bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Consensus From Clinicians Regarding Low Back Pain Outcome Indicators for Older Adults: Pairwise Wiki Survey Using Crowdsourcing (Preprint)
Authors: Wong Arnold YL , Lauridsen Henrik H , Samartzis Dino , Macedo Luciana , Ferreira Paulo H , Ferreira Manuela L
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most debilitating conditions among older adults. Unfortunately, existing LBP outcome questionnaires are not adapted for specific circumstances related to old age, which may make these measures less than ideal for evaluating LBP in older adults.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the necessity of developing age-specific outcome measures, crowdsourcing was conducted to solicit opinions from clinicians globally.

METHODS

Clinicians around the world voted and/or prioritized various LBP outcome indicators for older adults on a pairwise wiki survey website. Seven seed outcome indicators were posted for voting while respondents were encouraged to suggest new indicators for others to vote/prioritize. The website was promoted on the social media of various health care professional organizations. An established algorithm calculated the mean scores of all ideas. A score >50 points means that the idea has >50% probability of beating another randomly presented indicator.

RESULTS

Within 42 days, 128 respondents from 6 continents cast 2466 votes and proposed 14 ideas. Indicators pertinent to improvements of physical functioning and age-related social functioning scored >50 while self-perceived reduction of LBP scored 32.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first crowdsourcing study to address LBP outcome indicators for older adults. The study noted that age-specific outcome indicators should be integrated into future LBP outcome measures for older adults. Future research should solicit opinions from older patients with LBP to develop age-specific back pain outcome measures that suit clinicians and patients alike.
A Game to Deal With Alcohol Abuse (Jib): Development and Game Experience Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Carvalho Darlinton Barbosa Feres , Domingueti Daniel Bueno , Almeida Santos Sandro Martins De , Dias Diego Roberto Colombo
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Alcohol abuse is the primary cause of (public) health problems in most parts of the world. However, it is undeniable that alcohol consumption is a practice that is widely accepted socially in many places, even being protected by law as a cultural and historical heritage. The issue of alcohol abuse is complex and urgent, and consequently, it is necessary to create innovative approaches such as the proposal explored in this study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the development and evaluation of a serious game for smartphones to present a novel approach to address the issue of alcohol abuse.

METHODS

A serious game was developed to instill the consequences of alcohol abuse into the player through experimentation in the game. In the game, the consequences of alcohol use are demonstrated by increasing the game speed that gives an illusion of fun but also leads to a premature death. The evaluation employed an assessment based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ). The participants belonged to the university student’s house.

RESULTS

The game development process has been presented, including its mechanics and gameplay. The game has the style of action and adventure games in which the player controls an indigenous avatar that can deflect or attack opponents coming his or her way. The game evaluation comprised an assessment based on 23 participants, aged 20 to 29 years. According to the AUDIT assessment, 18 participants reported having a low or nonexistent degree of alcohol dependence and 5 declared average dependence. Regarding their habit of playing games on smartphones, 9 participants declared they have this habit of playing (habitual players), and among the 14 that did not have this habit of playing (nonhabitual players), 3 participants declared not having a smartphone at all. The GEQ core assessment showed a higher positive affect among the participants with a habit of playing games, scoring 2.80 (habitual players) on a scale of 4.0 versus 1.61 (nonhabitual players), and higher tension as an opposite relationship of 0.81 (nonhabitual players) versus 0.37 (habitual players). The overall GEQ evaluation showed that the game presents a more positive than negative affect on all users, besides showing the other desirable characteristics of serious games.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a new way of dealing with the issue of alcohol abuse through a game designed for smartphones. It promotes an overall positive user experience, having a greater impact on users accustomed to games. The proposed approach has its niche, though it is still a minority in the evaluated population. Further research should explore new game features, such as new styles, to make the game more attractive to a wider audience, in addition to performing an in-depth study on the effects of playing it.
Providing a Smart Healthy Diet for the Low-Income Population: Qualitative Study on the Usage and Perception of a Designed Cooking App (Preprint)
Authors: Régnier Faustine , Dugré Manon , Darcel Nicolas , Adamiec Camille
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Health behaviors among low-income groups have become a major issue in the context of increasing social inequalities. The low-income population is less likely to be receptive to nutritional recommendations, but providing cooking advice could be more effective. In this domain, taking advantage of digital devices can be a bonus with its own challenges.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop and deploy NutCracker, a social network–based cooking app for low-income population, including cooking tips and nutritional advices, aiming at creating small online communities. We further determined the usefulness, perceptions, barriers, and motivators to use NutCracker.

METHODS

The smartphone app, designed jointly with beneficiaries of the social emergency services, was implemented in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Magny, (Paris region, France). Once the app became available, 28 subjects, living in the neighborhood, tested the app for a 6-month period. Logs to the app and usages were collected by the software. In total, 12 in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted among the users and the social workers to analyze their uses and perceptions of the app relative to their interest in cooking, cooking skills, socioeconomic constraints, and social integration. These interviews were compared with 21 supplementary interviews conducted among low-income individuals in the general population.

