bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient Portal Functionalities and Patient Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes: Systematic Review
Authors: Alturkistani Abrar , Qavi Ambar , Anyanwu Philip Emeka , Greenfield Geva , Greaves Felix , Costelloe Ceire
Published: August 2020

Background

Patient portal use could help improve the care and health outcomes of patients with diabetes owing to functionalities, such as appointment booking, electronic messaging (e-messaging), and repeat prescription ordering, which enable patient-centered care and improve patient self-management of the disease.

Objective

This review aimed to summarize the evidence regarding patient portal use (portals that are connected to electronic health care records) or patient portal functionality use (eg, appointment booking and e-messaging) and their reported associations with health and health care quality outcomes among adult patients with diabetes.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases and reported the review methodology using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and two reviewers assessed the full texts of relevant studies and performed data extraction and quality assessments of the included studies. We used the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Study Quality Assessment Tool to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Data were summarized through narrative synthesis.

Results

Twelve studies were included in this review. Five studies reported overall patient portal use and its association with diabetes health and health care quality outcomes. Six studies reported e-messaging or email use–associated outcomes, and two studies reported prescription refill–associated outcomes. The reported health outcomes included the associations of patient portal use with blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and BMI. Few studies reported health care utilization outcomes such as office visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. A limited number of studies reported overall quality of care for patients with diabetes who used patient portals.

Conclusions

The included studies mostly reported improved glycemic control outcomes for patients with diabetes who used patient portals. However, limitations of studying the effects of patient portals exist, which do not guarantee whether the outcomes reported are completely the result of patient portal use or if confounding factors exist. Randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods studies could help understand the mechanisms involved in health outcome improvements and patient portal use among patients with diabetes.

Trial Registration

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42019141131; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019141131.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/14975
The Public’s Perception of the Severity and Global Impact at the Start of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Crowdsourcing-Based Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Shauly Orr , Stone Gregory , Gould Daniel
Published: August 2020

Background

COVID-19 is a rapidly developing threat to most people in the United States and abroad. The behaviors of the public are important to understand, as they may have a tremendous impact on the course of this novel coronavirus pandemic.

Objective

This study intends to assess the US population’s perception and knowledge of the virus as a threat and the behaviors of the general population in response.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with random volunteers recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, an internet crowdsourcing service, on March 24, 2020.

Results

A total of 969 participants met the inclusion criteria. It was found that the perceived severity of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly differed between age groups (P<.001) and men and women (P<.001). A majority of study participants were actively adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Conclusions

Though many participants identified COVID-19 as a threat, many failed to place themselves appropriately in the correct categories with respect to risk. This may indicate a need for additional public education for appropriately defining the risk of this novel pandemic.
Comparing Web-Based Platforms for Promoting HIV Self-Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake in High-Risk Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Lemley Shea M , Klausner Jeffrey D , Young Sean D , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Mulatya Caroline , Oden Neal , Xie Haiyi , Revoredo Leslie , Shmueli-Blumberg Dikla , Hichborn Emily , McKelle Erin , Moran Landhing , Jacobs Petra , Marsch Lisa A
Published: August 2020

Background

The majority of those living with HIV in the United States are men who have sex with men (MSM), and young, minority MSM account for more new HIV infections than any other group. HIV transmission can be reduced through detection and early treatment initiation or by starting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but rates of testing are lower than recommended among MSM, and PrEP uptake has been slow. Although promoting HIV testing and PrEP uptake by placing advertisements on web-based platforms — such as social media websites and dating apps — is a promising approach for promoting HIV testing and PrEP, the relative effectiveness of HIV prevention advertising on common web-based platforms is underexamined.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the relative effectiveness of advertisements placed on 3 types of web-based platforms (social media websites, dating apps, and informational websites) for promoting HIV self-testing and PrEP uptake.

Methods

Advertisements will be placed on social media websites (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), dating apps (Grindr, Jack’d, and Hornet), and informational search websites (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) to recruit approximately 400 young (18-30 years old), minority (Black or Latino) MSM at elevated risk of HIV exposure. Recruitment will occur in 3 waves, with each wave running advertisements on 1 website from each type of platform. The number of participants per platform is not prespecified, and recruitment in each wave will occur until approximately 133 HIV self-tests are ordered. Participants will complete a baseline survey assessing risk behavior, substance use, psychological readiness to test, and attitudes and then receive an electronic code to order a free home-based HIV self-test kit. Two follow-ups are planned to assess HIV self-test results and PrEP uptake.

Results

Recruitment was completed in July 2020.

Conclusions

Findings may improve our understanding of how the platform users’ receptivity to test for HIV differs across web-based platforms and thus may assist in facilitating web-based HIV prevention campaigns.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04155502; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04155502

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/20417
COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps: Predicted Uptake in the Netherlands Based on a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Jonker Marcel , de Bekker-Grob Esther , Veldwijk Jorien , Goossens Lucas , Bour Sterre , Rutten-Van Mölken Maureen
Published: August 2020

Background

Smartphone-based contact tracing apps can contribute to reducing COVID-19 transmission rates and thereby support countries emerging from lockdowns as restrictions are gradually eased.

