bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Study of the Detection and Treatment Targets of Spinal Tuberculosis
Authors: Wang Biao , Gao Wenjie , Hao Dingjun
Published: October 2019

Spinal tuberculosis is a common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and osteoarticular
tuberculosis. Common clinical manifestations include constitutional symptoms, back
pain, spinal tenderness, paraplegia, and spinal deformities. They are the common causes of paralysis
and could increase the mortality in patients. Most cases of spinal tuberculosis remaining undiagnosed,
and early clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations lack specificity, which explained
the reason why it is difficult to identify from atypical spinal metastases, brucellosis and other diseases.
The rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis for spinal tuberculosis is high. If spinal tuberculosis
diagnostic targets could be early detected, the therapeutic targets can be effectively treated,
which can not only control the progress of the disease and shorten the course of treatment, but also
reduce the economic pressure and avoid spinal deformity. Therefore, early diagnosis should be our
focus. Comprehensive use of a variety of diagnostic targets can improve the early diagnosis rate of
spinal tuberculosis. Here, we review the progress of laboratory, imaging and gene detection in the
diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis in recent years.
pH-Sensitive Magnetite Nanoparticles Modified with Hyperbranched Polymers and Folic Acid for Targeted Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Rezaei Seyed Jamal Tabatabaei , Malekzadeh Asemeh Mashhadi , Ramazani Ali , Niknejad Hassan
Published: October 2019

Objective:

A novel pH-sensitive superparamagnetic drug delivery system was developed
based on quercetin loaded hyperbranched polyamidoamine-b-polyethylene glycol-folic acid-modified
Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PAMAM-b-PEG-FA).

Methods:

The nanoparticles exhibit excellent water dispersity with well-defined size distribution
(around 51.8 nm) and strong magnetisability. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the quercetinloaded
Fe3O4@PAMAM-b-PEG-FA nanoparticles are stable at normal physiologic conditions (pH 7.4
and 37°C) but sensitive to acidic conditions (pH 5.6 and 37°C), which led to the rapid release of the
loaded drug.

Results:

Fluorescent microscopy results indicated that the Fe3O4@PAMAM-b-PEG-FA nanoparticles
could be efficiently accumulated in tumor tissue compared with non-folate conjugated nanoparticles.
Also, in comparison with free quercetin, the quercetin loaded Fe3O4@PAMAM-b-PEG-FA exerts
higher cytotoxicity. Furthermore, this magnetic nanocarrier showed high MRI sensitivity, even in its
lower iron content.

Conclusion:

The results indicated that the prepared nanoparticles are an effective chemotherapy and
diagnosis system to inhibit proliferation and monitor the progression of tumor cells, respectively.
Novel Ketosynthases Catalyzing the Non-Decarboxylative Claisen Condensation
Authors: Pan Lixia , Yang Dengfeng
Published: October 2019

In this review, we present the recent advances in unusual novel ketosynthases catalyzing
the non-decarboxylative Claisen condensations, including CsyB, MxnB/CorB, Ppys and StlD. The
differences are summarized between these non-decarboxylative ketosynthases and the typical decarboxylative
ketosynthases. Furthermore, the detailed enzymatic characteristics, structural basis, and
catalytic mechanismof these novel ketosynthasesare described. Finally, the prospect of these kind of
ketosynthases is discussed.
Review of Constipation Treatment Methods with Emphasis on Laxative Foods
Authors: Abbasalizadeh Shamsi , Ebrahimi Behzad , Azizi Aslan , Dargahi Rogaye , Tayebali Maryam , Ghadim Sepideh T. , Foroumandi Elaheh , Aliasghari Fereshteh , Javadi Mina , Izadi Azimeh , Banifatemeh Leila , Pourjafar Hadi , Khalili Leila , Ghalichi Faezeh , Houshmandi Sousan , Rad Aziz H.
Published: October 2019

Constipation is a common public health concern experienced by all individuals during their life affecting the quality of life. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding the role of food ingredients, including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, and flax-seed in constipation treatment. We searched Scopus, Pub Med, and Science Direct by using the keywords, “laxative foods” and “constipation”, for searching studies assessing laxative food ingredients and their beneficial effects on constipation treatment and/or control. Lifestyle modifications such as increasing dietary fiber and fluid intake and daily exercise are the proposed first line treatments for constipation. Optimizing ‘diet’ as an efficient lifestyle factor may contribute to the well-being of patients. The use of laxative food ingredients including bran, prune, fig, kiwifruit, flax-seed, probiotics, and prebiotics is a convenient alternative to cope with constipation. According to previous findings, laxative food ingredients could be considered as effective treatments for subjects suffering from constipation. Many studies have assessed the pharmacological and non-pharmacological roles of these ingredients in treating constipation, however, their importance has not been thoroughly investigated.
Carvedilol Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival Following Optic Nerve Injury via ASK1-p38 MAPK Pathway
Authors: Liu Bei , Liu Yu-Jia
Published: October 2019

Background:

Carvedilol, which is considered as a nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocker,
has many pleiotropic activities. It also causes great impact on neuroprotection because of its antioxidant
ability, which suggested that carvedilol may be effective in protecting RGCs from increased oxidative
stress.

