bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Procesos de gestión pública innovadora: el caso de los módulos de atención a migrantes en Baja California
Authors: Moreno Mena José Ascención
Published: March 2020

En esta investigación se presentan dos ejemplos que permiten ver las posibilidades y los obstáculos de las alianzas estratégicas entre la sociedad civil y los gobiernos locales para desarrollar programas que ayuden a solucionar los problemas que la comunidad demanda. Los estudios analizados se desarrollan en el estado de Baja California y se basan en información documental y en entrevistas a informantes claves, en este caso líderes de los programas. El primero de ellos tiene que ver con la experiencia de una oficina de apoyo al migrante en Mexicali, dirigida exclusivamente por una organización civil; mientras que el segundo se refiere a un programa para la atención a población migrante deportada de Estados Unidos, que ha sido utilizado por el gobierno federal como punta de lanza de una política pública más amplia en el ámbito regional. Los dos ejemplos representan casos de gestión pública innovadora. Se presentan los avances y obstáculos para llevar a cabo ese tipo de procesos. Asimismo, se concluye que estos ejemplos pueden ser el germen de una nueva gobernanza.
La adopción de estándares en el sector hortícola de Baja California
Authors: Avendaño Ruiz Belem , Varela Llamas Rogelio
Published: March 2020

Baja California es una entidad en donde el sector hortofrutícola destaca por su orientación al mercado de exportación. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, algunos productos han sido asociados a brotes epidemiológicos por el consumo de frutas y hortalizas frescas en el mercado estodounidense, su principal destino, afectando fuertemente su competitividad y posicionamiento y conduciendo a los productores al uso de estándares como un medio para mantenerse en el mercado internacional e incrementar su participación. En este documento se examina el papel de la adopción de estándares en las empresas hortofrutícolas como parte de una estrategia competitiva que requiere a su vez un cambio tecnológico para alcanzar el objetivo de la certificación. Para tal efecto, se desarrolla un análisis basado en estadísticos descriptivos y consecuentemente se procede a realizar un análisis discriminante con el objetivo de explicar los factores que permiten diferenciar dos grupos de empresas: las que emprenden el cambio tecnológico como factor de competitividad y aquellas que no.
Cross Border Business Cycle Impacts on the El Paso Housing Market
Authors: Kincal Gokce , Fullerton, Jr Thomas M. , H. Holcomb James , Barraza de Anda Martha Patricia
Published: March 2020

There is comparatively little empirical evidence regarding the impacts of cross border business cycle fluctuations on metropolitan housing markets located near international boundaries. This study examines the impacts of economic conditions in Mexico on sales of existing single–family houses in El Paso, Texas. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these impacts are fairly notable. Annual frequency data from the University of Texas at El Paso Border Region Modeling Project are used to test this possibility. Results indicate that solid empirical evidence of such a linkage is elusive.
Estudio sobre la relación entre equidad de género y desarrollo humano en la región noreste de México, 1995–2005
Authors: Zamudio Sánchez Francisco José , Núñez Vera Miriam , Gómez Salazar Fausto
Published: March 2020

través de índices provenientes de variables fácilmente medibles, se estudian los avances y retrocesos de la sociedad en su lucha por la equidad de género en México y su relación con el desarrollo humano. Se muestran las posibles tendencias que tomará dicho problema a futuro en la medida en que se brinden oportunidades, tanto a mujeres como a hombres, para el pleno desarrollo de sus capacidades y la utilización de las mismas en su entorno. El estudio de caso se enfoca en los municipios de la región noreste del país, conformada por los estados de Nuevo León y Tamaulipas, en los años 1995, 2000 y 2005. Se observa una reducción en la brecha de la desigualdad en opciones de salud, educación e ingreso, aunque la condición de la mujer respecto al hombre está aún muy lejos de ser equitativa, especialmente en recursos para una vida digna. La posición de las mujeres respecto a la de los hombres muestra el rezago más notable, ya que el acceso y control de recursos que les permitan decidir sobre sus propias vidas son muy limitados y consecuentemente su empoderamiento es marginal.
La historia de una colonia, un puente y un mercado. La Pulga del Puente del Papa en Monterrey
Authors: Sandoval Hernández Efrén , Escamilla Rodrigo
Published: March 2020

Este trabajo es un aporte para el entendimiento de un eslabón de la economía global a partir de sus peculiaridades históricas. Se trata del caso de la Pulga del Puente del Papa, mercado ubicado en la ciudad de Monterrey. Sostenemos que este mercado forma parte de la “globalización popular”. Ahí se venden mercancías producidas en lugares distantes, usadas en otros territorios y reutilizadas por los consumidores locales. El objetivo de este trabajo es reconstruir el proceso histórico de formación de este mercado y demostrar que éste es un “dispositivo comercial” que actualmente persiste porque está inserto en la “cadena global de mercancías”. En este marco, reflexionamos sobre la conjunción entre procesos locales y globales a través de la frontera México–Estados Unidos. En el texto además de describir la historia de este mercado mostramos las características que éste tiene actualmente, y damos ejemplos de la dinámica comercial que abastece a la Pulga, la cual está ligada a la frontera y a circuitos globales de mercancías.
Los grupos yumanos de Baja California: ¿indios de paz o indios de guerra? Una aproximación desde la teoría de la resistencia pasiva
Authors: Garduño Everardo
Published: March 2020

