bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical Permutations of the Place of Race
Authors: Palumbo-Liu David
Published: October 2020

I want to discuss the value and function of the personal as it has been called into service in the academy. Specifically, I want to examine the institutional function of racial identification: the place(s) of the racialized personal in scholarship. How have individuals marked by racial difference been asked, in order to enter the assumed universal mode of academic subjectivity, at certain historical points to forget the personal as it resides in them as racialized beings experiencing race and at other times not only to recognize the personal as racial but to foreground it particularly in their scholarly duties?
Effects of geometry and soil properties on type and retrogression of landslides in sensitive clays
Authors: Wang Chen , Hawlader Bipul , Perret Didier , Soga Kenichi
Published: October 2020

Flowslide and spread are two common types of landslides in sensitive clays. Empirical criteria, based on single or multiple soil properties and slope geometry, have been proposed for a rough assessment of potential landslide type and retrogression distance. A large variation has been found in the comparison of retrogression distance between empirical equations and field data. In the present study, flowslides and spreads are simulated using a Eulerian-based large-deformation finite-element (FE) method. In addition to strain-softening, a strain-rate-dependent undrained shear strength model that elevates the strain rate effects on the shear strength of liquefied clay flowing at high speed is used. In flowslides, a higher rate of increase in undrained shear strength with depth reduces the depth of subsequent slides, and thereby the retrogression distance. The maximum retrogression occurs for a uniform shear strength profile. The increase in the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress, resistance to downslope movement of the debris and decrease in soil brittleness and slope steepness change the failure pattern from a flowslide to a spread.
Cd(II) biosorption using bacterial isolates from sawdust: optimization via orthogonal array Taguchi method
Authors: Lekan Taofeek Popoola  , Adeyinka Sikiru Yusuff  , Babatunde Kazeem Adeoye  , Tajudeen Adejare Aderibigbe
Published: October 2020

Orthogonal array of Taguchi experimental design with L16 four-level factors: pH (2–8), temperature (303–333 K), time (1–4 h), inoculum concentration (5–20 v/v) and Cd(II) initial concentration (50–200 mg/L) was applied to optimize Cd(II) biosorption from aqueous solution via bacterial isolates from sawdust. The optimum conditions were found to be 4, 303 K, 4 h, 15 v/v % and 50 mg/L for pH, temperature, time, inoculum concentration and Cd(II) initial concentration, respectively. A confirmatory experimental run at these conditions revealed 99.53% Cd(II) removal. Fourier transform infrared revealed the presence of –OH on the bacterial surface enhancing Cd(II) biosorption. The presence of small cavities on the bacterial surface with a porous inner multilayer was shown by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Proposed biosorption mechanisms were electrostatic interaction, surface complexation and ion exchange. In conclusion, bacterial isolates from sawdust could effectively be applied as biosorbent for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solution.
Experimental study and numerical simulation of dam reservoir sediment release
Authors: Marzieh Fadaee  , Mohammad Zounemat-Kermani
Published: October 2020

In this research, experimental and numerical modelling of three-phase air, water, and sediment transport flow, due to the opening of a sluice gate was conducted in two scenarios, i.e., with and without a triangular obstacle. Numerical simulation was conducted using the Navier-Stokes equations with the aid of the volume of fluid method (VOF) to track the free surface of the fluid. For the experimental model, a glass-enclosed flume with 150 × 30 × 50 cm dimensions was used. The experiment was performed for an initial height of the water column at 20 cm and 10 cm sediment column. To evaluate the numerical model's performance, the simulation results were compared with the experimental observations using the average relative error %. The amount of relative error between experimental observations and numerical simulations, for the position and height of the wave flow for the three-phase air, water, and sediment flow, were obtained as 2.64% and 4.51% for the position and height of the water wave, and 2.23% and 2.82% for the position and height of the sediment transport, respectively, for the ‘without obstacle’ scenario, and 3.77% and 5.25% for the position and height of the water wave, and 2% and 7.23% for the position and height of the sediment transport, respectively, for the ‘with obstacle’ scenario. The findings of the study indicate the appropriate performance of the numerical model in the simulation of water and sediment wavefront advance, and also its weakness in the estimation of wave height.
An examination of the effectiveness of traps and baits as a possible means of harvesting crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus in Sanyati Basin, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Authors: L Mhlanga  , L Marufu  , G Mupandawana  , T Nhiwatiwa
Published: October 2020

Although Cherax quadricarinatus is now established in Lake Kariba, there is a lack of information on the appropriate gear technology and bait for its exploitation for either management or commercial purposes. The effectiveness of three trap designs and three bait types was investigated in order to identify the best means for harvesting C. quadricarinatus in Lake Kariba. The cylindrical and rectangular traps had higher and similar CPUE, which were significantly higher than those of the Opera house trap at all sites. Trap type did not influence sex ratio. Liver, sadza and fish heads were all similarly effective as bait. Either sadza-baited cylindrical or rectangular traps can be effectively employed to either harvest crayfish in order to maintain a low population, thereby mitigating potential adverse impacts, or for commercial purposes. This should be corroborated with monitoring and further research.
Türkiye’de Freelance Gazetecilerin Çalışma Koşulları
Authors: ÇİĞDEM Serpil , ERDOĞAN Ekrem
Published: October 2020

