bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Metastatic Early Prognostic (MEP) score
Authors: Downie Samantha , Lai Florence Y. , Joss Judith , Adamson Douglas , Jariwala Arpit C.
Published: December 2019

Aims

The early mortality in patients with hip fractures from bony metastases is unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with proximal femoral metastases, and to create a mortality prediction tool based on biomarkers associated with early death.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients referred to the orthopaedic department at a UK trauma centre with a proximal femoral metastasis (PFM) over a seven-year period (2010 to 2016). The study group were compared to a matched control group of non-metastatic hip fractures. Minimum follow-up was one year.

Results

There was a 90-day mortality of 46% in patients with metastatic hip fractures versus 12% in controls (89/195 and 24/192, respectively; p < 0.001). Mean time to surgery was longer in symptomatic metastases versus complete fractures (9.5 days (SD 19.8) and 3.4 days (SD 11.4), respectively; p < 0.05). Albumin, urea, and corrected calcium were all independent predictors of early mortality and were used to generate a simple tool for predicting 90-day mortality, titled the Metastatic Early Prognostic (MEP) score. An MEP score of 0 was associated with the lowest risk of death at 30 days (14%, 3/21), 90 days (19%, 4/21), and one year (62%, 13/21). MEP scores of 3/4 were associated with the highest risk of death at 30 days (56%, 5/9), 90 days (100%, 9/9), and one year (100%, 9/9). Neither age nor primary cancer diagnosis was an independent predictor of mortality at 30 and 90 days.

Conclusion

This score could be used to predict early mortality and guide perioperative counselling. The delay to surgery identifies a potential window to intervene and correct these abnormalities with the aim of improving survival. Cite this article: Bone Joint J. 2020;102-B(1):72–81
The use of the Ganga Hospital Score to predict the treatment and outcome of open fractures of the tibia
Authors: Parikh Sunny , Singh Harendra , Devendra Agraharam , Dheenadhayalan Jayaramaraju , Sethuraman Arvinth S. , Sabapathy Raja , Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan
Published: December 2019

Aims

Open fractures of the tibia are a heterogeneous group of injuries that can present a number of challenges to the treating surgeon. Consequently, few surgeons can reliably advise patients and relatives about the expected outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether these outcomes are predictable by using the Ganga Hospital Score (GHS). This has been shown to be a useful method of scoring open injuries to inform wound management and decide between limb salvage and amputation.

Methods

We collected data on 182 consecutive patients with a type II, IIIA, or IIIB open fracture of the tibia who presented to our hospital between July and December 2016. For the purposes of the study, the patients were jointly treated by experienced consultant orthopaedic and plastic surgeons who determined the type of treatment. Separately, the study team (SP, HS, AD, JD) independently calculated the GHS and prospectively collected data on six outcomes for each patient. These included time to bony union, number of admissions, length of hospital stay, total length of treatment, final functional score, and number of operations. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare GHS with each outcome. Forward stepwise linear regression was used to generate predictive models based on components of the GHS. Five-fold cross-validation was used to prevent models from over-fitting.

Results

The mean follow-up was 11.4 months (3 to 31). The mean time to union was 9.7 months (3 to 21), the mean number of operations was 2.8 (1 to 11), the mean time in hospital was 17.7 days (5 to 84), the mean length of treatment was 92.7 days (5 to 730), the mean number of admissions was 1.7 (1 to 6), and the mean functional score (Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS)) was 60.13 (33 to 80). There was a significant correlation between the GHS and each of the outcome measures. A predictive model was generated from which the GHS could be used to predict the various outcome measures.

Conclusion

The GHS can be used to predict the outcome of patients who present with an open fracture of the tibia. Our model generates a numerical value for each outcome measure that can be used in clinical practice to inform the treating team and to advise patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(1):26–32
Cemented or uncemented hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip: a randomized trial of 400 patients
Authors: Parker Martyn J. , Cawley Shirley
Published: December 2019

Aims

Debate continues about whether it is better to use a cemented or uncemented hemiarthroplasty to treat a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. The aim of this study was to attempt to resolve this issue for contemporary prostheses.

Methods

A total of 400 patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip were randomized to receive either a cemented polished tapered stem hemiarthroplasty or an uncemented Furlong hydroxyapatite-coated hemiarthroplasty. Follow-up was conducted by a nurse blinded to the implant at set intervals for up to one year from surgery.

Results

A total of 115 patients died in the year after surgery. There was a tendency towards a slightly higher mortality in those treated with the uncemented prosthesis after one year (64 vs 51; p = 0.18). For the survivors, there was no significant difference in pain score at any of the time intervals. Patients treated using the cemented hemiarthroplasty recovered mobility better than those treated with the uncemented hemiarthroplasty (mean decrease in mobility score at one year: 1.7 vs 1.1, SD 1.9; p = 0.008). There was a tendency to more periprosthetic fractures in the uncemented group (five vs two cases; p = 0.45), but overall the need for further surgery was similar in both groups (nine vs seven cases). There were four perioperative deaths in the cemented group.

