bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Case-control study about the acceptance of Pegvaliase in Phenylketonuria
Authors: Krämer Johannes
Published: January 2020

Introduction Pegvaliase is a novel enzyme substitution therapy approved by the European Drug Administration (EDA) in May 2019 for the treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU) in adults and children ≥16 years of age. The pegylated phenylalanine ammonia lyase is isolated from bacteria and therefore provokes multifarious immunogenic reactions. Thus, the selection of the right patient for a potential harmful treatment is essential for patient’s contentedness and long-term therapy compliance.Methods and Results 101 patients with PKU were screened for eligibility for an additional treatment with Pegvaliase. 51 patients were included in the study, 26 received a structural information about the new treatment for in mean 43±12 minutes and clinical data and plasma Phe-levels were assessed. After 4 weeks of consideration the willing of treatment initiation as well as reasons for denial are registered. 7 patients (27%) concluded in beginning of treatment. Phe-level in this (acceptance) group were higher (1180±231µmol/l) compared to the denial group (930±278µmol/l, p=0.01). After 4 weeks Phe-levels in the acceptance group remained stable (1264±311µmol/l, p=26) while Phe-levels in the denial group decreased (779±226µmol/l, p<0.01). Main reasons for denial of therapy were fear of adverse effects (47%), no need for additional treatment (26%) and the subcutaneous way of application (21%).Conclusion PKU patients have reservations against an invasive subcutaneous treatment for their disease. This is mainly caused by the form of application by syringe and the potential harmful side effects. Only less than one-third of the patients in our cohort are willing to start treatment. Besides that, most PKU patients seem to have untapped potential for self-contained reduction of Phe-levels only by being focused on their diet.
Simulation Education to Advance Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Critical Care in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Roshana , Alianiello Lisa , Aouthmany Shaza , Kholwadwala Fenil , Deluga Nicholas , Nguyen Kevin , Shrestha Anmol , Brickman Kris
Published: January 2020

Background: Internationally emergency medicine is a relatively young specialty that is increasingly recognized for its potential for growth. In low middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nepal resources are quite limited and the development of new specialties such as emergency medicine can be slow to evolve. Specific areas of emergency care, including pediatric critical care have significant challenges due to clinical and educational limitations in countries like Nepal. Countries with robust healthcare systems like the United States can play a significant role in bridging this education and clinical divide in LMICs. In 2018 and 2019 the University of Toledo Medical Center in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital School of Medicine developed adult and pediatric critical emergency care workshops and educational sessions in an effort to improve the development of emergency medicine in Nepal. These sessions included hands-on workshops, educational lectures, and simulation participation environments in critical care procedures and decision making for both adult and pediatric emergencies. In these two workshops a total of 71 participants, including Nepalese emergency care providers ranging from pre-hospital personnel to faculty, engaged in these sessions. Results: Pre and post-workshop surveys were provided and this subjective data showed significant improvement in confidence levels along with procedural skills technique and knowledge as a result of the educational sessions provided. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary education and workshops to LMIC are necessary for development of emergency medicine and pediatric critical care. Simulation education and workshop training are highly valuable “hands on” methods to educate these healthcare providers. Highly developed healthcare systems in emergency and critical care must assist in the world wide development acute care management in these poorly resourced countries
A Community–Based System Dynamics Approach for Understanding Factors Affecting Mental Health and Health Seeking Behaviors in Beirut and Beqaa Regions of Lebanon
Authors: Noubani Aya , Diaconu Karin , ghandour Lilian , Koussa Maria El , Loffreda Giulia , Saleh Shadi
Published: January 2020

Background Available evidence on mental health and psychosocial problems in Lebanon is limited. Recent quantitative data suggests a high prevalence among Syrian refugees and their Lebanese host communities, with significant treatment gaps in both populations. This study aims to determine how Lebanese host and Syrian refugee communities perceive mental health, and identify health seeking behaviors and barriers to health access in two contrasting contexts of fragility.Methods A comparative qualitative study design was adopted whereas a total of 36 semi-structured interviews with Lebanese host and Syrian refugees’ community members were conducted followed by a series of four participatory group model building (GMB) sessions. Participants were recruited from two contrasting fragility contexts: Beirut and Beqaa regions. During these sessions, causal loop diagrams were elicited depicting shared understandings of factors prompting the onset of mental health and psychosocial issues; health seeking behaviors, pathways and elements affecting the rate of health improvement and maintenance were also identified.Results Community members in both settings had similar perceptions of factors contributing to mental health. Participants named long-term effects of exposure to wars, political and social effects of conflicts and financial constraints at the household level as precipitating factors prompting the onset of mental health and psychosocial stressors. Gender and integration related challenges between communities were identified as factors that affect condition onset and associated care seeking. Pathways for health seeking were found to be shaped by trust, the advice and support of loved ones, and the need to ensure confidentiality of affected individuals. Recurrent themes in discussion included significant delays in health seeking from the formal health system and widespread social stigma, prohibitive service costs, lack of health coverage, limited awareness of mental health service availability and trust in the quality of service as major barriers to access.Conclusion Mental health and psychosocial support strategies need to be gender- and integration-sensitive, primarily focused on condition prevention and awareness raising in order to strengthen health-seeking behaviors.
Optimal cut-off values for anthropometric indices of obesity as discriminators of cardiovascular risk factors in a Health Examinees study: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Cho Sooyoung , Shin Aesun , Choi Ji-Yeob , Park Sang Min , Kang Daehee , Lee Jong-Koo
Published: January 2020

