bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between collagen proportionate area and Hepatitis B surface antigen levels in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis
Authors: Yu Rui , Shi Qiangwei , Sun Qian , Wang Chunfeng , Yao Jianning , Zhang Lianfeng
Published: December 2019

Background: Quantitative serum HBsAg has been widely used as a biomarker for treatment response and prognosis in chronic hepatitis B, and recently been found associated with liver histology in HBeAg positive patients. Collagen proportionate area (CPA) as a continuous variable is a appropriate histological measurement to assess the degree of fibrosis and substages cirrhosis. We aimed to explore the association of serum HBsAg level with CPA in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.Methods: Liver fibrosis staging was evaluated semiquantitatively according to the Metavir scoring system, only patients with METAVIR stage 4 were included. All liver biopsies were restained with picroSirius red for collagen quantification and determination of CPA by digital image analysis.Results: Mean collagen proportionate area value was 23.46%. The percentage of patients with different classification of CPA (< 20%, 20%-30%, >30%) were 25.8%, 57.8%, and 16.4%, respectively. A modest correlation was observed between CPA and serum HBsAg (r = -0.306, p = 0.001). HBsAg level is independently associated with collagen proportionate area in multivariable linear regression analyses.Conclusion: Serum HBsAg levels can predict liver fibrosis determined by CPA in e antigen positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.
CCL18-NIR1/GPR3 promotes oral cancer cell growth and metastasis by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Guodong , Jiang Xiao , Sun Xiang , Huang Zhijie , Zheng Xianghuai , Liu Jingpeng , Shen Jun , Jia Bo , Luo Haiyun , Mai Zhaoyi , Zhao Jianjiang
Published: December 2019

Background Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) affects the malignant progression of varying cancers by activating chemokine receptors. Our previous study have shown that CCL18 promotes hyperplasia and invasiveness of oral cancer cells; however, the cognate receptors of CCL18 involved in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not yet been identified. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms through which CCL18 promotes OSCC progression by binding to specific functional receptors.Methods The properties of CCL18 receptors (i.e., NIR1, CCR6, CCR8, and GPR3) in OSCC were detected by conducting western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemistry assays. The binding between CCL18 and its receptors was verified by performing coimmunoprecipitation (CO-IP) assays. The χ2 test was applied to analyze the relationship between CCL18 receptor expression patterns and clinicopathological factors. Recombinant CCL18 (rCCL18) and receptor siRNA were used to confirm the effects of CCL18 receptor axis on the morphology of cancer cells (i.e., proliferation, and metastasis), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.Results NIR1 and GPR3 as specific receptors of CCL18 in OSCC were found to be significantly increased and positively related to the TNM stage of OSCC patients. rCCL18 induced phenotype alterations of oral cancer cells including cell growth, metastasis, and EMT. Knockdown of NIR1 and/or GPR3 expression could block the effects of rCCL18-induced OSCC. Furthermore, JAK2/STAT3 signalling was confirmed to be a downstream pathway of the CCL18-NIR1/GPR3 axis.Conclusion CCL18 can promote the progression of OSCC by binding specific receptors (NIR1 and GPR3), and the CCL18-receptor signalling can activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The identification of the mechanisms of CCL18 promoting OSCC progression could implicate potential therapeutic targets for treating oral cancer.
Abnormal Expression of NOS3 and Association with Clinical Outcome are Highly Cancer Dependent as Revealed through Pan-Cancer Analysis
Authors: Zou Dan , Lv Fei , Yang Yi , Yang Chunjiao , Chen Yang , Jin Zi , Zhou Jinpeng , Jiang Yang , Jing Zhitao , Zhang Ye
Published: December 2019

Background: NOS3 (endothelial NOS, eNOS) is a member of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme family, mainly participating in nitric oxide (NO) generation. NOS3 has been reported to inhibit apoptosis and promote angiogenesis, proliferation, and invasiveness. However, the expression pattern of NOS3 and its diagnostic and prognostic potential has not been investigated in a pan-cancer perspective. Methods: In this research, data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and the Cancer Therapeutics Response Portal (CTRP) were employed and NOS3 expression was comprehensively analysed in normal tissues, cancer tissues and cell lines. Its relationship with clinical phenotypes and drug responses was also analysed. Results: In normal tissues, NOS3 was expressed at the highest levels in the spleen and the lowest levels in the blood. Compared with the corresponding normal tissues, its expression in tumour was significantly increased in seven tumour types but decreased in eight tumour types. And NOS3 expression was positively or negatively related to tumour stage and overall survival of patients depending on the tumour types. The expression of NOS3 was related to the response to ‘SR8278’. Conclusions: NOS3 was differentially expressed in tumour tissues, and had prognosis value in some tumour types. And its correlation to drug response warrants further investigation.
The Role of Smart Sensors in Production Processes and the Implementation of Industry 4.0
Authors: Karabegovic I. , Karabegovic E. , Mahmic M. , Husak E.
Published: December 2019

