bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Challenges that Students Face in Learning Organic Chemistry Synthesis
Authors: Salame Issa I. , Casino Pauline , Hodges Natasha
Published: May 2020

Organic chemistry is the offered after general chemistry and is the course that many find it challenging and difficult. Synthesis is first introduced in organic chemistry I course and is widely considered as one of the topics in which students struggle with and is evident in their performance in the topic. Our method of data collection is a Likert-type and open-ended questionnaire that was distributed at the end organic chemistry I course in an anonymous fashion. The collected data enabled us to examine the challenges students face in learning organic chemistry synthesis. Our findings support the notion that students have many difficulties with multistep organic chemistry synthesis including challenges recalling all of the varied required reactions, the amount of content and topics covered in organic chemistry, conceptual understanding of needed important topics such as mechanisms, acids and bases, nucleophiles and electrophiles, and stereochemistry, and problem-solving competency. Students view organic chemistry synthesis as challenging because of their reliance on memorization of a large number of reactions, reagents, and rules, poor conceptual understanding of the topics, ineffective teaching methods which lacks active learning and student engagement, and the myriad number of possible pathways to solve synthesis problems. Our participants suggest that memorization and rote-learning plays an important role in the learning of multistep organic synthesis, which might cause a hindrance to process of learning and can impede students’ problem-solving ability.
Effect of Lockdown and Isolation to Suppress the COVID-19 in Bangladesh: An Epidemic Compartments Model
Authors: Shahidul Islam Md. , Irana Ira Jannatun , Ariful Kabir K. M. , Kamrujjaman Md.
Published: May 2020

In the promptness of the COVID-19 outbreak, it would be very important to observe and estimate the pattern of diseases to reduce the contagious infection. To study this effect, we developed a COVID-19 analytical epidemic framework that combines with isolation and lockdown effect by incorporating five various groups of individuals. Then we analyze the model by evaluating the equilibrium points and analyzing their stability as well as determining the basic reproduction number. The extensive numerical simulations show the dynamics of a different group of the population over time. Thus, our findings based on the sensitivity analysis and the reproduction number highlight the role of outbreak of the virus that can be useful to avoid a massive collapse in Bangladesh and rest of the world. The outcome of this study concludes that outbreak will be in control which ensures the social and economic stability.
The Future of Medical Documentation - Review of Selected Literature
Authors: Lorkowski Jacek , Malinowska Maria
Published: May 2020

This work addresses the problem of the application of artificial intelligence to the creation and maintenance of medical documentation and the use of big data in medicine to support efficient patient diagnosis and treatment. This study covers the latest advances in AI and big data, based on literature reviews and interviews with leading experts in these fields. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) Based on the needs of patients and providers of medical services, and given the latest technological advances, all medical documentation should be digital and the processes of its creation, access, sharing, and consistency checking should by supported by suitably designed AI systems. (2) The knowledge contained in medical documentation constitutes a resource of strategic importance for humanity, with almost unlimited potential. (3) All medical documentation should be anonymised and should be made widely available, just like data and research results in the field of experimental physics. (4) This will accelerate development of new treatments, best practice and help to identify new medical emergencies, such as Covid-19. In practice today, unfortunately, the design of medical record systems is fragmented between institutions and countries, often focusing discussions on narrow technical details, and forcing clinicians to waste time on filling up multiple pages of illness history. This leads to many inefficiencies and lost opportunities and necessitates a fundamentally new approach.
Linear, Bidirectional and Circular Controlled Quantum Teleportation and Quantum State Sharing using a Seven Qubit Genuinely Entangled State
Authors: Guha Majumdar Mrittunjoy
Published: May 2020

Multipartite entanglement is a resource for application in disparate protocols, of computing, communication and cryptography. In this paper, generation, characterisation and application of a genuine genuinely entangled seven-qubit resource state is studied. Theoretical schemes for quantum teleportation of arbitrary one, two and three qubits states, bidirectional teleportation of arbitrary two qubit states and probabilistic circular controlled teleportation as well as three schemes for undertaking tripartite quantum state sharing are presented.
Antibiotic Consumption and Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance: Online Survey
Authors: Shahpawee Nurul Shaheera , Chaw Li Ling , Muharram Siti Hanna , Goh Poh Hui , Hussain Zahid , Ming Long Chiau
Published: May 2020

