bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Chlorhexidine use for cord care at Kangundo level 4 Hospital
Authors: Ambale Clarice , Ngatia Brian , Nthusi Jonathan
Published: December 2019

Background: Sepsis continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. One of the most important portals of entry for infections is the umbilical cord. Proper care of the cord can prevent many of these cases of sepsis and hence reduce neonatal mortality rates. In Kenya, the use of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) gel was introduced to scale in 2016 and received with mixed reactions in some hospitals with reports of medication errors and ineffectiveness being received. This study sought to find out the knowledge, practices and attitude on its use in Kangundo Level 4 hospital. Methodology: The study was carried out at Kangundo level 4 hospital between June and August 2019. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative components. A questionnaire was used for the quantitative data collection while focus group discussions were held for the qualitative data collection. Ethical approval was sought prior to commencement of data collection. Results: A total of 19 clients and 24 healthcare workers were interviewed and two focus group discussions held. All the 19 clients had delivered in the hospital and only three were first-time mothers. Education on how to use chlorhexidine (CHX) was given to 16/19 (84%) of the clients interviewed. Duration of application varied among clients; 4 days 5/19(26%), 7 days, 12/19 (64%) and until the stump falls off, 2/19 (10%). Twenty of the 24 HCWs (83%) interviewed advised the patients on cleaning the cord prior to application of CHX, frequency of application varied from OD 15/24 ( 62%), BD 3/24 (13%) and TID 6/24( 25%). Two FGDs were held for HCW; lack of training and clear instructions on how to use the gel as major contributors to ineffectiveness of CHX. Conclusion and recommendation: There was poor understanding on the use of CHX among both clients and HCWs at Kangundo level 4 hospital. Cleaning of the stump prior to gel application is important to prevent accumulation of the dry gel and allow contact with the wound. There is need for training and development of a standard operating procedure on use of CHX.
Characterization of Gut Microbiota Associated with Clinical Parameters in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnant Patients
Authors: Li Rong , chen xuehai , Liu Zhongzhen , Chen Yan , Liu Chuan , Ye Lingfei , Xiao Liang , Yang Zhenjun , He Jian , Wang Wen-Jing , Qi Hongbo
Published: December 2019

BackgroundIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disease that specifically occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant women with ICP biochemically reflect elevated liver functions and increases in serum bilirubin levels, while clinically individuals can display symptoms of itching and have elevated risks of preterm delivery and stillbirths. We hypothesized that there linkages between gut microbiota and ICP progression exist and could be scientifically characterized. MethodsIn total, 27 patients with ICP and 31 unafflicted control patients were recruited in this study. We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing on gut microbiota from individual fecal samples. Sequencing data was analyzed and the correlations between components of microbiota and patient ICP status were tested. Relative abundances, related metabolic pathways, and significantly different OTUs between ICP and control patients were identified.ResultsBiochemical indices including measures for bile, ALT, AST, Dbil, and Tbil, and these were found to at higher levels in ICP versus control patients. Gut microbiota in pregnant women was dominated by four major phyla and 27 core genera. PCoA analysis results indicated that there was marginal significant clustering in unweighted Unifrac distance matrices. A moderate correlation coefficient was observed between specific OTUs and measured clinical parameters of patients. When comparing relatively rare microbiota taxa, the abundance of Butyricimonas was lower, while Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Weissella were higher in ICP patients than in control patients. No significant differences in the pathways between ICP and control patients were identified.ConclusionsOur research indicated that patients with ICP have altered phylogenetic gut microbiota profiles compared to control patients without ICP, and that the composition was associated with measurements of patient clinical parameters. These alterations may be correlated with variations of the levels of patient enteric bile acids, and may play a role in the progression of ICP.
Health care use and treatment-seeking for depression symptoms in rural India: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Roberts Tessa Naomi , Shidhaye Rahul , Patel Vikram , Rathod Sujit D
Published: December 2019

Background There is a large “treatment gap” for depression worldwide. This study aimed to better understand the treatment gap in rural India by describing health care use and treatment-seeking for depression. Methods Data were analysed from a two round cross-sectional community survey carried out in rural Madhya Pradesh between May 2013 and December 2016. We examined the proportion of individuals with probable depression who sought treatment in different sectors, for depression symptoms and for any reason, and compared the latter with health service use by non-depressed individuals. We showed the frequency with which barriers to healthcare utilisation were reported by adults with probable depression, and examined differences in the proportion of adults who sought treatment for depression by predisposing, enabling and need factors. Results 86% of adults with probable depression reported seeking no depression treatment. However, 66% had used health services for any reason in the past 3 months, compared to 46% of those without depression (p<0.0001). Private providers were most frequently consulted by adults with probable depression (32%), while only 19% consulted traditional providers. Structural barriers to healthcare use such as cost and distance to services were frequently reported (54% and 52%, respectively) but were not associated with treatment-seeking for depression. The following factors were found to be positively associated with treatment-seeking for depression: higher symptom severity; reporting lack of energy, lack of interest/pleasure, low self-esteem, or slow movements/restlessness on more than 7 days in the past 2 weeks; being married; having discussed depression symptoms; and reporting problems with medication availability and supply as a barrier to healthcare. No evidence was found for an association between treatment-seeking for depression and most socio-economic, demographic or attitudinal factors. Discussion and conclusions The majority of adults with probable depression actively seek healthcare, but not specifically for depression symptoms, indicating the need to improve detection of depression during consultations about other complaints. Private providers should be included in programmes to improve the detection and treatment of depression. Unmarried individuals may experience greater difficulties in accessing care in this setting. Further research should test the hypotheses generated in this descriptive study.
Exposure to Baby-Friendly Hospital Practices and Mothers’ Achievement of their Planned Duration of Breastfeeding.
Authors: Lok Kris Y.W. , Chow Charlotte L.Y. , Fan Heidi S.L. , Chan Vincci H.S. , Tarrant Marie
Published: December 2019