Objective:

To examine the effects of carvedilol on preventing Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) death in a
mouse model of Optic Nerve Injury (ONI).

Methods:

C57BL/6J mice were subjected to Optic Nerve Injury (ONI) model and treated with carvedilol
or placebo. Histological and morphometric studies were performed; the RGC number, the
amount of neurons in the ganglion cell layer and the thickness of the Inner Retinal Layer (IRL) was
quantified. The average thickness of Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC) was determined by the Spectral-
Domain OCT (SD-OCT) assay. Immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR
analysis were also applied.

Results:

Daily treatment of carvedilol reduced RGC death following ONI, and in vivo retinal imaging
revealed that carvedilol can effectively prevent retinal degeneration. The expression of chemokines
important for micorglia recruitment was deceased with carvedilol ingestion and the accumulation of
retinal microglia is reduced consequently. In addition, the ONI-induced expression of inducible nitric
oxide synthase in the retina was inhibited with carvedilol treatment in the retina. We also discovered
that carvedilol suppressed ONI-induced activation of Apoptosis Signal-regulating Kinase-1 (ASK1)
and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate that carvedilol can stimulate neuroprotection and neuroregeneration,
and may be useful for treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.
Simple Threshold Method in Fault Diagnosis for Voltage Source Inverter in a Direct Torque Control Induction Motor Drive
Authors: Kadri Farid , Hamida Mohamed A.
Published: October 2019

Background:

The need for a diagnosis today, becomes a necessity for variable speed AC
drives in several industrial applications. An important research axis is oriented towards monitoring
the state of the converter supplying the electric motor. Indeed, the voltage source inverter is likely to
have switching faults. Therefore, an emergency stop of the motor drive must be done.

Objective:

After reviewing related patents and works, the objective of this paper is to identify the
feasibility of fault detection and diagnosis in a three-phase inverter feeding an induction motor.

Methods:

The proposed approach is a simple threshold fault classification method applied to fault
diagnosis of a Direct Torque Control (DTC) induction motor drive using the stator Concordia mean
current vector. With a fault occurrence, a localization domain consisting of seven patterns is constructed.

Results:

Simulated results on 1.5-kW induction motor drive show the effectiveness of the proposed
approach with a good classification performance.

Conclusion:

The classification performance of our simple diagnosis system is acceptable for one
fault occurrence compared to other methods. Faulty switch detection and identification is completed
within a few periods of current. Using intelligent technique should improve classification performances
for multiple faults occurrence.
New 99mTc Radiotracers for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging by SPECT
Authors: Fang Wei , Liu Shuang
Published: October 2019

Objective:

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) with radiotracers is an integral component in evaluation of the patients with known or suspected coronary artery diseases (CAD). 99mTc-Sestamibi and 99mTc-Tetrofosmin are commercial radiopharmaceuticals for MPI by single photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT). Despite their widespread clinical applications, they do not meet the requirements of an ideal perfusion imaging agent due to their inability to linearly track the regional myocardial blood flow rate at >2.5 mL/min/g. With tremendous development of CZT-based SPECT cameras over the past several years, the nuclear cardiology community has been calling for better perfusion radiotracers with improved extraction and biodistribution properties.

Methods:

This review will summarize recent research efforts on new cationic and neutral 99mTc radiotracers for SPECT MPI. The goal of these efforts is to develop a 99mTc radiotracer that can be used to detect perfusion defects at rest or under stress, determine the regional myocardial blood flow, and measure the perfusion and left ventricular function.

Results:

The advantage of cationic radiotracers (e.g. 99mTc-Sestamibi) is their long myocardial retention because of the positive molecular charge and fast liver clearance kinetics. 99mTc-Teboroxime derivatives have a high initial heart uptake (high first-pass extraction fraction) due to their neutrality. 99mTc- 3SPboroxime is the most promising radiotracer for future clinical translation considering its initial heart uptake, myocardial retention time, liver clearance kinetics, heart/liver ratios and SPECT image quality.

Conclusion:

99mTc-3SPboroximine is an excellent example of perfusion radiotracers, the heart uptake of which is largely relies on the regional blood flow. It is possible to use 99mTc-3SPboroximine for detection of perfusion defect(s), accurate quantification and determination of regional blood flow rate. Development of such a 99mTc radiotracer is of great clinical benefit for accurate diagnosis of CAD and assessing the risk of future hard events (e.g. heart attack and sudden death) in cardiac patients.
Cerium and Yttrium Oxide Nanoparticles and Nano-selenium Produce Protective Effects Against H2O2-induced Oxidative Stress in Pancreatic Beta Cells by Modulating Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Tavoosi Shima , Baghsheikhi Amir Hossein , Shetab-Boushehri Seyed Vahid , Navaei-Nigjeh Mona , Sarvestani Nazanin Namazi , Karimi Mohammad Yahya , Ranjbar Akram , Ebadollahi-Natanzi Alireza , Hosseini Asieh
Published: October 2019

Background:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the destruction of insulin-
producing Beta cells in the pancreas. Researchers hope that islet transplantation will
help to patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Oxidative stress is the
most important challenge that beta cells face to it after isolation, and mitochondrial dysfunction
is a crucial mediator in beta cells death. Hence, therapeutic approaches can shift to
antioxidants through the application of nanoparticles such as cerium and yttrium oxide nanoparticles
(Cer and Ytt Ox NPs) and nano-selenium (Nan Se).