Background: Public misconception and demand for the indication of antibiotics could lead to inappropriate prescribing and consumption. Successful treatment can only be achieved when the public and industrial users have knowledge on antibiotic use and resistance. This survey is aimed to assess antibiotic usage and knowledge regarding antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among undergraduate students of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), public university located in Brunei Darussalam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Antibiotic Resistance, Multi-country public awareness survey distributed online. Students at UBD were invited to participate in the online survey through internal email. The questionnaire consisted of 5 sections: demographic information, antibiotic usage, knowledge on antibiotics, antibiotic resistance (AMR) and use of antibiotics in agriculture. Data were analyzed descriptively and appropriate inferential statistics was used accordingly. Cronbach’s alpha was also done to determine the internal consistency. The section on antibiotic use and knowledge showed good internal consistency of Cronbach’s alpha 0.66 and 0.86 respectively. Research ethics approval was obtained from the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Results: A total of 145 students returned the complete questionnaire. The result of the study found that 50% of the students had good level of knowledge of antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance with a mean total knowledge score of 11.4 out of 14. Respondents reported the use of antibiotic in the past (69%). Many of the students could identify the use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection. However, there were also students who incorrectly thought that antibiotics can be used for cold and flu (43%) and fever (41%). Moreover, 76% of the respondents mistakenly believed that antibiotic resistance is the result of the body becoming resistant to antibiotics. Only 12% of the respondents were found to have poor knowledge in the study. Conclusions: Misconceptions in regards to the use of antibiotics for conditions related to viral illnesses was noticed among the respondents in our study. Thus, improving knowledge on antibiotics is crucial to address those beliefs.
Detection of Multiple Transgene Fragments in a Mouse Model of Gene Doping Based on Plasmid Vector Using TaqMan-qPCR Assay
Authors: Sugasawa Takeito , Aoki Kai , Yanazawa Koki , Hagino Ryo , Tamai Shinsuke , Watanabe Koichi , Takemasa Tohru , Takeuchi Yoshinori , Aita Yuichi , Yahagi Naoya , Yoshida Yasuko , Kuji Tomoaki , Shishikura Yasuhiro , Ono Seiko , Nakano Takuro , Kai Ban , Takeuchi Kaoru , Kawamai Yasushi , Takekoshi Kazuhiro
Published: May 2020

The World Anti-Doping Agency has prohibited gene doping in the context of progress in gene therapy. There is a risk that the artificial regulation of genes using plasmids could be applied for gene doping. However, no gold standard method to detect this has been established. Here, we aimed to develop a method to detect multiple transgene fragments as proof of gene doping. First, gene delivery model mice as a mimic of gene doping were created by injecting firefly luciferase plasmid with polyethylenimine (PEI) into the abdominal cavity. The results confirmed successful establishment of the model, with sufficient luminescence upon in vivo imaging. Next, multiple transgene fragments in the model were detected in plasma cell-free (cf)DNA, blood-cell-fraction DNA, and stool DNA using the TaqMan-qPCR assay, with the highest levels in plasma cfDNA. Using just a single drop of whole blood from the model, we also attempted long-term detection. The results showed that multiple transgene fragments were detected until 11 days. These findings indicate that the combination of plasma cfDNA or just one drop of whole blood with TaqMan-qPCR assay is feasible to detect plasmid-PEI-based gene doping. Our findings could accelerate the development of methods for detecting gene doping in humans.
COVID-19: Neutrophils “Unfriendly Fire” Imbalance Proteolytic Cascades Triggering Clinical Worsening and Viral Sepsis. Potential Role Explanation for Convalescent Plasma as “Fire Hose”
Authors: Fornasari Pier Maria
Published: May 2020

Based on Chinese CDCP report on COVID-19, 14% of patients presented severe disease and 5% critical conditions. The average case-fatality rate was 2.3%, but mortality was as high as 49% in patients with critical illness. Serious life threatening thromboembolic complications have been found in 71·4% of non-survivors and micro/macro angiopathic coagulopathy has been found, also at autopsy, with highly increased neutrophil number, fibrinogen, concentrations of D-dimer and FDPs and NETs, ATIII decrease and normal number of platelets. A cytokine storm and interaction between inflammation and coagulation has been advocated as explanation of hypercoagulability. In this paper, it’s hypothesised that SARS-CoV-2 infection of alveolar cells induces recruitment of innate responder neutrophils, which release proteases and NETs inducing endothelial damage/endotheliopathy and imbalance of the four major proteolytic cascades (coagulation, complement, fibrinolysis and kallikrein) with prevalence of activators over inhibitors and consequent thrombotic complications. Platelets adhesion to damaged endothelium and the presence of ULVWF multimers, due to decreased ADAMTS13, contributes to the state of hypercoagulability. Neutrophil innate “unfriendly fire” response can be identified as the trigger of a “proteolytic storm”, responsible for subsequent well known prothrombotic condition and “cytokine storm”. The hypothesis explains also the pathology of recently described systemic “Kawasaki Disease like” vasculitis cases in Covid-19 young ill patients.
Genetic Uniformity of a Specific Region in SARS-CoV-2 Genome and In-Silico Target-Oriented Repurposing of N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine
Authors: Baysal Omur , Silme Ragip Soner , Karaaslan Cagatay
Published: May 2020

