bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Size Effects of Vacancy Formation and Oxygen Adsorption on Gas- Sensitive Tin Oxide Semiconductor: A First Principle Study
Authors: Liu Jianqiao , Wu Liting , Gao Fengjiao , Hong Wusong , Jin Guohua , Zhai Zhaoxia
Published: August 2020

Background:

Oxygen behaviors play essential roles in the receptor function in the gassensing
mechanism of SnO2 semiconductors, the size effect of which is a fundamental phenomenon
for the development of gas sensors.

Objective:

This article discusses the size effect on the oxygen behaviors in the gas-sensitive SnO2 semiconductor.

Methods:

: The first principle calculation was used to investigate size effect on formation of oxygen vacancies and
adsorption of oxygen species in the SnO2 semiconductor. The electrical characteristics of conductivity, band gap and
electron transfer in SnO2 crystallites were analyzed by density of states and the Mulliken population.

Results:

The defect of surface bridge oxygen has the lowest formation energy, and it is most likely to form
in the SnO2 semiconductor. The adsorption energies for O- and O2
- are from 1.717 to 3.791 eV and
2.371 to 4.683 eV, respectively. The Mulliken population distribution illustrates that O 2p orbit captures
the electrons from the orbits of Sn 5s and 5p as well as O 2s.

Conclusion:

The formation energies of oxygen defects in complete and defective SnO2 super cells
are of positive correlation with crystallite size. The carrier concentration and conductivity are improved
by the incremental crystallite size. The adsorption energies of O- and O2
- species on defective
SnO2 super cells increase with crystallite size. With the assistance of connecting Sn atoms, the adsorbates
of O- and O2
- are able to capture electrons from the inner region of crystallites, resulting in
an expansion of depletion layer.
Tobacco Smoking and Association between Betel Nut Chewing and Metabolic Abnormalities Among Military Males: The CHIEF Study
Authors: Lin Yen-Po , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Chang Chih-Yu , Su Fang-Ying , Han Chih-Lu , Lin Gen-Min
Published: August 2020

Aim::

To investigate the effect of smoking and alcohol intake on the association between betel nut chewing and each metabolic abnormality.

Background::

Betel nut chewing has been associated with metabolic syndrome.

Objective::

Whether the association is affected by tobacco or alcohol use is not clarified so far.

Methods::

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study using 6,657 military males, aged 18-50 years in eastern Taiwan in 2013-2014. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation’s ethnic criteria for Asians. The population was classified as non-betel nut chewers (N =5,749), current chewers with both tobacco and alcohol use (N =615), and current chewers without tobacco and/or alcohol use (N =293). Multiple logistic regression analyses were stepwise adjusted for the confounders including alcohol and tobacco use to determine the association of betel chewing with the metabolic abnormalities.

Results::

As compared to the non-current chewers, the current chewers with both tobacco/alcohol use and those without had a higher risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 2.46 (2.00-3.02), and 2.04 (1.53-2.73), respectively) after controlling for age, service specialty, total cholesterol levels ≥200 mg/dL and exercise frequency (model 1). The association did not change much in the two chewing groups after additionally adjusting for alcohol consumption (model 2) (OR: 2.49 (1.99-3.12), and 2.04 (1.52-2.73), respectively), whereas the relationship reduced significantly in the chewers with both tobacco/alcohol use rather than those without after further adjusting for smoking (model 3) (OR: 2.18 (1.71-2.78) and 2.02 (1.51-2.71), respectively). This was in parallel with the pattern for the association of betel nut chewing with serum triglycerides >150 mg/dL in the chewers with both tobacco/alcohol use and those without in model 1 (OR: 2.90 (2.40-3.51) and 1.90 (1.45-2.49), respectively, p =0.011), in model 2 (OR: 2.82 (2.30-3.46) and 1.89 (1.44-2.49), respectively, p =0.040), and in model 3 (2.26 (1.81-2.81) and 1.87 (1.42-2.45), respectively, p =0.76).

Conclusion::

Our findings suggest that tobacco smoking but not alcohol intake could increase the relationship of betel nut chewing with metabolic syndrome, which is likely mediated by a synergic effect on increasing serum triglycerides levels.
Determinants of First Aid Knowledge and Basic Practice Among Elementary School Teachers in Debre Tabor Town, Northcentral Ethiopia
Authors: Taklual Wubet , Mekie Maru , Yenew Chalachew
Published: August 2020

Background:

Pre-hospital school-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS) at school by school personnel is mandatory for saving the pupils from disability and death attributed to injury-related problems. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinant factors of first aid knowledge and basic practice among elementary school teachers in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Methods:

Institution based cross-sectional study was employed in Debre Tabor among 216 elementary school teachers. A simple random sampling technique with proportional allocation was applied for the selection of the study participants. Data entry was done by Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive statistics was performed by using frequency, percentage, and table. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine the significance and strength of association at a 95% confidence interval. P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results and Discussion:

Our study revealed that 45.8% of study subjects were knowledgeable on first aid. More than 75% of study participants reported that they have encountered a child who needs first aid. Among these, 64% of them provide first aid. The multivariable analysis revealed that service year (AOR=3.51, 95%CI: (1.06, 11.59)), educational status (AOR=12.15, 95%CI: (3.17, 46.67)), previous first aid training (AOR=0.43, 95%CI: (0.21, 0.87)) and information about first aid (AOR=0.12, 95%CI ;(0.03, 0.48)) were found to be significantly associated with having knowledge on first aid.

Conclusion:

School teachers have low knowledge of first aid. Educational status, service year, previous first aid training and information on first aid were the predictors of first aid knowledge. Introducing essential first aid training in the curriculum during teachers’ training shall be considered.
A Case Study of Network Mobility (NEMO-BSP) Integration with Leo
Constellation System
Authors: Sheikh M. Altamash , Singh Neeta
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

This manuscript is explicating the mutual compatibility of boot modes in a computer system and partition-ing styles of Hard Disk Drive. Most of us are familiar with these terms and know a little about these.

Method:

This manuscript contains the ample information about the boot modes of a computer system and partitioning styles of Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and their related configuration through which we get to know about their configuration and endurability. It also contains some practically verified case studies of the problems which occur due to the wrong con-figuration of boot modes and partitioning styles, though there are lot more but the most common ones are discussed along with their solutions.

Result:

In order to achieve the compatibility, it might require to convert the primary HDD into either GPT or MBR parti-tioning schemes. It should be marked that this interconversion wipes data on HDD, so cautiously the data on the hard drive must be backed-up before any conversion process.

Conclusion:

The information contained had been practically verified and is helpful in coping with the newer technology trends which contains more features along with backward compatibility. Keywords: Mobile IPv4, Mobile IPv6, NEMO, QoS, NS-2.

Discussion:

Right now passengers of flight are forced to interact with flight’s pre-recorded entertainment system. Most of the passenger airlines do not allow a passenger to use the internet or any other type of interaction with the ground while during the flight. They force passengers to even switch their mobile to FLIGHT MODE so that there is no active commu-nication between a passenger and the remaining world.
RCSA Protocol with Rayleigh Channel Fading in Massive-MIMO System
Authors: Basavaiah Umesha Gundlupet , Swamy Mysore Nagalinga Shanmukha
Published: August 2020

Introduction:

Massive MIMO is a process where cellular BSs a large number of antennas. In this study, we concern about
the end-to-end massive-MIMO system under the Rayleigh channel fading effect. Also, it includes both inter-channel interference and intra channel interference in an m-MIMO network system.

Method:

The major aim is to increase the throughput and network capacity as well as minimizing the channel collision in
between the associated pilots. Here, we proposed an RCSA protocol with Rayleigh channel fading effect in the m-MIMO
network to create a network like a real-time scenario. Here we have focused on the deployment of urban scenarios with the
small timing variation and provided our novel RAP for the UEs, where the UEs want to access the network. To validate
the performance of our proposed scheme we are going to compare with the state-of-art technique in the result analysis section.

Result:

We provide the analysis based upon the two considered scenarios; such as scenario-A considered at intra-channel
interference and whereas in scenario-B considered both intra-cell channel interference as well as inter-cell channel interference. Where our RCSA approach is proposed with uncorrelated Rayleigh fading channels (URFC) that used to increase
the capacity of network and decrease the collision probability.

Conclusion:

Here, we proposed the RCSA approach and it consist of four major steps such as; system initialization and
querying; response queuing; resource contention and channel state analysis and, resource allocation. The system performs
in the TDD mode of operation and the resources of time-frequency are divided into the coherent blocks of channel

Discussion:

In order to compare our RCSA-URFC approach, here we consider the state-of-art technique such as vertex
graph-coloring-based pilot assignment (VGCPA) [35] under URFC. In addition we also consider the bias term randomly to
make decision on particular UE. It very difficult to guess the strong probability of UE, therefore as per information obtained via
Optimal Feature Selection Methods for Chronic Kidney Disease Classification
using Intelligent Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Lambert Jerlin Rubini , Perumal Eswaran
Published: August 2020

Aim:

Recently, classification of medical data gives more importance to identify the existence of disease.

Background:

Numerous classification algorithms for chronic kidney disease (CKD) are developed and produced better
classification results. But, the inclusion of different factors in the identification of CKD reduces the effectiveness of the
employed classification algorithm.