Objective

The primary objective of our study is to determine the potential uptake of a contact tracing app in the Dutch population, depending on the characteristics of the app.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment was conducted in a nationally representative sample of 900 Dutch respondents. Simulated maximum likelihood methods were used to estimate population average and individual-level preferences using a mixed logit model specification. Individual-level uptake probabilities were calculated based on the individual-level preference estimates and subsequently aggregated into the sample as well as subgroup-specific contact tracing app adoption rates.

Results

The predicted app adoption rates ranged from 59.3% to 65.7% for the worst and best possible contact tracing app, respectively. The most realistic contact tracing app had a predicted adoption of 64.1%. The predicted adoption rates strongly varied by age group. For example, the adoption rates of the most realistic app ranged from 45.6% to 79.4% for people in the oldest and youngest age groups (ie, ≥75 years vs 15-34 years), respectively. Educational attainment, the presence of serious underlying health conditions, and the respondents’ stance on COVID-19 infection risks were also correlated with the predicted adoption rates but to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

A secure and privacy-respecting contact tracing app with the most realistic characteristics can obtain an adoption rate as high as 64% in the Netherlands. This exceeds the target uptake of 60% that has been formulated by the Dutch government. The main challenge will be to increase the uptake among older adults, who are least inclined to install and use a COVID-19 contact tracing app.
Emerging Technologies With Potential Care and Support Applications for Older People: Review of Gray Literature (Preprint)
Authors: Abdi Sarah , de Witte Luc , Hawley Mark
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

The number of older people with unmet care and support needs is increasing substantially due to the challenges facing the formal and informal care systems. Emerging technological developments have the potential to address some of the care and support challenges of older people. However, limited work has been done to identify emerging technological developments with the potential to meet the care and support needs of the aging population.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to gain an overview of emerging technologies with potential care and support applications for older people, particularly for those living at home.

METHODS

A scoping gray literature review was carried out by using the databases of 13 key organizations, hand searching reference lists of included documents, using funding data, and consulting technology experts. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyze and summarize the findings of the literature review.

RESULTS

A total of 39 documents were included in the final analysis. From the analysis, 8 emerging technologies were identified that could potentially be used to meet older people’s needs in various care and support domains. These emerging technologies were (1) assistive autonomous robots; (2) self-driving vehicles; (3) artificial intelligence–enabled health smart apps and wearables; (4) new drug release mechanisms; (5) portable diagnostics; (6) voice-activated devices; (7) virtual, augmented, and mixed reality; and (8) intelligent homes. These emerging technologies were at different levels of development, with some being trialed for care applications, whereas others being in the early phases of development. However, only a few documents mentioned including older people during the process of designing and developing these technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

This review has identified key emerging technologies with the potential to contribute to the support and care needs of older people. However, to increase the adoption of these technologies by older people, there is a need to involve them and other stakeholders, such as formal and informal carers, in the process of designing and developing these technologies.
Remodeling the Medication Collection Process With Prescription in Locker Box (PILBOX): Prospective Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lim Jit Fan Christina , Boon Kwang Goh , Chee Wing Ling Vivian , Woh Peng Tang , Goh Qiuling Bandy
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, patients wishing to obtain their prescription medications have had to physically go to pharmacy counters and collect their medications via face-to-face interactions with pharmacy staff. Prescription in Locker Box (PILBOX) is a new innovation allowing patients and their caregivers to collect medication asynchronously, 24/7 at their convenience, from medication lockers instead of from pharmacy staff.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the willingness of patients and caregivers to use this new innovation and factors that affect their willingness.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months at 2 public primary health care centers in Singapore. Patients or caregivers aged 21 years and older who came to pharmacies to collect medications were administered a 3-part questionnaire face-to-face by trained study team members after they gave their consent to participate in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 222 participants completed the study. About 40% (89/222, 40.1%) of participants were willing to use PILBOX to collect their medications. Among participants who were keen to use the PILBOX service, slightly more than half (47/89, 53%) were willing to pay for the PILBOX service. Participants felt that ease of use (3.5 [SD 1.2]) of PILBOX was the most important factor affecting their willingness to use the medication pickup service. This was followed by waiting time (3.4 [SD 1.3]), cost of using the medication pickup service (3.0 [SD 1.4]), and 24/7 accessibility (2.6 [SD 1.4]). This study also found that age (P=.01), language literacy (P<.001), education level (P<.001), working status (P=.01), and personal monthly income (P=.01) were factors affecting the willingness of patients or caregivers to use PILBOX.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and caregivers are keen to use PILBOX to collect their medications for its convenience and the opportunity to save time if it is easy to use and not costly.
Effectiveness of Medication Review Services on Diabetes Self-Care in Primary Care Patients (Preprint)
Authors: Sarah Tay Siew Cheng , Christina Lim Jit Fan , Daphne Tan Soo Chieng , Maureen Tan Seok Yee , Cordelia Chen Jieying , Wan Lin Oh , Rachel Khoo Shu Yuen , Boon Kwang Goh , Woh Peng Tang , Bandy Goh Qiuling
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions referred to medication review service run by pharmacists,

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine whether pharmacist-run MRS can be an effective intervention tool to improve patients’ participation in self-care of diabetes.

