bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR): a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zou Wen , Wang Zehao , Xia Jing , Yang Jing
Published: November 2020

Background: Antioxidant/oxidant imbalance has been reported to be related to diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Vitamin A (retinol), a kind of antioxidant, plays a role in restoring ovarian oxidative damage, while C-reactive protein (CRP) is the classical marker of oxidative stress and has recently been identified as an independent variable that is associated with low anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in young women with DOR. Additionally, retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) can be considered a substitute for retinol in healthy, nonobese women. The study aim was to determine the relationship between serum RBP4, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations and ovarian reserve in nonobese DOR patients.Methods: This study included 24 DOR women and 48 normal ovarian reserve (NOR) women from the reproductive medical center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. The serum RBP4 and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels were measured with ELISA kits.Results: RBP4 levels (20,648.36 ± 5475.16 ng/ml vs 23,986.48 ± 5995.64 ng/ml, p = 0.025) were decreased, and hs-CRP levels (695.08 ± 1090.19 ng/ml vs 364.32 ± 786.29 ng/ml, p = 0.012) were increased in the DOR group. Serum RBP4 was positively related to AMH (Pearson r = 0.518, p = 0.000), while hs-CRP was negatively correlated with AMH (Spearman r = -0.345, p = 0.005). after adjustments were made for the covariables, multiple line regression analysis showed that positive association between RBP4 and AMH still existed (β = 0.450, p ˂ 0.001).Conclusion: Decreased serum RBP4 levels and increased serum hs-CRP were observed in DOR patients in our study, and the strong correlation between RBP4 and AMH supports the notion that oxidative stress plays a role in DOR, and that appropriate levels of antioxidant vitamin A may be protective against ovarian reserve dysfunction.
The structural basis of fatty acid elongation by the ELOVL elongases
Authors: Carpenter Elisabeth , Nie Laiyin , Pike Ashley , Pascoa Tomas , Ruda Gian Filippo , Chu Amy , Cole Victoria , Bushell Simon , Quigley Andrew , Speedman David , Moreira Tiago , Mukhopadhyay Shubhashish , Burgess-Brown Nicola , Love James , Brennan Paul
Published: November 2020

Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential building blocks for synthesis of the ceramides and sphingolipids required for nerve, skin and retina function and 3-keto acyl-CoA synthases (ELOVL elongases) perform the first step in the FA elongation cycle. Although ELOVLs are implicated in common diseases including insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and Parkinson’s, their underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here we report the structure of the human ELOVL7 elongase, which includes an inverted transmembrane barrel structure surrounding a 35 Å long tunnel containing a covalently-attached product analogue. The structure reveals the substrate binding sites in the tunnel and an active site deep in the membrane including the canonical ELOVL HxxHH sequence. This indicates a ping-pong mechanism for catalysis, involving unexpected covalent histidine adducts. The unusual substrate-binding arrangement and chemistry suggest mechanisms for selective ELOVL inhibition, relevant for diseases where VLCFAs accumulate such as X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
Power Control Strategy and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Two-pump Hydraulic Control Unit for BEVs
Authors: Liu Yanfang , Kang Yanlong , Sun Wenbo , Xu Xiangyang
Published: November 2020

A hydraulic control unit system with a mechanical oil pump (MOP) and an electric oil pump (EOP) was newly designed for the lubrication and clutch-to-clutch control of a two-speed dedicated electric transmission for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), in order to solve the high-cost, poor-noise and high-energy-consumption problem exposed in previous single-EOP design with big displacement. The driving motor for BEVs can’t idle like the combustion engine when the vehicle stops still, so an EOP with small displacement is required to supply enough fluid to start the vehicle except to a low-cost MOP. Four control algorithms for the two-pump system were developed as well as the main line pressure control strategy, which were confirmed by a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test bench. The simulated and tested total pump energy consumption in a driving circle WLTC shows that the equal-power control algorithm and the transient on-demand control algorithm can obtain better performance for saving energy consumption. Several oil displacement parameter groups for the MOP and the EOP are discussed, and the results show that proper displacement group for the EOP and the MOP can obtain good balance for the total cost and the performance with the combination of proper two-pump control strategies.
An Investigation on the Public's Acceptance of Prevention and Control Measures for COVID-19 in China
Authors: Zhang Ao , Wu Xiang , Gao Jingqi , Zhang Yongbao
Published: November 2020