Background: Both breastfeeding intentions and exposure to baby-friendly hospital practices have been associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. This study aims to examine the effect of exposure to baby-friendly hospital practices on mothers’ achievement of their planned duration of breastfeeding. Methods: A total of 1011 mother-newborn pairs from the postpartum units of four public hospitals in Hong Kong were recruited. Sociodemographic data and breastfeeding intention data were collected via self-report questionnaires during the postnatal hospitalization and exposure to Baby-Friendly hospital practices were assessed through hospital records and maternal self-report. Breastfeeding status after hospital discharge was assessed through telephone follow-up for up to 12 months postpartum, or until participants were no longer breastfeeding. Results: Only 55% (n=552) of study participants achieved their intended duration of breastfeeding. Participants with higher socioeconomic status, previous breastfeeding experience, and those who had lived in Hong Kong for less than 5 years, were more likely to achieve their planned duration of breastfeeding. Among baby-friendly hospital practices, feeding only breast milk during the hospitalization and providing information about breastfeeding support on discharge were associated with participants’ achieving their individual breastfeeding intentions. After adjustment, when compared with women who experienced 0 - 1 baby-friendly practice, participants who experienced six baby-friendly hospital practices were significantly more likely to achieve their planned duration of breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio=8.45, 95% confidence interval 3.03 – 23.6). Conclusions: Nearly half of participants did not achieve their planned breastfeeding duration. Exposure to baby-friendly hospital practices, especially in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding and providing breastfeeding support information upon hospital discharge may help more mothers to achieve their individual breastfeeding goals.
The Data‐Intensive Farm Management Project: Changing Agronomic Research Through On‐Farm Precision Experimentation
Authors: Bullock David S. , Boerngen Maria , Tao Haiying , Maxwell Bruce , Luck Joe D. , Shiratsuchi Luciano , Puntel Laila , Martin Nicolas F.
Published: December 2019

The Data‐Intensive Farm Management (DIFM) project works with participating farmers, using precision technology to inexpensively design and run randomized agronomic field trials on whole commercial farm fields, to provide data‐based, site‐specific farm input management guidance, thus providing economic and environmental benefits. This article lays out a conceptual framework used by the multidisciplinary DIFM research team to facilitate collaboration and then presents details of DIFM's procedures for what it calls on‐farm precision experimentation (OFPE), which includes field trial design and implementation, data generation, processing, and management, and analysis. It is argued that DIFM's data and the agricultural “Big Data” currently being collected with remote and proximal sensors are complementary; that is, more of either increases the value of the other. In 2019, DIFM and affiliates conducted over 120 trials, ranging from 10 to 100 ha in size, on maize, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and barley in eight US states, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. The DIFM is developing cyberinfrastructure to “scale up” its activities, to permit researchers and crop consultants worldwide to work with farmers to conduct trials, then process and manage the data. In Addition, DIFM is in the early stages of developing a software system for semi‐automatic data analytics, and a cloud‐based farm management aid, the purpose of which is to facilitate conversations between agronomists and farmers about implementing data‐driven input management decisions. The proposed framework allows researchers, agronomists, and farmers to carry out on‐farm precision experimentation using novel digital tools.

Core Ideas

The Data‐Intensive Farm Management project's on‐farm trials can generate massive amounts varied managed input data.

The Data‐Intensive Farm Management project's data fill a gap in agricultural “Big Data,” to enable data‐intensive crop management.

The Data‐Intensive Farm Management project's protocols support trial design, data processing and analysis.

The Data‐Intensive Farm Management project can be implemented by researchers, consultants, and farmers in diverse agronomic scenarios.
Applying a two-stage TOPSIS approach and stepwise regression in evaluating bank performance: evidence from Turkish banks
Authors: Sari Tuğba , Erdem Kayral İhsan
Published: December 2019

As a crucial component of the financial sector, banks play an intermediary role in creating and providing financial services to customers. Therefore, the evaluation of banking sector activity is important for stakeholders and managers. This paper investigates the key criteria in analyzing bank performance and efficiency and the relative performance of Turkish banks in terms of the pre-determined criteria during 2008–2018. This study aims to introduce a robust and easy-to-calculate mathematical model for estimating bank performance using stepwise regression and TOPSIS methods. The TOPSIS ranking of banks from the best to the worst allows establishing that the bank with the highest mean score is Akbank (AB), while Ziraat Bank (ZB) and Garanti Bank (GB) follow AB over the period. The results of the stepwise regression analysis show that managing non-performing loans and expenses (both personnel and interest expenses) are critical to high performance in the banking sector.
The study of bubbles in bitcoin behavior
Authors: Adnan Fendi Usama , Tahtamouni Asem , Jalghoum Yaser , Jamal Mohammad Suleiman
Published: December 2019