Causative agent of the viral pneumonia outbreak in the World identified as SARS-CoV2 leads to a severe respiratory illness like SARS and MERS. The pathogen spreading has turned into a pandemic dissemination and increased the mortality rate. Therefore, useful information is urgently necessary for effective control of the disease. Our study shows the existence of unvarying sequence with no mutation, including ORF1ab regions in 134 high-quality filtered genome sequences of SARS-CoV2 downloaded from the GISAID database. We have detected this sequence stability by using MAUVE analysis and pairwise alignment with Global Needleman Wunsch algorithm for each two different sequences, reciprocally. They also confirmed all these results were also with the Clustal W analysis. The first 6500 bp including ORF1ab region is an unvarying sequence. According to the highest TM-score of predicted protein structure analysis, the results showed it is very similar to spike protein of feline infectious peritonitis virus strain UU4 (PDB 6JX7) depending on amino acid sequences encoded by this unvarying region, and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is the ligand of this protein. These results have confirmed that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine could play an important role in controlling of SARS-CoV-2. Also, our molecular docking analysis data supports a strong protein-ligand interaction of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine with spike receptor-binding domain bound with ACE2 (PDB 6M0J) and RNA-binding domain of nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (PDB 6WKP) from SARS CoV-2. Therefore, binding of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to these proteins could inhibit SARS CoV-2’s replication. In the present work, we have suggested providing a repurposing compound for further in vitro and in vivo studies and new insights for ongoing clinical treatments as a new strategy to control of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Psycholinguistic Model of Abductive Reasoning in Fiction Narrative Discourse
Authors: Livytska Inna
Published: May 2020

Aim: The paper aims at defining the role of abductive reasoning in the reader’s interpretation of English fiction narrative text. Three research questions are defined as follows: (1) what is the nature of sign interpretation in its application to textual analysis? (2) what linguistic factors determine the use of abduction in the interpretation of signs? (3) how to apply abductive reasoning in the process of reading and interpretation in EFL teaching practice? Abduction is viewed here as a type of reasoning in the three-componential semiotic model of argument and as a deductive hypothesis, responsible for implicit meaning processing (Charles Peirce). Materials and Methods: The paper states the four-stage process of abduction to be a basic inquiry method of the reader on his way to fiction world interpretation. By providing a step-by-step analysis of patterns of abductive reasoning in a short story “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood, the paper conducts a textual analysis of narratives in terms of subjectivity theory of communication, reflecting the mechanisms of reader’s manipulation with information as a dynamic semiotic process of interpretation, limited by habit (final interpretant). Results: of the research of the mental operations employed by the reader while processing textual information proved a strong interrelation of reading with writing, and mental sub-processes and operations. As the empirical research shows, the process of conceptualization demands a higher level of cognitive maturity on the part of the reader/writer, as it presupposes “knowledge transforming” operations as opposed to “knowledge telling” strategy (Paltridge et. al. 2009: 20). To represent this process schematically, scholars assign the reader/interpretant the central role in the process of triadic sign interpretation, as he makes the further interpretation possible by a reference to the environment (Scheibmayer 2004: 305). The interpretant (I) and Representamen (R1) refer to the same object (O); as Representamen (R2) stands in the same relation to object, represented by Representamen (R1) and to the system (O2), where it acquires the functions of the observer (Sonnenhauser, 2008: 331). Conclusions: The conclusions coming from this research lead to the recognition of the second-level (or third level) observer as a source of subjectivity. And subjectivity, in its turn, arises from the difference in interpretation of signs recognized and established by the observer (Maturana & Varela, 1980). Thus, the process of differentiation by the observer is expected to fix the possible existence of other meanings, produced by the relations of the interpretant to the environment. This is the notion of thirdness. And, therefore, “sign situation”, plays the role of marking the pairs of differentiation in semiotic interpretation of signs. And it is this differential potential of indexical components of signs, and not their relatedness of meaning, which makes communication dynamic.
Environmental Impact of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and Nationwide Lockdown in India: An Alarm to Future Lockdown Strategies
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Bhardwaj Shishir , Singh Akash , Singh Hemant K. , Singh Puneet , Sharma Uzzwal K.
Published: May 2020

