bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach to the problem of assessing the radon hazard of building sites
Authors: Ryzhakova N. K. , Stavitskaya K. O. , Udalov A. A.
Published: June 2020

Radon and its daughter products create more than half dose from all natural radiation sources. The radon entering the buildings is emitted mainly from soils lying at the base of the foundation. Therefore, before carrying out construction work, the radon hazard of the construction area are determined. In the Russian Federation, the radon hazard of an area can be determined using radon flux density measured on the soil surface. To date, radon researchers came to the conclusion that the geology of the territory affects the amount of radon released from the soil surface. However, there are almost no studies devoted to the release of radon from the surface of various soil types. The paper presents the measuring results of the radon flux density on the surface of loess loams, porcelain clay, argillaceous slate, sand-and-gravel sediment, rocky limestone, clayey limestone, andesite-basalt porphyrite and quartzrock. The measurements were carried out by the accumulation chamber method using the Alfarad Plus measuring complex. Also, measuring radium activity concentration and soil moisture were carried out. The research demonstrates that, depending on the type of soil, the amount of radon emanating from its surface differs by more than an order of magnitude. The largest values of radon flux density of ~ 800 mBq∙m-2s-1 were recorded for andesite-basalt porphyrite and quartzrock. The smallest ones of ~ 40 mBq∙m-2s-1 were registered for loess loams and argillaceous slates. For soils consisting of small sand and clay grains, a rather strong dependence of the radon flux density on soil moisture was found. When measuring soils with low moisture (2-6%), a proportional dependence of the radium activity concentration on the amount of radon emanating from the soil surface is not observed. The types of soils that lie at the foundations of the buildings, and their physical properties can be used as the basis for classifying building sites according to the degree of radon hazard. Relevant information may be provided by organizations engaged in design and survey work at building plots. The approach proposed in the work for assessing radon hazard will allow avoiding labor-intensive measurements of radon and thereby reduce the financial, material and labor costs of building construction.
Retrospective and current state of forest territories of the border areas of the Bryansk region exposed to radioactive contamination
Authors: Marchenko T. A. , Radin A. I. , Razdaivodin A. N.
Published: June 2020

The aim of the study is to analyze the accumulated data on the study of forest territories of the border regions of the Bryansk region that have been exposed to radioactive contamination for their involvement in economic activity, as well as the possible transfer of radioactive materials in forest fires. The area of recorded and unaccounted forests was estimated according to the “Forest Plan of the Bryansk Region for the period 2019-2028” and the results of the analysis of remote sensing data of the earth, the assessment of radiation pollution – according to the radiation surveys of the forest fund and radioecological monitoring of forests, assessment of cesium-137 content – according to radiation monitoring. In the course of the work, the dynamics of the transition of forests from the range of a high level of radioactive contamination to lower ones from 1991 to 2018 slightly changes the total area of contaminated forests by regions was revealed. Top-level values of cesium-137 content in the main types of forest combustible materials, which a dangerous factor is contributing to a significant increase in the content of radiocesium in atmospheric air and the transfer of radionuclides beyond the limits of radioactive contamination zones in a forest fire. The most radiation-hazardous is the forest litter, which contains more than 70% of the total cesium-137 reserve in forest combustible materials, the values of which reach values of 224 kBq / kg in the Krasnogorsk district of the Bryansk region. The obtained forecast of cesium-137 content in the forest litter by the zones of radioactive contamination of forests in the most polluted areas of the Bryansk region for the period up to 2046 indicates the preservation of a high degree of radioactive contamination of forests in the Krasnogorsk and Novozybkovsky districts after more than 60 years after the Chernobyl accident power plants. Due to the high class of natural fire hazard of forests in the south-west of the Bryansk region and the high risk of fires in contaminated areas, it is necessary to assess the degree of danger in the prevention and suppression of radioactive forest fires, especially criterion of the absorbed dose for workers in order to avoid the deterministic effect.
Estimation of flood frequency using statistical method: Mahanadi River basin, India
Authors: Samantaray Sandeep , Sahoo Abinash
Published: June 2020

Estimating stream flow has a substantial financial influence, because this can be of assistance in water resources management and provides safety from scarcity of water and conceivable flood destruction. Four common statistical methods, namely, Normal, Gumbel max, Log-Pearson III (LP III), and Gen. extreme value method are employed for 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 100, 150 years to forecast stream flow. Monthly flow data from four stations on Mahanadi River, in Eastern Central India, namely, Rampur, Sundargarh, Jondhra, and Basantpur, are used in the study. Results show that Gumbel max gives better flow discharge value than the Normal, LP III, and Gen. extreme value methods for all four gauge stations. Estimated flood values for Rampur, Sundargarh, Jondhra, and Basantpur stations are 372.361 m3/sec, 530.415 m3/sec, 2,133.888 m3/sec, and 3,836.22 m3/sec, respectively, considering Gumbel max. Goodness-of-fit tests for four statistical distribution techniques applied in the present study are also evaluated using Kolmogorov–Smirov, Anderson–Darling, Chi-squared tests at critical value 0.05 for the four proposed gauge stations. Goodness-of-fit test results show that Gen. extreme value gives best results at Rampur, Sundergarh, and Jondhra gauge stations followed by LP III, whereas LP III is the best fit for Basantpur, followed by Gen. extreme value.
Optimal hydropower operation of multi-reservoir systems: hybrid cellular automata-simulated annealing approach
Authors: Azizipour Mohamad , Sattari Ali , Afshar Mohammad Hadi , Goharian Erfan , Solis Samuel Sandoval
Published: June 2020