Para el prestigiado historiador Miguel León–Portilla, los yumanos de Baja California no eran indios de guerra, sino indios de paz. En la opinión de este investigador, esto obedeció a que viviendo en un paleolítico fosilizado, estos grupos indígenas no presentaron mayor resistencia a la colonización europea y permitieron su dominación y posterior exterminio o asimilación. El presente trabajo cuestiona estas afirmaciones, no sólo por su imprecisión técnica, sino por el desconocimiento del papel de agencia que tuvieron los yumanos durante el periodo misional. Por el contrario, este artículo coincide con la afirmación de Edward Spicer (1962) en el sentido de que la resistencia tuvo lugar incluso entre aquellos grupos que no se vieron comprometidos en combates significativos en contra de los conquistadores. Se trata, en el caso particular de los yumanos, de una resistencia en contra del proyecto de Pueblo Indio y sus implicaciones en términos de sedentarización, trabajo agrícola y adopción de un esquema de autoridad central, que se contraponía a la naturaleza nómada de estos indígenas, como cazadores y recolectores organizados en un sistema segmentario de linajes. Las formas de resistencia yumana que aquí se describen, constituyen prácticas que forman parte de lo que James C. Scott (1990) denomina los “transcriptos ocultos y cotidianos” como la ingenuidad, la inteligencia encubierta de ignorancia disimulada y la ironía, así como la práctica económica y la práctica social estudiada por Jan Rus (1995), y que incluye la movilidad y la incorporación del sitio misional con propósito de permanencia y de reproducción.
Suicide reporting in mass media in the state of Magdalena, Colombia
Authors: Campo-Arias Adalberto , Herazo Edwin
Published: March 2020

In 2016 and 2017, the suicide rate in Colombia went up from 5.20 to 5.72, respectively. The same trend was observed for the State of Magdalena for the same period with an increase in the rates that went from 3.37 in 2016 and 4.27 per one hundred thousand inhabitants in 20171,2. The suicide rate in the State of Magdalena occupies third place among the departments of the Colombian Caribbean region1
Melanoma: clinical-pathological and molecular analysis in patients of Ibague city, Colombia
Authors: Puentes Carlos , Estrada Ana , Bohórquez Mabel , Vélez Anggi , Giraldo Carlos , Echeverry Magdalena
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to establish the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with melanoma and its association with BRAF gene mutations. The pathology reports and paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 47 women and 30 men with melanoma, with an average age of diagnosis of 60 years, were reviewed at the Hospital Federico Lleras Acosta of Ibague, between 2010 and 2016. The presence of V600E mutation at the exon 15 of BRAF gene, was analyzed in these tumoral samples by Sanger sequencing and visual inspection of the electropherograms. We also studied the clinicopathological variables with X2, t-Student and the Kaplan Meier index. Most of the lesions were located in the lower limbs (46.6%). The most frequent subtype was Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (41.8%). Most lesions were of poor prognosis: Breslow depth greater than 4.1 mm (52.7%), ulceration (61.4%) and medium or high mitotic rate (> 30 %). The V600E mutation was identified in five patients with large, deep and ulcerated tumors, four of them had less than four years of survival. In conclusion, there was a higher frequency of melanoma in women, V600E BRAF mutation was present in patients with advanced disease (high Breslow index) and, the probability of five-year survival was less than 40%.
Beliefs and practices in diabetes care
Authors: Álvarez-Najar Juan Pablo , Valderrama-Sanabria Mery Luz , Peña-Pita Amalia Priscila
Published: March 2020

Diabetes mellitus is considered a chronic non-communicable disease with high morbidity, presents to its high prevalence, social, family, and economic costs. Interventions aimed at life-style changes are fundamental in managing; due to this, patients must receive education. The aim of the study was to identify the beliefs and practices of the persons with diabetes mellitus, to propose nurse care according to these precepts. This was a descriptive study of systematic literature review, searching for articles in databases, Springer Science, Elsevier, ProQuest, Science Direct, Index, Pubmed, SciELO, Medigraphic, and Medline during 2016 to 2018, published between 2001 and 2018, in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. A total of 49 studies were contributing to fulfilling the objective. Within the beliefs for the management of disease, is the use of herbs, some consider as cause "fright"; Others take into account risk factors such as heredity, obesity, poor eating habits. Various beliefs are presented in relation to insulin treatment. Spirituality is emphasized; seeking refuge in God and prayer. Is important to understand the person, from their values, beliefs, customs and feelings. Education is a fundamental tool to control the disease, but health beliefs must be taken into account in order to achieve favorable results.
Calidad de vida relacionada con características sociodemográficas y clínicas en niños con parálisis cerebral
Authors: Bolaños-Roldán Ana Marcela
Published: March 2020