Global emerge of zoonotic novel corona virus (COVID-19) became a pandemic and its effect to mankind is talk of the town now a days. This tiny, invisible enemy has affected every country in the world and almost every living directly or indirectly and nationwide complete lockdown has triggered a short-term environmental impact. Since 2003, corona virus came into existence in the form of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and more evolved Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012. This time, at the end of December 2019, outbreak of novel corona virus COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV2, nCoV-2019) draw attention as global health emergency. World Health Organization (WHO) report says that the outbreak of this virus is so immense, it has already affected 35,57,235 people and caused death to 2,45,150 people worldwide and 46,433 Indians got affected with 1568 death as on 5th May 2020 (2:00 am) and these numbers are increasing exponentially day by day. Virologist, micro-biologist and science community are hammering their head very hard to find out cure and vaccine against this powerful virus and to prevent mass demise of mankind. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, Janta curfew on 22.03.2020 and nationwide complete lockdown was implemented in India for 21 days (phase-I, from 25.03.2020 to 14.04.2020) to stop community transmission of third stage, for 19 days (phase-II, 15.04.2020 to 03.05.2020) and 14 days (phase-III, 04.05.2020 to 17.05.2020) complete lockdown to minimize the community transmission effect. During complete lockdown and quarantine period a drastic change in Earth’s atmosphere, including reduction in emission of greenhouse gases, air pollution (~50% fall in air quality index), noise pollution, water pollution and solid waste pollution, have been recorded by government agencies as well as private agencies. In this paper we considered data of Janta curfew, phase-I and phase-II lockdown to link between geological and environmental aspect related to environmental impact due to emerge of COVID-19 and massive reduction in pollution level during complete lockdown in India. We propose future lockdown strategies to minimize the emission of greenhouse gas by ~100 Mt to ~200Mt (3.33% to 6.66%) of GHGtotal per year by 2-4 days per month nationwide lockdown or ~70 Mt to ~140 Mt (2.33% to 4.66%) of GHGtotal per year by 2-4 days per month complete lockdown of energy sectors only.
Profil Perilaku Altruistik Mahasiswa dan Implikasinya terhadap Program Pelatihan Kompetensi Kepribadian Calon Konselor
Authors: Yulitri Rina , Ardimen  , Hardi Emeliya , Gustina
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to describe the altruistic behavior of student guidance and counseling. This type of research is quantitative descriptive. The population of this research is the students majoring in guidance and counseling at IAIN Batusangkar. Sampling with a purposive sampling technique, namely 7 semester 74 students. The results of this study indicate that only a small proportion of students possess altruistic behavior at high and very high classifications. While altruistic behavior in the aspect of wanting to give, empathy, volunteering, helping others, prioritizing others, and feeling the results are good for those who are helped and helped are in the medium classification.
Pendampingan Guru Sains SD Melalui Pelatihan Pembuatan Media Pop-up Book Untuk Meningkatkan Literasi Baca Tulis.
Authors: Astuti Andari Puji , Mawarsari Venissa Dian , Prihaswati Martyana
Published: May 2020

The demands of the development are increasingly advanced with the era of the industrial revolution 4.0, of course, requires teachers to be proficient in mastering teacher competencies, not least in the use of learning media. But in the learning process there is still a lack of learning media. In addition to the implementation of the 2013 curriculum, teachers are still limited in the preparation of administration and learning devices only. In the implementation of the learning process there are still many teachers who use the expository learning model. This is due to the low level of knowledge of SD Negeri Meteseh teachers in making innovations and learning media that implement scientific approaches. The low knowledge of teachers about learning media innovations has the effect of less motivated students in the learning process, especially 3-dimensional learning media. For this reason, the proposing team provided a solution in solving these problems, namely by planning a training program for the teachers of SD Negeri Meteseh in making Learning Media. Learning media in the form of Pop Up Book for elementary school teachers. The result of this activity is that most teachers have never received pop up book learning media training. The teachers gave a positive response to the activities carried out. Teacher creativity in making learning media in the form of pop-up books increases. With the pop-up book the teacher can provide real concepts in the form of 3D images to students at the elementary level. In addition, basic literacy especially in reading skills of elementary students also increases..
Pembuatan Laboratorium Media Berbasis Lingkungan dan Keunggulan Lokal Kudus
Authors: Ulya Himmatul , Ardianti Sekar Dwi
Published: May 2020

The existence of a laboratory in Primary School 4 Karangbener (SD 4 Karangbener) was not used for learning but was converted into a warehouse. Lack of knowledge and skills of teachers and students in utilizing the environment and local superiority of Kudus to develop learning media and Mathematics and Natural sciences games cause a lack of media availability. This causes the teacher to dominate the implementation of learning so that student learning activities become low. The purpose of this mentoring activity is to design a laboratory that is available to be an environmentally based Mathematics and Natural Sciences media laboratory and Kudus local excellence. It aims to improve teacher skills in developing learning media and Mathematics and Natural Sciences games and student learning activities. The method used in this activity is to provide interactive training and mentoring. The results of this activity are that teachers and students can create and use learning media and games for Mathematics and Natural Sciences based on Kuduslocal excellence, teachers can reconstruct laboratory space and can utilize laboratory space through the implementation of Mathematics and Natural Sciences learning.
Pendampingan Kelembagaan Desa Tangguh Bencana (Destana) pada Desa Rawan Bencana Banjir Lahar Dingin Gunung Kelud di Kecamatan Kasembon
Authors: Hidayatullah Syarif , Aristanto Eko , Khouroh Umu , Windhyastiti Irany , Graha Andi Nu
Published: May 2020