In the world of global competition, customers have increasing demands that companies must meet in order to remain active in the global market. For this reason, it is necessary to use new technologies in the production processes, i.e. to implement Industry 4.0. In other words, we need to create a connected company through the digital transformation that enables production processes to discover new ways to increase productivity and improve overall business performance. Companies need to get involved and start a digital system, and from supplier to customer. It is a key to the hidden value that can contribute to the company’s productivity, compliance, profitability, as well as the quality of the finished product, and eventually the introduction of flexible industrial automation of production processes. The aforementioned technologies and Internet of Things connect the physical and virtual world with a purpose to better collect and analyze data, transforming them into information that reaches decision-makers. To do this, it is necessary to implement smart sensors that provide information at all times. The implementation of Industry 4.0 in production processes is unthinkable without smart sensors and provides the following: faster product development time, lower overall costs, improved use of production processes and their optimization, as well as company risk management. The paper will outline the motives for the implementation of smart sensors and applications of smart sensors in production processes.

Keywords: production process, smart sensor, Industry 4.0, production automation, digital transformation, flexible automation.
Advancement of Fault Diagnosis and Detection Process in Industrial Machine Environment
Authors: Altaf S. , Mehmood M. S. , Soomro M. W.
Published: December 2019

Machine fault diagnosis is a very important topic in industrial systems and deserves further consideration in view of the growing complexity and performance requirements of modern machinery. Currently, manufacturing companies and researchers are making a great attempt to implement efficient fault diagnosis tools. The signal processing is a key step for the machine condition monitoring in complex industrial rotating electrical machines. A number of signal processing techniques have been reported from last two decades conventionally and effectively applied on different rotating machines. Induction motor is the one of widely used in various industrial applications due to small size, low cost and operation with existing power supply. Faults and failure of the induction machine in industry can be the cause of loss of throughput and significant financial losses. As compared with the other faults with the broken rotor bar, it has significant importance because of severity which leads to a serious breakdown of motor. Detection of rotor failure has become significant fault but difficult task in machine fault diagnosis. The aim of this paper is indented to summarizes the fault diagnosis techniques with the purpose of the broken rotor bar fault detection.

Keywords: machine fault diagnosis, signal processing technique, induction motor, condition monitoring.
Numerical Study of the Effect of Changing Tube Pitches on Heat
and Flow Characteristics from Tube Bundles in Cross Flow
Authors: Petinrin M. O. , Towoju O. A. , Ajiboye S. A. , Zebulun O. E.
Published: December 2019

Tube bundles are found in various heat transfer equipment for thermal energy transfer between fluids. However, the inter-spatial arrangement of the tubes of any tube bundle is a determining factor for its thermal and hydraulic performance. In this paper, the effect of varying the transverse and longitudinal pitches downstream staggered circular tube bundle on the heat transfer and flow characteristic was numerically analyzed. Seven variations of tube arrangements were studied by changing the tube pitches within a Reynolds number range of 7 381 to 22 214. The analyses were carried out using the k-ε equation model imposed with the realizability constraint and were solved with finite volume CFD code, COMSOL Multiphysics. The results obtained were found to be in good agreement with existing correlations. The tube bundles with decreasing pitches demonstrated better heat transfer performance while those with increasing pitches exhibited a lower friction factor. Thus, the best thermal-hydraulic performance was obtained from increasing pitch arrangements.

Keywords: cross flow, varying pitch, tube bundle, heat transfer, thermal-hydraulic performance.
Yield of Potato Minitubers under Aeroponics, Optimized for Nozzle Type and Spray Direction
Authors: da Silva Filho Jaime Barros , Rezende Fontes Paulo Cezar , Cecon Paulo Roberto , Ferreira Jorge F.S. , McGiffen Milton E. , Montgomery Jonathan F.
Published: December 2019

Potato seed production by conventional methods represents a sizeable investment that, when passed on to farmers, can decrease their profit margins. Potato minitubers produced by aeroponic systems are space- and cost-efficient, and they also provide healthy propagules to be used by farmers. We evaluated the effects of different misting nozzle types, with and without an antidrip feature, and spray direction on potato minituber yield using the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) Aeroponic System. Potato plants (cv. Agata) propagated from sprouts were grown in a covered, high-density 100-L polyethylene bucket. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four replicates and eight treatments combining misting nozzle types (Fogger, MA-30, and CoolNet) with and without antidrip and comparing upward with downward spray directions. Plants were evaluated weekly from 33 to 68 days after transplant (DAT). The parameters used to evaluate treatments were number and mass of minitubers as a function of harvest times, dry mass of roots, stems, leaves, and total biomass. The number and fresh weight of minitubers, as well as root dry weight, stems, leaves, and total biomass were affected by misting nozzle types and spray direction. Treatments also affected biomass partitioning of roots, stem biomass, and the shoot:root ratio. There was also an effect of harvest time on the number and fresh weight of minitubers for various combinations of misting nozzle type and spray direction, except for minituber number with the CoolNet misting nozzle without antidrip and downward spray direction. On the basis of the assessed parameters, the best minituber production system was achieved with the Fogger spray combined with no antidrip, a rate of 12 L·h−1, and with the downward spray direction. The UFV Aeroponic System produced an average of 491 minitubers per plant. This system is simple to implement and may lead to a more affordable upscaling of potato seed minituber production.
Stomatal Functioning and Its Influence on Fruit Calcium Accumulation in Northern Highbush Blueberry
Authors: Yang Fan-Hsuan , DeVetter Lisa W. , Strik Bernadine C. , Bryla David R.
Published: December 2019