La parálisis cerebral  (PC) es la causa más frecuente de discapacidad en la infancia. El objetivo fue determinar  la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS)  de niños y niñas entre 8 y 12 años con PC y relacionarlo con características sociodemográficas y clínicas. Estudio descriptivo correlacional; se aplicó cuestionario con información sociodemográfica y clínica y el Kidscreen 27 a una población de 100 niños con PC o a sus cuidadores principales, para el caso de aquellos con dificultades cognitivas o comunicativas. La dimensión de entorno escolar y estado de ánimo y sentimientos fueron mejor percibidas. En los niños más pequeños (8 a 9 años) se encontró una mejor percepción sobre la actividad física y la vida familiar y el tiempo libre, mientras que los niños mayores (10 a 12 años) en el dominio de apoyo social y amigos. Los niños de estrato socioeconómico alto dieron mayor  puntuación en todos los dominios de calidad de vida al igual que los niños menos comprometidos en su función motora gruesa.  El más alto nivel educativo de los cuidadores, estrato socioeconómico alto y menor severidad en el compromiso motor en los niños con PC, se relaciona con una mejor calidad de vida.
Udział biegłego psychologa w sprawach o stwierdzenie nieważności małżeństwa z uwzględnieniem nieobecności w procesie strony pozwanej
Authors: Trojnar Tomasz , Wójcik Maria
Published: March 2020

W artykule przedstawiono problem udziału biegłych psychologów w sprawach o stwierdzenie nieważności małżeństwa w przypadku nieobecności w procesie strony pozwanej. Kodeks Prawa Kanonicznego nakazuje, aby w sprawach dotyczących impotencji lub braku zgody spowodowanej chorobą umysłową, sędzia powinien skorzystać z pomocy jednego lub kilku biegłych, chyba że z okoliczności wyraźnie wynika, że jest to bezużyteczne. Według autorów artykułu, niewłaściwa jest sytuacja powoływania biegłego psychologa w każdej sprawie, jeśli nie jest to konieczne. Niezawiniona nieobecność strony pozwanej wymaga od sędziego zwrócenia szczególnej uwagi, by prawa tej strony nie były naruszane. Opinia biegłego w zaistniałej sytuacji może nie spełnić stawianych jej wymagań i przyczynić się do wydania orzeczenia, które nie będzie oparte na prawdzie materialnej.
Diosmetin Induces Apoptosis by Downregulating AKT Phosphorylation via P53 Activation in Human Renal Carcinoma ACHN Cells
Authors: Qiu Mingning , Liu Jie , Su Yongxia , Guo Rong , Zhao Baoyu , Liu Jianjun
Published: March 2020

Background:

Diosmetin (DIOS) is the aglycone of the flavonoid glycoside, diosmin, derived
naturally from the leaves of the legume, Olea europaea, and Acacia farnesiana. It has potent
anticancer activity against multiple forms of cancers. However, the role of DIOS in renal carcinoma
and its mechanism of action remain unclear.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of DIOS on cell viability and apoptosis
in renal carcinoma cells and explore the possible mechanism of action.

Methods:

Cell viability, cytotoxicity, caspase activity, apoptosis, and expression of apoptotic related
proteins were analyzed in renal carcinoma ACHN cells.

Results:

The results showed that DIOS inhibited the cell viability, and induced cytotoxicity and
apoptosis in ACHN cells. Furthermore, DIOS increased expression of p53 mRNA and proteins,
and downregulated phosphorylation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein B kinase
(PI3K/AKT). In addition, it was observed that the anticancer effect of DIOS was significantly enhanced
by the p53 activator, but inhibited by the p53 inhibitor.

Conclusion:

Our data suggested that DIOS induced apoptosis in renal carcinoma ACHN cells by
reducing AKT phosphorylation through p53 upregulation.
Polymer - Metal Nanocomplexes Based Delivery System: A Boon for Agriculture Revolution
Authors: Kaur Pawan , Choudhary Rita , Pal Anamika , Mony Chanchal , Adholeya Alok
Published: March 2020