METHODS

This randomised controlled study was conducted in five public primary healthcare centres from December 2014 to October 2016. Participants were 40 to 80 years of age and had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. These participants were prescribed with five or more chronic medications, of which at least one was an antidiabetic medication, by the primary healthcare centres’ doctors. The participants were randomly recruited into the intervention or control arm. A self-developed questionnaire which incorporated the validated Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) was administered face-to-face by the study team to the participants prior to and after MRS. MRS was not administered to participants in the control group.

RESULTS

A total of 221 participants completed the follow up. There were 105 participants in the control arm and 116 in the intervention arm. The DSMQ Sum Scale score of the control group improved by 0.16 ± 1.11 (p= 0.136) while the intervention group improved by 0.40 ± 0.99 (p=0.000). Participants in the intervention group reported a better improvement in their self-care of diabetes, specifically in glucose management (0.38± 1.35, p=0.003), dietary control (0.26±1.66, p=0.096) and physical activity (0.67±2.36, p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacist-run MRS is an effective intervention tool to improve participants’ self-care of diabetes, particularly in glucose management, dietary control and physical activity.
A Smartphone App (AnSim) With Various Types and Forms of Messages Using the Transtheoretical Model for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Choi Jah Yeon , Kim Ji Bak , Lee Sunki , Lee Seo-Joon , Shin Seung Eon , Park Se Hyun , Park Eun Jin , Kim Woohyeun , Na Jin Oh , Choi Cheol Ung , Rha Seung-Woon , Park Chang Gyu , Seo Hong Seog , Ahn Jeonghoon , Jeong Hyun-Ghang , Kim Eung Ju
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Despite strong evidence of clinical benefit, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are currently underutilized and smartphone-based CR strategies are thought to address this unmet need. However, data regarding the detailed process of development are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This study focused on the development of a smartphone-based, patient-specific, messaging app for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

The AnSim app was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that included cardiologists, psychiatrists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation doctors and therapists. First, a focus group interview was conducted, and the narratives of the patients were analyzed to identify their needs and preferences. Based on the results, health care experts and clinicians drafted messages into 5 categories: (1) general information regarding cardiovascular health and medications, (2) nutrition, (3) physical activity, (4) destressing, and (5) smoking cessation. In each category, 90 messages were developed according to 3 simplified steps of the transtheoretical model of behavioral change: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation and preparation, and (3) action and maintenance. After an internal review and feedback from potential users, a bank of 450 messages was developed.

RESULTS

The focus interview was conducted with 8 patients with PCI within 1 year, and 450 messages, including various forms of multimedia, were developed based on the transtheoretical model of behavioral change in each category. Positive feedback was obtained from the potential users (n=458). The mean Likert scale score was 3.95 (SD 0.39) and 3.91 (SD 0.39) for readability and usefulness, respectively, and several messages were refined based on the feedback. Finally, the patient-specific message delivery system was developed according to the baseline characteristics and stages of behavioral change in each participant.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed an app (AnSim), which includes a bank of 450 patient-specific messages, that provides various medical information and CR programs regarding coronary heart disease. The detailed process of multidisciplinary collaboration over the course of the study provides a scientific basis for various medical professionals planning smartphone-based clinical research.

CLINICALTRIAL
Tabletop Board Game Elements and Gamification Interventions for Health Behavior Change: Realist Review and Proposal of a Game Design Framework (Preprint)
Authors: Epstein Daniel S , Zemski Adam , Enticott Joanne , Barton Christopher
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Games, when used as interventional tools, can influence behavior change by incentivizing, reinforcing, educating, providing feedback loops, prompting, persuading, or providing meaning, fun, and community. However, not all game elements will appeal to all consumers equally, and different elements might work for different people and in different contexts.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to conduct a realist review of tabletop games targeting behavior change and to propose a framework for designing effective behavior change games.

METHODS

A realist review was conducted to inform program theory in the development of tabletop games for health behavior change. The context, mechanisms used to change behavior, and outcomes of included studies were reviewed through a realist lens.

