bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convection-Enhanced Delivery in silico study for personalized brain cancer treatment
Authors: Lambride Chryso , Vavourakis Vasileios , Stylianopoulos Triantafyllos
Published: October 2021

Brain cancer therapy remains a formidable challenge in oncology. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an innovative and promising local drug delivery method for the treatment of brain cancer, overcoming the challenges of the systemic delivery of drugs to the brain. To improve our understanding about CED efficacy and drug transport, we present an in silico methodology for brain cancer CED treatment simulation. To achieve this, a three-dimensional finite element biomechanics formulation is utilized which employs patient-specific brain model representation and is used to predict the drug deposition in CED regimes. The model encompasses nonlinear biomechanics and the transport of drugs in the brain parenchyma. Drug distribution was studied under various patho-physiological conditions of the tumor, in terms of tumor vessel wall pore size and tumor tissue hydraulic conductivity as well as for drugs of various sizes, spanning from small molecules to nanoparticles. Our contribution reports for the first time the impact of the size of the vascular wall pores and that of the therapeutic agent on drug distribution during and after CED. The in silico findings provide useful insights of the spatio-temporal distribution and average drug concentration in the tumor towards an effective treatment of brain cancer.
Screening of aflatoxin M1 in cows’ milk in Gadarif town, Sudan
Authors: Abdalmahmoud Kamal M. A. , Shuiep El Tahir S. , Zubeir Ibtisam E El , Arabi Omer H. M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Milk is a perfect complete perishable food that could be contaminated by any substance throughout the chain of its production. Of these aflatoxins M1 was considered as an important health risk associated with the milk. The objectives of this study are to analyse milk samples for the detection of aflatoxin M1.
Method

Eighty milk samples were collected from different sources randomly; 33 samples from farms, 31 samples from sale points and 16 samples from groceries in Gedarif town. Unisensor kits were used as screening method for detection of aflatoxin M1 in milk.
Results

The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk samples were found in 22(27.50%) of the samples. The presence of aflatoxin contamination was high in milk samples collected from sales points (15.0%) followed by farms (11.25%) compared to those obtained from groceries (1.25%).
Conclusion

The presences of aflatoxin M1 in the milk samples might indicate that the cow milk was contaminated with aflatoxins through feed. Hence this study recommended that good hygienic practices should be considered in Gadarif town.
September
Authors: Huber Eugen
Published: October 2021

Briefe 121-148
Januar
Authors: Huber Eugen
Published: October 2021

Briefe 1-27
Oktober
Authors: Huber Eugen
Published: October 2021

Briefe 203-219
EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL HOUSING FUNDING AS A TOOL FOR UKRAINIAN CITIES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Illyashenko K. , Illyashenko T. , Tovstukha O.
Published: October 2021

The issue of ensuring adequate living conditions is particularly relevant for the 1 billion people worldwide living in densely populated urban areas, in informal settlements and slums. This problem does not lose its relevance for the cities of Ukraine, which have 1.3 million families in need of better living conditions. This, without exaggeration, threatening situation emphasizes the relevance of this study and requires immediate action by public authorities and local governments to develop and immediately implement effective tools for social protection of urban residents, which due to difficult life circumstances need to improve their housing standards. The search for ways out of the crisis in the field of government housing policy begins with an analysis of the preconditions and reasons for the failure of most national government programs and projects in this area. It is the results of such an analysis that allowed the authors of the study to determine the directions of further scientific research. Today there is a real need for systematization and analysis of modern international experience in this area in order to clarify possible problems and prospects for its implementation in Ukraine. It would be extremely useful for public authorities that take care of social protection of the population and for local governments to study the best practices of European countries in this area. The model according to which the needy would receive social housing not in property, but rented on preferential terms is considered to be unequivocally promising for us. This would, firstly, allow the social service operator to successfully maneuver in the real estate market and take advantage of the favorable situation in the real estate market, selling social housing at the peak of the cycle and investing in it in decline, and, secondly, would create powerful incentives for self-overcoming life difficulties by recipients of such services. The authors proposed a scheme of organization and interaction of effective market mechanisms and instruments, in particular Asset management companies’ operations with derivatives during the implementation of state housing policy can radically solve the problems that have accumulated over the years.
ASSESSMENT OF THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE PRIORITY SECTORS OF THE UKRAINIAN ECONOMY
Authors: Munka S.
Published: October 2021

