bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes, Barriers, and Experiences Regarding E-Learning and Dental Education during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Azab Ehab , Aboalshamat Khalid
Published: September 2021

Background:

Dental schools used e-learning systems to continue teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine attitudes, experiences, and barriers to e-learning during the pandemic among dental students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study (descriptive) was performed at the Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University. There were 245 responses to the study questionnaire, having a response rate of 90.74%. The questionnaire was validated through a pilot study. A t-test analysis showed a significance level of 0.05.

Results:

Participants had moderate levels of attitudes, with the mean and standard deviation (SD) being 2.99 (SD = 1.21) to 3.41 (SD = 1.19). Clinical year students had significantly (p < 0.05) better attitudes than non-clinical year students. The most prevalent personal barrier was “lack of interaction with colleagues” (55.92%), the technical barrier was “the slowness of network” (67.35%), infrastructure/technological barrier was “low bandwidth” (67.76%), the content barrier was “impracticality of some courses” (50.61%), and the barrier related to the instructor was “difficulty contacting academic staff from home” (43.67%). About 83.27% stated that recorded lectures allowed participants to revisit the course, improving learning during the pandemic. However, only 44.08% believed e-learning provided a better opportunity to learn dental clinical procedures because of the zoom function on cameras.

Conclusion:

The overall attitude toward e-learning was moderate, with several barriers highlighted. Nevertheless, the e-learning system seems to have helped during the pandemic, and it might be essential for dental schools to build a hybrid teaching strategy into their curricula for consistent use.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression 10-item Scale on Chinese International Students in Korea
Authors: Kim Yang Eun , Lee Boram
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

Depression has become increasingly prevalent in Chinese international students in South Korea. For this population, therefore, accurate assessment of mood disorders, particularly depression, is critically important. The 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10) is commonly used to measure depression in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Thus, this study examined the CES-D 10’s factor structure and psychometric properties in Chinese international students.

Methods:

Study participants were 250 Chinese international students aged 18–23, attending a four-year university in Korea; they completed the Chinese version of the CES-D 10. Based on relevant theories and empirical research, confirmatory factor analysis was employed to examine the adequacy of three competing models’ factor structure. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and test-retest reliability using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results:

Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the two-factor model comprised of depressive affect/somatic retardation and positive affect had the best fit. The CES-D 10 showed satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability in Chinese international students.

Conclusion:

The CES-D 10 demonstrated strong psychometric properties in this Chinese international student sample, and results suggest that the CES-D scale is a useful screening tool for depressive symptoms. Therefore, the CES-D 10 could be used as a depression screen for international students at the population level and in health clinics.
Factors Associated with Having Multiple Sexual Partners among Men Who Have Sex with Men University Students in Northern Thailand
Authors: Chaipin Eakasit , Siviroj Penprapa , Lorga Thaworn , Kosashunhanan Natthapol , Srithanaviboonchai Kriengkrai
Published: September 2021

Background:

Men who have sex with men (MSM) university students were more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population due to various reasons, including having multiple sexual partners, having anal sex without a condom, and using alcohol and drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with multiple sexual partners among MSM university students in northern Thailand.

Methods:

The participants of this study were 139 MSM university students. The number of sexual partners in the last 12 months was used as the main outcome variable. Information was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. The number of sexual partners for categories of participants was described as median and interquartile range. Factors that were independently associated with multiple sexual partners were identified using binary logistic regression analysis.

Results:

Findings showed that seeking sexual partners online (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI 3.10 - 44.29), drinking alcohol within the last 12 months (AOR=9.73; 95% CI 1.38 - 68.47), and having a self-perception of HIV risk (AOR=3.63; 95% CI 1.15 - 11.50) were independently associated with having multiple sexual partners.

Conclusion:

Health agencies and universities should develop strategies to promote life skills related to sexual responsibility, appropriate use of online media, and reduction of alcohol consumption among MSM university students.
Phytoniosomes: An Emergent Strategy for Herbal Drug Delivery System
Authors: Kumari Priya , Sharma Shaweta , Sharma Pramod Kumar , Alam Mohd Aftab
Published: September 2021

Background and Objective:

In the current era of advancement in the field of pharmaceutics,
there is a growing interest in applying nanomedicine technology for active phytoconstituents
and herbal extracts. This revolution in the area of herbal medicine has led to the growth of different
technological approaches for delivering poorly soluble active herbal constituents or phytoconstituents,
and herbal extract to enhance the safety, bioavailability, efficacy as well as receptor binding
selectivity of the active entity. These nano-medicinal approaches have shown to be a more effective
and reliable delivery system for herbal drugs. Niosomes are one of the novel drug delivery system
approaches that have shown promising results when employed in the delivery of many drugs,
including herbal drugs. The term ‘phytoniosomes’ as mentioned in various research papers, defines
phyto/herbal drugs encapsulated in a non-ionic vesicular system. During the past decade, several research
articles have been published on the development and characterization of phytoniosome
nano-vesicle along with their in vivo studies as well as delivery approaches via different routes.