Background: China has basically succeeded in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, which is due to the cooperation and acceptance of epidemic prevention measures by the public. However, few studies have examined the measures China has taken to combat COVID-19 in order to reflect on its success in curbing the the spread of epidemic.Methods: In this study, the public acceptance questionnaire was designed based on the epidemic prevention measures adopted in China, to investigate the difference of public acceptance of epidemic prevention measures. The survey data was collected from 2,062 samples with different demographic characteristics from March 8, 2020 to April 9, 2020. And SPSS was used to analyze the data collected in the questionnaire, such as one-way variance, so as to draw conclusions.Results: The results show that age and educational level have a significant influence on public acceptance. In contrast gender and occupation field has no significant impact on it. The acceptance of the emergency prevention and control measures taken by the government during the epidemic period is generally high. With the development of the epidemic, the acceptability is increasing. And the public acceptance of traffic measures was highest. Conclusions: Rapid deployment of epidemic prevention measures and appropriate methods in transportation, economy and education are the key to China's effective containment of the epidemic. Measures such as shutting down cities and encouraging the wearing of masks deserve to be copied by other countries. This study summed up China's scientific experience in the fight against COVID-19 and differences in public acceptance. It can provide a positive reference for the development of epidemic prevention measures in other countries.
Knowledge and Competence Retention Among Mid-Level Health Providers After Intensive One-On-One Clinical Mentorship in TB and HIV Management
Authors: Senjovu Dan Kaggwa , Naikoba Sarah , Mugabe Pallen , Kadengye Damazo T. , McCarthy Carey , Riley Patricia L. , Dalal Shona
Published: November 2020

Introduction : Clinical mentorship is effective in improving knowledge and competence of health providers and may be a useful task sharing approach for improving antiretroviral therapy. However, the endurance of the effect of clinical mentorship is uncertain. Methods : The midlevel health providers who participated in a cluster-randomized trial of one-on-one, on-site, clinical mentorship in tuberculosis and HIV for 8 hours a week, every 6 weeks over 9 months were followed to determine if the gains in knowledge and competence that occurred after the intervention were sustained 6- and 12-months post-intervention. In December 2014 and June 2015, their knowledge and clinical competence were respectively assessed using vignettes and a clinical observation tool of patient care. Multilevel mixed effects regression analysis was used to compare the differences in mean scores for knowledge and clinical competence between times 0, 1, 2, and 3 by arm.Results: At the end of the intervention phase of the trial, the mean gain in knowledge scores and clinical competence scores in the intervention arm was 13.4% (95% confidence interval ([CI]: 7.2, 19.6), and 27.8% (95% CI: 21.1, 34.5) respectively, with no changes seen in the control arm. Following the end of the intervention; knowledge mean scores in the intervention arm did not significantly decrease at 6 months (0.6% [95% CI -1.4, 2.6]) or 12 months (-2.8% [95% CI: -5.9, 0.3]) while scores in the control arm significantly increased at 6 months (6.6% [95% CI: 4.4, 8.9]) and 12 months (7.9% [95% CI: 5.4, 10.5]). Also, no significant decrease in clinical competence mean scores for intervention arm was seen at 6 month (2.8% [95% CI: -1.8, 7.5] and 12 months (3.7% [95% CI: -2.4, 9.8]) while in the control arm, a significant increase was seen at 6 months (5.8% [95% CI: 1.2, 10.3] and 12 months (11.5% [95% CI: 7.6, 15.5]).Conclusions : Mentees sustained the competence and knowledge gained after the intervention for a period of one year. Although, there was an increase in knowledge in the control group over the follow-up period, MLP in the intervention arm experienced earlier and sustained gains. One-on-one clinical mentorship should be scaled-up as a task-sharing approach to improve clinical care.Trial Registration : The study received ethics approvals from 3 institutions – the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Institutional Review Board (USA), the Institutional Review Board “JCRC’s HIV/AIDS Research Committee” IRB#1-IRB00001515 with Federal Wide Assurance number (FWA00009772) based in Kampala and the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (Uganda) which approves all scientific protocols to be implemented in Uganda.
Yesus Sang Mediator yang Merengkuh Umat Termarginalisasi: Sebuah Analisis Sosio-Historis Terhadap Yohanes 9
Authors: Kantohe Finki Rianto , Hakh Samuel Benjamin
Published: November 2020

Abstract

This article focuses on the portrait of Jesus as depicted by the Johannine community according to John 9. Exploring the perspectives of Johannine scholars, the historical context of the Gospel of John, and the image of Johannine faith community, this study suggests that a born-blind man is a symbolic figure of the marginalized Johannine community. The marginalization is caused by the conflict between the blind man and the Pharisees, starting with Jesus’ violation of the Sabbath’s rule, and followed by identity conflict concerning Jesus and Moses. The epilogue of John 9 implies a portrait of Jesus as the Mediator through his actions to embrace the blind man following his expulsion. This article concludes with a theological implication concerning the presence of Jesus in the struggle of contemporary marginalized people such as GKI Yasmin and HKBP Filadelfia.