RESULTS

Thirty-one papers met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Several design methods were identified that enhanced the efficacy of the games to change behavior. These included design by local teams, pilot testing, clearly defined targets of behavior change, conscious attention to all aspects of game design, including game mechanics, dynamics, aesthetics, and the elicitation of emotions. Delivery with other mediums, leveraging behavioral insights, prior training for delivery, and repeated play were also important. Some design elements that were found to reduce efficacy included limited replayability or lack of fun for immersive engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

Game designers need to consider all aspects of the context and the mechanisms to achieve the desired behavior change outcomes. Careful design thinking should include consideration of the game mechanics, dynamics, aesthetics, emotions, and contexts of the game and the players. People who know the players and the contexts well should design the games or have significant input. Testing in real-world settings is likely to lead to better outcomes. Careful selection and purposeful design of the behavior change mechanisms at play is essential. Fun and enjoyment of the player should be considered, as without engagement, there will be no desired intervention effect.
Co-Creating Autonomy: Group Data Protection and Individual Self-determination within a Data Commons
Authors: Wong Janis , Henderson Tristan
Published: August 2020

Recent privacy scandals such as Cambridge Analytica and the Nightingale Project show that data sharing must be carefully managed and regulated to prevent data misuse. Data protection law, legal frameworks, and technological solutions tend to focus on controller responsibilities as opposed to protecting data subjects from the beginning of the data collection process. Using a case study of how data subjects can be better protected during data curation, we propose that a co-created data commons can protect individual autonomy over personal data through collective curation and rebalance power between data subjects and controllers.
USO DE PLAGUICIDAS E INTOXICACIONES AGUDAS EN LA POBLACIÓN RURAL DE SAN BALTAZAR CHICHICÁPAM, OAXACA, MÉXICO
Authors: Rodríguez Bornios Mitzy Karen , Zavaleta Silva Denisse , Torres Aguilar Honorio , Reyes Velasco Leobardo , Bernardino Hernández Héctor Ulises
Published: August 2020

En Oaxaca, la agricultura es la principal actividad en el sector primario y en las comunidades rurales. Lamentablemente, la producción agrícola está expuesta al uso indiscriminado de insumos agrícolas, en particular, a plaguicidas. Dichos insumos, representan un potencial de riesgo para la salud pública y el ambiente. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo documentar el manejo, conductas de uso e intoxicaciones agudas por plaguicidas utilizados en la agricultura de la comunidad de San Baltazar Chichicápam, Oaxaca, México. Mediante encuestas a 50 productores, se obtuvo información de los tipos de cultivo y plaguicidas utilizados, las conductas de uso, así como los signos y síntomas de intoxicación aguda por plaguicidas (IAP). Los cultivos más relevantes fueron el maíz y frijol (78%), alfalfa (68%), garbanzo (28%), tomate (20%) y flores (20%). Se identificaron 37 Ingredientes Activos (IA) de plaguicidas, 17 son utilizados en maíz, 15 en frijol, 15 en alfalfa, 23 en tomate y 12 en flores. El insecticida organofosforado metamidofos de Categoría Toxicológica II (CT II), se aplica principalmente en maíz, frijol y alfalfa. En el resto de los cultivos, se utilizan insecticidas, herbicidas y fungicidas de diferentes CT. La mayoría de los campesinos no utiliza medidas de seguridad al utilizar los plaguicidas. El 66% de la población presenta por lo menos un síntoma de IAP. El principal plaguicida asociado a dichos síntomas fue el metamidofos. La salud de la población en estudio, está en riesgo debido a la exposición a la diversidad de plaguicidas identificados.
AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF PREVENTING COASTAL EROSION IN KERASIAN ISLAND
Authors: Yulian Firmana Arifin  , Gusti Ihda Majaya  , Muhammad Noor Azhari  , Ellyn Normelani
Published: August 2020

In 2013, Kerasian Island experienced erosion, which caused the coastline to shift ± 100 m from the initial condition. In some places, the retaining wall has been damaged so that it does not function properly. An effort is needed so that the beach does not experience abrasion and is safe for the activities of residents or tourists who come there. Before deciding on an alternative, first of all, is to choose from many erosion prevention methods that are suitable for the beach conditions there. The selection was conducted using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Based on the AHP method, groin combined with mangrove planting is a suitable method to be applied on Kerasian Island. The groin design refers to the Pd T-04-2005-A guidelines issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works. The dimensions of the design results and groin material used are explained in detail in the paper.
Studi karakteristik sintesis bioplastik menggunakan bahan dasar ubi kayu dengan variasi penambahan selulosa nanas dan pengadukan
Authors: Amri Idral , Khairani  , Irdoni
Published: August 2020

