bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Comparison of Risk Factors Caused by Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Assembly Workers utilizing MFA and NERPA Methods
Authors: Golbaghi Ameneh , Nematpour Leila , Fouladi Dehaghi Behzad
Published: April 2020

Background: Occupational injuries and work-related disabilities are among the most factors contributing to the creation of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in industry. Improper workstation and poor posture increase fatigue load and, eventually, the appearance of MSDs. In addition to reducing physical strength, MSDs mitigate accuracy, augment the accidents, and reduce job productivity. Hence, the purpose of this research was to assess the risk factors for MSDs in electrical devices assembly workers utilizing Muscle Fatigue Assessment (MFA) and Novel Ergonomic Pos­tural Assessment (NERPA). Methods: This study was one cross-sectional descriptive study in the year … and was conducted in one electrical device manufacturing workshop in Khuzestan province along with 84 female workers. 13 jobs and 32 postures were selected in this workshop. Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the frequency of MSDs. Then, the risk levels were specified in the studied individuals with the use of MFA and NERPA. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software version 16. The statistical methods applied in this study were mean, standard deviation, frequency, frequency percentage, t-test of two independent samples, and correlation coefficient assessment. Furthermore, the significance level of statistical tests was considered to be P<0.05. Results: Findings obtained from MFA exhibited that the right wrist and waist were with 66.7%, neck and right shoulder were with 60% of workers and NERPA method results mentioned that the right wrist with 67.3% and the waist with 65.4% and neck with 61.3% and the right shoulder with 60.8% were at “very high” level of corrective actions priority, which these actions must be taken immediately. Also, statistical results indicated that there was a significant correlation between the results of Nordic, MFA, and NERPA questionnaires (P<0.05). Conclusion: Concerning the kind of activity and misuse of support, the highest percentage of risk was evident in the right wrist, waist, and neck. So, a proper design of workstation and implementation of managerial actions were proposed to minimize muscle fatigue. These two methods also had similarities. MFA method was preferred when it was required to assess all body parts. On the other hand, NERPA was applied to determine more details.
Combination Effect of Notch1 and PI3K / AKT / mTOR Signaling Pathways Inhibitors on T-ALL Cell Lines
Authors: Khoshamooz Halimeh , Kaviani Saeed , Atashi Amir , Mirpour Hassankiadeh Seyed Hossein
Published: April 2020

Background: Acute T lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy. Chemotherapy resistance is one of the most important challenges in T-ALL treatment. Alterations in cellular signaling pathways such as Notch1 and PI3K / AKT / mTOR play a role in cell proliferation, survival, and resistance to chemotherapy. Combination of Notch1 and PI3K / AKT / mTOR inhibitors is an interesting and rational strategy in treatment of T-ALL. Interaction of AZD5363 as an inhibitor of PI3k / AKT / mTOR and Compound E as an inhibitor of Notch1 signaling pathway was investigated in a T-ALL pre-clinical model.
Materials and Methods: T-ALL cell lines included Jurkat, Molt-4, and HPB- ALL cells were treated with AZD5363 and Compound E alone and in combination. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to measure apoptosis. Interaction between AZD5363 and Compound E was assessed by Chou-Talalay method.
Results: Combination treatment with AZD5363 and Compound E decreased cell viability with synergistic effect in all cell lines at 72 hours. Drug combination increased apoptosis even in Jurkat and HPB-ALL cells resistant to Compound E and AZD5363, respectively.
Conclusion: Combination of AZD5363 with Compound E in T-ALL cell lines exhibited a synergistic effect. Cytotoxicity of drug combination increased in all T-ALL cell lines compared to each as a single drug. Simultaneous inhibition of Notch1 and PI3K / AKT signaling pathways as a possible treatment of T-ALL, provides a basis for future investigations.
Genetic Variation in SOD1Gene Promoter Ins/Del and Its Influence on Oxidative Stress in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients
Authors: Tripathi Poonam , Agarwal Sarita , Sarangi Aditya Narayan
Published: April 2020

Background: A genetic polymorphism of 50 bp insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) (rs 36232792) in the promoter region of the SOD1 was reported to influence the enzyme activity. The aims of the present study are to evaluate the status of this polymorphism on the SOD1 levels in human peripheral blood cells and its association with risk of oxidative stress in beta thalassemia major patients.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 200 thalassemia major patients and 200 healthy controls healthy. The SOD1 genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. Serum SOD activity were assessed using SOD assay kit. In-silico analysis was assessed using loss-of-function (LofTool) (PMID: 27563026).
Results: No association was found between the insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism of SOD1 and risk of oxidative stress in thalassemia major patients
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the oxidative stress is not affected by the Ins/ Del polymorphism of SOD1 in thalassemia major patients. Further research with larger sample size and with other genes of antioxidant system is required.
Blood Parameters in Treatment with Arsenic Trioxide in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mohammadi Kanesbi Mehdi , Jarahi Lida , Keramati Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2020