Accumulation of calcium (Ca) in fruit is largely caused by transpiration and varies depending on the concentration of Ca in the xylem fluid. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between fruit stomatal functioning and Ca accumulation during different stages of development in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Stomata were scarce on the berries and were concentrated primarily on the distal end near the calyx. The density of the stomata was greatest at petal fall, averaging 5 to 108 stomata/mm2 from the proximal end (pedicel end) to the distal end of the berries. Stomata were wide-open at the early green stage of berry development and had a slight deposit of wax along the guard cells. As the berries expanded during the initial period of rapid growth (stage I), most of the stomata remained near the distal segment of the berries; by the late green stage, almost none was found in the middle and proximal segments. The majority of these stomata were completely covered with wax when the berries began to change color and ripen (stage II and stage III). Stomatal conductance (gS) of the berries averaged 45 mmol·m−2·s−1 at petal fall and rapidly declined as the fruit developed. By the fruit coloring stage, conductance was low and remained less than 15 mmol·m−2·s−1 throughout the ripening period. In four cultivars, including Duke, Bluecrop, Aurora, and Elliott, Ca uptake in the berries increased rapidly during the early green stage; however, it slowed considerably between the late green and fruit coloring stages and stopped completely during fruit ripening. The results of this study strongly suggested that practices used to increase the Ca content of blueberries, such as the application of foliar fertilizers, should be performed early in the season during the first few weeks after flowering.
Image processing approach for grading tobacco leaf based on color and quality
Authors: Harjoko Agus , Prahara Adhi , Supardi Tri Wahyu , Candradewi Ika , Pulungan Reza , Hartati Sri
Published: December 2019

Implementation of automation technology for grading tobacco leaf was very promising. In Indonesia, grading tobacco leaf was done manually and relied on the skill and experience of tobacco leaf graders. Large tobacco plantation needed many graders, and the workers needed to be trained, to become a skilled grader. It would take a long time and substantial cost to prepare sufficient graders. Even if the plantation had enough graders, monotonous and long duration of work would raise the human error. Therefore, we proposed a method for grading tobacco leaf based on color and quality using image processing techniques. This work covered quality inspection of tobacco leaf, namely leaf defect detection and classification of tobacco leaf based on color. Image processing techniques such as image thresholding, morphological operation, blob detection, and color analysis of tobacco leaf were employed to determine the grade of tobacco leaf. From the experiment, the proposed method was able to detect a leaf defect and able to classify tobacco leaf with 91.667% accuracy.
MODELLING LANGUAGE EXTINCTION USING SUSCEPTIBLE-INFECTIOUS-REMOVED (SIR) MODEL
Authors: Ikoba N. A. , Jolayemi E. T.
Published: December 2019

The study presents a stochastic epidemic model applied to the model of indigenous language extinction. The Susceptible-Infectious-Removed (SIR) categorization of an endemic disease has been reformulated to capture the dynamics of indigenous language decline, based on the assumption of non-homogeneous mixing. The time in which an indigenous language is expected to be extinct was derived using a modified SIR model with the population segmented into several sub-communities of small sizes representing family units. The data obtained from the 2016 indigenous language survey conducted in several parts of Nigeria and from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) were used to estimate the key parameters of the model for Nigeria’s several indigenous languages. The parameters of interest included the basic reproduction number, the threshold of endemicity, and the time in which a language is expected to be extinct, starting from the endemic level. On the basis of the time in which a language is expected to be extinct, several of the surveyed languages appeared to be in a precarious condition, while others seemed virile, thanks to a high language transfer quotient within families.
Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde Aktarlarda Satılan Papatya Türlerinin Tespitine Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: ARSLAN Doğan
Published: December 2019