RESULTS

NutCracker was developed as a social network–based app, and it includes cooking tips, nutritional advice, and Web-based quizzes. We identified barriers to uses (especially technical barriers, lack of knowledge in the field of new technologies and written comprehension, and search for real contacts) and motivators (in particular, good social integration, previous use of social networks, and help of children as intermediaries). Cooking skills were both a barrier and a lever.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting the low-income groups through a cooking app to promote healthier behaviors offers many advantages but has not been fully explored. However, the barriers in low-income milieu remain high, especially among the less socially integrated strata. Lessons from this intervention allow us to identify barriers and possible levers to improve nutrition promotion and awareness in deprived areas, especially in the time of social crisis.
Development and Validation of a Functional Behavioural Assessment Ontology to Support Behavioural Health Interventions (Preprint)
Authors: Merlo Gianluca , Chiazzese Giuseppe , Taibi Davide , Chifari Antonella
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

In the cognitive-behavioral approach, Functional Behavioural Assessment is one of the most effective methods to identify the variables that determine a problem behavior. In this context, the use of modern technologies can encourage the collection and sharing of behavioral patterns, effective intervention strategies, and statistical evidence about antecedents and consequences of clusters of problem behaviors, encouraging the designing of function-based interventions.

OBJECTIVE

The paper describes the development and validation process used to design a specific Functional Behavioural Assessment Ontology (FBA-Ontology). The FBA-Ontology is a semantic representation of the variables that intervene in a behavioral observation process, facilitating the systematic collection of behavioral data, the consequential planning of treatment strategies and, indirectly, the scientific advancement in this field of study.

METHODS

The ontology has been developed deducing concepts and relationships of the ontology from a gold standard and then performing a machine-based validation and a human-based assessment to validate the Functional Behavioural Assessment Ontology. These validation and verification processes were aimed to verify how much the ontology is conceptually well founded and semantically and syntactically correct.

RESULTS

The Pellet reasoner checked the logical consistency and the integrity of classes and properties defined in the ontology, not detecting any violation of constraints in the ontology definition. To assess whether the ontology definition is coherent with the knowledge domain, human evaluation of the ontology was performed asking 84 people to fill in a questionnaire composed by 13 questions assessing concepts, relations between concepts, and concepts’ attributes. The response rate for the survey was 29/84 (34.52%). The domain experts confirmed that the concepts, the attributes, and the relationships between concepts defined in the FBA-Ontology are valid and well represent the Functional Behavioural Assessment process.

CONCLUSIONS

The new ontology developed could be a useful tool to design new evidence-based systems in the Behavioral Interventions practices, encouraging the link with other Linked Open Data datasets and repositories to provide users with new models of eHealth focused on the management of problem behaviors. Therefore, new research is needed to develop and implement innovative strategies to improve the poor reproducibility and translatability of basic research findings in the field of behavioral assessment.
A decision framework for treating chronic immune thrombocytopenia with thrombopoietin receptor agonists
Authors: Dolph Mike , Roy Anuja , Bhor Menaka , Hearnden Jaclyn , Kwon Christina S , Forsythe Anna , Tremblay Gabriel , Briggs Andrew
Published: May 2018

Aim:
Eltrombopag and romiplostim are comparable second-line therapies in chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Treatment decisions are made in different contexts. A framework was created to outline decision pathways for physicians and payers.
Materials & methods:
The costs of drugs, administration, routine care, bleeding, other adverse events and mortality were included in the year-long calculation of total costs from a US private payer perspective. Treatment parameters and outcome data were obtained from relevant clinical trials.
Results:
The total cost per year, per patient of eltrombopag was US$51,000 versus US$76,000 for romiplostim. Drug costs and costs associated with bleeding-related events were the main drivers of cost difference.
Conclusion:
This framework facilitates decision-making in the management of chronic immune thrombocytopenia with eltrombopag and romiplostim.
A Study of Consumer Handling Behaviors during Transport from Retail to Residence Utilizing an Electronic Questionnaire
Authors: Griffing Derek A. , Kriese-Anderson Lisa A. , Mullenix M. Kim , Wang Luxin , Bratcher Christy L.
Published: May 2018