Methods:

During the writing of this document, the data was derived from existing original research
papers gathered from a variety of sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, etc.

Conclusion:

This review discusses various aspects of phytoniosomes covering different areas such
as techniques and methods involved in their preparation, various factors affecting their physicochemical
properties while developing phytoniosomes, their characterization, and several applications
and advantages.
Colombia y Asia-Pacífico: un examen en la evolución de las relaciones con esta importante zona
Authors: Torres Rojas Gloria Milena
Published: September 2021

En este artículo se demuestra que Colombia, a pesar de tener una posición geográfica enclavada en el océano Pacífico, no ha privilegiado una política de alineamiento con Estados Unidos, descuidando así su vínculo con Asia-Pacífico, en comparación con otros países de América Latina que ostentan mayor contacto comercial y político con esa región. Para ello, se recurrió a una metodología cualitativa, desplegada en cuatro partes: en la primera se señalan los antecedentes históricos de las relaciones entre Colombia Asia-Pacífico; en la segunda se describen sus características y problemas subyacentes; en la tercera se indican las ventajas y desafíos, así como las estrategias de Colombia para ingresar en el apec, y en la cuarta se expondrán las conclusiones del estudio. Estas advierten la precariedad y el rezago de los vínculos entre las regiones, ante lo cual es necesario adoptar estrategias que permitan diversificar los posibles encuentros, no solo en el ámbito comercial, sino también en el cultural y político, de modo que Colombia pueda obtener grandes beneficios.
Editorial
Authors: Fuentes-Contreras Édgar Hernán
Published: September 2021

Existe una convicción extendida sobre la importancia que ha tenido la Constitución Política de 1991 para la Colombia y para el mismo contexto latinoamericano. No por poco, tanto el texto como sus interpretaciones han sido tomados como modelos para la formación de un constitucionalismo regional dentro de aquello que se ha llamado, genéricamente, nuevo constitucionalismo (Cyrillo, 2021; Fuentes-Contreras, 2019; Legale, 2015).
Composición y estructura florística de una porción de selva baja caducifolia en Tecomán, Colima, México
Authors: Guillermo-Sandoval Eduardo E. , Leopardi-Verde Carlos L. , Cayetano-Ramírez Felipe , Alvarado-Segura Arturo A. , Escobedo-Sarti G. Jeanett
Published: September 2021

Se presenta una lista florística y una estimación de los descriptores comunitarios de un área de conservación voluntaria ubicada en Tecomán, Colima para contribuir al conocimiento de la vegetación de las selvas secas del Pacífico mexicano. La lista florística se elaboró entre 2017 y 2019. Para los descriptores comunitarios se dividió el área de estudio en tres zonas en función de su tiempo sin manejo: ladera este (LE; sin manejo), área central (AC; 16 años) y llanura oeste (LO; cinco años); en cada zona se establecieron dos transectos que fueron muestreados durante la estación seca de 2018. Se estimaron los descriptores comunitarios y estructurales y se hicieron comparaciones entre los transectos utilizando un análisis de similitud (ANOSIM); los perfiles de vegetación fueron elaborados con base en un transecto por área. Se registraron 147 especies en 52 familias, las más numerosas fueron Fabaceae y Malvaceae con 19 y 14 especies, respectivamente. Los descriptores muestran que la LE es la más diversa (Ds = 0.94 y H’ = 3.00) y equitativa (J = 0.93). Las especies más importantes fueron Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (8.81%) en la LE, Acrostichum danaeifolium (14.59%) en el AC y la familia Poaceae en la LO (24.96%). La comparación entre las áreas indica que hay un recambio importante de especies (60% – 80% de las especies) y el ANOSIM sugiere que existen diferencias cualitativas entre estas (R = 1.00 y P = 0.07), por lo que la estructura y composición de las áreas parecen reflejar una sucesión en tiempo y espacio: LE > AC > LO.
KAYNAK İŞLEMLERİNDE ÇALIŞAN PERSONEL İÇİN REBA METODU İLE ERGONOMİK RİSK DEĞERLENDİRMESİ: KRİYOJENİK TANK İMALATI SEKTÖRÜNDE BİR UYGULAMA
Authors: KANSU Semih , PARLAK Turgay , GUNERİ Ali Fuat
Published: September 2021