Background Obesity is well known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the performance of and the optimal cutoff value for obesity indices to discriminate the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Health Examinees study.Methods The current study analyzed 134,195 participants with complete anthropometric and laboratory information in a Health Examinees study. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors was defined as having at least one of the following: hypertension, hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC) and conicity index (C index).Results AUC of cardiovascular risk factors was the highest for WHtR (0.677 [0.672-0.683] among men; 0.691 [0.687-0.694] among women), and the lowest for the C index (0.616 [0.611-0.622] among men; 0.645 [0.641-0.649] among women) among both men and women. The optimal cutoff values were 24.3kg/m 2 for BMI, 0.887 for WHR, 0.499 for WHtR, 84.4cm for WC and 1.20m 3/2 /kg 1/2 for the C index among men, compared with 23.4kg/m 2 for BMI, 0.832 for WHR, 0.496 for WHtR, 77.0 cm for WC and 1.18m 3/2 /kg 1/2 for the C index among women.Conclusion Obesity indices can be considered a plausible discriminator of metabolic risks.
Women’s Economic Empowerment, Participation In Decision-Making And Exposure To Violence As Risk Indicators For Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Tantawi Maha El , Vukovic Ana , Schroth Robert , Gaffar Balgis , Al-Batayneh Ola B. , Amalia Rosa , Arheiam Arheiam , Obiyan Mary , Daryanavard Hamideh
Published: January 2020

Objectives In view of the association between early childhood caries [ECC] and maternal social risk factors, this study tried to determine if there were associations between indicators of processes, outputs and outcomes of women’s empowerment, and the prevalence of ECC.Methods This was an ecological study. Indicators measuring the explanatory variables - economic empowerment, decision-making and violence against women - were selected from the Integrated Results and Resources Framework of the UN-Women Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and WHO database. Indicators measuring the outcome variables - the prevalence of ECC for children aged 0 to 2 years, and 3 to 5 years - were extracted from a published literature. The general linear models used to determine the association between the outcome and explanatory variables were adjusted for economic level of countries. Regression estimates (B), 95% confidence intervals and partial eta squared (η 2 ) were calculated.Results Countries with more females living under 50% of median income had higher prevalence of ECC for 3 to 5-year olds (B= 1.82, 95% CI= 0.12, 3.52). Countries with higher percentage of women participating in their own health care decisions had higher prevalence of ECC for 0 to 2-year-olds (B= 0.85, 95% CI= 0.03, 1.67). Countries with higher percentage of women participating in decisions related to visiting family, relatives and friends had higher prevalence of ECC for 3 to 5-year-olds (B= 0.67, 95% CI= 0.03, 1.32). None of the indicators for violence against women was significantly associated with the prevalence of ECC.Conclusion Empowerment of women is a welcome social development that may have some negative impact on children’s oral health. Changes in policies and norms are needed to protect children’s oral health while empowering women.
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting by Patients: Experience of 12 European Countries
Authors: Valinciute-Jankauskiene Agne , Kubiliene Loreta
Published: January 2020

Background Spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by a patient is an important method in minimizing safety risks related to medicine use. Patients as reporters of suspected ADRs are valuable participants of pharmacovigilance system. The aim of this study to examine the contribution of the patients to pharmacovigilance in European countries that started patient reporting schemes in 2012-2013 and to compare different tools used by their authorities to promote patients’ reporting.Methods A web-based questionnaire was sent to the NCAs of the Europe countries. The received answers were systematized and compared with each other through meta-analysis. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated in a random or fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was determined using the Cochrane Q-Test.Results The performed meta-analysis demonstrates that the changes in the number of received ADR report over the analyzed period increased significantly in each country. The reported statistic from Ireland and Finland significantly differ from other reviewed countries. Personalized feedback is a part of the pharmacovigilance system in 5 (41,6%) countries. Only Finland and Ireland (16,6%) do not offer specific reporting forms to patients. The common source of information on direct patient reporting is the websites of NCAs. Other tools in use are information on social media pages, leaflets, posters, etc.Conclusions This is the first insight into patients reporting schemes implemented after the significant reform of the European regulatory system for pharmacovigilance. The statistical data received from the interviewed countries indicate that it is essential for countries with minimal experience in pharmacovigilance systems with direct patient reporting schemes to organize comprehensive campaigns on ADR reporting. However, some countries do not promote the patient’s reporting schemes actively, which implies that the patient reporting is considered as mandatory and not as a supporting tool for safer medicines to consumers.
Jakyakgamcho-tang in the Relief of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in Healthy Adults: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design clinical trial
Authors: Han Kyungsun , Kwon Ojin , Jung So-Young , Park In-hwa , Hwang Man-Suk , Park Sun-Young , Hwang Eui-Hyoung , Lee Jun-Hwan
Published: January 2020