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). APL is famed with some special blood coagulation disorders such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The therapeutic methods of APL contain All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA), arsenic trioxide (ATO) or/and chemotherapy. Many studies have been done on APL blood disorders and its treatment. These studies have shown different results. In this systematic article, we tried to review the effect of ATO therapy with or without ATRA and chemotherapy on DIC parameters (D-dimer, Prothrombin Time, Activated Partial Thrombin Time, Platelet count) in APL patients. The result of included studies demonstrated that although ATO can reduce the number of malignant cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, it does not have enough potential to attenuate the danger of high score DIC that is usual in APL patients and should be better to be used with other therapeutic methods.
Hemoglobinopathies in Iran: An Updated Review
Authors: Nasiri Abolfazl , Rahimi Zohreh , Vaisi-Raygani Asad
Published: April 2020

Hemoglobinopathies are the most common single gene disorders (monogenic disorders) in the world population.  Due to specific position of Iran and the presence of multi-ethnic groups in the country, there are many varieties in the molecular genetics and clinical features of hemoglobinopathies in Iran. Hemoglobinopathies include structural variants, thalassemias, and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. In this review, we look at the common structural variants in various parts of the country along with their hematological and clinical characteristics. Also, we discuss about the burden of the thalassemias in the country, different types, complications, molecular defects and therapy.
The Effectiveness of Attention Bias Modification with and without Trans Cranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Shiasy Yasaman , Shakiba Shima , Taremian Farhad , Akhavan Hejazi Seyed Majid , Abasi Alireza
Published: April 2020

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effect of ABM (attention bias modification) with and without tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on attention bias, pain intensity, and disability due to pain and pain-related psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Method: Using convenience sampling, 60 individuals who met the criteria for chronic low back pain (LBP) were selected and randomly assigned in to 2 experimental groups and 2 control and sham-tDCS groups. The experimental ABM group received 5 sessions of the dot-probe task, while the second experimental group received 5 sessions of dot-probe task combined with tDCS.
Results: The findings indicated that ABM and ABM+tDCS could reduce attention bias and pain-related psychological consequences significantly, compared to the control and sham groups. Also, attention bias and pain outcomes (depression, anxiety, disability due to pain and pain intensity) remained in ABM+tDCS group than in ABM group in a 1-month follow-up.
Conclusion: It was found that tDCS + ABM had no additional effects at the end of intervention, but led to more long-lasting effects in 1-month follow-up.
Randomized clinical trial registry number: IRCT20171107037306N1.
The Relationship between Household Food Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Women: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Khoshgoo Mahdi , Eslami Omid , Khadem Al-Hosseini Mojtaba , Shidfar Farzad
Published: April 2020

Objective: There is growing evidence suggesting that household food insecurity (HFI) is associated with adverse outcomes on mental health; however, limited evidence exists for pregnant women. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between HFI and depressive symptoms among a sample of pregnant women.
Method: This cross sectional study was performed on 394 pregnant women referring to the health centers located in Qom, Iran, from October 2017 to March 2019. HFI was evaluated using an 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. The Beck Depression Inventory-II questionnaire was applied to determine the severity of depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with elevated depressive symptoms in the study population.
Results: The mean (± standard deviation) age of the study population was 28.59 ± 7.28 years. Almost 48% of participants were food insecure, and 37% experienced elevated levels of depressive symptoms during pregnancy. The prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms was significantly higher in food-insecure (P < 0.001) and unemployed (P = 0.02) women, while it was significantly lower in women with higher education levels (P < 0.001). In the adjusted model, it was revealed that HFI was significantly associated with the higher likelihood of having elevated depressive symptoms (OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 2.07, 5.29), while the higher level of education was negatively associated with the levels of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.79).
Conclusion: HFI was positively associated with the severity of depressive symptoms in a sample of pregnant women. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding. Meanwhile, routine screening of HFI for all pregnant women in the community health centers is recommended.
The Relationship between Quality of Life and Physical Activity, Worry, Depression, and Insomnia in Pregnant Women
Authors: Davoud Adham , Abazari Malek
Published: April 2020