A critical problem in the field of meat science is the lack of understanding of consumer handling practices during transport from retail to residence. The objective of this study was to investigate consumer behaviors regarding fresh beef product handling, specifically during the period of transport from retail to residence, utilizing an electronic questionnaire. A 13-item questionnaire utilizing the Qualtrics survey platform was distributed across the United States through web-based platforms. A 43 d response period generated 1,554 responses with 1,484 completed questionnaires yielding a 95.5% completion rate. The survey revealed 46.9% of respondents shop between 17:00 h and 20:59 h. Exactly 42.5% of respondents checkout between 11 and 20 min after fresh beef product selection and placement in cart. Upon check-out, 79.6% of respondents return home from the grocery store in 20 min or less. Fresh beef products are most commonly placed in either the rear seat/floor of the vehicle or the trunk/cargo space for transport. Of the 25.8% of respondents who ran errands with a fresh beef product left in the vehicle, 60.6% admitted to leaving the fresh beef product in the vehicle between 6 and 20 min. Approximately, 55.7% do not use an insulted container to transport fresh beef products. For respondents who did use an insulated container, a bag is most commonly used for temperature abuse protection during vehicular transport. The questionnaire revealed age, gender, ethnicity, and level of attained education influenced handling behavior in retail and during transport to residence (P < 0.05). Results indicate the need for continued dissemination of proper handling behaviors as well as scientific data to support the suggestions.
Taeniasis in Karangasem Regency, Bali
Authors: Winianti Ni Wayan , Herdiana M Elsa , Agus Wijayanti Mahardika , Sutisna Putu , Kapti I Nengah , Sudiarta I Wayan
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Taeniasis is an infectious disease caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm). Purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between meat consumption, individual characteristics, and environmental factors with taeniasis. Case control study was used to identify taeniasis among two groups: people living at Datah village (personal livestock) and people living at Karangasem village (obtained their meat from traditional market or slaughterhouse). Each group consisted of 98 people. Two subjects from the case group were positive for taenia egg both by direct smear and Willy’s Malory floatation methods. Proportion of taeniasisinthe case group was 2.04%. The type of meat consumed, methods of meat processing, frequency of consumption, ways of obtaining meat, individual characteristics, and environmental factors which may contribute to Taenia infection could not be evaluated due to limited number of positive cases.

Abstrak

Taeniasis merupakan penyakit infeksi yang disebabkan karena adanya cacing pita Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm)di dalam tubuh manusia. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui hubungan antara konsumsi daging, karakteristik individu dan faktor lingkungan dengan kejadian taeniasis. Jenis rancangan penelitian yang digunakan yaitu case control antar 2 kelompok (penduduk di Desa Datah dan Kelurahan Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali). Kelompok kasus yaitu penduduk Desa Datah yang memenuhi kriteria kasus (mengkonsumsi daging dari hewan ternak pribadi), sedangkan kelompok kontrol yaitu penduduk di Kelurahan Karangasem yang memenuhi kriteria untuk kontrol (mengkonsumsi daging dari membeli di pasar atau tempat pemotongan hewan). Tiap kelompok terdiri dari 98 orang. Metode pemeriksaan feses dengan metode langsung dan pengapungan.

Terdapat 2 orang yang positif taeniasis dari kelompok kasus, dengan ditemukan telur Taenia sp. pada pemeriksaan langsung dan pengapungan. Hubungan jenis daging, cara pengolahan, frekuensi mengkonsumsi dan cara memperoleh daging, karakteristik individu dan faktor lingkungan dengan kejadian taeniasis tidak dapat dianalisis secara statistic.
Beneficial effects of α-lipoic acid in diabetes- and drug- induced liver injury
Authors: Uskokovic Aleksandra , Dinic Svetlana , Grdovic Nevena , Arambasic-Jovanovic Jelena , Vidakovic Melita , Poznanovic Goran , Mihailovic Mirjana
Published: May 2018

This review summarizes the effects of ?-lipoic acid (LA) on liver damage and complications in diabetes and drug toxicity. LA is a naturally occurring dithiol compound that plays an essential role in mitochondrial metabolism in its protein-bound form. In contrast, free LA in supplements has diverse biological actions, and its antioxidant effect is its most studied and important activity. Due to its strong antioxidant potential, LA could have a promising role in the treatment of pathologies resulting from an imbalance in redox homeostasis. This includes diabetes, which produces deleterious effects on many organs, including the liver. In diabetes specifically, LA prevents ?-cell destruction, enhances glucose uptake, and its antioxidant effects may be particularly useful in slowing down the development of diabetic complications. Diabetesrelated liver damage is a serious complication in which oxidative stress is the main contributor to tissue injury. Oxidative stress is regarded as one of the main pathological mechanisms underlying liver pathologies provoked by other insults, such as drug toxicity, where LA could also be a useful agent in therapeutic intervention. However, before wider application of LA in a clinical setting, experimental and clinical research needs to be extended.
Decolorization of model wastewater by adsorbent obtained from waste hemp fibers
Authors: Konstantinovic Sandra , Kodric Marija , Nicic Radica , Djordjevic Dragan
Published: May 2018

Water pollution has already become a significant worldwide problem, especially in the textile dyeing industry. This paper describes decolorization of dye water modelled by textile dye wastewater. Decolorization was performed on an adsorbent made from physicochemically modified waste hemp fibers, obtained as a by-product from the production of ropes. The adsorbent is relatively dispersive and contains heterogeneous porous particles, with carbon as a dominant element. Obtained results have shown that the positive effect of adsorption directly depends on contact time, pH, temperature, and initial dye concentration. Dye concentration decreases in time, especially when the used concentration is the initial one. The effect of temperature below 40 ?C is not significant, but adsorption gets more intensive when performed at 60 ?C. The higher degree of decolorization is achieved at lower initial dye concentrations, although the highest initial dye concentration leads to higher dye adsorption. The experimental results of adsorption were described by using the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity ranges from 1.98 to 2.13 mg g-1 for linear and 2.03 to 2.12 mg g-1 for nonlinear form.
Numerical and experimental investigation of heat and mass transfer within bio-based material
Authors: Asli Mounir , Brachelet Frank , Chauchois Alexis , Antczak Emmanuel , Defer Didier
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the coupled heat and mass transfer within porous media has been studies. First, the studied materials have been characterized experimentally and than evaluated their thermal properties, namely thermal conductivity and specific heat in different states (dry-wet). The hygroscopic properties, namely water vapour permeability, water vapour sorption. At second time, we present and validate the mathematical model describing heat and mass transfer within bio-based materials, by the confrontation with the experimental results. The materials properties obtained from the characterisation part are used as model?s input parameters. Moreover, a test facility is mounted in the laboratory in order to compare the numerical and experimental data. The founded results show a good concordance between the simulated and measured data. According to this results the mathematical model of Philip and de Vries gives a good prediction of hygrothermal behaviour of bio-based material. This model will allow us to save money and time of the experimental part in the future.
Design of a chemical reactor under microwave irradiation in resonance conditions
Authors: Desogus Francesco , Carta Renzo
Published: May 2018