Background Muscle soreness after exercise, or so-called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), may cause significant changes to muscle function and may increase the risk of sports injuries. Therefore, various therapeutic strategies have been studied to help recovery after exercise. Jakyakgamcho-tang (JGT) is a widely prescribed herbal medicine to treat muscle pain and cramps in traditional Eastern medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of JGT for reducing pain and improving muscle damage after exercise. Methods This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design clinical trial. A total of 30 healthy male adults will be recruited. Subjects who voluntarily wish to participate in this study will be hospitalized for 4 days. On the first day, the subjects will perform a standardized treadmill exercise for 1 hour to induce DOMS. After the exercise, the subjects will take either JGT or a placebo for 3 days. After a more than 1 week wash-out period, the subjects will repeat the same process with the other drug. Pain intensity, calf circumference, and pain threshold will be measured as outcome measures. Blood tests and blood pressure will be measured as safety assessments. In addition, blood tests for muscle damage and inflammation markers, such as creatine kinase, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein will be analyzed. Discussion This will be the first trial to assess the effect of JGT on exercise-induced muscle soreness. Our findings will provide valuable data to determine the clinical effects of JGT on DOMS.
Reduction of Botrytis cinerea Infection on Petunia Flowers following Calcium Spray Applications
Authors: Bennett Katherine , Jent Jared , Samarakoon Uttara C. , Schnabel Guido , Faust James E.
Published: January 2020

Botrytis blight on petunia flowers causes significant losses in the postharvest environment. Infection occurs during greenhouse production, and symptoms are expressed during transport. This phenomenon is termed petunia flower meltdown because of the rapid collapse of flower petal tissue as the plants are transported from the production greenhouse to the retail store. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of calcium (Ca) spray applications on botrytis blight severity in petunia flowers. For the first experiment, petunia ‘Pretty Grand Red’ plants were sprayed twice per week for 2 weeks with calcium chloride (CaCl2) at rates of 0, 400, 800, and 1200 mg·L−1 Ca. A fungicide (cyprodinil, 37.5%; fludioxonil, 25%) was used as an additional control treatment. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, freshly opened flowers were harvested, placed into a humidity chamber with 99% relative humidity, and inoculated with a Botrytis cinerea spore suspension (1 × 104 conidia/mL). Disease progression was recorded every 12 hours for 72 hours. The results showed a 96% reduction in botrytis blight severity as Ca concentration increased from 0 to 1200 mg·L−1 Ca. The Ca treatments provided better disease control than the fungicide treatment because of the fungicide resistance of the isolate used in the study. A second experiment was performed to determine whether the beneficial response to CaCl2 application was influenced by chlorine (Cl) or the electrical conductivity (EC) of the spray solutions, and no significant responses were observed. These studies prove Ca is the sole source of the reduction in botrytis blight severity following treatment with CaCl2 sprays, and demonstrate the benefit of using Ca as a tool for the management of botrytis blight on petunia flowers.
An evolutionary system of mineralogy. Part I: Stellar mineralogy (>13 to 4.6 Ga)
Authors: Hazen Robert M. , Morrison Shaunna M.
Published: January 2020

Minerals preserve records of the physical, chemical, and biological histories of their origins and subsequent alteration, and thus provide a vivid narrative of the evolution of Earth and other worlds through billions of years of cosmic history. Mineral properties, including trace and minor elements, ratios of isotopes, solid and fluid inclusions, external morphologies, and other idiosyncratic attributes, represent information that points to specific modes of formation and subsequent environmental histories—information essential to understanding the co-evolving geosphere and biosphere. This perspective suggests an opportunity to amplify the existing system of mineral classification, by which minerals are defined solely on idealized end-member chemical compositions and crystal structures. Here we present the first in a series of contributions to explore a complementary evolutionary system of mineralogy—a classification scheme that links mineral species to their paragenetic modes.