Hydropower operation of multi-reservoir systems is very difficult to solve mostly due to their nonlinear, nonconvex and large-scale nature. While conventional methods are long known to be incapable of solving these types of problems, evolutionary algorithms are shown to successfully handle the complexity of these problems at the expense of very large computational cost, particularly when population-based methods are used. A novel hybrid cellular automata-simulated annealing (CA-SA) method is proposed in this study which avoids the shortcomings of the existing conventional and evolutionary methods for the optimal hydropower operation of multi-reservoir systems. The start and the end instances of time at each operation period is considered as the CA cells with the reservoir storages at these instances are taken as the cell state which leads to a cell neighborhood defined by the two adjacent periods. The local updating rule of the proposed CA is derived by projecting the objective function and the constraints of the original problem on the cell neighborhoods represented by an optimization sub-problem with the number of decision variables equal to the number of reservoirs in the system. These sub-problems are subsequently solved by a modified simulated annealing approach to finding the updated values of the cell states. Once all the cells are covered, the cell states are updated and the process is iterated until the convergence is achieved. The proposed method is first used for hydropower operation of two well-known benchmark problems, namely the well-known four- and ten-reservoir problems. The results are compared with the existing results obtained from cellular automata. Genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization indicating that the proposed method is much more efficient than existing algorithms. The proposed method is then applied for long-term hydropower operation of a real-world three-reservoir system in the USA, and the results are presented and compared with the existing results.
Application of the watershed sustainability index in the Piranhas-Açu watershed
Authors: Costa e Silva D. D. , Chaves H. M. L. , Curi W. F. , Baracuhy J. G. V. , Cunha T. P. S.
Published: June 2020

The current worldwide water resources issue is one of the crucial matters to overcome obstacles to sustainable development. This problem, formerly tackled in a sectored manner, is now pointing towards an analysis directed to treating the watershed as a management unit, with regards to all dimensions of knowledge and, especially, to the public participation in the decision-making processes. As an alternative to measure its performance, it has been sought out to develop indexes aimed to measure its sustainability, but there is still a lack of the use of composed efficient methodologies that also enable public participation in decision-making. This research presents a methodology comprising 15 indexes for the calculation of the Watershed Sustainability Index (WSI), followed by the application of the PROMETHEE multi-criteria analysis method and the COPELAND multi-decision-maker method. The methodology was applied to evaluate the performance of subwatersheds of the Piranhas-Açu watershed, located in the Brazilian northeast semi-arid region. The performance ordering, obtained through the application of the methods, emphasizes that subwatersheds' performances are uneven. It can be noticed that the subwatersheds' performances are still far from ideal in relation to water resources management, even in the ones that displayed satisfactory index levels.
O diagnóstico diferencial na Síndrome de Sjögren: Síndrome Linfocítica Infiltrativa Difusa em pacientes HIV positivos
Authors: Spinelli Julia
Published: June 2020

resumo: a Sídrome de sjögren, uma doença de ampla incidência mundial e considerada subdiagnosticada por especialistas, é clinicamente muito semelhante à síndrome linfocítica infiltrativa difusa, uma patologia também considerada subdiagnosticada e relacionada ao vírus da aids. o presente estudo, dessa forma, objetiva difundir o conhecimento acerca de ambas as doenças autoimunes, além de compará-las para melhor diagnosticar os pacientes, direcionando o tratamento e promovendo-lhes um controle mais acertivo de suas comorbidades.

palavras-chave: Síndrome Linfocítica Infiltrativa Difusa; Síndrome de Sjögren; HIV.
A percepção dos jovens e adultos sobre evasão escolar: uma visão merlopontiliano
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Rita de cassia , Costa Rosa Andrade Silva Rose Mary , Ramos Pereira Eliane , Moura da Silveira Lima Mônica
Published: June 2020

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Biological Sensing and Imaging Using Conjugated Polymers and Peptide Substrates
Authors: Wu Pan , Tan Chunyan
Published: June 2020