This service activity aims to help institutional strengthening of the Tangguh Disaster Village (Destana) in disaster planning at the village level in the context of increasing preparedness and overcoming the cold lava flood disaster. The activity was carried out in Kasembon Subdistrict with an implementation time of 3 months. The target groups for this activity are village officials, management and members of the disaster management forum, tagana volunteers and informal leaders from Bayam Village, Pondokagung Village and Pandansari Village. The method of implementing this activity is training and assistance with 6 stages of activities including: i) coordination and outreach, ii) participatory community FGDs, iii) disaster management training, iv) tracking disaster-prone areas, v) mentoring in preparing village disaster documents, vi) evaluation implementation of activities. The results of the implementation of the dedication showed that the attendance rate of participants was 86.7%, the participation rate was 80%, the level of understanding of training materials was 73.3%; and the completion rate of disaster documents by 100%. The main output of this activity is the Gunung Kelud Cold Flood Lava Contingency Plan Document for Bayam Village, Pondokagung Village and Pandansari Village.
Effect of Synthetic and Natural Specimen Use on Process Skills and Applications in Secondary School Biology Practical in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Authors: Adebisi Thomas , Oladimeji, Oladimeji
Published: May 2020

Effective teaching of Biology practical entails the use of specimens. However, in Nigeria, some natural specimens are difficult to obtain when needed, hindering the learning and application of science process skills. Consequently, teachers resort to pictorial representation of specimen and to online prints for Biology practical instructions. Another possible alternative less discussed is the use of synthetic or artificial specimens. The goal of this study, therefore, was to examine the effect of using synthetic and natural specimen on practical skills- process skills acquisition and application in Biology practical in secondary schools. It sought to determine the efficacy of using synthetic specimens to complement or substitute for natural specimens in teaching Biology practical. The study employed the pre-test, post-test, control group, quasi- experimental design. A total of 212 senior secondary school (SS II) Biology students in six selected government-owned high schools in Moba and Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state, Nigeria, were randomly selected for the study. The schools were paired and assigned to two experimental groups (using synthetic and natural specimens) and a control group (using conventional drawings). Eight instruments were employed for the study and used at treatment stage. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA). The results showed that there was a significant effect of synthetic specimens and natural specimens on the proficiency of the students in basic science process skills acquisition (F = 60.470, P<0.05). However, the mean gain of 3.884 which existed between the two groups showed that natural specimens were slightly more effective than synthetic specimens. The results also showed a significant effect for the use of synthetic specimens on process skills acquisition and applications of Biology concept among the students (F = 74.773, P<0.05). The study concluded that synthetic specimens are equally effective as natural specimens in improving the acquisition and application of basic science process skills of students in Biology.
Dynamics of suspended sediment load in the Morava River (Serbia) in the period 1967-2007
Authors: MANOJLOVIĆ Sanja , MANOJLOVIĆ Predrag , DJOKIĆ Mrdjan
Published: May 2020

The study is concerned with determination of the trend of water discharge, suspended sediment concentration and sediment load in the most downstream profile of the Velika Morava River in the period 1967-2007. The gradual trend test (Mann–Kendall test – MK test) and abrupt change test (Pettitt test) have been employed on annual, seasonal and monthly water discharge, suspended sediment concentration and suspended sediment load for the given time series. Both the Mann–Kendall and Pettitt tests indicate that water discharge showed no significant annual trend or abrupt shift. However, annual suspended sediment concentration and sediment load showed significant decreasing trends (α=0.001). The average decrease of suspended sediment load transport amounted to 3.15 t/km2/yr. The Pettitt test results showed that the change-point year was detected in 1982. The average specific sediment load amounted to 134.6 t/km2/yr before the transition year, and 36.5 t/km2/yr after the transition year, i.e., it was reduced by 73 %. In the intra-annual distribution, the MK test results indicate that the most pronounced decreasing trend (α=0.001) of the sediment load is during summer and winter. Strong seasonal and monthly variability in sediment load was found. Sediment was strongly transported during spring months, in the period of frequent flood events. Almost 50% of the annual sediment is transported during March, April and May. Analysis of the discharge and suspended sediment concentration relationship revealed the existence of hysteresis loop in the shape of figure eight. The results of this study confirm the complex and heterogeneous nature of sediment response in the Velika Morava River.
Mechanical stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines: potential insight into soft tissue manual therapies
Authors: Anloague Aric , Mahoney Aaron , Ogunbekun Oladipupo , Thompson William R. , Larsen Bryan , Loghmani M. Terry , Hum Julia , Lowery Jonathan Wayne
Published: May 2020

