bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain Trends Among American Adults, 2002–2018: Patterns, Disparities, and Correlates
Authors: Zajacova Anna , Grol-Prokopczyk Hanna , Zimmer Zachary
Published: February 2021

Determining long-term trends in chronic pain prevalence is critical for evaluating and shaping U.S. health policies, but little research has examined such trends. This study (1) provides estimates of pain trends among U.S. adults across major population groups; (2) tests whether sociodemographic disparities in pain have widened or narrowed over time; and (3) examines socioeconomic, behavioral, psychological, and medical correlates of pain trends. Regression and decomposition analyses of joint, low back, neck, facial/jaw pain, and headache/migraine using the 2002–2018 National Health Interview Survey for adults aged 25–84 (N  =  441,707) assess the trends and their correlates. We find extensive escalation of pain prevalence in all population subgroups: overall, reports of pain in at least one site increased by 10%, representing an additional 10.5 million adults experiencing pain. Socioeconomic disparities in pain are widening over time, and psychological distress and health behaviors are among the salient correlates of the trends. This study thus comprehensively documents rising pain prevalence among Americans across the adult life span and highlights socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors as important correlates of the trends. Chronic pain is an important dimension of population health, and demographic research should include it when studying health and health disparities.
Holy Land Pilgrimage and Geography in Fifteenth-Century England
Authors: O’Doherty Marianne
Published: February 2021

This article discusses a single late-fifteenth-century English manuscript as evidence for an understudied form of “virtual” pilgrimage. Bringing together the techniques of codicological, textual, and cartographic-historical research, the article shows how Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 426 presents a vision of the world profoundly inflected by Holy Land pilgrimage, in which scholarly, mathematical geography is placed in the service of knowledge and understanding of the Holy Land. Indeed, within MS 426, the process of gaining understanding of the world’s geography and of the place of the Holy Land within it becomes a kind of virtual pilgrimage: a form of vicarious wandering that prompts religious contemplation and devotion. The article, which includes discussion of the manuscript’s unique and previously unstudied Jerusalem map, thus reminds us to keep in mind the inadequacy of modern taxonomies for dealing with the messy materialities of medieval texts.
The Meaning of Imagined Pilgrimage
Authors: Beebe Kathryne
Published: February 2021

There is growing interest among historians of late medieval and early modern Europe in the concept of resistance for understanding women and power. Researchers are beginning to look beyond religious women’s overt and well-documented forms of opposition to reform efforts that increasingly restricted their physical enclosure; they contend that these women also resisted through more subtle cultural means, such as the devotional practice of imagined pilgrimage. Yet recent studies — including one by this author — have argued unconvincingly that late medieval Dominican nuns in southwest Germany who took mental journeys to Jerusalem or Rome thereby resisted their enclosure. This article uses an approach created by the anthropologist Sherry Ortner to check and correct this resistance model. It shows that the interpretation of what imagined pilgrimage meant to and for these late medieval women is most likely an effect of scholars’ present biases, both intellectual and sociocultural.
Developing a complex intervention targeting antipsychotic prescribing to nursing home residents with dementia
Authors: Walsh Kieran A. , Byrne Stephen , McSharry Jenny , Browne John , Irving Kate , Hurley Eimir , Rochford-Brennan Helen , Geoghegan Carmel , Presseau Justin , Timmons Suzanne
Published: February 2021

Background: Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to people living with dementia in nursing home settings, despite strong guideline recommendations against their use except in limited circumstances. We aimed to transparently describe the development process for a complex intervention targeting appropriate requesting and prescribing of antipsychotics to nursing home residents with dementia in Ireland, by nurses and general practitioners (GPs) respectively.

Methods: We report the development process for the ‘Rationalising Antipsychotic Prescribing in Dementia’ (RAPID) complex intervention, in accordance with the ‘Guidance for reporting intervention development studies in health research’ (GUIDED) checklist.  The UK Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions guided our overall approach, incorporating evidence and theory into the intervention development process. To unpack the intervention development process in greater detail, we followed the Behaviour Change Wheel approach. Guided by our stakeholders, we conducted three sequential studies (systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis, primary qualitative study and expert consensus study), to inform the intervention development.

Results: The RAPID complex intervention was developed in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including people living with dementia and family carers, between 2015 and 2017. The finalised RAPID complex intervention was comprised of the following three components; 1) Education and training sessions with nursing home staff; 2) Academic detailing with GPs; 3) Introduction of an assessment tool to the nursing home.