Conclusion

These results indicate that a contemporary cemented hemiarthroplasty gives better results than an uncemented hemiarthroplasty for patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip. When the condition of the patient permits, a cemented hemiarthroplasty should be used. Cite this article: Bone Joint J. 2020;102-B(1):11–16
Revolução dos beatos, de Dias Gomes: a importância da literatura dramática na formação de um público leitor
Authors: Oliveira Marcio Da Silva
Published: December 2019

A formação de um público leitor crítico que busque a própria emancipação social passa pela valorização do ensino de literatura. O modo como a produção ficcional, em seu diálogo com a história, com a sociologia, com a filosofia, com a antropologia e com a cultura popular influencia na formação de uma consciência crítica é fator determinante para o desenvolvimento de uma civilização. A relação da literatura com a sociedade torna-se, assim, importante no processo educacional. Ainda mais quando dá voz a camadas marginalizadas e desconstrói discursos que consolidam situações de opressão e exploração. Levando em conta tais elementos, propõe-se aqui um trabalho que enfatize a necessidade de valorização da literatura, seja em ambiente escolar, seja nas outras diversas dimensões da vida social e humana. Para isso destaca-se aqui, por um lado, o papel do leitor no processo de recepção e significação do texto literário e, por outro, a urgente necessidade de incentivo à leitura do texto dramático, mais especificamente no teatro brasileiro, muitas vezes situado à margem dos outros gêneros. Para tanto, propõe-se, num primeiro momento, algumas considerações a respeito do ensino da literatura e, depois, uma breve análise da peça A Revolução dos Beatos, de Dias Gomes, demonstrando as estratégias adotadas pelo teatro brasileiro para confirmar o texto dramático como fundamental à história da nossa literatura.
Ensino de literatura e a formação do leitor literário na escola: dos primeiros passos à vida
Authors: Francisco Gilmei
Published: December 2019

Procuramos refletir neste texto sobre a importância da formação do leitor, especialmente do leitor literário, no espaço institucional escolar. Essa formação no nosso contexto de ex-colônia significa passos necessários ainda à descolonização. Sabemos que a presença da Literatura no espaço do Ensino Fundamental não está garantida pela instituição de uma disciplina específica, ficando, assim, sob a responsabilidade dos professores a decisão de incluí-la, ou não, no reportório de leitura dos alunos. O texto literário, por ser de natureza aberta, é um dos modos mais eficazes de confrontar o aluno com as múltiplas possibilidades de manipulação da linguagem. A escola historicamente foi usada como canal para manter muitos dos princípios da colonização ativos e em ação na nossa sociedade, contribuindo para a manutenção da estratificação social e a elitização do aprendizado das habilidades de leitura e escrita. Frente a essa realidade procuramos expor a importância da mediação do professor no processo de leitura do texto literário como uma via privilegiada para a descolonização. Desse modo, a alfabetização precisa ir além da decodificação proficiente dos signos linguísticos e promover o entendimento de que a simbolização feita pela linguagem é um processo manipulável. Nesse sentido, o texto literário é o meio mais produtivo e um excelente caminho para mostrar isso aos estudantes, pela sua natureza artística e lúdica.
O ENADE e a formação do professor de literatura
Authors: Santana Andréia Da Cunha Malheiros
Published: December 2019

Este artigo tem como principal objetivo compreender como o ENADE (Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes) avalia a formação dos professores na área de leitura e literatura e os efeitos disso nos currículos dos cursos de licenciatura em Letras. Tendo em vista esse objetivo, a pesquisa busca identificar as questões que envolvem a temática da leitura e da literatura nos exames realizados nos anos de 2005, 2008, 2011 e 2014. Parte-se da premissa de que o modo como o ENADE aborda a leitura e a literatura influencia os cursos de formação de professores, desta forma interfere no próprio ensino destes conteúdos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa mista, que articula dados quantitativos com dados qualitativos. A fundamentação teórica articulou as leituras de diferentes temas como a legislação (DCN e SINAES), o controle exercido pela avaliação externa (Madaus, Scaramucci) e autores que trabalham com a literatura e o seu ensino (Candido,  Jouve, Colomer). Como conclusão, foi possível destacar que o exame também precisa ser avaliado, pois tem ultrapassado os objetivos para os quais foi criado, na medida em que vem realizando uma seleção curricular de alguns conhecimentos e privilegiando alguns temas em detrimento de outros, o que interfere negativamente na formação de professores.
Spatial self-phase modulation in WS2 and MoS2 atomic layers
Authors: Neupane Tikaram , Tabibi Bagher , Seo Felix Jaetae
Published: December 2019

Laser field-induced spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) in WS2 and MoS2 atomic layer liquid suspensions displayed the diffraction profile of concentric rings at the far-field due to the coherent superposition of transverse wave vectors with characteristic spatial nonlinear phases. The evolution of the number of rings indicated the spatial alignment of anisotropic atomic layers in the liquid base solution. The intensity-dependent number of symmetric rings revealed the nonlinear refraction coefficients of MoS2 and WS2 atomic layers which were estimated to be ∼ −1.96 × 10−16 m2/W and ∼ −1.11 × 10−16 m2/W, respectively. The central interference profile and the diffraction pattern identified the negative polarity of nonlinear refraction. The vertically asymmetric diffraction ring indicates the phase distortion of optical field due to the heat convection.
Reimagining the archive as thick sound: A case study of Dhrupad from Bettiah and beyond
Authors: Ranganathan Sumitra
Published: December 2019