Bitcoin is an online communication system that facilitates the use of virtual currency, including electronic payments. This paper aims at analyzing the behavior of Bitcoin returns as a proposal for future currencies while making a comparison between Bitcoin and other conventional currencies. This paper uses quantitative approach to analyze the time series of Bitcoin and that of other conventional currencies during the period 2010–2018. It uses 1) a descriptive statistics for the weekly returns for Bitcoin which includes the mean, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, skewness, kurtosis, and Jarque-Bera normal distribution test statistics, and 2) duration dependence test on Bitcoin weekly returns by extracting the weekly returns for the Bitcoin that behave in irregular way of the general Bitcoin return level through autocorrelation regression, and taking the residuals for this regression as a time series for irregular returns.This paper has confirmed no empirical evidence for the existence of a speculative bubble in the Bitcoin values and returns. In addressing the question of whether Bitcoin can act as a reliable substitute for conventional currencies, the returns based analysis shows a huge difference between the behavior of Bitcoin returns from conventional currency returns when comparing both aspects of level and stability. The paper concluded that bitcoin is more an investment than a currency. This paper represents a significant contribution in the path of financial economics and financial risk management, and represents a contribution to the stability of the financial system around the world and mitigating financial crises.
Effect of the Frictional Properties of Sunflower Seeds on the Efficiency of Pressing Equipment
Authors: Berezin Mihail , Borisov Vitaly
Published: December 2019

Introduction. The process of oil extraction from oilseeds is very complicated as it depends on a large number of related factors. The complex porous structure of pulp is a combination of three phases: dry solids, liquid (oil), and air. Therefore, the study of the process of pulp pressing requires a special method for determining the friction characteristics of the material.

Study objects and methods. To determine the friction and volume characteristics of oilseeds, an original experimental unit was developed and manufactured. The study involved samples of the same mass weighted using a high-accuracy analytic balance (permissible error = ± 5%). The first stage of the experiment featured volume characteristics of ten samples. The second stage featured friction characteristics of the five first samples obtained during the first stage at different pressures.

Results and discussion. The pressure time proved to have a more significant effect on the oil yield than the pressure volume, since the complex capillary structure of the pulp demonstrated a significant hydrodynamic resistance to oil outflow. The dependence of the oil yield on the pressure was described by an asymptotic function; the limit (asymptotic) value of the pressure was 48 MPa. At this pressure, the oil yield reached φ = 54 %. The dependence of the friction coefficient on the values of temperature, pressure, and sliding velocity was described by a power-law regression equation with the coefficient of accuracy of approximation R2 = 0.96.

Conclusion. The obtained data are of practical importance and can be used to improve the efficiency of pressing equipment.
Comparative Analysis of the Glycemic Index of Amaranth and Other Gluten-Free Products
Authors: Urubkov Sergey , Khovanskaya Svetlana , Smirnov Stanislav
Published: December 2019

Introduction. For patients with gluten intolerance, diet therapy is the main method of treatment. However, gluten-free diets are found lacking in many important components. Children that fail to consume neccessary nutrients or have problems with their absorption tend to be physically retarded. Gluten-free diet may increase the risk of autoimmune diseases, especially type I diabetes. Therefore, products for children with celiac diseases should be both gluten-free and have adequate bioavailability of carbohydrates. This article features the chemical composition of amaranth, the geometric structure of starch grains, and its effect on the formation of colloidal solutions. It also compares the glycemic index (GI) of amaranth with other gluten-free grains, i.e. rice, buckwheat, and corn.

Study objects and methods. The research featured native amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus) (Mexico), puffed amaranth kernels (Mexico), and coarse granular amaranth flour (Mexico).

Results and discussion. Amaranth grain contains 12.5–23% of protein, 50.7–77.0% of carbohydrates, 6.0–8.0% of lipids, 10.5–18.3% of dietary fiber, and 2.5–3.5% of minerals. The GI of amaranth and its products were compared with similar values of other glutenfree crops, namely rice, buckwheat, and corn. Amaranth grain and its products demonstrated a higher GI, if compared with other gluten-free grain raw materials. The GI of amaranth grain was 87, the GI of the puffed amaranth kernels was 101, and the GI of the coarse granular amaranth flour was 97. Amaranth starch is easy to digest, which is mainly due to the high content of amylopectin (88 to 98%), since amylopectin breaks down faster than amylose. The relatively small size of starch granules (1.5–3.0 microns) increases the attack capacity of enzymes. These properties make amaranth starch glycemic, or low-resistant, which means that amaranth is easily digested and possesses stability to retrogradation.