Abstrak

Artikel ini menyoroti gambaran Yesus yang dikonsepkan oleh komunitas iman Yohanian menurut Yohanes 9. Melalui penelusuran terhadap pandangan para ahli Yohanian, konteks historis Injil Yohanes, dan gambaran komunitas iman Yohanian, kajian ini menemukan bahwa orang buta sejak lahir dalam Yohanes 9 ini adalah tokoh simbolis dari komunitas iman Yohanian yang termarginalisasi. Marginalisasi tersebut disebabkan oleh konflik antara orang buta dan orang-orang Farisi yang dipicu oleh pelanggaran Yesus atas hari Sabat, lalu berkembang menjadi konflik identitas mengenai Yesus dan Musa; karenanya, mengakibatkan orang buta yang Yesus sembuhkan tersebut termarginalisasi dari sinagoge. Epilog Yohanes 9 menyiratkan potret Yesus sebagai mediator melalui tindakannya merengkuh orang buta tersebut setelah pengusirannya. Sebagai simpulan, artikel ini menyodorkan implikasi teologis tentang kehadiran Yesus dalam pergumulan umat masa kini yang termarginalisasi, seperti GKI Yasmin dan HKBP Filadelfia.
The connectivity dilemma in freshwater management: exploring the role of street level bureaucrats in water governance
Authors: Lundmark Carina
Published: November 2020

Connectivity is key in freshwater management, e.g. to ensure viable populations of fish, but restoring it may cause the spread of invasive species. Goal conflicts of this kind are common in freshwater management, and the burden of addressing them rests on the shoulders of street-level bureaucrats, i.e. public officials at the end of the policy chain. This study uses a theoretical framework to explore their management choices employing previous research on natural resource management. The findings, based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with street-level bureaucrats from all water districts in Sweden, show that the three factors explored – their understanding of formal policy, their implementation resources, and their policy beliefs – matter when anthropogenic connectivity barriers are considered in ongoing management. Additionally, the factors are interrelated in a way that can obstruct the implementation of policy goals. While connectivity issues rank high and are considered a great problem all over the country, invasive species are regarded as a relatively small problem. If this should change in the future, the level of preparedness is low, primarily due to restricted implementation resources, but also due to the absence of guidance and formal responsibilities.
A Review on Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Linked to the Development of Diabetes Complications
Authors: Babel Rishabh A. , Dandekar Manoj P.
Published: November 2020

:

Modern lifestyle, changing eating habits and reduced physical work have been known to
culminate into making diabetes a global pandemic. Hyperglycemia during the course of diabetes is
an important causative factor for the development of both microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy
and neuropathy) and macrovascular (coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease)
complications. In this article, we summarize several mechanisms accountable for the development
of both microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Several metabolic and cellular
events are linked to the augmentation of oxidative stress like the activation of advanced glycation
end products (AGE) pathway, polyol pathway, Protein Kinase C (PKC) pathway, Poly-ADP Ribose
Polymerase (PARP) and hexosamine pathway. Oxidative stress also leads to the production of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion and peroxides. Enhanced
levels of ROS rescind the anti-oxidant defence mechanisms associated with superoxide dismutase,
glutathione and ascorbic acid. Moreover, ROS triggers oxidative damages at the level of DNA, protein
and lipids, which eventually cause cell necrosis or apoptosis. These physiological insults may
be related to the microvascular complications of diabetes by negatively impacting the eyes, kidneys
and the brain. While underlying pathomechanism of the macrovascular complications is quite complex,
hyperglycemia associated atherosclerotic abnormalities like changes in the coagulation system,
thrombin formation, fibrinolysis, platelet and endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle
are well proven. Since hyperglycemia also modulates the vascular inflammation, cytokines,
macrophage activation and gene expression of growth factors, elevated blood glucose level may
play a central role in the development of macrovascular complications of diabetes. Taken collectively,
chronic hyperglycemia and increased production of ROS are the miscreants for the development
of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes.
Diabetes and Its Complications: Therapies Available, Anticipated and Aspired
Authors: Grover Anu , Sharma Komal , Gautam Suresh , Gautam Srishti , Gulati Monica , Singh Sachin Kumar
Published: November 2020

Worldwide, diabetes ranks among the ten leading causes of mortality. Prevalence of diabetes
is growing rapidly in low and middle income countries. It is a progressive disease leading to
serious co-morbidities, which results in increased cost of treatment and over-all health system of
the country. Pathophysiological alterations in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) progressed from a simple disturbance
in the functioning of the pancreas to triumvirate to ominous octet to egregious eleven to
dirty dozen model. Due to complex interplay of multiple hormones in T2D, there may be multifaceted
approach in its management. The ‘long-term secondary complications’ in uncontrolled diabetes
may affect almost every organ of the body, and finally may lead to multi-organ dysfunction.
Available therapies are inconsistent in maintaining long term glycemic control and their long term
use may be associated with adverse effects. There is need for newer drugs, not only for glycemic
control but also for prevention or mitigation of secondary microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Increased knowledge of the pathophysiology of diabetes has contributed to the development
of novel treatments. Several new agents like Glucagon Like Peptide - 1 (GLP-1) agonists,
Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, amylin analogues, Sodium-Glucose transport -2 (SGLT-
2) inhibitors and dual Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonists are available
or will be available soon, thus extending the range of therapy for T2D, thereby preventing its
long term complications. The article discusses the pathophysiology of diabetes along with its comorbidities,
with a focus on existing and novel upcoming antidiabetic drugs which are under investigation.
It also dives deep to deliberate upon the novel therapies that are in various stages of development.
Adding new options with new mechanisms of action to the treatment armamentarium
of diabetes may eventually help improve outcomes and reduce its economic burden.
Characterization of a New Impurity in Metaraminol Bitartrate for Injection by 2D HPLC-Q/TOF-MS, Chemical Synthesis and NMR
Authors: Luo Wenyan , Zhang Hanzhi , Sun Ning , Qin Feng , Liu Hao
Published: November 2020

Background:

Impurities in pharmaceutical compounds can influence their clinical effects
and represent a potential health risk. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of a drug, it is necessary
to investigate potential impurities.