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de freelance gazetecilerin çalışma koşullarının analizini yapmayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada karma araştırma deseni benimsenmiştir. Araştırmada nicel veriler 300 freelance gazeteci ile gerçekleştirilen anket uygulamasından ve nitel veriler ise 15 freelance gazeteci ile gerçekleştirilen birebir görüşmelerden elde edilmiştir. Çalışmaya aynı zamanda freelance çalışanların ortak dayanışma ağı olan ‘Ofissizler’ ve ‘Dünyada Mekân’ platformu tarafından periyodik olarak gerçekleştirilen etkinliklerdeki freelance çalışanların deneyimlerine ilişkin anlatımlarından elde edilen veriler de eklenmiştir. Anket verileri SPSS 20.0 paket programı ile nitel veriler, betimsel analiz tekniği ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda freelance gazetecilerin sektördeki rollerinin değiştiği, dijital gelişmelerin iş ve kariyerlerinde yeni beceriler geliştirme fırsatı sağladığı, diğer taraftan sektörde güvencesiz çalışmanın yaygınlaştığı ve ücret, sosyal güvenlik, iş güvenliği, sendikal örgütlenme konularında önemli sorunlar yaşadıkları ortaya konulmuştur. Bütüncül olarak bakıldığında freelance gazetecilere yönelik yapılan araştırmalar arasında nicel veri sunan ilk çalışmalardan biri olması ve sadece çalışma ilişkileri bağlamında değil aynı zamanda gazetecilik mesleğinin dönüşümü açısından konuyu ele alması açısından özgün bir çalışmadır.
Şiddetle Mücadelede Toplumsal Bir Kurum Olarak Kadın Sığınmaevleri
Authors: DEMİRBİLEK Sevda , ÖKTEM ÖZGÜR Ayşenur , ÇOBAN Aliye
Published: October 2020

Kadına yönelik şiddet toplumsal bir sorundur. Sorunun çözümünde kamu ve/veya özel kurum ve kuruluşlar aracılığıyla şiddete maruz kalan kadınların korunmaları ve sürdürülebilir bir yaşama sahip olmaları için çeşitli önlemler alınmakta ve hizmetler sunulmaktadır. Bu çerçevede, kadın sığınmaevleri şiddet mağduru kadınlara şiddetten kurtarılmaları, psiko-sosyal ve ekonomik sorunlarının çözümlenmesi ve geleceğe hazırlanmalarında geçici hizmet vermektedir. Bu bağlamda, araştırmanın amacı sığınmaevlerinin kadına yönelik şiddetle mücadeledeki rol ve işlevlerinin belirlenmesidir. Araştırmada, betimsel araştırma tasarımı kullanılmış ve İzmir ilindeki Aile, Çalışma ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı Kadın Statüsü Genel Müdürlüğü’ne bağlı üç sığınmaevinde kalan 25 kadınla derinlemesine görüşme gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler deşifre edilerek MAXQDA 18 nitel veri analizi programı ile çözümlenmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında, birebir derinlemesine görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler ışığında kadına yönelik şiddetin niteliği, nedenleri, şiddet mağduru kadına toplumsal çevrenin desteği, kadına yönelik şiddetle mücadelede kadın sığınmaevinin rolü, sığınmaevinin koşulları, sığınmaevi sonrası sürdürülebilir yaşam ve sığınmaevi ile ilgili öneriler olmak üzere yedi ana tema ortaya konmuştur.
The Change Dynamic of the Political Economy After the Global Crisis: The New State Capitalism
Authors: BAŞ DİNAR Gülenay , DURUSOY Serab
Published: October 2020

The current discussions on state capitalism are focused on whether post-crisis state capitalism practices can be a solution for the capitalism crisis. However, considering the change the concept of state capitalism has been through in time, it is important to study its relationship with the policies that emerged after the global crisis and led to new phase called “the new state capitalism”. Within this framework, the object of this study is to review post-global crisis state intervention practices by taking into consideration the change state capitalism went through history and to analyse how these practices impact global capitalism. To this end, this study is divided into two sections: The first section will look at state capitalism from a historical perspective and tackle its differences from today’s state capitalism practices. The second section will tackle the new state capitalism practices and their possible outcomes.
Perfil clínico de pacientes oncológicos e reações de hipersensibilidade aos agentes antineoplásicos sistêmicos
Authors: Barbosa-Lima Ricardo , Kameo Simone Yuriko , Vassilievitch Andressa Cabral , Fonseca Tiago Vasconcelos , Silva Glebson Moura , Sawada Namie Okino
Published: October 2020