An important precondition for the economic development of Ukraine is the inflow of investment capital in the context of market transformations. For its part, it is possible to satiate the economy of the country with investments only in conditions of stable development of this country, because the main condition for the investor is to avoid the capital loss. For this purpose, scientists are creating rating systems for investment attractiveness of countries, regions and industries, which allow you to choose the best object of investment. Obviously, it is desirable to take into account the research results of the investment attractiveness of a country, region or industry for a successful investment project.
The purpose of article is to analyze the existing methods for determining the investment attractiveness of the economy, develop a rating system of investment attractiveness of a number of the Ukrainian economy sectors and provide recommendations for increasing the investment attractiveness of the sectors of the national economy.
It is used the methods and approaches such as analysis, synthesis, dialectical, systemic and comparative methods which allowed to implement the research.
In a study it is described a methodology for determining the investment attractiveness of a country, region and industry. The investment attractiveness of the branches of the Ukrainian economy was investigated. The problems were identified and the rating systems of investment attractiveness of the Ukrainian economy branches was compiled. Recommendations for increasing the investment attractiveness of the national economy were given.
The research of the investment attractiveness of the economy sectors will identify existing problems in attracting investments and help with their solution. The development of rating systems of investment attractiveness of the Ukrainian economy sectors will help to attract more investments, and investors could choose the best option for investing. Implementation of the developed recommendations will help improve the rating of investment attractiveness of Ukraine's economy.
Smart System for Automated Irrigation Using Internet of Things Devices
Authors: Ferrarezi Rhuanito Soranz , Peng Tzu Wei
Published: October 2021

Precision agriculture involves applying artificial intelligence, computers, sensors, and automation to improve crop field productivity while monitoring environmental conditions to conserve soil, water, and other natural resources focusing on agricultural sustainability. Despite many applications in agriculture, data monitoring and recording technologies have limited use due to the price. Low-cost open-source systems, like the ones available with the Internet of things (IoT) world, can potentially be developed as a universal-fit and cloud-connected technology for multiple applications. We designed and built a basic data collecting system using a commercial standalone embedded computer with Python programming language, serial data interface (SDI)-12/analog sensor adaptor, and digital sensors to monitor soil moisture and transmit the data remotely. SDI-12 is a standard communication protocol that transfers digital sensor measurements to a data recorder. We set up a pilot study that automatically collected and uploaded the data into the Internet to allow remote data transfer and access. The system performed reliably over 1 week with potting soil under field conditions without maintenance and successfully recorded data in real-time. The volumetric water content ranged from 0.03 to 0.23 m3·m−3, dielectric permittivity from 3.3 to 18.9 (unitless), EC from 0.0 to 0.3 dS·m−1, and soil temperature from 20.7 to 44.8 °C. All the data were successfully collected and uploaded to the cloud every 20 min, allowing users to remotely monitor the data using a free online application. However, heavy rainfall and high insolation could damage the system through excessive moisture or overheating, requiring a waterproof and heavy-duty protection case. The ThingSpeak channel allows customizing to suit a user’s specific requirements or adding more features for further development, such as automated irrigation, which can improve irrigation and fertilization efficiency by applying water and fertilizers at the right time based on sensor readings.
Optimizing Turmeric Tissue Culture, Testing Different Media and a Plant Growth Regulator Matrix
Authors: Taghavi Toktam , Rahemi Alireza , Rafie Reza , Kering Maru K.
Published: October 2021

Rapid multiplication of turmeric (Curcuma longa) by micropropagation is needed to produce a continuous source of uniformly sized, high-quality, and disease-free plantlets. Three in vitro experiments were conducted to optimize the medium by evaluating nine media and a full factorial combination (matrix) of two plant growth regulators for direct organogenesis of ‘Hawaiian Red’ turmeric. Two experiments evaluated the media, and the third studied the plant growth regulator matrix. As a result, Driver and Kuniyuki walnut (DKW), Murashige and Skoog (MS), and broadleaf tree basal (BLT) media performed better than woody plant media [Lloyd & McCown woody plant basal medium (L&M), and McCown’s woody plant basal salt mixture (McCown)] for shoot and root formation. The multiplication rate was 18 plants per explant in DKW with 1 mg⋅L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg⋅L−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). After transferring the plants to an ex vitro environment, the survival rate was 97%, and 30% higher than previously reported. DKW produced the highest number of plantlets (with shoots and roots), and BLT produced fewer plants with higher biomass. In the MS media, higher BAP to NAA ratio (2.5 to 0.1 mg⋅L−1) produced the most significant number of shoots; however, the lowest concentration of BAP and NAA (0.1 mg⋅L−1 of both) produced the highest number of rooted plantlets. There are two recommendations for tissue culture of ‘Hawaiian Red’ turmeric. To produce the highest number of plantlets, one should use the higher BAP to NAA ratio (2.5 mg⋅L−1 BAP and 0.1 mg⋅L−1 NAA) for shoot proliferation and then transfer the explants to the root initiation media. However, to reduce the number of subcultures, the explants can be grown in the lowest concentration of both BAP and NAA (0.1 mg⋅L−1) to induce both shoot and root. Although, the number of plantlets (with roots and shoots) will decrease in this method, there is no need for subsequent subcultures and changing of the plant growth regulator combinations.
Visual Quality, Gas Exchange, and Yield of Anemone and Ranunculus Irrigated with Saline Water
Authors: Rauter Shannon , Sun Youping , Stock Melanie
Published: October 2021