Bu çalışma, Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde bulunan aktarlarda mayıs papatyası olarak satışı yapılan ürünlerin ismine doğru olup olmadığını belirlemek amacıyla gayeli örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak 2018 yılında yürütülmüştür. Dünyada, Anthemis nobilis (Romen papatyası), Matricaria recutita (Mayıs papatyası) ve Ormenis multicaulis (Fas papatyası) türleri yaygın bir şekilde tıbbi amaçlı olarak kullanılmaktadır. Ancak mayıs papatyası öncelikle şifa bulmak isteyen alıcıların ülkemizde ve dünyada tercih ettiği ilk bitki olmasına rağmen, pazarda onun yerine çoğu zaman Köpek papatyasının (Cota altissima J. Gay) satılmasından dolayı tedarikçiler, perakendeciler ve özellikle tüketicilerde bilinç ve kamuoyu oluşturulması amacıyla bu çalışma yapılmıştır. Çalışma materyali olan mayıs papatyası, genellikle soğuk algınlıklarında, öksürüklerde, midevi ve karminatif kullanım gibi amaçlarla alınıp satılmaktadır. Bu çalışma 6 ilde (Siirt, Batman, Mardin, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep ve Şanlıurfa) faaliyet gösteren merkezi konumda, aktarlar çarşısının bulunduğu illerde aktarlar çarşısında ve müşteri yoğunluğunun fazla olduğu aktarlar gayeli örnekleme yöntemi uygulanarak seçilmiş ve toplam 60 işyerinden örnekler alınmıştır. 60 adet aktardan satın alınan örneklerde yapılan tür teşhisi neticesinde örneklerin %95,7’sinin köpek papatyası (Cota altissima J. Gay), sadece %4,3’nün mayıs papatyası (Matricaria recutita) olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda insan sağlığı için önemli olan tıbbi ve aromatik bitkilerin tedarikçi ve perakendecilerinin hem bu konuda eğitimli olması hem de alanında yetkili uzmanlarca düzenli olarak denetime tabi tutulmaları gerektiği ortaya çıkmaktadır.
Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Tryptanthrin, Indirubin, Indican and Isatin Indole Alkaloids During Vegetative and Flowering Stages in the Roots and Leaves of Isatis constricta P. H. Davis
Authors: YILDIZ Nesim , KARAKAŞ Özgür
Published: December 2019

Isatis genus more known as the indigo plant is a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family in Turkey. Turkey has 31 types and 15 subtypes in various provinces.18 of these species and 3 of the subspecies are assumed as endemic. All taxa of the genus are extensively used in dyeing and treatment of various infections. They contain large number of secondary compounds like phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids in root, leaf, flower and fruit parts. Among these indole alkaloids like triptanthrin, indirubin, indican and isatin are used in treatment of many diseases. These are obtained from the leaves and roots are pharmacologically active compounds. This study revealed that this biannual herbaceous plant grows 30 - 50 cm in length on volcanic slopes, at 1200 - 1300 meters above sea level. It generally grows in Eastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The study aimed to determine optimum ontogenetic stage of Isatis constricta to extract natural bio compounds like indirubin, isatin, indican, tryptanthrin. The leaf and root samples used in this study were collected from Maden county of Elazığ province. They were tested for the presence of these compounds during vegetative and flowering period of the plant. The HPLC (HighPerformance Liquid Chromatography) analysis results showed that tryptanthrin 0.482 (±0.0072) µg/g and indirubin 0.029 (±0.00007) μg/g has the highest concentrations in the leaf samples obtained during the vegetative period. However, isatin 4.358 (± 0.0985) μg/g and indican 21.330 (± 0.114) μg/g were found to have the highest concentration in leaf samples obtained during flowering period. When both results are compared, it can be seen that the amount of tryptanthrin, isatin, indirubin and indican alkaloids were found in the leaves of I. constricta higher than to the roots. This research idicate that the most appropriate development stage of I. constricta to obtain triptanthrin indirubin, indican and isatin compounds.
Analisis Pemecahan Masalah Matematika Berdasarkan Pemanfaatan Teknologi Digital Siswa
Authors: Rosida Erika Nur , Kurniati Lenny , Kusumawati Ratih
Published: December 2019

Perkembangan teknologi dewasa ini semakin berkembang pesat khususnya teknologi digital. Teknologi digital sudah memasuki berbagai aspek kehidupan khususnya bidang pendidikan. Hasil survei Global Digital Report tahun 2018 Indonesia menempati urutan keempat penggunaan internet tetapi pada hasil survei PISA tahun 2015 Indonesia justru menduduki peringkat 63 dari 70 negara. Tujuan penelitian ini (1) Mengetahui tingkat pemanfaatan teknologi digital siswa, (2) Mengetahui kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa dan (3) Mengetahui pengaruh teknologi digital terhadap kinerja siswa dalam menyelesaikan permasalahan matematika. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif deskriptif. Hasil penelitian munjukkan tidak ada siswa yang memanfaatkan teknologi digital dalam kategori rendah dan sebagian besar siswa mampu menyelesaikan permasalahan yang diberikan. Hasil output SPSS menunjukkan kedua variabel mempunyai hubungan yang positif dan variabel bebas berpengaruh terhadap variabel terikat. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa (1) tidak ada siswa yang pemanfaatan teknologinya tergolong rendah, (2) kemampuan pemecahan masalah siswa sudah cukup baik, (3) pemanfaatan teknologi digital yang baik maka akan berpengaruh terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah menjadi baik pula.
On Understanding the Right and Duty of the Manager to Train Subordinates
Authors: Reznik Semen , Chyemyezov Igor , Finaev Pavel
Published: December 2019