Bioplastic or biodegradable plastics are polymers that are composed of organic monomers found in starch and cellulose. The purpose of this research is to make bioplastics with use of raw material starch cassava and cellulose filler pineapple leaves, by varying the speed of stirring and the number of fillers, as well as knowing the nature of the bioplastic mechanics (Modulus Young, Elogenasi , Strong tensile), biodegradability, morphology and site. The methods on this research started from the preparation of raw materials, the manufacture of cellulose pineapple, the manufacture of cassava starch and the manufacture of bioplastics. The concentration of fillers used in the study was 0.3 grams, 0.6 grams, 0.9 grams, 1.2 grams and 1.5 grams in every 10 grams of starch, stirring variations of 200 rpm and 300 rpm. And obtained the best results in this study is bioplastic which has a strong tensile 13.24 Mpa, elongation 5.16%, modulus young 1072.83 Mpa, biodegrability of the land for 7 days, site 33.33%, obtained at a concentration of 1.5 grams cellulose and pineapple Stirring 300 rpm.
KETAHANAN HIDUP PASIEN KANKER SERVIKS BERDASARKAN STADIUM KANKER
Authors: Zubaidah Zubaidah , Sitorus Rico Januar , Flora Rostika
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT Background : Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy of the reproductive system and causes many deaths in women. One of the prognostic factors causing cervical cancer death is clinical stage. The purpose of this research is to determine the probability of 3-year survival of cervical cancer patients based on the stage of cancer.Methods : An analytical study with a retrospective cohort design using 274 medical records of cervical cancer patients for the period 2014-2016 in the Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Hospital in Palembang. Each patient's data was followed by its development for 3 years, starting from the time the patient was first diagnosed with cervical cancer and determined the stage of cancer (clinical staging).Results : This study found that the probability of survival for 3 years for stage I was around 80%, stage II was around 70%, stage III was around 60%, and stage IV was around 40%. The median survival for stage IV is 24 months.Conclusion : This research proves that the earlier the stage of cancer, the 3-year survival will increase.Keywords: cervical cancer, stage, survival

 

ABSTRAK

Latar belakang : Kanker serviks merupakan penyakit keganasan sistem reproduksi paling umum dan banyak menyebabkan kematian pada wanita. Salah satu faktor prognostik penyebab kematian kanker serviks adalah stadium kanker. Tujuan penelitan ini adalah untuk mengetahui probabilitas ketahanan hidup 3 tahun pasien kanker serviks berdasarkan stadium kanker.

Metode : Studi analitik dengan desain kohort retrospektif dengan menggunakan 274 catatan rekam medis pasien kanker serviks periode tahun 2014-2016 di RSUP. Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang. Masing- masing data pasien tersebut diikuti perkembangannya selama 3 tahun, dimulai sejak pasien pertama kali didiagnosis kanker serviks dan ditetapkan stadium kankernya (clinical staging).

Hasil : Penelitian ini mendapatkan bahwa probabilitas ketahanan hidup 3 tahun untuk stadium I sekitar 80%, stadium II sekitar 70%, stadium III sekitar 60%, dan stadium IV sekitar 40%. Median ketahanan hidup untuk stadium IV adalah 24 bulan.

Kesimpulan : Penelitian ini membuktikan bahwa semakin awal stadium kanker serviks maka ketahanan hidup 3 tahun akan semakin meningkat.

Kata Kunci : kanker serviks, stadium, ketahanan hidup
RANCANG BANGUN ALAT UKUR KADAR KLOROFIL DAUN KARET (Hevea brasiliensis) MENGGUNAKAN METODE TRANSMISI CAHAYA
Authors: Rido Muhammad
Published: August 2020

Telah dibuat rancang bangun alat ukur kadar klorofil daun karet (Hevea brasiliensis) menggunakan metode transmisi cahaya. Alat ukur dirancang menggunakan sistem kontrol Arduino Mega 2560. Arduino akan mengontrol semua kinerja alat ukur kadar klorofil yang terdiri dari sensor warna TCS3200, layar, button control, SD Card, dan RTC. Metode pengukuran kadar klorofil menggunakan metode transmisi cahaya dari sumber LED RGB yang ditembakkan pada daun karet dan kemudian hasil cahaya transmisi dari daun karet ditangkap oleh sensor warna TCS3200. Ouput dari sensor warna yaitu berupa frekuensi gelombang kotak yang dikonversi menjadi nilai RGB dan kemudian dikonversi lagi menjadi kadar klorofil. Alat ukur hasil rancang bangun memiliki akurasi sebesar 85,50% dan memiliki keofesien relasi antara klorofil aktual dengan klorofil model sebesar 81,06%.

Kata Kunci: Daun Karet, Klorofil, Arduino Mega 2560, Sensor Warna TCS3200, Transmisi Cahaya
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND APPLICATION OF Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLES AS A SIGNAL AMPLIFIER ELEMENT IN SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE BIOSENSING
Authors: Indrayana I Putu Tedy
Published: August 2020

The Fe3O4 nanoparticle has potential applications to be active materials for biosensor. This research was aimed at synthesizing and applying Fe3O4 nanoparticles for signal amplification of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)-based biosensor. The synthesis was carried out by using the coprecipitation method at a temperature of 80oC for 60 minutes. NaOH of 5 molars was used as a precipitating agent. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized for their microstructure by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. The crystallinity of nanoparticles is 87% and the crystallite size is 15.70 nm. The shape of Fe3O4 is nearly spherical. The optical properties were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Specular Reflection UV-Vis Spectroscopy (SR UV-Vis). There were vibrations of Fe3+-O and Fe2+-O bonds at characteristic frequencies of 586.86 cm-1 and 422.64 cm-1. The direct and indirect optical gap energies were 3.43 eV and 3.10 eV. The magnetic properties measured by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) confirmed that Fe3O4 was ferrimagnetic. The Fe3O4 was successful to be applied as a signal amplifier for SPR-based biosensors due to their optical and magnetic properties. The SPR angle shifted to a higher value and the change was 3.57o.
Hematological parameters in oreochromis niloticus cultivated in tropical conditions in experimental farm Santo Domingo of University of Amazonia, Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia
Authors: Galindo Peña Leidy Vanessa , Pérez Cuervo Frey David , Murcia Ordoñez Betselene , Chaves Moreno Luis Carlos , Martínez Moyano Edgar , Poche Ceballos Alba Miriam , Hernández Sánchez José Heli
Published: August 2020