The earliest stage of mineral evolution commenced with the appearance of the first crystals in the universe at >13 Ga and continues today in the expanding, cooling atmospheres of countless evolved stars, which host the high-temperature (T > 1000 K), low-pressure (P < 10-2 atm) condensation of refractory minerals and amorphous phases. Most stardust is thought to originate in three distinct processes in carbon- and/or oxygen-rich mineral-forming stars: (1) condensation in the cooling, expanding atmospheres of asymptotic giant branch stars; (2) during the catastrophic explosions of supernovae, most commonly core collapse (Type II) supernovae; and (3) classical novae explosions, the consequence of runaway fusion reactions at the surface of a binary white dwarf star. Each stellar environment imparts distinctive isotopic and trace element signatures to the micro- and nanoscale stardust grains that are recovered from meteorites and micrometeorites collected on Earth’s surface, by atmospheric sampling, and from asteroids and comets. Although our understanding of the diverse mineral-forming environments of stars is as yet incomplete, we present a preliminary catalog of 41 distinct natural kinds of stellar minerals, representing 22 official International Mineralogical Association (IMA) mineral species, as well as 2 as yet unapproved crystalline phases and 3 kinds of non-crystalline condensed phases not codified by the IMA.
A structural study of size-dependent lattice variation: In situ X-ray diffraction of the growth of goethite nanoparticles from 2-line ferrihydrite
Authors: Heaney Peter J. , Oxman Matthew J. , Chen Si Athena
Published: January 2020

Unlike most native metals, the unit cells of metal oxides tend to expand when crystallite sizes approach the nanoscale. Here we review different models that account for this behavior, and we present structural analyses for goethite (α-FeOOH) crystallites from ~10 to ~30 nm. The goethite was investigated during continuous particle growth via the hydrothermal transformation of 2-line ferrihydrite at pH 13.6 at 80, 90, and 100 °C using time-resolved, angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Ferrihydrite gels were injected into polyimide capillaries with low background scattering, increasing the sensitivity for detecting diffraction from goethite nanocrystals that nucleated upon heating. Rietveld analysis enabled high-resolution extraction of crystallographic and kinetic data. Crystallite sizes for goethite increased with time at similar rates for all temperatures.

With increasing crystallite size, goethite unit-cell volumes decreased, primarily as a result of contraction along the c-axis, the direction of closest-packing (space group Pnma). We introduce the coefficient of nanoscale contraction (CNC) as an analog to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) to compare the dependence of lattice strain on crystallite size for goethite and other metal oxides, and we argue that nanoscale-induced crystallographic expansion is quantitatively similar to that produced when goethite is heated. In addition, our first-order kinetic model based on the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation yielded an activation energy for the transformation of ferrihydrite to goethite of 72.74 ± 0.2 kJ/mol, below reported values for hematite nucleation and growth.
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENGHAMBAT PENYELESAIAN SKRIPSI MAHASISWA JURUSAN BIMBINGAN DAN PENYULUHAN ISLAM FAKULTAS DAKWAH DAN KOMUNIKASI UIN WALISONGO SEMARANG
Authors: Umriana Anila
Published: January 2020

Problem tentang penyelesaian studi selalu menarik untuk diteliti. Salah satunya yang berkaitan dengan hambatan dalam penyelesaian skripsi. Faktanya, persentase mahasiswa jurusan BPI yang mampu menyelesaikan skripsi tepat pada waktunya jauh lebih kecil daripada jumlah mahasiswa yang mengalami keterlambatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan dan menganalisis faktor-faktor yang menjadi penghambat penyelesaian skripsi tersebut. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif desktiptif. Sumber data primer yaitu mahasiswa jurusan BPI yang waktu tempuh skripsinya lebih dari satu tahun. Sumber data sekundernya adalah dosen pembimbing, dan dokumen terkait. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada sepuluh faktor yang menghambat penyelesaian skripsi mahasiswa jurusan BPI FDK UIN Walisongo Semarang. Dari sepuluh faktor tersebut peneliti mengelompokkan menjadi dua bagian, yaitu faktor internal dan faktor eksternal. Faktor internal berupa; kesehatan, hambatan psikologis, kemampuan akademik, dan pendekatan (sikap dan kebiasaan belajar). Sedangkan faktor eksternal berupa; keluarga, lingkungan/teman, sistem admninstrasi skripsi, proses pembimbingan dosen, referensi, dan aktifitas lain
A Model of the Configuration Process of HR Systems within Multinational Subsidiaries in Indonesia
Authors: Rupidara Neil Semuel
Published: January 2020

This article develops an empirical model of the process through which human resource management (henceforth HR) systems within subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNCs) are constructed. It extends current models that had previously been developed. It is a second-order analysis that integrates research findings that had been previously published along with unpublished materials from the same research project. The research project applied different qualitative methods in data collection. Complementing a previous conceptual macro model of the configuration process of HR systems, this article adds on a micro-empirical model of the process. The model proposes that the adoption and enactment of new HR ideas that make up HR systems is initiated by the reconceptualization of corporate identity and facilitated by the connectivity of relevant HR actors that enables the flows of ideas from the outside into the firms. Five research propositions are finally proposed to be tested as a contribution for future research.
Clinical Features of Graves' Ophthalmopathy and Impact of Enalapril on the Course of Mild Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Ataabadi Ghazal , Dabbaghmanesh Mohammad H. , Owji Naser , Bakhshayeshkaram Marzieh , Montazeri-Najafabady Nima
Published: January 2020

Background:

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and adipogenesis are associated with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) progression.

Objective:

We conducted a pilot study to investigate the effect of Enalapril on patients with mild ophthalmopathy.