Peptides have been widely applied as targeting elements or enzyme-substrates in biological
sensing and imaging. Conjugated Polymers (CPs) have emerged as a novel biosensing material
and received considerable attention due to their excellent light absorption, strong fluorescence emission,
as well as amplified quenching properties. In this review, we summarize the recent advances
of using CPs and peptide substrates in biosensing and bioimaging. After a brief introduction of the
advantages of CPs and peptide substrates, different sensing designs and mechanisms are discussed
based on peptides’ structures and functions, including targeting recognition elements, enzyme-substrates,
and cell-penetrating elements. Applications of CPs and peptides in fluorescent imaging and
Raman imaging in living cells are subsequently reviewed.
Molecular Expression of Bioactive Recombinant Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A (MsrA)
Authors: Indhu M.S. , Nanjundappa Shruthi , Muttu Ramamoorthy , Vikramaditya Upmanyu , Mahawar Manish , Sarkar Mihir , Guttula Taru Sharma , Bhure Sanjeevkumar
Published: June 2020

Background:

The increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during cryopreservation of semen, leads to oxidation of biomolecules affecting the functionality of spermatozoa. Methionine residues in proteins are highly prone to oxidation and get converted into methionine sulfoxide (MetO). Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) can improve the functionality of spermatozoa by reducing the MetO to methionine restoring the lost functionality of the affected proteins.

Objective:

The expression of catalytically active recombinant MsrA (rMsrA).

Methods:

The msrA gene was PCR amplified, cloned and sequenced. Further, the recombinant clone was used for protein expression and purification. The protein was getting precipitated during dialysis in Tris-buffer. Hence, the purified rMsrA was dialyzed at 4°C against the Tris-buffer pH 7.5 containing MgCl2, KCl, NaCl, urea and triton X-100. During dialysis, changes of buffer were done at every 12 h interval with stepwise reduction in the concentrations of NaCl, urea and triton X-100. The final dialysis was done with buffer containing 10 mM MgCl2, 30 mM KCl, and 150 mM NaCl, 25 mM Tris–HCl pH 7.5. The activity of the rMsrA was checked spectrophotometrically.

Results:

The protein BLAST of buffalo MsrA with bovine sequence showed 14 amino acid mismatches. The rMsrA has been purified under denaturing conditions as it was forming inclusion bodies consistently during protein expression. After renaturation, the purified 33 kDa rMsrA was catalytically active by biochemical assay.

Conclusion:

The rMsrA expressed in prokaryotic system is catalytically active and can be used for supplementation to semen extender to repair the oxidatively damaged seminal plasma proteins that occur during cryopreservation.
Antagonistic Effect of Truncated Fragments of Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa on the Larvicidal Activity of its Full-length Protein
Authors: Boonyos Patcharaporn , Trakulnalueamsai Chutchanun , Rungrod Amporn , Chongthammakun Sukumal , Promdonkoy Boonhiang
Published: June 2020

Background:

Vip3Aa is a vegetative insecticidal protein produced by Bacillus
thuringiensis. The protein is produced as an 88-kDa protoxin that could be processed by insect gut
proteases into a 22-kDa N-terminal and a 66-kDa C-terminal fragments. The C-terminal part could
bind to a specific receptor while the N-terminal part is required for toxicity and structural stability.

Objective:

To demonstrate the antagonistic effect of truncated fragments on the insecticidal activity
of the full-length Vip3Aa.

Methods:

The full-length protein (Vip3Aa), a 66-kDa C-terminal fragment (Vip3Aa-D199) and a
predicted carbohydrate binding module (CBM) were produced in Escherichia coli. Purified proteins
were mixed at different ratios and fed to Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera exigua larvae.
Mortality was recorded and compared between larvae fed with individual toxin and mixtures of the
full-length and truncated toxins.

Results:

Production level of the Vip3Aa-D199 was significantly decreased comparing to that of the
full-length protein. Vip3Aa-D199 and CBM fragment were not toxic to insect larvae whereas
Vip3Aa showed high toxicity with LC50 about 200 ng/cm2. Feeding the larvae with mixtures of the
Vip3Aa and Vip3Aa-D199 at different ratios revealed antagonistic effect of the Vip3Aa-D199 on
the toxicity of Vip3Aa. Results showed that the lethal time (LT 50 and LT 95) of larvae fed the mixture
toxins was longer than those fed the Vip3Aa alone. In addition, a CBM fragment could inhibit
toxicity of the full-length Vip3Aa.

Conclusion:

Our results demonstrated that the Vip3Aa-D199 and a CBM fragment could complete
for the membrane binding thus rendering activity of the full-length Vip3Aa.
Cinnamyl Sulfonamide Hydroxamate Derivatives Inhibited LPS-Stimulated NF-kB Expression in RAW 264.7 Cells In Vitro and Mitigated Experimental Colitis in Wistar Rats In Vivo
Authors: Joshi Mit , Reddy Neetinkumar D. , Kumar Nitesh , Sumalatha Suhani , Chamallamudi Mallikarjuna Rao
Published: June 2020

Background:

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been found to be effective in the treatment
of inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies have reported that Cinnamyl sulfonamide hydroxamate derivatives
possess non-selective HDAC inhibition.

Objective:

The present study was designed to screen three selected Cinnamyl sulfonamide hydroxamate derivatives,
NMJ-1, NMJ-2, and NMJ3, for in vitro anti-inflammatory response by assessing the expression of pNF-κB
in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory changes on RAW 264.7 cells, and in vivo anti-inflammatory
response in acetic acid (AA) and 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced colitis models in Wistar rats.

