity of SARS-CoV2 to bat betacoronaviruses, it exhibited significant variation in
S1 domain of spike protein from bat-derived viruses. S1 domain plays an important role in receptor
binding and it can be a target for the development of therapeutics and vaccines. In this review, we
have discussed the updates on transmission, diagnosis, genome analysis and comparison, treatment
options and clinical trials of COVID-19.
Evaluation of a Nutraceutical Product with Probiotics, Vitamin D, Plus Banaba Leaf Extracts (Lagerstroemia speciosa) in Glycemic Control
Authors: Signorini Luca , Ballini Andrea , Arrigoni Roberto , De Leonardis Francesco , Saini Rajiv , Cantore Stefania , De Vito Danila , Coscia Maria Franca , Dipalma Gianna , Santacroce Luigi , Inchingolo Francesco
Published: November 2020

Background:

Dysbiosis is related to changes in the composition and behaviour of intestinal
microbiota, which may contribute to an age-related decline in metabolic and immune system
functioning (immune-senescence).

Objective:

The microbiota-targeted dietary and probiotic interventions have been shown to favorably
affect the host health by an enhancement of antioxidant activity, improving immune homeostasis,
suppression of chronic inflammation, regulation of metabolism and prevention of insulin resistance.

Results:

In our study, the use of specific probiotics strains improved the serum concentration of glycemic
markers, thereby promoting better overall health.

Conclusion:

Probiotics may help correct defects in the gut microbial environment improving metabolic
parameters, such as blood sugar levels, glycosylated hemoglobin and a decrease in body weight.
Influence of long irregularities of the longitudinal profile on traffic safety under conditions of intensification of the transportation process
Authors: Pevzner V. O. , Chechel’nitskiy A. I. , Shapet’ko K. V. , Sidorova E. A. , Slastenin A. Yu.
Published: November 2020

The key directions of intensification of the transportation process are described and their influence on the infrastructure is indicated. The concept of long irregularities of the longitudinal profile is defined and a method is proposed that allows one to study the geometric parameters and the growth rate of long irregularities. An assessment of the influence of long irregularities on energy consumption during the traction of trains is given.In the article, much attention is paid to the influence of long irregularities of the longitudinal profile on traffic safety. The article presents the results of the state analysis of the railway track section, where there was a derailment of the freight cars. The results of calculations of the level of forces arising in the automatic coupling and the coefficients of the vertical dynamics of the first stage of suspension for cars in a train when moving uphill along long irregularities are presented. Based on the results of the research, the main conclusions are formulated and the direction of further research is proposed.
Scientific priorities for the use of alternative energy sources in railway transport
Authors: Kosarev A. B. , Rebrov I. A. , Naumenko S. N. , Barch A. V.
Published: November 2020

Alternative energy sources, mostly related to “green” energy, are one of the promising trends in the development of energy generation, including for the global railway sector. This is due, firstly, to its desire to preserve its environmental advantages by reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the environment and increasing energy efficiency, and secondly, to a reduction in the use of such sources as oil and coal as fuel resources in the coming decades.

In a world where 95 % of motorized vehicles use oil as fuel, the greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-kilometer for rail transport are five times less than for road transport and 20 times less than for air transport. Therefore, one of the key tasks in the development of railway transport is the creation of high-speed highways that will serve as an alternative to road and air communications over short distances.

In addition to the well-known alternative energy technologies, the railway transport traditionally conducts scientific research to improve energy-saving technologies, which include the use of excess recuperation energy when rolling stock braking.

Also, projects for the use of renewable energy sources — heat pump installations — have proved their effectiveness in railway transport: heating switches from the ground, use of heat from compressors of hill complexes to heat electrical centralization posts and heat transformers of traction substations for its own needs.