Se evaluaron los parámetros hematológicos en la especie Oreochromis niloticus, con peso entre los 120 y 375 g, donde se incluyeron estándares químicos del agua (T°, pH y OD), la morfometría y el diagnóstico hematológico, realizados en la Granja Experimental Santo Domingo de la Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia- Caquetá-Colombia. Se utilizó un muestreo dirigido y completamente al azar de 32 individuos, la sangre fue extraída por punción cardiaca y colocada en tubos Eppendorf con EDTA. Los frotis sanguíneos se tiñeron con coloración Ema color tinción para su análisis en laboratorio. Se aplicó el InfoStat como método estadístico para el análisis de las variables a medir. Se encontró un total de leucocitos de 1,11 celx105 /mm3 , predominando los neutrófilos con 49,3% seguido de linfocitos con 38,8%, monocitos con 5,9%, eosinófilos con 4,3%, basófilos con 1,7 % y trombocitos con 63,8 % como serie independiente. Para la serie roja se encontró un promedio de eritrocitos de 1,5 celx106 /mm3 , hemoglobina de 7.9 g/dL; hematocrito de 23.3%, proteínas plasmáticas 3,3 g/dL, volumen corpuscular medio 165 (u3 ), hemoglobina corpuscular media 55 (uug) y concentración de hemoglobina corpuscular media de 33.3%. Como conclusión se determinó que algunos individuos presentaron Leucopenia con Linfopenia y trombocitosis. Además, dos individuos presentaron Anemia Microcítica Normocrómica (AMN) y 19 individuos presentaron Anemia Normocitica Normocrómica (ANN). El análisis de Proteínas Totales del Plasma (PPT) determinó que la alta tasa de mortalidad no fue por deficiencia nutricional. Se presentó una similitud positiva entre el VCM y HCM, y de forma negativa con el número total de eritrocitos.
The Higher Moments of Future Earnings
Authors: Chang Woo-Jin , Monahan Steven J. , Ouazad Amine , Vasvari Florin P.
Published: August 2020

We evaluate whether reported accounting numbers are informative about earnings uncertainty and whether earnings uncertainty is priced. We use quantile regressions to forecast the standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis of future earnings. These three moments are important measures of earnings uncertainty because they reflect the size of the average deviation from expected earnings and the amount of extreme upside potential, extreme downside risk, or both. We develop a novel approach for evaluating the reliability of our forecasts and we show that they are reliable. We also document that: (1) equity prices are increasing (decreasing) in the standard deviation and skewness (kurtosis) of lead return on equity and (2) credit spreads are increasing (decreasing) in the standard deviation and kurtosis (skewness) of lead return on assets. Our results indicate that historical financial statements are informative about earnings uncertainty and that earnings uncertainty is priced.

Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text.

JEL Classifications: C21; C53; G17; M41.
A Reduced Incretin Effect Mediated by the rs7903146 Variant in the TCF7L2 Gene Is an Early Marker of β-Cell Dysfunction in Obese Youth
Authors: Galderisi Alfonso , Tricò Domenico , Pierpont Bridget , Shabanova Veronika , Samuels Stephanie , Dalla Man Chiara , Galuppo Brittany , Santoro Nicola , Caprio Sonia
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

The risk genotype for the common variant rs7903146 of the transcription factor 7-like-2 (TCF7L2) gene has been found to affect the incretin response in healthy and obese adults; however, whether a similar functional defect is also present in obese adolescents remains unexplored. Herein, we examined the functional effect of the rs7903146 variant in the TCF7L2 gene on the incretin effect and determined its translational metabolic manifestation by performing deep phenotyping of the incretin system, β-cell function relative to insulin sensitivity, the gastrointestinal-induced glucose disposal (GIGD) in obese youth with normal and impaired glucose tolerance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirty-nine obese adolescents without diabetes (median age 15 [25th, 75th percentile 14, 18] years; BMI 37 [33, 43] kg/m2) were genotyped for the rs7903146 variant of TCF7L2 and underwent a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) followed by an isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion (iso-intravenous glucose tolerance test [IVGTT]) to match the plasma glucose concentrations during the OGTT and a hyperglycemic clamp with arginine stimulation. The incretin effect was measured as 100 * (AUC-SROGTT − AUC-SRiso-IVGTT) / AUC-SROGTT, where AUC-SR = area under the curve of C-peptide secretion rate. Participants were grouped into tertiles according to the percentage incretin effect (high, moderate, and low) to describe their metabolic phenotype.