Conclusions: This paper describes the steps used by the researchers to develop a complex intervention targeting antipsychotic prescribing to nursing home residents with dementia in Ireland, according to the GUIDED checklist. We found that the GUIDED checklist provided a useful way of reporting all elements in a cohesive manner and complemented the other tools and frameworks used. Transparency in the intervention development processes can help in the translation of evidence into practice.
Developing a programme theory for a transdisciplinary research collaboration: Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health
Authors: Moore Gemma , Michie Susan , Anderson Jamie , Belesova Kristine , Crane Melanie , Deloly Clément , Dimitroulopoulou Sani , Gitau Hellen , Hale Joanna , Lloyd Simon J. , Mberu Blessing , Muindi Kanyiva , Niu Yanlin , Pineo Helen , Pluchinotta Irene , Prasad Aarathi , Roue-Le Gall Anne , Shrubsole Clive , Turcu Catalina , Tsoulou Ioanna , Wilkinson Paul , Zhou Ke , Zimmermann Nici , Davies Michael , Osrin David
Published: February 2021

Background: Environmental improvement is a priority for urban sustainability and health and achieving it requires transformative change in cities. An approach to achieving such change is to bring together researchers, decision-makers, and public groups in the creation of research and use of scientific evidence.

Methods: This article describes the development of a programme theory for Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health (CUSSH), a four-year Wellcome-funded research collaboration which aims to improve capacity to guide transformational health and environmental changes in cities.

Results: Drawing on ideas about complex systems, programme evaluation, and transdisciplinary learning, we describe how the programme is understood to “work” in terms of its anticipated processes and resulting changes. The programme theory describes a chain of outputs that ultimately leads to improvement in city sustainability and health (described in an ‘action model’), and the kinds of changes that we expect CUSSH should lead to in people, processes, policies, practices, and research (described in a ‘change model’).

Conclusions: Our paper adds to a growing body of research on the process of developing a comprehensive understanding of a transdisciplinary, multiagency, multi-context programme. The programme theory was developed collaboratively over two years. It involved a participatory process to ensure that a broad range of perspectives were included, to contribute to shared understanding across a multidisciplinary team. Examining our approach allowed an appreciation of the benefits and challenges of developing a programme theory for a complex, transdisciplinary research collaboration. Benefits included the development of teamworking and shared understanding and the use of programme theory in guiding evaluation. Challenges included changing membership within a large group, reaching agreement on what the theory would be ‘about’, and the inherent unpredictability of complex initiatives.
The role of perceived coaching behaviours on sport performance among female aesthetic group gymnasts
Authors: Koka Andre , Tilga Henri , Põder Triin , Kalajas-Tilga Hanna , Hein Vello , Raudsepp Lennart
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to test the relations of perceived autonomy-supportive and controlling behaviours from coaches with athletes’ sport performance during competition in a context of female aesthetic group gymnastics. In line with self-determination theory, it was expected that the sequence of perceived psychological needs satisfaction and autonomous motivation, and psychological needs frustration and controlled motivation would mediate these relationships. Female aesthetic group gymnasts (n=128) ages 11–20 years completed self-report measures of perceived autonomysupportive and controlling behaviours from coaches, athletes’ needs satisfaction and needs frustration, including the need for novelty, as well as athletes’ autonomous and controlled motivation. Athletes’ objective performance during the competition was also obtained. Results from the single-indicator structural equation modelling analyses revealed a positive, indirect relationship between perceived autonomy-supportive behaviour from coaches and athletes’ performance mediated by the sequence of needs satisfaction and autonomous motivation. Significant indirect relationship between perceived controlling behaviour from coaches and athletes’ performance mediated by the sequence of needs frustration and controlled motivation was not followed. However, a negative direct relationship of controlled motivation, instigated by needs frustration, on athletes’ performance was evident. Findings suggest that perceived autonomy-supportive behaviour from coaches is an essential antecedent to athletes’ performance in a female aesthetic group gymnastics.
The effect of Estonian folk dance practice on static balance performance in young females
Authors: Väisa Leili , Ereline Jaan , Pääsuke Mati , Kums Tatjana
Published: February 2021

The aim of the present study was to establish the changes that occur in dancers’ static body balance indicators during rest, in case of interfering factors and in stress condition. The sample consisted of 14 advanced female folk dancers at the age of 16–20 years. The participants’ static body balance was measured at the beginning (in the autumn) and at the end (in the spring) of the eight-month dancing period. Static body balance indicators were registered on a dynamographic platform within 30 seconds, standing on bipedal on stable and unstable support surface in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. The Flamingo test balance control, the balance control after spinning around and jumping tests were conducted only in EO condition. The following parameters were registered: the movements of the centre of pressure (CoP) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) dimensions; the length, speed and area of the trajectory. According to the study, folk dancers’ CoP movements in the AP and ML dimensions, measured in different conditions (EO, EC), on stable and unstable support surface, did not change significantly after the eight-month dancing practice. The young folk dancers’ static body balance, assessed by CoP movement trajectory, speed and area, improved considerably over the eight-month training period. Flamingo test results indicate that practising folk dance develops the young female folk dancers’ right and left side static stability equally. In the context of Estonian folk dance practice, including preparation for performing at dance festival, the young female folk dancers’ balance performance improved both in vestibular instability (spins, standing on unstable support surface and in EO condition) and fatigue (jumping test) conditions.
Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hospital Medicine
Authors: del Pino‐Jones Amira , Cervantes Lilia , Flores Sonia , Jones Christine D , Keach Joseph , Ngov Li‐Kheng , Schwartz David A , Wierman Margaret , Anstett Tyler , Bowden Kasey , Keniston Angela , Burden Marisha
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

In nearly all areas of academic medicine, disparities still exist for women and underrepresented minorities (URMs).