OBJETIVO: Identificar o perfil clínico de pacientes oncológicos e reações de hipersensibilidade aos agentes antineoplásicos sistêmicos. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo documental e retrospectivo, com dados obtidos de prontuários clínicos de pacientes oncológicos em tratamento quimioterápico. Foram analisados 249 prontuários clínicos entre janeiro de 2013 e janeiro de 2014 para identificar reações de hipersensibilidade e extrair dados demográficos e clínicos. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados seis prontuários de pacientes com episódios de hipersensibilidade aos quimioterápicos. Na amostra 66,7% foram pacientes do sexo feminino, com idade média de 58,4 anos (DP:  ± 14,9) e câncer em estágio III (66,7%), sendo os tumores de cólon e ovário os tipos mais prevalentes (33,3%). A incidência de reações de hipersensibilidade foi 2,4%. Nos 12 episódios estudados, o desconforto respiratório foi o sintoma mais frequente (58,3%) e hiperemia foi o sinal mais frequente (50%). O rituximabe foi o agente antineoplásico mais associado a tais reações (33,3%), seguido pela combinação de FOLFOX e bevacizumabe (25%). A maioria dos episódios ocorreram no segundo ciclo quimioterápico (25%). CONCLUSÃO: As reações de hipersensibilidade à quimioterápicos sistêmicos dependem dos fármacos selecionados e das respostas desenvolvidas pelos pacientes, com ampla variação de sinais e sintomas.
Цифровые технологии в российской экономике
Authors: Вишневский Константин , Гохберг Леонид , Дементьев Виталий , Дранев Юрий , Клубова Марина , Коцемир Максим , Кузьминов Илья , Лола Инна , Приворотская Софья , Рудник Павел , Соколов Александр , Стрельцова Екатерина , Туровец Юлия , Фурсов Константин , Хабирова Елена , Алтынов Артем , Евтушенко Виталий , Кучин Илья , Лобанова Полина
Published: October 2020

В аналитическом докладе представлен обзор глобальных трендов развития цифровых технологий. Дана оценка уровня научных исследований в России, возможностей применения цифровых решений в различных секторах экономики и социальной сферы. Исследование проведено с использованием Системы интеллектуального анализа больших данных iFORA, разработанной в Институте статистических исследований и экономики знаний (ИСИЭЗ) НИУ ВШЭ. Издание предназначено для широкой аудитории – исследователей, преподавателей, управленцев, экспертного сообщества, представителей средств массовой информации, всех, кто интересуется тенденциями развития цифровой экономики.
Applicability of the Fels questionnaire on physical activity of children in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Đido Vedran , Pilav Aida , Marjanović Marijan , Phillips Jenny , Švaljug Deana , Boskovic Sandra , Konjo Hadžan , Omerović Đemil
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Insufficient physical activity is one of the leading public health problems in the world, but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Modern civilization is characterized by a significant decrease in physical activity, and the number of people whose lifestyle can be called sedentary has never been higher, which is especially emphasised among children and adolescents. Aim of the study is to examine public health significance of physical activity on the occurrence and the degree of obesity in children and adolescents in primary and secondary schools and to determine the applicability of the Fels questionnaire on physical activity of children in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Methods: We used a transversal research method of a cross-sectional study at a one-time point, and for obtaining results we used the Fels physical activity questionnaire for children and measurement protocol.
Results: 276 primary and secondary school students in two cities participated in this survey. Respondents in Busovača are more physically active than their peers in Sarajevo. One-third of the total number of respondents is overweight and obese, and respondents in Sarajevo are significantly more nourished than their peers in Busovača. The Fels questionnaire is conditionally applicable, especially in rural areas.
Conclusion: This study confirmed that the Fels questionnaire for assessing the level of physical activity for children and young people, which is the general instrument for research of physical activity in children, is too generalized because it is based on a homogeneous urban population.
NERVOUS-PSYCHIC STABILITY AS A PREREQUISITE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL’S READINESS
TO SPECIAL PHYSICAL-COMBAT TRAINING
Authors: Aleksandrov D. O.
Published: October 2020

The article presents the results of the author’s empirical study of nervous-psychological stability as a prerequisite for the military personnel’s readiness for special physical-combat training. Military personnel’s personal factors that determine the formation of their nervous-psychological stability and psychological readiness for service-combat and service-training activities are described. The study included a psychological diagnostic study of military personnel in the course of their special physical-combat training. We determined that the increase in the overall level of service members adaptability, their emotional stability and self-control, insistence and determination within the normative behaviour limits, and courage and willingness to accept a justified risk is in line with the growth of their nervous-psychic stability, as a prerequisite of readiness to special physical-combat training. As for interpersonal interaction, extraversion, trust, easiness, high self-control, practicality, certain conformity and willingness to adhere to discipline and subordination become really important, which indicate the improved professional communicative skills with experience and development of mental and physical stability and professional adaptability, in general. In addition, the system of attitudes towards oneself is harmonized in a general and confidence in one's own potential becomes deeper.
Thus, nervous-psychic stability, as one of the leading professionally significant qualities in the structure of a service member’s personality, influence directly psychological readiness for both service-combat and service-training activities, which is realized in the process of special physical-combat training. This help improve the tools of professional and psychological selection and can become the basis for military personnel staffing with people having necessary potential for the effective performance of their duties and professional growth.
Conceptualization of the Phenomenon of Subjectness of the Network Community Using a Grounded Theory Method
Authors: Voronin A.N. , Kubrak T.A.
Published: October 2020