In response to the growing demand for specialty cut flowers, floral crops are increasingly produced in semiarid areas where soil salinity can impact crop timing, reduce stem length, and decrease yield. The goal of this study was to investigate the salinity sensitivity of ‘Carmel’ and ‘Galilee’ anemone (Anemone coronaria), and ‘Amandine’ and ‘LaBelle’ ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) with respect to physiological characteristics and marketable yield. Nine plants were irrigated weekly for 8 weeks with a nutrient (control) solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.5 dS⋅m–1 or saline solutions prepared by adding sodium chloride and calcium chloride dihydrate to a nutrient solution to obtain an EC of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, or 5.5 dS⋅m–1. Yield was evaluated by dividing stems into marketable and cull grades based on length and bloom quality. At the end of the study, the visual quality of the plants was scored, and gas exchange data were collected using a portable photosynthesis system. Cultivars of each species responded similarly, and marketable yields were low across all treatments, with average marketable yields (mean ± sd) of 1.7 ± 0.6 stems/plant for anemone and 1.2 ± 0.1 stems/plant for ranunculus. Visual quality (0–5 scale, with 0 = dead and 5 = excellent) decreased from 3 to 1 for anemone and 3 to 2 for ranunculus as EC increased from 0.5 to 4.5 dS⋅m–1 and 0.5 to 5.5 dS⋅m–1, respectively. Anemone leaf greenness decreased by 48%, stomatal conductance (gS) decreased by 79%, transpiration (E) decreased by 75%, and net photosynthesis (Pn) decreased by 92% when irrigation solution EC increased from 0.5 to 4.5 dS⋅m–1. The ranunculus growth index decreased by 17%, leaf greenness decreased by 45%, and E decreased by 23% as irrigation solution EC increased from 0.5 to 5.5 dS⋅m–1. Both anemone and ranunculus can be considered sensitive to salinity, indicating the importance of careful soil management in cut flower production systems in semiarid areas that are at risk for elevated soil salinity.
PERAN PEMERINTAH DALAM MENYELAMATKAN USAHA MIKRO, KECIL, DAN MENENGAH DI ERA PANDEMI COVID-19 (Sebuah Kajian dalam Perspektif Ekonomi Islam)
Authors: Adlan Muhamad Aqim
Published: October 2021

This study aims to see the role and steps of the government in saving micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) from an Islamic economic perspective. This is based on the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic sector (UMKM) is one of the sectors that is experiencing problems. So that this condition requires a step and the role of the government in responding to the problems above. This study is a library research study which aims to see the role of the government in saving the UMKM sector from an Islamic economic perspective. The findings in this study indicate that: First, the role of the Indonesian government in saving the UMKM sector in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing policies in the form of assistance and assistance to UMKM players and conducting a pre-work card program. Second, from the perspective of Islamic economics, the role of the government in saving the UMKM sector is a manifestation of the fundamental values of the Islamic economic concept.
Fortification of food with micronutrients: development of methodological and regulatory framework in the Russian Federation
Authors: Kochetkova A. A. , Kodentsova V. M. , Vorobyeva V. M. , Vorobyeva I. S. , Vrzhesinskaya O. A. , Smirnova E. A. , Sarkisyan V. A. , Bagryantseva O. V. , Kobelkova I. V. , Pyrieva E. A.
Published: October 2021

The available scientific literature, domestic and international regulatory codes of normative documents concerning the fortification of various types of food products have been analyzed. The groups of food products of conventional and regular consumption included into the diets of all categories of consumers, recommended for fortification with essential micronutrients, have been determined: wheat and cereal flour (spelt wheat, buckwheat, oat, corn flour, etc.); pastry; milk and dairy products, including ice cream; non-alcoholic soft drinks; mineralized drinking water; fruit and vegetable juices; fat and oil products (vegetable oils, margarines, spreads, mayonnaise); confectionery and sweets (pastry, sugar, chocolate); cereals (breakfast cereals, muesli, ready-to-eat extruded cereals, instant pasta and cereals, mixtures for bakery, flour for sweet pastry); food concentrates (jelly, instant drinks, concentrates of sweet foods, instant food, instant cereal concentrates); table salt. The groups of food products assigned for certain categories of population are used as part of therapeutic diets for patients with various diseases (metabolic disorder syndrome, cardio-vascular system pathology with atherosclerotic vascular injury, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal tract diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetic nephropathy, etc.), as well as assigned to reduce the risk of diseases developing, the nutrients are recommended for targeted fortification of certain types of food. Examples of micronutrients fortification of sausages and minced meat semifinished products are given below. Requirements for fortification of mass consumption food products and for fortification of foods for special dietary uses are formulated in this article, the amount of fortifying components in the various groups of food products are justified, ensuring their efficiency for improving the micronutrient status and safety of its consumption. Based on the analysis of the available scientific literature, domestic and international regulatory framework of normative documents on fortification of various types of food products, recommendations have been developed for fortification of food with micronutrients.
Crossing Merfolk Narratives of the Sacred: Nalo Hopkinson’s The New Moon’s Arms and Gabrielle Tesfaye’s The Water Will Carry Us Home
Authors: Davis Jalondra
Published: October 2021