Metal nanoparticles are well known for their antimicrobial properties. The use of metalbased nanoparticles in the agricultural field has considerably increased globally by both direct and indirect means for the management of plant diseases. In this context, the development of controlled delivery systems for slow and sustained release of metal nanoparticles is crucial for prolonged antimicrobial activity. Polymers have emerged as a valuable carrier for controlled delivery of metal nanoparticles as agrochemicals because of their distinctive properties. The most significant benefits of encapsulating metal nanoparticles in a polymer matrix include the ability to function as a protector of metal nanoparticles and their controlled release with prolonged efficacy. This review focuses on loading strategies and releasing behavior of metal nanoparticles in the polymer matrix as antimicrobial agents for plant diseases. The Polymer-metal nanocomplexes (PMNs) comprise a biocompatible polymeric matrix and metal nanoparticles as active components of an antimicrobial agent, pesticides and plant growth regulators used to enhance the crop productivity.
Production of Fibrinolytic Protease from a Halobacterium Bacillus licheniformis VITLMS Isolated from Marine Sponges of Rameshwaram Coast, India
Authors: Kumar Lalith K.C. , Samuel Merlyn K. , Mooventhan Hemalatha , Arumugam Mohanapriya , Vaithialingam Mohanasrinivasan , Chandrasekaran Subathra D.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Marine bacteria serve as excellent sources of therapeutic enzymes, metabolites
and natural products, which possess novel therapeutic properties. Increasing death rates due to
cardiovascular diseases urge for cost-effective production of the fibrinolytic enzyme.

Methods:

In this study, marine sponge samples were screened for potent fibrinolytic producing bacteria.
The primary screening was done for protease production, and clot lysis activity. The secondary
screening was done for casein plasminogen activity and fibrinolytic activity. The strain
which had potent fibrinolytic activity among them was further subjected to morphological, biochemical
and molecular characterization. Media optimization was carried out to enhance enzyme
production. The enzyme produced was subjected to purification using ammonium sulfate precipitation,
gel filtration and characterized using HPLC and FTIR analysis.

Results:

Sponge was identified to be Desmapsamma anchorata. Thirteen bacterial isolates were
isolated from the sponge sample. The 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the potential strain had
99% similarity with Bacillus licheniformis. Amongst the isolates, most were found to be morphologically
identical to the Bacillus genus. Gram’s staining and SEM analysis of the potent isolate
were performed to identify the spore formation and rod-shaped morphology of the bacteria. The optimal
temperature and pH for the production of the enzyme were 37°C and 8, respectively. The carbon
source maltose and nitrogen sources were malt extract and yeast extract that were found to be
optimal. The optimum incubation time was found to be 4 to 5 days. The crude supernatant was purified
with ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography. The retention time of
11.3 min and the presence of functional groups show the purity of the enzyme. The partially purified
enzyme showed 96.4% clot lysis in artificial clot lysis activity.

Conclusion:

Although the secretion of fibrinolytic enzymes from Bacillus species is not new,
based on our investigation, there are no reports regarding Bacillus licheniformis being isolated
from marine sponges. However, there are reports of Bacillus licheniformis secreting fibrinolytic enzymes
isolated from fermented food samples. This study identifies the marine environment as a potential
source of new exploration for drug discovery.
Current Study of RhoA and Associated Signaling Pathways in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Haiping , Liu Yiqian , Zhang Xiaochuan , Wang Xiaodong
Published: March 2020

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth-most common cancer in the world, with an estimated
1.034 million new cases in 2015, and the third-highest cause of cancer deaths, estimated at 785,558, in
2014. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly affect the survival rate in patients with GC: the 5‐year
survival rate of early GC reaches 90%‐95%, while the mortality rate significantly increases if GC
develops to the late stage. Recently, studies for the role of RhoA in the diseases have become a hot
topic, especially in the development of tumors. A study found that RhoA can regulate actin polymerization,
cell adhesion, motor-myosin, cell transformation, and the ability to participate in the activities
of cell movement, proliferation, migration, which are closely related to the invasion and metastasis of
tumor cells. However, the specific role of RhoA in tumor cells remains to be studied. Therefore, our
current study aimed to briefly review the role of RhoA in GC, especially for its associated signaling
pathways involved in the GC progression.
Academic Technology Transfer in Poland-30 Years of Growth
Authors: Gurba Krystian
Published: March 2020

Organizations managing technology transfer from universities to the
private sector, although born in Poland with a significant delay compared to
Western European countries, are currently important actors in the Polish innovation
system. The article summarizes the process of shaping the role and models of the
functioning of these organizations. It discusses the status and functions of
technology transfer centers and the institutional environment of academic
technology transfer in Poland: legal framework, support programs, and partner
organizations. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of cooperation networks in
technology transfer and draws attention to specific initiatives focused on
technology transfer in the biotechnology and pharmacy sectors.
Diversidad y conservación de anfibios y reptiles en un área protegida privada de una región altamente transformada en el sur de Veracruz, México
Authors: Aguilar-López José Luis , Ortiz-Lozada Liliana , Pelayo-Martínez Jaime , Mota-Vargas Claudio , Alarcón-Villegas Luis Ernesto , Demeneghi-Calatayud Ana Paulina
Published: March 2020