RESULTS

The presence of T risk allele for TCF7L2 was associated with a markedly reduced incretin effect compared with the wild-type genotype (0.3% [−7.2, 14] vs. 37.8% [12.5, 52.4], P < 0.002). When the cohort was stratified by incretin effect, the high, moderate, and low incretin effect groups did not differ with respect to anthropometric features, while the low incretin effect group exhibited higher 1-h glucose (P = 0.015) and a reduced disposition index, insulin sensitivity, and insulin clearance compared with the high incretin effect group. GIGD was reduced in the low incretin effect group (P = 0.001). The three groups did not differ with respect to intravenous glucose-induced insulin secretion and arginine response during the hyperglycemic clamp.

CONCLUSIONS

A reduced incretin effect and its association with the TCF7L2 variant rs7903146 identify an early metabolic phenotype in obese youth without diabetes, featuring a higher plasma glucose peak at 1 h; lower insulin secretion, sensitivity, and clearance; and GIGD.
Effect of 6 Months of Flash Glucose Monitoring in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes and High-Risk Glycemic Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Boucher Sara E. , Gray Andrew R. , Wiltshire Esko J. , de Bock Martin I. , Galland Barbara C. , Tomlinson Paul A. , Rayns Jenny A. , MacKenzie Karen E. , Chan Huan , Rose Shelley , Wheeler Benjamin J.
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) significantly improves glycemic control compared with capillary self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) in youth with type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This multicenter 6-month randomized, controlled, parallel-arm trial included 64 participants aged 13–20 years with established type 1 diabetes and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥9% (≥75 mmol/mol). Participants were allocated to 6-month intervention (isCGM; FreeStyle Libre; Abbott Diabetes Care, Witney, U.K.) (n = 33) or control (SMBG; n = 31) using minimization. The primary outcome was the difference in change in HbA1c from baseline to 6 months.

RESULTS

There was no evidence of a difference between groups for changes in HbA1c at 6 months (adjusted mean 0.2% greater improvement for isCGM [95% CI −0.9 to 0.5] [−2.1 mmol/mol (95% CI −9.6 to 5.4)]; P = 0.576). However, glucose-monitoring frequency was 2.83 (95% CI 1.72–4.65; P < 0.001) times higher in the isCGM group compared with that in the SMBG group at 6 months. The change in the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire mean item score also favored isCGM at 6 months (P = 0.048), with no significant differences between groups for fear of hypoglycemia and quality of life (both general and diabetes specific) (all P > 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

For youth with high-risk glycemic control, isCGM led to improvements in glucose testing frequency and diabetes treatment satisfaction. However, these did not translate to greater improvement in glycemic control over usual care with SMBG at 6 months.
Reciprocal Teaching in Fostering Listening Skills among Secondary Level Students
Authors: Maithri Venkat , Suresh Dr .P.
Published: August 2020

Reciprocal teaching strategy is a cognitive strategy employed in fostering the learners’ reading comprehension skills. This paper explores the effectiveness of the strategy by far referring to the various researches done by various researchers and justifies why reciprocal teaching strategies are useful tools to enhance the listening skills of learners. The paper also focuses on various contemporary pedagogic theories that this strategy concurs with thus proving itself to be an effective strategy that can be employed in classrooms. To conclude the paper sheds light on the importance of listening skills and how reciprocal teaching strategies can not only be used to enhance the higher-order thinking skills of the learners but also to subsequently engage learners in a meaningful and active conversation thus improving their speaking skills. The paper invariably discusses the significance of active learning and its role in bolstering the language skills of the learners.
Transformation of the Corporality of University Students
Authors:   Ural Federal University, Merenkov Anatoly Vasilyevich
Published: August 2020

Based on the materials of an empirical study conducted in May 2020 among students of the Ural Federal University, Ural mining University (Yekaterinburg), changes in the mental and physical health of students that occurred under lockdown caused by the pandemic are analyzed. 920 people aged 18–24 who are studying for bachelor's and master's degrees were interviewed, 10 in-depth interviews were conducted. The main transformations of the respondents' corporality that occurred as a result of a radical change in their lifestyle and the transition to online education are revealed. The majority of respondents noted an increase of irritation, fear, depression, and physical weakness. The methods of constructing a healthy body used by students of different sexes during lockdown are revealed. Young people began to spend twice as much time on exercise, engage in sports available under quarantine, and try to regulate their mental reactions by suppressing negative emotions.
Comprehensive Psychological and Methodological Analysis of the Artificial Subordinate Trilingualism in Teaching Reading in the Second Foreign Language to Students of Non Linguistic Departments of Arts and Humanities Universities
Authors:   Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Ovsyannikov Aleksandr Olegovich
Published: August 2020