The ephemerality of music is a consuming philosophical problem; it is also a practical dilemma for archivists and researchers. For oral traditions such as Indian classical music, notations, recordings and transcriptions fail to capture much of what is communicated in musical performance, which problematizes the creation and function of archives. This article explores an approach to archiving musical practices in relation to constitutive processes of emplacement, a complex I denote by the term ‘thick sound’. Using a rich and historic Dhrupad tradition as a case study, I discuss how I used documentary, material, aural, embodied and sensory performance data to construct my archive. I investigate the ways in which such documentation captures ecologies of music-making and the challenges posed for the analysis of histories of (thick) sound. I conclude by discussing the implications for theorizing archival work as active intervention, mediating relationships of past, present and future.
Synthesis, Characterization, Crystal and Molecular Structure Analysis of 1-(2-Chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-4-(p-tolylthio)-1H-pyrazol-5-ol
Authors: D. Kamani Ronak , P. Thummar Rahul , H. Sapariya Nirav , K. Vaghasiya Beena , R. Avalani Jemin , B. Purohit Vishal , H. Patel Kirit , K. Raval Dipak
Published: December 2019

The synthesis of a novel tolylthiopyrazol bearing methyl group has been achieved by transition metal free N-chlorosuccinimide mediated direct sulfenylation of 1-aryl pyrazolones at room temperature. The product obtained was characterized by spectroscopic techniques and finally confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The compound 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-4-(p-tolylthio)-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (m.f. C17H15N2OSCl) crystallizes in monoclinic crystal class in space group P21/c with cell parameters a = 9.6479(5) Å, b = 15.1233(8) Å, c = 11.4852(6) Å, β = 108.374(2)°, V=1590.4(2) Å3 and Z = 4. The final residual factor R1 = 0.0499.
Greens Synthesis of Antimicrobial Nanosilver using in vitro Cultured Dioscorea bulbifera
Authors: Joshi K.A. , Ghosh S. , Dhepe A.
Published: December 2019

Dioscorea bulbifera is a true yam species which is famous for its medicinal values. The plant is reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antitumor properties. It has also been found that the D. bulbifera tuber extract is effective in synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) because of its unique phytochemistry However, the plant is available in the rainy season only hence in this study in vitro system for maintenance of the D. bulbifera was developed using three media combinations namely basal Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), MS medium supplemented with 5 ppm kinetin (AN) and MS medium enriched with CuSO4·5H2O (CU). Aqueous extracts of these in vitro grown plantlets were found to have significant contents of phenolics, flavonoids and starch. These extracts were found to be effective in rapid synthesis of the AgNPs in 5 h with the optimum temperature of 50 °C and salt concentration equal to 5 mM. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that the polyols in these extracts are responsible for bioreduction. AgNPs synthesized from extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). AgNPs from plantlets growing on MS medium were found to have the smallest size and thus showed maximum antibacterial and antibiofilm potential towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio harveyi. The AgNPs synthesized from the extracts of plant-lets growing on AN and CU medium were also found to be effective. The results also suggested the presence of variation in the mechanism of biofilm inhibition by AgNPs against these two bacteria as biofilm inhibition was found to be greater in Vibrio harveyi. To best of our knowledge no such study has been done before with the in vitro grown Dioscorea bulbifera.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel (E)-4-(4-(((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-amino)phenyl)morpholin-3-one Derivatives
Authors: J. Jilariya Krushnakumar , Patel P.K. , J. Sanghani Yogesh , D. Chodvadiya Vijay , Babariya Jayesh
Published: December 2019

A highly functionalized heterocyclic compounds series were synthesized, characterized and tested for biological evaluation against bacteria and fungus. This novel synthetic route involves Schiff base formation reaction of 1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde with 4-(4-aminophenyl)morpholin-3-one in the presence of base and methanol as a solvent in good yield and high purity. All the synthesized compounds were characterized using IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. All the compound screened for antimicrobial activity against standard drugs.
in silico Docking Analysis of Small Molecule Inhibitors from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis against Nipah Virus Infection
Authors: Mohan Nayana , Meera V. , Soja J. , Latha M.S.
Published: December 2019

Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus belonging to the genus Henipavirus, classified as Biosafety Level 4 (BSL4) agents. The virus causes severe illness characterized by encephalitis or respiratory disease in human. The case-lethality rate of Nipah was reported to be 70 % in India, since year 2001. Despite the high pathogenicity of virus, no therapeutics are currently approved for use in human. But, ribavirin, favipiravir and human mono clonal antibody was found to reduce the intensity in early stage. Medicinal plants serve as a rich source of therapeutically active compounds. Nyctanthus arbor-tristis Linn or pavizhamalli (Harsinger) is traditionally known to have activity against Nipha virus. In this study, therapeutic activity of phytochemicals arbortristoside A and arbortristoside C present in pavizhamalli plant against Nipha virus target was investigated by computational docking simulation. Computational docking analysis was performed using Schrodinger Suite. The phytochemicals arbortristoside A and arbortristoside C show promising binding affinity with the target Nipah virus than the reference drugs. Results of the study could be advantageous to develop a new lead molecule against Nipah virus infection.
O papel da equidade no planejamento de transporte coletivo urbano no Brasil
Authors: Guimarães Thiago , Lucas Karen
Published: December 2019