İmalat sanayiinde makineleşmenin yeri ve öneminin giderek artmasına rağmen; üretimin vazgeçilmez bir unsuru olan insanın etkisini kaybettiği söylenemez. Üretimde sürekliliğin sağlanması, üretimin dış bir göz tarafından izlenmesi, imalat esnasında yerinde dokunuşların yapılması ve beceri gerektiren faaliyetlerin yerine getirilmesinde en önemli faktör olan insan, çalışan olarak, bu sistem içerisindeki temel öğedir. Dolayısıyla; üretimin aksamaması, çalışanların görevlerini sağlıklı bir şekilde yerine getirebilmesi adına ergonomik çalışmalar yapılmalıdır. Hızlı Tüm Vücut Değerlendirme “Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)” metodu çalışma esnasında personelin duruş, eğilme, dönme, güç uygulama ve tutuş gibi hareketler esnasında kas iskelet sisteminin maruz olabileceği ergonomik riskin kolay ve hızlı bir şekilde değerlendirilmesine imkân sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada REBA metodunun kriyojenik tank imalatı yapan bir firmada yapılan uygulamasına yer verilmiş olup, kaynak operasyonlarında çalışan personel için ergonomik riskin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Kaynakçı olarak çalışan 11 katılımcı için belirlenen 18 farklı çalışma duruşuna dair ergonomik risk değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır. REBA puanları 3 ila 11 arasında gerçekleşmiş, en çok gövde (sırt), bacaklar ve kol kısımlarında zorlanmaların yaşandığı gözlemlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre uygunsuz durumlar için ergonomik risk seviyesini azaltmak adına çeşitli öneriler sunulmuştur.
TULUM PEYNİRİNDE STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS YAYGINLIĞI VE ANTİBİYOTİK DİRENÇ PROFİLLERİNİN VE DİRENÇ GENLERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: DEMİRSIKAN Süheyla , TUNCER Yasin
Published: September 2021

Bu çalışmada, Isparta ilinde satışı yapılan Tulum peyniri örneklerinde Staphylococcus aureus yayğınlığının tespiti ve S. aureus izolatlarında antibiyotik direnç profillerinin ve direnç genlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. 75 Tulum peyniri örneğinden toplam 141 muhtemel S. aureus kolonisi izole edilmiştir. Gram boyama ve katalaz testi sonucu izolatların 100’ünün Gram pozitif kok morfolojisinde ve katalaz pozitif özellik gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Bu izolatların S. aureus türü üyesi olup olmadığı S. aureus’da termostabil nükleaz genine (nuc) özgü primer çiftleri kullanılarak polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu (PZR) ile araştırılmıştır. PZR denemeleri sonucu 15 izolatta nuc genine özgü 458 bç büyüklüğünde amplikonlar elde edilmiştir. Tulum peyniri örneklerinde S. aureus bulunma sıklığı % 13.33 (10/75) olarak hesaplanmıştır. 15 S. aureus izolatının disk difüzyon testi sonucu en dirençli olduğu antibiyotiğin penisilin G olduğu tespit edilmiştir. İzolatlarda en sık rastlanan antibiyotik direnç geninin blaZ olduğu belirlenmiştir. blaZ geni dışında izolatlarda mecA, msrA ve msrB geni varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Düşük oranda da olsa tulum peyniri örneklerinde S. aureus varlığına rastlanılması tüketici sağlığı açısından endişe uyandırıcıdır.
Stability of a Fe-Rich Cathode Catalyst in an Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors:   Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, Xie Lin , Kirk Donald ,   Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Published: September 2021

Fe-rich alloys have been widely studied as catalyst materials for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in hydrogen fuel cells, and many have shown high activities. The stability of Fe-rich catalysts has also been researched, and some studies have shown promising results using an accelerated stress test (AST), which uses a potential cycling method. However, for commercial fuel cell applications, such as standby power systems, the catalyst has to tolerate a high potential for a long period, which can not be represented by the AST test. In this paper, the cathode stability of a Fe-rich catalyst was studied using a standby cell potential of 0.9V, a potential shown to be challenging for the competing Pt catalysts. After 1500 hrs of testing, significant morphology changes of both the tested cathode and anode were found due to a Fe leaching process. Other alloy materials, including Ni, Cr, and Mn, were also found leached out along with the Fe species from the catalyst framework. The results are a cautionary note for using Fe based catalysts for AEMFC cathodes.
Hospital-Based Contact Tracing of Patients With COVID-19 and Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Eastern India: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sahoo Durgesh Prasad , Singh Arvind Kumar , Sahu Dinesh Prasad , Pradhan Somen Kumar , Patro Binod Kumar , Batmanabane Gitanjali , Mishra Baijayantimala , Behera Bijayini , Das Ambarish , Dora G Susmita , Anand L , Azhar S M , Nair Jyolsna , Panigrahi Sasmita , Akshaya R , Sahoo Bimal Kumar , Sahu Subhakanta , Sahoo Suchismita
Published: September 2021

Background

The contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of health care workers (HCWs) are essential to minimizing the further transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mitigating the shortage of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the yield of contact tracing for COVID-19 cases and the risk stratification of HCWs who are exposed to these cases.