Objective Soft tissue manual therapies are commonly utilized by osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists and massage therapists. These techniques are predicated on subjecting tissues to biophysical mechanical stimulation but the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) mediating these effects are poorly understood. A series of previous studies established an in vitro model system for examining mechanical stimulation of dermal fibroblasts and established that repetitive strain, intended to mimic overuse injury, induces the secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, mechanical strain intended to mimic soft tissue manual therapy reduces strain-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we sought to partially confirm and extend these reports and provide independent corroboration of prior results. Results Using cultures of primary human dermal fibroblasts, we confirm mechanical forces intended to mimic repetitive motion strain increases levels of IL-6 and that mechanical strain intended to mimic therapeutic soft tissue stimulation reduces IL-6 levels. We also extend the prior work, reporting that therapy-like mechanical stimulation reduces levels of IL-8. Although there are important limitations to this experimental model, these findings provide supportive evidence that therapeutic soft tissue massage may reduce inflammation. Future work is required to address these open questions and advance the mechanistic understanding of therapeutic soft tissue stimulation.
Revisiting Sequential Attributable fractions
Authors: Ferguson John , O'Connell Maurice , O'Donnell Martin
Published: May 2020

Background Eide and Gefeller introduced the concepts of sequential and average attributable fractions as methods to partition the risk of disease to differing exposures. In particular, sequential attributable fractions are interpreted in terms of an incremental reduction in disease prevalence associated with removing a particular risk factor from the population, having removed other risk factors. Clearly, both concepts are causal entities, but are not usually estimated within a causal inference framework. Methods We propose causal definitions of sequential and average attributable fractions using the potential outcomes framework. To estimate these quantities in practice, we model exposure-exposure and exposure-disease interrelationships using a causal Bayesian network, assuming no unobserved variables. This allows us to model not only the direct impact of removing a risk factor on disease, but also the indirect impact through the effect on the prevalence of causally downstream risk factors that are typically ignored when calculating sequential and average attributable fractions. The procedure for calculating sequential attributable fractions involves repeated applications of Pearl's do-operator over a fitted Bayesian network, and simulation from the resulting joint probability distributions. Results The methods are applied to the INTERSTROKE study, which was designed to quantify disease burden attributable to the major risk factors for stroke. The resulting sequential and average PAFs are compared to results to a prior approach to estimate sequential PAFs which uses a single logistic model and which does not properly account for differing causal pathways. Conclusions In contrast to estimation using a single regression model, the proposed approaches allow consistent estimation of sequential, joint and average PAF under general causal structures.
Short term outcomes of preterm infants following antenatal corticosteroid treatment for childbearing women at 34 (0/7) to 36 (6/7) weeks: do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Authors: Hu Zhimei , Deng Xiaochun , Liu Honglin , Xie Lili , Liang Bingwei , Yang Jianhui , Lin Xuemei , Chen Peishan , Huang Yuejun
Published: May 2020

Background The effects of maternal antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) treatment on the short-term outcome of late preterm infants are unclear.Methods This is a retrospective cohort study. Data of pregnant women who gave birth between 34 (0/7) to 36 (6/7) weeks gestation from January 2014 to June 2019 were collected. Nine short-term outcomes of preterm infants from mothers who received ACS treatment were compared to preterm infants from mothers who did not receive ACS treatment.Results The results were as follows: (1) ACS administration to pregnant women at high risk for giving birth between 34 (0/7) to 36 (6/7) weeks pregnancy, can decrease the cost and inpatient time of their infants; (2) lack of maternal ACS treatment is an independent risk factor for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; (3) use of maternal ACS does not increase the risk of neonatal pneumonia, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis of newborns, neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in preterm infants.Conclusions Use of ACS for pregnant women at risk for giving birth between 34 (0/7) to 36 (6/7) weeks pregnancy has more advantage than disadvantage. Our study provides evidence-based medicine for clinicians to make ACS treatment choices for pregnant women with risk of giving birth between 34 (0/7) to 36(6/7) weeks gestation.
Error Estimation and Adaptivity for PGD based on Complementary Solutions
Authors: Reis Jonatha , de Almeida Jose Paulo Moitinho , Diez Pedro , Zlotnik Sergio
Published: May 2020

Reduced order methods are powerful tools for the design and analysis of sophisticated systems, reducing computational costs and speeding up the development process. Among these reduced order methods, the Proper Generalized Decomposition is a well-established one, commonly used to deal with multi-dimensional problems that often suffer from the curse of dimensionality. Although the PGD method has been around for some time now, it still lacks mechanisms to assess the quality of the solutions obtained.