The study of the characteristics of network communities is due to the increasingly complete transition of social life into the Internet space. Subjectness is a key psychological characteristic of a community that manifests itself in its discourse. The method of grounded theory as one of the most advanced methods in the coding paradigm allows conceptualizing the phenomenon of subjectness of network communities by analyzing their discourse. The article shows how this method is consistently used and how the problems associated with the psychological interpretation of constructs generated from the “empirical field” are overcome. So the problem of the diversity manifestations of subjectness was solved by subjective scaling of the contribution of substantive codes during the reconstruction of the structure of implicit ideas about the subjectness of the network community. Further iterations in the process of constructing a ground theory and the development of a short list of discursive markers of subjectness led to the inclusion methods for comparing factor structures. The analysis of the trolling process made it possible to introduce into the developed model of subjectness the ideas about current and potential components.
Equivalence of the Classical Rubber Hand Illusion and the Virtual Hand Illusion
Authors: Vorobeva V.P. , Perepelkina O.S. , Arina G.A.
Published: October 2020

Computer technologies implementation into the body illusions research is increasing because they allow to controllably model complex processes that cannot be realised in ordinary life. It was previously demonstrated that the rubber hand illusion may be reconstructed in the virtual setting and cause similar changes in the somatoperception when the virtual hand begins to feel like your own. This result suggests that the phenomenological experience obtained in the classical illusion and in its virtual reality version has much in common. However, a direct experimental comparison of the two illusion variants has not been made, therefore, in this research we studied the equivalence of the rubber and virtual hand illusions (RHI and VHI). The sample consisted of 16 subjects (18—25 years). As registration methods we used a subjective sense of ownership of an artificial limb and the proprioceptive drift of the real hand towards the illusory hand. The analysis has proved the equivalence of illusions.
Postglacial Mw 7.0–7.5 Earthquakes on the North Olympic Fault Zone, Washington
Authors: Schermer Elizabeth R. , Amos Colin B. , Duckworth William Cody , Nelson Alan R. , Angster Stephen , Delano Jaime , Sherrod Brian L.
Published: October 2020

Holocene crustal faulting in the northern Olympic Peninsula of Washington State manifests in a zone of west-northwest-striking crustal faults herein named the North Olympic fault zone, which extends for ∼80  km along strike and includes the Lake Creek–Boundary Creek fault to the east and the Sadie Creek fault and newly discovered scarps to the west. This study focuses on the Sadie Creek fault, which extends for >14  km west-northwest from Lake Crescent. Airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) imagery reveals the trace of the Sadie Creek fault and offset postglacial landforms showing a history of Holocene surface-rupturing earthquakes dominated by dextral displacement along a steeply dipping fault zone. Paleoseismic trenches at two sites on the Sadie Creek fault reveal till and outwash overlain by progressively buried forest and wetland soils developed on scarp-derived colluvial wedges. Trench exposures of complex faulting with subhorizontal slickenlines indicate dextral displacement with lesser dip slip. Correlation of broadly constrained time intervals for earthquakes at the Sadie Creek sites and those to the east along the Lake Creek–Boundary Creek fault is consistent with rupture of much of the length of the North Olympic fault zone three to four times: at about 11, 7, 3, and 1 ka, with a shorter rupture at about 8.5 ka. Dated ruptures from trenches only partially coincide with coseismic landslides and megaturbidites in Lake Crescent, indicating that some earthquakes did not trigger megaturbidites, and some turbidites were unrelated to local fault rupture. Landform mapping suggests single-event dextral displacement of 4±1  m on the Sadie Creek fault. Inferred maximum rupture length and single-event slip imply earthquake magnitudes Mw 7.0–7.5. Dextral slip rates of 1.3–2.3  mm/yr and the ∼11,000  yr slip history suggest that the North Olympic fault zone is a prominent contributor to permanent strain in the northern Cascadia fore-arc.
The Social-Emotional Learning Process to Develop Practicing Skills for Hands-on Students
Authors:   Division of Information and Communication Technology for Education, Faculty of Technical Education, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand, Lertbumroongchai Kridsanapong , Saraubon Kobkiat , Nilsook Prachyanun
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this research is to synthesize the social-emotional learning process to develop practicing skills for hands-on students, to develop the process, and to evaluate the process. In this study, the documentary research method and in-depth interview method were employed. The results showed that the synthesis of the social-emotional learning process to develop practicing skills for hands-on students consisted of six steps: 1) perception is divided into sensory perception and explaining perceived, 2) observation is divided into certain goals, discretion, notes, observations, and time limit, 3) analysis and brainstorming is divided into information, brainstorming, and discovering new knowledge, 4) practicing is divided into cognitive phase, associative phase, and autonomous phase, 5) checking and improvement is divided into opinion, learning exchange, and providing opportunities, and 6) action is divided into behavior changing, and application of academic knowledge. Evaluating the social-emotional learning process to develop practicing skills for hands-on students employed in-depth interview technique consisting of 21 experts in three different areas (i.e., in learning and teaching, information technology, and mass communication technology terms). The results of the suitability evaluation revealed that the social-emotional learning process model with mixed reality for the hands-on students was at the highest level.
Digital Interactive Quantitative Curiosity Assessment Tool: Questions Worlds
Authors:   the Curiosity Lab, Department of Industrial Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, Tor Noam , Gordon Goren
Published: October 2020