The role of alternative energy sources in railway transport is constantly growing. The efficiency of using alternative energy sources at the Russian Railways is largely determined by a scientific approach that allows, based on own experience or experience in introducing innovations in related industries, to determine the place, time and degree of their implementation, taking into account technical and technological features of production processes inherent in a particular structural unit companies. Among the innovative technical solutions in railway transport, the most priority ones are solutions aimed at the development of high-speed lines, recuperation systems, as well as heat pump technologies.
Some aspects of the use of natural gas motor fuel in diesel locomotives
Authors: Kossov E. E. , Asabin V. V. , Silyuta A. G. , Zhuravlev A. N. , Kossova L. E.
Published: November 2020

Due to the increase in the cost of diesel fuel, much attention is paid to the use of alternative types of fuel on diesel locomotives. Variants of using fuel obtained from coal, plants, gas fields and hydrogen are considered. Natural gas is the cheapest and most accessible today. The use of specially designed gas-piston engines on diesel locomotives, operating when the gas-air mixture is ignited from an external source, is the most attractive option. However, this approach has certain disadvantages:

• it is necessary to create a new engine, since the modernization of existing engines requires serious structural changes;

• gas piston engine operates essentially according to the Otto cycle and has lower efficiency and power indicators as compared to a diesel engine;

• when modernizing existing diesel locomotives, switching to the Otto cycle excludes the possibility of using diesel fuel.

Conversion of diesel locomotives to gas fuel must be carried out using the gas-diesel cycle. This approach is most acceptable for the modernization of diesel locomotives of the existing fleet, since it preserves the thermal performance of the engine and makes it possible to transfer diesel locomotives back to operation on diesel fuel. The main obstacle to the transfer of diesel locomotives to the gas-diesel cycle is the low degree of replacement of diesel fuel with gas. This circumstance is determined by the significant difficulties in ensuring the operation of the engine in the gas-diesel cycle at low loads and idling. It is necessary to ensure a stable supply of ignition fuel in these modes and guaranteed ignition of the gas-air mixture from it. The solution to this problem is ensured by maintaining a given stoichiometric ratio in the gas-air mixture and a temperature sufficient to ignite the ignition portion of the fuel.

The main way to regulate the stoichiometric ratio is to reduce the amount of air entering the cylinders by throttling it at the engine inlet. This article discusses the methodology for calculating the performance of the engine when throttling the air inlet.
Analiza wybranych czynników mających wpływ na postępowanie rodziców dzieci do 5 roku życia w przypadku wystąpienia gorączki
Authors:   Państwowa Uczelnia Zawodowa we Włocławku, Kochman Dorota , Jagieła Jolanta
Published: November 2020