The article deals with the following issue: how do managers understand their responsibility to train their subordinates? The authors focus on the most common errors that can turn the function of training into useless edifications, which trigger negative consequences and reactions of personnel. One of such errors is forced training when the employee is not ready for it. Another error is when manager fails to take into account the motives of the employee’s actions. Other mistakes include inappropriate learning methods or improper use of an initially appropriate method; public humiliation during training; negativity, criticism, and anger; inappropriate mode of communication; intrusion of manager’s opinion upon subordinates; inadequate conditions; no clear goal; no monitoring of behavioral changes, no feedback, etc. The paper contains useful recommendations to managers on how to avoid such situations: take into account the background of your communication partner; state your message clearly; avoid unnecessary personifications; explain the meaning of your advice; use your intonation wisely; avoid negativity and threats; address your employee by name; do not hesitate to use compliments; do not avoid questions; make joint decisions, etc. The optimal conditions of effective training include the following recommendations: demonstrate you care and support initiative; familiarize the employee with your vision of the situation; trust the trainee; be careful with humor; obtain feedback; use actual environment as a source of training cases; avoid criticism and public humiliation; do not postpone criticisms to the end of the day; use the advice of subordinates in their domain of competence, etc. The proposed recommendations can be used by heads of organizations to improve the training of subordinates, as well as to form and maintain long-term business relationships in the team.
Traditional Risk Factors are Causally Related to Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression: Inferences from Observational Cohort Studies and Interventional Trials
Authors: Frigerio Beatrice , Werba José P. , Amato Mauro , Ravani Alessio , Sansaro Daniela , Coggi Daniela , Vigo Lorenzo , Tremoli Elena , Baldassarre Damiano
Published: December 2019

In the present review, associations between traditional vascular risk factors (VRFs) and carotid intimamedial thickness progression (C-IMTp) as well as the effects of therapies for VRFs control on C-IMTp were appraised to infer causality between each VRF and C-IMTp. Cohort studies indicate that smoking, binge drinking, fatness, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are associated with accelerated C-IMTp. An exception is physical activity, with mixed data. Interventions for the control of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia decelerate C-IMTp. Conversely, scarce information is available regarding the effect of smoking cessation, stop of excessive alcohol intake and management of the metabolic syndrome. Altogether, these data support a causative role of several traditional VRFs on C-IMTp. Shortcomings in study design and/or ultrasonographic protocols may account for most negative studies, which underlines the importance of careful consideration of methodological aspects in investigations using C-IMTp as the outcome.
Natural Products: Experimental Efficient Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy
Authors: Cao Fan , Liu Jie , Sha Bing-Xian , Pan Hai-Feng
Published: December 2019

:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, elusive disorder resulting in relapsing inflammation of
intestine with incompletely elucidated etiology, whose two representative forms are ulcerative colitis (UC) and
Crohn’s disease (CD). Accumulating researches have revealed that the individual genetic susceptibility, environmental
risk elements, intestinal microbial flora, as well as innate and adaptive immune system are implicated in
the pathogenesis and development of IBD. Despite remarkable progression of IBD therapy has been achieved by
chemical drugs and biological therapies such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-tumor necrosis
factor (TNF)-α, anti-integrin agents, etc., healing outcome still cannot be obtained, along with inevitable side
effects. Consequently, a variety of researches have focused on exploring new therapies, and found that natural
products (NPs) isolated from herbs or plants may serve as promising therapeutic agents for IBD through antiinflammatory,
anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects, which implicates the modulation on nucleotide-
binding domain (NOD) like receptor protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome, gut microbiota, intestinal microvascular
endothelial cells, intestinal epithelia, immune system, etc. In the present review, we will summarize the research
development of IBD pathogenesis and current mainstream therapy, as well as the therapeutic potential and
intrinsic mechanisms of NPs in IBD.
Organocatalytic Combinatorial Synthesis of Quinazoline, Quinoxaline and Bis(indolyl)methanes
Authors: Malamiri Fatemeh , Khaksar Samad , Badri Rashid , Tahanpesar Elham
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objective:

An efficient and practical procedure for the synthesis of
heterocyclic compounds such as quinazolines, quinoxalines and bis(indolyl)methanes was
developed using 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl ammonium hexafluorophosphate (BFPHP) as a
novel organocatalyst.

Material and Method:

All of the obtained products are known compounds and identified by IR,
1HNMR, 13CNMR and melting points.

Results:

Various products were obtained in good to excellent yields under reaction conditions.

Conclusion:

The BFPHP organocatalyst demonstrates a novel class of non-asymmetric
organocatalysts, which has gained much attention in green chemistry.
A Survey of Deep Learning Based Methods in Medical Image Processing
Authors: Song Yinglei , Rana Mohammad N.A. , Qu Junfeng , Liu Chunmei
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Recently, deep learning based methods have become an important approach
to the accurate analysis of medical images.

Methods and Materials:

This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the most important deep
learning based methods that have been developed for medical image processing. A number of important
contributions made in the last five years are summarized and surveyed.

Results:

Specifically, deep learning-based algorithms developed for image segmentation, image
classification, registration, object detection and other important problems are reviewed.