Methods

This was an analysis of routine data that were collected for the contact tracing of COVID-19 cases at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, in Odisha, India. Data from March 19 to August 31, 2020, were considered for this study. COVID-19 cases were admitted patients, outpatients, or HCWs in the hospital. HCWs who were exposed to COVID-19 cases were categorized, per the risk stratification guidelines, as high-risk contacts or low-risk contacts

Results

During contact tracing, 3411 HCWs were identified as those who were exposed to 360 COVID-19 cases. Of these 360 cases, 269 (74.7%) were either admitted patients or outpatients, and 91 (25.3%) were HCWs. After the risk stratification of the 3411 HCWs, 890 (26.1%) were categorized as high-risk contacts, and 2521 (73.9%) were categorized as low-risk contacts. The COVID-19 test positivity rates of high-risk contacts and low-risk contacts were 3.8% (34/890) and 1.9% (48/2521), respectively. The average number of high-risk contacts was significantly higher when the COVID-19 case was an admitted patient (number of contacts: mean 6.6) rather than when the COVID-19 case was an HCW (number of contacts: mean 4.0) or outpatient (number of contacts: mean 0.2; P=.009). Similarly, the average number of high-risk contacts was higher when the COVID-19 case was admitted in a non–COVID-19 area (number of contacts: mean 15.8) rather than when such cases were admitted in a COVID-19 area (number of contacts: mean 0.27; P<.001). There was a significant decline in the mean number of high-risk contacts over the study period (P=.003).

Conclusions

Contact tracing and risk stratification were effective and helped to reduce the number of HCWs requiring quarantine. There was also a decline in the number of high-risk contacts during the study period. This indicates the role of the implementation of hospital-based, COVID-19–related infection control strategies. The contact tracing and risk stratification approaches that were designed in this study can also be implemented in other health care settings.
Informing Content and Feature Design of a Parent-Focused Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Digital Behavior Change Intervention: Synchronous Text-Based Focus Group Study
Authors: Becker Elisabeth RB , Shegog Ross , Savas Lara S , Frost Erica L , Healy C Mary , Spinner Stanley W , Vernon Sally W
Published: September 2021

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common and preventable sexually transmitted infection; however, vaccination rates in the United States among the target age group, which is 11-12 years, are lower than national goals. Interventions that address the barriers to and facilitators of vaccination are important for improving HPV vaccination rates. Web-based, text-based focus groups are becoming a promising method that may be well suited for conducting formative research to inform the design of digital behavior change intervention (DBCI) content and features that address HPV vaccination decision-making.

Objective

This study aims to explore parental HPV vaccination decision-making processes using a web-based, text-based focus group protocol to inform content and feature recommendations for an HPV prevention DBCI.

Methods

We conducted 4 web-based, text-based synchronous focus groups via Skype with the parents of patients aged 11-13 years within a large urban US pediatric clinic network.

Results

The 22 parents were mostly female, White, non-Hispanic college graduates, and they mostly had private health insurance for their children. Approximately half (14/25, 56%) of the parents' 11-13 year old children had initiated HPV vaccination. Most parents had experience using Skype (19/22, 86%). Approximately half (8/17, 47%) of parents expressed no preference for the focus group format, whereas 47% (8/17) requested a text-only chat format and 6% (1/17) requested an audiovisual format. The three main themes from the qualitative data were barriers to HPV vaccination, facilitators of HPV vaccination, and suggestions for improving the HPV vaccination clinic experience. A total of 11 intervention content and feature recommendations emerged from the themes, including addressing HPV knowledge barriers using trusted sources, designing for a family audience, focusing on the framing of messages, reporting reputable HPV research in a comprehensible format, and expanding the clinic visit experience.

Conclusions

Synchronous text-based focus groups are feasible for conducting formative research on HPV vaccination decision-making. Among well-educated and well-resourced parents, there are barriers such as misinformation and facilitators such as pediatrician recommendations that influence HPV vaccination decision-making. Parents want to conduct their own HPV research as well as receive relevant HPV vaccination advice from their child’s pediatrician. In addition, parents want an enhanced clinic visit experience that lets them access and connect to tailored information before and after clinic visits. The results gathered provide guidance for content and features that may inform a more responsive DBCI to address HPV vaccination decision-making among parents.
Predicting COVID-19 Transmission to Inform the Management of Mass Events: Model-Based Approach
Authors: Donnat Claire , Bunbury Freddy , Kreindler Jack , Liu David , Filippidis Filippos T , Esko Tonu , El-Osta Austen , Harris Matthew
Published: September 2021

Background

Modelling COVID-19 transmission at live events and public gatherings is essential to controlling the probability of subsequent outbreaks and communicating to participants their personalized risk. Yet, despite the fast-growing body of literature on COVID-19 transmission dynamics, current risk models either neglect contextual information including vaccination rates or disease prevalence or do not attempt to quantitatively model transmission.

Objective

This paper attempted to bridge this gap by providing informative risk metrics for live public events, along with a measure of their uncertainty.

Methods

Building upon existing models, our approach ties together 3 main components: (1) reliable modelling of the number of infectious cases at the time of the event, (2) evaluation of the efficiency of pre-event screening, and (3) modelling of the event’s transmission dynamics and their uncertainty using Monte Carlo simulations.