El establecimiento de Áreas Protegidas Privadas (APPs) es una de las estrategias para la protección de la biodiversidad ante la modificación del hábitat en bosques tropicales; sin embargo, su importancia en conservación ha sido poco evaluada. En este trabajo estimamos la importancia de un APP conocida como Área de Protección y Desarrollo de Ceratozamia (APDC) para la conservación de anfibios y reptiles, en comparación con otras dos APPs (Parque Ecológico Jaguaroundi y el Parque Ecológico Tuzandepetl) en el sur de Veracruz, México. El APDC tiene una extensión de 100 hectáreas: 50 ha de bosque tropical subcaducifolio y 50 ha de pastizal. Los muestreos para este estudio se realizaron entre los años 2015 y 2016, empleando el método de búsqueda libre restringida por tiempo (esfuerzo de muestreo total = 768 horas-persona). En total, en el APDC se registraron 20 especies de anfibios y 35 de reptiles. El 20% de los anfibios y el 32% de reptiles registrados se encuentran en alguna categoría de riesgo de extinción según la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, dos especies de anfibios y una especie de reptil están incluidas en la Lista Roja de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN), mientras que el 12% de los reptiles se encuentran en categoría de vulnerabilidad ambiental alta. El APDC tuvo la mayor riqueza de especies en comparación con las otras dos APPs. Los anfibios tuvieron una composición relativamente similar entre las APPs, mientras que para los reptiles la composición de especies tendió a ser distinta. Nuestros resultados indican que por la riqueza de especies y el número de especies amenazadas de extinción y de especies no evaluadas por la UICN que alberga, el APDC contribuye a la conservación de herpetozoos en una zona altamente transformada del sur de México, en conjunto con las otras dos APPs, donde el Área Natural Protegida bajo régimen gubernamental más cercana (Reserva de la Biosfera Los Tuxtlas) se localiza a 50 km.
Sobre la identidad de tres cucarachas (Blattodea) de América
Authors: Estrada-Álvarez Julio Cesar , Sormani H. Carlo Gilbert
Published: March 2020

Se reportan los resultados de la revisión del material tipo de tres especies de cucarachas americanas, consideradas incertae sedis por Princis, 1969.
A pheromone lure for catching fall armyworm males (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Mexico
Authors: Cruz-Esteban Samuel , Rojas Julio Cesar , Malo Edi Alvaro
Published: March 2020

Moth sex pheromones can be used for monitoring or for control (e.g., mass trapping or mating disruption) of agricultural pests. However, pheromone application in field conditions requires that all crucial pheromonal components are included and optimized in a pheromone lure. In this study, we optimized a sex pheromone lure for monitoring Mexican populations from the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda Smith. In corn fields, we evaluated the activity of single compounds, three binary blends, and one tertiary blend of (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:OAc), (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:OAc), and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:OAc). The results showed that the traps baited with a binary blend of Z7-12:Ac + Z9-14:Ac captured significantly more S. frugiperda males than single compounds, other binary blends or the tertiary blend. The absence of Z11-16:OAc in the blends did not significantly affect the capture of males, indicating that this compound is non-essential for male attraction in the field. We demonstrated that the dose of the binary blend of Z7-12:OAc and Z9-14:OAc influenced the catch rate of FAW males. The pheromone lure optimized in this study can be useful for capturing S. frugiperda in Mexico.
Квантово-механический подход к описанию взаимодействия СВЧ-электромагнитного излучения с тонкими проводящими пленками
Authors: Старостенко В.В. , Орленсон В.Б. , Мазинов А.С. , Ахрамович Л.Н.
Published: March 2020

The paper presents a quantum-mechanical analysis approach of the electromagnetic radiation interaction with the ultrathin conducting films in the frequency range of 1–200 GHz. It was shown that at film thicknesses less than 10 nanometers, the structure symmetry of the atomic conductor lattice must be taken into account, a violation of which can lead to the appearance of a band gap, which greatly differs from the crystalline material. The band gap has a strong influence on the conductivity of a thin metal film and on its electromagnetic properties. Using aluminum as an example, it is shown that in case of symmetry breaking of the face-centered crystal lattice, the band composed of the valence and the conduction bands splits with the band gap formation of 0.07 eV.
Влияние единичного граничного ловушечного заряда на подпороговый ток стока FinFET-транзистора с различной формой канала
Authors: Абдикаримов А.Е.
Published: March 2020

The influence of the FinFET channel shape to the RTN amplitude induced by single charge trapped at interface is simulated. The transistors with both rectangle and trapeze channel cross section are considered. It is shown, single charge trapping at the channel top induce lower RTN amplitude in trapeze than in rectangle channel cross section in the subthreshold region. However, the single charge trapping at side wall of the channel induce essentially higher RTN amplitude in trapeze cross section of the channel.
Efficacy of a Green Banana–Mixed Diet in the Management of Persistent Diarrhea: Protocol for an Open-Labeled, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sarmin Monira , Hossain Md Iqbal , Islam Shoeb Bin , Alam Nur Haque , Sarker Shafiqul Alam , Islam M Munirul , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Islam S M Rafiqul , Mahfuz Mustafa , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: March 2020

Background

Diarrhea is the second-leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. In low- and middle-income countries, 3%-20% of acute diarrheal episodes become persistent diarrhea (PD) (ie, duration ≥14 days), which results in 36%-56% of all diarrheal deaths. In Bangladesh, PD causes >25% of diarrhea-related deaths. Commensal gut microbiota dysbiosis is increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of PD. Hospital-based management of PD requires a hospital stay, which increases the risk of infection and hospital costs. The higher cost of treatment and high case-fatality rates reiterate PD as an important public health problem. At the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), for the last two decades, a consensus-based guideline has been followed for PD. Observation has revealed that green banana helps in the resolution of diarrhea. However, no larger prospective study has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of green banana in the management of PD among children older than 6 months of age.