The present study identifies psychological and methodological problems of education determined by introduction of the second foreign language as a new subject in some non linguistic departments of arts and humanities universities. The author provides the analysis of a situation of artificial subordinate trilingualism which serves the background of implementing the strategy of education and the strategy of learning within the framework of the given discipline. There is substantiated the idea of making informative reading a dominant type of language activity which aims at maximum possible intensification of the process of teaching the second foreign language in the conditions of time limit set by the course. The concept of “informative reading” is defined in the present study. It is proved based on the evidence that reading is of greater importance at an initial stage of studying the second foreign language. The author makes an attempt to reveal the distinctive psychological peculiarities of trilingual students of non linguistic departments of arts and humanities universities beginning to study the second foreign language with the aim to optimize the activity of all the participants of an educational process.
Communicative Competence as a Subject of Sociological Research
Authors:   Belgorod State Technological University  named after V.G. Shukhov, Zamarayeva Maria Vladimirovna , Berlizov Alexander Alexandrovich ,   Belgorod State National Research University
Published: August 2020

This paper presents the results of a sociological study of Belgorod region students' communicative competence (800 students were interviewed). The theoretical basis of the study was the structural concept of competence, which provides for the identification and consideration of six components in it: cognitive, technological, practical, axiological, motivational, and personal, wherein the communicative competence is defined as the ability and willingness of a person to effective communication with other people. The results of the study show a high level of the students' communicative competence in such components as cognitive, motivational, practical, and personal. At the same time, the degree of expression in the axiological and technological components, i.e. the vital value of effective communication and communicative skills, is comparatively lower. The students have exaggerated the level of their communicative competence. Moreover, there is a certain gap between communicative knowledge and communicative skills. There is a tendency to increase the level of communicative competence during the study at a university. That is due by an increase in the general level of personal development, the enrichment of the practical experience of effective communication, or by the synergistic influence of both of these factors. No significant gender differences were found in the level of students' communicative competence, except that women show a higher self-esteem of communicative qualities. Interuniversity differences are found in students' perceptions of the level of their communicative competence. They are relatively higher among the humanitarian students and respectively, lower – among students of the economic, technological and agricultural profiles. In general, the students lack self-differentiation of effective, hardly effective and ineffective communication, which does not allow a successful mutual transition of communicative skills and knowledge.
THE BANAT CALENDAR PRESS IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD (1918-1938): A SOURCE OF EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AWARENESS
Authors: CÂMPIAN Veronica
Published: August 2020

This paper aims at providing an overview of the Banat calendar press products during the interwar period, focusing on the place and duration of the publication on one hand, and on their structural and thematic features, on the other hand. The starting point of the study is an attempt to define this functional type of text by drawing out its characteristics. The article offers an overview of the structure, content and function of the German-language calendars of Banat during the interwar period, with the intention of underlining their peculiarities. The analysis of the calendars has shown that they are a living proof of the way of thinking and acting, but also a reflection of the cultural and linguistic identity of the Banat Swabians of that time.
Penambahan Gula pada Medium Biakan untuk Meningkatkan Pertumbuhan dan Kemampuan Antagonisme Candida tropicalis terhadap Patogen Penyebab Penyakit Layu Fusarium Tomat
Authors: Hartati Sri , Sumbari Timotius A. , Nasahi Ceppy , Kurniawan Wawan
Published: August 2020

Layu fusarium merupakan salah satu penyakit utama pada tanaman tomat yang disebabkan oleh Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) Salah satu agens antagonis yang dapat menghambat pertumbuhan FOL adalah khamir Candida tropicalis. Pertumbuhan dan kemampuan antagonisme khamir dapat ditingkatkan dengan penambahan gula sebagai sumber nutrisi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan konsentrasi dan jenis gula yang dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan antagonisme C. tropicalis terhadap FOL. Percobaan dilakukan dengan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap yang terdiri atas 16 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan. Perlakuan terdiri atas jenis gula yang ditambahkan pada medium tumbuh khamir yaitu glukosa, sukrosa, trehalosa, D-xylose, dan D-mannitol dengan konsentrasi masing-masing gula 1%, 2,5%, 5%, dan kontrol (PDA setengah dekstros dan PDA dekstros penuh). Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa D-mannitol 1% mampu meningkatkan panjang koloni C. tropicalis tertinggi sebesar 4,80 cm, dibanding kontrol (4,07 cm). Sukrosa 2,5% mampu meningkatkan lebar koloni tertinggi sebesar 1,47 cm, dibanding kontrol (1,00 cm). Seluruh perlakuan mampu meningkatkan kerapatan sel khamir C. tropicalis.  Kerapatan sel tertinggi dihasilkan oleh trehalosa 1% sebesar 4,27 x 107, sementara pada kontrol 0,1 x 107 sel/ml. Gula trehalosa 2,5% dapat meningkatkan antagonisme khamir dengan daya hambat tertinggi sebesar 23,68%, dibandingkan dengan kontrol PDA dekstros penuh.