Results

We illustrated the application of our pipeline for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall and highlighted the risk’s dependency on factors such as prevalence, mask wearing, and event duration. We demonstrate how this event held on 3 different dates (August 20, 2020; January 20, 2021; and March 20, 2021) would likely lead to transmission events that are similar to community transmission rates (0.06 vs 0.07, 2.38 vs 2.39, and 0.67 vs 0.60, respectively). However, differences between event and background transmissions substantially widened in the upper tails of the distribution of the number of infections (as denoted by their respective 99th quantiles: 1 vs 1, 19 vs 8, and 6 vs 3, respectively, for our 3 dates), further demonstrating that sole reliance on vaccination and antigen testing to gain entry would likely significantly underestimate the tail risk of the event.

Conclusions

Despite the unknowns surrounding COVID-19 transmission, our estimation pipeline opens the discussion on contextualized risk assessment by combining the best tools at hand to assess the order of magnitude of the risk. Our model can be applied to any future event and is presented in a user-friendly RShiny interface. Finally, we discussed our model’s limitations as well as avenues for model evaluation and improvement.
An Integrated, Scalable, Electronic Video Consent Process to Power Precision Health Research: Large, Population-Based, Cohort Implementation and Scalability Study
Authors: Lajonchere Clara , Naeim Arash , Dry Sarah , Wenger Neil , Elashoff David , Vangala Sitaram , Petruse Antonia , Ariannejad Maryam , Magyar Clara , Johansen Liliana , Werre Gabriela , Kroloff Maxwell , Geschwind Daniel
Published: September 2021

Background

Obtaining explicit consent from patients to use their remnant biological samples and deidentified clinical data for research is essential for advancing precision medicine.

Objective

We aimed to describe the operational implementation and scalability of an electronic universal consent process that was used to power an institutional precision health biobank across a large academic health system.

Methods

The University of California, Los Angeles, implemented the use of innovative electronic consent videos as the primary recruitment tool for precision health research. The consent videos targeted patients aged ≥18 years across ambulatory clinical laboratories, perioperative settings, and hospital settings. Each of these major areas had slightly different workflows and patient populations. Sociodemographic information, comorbidity data, health utilization data (ambulatory visits, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions), and consent decision data were collected.

Results

The consenting approach proved scalable across 22 clinical sites (hospital and ambulatory settings). Over 40,000 participants completed the consent process at a rate of 800 to 1000 patients per week over a 2-year time period. Participants were representative of the adult University of California, Los Angeles, Health population. The opt-in rates in the perioperative (16,500/22,519, 73.3%) and ambulatory clinics (2308/3390, 68.1%) were higher than those in clinical laboratories (7506/14,235, 52.7%; P<.001). Patients with higher medical acuity were more likely to opt in. The multivariate analyses showed that African American (odds ratio [OR] 0.53, 95% CI 0.49-0.58; P<.001), Asian (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.68-0.77; P<.001), and multiple-race populations (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.69-0.77; P<.001) were less likely to participate than White individuals.

Conclusions

This is one of the few large-scale, electronic video–based consent implementation programs that reports a 65.5% (26,314/40,144) average overall opt-in rate across a large academic health system. This rate is higher than those previously reported for email (3.6%) and electronic biobank (50%) informed consent rates. This study demonstrates a scalable recruitment approach for population health research.
Understanding Uptake of Digital Health Products: Methodology Tutorial for a Discrete Choice Experiment Using the Bayesian Efficient Design
Authors: Szinay Dorothy , Cameron Rory , Naughton Felix , Whitty Jennifer A , Brown Jamie , Jones Andy
Published: September 2021

Understanding the preferences of potential users of digital health products is beneficial for digital health policy and planning. Stated preference methods could help elicit individuals’ preferences in the absence of observational data. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) is a commonly used stated preference method—a quantitative methodology that argues that individuals make trade-offs when engaging in a decision by choosing an alternative of a product or a service that offers the greatest utility, or benefit. This methodology is widely used in health economics in situations in which revealed preferences are difficult to collect but is much less used in the field of digital health. This paper outlines the stages involved in developing a DCE. As a case study, it uses the application of a DCE to reveal preferences in targeting the uptake of smoking cessation apps. It describes the establishment of attributes, the construction of choice tasks of 2 or more alternatives, and the development of the experimental design. This tutorial offers a guide for researchers with no prior knowledge of this research technique.
Effects of a National Preventive Intervention Against Potential COVID-19–Related Gambling Problems in Online Gamblers: Self-Report Survey Study
Authors: Håkansson Anders , Sundvall Andreas , Lyckberg Axel
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been suspected to increase gambling problems in the population. Several governments introduced COVID-19–specific interventions early with the aim to prevent gambling problems, but their effects have not been evaluated.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate a Swedish COVID-19–related temporary legislation imposing an automated weekly deposit limit for online casino gambling.

Methods

The study was an anonymous survey sent by a state-owned gambling operator to online gamblers (N=619), among whom 54.0% (n=334) were moderate-risk/problem gamblers who reached the weekly limit on online gambling during the summer of 2020.

