bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Efciency of Detection of Vibrio cholerae Genetic Determinants Through Waterbody Vibrioﬂora Monitoring System
Authors: Mironova L. V. , Ponomareva A. S. , Basov E. A. , Fedotova I. S. , Khunkheeva Zh. Yu. , Fortunatova A. V. , Bochalgin N. O. , Gladkikh A. S. , Urbanovich L. Ya. , Balakhonov S. V.
Published: October 2021

Objective of the study was to assess the eﬀectiveness of PCR screening of Vibrio cholerae genetic determinants in samples from surface water reservoirs for optimization of the cholera microbiological monitoring system.

Materials and methods. The study was carried out as a part of the vibrioﬂora monitoring in surface water bodies in Irkutsk city. The study design included: 1) PCR screening of V. cholerae genetic determinants in nutrient-enriched (1 % peptone water) samples from surface water reservoirs during the monitoring period (824 samples); 2) studying of the V. cholerae DNA accumulation dynamics applying PCR assay of the samples from surface water reservoirs during cultivation on the enriched media (16 samples in dynamics); 3) experimental study of the detected V. cholerae concentrations in samples from surface water reservoirs. Species-specifc (hlyA, toxR) and serogroup-specifc (wbeT, wbfR) V. cholerae determinants were indicated in PCR with hybridization-ﬂuorescent and electrophoretic detection.

Results and discussion. At the frst stage it was found that the proportion of the positive samples through PCR screening (33.9 %) exceeded the percentage of the positive samples in bacteriological examination (19.3 %) (t=6.6; p<0,01). In the assessment of DNA accumulation dynamics, a decrease in the threshold cycle (Ct) by 1.2–5.2 times was recorded, indicating an increase in the V. cholerae concentration and proving the detection of genetic determinants of viable forms during PCR screening. An extended study of PCR-positive but bacteriologically negative samples made it possible to additionally isolate 4 V. cholerae cultures. However, there were no diﬀerences in the sensitivity of PCR screening and bacteriological analysis in the experiment with water samples artifcially contaminated with V. cholerae unlike the analysis of the enriched native samples. It can be determined by the metabolism and adaptation peculiarities of the microorganism in diﬀerent environmental conditions. The results of the integrated study indicate the epidemiological eﬀectiveness of PCR screening which gives grounds to recommend its application in monitoring studies of vibrioﬂora from environment after preliminary enrichment on liquid nutrient media in the work of federal, territorial, and regional laboratories.
Algorithm and Results of Short-Term Forecast of Changes in the COVID-19 Spread Coefcient in the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation
Authors: Nikitin A. Ya. , Chesnokova M. V. , Balakhonov S. V.
Published: October 2021

There was a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases across many entities of the Russian Federation towards the end of summer season-2020. However, the disease remains a relevant threat to the public health and economy and the possibility of a second epidemic wave is not excluded. Rate of infection transmission (Rt) is one of the most important indicators to justify the transition to next stage of removing/introducing restrictive measures on COVID-19.

Objective of the work was to describe the algorithm of analysis and short-term forecast of coronavirus spread rate, to assess correspondence between theoretically expected and actual values of this indicator.

Materials and methods. Procedure for making a short-term extrapolation forecast of Rt in 10 RF constituent entities, depending on the presence or absence of indicator trends with calculation of a 95 % confdence interval of possible changes in its value is provided.

Results and discussion. It is proposed to carry out Rt forecast based on averaged values over a week, combining regression analysis and expert assessment of time series dynamics nature for prompt transition from trend forecasting to extrapolation of stationary observation sequences and vice versa. It has been demonstrated that predicted Rt values are not statistically diﬀerent from actual values. When making managerial decisions on COVID-19 prevention, special attention should be paid to cases when actual value of Rt exceeds the upper limit of confdence interval. Six (20.0 %) such cases were detected in surveyed entities on calendar weeks 33–35. Three of them were registered in Trans-Baikal Territory, where upward trend was reported during that period of time. The cause of this phenomenon should be analyzed. The put forward algorithm of analysis and forecasting of the Rt value changes, which was tested in 10 entities of Russia, provides a reliable basis for making management decisions on removing/introducing restrictive measures for COVID-19 prevention.
O IMPACTO DA PANDEMIA DA COVID-19 NA SAÚDE MENTAL
Authors: Cavanha Tomim Geiciely , Teotonio Do Nascimento Daniel
Published: October 2021