Objective: Physical activity (PA), insomnia, depression, and worry were the key factors affecting pregnant women’s quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to determine quality of life and its relationship with physical activity, insomnia, depression, and worry in pregnant women.
Method: This was an observational cross sectional study, conducted among 256 healthy pregnant women using 5 questionnaires: WHOQOL-brief (WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire, brief version, ISI (Insomnia Severity Index), PSWQ (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), ZSRDS (Zung Self-Rating depression Scale), and Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ).
Results: There was a significant relationship between general QoL, insomnia, and worry with educational background, number of children, and occupation (P < 0.05). Depression had a significant relationship with occupation (P < 0.05). PA did not have a significant relationship with demographic information. However, insomnia had a significantly negative relationship with general QoL, general health, and psychological health (P < 0.05). The worry variable had also a significant negative relationship with general QoL, general health, and physiological health (P < 0.05). Depression had a significant negative relationship with general health, physical health, and psychological health (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship between physical activities in pregnancy with QoL, depression, worry, and insomnia.
Conclusion: Women need to be informed about the necessity of controlling and reducing insomnia, worry, and depression to have a higher QoL. PA declined during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. However, PA in pregnancy can positively impact general QoL.
Evaluation of Suicide Attempt due to Drug Poisoning in a 7 -Year -Old Girl: A Case Report
Authors: Mozafar Aliashraf , Sahebi Ali , Adibi Amir , Saatchi Mohammad , Sayehmiri Kourosh
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Suicidal behavior is a worrying issue in children and is a very important indicator of emotional distress in children. Suicide is uncommon in children before puberty.
Case Report: Here, a case of a 7-year-old girl who committed suicide by drug poisoning was reported. The child’s behavior was assessed using a child behavior checklist (CBCL), in which aggressive behavioral problem was the most important. Her mother had a history of suicide attempts, generalized anxiety, and major depressive disorder over the past year, and her father was a drug abuser.
Conclusion: Mental disorders in parents and tensions in the family may be associated with behavioral-emotional difficulties in children and it can lead to dangerous behaviors such as suicide attempts. It is most important to describe the factors that lead to suicide attempt among children and intervention that my help these children.
Addiction Recovery: A Systematized Review
Authors: Inanlou Mehrnoosh , Bahmani Bahman , Farhoudian Ali , Rafiee Forough
Published: April 2020

Objective: Despite the fact that a practical definition of addiction recovery is necessary to conduct an appropriate intervention and research, this concept is still vague and there is no consensus over its meaning and how to measure it. Thus, this study aimed to define and clarify this concept based on the available literature.
Method: The theoretical part of Schwartz_Barcott and Kim’s Hybrid Model of concept analysis was used to analyze the concept of “Addiction Recovery.” To find the relevant literature, an electronic search on valid databases was conducted using keywords related to the concept of addiction recovery. Medlib, IranMedex, Magiran, SID, Irandoc, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, Pro Quest, CINAHL, Science Direct, Ovid, and Wiley databases were searched up to December 2018 without a time limitation using the following keywords: “Substance use disorders”, “Drug use”, “Recovery”, “Opioids”, “Addiction treatment”, “Dependency”, “Rehabilitation”, Remission”, “Concept analysis”, “Restore”, “Definition”, “Meaning”, and “Conceptualization”. The Conventional content analysis was used on selected research articles.
Results: From a total of 9520 articles, 39 were reviewed and analyzed. Five attributes were selected, including the process of change, being holistic, being client-centric, learning healthy coping, and being multistage. Antecedents are organized into 2 interacting categories: personal and social resources. Personal resources refer to the person, his/her addiction, and the treatment characteristics, while social resources refer to the family, the community, and the context resources. Addiction recovery leads to sustained abstinence, improved physical and psychological health, improved quality of life and satisfaction, meaningful living, and citizenship.
Conclusion: These findings may form a basis for the theories, scales, and criteria for the assessment of addiction recovery and will be useful in clinical practices and research. Also, these findings could help health care professionals to understand the concept of addiction recovery, which is important in improving the recovering person in all aspects of rehabilitation. We will report the implementation and analytical phase of this research project, namely, “the addiction recovery concept analysis” in Iran.
Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, Infestation in Southwest of Iran: GIS Approach
Authors: Sharififard Mona , Alizadeh Ismaeil , Jahanifard Elham , Saki-Malehi Amal
Published: April 2020

Background: The common bed bug, a nocturnal bloodsucking insect, is known as a human parasite and public health problem in the world. The prevalence and geographical dispersion of bed bug in Ahvaz City, southwest of Iran was measured.
Methods: Spatial distribution of Cimex lectularius was determined by surveying 520 houses in 62 areas of Ahvaz City in 2017. Some information like as infested points, the concern level of the residents and allergic reaction to the insect bite were registered in a form using the secondhand instrument.
Results: According to the spatial distribution map, of 62 areas, 27 of them are infested with bed bugs. Infestation is scattered throughout the city, but its focus is on the east of the Karun River. The most bed bug infestation was in Asi­abad followed by Manbaab areas. Prevalence of bed bug infestation estimated 9.61% in Ahvaz city. It was 5.4% and 11.6% in apartments and single houses, respectively. The lowest and highest infestation rates based on its source were 1.35% and 9.03% in wallpaper and cracks and crevices, respectively. Bedroom and sitting room were the main harbor­ages for bed bug in the houses. The majority of residents who had bitten by a bed bug showed various allergic reactions like redness skin, papules, vesicles, pustules and blisters. Most of the people in the infested houses (62%) were very concern about bed bug infestation.
Conclusion: Public education and increasing the knowledge of people can lead to successful management, prevention and elimination of this nuisance pest.
Molecular and Seroepidemiological Survey of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Owned Dogs (Canis familiaris) in New Foci of Rural Areas of Alborz Province, Central Part of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2017
Authors: Heidari Aliehsan , Mohebali Mehdi , Vahed Mozhgan , Kabir Kourosh , Zarei Zabihollah , Akhoundi Behnaz , Elikaee Samira , Barati Hojatallah , Sezavar Monireh , Keshavarz Hossein , Kakooei Zahra , Hajjaran Homa
Published: April 2020