Conclusion:

In addition, an overview of challenges that currently exist in the field and potential
directions for future research is provided at the end of the survey.
Brief Web-Based Intervention for Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial on Behavioral Activation
Authors: Jelinek Lena , Arlt Sönke , Moritz Steffen , Schröder Johanna , Westermann Stefan , Cludius Barbara
Published: December 2019

Background

Web-based interventions have been shown to be effective for the treatment of depression. However, interventions are often complex and include a variety of elements, making it difficult to identify the most effective component(s).

Objective

The aim of this pilot study was to shed light on mechanisms in the online treatment of depression by comparing a single-module, fully automated intervention for depression (internet-based behavioral activation [iBA]) to a nonoverlapping active control intervention and a nonactive control group.

Methods

We assessed 104 people with at least mild depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, >4) via the internet at baseline (t0) and 2 weeks (t1) and 4 weeks (t2) later. After the t0 assessment, participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: (1) iBA (n=37), (2) active control using a brief internet-based mindfulness intervention (iMBI, n=32), or (3) care as usual (CAU, n=35). The primary outcome was improvement in depressive symptoms, as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary parameters included changes in activity, dysfunctional attitudes, and quality of life

Results

While groups did not differ regarding the change in depression from t0 to t1 (ηp2=.007, P=.746) or t0 to t2 (ηp2=.008, P=.735), iBA was associated with a larger decrease in dysfunctional attitudes from t0 to t2 in comparison to CAU (ηp2=.053, P=.04) and a larger increase in activity from t0 to t1 than the pooled control groups (ηp2=.060, P=.02). A change in depression from t0 to t2 was mediated by a change in activity from t0 to t1. At t1, 22% (6/27) of the participants in the iBA group and 12% (3/25) of the participants in the iMBI group indicated that they did not use the intervention.

Conclusions

Although we did not find support for the short-term efficacy of the single-module iBA regarding depression, long-term effects are still conceivable, potentially initiated by changes in secondary outcomes. Future studies should use a longer intervention and follow-up interval.

Trial Registration

DKRS (#DRKS00011562)
A Mobile App Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Healthy Nutrition in Women Before and During Early Pregnancy: Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van Dijk Matthijs R , Koster Maria P H , Oostingh Elsje C , Willemsen Sten P , Steegers Eric A P , Steegers-Theunissen Régine P M
Published: December 2019

Background

Unhealthy nutrition contributes to the worldwide rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. As most adverse reproductive outcomes originate during the periconception period, effective interventions targeting this period are needed. Therefore, we developed the lifestyle intervention Smarter Pregnancy to empower women to adapt a healthy diet prior to conception and during early pregnancy and performed a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

The objectives of this trial were to investigate compliance and effectiveness in women using the Smarter Pregnancy program.

Methods

Women aged between 18 and 45 years who were contemplating pregnancy or <13 weeks pregnant and their male partners living in the urban area of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were eligible for participation. After baseline screening, the intervention group received personal online coaching based on identified inadequate intakes of vegetables, fruits, and folic acid supplements. The sum of these risk factors was used as a dietary risk score (DRS), ranging from 0 (healthy) to 9 (unhealthy). The control group did not receive coaching. We applied an intention-to-treat principle and used a multivariable linear regression model to evaluate the change in DRS after 24 weeks. Compliance was defined as the percentage of women who completed the screening questionnaire at 24 weeks.

Results

Of women recruited, 81.2% (177/218) completed the program (intervention: 91/218, 83.5%; control: 86/218, 78.9%; P=.95). After 24 weeks, the reduction in DRS of women in the intervention group was significantly larger than in the control group (β=.75, 95% CI 0.18-1.34). This reduction was mainly due to increased vegetable intake (β=.55, 95% CI 0.25-0.86).

Conclusions

The high compliance and the larger improvements in nutritional behaviors, especially vegetable intake, in women in the intervention group emphasizes the effectiveness of empowering women by using the lifestyle change intervention Smarter Pregnancy.

Trial Registration

Netherlands Trial Register: NL3927; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/3927

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.1186/s12884-017-1228-5
Closing the Digital Divide in Speech, Language, and Cognitive Therapy: Cohort Study of the Factors Associated With Technology Usage for Rehabilitation
Authors: Munsell Michael , De Oliveira Emily , Saxena Sadhvi , Godlove Jason , Kiran Swathi
Published: December 2019

Background

For stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other neurologic conditions associated with speech-language disorders, speech and language therapy is the standard of care for promoting recovery. However, barriers such as clinician time constraints and insurance reimbursement can inhibit a patient’s ability to receive the support needed to optimize functional gain. Although digital rehabilitation has the potential to increase access to therapy by allowing patients to practice at home, the clinical and demographic characteristics that impact a patient’s level of engagement with technology-based therapy are currently unknown.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate whether the level of engagement with digital therapy differs by various patient characteristics, including age, gender, diagnosis, time from disease onset, and geographic location (urban vs rural).