A COVID-19 é uma doença altamente infecciosa e, devido sua rápida disseminação em nível global, a OMS a anunciou uma pandemia. Diante deste contexto, este artigo teve como objetivo analisar a influência da pandemia da COVID-19 na saúde mental da população brasileira em geral, verificando os possíveis impactos desencadeadores das alterações emocionais. Como método, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com buscas, sem delimitação de tempo, na Biblioteca Eletrônica SCIELO, sendo analisados 18 artigos em profundidade. Os principiais resultados evidenciaram que: (a) a uma pandemia provoca alterações na alimentação, delimitação de atividades físicas, modificações imunológicas, aumento de sentimentos negativos e consequências psicológicas; (b) a população tem vivenciado não só uma crise sanitária, mas também uma crise política, com alterações financeiras significativas e aumento dos índices de violência doméstica; (c) os transtornos mentais surgem pela influência de múltiplos fatores, e consequentemente pode despertar esse sofrimento mental; (d) diferentes boas práticas podem contribuir para manter a saúde mental e reduzir sintomas psicopatológicos durante e após a pandemia de COVID-19. Dessa forma, esta pesquisa contribui ao sintetizar os possíveis impactos da pandemia na saúde mental,  ampliando assim, possibilidades de avaliação do contexto em saúde mental na pandemia da COVID-19.
O EFEITO DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS DOS SEGURADOS SOBRE O TEMPO DE GERAÇÃO DO PRIMEIRO CUSTO ASSISTENCIAL
Authors: SILVA JAMILLYS , Santos Luiz , SÁ MARCELO
Published: October 2021

Objetivo: Analisar o efeito das características dos segurados sobre a geração do primeiro custo assistencial. Método: Os riscos de o segurado gerar o primeiro custo assistencial são estimados pelo Modelo de Cox, na ausência e na presença de riscos competitivos, e a partir de uma amostra de 160 mil segurados. Fundamentação teórica: o tempo até a geração do referido custo é uma variável aleatória que pode apresentar informações incompletas (censuras), indicando-se o uso da análise de sobrevivência para o seu tratamento. Resultados: O estudo revela que idades mais longevas não implicam em menor tempo para o primeiro custo. Na ausência de riscos competitivos, o sexo masculino e o procedimento diárias e taxas apresentam menores riscos de gerar custos; na presença, o sexo masculino apresenta maior risco de gerar custos oriundos de diárias e taxas, materiais e medicamentos e outros. Conclusões: as características dos segurados explicam o tempo até a geração do custo na ausência e na presença de riscos competitivos, o método utilizado é apropriado e pode ser replicado junto às outras operadoras para estimativa dos riscos relativos aos custos assistenciais.
CONDIÇÕES DE TRABALHO DE PROFISSIONAIS DA SAÚDE: UM ESTUDO REALIZADO EM UM HOSPITAL PÚBLICO NO NOROESTE DO PARANÁ
Authors: Mello Cristiane Marques de , Vilas Boas Nascimento Henrique , Queiros de Albuquerque Carolina
Published: October 2021

O principal objetivo do presente artigo é o de identificar como as condições de trabalho afetam a realização das tarefas diárias dos profissionais da saúde, sobretudo da equipe de enfermagem. O estudo caracteriza-se como exploratório e descritivo, e utiliza-se de métodos qualitativo e quantitativo. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário com escala likert de sete pontos. Os respondentes do estudo foram enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem de um hospital público localizado no noroeste do Estado do Paraná. Os resultados apontam nem sempre é possível seguir à risca todos os protocolos e procedimentos-padrão, devido à falta de tempo, ocasionado pela grande quantidade de pacientes a serem atendidos. Os resultados mostram que há um grande percentual de profissionais que consideram estar no lugar certo, exercendo a profissão certa. É importante considerar que alguns entrevistados já tiveram depressão por conta da profissão. A satisfação dos profissionais da enfermagem está especialmente vinculada à cura dos pacientes, à gratidão recebida dos mesmos e de suas famílias, à oportunidade de ouvi-los e de serem considerados amigos desses pacientes.
ÍNDICE DE VARIAÇÃO DO PREÇO ASSISTENCIAL DE UMA COOPERATIVA DE SAÚDE – IVPA
Authors: Tomaz Anelise , Moreira Vilmar Rodrigues , Kureski Ricardo
Published: October 2021