Curiosity is a 21st century skill and is of paramount importance in the digital age. However, the assessment of curiosity is often based on self-report or subjective observations. We present the development and evaluation of a digital quantitative assessment game for question-asking-based exploration. The student navigates a graphically presented question graph by selecting questions about a series of virtual alien worlds. The game extracts question-related quantitative measures, e.g., the breadth, depth and specificity of the answers to the questions. We conducted a study with Youth University students and administered a curiosity-based questionnaire to their class teachers as an external validation. Our results show that the measure of total question specificity in the last presented world is a significant predictor of children’s curiosity, as rated by their teachers. This suggests that curiosity can be quantitatively assessed by an entertaining digital question-based game.
Knowledge and prevalence of post-menopausal health problems among women attending a tertiary care hospital in Ajman: cross-sectional study
Authors: Ketranji Omar , Al-Mubarak Abdullah Nameer Ali , Mohammad Ibrahim , Khokar Sara , YAlhenshiri Abdulmonaem Mohamed , Sreejith Anusha
Published: October 2020

Background: Many physiological and psychological changes happens to women during the time of menopause. The symptoms differ according to the individual, culture and ethnicity. As the women pass through various stages of menopause, the prevalence of symptoms also varies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of post-menopausal health problems among the women above 45 years old and to identify the prevalence of symptoms in post-menopausal life.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a private hospital in Ajman, UAE among women aged 45 years and above with a validated self-administered questionnaire. Ethics approval was obtained before the study. Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi-square tests and descriptive statistics like frequency tables and crosstabs were used.Results: The mean age of women participants was 50.7 years. The results showed that 50.2% of the women had moderate knowledge about post-menopausal health problems, while 37% and 12.8% had excellent and poor knowledge, respectively. Prevalence of post-menopausal symptoms among women were hot flushes (55.1%), dry skin (54.7%), muscle pain (54.5%), joint pain (52.9%), and weight gain (51%). Women suffered from at least one of the post-menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes, dry skin, muscle pain, and weight gain were significantly associated with the menopausal status (p<0.05).Conclusions: Post-menopausal symptoms hot flushes, dry skin, and muscle pain were significantly associated with a peri-menopausal or post-menopausal state. Women must be made aware of these symptoms and their causes and treatments as well.
A cross-sectional study of predictors of hypertension among tribal women in Western Maharashtra
Authors: Rawat Shalini , Yadav Ashwini , Bhate Kamaxi
Published: October 2020

Background: Hypertension is a major public health problem and also major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence and severity of hypertension increases with age, and it becomes difficult to control blood pressure with increasing age particularly in women. Thus present study aims to explores the risk factors contributing for hypertension among women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre of Community Medicine Department for one month duration September to October 2017. All the women reporting to general OPD for routine visit to RHTC were included. Informed consent was obtained. The participants who were already known hypertensives and were already on medication were excluded. Total 200 subjects were included in the study. Percentages, chi-square test and P-value were calculated using Epi Info software.Results: Out of total 200 women maximum were in the age group of 40-60 years (64%) followed by (22.5%)in  60-70 years. 40% of women were found to be  normotensive, 16%  were in stage one 12% were in stage two and 32% were showing elevated blood pressure. Hypertension was found to be significantly associated with modifiable risk factors like BMI, physical activity, waist circumference. 66.66% of women who were obese were found to be hypertensive. 91.91% of women who had family history of hypertension were themselves hypertensive and 97 (48.5%) women who had diabetes out of them 82.47% were both diabetic as well as hypertensive.Conclusions: Screening, detection and treatment of NCDs, are key components of the response to non-communicable diseases.
Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on air quality and solid waste generation: a case study in a metropolitan city, Mumbai, India
Authors: Selwyn Joshua Anish S. , Kadam Monali B. , Thakur Snigdha
Published: October 2020

Background: There is limited information describing the change on quality of air and solid waste generation if there is limited and efficient use of vehicles and the shutdown of industries producing hazardous air pollutants that have been achieved by the lockdown. Study assessed changes in the quality of air and solid waste generation due to Lockdown.Methods: It was an analytical study where the data is received from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board data for Mumbai during the period from December 2019 to July 2020. Analysis of Air pollutants like PM10, SO2, NO2, Air quality index, and solid waste generated are taken into consideration.Results: Findings of air quality data has been analysed from December to July. Where the mean air quality index before the lockdown was 251 which is very unhealthy and during lockdown was 62 which is moderate which is a 75% reduction in the pollutants and the solid waste generation before the lockdown was 6338.63 Metric tons per day which have been reduced to 4121.23 Metric tons per day which is a reduction of 34.98 %.Conclusions: This study provides information about how the environment would heal itself if there is a restriction on the use of vehicles and shutting down factories producing hazardous pollutants. This would provide the evidence for the Pollution Control Board to implement policy to improve air quality and solid waste generation, which would have a positive impact on human health and ecosystem.
Epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients of tertiary care hospital of Western Rajasthan
Authors: S. L. Mathur , Harish Agrawal , Afzal Hakim , Arvind Jain , Naveen Kishoria , Rimplejeet Kaur , Arun Barath , Veeram Parmar , K. Goyal Krishna , Sandeep1 Tak
Published: October 2020