OBJECTIVES

Develop a strategic plan for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); implement and evaluate the plan, specifically focusing on compensation, recruitment, and policies.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Programmatic evaluation conducted in the division of hospital medicine (DHM) at a major academic medical center involving DHM faculty and staff.

MEASUREMENTS

(1) Development and implementation of strategic plan, including policies, processes, and practices related to key components of DEI program; (2) assessment of specific DEI outcomes, including plan implementation, pre‐post salary data disparities based on academic rank, and pre‐post disparities for protected time for similar roles.

RESULTS

Using information gathered from a focus group with DHM faculty, an iterative strategic plan for DEI was developed and deployed, with key components of focus being institutional structures, our people, our environments, and our core mission areas. A director of DEI was established to help oversee these efforts. Using a two‐phase approach, salary disparities by rank were eliminated. Internally funded protected time was standardized for leadership roles. A data dashboard has been developed to track high‐level successes and areas for future focus.

CONCLUSION

Using a systematic evidence‐based approach with key stakeholder involvement, a division‐wide DEI strategy was developed and implemented. While this work is ongoing, short‐term wins are possible, in particular around salary equity and development of policies and structures to promote DEI.
COVID-19, ENTRE LO COTIDIANO Y EL ACONTECIMIENTO: UNA INTERPRETACIÓN DESDE LA FILOSOFÍA DE ZIZEK.
Authors: FLORES SÁNCHEZ MANUEL , Morán Carrillo José María
Published: February 2021

The text is rooted in the decomposition of the expression “everyday life” into factors through the different analyses carried out. The result is that behind the term “everyday life” there is a dialectic tension between “the everyday” and “the event”. The Covid-19 epidemic can be classified as an event and has meant the irruption of “The Real” into the symbolic coordinates of our Western and European society. This eruption has caused a trauma that forces us to wait for the consequence of the reinvention of the past and the reinterpretation of everyday life.
Ciudad en fiesta, ciudad en disputa: el caso del Parque Augusta en São Paulo
Authors: Marino Cintia Elisa de Castro , Guerra Abilio
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo traza un panorama sobre las dinámicas de disputa urbana y experiencias colectivas, a partir de una reflexión sobre el caso del Parque Augusta en São Paulo. Un terreno privado en el centro de la ciudad que ha logrado unificar las agendas de movimientos sociales de distintos idearios en el intento por transformarlo en un parque público. Después de varios años de apropiación espontánea por parte del vecindario, grupos activistas intensificaron las mani­festaciones a partir del 2013, organizando eventos y festivales artísticos en el terreno. Así pues, utilizando los conceptos de “derecho a la ciudad” y “comunes urbanos”, este análisis describe la trayectoria del caso e identifica las contradicciones generadas a lo largo del proceso. En términos metodológicos, la investigación se llevó a cabo mediante narraciones, escala espacial, recorte temporal, cuestionamientos y conceptos. Con lo cual se demuestra que la experiencia colectiva observada parece requerir un nuevo proceso para producir un espacio público democrático.
How Managers Maintain Control Through Collaborative Repair: Evidence from Platform-Mediated “Gigs”
Authors: Rahman Hatim A. , Valentine Melissa A.
Published: February 2021

This paper develops a new understanding about how “client managers”—those using platform labor markets to hire and manage workers—attempt to maintain control when managing skilled contractors. We conducted an inductive field study analyzing interactions between client managers and contractors in software development “gigs” mediated by a platform labor market. The platform provided multiple tools client managers could use for control, including in response to unexpected events. We found that, when managers used the tools to exert coercive control over contractors acting unexpectedly, it backfired and contributed to uncompleted project outcomes. In contrast, when they refrained from using the tools for coercive control in such circumstances and instead engaged in what we call collaborative repair, their actions contributed to completed project outcomes. Collaborative repair refers to interactions that surface misaligned interpretations of a situation and help parties negotiate new, reciprocal expectations that restore trust and willingness to continue an exchange. Client managers’ attempts at collaborative repair yielded fuller understanding of project-related breakdowns and shared investment in new expectations, facilitating effective control and completed projects. This study extends prior theories of control by characterizing the new client manager role created by platforms and demonstrating how initiating repair is integral for managers’ capacity to accomplish control in these comparatively brittle work relationships.
Strong-field terahertz control of plasmon induced opacity in photoexcited metamaterial
Authors: Mousavian Ali , Thompson Zachary J. , Lee Byounghwak , Bradley Alden N. , Sprague Milo X. , Lee Yun-Shik
Published: February 2021