Background: Mediterranean form of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic among some provinces of Iran. The pre­sent study was designed to determine the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in the owned dogs of the rural areas of Alborz Province near Tehran as the capital of Iran.
Methods: This study conducted on 303 owned dogs that selected using a stratified random sampling method. The direct agglutination test (DAT) was used to determine the frequency of Vl. The spleen biopsy was taken from the serology-positive dogs for the confirmation of CVL in the suspected dogs. Nested PCR and sequencing methods were used to determine the type of Leishmania species in the dogs which were parasitological positive.
Results: Overall, the DAT results of 9 dogs (2.97%, CI: 1.57–5.55) showed anti Leishmania antibodies at titers ≥ 1:320 indicating VL infection. One dog (0.33%, CI 95%: 0.06–1.85) showed clinical signs and symptoms of VL. There was a significant correlation between the positive cases of CVL and rural area (p< 0.001). The Leishmania was observed in the impression smears that were prepared from spleen biopsy of five the studied dogs. Leishmania infantum were con­firmed in all them using nested–PCR assay. The sequence analysis of all five isolates was 95% similar to L. infantum.
Conclusion: This study shows that domestic cycle of L. infantum has been established in rural areas of Alborz province where located near Tehran as capital city of Iran. It is necessary to increase the awareness and monitoring of the disease periodically.
Effects of Resident Education and Self-Implementation of Integrated Pest Management Strategy for Eliminating Bed Bug Infestation in Ahvaz City, Southwestern Iran
Authors: Alizadeh Ismaeil , Jahanifard Elham , Sharififard Mona , Azemi Mohammad Ebrahim
Published: April 2020

Background: Bed bugs as blood-sucking insects have become a public health problem in urban communities through­out the world. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of resident education and self-implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for eliminating bed bug infestation in infected apartments in Ahvaz City, Iran.
Methods: This interventional study was conducted in seventy apartments infested with bed bug (Cimex lectularius) in Ahvaz City, southwest Iran, during a 6-month period. The bed bug infestations reported to Health centers were in­spect­ed visually and confirmed by medical entomology experts. Then, the heads of the households were received tech­niques/ tools of the IPM program and trained by medical entomology experts before self-implementation of control methods. Finally, the infected apartments were inspected by the experts at 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention and data were rec­orded in a checklist.
Results: From the seventy infected apartments, 57%, 28% and 15% were considered as low, moderate, and high level infestation respectively. The bed bug infestation was eliminated from 53 apartments (76%) after one month and it reached to 62 apartments (88%) by the end of third month. Finally, after six months of applying IPM program, bed bugs infestation was eliminated from all infected apartments (100%). Residents expressed their 100% satisfaction with ap­plying the bed bug IPM strategy.
Conclusion: Training residents to implement the IPM program can reduce pest control costs, the volume of pesticides consumed, and human exposure to chemical pesticides, resulting in increased human and environmental health and safety.
Frequency and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Species Isolated from the Body Surface of the Housefly (Musca domestica) in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Odetoyin Babatunde , Adeola Babatunde , Olaniran Olarinde
Published: April 2020

Background: The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria has become a serious problem worldwide. House­flies are potential carriers of pathogenic and resistant bacteria and could be contributing to the global spread of these strains in the environments.We investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistant profiles of bacteria isolated from houseflies in Akure.
Methods: Twenty-five houseflies were captured by a sterile nylon net from the slaughterhouse, garbage dump, human house, hospital, and eatery from 9:00am to 1:00pm when the flies were active and transported immediately to the la­bor­atory in sterile containers for processing. Bacterial loads were enumerated by serial dilution and plating on nutrient agar and selective media. Bacteria species were isolated by conventional isolation technique. Antibiotic susceptibility test was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique.
Results: Sixty-seven bacterial species were isolated from 25 samples that were collected. The predominant bacterial species was Escherichia coli (n= 31, 45%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n= 17, 25%), Staphylococcus aureus (n= 11, 16%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n= 3, 4.3%). The bacterial load of the samples ranged from 9.7×105CFU/mL to 1.65×106CFU/mL. The results revealed that all isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp, and Proteus mi­rabilis were resistant to streptomycin and cotrimoxazole, augmentin and amoxicillin respectively. None of the S. aureus iso­lates was resistant to cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol, sparfloxacin, augmentin, and ofloxacin. All isolates were multi-drug resistant.
Conclusion: House flies that were collected from the slaughterhouse, garbage dump, human house, hospital, and eatery may participate in the dispersal of pathogenic and resistant bacteria in the study environment.
Porfiria y embarazo: descripción de un caso clínico
Authors: Contreras-Zúñiga Eduardo , Zuluaga-Martínez Sandra Ximena
Published: April 2020