Objective

Our objective is to assess the efficacy of full-strength rice suji with and without green banana compared to three-quarter-strength rice suji in the management of PD in children aged 6-36 months at the Dhaka Hospital of the icddr,b.

Methods

This open-labeled, randomized controlled study aims to enroll a total of 145 children with PD who have not been improving on a diet of milk suji. Children will be randomized into three different diet-specific groups: full-strength rice suji containing green banana, full-strength rice suji alone, and three-quarter-strength rice suji. The primary outcome is the percentage of children who recovered from diarrhea by day 5.

Results

Recruitment and data collection began in December 2017 and were completed in November 2019. Results are expected by April 2020.

Conclusions

This study is expected to provide insights into the incorporation of green banana into the dietary management of PD. This would be the first study to investigate the role of microbiota and metabolomics in the pathogenesis of PD.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03366740; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03366740

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/15759
The Association Between Pain Relief Using Video Games and an Increase in Vagal Tone in Children With Cancer: Analytic Observational Study With a Quasi-Experimental Pre/Posttest Methodology
Authors: Alonso Puig Mario , Alonso-Prieto Mercedes , Miró Jordi , Torres-Luna Raquel , Plaza López de Sabando Diego , Reinoso-Barbero Francisco
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients with secondary pain due to mucositis after chemotherapy require treatment with morphine. Use of electronic video games (EVGs) has been shown to be an effective method of analgesia in other clinical settings.

Objective

The main objective of this study was to assess the association between the use of EVGs and the intensity of pain caused by chemotherapy-induced mucositis in pediatric patients with cancer. The secondary objective was to assess the association between changes in pain intensity and sympathetic-parasympathetic balance in this sample of pediatric patients.

Methods

Clinical records were compared between the day prior to the use of EVGs and the day after the use of EVGs. The variables were variations in pupil size measured using the AlgiScan video pupilometer (IDMed, Marseille, France), heart rate variability measured using the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) monitor (Mdoloris Medical Systems, Loos, France), intensity of pain measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (score 0-10), and self-administered morphine pump parameters.

Results

Twenty patients (11 girls and nine boys; mean age 11.5 years, SD 4.5 years; mean weight 41.5 kg, SD 20.7 kg) who met all the inclusion criteria were recruited. EVGs were played for a mean of 2.3 (SD 1.3) hours per day, resulting in statistically significant changes. After playing EVGs, there was significantly lower daily morphine use (before vs after playing EVGs: 35.9 vs 28.6 µg/kg/day, P=.003), lower demand for additional pain relief medication (17 vs 9.6 boluses in 24 hours, P=.001), lower scores of incidental pain intensity (7.7 vs 5.4, P=.001), lower scores of resting pain (4.8 vs 3.2, P=.01), and higher basal parasympathetic tone as measured using the ANI monitor (61.8 vs 71.9, P=.009). No variation in pupil size was observed with the use of EVGs.

Conclusions

The use of EVGs in pediatric patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis has a considerable analgesic effect, which is associated physiologically with an increase in parasympathetic vagal tone despite lower consumption of morphine.
Affect-Focused Psychodynamic Internet-Based Therapy for Adolescent Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lindqvist Karin , Mechler Jakob , Carlbring Per , Lilliengren Peter , Falkenström Fredrik , Andersson Gerhard , Johansson Robert , Edbrooke-Childs Julian , Dahl Hanne-Sofie J , Lindert Bergsten Katja , Midgley Nick , Sandell Rolf , Thorén Agneta , Topooco Naira , Ulberg Randi , Philips Björn
Published: March 2020

Background

Adolescent depression is one of the largest health issues in the world and there is a pressing need for effective and accessible treatments.

Objective

This trial examines whether affect-focused internet-based psychodynamic therapy (IPDT) with therapist support is more effective than an internet-based supportive control condition on reducing depression in adolescents.

Methods

The trial included 76 adolescents (61/76, 80% female; mean age 16.6 years), self-referred via an open access website and fulfilling criteria for major depressive disorder. Adolescents were randomized to 8 weeks of IPDT (38/76, 50%) or supportive control (38/76, 50%). The primary outcome was self-reported depressive symptoms, measured with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology for Adolescents (QIDS-A17-SR). Secondary outcomes were anxiety severity, emotion regulation, self-compassion, and an additional depression measure. Assessments were made at baseline, postassessment, and at 6 months follow-up, in addition to weekly assessments of the primary outcome measure as well as emotion regulation during treatment.

