bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gestão ambiental de rodovias: avaliação do potencial ecotoxicológico do material fresado de pavimentos asfálticos
Authors: Nagalli André , Martins Lucia Regina Rocha , Schroh Mariana Reinert , Moraes Diego
Published: May 2020

Os padrões atuais de gestão ambiental de rodovias impõem o compromisso do adequado destino e utilização dos materiais de construção e resíduos. Os materiais de fresagem de pavimentos asfálticos vem sendo incorporados na confecção de novos pavimentos. Ocorre que o material fresado muitas vezes é estocado sob a forma de pilhas diretamente sobre o solo visando à utilização futura ou ainda simplesmente aterrados. O presente estudo buscou verificar o potencial efeito ecotoxicológico de águas que entram em contato com este tipo de material. Foram testados cinco tipos de amostras, em ensaios de lixiviação por diferentes métodos, cujos líquidos foram postos em contato com o microcrustáceo Daphnia magna, a fim de avaliar a toxicidade aquática aguda, verificando-se sua imobilidade. As amostras foram caracterizadas quanto à sua distribuição granulométrica, massa unitária e teor de betume. Coletaram-se amostras em intervalos de tempo de 30, 60, 90 e 120 min de lixiviação, em regime de recirculação, a uma vazão de 30 L/h. Verificou-se que o método proposto pela ABNT NBR 10005:2004 foi mais eficiente na mobilização de poluentes das amostras, quando comparado ao aparato experimental de percolação em coluna. Conclui-se que os lixiviados originados a partir das amostras analisadas apresentam ecotoxicidade, com fatores de diluição que variaram de 16 a 32 vezes em amostras analisadas pelo método da ABNT NBR 10005:2004. Observou-se que mesmo amostras submetidas a longos períodos de intemperismo possuem característica ecotoxicidade, de modo que cuidados técnicos na estocagem e aterramento deste tipo de material são recomendados.
Estudo comparativo do uso de coagulante à base de sementes de Moringa oleifera Lam. e sulfato de alumínio no tratamento físico e químico de efluente de laticínio
Authors: Nascimento Izabela Gouveia , Resende Fabio de Melo
Published: May 2020

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência de diferentes tipos de coagulantes no processo de coagulação/floculação aplicados no tratamento físico e químico de efluente oriundo de agroindústria de laticínios. Para isso, fez-se uso de sementes de moringa em pó, extratos aquosos e salinos com e sem óleo e o agente químico sulfato de alumínio. Os ensaios experimentais foram realizados em duplicata em Jar Test, usando um litro de efluente para cada ensaio, com temperatura, velocidade e tempo de rotação pré-estabelecidos. Ao final dos ensaios foram retiradas alíquotas de cada amostra para análise de parâmetros de condições e padrões de lançamento de efluentes estabelecidos pelas Resoluções CONAMA nº 357/2005 e nº 430/2011, pH, cor aparente e turbidez. Com os resultados alcançados na caracterização dos experimentos, aplicou-se análise estatística, onde os valores de eficiência, pH, cor aparente e turbidez foram submetidos à análise de variância comparando as médias por meio do teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Ao final, conclui-se que o uso de coagulantes extraídos a partir das sementes de Moringa oleifera Lam. mostrou-se uma fonte alternativa sustentável para uso no tratamento físico e químico de efluente de agroindústria de laticínios, podendo, futuramente, com o aprimoramento das técnicas, vir a ser usado de maneira complementar ou a substituir o sulfato de alumínio.
Compras públicas sustentáveis: um estudo de caso sobre a relevância da construção de guia prático específico
Authors: Ferraz Lucas Ribeiro , Oliveira Daniel Ribeiro de
Published: May 2020

A preocupação com a preservação ambiental tem ganhado relevância na agenda de debates internacionais. Destarte, a implementação de políticas públicas voltadas ao fomento do ecodesenvolvimento vêm sendo cada vez mais valorizadas, buscando-se garantir o bem-estar das atuais e futuras gerações. Neste sentido, as compras públicas sustentáveis despontam como instrumento de incentivo e orientação do mercado. A pesquisa realizou um estudo de caso no Campus Paracambi, do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, tendo como objetivo verificar a necessidade de criação de ferramenta voltada à orientação e fomento das licitações sustentáveis. Os métodos utilizados foram a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, aliada à aplicação de roteiros de questionário e entrevista aos atores envolvidos nas etapas iniciais do processo de aquisição. Como resultado, a investigação observou dificuldades que comprometem a efetivação das compras sustentáveis no campus estudado, destacando-se a insegurança dos profissionais envolvidos na instrução processual, em especial devido à insuficiência de capacitação, à cultura organizacional resistente a mudanças e ao desconhecimento de instrumentos de apoio específico. Portanto, inferiu-se a importância da construção de guia prático orientado aos gestores e servidores solicitantes, focado na elaboração de requisições com critérios sustentáveis.
Percepção da culinária regional em festa popular no semiárido da Paraíba, Brasil
Authors: Correia Cristiane Bezerra Libório , Vasconcelos Vitor Hugo Rocha de , Silva Valeria Louise de Araújo Maranhão Saturnino , Lucena Reinaldo Farias Paiva de , Paulino Flávia de Oliveira
Published: May 2020

A Festa do Bode Rei é um importante festival popular no Estado da Paraíba. A culinária regional desempenha um relevante papel no festival, cujo principal elemento é o caprino. O estudo objetivou investigar se os alimentos comercializados no festival promovem o desenvolvimento social e a recuperação dos costumes regionais, e se espécies nativas da Caatinga são utilizadas na culinária. Para isso foram aplicados dois inquéritos, aos comerciantes e ao público. Os resultados mostraram que o público é formado principalmente por turistas e que a comida é uma das razões mais relevantes para a participação, que expressam a culinária típica e utilizam ingredientes locais. No entanto, as espécies nativas não foram utilizadas. Verificou-se que a maioria das pessoas prefere barracas a estabelecimentos fixos e que estes não são operados por vendedores locais. Concluiu-se que o evento é importante para ajudar o desenvolvimento e fazer transmissão cultural.
Police brutality and human rights in Nigeria's democracy: Focus on restoration of man's dignity
Authors: Chukwu Christian Chima , Scent Grace A.-T. , Emerinwe Obuzor Mezewo
Published: May 2020

After about twenty years of military rule in Nigeria, Nigerians seemed to have lost the ability to insist on their fundamental human rights. In this vein, any attempt to talk about human rights has been very controversial since the return of democracy in 1991 because the police seem to have taken over the lawlessness of the military as no day passes without a daily occurrence of extra judicial killings, accidental discharge, and other notorious acts against innocent citizens all over the country. Therefore, with police brutality observable in every nook and cranny of the Nigerian society, this study evaluates human rights abuses in Nigeria's democracy with a view to restoring man's dignity that is at lowest ebb today than ever. Since government seems confused on what steps to take to put a stop to the series of abuses of human rights, hypotheses were formulated and literatures related to the variables reviewed. Survey research design was adopted and a total sample of 150 respondents was selected through purposive sampling technique and simple random sampling technique. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 significant levels and the results of the findings show that all the null hypotheses were rejected and the alternate hypotheses accepted at same significant levels. Among the findings, the study shows that the rule of law in Nigeria has fallen short of the expectations of the citizens. Secondly, the police force has become a stumbling block to the effective administration of Justice and efficient maintenance of law and order as cruelty against citizens are widespread. Furthermore, the sheer disrespect of rules of engagements with imunity by the police not only questions the ability of the government to protect its citizens but also undermines its credibility. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have not only abdicated their constitutional functions, responsibilities and obligations to Nigerians, but are deeply engaged in human rights abuses, bribery, and extortions of money not only from motorists plying our roads but also in our habitudes at the least opportunity. In this light, the study recommends that as a security organization in a democracy, the Nigeria police should understand that democracy demands that the human personality in its course of development should be allowed to proceed without artificial forces or barricade so long as it actively does not violate the safety and reasonable right of others. In addition, there should be other far-reaching reforms and reorientations necessary to bring Nigeria's policing operations into conformity with constitutional and international human rights standards.
Celebration of childbirth through dance and the demystification of the male child in the Igbo Patriarchal Society: A decisive exposition
Authors: Chukwu Christian Chima , Ume Ignatius Sunday
Published: May 2020

Celebration of childbirth, among the Igbo, is looked upon as an occasion of feasting and so every festal feature, especially good music is made available as a mark of thanksgiving to God. The birth of a new child is announced with a special kind of song called irri muo, and it is sung in celebration of the birth. Songs sung at childbirth are called umanwa, while in neighbouring communities, they are egwu omugho. Umanwa music is exclusively performed by women, and has survived until today in its original form through oral tradition. This paper, therefore, examines the celebration of childbirth through dance and the demystification of the male child in the Igbo Patriarchal Society. Among the findings, the paper acknowledges that there is always some excitement, merriment, joy and intoxication, mixed with some sparks of faith when the new entrant is added to a household. In addition, the paper recognizes that women are never fully recognized as mothers until the birth of a boy child. Disturbing as the preference is, this paper wonders and questions why women are being easily ridiculed, subjugated and divorced when and where the Y-chromosome, the sole determinant of the birth of the boy child is the exclusive preserve of the male gender. With this, the paper argues that since human personality, a prerogative and quality of every human being does not rest on gender, but on ability; the emphasis on the boy child is absolutely unnecessary because it does not add anything to ability. The paper further calls on the educated elite to enlighten their people to be aware that the dignity of the girl child is fundamentally, essentially and unquestionably equal to the dignity of the boy child. Finally, the paper concludes that, the male child has not in most cases fulfilled the long awaited expectations of being the second father in the house.
Breve análise da importância dos órgãos executores da política ambiental brasileira frente aos agravos ambientais em unidades de conservação
Authors: Santos Patrício Rinaldo dos , Santana Valdilene Valdice de , Santos Michelle Cristina Varela dos , Lopes Valdemir dos Santos
Published: May 2020

Objetivamos com este trabalho descrever a importância das unidades de conservação (UCs) para a preservação dos recursos naturais no Brasil e competências desempenhadas pelos órgãos executores da Política Nacional de Meio Ambiente (PNMA) junto a esses espaços especialmente protegidos. As unidades de conservação são ambientes notadamente tutelados pela legislação ambiental brasileira, em especial pela Lei nº 9.985/2000, que instituiu o Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação (SNUC), cuja historicidade tem fundamento em normatizações significativas como o antigo Código Florestal de 1934. O advento da Lei nº 11.516/2007 institucionalizou o controle e fiscalização das UCs como sendo de competência do ICMBio, bem como exercer o poder de polícia ambiental, executar ações da política nacional de unidades de conservação da natureza, e dentre outras. Os serviços prestados por estes entes fiscalizatórios IBAMA e ICMBio, respectivamente, são de extrema acuidade para implemento dos atos de inspeção e gestão das unidades de conservação, sendo imperativo a continuidade da admissão e permanência de autonomia dos órgãos executores da Política Nacional do Meio Ambiente (PNMA) para manutenção dos recursos ambientais e qualidade de vida.
Trained Immunity at a Glance; A Review on the Innate Immune Memory and its Potential Role in Infections, Diseases and New Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Incalcaterra Silvia , Dominguez Jorge Andres
Published: May 2020

Despite the existence of two different branches of immunity, innate and adaptive, it has been described that both systems are characterized by the establishment of memory responses. Indeed, it has been shown that cells belonging to the innate immune system can express a so-called “trained” memory, although it has different features from the adaptive immune memory. Adaptive memory is a long-lasting specific memory whereas innate memory involves non-specific responses which enhance the immune response during a second reinfection. However, many aspects of the trained immunity are still unclear. Metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming have been pointed as the two processes responsible for the establishment of the innate memory. Trained immunity seems to be responsible for the heterologous effect of many vaccines such as BCG, thus giving insights for the development of new therapies. Although its potential beneficial role, trained immunity could also have detrimental effects that might worsen the progress of certain diseases. The purpose of this literature review is to provide an in-depth review on the major characteristics of trained immunity, describing the main pathways at the basis of the evolution and establishment of memory in innate cells. In addition, the present review assesses the modern evidence of the impact of trained immunity in health and disease, strengthening the hypotheses that this innate memory may be considered both in the formulation of new therapeutic strategies and in the current therapeutic approaches.
TIPOLOGIA DE CONTEÚDOS EM LIVROS DIDÁTICOS DE FÍSICA: UM ESTUDO EM COLEÇÕES DO PNLD 2015 E 2018
Authors: Alaor Viana Glêsiane Coelho de , Martins Maria Inês
Published: May 2020

Os livros didáticos (LD) representam o principal material didático utilizado nas escolas brasileiras de Educação Básica, sobretudo após a consolidação do Programa Nacional do Livro Didático (PNLD), ao permitir aos professores escolher a coleção de livros mais adequada para cada escola. Este artigo analisa cinco das quatorze coleções de Física aprovadas pelo PNLD 2015, quatro delas incluídas no PNLD 2018, usando a tipologia de conteúdos, proposta por Coll e Zabala, a qual classifica os conteúdos em conceitual (C), procedimental (P) e atitudinal (A). A análise documental focalizou as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais da Educação Básica (DCNEB) e os Guias de Livros Didáticos (GLD) para o PNLD 2015 e 2018. A análise dos livros contabilizou a distribuição dos tipos de conteúdo, bem como suas combinações CA, CP e CPA. Verificou-se a ênfase no conteúdo conceitual (C) em todas as coleções, destacando-se sua associação com conteúdo procedimental (CP), em função do elevado número de exercícios presentes nos LD de Física. Observou-se, também, pouca ênfase ao conteúdo atitudinal. Duas coleções apresentaram propostas mais próximas ao conceito de formação humana integral proposto pelas DCNEB. Espera-se que esta pesquisa auxilie professores de Física na incorporação da tipologia de conteúdos em suas aulas e programas de ensino.
UM LEVANTAMENTO DA PRESENÇA DA DISCIPLINA DE DIDÁTICA DA MATEMÁTICA EM CURSOS DE LICENCIATURA A DISTÂNCIA EM INSTITUIÇÕES PÚBLICAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Witt Claudia Maria , Panossian Maria Lucia
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo apresenta os resultados da pesquisa cujo objetivo foi realizar um levantamento de cursos de Licenciatura em Matemática a Distância que contemplem a disciplina Didática da Matemática em suas grades curriculares. Para atingir este objetivo, foi realizada pesquisa no site do Ministério da Educação na intenção de identificar quantos cursos e quais instituições públicas brasileiras ofertam cursos nesta modalidade de ensino.  Identificadas as instituições, foram coletados de seus sites, o plano de Curso, a grade curricular, a ementa do curso e a ementa da disciplina Didática da Matemática para a realização de análise documental. Pela análise dos documentos que foram possíveis de serem coletados, é percebido que a disciplina Didática da Matemática não é contemplada em todos os cursos de Licenciatura em Matemática a Distância. Em alguns cursos, seus conhecimentos são abordados em outras disciplinas pedagógicas. A partir dos resultados desta análise, pretende-se discutir a necessidade e importância que os conhecimentos em didática da matemática trazem para a formação do professor. Os dados aqui apresentados são um recorte do projeto de mestrado em andamento que tem como questão desencadeadora o que caracteriza a disciplina Didática da Matemática nos cursos de Licenciatura a Distância.
AS PROPOSIÇÕES DO ENFOQUE CTS NOS LIVROS DIDÁTICOS DE CIÊNCIAS DO 9º ANO
Authors: Cortez Jucelino , Foscarin Neto Armando
Published: May 2020

Este artigo apresenta o resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa junto aos livros didáticos contemplados no Plano Nacional do Livro Didático, da disciplina de Física do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental, utilizados na cidade de Passo Fundo, região norte do Rio Grande do Sul. O objetivo principal deste trabalho está voltado para a análise das formas e das disposições com que os conteúdos são apresentados e trabalhados nestes livros, buscando identificar em quais oportunidades propostas pelas obras pode-se identificar a presença das vocações da abordagem CTS. Dessa forma, pretende-se também oferecer, aos gestores e professores da Educação Básica, subsídios no momento da escolha desta ferramenta. Com a pesquisa identificou-se, por meio do desvelamento de categorias, como e quando tais vocações são identificadas, conforme o referencial teórico que é utilizado neste trabalho.
BASE NACIONAL COMUM CURRICULAR E (SEMI) FORMAÇÃO: QUAIS OS DILEMAS DA ESCOLA ATUAL?
Authors: Manfré Ademir Henrique
Published: May 2020

Este artigo trata do tema (semi) formação, Base Nacional Comum Curricular e escolarização. É resultado de reflexões e problematizações oriundas da disciplina de Currículo e Escola por mim ministrada junto aos cursos de Licenciatura de uma Universidade do Estado de São Paulo. Tem como objetivo geral refletir criticamente sobre as influências que a BNCC traz às políticas de formação docente na atualidade. Além do suporte bibliográfico educacional específico, o artigo ampara-se nas discussões teóricas desenvolvidas por Theodor Adorno em seus textos filosófico-educacionais discorrendo sobre o conceito de (semi) formação e educação. A análise proposta conclui que a BNCC poderá transformar a estrutura curricular brasileira não pelo caminho da formação cultural (Bildung), mas pelos interesses mercadológicos baseados em aspectos como competitividade, produtividade e empreendedorismo, reduzindo as possibilidades de crítica. Assim, a crítica adorniana à sociedade performática emerge como um referencial teórico que contempla a possibilidade de desenvolver em bases diferentes a análise do processo social em que se insere a educação escolar e seus vínculos com a semiformação.
Acid whey treatment and conversion to single cell protein via aerobic yeast activated sludge
Authors: Frigon Matthew DuBois
Published: May 2020

In this study, a synthetic acid whey was made to mimic acid whey produced during cheese manufacture. A mixed yeast culture, primarily Vanrija albida, was used to degrade the wastewater and produce a single cell protein (SCP). The system was operated in batch mode at high and low loading rates. The COD-use efficiency of the biomass was 93 and 85% at the high and low loading rates, respectively. The pH was maintained at 3.5 to prevent bacterial contamination of the system. High loading and high oxygen transfer efficiency indicate that a full-scale yeast system would probably offer significant cost savings over both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial systems. The biomass produced has the potential to be a valuable commodity. The biomass amino acid profile was good with respect to the FAO protein nutrition guidelines for various farmed livestock species.
Analysis of methane production intensity during its displacement from a gas hydrate formation by carbon dioxide
Authors: Khasanov M.K. , Rafikova G.R.
Published: May 2020

The theoretical model is considered in the one-dimensional approximations and numerical solutions are obtained for the process of replacing methane with carbon dioxide from a hydrate in a formation saturated with methane and its hydrate when carbon dioxide is injected into the formation. The process is considered under thermobaric conditions corresponding to the stability region of methane gas and carbon dioxide and the region of existence of CO2 in the form of a gaseous phase. The case is considered when the rate of carbon dioxide hydrate formation is limited by diffusion of carbon dioxide through the formed hydrate layer between the gas mixture stream and methane hydrate. It is accepted that the hydration substitution process occurs without the release of water from the hydrate. To describe the mathematical model, the main equations are the mass conservation equations for methane, carbon dioxide and their hydrates, Darcy’s law for filtration, Fick’s law for diffusive mixing of the gas mixture, state equations for the gas phase, Dalton’s law, energy equation, diffusion equation for transport CO2 through the hydration layer at the pore microchannel scale. The dynamics of the mass flow rates of the outgoing carbon dioxide and methane recovered has been investigated. The influence of the diffusion coefficient, the absolute permeability and the length of the formation on the intensity of the methane produced as a result of the gas substitution process is analyzed. Three main stages of the process were identified: displacement of free methane from the reservoir; extraction of free methane obtained as a result of the beginning of hydrate substitution in the formation; complete conversion of methane hydrate to carbon dioxide hydrate and complete extraction of methane from the formation. It is determined how the two main factors relate to each other in terms of the degree of influence on the replacement rate: heat and mass transfer in the reservoir and the kinetics of the replacement process.
Model of acid solution flow in a porous half-space
Authors: Il‘yasov A.M.
Published: May 2020

To increase oil recovery of weakly permeable carbonate rock, acid treatments with a weakly concentrated aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid are used. There can be various modes of dissolution of rocks depending on the injection rate of the acid solution in the breed from complete dissolution of the skeleton of the rock with a solid front at low speeds the injection to the emergence of long, single wormhole at high speeds of injection. A one-dimensional unsteady model of the flow of an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution in a porous carbonate rock is developed taking into account the movement of the front of the carbonate rock dissolution reaction. The boundary conditions under which the obtained system of equations is reduced to a self-similar system of equations of the fifth order are found. In contrast to self-similar filtration of a Newtonian fluid in the half space, the degree of dependence of self-similar independent variable is equal to − 3/2, and the dependent variables are the porosity and rate of filtration depend on the exponent of the dependence of rock permeability from changes in porosity after acid treatment. A one-dimensional non-stationary model of the flow of an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid in a porous carbonate rock was developed taking into account the movement of the front of the dissolution reaction of carbonate rock. Boundary conditions are found under which the resulting system of equations reduces to a self-similar system of fifth-order equations. Unlike self-similar filtering of Newtonian fluid in half-space, the degree of dependence of the self-similar independent variable is −3/2, and the dependent variables (porosity and speed) of filtration depend on the degree of dependence of rock permeability on the change in porosity after acid treatment.
Determination of the dimensions of the cylindrical weight at the end of the rod
Authors: Aitbaeva A.A.
Published: May 2020

This article discusses free transverse vibrations of a homogeneous rod. The left end of the rod is clamped, and a cylindrical weight is concentrated at the right end. The eigenfrequencies of the rod vibration are known. The purpose of this work is to determine the parameters of the end cylindrical weight of the rod (mass, moment of inertia, length and radius) by the natural frequencies of the rod vibrations. We use a partial differential equation derivative of the fourth order to solve this problem. This equation and boundary conditions are reduced to a spectral problem. To find the mass and moment of inertia of the weight, the «Method of an additional unknown» was applied. In the characteristic determinant of the spectral problem, there are terms that contain products of unknown coefficients. The essence of the «Method of an additional unknown» is that some of these products are proposed to be considered new additional unknowns, through which the rest can be expressed. It is shown that the mass and moment of inertia of the weight can be found using the three natural frequencies of the rod vibrations. Formulas for finding the length and radius of a cylindrical weight are obtained, and corresponding examples of finding unknown parameters are considered.
Recent Advances in Asialoglycoprotein Receptor and Glycyrrhetinic Acid Receptor-Mediated and/or pH-Responsive Hepatocellular Carcinoma- Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Yu-Lan , Zhu Xiao-Min , Liang Hong , Orvig Chris , Chen Zhen-Feng
Published: May 2020

Background:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) seriously affects human health, especially,
it easily develops multi-drug resistance (MDR) which results in treatment failure. There is an
urgent need to develop highly effective and low-toxicity therapeutic agents to treat HCC and to
overcome its MDR. Targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) for cancer therapy, including nanoparticles,
lipids, micelles and liposomes, have been studied for decades. Recently, more attention has
been paid to multifunctional DDS containing various ligands such as polymer moieties, targeting
moieties, and acid-labile linkages. The polymer moieties such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), chitosan
(CTS), hyaluronic acid, pullulan, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO)
protect DDS from degradation. Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) and glycyrrhetinic acid receptor
(GAR) are most often used as the targeting moieties, which are overexpressed on hepatocytes.
Acid-labile linkage, catering for the pH difference between tumor cells and normal tissue, has
been utilized to release drugs at tumor tissue.

Objectives:

This review provides a summary of the recent progress in ASGPR and GAR-mediated
and/or pH-responsive HCC-targeted drug delivery.

Conclusion:

The multifunctional DDS may prolong systemic circulation, continuously release
drugs, increase the accumulation of drugs at the targeted site, enhance the anticancer effect, and
reduce side effects both in vitro and in vivo. But it is rarely used to investigate MDR of HCC; therefore,
it needs to be further studied before going into clinical trials.
An Up-to-Date Review on Bio-Resource Therapeutics Effective against Bacterial Species Frequently Associated with Chronic Sinusitis and Tonsillitis
Authors: Kostić Marina , Ivanov Marija , Babić Snežana Sanković , Petrović Jovana , Soković Marina , Ćirić Ana
Published: May 2020

Upper respiratory tract infections include inflammations of the nose, sinuses (sinusitis),
pharynx (tonsillitis, pharyngitis) and larynx (laryngitis) with bacteria or viruses as the
main cause of these conditions. Due to their repetitive nature, chronic respiratory infections
represent a global problem which is often a result of improper treatment. If not treated adequately,
these conditions may have serious consequences. On the other hand, mis - and overuse
of antibiotics has reduced their efficiency and accelerated the development of resistant
bacterial strains, which further complicates the treatment of infections. This literature review
will focus on current knowledge regarding medicinal plants and mushrooms which have been
traditionally used in the treatment of infections caused by chronic sinusitis and tonsillitis
commonly linked to bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus
pyogenes, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.
The present literature overview might be considered as a starting point for the development
of novel, natural antimicrobial products with potential practical use in the treatment of
chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Triple Immunosuppressive Therapy Evaluated by AC Biosusceptometry and Electrogastrography in Rats
Authors: Dallagnol Denize J.R. , Corá Luciana A. , Gama Loyane A. , Caló Romero S. , Miranda José R.A. , Américo Madileine F.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Triple immunosuppressive therapy is associated with several gastrointestinal
disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects induced by the triple immunosuppressive
therapy on the gastrointestinal tract of rats.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: Control: filtered
water; TAC + MPS + PRED: treated with Tacrolimus plus Mycophenolate Sodium plus Prednisone;
and CSA + AZA + PRED: treated with Cyclosporine plus Azathioprine plus Prednisone. The treatment
was done for 14 days by gavage. Gastric emptying and contractility were evaluated by the Alternating
Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) and Electrogastrography (EGG). Histological, biochemical and hematological
analyses were also performed.

Results:

Gastric emptying time was slower in the CSA + AZA + PRED group in comparison with
control (p<0.01) and TAC + MPS + PRED groups (p<0.001). Animals treated with TAC + MPS +
PRED showed accelerated gastric emptying (p<0.05) compared to control. The amplitude of gastric
contractions in both immunosuppressed groups was higher than observed in the control. The frequency
of gastric contractions for the CSA + AZA + PRED group was also increased (p<0.01). Results obtained
by EGG were similar to those recorded with the ACB. The thickness of the circular layer from
stomach muscle decreased in both immunosuppressed groups, while the longitudinal layer was reduced
only in the CSA + AZA + PRED group.

Conclusion:

Triple immunosuppressive therapy alters gastric motility, compromises the muscular
layers
Formulation, Optimization and In vitro / In vivo Characterization of Spray Dried Doxorubicin Loaded Folic Acid Conjugated Gelatin Nanoparticles
Authors: Singh Harjit , Khurana Bharat , Arora Daisy , Kaur Sukhbir
Published: May 2020

Aim:

Formulation, optimization and anticancer activity of spray-dried Doxorubicin loaded
folic acid conjugated Gelatin nanoparticles (DOX-FA-GN).

Methods:

Doxorubicin loaded gelatin nanoparticles (DOX-GN) were prepared by the Coacervation
phase separation method, optimized using DoE and then conjugated with folic acid by covalent coupling
to formulate Doxorubicin loaded folic acid conjugated nanoparticles (DOX-FA-GN). The formulated
nanoparticles were characterized to evaluate its physicochemical properties. Cellular uptake
and cell viability studies were carried out using MTT assay and biodistribution studies were
carried out in Wistar rats.

Results:

Particle size, PDI and entrapment efficiency for optimized DOX-GN were found to be
152.3 ± 9.3 nm 0.294 ± 0.1 and 86.9± 3.4% while for DOX-FA-GN, 193.9 ± 12.3 nm 0.247 ± 0.2
and 84 ± 3.6%. The cytotoxic studies showed a cell viability of 75.1% for DOX-GN and 29.5%
DOX-FA-GN. Biodistribution studies were found to be statistically insignificant for conjugated
nanoparticles with excellent flow properties. Significantly higher DOX distribution in the lungs
was observed in the case of DOX-FA-GN.

Conclusions:

There was a higher uptake of DOX on HeLa cells with DOX-FA-GN compared to
DOX-GN. Also, the biodistribution of Dox in the lungs of Wistar rats was higher in conjugated
nanoparticles as compared to unconjugated nanoparticles.
An Overview of Psychological Restoration in Urban Environment: Integration of Pro-Environmental Theory into Neuro-Landscape Study
Authors: Othman Noriah , Mohd Salleh Mohd Zahid , Abdul Malek Nurhayati , Suddin Leny Suzana
Published: May 2020

Rapid urbanization has brought changes in life events that impact the psychological problem of mental health. The urban nature serves as a Psychological Restoration (PR) among affected people. Besides, closed attachment with nature leads somebody to react as pro-environmental. Despite many studies on nature and PR, hardly any studied in neuro-landscape (NL) intervene with pro-environment behaviour (PEB) on PR. Thus, this paper explores the potential of PEB to integrate on PR via a systematic mapping review with 23 articles. Hence, these significant arguments were discussed in detail as a basis to support the future study proposition.
The Effects of Changes to the Urban Physical Environment on Mental Disorder: Development of a theoretical framework
Authors: Marzukhi Marlyana Azyyati , Ghazali Nur Masyitah , Hoon Leh Oliver Ling , Abdullah Yusfida Ayu
Published: May 2020

This paper examines the way in which the changes of the urban physical environment creates a high level of mental disorder among the urban population. The rapid urbanisation process in a recent year adds urgency to this issue. Drawing on a scoping review of studies of the wider relationship between the urban physical environment and mental disorder, the relevant information from 109 articles published between 1985 to 2019 was synthesised. Through this process, a theoretical framework using urban health indicatorsÂ that identifies the effects of changes to the urban physical environment on mental disorder was developed. The framework can be beneficial to improve the environmental planning quality towards a healthier urban environment in addressing emerging challenges of urbanisation.
The Story of Menstruation (1946): Teaching Menstrual Hygiene in American Classrooms
Authors: Schaefer Mariah Mendes
Published: May 2020

Vol 1. No. 1 (2019)

This issue of SourceLab presents a digital documentary edition of The Story of Menstruation, a 1946 educational film. 

This publication is part of the digital documentary edition series SourceLab, based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Our Editorial Board conducts rigorous peer-review of every edition.
User Experiences With a Type 2 Diabetes Coaching App: Qualitative Study
Authors: Baptista Shaira , Wadley Greg , Bird Dominique , Oldenburg Brian , Speight Jane ,   The My Diabetes Coach Research Group
Published: May 2020

Background

Diabetes self-management apps have the potential to improve self-management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although efficacy trials provide evidence of health benefits, premature disengagement from apps is common. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that influence engagement in real-world settings.

Objective

This study aims to explore users’ real-world experiences with the My Diabetes Coach (MDC) self-management app.

Methods

We conducted telephone-based interviews with participants who had accessed the MDC self-management app via their smartphone for up to 12 months. Interviews focused on user characteristics; the context within which the app was used; barriers and facilitators of app use; and the design, content, and delivery of support within the app.

Results

A total of 19 adults with T2D (8/19, 42% women; mean age 60, SD 14 years) were interviewed. Of the 19 interviewees, 8 (42%) had T2D for <5 years, 42% (n=8) had T2D for 5-10 years, and 16% (n=3) had T2D for >10 years. In total, 2 themes were constructed from interview data: (1) the moderating effect of diabetes self-management styles on needs, preferences, and expectations and (2) factors influencing users’ engagement with the app: one size does not fit all.

Conclusions

User characteristics, the context of use, and features of the app interact and influence engagement. Promoting engagement is vital if diabetes self-management apps are to become a useful complement to clinical care in supporting optimal self-management.

Trial Registration

Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry CTRN126140012296; URL https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366925&isReview=true
Exploring Strategies for Using Social Media to Self-Manage Health Care When Living With and Beyond Breast Cancer: In-Depth Qualitative Study
Authors: Ure Cathy , Cooper-Ryan Anna Mary , Condie Jenna , Galpin Adam
Published: May 2020

Background

As breast cancer survival rates improve and structural health resources are increasingly being stretched, health providers require people living with and beyond breast cancer (LwBBC) to self-manage aspects of their care.

Objective

This study aimed to explore how women use and experience social media to self-manage their psychosocial needs and support self-management across the breast cancer continuum.

Methods

The experiences of 21 women (age range 27-64 years) were explored using an in-depth qualitative approach. The women varied in the duration of their experiences of LwBBC, which facilitated insights into how they evolve and change their self-management strategies over time. Semistructured interviews were analyzed inductively using a thematic analysis, a polytextual analysis, and voice-centered relational methods.

Results

The use of multiple social media platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter, enabled women to self-manage aspects of their care by satisfying needs for timely, relevant, and appropriate support, by navigating identities disrupted by diagnosis and treatment and by allowing them to (re)gain a sense of control. Women described extending their everyday use of multiple platforms to self-manage their care. However, women experienced social media as both empowering and dislocating, as their engagement was impacted by their everyday experiences of LwBBC.

Conclusions

Health care professionals (HCPs) need to be more aware, and open to the possibilities, of women using multiple social media resources as self-management tools. It is important for HCPs to initiate value-free discussions and create the space necessary for women to share how social media resources support a tailored and timely self-managed approach to their unique psychosocial needs.
Automatic Construction of a Depression-Domain Lexicon Based on Microblogs: Text Mining Study
Authors: Li Genghao , Li Bing , Huang Langlin , Hou Sibing
Published: May 2020

Background

According to a World Health Organization report in 2017, there was almost one patient with depression among every 20 people in China. However, the diagnosis of depression is usually difficult in terms of clinical detection owing to slow observation, high cost, and patient resistance. Meanwhile, with the rapid emergence of social networking sites, people tend to share their daily life and disclose inner feelings online frequently, making it possible to effectively identify mental conditions using the rich text information. There are many achievements regarding an English web-based corpus, but for research in China so far, the extraction of language features from web-related depression signals is still in a relatively primary stage.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to propose an effective approach for constructing a depression-domain lexicon. This lexicon will contain language features that could help identify social media users who potentially have depression. Our study also compared the performance of detection with and without our lexicon.

Methods

We autoconstructed a depression-domain lexicon using Word2Vec, a semantic relationship graph, and the label propagation algorithm. These two methods combined performed well in a specific corpus during construction. The lexicon was obtained based on 111,052 Weibo microblogs from 1868 users who were depressed or nondepressed. During depression detection, we considered six features, and we used five classification methods to test the detection performance.

Results

The experiment results showed that in terms of the F1 value, our autoconstruction method performed 1% to 6% better than baseline approaches and was more effective and steadier. When applied to detection models like logistic regression and support vector machine, our lexicon helped the models outperform by 2% to 9% and was able to improve the final accuracy of potential depression detection.

Conclusions

Our depression-domain lexicon was proven to be a meaningful input for classification algorithms, providing linguistic insights on the depressive status of test subjects. We believe that this lexicon will enhance early depression detection in people on social media. Future work will need to be carried out on a larger corpus and with more complex methods.
Knowledge and Behaviors Toward COVID-19 Among US Residents During the Early Days of the Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Online Questionnaire
Authors: Clements John M
Published: May 2020

Background

The early days of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States brought uncertainty in the knowledge about COVID-19 and what to do about it. It is necessary to understand public knowledge and behaviors if we are to effectively address the pandemic.

Objective

The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that knowledge about COVID-19 influences participation in different behaviors including self-reports of purchasing more goods than usual, attending large gatherings, and using medical masks.

Methods

This study was funded and approved by the Institutional Review Board on March 17, 2020. The cross-sectional online survey of 1034 US residents aged 18 years or older was conducted on March 17, 2020.

Results

For every point increase in knowledge, the odds of participation in purchasing more goods (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.95), attending large gatherings (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.93), and using medical masks (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.50-0.62) decreased by 12%, 13%, and 44%, respectively. Gen X and millennial participants had 56% and 76% higher odds, respectively, of increased purchasing behavior compared to baby boomers. The results suggest that there is a politicization of response recommendations. Democrats had 30% lower odds of attending large gatherings (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50-0.97) and 48% lower odds of using medical masks (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34-0.78) compared to Republicans.

Conclusions

This survey is one of the first attempts to study determinants of knowledge and behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. A national, coordinated effort toward a pandemic response may ensure better compliance with behavioral recommendations to address this public health emergency.
COVID-19-Related Web Search Behaviors and Infodemic Attitudes in Italy: Infodemiological Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro , Bhagavathula Akshaya Srikanth
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, fake news and misleading information have circulated worldwide, which can profoundly affect public health communication.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated online search behavior related to the COVID-19 outbreak and the attitudes of “infodemic monikers” (ie, erroneous information that gives rise to interpretative mistakes, fake news, episodes of racism, etc) circulating in Italy.

METHODS

By using Google Trends to explore the internet search activity related to COVID-19 from January to March 2020, article titles from the most read newspapers and government websites were mined to investigate the attitudes of infodemic monikers circulating across various regions and cities in Italy. Search volume values and average peak comparison (APC) values were used to analyze the results.

RESULTS

Keywords such as “novel coronavirus,” “China coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” “2019-nCOV,” and “SARS-COV-2” were the top infodemic and scientific COVID-19 terms trending in Italy. The top five searches related to health were “face masks,” “amuchina” (disinfectant), “symptoms of the novel coronavirus,” “health bulletin,” and “vaccines for coronavirus.” The regions of Umbria and Basilicata recorded a high number of infodemic monikers (APC weighted total >140). Misinformation was widely circulated in the Campania region, and racism-related information was widespread in Umbria and Basilicata. These monikers were frequently searched (APC weighted total >100) in more than 10 major cities in Italy, including Rome.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a growing regional and population-level interest in COVID-19 in Italy. The majority of searches were related to amuchina, face masks, health bulletins, and COVID-19 symptoms. Since a large number of infodemic monikers were observed across Italy, we recommend that health agencies use Google Trends to predict human behavior as well as to manage misinformation circulation in Italy.
Most important factors for deciding rehabilitation provision for severe stroke survivors post hospital discharge: A study protocol for Best-Worst Scaling experiment (Preprint)
Authors: Mohapatra Sushmita , Cheung Kei Long , Hiligsmann Mickael , Anokye Nana
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Objective decision-making is crucial to ensure adequate rehabilitation is provided after stroke with optimal use of healthcare resources. Establishing the factors associated with making decisions concerning the provision of rehabilitation is important to guide clinical staff decide person-centred decisions for rehabilitation after severe stroke.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the most important factors and their relative weight for deciding the type and length of ongoing rehabilitation services a person with severe stroke might get post hospital discharge.

METHODS

Methods: In this study, we will conduct a best-worst scaling (BWS) experiment, specifically a BWS object case. Fractional, efficient designs will be applied regards the survey design. Key multidisciplinary staff regularly involved in making decisions for rehabilitation in a stroke unit will be recruited to participate in an online BWS survey. Hierarchical Bayes estimation will be used as the main analysis method, with the best-worst count analysis as a secondary analysis.
Ethical approval for the study has been obtained from the College Research Ethics Committee (CREC) at Brunel University London

RESULTS

The survey is currently being piloted prior to commencing the process of data collection. Results are expected by the end of September 2020. No funding has been received for this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The research would add to the current literature on clinical-decision-making in stroke rehabilitation. Findings will inform about the preferences of factors among key multi-disciplinary clinicians working in stroke units in the UK, involved in decision making concerning rehabilitation after stroke. Findings of the study will be presented in local, national and international platforms and published in peer reviewed journals. This will also be shared though various clinical forums for multidisciplinary staff, such as CAPHR and NIHR-CLHARC.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/a