Las porﬁrias son errores congénitos del metabolismo por alteraciones en los genes que codiﬁcan las enzimas de la biosíntesis del grupo heme. Su trascendencia clínica se debe sobre todo a las crisis de las porﬁrias agudas que pueden ocasionar una morbilidad y mortalidad importante por los efectos directos de la propia enfermedad o por complicaciones asociadas como la hiponatremia. El patrón de ataque en la embarazada porfírica varía considerablemente entre pacientes individuales y embarazos individuales. A continuación se describe un caso clínico de una paciente embarazada quien consulta por un cuadro de dolor epigástrico manejada como una enfermedad ácido péptica siendo ﬁnalmente, una porﬁria aguda intermitente.
Representation, Ideology and Writing from Below: On the Paradox of Standpoint Epistemology and the Limits of Intersectionality
Authors: Hussey Ian
Published: April 2020

Feminist standpoint epistemology (FSE) is an important form of writing from below; that is, writing from embodied experience. FSE and other forms of writing from below involve practices of representation that are mediated by ideology. In this article, I tease out some of the complexities and limitations of feminist efforts to use FSE to situate and embody thought. Some feminist standpoint theorists understand Cartesian dualism as a dualism or a division that can be collapsed or reversed, but I show that what is called “Cartesian dualism” is in fact a paradox and therefore cannot be overcome but must be grappled with on an ongoing basis in our efforts to write from below. The article begins with an exploration of the basic tenets and presumptions of two schools of FSE. While neither school can evade the politics of representation, I show that one is able to withstand an intersectional critique whilst the other is not. Having unpacked these schools of FSE, I reflect on Himani Bannerji’s ideology critique of intersectionality to lay bare the limitations of this concept that some writers from below deploy and to advance a reflexive materialist epistemology.
COVID-19 Preparedness in a Neonatal Unit at a Tertiary Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Saggers Robin T. , Ramdin Tanusha D. , Bandini Rossella M. , Ballot Daynia E.
Published: April 2020

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to South Africa and poses an infection risk in pregnant women and their newborns, as well as health-care workers and other patients.

Objective: To discuss the implementation of international and local recommendations, and any additional actions undertaken at our Neonatal Unit in order to prepare for COVID-19.

Discussion: Standard precautions in order to prepare a facility and its personnel to safely care for COVID-19 patients as outlined by the World Health Organization procedures have been implemented. Further actions undertaken in our Neonatal Unit included the creation of standard operating procedures, increased communication between neonatal and obstetric teams, limiting staff exposure, the creation of disposable resuscitation boxes to attend deliveries, reallocation of a triage area in the high care ward to an isolation area for sick newborns of suspected or confirmed maternal COVID-19 cases, staff training on personal protective equipment procedures and initiation of an online resources portal for neonatal staff.

Conclusion: A rational approach to suspected cases and infection control in-line with local and international guidelines as well as ongoing education should diminish anxiety amongst health-care professionals and provide the best possible care to patients. South Africa is a low-to-middle income country, and the lack of resources available means we cannot increase our capacity, staffing numbers or available equipment. Yet, we must be as prepared, adaptable and efficient as possible to maximize the resources and equipment we have available to us.
Development of Worldwide Tsunami Hazard Map for Evacuation Planning and Rescue Operations
Authors: Jose Jais , Yuvaraj E. , Aswin S. , Suresh Arjun
Published: April 2020

The world tsunami hazard map is developed to understand the pattern of occurrence of tsunami across the globe and for using this database for preparing effective evacuation plan and rescue operations. It has been developed by using Web GIS tools. HTML, CSS, Java Script, JQuery, IIS and Maps API are utilized to develop hazard map. These data can be even used by government authorities as well as by other nodal agencies.
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Possible Therapeutic Options for COVID-19
Authors: Ullah Md. Asad , Araf Yusha , Sarkar Bishajit , Moin Abu Tayab , Reshad Riyan Al Islam , Rahman Md. Hasanur
Published: April 2020

The recent pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread so rapidly and severely affected the people of almost every country in the world. The highly contagious nature of this virus makes it difficult to take control of the present pandemic situation. With no specific treatment available, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a threat to people of all ages including the elderly people and people with other medical complications as a vulnerable group to this disease. Better understanding of viral pathogenesis, appropriate preventive measures, early diagnosis and supportive treatments of the infected patients are now the general solutions to fight against this viral transmission. But, as an emerging disease, most about it remains still poorly understood. This article holds an overview on the origin and structure, pathogenesis, diagnosis and possible therapeutic options for the causative agent, SARS-CoV-2 and disease, COVID-19. However, few therapeutic options, laboratory experiments and other strategies proposed here need to be further clinically tested.
Global Comparison of Changes in the Number of Test-Positive Cases and Deaths by Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19) in the World
Authors: Hisaka Akihiro , Yoshioka Hideki , Hatakeyama Hiroto , Sato Hiromi , Onouchi Yoshihiro , Anzai Naohiko
Published: April 2020