Conclusion. The unique nutritional and functional properties of amaranth gluten-free products can significantly improve the diet of children with gluten intolerance. However, amaranth starch and its products have a high GI. Hence, it is necessary to control the percentage of these components in formulations and be careful with the selection of additional components and their impact on the total GI.
Hogares guatemaltecos y etnicidad en el sur de México: perfiles demográficos y socioeconómicos
Authors: Vargas Valle Eunice D. , Rodríguez Chávez Oscar , Rodríguez López María Teresa
Published: December 2019

El objetivo general de este artículo es analizar los perfiles demográficos y socioeconómicos de los hogares guatemaltecos por habla de lengua indígena en las entidades de la frontera sur de México.  En particular, se explora cuántos hogares guatemaltecos están asentados, cómo se configuran y cómo se han integrado en términos estructurales, con base en la Encuesta Intercensal 2015. Para tal fin se emplea estadística descriptiva y un modelo de regresión logística multinomial. El análisis indica que los hogares guatemaltecos se concentran en áreas rurales, son numerosos y más jóvenes, y laboran principalmente en el sector primario. Su integración socioeconómica es desventajosa en rubros como las condiciones del empleo y de la vivienda y el acceso a servicios sociales. No obstante, los hogares guatemaltecos indígenas exhiben niveles más altos de integración social que sus contrapartes no indígenas en el acceso a la ciudadanía mexicana, vivienda y apoyos económicos gubernamentales.
Aspectos identitários da relação entre Androginia e moda sem Gênero
Authors: Do Bem Natani Aparecida , Coutinho Calvi Gabriel , Piva Linke Paula
Published: December 2019

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar as mudanças que o estilo andrógino sofreu ao longo da história da moda e que influenciaram diretamente a ressignificação da indumentária de homens e mulheres. Dessa forma, o texto está dividido em três momentos. O primeiro define o conceito de androginia discorrendo sobre suas características e aplicação no universo da moda. O segundo traz a evolução histórica da moda andrógina através dos tempos por meio de estilistas, designers e marcas, e o terceiro momento discute a expressão do vestuário com base na identidade de gênero ao apresentar um experimento realizado em uma loja de departamento que analisa uma coleção sem gênero. Como resultado desta pesquisa, entende-se que a moda sem gênero foi construída no decorrer da história paralelamente com as transformações sociais.
Evaluation of Different Synthetic Routes to (2R,3R)-3-Hydroxymethyl-2-(4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-Benzodioxane-6-Carbaldehyde
Authors: Ferenczi Renáta Kertiné , Illyés Tünde-Zita , Király Sándor Balázs , Hoffka Gyula , Szilágyi László , Mándi Attila , Antus Sándor , Kurtán Tibor
Published: December 2019

The reported enantioselective synthesis for the preparation of (+)-(2R,3R)-2-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-1,4-benzodioxane-6-carbaldehyde, precursor for the stereoselective synthesis of bioactive flavanolignans, could not be reproduced. Thus, the target molecule was prepared via the synthesis and separation of diastereomeric O-glucosides. TDDFT-ECD calculations and the 1,4-benzodioxane helicity rule were utilized to determine the absolute configuration. ECD calculations also confirmed that the 1Lb Cotton effect is governed by the helicity of the heteroring, while the higher-energy ECD transitions reflect mainly the orientation of the equatorial C-2 aryl group.
Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wu Aston J. , Tong Benjamin C.-K. , Huang Alexis S. , Li Min , Cheung King-Ho
Published: December 2019

Mitochondria absorb calcium (Ca2+) at the expense of the electrochemical gradient generated
during respiration. The influx of Ca2+ into the mitochondrial matrix helps maintain metabolic function
and results in increased cytosolic Ca2+ during intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis
is tightly regulated by proteins located in the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes and by the
cross-talk with endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ signals. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial
Ca2+ overload is a pathological phenotype associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As intracellular
Ca2+ dysregulation can be observed before the appearance of typical pathological hallmarks of AD, it is
believed that mitochondrial Ca2+ overload may also play an important role in AD etiology. The high mitochondrial
Ca2+ uptake can easily compromise neuronal functions and exacerbate AD progression by
impairing mitochondrial respiration, increasing reactive oxygen species formation and inducing apoptosis.
Additionally, mitochondrial Ca2+ overload can damage mitochondrial recycling via mitophagy. This
review will discuss the molecular players involved in mitochondrial Ca2+ dysregulation and the pharmacotherapies
that target this dysregulation. As most of the current AD therapeutics are based on amyloidopathy,
tauopathy, and the cholinergic hypothesis, they achieve only symptomatic relief. Thus, determining
how to reestablish mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis may aid in the development of novel AD
therapeutic interventions.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Modeling and Anti-HIV Assay of Novel Quinazolinone Incorporated Coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Safakish Mahdieh , Hajimahdi Zahra , Aghasadeghi Mohammad R. , Vahabpour Rouhollah , Zarghi Afshin
Published: December 2019

Background:

The emergence of drug-resistant viral strains has created the need for the
development of novel anti-HIV agents with a diverse structure that targets key enzymes in the HIV
lifecycle.

Objective:

Considering the pharmacophore of integrase inhibitors, one of the validated targets for
anti-HIV therapy, we designed a quinazolinone incorporated coumarin scaffold to affect HIV.