Children’s fever occurring is in parents’ opinion a very worrying clinical state. Its appearance is quite common in paediatric population and the knowledge about dealing with the anti-fever issues is still popularised among parents by medical staff. Aim. The thesis aims to pay attention to the present problem of not taking brave decisions by parents when it concerns their sick child. Material and methods. In this thesis, a way of diagnostics survey with a technique of polling was applied. A self-made questionnaire was used as the research tool. In the part related to the research, the aggregate scale of parents’ knowledge evaluation according to the very own structure. The group consisted of 105 people, the parents of children up to five years old. Results. The results confirm the influence of demographic factors on the treatments by the parents when it comes to their children up to five years old. The parents do not have enough knowledge about fever, understanding its parameters and ways of reducing it. At once, they do have knowledge about the risks arising from the hazard of a high fever. More than 50% of parents get information about the subject from numerous sources such as family, friends, the Internet and unprofessional media. Professional medical staff is the source of knowledge for 48,57% of people. The parents and caretakers recognise information about fever forwarded by doctors and nurses. They rate the level and the quality of that knowledge very high. Conclusion. The role of a nurse in parents’ education about fever and dealing with it when it appears is significant. Nurses are the source of information, but they forward their knowledge in different degrees, according to parents. Medical staff is co-responsible for deepening parents’ knowledge.
Pendidikan demokratis di era revolusi industri 4.0
Authors: Ilyasir Fiska
Published: November 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji bagaimana sebuah pembelajaran demokratis yang ideal dapat dikembangkan dengan mempertimbangkan penggunaan metode yang relevan dengan perkembangan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi. Jenis riset yang digunakan dalam artikel ini adalah jenis penelitian kualitatif yaitu riset yang didasarkan pada upaya mengonstruksi pandangan terhadap objek penelitian secara rinci, dibentuk dengan menggunakan kata-kata, gambaran yang bersifat holistic dan kompleks. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif analitik yaitu penelitian yang dimaksudkan untuk menggali dan menemukan data yang mengandung makna yang mendalam, serta menelaah masalah yang ada pada saat ini. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan metode studi pustaka, yaitu dengan memilah sumber-sumber referensi dan literature ilmiah yang terkait dengan teori-teori pendidikan dan pembelajaran demokratis, pembelajaran berbasis teknologi informasi dan komunikasi, serta perkembangan teknologi pendidikan di era revolosi industri 4.0. Data-data yang telah ditemukan kemudian dikaji dan dianalisis untuk kemudian disajikan dalam tulisan yang sistematis. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pendidikan demokratis di era pendidikan 4.0 ini membutuhkan peran guru yang mampu menyesuaikan dirinya dengan perkembangan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi di bidang pembelajaran.AbstractThis study aims to examine how ideal democratic learning can be developed by considering the use of methods that are relevant to the development of information and communication technology. This type of research used in this article is a type of qualitative research that is research-based on efforts to construct views of the object of research in detail, formed using words, images that are holistic and complex. This study uses a descriptive-analytic approach which is to explore and find data that contains profound meanings, as well as examining existing problems at the moment. Data collection techniques using literature study, by sorting sources of references and scientific literature related to theories of education and democratic learning, ICT-based learning, and the development of educational technology in the industrial revolution era 4.0. The data that has been found is then reviewed and analyzed and then presented in systematic writing.  The results of this study indicate that democratic education in the 4.0 education era requires the role of teachers who are able to adjust themselves to the development of information and communication technology
N100, N200, and P300 Auditory Event-Related Potentials Depending on Handedness and Response Tasks such as Button Pressing and Mental Counting
Authors: Kim Jinsook , Lee Kieun , Lee Eunsung
Published: November 2020

Purpose: This study was to determine the effects of response tasks, such as button pressing and mental counting, and handedness on N100, N200, and P300 auditory event-related potential (AERP).Methods: A total of 50 normal-hearing young adults with the average age of 21.6 (±1.5) years participated in this study. Among them, 15 men and 15 women were right-handed and 10 men and 10 women were left-handed. An oddball paradigm was used to deliver 30 stimuli of 2 kHz target tone bursts and 120 stimuli of 1 kHz nontarget tone bursts. The stimuli were presented at 70 dB sound pressure level with the rate of 1/s.Results: The button pressing task elicited significantly smaller N100 and larger P300 amplitudes than the mental counting task. N200 latency was significantly lower and P300 amplitude was higher in left-handed participants than those who are right-handed. Appearance percentages of right-/left-handed participants for N100, N200, and P300 were 80/95%, 85/85%, and 75/75% for the button pressing task and 80/90%, 80/80%, and 70/70% for mental counting task, respectively.Conclusion: The significant difference in appearance percentage between response tasks supported that P300 was a strong endogenous potential. N100 and N200 were thought to have both endogenous and exogenous characteristics. A more sensitive approach in selecting the task of response for the target stimuli and careful consideration for the handedness is necessary for AERP recordings.
Comparison of Aerodynamic Characteristics During Reading Paragraph Tasks in Normal Male and Female Adults
Authors: Pyo Hwa-Young
Published: November 2020