Objectives:

This study evaluates the effects of Cer and Ytt Ox NPs and Nan Se on H2O2-
induced oxidative stress in pancreatic beta cells with focus on mitochondrial dysfunction
pathway.

Methods:

CRI-D2 beta-cell line were pretreated with Cer Ox NPs (200 µM) + Ytt Ox NPs
(0.5 µg/mL) for 3 days and/or Nan Se (0.01 µM) for 1 day. Then markers of oxidative
stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin and glucagon secretion were measured.

Results:

We reported a decrease in H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and
glucagon secretion, and an increase in H2O2-reduced ATP/ADP ratio, MMP, as well as
UCP2 protein expression, and insulin secretion by pretreatment of CRI-D2 cells with Cer
and Ytt Ox NPs and/or Nan Se.

Conclusion:

We found maximum protective effect with Cer and Ytt Ox NPs on CRI-D2
beta-cell line exposed by H2O2 for keeping beta cells alive until transplant whereas combination
of Cer and Ytt Ox NPs and Nan Se had very little protective effect in this condition.
Effects of the Dynamic and Energy Based Feature Extraction on Hindi Speech Recognition
Authors: Bhatt Shobha , Dev Amita , Jain Anurag
Published: October 2019

Background:

Speech Recognition is the most effective and suitable way of communication.
Extracted features play an important role in speech recognition. Previous research works for
Hindi speech recognition lack detailed comparative analysis of the feature extraction methods using
dynamic and energy parameters.

Objective:

The research work presents experimental work done to explore the effects of integrating
dynamic coefficients and energy parameters with different feature extraction techniques on Connected
word Hindi Speech recognition. As extracted features play a significant role in speech recognition,
a comparative analysis is presented to show the effects of integration of dynamic and energy
parameters to basic extracted features.

Method:

Speaker dependent system was proposed with monophones based five states Hidden
Markov Model (HMM) using HTK Tool kit. Speech data set of connected words in Hindi was
created. The feature extraction techniques such as Linear Predictive Coding Cepstral coefficients
(LPCCs), Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs), and Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLPs)
coefficients were applied integrating delta, delta2, and energy parameters to evaluate the
performance of the proposed methodology for speaker dependent recognition.

Results:

Experimental results show that the system achieved the highest recognition word accuracy
of 89.97% using PLP coefficients. The PLP coefficients achieved 4% increment in word accuracy
than original MFCCs and a 16% increment in word accuracy than LPCCs. Adding energy
parameters to original MFCCs increased word accuracy by 1.5% only while adding dynamic
coefficients delta and double delta had no significant effect on speech recognition accuracy.

Conclusion:

Research findings reveal that PLP coefficients outperformed. Explorations reveal that
the integration of energy parameters are better than original MFCCs. Investgations also reveal that
adding energy parametres improved recognition score while adding delta and delta2 coefficients to
basic features did not improve the recognition scores. Research findings could be used to enhance
the performance of a speech recognition system by using a suitable feature extraction technique and
combining the different feature extraction techniques. Further, investigations can be used to develop
language resources for refining speech recognition. The work can be extended to develop a
continuous Hindi speech recognition system.
One Pot Multicomponent Biginelli Reaction Employing Ionic Liquids as an Organocatalyst
Authors: Shaikh Tanveer M. , Nagarajan Sankaranarayanan , Kandasamy Elango
Published: October 2019

Introduction:

The N-heterocyclic compounds have been extensively studied in pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, syntheses of such compounds employing organo-catalyst have been associated with sustainable technology.

Methods:

The synthesis of new, stable ionic liquids and their catalytic applications in one-pot multicomponent Biginelli reaction is presented. The method provides broad substrate scope, yielding the corresponding 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones, in good to excellent yields, respectively.

Results and Conclusion:

The developed reactions are associated with certain advantages, short reaction time and sustainable conditions. The protocol has advantages eco-friendly procedure, recovery and reusability of catalyst, which showed consistent activity.
Palm Oil Fractions Alter Acute Cadmium Mediated Haematotoxicity
Authors: Asagba Samuel Ogheneovo , Ichipi-Ifukor Patrick Chukwuyenum , Ichipi-Ifukor Rita Ngozi , Oyem John Chukwuma
Published: October 2019