Objective:

To overcome this issue, feature selection (FS) approaches are proposed to minimize the computational
complexity and also to improve the classification performance in the identification of CKD. Since numerous bio-inspired
based FS methodologies are developed, a need arises to examine the feature selection approaches performance of different
algorithms on the identification of CKD.

Method:

This paper proposes a new framework for classification and prediction of CKD. Three feature selection
approaches are used namely Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm, Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm
Optimization (PSO) in the classification process of CKD. Finally, logistic regression (LR) classifier is employed for
effective classification.

Results:

The effectiveness of the ACO-FS, GA-FS and PSO-FS are validated by testing it against a benchmark CKD
dataset.

Conclusion:

The empirical results state that the ACO-FS algorithm performs well and the results reported that the
classification performance is improved by the inclusion of feature selection methodologies in CKD classification.
Designing a Smart Cart Application with Zigbee and RFID Protocols
Authors: Agrawal Rashmi , Kumar Palvadi Srinivas , Kumar Abhishek , Rathore Pramod Singh
Published: August 2020

Aims:

To improve smart cart application for better user flexibility.

Background :

Users are easily purchasing with smart cart but we designed in a manner such a way that • The person no
needs to stand in a queue for bill. • The stock update automatically. recorded in server.

Objective :

The objective of this work is to find the alternate solution for time saving.

Method :

We have used RFID mechanism for data transmission and we used server for storing the information of stocks.

Result :

It proved the increased performance of the system.

Conclusion :

We proved that time reduction is possible and product identification through image processing is also possible.
Harmonic Distortion Minimization in Power System Using Differential Evolution Based Active Power Filters
Authors: Das Soumya Ranjan , Mishra Alok Kumar , Ray Prakash Kumar , Mallick Ranjan Kumar , Das Himansu
Published: August 2020

Aims :

The main focus in this work is to improve balanced and sinusoidal grid currents by feeding compensating
current at point of common coupling (PCC).

Background:

In recent years the advancement in electronics and electrical appliances are widely improved and are also
more sophisticated. These appliances require uninterrupted and quality power. Therefore in the growing power system
scenario, several issues like malfunction of electrical sensitive devices, overheat in transformer, interference in
communication, failures in computer network etc., adversely affects the power quality (PQ). These issues are generated
due to rapid use of non-linear loads in three-phase system which generates harmonics in the system. To overcome from
these PQ issues, several PQ mitigation custom power devices are integrated in power distribution network. But, the
conventional PQ mitigation devices are insufficient to eliminate PQ problems such as current and voltage harmonics,
voltage sag/swell and voltage unbalances associated with the power distribution network.

Objective :

The objective of using A-PSO is to find the global optimum of the spread factor parameter at the upper level. APSO, has a faster convergence speed and correct response compared to the PSO algorithm.

Method :

SO A-PSO M p-q.

Result:

A-PSO is giving better results than PSO.

Conclusion :

A three-phase system with SHAPF injected at PCC is proposed in this paper. The SHAPF injects filter current
at PCC for supressing the harmonics using a modified pq scheme. For controlling the PIC, two optimised parameters are
discussed and found that reducing the harmonics distortions using A-PSO is giving better results compare to the
conventional PSO.
My Orange Is Bigger Than Your Apple: U. S. and Japanese Executive Compensation
Authors: McWilliams Abagail , Gray Samuel R. , Van Fleet David D.
Published: August 2020

There appear to be large differences in the compensation of American and Japanese executives. Such statements suffer from a number of shortcomings, one of which is that compensation takes different forms in the U.S. and Japan. As a result, a classic error of comparing apples and oranges occurs. We use a broad definition of compensation and some preliminary data and find that the large differences may disappear when adjusted for the value of insider information.
Does Workplace Fun Buffer the Impact of Emotional Exhaustion on Job Dissatisfaction?: A Study of Health Care Workers
Authors: Karl Katherine A. , Peluchette Joy V.
Published: August 2020

This study examined health care workers’ (N= 142) attitudes toward workplace fun and the level of fun they experienced at work as well as their emotional labor, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction. Our results showed that the negative impact of emotional exhaustion on job satisfaction was significantly lower for health care workers’ who experienced greater levels of fun at work. In general, the health care workers in this sample expressed positive attitudes toward workplace fun. These results, their implications, and directions for future research are discussed.
Outcomes of Values and Participation in ‘Values-Expressive’ Nonprofit Agencies
Authors: MAcy Granger
Published: August 2020