Os sistemas de saúde têm sido marcados por eventos que ameaçam a sustentabilidade do setor a longo prazo. O interesse sobre a evolução dos custos assistenciais se tornou um fenômeno global, devido ao setor não apresentar um indicador que reflita a real inflação da saúde e que possa auxiliar na análise e gerenciamento das variações de preços das despesas assistenciais. Este trabalho apresenta um índice para mensurar a variação do preço da despesa assistencial de uma cooperativa de saúde. O índice foi estimado por meio de números-índices. No desenvolvimento utilizou-se a metodologia aplicada aos Índices de Preços ao Produtor Amplo de Disponibilidade Interna (IPA-DI), da Fundação Getulio Vargas. Dentre os resultados encontrados destacam-se a valorização do ato médico, o impacto da legislação, a incorporação de novas tecnologias e a inflação dos serviços e insumos da saúde. O modelo evidencia importantes desafios técnicos e operacionais: o modelo organizacional, a qualificação na estrutura e no processo, melhorias de qualidade dos dados, automatização da metodologia, a criação de relatórios e painéis gerenciais e a disseminação do conhecimento.
SALUD MENTAL, COVID 19 Y LA RESPUESTA EN COLOMBIA EN EL MARCO DE LA POLÍTICA DE SALUD MENTAL
Authors: Molina-Bulla Carlos Iván , Raykovich Cordoba Sasha Nicole Maria
Published: October 2021

Este artículo aborda el impacto directo e indirecto en salud de la pandemia COVID-19, así como la repuesta estatal haciendo énfasis en el caso colombiano. Objetivo: Analizar la respuesta estatal colombiana desde la política pública a las consecuencias en salud mental asociadas a la COVID 19. Método: Análisis documental hermenéutico, desde la política pública y lineamientos de OMS. Fundamentación teórica: Desarrollo de políticas planes y programas de la OMS; monitoreo y evaluación de políticas y planes en salud mental (OMS) y sociología de las normas e instituciones. Resultados: El impacto en salud mental de la pandemia ha sido múltiple incrementando la frecuencia de problemas mentales (violencias, conducta suicida) y trastornos mentales (Trastornos de ansiedad generalizada, trastorno de estrés postraumático). Los Estados han iniciado tempranamente estrategias de contención en salud mental. Colombia ha desarrollado una respuesta inicial con elementos innovadores, pero se ve limitada por vacíos en torno a estrategias de atención integral, rehabilitación, financiación, talento humano en salud mental, sistemas de información y gestión sectorial e intersectorial, lo que puede afectar su monitoreo y evaluación posterior.
RETRATO DA EDUCAÇÃO PERMANENTE EM SAÚDE ENTRE TRABALHADORES DE SAÚDE EM HOSPITAIS UNIVERSITÁRIOS
Authors: Nascimento Liliane Silva , Maria Baia Cardoso Ana , Soeiro Ferreira Laiana
Published: October 2021

Objetivo: analisar a educação permanente em Complexo Hospitalar Universitário. Método: Trata-se de estudo tipo exploratório de abordagens qualitativa e quantitativa. Através de análise de dados de 1373 trabalhadores de saúde no período de 2014 a 2020 no Complexo Hospitalar Universitário da UFPA. Fundamentação teórica: a Política Nacional de Educação Permanente em Saúde constitui estratégias no sentido de contribuir para qualificar as práticas de saúde e os processos. Resultados: evidenciou-se a importância de capacitações como ações estratégias de melhoria nas práticas do trabalho. Identificou-se que os trabalhadores de saúde desejam melhora na comunicação e divulgação de oferta de cursos de capacitação, bem como a ampliação de vagas a todas as categorias profissionais. A prática da EPS é essencial na qualidade do trabalho. Conclusões: sugere-se ampliação de divulgação e oferta de capacitações a todas as categorias de trabalhadores. Há que se delinear estratégias que incentivem o setor administrativo às práticas de capacitação na perspectiva de um processo de educação permanente integrativa e de efeitos transversais em diversos setores do hospital.
AVALIAÇÃO DA REDE DE ATENÇÃO PSICOSSOCIAL
Authors: Vieira de Macedo Ethiara , Camargos Mirela Castro Santos
Published: October 2021