The objective of the research was to contribute to the continual search for natural products that could mitigate alterations in haematological indices due to cadmium poisoning.
         Materials and methods. Seventy-two male Wistar rats were mobilized and divided into six groups (A-F). Group A served as the control one which was neither exposed to cadmium nor treated with palm oil fraction. Group B was not treated with palm oil fractions but received a single dose of 20mgkg-1 body weight of cadmium chloride solution on the 29th day of the experiment, while Groups C-E received 5mlKg-1 bodyweight of crude palm oil, silica gel extract, bleached extract and unsaponifiable extract of palm oil respectively for 28 days before a single dose of 20mgKg-1 body weight of cadmium chloride on the 29th day. Blood samples were collected from four animals via cardiac puncture on the 29th, 30th and 31st day within intervals of 12h, 24h and 48h after cadmium administration. This was then analysed for haematological parameters using an automated haematological analyser. Data analysis was carried out using the one-way factor analysis of variance at a significant level of p<0.05.
         Results. The impact of cadmium intoxication on haematological indices in rats was time-dependent and was mostly felt at the end of the 48-hour period indicating a significant decrease in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin and white blood cells values, while the increase due to cadmium was observed in mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume  values; pre-treatment of palm oil fractions mitigated the noxious effects of cadmium significantly near control values.
         Conclusions. Crude palm oil and its fractions have the ability to mobilize antioxidant defence potentials against cadmium damage to blood cells.
Radiological Findings in Chronic Contained Rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient Presenting with Lower Back Pain
Authors: Ashraf Dr Shaafiya , Prabhakar Dr Ankit , Sharma Dr Shivani , Wani Dr Dawood Iqbal
Published: October 2019

There is a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in cases of chronic contained rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm, as the symptoms can be more subtle including dull back pain, and thus lacking the typical features of rupture.

The objective of this research was to introduce a case report emphasizing the need to relate the low back pain with atypical radiological appearances of entities, as aortic abdominal aneurysms, capable to compromise the patients’ clinical diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
MEWADAHI COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM DALAM COMMUNITY GROUP UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN INDUSTRI PARIWISATA
Authors: Suhartanto Suhartanto
Published: October 2019

Abstrak: Mewadahi Community Based Tourism dalam Community Group untuk Pengembangan Industri Pariwisata. Pengembangan industri pariwisata diarahkan pada pariwisata berbasis masyarakat (community based tourism). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis community based tourism dalam wadah community group untuk pengembangan industri pariwisata. Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian kualitatif dengan menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif. Sumber data penelitian adalah data sekunder, berupa buku, jurnal, news (cetak/digital), regulation, dan dokumen-dokumen lain yang mendukung. Analisis data menggunakan tahapan pengumpulan data, kondensasi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa pengembangan industri pariwisata berbasis community based tourism diterapkan di pedesaan dalam bentuk desa wisata. Community based tourism membutuhkan partisipasi masyarakat dari mulai perencanaan, implementasi dan evaluasi. Agar pembangunan industri pariwisata dalam bentuk desa wisata efektif dan efisien, community based tourism diwadahi dalam community group, sehingga penyerapan partisipasi masyarakat dalam satuan community dapat diangkat dalam wadah group untuk mencapai tujuan bersama. Kata kunci: Community, Based, Tourism,Community, Group Abstract : Organizing Community Based Tourism in the Community Group for the Development of the Tourism Industry. The development of the tourism industry is directed at community-based tourism. The aim of this study is to analyze community based tourism in a community group forum for the development of the tourism industry. The type of this research is a qualitative research that use a descriptive approachment. The data source of this research are secondary data, books, journals, news (print / digital), regulation, and others. The stages of data analysis is used data collection, data condensation, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results of this study indicate that the development of a community-based tourism industry based on tourism is implemented in rural areas in the form of a tourism village. Community based tourism were required community participation from planning, implementation and evaluation. So, the development of the tourism industry in this form can be effective and efficient, community based tourism must accommodated in a community group. The absorption of community participation in community units can be raised in a group to achieve its purpose. Keyword: Community, Based, Tourism,Community, Group
PENYUSUTAN SEBAGAI SALAH SATU FUNGSI MANAJEMEN ARSIP DI BALAI DIKLAT KEAGAMAAN SEMARANG
Authors: Fitriyah Riskha Nur
Published: October 2019

Abstrak - Penyusutan Sebagai Salah Satu Fungsi Manajemen Arsip di Balai Diklat Keagamaan Semarang. Penyusutan arsip dalam suatu organisasi atau instansi harus dilakukan untuk mengurangi arsip in aktif yang tidak memiliki nilai guna arsip. Terdapat tiga fungsi manajemen arsip dalam organisasi atau instansi, yaitu fungsi penciptaan, fungsi penggunaan serta fungsi pemeliharaan dan penyusutan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mendeskripsikan proses penyusutan arsip in aktif dan mengidentifikasi kendala yang dihadapi pada Bagian Tata Usaha di Balai Diklat Keagamaan Semarang. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif, dimana peneliti ikut terlibat secara langsung sebagai instrumen penelitian. Dalam penelitian ini, metode yang digunakan yaitu kualitatif. Salah satu ciri dari metode kualitatif adalah peneliti ikut terlibat secara langsung sebagai instrumen penelitian. Observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi merupakan teknik pengumpulan data yang dilakukan. Dari hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan didapatkan bahwa kegiatan penyusutan arsip dilakukan di Unit Kearsipan (Bagian Tata Usaha) dengan 3 tahapan, yaitu pemindahan arsip, pemyerahan dan pemusnahan. Adapun kendala yang dihadapi adalah minimnya sarana dan prasarana, kurangnya dukungan dari Pimpinan dan kurangnya kemampuan SDM. Kata kunci : penyusutan, manajemen arsip dan arsip in aktif  Abstract - Depreciation as One of the Functions of Archive Management in Semarang Religious Training Center. Depreciation of  records in within an organization should be undertaken to reduce inactive records that have no archival value. Three archive management functions within the organization consist of creation, use, maintenance and depreciation. This study aims to determine the process depreciation of inactive records and obstacles encountered in the implementation of records management in institutions of Religious Training Semarang. The method of the research is case study with descriptive qualitative. The research showed the result that depreciation of record activities in the Unit Archives (Administrative Section) with 3 stages, are removal of records, submission and disposal of archives. The obstacles encountered are inadequate of facilities and infrastructure, lack of leadership support and lack of human resources capability. Keyword : Depreciation, archive management and the records is active
Facilitating User Participation in Digital Health Research: The mHealth Impact Registry
Authors: Lynett Ford Kelsey , Bull Sheana , Moore Susan L , Barrientos Ortiz Charlene
Published: October 2019