Reaction processes often show to be improved by microwave application, but the enhancing effect is not always due solely to the temperature increasing in the medium, which is produced by the radiation exposure. Thus, to study the evolution of such kind of processes needs a strict control of the irradiation conditions and the use of a proper reaction apparatus in which the interaction between radiation and irradiated materials can be precisely defined. The present work is made necessary by the need of operating with controlled and reproducible experimental conditions, and the aim was to design a multi-tube reactor, to work in resonance conditions, inside which the tubes with the fluid to be processed are positioned. In fact, working in resonance conditions allows the irradiated fluid to be exposed to constant microwave power, and the field intensity and power absorption can be accurately calculated and mapped. The cavity was designed by the authors using a proper commercial software for 3-D electromagnetic simulation, then the reactor operation was tested by another commercial multiphysic simulation software. The results here presented show the proper geometrical characteristics of the cavity and of the internal tubes to work at 2.45 GHz of frequency while the irradiation power can be varied depending on the needs of the process. The reactor can work with different homogeneous systems, both chemical and biological (enzyme reactions). The future development will be the construction and the real operation of the designed apparatus in order to confirm the simulation results.
Improving thermal stability and reduction of energy consumption by implementing Trombe wall construction in the process of building design: The Serbia region
Authors: Bogdanovic Veliborka , Randjelovic Dusan , Vasov Miomir , Ignjatovic Marko , Stevanovic Jelena
Published: May 2018

This paper analyzes the impact of Trombe wall construction on heating and cooling demands of building with form (rectangular single-store building of about one hundred square meters area) which is common for individual residential buildings in the Republic of Serbia. Trombe wall, as a representative of a passive solar design, was installed on the south wall of the building. Model of the building was made in the Google SketchUp software, while the results of energy performance were obtained using EnergyPlus and jEplus. Parameters of thermal comfort and climatic data for the area of city of Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, were taken into account. Coverage of the south fa?ade was varied, as well as the thickness of the thermal mass and orientation. Energy consumption of the object is discussed, based on obtained results of the analysis. According to comparative analysis of the above mentioned models it can be concluded that the application of the Trombe wall structure on south side may lead to savings of 33% on heating, but also the higher energy consumption for cooling. Total energy consumption on an annual basis is reduced by using this system.
Global warming impact on climate change in Serbia for the period 1961-2100
Authors: Vukovic Ana , Vujadinovic Mirjam , Rendulic Sonja , Djurdjevic Vladimir , Ruml Mirjana , Babic Violeta , Popovic Dunja
Published: May 2018