Results

Overall, 60.1% (372/619) were aware of having been limited by the COVID-19–related deposit limit, and a minority (145/619, 23.4%) perceived the intervention as fairly bad or very bad. Among those aware of the intervention, 38.7% (144/372) believed the intervention decreased their overall gambling, whereas 7.8% (29/372) believed it rather increased it. However, 82.5% (307/372) reported having gambled at more than one operator after the limit, and the most common gambling type reported to have increased at another operator was online casino (42% among moderate-risk/problem gamblers and 19% among others; P<.001). An increase in gambling following the intervention was associated with being a moderate-risk/problem gambler and having negative attitudes toward the intervention.

Conclusions

The weekly deposit limit had relatively high acceptability, but the study highlights the limitations of a single-operator deposit limit, given the high number of gamblers also reporting gambling at other operators and the lower effect in clients with gambling problems.
A Critical Examination of School-based Physiotherapists’ Perceived Aptitude and Willingness to Facilitate Health and Wellness Promotion
Authors: Bender Jessica , Cale Chris , Groff Shannon , Panesar-Aguilar Sunddip
Published: September 2021

Placing value on the health and wellness of Children with Disabilities (CWD) should be a core societal value. Twenty percent of children with disabilities aged 10 to 17 are obese. Decreased access to developmentally appropriate recreational activities, and inexperienced instructors lack of knowledge to effectively support their inclusion are barriers to their participation. School-based Physical Therapists (SBPT) are in a distinctive position to provide appropriate and modified fitness programs for children with disabilities. The purpose of this basic qualitative design study was to determine SBPTs’ perspectives on their aptitude and willingness to facilitate fitness, health, and wellness promotion programs for CWD. Social cognitive theory was used as the theoretical grounding for the conceptual framework of this research. The conceptual framework that guided this research was constructed from a combination of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Children and Youth and the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program conceptual framework. Purposive sampling yielded 12 participants who took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through Colaizzi’s seven step method. Results showed that SBPTs felt capable and willing to provide fitness, health, and wellness programs for CWD. Results support findings from the literature that suggest SBPTs are underutilized in the school setting and are equipped to facilitate fitness, health, and wellness initiatives for CWD. Findings inform stakeholders on strategies to steer SBPTs’ role as healthcare professionals in an educational environment. This research brings increased awareness to the potential contribution of SBPTs to partner with schools and families to facilitate fitness, health, and wellness programs for CWD.
THERMO GRAVIMETRY-DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING COLORIMETRY-MASS SPECTROSCOPY-A REVIEW
Authors: SRI K. BHAVYA , SHAILAJA G. SRI VANI
Published: September 2021

Thermogravimetric analysis is an analytical technique used to determine a material's thermal stability and its fraction of volatile components by monitoring the weight change that occurs as a sample is heated at a constant rate. Differential scanning colorimetry analysis is used to measure melting temperature, the heat of fusion, latent heat of melting, reaction energy etc. Mass spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool with many applications in pharmaceuticals and biomedical fields. The increase in sensitivity and resolution of the instrument as opened new dimensions in analysis of pharmaceuticals and complex metabolites of biological systems. Thermo gravimetry coupled with differential scanning colorimetry and Quadra pole mass spectrometry was applied to monitor the thermal stability and chemical properties of natural polymers isolated from chemically different soils. The TGA/DSC, when coupled with MS generic multiple ions from the sample under investigation, it then separates them according to a specific mass-to-charge ratio. The coupled instrument is used for simultaneous identification of organic compounds, used to evaluate the physical properties, degradation stability of powder coating.
MUCORMYCOSI (BLACK FUNGUS): A REVIEW
Authors: SINGH GAGANDEEP , SINGH NARINDER , SINGH AJEET PAL , SINGH AMAR PAL
Published: September 2021

Mucormycosis is a new angioinvasive infection caused by the ubiquitous filamentous fungus of the Mucorales order of the Zygomycete class. Mucormycosis has emerged as the third most prevalent invasive mycosis in patients undergoing hematological and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, following candidiasis and aspergillosis. Sporangiospores must be inhaled on a daily basis. Members of the Mucorales are very infrequent in nasal mucus, indicating that spores in airway mucus are removed via mucociliary transport or that there is a minimal degree of airborne contamination.
PHARMACEUTICAL WORLD OF PERMEATION ENHANCERS
Authors: KUMAR MANISH , PRASHAR DEEPAK
Published: September 2021

The drugs with poor solubility results in delayed absorption which consequently affects the bioavailability. There are many drugs which are having good therapeutic value but not used commercially because of this reason. The permeation enhancers are therefore being utilized to counter this problem. There are many such synthetic and natural materials which have the ability to enhance the drug permeation rate. The essential oils, alcohols, terpenes, azoles and many other chemical derivatives have the capability to be used for permeation enhancer. The present review work suggested the role of permeation enhancer in the pharmaceutical world.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL CREAM OF CHLORPHENESIN
Authors: S. VEENA , KAUR SURINDER , KULKARNI GURURAJ
Published: September 2021

Objective: The main aim of our research was to develop an Antifungal cream formulation consisting of Chlorphenesin for the treatment of Fungal infections. Topical route is the most suitable route for skin infections.