Methods

Data for patients with stroke or TBI that initiated the use of Constant Therapy, a remotely delivered, cloud-based rehabilitation program for patients with speech-language disorders, were retrospectively analyzed. Only data from therapeutic sessions completed at home were included. The following three activity metrics were evaluated: (1) the number of active weeks of therapy, (2) the average number of active therapy days per week, and (3) the total number of therapeutic sessions completed during the first 20 weeks of program access. An active day or week was defined as having at least one completed therapeutic session. Separate multiple linear regression models were performed with each activity measure as the dependent variable and all available patient demographics as model covariates.

Results

Data for 2850 patients with stroke or TBI were analyzed, with the average patient completing 8.6 weeks of therapy at a frequency of 1.5 days per week. Contrary to known barriers to technological adoption, older patients were more active during their first 20 weeks of program access, with those aged 51 to 70 years completing 5.01 more sessions than patients aged 50 years or younger (P=.04). Similarly, patients living in a rural area, who face greater barriers to clinic access, were more digitally engaged than their urban counterparts, with rural patients completing 11.54 more (P=.001) sessions during their first 20 weeks of access, after controlling for other model covariates.

Conclusions

An evaluation of real-world data demonstrated that patients with stroke and TBI use digital therapy frequently for cognitive and language rehabilitation at home. Usage was higher in areas with limited access to clinical services and was unaffected by typical barriers to technological adoption, such as age. These findings will help guide the direction of future research in digital rehabilitation therapy, including the impact of demographics on recovery outcomes and the design of large, randomized controlled trials.
Application of Internet of Things in Cell-Based Therapy Delivery: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Lam Ching , van Velthoven Michelle Helena , Meinert Edward
Published: December 2019

Background

Internet of Things (IoT), or Industry 4.0, represents a smart shift to more interconnected manufacturing processes where individual entities within the supply chain communicate with each other to achieve greater flexibility and responsiveness in general manufacturing and leaner manufacturing to reduce the cost of production. IoT has become instrumental in driving leaner manufacturing and more efficient systems in other industries such as transportation and logistics. Cell-based therapeutic products could potentially transform various diseases; however, the delivery of these products is complex and challenging.

Objective

This study aims to understand the applicability of IoT in cell-based product supply chains and delivery.

Methods

We will search Medline, EMBASE (OvidSP), Web of Science, Cochrane Library & HEED, Scopus, ACM digital library, INSPEC, ScienceDirect, and the IEEE Xplore Digital Library for studies published after 2008 using a combination of keywords and subject headings related to IoT used in cell therapies. Additionally, a Google search to identify gray literature will be conducted. Two authors will independently screen the titles and abstracts identified from the search and accept or reject the studies according to the study inclusion criteria. Any discrepancies will then be discussed and resolved. The quality of the selected literature will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme systematic review checklist.

Results

Data from eligible publications will be abstracted into a predesigned form to map the current and future directions of the technologies, applications, benefits, and challenges in the implementation of IoT in regenerative medicine. This study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. This systematic review will be executed by June 2020, and the completed review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal to inform future developments in IoT application for the delivery of cell-based therapies.

Conclusions

This review paper will provide an overview of all technologies available in the area and inspect the current IoT applications in cell-based therapies to identify the benefits, challenges, and future directions of using IoT to allow safe and cost-effective delivery of cell-based therapies.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/16935
Karakteristik performance individu muda di Desa Ngablak dan hubungannya dengan penyalahgunaan NAPZA
Authors: Suhartini Suhartini , Rahmawati Neni Trilusiana , Nurhantari Yudha , Widagdo Hendro , Agni Idha Arfianti Wira , Suciningtyas Martiana , Basworo Wikan
Published: December 2019

Alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic substances and other addictive substances are substances that are often misused. The majority of drug users are adolescents with age ranging from 13 - 17 years old at which abuse can affect body composition. Considering the role of the younger generation as the nation’s successors, it sparks the urgency to alleviate this negative behavior. One of the measures that can be done is by shifting the negative activities to positive ones such as sports. In order to do this, it is necessary to identify the performance characteristics of the youths to maximize their potential. This study aimed to find out the performance characteristics of the younger generation in Ngablak Village and their association with drug abuse. A total of 50 youth members in Ngablak Village, Ngablak Subdistrict, Magelang Regency were examined for anthropometry, physical (pulse, respiration rate, blood pressure, temperature), and somatotype associated with performance. Identification of subjects involved in alcohol and drug abuse was carried out using a questionnaire. The results were displayed descriptively. Statistical analyses (t-test or Mann Whitney U test) were used to compare performance characteristics between groups. Age of subjects ranged from 9 - 19 years and 50% were male. A total of 13 boys and 2 girls consumed alcohol. The results of physical examination showed the normal range in all subjetcs. The average age, height, and weight of male subjects who comsumed alcohol were higher than those who did not (p < 0,05). There was no difference in somatotype between adolescents who consumed alcohol and those who did not. The body type of male subjects based on measurements was the ideal type, whereas the female subjects had endomesomorphic body type. The tendency of consuming alcohol does not cause differences in body type in adolescents, both in male and female.
Parenting pattern of feeding in stunting toddlers at the working area of Tegallalang I Primary Health Centre
Authors: Pradnyawati Luh Gede , Kartinawati Komang Triyani , Ratna Juwita Dewa Ayu Putu
Published: December 2019