Serbia is situated at Balkan Peninsula, and currently majority of the territory is under warm temperate ? fully humid climate type with warm summers (Cfb type, according to Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification). Observed changes in climate conditions since 1961 until present time show significant increase in temperature change and change in precipitation patterns. Disturbances in heat conditions, which are recorded to affect human health, agricultural production and forest eco?system, are priority in climate change analysis and application in adaptation plan?ning. Future change analysis show accelerated increase of temperature by the end of the 21st century, which proves the needs for immediate measures for mitigation of negative impacts. Temperature increase averaged over the territory of Serbia is 1.2?C for the period 1996-2015 with respect to the period 1961-1980, with highest increase of maximum daily temperature during the summer season, 2.2?C. Using high resolution multi-model ensemble approach for analysis of the future changes with respect to the base period 1986-2005, in compliance with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fifth assessment report (AR5), it is estimated that temperature may increase by 1.9?C according to Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) scenario and by 4.4?C according to RCP8.5 by the end of the century. Spatial distribution of temperature increase, intensification of high pre?cipitation events and decrease of summer precipitation, show intrusion of subtropi?cal climate over the Serbia and increase of high temperature and high precipitation risks. Results presented in this paper, using high-resolution multi-model ensemble approach, provide climate change information for short term to long term planning in different sectors of economy and preservation of human health and environment.
Parenting and externalising problems in adolescents: Results of factor analysis
Authors: Kovacevic-Lepojevic Marina , Ilic Zoran , Maljkovic Marija , Kovacevic Milica , Ilijic Ljeposava
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim. Modern conceptualising of parenting in relation to manifesting adolescence externalising problems is based on parent-child two-way communication, mutual trust and parental involvement. A lot of research reports prove independent contribution of parental variables on expressing externalising problems in middle and late adolescence while data about their mutual relationship are missing. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships of parental variables and variables of externalising problems in a common space. Methods. The study included 507 students, both boys and girls, of Belgrade secondary schools, aged from fifteen to eighteen. Parental monitoring was studied using the Parental Monitoring Scale, affective attachment to parents by the Inventory of Parents and Peers Attachment, parenting practices using the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire and externalising problems by the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, Youth Self- Report. Results. Factor analysis indicated the existence of 4 factors (components) which together accounted for 65.5% of variance. The first factor (positive parenting and affective attachment to mother) accounted for 38.1%, the second (externalising problems and negative parenting) accounted for 11.26%, the third (affective attachment to father) accounted for 8.93% and the fourth (negative discipline and inadequate affective attachment to mother) accounted for 7.22% of variance. The most important discovery arised from matrix correlation was a negative correlation of the second component with the first (-0.539) and the third (- 0.481) one. Conclusion. A positive relationship between parents and adolescents except for a positive parenting practices of parents characterize all the subscales of parental monitoring except for the parental control. Compared to fathers, mothers are generally more involved in life of adolescents and have better mutual relationship with them, but in relation to externalising problems the affective attachment to fathers proved to be very significant even independently of their parenting role.
Isolated avulsion fracture of the fibular head
Authors: Harhaji Vladimir , Lalic Ivica , Vranjes Miodrag , Mikic Milena , Djan Vladimir
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Rupture of lateral collateral ligament of the knee is most often joined with other ligament ruptures. Isolated rupture of this ligament is rare and there are few papers about treatment options and results. Here we reported a case of isolated lateral collateral ligament rupture and the treatment outcome. Case report. A patient, 22 years old male, injured his left knee while playing American football. While landing on the outstretched left leg, he felt a sudden pain in his knee. The patient could not continue the competition. Initial orthopedic examination revealed lateral opening and further diagnostic procedure (magnetic resonance imaging) revealed isolated grade III rupture of lateral collateral ligament with avulsion fracture of the fibular head, and distension of anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Patient was surgically treated with metal sutures passed through conjoined tendon and proximal fibula. Postoperatively patient worn above knee cast for 6 weeks and after that he was included in rehabilitation. Three and six years after this injury, the patient has still been professional football player with no symptoms and no clinical instability of the knee despite radiological and computed tomography verified pseudoarthrosis of the fractured fibular head fragment. Conclusion. Early diagnostic and absence of additional injuries of the knee leads to a faster and full functional recovery of patients with isolated avulsion fracture of the fibular head, while surgical treatment provides knee stability with no residual ligament instability during sports activities.
Social support in recovery former users of psychoactive substances in Montenegro: A survey study
Authors: Grbovic Ena , Mugosa Boban
Published: May 2018

The survey was conducted with 107 clients treated in the Public Institution for Accommodation, Rehabilitation and Resocialization of Users of Psychoactive Substances in Podgorica (Montenegro) from May 2014 to October 2016. The Multidimensional Social Support Scale (MSPSS) was used. It consists of 12 variables that measure three components of support: Family, Friends and Significant Others. The analysis of the main components with direct oblimin rotation was used to examine the factorability of the MSPSS. After factor analysis conducted, the reliability of the determined scale was tested by Cronbach alpha coefficient through discriminatory validity. Results. All three components showed statistically significant results (p < 0.05). The coefficient of correlation between Friends and Significant Other was 0.510, while between Significant Others and Family it scored 0.617. On the other hand, the coefficient of correlation between Significant Other and Family was 0.525. As we had assumed and as previous results in this area suggested there was a significant link between the Friends and Family components. Also, 85.1% of the respondents stated that social support is important (or extremely important) in the process of rehabilitation and resocialization. Conclusion. Survey emphasizes the important role of the family in the life of respondents. Social support has many benefits and it is often crucial to establishing successful recovery of former users of psychoactive substances.
Interatrial conduction time is early marker of disturbed impulse propagation in adults with slightly elevated blood pressure
Authors: Djikic Dijana , Mujovic Nebojsa , Giga Vojislav , Marinkovic Milan , Trajkovic Goran , Lazic Snezana , Pavlovic Vedrana , Peric Vladan , Simic Dragan
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim. Interatrial conduction time is early marker of disturbed impulse propagation in adult with elevated blood pressure. The aim of our study was to evaluate significance of noninvasive echocardiographic marker of slow sinus impulse propagation (atrial conduction time) for the identification of persons with slightly elevated blood pressure and hypertension in adults. Methods. One hundred and forty nine adults with normal and elevated blood pressure were studied: 46 normotensive adults (group 1), 28 adults with elevated blood pressure and hypertension stage 1 (group 2) and 75 adults with hypertension stage 2 (group 3), based on the Joint National Committee 8 (JNC-8) hypertension guidelines. We studied P wave dispersion, reservoir function of the left atrium (LA), total emptying volume of the LA and total emptying fraction of the LA (LATEF). The atrial conduction time (ACT) was evaluated by the pulsed tissue Doppler, and expressed as interatrial and intraatrial conduction time. Results. The LATEF decreased progressively from the group 3 (64.8 ? 4.4%) to the group 2 (59.8 ? 5.2%) and the group 1 (55.6 ? 7.3%) (p < 0.001). The P wave dispersion (55.1 ? 9.8 ms vs. 46.8 ? 3.1 ms vs. 43.1 ? 2.6 ms; p < 0.01) and intra ACT were significantly prolonged only in the group 3 compared to the other groups (22.7 ? 11.0 ms vs. 8.4 ? 4.7ms vs. 5.6 ? 2.4 ms, respectively; p < 0.001). Inter ACT significantly increased from the group 1 to the group 2 and the group 3 (15.6 ? 3.9 ms vs. 24.6 ? 5.7 ms vs. 50.4 ? 20 ms, respectively; p < 0.05). Using a cut-off level of 19.5 ms, inter ACT could separate adults in the group 2 from the group 1 with a sensitivity of 85%, and specificity of 89% [area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve 0.911]. Conclusion. Prolonged ACT estimated with the tissue Doppler may be useful for identification persons with slighty elevated blood pressure, and hypertension stage 1.
PERSEPSI WISATAWAN TERHADAP FASILITAS OBJEK WISATA DATARAN TINGGI DIENG PROVINSI JAWA TENGAH
Authors: Zebua Fredy Noitolo
Published: May 2018