Purpose: The present study was performed to compare the aerodynamic characteristics of males and females during reading paragraph task.Methods: Thirty-seven normal adult males (18-30 yrs) and thirty-nine normal adult females (18-34 yrs) were participated in this experiment. They read a part of ‘Gaeul’ paragraph with comfortable phonation, and the reading samples were recorded and analyzed by ‘Running Speech’ program of Phonatory Aerodynamic System (PAS).Results: Phonation time (with voicing) and expiratory airflow duration were significantly longer in females, but measures of inspiratory airflow duration, peak expiratory airflow, expiratory and inspiratory volumes were significantly higher in males. The difference in total duration and peak inspiratory airflow did not show statistical significance.Conclusion: Results revealed that there was a significant gender difference in aerodynamic measures of duration and airflow during the reading paragraph task. In evaluating and intervening aerodynamics of voice and voice disorder patients, we should also consider the gender-different aerodynamic characteristics in continuous speech.
Qualitative Analysis for Major in Speech Therapy and Auditory Rehabilitation and Working Experience in Clinical Field
Authors: Kim Ji Youn , Lee Soo Bok , Thak Pyung Kon
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between graduated students with major in speech therapy and auditory rehabilitation and their working experience in the clinical field by using a qualitative research method. After conducting in-depth interviews with seven graduates who majored in speech therapy and hearing rehabilitation, content analysis was performed. As a result of open coding the interview data, 2 dimensions, 8 core categories, 13 subcategories, and 69 concepts were derived. The 2 dimensions were divided into personal and social dimensions. Employment considerations, overall work, the relationship between majors and work, and the skills needed to perform work were discussed. This study explained the current status of work and job satisfaction of graduates from the department of speech therapy and audiology rehabilitation, a considerable relation between majors and jobs, and future development directions.
Estimating the Intensity of Hurricanes from Historical Radar Data Using the Hyperbolic-logarithmic approximation of Spiral Rainbands
Authors: Yurchak Boris S. ,   Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA
Published: November 2020

To increase the amount of information on the intensities of tropical cyclones (TC) used in climate research, the possibility of additional estimates of the intensity of a TC by exploring historical data of conventional (non-Doppler) airborne and coastal radars is considered. Based on the hyperbolic-logarithmic spiral (HLS) model of the streamline in the TC, an assessment of the maximum wind speed in hurricanes Cleo (1958), Carolina (1975) and Alicia (1983) was made. Literature sources containing radar signatures of spiral cloud-rain bands (SCRBs) of these hurricanes and the corresponding results of synchronous aircraft soundings were used. The HLS-approximation of the radar signature of the SCRB consisted of determining the “expected” (mean) spiral of a set of HLSs “fitted” into a pattern of the signature. The maximum wind speed was determined from coefficients of the mean HLS. The estimates obtained were in satisfactory agreement with in situ aircraft measurements. The considered examples manifest the possibility of applying the HLS-approximation to determine the intensity of hurricanes by using the historical radar data with satisfactory accuracy.
Toward Preparing a Knowledge Base to Explore Potential Drugs and Biomedical Entities Related to COVID-19: Automated Computational Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Khan Junaed Younus , Khondaker Md Tawkat Islam , Hoque Iram Tazim , Al-Absi Hamada R H , Rahman Mohammad Saifur , Guler Reto , Alam Tanvir , Rahman M Sohel
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is taking a huge toll on public health. Along with the non-therapeutic preventive measurements, scientific efforts are currently focused, mainly, on the development of vaccines and pharmacological treatment with existing drugs. Summarizing evidences from scientific literatures on the discovery of treatment plan of COVID-19 under a platform would help the scientific community to explore the opportunities in a systematic fashion.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore the potential drugs and biomedical entities related to coronavirus related diseases, including COVID-19, that are mentioned on scientific literature through an automated computational approach.

METHODS

We mined the information from publicly available scientific literature and related public resources. Six topic-specific dictionaries, including human genes, human miRNAs, diseases, Protein Databank, drugs, and drug side effects, were integrated to mine all scientific evidence related to COVID-19. We employed an automated literature mining and labeling system through a novel approach to measure the effectiveness of drugs against diseases based on natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and deep learning. We also applied the concept of cosine similarity to confidently infer the associations between diseases and genes.

RESULTS

Based on the literature mining, we identified 1805 diseases, 2454 drugs, 1910 genes that are related to coronavirus related diseases including COVID-19. Integrating the extracted information, we developed the first knowledgebase platform dedicated to COVID-19, which highlights potential list of drugs and related biomedical entities. For COVID-19, we highlighted multiple case studies on existing drugs along with a confidence score for their applicability in the treatment plan. Based on our computational method, we found Remdesivir, Statins, Dexamethasone, and Ivermectin could be considered as potential effective drugs to improve clinical status and lower mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. We also found that Hydroxychloroquine could not be considered as an effective drug for COVID-19. The resulting knowledgebase is made available as an open source tool, named COVID-19Base.