A terahertz (THz) metamaterial consisting of radiative slot antennas
and subradiant complementary split-ring resonators exhibits plasmon
induced opacity in a narrow spectral range due to the destructive
interference between the bright and dark modes of the coupled
oscillators. Femtosecond optical excitations instantly quench the mode
coupling and plasmon oscillations, injecting photocarriers into the
metamaterial. The plasmon resonances in the coupled metamaterial are
restored by intense THz pulses in a subpicoseond time scale. The
strong THz fields induce intervalley scattering and interband
tunneling of the photocarriers and achieve significant reduction of
the photocarrier mobility. The ultrafast dynamics of the nonlinear THz
interactions reveals intricate interplay between
photocarriers and plasmon oscillations. The high-field THz control of
the plasmon oscillations implies potential applications to
ultrahigh-speed plasmonics.
Beyond intensity modulation: new approaches to pump-probe microscopy
Authors: Jiang Jun , Grass David , Zhou Yue , Warren Warren S. , Fischer Martin C.
Published: February 2021

Pump-probe microscopy is an emerging nonlinear imaging technique based on high repetition rate lasers and fast intensity modulation. Here, we present new methods for pump-probe microscopy that keep the beam intensity constant and instead modulate the inter-pulse time delay or the relative polarization. These techniques can improve image quality for samples that have poor heat dissipation or long-lived radiative states and can selectively address nonlinear interactions in the sample. We experimentally demonstrate this approach and point out the advantages over conventional intensity modulation.
Origami-based microwave absorber with a reconfigurable bandwidth
Authors: Chen Xiqiao , Li Wei , Wu Zhuang , Zhang Zilong , Zou Yanhong
Published: February 2021

Reconfigurability is critical for the research fields in electromagnetics, mechanics, and acoustics, due to the controllability of functionalities. This Letter numerically and experimentally demonstrates an origami-based absorber with a reconfigurable bandwidth. The proposed structure provides four transformable models: flat sheet, single-arch-folded, double-arch-folded, and U-shaped strips filled, corresponding to the performance of nearly no absorption, one-peak absorption, two-peak absorption, and ultra-broadband absorption (3.4–18 GHz), which clearly demonstrates the bandwidth-enhancement effect. In contrast with the traditional structural absorbers, the transformable flat sheet and U-shaped strips are obtained by three-dimensional printing, which exhibits an obvious superiority in prototype fabrication. These results provide a feasible strategy for energy dissipation and origami transformation.
Sonographic findings in coronavirus disease-19 associated liver damage
Authors: Spogis Jakob , Hagen Florian , Thaiss Wolfgang M. , Hoffmann Tatjana , Malek Nisar , Nikolaou Konstantin , Berg Christoph P. , Singer Stephan , Bösmüller Hans , Kreth Florian , Kaufmann Sascha
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of liver sonography in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and elevated liver enzymes.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in our emergency ward between January 01 and April 24, 2020 and elevated liver enzymes were included (Cohort 1). Additionally, the local radiology information system was screened for sonographies in COVID-19 patients at the intensive care unit in the same period (Cohort 2). Liver sonographies and histologic specimen were reviewed and suspicious findings recorded. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data. Ultrasound findings and clinical data were correlated with severity of liver enzyme elevation.

Results

Cohort 1: 126 patients were evaluated, of which 47 (37.3%) had elevated liver enzymes. Severity of liver enzyme elevation was associated with death (p<0.001). 8 patients (6.3%) had suspicious ultrasound findings, including signs of acute hepatitis (n = 5, e.g. thickening of gall bladder wall, hepatomegaly, decreased echogenicity of liver parenchyma) and vascular complications (n = 4). Cohort 2: 39 patients were evaluated, of which 14 are also included in Cohort 1. 19 patients (48.7%) had suspicious ultrasound findings, of which 13 patients had signs of acute hepatitis and 6 had vascular complications. Pathology was performed in 6 patients. Predominant findings were severe cholestasis and macrophage activation.

Conclusion

For most hospitalized COVID-19 patients, elevated liver enzymes cause little concern as they are only mild to moderate. However, in severely ill patients bedside sonography is a powerful tool to reveal different patterns of vascular, cholestatic or inflammatory complications in the liver, which are associated with high mortality. In addition, macrophage activation as histopathologic correlate for a hyperinflammatory syndrome seems to be a frequent complication in COVID-19.
Creatures of the state? Metropolitan counties compensated for state inaction in initial U.S. response to COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Brandtner Christof , Bettencourt Luís M. A. , Berman Marc G. , Stier Andrew J.
Published: February 2021