This article defines what I call the ‘crossing merfolk’ narrative, the idea that African people who jumped or were cast overboard during the Middle Passage became water-dwelling beings. While critical attention has been increasing for 1990s’ electronic music duo Drexciya, whose sonic fiction contains the most well-known example of this narrative, this is actually a recurring tradition in Black oral and artistic culture that can be traced to West and Central African religions. I focus particularly on what I call ‘crossing merfolk narratives of the sacred’, M. Jacqui Alexander’s term for African diasporic religious traditions anchored in West and Central African cosmologies. Analysing the role of the sacred in two crossing merfolk narratives, Nalo Hopkinson’s 2007 novel The New Moon’s Arms and Gabrielle Tesfaye’s short film The Water Will Carry Us Home (2018), I argue that these texts expand the Black Atlantic imaginary and transform mermaid lore. I develop the term ‘diasporic collage’ to describe the ways in which Hopkinson and Tesfaye reference and combine water spirits and ritual practices from multiple African diasporic traditions into narratives that intersect mermaids and the Middle Passage.
ÖZGÜRSÜZLÜK, KANUN VE BİREYSEL BAŞVURU: TÜRK BİREYSEL BAŞVURU SİSTEMİNE BİR ELEŞTİRİ
Authors: GÜLGEÇ Yahya Berkol
Published: October 2021

Türk bireysel başvuru sistemi ilk andan itibaren pek çok eleştiriye konu olmuştur. Makale Türk bireysel başvuru sistemini yalnızca kanunlardan kaynaklı temel hak ve özgürlük ihlalleri açısından eleştirmektedir. Buna göre, doğrudan kanundan kaynaklı ihlaller dolayısıyla bireysel başvuru yapılamaması ve temel hak ihlaline yol açan kanunun bireysel başvuru neticesinde iptal edilememesi sistem açısından önemli bir eksikliktir. Bunun nedeni temel hak ve özgürlük ihlaline yol açan kanun geçersiz kılınmadıkça ihlalin devam etmesi ve hakların etkili korumadan mahrum kalmasıdır. Türk bireysel başvuru sistemi kapsamındaysa hak ihlalinin yalnızca birel bir normun muhataba uygulanmasıyla gerçekleşeceği düşünülmekte gibidir. Bu yanılgının neticesinde telafisi güç bir tuhaflık ortaya çıkmaktadır. Buna göre, bireysel başvuruda bir hukuk sisteminin kendilerinden beklediğini yapıp geçerli bir kanuna uygun davranan kimselerin hakların ihlal edildiği, kanunu ihlal eden kişilerinse Anayasa Mahkemesinin ihlal kararıyla ödüllendirildiği durumlara rastlamak mümkündür. Makalede pozitif hukuk çerçevesinde bu eksiklikleri gidermenin yolları irdelenmekte, bu yolların etkili birer çözüm olmaktan uzak olduğu vurgulanarak sorunun anayasa değişikliği ile çözülmesi önerilmektedir
Dextrose Prolotherapy for Occipital Neuralgia Management
Authors:   nesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia/ Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia Indonesia, Siswagama Taufiq Agus , Laksono Buyung Hartiyo ,   nesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia/ Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia Indonesia, Koeshardiandi Mirza ,   Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Department, Dr. Soedono General Hospital, Madiun, Indonesia Indonesia
Published: October 2021

Background: Occipital neuralgia defined as a pain such as being stabbed in the skin according to the dermatomes of the greater occipital nerves (GON) and lesser occipital nerves (LON). Case: An 80-year-old male patient diagnosed with occipital neuralgia. Previously, patients were diagnosed with lung cancer six months ago and planned for follow-up chemotherapy. Patient already receive medications including paracetamol, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), minor tranquilizers, and antidepressants, but the pain still exist. Patient then scheduled to receive blocks of GON and LON-ultrasound-guided using plain lidocaine 2% and steroids dexamethasone 10 mg. Fifteen days later, patient receive perineural deep injection along with prolo-hydrodissection in GON and LON using dextrose 15% and local anesthesia lidocaine plain 2% with a volume of 3 cc each nerve. The intervention give a positive outcomes, pain is reduced with NRS rest 0-1, NRS motion 2-3, hearing improves, and the noise in the ear disappears. The patient can sleep using a pillow. Conclusion: Block GON and LON, perineural deep injection along with prolo-hydrodissection provides a positive outcome for occipital neuralgia pain management. This case showed an opportunity for pain specialist to develop pain intervention based on prolotherapy.
Hamlet, príncipe de Dinamarca : monólogos & fragmentos
Authors:   Universidad de Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Colombia
Published: October 2021

Animal de letras es una colección que surge del deseo profundo de leer como un acto de afirmación vital y de rebeldía contra la ignorancia, la falta de imaginación y la mediocridad que el mundo actual nos impone. La iniciativa surge de un grupo de profesoras y profesores del programa de Estudios Literarios y Edición de la Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, y su objetivo es difundir la lectura entre la comunidad universitaria y el público general.
Careers Roundtable: An Exercise for Student Career Exploration and Future Development
Authors: York Kenneth M. , Thrasher Gregory , Savage Nancy , Kang Jae Hyeung , Hammond Michelle , Demsky Caitlin A. , Barclay Lizabeth A.
Published: October 2021