Methods:

In this paper, a new impurity was separated and characterized by two-dimensional high
performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry
(2D HPLC-Q/TOF-MS) in negative electrospray ionization mode. The peak containing the new
impurity, eluted from the first dimension chromatographic system, was selectively trapped by a
switching valve based on its retention time and transferred to the second dimension chromatographic
system, which was connected to the mass spectrometer. We obtained MET-TA by chemical synthesis,
and its structure was characterized by MS/MS and further confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR).

Results:

The impurity was found to be (2S, 3S)-2,3.-dihydroxy-4-((1R,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)
propan-2-yl)amino)-4-oxobutanoic acid, labelled as MET-TA. In this study, we investigated
the mechanism of formation of MET-TA, and found that it was the amidation product of metaraminol
and tartaric acid.

Conclusions:

The identification, structural elucidation, synthesis and most probable mechanism of
formation of MET-TA are discussed in detail in this paper.
Classical Swine Fever in Papua, Indonesia: Demography of Pig Farming and Vaccination Rate
Authors:   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Brawijaya University Indonesia  Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Nugroho Widi
Published: November 2020

Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is an important disease in the pig industry. In the end of 2003, CSF caused a mortality outbreak involved thousands of pigs in Timika, Papua. Control of CSF in Timika has been through vaccination program using strain C vaccine. However, demographic data of pig farming in Timika was unavailable, made the assessment of the vaccination rate impossible. The research aimed to comprehend the demography of pig farming dan the rate of vaccination impossible. The research aimed to comprehend the demography of pig farming and the rate of vaccination against CSF in five districts in Timika. The study was conducted in 25 of 40 villages in five districts. Data of the demography was collected from all families in sample villages. Data of vaccine delivery during 2018 was collected in village level. Data of demography and vaccination rate was analysed descriptively, correlations between vaccination rate and the pig population, the number of farms the size of farmsat village level were analysed at 0.05, using Excel 2010 (Microsoft Excel, USA). Results showed that pig population was 16.846 heads, farmers were 2.560 families, human population was 133.186 persons, farm size was 6.6 heads per farm, ratio of pigs to humans was 0.13 pigs per-person. Only four villages obtained vaccination rates of above 70% of their respective pig populations. In seven other villages vaccination covered less than 30% of pig populations, while other 14 villages did not obtain CSF vaccine delivery. No correlation appeared between thevaccination rate in a village with the size of its pig population, the number off arms in it or the average size of farm in it (P>0.05). This study could become a reference point for designing CSF vaccination program in Timika in the future.
From the editor - January 2013
Authors: Young Angela
Published: November 2020

A letter from the editor.
The Workaholism Analysis Questionnaire: Emphasizing Work-Life Imbalance and Addiction in the Measurement of Workaholism
Authors: Aziz Shahnaz , Uhrich Ben , Wuensch Karl L. , Swords Brian
Published: November 2020

A new measure of workaholism, the Workaholism Analysis Questionnaire (WAQ), was created and validated in a heterogeneous sample of working professionals. The WAQ demonstrated strong internal reliability, convergent validity, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and content validity. This is the first study to create a measure of workaholism that was psychometrically tested on a heterogeneous working population. Furthermore, the WAQ is the first measure to define workaholism more broadly and provide a more comprehensive assessment by including items that directly tap into work-life imbalance, a common symptom of workaholism and other addictive disorders.
Do Individual Needs Moderate the Relationships between Organizational Citizenship Behavior, Organizational Trust and Perceived Organizational Support?
Authors: Duffy Jo Ann , Lilly Juliana
Published: November 2020

The functional approach to human behavior is used to study the impact of intrinsic motivators of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Specifically, McClelland’s needs for affiliation, achievement, and power are investigated as possible moderators in the relationship between OCB and organizational trust and perceived organizational support (POS). Survey data from 700 employees were analyzed using regression analysis. Results indicate the need for achievement and the need for power moderate the relationships between OCB and organizational trust and POS but in an unexpected manner. This study is significant because it enhances our understanding of what motivates OCB.
Sistema de internet de las cosas (IoT) para el monitoreo de cultivos protegidos
Authors: Gómez Jorge E. , Castaño Samir , Mercado Teobaldis , Fernandez Alexánder , Garcia Jose
Published: November 2020