Method:

Coumarin is a beta enol ester and also a well-known drug scaffold. Designed structures
were prepared using a one-pot three-compo

Results:

In vitro anti-HIV and cytotoxicity assay indicated that more than half of the compounds
had EC50 values lower than 50 µM. Unsubstituted phenyl derivative showed the highest activity and
selectivity with an EC50 value of 5 µM and a therapeutic index of 7. Compounds were docked into
the integrase active site to investigate the probable mechanism of action. Accordingly, the hydroxyl
moiety of coumarin along with the carbonyl of the quinazolinone ring could function as the metal
chelating group. Quinazolinone and phenyl groups interact with side chains of IN residues, as well.

Conclusion:

Here, a novel anti-HIV scaffold is represented for further modification and in-vivo
studies.
Network Pharmacology Approach Uncovering Pathways Involved in Targeting Hsp90 Through Curcumin and Epigallocatechin to Control Inflammation
Authors: Umme Hani  , Kandagalla Shivananda , B.S. Sharath , K. Jyothsna , Hanumanthappa Manjunatha
Published: December 2019

Aims:

To fetch pathways involved in targetting Hsp90 through Curcumin and Epigallocatechin through Network pharmacological approach.

Background:

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone involved in stabilizing inflammatory protein which may lead to chronic diseases. The herbal compounds Curcumin and Epigallocatechin processing antiinflammatory properties are known to follow a common pathway and control the expression of Hsp90.

Objective:

To collect the gene targets of Hsp90, Curcumin and Epigallocatechin in order to understand protein-protein interactions of gene targets by constructing the interactome to identify the hub proteins. Hub proteins docking was performed with curcumin and epigallocatechin. Finally, hub proteins involvement with various human diseases were identified.

Methods:

The gene targets of Hsp90, Curcumin and Epigallocatechin were obtained from there respective databases. Protein-protein interactions of Pkcδ-Nrf2 and Tlr4 pathway gene targets were collected from String database. Protein interaction network was constructed and merged to get intercession network in cytoscape and Cluego was used to predict the disease related target genes. Docking of ligands to target proteins was carried out using Autodock vina tool.

Results:

The main key regulators of Curcumin and Epigallocatechin were identified particularly from Pkcδ-Nrf2 and Tlr4 pathway.

Conclusion:

The combined action of Curcumin and Epigallocatechin can reduce the expression of Hsp90 eventually controlling the inflammation.
Severe OSA Leading to Long Pauses in 24-h Holter ECG Reversed with CPAP
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Mainak , Roy Sayak , Bera Mridul , Bhattacharya Guruprasad
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Sleep-related problems like sleep apnea are increasing tremendously
mostly owing to the disordered lifestyle the present generation is leading which is added like a topping
on the base of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The burden on the society is huge taking into
consideration the work-time loss and health-related financial issues arising out of these sleep disorders
with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leading the way. Early diagnosis can prevent several complications
of OSA. Cardiovascular diseases, including various arrhythmias, arising due to OSA, are
described previously.

Case Presentation:

Herein, an interesting case of OSA, whose pacemaker installation to rectify the
long pause could be avoided by simple correction of his OSA using continuous positive airway
pressure, is presented. This 49-year-old male patient was diagnosed with severe OSA by using
polysomnography and all his significant sinus pauses (highest one with 7.8 sec) during holter ECG
monitoring were found to be occurring at night and correcting his OSA with continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) treatment reverted all those sinus pauses and the need for any further intervention
with pacemaker was discarded.

Discussion:

OSA is caused by either partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, and there
is the simultaneously attenuated upper airway dilator muscle tone while the patient is sleeping. The
gold standard test designed for the assessment of OSA is polysomnography, as approved by the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine and CPAP has been found to be universally beneficial in
treating OSA related complications. Physiologically, the ACC/AHA guidelines recommend pacing
only in patients with prolonged asymptomatic pauses occurring during wakefulness. This case report
proved the above mentioned claim of CPAP treatment.
Social Media in Heart Failure: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review
Authors: Eliya Yousif , Pellegrini Danielle , Gevaert Andreas B. , Code Jillianne , Van Spall Harriette G.C.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Among social media (SoMe) platforms, Twitter and YouTube have gained
popularity, facilitating communication between cardiovascular professionals and patients.

Objective:

This mixed method systematic review aimed to assess the source profile and content of
Twitter and YouTube posts about heart failure (HF).

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase and Medline using the terms “cardiology,” “social media,”
and “heart failure.” We included full-text manuscripts published between January 1, 1999 and
April 14, 2019. We searched Twitter and YouTube for posts using the hashtags “#heartfailure”,
“#HF”, “#CHF” on May 15, 2019 and July 6, 2019. We performed a descriptive analysis of the
data.

Results::

Three publications met inclusion criteria, providing 677 tweets for source profile analysis;
institutions (54.8%), health professionals (26.6%), and patients (19.4%) were the most common
source profiles. The publications provided 1194 tweets for content analysis: 83.3% were on the
education of professionals; 33.7% on patient empowerment; and 22.3% on research promotion. Our
search on Twitter and YouTube generated 2,252 tweets and >400 videos, of which we analyzed
260 tweets and 260 videos. Sources included institutions (53.5% Twitter, 64.2% YouTube), health
professionals (42.3%, 28.5%), and patients (4.2%, 7.3%). Content included education of professionals
(39.2% Twitter, 62.3% YouTube), patient empowerment (20.4%, 21.9%), research promotion
(28.8%, 13.1%), advocacy of professionals (5.8%, 2.7%), and research collaboration (5.8%,
0%).