Stunting is a growth disorder that affects the measurements of Length-for-Age or Height-for-Age, which is characterized by a body condition that tends to be short. Children under five are categorized as short-bodied if the z-score is less than -2SD. In Indonesia, approximately 29% of children under five are included in the short-bodied category. A good nutritional intake at this time is a depiction of proper growth and development in the future. The health status of infants is related to parenting patterns of feeding. This study aimed to find out the description of parenting patterns of feeding in stunting toddlers in the working area of Tegallalang I Primary Health Centre. The study belongs to qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. The sample of this study was 5 mothers who had stunting toddlers. Data were collected by applying a purposive sampling technique. Data that had been collected consists of two types, i.e., primary data and secondary data. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Some respondents had fed their toddlers with exclusive breastfeeding until they were 6 months old, but the frequency of feeding was ruled out. In addition, most respondents had only started to feed their babies with complementary food for breastfeeding at the time they were 6 months old. Still, they had not paid attention to their nutritional needs, the precise frequency of feeding, the kinds of better food for toddlers, and appropriate food variations. These results indicate that the wrong parenting pattern of feeding in children under five has the potential to cause stunting. Therefore, more attention to this matter is necessarily needed to reduce the severe incidence of stunting.
Association of religious coping use with psychological well-being of mother of mentally retarded children
Authors: Liung Sak , Marchira Carla Raymondalexas , Supriyanto Irwan , Agusno Mahar , Soewadi Soewadi , Sumarni Sumarni
Published: December 2019

Low psychological well-being in mothers of children with mental retardation can affect maternal mental health and quality of life. Psychological well-being of mothers depend on maternal coping strategies to overcome the burden of childcare. The religious background of Indonesian society makes mothers tend to use religious coping in handling the burden of nurturing their children. Aim of this study to determine the association between religious coping use and psychological well-being of mothers of children with mental retardation. This is an analytic descriptive study with cross-sectional design. Subjects were mothers of children with mild to moderate level of mental retardation, students of SLB Negeri 1 Bantul. The psychological well-being and religious coping of mother is assessed by Indonesian version of the Psychological Well-being Scale and Religious Coping Scale. The significance level of the statistical test is expressed at p < 0.05. Results of this study showed there is a significant association between religious coping and psychological well-being of mothers of children with mental retardation (X2: 17.897; C: 0.377; p: 0.000; RP: 5.65; 95% CI: 2.46-12.92). All dimensions of religious coping have a significant association with the psychological well-being of the mother (p: 0.000). The dimensions of achieving comfort and closeness to God have the highest closeness association with the psychological well-being among other dimensions of religious coping (X2: 39.041; C: 0.515). The confounding variables in this study are mother’s age, mother’s education, family income, marital status, mother’s employment status, family income, children’s gender, children's level of mental retardation and children’s class grade. Mother’s education has also a significant association with the psychological well-being of the mother (p: 0.021). Religious coping and mother’s education contribute 26.7% to the psychological well-being of mothers. This finding reveals that religious coping is important to improve the psychological well-being of mothers of children with mental retardation.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THEY LAUGH: HOW HUMOROUS ADVERTISEMENTS HAVE AN EFFECT ON CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDES, WORD OF MOUTH INTENTIONS, AND PURCHASE INTENTIONS, WITH THE NEED FOR HUMOR PLAYING A MODERATING ROLE
Authors: Primanto Alfian Budi , Dharmmesta Basu Swastha
Published: December 2019

Introduction/Main Objectives: Even thought there is a risk from using humor as an advertising campaign strategy in industries which rely on trust and their technological prowess, like the telecommunications sector, the fact that there are a great number of humorous advertisements arranged by telecommunications companies in Indonesia needs to be researched. Background Problems: This research aims to narrow the phenomenon by investigating the effect of humorous advertisements with the need for humor as a moderating role on consumers’ attitudes, consumers’ intent to purchase, and their word of mouth intention. Novelty: By adding the need for humor in a moderating role, and the word of mouth intention as an endogenous variable, this research aims to extend the existing models of humorous advertising’s effectiveness. Research Methods: The research was designed to focus on consumers who can be classified as young adults (18 to 34 years old) and are not users of the mobile SIM card brands that the ad they perceived as funny ones. The researcher conducted a survey with a five point Likert scale, an online questionnaire, and purposive sampling as the primary data collection methods. Finding/Results: The result shows that although a humorous advertisement has a significant impact on the attitude toward the advertisement and the word of mouth intention, the humorous advertisement has no significant impact on the attitude toward the brand and the consumers’ intent to purchase. The need for humor failed to moderate the relationship between the humorous advertisement and the attitude toward the advertisement in this study.  Conclusion: The researcher concludes that the impact of a humorous advertisement was limited to only entertaining the consumers, and to encourage their word of mouth intention, not their purchase intention.