This paper describes a classroom exercise related to career development that helps students explore career paths found in their major. While we primarily focus on the Human Resource Management (HRM) major, we provide guidance for adapting the exercise to different majors as well as first year business students. First, we summarize career development literature focusing on college students. We next provide background for the development of the exercise. Our major is required to assess the curriculum as part of university-wide curricular assessment, and we will describe how this exercise grew out of that assessment. We then describe the exercise and the positive outcomes for students. In the Appendices to this paper we provide: a template illustrating how our curriculum builds across years which can be adapted to help orient students in the context of their major, complete directions for the HRM version of the exercise, and instructor teaching notes which include suggestions on how this exercise can be adapted for other majors within business schools. The exercise supports our students’ concerns and university’s interest in assessment and assists students as they make the transition from student life to their professional careers.
The Relationship between Sensory Reactivity Differences and Mental Health Symptoms in Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions and Their Neurotypical Peers
Authors:   School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, UK, Rossow Timothy , Marco Elysa J ,   Cortica, San Rafael, California, USA, Gerdes Molly ,   Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, California, USA
Published: October 2021

Children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDC) often have sensory reactivity differences, such as being overwhelmed by sounds, which can elicit distress in their everyday life. Furthermore, children with an NDC often present with a greater frequency of mental health symptoms compared to their typically developing peers. However little research has examined the relationship of these sensory reactivity differences on broader mental health. This study set out to explore the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Data from parent-reported measures of sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms were collected for 49 children presenting with a neurodevelopmental condition and 42 typically developing (TD) controls. Partial correlational analyses, controlling for IQ, were used to elucidate the relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms. Children with an NDC were significantly more likely to present with a sensory reactivity difference or mental health symptom. Sensory seeking was found to be the sensory subtype most related to mental health symptoms, especially in externalising conditions. There was evidence also found for a relationship between depression, sensory seeking and sensory hypo-reactivity, and GAD and hyper-reactivity. Findings suggest a relationship between sensory reactivity and mental health symptoms in children with a neurodevelopmental condition. There is also preliminary evidence of unique sensory-based profiles of mental health. Assessment of sensory difficulties as part of more rigorous mental health assessments within mental health services will support more accurate diagnoses and intervention.
Medical Specialists' Perspectives on the Influence of Electronic Medical Record Use on the Quality of Hospital Care: Semistructured Interview Study
Authors: van Poelgeest Rube , Schrijvers Augustinus , Boonstra Albert , Roes Kit
Published: October 2021

Background

Numerous publications show that electronic medical records (EMRs) may make an important contribution to increasing the quality of care. There are indications that particularly the medical specialist plays an important role in the use of EMRs in hospitals.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine how, and by which aspects, the relationship between EMR use and the quality of care in hospitals is influenced according to medical specialists.

Methods

To answer this question, a qualitative study was conducted in the period of August-October 2018. Semistructured interviews of around 90 min were conducted with 11 medical specialists from 11 different Dutch hospitals. For analysis of the answers, we used a previously published taxonomy of factors that can influence the use of EMRs.

Results

The professional experience of the participating medical specialists varied between 5 and 27 years. Using the previously published taxonomy, these medical specialists considered technical barriers the most significant for EMR use. The suboptimal change processes surrounding implementation were also perceived as a major barrier. A final major problem is related to the categories “social” (their relationships with the patients and fellow care providers), “psychological” (based on their personal issues, knowledge, and perceptions), and “time” (the time required to select, implement, and learn how to use EMR systems and subsequently enter data into the system). However, the medical specialists also identified potential technical facilitators, particularly in the assured availability of information to all health care professionals involved in the care of a patient. They see promise in using EMRs for medical decision support to improve the quality of care but consider these possibilities currently lacking.

Conclusions

The 11 medical specialists shared positive experiences with EMR use when comparing it to formerly used paper records. The fact that involved health care professionals can access patient data at any time they need is considered important. However, in practice, potential quality improvement lags as long as decision support cannot be applied because of the lack of a fully coded patient record.
Blood Glucose Monitoring and Sharing Amongst People With Diabetes and Their Facilitators: Cross-sectional Study of Methods and Practices
Authors: Jamal Amr , Tharkar Shabana , Babaier Weam Saleh , Alsomali Shrooq Faisal , Alsulayhim Allulu Saad , Alayuni Monera Abdulkareem , Aldakheel Nada Abdulaziz , Al-Osaimi Safa Sultan , Alshehri Norah , Batais Mohammed
Published: October 2021

Background

The last two decades have witnessed a burgeoning rise in the prevalence of diabetes globally. It has already reached epidemic proportions in Saudi Arabia, with reported high risk among women. As a result, diabetes monitoring and self-management programs are being highly prioritized for diabetes control and management.

Objective

To investigate measuring and sharing practices of the self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes using insulin.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 203 patients attending primary care clinics at a tertiary care center. The questionnaire assessed the measuring, recording, and sharing of SMBG practices of patients having diabetes with their physicians. The methods used for recording and sharing were categorized into paper-based and electronic-based. In addition, the determinants of the different methods used and frequency of sharing were analyzed.