Methods: The development of topical drug delivery systems designed to have systemic effects appears to be beneficial for a number of drugs on account of several advantages over conventional dosage forms(or) routes of drug administration. An Antifungal cream formulation consisting of Chlorphenesin was prepared.

Results: The formulation was subjected to in vitro diffusion studies. Microbiological studies were performed to find out the safety of materials used in the formulation.

Conclusion: The developed cream consisting of Cholrphnesin was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of fungal infection.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS
Authors: ALAM SAHIDUL , BISHAL AMLAN , BANDYOPADHYAY BRATATI
Published: September 2021

Objective: Now a days as very few antidiabetic drugs are coming out of research and development and some existing drugs are showing several side effects when administered orally, multiple times in a day, hence change in the operation is a suitable and optimized way to make some drug more effective by slight alteration in the drug delivery. Matrix type drug delivery systems of an antidiabetic drug like Metformin Hydrochloride, is an interesting and promising option when developing an oral sustained release system

Methods: An appropriately designed controlled release drug delivery system can be a major advance towards solving problems concerning the targeting of a drug to a specific organ or tissue and controlling the rate of drug delivery to the target sites. This research work is made in designing of sustained release dosage form of Metformin Hydrochloride by wet granulation method employing both Xanthan Gum and Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC K4M) as a rate controlling polymer.

Results: The development of oral sustained release systems has been a challenge to formulation scientists due to their inability to restrain and localize the system at targeted areas of the gastrointestinal tract. From all the formulation trial batches, formulation F7 shows the best results. It has been observed that HPMC K4M alone cannot give satisfactory drug release profile but the blend of HPMC K4M and Xanthan gum together give the best drug release kinetics.

Conclusion: The drug release mechanism from the matrix tablets follows Fickian diffusion with first order kinetics. Thus, sustained release matrix tablets of metformin hydrochloride can be expected to reduce the frequency of administration and decrease the dose dependent side effects
Alúmina anódica porosa (AAP): arreglo de nanocrisoles de α-alúmina de tamaño modulable
Authors: González Campuzano Ricardo , Mata Zamora María Esther
Published: September 2021

Debido al creciente interés en la síntesis de diferentes estructuras a escala nanométrica, las alúminas anódicas porosas son una alternativa emergente a los métodos más sofisticados y costosos que se utilizan actualmente.  En este trabajo se presenta una breve revisión acerca de algunos resultados experimentales recientes para sintetizar alúminas anódicas porosas con diámetros de poro extra grandes (>200 nm), usando mezclas de ácidos como electrolitos y voltajes altos de anodizado. Adicionalmente, se presentan estudios relacionados con la estabilidad térmica de las alúminas anódicas porosas, formadas en condiciones estándar, usando los electrolitos más comunes (ácidos sulfúrico, oxálico y fosfórico). Dichos estudios han mostrado que la alúmina anódica, de inicio amorfa, debe transitar por un proceso de eliminación de aniones previo a la transformación de fases policristalinas hasta alcanzar la fase más estable, α-alúmina. Finalmente, se mencionan algunas de las más destacadas aplicaciones que podrían tener las nanoestructuras obtenidas a partir de alúminas anódicas porosas obtenidas por métodos no convencionales y las tratadas térmicamente.
Study of Light Weight Fibre Reinforced Concrete by Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate with Pumice Stone
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Sohel
Published: September 2021

Abstract: As the demand for the structural members application in the concrete industry is continuously increasing simultaneously many a times it is required to lower the density of concrete enabling light weight which helps in easy handling of the concrete and its members. In this research an experimental endeavour has been made to equate conventional concrete with light weight by partially substituting the coarse aggregate with the pumice stone aggregate in M30 grade mix design. Simultaneously small fibres of Recron3's Polypropylene have been applied to the concrete as a reinforcing medium to minimize shrinkage cracking and improve tensile properties. The coarse aggregate was substituted by the pumice aggregate in 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 percent and fibres respectively in 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 percent. The experiment is focused on strength parameters to determine the most favourable optimum percent with respect to conventional concrete. Keywords: OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)1, FA (Fine Aggregate)2, CA (Coarse Aggregate) 3, fck (Characteristic Compressive Strength at 28days)4, Sp. Gr (Specific Gravity)5, WC (Water Content)6, W/C (Water Cement Ratio)7, S (Standard Deviation)8, Fck (Target Average Compressive Strength at 28days)9.
Controlling the Shapes of the Moiré Patterns Generated Using the Interferometry and a Spatial Light Modulator
Authors: Chatterjee Joydeep
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Moiré patterns are generated by the superposition of two periodic patterns of close frequencies. This present paper proposes a simple method to bridge the conventional gap between interferometry and moiré patterns by generating moiré patterns using straight-line interference fringes from a Michelson interferometer like setup and a circular grating pattern generated on a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM). The visible variation in the geometrical shapes of the moiré patterns by varying the ratio of the periods of the two periodic patterns has also been presented. The experimental results match with the simulation results. Keywords: Moiré, Interferometry, Spatial Light Modulator, Optics, Engineering physics
Number Theoretic Model of Concurrent Access in Hypercube Interconnection Network
Authors: Katare Prof. Rakesh Kumar
Published: September 2021