This paper demonstrates the effect of values and management practices on important employee outcomes including satisfaction, commitment, trust, and self-esteem based on a study of 18 not-for-profit social service agencies. The study focused on the relationship between values and management practices and how this relationship affected the perceived satisfaction and social climate in not-for-profit organizations. Results from the analysis of the survey support an important linkage between values and management practice. This study found support for both direct and contingent effects of values on important organizational outcomes.
Evaluating the implementation of authentic assessments in junior high school English lesson
Authors: Ningsih Retno Sulistio , Wahyumiani Nur
Published: August 2020

This study aims to describe the quality and implementation of authentic assessments planning of English subject at junior high schools in Yogyakarta. This evaluation research used a discrepancy evaluation model. It was conducted at three public junior high schools in Yogyakarta which were pilot projects of the 2013 Curriculum, namely SMP Negeri 5, SMP Negeri 8, and SMP Negeri 15. The data in this study were obtained through documentation, interviews and questionnaires. The sample in this study were six English teachers of grade VIII and 549 students in grade VIII who were taught by the teachers. The data analysis involved descriptive quantitative and qualitative analyses. The results of the study are as follows: First, in part (50%) of the lesson plans made by teachers was in good category. All (100%) of lesson plans had assessed attitude, knowledge, and skill. Some part of the lesson plan (33%) included assessment techniques that are in accordance with the competencies assessed, and some other (50%) used HOTS questions, while the other (50%) used realistic questions. Second, in part (51)% of the teachers conducted authentic assessmentsm which is included in good category. Most (77%) of the teachers assessed attitude, knowledge and skill, 57% of the teachers gave HOTS questions, most (87%) of the teachers gave realistic questions, and most (63%) of the teachers assessed attitude, knowledge, and skill during the learning process.
Developing a dynamic assessment instrument to assess reasoning skills about bacteria
Authors: Khasanah Mayasari Mahfudhotul , Ramli Murni , Dwiastuti Sri
Published: August 2020

This study was aimed to develop instruments to assess reasoning skills in the form of dynamic assessment as a formative assessment to improve students’ reasoning skills about bacteria. The cake format and graduated prompting method was used in this study. The instruments were based on the Fact and Proof Diagnostic Test and Structural Communication Grid (SCG) and focused on the correlational reasoning and combinatorial reasoning. The development of the instrument was carried out by compiling test items according to the basic competence of bacteria at the senior high school level, conducting test trials on 93 high school students, and analyzing the results of the instrument trials. Analysis of the test instrument consists of analysis of validity, reliability, level of difficulty, distinguishing features, and effectiveness of the distractor's function. The results showed 53 items from 67 items were valid and equipped with prompts as guiding questions for each item.
Diet, Nutrition, Obesity, and Their Implications for COVID-19 Mortality: Development of a Marginalized Two-Part Model for Semicontinuous Data
Authors: Kamyari Naser , Soltanian Ali Reza , Mahjub Hossein , Moghimbeigi Abbas
Published: August 2020

Background

Nutrition is not a treatment for COVID-19, but it is a modifiable contributor to the development of chronic disease, which is highly associated with COVID-19 severe illness and deaths. A well-balanced diet and healthy patterns of eating strengthen the immune system, improve immunometabolism, and reduce the risk of chronic disease and infectious diseases.

Objective

This study aims to assess the effect of diet, nutrition, obesity, and their implications for COVID-19 mortality among 188 countries by using new statistical marginalized two-part models.

Methods

We globally evaluated the distribution of diet and nutrition at the national level while considering the variations between different World Health Organization regions. The effects of food supply categories and obesity on (as well as associations with) the number of deaths and the number of recoveries were reported globally by estimating coefficients and conducting color maps.

Results

The findings show that a 1% increase in supplementation of pulses reduced the odds of having a zero death by 4-fold (OR 4.12, 95% CI 11.97-1.42). In addition, a 1% increase in supplementation of animal products and meat increased the odds of having a zero death by 1.076-fold (OR 1.076, 95% CI 1.01-1.15) and 1.13-fold (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.0-1.28), respectively. Tree nuts reduced the odds of having a zero death, and vegetables increased the number of deaths. Globally, the results also showed that populations (countries) who consume more eggs, cereals excluding beer, spices, and stimulants had the greatest impact on the recovery of patients with COVID-19. In addition, populations that consume more meat, vegetal products, sugar and sweeteners, sugar crops, animal fats, and animal products were associated with more death and less recoveries in patients. The effect of consuming sugar products on mortality was considerable, and obesity has affected increased death rates and reduced recovery rates.