Results

The overall monitoring prevalence was 95% (193/203), and 57% (117/203) of participants shared the SMBG results. Among the 193 individuals that performed self-monitoring, 138 (72%) performed daily monitoring, and 147 (76%) recorded their blood sugar levels. Almost 55% (81/147) used paper-based materials like notebooks and paper for recording, while the rest (66/147, 45%) used digital devices like laptops and smartphones. A shift towards the use of digital devices and smart applications was observed in patients below 50 years of age. The digitally recorded blood glucose measurements were being shared thrice more often than the recordings made on paper or in notebooks (OR [odds ratio] 2.8; P=.01). Patients >50 years of age (OR 2.3; P=.02), with lesser formal education, married (OR 4.2; P<.001), with smaller family size (OR 2.6; P=.01), having type 2 diabetes (OR 4.1; P<.001) and any comorbid conditions (OR 2.6; P=.01) were associated with higher odds of using paper-based sharing methods. Only the female gender and type 2 diabetes were associated with increased frequency of sharing, while uncontrolled diabetes, the presence of other comorbidities, and duration of diabetes did not show any influence.

Conclusions

Good monitoring and optimal sharing practices were found. Sharing using electronic devices can be emphasized. Diabetes self-management programs can incorporate the use of digital technology in training sessions. Digital literacy and its applications in health care may enhance SMBG practices resulting in better diabetes control.
Analyzing Citizens’ and Health Care Professionals’ Searches for Smell/Taste Disorders and Coronavirus in Finland During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Infodemiological Approach Using Database Logs
Authors: Mukka Milla , Pesälä Samuli , Hammer Charlotte , Mustonen Pekka , Jormanainen Vesa , Pelttari Hanna , Kaila Minna , Helve Otto
Published: October 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has prevailed over a year, and log and register data on coronavirus have been utilized to establish models for detecting the pandemic. However, many sources contain unreliable health information on COVID-19 and its symptoms, and platforms cannot characterize the users performing searches. Prior studies have assessed symptom searches from general search engines (Google/Google Trends). Little is known about how modeling log data on smell/taste disorders and coronavirus from the dedicated internet databases used by citizens and health care professionals (HCPs) could enhance disease surveillance. Our material and method provide a novel approach to analyze web-based information seeking to detect infectious disease outbreaks.

Objective

The aim of this study was (1) to assess whether citizens’ and professionals’ searches for smell/taste disorders and coronavirus relate to epidemiological data on COVID-19 cases, and (2) to test our negative binomial regression modeling (ie, whether the inclusion of the case count could improve the model).

Methods

We collected weekly log data on searches related to COVID-19 (smell/taste disorders, coronavirus) between December 30, 2019, and November 30, 2020 (49 weeks). Two major medical internet databases in Finland were used: Health Library (HL), a free portal aimed at citizens, and Physician’s Database (PD), a database widely used among HCPs. Log data from databases were combined with register data on the numbers of COVID-19 cases reported in the Finnish National Infectious Diseases Register. We used negative binomial regression modeling to assess whether the case numbers could explain some of the dynamics of searches when plotting database logs.

Results

We found that coronavirus searches drastically increased in HL (0 to 744,113) and PD (4 to 5375) prior to the first wave of COVID-19 cases between December 2019 and March 2020. Searches for smell disorders in HL doubled from the end of December 2019 to the end of March 2020 (2148 to 4195), and searches for taste disorders in HL increased from mid-May to the end of November (0 to 1980). Case numbers were significantly associated with smell disorders (P<.001) and taste disorders (P<.001) in HL, and with coronavirus searches (P<.001) in PD. We could not identify any other associations between case numbers and searches in either database.

Conclusions

Novel infodemiological approaches could be used in analyzing database logs. Modeling log data from web-based sources was seen to improve the model only occasionally. However, search behaviors among citizens and professionals could be used as a supplementary source of information for infectious disease surveillance. Further research is needed to apply statistical models to log data of the dedicated medical databases.
Cardiometabolic and Anthropometric Outcomes of Intermittent Fasting among Overweight and Obese Civil Servants in Malaysia (CAIFA): Study Protocol for A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Abdullah Shazana Rifham , Azizul Nur Hayati , Wan Mohd Zin Ruziana Mona , Sulaiman Nur Suffia , Mustafa Khalid Norhayati , Mohd Salim Mullahi Jahn Roshan Jahn , Nazri Khalil Muhammad Khairul , Abu Seman Norhashimah , Zainal Abidin Nur Azlin , Ali Azizan , Tan You Zhuan , Omar Mohd Azahadi , Johari Mohammad Zabri , Abdul Aziz Nur Shahida , Baharudin Azli , Seman Zamtira , Ibrahim Wong Norazizah , Md. Rasip Mona Lisa , Yusof Hayati Mohd , Md Noh Mohd Fairulnizal
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity among adults is a growing global public health threat and an essential risk factor for various non-communicable diseases. Although intermittent fasting is a generally new dietary approach to weight management that has been increasingly practised worldwide, the effectiveness of two-days per week dry fasting is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the cardiometabolic, anthropometric,
dietary intake and quality of life changes among overweight and obese civil servants following combined Intermittent Fasting and Healthy Plate (IFHP) and Healthy Plate (HP), and to explore the participants’ experience.