Method:

AA-induced colitis was produced in Wistar rats by intra-colonic administration of 1 ml AA. DNCBinduced
colitis was produced by spraying 250 μL DNCB in acetone (20g/L) on the nape of the rats for 14 days,
followed by the intracolonic administration on day 15. Drugs were administered for three days after the induction
of colitis.

Results:

In vitro anti-inflammatory effect was observed by NMJ1 and NMJ2 through a significant decrease in
pNF-κB overexpression-induced by LPS. Similar effect was observed in anti-colitis response by NMJ2 in both
models by reversing the colitis-induced changes in length, weight, anti-oxidant profile and histopathology of the
colon.

Conclusion:

NMJ2 was found to be most effective among the tested compounds as an anti-inflammatory agent in
both in vitro and in vivo inflammatory studies.
The Relationship between Social Cognition and Executive Functions in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: dos Santos Tatiana T.B.A. , de Carvalho Raquel L.S. , Nogueira Marcela , Baptista Maria A.T. , Kimura Nathália , Lacerda Isabel B. , Dourado Marcia C.N.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Social Cognition (SC) is a complex construct that reflects a wide variety of
implicit and explicit cognitive processes. Many neurocognitive domains are associated with SC and the
Executive Function (EF) is the most representative one. We conducted a systematic review aiming at
clarifying whether SC impairments are associated with dysfunction on EF in people with Alzheimer
Disease (AD).

Methods:

The search, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-
Analyses (PRISMA), was undertaken between January 2007 and December 2019 using Pubmed,
SciELO, BIREME and Thomson Reuters Web of Science electronic databases. The keywords were SC,
AD, EF, Neuropsychological functioning and Executive Disorder.

Results:

One hundred thirty-six articles were identified and fifteen were included. These studies are not
in agreement about the extent of SC deficits in AD, mainly in the mild stage of the disease. EF deficits,
specifically inhibition and the ability to manipulate verbal information, are associated with the impairment
in SC in AD. SC decreases with the disease progression, a relationship explained by global cognition
impairment and SC specific symptoms.

Conclusion:

SC impairment is associated with disease progression, mainly because of the decline in EF.
Studies on SC components are unequal, contributing to a frequent generalization of Theory of Mind results,
and often hampering the investigation of other components, mainly empathy. More precise knowledge
about SC functioning in AD may contribute to a better understanding of the behavioral changes
and interpersonal interactions.
Identification of a Pathogenic PSEN1 Ala285Val Mutation Associated with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Vo Van Giau , Pyun Jung-Min , Bagyinszky Eva , An Seong S.A. , Kim Sang Y.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) was suggested as the most common causative gene of
early onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Methods:

Patient who presented progressive memory decline in her 40s was enrolled in this study. A
broad battery of neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging was applied to make the diagnosis. Genetic
tests were performed in the patient to evaluate possible mutations using whole exome sequencing. The
pathogenic nature of missense mutation and its 3D protein structure prediction were performed by in
silico prediction programs.

Results:

A pathogenic mutation in PSEN1 (NM_000021.3: c.1027T>C p.Ala285Val), which was found
in a Korean EOAD patient. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed mild left temporal lobe atrophy.
Hypometabolism appeared through 18F-fludeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET)
scanning in bilateral temporal and parietal lobe, and 18F-Florbetaben-PET (FBB-PET) showed increased
amyloid deposition in bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal lobe and hence presumed preclinical
AD. Protein modeling showed that the p.Ala285Val is located in the random coil region and could result
in extra stress in this region, resulting in the replacement of an alanine residue with a valine. This
prediction was confirmed previous in vitro studies that the p.Trp165Cys resulted in an elevated
Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in both COS-1 and HEK293 cell lines compared that of wild-type control.

Conclusion:

Together, the clinical characteristics and the effect of the mutation would facilitate our
understanding of PSEN1 in AD pathogenesis for the disease diagnosis and treatment. Future in vivo
study is needed to evaluate the role of PSEN1 p.Ala285Val mutation in AD progression.
Carbohydrate-functionalized Liposomes in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Al-Sawaftah Nour M. , Abusamra Rand H. , Husseini Ghaleb A.
Published: June 2020

Existing cancer treatments are often accompanied by adverse side effects that can greatly
reduce the quality of life of cancer patients; this sets the platform for the development and application
of nanocarrier-based platforms for the delivery of anticancer drugs. Among these nanocarriers,
liposomes have demonstrated excellent potential in drug delivery applications. Furthermore,
the overexpression of certain receptors on cancer cells has led to the development of active targeting
approaches where liposome surfaces are decorated with ligands against these receptors. Given
the central role that sugars play in cancer biology, more and more researchers are integrating “glycoscience”
into their anticancer therapeutic designs. Carbohydrate functionalized liposomes present
an attractive drug delivery system due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity,
and specific cell targeting ability. This review presents an overview of the preparation methods,
characterization, evaluation, and applications of carbohydrate functionalized liposomes in cancer
therapy.
Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship Study for Prediction of Boiling
Point and Enthalpy of Vaporization of Alkenes
Authors: Ghaemdoost Fatemeh , Shafiei Fatemeh
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Quantitative structure- property relationships (QSPRs) models have been widely
developed to derive correlation between chemical structures of molecules to their known properties. In this
study, QSPR models have been carried out on 91 alkenes to develop a robust model for the prediction of
enthalpy of vaporization at standard condition (∆H°vap/kJ.mol-1) and normal temperature of boiling points
(T˚bp /K) of alkenes.