Method:

Based on the comprehensive eye examination, 12 patients with mild ophthalmopathy were selected from referred Graves’ patients and treated with Enalapril (5 mg daily) for 6 months. Clinical and ophthalmological examination [IOP (Intraocular Pressure), vision, Margin reflex distance and exophthalmia measurement, CAS (clinical activity score) and VISA [V (vision); I (inflammation/ congestion); S (strabismus/motility restriction); and A (appearance/exposure] score assessment) was performed at the beginning, 3 months and 6 months of the study period. Quality of life was also evaluated using a standard questionnaire.

Results:

Mean exophthalmia at the first visit was 18.75 ± 2.39, 3 months later 18.53 ± 2.39 and 6 months later was 17.92 ± 2.31, respectively. Mean CAS was 0.71 ± 0.82 (first visit), 0.57 ± 0.54 (3 months) and 0.14 ± 0.36 (6 months), respectively. Mean Margin reflex distance was 9.09 ± 4.36 (first visit) and 9.60 ± 4.40 (6 months), respectively. There were significant differences in the case of exophthalmia (P=0.002), CAS (P=0.006), and Margin reflex distance (P=0.029) between the first visit and 6 months after treatment. The difference between the score of quality of life in patients with GO after 6 months of follow up was statistically significant (P = 0.006).

Conclusion:

Our results showed that Enalapril treatment could ameliorate the clinical course of GO according to the ophthalmologic examinations and subjective parameters of disease progression. However, further studies should be performed to determine the efficacy of Enalapril in Graves’ ophthalmopathy treatment.
Sequence and Functional Variation in the HIV-1 Rev Regulatory Axis
Authors: Jackson Patrick E.H. , Dzhivhuho Godfrey , Rekosh David , Hammarskjold Marie-Louise
Published: January 2020

Background:

To complete its replication cycle, HIV-1 requires the nucleocytoplasmic
export of intron-containing viral mRNAs. This process is ordinarily restricted by the cell, but HIV
overcomes the block by means of a viral protein, Rev, and an RNA secondary structure found in all
unspliced and incompletely spliced viral mRNAs called the Rev Response Element (RRE). In vivo
activity of the Rev-RRE axis requires Rev binding to the RRE, oligomerization of Rev to form a
competent ribonucleoprotein complex, and recruitment of cellular factors including Crm1 and
RanGTP in order to export the targeted transcript. Sequence variability is observed among primary
isolates in both Rev and the RRE, and the activity of both can be modulated through relatively small
sequence changes. Primary isolates show differences in Rev-RRE activity and a few studies have
found a correlation between lower Rev-RRE activity and slower progression of clinical disease.
Lower Rev-RRE activity has also been associated with the evasion of cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated
killing.

Conclusions:

The HIV-1 Rev-RRE regulatory axis is an understudied mechanism by which viral adaptation
to diverse immune milieus may take place. There is evidence that this adaptation plays a
role in HIV pathogenesis, particularly in immune evasion and latency, but further studies with larger
sample sizes are warranted.
The Effect of Treatment and Bone Metabolic Factors on Fracture Incidence in Patients with Thalassemia-Induced Osteoporosis: An Observational Study
Authors: Tsartsalis Athanasios N. , Lambrou George I. , Vlachou Eugenia , Samartzi Athanasia , Chrousos George P. , Kanaka-Gantenbein Christina , Kattamis Antonis
Published: January 2020

Thalassemia Major (TM) is a hereditary disease caused by defective globin synthesis. Because of the significant increase in life expectancy, these patients suffer from various health conditions, including endocrinopathies and low bone mineral density.

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fracture incidence regarding the markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density and treatment of osteoporosis as well as treatment of comorbidities.

Methods:

Sixty-four patients with TM (32 men and 32 women) participated in a cross-sectional study design. The patients were recruited from “Aghia Sofia” Children’s Hospital and evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and with markers of bone remodeling including receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), and sclerostin.

Results:

The statistical analysis of markers of bone metabolism in relation to fractures revealed no statistical significance. However, statistical analysis of bone mineral density and markers of bone metabolism in relation to fractures was also not significant.

Conclusions:

In TM patients, fractures are not related to bone mineral density. Maybe some other conditions are the cause, haemosidirosis, drugs, comorbid conditions.
Damping of the track horizontal, transversal vibrations
Authors: Bel’kov V. M.
Published: January 2020

Knowledge of the oscillation process nature in horizontal plane across the track allows selecting the way of damping for reducing decrease of strength properties of polymer gaskets, rails, sleepers and earthworks under effect of horizontal vibrodynamic loads occurring during the rolling stock movement. Maximum horizontal deformation of polymer gaskets across the track does not exceed 10% therefore stress and deformation of polymer material can be done using the Hooke’s law.

This is the first systematization of formulae for calculation of polymer gaskets, as well as the first resolution of the task when not pure shear takes place under effect of tangential stresses with simultaneous effect of vertical load. Damping coefficient of polyurethane gaskets is the same as for rubber gaskets; however, their service life is 2.5 times longer.