METHODS

We designed a mixed-method quasi-experimental study that evaluates the effectiveness of IFHP and HP methods among overweight and obese adults. A total of 177 participants were recruited in this study, of which 91 were allocated in the IFHP group and 86 in the HP group. The intervention comprised two phases; supervised (12 weeks) and unsupervised (12 weeks). The data collection was conducted during baseline, after the supervised phase (at week 12), and after the unsupervised phase (at week 24). For each participant, serum and whole blood were collected for analysis. Data on socio-demographic, quality of life, physical activity and dietary intake were also obtained using questionnaires during data collection.

RESULTS

The majority of the participants were females (n=147, 83.7%) and Malays (n=141, 79.6%). The expected outcomes of this study are changes in body weight, body compositions, quality of life, physical activity, dietary intake and cardiometabolic parameters such as fasting blood glucose, 2-hour post prandial blood glucose, HbA1C, fasting insulin and lipid profile.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAIFA study is a mixed-method study to evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent fasting on cardiometabolic and anthropometric parameters and to explore participants’ experience throughout the study.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05034653
Peer Review of “A Local Community-Based Social Network for Mental Health and Well-being (Quokka): Exploratory Feasibility Study” (Preprint)
Authors:   Anonymous
Published: October 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report for ms#24972.
Características del empleo informal en México, 2005 y 2020
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Ovando-Aldana Wendy , Rivera-Rojo Celso Rodrigo ,   Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Salgado-Vega María Carmen ,   Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
Published: October 2021

El objetivo de este documento es analizar las características del empleo informal en México en dos periodos del tiempo: 2005 y 2020. Se estudian las peculiaridades de la informalidad mediante el diseño de un modelo de regresión logística binaria considerando las variables: sexo, edad, estado civil, escolaridad, localidad, tamaño de empresa, sector y horas de trabajo. Entre los principales hallazgos se encuentran que es el tamaño de la empresa la que presenta una mayor incidencia en el empleo informal en contraste con la variable horas de trabajo que presentó la menor incidencia, también, los casi nulos cambios en el peso relativo de cada una de las variables en 15 años, lo que sugiere que las políticas públicas encaminadas a disminuir este fenómeno no han incidido en los rasgos del empleo informal.
Vinculación laboral en personas de la tercera edad: el caso de los empacadores voluntarios en tiendas de autoservicio
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Pérez-Fernández Alberto , Venegas-Venegas José Apolonio ,   Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas
Published: October 2021

Este artículo tiene por objetivo estudiar las características de 50 adultos mayores que laboran como empacadores voluntarios en cuatro centros comerciales en Ciudad de Carmen, Campeche, México. Para el análisis de las variables estudiadas se emplearon tablas de contingencia y re-gresión lineal múltiple. Los resultados muestran que en promedio una persona obtiene 31 pesos por cada hora que labora y aumenta 1.06 pesos por cada cliente atendido. La principal razón por la que las personas adultas continúa trabajando es porque no recibe ingresos suficientes (ya sea pensión o apoyo gubernamental). Las políticas sociales cubren con deficiencia este sector de la población y obliga a las personas mayores a mantenerse en el mercado laboral
PILOTES DE CONTROL: Funcionamiento, diseño y aplicación
Authors:   Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM, López Acosta Norma Patricia , Martínez Hernández Eduardo
Published: October 2021

Los pilotes de control son una cimentación especial utilizada desde 1948 en edificios de la Ciudad de México (CDMX) para corregir asentamientos diferenciales y permitir el descenso de estructuras acorde con el hundimiento regional del Valle de México. Este tipo de cimentación está compuesta por pilotes de punta que atraviesan la losa de cimentación de un edificio. La cabeza del pilote tiene un dispositivo conformado por un marco de carga y una celda de deformación que controla la carga del pilote y los desplazamientos verticales del edificio. Actualmente, no existen lineamientos reglamentarios oficiales para el diseño de cimentaciones con pilotes de control ni criterios formalizados para su mantenimiento. Tampoco hay recomendaciones que indiquen el momento apropiado para reemplazar la celda de deformación. Esta investigación contribuye al estudio del funcionamiento, diseño y aplicación de pilotes de control. En la parte principal, se presentan resultados obtenidos en pruebas de laboratorio en materiales utilizados como celda de deformación. Para celdas de deformación constituidas por arreglos de cubos de madera, se propone un criterio para obtener la carga de fluencia necesaria para el diseño de la cimentación. Las aportaciones más importantes de esta investigación se fundamentan en los resultados experimentales anteriores, entre ellas: 1) entender el funcionamiento de pilotes de control, 2) establecer distintos tipos de mantenimiento y las actividades a realizar en cada uno de ellos, y 3) explicar la aplicación de los criterios de diseño y de revisión para cimentaciones con pilotes de control. En este trabajo también se establece una guía de las actividades a realizar en una recimentación mediante el hincado de nuevos pilotes de control y/o la transformación de pilotes de punta existentes a pilotes de control. Adicionalmente, se exponen casos de edificios recimentados con este sistema. Finalmente, se dan conclusiones y recomendaciones generales acerca de pilotes de control.
FEAR AVOIDANCE MODEL OF KINESIOPHOBIA AND REHABILITATION
Authors: Phansopkar Pratik
Published: October 2021