Este trabajo presenta un sistema de Internet de las cosas para el monitoreo de cultivos protegidos,  a través del desarrollo de un sistema con capacidad de recolectar información de parámetros  relacionados con el desarrollo y crecimiento de los cultivos. Los datos obtenidos son enviados al servidor para ser procesadas y enviadas al usuario a través de los protocolos y procedimientos del Internet de las cosas (IoT). El propósito es recopilar datos en tiempo real para analizarlos y permitan la toma de decisiones por parte del mismo sistema y el agricultor.  El usuario puede interactuar con el sistema de manera remota y recibir las alertas y condiciones especificadas. Los resultados iniciales demuestran que el sistema provee completa información del estado de estos parámetros, ayudando en la tarea del manejo de este tipo de cultivos.
Enraizamiento de esquejes de tallo juvenil de Solanum tuberosum L. var. yungay mediante la aplicación del ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético
Authors: Gonza-Carnero Katty Aracely , López-Medina Segundo Eloy , Gil Rivero Armando Efraín , Mostacero-León José , López-Zabaleta Angélica , De La Cruz-Castillo Anthony J. , Villena Zapata Luigi
Published: November 2020

Para la propagación de Solanum tuberosum, los tubérculos son la forma más empleada en la mayoría de las zonas agroecológicas. El empleo de esquejes de tallo juvenil es una práctica exclusiva de viveros y empresas agrícolas que hacen uso de hormonas enraizantes, inaccesibles para los pequeños agricultores por su alto costo. Se ha reportado que la auxina sintética 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D) a muy baja concentración induce al enraizamiento de esquejes y puede ser una alternativa viable para la agricultura a pequeña escala. Ante la necesidad de un mayor conocimiento, se propuso como objetivo de investigación evaluar el efecto enraizante del 2,4-D en esquejes de tallo juvenil de S. tuberosum var. yungay. La fase experimental se desarrolló en el invernadero del Instituto de la Papa y Cultivos Andinos de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo (Perú), con plántulas procedentes del mismo instituto que se convirtieron en plantas madre donadoras de esquejes de tallo juvenil, los cuales fueron sembrados en cama de enraizamiento con diferentes concentraciones de 2,4-D. El análisis estadístico de los resultados demostró que la concentración de 0,3 % generó un promedio mayor en número de raíces (6,52), longitud de raíces (5,31 cm) y altura de plántula (2,63 cm). Se concluyó que el 2,4-D en concentración del 0,3 % produce un mejor enraizamiento de esquejes de tallo juvenil de S. tuberosum var. yungay.
Developing Virtual Reality Trauma Training Experiences Using 360-Degree Video: Tutorial
Authors: Patel Devika , Hawkins Jessica , Chehab Lara Zena , Martin-Tuite Patrick , Feler Joshua , Tan Amy , Alpers Benjamin S , Pink Sophia , Wang Jerome , Freise Jonathan , Kim Phillip , Peabody Christopher , Bowditch John , Williams Eric R , Sammann Amanda
Published: November 2020

Historically, medical trainees were educated in the hospital on real patients. Over the last decade, there has been a shift to practicing skills through simulations with mannequins or patient actors. Virtual reality (VR), and in particular, the use of 360-degree video and audio (cineVR), is the next-generation advancement in medical simulation that has novel applications to augment clinical skill practice, empathy building, and team training. In this paper, we describe methods to design and develop a cineVR medical education curriculum for trauma care training using real patient care scenarios at an urban, safety-net hospital and Level 1 trauma center. The purpose of this publication is to detail the process of finding a cineVR production partner; choosing the camera perspectives; maintaining patient, provider, and staff privacy; ensuring data security; executing the cineVR production process; and building the curriculum.
Effect of the Pregnant+ Smartphone App on the Dietary Behavior of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Garnweidner-Holme Lisa , Henriksen Lena , Torheim Liv Elin , Lukasse Mirjam
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. A healthy diet and stable blood glucose levels during pregnancy can prevent adverse health outcomes for the mother and the newborn child. Mobile health may be a useful supplement to prenatal care, providing women with targeted dietary information concerning GDM.

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed secondary data from a two-arm, multicentered, nonblinded randomized controlled trial to determine if a smartphone app with targeted dietary information and blood glucose monitoring had an effect on the dietary behavior of women with GDM.

METHODS

Women with a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test level of ≥9 mmol/L were individually randomized to either the intervention group receiving the Pregnant+ app and usual care or the control group receiving usual care only. Eligible women were enrolled from 5 diabetes outpatient clinics in the Oslo region, Norway, between October 2015 and April 2017. The Pregnant+ app promoted 10 GDM-specific dietary recommendations. A healthy dietary score for Pregnant+ (HDS-P+) was constructed from a 41-item food frequency questionnaire and used to assess the intervention effect on the dietary behavior completed at trial entry and at around gestation week 36. Dietary changes from baseline to week 36 were examined by a paired sample two-tailed t test. Between-group dietary differences after the intervention were estimated with analysis of covariance, with adjustment for baseline diet.