Embora a noção de equidade seja considerada primordial no emergente paradigma da mobilidade urbana sustentável, o planejamento da mobilidade tem sido acusado de contribuir para a produção e a consolidação de desigualdades sociais e espaciais relacionadas à provisão e organização do transporte coletivo urbano, principalmente no contexto de países em desenvolvimento. Este artigo investiga em que medida planejadores atuantes em cidades brasileiras estão cientes de iniquidades relacionadas ao transporte e a forma como compreendem o papel do transporte em relação a objetivos sociais. Diferentemente do que a literatura sugere, resultados da survey conduzida para este estudo indicam que, no Brasil, planejadores de transportes reconhecem certas associações entre privação socioeconômica e deficiências na oferta de transporte coletivo urbano, mas não necessariamente identificam no processo de planejamento fatores que levam à produção de desigualdades. Tampouco compreendem a ideia de equidade social como central no paradigma de mobilidade urbana sustentável.
Eficácia da gestão de pontes rodoviárias à luz das práticas de inspeção brasileiras
Authors: Oliveira Caroline Buratto de Lima e , Greco Marcelo , Romeiro Camila Esteves , Lima Juliane Venturelli Silva , Couto Rafael Arêdes
Published: December 2019

O controle do estado de condição de cada elemento da infraestrutura de transportes é fundamental para assegurar a operação do sistema a partir de um nível de segurança definido. Para a gestão desses elementos é necessário conhecer as características do parque de obras nacional, seu histórico, estado atual e a previsão do seu estado futuro através de modelos de deterioração – módulo crucial dos sistemas de gestão. Este artigo descreve o atual cenário da gestão de pontes rodoviárias no país e avalia as metodologias de inspeção existentes a partir da aplicação de técnicas de determinação de taxas de deterioração pelo método de cadeias de Markov. Os dados usados pertencem às pontes da malha rodoviária do estado de São Paulo com técnicas de inspeção diversas. Através dos resultados é possível constatar os avanços necessários às práticas existentes no país, considerando suas possíveis implicações sob um gerenciamento eficaz dessas obras.
La aterradora luz helada de una certeza
Authors: Gerbaudo Analía Isabel
Published: December 2019

Presentación, Analía Gerbaudo
Textualidad mediática y realidad aumentada en Los muertos de Jorge Carrión
Authors: Vanney Julieta Marina
Published: December 2019

La incorporación de formas novedosas de las nuevas tecnologías a la práctica literaria produce nuevos tipos de textos y nuevas formas de aproximación a la lectura. Así, se entiende a la literatura como algo más que puro lenguaje en su aproximación al mundo de los medios masivos de comunicación. En la novela Los muertos de Jorge Carrión se incorporan diversos elementos que se hacen eco de los modelos estructurales y modos de representación de los medios de comunicación de masas como parte constitutiva del texto. Sin embargo, el texto no se queda en la mera incorporación de medios tecnológicos al entramado literario, en un intento por generar un efecto de contemporaneidad. Nos proponemos analizar la forma en que este trabajo con la textualidad mediática resulta ser una estrategia para reflexionar sobre el vínculo que se establece entre ficción y realidad. Este hecho da lugar al abordaje de una propuesta sobre el lugar que podría ocupar la literatura en el panorama tecnológico actual.
Sobre: Los desvalidos, de Diego Vigna. Córdoba: Centros de Estudios Avanzados de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba/Poitiers, Centre de Recherches Latino-Américaines de la Universidad de Poitiers, 2018; Cometa de la noche negra, de Diego Vigna. Córdoba: E
Authors: De Olmos Candelaria
Published: December 2019

Sobre: Los desvalidos, de Diego Vigna. Córdoba: Centros de Estudios Avanzados de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba/Poitiers, Centre de Recherches Latino-Américaines de la Universidad de Poitiers, 2018; Cometa de la noche negra, de Diego Vigna. Córdoba: Editorial Nudista, 2017.
Sobre: Buenos Aires transmedial: Los barrios de Cucurto, Casas e Incardona, de Carolina Rolle / Ary Pimentel
Authors: Pimentel Ary
Published: December 2019

Sobre: Buenos Aires transmedial: Los barrios de Cucurto, Casas e Incardona, de Carolina Rolle / Ary Pimentel
TERAPIA ASSISTIDA POR ANIMAIS (TAA) OU ATIVIDADE ASSISTIDA POR ANIMAIS (AAA): INCORPORAÇÃO NAS PRÁTICAS INTEGRATIVAS E COMPLEMENTARES NO SUS
Authors: Nicoletti Maria Aparecida , Rodrigues Manuel Priscila
Published: December 2019