CONCLUSIONS

Proper investigation of the mined biomedical entities along with the identified interactions among those would help the research community to discover possible ways for the therapeutic treatment of COVID-19.
mHealth-Supported Delivery of an Evidence-Based Family Home-Visiting Intervention in Sierra Leone: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Desrosiers Alethea , Schafer Carolyn , Esliker Rebecca , Jambai Musu , Betancourt Theresa
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Past trauma and exposure to violence have been related to poor emotion regulation and household violence, which can have persistent mental health effects across generations. The Family Strengthening Intervention for Early Childhood Development (FSI-ECD/called Sugira Muryango in Rwanda) is an evidence-based behavioral home-visiting intervention to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and early childhood development among families facing adversity. In Sierra Leone and other lower- and middle-income countries, mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to improve health care delivery and health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to (1) apply a user-centered design to develop and test mHealth tools to improve supervision and fidelity monitoring of community health workers (CHWs) delivering the FSI-ECD and (2) conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the FSI-ECD to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family violence in high-risk families with children aged 6-36 months in comparison with control families receiving standard care.

METHODS

We will recruit and enroll CHWs, supervisors, and families with a child aged 6-36 months from community health clinics in Sierra Leone. CHWs and supervisors will participate in 1 problem analysis focus group and 2 user interface/user experience cycles to provide feedback on mHealth tool prototypes. Families will be randomized to mHealth-supported FSI-ECD or standard maternal and child health services. We will collect quantitative data on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family functioning at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow up. We will use a mixed methods approach to explore feasibility and acceptability of mHealth tools and the FSI-ECD. Mixed effects linear modeling will assess FSI-ECD effects on caregiver outcomes. Cost-effectiveness analysis will estimate costs across FSI-ECD versus standard care.

RESULTS

Funding for this study was received from the National Institutes of Mental Health on August 17, 2020. Institutional Review Board approval was received on September 4, 2020. Data collection is projected to begin on December 15, 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will provide important data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of mHealth-supported delivery of an evidence-based family home-visiting intervention in a postconflict LMIC.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04481399; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04481399.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/25443
Health Behavior Survey Among People Who Use Opioids: Protocol for Implementing Technology-Based Rapid Response Surveillance in Community Settings (Preprint)
Authors: Frew Paula M , Randall Laura A , King Adrian R , Schamel Jay T , Spaulding Anne C ,   HBOU Study Team, Holloway Ian W
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

In 2018, 2 million Americans met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition diagnostic criteria for an opioid use disorder, and 9.9 million Americans had misused prescription pain relievers the previous year. Despite a rapid increase in opioid misuse, opioid use disorders, and overdoses, data are limited on the behavioral and contextual risks as well as the protective factors fueling the opioid epidemic in some hard hit US cities—Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Opioid use also contributes to the risk of other health problems such as HIV and hepatitis C virus infections or mental health disorders and is linked to behavioral and environmental risks (eg, homelessness, experiences of violence, involvement in the justice system). Knowledge of the relationships between these linked vulnerabilities and how they influence service utilization is critical to effective policy and interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This survey explores the relationships between demographic and economic characteristics, behavioral and environmental risk factors, and service utilization of people who use opioids to inform public health practice, policy, and future efforts to mitigate the risks faced by this population experiencing multiple health, social, and economic vulnerabilities. The results of this survey will be used to identify needs and intervention points for people who use drugs currently served by public health organizations.

METHODS

We implemented a community-engaged strategy that involved development and execution of a two-stage purposive sampling plan involving selection of partner organizations (syringe exchange programs in urban settings) and recruitment and enrollment of participants aged 18-69 years served by these organizations in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas from 2019 to 2020. The recruited participants completed a survey, including a variety of measures to assess health (physical and mental) and health behaviors such as sexual behavior, vaccine receipt, and HIV/ hepatitis C virus infection testing. Additional items assessed drug use and misuse, syringe exchange and health service utilization, sex exchange, histories of interpersonal violence, and vaccine confidence.