Global differences in changes in the numbers of population-adjusted daily test-positive cases (NPDP) and deaths (NPDD) by COVID-19 were analyzed for 49 countries. The changes per population of a hundred million were compared, adjusting by the beginning of test-positive cases increase (BPI) or deaths increase (BDI). Notable regional differences of more than 100 times in NPDP and NPDD were observed. The trajectories of NPDD after BDI increased exponentially within 20 days in most countries. A machine learning analysis suggested that NPDD on 30 days after BDI was the highest in Western countries (1180), followed by the Middle East (128), Latin America (97), and then Asia (7), and furthermore that, NPDD in Western countries with a positive rate of the PCR test of less than 7.0% attenuated to only 15%. The cause behind differences between regions might be complex, however, investigation of the host genetic factors would be warranted. The lower positive rate would be caused by aggressive testing policy and associated with longer lag times between BPI and BDI. Our analysis suggested that the positive rate need to be 7% or less by extensive tests to reduce deaths effectively. As the number of infected people is growing rapidly, earlier expansion of the test capacity is indispensable.
Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of COVID-19: Evidence, Possible Mode of Action and Industrial Supply of the Drug
Authors: Pagliaro Mario , Meneguzzo Francesco
Published: April 2020

Hydroxychloroquine, a known antiviral metabolite of chloroquine, is increasingly used along with antibiotic azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. In about one month India, the world’s largest manufacturer, delivered hydroxychloroquine for treating COVID-19 to over 50 countries. The therapy is being used across the world both for patients staying at home at the early phase of symptoms, as well as for patients hospitalized. We summarize achievements as of late April 2020, review possible modes of action and suggest avenues for the quick scale-up of production of hydroxychloroquine.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Survey on the State-of-the-Arts
Authors: Pham Quoc-Viet , Nguyen Dinh C. , Huynh-The Thien , Hwang Won-Joo , Pathirana Pubudu N.
Published: April 2020

The very first infected novel coronavirus case (COVID-19) was found in Hubei, China in Dec. 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has spread over 215 countries and areas in the world, and has significantly affected every aspect of our daily lives. At the time of writing this article, the numbers of infected cases and deaths still increase significantly and have no sign of a well-controlled situation, e.g., as of 14 April 2020, a cumulative total of 1,853,265 (118,854) infected (dead) COVID-19 cases were reported in the world. Motivated by recent advances and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in various areas, this paper aims at emphasizing their importance in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and preventing the severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We firstly present an overview of AI and big data, then identify their applications in fighting against COVID-19, next highlight challenges and issues associated with state-of-the-art solutions, and finally come up with recommendations for the communications to effectively control the COVID-19 situation. It is expected that this paper provides researchers and communities with new insights into the ways AI and big data improve the COVID-19 situation, and drives further studies in stopping the COVID-19 outbreak.
ANALISIS KESALAHAN PESERTA DIDIK DALAM MENYELESAIKAN SOAL CERITA ARITMATIKA SOSIAL BERDASARKAN TAHAPAN NEWMAN
Authors: Jami Marselina Para , Murniasih Tatik Retno , Yuwono Timbul
Published: April 2020

Aritmatika sosial adalah materi yang berkaitan dengan jual beli, untung dan rugi. Berdasarkan obeservasi dan pengalaman didapatkan banyaknya peserta didik yang melakukan kesalahan saat menyelesaikan soal cerita terutama materi Aritmatika Sosial. Dengan demikian, dibutuhkan sebuah metode ilmiah untuk mengatasi dengan cara menganalisis kesalahan tersebut, salah satu metode ilmiah yang bisa digunakan adalah tahapan Newman. Berdasarkan tahapan Newman ada 5 jenis kesalahan peserta didik, yaitu: kesalahan membaca (reading errors), kesalahan memahami (comprehension errors), kesalahan transformasi (transformation errors), kesalahan keterampilan proses (process skill errors), dan kesalahan penulisan jawaban akhir (encoding errors). Pendekatan penelitian yaitu pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian deskriptif. Penelitian ini menggunakan isntrumen diantaranya tes tertulis dan wawancara. Subjek wawancara sebanyak 5 peserta didik yang diambil berdasarkan tipe kesalahan berdasarkan tahapan Newman. Dari  hasil penelitian menunjukan yaitu persentase kesalahan membaca (reading errors) sebesar 0%, kesalahan memahami sebesar (comprehension errors) sebesar 54%, kesalahan transformasi (transformation errors) sebesar 92%, kesalahan keterampilan proses (process skill errors) sebesar 54%, dan kesalahan penulisan jawaban akhir (encoding errors) sebesar 61%.
ANALISIS PEMAHAMAN KONSEP SISWA PADA MATERI TEOREMA PYTHAGORAS DITINJAU DARI TEORI APOS SISWA KELAS VIII
Authors: Ferdiani Rosita Dwi , Dinullah Riski Nur Istiqomah , Cahyani Risa
Published: April 2020