A Terapia Assistida por Animais (TAA) é um recurso terapêutico que utiliza a relação humano-animal na promoção da saúde física, social e emocional, bem como para melhorar as funções cognitivas das pessoas. Uma revisão da literatura foi realizada sobre resultados da Terapia Assistida por Animais em diferentes enfermidades. Foi realizada revisão do tipo narrativa sobre Terapia Assistida por Animais em bases científicas de dados como: Scientific Electronic Library (SciELO), US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Healh (Pubmed), Scifinder (MedLine), sites institucionais nacionais e internacionais de interesse. A Terapia Assistida por Animais ou Atividade Assistida por Animais (AAA) é utilizada como intervenção em diferentes níveis de cuidados e de pessoas. Dentre os principais benefícios, podem ser citados: diminuição da frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial; melhora do humor do paciente e da própria equipe de profissionais; favorecimento da humanização no ambiente hospitalar; diminuição da percepção da dor; queda nos níveis de colesterol; promoção de bem-estar; melhora nas relações interpessoais; redução de depressão e demência; melhora na linguagem verbal e na condição motora. Assim, com base nas experiências, pode ser sugerida a inclusão desta prática no Sistema Único de Saúde por meio da Politica de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares.
Are Nursing Students’ Early Course and Perceived Performance Related to Their Final and Actual Course Performance?
Authors: Oducado Ryan Michael F
Published: December 2019

Background: Assessing the academic performance of students is imperative for nursing educators. While it is commonly accepted that performance in quizzes is linked with final examination performance, little published empirical data is available among nursing student samples.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between performance in regular short lecture quizzes and long quiz on the final examination performance of nursing students in a nursing course. Likewise, this study ascertained whether there is a significant relationship between perceived performance and actual performance in the final examination of the course.Methods: A descriptive-correlational study design was used. All 138 second-year nursing students enrolled in the Community Health Nursing course were included in this study. Grades in short quizzes, long test, and final examination were analyzed, and a one item global scale was utilized to determine students’ perceived performance in the final examination. Pearson’s r was employed to determine the relationship between variables.Results: Results revealed that performance in regular short lecture quizzes (p=0.000) and long quiz (p=0.000) were significantly correlated with final examination performance. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between perceived performance and actual performance in the final examination (p=0.000).Conclusion: This study suggests that early performance in the lecture course can significantly influence students’ performance in the final assessment of the course. Nurse educators are encouraged to be proactive in identifying students who are at risk of performing poorly early in the course so that prompt remediation and guidance may be provided to students who are not performing well.
Natural Phyto-Active Antihyperglycemic Moieties as Preventive Therapeutics for Diabetes Type II
Authors: Agnihotri Priyanka , Kashyap Harsha , Gupta Sarika
Published: December 2019

Diabetes mellitus type-II (DM II) is a state characterized by hyperglycemia as fallout of endocrine dysfunction. This condition comes under the category of lifestyle diseases. The impaired insulin secretion, resistance or a combination of both results in the dysregulation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The extremities of this state are associated with other detrimental complications such as cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, hepatopathy and neuropathy etc. DM II has now become a growing epidemic and a major health concern globally. Naturopathy deals with the development of promising therapeutics using herbal origin to ensure minimal or no other side effects with best efficacy of the drug as a promising candidate against a diseased condition. Therefore the review aims to find out a range of medicinal plants that can be used as a natural remedy for the management of DM II, through isolation of active plant moieties (specifically proteins) with antihyperglycemic properties. The active plant metabolites, with antidiabetic potential based on the available pharmacological reports are used as herbal cure against DM II. These isolated active plant moieties, possessing antihyperglycemic properties, might play a significant role in the development of a formulation of plant protein moieties (as a preventive therapeutic) to reduce the prevalence of DM II and to serve the mankind.
Bioactivity and Pharmacological Potential of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Angiosperms: Aizoaceae): An Overview
Authors: Prakash Anand , Janmeda Pracheta , Sharma Vinay
Published: December 2019

Trianthema portulacastrum L. ( Biskhapra/ Horse purslane) is widely found in tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. This weed automatically spread in cultivated fields. From the ancient time it is used for curative purposes. The plant pertains wide range of applicability and henceforth used as an Ayurvedic herb. The decoction of this herb utilized as a vermifuge, antidote prepared from that helps in treating alcohol poisoning and leaves cure the wound. In the era of phytomedicines lot of work has been done related to its morphology, ethno-pharmacology, medicinal uses, phyto-chemistry and pharmacological properties. Various pharmacological properties like antimicrobial properties, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, hepato-protective activity makes this plant very renowned amongst researchers as they utilized it somewhat like a panacea. Different parts of plants are utilized for the therapeutic purposes and extract prepared in different solvents used in the treatment of various disorders. In this review, an attempt has been made to provide all inclusive information of this plant about its bioactive compounds and their pharmacologoical importance.
Pharmacognostical analysis of different parts of Cyperus rotundus L.
Authors: Prakash Anand , Jain Divya , Tripathi Rashmi , Pracheta `
Published: December 2019

Medicinal plants have been used as chief antidotes for the cure of numerous diseases since time immemorial. To investigate the quality assurance and authentication of medicinal plants, pharmacognostical, physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies of the different parts (root, stem and flower) of Cyperus rotundus were carried out. Present study deals with WHO (World Health Organization) recommended methods, fluorescence, phytochemical characteristics for standardization of plant parts by using a soxhlet apparatus in order of increase polarity. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedures. Phytochemical investigation led to the revelation of the presence of enormous kinds of primary and secondary metabolite’s as protein, carbohydrate, phenole, flavonoid, alkaloid, terpenoid, and saponin, etc., in trace, moderate and high amount in various extracts of different parts of experimental plant. It was concluded that the plant is rich in phytochemicals with significant pharmacological applications that may supply drugs for modern medicines and can be valuable for the therapeutic index. Information obtained from these studies help in determining the antioxidant capacity and contributes to the predominant group of bioactive components which can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as a herbal remedy.
Mining of microsatellites in mitochondrial genomes of order Hypnales (Bryopsida)
Authors: Anand Khushbu , Kumar Sonu , Alam Afroz , Shankar Asheesh
Published: December 2019