RESULTS

This protocol was successfully implemented despite challenges such as real-time technology issues and rapidly finding and surveying a difficult-to-reach population. We sampled 1127 unique participants (248 in Atlanta, 465 in Los Angeles, and 414 in Las Vegas).

CONCLUSIONS

The establishment and utilization of strong community partnerships enabled the rapid collection of data from a typically difficult-to-reach population. Local efforts such as these are needed to develop policies and practices that promote harm reduction among people who use opioids.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR1-10.2196/25575
Secondary Prevention of Hip Fragility Fractures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Service Evaluation of “MRS BAD BONES” (Preprint)
Authors: Stephens Alastair , Rudd Hannah , Stephens Emilia , Ward Jayne
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Management of osteoporosis is an important consideration for patients with femoral neck fractures due to the morbidity and mortality it poses. The input of orthogeriatric teams is invaluable in coordinating secondary fragility fracture prevention. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the rapid restructuring of health care teams and led to the redeployment of orthogeriatricians.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the impact COVID-19 had on the secondary prevention of fragility fractures among patients with femoral neck fractures, and to optimize management in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was conducted of patients with femoral neck fractures before and after the lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. A reaudit was conducted following the development of our new mnemonic, “MRS BAD BONES,” which addressed key factors in the assessment and management of osteoporosis: medication review, rheumatology/renal advice, smoking cessation; blood tests, alcohol limits, DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan; bone-sparing medications, orthogeriatric review, nutrition, exercise, supplements. The Fisher exact test was used for comparison analyses between each phase.

RESULTS

Data for 50 patients were available in each phase. The orthogeriatric team reviewed 88% (n=44) of patients prelockdown, which fell to 0% due to redeployment, before recovering to 38% (n=19) in the postintervention period. The lockdown brought a significant drop in the prescription of vitamin D/calcium supplements from 81.6% (n=40) to 58.0% (n=29) (P=.02); of bone-sparing medications from 60.7% (n=17) to 18.2% (n=4) (P=.004), and DEXA scan requests from 40.1% (n=9) to 3.6% (n=1) (P=.003). Following the implementation of our mnemonic, there was a significant increase in the prescription of vitamin D/calcium supplements to 85.7% (n=42) (P=.003), bone-sparing medications to 72.4% (n=21) (P<.001), and DEXA scan requests to 60% (n=12) (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The redeployment of the orthogeriatric team, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted the secondary prevention of fragility fractures in the study population. The “MRS BAD BONES” mnemonic significantly improved management and could be used in a wider setting.

CLINICALTRIAL
The Influence of Media Coverage and Governmental Policies on Google Queries Related to COVID-19 Cutaneous Symptoms: Infodemiology Study (Preprint)
Authors: Huynh Dagher Solene , Lamé Guillaume , Hubiche Thomas , Ezzedine Khaled , Duong Tu Anh
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

During COVID-19, studies have reported the appearance of internet searches for disease symptoms before their validation by the World Health Organization. This suggested that monitoring of these searches with tools including Google Trends may help monitor the pandemic itself. In Europe and North America, dermatologists reported an unexpected outbreak of cutaneous acral lesions (eg, chilblain-like lesions) in April 2020. However, external factors such as public communications may also hinder the use of Google Trends as an infodemiology tool.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess the impact of media announcements and lockdown enforcement on internet searches related to cutaneous acral lesions during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

METHODS

Two searches on Google Trends, including daily relative search volumes for (1) “toe” or “chilblains” and (2) “coronavirus,” were performed from January 1 to May 16, 2020, with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany as the countries of choice. The ratio of interest over time in “chilblains” and “coronavirus” was plotted. To assess the impact of lockdown enforcement and media coverage on these internet searches, we performed an interrupted time-series analysis for each country.