Conclusions:

Twitter and YouTube are platforms for knowledge translation in HF, with contributions
from institutions, health professionals, and less commonly, patients. Both focus largely on
education of professionals and less commonly, on patient empowerment. Twitter includes more research
promotion, research collaboration, and professional advocacy than YouTube.
An Automatic Classification of the Early Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head with Deep Learning
Authors: Zhu Liyang , Han Jungang , Guo Renwen , Wu Dong , Wei Qiang , Chai Wei , Tang Shaojie
Published: December 2019

Background:

Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head (ONFH) is a common complication in
orthopaedics, wherein femoral structures are usually damaged due to the impairment or interruption
of femoral head blood supply.

Aim:

In this study, an automatic approach for the classification of the early ONFH with deep
learning has been proposed.

Methods:

All femoral CT slices according to their spatial locations with the Convolutional Neural
Network (CNN) are first classified. Therefore, all CT slices are divided into upper, middle or lower
segments of femur head. Then the femur head areas can be segmented with the Conditional
Generative Adversarial Network (CGAN) for each part. The Convolutional Autoencoder is employed
to reduce dimensions and extract features of femur head, and finally K-means clustering is
used for an unsupervised classification of the early ONFH.

Results:

To invalidate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the experiments on the dataset
with 120 patients are carried out. The experimental results show that the segmentation accuracy is
higher than 95%. The Convolutional Autoencoder can reduce the dimension of data, the Peak Signal-
to-Noise Ratios (PSNRs) are better than 34dB for inputs and outputs. Meanwhile, there is a
great intra-category similarity, and a significant inter-category difference.

Conclusion:

The research on the classification of the early ONFH has a valuable clinical merit,
and hopefully it can assist physicians to apply more individualized treatment for patient.
Total Ankle Replacement in Hemophilia
Authors: Rodriguez-Merchan Emerito C.
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Severe ankle hemophilic arthropathy can be a calamitous sign of severe
hemophilia with important inferences for activities of daily living.

Aims:

To summarize the contemporary, accessible information on Total Ankle Replacement (TAR)
for ankle hemophilic arthropathy.

Methods:

A search of Cochrane Library and PubMed (MEDLINE) regarding the role of TAR in
ankle hemophilic arthropathy.

Results:

The insufficient information regarding the results of TAR for hemophilic arthropathy is
confined to scanty case series and case reports. An evaluation of the accessible literature reveals
encouraging but inconstant outcomes. The reported rate of adverse events is 33%. The reported
anticipated survival of TAR is 94% at 5 years, 85% at 10 years and 70% at 15 years.

Conclusion:

Whereas people with advanced hemophilic arthropathy of the ankle are prone to ameliorate
pain and range of motion following TAR, there is deficient knowledge to regularly recommend
its use. Adverse events and infection percentages are disturbing. Moreover, the lack of survival
analysis knowledge makes it difficult to assess the benefit to people with hemophilia. TAR is a
demanding surgical procedure and its survival is not comparable to that after hip or knee replacement.
Biotechnological Production of Natural Calorie Free Steviol Glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana: An Update on Current Scenario
Authors: Kazmi Abeer , Khan Mubarak Ali , Mohammad Sher , Ali Amir , Ali Huma
Published: December 2019

Stevia rebaudiana is a vital medicinal plant of the genus Stevia and family Asteraceae. It is commonly used as a natural sweetener plant and its products are 300 times sweeter than the commonly used sugarcane. The sweetening potential is due to the presence of calorie-free steviol glycosides (SGs). The plant species has been extensively profiled to identify steviol glycosides (SGs) with intensity sweetening properties. However, the limited production of plant material is not fulfilling the higher market demand worldwide. Researchers are working worldwide to enhance the production of important SGs through the intervention of different biotechnological approaches in S. rebaudiana. In this review, the research work conducted in the last twenty years, on the different aspects of biotechnology to enhance the production of SGs has been precisely reviewed. Biotechnological methods such as micropropagation, callus and cell cultures, elicitation and the metabolomics and transcriptomic elucidation of the biosynthetic metabolic pathways for the production of steviol glycosides have been concisely reviewed and discussed.
Julgamento Pelo Tribunal do Júri: procedimento, debates e aparte
Authors: Zanini Jefferson
Published: December 2019

Este artigo examina aspectos destacados do procedimento de julgamento pelo Tribunal do Júri, sobretudo no que diz respeito aos debates e ao aparte. Investiga a evolução histórica do Júri desde a sua origem até a Constituição Federal de 1988. Discorre sobre os sistemas inglês e francês que orientam o funcionamento do Tribunal do Júri e acerca a competência que lhe foi atribuída ao longo dos anos. Aborda o princípio constitucional da plenitude da defesa, estruturante do júri, e realiza o seu cotejo com a ampla defesa. Averigua o procedimento de julgamento dos crimes dolosos contra a vida, nas duas fases processais. Analisa a etapa dos debates na sessão de julgamento e o modo como se desenvolvem. Investiga o instituto jurídico do aparte e as modalidades previstas na legislação em vigor. Afere a postura recomendada aos oradores durante o aparte e estuda a atuação do Juiz-Presidente e as medidas que pode determinar, inclusive no que tange ao acréscimo de tempo à fala do aparteado. Por fim, verifica a ocorrência de nulidades durante o exercício do aparte.
Algunas aplicaciones de la nanofotónica en la biomedicina
Authors: De la Rosa Elder , De la Rosa Elder , Ramírez Gonzalo , Panikar Sandeep , Camacho Tanya , Salas Pedro Salas , López-Luke Tzarara
Published: December 2019