Based on the presented physical mesomechanics it is demonstrated regarding the surface layer of two metal bodies contact under significant load that the surface mesolayer has damping properties, and vibrating oscillations occurring in the truck wheels when rolling stock moves on the rails will be reflected from the contact pad. The process of wheel and rail sliding in transversal direction is accompanied with increase of the total rolling friction and noise, elevated wear and tear of rails and wheel rims. In order to reduce transversal deformations and amplitude of the rails and sleepers torsion oscillations during rolling movement it is proposed to change the shape of polyurethane gaskets. Gaskets with variable thickness will more effectively reflect the shear transversal oscillating waves and reduce transversal forces.
DETERMINATION OF EARTHQUAKE FOCUS COORDINATES USING THE CASSINI OVAL METHOD WITH SECOND- AND FOURTH-ORDER HYPERBOLA FIGURES
Authors: Shakhtarin B. I. , Aslanov T. G. , Tetakaev U. R.
Published: January 2020

Objectives. To study the dependencies obtained when determining the coordinates of an earthquake hypocentre using the figures of fourth and second orders.

Method. A comparative analysis of determining the coordinates of the earthquake focus using the Cassini oval method, both taking errors in the readings of seismic sensors into account the and ignoring them, is presented.

Result. A new method is proposed for determining the coordinates of the earthquake hypocentre, which uses the fourth-order figure, the Cassini oval, in the calculations. A graph is obtained for the distribution of errors in determining the coordinates of the earthquake focus (using the Cassini oval) depending on the relative position of two seismic sensors with different values of their errors in determining the difference in travel times of seismic waves.

Conclusion. Since the calculation results are independent of the error sign in determining the difference in the arrival times of seismic waves, the method is suitable for the initial determination of the coordinates of the earthquake hypocentre as well as for comparison with the results of other methods for identifying the error sign.
DECISION-MAKING MODELLING IN A BUILDING ORGANIZATION MANAGING
Authors: Aigumov T. G. , Melekhin V. B.
Published: January 2020

Objectives. The aim of the work is to develop a situational decision-making model that provides effective management of the activities of large construction engineering organisations under the unstable conditions of the economic environment.

Method. The research methods are based on the application of the methodological foundations of situational management and the principles of processing expert data using the mathematical apparatus of fuzzy sets.

Results. A method for managing the activities of a construction engineering organisation under an unstable economic environment is proposed. Logical-transformational rules for deriving an information-analytical model of situational management and decision support under conditions of uncertainty are developed. The necessary conditions for the effective use of various logical-transformational inference rules and the need for an organisational management transition to multi-step situational management of the construction engineering organisation are defined.

Conclusion. The results of the study allow the effective management of various types of activities of a large construction engineering organisation to be carried out in an unstable economic environment (i.e. under the unstable conditions of the contemporary market).
COMPUTER SCIENCE, COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT SYNTHESISING THE MODEL OF THE PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE OF ATMOSPHERIC PIPE STILL
Authors: Gebel E. S. , Ibatullin A. A. , Peshko M. S. , Gudinov V. N.
Published: January 2020

Objectives. The aim of the study is to develop a model of a predictive maintenance system allowing the output parameters of a high-capacity distillation unit to be stabilised.

Method. The problem of controlling the collection of oil products of a given fractional composition can be reduced to the task of controlling the temperature regime at draw-off trays. In this case, temperature control tasks are considered as control actions. In order to implement the proposed control principle, a mathematical model was constructed allowing the oil fraction content to be converted to directly controlled temperatures.

Results. Based on the analysis of the technological process and design features of the atmospheric distillation column, the vectors of maintaining and disturbing actions are determined along with the optimisation criterion for the maintenance problem. In order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the control object, oil product quality parameters are introduced into the predictive maintenance model along with the supplementation of existing control loops with intermediate parameters.

Conclusion. An analysis of the structural features of the atmospheric pipe still and the existing approach to the distillation column maintenance reveals certain disadvantages associated with the lack of operational quality control of the collected oil products, as well as the need to expand the list of stabilised technological parameters in order to optimise the technological process. It is shown that in order to switch to the proposed maintenance approach, it is necessary to develop a static model reflecting the dependency of the potential yield of the required fractions on the raw material composition along with a dynamic model in the form of a multi-parameter optimisation problem.
Bahamas National Implementation Project: Proposal for Sustainability of an Evidence-based HIV Prevention Intervention in a School Setting
Authors: Wang Bo , Deveaux Lynette , Lunn Sonja , Dinaj-Koci Veronica , Ghosh Samiran , Li Xiaoming , Marshall Sharon , Rolle Glenda , Forbes Nikkiah , Stanton Bonita
Published: January 2020

Background

Sustained implementation of school-based prevention programs is low. Effective strategies are needed to enhance both high-level implementation fidelity and sustainability of prevention programs.