RESULTS

A total of 238 women participated: 115 were allocated to the intervention group and 123 to the control group. Of the 238 women, 193 (81.1%) completed the food frequency questionnaire both at baseline and around gestational week 36. All the participants showed improvements in their HDS-P+ from baseline. However, the Pregnant+ app did not have a significant effect on their HDS-P+. The control group reported a higher weekly frequency of choosing fish meals (P=.05). No other significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups. There were no significant demographic baseline differences between the groups, except that more women in the intervention group had a non-Norwegian language as their first language (61 vs 46; P=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings do not support the supplementation of face-to-face follow-up of women with GDM with a smartphone app in the presence of high-standard usual care, as the Pregnant+ app did not have a beneficial effect on pregnant women’s diet.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02588729; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02588729
Evaluation of the Heart Failure in Internet Patient Information: Descriptive Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Kyoung Suk , Cho Yoo Mi , Oh SungHee , Yoon Ju Young
Published: November 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) may not receive enough HF education throughout the course of the illness from their clinicians. With information readily accessible on the internet, patients with HF may seek HF information online. However, the relevance of the online information for patients, the health literacy demand, and information quality are unknown.
Objectives: To compare online HF topics with topics HF patients perceived to be important and to describe health literacy demand and quality of online HF information.
Methods: The most popular search engines and the website that ranks the popularity of the webpages were searched to identify webpages with HF information. The health literacy demand and information quality were evaluated using the Patient Education Material Evaluation Tool for Print Materials and DISCERN tool, respectively. The HF Patients’ Learning Needs Inventory (HFPLNI) was used to check whether webpages included the 46 topics identified in this inventory. Patients with HF (N=126) completed the HFPLNI to rate the perceived importance on each topic. A Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between topics on websites and those perceived as important by patients.
Results: Of 46 topics, 39 were less likely to be included in websites although patients perceived that they were important. The information on websites (N=99) was not written in a way that patients to easily understand and action with the overall health literacy demands of 58.0% and 19.8%, respectively. Only one-fifth of the websites were rated as fair to good quality.
Conclusion: Online HF information had high health literacy demand and was poor quality with mostly generic HF information, which did not meet patients’ information needs. Websites need to be developed reflecting patients’ learning needs with low health literacy levels and good quality.
Immunogenicity and Safety Profile of COVID-19 Vaccines- A Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Maharjan Reeju , Bamboria Aditya , Asghar Neelam , Shrestha Manish , Rizvi Syed W H
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

An effective vaccine will be important in controlling severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to analyze the degree of immunogenicity that rises after administering different vaccines, and to study their efficacy.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed multiple vaccine candidates at different stages of clinical trials to prevent Coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). We reviewed literature from four major electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and Google scholar) to identify studies on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates. This article included studies that include clinical trials in multiple stages and systematic reviews published in 2020. We performed a quality assessment with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for our articles.

RESULTS

We included a total of 19 articles. This review article has a total of 24,342 individuals. These studies show promising results regarding vaccines candidates, safety profiles, and immunogenicity with the effective generation of neutralizing antibodies and specific T-cell responses. Adverse effects range from mild to moderate, with no serious adverse effects reported. It is unclear how long the generated immunity will last, and a follow up of the study participants for an extended one-year period will be needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Ascertaining vaccines' efficacy and safety in vulnerable populations is essential for the general use of vaccine use. A number of these vaccines are currently under phase III or to enter phase III and may increase vaccines' efficacy and safety in different populations.
The use of a Domain Ontology for the Management of Essential Hypertension (Preprint)
Authors: Chavez Emma , Perez Vanessa , Urrutia Angélica
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

: Currently, hypertension is one of the diseases with greater risk of mortality in the world. Particularly in Chile, 90% of the population with this disease has idiopathic or essential hypertension. Essential hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure rates and it´s cause is unknown, which means that every patient might requires a different treatment, depending on their history and symptoms. Different data, such as history, symptoms, exams, etc., are generated for each patient suffering from the disease. This data is presented in the patient’s medical record, in no order, making it difficult to search for relevant information. Therefore, there is a need for a common, unified vocabulary of the terms that adequately represent the diseased, making searching within the domain more effective.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to develop a domain ontology for essential hypertension , therefore arranging the more significant data within the domain as tool for medical training or to support physicians’ decision making will be provided.

METHODS

The terms used for the ontology were extracted from the medical history of de-identified medical records, of patients with essential hypertension. The Snomed-CT’ collection of medical terms, and clinical guidelines to control the disease were also used. Methontology was used for the design, classes definition and their hierarchy, as well as relationships between concepts and instances. Three criteria were used to validate the ontology, which also helped to measure its quality. Tests were run with a dataset to verify that the tool was created according to the requirements.

RESULTS

An ontology of 310 instances classified into 37 classes was developed. From these, 4 super classes and 30 relationships were obtained. In the dataset tests, 100% correct and coherent answers were obtained for quality tests (3).