En este trabajo se discuten las propiedades ópticas y electrónicas de nanomateriales, se analizan sus características fundamentales y su aplicación en el diseño de dispositivos y técnicas para la detección, imagen y terapia, especialmente en problemas de cáncer. Se discuten algunos resultados recientes obtenidos en nuestro laboratorio donde hemos podido medir concentraciones del orden de 10-22 moles de complejos de interés. Reportamos la detección de residuos en sangre de medicamentos del orden de 10-8 y 10-9 molar (M), lo que abre el camino para el monitoreo de fármacos con un enfoque a la implementación de una medicina personalizada. Discutimos resultados de técnicas de terapia con el uso de nanomateriales que han permitido reducir la viabilidad celular por debajo del 10%. Estos resultados muestran que la nanotecnología está cambiando el paradigma en salud a una medicina preventiva, personalizada y al alcance de todos.
Fabricación de nanoestructuras por ablación láser y su uso en SERS con bajo umbral de detección: el caso de Ag-Nps
Authors: Camarena-Chávez V. Alonso , Reynoso De La Cruz H. Mauricio , Álvarez-Martínez J. Ulises , Martínez-Bórquez Alejandro , Gutiérrez-Juárez G. , Ramos-Ortiz G. , Castro-Beltrán R.
Published: December 2019

En este trabajo presentamos la fabricación de nanopartículas de plata (Ag-NPs) por medio de ablación láser (AL) en medio acuoso, y su aplicación como elementos de realce de señales Raman a través de procesos tipo SERS. Esta metodología permite obtener suspensiones estables de NPs libres del uso de procesos químicos, con dispersiones de tamaños relativamente pequeñas y de fácil procesamiento para la implementación de sustratos SERS de sílice. A través del uso de alícuotas a diferentes concentraciones de Rodamina 6G (R6G), se demuestra que con estas Ag-NPs se alcanzan umbrales de detección de señal Raman en concentraciones del orden de nM. El estudio de la distribución de las Ag-NPs sobre un sustrato de sílice se llevó a cabo por microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM). A su vez, se presentan algunos resultados de simulación de la magnitud de los campos generando hot spot en regiones específicas de las Ag-NPs tomando en cuenta la morfología de algunos de los aglomerados identificados por microscopía de barrido electrónico (SEM) en los sustratos SERS. En comparación con algunos reportes previos, el presente trabajo demuestra bajo umbral de detección e implementación sencilla en sustratos SERS.
Introducción a la microscopía y nanoscopía a frecuencias GHz y THz
Authors: Qureshi Naser , Ordóñez Romero Cesar Leonardo , Velázquez Benítez Amado , Kolokoltsev Oleg
Published: December 2019

Se da cuenta del estado actual de la microscopía con microondas y ondas milimétricas, sus ventajas y sus retos. Aunque la microscopía óptica tradicional y sus variantes recientes, que incluyen métodos de super-resolución, es por mucho la microscopía más versátil y usado en las ciencias, existen aplicaciones puntuales en las que la microscopía en rangos del espectro electromagnético con mayor longitud de onda puede proporcionar información física no accesible con la óptica.  En este artículo damos a conocer algunos ejemplos recientes, en particular aquellos desarrollados en México.
Regulación blanda, normas técnicas y armonización regulatoria internacional, para la nanotecnología
Authors: Saldívar Tanaka Laura
Published: December 2019

El presente artículo revisa algunos de los textos más relevantes que argumentan y opinan sobre las distintas formas voluntarias para vigilar la nanotecnología, conocidas en conjunto como regulación blanda. Así, se expone brevemente en qué consisten sus seis tipos más comunes (registros, etiquetado, códigos de conducta, sistemas de manejo de riesgo, guías y estándares técnicos) y se ejemplifica, dando especial atención a las normas técnicas. Se revisan, asimismo, los principales órganos de estandarización en materia de NT profundizando en el trabajo del Comité Técnico en Nanotecnología de la Organización Internacional de Estandarización, el ISO/TC-229. Posteriormente, se argumenta sobre la importancia de la armonización normativa en esta materia y en el trabajo del Working Programme on Manufacture Nanomaterials (WPMN) de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico (OCDE) y, finalmente, se revisa la discusión en torno a qué tipo de regulación es la deseable cuando se busca la gobernanza de una tecnología de relativa novedad y con diversidad de aplicaciones y productos.
¿Qué es lo que cambia cuando cambian los movimientos sociales?
Authors: Garza Zepeda Manuel
Published: December 2019