Abstrak: Berdasarkan hasil observasi yang dilakukan peneliti pada salah satu SMP yang ada di Kabupaten Malang yaitu SMPN 1 Wonosari, peneliti mendapatkan beberapa siswa yang kurang dalam memahami konsep matematika. Hal itu menunjukkan bahwa siswa harus mempunyai pemahaman konsep dalam memahami soal yang diberikan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pemahaman konsep siswa pada materi teorema pythagoras ditinjau dari teori APOS. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif yang bersifat deskriptif dengan metode tes dan wawancara. Subyek penelitian ini adalah dua siswa dengan kategori baik, dua siswa dengan kategori sedang dan dua siswa dengan kategori kurang yang dilakukan di kelas VIII SMPN 1 Wonosari. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa 10 siswa mampu mengerjakan pada tahap aksi, 7 siswa mampu mengerjakan pada tahap proses, 4 siswa mampu mengerjakan pada tahap objek dan 3 siswa mampu mengerjakan pada tahap skema. Dari hasil penelitian ini, disampaikan bahwa rata-rata kemampuan pemahaman konsep siswa yaitu pada tahap aksi dan proses. Saran dari penelitian ini adalah guru diharapkan dapat memberikan metode pembelajaran yang bisa meningkatkan pemahaman konsep siswa ataupun guru juga bisa memberikan latihan-latihan secara rutin dengan berbagai jenis soal yang dapat meningkatkan pemahaman konsep siswa.
IFC - Rio do Sul: Memória institucional e relações com territórios de vulnerabilidade social
Authors: Deane Talita , Castro Cloves
Published: April 2020

Trata-se de pesquisa em andamento, inserida na linha de pesquisa “Organização e Memórias de Espaços Pedagógicos na Educação Profissional e Tecnológica” do Curso de Mestrado Profissional em Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (ProfEPT) ofertado no Instituto Federal Catarinense (IFC), campus Blumenau. Devido ao baixo número de estudantes residentes em Rio do Sul procurarem o IFC para realização do ensino médio na modalidade integrado, especialmente nos cursos vinculados às ciências agrárias (agropecuária e agroecologia), pretende-se através de pesquisa documental, bibliográfica e aplicação de questionário para estudantes dos anos finais do ensino fundamental (9º ano) de cinco escolas públicas situadas em territórios de maior vulnerabilidade social do município, compreender a história do IFC em Rio do Sul e apresentar como produto educacional uma plataforma digital para contribuir com a construção da memória de implantação da instituição na cidade.
Tempo autêntico e inautêntico na EJA
Authors: Souza Vinicius , Pitt Henrique , Plácido Reginaldo
Published: April 2020

O artigo pretende refletir sobre a questão do tempo, enquanto categoria filosófica, e suas relações e significados para estudantes da Educação de Jovens e Adultos. Para o intento, guia-se pelo pensamento de Martin Heidegger buscando, a partir de algumas de suas categorias, especialmente as que dialogam com o sentido de tempo, no intuito de problematizar o trabalhador(a)-estudante da EJA e seus tempos autênticos e inautênticos. Entendendo-se como indissociável a espacialidade dos tempos sociais, de cotidiano trabalhista e estudantil, bem como os tempos e espaços vividos e das memórias. Propõe-se neste sentido, o lócus do cotidiano escolar como um espaço que absorve e influencia o estudante da EJA e que neste texto nos auxilia problematizá-lo no que convencionamos como tempo autêntico e tempo inautêntico.
Integration of NMR and Conventional Logs for Vuggy Facies Classification in the Arbuckle Formation: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Xu Rui , Deng Tianqi , Jiang Jiajun , Jobe Dawn , Xu Chicheng
Published: April 2020

Diagenetic effects in carbonate rocks can enhance or occlude depositional pore space. Reliable identification of porosity-enhancing diagenetic features (e.g., vugs and fractures) is essential for petrophysical characterization of reservoir properties (e.g., porosity and permeability), construction of geological and reservoir models, reserve estimation, and production forecasting. Challenges remain in characterizing these diagenetic features from well logs as they are often mixed with variations in mineral and fluid concentrations. Herein, we explore a data-driven approach that is based on a comprehensive well log data set from the Arbuckle Formation in Kansas to classify vuggy facies in carbonate rocks. The available well log data include conventional logs (gamma ray (GRTC), resistivity (RT), neutron/density porosity (NPHI/RHOB), photoelectric factor (PE), and acoustic slowness) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) transverse relaxation time (T2) logs. We parameterized the measured T2 distribution using a multimodal lognormal Gaussian density function and combined the resulting Gaussian parameters with conventional logs as inputs into three supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms; namely, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN). The facies labeling data used in this study were based on visual examination of vug sizes from core samples, which include five classes; namely, nonvuggy, pinpoint-size, centimeter-size, fist-size, and super-vuggy. In total, 80% of the data set was used as the training set, and a fivefold cross validation was used for hyperparameter tuning. We conducted a detailed comparison of the above three ML algorithms on the basis of different combinations of features. The highest classification accuracy achieved on the holdout testing set is 84% using SVM on a combination of conventional logs and selected NMR Gaussian parameters as inputs. In general, inclusion of conventional log data improves the prediction accuracy compared with using NMR data alone. Feature selection improves the performance for SVM and ANN but is not recommended for RF.
The differential expression patterns of paralogs in response to stresses indicate expression and sequence divergences
Authors: Lian Shuaibin , Zhou Yongjie , Liu Zixiao , Gong Andong , Cheng Lin
Published: April 2020