CONCLUSIONS

The development of this ontology provides a tool for physicians, specialists, and students, among others, that can be incorporated into clinical systems to support decision making regarding essential hypertension. Nevertheless, more instances should be incorporated into the ontology by carrying out further searched in the medical history or free text sections of the medical records of patients with this disease.
Consecuencias no esperadas y diseño de la legislación de protección del consumidor
Authors: Becher Shmuel I.
Published: November 2020

Las políticas que guían la legislación en materia de protección del consumidor aspiran a lograr el equilibrio correcto entre dos fuerzas encontradas. Por un lado, estas políticas buscan intervenir en el mercado para promover los intereses de los consumidores y protegerlos; por otro lado, buscan evitar intervenciones ineficientes que puedan imponer dificultades excesivas a las empresas. La legislación en materia de protección del consumidor puede influenciar —y ser influenciada por— la innovación, la competencia y la eficiencia general del mercado. La contribución de este artículo es doble. Descriptivamente, busca resaltar las fallas predominantes en el proceso legislativo y el problema de las consecuencias no esperadas. Normativa y prescriptivamente, propone una actitud matizada y sin predisposiciones ante las políticas en la materia, uno que se beneficie de un escepticismo saludable. 
Las tutorías entre pares en la Universidad de la República como experiencia formativa: la mirada de los tutores
Authors: Santiviago Carina , Rey Rafael , Couchet Mercedes , De León Fabiana
Published: November 2020

Las Tutorías entre Pares (TEP) son parte de una política central de la Universidad de la República de Uruguay (Udelar) cuyo proceso de creditización se consolidó hacia 2017. Son entendidas como un proceso de aprendizaje en el cual estudiantes universitarios acompañan y apoyan a otros, apuntando a la inserción plena en la vida universitaria. Este trabajo presenta una evaluación de la experiencia de una generación de tutores pares, con el objetivo de conocer su perfil, sus trayectorias previas, su evaluación del curso y sus valoraciones sobre cómo estas tutorías aportan a sus propias trayectorias educativas. Para relevar los resultados se aplicaron tres formularios de carácter mixto, al comienzo y al final de la experiencia. Los resultados reflejan una conformidad muy marcada tanto con el curso de formación como con las prácticas en territorio, así como una alta valoración de los aportes a la propia formación de los participantes. Sin embargo, se identifican algunos desafíos para lograr un mayor impacto de la experiencia a nivel institucional, sobre todo en relación con el género y las carreras de procedencia de los tutores. Esto revela la necesidad de un mayor involucramiento y articulación de todos los actores institucionales para promover estas experiencias no como iniciativas periféricas, sino como parte del paradigma organizacional.
Always-On Quantum Error Tracking with Continuous Parity Measurements
Authors: Mohseninia Razieh , Yang Jing , Siddiqi Irfan , Jordan Andrew N. , Dressel Justin
Published: November 2020

We investigate quantum error correction using continuous parity measurements to correct bit-flip errors with the three-qubit code. Continuous monitoring of errors brings the benefit of a continuous stream of information, which facilitates passive error tracking in real time. It reduces overhead from the standard gate-based approach that periodically entangles and measures additional ancilla qubits. However, the noisy analog signals from continuous parity measurements mandate more complicated signal processing to interpret syndromes accurately. We analyze the performance of several practical filtering methods for continuous error correction and demonstrate that they are viable alternatives to the standard ancilla-based approach. As an optimal filter, we discuss an unnormalized (linear) Bayesian filter, with improved computational efficiency compared to the related Wonham filter introduced by Mabuchi [New J. Phys. 11, 105044 (2009)]. We compare this optimal continuous filter to two practical variations of the simplest periodic boxcar-averaging-and-thresholding filter, targeting real-time hardware implementations with low-latency circuitry. As variations, we introduce a non-Markovian ``half-boxcar'' filter and a Markovian filter with a second adjustable threshold; these filters eliminate the dominant source of error in the boxcar filter, and compare favorably to the optimal filter. For each filter, we derive analytic results for the decay in average fidelity and verify them with numerical simulations.
Zamba y la revolución industrial. Propaganda kirchnerista para explicar la economía a los niños argentinos
Authors: Vázquez-Miraz Pedro
Published: November 2020

El presente trabajo de investigación analiza un capítulo de televisión infantil titulado “La asombrosa excursión de Zamba a la Revolución Industrial”, programa emitido en el año 2014 en Argentina. Este es una pieza audiovisual del célebre dibujo animado argentino La asombrosa excursión de Zamba. Este programa televisivo público fue creado en el año 2010 por la productora El Perro en la Luna, en pleno período peronista-kirchnerista, y se mantuvo activo con bastante popularidad hasta los primeros años del Gobierno conservador de Mauricio Macri. Por medio de un análisis cualitativo de este material se identifica la manera en que este producto presenta a los niños argentinos las diferencias entre el sistema económico capitalista y socialista mediante las creaciones animadas de Adam Smith y Karl Marx. Este programa se basa en la valencia de los discursos realizados por estos dos personajes históricos, las consecuencias de sus actos y los contextos y ambientes en los que son representados por parte del producto. En este sentido, el programa representa un relato histórico e ideológicamente tratado que identifica la trama animada con el proyecto político del Gobierno peronista que dirigió a Argentina en la época 2003-2015. Como conclusión principal, se pudo determinar que el formato del programa denota un profundo sesgo propagandista que incide en la apropiación de una versión histórica y del modelo económico, pues parte de un medio público hacia un público infantil.
Building a Successful, Socially-Distanced Family Medicine Clerkship in the COVID Crisis
Authors: Hayes John R. , Johnston Bryan , Lundh Rebecca
Published: November 2020