Background: COVID – 19 is a pandemic that originated from Wuhan, China in the end of 2019. The objective of the present study is to report the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 patients of tertiary care hospital of Western Rajasthan, India.Methods: A total of 1632 cases of COVID-19 were investigated. The patients tested positive by RT-PCR assay were included in the study. The data was obtained from medical record forms of the patients.Results: Out of total patients, 63.42% patients were male and 81.06% of patients were below age of 50 years. The mean of age was 34.93 ±17.61 years and median of age was 32 years. Asymptomatic patients or patients with mild symptoms constituted 66.66% of the study population and 35% of patients had comorbidities. The major comorbidities included diabetes mellitus (2.81%), hypertension (1.59%) and pulmonary diseases (1.04%). Total 40 deaths occurred so the overall CFR was 2.45%. Among the 40 deaths, the mean of age was 57.57±15.67 years. Patients over 50 years of age had the highest CFR among the age groups (18.93%). The CFR for males was 2.34% and for females 2.68%. A total of 14 (35.00%) of patients had multiple comorbidities.Conclusions: The findings of our study emphasize the significant impact of old age and multiple comorbidities on the risk of mortality among COVID-19 patients. It is suggested to take adequate preventative measures more seriously in elderly patients. Also regarding medical care, it is vital to pay special attention to elderly patients with comorbidities.
Effectiveness of nurse led screening and intervention for common non communicable diseases in a peri urban community of Chandigarh
Authors: Paul Damini , Kavita Kavita , Thakur Jarnail Singh , Sikka Pooja
Published: October 2020

Background: Globally the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are accountable for most of mortality and disability. The Lack of skilled human resources for health is one of the contributing factors for low screening coverage. Nurses plays a vital role, in the early detection and prevention of common NCDs. Objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led screening and intervention for common NCDs on risk factor modifications.Methods: Pre-experimental design was used in the present study. The study was done in slum area Indra colony Chandigarh. A total of 500 individuals aged ≥30 years were enrolled from 2,700 households. All the subjects were screened for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and oral cancer. However in female participants addition screening of breast, and cervical cancer was also done. WHO STEPS survey was used to assess the risk factor of common NCDs. The interventional package on risk factor modifications for prevention of common NCDs was developed and was delivered to all subjects during home visits. The follow up to assess risk factor modifications was done after one month. The primary outcome of the study was risk factor modifications and prevalence of common NCDs.Results: There was significant mean change in systolic blood pressure (0.65±6.31 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (1.19±3.7 mmHg), body mass index (0.95±0.85 kg/m2), and waist circumference (1.5±1.46 cm) among subjects after one month of intervention (p value <0.05).Conclusions: The Nurse-led screening and intervention for common NCDs was effective in risk factor modification among studied subjects.
Physical activity and its relation with body composition among undergraduate medical students in Delhi: a cross sectional study
Authors: Yadav Geeta , Bodat Suman , Siwach Ishaan , Sachdeva Karan , Chuahan Nitesh
Published: October 2020

Background: Physical inactivity and overweight are leading risk factors for global mortality, responsible for 6% and 5% of deaths worldwide due to chronic non communicable diseases. It is well established that regular moderate or vigorous-intensity exercise lowers the risks and symptoms associated with the co-morbidities of obesity. The stress involved in meeting responsibilities of becoming a physician may adversely affect the exercise habits of students. So, the current study aimed to study physical activity and its relation with body composition among under-graduate medical students.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study among 282 medical students. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short form was used to measure total physical activity (PA) and body composition parameters including Waist circumference, WHR, BMI, Body Fat% were assessed and analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results: Out of 282 medical students 33%, 45.3%, &21.3% were involved in low, moderate and high physical activity. ANOVAs between different levels of physical activities according to IPAQ categories showed significant difference for Waist Hip Ratio (F:3.8; p=0.02) and Body Fat percentage (F=5.7; p=0.00). There was an inverse and statistically significant correlation between physical activity and Waist circumference, Body Fat% and Waist –Hip Ratio.Conclusions: Medical Students involved in higher level of physical activity have significantly lower body Fat% level and WHR as compared to those belonging to lower and moderate activity group thus there is a need to actively promote physical activity among medical students.
COVID-19- a public health emergency: what do we know? A cross-sectional study on community awareness level towards COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Afzal Fahad , Siddiqui Rehan , Khan Mohammad R. , Afzal Maria , Usmani Nabeela
Published: October 2020