Societal responses to crises require coordination at multiple levels of organization. Exploring early efforts to contain COVID-19 in the U.S., we argue that local governments can act to ensure systemic resilience and recovery when higher-level governments fail to do so. Event history analyses show that large, more urban areas experience COVID-19 more intensely due to high population density and denser socioeconomic networks. But metropolitan counties were also among the first to adopt shelter-in-place orders. Analyzing the statistical predictors of when counties moved before their states, we find that the hierarchy of counties by size and economic integration matters for the timing of orders, where both factors predict earlier shelter-in-place orders. In line with sociological theories of urban governance, we also find evidence of an important governance dimension to the timing of orders. Liberal counties in conservative states were more than twice as likely to adopt a policy and implement one earlier in the pandemic, suggesting that tensions about how to resolve collective governance problems are important in the socio-temporal dynamic of responses to COVID-19. We explain this behavior as a substitution effect in which more urban local governments, driven by risk and necessity, step up into the action vacuum left by higher levels of government and become national policy leaders and innovators.
Chainchecker: An application to visualise and explore transmission chains for Ebola virus disease
Authors: Gaythorpe Katy , Morris Aaron , Imai Natsuko , Stewart Miles , Freeman Jeffrey , Choi Mary
Published: February 2021

2020 saw the continuation of the second largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in history. Determining epidemiological links between cases is a key part of outbreak control. However, due to the large quantity of data and subsequent data entry errors, inconsistencies in potential epidemiological links are difficult to identify. We present chainchecker, an online and offline shiny application which visualises, curates and verifies transmission chain data. The application includes the calculation of exposure windows for individual cases of EVD based on user defined incubation periods and user specified symptom profiles. It has an upload function for viral hemorrhagic fever data and utility for additional entries. This data may then be visualised as a transmission tree with inconsistent links highlighted. Finally, there is utility for cluster analysis and the ability to highlight nosocomial transmission. chainchecker is a R shiny application which has an offline version for use with VHF (viral hemorrhagic fever) databases or linelists. The software is available athttps://shiny.dide.imperial.ac.uk/chaincheckerwhich is a web-based application that links to the desktop application available for download and the github repository,https://github.com/imperialebola2018/chainchecker.
Systemic Helicobacter infection and associated mortalities in endangered Grand Cayman blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) and introduced green iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Conley Kenneth J. , Seimon Tracie A. , Popescu Ioana S. , Wellehan James F. X. , Fox James G. , Shen Zeli , Haakonsson Jane , Seimon Anton , Brown Ania Tomaszewicz , King Veronica , Burton Fred , Calle Paul P.
Published: February 2021

The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme maintains a captive breeding and head-starting program for endangered Grand Cayman blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. In May 2015, program staff encountered two lethargic wild Grand Cayman blue iguanas within the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (QEIIBP). Spiral-shaped bacteria were identified on peripheral blood smears from both animals, which molecular diagnostics identified as a novel Helicobacter species (provisionary name Helicobacter sp. GCBI1). Between March 2015 and February 2017, 11 Grand Cayman blue iguanas were identified with the infection. Two of these were found dead and nine were treated; five of the nine treated animals survived the initial infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene suggests Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 is most closely related to Helicobacter spp. in chelonians. We developed a Taqman qPCR assay specific for Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 to screen tissue and/or blood samples from clinical cases, fecal and cloacal samples from clinically healthy Grand Cayman blue iguanas, including previously infected and recovered iguanas, and iguanas housed adjacent to clinical cases. Fecal and/or cloacal swab samples were all negative, suggesting that Grand Cayman blue iguanas do not asymptomatically carry this organism nor shed this pathogen per cloaca post infection. Retrospective analysis of a 2014 mortality event affecting green iguanas (Iguana iguana) from a separate Grand Cayman location identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 in two of three cases. The source of infection and mode of transmission are yet to be confirmed. Analysis of rainfall data reveal that all infections occurred during a multi-year dry period, and most occurred shortly after the first rains at the end of seasonal drought. Additionally, further screening has identified Helicobacter sp. GCBI1 from choanal swabs of clinically normal green iguanas in the QEIIBP, suggesting they could be asymptomatic carriers and a potential source of the pathogen.
Issues and Potentials of Research Topics in Medicines:A Research Priority Setting (RPS) in The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
Authors: Kardoyo Hadi , Romadona Mia Rahma , Handoyo Setiowiji
Published: February 2021

This article ilustrates the findings of research priority setting (RPS) in the field of medicine and health at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in 2017. This RPS has been conducted to address issues and explore potential research topics in LIPI in the area of drug and health industry. The RPS stage has been conducted with the Delphi Method and produced five major issues, namely 1). Structure of the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, 2). The Role government R&D institutions and universities in the structure of the pharmaceutical industry, 3). Standardization and product supervision, and 5). Policies in the sectoral innovation system. Based on these major issues, LIPI has potential research topics that need to be developed, as follows: 1) Research on "marker" compounds and development of "markers bank ", 2) Research on combinations of chemical compounds in medicinal and health products, 3) Social research related to public acceptance of medicinal products, 4) Research on the potential of herbal medicines originating from "indigenous knowledge ", 5) The need to develop a catalog of potential herbal medicinal ingredients, 6) Development of formulations of finished drug products based on the expired patent utilization, 7) Development of research for phytofarmaceutical products, 8) Development of research on reagents to support research activities in the fields of health and medicine, 9) Development of technological capabilities that is needed to support research activities in the fields of health and medical treatment, 10) Development of research topics by referring to the ministry's pharmaceutical industry development road map and 11) Research potential in R&D institutions and universities with reference to R&D and manufacturing scenario of APIs. The outputs of RPS will be the basis for LIPI to focus on research in the field of medicine and health for the years 2017­­­--2026.