This paper explores the dual error analysis in the scope of the PGD, using complementary solutions to compute error bounds and drive an adaptivity process. The energy of the error obtained from the dual analysis is used to determine the quality of the PGD approximations. We define a new adaptivity indicator based on the energy of the error and use it to drive parametric h- and p- adaptivity processes. The results are positive, with the indicator accurately capturing the parameter that will lead to lowest errors.
­­­Characterization of integrated prophages within diverse species of clinical nontuberculous mycobacteria
Authors: Glickman Cody , Kammlade Sara M. , Hasan Nabeeh A. , Epperson L. Elaine , Davidson Rebecca M. , Strong Michael
Published: May 2020

Background Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are increasing in prevalence, with current estimates suggesting that over 100,000 people in the United States are affected each year. It is unclear how certain species of mycobacteria transition from environmental bacteria to clinical pathogens, or what genetic elements influence the differences in virulence among strains of the same species. A potential mechanism of genetic diversity within mycobacteria is the integration of viruses called prophages. Prophages may act as carriers of bacterial genes, with the potential of altering bacterial fitness through horizontal gene transfer. In this study, we quantify the frequency and composition of prophages within mycobacteria isolated from clinical samples and compare them against the composition of PhageDB, an environmental mycobacteriophage database.Methods Prophages were predicted by agreement between two discovery tools, VirSorter and Phaster, and the frequencies of integrated prophages were compared by growth rate. Prophages were assigned to PhageDB lettered clusters using BLAST-p. Bacterial virulence gene frequency was calculated using a combination of the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) and the Pathosystems Resource Integration Center virulence database (Patric-VF) within the gene annotation software Prokka. CRISPR elements were discovered using CRT. ARAGORN was used to quantify tRNAs.Results Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) were more likely to contain prophage than slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM). CRISPR elements were not associated with prophage abundance in mycobacteria. The abundance of tRNAs was enriched in SGM compared to RGM.
Higher Alcohol Consumption Is Not Linked To Higher SARS CoVid19 Infection and Death
Authors: Mohanta Yugal Kishore , Hashem Abeer , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi , Mohanta Tapan Kumar
Published: May 2020

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona virus mediated CoVid19 (corona virus disease 19) pandemic is a global concern. At the present, almost all countries of the world are home to the CoVid19 infection with varying rate.Methodology To understand the role of alcohol consumption and rate of CoVid19 infection, we conducted a comparative statistical analysis using the top CoVid19 infected countries of the world and compared them with per capita alcohol consumption per year. In addition, a Google trend analysis was conducted to understand the sentiments of the people towards the search of alcohol.Results We found that higher alcohol consumption is not proportional to the higher number of CoVid19 infection and deaths. Google trend analysis for search of alcohol for last 12 months was found highest for Australia followed by New Zealand, Ireland, United States, and South Africa, suggesting sentiment of higher alcohol search also not related to the SARS CoV-2 infection and deaths.
Huddling relieves myocardial glycogen synthesis of Brandt’s voles in mild cold environment
Authors: Wang Zhe , Mou Jun-jie , Xu Jin-hui , Wang Chuan-li , Huang Wei-mei , Xue Hui-liang , Wu Ming , Chen Lei , Xu Lai-xiang
Published: May 2020

Background:Small mammals have limited glucose use and limited glycogen accumulation during hypothermia. Huddling is a highly evolved cooperative behavioral strategy in social mammals, allowing adaptation to environmental cooling. As yet, however, is not clear whether this behavior affects the utilization of glycogen in cold environments. Here, we studied the effect of huddling on myocardial glycogen content in Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) under a mild cold environment (15 °C). Results: Results showed that (1) Compared to the control (22 °C) group (CON), the number of glycogenosomes more than tripled in the cool separated group (CS) in both males and females; whereas the number of glycogenosomes increased in females but was maintained in males in the cool huddling group (CH). (2) The ratio of glycogen synthetase phosphorylation showed a similar trend as the change in glycogenosome number in the three treatment groups in both males and females. (3) Protein expression of glycogen phosphorylase remained stable in males in the three treatment groups but increased in CS group females compared with the CON group. Conclusion:These results indicate that huddling in voles alleviated the increase in myocardial glycogen content caused by the increase of glycogen synthesis under cool environments.
The factors of psychological well-being of adolescents with disabilities
Authors: Baranauskienė Ingrida , Serdiuk Liudmyla , Danyliuk, Ivan , Kurapov Anton
Published: May 2020

The article describes the psychological study aimed at determining of the factors supporting disabled adolescents’ psychological well-being. Learning in the inclusive educational environment has a high developmental potential for social adaptation, revealing of the internal resources for self-realization and psychological well-being of adolescents with disabilities. The factors supporting disabled adolescents’ psychological well-being are revealed and the prognostic model of its development is proposed. The most important factors supporting disabled adolescents’ psychological well-being are: an expected attitude from others to them, their self-interest, self-esteem, meanings in life and goals understood by them, self-confidence, and belief in their own abilities. The predictors having the greatest impact on psychological well-being and presented in the developed predictive model are: commitment, acceptance of aggression, self-esteem, and the expected attitude of others.
Factors determining successful education of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Jokubaitienė Toma , Ališauskas Algirdas
Published: May 2020