Background: The aim of this survey study was to assess the level of awareness amongst the population of Uttar Pradesh province of India regarding the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the month of August 2020 amongst 1024 respondents in Uttar Pradesh province, to assess their awareness towards COVID-19 pandemic and its preventive measures.Result: Majority of respondents are aware about some aspects of COVID-19 which are highlighted by media but there also exist a significant knowledge gaps. Awareness level of respondents is high for some aspects of COVID-19, such as; animal responsible for anthropozoonosis, prevention, symptoms, contagiousness of COVID-19. Respondents also expressed the importance of proper nutrition and balanced diet to strengthen the immune system and recover from COVID-19 infection. Also, a considerable percentage of respondents are not fully aware about the risk imposed by COVID-19 on different age groups.Conclusion: Upon the understanding of awareness level of the respondents regarding different aspects of COVID-19, it is clear that there exists a certain knowledge gap, which should be rectified by direct contact of population with the healthcare providers and government health agencies. Government and healthcare agencies should utilize social networking websites as a platform of direct information communication. Intense education program regarding COVID-19 should be initiated by Indian Government enabling direct interaction and ensuring only authentic and complete information is imparted in the population. Government could develop their own program incorporating World Health Organization open course program regarding COVID-19.
Epidemiology of respiratory distress in pregnancy and the newborn in Delta state Nigeria
Authors: Akuirene Omatseye A. , Nwajei Samuel D. , Adjene Josiah O. , Moyegbone John E. , Nwose Ezekiel U.
Published: October 2020

Epidemiology can be said to be the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and also possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health. Thus, epidemiology includes controlled clinical evaluations of different treatment methods; comparative assessment of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drugs, and drinking habits; estimations of the risks of occupational factors; and cross-sectional and time-series analyses of factors that may affect health. To identify epidemiology of respiratory distress in pregnancy and new born. 34 international publications on respiratory distress disease in pregnancy and new born were reviewed for the presentation of this article. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a frequent newborn morbidity worldwide with reported prevalence of 18.5% in France, 4.24% in Pakistan and 20.5% in China. 20% of all global maternal deaths happen in Nigeria. Total number of maternal deaths in 2015 in the 46 most developed countries was 1700, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio of 12 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Given the state of the economy in the low and middle-income countries, Nigeria, like most of the other countries lack the resources (material, manpower and financial) require for optimal newborn care services. Newborn respiratory distress affects almost half of newborns. It is a major cause of neonatal admissions and has a high mortality rate. Many of its significant risk factors and etiologies are preventable. Adequate follow-up of pregnant women and during labor are of great necessity for early detection of risk factors and timely intervention in order to prevent the occurrence of neonatal respiratory distress.
Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19: a review of the consecutive disasters in the Bahamas
Authors: Sankam Joshitha
Published: October 2020

The Bahamas are an archipelago of islands north of Cuba and east of Florida, home to around 400,000 people. The Bahamas was hit by Hurricane Dorian which made severe landfall at the end of 2019 and consequently by COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. This paper provides an overview of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 in the Bahamas and a review of the impacts and consequences caused by the disasters on the livelihood, vulnerable population and economy of the Bahamas. Crippled by the double burden of a natural and a biological disaster that happened consecutively, the small island country needs to strengthen its strategic framework to build its preparedness and economy for future events.
The parallels between COVID-19 and the Spanish flu of 1918
Authors: Lyngdoh Markordor
Published: October 2020

The 1918 influenza pandemic was the most severe pandemic in recent history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin. On the other hand, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus hailed by the world health organization as a “once in a century health crisis” which has led to devastating impacts to health and livelihood the world over. The prevailing situation is reminiscent of the Spanish flu where definitive cure is unavailable and the public health measures like quarantine, social distancing, hand hygiene and isolation are the only alternatives. Both these diseases are transmitted through respiratory droplets, highly contagious and target the respiratory organs. The parallels between these two events cannot be denied. The Spanish flu thrived at a time when the knowledge and availability of antivirals and vaccine development were inadequate. This article strives to highlight a little more on these two separate pandemics and observe their similarities as well as their differences.
Innovación disruptiva para la educación superior. Implementación en América Latina
Authors: Almanza Lurita Igor , Alves Daniel , Artífice Andreia , Gonzáles Boticario Jesús , Calado Jorge , Cavanzo Gloria , Córdova Solís Miguel , Ginocchio María , Guevara Juan , Jardim Gonçalves Ricardo , León Corredor Olga , Luís Ferreira Fernando , Pantoja Lima Celson , Marina Paxiúba Carla , Saneiro Silva Mar , Sarraipa Joao , Zamiri Majid
Published: October 2020