Microsatellites or SSRs are the markers of selection due to their reproducibility, degree of polymorphism, distribution throughout the genome and co-dominant nature. Microsatellites are used primarily to study the genetic variability in various species and marker aided selection. Since microsatellites can be readily amplified by PCR, they have been utilized most extensively. To reduce time and cost to a great extent, the computational approach for identifying and developing microsatellite markers by mining nucleotide sequences is preferred over the conventional methods. In the present analysis, an in-silico method was used to detect microsatellites effectively in mitochondrial genomes of Anomodon rugelii (Müll. Hal.) Keissl., Anomodon attenuatus (Hedw.) Hueb., Climacium americanum (Renauld & Cardot) Kindberg, and Hypnum imponens Hedw. (Bryopsida; Hypnales). A total of 101 perfect microsatellites were mined with an average density of 1 microsatellite/4.21 kb. The hexa-nucleotide repeats were not detected in mitochondrial genomes of studied taxa. Di-nucleotides were seen to be the most frequent repeats followed by tetra-nucleotides. The identified microsatellites were also checked for variability in length between species. The mined microsatellites will be used for gene tagging, species identification and population genetic studies.
Design and Implementation of an Infrared-Based Sensor for Finger Movement Detection
Authors: Imoize Agbotiname Lucky , Babajide Aanuoluwapo Eberechukwu
Published: December 2019

With the increasing interest in smart devices and convenient remote control, the need for accurate wireless means of control has become imperative. This gives rise to research in the field of gesture and finger movement detection. This design focuses on exploring techniques involved in hand and finger movement detection, using the depth-sensing infrared cameras embedded on Xbox Kinect Module. The generated 3-D images are first filtered along the z-axis, then two distinct techniques; Haar-Like Features, and Deep Learning using a Convolution Neural Network, are performed on the images to detect hands. Useful metrics like, Precision, Recall, F1-Score and Accuracy are then used to evaluate the efficiency of these techniques. The results show that while the deep learning model is the most accurate with a weighted accuracy of 1.0 (due to the absence of noise in the images) in contrast with 0.97 observed for the Haar-Like features, the Haar-like features technique runs faster due to its static nature. These findings point to the conclusion that the deep learning model is a better technique for detecting hands despite its longer running time.
Online learning for university students on the autism spectrum: A systematic review and questionnaire study
Authors: Adams Dawn , Simpson Kate , Davies Lynda , Campbell Chris , Macdonald Libby
Published: December 2019

Online course delivery is increasingly being used by universities to deliver accessible and flexible learning environments. As this mode of delivery grows it is important to consider the equity of the learning experience for all students. As online delivery may reduce challenges and stressors present in face-to-face delivery, it could be suggested that it may promote student learning for specific student groups, including those with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. However, little is known about the experience of learning online for students on the autism spectrum. This paper presents findings from two studies: A systematic review of the literature and a survey of students on the autism spectrum studying online. From the systematic literature review, only four previous studies were identified reporting on this topic. Findings from two studies identified that the online environment provided both facilitators and barriers to the learning experience for students on the autism spectrum. Although the online environment provided flexibility for learning, how design factors are employed in online delivery may unintentionally create barriers to the learning experience for students on the spectrum. An outcome from this study has been the creation of a suite of resources to assist with course design and delivery.
How distance learning based on inclusion led to the proposal of a distributed access research strategy (DARS)
Authors: Cabrera Martin , Zamudio Garnica Leidi Yoana , Martínez Farfán Isabel Cristina
Published: December 2019

This article presents the results from an investigation that used a qualitative perspective of a descriptive type to identify the inclusive educational processes from 707 preschool and primary education schools in Colombia, distributed around 26 territorial units out of a total of 32. To obtain all this information around the country, a data collection strategy was applied, which we named the distributed access research strategy (DARS). All the data was collected by tertiary education students from two programs of the Faculty of Education, Corporación Universitaria Iberoamericana in Colombia. The results revealed that most preschools and primary schools have documented institutional educational plans referencing diversity and inclusion for their students, but they have difficulties in establishing strategies to identify and implement curricular adaptations within their contexts, as well as with the use of tracking instruments. These results generated a reflection for reviewing the syllabus and study plans in the tertiary education programs at this university to better prepare future teachers who will face such scenarios in their locations across the country. Moreover, this new DARS data-collection strategy shows an interesting potential, which is generic enough to enable unlimited research topics to be explored within distance learning contexts.
Mobile learning policy and practice in Africa: Towards inclusive and equitable access to higher education
Authors: Kaliisa Rogers , Michelle Picard
Published: December 2019