Dataran Tinggi Dieng merupakan salah satu kawasan strategis pariwisata nasional di Provinsi Jawa Tengah berdasarkan Rencana Induk Pembangunan Kepariwisataan Nasional. Dataran Tinggi Dieng merupakan salah satu kawasan wisata andalan di Provinsi Jawa Tengah. Dilihat dari ketersediaan fasilitas wisata di kawasan objek wisata Dataran Tinggi Dieng tidak sesuai dengan kebutuhan pengunjung kawasan wisata.Oleh sebab itu studi ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan suatu gambaran tentang persepsi wisatawan terhadap fasilitas wisata sehingga menghasilkan kebutuhan, prioritas pengembangan serta tingkat kepuasan dan kepentingan yang berdasarkan pada persepsi wisatawan. Identifikasi persepsi wisatawan terhadap fasilitas objek wisata dilihat berdasarkan karakteristik wisatawan dan komponen fasilitas objek wisata yaitu akomodasi, sarana makan dan minum, sarana belanja, fasilitas umum wisata dan fasilitas jasa wisata. Teknik analisis yang digunakan yaitu standar kebutuhan wisata, Importance Performance Analysis dan Customer Satisfaction Index. Dari hasil identifikasi persepsi wisatawan terhadap fasilitas objek wisata dapat diketahui fasilitas yang belum sesuai dengan kebutuhan pengunjung wisata dan tingkat kepuasan wisata terhadap fasilitas sehingga diperlukan peningkatan kualitas produk wisata tersebut. Dengan mengacu penilaian dan analisis inilah diperoleh gambaran kebutuhan dan persepsi pengunjung wisata terhadap fasilitas wisata di kawasan objek wisata Dataran Tinggi Dieng.
Comportamiento en cautiverio del morrocoy (geochelone carbonaria) durante la época reproductiva
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-TORRES VÍCTOR , GÓMEZ-ALDANA LUIS , DE LA OSSA JAIME
Published: May 2018

Con fin de conocer el comportamiento reproductivo de G. carbonaria en cautiverio, se seleccionaron doce ejemplares, tres machos y nueve hembras, de tamaños similares, con una talla promedio de 34,35 cm de longitud total de caparazón (DS=4,74). Los especímenes seleccionados fueron mantenidos en cautiverio (densidad de 0,08 ind/m2 ). El comportamiento reproductivo se evaluó entre los meses de febrero y abril del año 2009. Durante el mes de febrero no se observó ningún despliegue de tipo reproductivo, sin embargo éste aumentó conforme se incrementaban las lluvias. En las categorías y eventos evaluados se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los eventos vocalización (p<0,001) y cópula (p<0,001). El periodo dedicado a la evaluación del comportamiento reproductivo, sugiere que G. carbonaria en cautiverio lleva a cabo dicho comportamiento en las horas de la tarde. No se observó diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p>0,05) con respecto al tiempo dedicado a los eventos de las categorías de manutención, locomoción, alimentación, social agonístico y social no agonístico. Las observaciones registradas señalan que G. carbonaria en cautiverio no presenta limitaciones reproductivas.
Poblaciones de babillas (caiman crocodilus) y caimán negro (melanosuchus niger) en la reserva biológica del abufari, amazonas, Brasil
Authors: PANTOJA-LIMA JACKSON , REBÊLO, GEORGE HENRIQUE , PEZZUTI CARLOS BRITO
Published: May 2018