 
Keywords: research priority setting, pharmaceutical industry, medicine research, pharmaceutical industry
Mechanism of Implementing Technology in the Community of Eastern Indonesia (Case Study in Belu Regency– Nusa Tenggara Timur Province)
Authors: Saparita Rachmini , Dyah Savitri
Published: February 2021

The strategy of implementing innovation and technology in the Belu Regency community is very important to be stated as best practice for other regions in Eastern Indonesia. This paper discusses a number of strategies that can be implemented as best practices for increasing community capability in using technology for managing and processing local resources by: technical training and continues coaching; providing equipment to target house-hold scale enterprises; and encourage Regional Governments to actively assist communities continually. Some strategies that fail in implementing technology in the regions are important lessons for us, that technology implementation requires adequate initial information, starting from location conditions, socio-economic of community, supporting infrastructure, human resource readiness, involvement and full support from the Regional Government. From long experience in Belu Regency, it can be a lesson for the technology implementation in Eastern Indonesia or in other regions that have similarities in community characteristics and natural conditions.
Role of PET-CT in Aiding Diagnosis of Various Neurological Conditions – A Case Series
Authors: Pabla Harleen Singh , P.R. Gokulakrishnan , Murali Arunan , P.M. Venkata Sai
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND PET-CT is an imaging modality which electronically detects positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals in the human body and reveals its exact anatomical location.1 PET CT measures the metabolic and functional activity of living tissue noninvasively.1 This technology is utilized in diagnosis, planning treatment and predicting outcomes in various neurological conditions.1 Depending upon various patterns of FDG uptake in different parts of brain, 18FDG PET-CT allows us to differentiate between various types of dementia.2 PET CT allows tracking the course of disease and revealing the severity of the disease.2 In this article, we discuss the imaging findings of normal 18 FDG PET-CT of brain and 8 different neurological conditions with their corresponding brain PET-CT findings. METHODS To study the role of 18FDG-PET/CT in neurological conditions, we identified 8 different patients who underwent 18FDG-PET/CT imaging of brain for clinically suspected different neurological diseases at Department of Radiodiagnosis-Centre of Excellence (CERIS), SRIHER, Chennai, between 2015 and 2019. Siemens Biograph Horizon 16-slice PET/CT scanner with TrueV was used. Syngo.Via Version VB30A software was used. 18F- Fluorodeoxyglucose was the radiotracer used [Dose: 3-7 mCi]. After the scan, different patterns of 18 FDG uptake in the brain were analyzed in each of these patients. RESULTS 18 FDG PET-CT showed reduced uptake in the epileptogenic foci in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease showed decreased FDG uptake in bilateral precuneus, posterior cingulate region, parietal cortex and frontal cortex. Fronto-temporal dementia revealed reduced FDG uptake in anterior cingulate gyrus and anterior temporal lobe. Primary progressive aphasia showed asymmetrical reduced metabolic activity in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Progressive supranuclear palsy revealed reduced metabolic activity in bilateral paramedian frontal region, head of caudate nuclei and midbrain; Multi systemic atrophy showed reduced metabolic activity in midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata and the cerebellum; AIDS related dementia showed global hypometabolism with preserved uptake in basal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS 18FDG-PET/CT has a vital complementary role in the evaluation CNS disorders along with clinical examination, other imaging modalities like CT, MRI, and electroencephalogram (EEG). Radiologists should be aware of these different patterns of FDG uptake to aid the clinical diagnosis and early treatment. KEY WORDS 18 FDG PET-CT, 18FDG Uptake, Hypometabolism, PET-CT Brain
Standardised Forms of Chondroitin Sulfate as a Pathogenetic Treatment of Osteoarthritis in the Context of Post-Genomic Studies
Authors: Gromova O. A. , Torshin I. Yu. , Lila A. M. , Alekseeva L. I. , Taskina E. A.
Published: February 2021