Conclusions

Although there are differences in dietary patterns, overall, unbalanced diets are a health threat across the world and not only affect death rates but also the quality of life. To achieve the best results in preventing nutrition-related pandemic diseases, strategies and policies should fully recognize the essential role of both diet and obesity in determining good nutrition and optimal health. Policies and programs must address the need for change at the individual level and make modifications in society and the environment to make healthier choices accessible and preferable.
Model-Based Algorithms for Detecting Peripheral Artery Disease Using Administrative Data From an Electronic Health Record Data System: Algorithm Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Weissler Elizabeth Hope , Lippmann Steven J , Smerek Michelle M , Ward Rachael A , Kansal Aman , Brock Adam , Sullivan Robert C , Long Chandler , Patel Manesh R , Greiner Melissa A , Hardy N Chantelle , Curtis Lesley H , Jones W Schuyler
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8 to 10 million Americans, who face significantly elevated risks of both mortality and major limb events such as amputation. Unfortunately, PAD is relatively underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underresearched, leading to wide variations in treatment patterns and outcomes. Efforts to improve PAD care and outcomes have been hampered by persistent difficulties identifying patients with PAD for clinical and investigatory purposes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to develop and validate a model-based algorithm to detect patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) using data from an electronic health record (EHR) system.

METHODS

An initial query of the EHR in a large health system identified all patients with PAD-related diagnosis codes for any encounter during the study period. Clinical adjudication of PAD diagnosis was performed by chart review on a random subgroup. A binary logistic regression to predict PAD was built and validated using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) approach in the adjudicated patients. The algorithm was then applied to the nonsampled records to further evaluate its performance.

RESULTS

The initial EHR data query using 406 diagnostic codes yielded 15,406 patients. Overall, 2500 patients were randomly selected for ground truth PAD status adjudication. In the end, 108 code flags remained after removing rarely- and never-used codes. We entered these code flags plus administrative encounter, imaging, procedure, and specialist flags into a LASSO model. The area under the curve for this model was 0.862.

CONCLUSIONS

The algorithm we constructed has two main advantages over other approaches to the identification of patients with PAD. First, it was derived from a broad population of patients with many different PAD manifestations and treatment pathways across a large health system. Second, our model does not rely on clinical notes and can be applied in situations in which only administrative billing data (eg, large administrative data sets) are available. A combination of diagnosis codes and administrative flags can accurately identify patients with PAD in large cohorts.
"Importance of Mental Health" (Preprint)
Authors: Muhammad Soomar Salman
Published: August 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Health is the state of overall well-being which includes physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Good health is a resource for living everyday life. It is central for functioning properly, handling stress, living a longer and more active life. Physical well-being includes a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Mental health is equally important as physical health, it is integral and important component of health, it provides strength and enhance a person’s ability to complete regular tasks . Differences in socioeconomic and other living conditions can lead to health inequities which can impact on a person’s health especially mental health though this is not the case in every situation, however the risk to an individual’s mental health determine how the person is going to suffer with mental health issues as these risk factors are not only bounded to poor socio-economic class . Violence, rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, physically ill health, sexual abuse, and persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized as risk factors for poor mental health. Moreover, there are some personality factors and genetic factors that also make people vulnerable to mental health disorders .
Mental health issues alone add a lot in the global burden of disease however it is associated with other diseases and conditions as well. Mental health disorders in different forms and intensities a large number of people in their lifetime which not only impact on their health but it causes economic burden on the person and family as well . Despite a greater population is affected from mental health illness, the estimates produced through research regarding are still underestimated the reasons may be overlapping between psychiatric and neurological disorder and keeping suicide behaviors associated with self-harm a separate category other than mental illness .
The major reason of underestimation can be less no reporting for these illness due to stigma associated with it. Stigma is the negative attitude towards the illness which creates discrimination and is the main obstacle in seeking help and care .
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Ancestry Testing in Clinical Encounters: Perspectives From Psychotherapy Cases (Preprint)
Authors: Rubanovich Caryn Kseniya , Zhang Wendy , Bloss Cinnamon S
Published: August 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Despite the fact that direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic ancestry testing (GAT) has been available for two decades, there is a lack of evidence-based guidance for clinicians who may work with patients who raise the topic of DTC-GAT. Although DTC-GAT accounts for the majority of the DTC genetic testing marketplace, it has received less attention than health-related testing from scientific and clinical communities. Importantly, however, from our personal experience, patients have been raising the topic of DTC-GAT in clinical encounters, including psychotherapy sessions. In this viewpoint, we present two cases of patients seen by two of the authors to raise awareness of this issue. We describe the implications of DTC-GAT for patients and clinicians, offer recommendations, and suggest future directions.
Interprofessional Education: Lessons from COVID-19, a Medical Student's Perspective (Preprint)
Authors: Kang Jungwoo , Gwyther Bethany
Published: August 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant disruption in society and healthcare. In hospitals, doctors, nurses, students, and healthcare professionals alike were recruited and redeployed to assist with the response. In this piece, the authors aim to reflect on their experiences of working in a local hospital as a healthcare assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the benefits of this experience in relation to interprofessional education. It is recommended that interprofessional education in medical schools centre around practical placements, based on the authors' experiences and the current literature.
Development of a Digital Patient Education Tool for Patients With Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)
Authors: Turkdogan Sena , Schnitman Gabriel , Wang Tianci , Gotlieb Raphael , How Jeffrey , Gotlieb Walter Henri
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large portion of oncology consultations have been conducted remotely. The maladaptation or compromise of care could negatively impact oncology patients and their disease management.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the development and implementation process of a web-based, animated patient education tool that supports oncology patients remotely in the context of fewer in-person interactions with health care providers.