En el presente estudio fueran investigadas la densidad, tallas de la población y la utilización de los ambientes por Melanosuchus niger y Caiman crocodilus en la Reserva Biológica de Abufari, situada en el bajo río Purus. El estudio fue desarrollado en septiembre de los años 2001 y 2003. Fueran observados 1.217 caimanes, donde M. niger y C. crocodilus corresponden al 76% y al 24%, respectivamente. Durante el estudio fueran investigados 33,3 km de margen del rio Purus y 28,3 km de margen en los lagos e tributarios. La abundancia relativa de caimanes observada en el año 2001 (24 caimanes /km) fueran mucho mayores que las del año 2003 (17 caimanes/km), pero las diferencias no fueran estadísticamente significativas. Los datos muestran que tanto la población de caimán negro como la populación de los babas están compuestas por individuos de tallas grandes. Muchos M. niger y C. crocodilus observados estaban por encima de la menor talla reproductiva 30,85% y 27,73%, respectivamente. Las distribuciones de caimanes en los ambientes fueran basadas en dados de distribución y abundancia que mostraron tres agrupamientos, siendo uno de estos predominantemente ocupado por caimán negro (M. niger), otro tanto por caimán negro como por baba (C. crocodilus) e un tercero donde predominaban el baba (C. crocodilus). La interacción hombre-caimán medida por el índice de disturbación, que fue mayor en los ríos y áreas próximas a las comunidades ribereñas do que nos canales de pequeños riachos, playas y áreas remotas. Investigaciones posteriores son necesarias, porque permitirán de una forma más precisa una mejor evaluación de las proporciones sexuales y permitirán también identificar los ambientes importantes para la reproducción de estas dos especies de caimanes. Además, es importante incluir las comunidades ribereñas en el proceso de investigación, conservación y uso sostenible del recurso
Importancia de la conducta animal para el manejo productivo de la fauna silvestre y doméstica
Authors: SAMPEDRO, M ALCIDES , CABEZA, N. KATHYA
Published: May 2018

El departamento de Sucre presenta una gran diversidad biológica en cuanto a especies de fauna silvestre y también se distingue por la variedad y calidad de su ganado vacuno y otros domésticos. El incremento de la productividad de estos recursos, la necesidad de su conservación en estado silvestre y las posibilidades de explotación racional demandan conocimientos avanzados en el campo de la biología, la zootecnia y otras ramas afines. Una de las disciplinas donde se observan pocos resultados investigativos, es Comportamiento Animal. En este trabajo se demuestra, a través de la recopilación y análisis de la información disponible, la importancia que reviste el conocimiento de la etología de las especies de fauna, ya sean domésticas o silvestres, para su manejo productivo, conservación, o exhibición. Se pretende incentivar la realización de investigaciones sobre el comportamiento de especies domésticas y silvestres y brindar un punto de partida para la investigación acerca de este importante tema.
Aspectos ecológicos de stenocercus caducus (squamata:iguanidae) en fragmentos boscosos en el suroeste de mato grosso, brasil
Authors: SILVA, J DIONEI , SANTOS-FILHO MANOEL , SANAIOTTI, M TÂNIA,
Published: May 2018

Stenocercus caducus es un Tropidurinae descrito para Paraguay, Brasil (Mato Grosso e Pará) Bolivia (Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Tarija) y Argentina (Jujuy, Salta). Aparentemente es poco exigente en cuanto al hábitat, ya que es encontrado en áreas de cerrados, cerradones, matas ciliares y eventualmente en áreas antropizadas. En este estudio se presentan aspectos ecológicos de S. caducus, muestreados en 18 fragmentos insertados en una matriz de pradera, en la región sudeste de Mato Grosso en un área de la Floresta Estacional Semidecidua Submontana. Se realizaron las colectas en período seco y lluvioso entre diciembre de 2002 y agosto de 2004, a través de trampas tipo pitfall, con esfuerzo muestreal de 9.000 baldes/día. Fue determinada la estructura poblacional, observando la ocurrencia de solo adultos en el período lluvioso y predominancia de jóvenes en el período seco. La relación sexual encontrada estuvo próxima a 1:1 en ambos períodos, no siendo encontrada diferencias significativas en los patrones morfométricos entre los sexos. En cuanto al uso de hábitat, la especie se mostró generalista, utilizando tanto la matriz de pastos o pradera, orilla e interior de los fragmentos, aparentando preferencia por la orilla. En relación con la dieta, estaba exclusivamente compuesta por artrópodos, detectándose una ingestión que incluye un amplio espectro de presas, siendo más frecuentes y numerosas los insectos de los órdenes Coleóptera, Himenóptera (Formicidae) e Isóptera. La aparente plasticidad de la especie en cuanto al uso de hábitat y dieta contribuye para que sea exitosa, ya que una vez que se amplía el territorio de forrajeo aumenta la capacidad de sobrevivencia, siendo favorecida por la transformación de las áreas de Cerrado en un mosaico de fragmentos, debido a los constantes impactos antrópicos que suceden.
Periodicidad diaria en la deriva de la entomofauna en una quebrada de aguas negras en la amazonia central
Authors: CARABALLO PEDRO , TORREIAS SHARLENE
Published: May 2018