RESULTS

The ratio of interest over time in “chilblains” to “coronavirus” showed a constant upward trend. In France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, lockdown enforcement was associated with a significant slope change for “chilblain” searches with a variation coefficient of 1.06 (SE 0.42) (P=0.01), 1.04 (SE 0.28) (P<.01), and 1.21 (SE 0.44) (P=0.01), respectively. After media announcements, these ratios significantly increased in France, Spain, Italy, and the United States with variation coefficients of 18.95 (SE 5.77) (P=.001), 31.31 (SE 6.31) (P<.001), 14.57 (SE 6.33) (P=.02), and 11.24 (SE 4.93) (P=.02), respectively, followed by a significant downward trend in France (–1.82 [SE 0.45]), Spain (–1.10 [SE 0.38]), and Italy (–0.93 [SE 0.33]) (P<.001, P=0.004, and P<.001, respectively). The adjusted R2 values were 0.311, 0.351, 0.325, and 0.305 for France, Spain, Italy, and the United States, respectively, suggesting an average correlation between time and the search volume; however, this correlation was weak for Germany and the United Kingdom.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, the association between chilblain-like lesions and COVID-19 remains controversial; however, our results indicate that Google queries of “chilblain” were highly influenced by media coverage and government policies, indicating that caution should be exercised when using Google Trends as a monitoring tool for emerging diseases.
Реформы современного ойрат-калмыцкого языка и литературы в XX веке
Authors:   Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Reckel Johannes
Published: November 2020

Introduction. The Oirats are Western Mongols, today living between the Altai mountains, the river Volga, the Kukunor Area, the Ili River and Kyrgyzstan. In 1648, Zaya Pandita from the Hoshut (Hoshud) tribe of the Oirats created the ‘Clear Script’ (Oir. Todo Bičig), nowadays also known as Oirat Script. This script was originally meant to be used as a reformed script by all Mongols, but it caught on with the Western Mongols, the Dzungars (Oirats, Kalmyks), only. The 20th century witnessed the introduction of new writing standards for individual groups of Oirats/Kalmyks in the Soviet Union (Russia), China and Mongolia, which led to a weakening of the West Mongolian identity. Three of the most influential Kalmyk scholars, who worked on the reform of the written language and who were active as teachers and researchers in Tashkent, Sinkiang and Western Mongolia in the 1920s and 1930s, were Aksen Suseev, Iǰil Čürüm and Ceren Dorži Nominhanov. Goals. The study aims to investigate the connection between ethnic identity and (written) language against the background of global political upheavals. The work focuses on the change of the Oirat written language in Sinkiang (Xinjiang) in a multi-ethnic region compared to the Kalmyk written language in Russia, as well as the Oirat language in Mongolia over the past 100 years. Materials. The research project, given as an outline in the following article, analyzes schoolbooks, dictionaries, grammars and other printed materials of the 20th and 21st centuries in the West Mongolian Oirat script collected in Sinkiang Kalmykia since 1986. Results. Since the 1940s, the Oirats in Sinkiang have been taking up a development in their reformed written language that was originally initiated in Kalmykia by Kalmyk scholars during the period of 1915–1938, but was not carried on there due to the political conditions which resulted in the deportation of the Kalmyks to Siberia in 1943. After the return of the Kalmyks to Kalmykia since 1957/58 the old traditions were broken, and the development of the written language focused solely on the use of a modified Cyrillic alphabet. The community based on a common script of the Kalmyks and Oirats – in China, Russia (Kalmykia) and Western Mongolia – broke up, and the three or four groups went their separate ways. For example, the orthography and grammar of the Oirat written language in reformed Todo Bičig in Sinkiang is not standardized until today. The Oirats in Mongolia, like the Oirats in Kyrgyzstan, no longer have their own written language in which they can express themselves in writing. Another desideratum is a textbook of modern Kalmyk and modern Sinkiang Oirat for Western students and scholars. Although some institutions and scholars have some Oirat language archives, like the State and University Library Goettingen has good collection of Kalmyk-Oirat and Mongolian literature, there are a lot of aspects to deal with.