Objective

This proposed study aims to determine if the provision of either biweekly monitoring and feedback and site-based assistance and mentorship or both to at-risk and moderate-performing teachers with monitoring through an enhanced decision-making platform by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Health (MOH) based on the real-time implementation data will increase national implementation fidelity and result in sustained implementation over time.

Methods

This study will target government schools including 200 grade 6 teachers in 80 primary schools and 100 junior/middle high school teachers (and their classes) on 12 Bahamian islands. Teacher and school coordinator training will be conducted by the MOE in year 1, followed by an optimization trial among teachers in the capital island. Informed by these results, an implementation intervention will be conducted to train using different levels of educational intensity all at-risk and moderate-performing teachers. Subsequently selected training and implementation strategies will be evaluated for the national implementation of Focus on Youth in the Caribbean and Caribbean Informed Parents and Children Together in years 2 to 5.

Results

It is hypothesized that a more intensive training and supervision program for at-risk and moderate-performing teachers will enhance their implementation fidelity to the average level of the high-performing group (85%), an HIV prevention program delivered at the national level can be implemented with fidelity in grade 6 and sustained over time (monitored annually), and student outcomes will continue to be highly correlated with implementation fidelity and be sustained over time (assessed annually through grade 9). The proposed study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development from August 1, 2018, through May 31, 2023.

Conclusions

The study will explore several theory-driven implementation strategies to increase sustained teacher implementation fidelity and thereby increase the general public health impact of evidence-based interventions. The proposed project has potential to make significant contributions to advancing school-based HIV prevention research and implementation science and serve as a global model for the Fast Track strategy.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/14816
Self-Care Monitoring of Heart Failure Symptoms and Lung Impedance at Home Following Hospital Discharge: Longitudinal Study
Authors: Aamodt Ina Thon , Lycholip Edita , Celutkiene Jelena , von Lueder Thomas , Atar Dan , Falk Ragnhild Sørum , Hellesø Ragnhild , Jaarsma Tiny , Strömberg Anna , Lie Irene
Published: January 2020

Background

Self-care is key to the daily management of chronic heart failure (HF). After discharge from hospital, patients may struggle to recognize and respond to worsening HF symptoms. Failure to monitor and respond to HF symptoms may lead to unnecessary hospitalizations.

Objective

This study aimed to (1) determine the feasibility of lung impedance measurements and a symptom diary to monitor HF symptoms daily at home for 30 days following hospital discharge and (2) determine daily changes in HF symptoms of pulmonary edema, lung impedance measurements, and if self-care behavior improves over time when patients use these self-care monitoring tools.

Methods

This study used a prospective longitudinal design including patients from cardiology wards in 2 university hospitals—one in Norway and one in Lithuania. Data on HF symptoms and pulmonary edema were collected from 10 participants (mean age 64.5 years; 90% (9/10) male) with severe HF (New York Heart Association classes III and IV) who were discharged home after being hospitalized for an HF condition. HF symptoms were self-reported using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale for Heart Failure. Pulmonary edema was measured by participants using a noninvasive lung impedance monitor, the CardioSet Edema Guard Monitor. Informal caregivers aided the participants with the noninvasive measurements.

Results

The prevalence and burden of shortness of breath varied from participants experiencing them daily to never, whereas lung impedance measurements varied for individual participants and the group participants, as a whole. Self-care behavior score improved significantly (P=.007) from a median of 56 (IQR range 22-75) at discharge to a median of 81 (IQR range 72-98) 30 days later.

Conclusions

Noninvasive measurement of lung impedance daily and the use of a symptom diary were feasible at home for 30 days in HF patients. Self-care behavior significantly improved after 30 days of using a symptom diary and measuring lung impedance at home. Further research is needed to determine if daily self-care monitoring of HF signs and symptoms, combined with daily lung impedance measurements, may reduce hospital readmissions.
Protocol For An Adjuvant Alpha-Fetoprotein-Derived Peptide After Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Safety Study
Authors: Nomura Akihiro , Terashima Takeshi , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kitahara Masaaki , Murayama Toshinori , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: January 2020

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health concern because of a continued increase in cases globally; furthermore, the prognosis for patients with HCC remains poor. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been established as the standard of care for the intermediate stage of HCC; however, no therapeutic agents are available to reduce the high rate of recurrence.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the safety of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptides for patients with HCC post-TACE.

Methods

This will be an open-label, single-arm, multicenter study to evaluate the safety of AFP-derived peptides (AFP 357 and AFP 403), which contain histocompatibility antigen-A24-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes from tumor antigens expressed in HCC and is recognized at a high rate by lymphocytes in patients with HCC. Protocol treatment will consist of six courses of the subcutaneous administration of 3 mg each of AFP 357 and AFP 403. A total of 14 patients will be included in this study, the first 6 as a main analysis target group and an additional 8 as an extended cohort from three institutions in Japan. The primary endpoint will be the occurrence of serious adverse events (safety profile). The secondary endpoints will include time to progression, overall survival, completion rate, and adverse events (efficacy profile).