METHODS

The platform created presents multilingual oncology care instructions. Animations concerning cancer care and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as immunotherapy and chemotherapy guides were the major areas of focus and represented 6 final produced video guides.

RESULTS

The videos were watched 1244 times in a period of 6 months. The most watched animation was the COVID-19 & Oncology guide (viewed 565 times), followed by the video concerning general treatment orientations (viewed 249 times) and the video titled “Chemotherapy” (viewed 205 times). Although viewers were equally distributed among the age groups, most were aged 25 to 34 years (342/1244, 27.5%) and were females (745/1244, 59.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a patient education platform can be designed to prepare patients and their caregivers for their treatment and thus improve outcomes and satisfaction by using a methodical and collaborative approach. Multimedia tools allow a portion of a patient’s care to occur in a home setting, thereby freeing them from the need for hospital resources.
Mental health recovery and its correlates: Perspectives from 2 countries (Preprint)
Authors: Xie Huiting
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed.

METHODS

A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience.

RESULTS

This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.
Telemedicine via Continuous Remote Care: A Proactive, Patient-Centered Approach to Improve Clinical Outcomes (Preprint)
Authors: Hallberg Sarah , Harrison David
Published: August 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized health care for patients and providers alike. Telemedicine has moved from the periphery of our health care system to center stage more rapidly than anyone could have envisioned. Currently, virtual care has quite effectively replicated the traditional health system’s care delivery model and reimbursement structure—a patient makes an appointment, then sees a physician (except with video or phone replacing in-office visits) who makes a care plan, and the patient and physician meet again at a later timepoint to assess progress. Replicating this episodic care paradigm virtually has been invaluable for delivering care swiftly during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, we can and should do more with the connectedness and convenience that telemedicine technology enables. Continuous remote care, with a data-driven, proactive outreach to patients, represents a decisive step forward in contrast to the currently available episodic, reactive, patient-initiated care. In the context of continuous remote care, patient biometric and symptom data (patient entered and connected data) are assimilated in real time by artificial intelligence–enabled clinical platforms to bring physicians' and other health care team members’ attention to those patients who need intervention, whether this is via medication adjustments, acute care management, or lifestyle coaching. In this paper, we discuss how an innovative continuous remote care approach has improved outcomes in another deadly pandemic—type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system for molecular breeding of orchids
Authors: Semiarti Endang , Nopitasari Sri , Setiawati Yuli , Lawrie Muhammad Dylan , Purwantoro Aziz , Widada Jaka , Yoshioka Yasushi , Matsumoto Shogo , Ninomiya Kana , Asano Yuuki
Published: August 2020

Orchid is an important ornamental plant in Indonesia due to their natural beauty of flowers. In the tropical forest, orchids are being acquired for trading and commercial market. Thus, the effort is required to proliferate orchid in large quantities for conservation and improve the floral variation for plant breeding. The purpose of this study is to develop a firmed methodology of molecular breeding of orchids using CRISPR/Cas9 KO system. The plant material used was Phalaenopsis amabilis protocorms growth on NP medium+pepton (2 g/L). Protocorm were submerged in the culture of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that Ti‐plasmid had been filled with a T‐DNA construct of a pRGEB32 vector harboring sgRNA with PDS3 sequence. Detection for transformants was confirmed by PCR using HPT primers (545 bp), Cas9 primers (402 bp), PDS primers (280 bp) and trnL‐F (1200 bp) as an internal control. The results showed that 0.96% PDS transformants were obtained from PDS3T2 lines. Several transformant showed pale leaf color compared to non‐transformant plants. This study suggests that the target gene has successfully edited by CRISPR/Cas9 system and could be applied for that functional gene editing in orchids.
Physiological, biochemical and HSP70 and HSP90 gene expression profiles of tropical abalone Haliotis squamata in response to Vibrio alginolyticus infection
Authors: Yasa Ngurah S. , Murwantoko Murwantoko , Handayani Niken S. N. , Triastutik Gemi , Anshory Lutfi
Published: August 2020