Resumen Con el propósito de determinar si existe una periodicidad en la deriva de la entomofauna en una quebrada de aguas limnológicamente clasificadas como de tipo negras en la Amazonia Central, un muestreo intensivo fue realizado en el Igarapé de la Onça, en el kilometro 20 de la carretera que comunica los municipios de Presidente Figuereido y Balbina (Amazonas). Las colectas fueron realizadas con redes fijas de 300 micrómetros de malla, en periodos de dos horas de duración y a intervalos de seis horas, siendo las muestras fijadas en alcohol. La velocidad media de la corriente en la quebrada fue medida en tres sustratos diferentes (rugoso, liso y pedregoso), obteniendo una media de 10 m/seg. La abundancia de individuos no presentó diferencia entre los dos puntos de colecta establecidos. En términos de la periodicidad, se observó una mayor densidad de organismos y riqueza biológica durante el crepúsculo (horario de las 18:00-20:00 horas), lo que sugiere una estrategia de respuesta a las relaciones predadorpresa, con un aumento de actividad de algunas especies en la ausencia de luz. Con base en los resultados de este estudio, surge la necesidad de saber si esta estrategia corresponde a una sincronización reproductiva o trófica de los insectos acuáticos, para evitar la predación.
Efecto de parametros físicos, químico y salinidad sobre la densidad poblacional y la colonización de micorrizas arbusculares en pasto angleton en el municipio de tolu, sucre, Colombia
Authors: PEROZA VICTOR , PEREZ ALEXANDER
Published: May 2018

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de parámetros físicos, químico y salinidad sobre la densidad poblacional y la colonización de hongos formadores de micorrizas arbusculares (HMA) en pasto angletón en el municipio de Tolú, departamento de Sucre, Colombia. Se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 35 fincas ganaderas sembradas con la especie de pasto angletón, en ellas se tomaron muestras de suelo y de rizosfera a las cuales se realizaron análisis físicoquímico, de salinidad y microbiológico de HMA (número de esporas en 100 g de suelo y porcentaje de colonización en raíces). Las variables independientes asociadas a parámetros físicos, químico y de salinidad encontradas en el suelo fueron relacionadas con el número de espora y el porcentaje de colonización de HMA mediante análisis estadísticos que permitieran establecer relación directa entre ellas. Fueron encontrados modelos matemáticos, que relacionaron la densidad poblacional de espora de HMA y el porcentaje de colonización en raíces con parámetros físicos-químicos y de salinidad de los suelos. Este es el primer estudio que muestra la relación directa que existe entre parámetros físicos, químicos y de salinidad en función de la esporulación y la colonización de HMA en condiciones de suelos de fincas ganaderas perteneciente al municipio de Tolú en el departamento de Sucre.
Determinación de adulteración y aceptabilidad de mieles (apis mellifera) comercializadas en Cartagena, bolívar, Colombia
Authors: AGUAS YELITZA , OLIVERO RAFAEL , CURY KATIA
Published: May 2018

El departamento de Bolívar se caracteriza por sus sistemas de producción apícola no tecnificados, carentes de controles reglamentarios que garanticen la calidad de las mieles cosechadas. La presente investigación evalúo la aceptabilidad y presencia de adulterantes en mieles de Apis mellifera comercializadas en 6 zonas de Cartagena Bolívar. La presencia de adulterantes como glucosa la cual para su análisis se baso en la detección de residuos de dextrinas de almidón propios de la glucosa comercial, que demostró no estar presente en ninguna de las muestras evaluadas. La mala manipulación y los elevados contenidos de humedad se relacionaron con los parámetros físico-químicos como actividad de agua (Aw) y pH de las mieles, ambos parámetros estaban dentro de los rangos establecidos en la norma NTC 1273; para el caso de la humedad solo se observo valores muy próximos al límite permitido en las muestras provenientes de tres de las zonas del mercado de Bazurto (3,4 y 5). La evaluación sensorial fue realizada aplicando una prueba de ordenación preferencia relacionada con la apariencia de las mieles dando como resultado que se prefiere las mieles comercializadas en la zona 5 del mercado Bazurto, siendo las muestras menos preferidas las de la zona 2, 3, 4 y 6; se encontraron libres de moho, impurezas y sabores indeseables cumpliendo así los requerimientos establecidos por la norma. Las mieles comercializadas en las zonas objeto de estudios cumplen con los requisitos de calidad en relación a la presencia de adulterantes, y apariencia, logrando niveles promedios de aceptabilidad por los consumidores.
Ciénaga de la caimanera: manglares y aves asociadas
Authors: URUETA S JUAN , GARAY S CINDY , ZAMORA G ALEJANDRO , GALVAN-GUEVARA SILVIA , DE LA OSSA V JAIME.
Published: May 2018

En la costa Caribe colombiana, existen ecosistemas marinos y costeros, que ofrecen una variedad de hábitat como playas, litorales, acantilados rocosos y manglares, que favorecen el establecimiento y la llegada de varias especies de aves acuáticas residentes y migratorias. Además, en esta región se encuentran ecosistemas de humedales aledaños a riberas de río, sabanas inundables, ciénagas de agua dulce y salobre, que se constituyen en hábitat importantes para la avifauna nacional (NARANJO, 1979; SÁNCHEZ-PÁEZ et al., 1997; INGEOMINAS, 1998).