Background Theoretically, paralogous genes generated through whole genome duplications should share identical expression levels due to their identical sequences and chromatin environments. However, functional divergences and expression differences have arisen due to selective pressures throughout evolution. A comprehensive investigation of the expression patterns of paralogous gene pairs in response to various stresses and a study of correlations between the expression levels and sequence divergences of the paralogs are needed. Results In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns of paralogous genes under different types of stress and investigated the correlations between the expression levels and sequence divergences of the paralogs. We analyzed the differential expression patterns of the paralogs under four different types of stress (drought, cold, infection, and herbivory) and classified them into three main types according to their expression patterns. We then further analyzed the differential expression patterns under various degrees of stress and constructed corresponding co-expression networks of differentially expressed paralogs and transcription factors. Finally, we investigated the correlations between the expression levels and sequence divergences of the paralogs and identified positive correlations between expression level and sequence divergence. With regard to sequence divergence, we identified correlations between selective pressures and phylogenetic relationships. Conclusions These results shed light on differential expression patterns of paralogs in response to environmental stresses and are helpful for understanding the relationships between expression levels and sequences divergences.
Patterns of access to reproductive health services in Ghana and Nigeria: results of a cluster analysis
Authors: Ogundele Oluwasegun Jko , Pavlova Milena , Groot Wim
Published: April 2020

Background Inequalities in access to health care result in systematic health differences between social groups. Interventions to improve health do not always consider these inequalities. To examine access to reproductive health care services in Ghana and Nigeria, the patterns of use of family planning and maternal care by women in these countries are explored. Methods We used population-level data from the Ghana and Nigeria Demographic Health Surveys of 2014 and 2013 respectively. We applied a two-step cluster analysis followed by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results The initial two-step cluster analyses related to family planning identified three clusters of women in Ghana and Nigeria: women with high, medium and poor access to family planning services. The subsequent two-step cluster analyses related to maternal care identified five distinct clusters: higher, high, medium, low and poor access to maternal health services in Ghana and Nigeria. Multinomial logistic regression showed that compared to women with secondary/higher education, women without education have higher odds of poor access to family planning services in Nigeria (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.90−3.39) and in Ghana (OR=1.257, 95% CI: 0.77−2.03). Compared to white-collar workers, women who are not working have increased odds of poor access to maternal health services in Nigeria (OR= 1.579, 95% CI: 1.081−2.307, p ≤0.01). This association is not observed for Ghana. Household wealth is strongly associated with access to family planning services and maternal health care services in Nigeria. Not having insurance in Ghana is associated with low access to family planning services, while this is not the case in Nigeria. In both countries, the absence of insurance is associated with poor access to maternal health services. Conclusions These differences confirm the importance of a focused context-specific approach towards reproductive health services, particularly to reduce inequality in access resulting from socio-economic status. Interventions should be focused on the categorization of services and population groups into priority classes based on needs assessment. In this way, they can help expand coverage of quality services bottom up to improve access among these vulnerable groups.
The new cultural norm: reasons why UK foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training
Authors: Hollis Alexander Conor , Streeter Jack , Hamel Clare Van , Milburn Louise , Alberti Hugh
Published: April 2020

Background The number of UK foundation doctors choosing to go straight into speciality training has fallen drastically over the last 10 years: We sought to explore and understand the reasons for this change. Methods We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 foundation year two doctors, who had not applied to speciality training, from two regional foundation schools. Transcripts were thematically analysed.Results The reasons that foundation doctors are choosing not to go straight into speciality training centre around the themes of feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and a new cultural norm. They report major feelings of uncertainty regarding career choice at such an early stage of their profession and this challenge was magnified by a perceived lack of flexibility of training and the growing normality of taking time out from training. Trainees feel a lack of support in planning and undertaking an “FY3” year and being helped back into the workforce. Trainees overwhelmingly reported that they feel undervalued by their employers. Importantly, however, not going into training directly was not always a reflection of dissatisfaction with training. Many trainees spoke very positively about their planned activities and often saw a break in training as an excellent way to recharge, develop skills and prepare for the rest of their careers in medicine.Conclusions Taking a year or more out of training after foundation years has become the new cultural norm for UK junior doctors and reasons for this include feeling undervalued, career uncertainty and the perception that this is now “normal”. Exploring these factors with participants has generated a number of recommendations related to improving the workplace environment, allowing more flexibility in training and supporting those who chose to take an FY3.