A systematic analysis of 37 post-genomic osteoarthritis (OA) studies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) allowed to isolate 483 genes and corresponding proteins, their levels and activity disturbances are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. These proteins can be conditionally subdivided into three groups: 1) structural proteins of connective tissue (CT); 2) proteins that support the activity of CT growth factors; 3) proteins that promote CT remodeling and degradation, as well as proteins associated with the regulation of inflammation (cellular response to tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, NF-κB activation, etc.). It is important to note the epigenetic effects (DNA hypomethylation) associated with the pathogenesis of OA, which indicates the need for the use of vitamins group B in the therapy. Chondroprotectors (symptomatic slow-acting drugs) – chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine sulfate (GS), – in addition to reducing inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB and lipopolysaccharide receptors (Toll-receptors), also contribute to an increase in the expression of genes for structural CT proteins, CT growth factors and modulate the activity of CT remodeling and degradation proteins. These effects of CS/GS allowed to describe the complex mechanisms of the pathogenetic action of CS/GS in the treatment of OA.
The efficacy and safety of glycosaminoglycan-peptide complex in patients with knee osteoarthritis and comorbidity: a multicenter prospective study
Authors: Alekseeva L. I. , Taskina E. A. , Kashevarova N. G. , Sharapova E. P. , Strebkova E. A. , Anikin S. G. , Chichasova N. V. , Raskina T. A. , Zonova E. V. , Otteva E. N. , Shmidt E. I. , Yakupova S. P. , Vinogradova I. B. , Ivanova O. N. , Lila V. A. , Zavadovsky B. V. , Shesternya P. A. , Lila A. M.
Published: February 2021

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glycosaminoglycan-peptide complex (GPC, Rumalon) used in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and comorbidities (hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Patients and methods: A 10-month multicenter (13 centers from 10 subjects of the Russian Federation) prospective study included 179 patients with Stages II–III primary tibiofemoral knee OA and comorbidity, a walking pain intensity of ≥40 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and a need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for at least 30 days in the previous 3 months). The efficiency of treatment was evaluated from the changes in VAS scores for knee pain intensity during walking, the overall WOMAC score and scores of its individual indicators, laboratory parameters, and ultrasound data. All the patients received 2 cycles of GPC treatment with 25 injections, by following the manufacturer's instructions.

Results and discussion. Even at 2 months after starting the treatment, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain during walking from 60 (50–69) to 40 (27–53.5) mm on the VAS (p< 0.05), which persisted during the follow-up period. A similar pattern was found when assessing the WOMAC index and its components. The drug demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect: a decrease in the number of patients with synovitis from 55.7 to 39.2% (p=0.02), the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) from 3.2 (1.3–6.2) to 2.6 (1.2–5.7) mg/l (p< 0.05). GPC was ascertained to have a safety profile.

Conclusion. The data of this study confirm the good therapeutic effect and safety of GPC Rumalon in knee OA patients with hypertension and/or T2DM. The drug is shown to have a rapid analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as a positive influence on all clinical manifestations of OA.
Existence of the solutions to convolution equations with distributional kernels
Authors: Ramm Alexander G.
Published: February 2021

It is proved that a class of convolution integral equations of the Volterra type has a globalsolution, that is, solutions defined for all \(t\ge 0\). Smoothness of the solution is studied.
A new Alzer type Inequality Related to Binomial Function
Authors: Dou Xiangkai , Yin Li
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we establish a new Alzer type inequality related to binomial function by using Sitnik methods.
Trend analysis of rainfall data Rangpur, Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Sudip
Published: February 2021

The study area lies in Bangladesh that is in the tropical area. The analysis of rainfall data reveals that the average annual rainfall in Rangpur was 2099.25 mm that varies from 427 mm to 3748 mm within the investigated period of time. The highest amount of annual rainfall was recorded in 1984. Heavy rainfall occurs in the month of July of the year. The highest amount of total monthly rainfall was recorded in July, 1987 and measured as 1314 mm. The rainfall trend can be expressed as monsoon rainfall > pre-monsoon rainfall> post monsoon rainfall. The total amount of annual rainfall is strongly significantly positively correlated with the total monthly rainfall of the months of June, July August, September and October and significantly positively correlated with the total monthly rainfall of the month April. The analysis shows that it rained in every year in the month of June as the minimum monthly value for June is greater than zero. Pearson correlation index shows that the mean daily temperature is significantly negatively correlated with daily rainfall which implies that fall of daily mean temperature with the daily rainfall. The increasing trend of annual rainfall suggests the climate change in Rangpur within the investigated period of time. In Rangpur, the value of skewness for all rainfall data are positive that indicate the data are skewed to the right. The positive values of kurtosis indicate that the distribution is not normal.Â
Zinc, a micronutrient and its effect to performance of BARI gom30
Authors: Gismy Salamun , Romij Uddin Md. , Sohanur Rahman Md. , Uddin Talukder Fakhar , Shafiul Islam Rion Md.
Published: February 2021