Results

We have recruited 14 patients with HCC as of December 2019. The final follow-up will be completed by March 2020.

Conclusions

In this study, we will evaluate the safety profile of AFP-derived peptides for patients with HCC post-TACE. We believe that this study will provide useful information and will help to design a subsequent phase II trial based on the results.

Trial Registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs041180155; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCTs041180155

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/17082
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF RP-HPLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN AND FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM
Authors: KUCHANA MADHAVI , KANDUKURU CHAMUNDESWARI , CHENGALVA PRASANTHI
Published: January 2020

Objective: To develop and validate a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous estimation of ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved on reverse phase Discovery Inertsil ODS3V Column, C18 (250 mm, 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The separation was achieved by employing the mobile phase consists of phosphate buffer (pH 4) and acetonitrile (40:60). The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min, at a detection wavelength of 295 nm. The proposed method was validated as per the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines.Results: The retention time for ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide was found at 3.627 min and 5.037 min respectively. The proposed method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, the limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ) and robustness. All validation parameters were within the acceptable range. The assay method was linear and found in the range from 12.5–37.25 µg/ml for ciprofloxacin and 0.625–1.875 µg/ml of fluocinolone acetonide. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values for ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide were 0.25 % and 0.18 %, respectively. Conclusion: A rapid, accurate and precise RP-HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of ciprofloxacin and fluocinolone acetonide in bulk and ointment formulation. The developed method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, the limit of detection, limit of quantitation and robustness according to ICH guidelines.
Pectina deshidratada de Passiflora edulis como inhibidor de incrustaciones minerales
Authors: Rendón Rodríguez Katherine Betania , Azocar Barreto Eduardo José , Castillo Campos Luis Antonio
Published: January 2020

Este estudio consistió en la evaluación de la aplicabilidad de pectina deshidratada a base de parchita (Passiflora edulis) como inhibidor de incrustaciones minerales. La pectina fue obtenida mediante un proceso de hidrólisis ácida, precipitación de la sustancia pectínica y posterior deshidratación, para caracterizarla física y químicamente posteriormente. Se formuló un agua sintética en base a la norma NACE TM0374-2007, y fue caracterizada de forma física y química. Consecutivamente se formularon los inhibidores a concentraciones de 2%, 4% y 6% m/V, considerando también partículas de pectina mayores o iguales a 841 micrones y menores o iguales a 420 micrones. Por otra parte, se evaluó la eficiencia de la pectina como antiincrustante en diferentes muestras de agua sintética, regidos por la norma NACE TM 0374-2007, obteniéndose que el inhibidor más eficiente fue el de 6% m/V. Por último, se aplicó un procedimiento de comparación múltiple entre los inhibidores formulados y el HCl, resultando así medias que no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. En síntesis, la pectina deshidratada a base de parchita demostró ser eficiente en el proceso de inhibición de la precipitación de incrustaciones minerales de Sulfato de Calcio (CaSO4), mejorando esto en base a una mayor concentración y un menor tamaño de partículas.
MENGUAK KEPATUHAN WAJIB PAJAK DALAM PEMUNGUTAN PPH PASAL 23 ATAS SEWA KENDARAAN(Studi Kasus Pada KPP Pratama Pamekasan)”
Authors: Syakroni Muhammad , Norsain Norsain
Published: January 2020

Pajak merupakan salah satu sumber penerimaan negara yang diharapkan dapat  mengurangi ketergantungan negara kita terhadap hutang luar negeri.”Sektor pajak  dianggap pilihan yang paling tepat karena jumlahnya relatif stabil dan masyarakat dapat berpartisipasi secara aktif dalam pembiayaan pembangunan. Pajak Penghasilan  merupakan salah satu penopang utama dalam penerimaan pajak,”Salah satu pajak penghasilan tersebut adalah PPh Pasal 23. Usaha rental mobil termasuk pada PPh 23 tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat kepatuhan wajib pajak pada pemilik usaha rental mobil sebagai objek pajak PPh 23. Jenis penelitian ini penelitian kualitatif yang menggunakan data primer seperti wawancara, dengan informan. Teknik pengumpulan datadilakukan menggunakan teknik observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Uji keabsahan data menggunakan Trianggulasi data. Sedangkan alat analisis data yang digunakan melalui reduksi, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada KPP Pratama Pamekasan dimana penulis menggunakan studi kasus terhadap penyelesaian skripsi ini. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pembahasan dapat disimpulkan bahwa kepatuhan wajib pajak oleh pemilik usaha rental mobil masih sangat rendah, dimana hal itu disebabkan oleh 3 faktor yaitu minimnya atau kurangnya pengetatahuan oleh wajib pajak dan legalitas usaha serta tidak adanya sosialisasi oleh petugas pajak terhadap pemilik usaha rental mobil sebagai objek pajak PPh Pasal 23.”