Abstract: This paper proposes a mathematical logical model to use shared communication links in the hypercube interconnection network. To achieve our objective we have used the orthogonal property of binary coding used to label the processing nodes of the hypercube and applied binary coding based multiplexing technique and the XOR logic operation to separate the individual processing nodes data from the multiplexed signal. Keywords: Gray codes, Hypercube, 1’s complement logic, GIG codes, bipolar codes, orthogonal codes, Normalized inner product, Parallel computing System.
Study on Strength Properties of Pervious Concrete by Partial Replacement of Cement with Fly Ash
Authors: Peer Wasiq Maqbool
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Pervious concrete is a concrete containing little or no fine aggregate; it consists of coarse aggregate and cement paste. It seems pervious concrete would be a natural choice for use in structural applications in this age of ‘green building’. It consumes less raw material than normal concrete (no sand), it provides superior insulation values when used in walls, and through the direct drainage of rainwater, it helps recharge groundwater in pavement applications. Due to increase in construction and demolition activities all over the world, the waste concrete after the destruction is not used for any purpose which leads to loss of economy of the country. India is a developing country where urbanization is increasing rapidly which in turn leading to increase of drainage facilities. Pervious concrete helps to allow the water flow into the ground due to interconnected pores. Natural aggregate is becoming scarce, production and shipment is becoming more difficult. In order to overcome this problem, there is need to find a by-product, which can be used to replace the aggregate in conventional concrete mix. Keywords: Pervious Concrete, Partial Replacement, Fly Ash, Cement, Compressive Strength,
ANALISIS PERGESERAN KEGIATAN EKONOMI JAWA TIMUR MELALUI PENGUATAN KEARIFAN LOKAL
Authors: Sulistyono Setyo Wahyu
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze economic performance by sector through analysis of the basic and non-basic sectors, as well as to see the shifts in economic activities that have occurred in the East Java region. The research method is carried out with a descriptive quantitative approach using secondary data types, obtained on the information of a second party as a competent data provider. The analysis technique used is location quetiont (lq) analysis and descriptive qualitative approach as a method in determining the basis and non-base sectors as well as shifting economic activities by taking the location of East Java. The change in the structure of the economy can also be seen from the change in the contribution of each sector to GDP / GRDP. The results of the study are that there is a shift in economic activity with a jump in the economic phase from the primary economy to services with the acceleration of industrialism, the industrial and service sectors have become the movers in the last 3 years, industry. processing has become a new trend in economic acceleration, the service and warehousing sectors have become pockets in the economy characterized by strengthening local wisdom by strengthening competitiveness so as to be able to provide economic resources for the domestic and be able to provide for foreign domestic needs for excess production with a basic sector concept based on real local wisdom
ANALISIS PENGEMBANGAN SEKTOR PARIWISATA KABUPATEN SUMBAWA
Authors: Yulianti Ade Dewi , Soelistyo Aris , Sulistyono Setyo Wahyu
Published: September 2021

By utilizing exotic resources, making tourism places as known as the tourism sector in Sumbawa Regency that plays an important role in regional economic growth in Sumbawa Regency, not only playing a role in the economy but also the tourism sector as an additional source of income, both regional income and influential. on per capita income, this study aims to determine the strategy in seeking the development of the tourism sector of Sumbawa Regency, hotel tax, restaurant tax, entertainment tax, number of tourist visits, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Tourism Sector Manpower as independent variables. how is the development of Sumbawa district in the tourism sector, where the tourism sector is in the form of tourism sector income (the contribution of the tourism sector) as the dependent variable with the 2015-2019 research period. The research analysis uses panel data analysis with the Fixed-Effects (FE) approach. The estimation results show that hotel taxes, the number of tourist visits, MSMEs, and workers receive H0, which has increased and has a positive and significant influence on Sumbawa Regency in the tourism sector.
The effects of computerized cognitive testing on the performance of children with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms
Authors: Braga Fialho Mariana , Rodrigues de Souza Elisa , Mansur-Alves Marcela
Published: September 2021

The objective was to assess the impact of a test digital format on evaluating cognitive functions of children with ADHD symptoms, along with the differential impacts in comparison to the typically developed groups. The sample consisted of 99 children aged 7 to 9 years (M = 7.99, SD = 0.802), being 52 on the clinical group. All participants were assessed with paired batteries of digital and traditional tests. There were significant differences between the evaluated groups on known-compromised constructs for children with ADHD (d= -0,027 to -0,617), the highest being on the digital tasks. However, there were no significant differences in performance when comparing the results within the groups according to their computer-based and paper-and-pencil measures scores. The results suggest that the digital format does not impair the evaluation of children with ADHD symptoms, does not generate significantly different impacts between the clinical and comparison groups. Limitations and possible implications of these results will be discussed.