Background

The proliferation of technology galvanizes providers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to revolutionize health care and care delivery with diverse audiences. Digital health provides promise in improving health outcomes; however, the pace of technology requires rapid research to remain relevant in the marketplace. User experience (UX) research provides critical information about patient/client preferences while rigorous research trials demonstrate digital health efficacy. Despite the need for such research, the recruitment and enrollment process for digital health research remains time consuming and expensive, particularly when engaging underrepresented populations. Developed in the Colorado School of Public Health, the mHealth Impact Registry is a newly launched platform designed for rapid and responsive recruitment of participants for digital health research studies. While the use of registries in research is robust, the application in digital health research is quite limited.

Objective

This poster illustrates the development and testing of the mHealth Impact Registry’s Web-based platform, health status survey, mobile app, and participant database to reach underrepresented populations in digital health research.

Methods

Formative methods used a user centered approach to document user preferences for Registry design followed by iterative testing to ensure usability and navigability.

Results

End-user feedback was captured from multiple stakeholder groups (ie, Patient and Family Research Advisory Panel and mHealth Community Advisory Board) to refine recruitment strategy (ie, letters, video development). A health status survey was developed in both English and Spanish using the online software (ie, Qualtrics) that informs the back-end database. A detailed requirements document outlined technical and functional requirements for the mobile app (ie, iOS and Android) and Web-based platform (ie, Wordpress and Amazon Web Services).

Conclusions

Due to the need for rapid, rigorous, and inclusive research in digital health, a registry containing a pool of diverse participants would not only accelerate the recruitment and enrollment process but would also help to improve the reach and engagement of digital health solutions for underrepresented populations. The mHealth Impact Registry would house diverse participants, supporting quick enrollment and active participation in studies for which they are eligible. Improving the accessibility of participants and the speed of enrollment has promise in ensuring digital health solutions are relevant upon dissemination and commercialization.
A Predictive Model for Clinical Asthma Exacerbations Using Albuterol eMDPI (ProAir Digihaler): A Twelve-Week, Open-Label Study
Authors: Safioti Guilherme , Granovsky Lena , Li Thomas , Reich Michael , Cohen Shahar , Hadar Yonatan , Pleasants Roy , Chrystyn Henry , Hill Tanisha , DePietro Michael
Published: October 2019

Background

The ability to identify an impending clinical asthma exacerbation (CAE) would improve asthma action plans and provide opportunities for pre-emptive treatment. Increased use of inhaled rescue medications, such as albuterol, has been observed in the days prior to a CAE, but other potential predictive factors are poorly understood. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2018, ProAir Digihaler with built-in sensors registers when patients use the inhaler and has been shown previously to accurately measure both peak inspiratory flow and inhalation volume, confirming the device’s ability to reliably record objective information on inhaler usage and technique.

Objective

Data collected from the ProAir Digihaler provides, for the first time, a more complete picture of patients’ use of inhaled medication, and thereby offers an opportunity to develop a predictive model of an impending CAE, and the potential to better implement asthma action plans and facilitate early treatment.

Methods

Patients (≥18 years old) with exacerbation-prone asthma were recruited to a 12-week, open-label study. Patients used the ProAir Digihaler (albuterol 90 µg 1–2 inhalations q4 hours) as needed. The electronic component of Digihaler recorded each use and inhalation variables (peak inspiratory flow, volume inhaled, time to peak flow, and inhalation duration). Data were downloaded from the inhalers and, together with clinical data, subjected to a machine-learning algorithm to develop models predictive of an impending CAE as defined by the need for oral corticosteroids. The generated model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Three hundred and sixty patients made ≥1 valid inhalation from the Digihaler and were included in the analysis. Of these, 64 patients experienced a total of 78 CAEs. The strongest predictive factor during the 5 days before a CAE was the average number of albuterol inhalations per day. The predictive model was strengthened by supplementing these data with other inhalation features collected by Digihaler, including peak inhalation flow, inhalation volume, night-time usage, and trends of these parameters over time. This model predicted an impending exacerbation over the 5 days with a ROC AUC value of 0.75.