Results

IPDT was significantly more effective than the control condition in reducing depression (d=0.82, P=.01), the result of which was corroborated by the second depression measure (d=0.80, P<.001). IPDT was also significantly more effective in reducing anxiety (d=0.78, P<.001) and increasing emotion regulation (d=0.97, P<.001) and self-compassion (d=0.65, P=.003). Significantly more patients in the IPDT group compared to the control group met criteria for response (56% vs 21%, respectively) and remission (35% vs 8%, respectively). Results on depression and anxiety symptoms were stable at 6 months follow-up. On average, participants completed 5.8 (SD 2.4) of the 8 modules.

Conclusions

IPDT may be an effective intervention to reduce adolescent depression. Further research is needed, including comparisons with other treatments.

Trial Registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 16206254; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16206254
Addressing Care Continuity and Quality Challenges in the Management of Hypertension: Case Study of the Private Health Care Sector in Kenya (Preprint)
Authors: Walcott-Bryant Aisha , Ogallo William , Remy Sekou L , Tryon Katherine , Shena Winnie , Bosker-Kibacha Marloes
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In Kenya, the rise of hypertension strains an already stretched health care system that has traditionally focused on the management of infectious diseases. Health care provision in this country remains fragmented, and little is known about the role of health information technology in care coordination. Furthermore, there is a dearth of literature on the experiences, challenges, and solutions for improving the management of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases in the Kenyan private health care sector.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess stakeholders’ perspectives on the challenges associated with the management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health care sector and to derive recommendations for the design and functionality of a digital health solution for addressing the care continuity and quality challenges in the management of hypertension.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative case study. We collected data using in-depth interviews with 18 care providers and 8 business leads, and direct observations at 18 private health care institutions in Nairobi, Kenya. We analyzed the data thematically to identify the key challenges and recommendations for technology-enabled solutions to support the management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health sector. We subsequently used the generated insights to derive and describe the design and range of functions of a digital health wallet platform for enabling care quality and continuity.

RESULTS

The management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health care sector is characterized by challenges such as high cost of care, limited health care literacy, lack of self-management support, ineffective referral systems, inadequate care provider training, and inadequate regulation. Care providers lack the tools needed to understand their patients’ care histories and effectively coordinate efforts to deliver high-quality hypertension care. The proposed digital health platform was designed to support hypertension care coordination and continuity through clinical workflow orchestration, decision support, and patient-mediated data sharing with privacy preservation, auditability, and trust enabled by blockchain technology.

CONCLUSIONS

The Kenyan private health care sector faces key challenges that require significant policy, organizational, and infrastructural changes to ensure care quality and continuity in the management of hypertension. Digital health data interoperability solutions are needed to improve hypertension care coordination in the sector. Additional studies should investigate how patients can control the sharing of their data while ensuring that care providers have a holistic view of the patient during any encounter.
Development and Validation of Remarried-After- Divorce Quality of Life Questionnaire (Preprint)
Authors: Yazdani Abbasali , Alipour Fardin
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

As divorce rate grows, the incidence of remarriage may rise as well. In Iran, remarriage is tremendously encouraged by law and religion for the divorcees. Nevertheless, the quality of life of people who remarry after divorce is not guaranteed in literature of research.

OBJECTIVE

This study has been conducted to design and validate the questionnaire of Remarried after Divorce Quality of Life (RADQOL) to examine quality of life for post-divorce-remarried persons.

METHODS

Item pool was prepared by a qualitative phase, face and content validity was administered and then 252 remarried divorcees with the mean age of 38.4 (27≤X≥57) were found utilizing a convenience sampling method to participate in the study.

RESULTS

Factor analysis illuminated 24 items with 6 sub-factors for the questionnaire including, intrapersonal changes, relations to spouse, relations to family, relations to relatives, interactions to living environment, and residual effects of divorce. Items showed good factor loadings and high internal consistency within sub-factors. Alpha Cronbach’s value was more than 0.6 showing an acceptable internal consistency.