This article presents the results of a review of practice and policy in relation to mobile learning and its potential to enhance inclusive and equitable access to higher education in Africa. We reviewed academic literature on potential barriers. Then, we explored the current state of the mobile learning policy environment in 10 African countries through an analysis of how these policies have tried to address the prominent challenges in the adoption of mobile learning as identified in the literature. The findings reveal that significant resourcing inequalities and epistemological, sociocultural, and institutional barriers remain and affect mobile learning adoption. The analysis also reveals that there is still a policy vacuum in relation to mobile learning specific policies within African higher education institutional and governmental policies. Thus, the formal integration of mobile learning in higher education to facilitate equitable access is very much in its infancy. This article suggests a strong need for institutional, cross-institutional, national and African-wide mobile learning specific policies to ensure better implementation of mobile learning. As interest in mobile learning continues to grow, this review will provide insights into policy and strategic planning for the adoption of mobile learning to achieve inclusive and equitable access to higher education.
Assessment of subclinical hypothyroidism for a clinical score and thyroid peroxidase antibody: a comparison with euthyroidism grouped by different thyroid-stimulating hormone levels
Authors: Abdulateef Darya S. , Mahwi Taha O.
Published: December 2019

Background

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) might have many symptoms of hypothyroidism. The controversy appears to lower the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and group subjects with TSH of more than 3 or even 2.5 mIU/L as SCH subjects.

Objectives

To assess SCH subjects both clinically using Zulewski clinical score and biochemically and to evaluate whether the euthyroid subjects with high-normal TSH (HNT) have any clinical symptom or subnormal biochemical finding.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study of 233 subjects, 67 with SCH and 166 euthyroidism, was conducted. Euthyroid subjects were divided according to the level of TSH as HNT (>2.5 mIU/L) and low-normal TSH (0.5–2.5 mIU/L). The subjects were examined for clinical feature including Zulewski clinical score and biochemical evaluations including thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) titer. The comparisons between groups were assessed using independent sample t test, and correlations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlation.

Results

A significantly higher clinical score and higher frequencies of symptoms were found in the SCH group compared to the euthyroid group. The most frequent symptom was fatigue. Euthyroid subjects with HNT were found to have higher TPO-Ab titers than those with low-normal TSH, P < 0.05. The Zulewski clinical score was positively correlated with TSH and TPO-Ab titer but negatively correlated with the FT4 level, P < 0.05.

Conclusions

Zulewski clinical score is higher in SCH subjects compared to euthyroid subjects and can aid in assessing SCH subjects. A significant correlation exists between Zulewski clinical score and each of the TSH, FT4, and TPO-Ab titer levels. The frequency of TPO-Ab positivity is high in SCH. Additionally, euthyroid with higher TSH levels has higher level of TPO-Ab titer but not higher clinical score.
Common orthopedic problems in the neonate: a comparative study of 2 periods at a tertiary-care hospital
Authors: Sirisabya Anongnart , Tooptakong Tanteera , Limpaphayom Noppachart
Published: December 2019

Background

In 1975, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) in Bangkok, Thailand, published data on common orthopedic problems in neonates.

Objectives

To determine the more recent incidence of these conditions and to compare the results with those reported 40 years ago by KCMH. The data were also compared with a recent report from Siriraj Hospital.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of newborn infants from 2012 to 2016, all of whom were born in KCMH with deformities of upper and lower extremities or other birth-related injuries. The cases were grouped according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition. The incidence of common neonatal orthopedic problems was calculated as cases per 1,000 live births and compared, using a chi-squared test, with the earlier data from KCMH and with the data recently reported by Siriraj hospital.

Results

Of the 24,825 live births, 54% were male and 46% were female. The average birth weight was 3,052.2 ± 516.1 g (range, 535–5,320 g) for infants. The most common deformity was postural clubfoot, followed by calcaneovalgus and hip dysplasia, with incidences of 1.37, 0.93 and 0.52 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The incidence of calcaneovalgus, metatarsus adductus, and clubfoot was lower than in the 1975 study and in the report from Siriraj. In all 3 studies, the incidence of birth-related injury was similar and clavicular fracture was the most common, with a rate of 1.3/1,000 live births.

Conclusion

The incidence of common neonatal orthopedic problems varies among institutions. Birth-related injury is a major challenge. The results may be utilized as updated data and as a starting point for parental education.
Distinguishing magnetic resonance imaging features between idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis and secondary hypertrophic pachymeningitis
Authors: Warittikoon Saksith , Jakchairoongruang Ketsuda
Published: December 2019

Background

Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by marked fibrous thickening of the cerebral and/or spinal dura mater. This condition is caused by infection, inflammation, autoimmune disorder, neoplasms, or idiopathic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may play an important role in differentiating idiopathic HP from secondary HP, may avoid unnecessarily invasive dural biopsy, and prompt specific treatment.

Objective

To determine the specific MRI findings for differentiation between idiopathic HP and secondary HP.

Method

A total of 34 patients underwent MRI of the brain and cervical spine from January 2003 to December 2015. In all, 23 patients were diagnosed idiopathic HP and 11 patients were secondary HP. Demographic data and imaging findings reveal the following: configuration, thickness, signal intensity on T1-weighted image (T1WI), T2-weighted image (T2WI), and enhancement pattern of the lesions. The data were analyzed by T-test and Fisher’s exact test.