Conclusions

This study represents, to our knowledge, the first successful attempt to develop a model to predict CAE derived from the use of a rescue medication inhaler device equipped with an integrated sensor and capable of measuring inhalation parameters. The predictive power of the model would benefit from further development with larger populations of asthma patients.
Improving Orthopedic Care Delivery Through Digital Engagement
Authors: Biernat Lisa , Milliren Carly E , Rauen Jon , Lindsay Bill , Weaver Betsy , Smith Todd
Published: October 2019

Background

Patient activation has been hypothesized to improve medical and surgical outcomes by increasing patient involvement in the care plan. We tested this hypothesis by utilizing a patient activation tool in a population of adults having total hip or total knee replacement. We hypothesized that patient activation would be associated with increased discharge to home as opposed to a skilled nursing facility, reduced hospital length of stay, decreased inpatient readmissions, and decreased emergency department (ED) visits.

Objective

Using an email patient activation tool, we sought to increase patients’ involvement in their care before and after total joint replacement. Outcomes examined included day of surgery cancellation, length of hospital stay, discharge to home vs discharge to a skilled nursing facility, any ED visit within 30 days of discharge, and any inpatient readmission within 30 days of discharge

Methods

This was a quasi-experimental design comparing Jan-Jun 2017 to Jan-Jun 2018. We instituted an email patient activation tool for all patients with total knee or total hip replacement surgery beginning in January 2018. This tool was integrated with the electronic medical record system during the six month study period and patients could opt out at anytime if they desired. The tool was designed to prepare patients both educationally and emotionally for their operation with multiple easy-to-read emails starting from the time they were scheduled for surgery through six months postop. Percent of emails opened and clicked were used as measures of engagement for the intervention participants.

Results

Of the 2,027 TJR patients included, 720 were hip patients and 1,307 were knee patients. Pre- and postintervention groups were similar in gender and age. For hip replacement patients, length of stay was nearly 1/4 day lower in the postintervention group (β=-0.23; P=.001) after adjusting for gender, age and insurance; ED visits were lower among the postintervention group (OR=0.45; P=.05) after adjusting for gender, age and insurance; and postintervention patients were less likely to have day of surgery cancellation, any revisit (ED or readmission), and were more likely to be discharged home. However, these associations did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Among patients who received the intervention, higher engagement was significantly associated with positive changes in almost all outcomes. Use of the digital patient activation tool demonstrated significant savings in length of stay and reduced ED visits among hip replacement patients. Although just under 50% of patients in the intervention group were enrolled to use the tool, these findings were still significant even when non-participants were included in the postintervention group.
Refurbishment Model for Qatari Neighborhoods
Authors: K. Al-Thani Soud
Published: October 2019

Present a model that remedies root causes of sustainability and livability issues as they are not tackledin Qatar’s current urban development plans with relation to the most basic unit of urbanism: theneighborhood. The developed model presents modifications to Al-Markhiya in short-, medium-, andlong-term implementation phases that include typical characteristics applicable to any Dohaneighborhood so that they could be easily adopted by municipalities as well as local communities.Developed model received favorable feedback when presented to a group of environmental and urbanplanning experts at the frontlines of developing and updating Qatar National Master Plan and detailsof urban planning regulations to poll their views on its applicability for greater. This study is expectedto influence decision makers in Qatar to pay the required attention to the enhancement ofneighborhood sustainability and livability. This model may be the stepping stone to future strategiesand plans of refurbishment as the next national goal post the World Cup to be hosted in 2022.
High-Impact Practices and the Adult Online Learner
Authors: Morris Pamela Duke , M.Cobb Christina , S. Higgs Meredith Anne
Published: October 2019

Institutions of higher education are challenged to get students engaged, especially adult or non-traditional online learners. In this study, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 2017 & 2018 data on High-Impact Practices (HIPs) are examined to understand the extent to which adult online learners are engaged in HIPs. This analysis finds that engagement levels for adult learners are lower than those of traditional learners (under the age of 24) for all HIPs surveyed by the NSSE. Moreover, the levels of engagement of the subset of adult learners who took only online courses was even lower than the levels of the broader adult population, and part-time adult online learners had the lowest engagement of all student populations examined. Based on these findings, suggestions for improving the engagement of adult and online learners in HIPs are discussed. Institutions should focus on incorporating opportunities that allow more learners to experience HIPs, as research findings suggest that HIPS increase engagement and could result in significant improvements in student success measures, such as program completion and graduate school attendance (Stoloff, Good, Smith, & Brewster, 2015).
Feminist standpoint theory and science communication
Authors: Halpern Megan
Published: October 2019

This commentary introduces feminist standpoint theory and discusses its potential value in science communication. It offers two ways in which feminist standpoints can help in both research and practice. First, science communicators should aim to understand the perspective from which they understand and share scientific knowledge. Second, practitioners and researchers alike should seek insights from marginalized groups to help inform the ways the dominant view of science reflects hegemonic social and cultural norms.
Technoscience in the era of #MeToo and the science march
Authors: Steinhardt Stephanie
Published: October 2019