Methods:

A training set of 81 structurally diverse alkenes was randomly selected and used to construct QSPR
models. These models were optimized using backward -multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis.
The Genetic algorithm and multiple linear regression analysis (GA-MLR) were used to select the suitable
descriptors derived from the Dragon software.

Results :

The multicollinearity properties of the descriptors contributed in the QSPR models were tested and
several method were used for testing the predictive models power such as Leave-One-Out (LOO) crossvalidation(Q2 LOO), the five-fold cross-validation techniques, external validation parameters (Q2F1, Q2F2,
Q2F3), the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and the predictive parameter R2m .

Conclusion:

The predictive ability of the models were found to be satisfactory, and the five descriptors in
three blocks namely connectivity, edge adjacency indices and 2D matrix-based descriptors could be used to
predict the mentioned properties of alkenes.
Evaluation of Risk Factors for Development of Anti-Tubercular Therapy Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Prospective Study
Authors: Subbalaxmi Malladi V.S. , Soanker Radhika , Lakshmi Arivittur V.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Incidence of Antitubercular Therapy (ATT)-induced hepatotoxicity is higher in India when compared to Western countries. As the occurrence of ATT-induced hepatotoxicity is unpredictable, serial intensive monitoring of hepatic function is now being recommended by the American Thoracic Society in individuals at high risk. This study was done to evaluate the risk factors for the development of ATT induced hepatotoxicity in India.

Methodology:

In this prospective, observational study, patient characteristics of microbiologically/ radiologically/ histopathologically confirmed tuberculosis were prospectively compiled. Serial liver function tests were done once a month in all patients. Patients who developed ATT-induced hepatotoxicity were considered as the study group and those who did not develop the event as a control group. The primary outcome measure was to estimate the hazard ratios associated with risk factors for the development of ATT induced hepatotoxicity. Cox Regression Analysis was done using SPSS 20.

Results:

: A total of 200 patients were enrolled in the study, of them, 14% developed ATT-induced hepatotoxicity and 86% did not develop the event. The baseline liver function tests in the study group and control group were within normal limits. Female gender, alcoholism, HIV co-infection and age >35 yrs were identified to have a higher risk for development of ATT-induced hepatotoxicity, while cases with pulmonary tuberculosis were found to be at lower risk of developing event.

Conclusion:

Intensive liver function monitoring needs to be done in patients with these risk factors, female gender, alcoholism, HIV co-infection, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and age >35 yrs.
SNPs of Metabolic Syndrome are Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Development and Progression in Chinese Population
Authors: Xu Ding , Lin Xiaoling , Qian Xiaoqiang , Qi Jun
Published: June 2020

Objective:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease prevalent in elderly
men, but the genetic determinants of BPH still remain unclear. Since metabolic syndrome, especially
diabetes, may influence the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia, we investigated whether
susceptibility loci for diabetes would increase the risk of BPH development and progression in
elderly Chinese men.

Material and Methods:

Fifteen SNPs associated with the diabetes risk in a Chinese population were
genotyped in 377 BPH cases (152 aggressive and 225 non-aggressive BPH cases) and 1,008
controls. The association between the SNPs and the risk of BPH development was evaluated through
logistic regression. Additionally, the effects of the 15 SNPs on BPH related clinical parameters,
including Body Mass Index (BMI) International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life
(QoL) and Prostate Volume (PV) were also evaluated.

Results:

SNP rs9864104 in IGF2BP2 at 3q27 (OR=1.24, P =0.0148) was significantly associated
with BPH development. In addition, SNP rs9863780, rs9864104, rs10229583 and rs17727841 were
significantly associated with baseline clinical parameters in BPH patients. Moreover, the risk allele
of rs6763887 (C) and rs17727841 (C) was significantly associated with the change of storage score
and voiding score after treatment. No SNPs were associated with the risk of BPH progression.

Conclusions:

This is a systematic investigation of the contributions of diabetes susceptibility loci to
the risk of BPH development and progression. Our findings advance the understanding of the
genetic basis of BPH and provide new insights into the genetic determinants shared between BPH
and metabolic syndrome.
Prioritizing Factors Affecting Health Service Quality using Integrated Fuzzy DEMATEL and ANP: A Case of Iran
Authors: Farhadi Payam , Niyas Maryam , Shokrpour Nasrin , Ravangard Ramin
Published: June 2020

Background:

Quality of services is one of the important factors affecting the success of service organizations. However, due to limited resources, organizations should identify the most important dimensions of service quality and take some measures to improve them.