CONCLUSIONS

RADQOL is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate quality of life for Iranian remarried- after- divorce populations.
Adoption of Wireless Information Medical Data Monitoring Under Zigbee Technology in Bacterial Infection Detection of Patients (Preprint)
Authors: Cao Maocheng , Wang Junjing , Wu Chunfeng , Pauls Burgess
Published: March 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Objective: the research aimed to explore the application of wireless information medical data monitoring based on ZigBee technology in the post-chemotherapy monitoring of blood tumor patients and the diagnostic value of neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) expression level on bacterial infection. Methods: a total of 128 cases of blood tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy in our hospital from October 2016 to October 2018 were selected as the research objects and divided into the bacterial infected group and the uninfected group. The wireless sensor network system based on ZigBee technology was adopted to monitor the physiological indicators of patients, and patients with no fever and long hospitalization time were dynamically monitored. The expression level of nCD64 was determined by flow cytometry. The expressions of nCD64, PCT (procalcitonin), and CRP (C-reactive protein) in each group were compared, and the critical value, sensitivity, and specificity of PCT, CRP, and nCD64 in the diagnosis of bacterial infection were determined according to the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC). Results: the nCD64 level of subgroups of neutrophil granulocyte (increase group, normal group, decrease group, lack group) of the infected group was significantly higher than that of the uninfected group (P<0.05); the nCD64 level of dynamic monitoring sites 1 and 3 was significantly higher than that of the control group, the non-infected group, and the dynamic monitoring point 2 (P<0.05); PCT and CRP values of the infected group were significantly higher than those of the non-infected group (P<0.05); the sensitivity and specificity of nCD64 (infected group and dynamic monitoring group) in the diagnosis of bacterial infection were 90.4 and 86.7, 79.6, and 79.6, respectively, which were higher than PCT and CRP. Conclusion: the combination of wireless information medical monitoring and nCD64 based on ZigBee technology can effectively diagnose the bacterial infection of patients with blood tumor after chemotherapy.
Effect of Continuous Nursing Intervention of Artificial Intelligence on Discharged Patients after Heart Valve Replacement and Application of Omaha System (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhou Qiong , Nelson George
Published: March 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of continuous nursing system of artificial intelligence (AI) on patients discharged from hospital after heart valve replacement (HVR) and the application value of Omaha system. The patients undergoing HVR were taken as the research objects and divided into control group (routine nursing) and observation group (continuous nursing). Through the continuous nursing system of AI, the patients discharged from the hospital were monitored remotely, and the vital signs of patients were analyzed by AI. Different nursing methods were used to intervene the patients. Nursing evaluation data were used for nursing evaluation of patients undergoing HVR. Activity of Daily Life Scale (ADL) was used to evaluate patients' daily living ability, health status questionnaire was used to evaluate patients' health status, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate patients' quality of life. The results showed that, before intervention, there was no significant difference in the scores of ADL between the control group and the observation group, with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). After intervention, the scores of ADL in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); before intervention, the scores of ADL in the control group were higher than those in the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Before intervention, there was no significant difference in the health status questionnaire score between the control group and the observation group, without statistical significance (P > 0.05). After intervention, the health status questionnaire score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Before intervention, there was no significant difference in WHO quality of life evaluation score between the control group and the observation group, without statistical significance (P > 0.05). After intervention, the WHO quality of life evaluation score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After intervention, the KBS evaluation of nursing problem outcomes in the observation group was higher than that before intervention, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the continuous nursing system of AI based on Omaha system can effectively evaluate the nursing problems of patients after discharge and improve the quality of life of patients, which has important application value.
Election Management Systems and Peaceful Alternation of Power between Incumbent and Opposition Governments in Ghana and Nigeria
Authors: Adewale Idowu Harrison , Mimiko N. Oluwafemi ‘Femi’
Published: March 2020

Across most democracies in Africa, election management is largely problematic, and peaceful alternation of power between incumbent and opposition governments is usually infrequent and rancorous. The role of election management systems in such power alternations, specifically in Ghana and Nigeria, is not adequately covered in literature. Adopting an exploratory research design and qualitative methodology, this article explores the role of election management in the peaceful alternation of power between incumbent governments and opposition parties in the countries. It relies on primary data sourced from semi-structured interviews and secondary literature. The results show that, in Ghana, election management system is largely credible, thus, influenced incumbents’ willingness to peacefully hand over power to opposition, whereas, in Nigeria, peaceful alternation took place despite flawed election management system. The study concludes that while election management was significant for peaceful power alternation in Ghana, it was not for Nigeria.
Difficulties and Solutions of Part-time Graduate Admissions in China
Authors: Wang Hui
Published: March 2020

Part-time postgraduate education and full-time postgraduate education are complementary in function, and jointly improve China's degree and postgraduate education system. Since the implementation of the combined training of the two types of graduate students, part-time graduate education, especially the admissions process, has encountered some difficulties, which need to be resolved urgently, such as fewer applicants, lower initial admission rates, difficulty in adjusting admissions, and diverse student structure, etc. The main reason is that the social recognition of part-time graduate students is low, and the social stereotype of the dwarf status of part-time graduate students has not changed. In order to effectively solve the above problems and improve China's postgraduate education methods, specific suggestions are put forward
A Comparative Study of Representation of Nationalism and Ethnicity in Koirala's Sumnima and Pradhan's In the Battle of Kirtipur
Authors: Adhikary Dr. Ramesh Prasad
Published: March 2020

The present research paper makes a comparative study of representation of nationalism and ethnicity in Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala's Sumnima and Hridaya Chandra Singh Pradhan's In the Battle of Kirtipur. These literary texts present the relationship of conflict between nationalism and ethnicity. The reason of conflict is either to preserve the prehistoric identities or to possess power. In construction and representation of nationalism and ethnicity, Koirala gives emphasis on their religious aspects while Pradhan focuses on historical and political aspects.