Kinesiophobia is defined as "an irrational, and debilitating fear of physical movement and activity resulting from a feeling of vulnerability to painful injury or re-injury" by those who coined the term. Pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia (fear of movement and re-injury) magnify somatosensory perceptions, overstating this perception in terms of a pain-related exaggeration of fearful anticipation of the pain getting worse and worse. Fear of pain has a high prognostic value when it comes to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain and impairment. Kinesiophobia is most closely linked to higher order brain mechanisms linked to anxiety. The Fear-Avoidance Model of Exaggerated Pain Perception, suggested by Lethem et al, represented the impact of fear on outcomes. They proposed that the sensory and emotional aspects of pain can contribute to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain syndromes by inducing a fear of pain. The Tampa Scale is used to assess kinesiophobia, and patients with scores higher than 40 are considered to have a high degree of kinesiophobia “Psychological therapy” was the therapy include (1) psychological education; (2) cognition-behavior therapy; (3) perceptive stimulation in non-injured body areas such as virtual reality equipment, laser, and relaxation; (4) therapeutic milieu involves interpersonal communication such as group session and feedback session. One of the main reason of kinesiophobia is fear avoidance, sensory and emotional both factors are responsible. Depending on the cause of kinesiophobia the treatment will differ and different approaches should be considered.
WEAR OF THE RIGHT KNIFE OF THE PSKU SPEED PLOW AND TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES TO INCREASE ITS DURABILITY
Authors:   Bryansk State Agrarian University, Mikhal’chenkov Aleksandr M. , Sinyaya Natal’ya V. , Sluchevskiy Aleksandr M. , Kozhukhova Nelli Yu.
Published: October 2021

The intensification of crop production has led to the creation of equipment for high-speed tillage. The high speed of plowing causes an increased intensity of wear of the working bodies of plows. The limit capacity of the vertical knife when processing loamy soils is about 30 hectares, after which the body must be subjected to repair (maintenance) operations. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in studying the wear of the right knives of the PSKU plow (geometry and location on the working surface), assessing the technical condition and develop measures to improve their durability. (Materials and methods) The right knife (plowshare) performs the function of a pruning element, its design corresponds to the design of the plowshare in the classic version, but with reduced dimensions. We carried out wear control in width and thickness on 14 parts. (Results and discussion) The knives after working 30 hectares are suitable for further use in width. The width of the solid layer deposited on the back side is about 7-8 millimeters, so additional surfacing of the abrasive-resistant alloy is necessary. The wear on the thickness of the knife cannot be the reason for its decommissioning, since the strength and rigidity are preserved, and the agrotechnical requirements for soil cultivation are not violated. (Conclusions) The residual width and thickness of the studied knives when plowing loam retain the normalized limits, which indicates the possibility of their further operation, but it is necessary to weld the cutting-blade part from the back with an abrasive- resistant alloy. The xiphoid wear is fused with an electrode that provides a roller hardness of about 50 HRC. A low level of wear rate of the part is achieved due to the hardness of the blade area 60 HRC.
CLASSIFICATION OF TWO-DISC COULTERS BY TECHNOLOGICAL AND DESIGN PARAMETERS
Authors:   Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Petrovets Vladimir R. , Dudko Nikolay I. , Amelichev Viktor V. , Kuzyur Vasiliy M. ,   Bryansk State Agrarian University, Budko Sergey I.
Published: October 2021

High-quality sowing of grain crops depends on the design of the working bodies of agricultural machines. Based on analytical studies, it was proposed to develop a new classification of individual structural elements of coulters and their technological parameters. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in improvement of the digital classification table of coulter signs, the structure and form of representation of which would allow easily complementing the signs characterizing the studied working body without changing its formation algorithm. (Materials and methods) The coulter can be considered as a system consisting of a combination of individual design and technological features that are closely related to each other. A two-disc coulter was analyzed according to the proposed classification, and a digital coding system was proposed. This classification allows us to include not only the known types of coulters, but also to predict new designs for the specified technologi-cal parameters. (Results and discussion) The features and properties of coulters in the matrix are located vertically and horizontally, respectively, and are considered in in-teraction, coulters of one class are associated with many features and properties of coulters of another class. This classification allows you to replace the existing large classifications with ordinary numbers, to conduct digital coding of any coulters of sowing machines. (Conclusions) The proposed classification allows us to apply digi-tal coding of the entire variety of features and properties of existing and new designs of two-disc coulters, to use computer technologies for searching, storing and pro-cessing information on them. The classification is used to select a rational design of the working body.