Objective:

To identify and prioritize the factors affecting service quality from the viewpoints of all health care stakeholders in the teaching hospitals and the headquarters affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Methods:

This is an applied, cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study conducted in the teaching hospitals and the headquarters affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The study population consisted of all health care stakeholders, including patients, patients' families and relatives, general population, health care policymakers and managers, and health service providers such as matrons and supervisors. Six people of each studied stakeholder group were selected as the study sample using a purposive sampling method (n=30). A pair-wise comparison matrix designed based on the SERVQUAL dimensions was used for making pair-wise comparisons and collecting the required data. The collected pair-wise comparison data were analyzed through Fuzzy DEMATEL and ANP techniques using Super Decision 2.2 and Excel 2007.

Results:

The results showed that Access (NW=0.39018) and Tangibility (NW=0.05873) had the highest and lowest priorities.

Conclusion:

According to the results of the present study and from the studied health care stakeholders' viewpoint, access to care was the most affecting and most important dimension to be improved. Therefore, in order to improve patients' access to the health care services, some suggestions can be made such as providing appropriate facilities for patients' families and relatives, offering special discounts to the poor, providing easier access to the emergency entrance, providing parking and accommodation for patients and their relatives, employing and using the appropriate number of staff, and delivering 24-hour and high-quality health care services.
Chemical Composition and Antifungal Effects of Nectaroscordum Tripedale Extract Against Some of Pathogenic Yeast Strains
Authors: Jahanbakhsh Sareh , Ebrahimi Katrin , Sepahvand Maryam , Niazi Massumeh , Yari Fatemeh , Shakarami Amir , Tarhani Fariba , Kharazi Sam
Published: June 2020

Background:

Several drugs are currently in use to treat fungal infections; however, recent studies indicate that the consumption of these drugs is associated with serious complications. This study was done to examine the chemical composition and antifungal effects of Nectaroscordum tripedale against several yeast strains.

Methods:

The antifungal activity of N. tripedale extract on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, C. glabrata was examined via the assessment of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) according to the broth micro dilution technique (M27-A3 protocol). By means of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), the major constituents of this extract were identified.

Results:

The findings exhibited that N. tripedale extract represents not only fungistatic but also fungicidal activity with an average MIC and MFC of 12.5 to 66.6 μg/ml, respectively, for tested yeasts. The results also demonstrated that decadienal (11.1%), hexadecanoic acid (10.3%), and heptadecane (9.5%), were the major constituents of this extract.

Conclusion:

The findings demonstrated the preliminary anti-yeast effects of this plant and suggest the use of N. tripedale for yeast infections in the traditional medicine. This study for the first time showed N. tripedale as a new antifungal patent to treat the candidiasis and other yeast infections; however, more studies are required to assess the precise anti-candida effects of this plant against other Candida spp. as well as in human subjects.
Application of Nanotechnology to the Extraction of Herbal Components for Medicinal Uses
Authors: Salunkhe Pratibha , Bhoyar Priya , Gode Amravati , Shewale Sandeep P.
Published: June 2020

:

Herbal medicine is central to Indian medicinal treatment, which has been
known as Ayurveda traditionally. There are hundreds of herbs that have the
qualities to treat several kinds of diseases, even critical and chronic ones.
Importantly, these herbs have hardly any side effects. Herbal medicine is
manufactured from herbal extracts. Hence, the method of extracting herbal extracts
assumes high importance in manufacturing herbal medicines.

:

There are several methods for extracting herbs. However, the novel drug delivery
system (NDDS)-nanotechnology has been gaining popularity as a method to extract
herbal extracts. NDDS offers miraculous promises as it is a complete processing
system that combines the methods of drug formulation (pharmaceutics),
biochemistry, molecular biology, and process and technology. In this method, a
nano-sized drug release system is used to transmit medicines on the targeted parts
of the human body safely. NDDS serves many purposes, such as it minimizes the
requirement of frequent supervision to conquer refusal, enhances the remedial
worth, minimizes toxicity, and rises bioavailability.

:

There are many advantages to the targeted drug release system, such as it reduces
the frequency of the dosages taken by the patients, has a more uniformed effect of
the drug, reduces any possibility of side effects, and controls fluctuation in
circulating drug levels.
Structural Basis for Designing Multiepitope Vaccines Against COVID-19 Infection: In Silico Vaccine Design and Validation
Authors: Srivastava Sukrit , Verma Sonia , Kamthania Mohit , Kaur Rupinder , Badyal Ruchi Kiran , Saxena Ajay Kumar , Shin Ho-Joon , Kolbe Michael , Pandey Kailash C
Published: June 2020

Background

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to the ongoing 2019-2020 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA coronavirus. Effective countermeasures against SARS-CoV-2 infection require the design and development of specific and effective vaccine candidates.

Objective

To address the urgent need for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, in the present study, we designed and validated one cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and one helper T lymphocyte (HTL) multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) against SARS-CoV-2 using various in silico methods.

Methods

Both designed MEVs are composed of CTL and HTL epitopes screened from 11 structural and nonstructural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Both MEVs also carry potential B-cell linear and discontinuous epitopes as well as interferon gamma–inducing epitopes. To enhance the immune response of our vaccine design, truncated (residues 10-153) Onchocerca volvulus activation-associated secreted protein-1 was used as an adjuvant at the N termini of both MEVs. The tertiary models for both the designed MEVs were generated, refined, and further analyzed for stable molecular interaction with toll-like receptor 3. Codon-biased complementary DNA (cDNA) was generated for both MEVs and analyzed in silico for high level expression in a mammalian (human) host cell line.

Results

In the present study, we screened and shortlisted 38 CTL, 33 HTL, and 12 B cell epitopes from the 11 protein sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 proteome. Moreover, the molecular interactions of the screened epitopes with their respective human leukocyte antigen allele binders and the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) complex were positively validated. The shortlisted screened epitopes were utilized to design two novel MEVs against SARS-CoV-2. Further molecular models of both MEVs were prepared, and their stable molecular interactions with toll-like receptor 3 were positively validated. The codon-optimized cDNAs of both MEVs were also positively analyzed for high levels of overexpression in a human cell line.

Conclusions

The present study is highly significant in terms of the molecular design of prospective CTL and HTL vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection with potential to elicit cellular and humoral immune responses. The epitopes of the designed MEVs are predicted to cover the large human population worldwide (96.10%). Hence, both designed MEVs could be tried in vivo as potential vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2.
How to Fight an Infodemic: The Four Pillars of Infodemic Management
Authors: Eysenbach Gunther
Published: June 2020

In this issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, the World Health Organization (WHO) is presenting a framework for managing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infodemic. Infodemiology is now acknowledged by public health organizations and the WHO as an important emerging scientific field and critical area of practice during a pandemic.
From the perspective of being the first “infodemiologist” who originally coined the term almost two decades ago, I am positing four pillars of infodemic management: (1) information monitoring (infoveillance); (2) building eHealth Literacy and science literacy capacity; (3) encouraging knowledge refinement and quality improvement processes such as fact checking and peer-review; and (4) accurate and timely knowledge translation, minimizing distorting factors such as political or commercial influences.
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations has advocated that facts and science should be promoted and that these constitute the antidote to the current infodemic. This is in stark contrast to the realities of infodemic mismanagement and misguided upstream filtering, where social media platforms such as Twitter have advertising policies that sideline science organizations and science publishers, treating peer-reviewed science as “inappropriate content.”
Evidence-based eHealth interventions for caregivers of people with dementia (Myinlife and Partner in Balance): Evaluation of implementations in municipality contexts (Preprint)
Authors: Christie Hannah Liane , Boots Lizzy Mitzy Maria , Tange Huibert Johannes , Verhey Frans Rochus Josef , de Vugt Marjolein Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Very few evidence-based eHealth interventions for caregivers of people with dementia are implemented into practice. Municipalities are one promising context to implement these interventions, due to their available policy and innovation incentives regarding (dementia) caregiving and prevention. In this study, two evidence-based eHealth interventions for caregivers of people with dementia (Partner in Balance and Myinlife) were implemented in eight municipalities in the Euregion Meuse-Rhine.

OBJECTIVE

This study’s objectives were to (1.) evaluate this implementation and (2.) investigate determinants of successful implementation.

METHODS

This study collected eHealth usage data, Partner in Balance coach evaluation questionnaires, and information on implementation determinants. This was done by conducting interviews with the municipality officials, based on the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Implementation (MIDI). This data from multiple sources and perspectives was integrated and analysed to form a total picture of the municipality implementation process.

RESULTS

The municipality implementation of Partner in Balance and Myinlife showed varying levels of success. In the end, three municipalities planned to continue the implementation of Partner in Balance, while none planned to continue the implementation of Myinlife. The two Partner in Balance municipalities that did not consider the implementation to be successful, viewed the implementation as an external project. For Myinlife, it was clear that more face-to-face contact was needed to engage the implementing municipality and the target groups. Successful implementations were linked to implementer self-efficacy

CONCLUSIONS

The experiences of implementing these interventions suggested that this implementation context was feasible regarding the required budget and infrastructure. The need to foster sense of ownership and self-efficacy in implementers will be integrated into future implementation protocols, as part of standard implementation materials for municipalities and organisations implementing Myinlife and Partner in Balance.
Based on Parameter Optimization of SVM to Establish an Auxiliary Diagnosis Model of Benign and Malignant Pulmonary Nodules (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Jiankun , Wang Shijie , Chen Tao , Hu Yuzhong , Li Shuanqiang , Zhang Jianhua , Jin Wenwen , Li Yingyue , Su Fangchu , Zhang Weihua
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is a common disease in clinic but it is difficult to diagnose[1]. Since most patients have no symptoms when nodules are found, doctors' judgment of nodules is mainly based on their clinical experience, which is highly subjective.Therefore, it is necessary to establish an accurate and objective method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVE

The SVM parameters were optimized by the intelligent algorithm, and the auxiliary diagnosis model of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules combining CT images and serological indicators was constructed, and its test efficiency was evaluated.

METHODS

CT images and serum indexes of 1030 patients (515 cases of lung cancer and 515 cases of benign pulmonary nodules) diagnosed in our hospital between July 2015 and December 2018 were collected. The CT images of pulmonary nodules were characterized by artificial dimension reduction for feature extraction and assignment,At the same time, the serological indexes were tested; Logistic regression analysis was used to screen CT features and serum indexes of lung cancer; Grid, PSO and GS were used to find the optimal parameters C and g of SVM, and an auxiliary diagnosis model of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules was constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 9 quantitative image features were extracted from the lung lesion regions segmented from the CT images to describe the phenotypic features of the tumor and their values were successfully assigned. 8 related serological indicators were detected, totaling 17 indicators.The main features of lung cancer including nodule site, edge condition, burr sign, foliation sign, cyfra21-1, scc-ag, CA153 and CA125 were obtained through Logistic regression analysis.Based on the above 8 screening indexes and 17 overall indexes, SVM modeling was carried out after optimization by three intelligent algorithms. The prediction results of the three algorithms in the SVM model with 8 indexes included were as follows: the prediction accuracy of the SVM model under optimization by grid search algorithm was 100%.The accuracy of SVM model was 99.5146% under gga and PSO, and 98.544% under default parameters.The three algorithms were consistent in the prediction results of the SVM model with 17 indexes, and the accuracy reached 100%, while the model accuracy under the default parameters was 88.350%.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of SVM model can be improved by searching the optimal parameters of SVM with intelligent algorithm.8 relevant indexes screened by the logistic system are selected, and the prediction of the SVM model under optimization by the grid search algorithm can select the least inclusion indexes and guarantee the accuracy, which is the best choice.
A Review Of The Linear Response Function In Condensed Matter Physics And Their Application In Some Elementary Processes
Authors: Jihad Ibnu , Abraha Kamsul
Published: June 2020

Linear response theory in quantum theory with its linear response function and its quantization process has been formulated. The relation between the linear response function with its generalized susceptibility, its symmetry properties, and its analyticity has been studied. These properties produce the dispersion relation or Kramers-Kronig relation. The explicit form of the quantum response function and generalized susceptibility also been reviewed. Applications of linear response functions have been described for three elementary processes. The process discussed is the magnetic field disturbance in the magnetic system that generates magnetic susceptibility, and the electric field disturbance in the electrical system that generates electrical conductivity tensor and the ferromagnet Heisenberg that generates its generalized susceptibility.
Museus de ciências e controvérsias sociocientíficas: reflexões necessárias
Authors: Colombo Junior Pedro Donizete , Marandino Martha
Published: June 2020

Questões relacionadas a ciência e a tecnologia (C&T) têm se colocado cada vez mais presentes em nossa vida, sendo a compreensão pública da C&T um direito que permite ao cidadão a participação ativa em debates na sociedade a partir de temas que envolvem controvérsias sociocientíficas, desencadeando um sentimento de pertencimento. Os museus de ciências têm um grande potencial de contribuir nessa perspectiva, porém nem sempre abordam questões controversas. Neste ensaio reflexivo, realiza-se um estudo a partir da literatura que discute as controvérsias sociocientíficas nos museus e, ao final, se propõe três dimensões de análises para futuras pesquisas: a controvérsia na exposição, a controvérsia em sua essência e, a hermenêutica da controvérsia.
A FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DE PROFESSORES DE CIÊNCIAS PARA A PROMOÇÃO DA ALFABETIZAÇÃO EM NUTRIÇÃO NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL II: POSSIBILIDADES E LIMITES
Authors: Brumato Regina Fornazari Valéria , Tiyomi Obara Ana
Published: June 2020

A saúde e a nutrição humana são componentes básicos da qualidade de vida e temas essenciais para o Ensino de Ciências. Diante disso, o presente trabalho objetivou identificar eanalisar como a temática nutrição e alimentação humana, pautada na organização do ensino por meio de oficinas pedagógicas embasadas nos pressupostos da proposta CTS/A, pode contribuir para a formação inicial de professores de Ciências para a prática da alfabetização em nutrição, no Ensino Fundamental II. Para tanto, foi realizada a análise das concepções prévias e estado nutricional de alunos do Ensino Fundamental II, bem como a formação de um grupo reflexivo, na disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado com 12 licenciandos de ciências biológicas, que subsidiaram a organização de sete (7) oficinas pedagógicas para os alunos do ensino fundamental II sobre a temática. Os resultados indicam que o trabalho teórico-prático desenvolvido na disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado fomentou a formação de professores para a prática da alfabetização científica em nutrição; porém, sinalizaram ainda que a promoção de práticas pedagógicas diferenciadas ainda é pouco frequente na formação inicial de professores, sendo necessária maior vivência dessas nesse processo como forma de promover a formação de professores que possam atender a demanda atual do ensino.