Feminist technoscience theory offers perspectives for science communication that both question common narratives and suggests new narratives. These perspectives emphasize issues of ethics and care often missing from science communication. They focus on questions of what is marginalized or left out of stories about science — and encourage us to make those absences visible.
What role can Athena SWAN play in gender equality and science communication?
Authors: Wilkinson Clare
Published: October 2019

This essay discusses how gender-focused culture change initiatives developed for science (like Athena SWAN) might offer models for science communication. Such initiatives can seek to mobilise change amongst university departments and practices, but there are also potential pitfalls in such approaches. Using experiences in a department at UWE Bristol as a basis, the article will consider whether such schemes in science offer potential for science communication to reflect on its own gender imbalances.
The seeming paradox of the need for a feminist agenda for science communication and the notion of science communication as a ‘ghetto’ of women's over-representation: perspectives, interrogations and nuances from the global south
Authors: Rasekoala Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

The challenge to the science communication field put forward by Bruce Lewenstein, of the sector becoming a ‘ghetto’ of women's over-representation (see the commentary by Lewenstein in this issue), is a very timely wake-up call. This Commentary however, elaborates and frames the pivotal and constructivist premises on which this phenomenon should be interrogated and understood on many levels. It is critical that we undertake a deeper introspection, beyond just simplistic head counts of the number of women and men in the field, if we are to make sense of the seeming paradoxes that pervade the field, across the intersectionalities of gender, race, social class and other paradigms of inequality. This Commentary also highlights with qualitative and quantitative data how the interrogation of these developments in the field should bring on board inclusive global and diverse regional perspectives, critiques, good practices and nuances, to fully inform our shared understandings, and engender transformation in the field.
POVOS INDÍGENAS E SEU MOVIMENTO DE LUTA PELA EFETIVAÇÃO DO DIREITO COLETIVO À EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR NO TERRITÓRIO LATINO-AMERICANO
Authors: Gaivizzo Soledad Bech
Published: October 2019

No final da década de XX, na região da América Latina, o movimento indígena impulsionou uma intensa campanha pela efetivação do direito coletivo dos povos indígenas à educação superior. A constituição do marco jurídico-legal internacional foi considerada uma conquista histórica pelos indígenas, possibilitando a criação de outros modelos de Ensino Superior. Neste contexto, a interculturalidade emerge como um projeto ético-político e epistêmico.
O PECADO ORIGINAL DOMÉSTICO: UMA ANÁLISE DA EXPERIÊNCIA BRASILEIRA ENTRE 2001 A 2016
Authors: Oliveira Édivo De Almeida , Feistel Paulo Ricardo , Barbosa William
Published: October 2019

Dentre os fenômenos advindos da hierarquia das moedas nacionais destaca-se o pecado original doméstico relacionado com a dificuldade que alguns países apresentam na emissão de títulos da dívida no mercado interno denominado em moeda local e que sejam, simultaneamente, prefixados e de longo prazo. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de discutir o pecado original doméstico, entre 2001 a abril de 2016, no mercado de títulos federais no Brasil. Constatou-se que a dívida pública mobiliária federal interna se caracteriza por ser indexada à inflação, com significativa participação dos prefixados de baixa maturidade e de títulos indexados à SELIC. Evidenciou-se que as medidas implementadas pelo Governo Federal ao longo da década de 2000, levaram a uma mudança na forma de manifestação do pecado original, entretanto, sem qualquer alteração sensível em sua aguda magnitude.
GESTIÓN DEL CONOCIMIENTO EN EL SECTOR AGRÍCOLA: UN ANÁLISIS BIBLIOMÉTRICO
Authors: Costa Lucas Teixeira , Fernandes Alice Munz , Ferreira Ana Paula Alf Lima , Saraiva Caroline Estefanie do Amaral Brasil , Perez Miguel Angel Chinchon
Published: October 2019

En los últimos años, la gestión del conocimiento se ha convertido en una alternativa para desarrollar estrategias competitivas y auxiliar en la toma de decisiones en las organizaciones, independiente del sector que participa a fin de obtener ventaja competitiva. En este sentido, la investigación realizada tuvo por objetivo caracterizar las publicaciones científicas que abordan la gestión del conocimiento en el medio agrícola. Para ello, se empleó una investigación cuantitativa descriptiva, operacionalizada mediante análisis bibliométrico. La búsqueda se realizó en la base de datos Scopus, cuya orientación consistió en la Ley de Zipf considerando la ocurrencia de los términos “knowledge management” y “agric*” en el título, resumen y/o palabras-claves. A partir de la inserción de otros criterios de inclusión/exclusión, el portafolio de estudios analizados fueron 230 artículos. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que en la última década, los estudios que comprenden tal temática se han intensificado. En el área del conocimiento de las publicaciones, se constató que las ciencias agrarias y biológicas abarcan la mayoría de las investigaciones (85%) y en lo que concierne al origen de autores, China fue destacada (33 autores).
DISPARIDADES LOCACIONAIS NA ESTRUTURA PRODUTIVA E FRAGMENTAÇÃO TERRITORIAL: UMA ANÁLISE DAS MESORREGIÕES DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Authors: Alves Denis Fernandes , Lima Júnior Francisco Do O’ de , Pereira William Eufrásio Nunes
Published: October 2019