To evaluate the effect of Zinc fertilizer on performance of wheat cv. BARI gom30, an experiment was carried out at Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from November 2015 to March 2016. The experiment comprised four levels of Zinc (Zn) viz., 0, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Application of Zinc (Zn) plant height, number of total tillers/plant, number of effective tillers/plant, spike length, number of fertile spikelets/spike numbers of sterile spikelets/spike number of grains/ spike, grain yield and straw yield were found significant. But there was no significant effect of the treatment on 1000-grain weight. The highest number of total tiller/plant (4.42), number of effective tillers/plant (3.92), number of grains/spike (47.70), 1000-grain weight (47.73 g), grain yield (5.06 t/ha), straw yield (6.21 t/ha) was obtained from 2 kg Zn/ha. The highest plant height (94.08 cm), spike length (9.92 cm), number of fertile spikelets/spike (19.59) and sterile spikelets/spike (3.22) and harvest index (46.16%) were recorded at 0 kg Zn/ha respectively. The control treatment indicated the lowest value for the yield attributing characters except the number of sterile spikelets/spike. Grain yield was found to be significantly and positively correlated with number of grains/spike and straw yield. It is recommended that application of 2 kg Zn/ha is the best for maximum yield of BARI gom30.Â Â Â
Evaluation of seismic attributes for reservoir characterization over Edi field, Niger delta, Nigeria using 3d seismic data
Authors: O. Etuk Nyeneime , U. Aka Mfoniso , A. Agbasi Okechukwu , C. Ibuot Johnson
Published: February 2021

Seismic attributes were evaluated over Edi field, offshore Western Niger Delta, Nigeria, via 3D seismic data. Manual mappings of the horizons and faults on the in-lines and cross-lines of the seismic sections were done. Various attributes were calculated and out put on four horizons corresponding to the well markers at different formations within the well were identified. The four horizons identified, which includes: H1, H2, H3 and H4 were mapped and interpreted across the field. The operational agenda was thru picking given faults segments on the inâ€“line of seismic volume. A total of five faults coded as F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5, F1 and F5 were the major fault and were observed as extending through the field. Structural and horizon mappings were used to generate time structure maps. The maps showed the various positions and orientations of the faults. Different attributes which include: root mean square amplitude, instantaneous phase, gradient magnitude and chaos were run on the 3D seismic data. The amplitude and incline magnitude maps indicate direct hydrocarbon on the horizon maps; this is very important in the drilling of wells because it shows areas where hydrocarbons are present in the subsurface. The seismic attributes revealed information, which was not readily apparent in the raw seismic data.Â Â Â
Direct plant regeneration through micropropagation using selected explants of sugarcane
Authors: Biswas Purnendu , Harun-Or Rashid Md. , Kashem Chowdhury Abul , Amzad Hossain Md.
Published: February 2021

The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna during the period from January 2009 to December 2009 to regenerate plants through micropropagation technique using selected explants of sugarcane. In this experiment shoot tip, leaf segment and leaf roll section explants of three sugarcane varieties (Isd 16, Isd 35 and Isd 36) were cultured on shoot inducing MS media with four combinations of NAA and Kn (NAA2.5Kn0.5, NAA5.0Kn0.5, NAA7.5Kn0.5 and NAA10.0Kn0.5 mg/l) to regenerate plants. The proliferated shoots were multiplied on liquid MS media with five combinations of BAP and Kn (BAP0.25Kn0.25, BAP0.5Kn0.25, BAP0.5Kn0.5, BAP1.0Kn0.5 and BAP1.0Kn1.0 mg/l) and further transferred to root inducing MS media fortified with six different concentrations of NAA (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 mg/l) for adventitious root formation to raise full-fledged plantlets. The leaf roll section explant of variety Isd 35 cultured on MS medium containing hormonal combination of 7.5 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l Kn produced the highest percentage (83.33%) of shoot regeneration. The number of shoots per explant was also found highest (10.23) in the same explant of same variety with the same hormonal combination. The highest multiplication rate (4.64) was obtained from the liquid MS medium containing hormonal combination of 1.0 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l Kn in the variety Isd 35. The MS medium containing 5.0 mg/l NAA showed better performance for adventitious root induction to raise full-fledged plantlets in all the varieties within nine days of inoculation.Â Â
CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF BITUMINOUS ENROBES: APPLICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS OF THE YAOUNDE-DOUALA MOTORWAY IN CAMEROON
Authors: Mbakop Kwefeu Fabrice
Published: February 2021

The frequent closure of roads for the sake of maintenance and refurbishment is an increasing problem for the road administrators and users, because of induced high costs, restrictions and influence they impose, traffic jam, and the many other disruptions such interventions have on traffic. In these circumstances, carriageways with long life span, with adapted tar, have much to offer, especially if they can exhibit optimum performances without requiring major repairs for over 30 years. On high traffic roads, research have shown that binders with elevated modules are a reliable and credible alternative to render their life span more sustainable and durable. In this context, the advantages presented by the absence of important repairs and refurbishing can be enough to justify the initial high costs of these advanced carriage way coatings. Studies on the different binders to be used were done, which have permitted in accordance with the performance of the layers, the required tests and the different study levels. Also, this has permitted us to analyze the obtained results and conclude that due to the expected needs, the LA and MDE tests, the PSV tests are the criteria that determine the selection of aggregates; The complexes modular methods, fatigue resistance (level IV), seem to be necessary for the forecasting of the mechanical behavior of bituminous materials.