Vibrio spp. have been known responsible for fish diseases in marine and brackish‐water systems in the tropics regions. Heat shock proteins are a highly conserved protein group that is known for its rapid response to environmental stresses, including infection. This study aimed to investigate physiological and biochemical responses of tropical abalone Haliotis squamata to Vibrio alginolyticus infection. Abalones were infected with V. alginolyticus by intramuscular injection at a dose of 105,106,107 cfu/abalone. The expression of HSP70 and HSP90 genes, the activity of superoxide dismutase, phenol oxidase and catalase enzymes, histology, falling and mortality were observed at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post‐infection (hpi). The different expression of HSPs was found in this study. While the expression of HSP70 was downregulated after infection, the expression of HSP90 was upregulated at 12 hpi and followed by downregulated after 24 hpi for 106 cfu infection, but expressed at a normal level for 105 infection treatment. The expression ofsuperoxide dismutase and catalase increased within 12 hpi, and the expression of phenol oxidase increased after 24 hpi. V. alginolyticus is virulent with LD50 of less than 105 cfu on H. squamata with an average weight of 5.13 g, and caused enlargement of hemolymph sinus and development intraepithelial and intramuscular abscesses.
Enhancement of transient erythropoietin protein expression by valproic acid in CHO‐K1 suspension adapted cells
Authors: Rubiyana Yana , Soejoedono Retno Damajanti , Santoso Adi
Published: August 2020

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a therapeutic protein that is widely used to increase red blood cell production in chronic kidney failure. EPO protein can be produced quickly with a transient gene expression system (TGE). However, the titer produced using TGE is usually lower than the stable gene expression system (SGE). It has been known that TGE can be improved by histone deacetylase inhibitors (iHDACs) such as valproic acid (VPA). This study was conducted to examine the VPA effect on EPO protein expression in CHO‐K1 suspension adapted cells and to find the optimum concentration of VPA on transient EPO protein production. EPO proteins was quantified using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The optimization of VPA concentrations showed that VPA increased the EPO protein yield by up to 2‐fold in transient EPO production, and the optimum concentration of VPA was 4 mM. VPA optimization was very helpful to obtain the maximum increase in the transiently expressed protein. Furthermore, this study can be used as a model to produce EPO proteins or other recombinant proteins rapidly with TGE of CHO‐K1 suspension adapted cells.
A SIMPLE AND FAST RP-UHPLC-PDA METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ISRADIPINE FROM POLYMERIC NANOCAPSULES
Authors: Barbosa Fernanda Malaquias , Camargo Guilherme dos Anjos , Lyra Amanda Martinez , Nadal Jessica Mendes , Farago Paulo Vitor
Published: August 2020

A simple and fast analytical method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was developed and validated in order to assay isradipine in poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanocapsules. Experiments were performed by UHPLC on a C18 chromatographic column at 25°C using a mobile phase composed by methanol and water (85:15 v/v) with a flow rate of 0.5 mL.min−1 and UV detection at 327nm for achieving a total run time of 1.5 min. The UHPLC method was validated according to the guidelines set on The International Conference on Harmonisation. It proved to be selective, linear (r = 0.99962), precise (RSD < 4.1%), and accurate (recovery rates between 95.24 and 96.53%) at the range from 10 to 40 µg.mL−1. The performance was robust when slight changes in the flow rate, wavelength of detection, and mobile phase composition were tested. It was successfully applied to quantify isradipine from nanoparticulate polymeric systems, showing high loading efficiency rates, greater than 98.55%. These results provided an experimental basis to use this method for quantifying isradipine with reliable results, besides being very fast, easy to perform and cheaper.
RISK ASSESSMENT OF AFLATOXIN IN BRAZIL NUT BY PRODUCT CONSUMPTION IN THE AMAZON REGION
Authors: KLUCZKOVSKI ARIANE , VIANA CIBELE , BARRONCAS JANAÍNA , LIMA EMERSON , VALENTIM CAROLINA , XAVIER LAWRENCE , CAMPELO PEDRO , KLUCZKOVSKI AUGUSTO
Published: August 2020

Objective: Evaluate exposure to aflatoxins in processed Brazil nut (chopped and sliced) products marketed in Amazonas State.

Methods: The samples were purchased during the 2017 harvest at the local retail in the city of Manaus/AM/Brazil in the form of sliced and chopped. Moisture content (MC) and water activity (aw) were verified, aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) were quantified by liquid chromatography. To characterize the risk of exposure to genotoxic use the population margin of exposure (MOE).

Results: Chopped and sliced Brazil nut samples analyzed here presented an MC average of 1.62% and water activity of 0.26. These values indicate that samples are safe, according to physical-chemical baselines. Regarding aflatoxins presence, 8% of the samples presented aflatoxins total levels >10 μg/kg. A risk evaluation was performed in which exposure of the population to these substances is observed and, once found; the MOE was 1036 ± 793 (<10 000).