La cuarta revolución industrial plantea cambios y transformaciones en todos los ámbitos de la sociedad y la educación no es la excepción; problemáticas tradicionales que enfrenta la educación superior como la deserción, el comportamiento y la diversidad estudiantil, son analizadas desde enfoques fisiológicos y emocionales, ante ello, se plantean diversas iniciativas de soluciones con base en tecnologías disruptivas como la Inteligencia Artificial, la computación afectiva y la web semántica denominadas en el libro como estudios de casos donde se describen las innovaciones con tecnologías disruptivas. Finalmente, y ante la gran interrogante y preocupación de académicos y científicos; por el desarrollo de la robótica, las inteligencias artificiales y de software en general se abordan las cuestiones y el impacto ético.
The Critical Role of Prenatal Genetic Study in Prevention of Primary Immunodeficiency in High-risk Families: The Largest Report of 107 Cases
Authors: Modarresi Seyedeh Zalfa , Sabetkish Nastaran , Badalzadeh Mohsen , Tajik Shaghayegh , Esmaeili Behnaz , Fazlollahi Mohammad Reza , Houshmand Massoud , Gharehdaghi Jaber , Niroomanesh Shirin , Sherbaf Fatemeh Rahimi , Alizadeh Zahra , Khodayari Namini Nazanin , Maddah Marzieh , Pourpak Zahra , Moin Mostafa
Published: October 2020

This study aims to investigate the role of prenatal diagnosis (PND) in Iranian couples with a previous history of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDD) in their family. All referred couples with a family history of PIDD and a tendency for PND were included in this project. Based on gestational age, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed to analyze the molecular defect of the fetus according to the previous gene defect of the affected case in the family. Postnatal confirmation was performed by immunological screening tests. In a total of 100 cases, CVS was not evaluated in 19 patients due to unwillingness (n=5), late prenatal referral (n=7), miscarriage before CVS (n=3), and female fetus with x-linked diseases in previous children (n=4). In the remaining 81 patients, heterozygous and homozygous mutations were found in 33 and 23 cases, respectively. The hemizygous mutation was obtained in 6 and no pathogenic mutations were found in 19 individuals. Postnatal evaluations revealed that a total of 65 babies were healthy, 32 fetuses were aborted (3 cases before CVS, 2 spontaneous abortions of a healthy and as affected fetus in the CVS subgroup, and 27 cases were aborted due to therapeutic causes). One fetus from the heterozygous subgroup was spontaneously aborted with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and one fetus from the homozygous subgroup that was supposed to be healthy was affected by the autosomal dominant-chronic granulomatous disease (AR-CGD). The diagnostic error was 1.2%. PND is highly recommended in families with a history of PID in their previous child to prevent an affected baby being born and to reduce the government, family, and personal burden of these diseases.
The Relation of Allergy to Adenoid Hypertrophy and Otitis Media with Effusion: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Bemanian Mohammad Hassan , Rezaei Kazem , Atighechi Saeid , Shafiei Alireza
Published: October 2020

The exact mechanisms of Adenoid hypertrophy (AHT) pathogenesis and otitis media with effusion (OME) are unclear but there is increasing evidence that allergies may play a role. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of atopy and the effect of anti-allergic drugs in patients with AHT and OME. In a non-randomized, prospective cross-sectional study, 122 patients younger than 18 years of age with AHT or OME were included. Atopic patients based on clinical symptoms of allergic disorders and/or elevated levels of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were referred to allergists and tested for allergen sensitization by skin prick test (SPT). Atopic patients were treated with nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines. Response to treatment was evaluated by comparing symptoms score before and after the treatment. In this study 122 patients were evaluated, 116 of them had AHT and 30 patients had OME. The mean age of participants was 6.7±2.4 years old and 68 of them (55.7%) were male. Allergic symptoms were observed in 38 patients with AHT (32.7%) and nine patients with OME (30%). Among the total cases, 34 patients (28%) were considered atopic. SPT was performed on 25 (73%) cases of atopic patients, with 11 (44 %) positive results. The mean symptom score of AHT and OME decreased significantly after treatment respectively, (p=0.001, p=0.007). According to this study, atopy was relatively common in patients with AHT and OME. Treatment with nasal corticosteroid and antihistamines were effective in these patients.
Increased Level of Caspase-1 in the Serum of Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) Patients
Authors: Beheshti Masoumeh , Salehi Zahra , Abolfazli Roya , Shirzad Hedayatolah , Izad Maryam
Published: October 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, in which proinflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenic formation of lesions. Caspase-1 is a cysteine protease that proteolytically cleaves precursors of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β and turns them into their active forms. These inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the development of MS. The aim of the present study was the investigation of caspase-1 and its downstream products, IL-18 and IL-1β, in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. In this study, we used an ELISA assay to measure serum and cellular caspase-1 and serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in RRMS patients in the relapse phase (n=23) and healthy age-and gender-matched controls (n=19). We observed that the caspase-1 level was significantly increased in the serum of MS patients compared to the healthy controls (p=0.03). Although caspase-1 concentration in the lysate of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was higher than serum among patients and controls (p<0.001), no significant difference was found in cellular levels of caspase-1 between the two groups. There was no significant difference in serum levels of  IL-18 and IL-1β between patients and controls. In this study, we found an elevation of extracellular caspase-1, as a reflection of its intracellular level, in the serum of RRMS patients during the relapse phase. Therefore, it suggests being a suitable peripheral biomarker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis.