bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Global Prevalence of COVID-19: An Econometric Approach
Authors: Adekunle Wasiu , Oyolola Feyisayo , Atolagbe Oluwafemi A. , Ademola Abdulhameed A. , Odugbemi Taiwo H. , Ashiru Yusuff O.
Published: February 2021

Virtually all economies of the world were caught up unawares with the sudden outbreak and rapid spread of coronavirus pandemic from Wuhan City of China to the rest of the world. A number of studies have been conducted to investigate the drivers of the spread of the viral infection. To differ with these studies which were mostly epidemiological-based, we employed a cross-sectional quantile regression approach to uncover both the common and region-specific socio-economic conditions that are instrumental in the spread of the pandemic across four continents of the world including Africa, Asia, America and Europe. Across the four continents, we observed that age characteristics proxied by life expectancy and the size of the aged population, as well as, overall spending on the health sector have significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. We also noted the significant roles of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in the case of Africa, net migration in the case of America and tourism attraction in the case of Europe in driving the prevalence of coronavirus. We therefore draw policy implications in terms of the need for improved spending on health sector across continents and the need to intensify health checks for travelers and immigrants, and also the need to emphasize regular check-ups for all individuals across continents since current realities have shown that no age-group is spared of contracting the viral infection.
Geostatistics of Active Fire Remote Sensing Data - Examples from South Asia
Authors: Devkota Jyoti U.
Published: February 2021

Active fires illuminated on the earth surface are caught by the satellite. These fires are created by various sources such as vegetation fires, gas flares, biomass burning, volcanoes, and industrial sites such as steel mills. Near real time active fire data is collected using remote sensing techniques of satellites. Amount of active fires in an area is a proxy indicator of aerosols, green houses gases and trace gases. Here the behavior of active fires over a period of one year in Nepal, Bhutan and Srilanka are studied using spatial statistics. This study is based on data acquired through remote sensing of data acquisition platform, NASA’s MODIS. Spatial statistics is used here to study the incidence of active fires with respect to geographical location. The behavior of parameters of various autoregressive models like Spatial Durban Model, Spatial Lag Model, Spatial Error Model, Manski Model and Kelegian Prucha Model are minutely analyzed. The best model with highest pseudo R2 is selected. The spatial behavior of the fire radiative power for three countries is also predicted using spatial interpolation and kriging. So the burning potential of vegetations in unsampled areas is envisaged by thus predicting FRP. Such studies give a country wise perspective to the behavior of fire; this is with reference to south Asia. They are of great importance for countries of developing world which lack a strong backbone of good quality official records. Through the statistical analyses of data collected by such platforms, important information can be indirectly assessed.
A Low-Power Biomimetic Crypto Engine for All-In-One IoT based on Programmable and Multifunctional MoS2 FETs
Authors: Das Saptarshi , Dodda Akhil
Published: February 2021

In the emerging era of internet of things (IoT), ubiquitous sensors continuously collect, consume, store, and communicate an astonishing volume of information, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to theft and misuse. Modern software crypto systems are powerful but require extensive computational infrastructure for implementing ciphering algorithms making it difficult to be adopted by IoT edge sensors that operate with limited hardware resources and at miniscule energy budgets. Here we propose, and experimentally demonstrate a low-power, biomimetic, crypto system integrated with IoT edge sensor based on an array of atomically thin, multifunctional, and programmable MoS2 field effect transistors (FETs). We show that the information received by a MoS2 photodetector and encrypted by a population of MoS2 based reconfigurable artificial neural encoders is secure from an eavesdropper with finite resources. We also show that our all-in-one IoT platform consumes miniscule energy in the range of tens to hundreds of pico Joules, has a small hardware footprint, and combines sensing, non-volatile storage, and security, for the first time.
Biology, pathotype, and virulence of Globodera rostochiensis populations from Kenya
Authors: Mwangi James M. , Mwangi Grace N. , Finckh Maria R. , Kiewnick Sebastian
Published: February 2021

The potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) and G. pallida (Stone), are important pests of potato globally. Due to their extensive damage potential and the challenge of managing them, these nematodes are under strict regulations in many countries; however, despite these regulations, PCN continue to spread into new areas and countries. In Kenya, G. rostochiensis was first reported in 2015 and G. pallida was reported three years later, both in Nyandarua County. Research was conducted to characterize the biology, pathotype, and virulence of G. rostochiensis populations from Kenya in glasshouse and laboratory studies. The development of G. rostochiensis was assessed in roots of susceptible potato ‘Désirée’ and resistant ‘Laura’ carrying the H1 resistance gene. The ‘HAR1’ population from Kenya and ‘Ecosse’ from Germany were not able to produce females in the roots of the resistant potato ‘Laura’. The rate of root penetration by G. rostochiensis juveniles did not differ (p > 0.05) between populations and cultivars. However, in the resistant cultivar, juveniles developed into males only. A total of 736 cumulative degree-days at 6°C base temperature (DD6) were required by ‘HAR1’ to complete the life cycle on ‘Désirée’, whereas ‘Ecosse’ completed the life cycle within 645 DD6. The Kenyan populations lacked obligatory diapause and high numbers of juveniles hatched immediately after maturity. Consequently, the Kenyan populations had the potential to complete up to three reproduction cycles in less than a year. On selected potato cultivars, the populations from Kenya failed to reproduce on 10 out of 13 commercial cultivars tested. The 10 cultivars carried the H1 resistance gene, which suggests that the G. rostochiensis populations tested belong to the Ro1/4 pathotype group. The virulence of the G. rostochiensis populations from Kenya did not differ from that of the standard reference population ‘Ecosse’ and therefore can be effectively managed with the commercially available potato cultivars carrying the H1 resistance gene.
Host status of morning-glory (Ipomoea spp.) to Meloidogyne species
Authors: Kaspary Tiago Edu , Júnior Ismail Teodoro de Souza , Ramos Rodrigo Ferraz , Bellé Cristiano
Published: February 2021

Weeds can be hosting and alternative multipliers of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Among the main weeds, species of the genus Ipomoea stands out for their cosmopolitan presence and the negative impact on crops. In addition, they can behave as hosts and promote the reproduction of pests, diseases, and nematodes. However, the ability of Meloidogyne nematodes to infect morning-glory (Ipomoea spp.) is little understood. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the reproduction of M. arenaria, M. enterolobii, M. ethiopica, M. hapla, M. incognita, M. javanica, M. luci, and M. morocciensis in I. grandifolia, I. hederifolia, I. nil, I. purpurea, and I. quamoclit. Plants were individually inoculated with 5,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles and kept in a greenhouse for 60 days. The design was completely randomized with six repetitions. After this period, the root system of each plant was evaluated to gall index (IG) and reproduction factor (RF). It was verified that the eight species of Melodoigyne have the capacity to parasitize I. grandifolia, I. hederifolia, I. nil, I. purpurea, and I. quamoclit, showing the susceptibility of these weeds to the plant-parasitic nematodes. The highest RF were observed for M. enterolobii with values of 12.5 and 12.9 for I. quamoclit and I. hederifolia, respectively. While M. arenaria obtained the lowest values, with RF ≤ 4.0 for all species of Ipomoea. Thus, weed species of the Ipomoea genus are potential hosts and multipliers of root-knot nematodes, making it important to be considered in integrated management strategies for these plant-parasitic nematodes.
OASIS: Optimal Analysis-Specific Importance Sampling for event generation
Authors: Matchev Konstantin , Shyamsundar Prasanth
Published: February 2021

We propose a technique called Optimal Analysis-Specific Importance Sampling (OASIS) to reduce the number of simulated events required for a high-energy experimental analysis to reach a target sensitivity. We provide recipes to obtain the optimal sampling distributions which preferentially focus the event generation on the regions of phase space with high utility to the experimental analyses. OASIS leads to a conservation of resources at all stages of the Monte Carlo pipeline, including full-detector simulation, and is complementary to approaches which seek to speed-up the simulation pipeline.
Enhancement performance of hydraulic actuators using PSO with FOPID controller
Authors: Khaleel Ahmed Majida , Majid Msallam Mohammed
Published: February 2021

At present, the need for hydraulic system application in different fields, such as an excavator, is increased. The power of liquid is used in the hydraulic machines to achieve its task. Thus, the power of liquid requires precise control to become its work more accurate. The goal of this paper is to find the best parameter for the fractional proportional integral derivative (FPID) controller using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Moreover, at the end of the paper, the simulation will be applied on MATLAB-SIMULINK. Based on the results, the PSO with the FPID controller is better than related work.
Quality by Design Approach for Development and Optimization of Rifampicin Loaded Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles and Characterization
Authors: Joshi Monica , Yadav Khushwant S. , Prabhakar Bala
Published: February 2021

Background:

This study is focused on preparing rifampicin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles
(RIF BSA NPs) suitable for intravenous application using systematic quality by design
(QbD) approach.

Aim:

Rifampicin is one of the first-line drugs used for tuberculosis therapy. The therapy
lasts for a long time. Thus, there is a need to develop a sustained release formulation of rifampicin
for intravenous application.

Objectives:

The main objective of this study is optimizing particle size and entrapment efficiency
of rifampicin-loaded bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (RIF BSA NPs) and making them suitable
for intravenous application using QbD approach.

Methods:

Quality target product profile was defined along with critical quality attributes (CQAs)
for the formulation. 32 factorial design was used for achieving the predetermined values of CQAs,
i.e., mean particle size <200 nm and percent entrapment efficiency>50%. Incubation time of drug
with colloidal albumin solution and ratio of rifampicin to albumin, were selected as independent
variables. Checkpoint analysis was performed to confirm the suitability of the regression model for
optimization.

Results: :

The optimized RIF BSA NPs were characterized by FTIR, DSC, 1H NMR techniques. The
NPs observed by transmission electron microscopy were spherical in shape. The rifampicin release
could be sustained for 72 hours from BSA NPs matrix. RIF BSA NPs dispersion was stable at 5 ±
3°C for 72 hours. Non-toxicity of nanoparticles to RAW 264.7 cell line was proved by MTT assay.

Conclusion:

Development of RIF BSA NPs with desired quality attributes was possible by implementing
the QbD approach. The optimized formulation suitable for intravenous application can potentially
improve the therapeutic benefits of rifampicin.
Progress on Precise Regulation of Vascular Intimal Repair by a Surface Coating of Vascular Stent
Authors: Liu Shihui , Zhi Junchao , Li Shijie , Song Zhuoyue , Gong Tao , Pan Changjiang , Tang Chunzhi , Xu Nenggui , Liu Tao
Published: February 2021

In the past few decades, drug-eluting stents have made significant contributions to the
treatment of coronary heart disease. However, due to the delayed healing of endothelial injuries
caused by antiproliferative drugs and insufficient biocompatibility of vascular stent materials, late
in-stent thrombosis and restenosis remain major challenges. Surface modification of cardiovascular
materials to construct a biological functional layer that can regulate the behavior of blood and vascular
cells is an effective way to improve the clinical performance of vascular stents. This paper reviewed
the common methods of surface bio-functional modification of cardiovascular materials
and especially proposed that take advantage of the new concept of precision medicine, as well as
the precise and orderly regulation properties of cardiovascular disease-related gene fragments on
vascular biological response behavior, the construction of gene-eluting stents which can in-situ regulate
vascular intimal repair at the molecular and genetic level will become an important research
direction in the future.
Cancer Immunotherapy - Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Bai Jing , Liang Ping , Li Qian , Feng Rui , Liu Jiang
Published: February 2021

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, and its incidence
and mortality are increasing worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer
treatment in recent years. In particular, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as new therapeutic
tools, have demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity and manageable tolerability in HCC. Immune
checkpoint blockade with antibodies targeting Programmed cell Death-1 (PD-1), Programmed
cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-
4) enhances tumor immunity by restoring exhausted T cells. Although the efficacy of combinational
treatment strategies using ICIs combined with other ICIs, molecularly targeted agents, systemic
therapy, or locoregional therapy has been well documented in numerous preclinical and clinical
studies in several types of cancer, most HCC patients do not benefit from ICI treatment. This review
highlights recent developments and potential opportunities related to ICIs and their combination
in the management of HCC. The present article also reviews recent patents related to ICIs.
Comparison of Serum Choline and Trimethylamine N-oxide after ingestion of Alpha Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline and Choline Salts.
Authors: Davis Greggory R. , Bellar David , Aldret Randy L.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Choline supplements may provide potential improvements to health outcomes and exercise performance, yet the bioavailability of choline supplements is poorly understood. Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to examine the levels of serum Choline and Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) after two dose of Alpha Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline (A-GPC) in comparison to common choline salts.

Methods:

High-dose and low-dose A-GPC along with choline salt supplements were administered to participants over the course of four weeks in a randomized double-blind fashion. Serum levels of choline and TMAO, the gut byproduct of choline were examined acutely over the course of four hours and again following one week and four weeks of supplementation.

Results:

High-dose A-GPC and the choline chloride supplement yielded significantly higher choline levels compared to low-dose A-GPC and choline bitartate (F=31.31, p<0.01) though the effect for time was not significant. TMAO levels were not significantly different between supplements (F=1.96. p=0.1361) or across time (F=0.0795, p=0.7795).

Conclusion:

A-GPC increases serum choline similar to that seen with high-dose choline chloride ingestion without a concomitant increase in TMAO levels and therefore, may be a desirable option as a dietary supplement.
Porous Sponges from the Mesocarp of Theobroma Cacao L. Pod Shells for Potential Biomaterial Applications
Authors: Heredia Sandra , Costa Diego , Choez Iván , Barragan Ana , Quijano María F. , Cárdenas Washington , Manzano Patricia , Reyes Carol , Sosa del Castillo Daynet , Alvarez-Barreto Jose F.
Published: February 2021

Lignocellulosic materials have garnered significant attention in recent years to generate biomaterials, but nothing has been investigated with cacao residues of significant importance in Ecuador. This study's objective was to generate porous, three-dimensional sponges from cacao pod shell mesocarp with potential use in biomaterial application. Discs from the mesocarp of cacao pod shells were subjected to neutral, acid, and alkaline treatments, at 25oC and 100oC, followed by washing and lyophilization. Sponge composition was evaluated, with the alkaline treatment resulting in the highest cellulose content and the lowest percentage of lignin, with the removal of hemicellulose corroborated by FITR. The sponges presented high water absorption capacities, which increased with the treatment temperature; mainly, the alkaline generated structures had the largest capacity. The sponges' porosity also depended on the treatment, with the acid and alkaline treatments generating larger pores, which significantly grew with treatment temperature. Preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity tests were carried out using Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells, according to ISO 10993.5.2009, with none of the materials being cytotoxic; however, those with greater lignin contents resulted in lower cell viability. In general, it is considered that the alkaline generated sponges presented the more significant potential for biomaterial applications, which could be further tested with In vitro cell proliferation and differentiation studies and possible in vivo assays.
Genetic transformation of apical meristematic shoots in the banana cultivar ‘Williams’
Authors: Villao Liliana , Flores José , Santos-Ordóñez Efrén
Published: February 2021

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) are among the most critical socioeconomic crops globally, being a staple food for millions of people in the tropics and an essential component for the export market, including the subtropics. Besides conventional breeding, genetic improvement of bananas and plantains could be performed through genetic engineering and new breeding techniques. Furthermore, plant tissue culture is essential for these technologies, including developing embryogenic cell suspensions and in vitro plants. The transient and stable genetic transformation could be performed from in vitro plants, shortening Musa transgenic lines development compared to genetic transformation while using embryogenic cell suspension. In this study, a genetic transformation protocol was established from banana apical meristems for the ‘Williams’ cultivar (genotype AAA). The protocol was based on the co-cultivation of the explants (whole in vitro plants or bisected meristematic tissues derived from in vitro plants) with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring two binary vectors denominated pLVCIBE1 (cassette: MabHIPP promoter::luc2::Tnos, P35S::hpt::Tnos) and pLVCIBE2 (cassette: P35S::luc2::Tnos, P35S::hpt::Tnos), independently. The stable genetic transformation was obtained by subculturing in vitro banana plants in selection medium (12.5µg/mL of hygromycin) for 8 weeks from bisected meristematic tissue transformation. Genetic transformation was confirmed in vivo with the use of the luciferase reporter gene system. Furthermore, PCR was performed on DNA extracted from leaves of regenerated transgenic in vitro plants after 8 weeks of selection, confirming stable genetic transformation. Therefore, genetic transformation was achieved in the apical meristematic tissue of in vitro banana plants with co-cultivation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Forecasting the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia Using a Modified Singular Spectrum Analysis Approach: Model Development and Data Analysis
Authors: Alharbi Nader
Published: February 2021

Background

Infectious disease is one of the main issues that threatens human health worldwide. The 2019 outbreak of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19, has become a serious global pandemic. Many attempts have been made to forecast the spread of the disease using various methods, including time series models. Among the attempts to model the pandemic, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have used the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) technique to forecast confirmed cases.

Objective

The primary objective of this paper is to construct a reliable, robust, and interpretable model for describing, decomposing, and forecasting the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and predicting the peak of the pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A modified singular spectrum analysis (SSA) approach was applied for the analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. We proposed this approach and developed it in our previous studies regarding the separability and grouping steps in SSA, which play important roles in reconstruction and forecasting. The modified SSA approach mainly enables us to identify the number of interpretable components required for separability, signal extraction, and noise reduction. The approach was examined using different levels of simulated and real data with different structures and signal-to-noise ratios. In this study, we examined the capability of the approach to analyze COVID-19 data. We then used vector SSA to predict new data points and the peak of the pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Results

In the first stage, the confirmed daily cases on the first 42 days (March 02 to April 12, 2020) were used and analyzed to identify the value of the number of required eigenvalues (r) for separability between noise and signal. After obtaining the value of r, which was 2, and extracting the signals, vector SSA was used to predict and determine the pandemic peak. In the second stage, we updated the data and included 81 daily case values. We used the same window length and number of eigenvalues for reconstruction and forecasting of the points 90 days ahead. The results of both forecasting scenarios indicated that the peak would occur around the end of May or June 2020 and that the crisis would end between the end of June and the middle of August 2020, with a total number of infected people of approximately 330,000.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the impressive performance of modified SSA in analyzing COVID-19 data and selecting the value of r for identifying the signal subspace from a noisy time series and then making a reliable prediction of daily confirmed cases using the vector SSA method.
Development of a Web-Based System for Exploring Cancer Risk With Long-term Use of Drugs: Logistic Regression Approach
Authors: Yang Hsuan-Chia , Islam Md Mohaimenul , Nguyen Phung Anh Alex , Wang Ching-Huan , Poly Tahmina Nasrin , Huang Chih-Wei , Li Yu-Chuan Jack
Published: February 2021

Background

Existing epidemiological evidence regarding the association between the long-term use of drugs and cancer risk remains controversial.

Objective

We aimed to have a comprehensive view of the cancer risk of the long-term use of drugs.

Methods

A nationwide population-based, nested, case-control study was conducted within the National Health Insurance Research Database sample cohort of 1999 to 2013 in Taiwan. We identified cases in adults aged 20 years and older who were receiving treatment for at least two months before the index date. We randomly selected control patients from the patients without a cancer diagnosis during the 15 years (1999-2013) of the study period. Case and control patients were matched 1:4 based on age, sex, and visit date. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between drug exposure and cancer risk by adjusting potential confounders such as drugs and comorbidities.

Results

There were 79,245 cancer cases and 316,980 matched controls included in this study. Of the 45,368 associations, there were 2419, 1302, 662, and 366 associations found statistically significant at a level of P<.05, P<.01, P<.001, and P<.0001, respectively. Benzodiazepine derivatives were associated with an increased risk of brain cancer (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.379, 95% CI 1.138-1.670; P=.001). Statins were associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer (AOR 0.470, 95% CI 0.426-0.517; P<.0001) and gastric cancer (AOR 0.781, 95% CI 0.678-0.900; P<.001). Our web-based system, which collected comprehensive data of associations, contained 2 domains: (1) the drug and cancer association page and (2) the overview page.

Conclusions

Our web-based system provides an overview of comprehensive quantified data of drug-cancer associations. With all the quantified data visualized, the system is expected to facilitate further research on cancer risk and prevention, potentially serving as a stepping-stone to consulting and exploring associations between the long-term use of drugs and cancer risk.
Visibility Versus Privacy of Physicians in the Age of Social Media
Authors: Patel Sunny J , Guddati Achuta K
Published: February 2021

As access to the internet has grown over the years, social media has become an important resource in the health care sector. Third-party physician-rating websites in particular have gained popularity. However, there are ethical implications of such websites. These websites provide a platform for patients to evaluate and review physicians and likewise increase visibility and advertisement of physicians, but they also violate the rights to privacy that these doctors should have. This paper aims to study and assess the ethical implications of these websites on the visibility and privacy of physicians. After presenting the ethical dilemma associated with such websites, it provides guidelines that can be incorporated by both physicians and third-party sites to help maintain physician privacy while providing public service in the form of advertisement and visibility.
Development of a Web-Based System for Exploring Cancer Risk With Long-term Use of Drugs: Logistic Regression Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Yang Hsuan-Chia , Islam Md Mohaimenul , Nguyen Phung Anh Alex , Wang Ching-Huan , Poly Tahmina Nasrin , Huang Chih-Wei , Li Yu-Chuan Jack
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Existing epidemiological evidence regarding the association between the long-term use of drugs and cancer risk remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to have a comprehensive view of the cancer risk of the long-term use of drugs.

METHODS

A nationwide population-based, nested, case-control study was conducted within the National Health Insurance Research Database sample cohort of 1999 to 2013 in Taiwan. We identified cases in adults aged 20 years and older who were receiving treatment for at least two months before the index date. We randomly selected control patients from the patients without a cancer diagnosis during the 15 years (1999-2013) of the study period. Case and control patients were matched 1:4 based on age, sex, and visit date. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between drug exposure and cancer risk by adjusting potential confounders such as drugs and comorbidities.

RESULTS

There were 79,245 cancer cases and 316,980 matched controls included in this study. Of the 45,368 associations, there were 2419, 1302, 662, and 366 associations found statistically significant at a level of P<.05, P<.01, P<.001, and P<.0001, respectively. Benzodiazepine derivatives were associated with an increased risk of brain cancer (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.379, 95% CI 1.138-1.670; P=.001). Statins were associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer (AOR 0.470, 95% CI 0.426-0.517; P<.0001) and gastric cancer (AOR 0.781, 95% CI 0.678-0.900; P<.001). Our web-based system, which collected comprehensive data of associations, contained 2 domains: (1) the drug and cancer association page and (2) the overview page.

CONCLUSIONS

Our web-based system provides an overview of comprehensive quantified data of drug-cancer associations. With all the quantified data visualized, the system is expected to facilitate further research on cancer risk and prevention, potentially serving as a stepping-stone to consulting and exploring associations between the long-term use of drugs and cancer risk.
Medication Adherence Reminder System for Virtual Home Assistants: Mixed Methods Evaluative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Corbett Cynthia F. , Combs Elizabeth M. , Chandarana Peyton S. , Stringfellow Isabel , Worthy Karen , Nguyen Thien , Wright Pamela J. , O'Kane Jason M.
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Medication non-adherence is a global public health challenge that results in sub-optimal health outcomes and increases healthcare costs. Forgetting to take medicines is one of the most common reasons for unintentional non-adherence. Research findings indicate that voice-activated virtual home assistants (VHAs), such as Amazon Echo and Google Home devices, may be useful in promoting medication adherence.

OBJECTIVE

Create a medication adherence app (skill) for Amazon Echo devices and measure the use, usability, and usefulness of that skill.

METHODS

A single-group mixed methods cohort feasibility study was conducted with females who took oral contraceptives (n=25). Participants were undergraduate students (mean age = 21.8, SD 6.2) at an urban university in the Southeast United States. Participants were given an Amazon Echo Dot with MedBuddy, a new medication reminder skill for Echo devices created by our team, attached to their study account, which they used for 60 days. Participants self-reported baseline and post-study medication adherence. MedBuddy use was objectively evaluated by tracking the participants’ interaction with MedBuddy through Amazon Alexa. The usability and usefulness of MedBuddy were evaluated through a post-study interview with participants responding to both quantitative and qualitative questions.

RESULTS

Participants’ interactions with MedBuddy, as tracked through Amazon Alexa, only occurred on half of the study days (mean of 50.97, SD 29.5). Compared to baseline, at study end participants reported missing their medication less in the past one and six months (χ 2 = .884 and .420 respectively, McNemar’s test p < .001 for both). However, there was no significant difference in participants’ reported adherence to consistently taking medication within the same two-hour time frame each day the past one or six months at the end of the study compared to baseline (χ 2 = 3.544 and 5.526 respectively, McNemar’s test p = .63 and p = .13 respectively). Overall feedback about usability was positive, and participants provided constructive feedback about features of the skill that could be improved. Participants’ evaluation of the usefulness of Medbuddy was overwhelmingly positive. Most participants (65.2%, n=15) said they would continue to use MedBuddy as a medication reminder in the future if provided the opportunity and the majority (91.3%, n=21) said they would recommend it to others. MedBuddy features that participants enjoyed were an external prompt separate from their phone, being able to hear the reminder prompt from a separate room, multiple reminders, and verbal responses as prompts.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this feasibility study indicate the MedBuddy medication reminder skill may be useful in promoting medication adherence, but the skill could benefit from further usability enhancements.
Chinese Americans’ Use of Patient Portal Systems: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Lawrence Katharine , Chong Stella , Krelle Holly , Roberts Timothy , Thorpe Lorna , Trinh-Shevrin Chau , Yi Stella , Kwon Simona
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Electronic patient portals are increasingly used in health care systems as communication and information-sharing tools and show promise in addressing health care access, quality, and outcomes. However, limited research exists on portal use patterns and practices among diverse patient populations, resulting in the lack of culturally and contextually tailored portal systems for these patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to summarize existing evidence on the access and use patterns, barriers, and facilitators of patient portals among Chinese Americans, who represent a growing patient population in the United States with unique health care and health technology needs.

METHODS

The authors conducted a literature search using the PRISMA Protocol for Scoping Reviews (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-ScR) for extracting articles published in major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) on patient portals and Chinese Americans. Authors independently reviewed the papers during initial screening and full-text review. The studies were analyzed and coded for the study method type, sample population, and main outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

In total, 17 articles were selected for inclusion in the review. The included articles were heterogenous and varied in their study aims, methodologies, sample populations, and outcomes. Major findings identified from the articles include variable patterns of portal access and use among Chinese Americans compared to other racial or ethnic groups, with limited evidence on the specific barriers and facilitators for this group; a preference for cross-sectional quantitative tools such as patient surveys and electronic health record–based data over qualitative or other methodologies; and a pattern of aggregating Chinese American–related data into a larger Asian or Asian American designation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited research evaluating the use patterns, experiences, and needs of Chinese Americans who access and use patient portal systems. Existing research is heterogeneous, largely cross-sectional, and does not disaggregate Chinese Americans from larger Asian demographics. Future research should be devoted to the specific portal use patterns, preferences, and needs of Chinese Americans to help ensure contextually appropriate and acceptable design and implementation of these digital health tools.
Industrial Policy and Promising Niches in Morocco. A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Karim Mohamed , Sobhi Khalid , Moussaoui Mohamed El , Erguigue Othmane
Published: February 2021

Since 2000, Morocco has launched important institutional and economic reforms based on strategies to correct market failures in important sectors of the economy. These strategies have included tax exemptions and other financial incentives, facilitating access to land and simplifying administrative procedures, and launching major public infrastructure projects, all of which have combined to create a new investment dynamic in strategic sectors such as agriculture, industry, and energy. These efforts have affected many sectors: the Azur Vision 2020 plan for tourism, the Green Morocco Plan for agriculture, the Halieutis 2020 Plan for fishing, Maroc Plus Export for export, the Emergence Plan (2005) for industry followed by the National Pact for Industrial Emergence, 2009-2015 and the new Industrial Acceleration Plan, 2014-2020. For example, to support the new Industrial Acceleration Plan, the government has provided a grant, a financial support of about 2% of GDP over 6 years. The government has also offered ad hoc support to attract foreign investors in large private projects likely to generate significant positive externalities. One example is the project to set up a Renault Company plant in Tangiers, which aims to produce and export 400,000 cars per year (World Bank, 2017).This note highlights the industrial sectors that can offer the best potential for growth, attract private investors and contribute to the creation of decent jobs. It will also identify ways to accelerate investment in Morocco. These industrial investments may include purely private investments or those made with the support of international financial institutions. The note analyzes investment and sectoral integration opportunities using the input model (outputs and employment elasticity indicators), the evaluation of the industrial acceleration plan, and sets out the measures taken by the CVE to promote VSEs. Only one classic sector is selected is highlighted for their investment potential and their commitment to reform in the sectors. It is the food industry.The note follows the diagram below:1) An introduction to the economic, political and social frameworks, including key indicators 2) A sector analysis to identify one to three sectors that are likely to be the subject of accelerated investment and in which reforms will have a particularly high chance of improving the business and investment climate and having an impact on development. 3) A mapping of the most relevant initiatives, technical assistance, grants and loans, and investments by donors and other stakeholders, such as development finance institutions. In the selected sector(s).4) An analysis of the existing reform agenda in the respective sector(s) and the identification of areas where there is a high likelihood of effective cooperation to support the implementation of these reforms.
РЕАЛИЗАЦИЯ РЕЖИМОВ "ПОСАДКА" И "НАВИГАЦИЯ" В ОБЗОРНОНАВИГАЦИОННОЙ ОПТИКОЭЛЕКТРОННОЙ СИСТЕМЕ
Authors: Зинченко А.А.
Published: February 2021

В публикации затрагивается тема идентификации взлетно-посадочной полосы (ВПП) на видеоизображении и определения местоположения летательного аппарата с использованием информации с камеры. Статья посвящается получению оптимального алгоритма распознавания ВПП и алгоритма, реализующего позиционирование по подстилающей поверхности.
La infancia y sus circunstancias: Un camino para la construcción de derechos
Authors: Reca Joaquín Pablo , Plaza Mariano , Galán Santiago
Published: February 2021

En el presente trabajo se abordarán diversas circunstancias que, con la infancia, se ponen de manifiesto y cuyo conocimiento constituye una herramienta cardinal a la hora de realizar cualquier ponderación en lo que respecta a los derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes. Con tal finalidad, entonces, es que se hará foco en los actores quienes, bajo el auspicio del “viejo paradigma” con la Ley de Patronato (1919) como con el “halo universal” que enarbola la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño, intervienen en la misma. Precisamente, este decálogo, instalando a los niños/as y adolescentes como “sujetos de derechos”, sitúa a los/as mismos/as en un rol ambiguo generador de (más) tensiones.
Aguas de contacto, efectos en la minería y el medioambiente
Authors: Peña Neira Sergio , Araya Meza Patricio
Published: February 2021

Las “aguas de contacto mineras” en Chile contaminan largas zonas del territorio nacional y sus efectos actualmente son permanentes porque no pueden ser modificados o recuperar las aguas. Se requiere de una reacción rápida del Ser humano, sea de prevención para modificar los efectos o sea de recuperación de las mismas evitando efectos permanentes. Las aguas de contacto mineras producen efectos negativos que no son instantáneos sino, se van acumulando y generando una “bola de nieve” al pasar el tiempo, su existencia es un peligro. Asimismo, existe un vacío legal, porque las “aguas de contacto mineras” requieren, a su vez, los requisitos legales y reglamentarios de prevención de las mismas y en caso de existencia de un tratamiento de descontaminación especial no regulados por el legislador en leyes generales o específicas. Las posibles soluciones obligan al Estado a la búsqueda de prevención y descontaminación de las mismas al haberse producido éstas.
Repensando el principio de legalidad penal: sociedad de riesgo, crisis y relativización
Authors: Vanegas Fernández Héctor Gabriel
Published: February 2021

La sociedad postindustrial generó la creación de nuevos riesgos que conviven en nuestras actividades cotidianas y que pueden tener consecuencias fatales en nuestra existencia. Entre las consecuencias producto de esta sociedad podemos observar la inevitable expansión del derecho penal, la creación desmedida de tipos penales de peligro y la flexibilización de garantías procesales. Estas circunstancias hacen tambalear, entre otros, el principio de legalidad, que históricamente ha sido concebido como el cumplimiento estricto de los parámetros establecidos en la norma y una limitación a la discrecionalidad de los operadores de justicia. Se ha utilizado una metodología de tipo exploratorio y descriptivo mediante el método histórico, el análisis lógico y el análisis exegético jurídico, para determinar el modo en que la sociedad postindustrial ha tenido una influencia directa en la flexibilización de esta garantía, a tal punto que, en la práctica, está siendo cada vez más sacrificada en pro de criterios de eficientísimo penal y no impunidad.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GEOGEBRA-BASED VAN HIELE MODEL ON MATHEMATICAL DISPOSITION ASSESSED FROM EARLY MATHEMATICS ABILITY
Authors: Noviana Widyah , Hadi Windia , Handayani Ita
Published: February 2021

The aim of this research was to observe the effectiveness of geogebra based van hiele model on mathematical disposition assessed from early mathematics ability. The accessible population of the present study was students of Prof. DR. HAMKA Muhammadiyah University. Samples of this research is semester two students from mathematics education program. Due to the happening Covid-19 pandemic, the present study was conducted online. The method employed was quasi-experiment using factorial treatment by level 2 × 2 design. The data were collected with mathematical disposition questionnaire and early mathematics ability instrument. After the data were collected, they were then analyzed with two-way ANAVA analysis. The result showed that there was no significant difference in the increase mathematical disposition of students who are given the learning model and early mathematics ability. The conclusion obtained is that the geogebra based Van Hiele Model is ineffective on students’ mathematical disposition in terms of their early mathematics abilitiy. This is due to several factors, namely internal factors and external factors. The internal factors are decreas in the score of mathematical disposition from pretest to posttest, lack of understanding applying geogebra software with online learning. External factors are quotas and poor internet network.
La educación musical como escuela de creatividad a partir del pensamiento de Alfonso López Quintás
Authors: Beltrán-Ulate Esteban
Published: February 2021

El artículo asume la «teoría de los ámbitos de realidad» del filósofo Alfonso López Quintás para analizar el rol de la educación musical como escenario para la formación humana en creatividad. Desde el enfoque de la filosofía del personalismo dialógico del autor, se realiza una crítica a la concepción de sociedad del vértigo, se propone un cambio de mirada, del enfoque objetivo al dialógico, en el que el ser humano sea un ser re-creador de sentido, un ser creativo, desde la práctica educativa de las artes musicales.
Active microbial ecosystem in glacier basal ice fuelled by iron and silicate comminution-derived hydrogen
Authors: Toubes-Rodrigo Mario , Potgieter-Vermaak Sanja , Sen Robin , Oddsdottir Edda , Elliott David , Cook Simon
Published: February 2021

The basal zone of glaciers is characterised by physicochemical
properties that are distinct from firnified ice because of strong
interactions with underlying substrate. Basal ice ecology and the roles
that the microbiota play in biogeochemical cycling, weathering, and
proglacial soil formation, remains poorly known. We report bacterial
diversity and potential ecological roles at three temperate Icelandic
glaciers. We sampled three physically distinct basal ice facies
(stratified, dispersed, debris bands) and found biological similarities
and differences between them; basal ice character is therefore an
important sampling consideration in future studies. High abundance of
silicates and Fe-containing minerals could sustain the basal ice
ecosystem, in which chemolithotrophic bacteria (~23%),
especially Fe-oxidisers and hydrogenotrophs, can fix C, which can be
utilised by heterotrophs. Methanogenic-affiliated detected sequences
showed that silicate comminution-derived hydrogen can also be utilised
for methanogenesis. Metabolism predicted by 16S rRNA diversity revealed
that methane metabolism and C-fixation are the most common pathways,
indicating the importance of these metabolic routes. Carbon
concentrations were low compared to other ecosystems, but we report the
highest carbon concentration in basal ice to date. Carbon release from
melting basal ice may play an important role in promoting pioneering
communities establishment and soil development in deglaciating
forelands.
Exploring the Influencing Factors for Infant Mortality: A Mixed-Method Study of 24 Developing Countries Based on Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Islam Md. Akhtarul , Tabassum Tarana , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2021

Objective: This study aimed to discover the prevalence of infant
mortality and to assess how different factors influence infant mortality
in 24 developing countries by utilizing the latest DHS data. Methods:
This study used a mixed-method design to assemble cross-sectional
studies to integrate data from 24 other countries due to a widening
perspective of infant mortality. Most recent available DHS data of 24
different developing countries from the year 2013 to 2019 was used to
conduct the study. Descriptive analysis, binary logistic regression
model, random-effect meta-analysis, and forest plot have been used for
the final analyses. Results: Binary logistic regression model revealed
for Bangladesh that, higher education level of fathers (OR: 0.344, 95%
CI: 0.147; 0.807), being 2nd born or above order infant (OR: 0.362, 95%
CI: 0.248, 0.527), taking ANC (OR: 0.271, 95% CI: 0.192; 0.382 for 1-4
visits), taking PNC (OR: 0.303, 95% CI: 0.216; 0.425) were
statistically significant determinants of lowering infant death. While
carrying multiple fetus (OR: 6.634, 95% CI: 3.247; 13.555) was exposed
as a risk factor of infant mortality. Most significant factors
influencing infant mortality for all 24 developing countries were number
of fetus (OR: 0.193, 95% CI: 0.176; 0.213), taking ANC (OR: 0.356, 95%
CI: 0.311; 0.407) and taking PNC (OR: 0.302, 95% CI: 0.243; 0.375).
Conclusion In this study, the number of the fetus, taking ANC and PNC,
was the most significant factor affecting the risk of infant mortality
in developing countries. So, anticipation and control projects ought to
be taken in the field in regard to these hazard factors.