Conclusion: Regarding the risk assessment, it was possible to observe that there is a possibility exposure of the population to these substances since the average of MOE found was 1036±793, or <10 000, characterizing this possible risk.
BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF BENZOXAZOLE DERIVATIVES: AN UPDATED REVIEW
Authors: KAMAL UDDIN , JAVED NAIM MOHD , ARUN KUMAR
Published: August 2020

Objective: Heterocycles exhibited an extensive role in the medicinal chemistry for the development of pharmaceutically active molecules. A heterocyclic scaffold is responsible for the therapeutic potential of majority of synthesized drug molecules. Therapeutic changes in the drug molecules related to the slight changes in the heterocyclic moiety. Benzoxazole and its derivatives showed potent and significant pharmacological activities. The main objective of our study is to impart updated information about synthesized benzoxazole derivatives and their biological potential against numerous diseases.

Methods: A literature search was directed on the databases, namely, in MDPI, Science direct, PubMed, Springer, Taylor, and Francis by searching different keywords “Benzoxazole,” antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anthelmintic activity.

Conclusion: This review may radiate the path of researchers that are working to synthesized novel benzoxazole derivatives in the prospects of effectiveness and safety. Nonetheless, further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted on the potential derivatives of benzoxazole.
THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF CONVENTIONAL TUBERCULOSIS DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE COMPARED WITH GENE X-PERT MTB/RIF: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: SURYANA KETUT , SUHARSONO HAMONG , NGURAH RAI IDA BAGUS
Published: August 2020

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the diagnostic value of conventional tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic procedure compared with Gene X-pert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin (MTB/RIF).

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from January to December 2018. The accuracy of conventional TB diagnostic procedure: TB screening, chest X-ray, and sputum Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining was compared to Gene X-pert MTB/RIF using 2 × 2 table. p < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. The collected data were processed using Statistical Package for the Social Science software version 26.0.

Results: A total of 117 participants suspected TB was found 44 (37.60%) confirmed TB. Among the suspected TB cases, 86 (73.50%) were male and 31 (26.50%) were female with the mean age of 43.86±16.47 years. The sensitivity and specificity of TB screening (prolonged cough) were 84.00% and 12.00%, respectively. Chest X-ray had the sensitivity and specificity (91.00%) and (10.00%). The sensitivity and specificity of sputum ZN were 57.00% and 99.00%.

Conclusions: Conventional TB diagnostic procedure has a high accuracy compared with Gene X-pert MTB/RIF. Therefore, it is still recommended as a TB diagnostic procedure routinely in era of Gene X-pert MTB/RIF, especially in Primary Health Care with limited settings.
A REVIEW OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE CECROPIA GENUS
Authors: DAGA MAIARA ALINE , AYALA THAÍS SOPRANI , MENOLLI RAFAEL ANDRADE
Published: August 2020

The genus Cecropia belongs to the Urticaceae family and has a wide diversity of species in several regions of South America. In folk medicine, they have many uses, such as hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative. Species of the genus Cecropia, such as Cecropia pachystachya, Cecropia glaziovii, and Cecropia obtusifolia, have been the subject of several phytochemical studies, and the main isolated compounds were orientin, isoorientin, isovitexin, vitexin, as well as c-glycosylflavonoid compounds. These active compounds were characterized as responsible for the use of Cecropia plants in the treatment of inflammation and also as antimicrobial agents. This review aims to describe the main characteristics of the genus Cecropia, exploring the compounds responsible for the medicinal uses of these species and focusing on anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial uses.
Modelo de medición de variables de activos especializados en redes de producción
Authors: Santiago Ponce Cándida , Ballina Ríos Francisco
Published: August 2020

El propósito fundamental de este trabajo es medir la relación entre la especialización de los activos específicos con el desempeño en redes de producción; para ello se eligió la empresa automotriz Chrysler-Toluca y su red de proveedores como objeto de estudio. En esta medición se utilizaron siete variables (ubicación, activos físicos, activos humanos específicos, calidad, rapidez, costo de inventario y rentabilidad) derivadas de un soporte teórico (Williamson, 1985) y empírico (Dyer y Ouchi, 1993, entre otros), que fueron la base para la elaboración del cuestionario aplicado a 40 proveedores de autopartes de la cadena productiva para analizar la correlación de importancia que le dan estas empresas a esta integración. Los resultados de los cuestionarios se procesaron mediante el paquete estadístico SPSS; el estudio fue de corte transversal y no experimental para lo cual se utilizaron métodos complementarios como el panel de expertos dirigido a proveedores, así como la evolución de la empresa en una situación ya existente que garantizó la confiabilidad de la información.