Result

Secondary HP were significantly located at anterior and middle cranial fossa (P = 0.033). There is no significant difference of lesions in configurations, T1 and T2 signal intensity and patterns of enhancement. There was significant and exclusive difference in T2 hypointense/dark intensity and homogeneous enhancement in idiopathic HP (75%, P = 0.044).

Conclusions

MRI may play a complimentarily important role in distinguishing idiopathic HP from secondary HP. Idiopathic HP is probably preferred diagnosis in the lesions with T2-rim pattern and T2 hypointense/dark intensity with homogeneous enhancement.
Investigation on the effect of electrode tip on formation of metal droplets and temperature profile in a vibrating electrode electroslag remelting process
Authors: Wang Fang , Baleta Jakov , Wang Qiang , Li Baokuan
Published: December 2019

In the present work, a transient full-coupled modelling approach has been put forward to study the effect of electrode tip on formation of metal droplets and temperature profile in the electromagnetically-controlled electroslag-remelting furnace with vibrating electrode. The electromagnetic field, momentum and energy conservation equations are solved simultaneously based on the finite volume method. The interface of slag and metal is traced using the volume of fluid approach. The results show that in the case of cone tip electrode the average dimension of metal droplets is smaller compared to the flat tip electrode. In addition, the bigger and stretched metal droplets are not observed with the cone tip electrode. The temperature fields with the cone tip electrode are distributed in a prominent periodic pattern compared to the case with flat tip electrode. The maximum temperature zone with the cone tip electrode is located along the z axial in the upper part of slag, not in the lower part. When the frequency changes from 0.17 Hz to 1 Hz, the maximum temperature reduces from 2050 K to 1985 K and the peak value of velocity decreases from 0.20 m/s to 0.125 m/s. When the vibration amplitude varies from 3mm to 6mm, the maximum temperature in the slag cover drops by 3.9% and the peak value of velocity rises by 16.7%.
Die Bedeutung der Genossenschaftlichen Managementprinzipien als rechtsformspezifischer Erfolgsfaktor für Genossenschaftsbanken
Authors: Walther Gerhard , Reichel Richard
Published: December 2019

Gerne werden die genossenschaftlichen Prinzipien als Alleinstellungsmerkmal der Genossenschaftsbanken im Wettbewerb bemüht. Doch wie ist es in der Lebenswirklichkeit der Genossenschaftsbanken um Umsetzungsintensität und Erfolgswirkung bestellt? Dieser Frage widmet sich eine empirische Untersuchung, die als Dissertation am genossenschaftlichen Forschungsinstitut in Nürnberg veröffentlich wurde (Walther, 2016). Die Untersuchung kommt zum Ergebnis, dass Förderauftrags- und Identitätsprinzip keine hohe Ausprägung in der bankgenossenschaftlichen Praxis aufweisen, während Selbsthilfe-, Selbstverantwortungs-, Selbstverwaltungs- und Regionalitätsprinzip stark ausgeprägt sind. Ein Wirkungszusammenhang der Prinzipien mit dem ökonomischen Erfolg lässt sich beim Selbsthilfe-, Selbstverantwortungs- und Selbstverwaltungsprinzip feststellen. Förderauftrags-, Identitäts- und Regionalitätsprinzip wirken kaum auf den ökonomischen Erfolg.
Čovjek, ali najbolji
Authors: Mikulić Borislav
Published: December 2019

Polazeći od paradoksa da Romi kao tradicionalni unutarevropski migranti u današnjoj “migrantskoj krizi” Evrope jedva predstavljaju temu, tekst obrađuje negativnu figuru “neradničkog nomada” koji od prvih početaka akademske refleksije o Romima u 18. stoljeću suodređuje njihovo razumijevanje u jednakoj mjeri kao i pitanje etničkog, rasnog i jezičnog porijekla; osobito u umjetnostima, predodžba o Romima obilježena je orijentalisitčkom figurom slobodnjaštva i seksualizirane drugosti premda sama književna građa često daje uporišta za drugačije samorazumijevanje Roma, protivno radno-teorijskom stereotipu. Nasuprot tome, rijetko prisustvo Roma u teorijskom diskursu filozofije odaje karakteristike anonimnog recikliranja povijesti Roma za pojmovni aparat filozofije. Taj se proces može očitati na postmodernoj kritici Kanta i formaciji pojma “nomadsko mišljenje” koje se u radu povezuje s Kantovom poredbom skeptika kao nomada i podvrgava detaljnijoj retoričkoj i logičkoj analizi. U drugom dijelu rada tematizira se ponovno “otkrivanje” Roma u kontekstu indijske kulturne i nacionalne politike 20. stoljeća na ideološkim pretpostavkama neohinduističkog pokreta Arya Samaj iz kasnog 19. stoljeća za “oplemenjivanje” (arijanizaciju) svijeta i konfrontira s predratnim nacističkim pokretom za “arizaciju” cijelog kulturnog svijeta u zloglasnom projektu Ahnenerbe [Nasljeđe predaka]. U završnom dijelu rada nacistička uzurpacija arijstva valorizira se kao potpuna simbolička deprivacija Roma koja čini podlogu za najradikalniji oblik obeščovječenja u nacističkom holokaustu bez potrebe za ikakvim opravdanjem, i konfrontira s paradigmatskim razumijevanjem čovječnosti, sadržanim u samom imenu “Rom”.