O presente trabalho objetiva estudar o processo de diferenciações na estrutura produtiva territorial desdobrado das desigualdades entre as Mesorregiões do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Utilizou-se abordagem teórico-quantitativa com o calculo medidas de indicadores de estudos regionais (participação relativa, quociente locacional, coeficiente de localização, coeficiente de especialização e coeficiente de reestruturação), contextualizadas à revisão de literatura acerca de estudos sobre dinâmicas econômicas regionais e suas particularidades no caso brasileiro. Os dados foram da RAIS/MTE. Observou-se especialização e diversificação de algumas Mesorregiões a partir de sua inserção competitiva na macro dinâmica econômica, destacando-se: Agropecuária no Agreste Potiguar, Comércio na Mesorregião Central Potiguar e maior participação da Construção Civil no Leste Potiguar.
COMPETITIVIDADE DAS EXPORTAÇÕES NO SETOR TÊXTIL E DE CONFECÇÕES DO BRASIL, NORDESTE E PERNAMBUCO
Authors: Dos Santos Mariana Zeferino , Ferreira Monaliza De Oliveira
Published: October 2019

Em um mundo cada vez mais globalizado, o aumento da competitividade é considerado um objetivo a ser constantemente perseguido. Nesse contexto, a indústria têxtil e de confecção se destaca no Brasil por ser o 2º maior empregador da indústria de transformação. A fim de explorar essa conjuntura, o objetivo do trabalho consistiu em analisar a competitividade das exportações no setor têxtil e de confecções do Brasil, Nordeste e Pernambuco no período de 1997 a 2017, a partir de índices de competitividade como o Índice de Gini-Hirschman, o Índice de Comércio Intrasetorial, Índice de Hirschman-Herfindahl e o Índice de Vantagem Comparativa Revelada. Os resultados indicaram que apesar de ter ocorrido um aumento no poder de mercado do Nordeste e diversos estados da Região terem tido vantagem comparativa durante todo período analisado, o Estado de Pernambuco e o Nordeste como um todo não aproveitaram muito bem as oportunidades que o comércio tem a oferecer, sendo necessário expandir os investimentos no setor, para se adquirir maior produtividade e competitividade frente ao mercado internacional.
COMPOSIÇÃO DO GASTO PÚBLICO ESTADUAL E CRESCIMENTO MUNICIPAL: APLICAÇÃO AO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, 2004-2012
Authors: Braatz Jacó , Gonçalves Rodrigo Da Rocha , Fochezatto Adelar
Published: October 2019

O objetivo do artigo é avaliar o efeito da composição dos gastos públicos estaduais sobre o crescimento da renda per capita dos municípios do Rio Grande do Sul. Para verificar como a despesa pública estadual influencia o crescimento local, foi utilizado o modelo de Devarajan et al. (1996), que diferencia nível de gastos públicos e composição dos gastos públicos e deriva condições sob as quais uma mudança na composição da despesa leva a uma maior taxa de crescimento estável da economia dividindo-se os gastos estaduais em correntes e de capital e, por funções: em educação, saúde e segurança. Os resultados das estimações com dados em painel (panel data) indicam que os gastos estaduais nas funções saúde, educação e segurança, efetuados pelo estado nos municípios, foram produtivos, ou seja, contribuíram para o crescimento da renda per capita dos municípios. Por outro lado, os gastos de capital foram improdutivos, enquanto que os gastos correntes não se mostraram estatisticamente significativos
Profile and clinical indicators of an anticoagulation domiciliary program in Bogota.
Authors: Gomez Leal Julian Eduardo , Nieto Martinez Jorge Emilio , Clavijo Cubillo Camila
Published: October 2019

Objetivo: Describir el perfil e indicadores clínicos de las personas pertenecientes a un programa domiciliario de anticoagulación en la ciudad de Bogotá, durante un año de seguimiento. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo de alcance descriptivo. La población estuvo integrada por 66 personas pertenecientes al programa, quienes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y fueron atendidas durante un año. Algunas variables medidas fueron: tipo de anticoagulante, indicación de anticoagulación, compromiso funcional, riesgo de sangrado y tiempo en rango terapéutico. La información fue obtenida de la estadística mensual del programa, analizada de forma univariada, reportando distribución de frecuencias, y se salvaguardaron los aspectos éticos para la investigación en salud. Resultados: Se atendieron 66 pacientes mayores de 60 años que recibían warfarina y la indicación principal fue fibrilación auricular. Las personas alcanzaron la meta terapéutica en los primeros 9 días, logrando un 70 % del tiempo en rango terapéutico, y no se presentaron eventos adversos a pesar de tener riesgo intermedio-alto de sangrado, deterioro severo de la funcionalidad y alta comorbilidad. Conclusión: El monitoreo permanente de tiempos de coagulación, disponibilidad de controles adicionales, ajustes rápidos en la dosis de anticoagulante, educación en salud y un canal directo de comunicación entre el paciente, la familia y el equipo de salud, podrían mejorar los indicadores clínicos de las personas anticoaguladas.