Reseña: Pleyers, Geoffrey (2018) Movimientos sociales en el siglo XXI. Perspectivas y herramientas analíticas. Buenos Aires: Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales.
CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO E INFLACIÓN EN MÉXICO, 1993-2018: ¿UNA RELACIÓN LINEAL O NO LINEAL?
Authors: Cerezo García Verónica , López González Teresa S. , López Herrera Francisco
Published: December 2019

El objetivo del artículo es analizar si la relación entre la inflación y el crecimiento económico en México durante 1993-2018 fue lineal o no; a tal efecto, elaboramos un modelo dinámico de rezagos distribuidos no lineales. La hipótesis nula es que esa relación es lineal y la hipótesis alternativa acepta que no es lineal. Si la evidencia empírica documenta una relación lineal, la hipótesis nula implicaría que: 1) la inflación es un fenómeno puramente monetario a la Friedman (1968); 2) la estabilidad de precios alcanzada mediante la política monetaria del nuevo consenso macroeconómico es condición necesaria y suficiente para la aceleración del crecimiento y la superación del prolongado estancamiento de la economía mexicana, y 3) el dinero es neutral. Por el contrario, si los datos muestran una relación no lineal, se rechazarían la hipótesis nula y las implicaciones antes enunciadas.

 

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INFLATION IN MEXICO, 1993-2018: A LINEAR OR NON-LINEAR RELATIONSHIP?

 

ABSTRACT
The paper is aimed at assessing whether the relationship between Mexico’s economic growth and inflation has been linear or non-linear over the period 1993-2018. A non-linear dynamic autorregresive distributive lag model is elaborated to test both the null hypothesis of a linear relationship between the involved variables and the alternative hypothesis of a non-linear relationship. An empirical support for the the null hypothesis would imply that: 1) inflation is purely a monetary phenomenon (Friedman, 1968); 2) price stability, as achieved by means of the monetary policy framework of the new macroeconomic consensus, is both a necessary and sufficient condition for output growth acceleration and for overcoming the protracted stagnation of the Mexican economy, and 3) money is neutral. By contrast, if the empirical evidence confirms a non-linear relationship, both the null hypothesis and its ensuing implications would be rejected.
CAPITALISM: COMPETITION, CONFLICT, CRISES, ANWAR SHAIKH
Authors: Martínez Hernández Francisco A. , Isidro Luna Víctor M.
Published: December 2019

In 1,024 pages, seventeen chapters, and divided in three books, plus seventeen appendixes, Anwar Shaikh, one of the leading scholars and a distinguished Professor of Economics at the New School for Social Research, presents a path breaking and monumental book which main objective is the unified study of the logic, history, dynamics, and crises of the capitalist system. Throughout this book, the author confronts his own perspective and method of the classical political economy with major schools of economic thought such as neoclassical, monetarist, and different branches of the post-Keynesian school...
Impact of Conscious Discipline on Teacher Efficacy and Burnout: Perspectives for Elementary Teachers
Authors: Cooper Lori A.
Published: December 2019

This study examined the impact of Conscious Discipline® on Michigan elementary teachers’ perceptions of their self-efficacy and burnout levels. Teachers completed a survey of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and Maslach’s Burnout Inventory (MBI) and were observed using a fidelity instrument (Rain, 2014) by the researcher five months after the adoption of Conscious Discipline® school-wide in the treatment group (n = 12). The control group (n = 15) was matched with similar student population demographics, and the same surveys and fidelity instrument (Rain, 2014) were used. Results from this study found no statistical significance in the TSES or MBI scores between those in treatment and control groups. Additionally, no statistical significance was found in the observed implementation level of Conscious Discipline® and efficacy or burnout scores.
Espaços de reclusão: a vida conventual feminina em Portugal nos séculos XVI e XVII
Authors: Silva Alex Rogério
Published: December 2019

Este artigo propõe uma revisão historiográfica acerca da espiritualidade feminina, especificamente com relação a freiras, em Portugal nos séculos XVI e XVII: as formas de ingresso e manutenção das noviças nos conventos, as regras no trato com o tempo dentro do ambiente conventual, as estruturas sociais e hierárquicas, a devoção e educação que permeavam as religiosas, destacando as formas de expressão desta religiosidade e suas alterações após o Concílio de Trento (1545-1563) com o advento do movimento da Devotio Moderna e os desvios que ocorriam dentro dos conventos.
Trajetórias Escolares de “Sucesso” de Estudantes do Ensino Médio em Escolas Públicas
Authors: Fritsch Rosangela , Vitelli Ricardo Ferreira
Published: December 2019

Este artigo apresenta resultados de um estudo que teve como objetivo delinear o perfil e as características de estudantes concluintes do terceiro ano do ensino médio em escolas públicas e avaliar os fatores que potencializaram o “sucesso” das suas trajetórias escolares. Para isso, foi aplicado um questionário a alunos desse grupo, gerando dados qualitativos e quantitativos. Os resultados da análise realizada a partir de tais dados permitem inferir que não é possível estabelecer uma relação determinista entre o perfil e as características dos discentes e a propensão à evasão escolar, ainda que as diferenças de classe social e outros determinantes socioeconômicos impactem os processos e resultados escolares. Todavia, a escola não se apresenta como mera reprodutora social, mas também como produtora de possibilidades de justiça social e curricular e como promotora de condições que desencadeiam a permanência e o sucesso escolar de discentes.