In the paper, the favourable factors of the successful education of children with autism spectrum disorders have been analysed. The study confirms the uniqueness of the characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders and their educational situations. Participants in the educational process - parents, teachers, speech therapists, psychologists, assistants, and classmates indicate both similar and different characteristics and needs of the same child. The uniqueness of the characteristics and individuality of the expression of peculiarities in children with autism spectrum disorders presupposes the importance of individualization of education. The study showed that educational success is determined by the favorable values and attitudes of the educators and friendly school community, as well as good knowledge of the child individuality, individualized education to address child’s needs and interests and to ensure his/her active participation. The collaboration of all educational participants, including the teacher, the child, the parents as well as the classmates has been found as one of successful educational factors.
Factors Affecting Academic Self-efficacy of Syrian Refugee Students: A Path Analysis Model
Authors: YAHSİ SARİ Hasibe , GELBAL Selahattin , SARI Halil
Published: May 2020

In this study, the effect of resilience, perceived social support, life satisfaction and self-regulation variables on the academic self-efficacy of Syrian refugee undergraduate students were examined with a path analysis model. The sample consisted of Syrian undergraduate students living in Turkey. The sample of the research was randomly selected and participation was voluntarily. Data collection tools used were demographic information form, Arabic versions of academic self-efficacy, resilience, perceived social support, life satisfaction and self-regulation scales. In the data analysis, self-regulation and perceived social support selected as the exogenous variables, academic self-efficacy was selected as the endogenous variable, and resilience and life satisfaction were selected as the mediator variables. In the study, the direct and indirect effects from exogenous variables to academic self-efficacy were examined. The findings of the research revealed that self-regulation and perceived social support directly affected academic self-efficacy, life satisfaction had a mediating effect on perceived social support, and resilience had self-regulation. It is concluded that in order to increase the academic self-efficacy of refugee students, self-regulation and social support from the society should be increased, as well as life satisfaction and resilience against difficulties.
Sub-optimal household water access is associated with greater risk of intimate partner violence against women: evidence from Nepal
Authors: Choudhary Neetu , Brewis Alexandra , Wutich Amber , Udas Pranita Bhushan
Published: May 2020

Household water management is often women's responsibility, as related to the gendered nature of household roles. Ethnographic data suggest that household water insecurity could increase women's exposure to emotional and physical forms of intimate partner violence (IPV), as punishments for failures to complete socially expected household tasks that rely on water (like cooking and cleaning) and the generally elevated emotional state of household members dealing with resource scarcity. Here, we test the associations between sub-optimal household water access and women's exposure to IPV, using the nationally-representative data from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2016. Drawing upon the intra-household bargaining model as the theoretical framework, we run instrumental variable probit regression, to test the association between household water access and prevalence of IPV against women. After controlling for other known covariates of IPV such as women's empowerment and education, the findings substantiate that worse household water access consistently elevates women's exposures to all forms of IPV. This suggests that improvements in household water access may have additional ramifications for reducing women's risk of IPV, beyond currently recognized socioeconomic benefits. While both household water access and IPV have known health consequences, linking them provides another pathway through which water could affect women's health.
Water purification experiment by applying flashing method with a rotating nozzle
Authors: Sonawan Hery , Abdurrachim Halim
Published: May 2020

The flashing process is a way of exposing water in a low-pressure environment by spraying it at high pressure so that the water converts into fine particles. This process is carried out to speed up the evaporation process of water. The evaporation process carried out on freshwater aims to separate the minerals and solids dissolved in water to increase its purity. In this study, the flashing process was carried out through a rotating nozzle that was proven to increase the rate of pure water production. The flashing process experiment is carried out following an experimental design based on the non-dimensional analysis of Buckingham's pi. The rate of pure water production () as the output variable in the flashing process is affected by the nozzle rotational speed (n), nozzle hole diameter (d), feedwater pressure (Pw), vacuum pressure (Pv) and feedwater temperature (T). The feedwater temperature itself can influence the behavior of the feedwater flow in the nozzle, in this case, is density (ρ) and viscosity (μ). Based on these variables, the non-dimensional analysis of Buckingham pi has produced four dimensionless numbers. The generated empirical equations from the flashing process experiments are in the form of quadratic equations. The empirical equation applies to feedwater pressure of 7.6 bar-g, the vacuum pressure of 0.4–0.6 bar-a and nozzle rotational speed of 0–134 rpm. The optimum condensation rate in the flashing experiment was successfully obtained, especially at the nozzle rotation of 27 rpm in all vacuum pressures tested. This success is inseparable from the use of mist-nozzles that convert the feedwater flow into the mist.