Introduction: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many family medicine clerkships across the United States are scrambling to provide meaningful medical education in a new clinical environment. Most medical schools have paused or severely limited the direct patient care that has been the core educational requirement of the clinical clerkships. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a curricular model that meets the family medicine clerkship learning objectives via telemedicine clinical instruction.
Methods: We created a clerkship where all clinical encounters took place by phone or video visits. Students were required to have telemedicine encounters with at least 20 patients over a 4-week clerkship. We also created a telemedicine illness script-writing assignment to prepare students and faculty for these encounters. We evaluated our curriculum by surveying participating students and faculty members.  
Results: Student surveys revealed that all learning objectives were met during the telemedicine clerkship experience. Students felt they made a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty felt that the medical students were helpful and that they were able to provide meaningful clinical instruction.
Conclusion: Our study reveals that a family medicine clerkship can be successfully delivered using telemedicine and remote learning techniques. Senior medical students are a valuable resource and can have a meaningful clinical impact while learning more about family medicine. If social distancing precautions continue, this model can be used by other clerkships to continue medical education and provide medical care.
The Serbian pension system in transition: A silent break with Bismarck
Authors: Matkovic Gordana , Stanic Katarina
Published: November 2020

The pension system in Serbia was set up as Bismarckian earnings related system
almost one hundred years ago. At the outset of the transition process at the
beginning of 21st Century, the pension system underwent bold reforms.
Despite suggestions from the World Bank to adopt a three-pillar system that
would involve a break with the Bismarckian heritage, reforms concentrated on
parametric adjustments that strengthened the link between previous earnings
and pension benefits. However, as this paper shows, the Bismarckian
earnings-related system has subsequently been silently challenged. On the
basis of an analysis of the current and perspective replacement rates for
various earning levels and pension variation indicators, we show how the
contributions/ benefit link has been undermined. These policy changes have
not been defined or understood as a new strategic course of action, nor have
the strategic options been debated and analysed. These silent reforms have
seemed to be a ?quick and easy? solution to tackle high public expenditures
and deficits without understanding their implications, and that breaking up
with Bismarck implies significant transition costs.
The impact of institutional quality on economic growth: A comparative analysis of the EU and non-EU countries of Southeast Europe
Authors: Radulovic Marija
Published: November 2020

The quality of institutions and its impact on economic growth has become more
important in recent years, especially in transition countries that must
reform their institutions to create a market economy and meet the
preconditions for joining the EU. This is the case with the countries of
Southeastern Europe, some of which are already EU members, while others are
in the process of joining the EU. This paper examines the effects of
institutional quality on the economic growth of South- East Europe and
compares these effects in EU and non-EU countries for the period 1996-2017,
using Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) to measure the quality of
institutions and the GDP growth rate. The panel autoregressive distributed
lag (ARDL) approach is used to analyse the relationship between
institutional quality and economic growth. The results show that in EU
countries there is a long-run relationship between institutional quality and
economic growth for all significant variables, while in the non-EU countries
only government effectiveness, political stability and absence of violence,
regulatory quality, and voice and accountability are statistically
significant. Furthermore, in EU countries there is no short-run relationship
between institutional quality and economic growth, while in the non-EU
countries of SEE, regulatory quality and voice and accountability are
significant.
Manifestações interpretativas de licenciandos em Química sobre contextualização no ensino de Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS)
Authors: Santos Éverton da Paz , Melo Marlene Rios
Published: November 2020

Este trabalho se propõe a investigar as manifestações interpretativas, de um grupo de licenciandos em Química, de uma universidade pública do Nordeste, sobre contextualização crítica na perspectiva educacional CTS, a partir de uma leitura de referenciais teóricos que se comprometem com esta abordagem. Além disso, avaliar o entendimento dos licenciandos a partir de uma produção textual diante das concepções manifestadas e dos discursos escritos, apoiados na Análise Textual Discursiva. Para tanto, foram selecionados dois artigos que se complementavam, tendo o mesmo autor principal. Após as leituras dos artigos, os licenciandos produziram um texto sobre a contextualização diante das compreensões deles sobre a perspectiva de ensino CTS. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram a criação de categorias, por meio das manifestações discursivas dos licenciandos, sendo possível enquadrar e categorizar estes discursos. É importante destacar que as interpretações apontadas e levantadas estão diretamente relacionadas à formação profissional e familiar destes futuros professores, independente se a prática da leitura e escrita é valorizada ou não na universidade.