Criados para serem substitutivos aos hospitais, os Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) destacam-se por serem dispositivos estratégicos na estruturação da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial (RAPS). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a cobertura dos CAPS, em suas diversas modalidades, comparando 2018 com 2011, ano que marca o início da implantação da RAPS, utilizando o estado de Minas Gerais como cenário. Como fonte de dados foi utilizado o DATASUS (Departamento de Informática do SUS), do Ministério da Saúde. Além da taxa de cobertura CAPS por 100 mil habitantes, analisou-se as informações obtidas por modalidade de CAPS (I, II, III, ad, ad III e i), o que permitiu avaliar possíveis especificidades e vazios assistenciais. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que, em 2018, a taxa de cobertura geral de CAPS no em Minas Gerais foi classificada como muito boa e apenas uma microrregião apresentou vazio assistencial. Quando avaliada por modalidade de CAPS a situação foi diferente, com outras microrregiões apresentando vazios. Espera-se que os elementos identificados neste estudo sejam úteis para os gestores do estado, subsidiando as próximas discussões sobre a RAPS e o aumento dos CAPS.
The Concept of Green School in Bhutan for Holistic Education and Development
Authors:   Assistant Professor & Programme Leader, Yonphula Centenary College, Royal University of Bhutan, Chitra S. , Gurung Munna ,   Teacher, Ministry of Education, Bhutan
Published: October 2021

Green school as mentioned in Thakur S. Powdyel’s book My Green School: An Outline (2014) was developed to support the initiative ‘Educating for Gross National Happiness’, conceived in 2009 by the Ministry of Education, Bhutan. This is to realize the need for holistic development of individuals and for the fulfilment of the true purpose of education. However, the green school domain requires deeper understanding in correlation with the nine domains of Gross National Happiness philosophy to unsettle the hollowness and reductionism of modern education. Therefore, the paper attempts to explore how the process of holistic learning and wholesome education become the key to understand the principles of life, by analysing the concentric sense of the green school concept constituting eight dimensions represented as ‘Sherig Mandala’. The inherent meanings of the elements of greenery categorized as natural, social, cultural, intellectual, academic, aesthetic, spiritual and moral have been closely examined to revitalize the claims of education.
Volume 13, 2021 Number 1: General Issue under Continuous Mode Number 2: Special Articles on Health Humanities and General Articles Volume 12, 2020 Number 1: General Issue under Continuous Mode Number 2: General Issue under Continuous Mode Number 3: Special Collection on “India and Travel Narratives”, guest-edited by Ms. Somdatta Mandal, PhD Number 4: General Issue under Continuous Mode Number 5: 1st RIOC Conference Issue Number 6: Special Articles on Health Humanities and General Articles Volume 11, 2019 Number 1: (Special Issue on Human Rights and Literature, guest-edited by Prof. Pramod K. Nayar) Number 2: General Issue Number 3: General Issue Volume 10, 2018 Number 1: (Special Issue on “Interrogating Cultural Translation: Literature and Fine Arts in Translation and Adaptation”, in collaboration with the Department of English, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham) Number 2: (On Frankenstein 200, 1818-2018 and the General Areas) Number 3: (General Issue) All Issues>> Of Crows and Humans: The Affective Economy of Mourning and Grieving
Authors:   De La Salle University, Manila,, Orbeta Alexandra Margarita A.
Published: October 2021

This paper aims to examine the representation of animals in Max Porter’s Grief is the Thing with Feathers (2015), a multi-awarded novel about an academic’s struggles on coping with the grief of losing his wife. Previous scholarship on Grief is the Thing with Feathers focuses on an anthropocentric approach to grief and melancholia. However, I argue these emotions can be approached through an examination of the Crow, a fantastical talking bird who makes itself known during the funeral, against the human protagonists of the novel. My approach focuses on how the Crow manages to facilitate what Sara Ahmed calls an “affective economy” which aids the human characters to process their emotions. I critically analyze in this paper how the novel blurs the boundary that separates the human and beasts through its representation of animal emotion. I speculate on how the moments of encounter between the crow and humans emphasize the acts of touching and smelling as a mode to cope with melancholia and grief. Lastly, I look at how its hybridization of prose and poetry performatively imitates affective and emotional responses to personal loss.
Sociology and Animal Studies: Human Responses to Animal Loss in Times of Disaster
Authors:   De La Salle University, Manila., Velasco Joseph Ching
Published: October 2021

A number of attempts have been made to include animals in explorations in the humanities and social sciences. This is a response to the gap where animals are much-neglected entities in the said disciplines. There have been debates pertaining to the inclusion of animals in scholarly discourses in the field of sociology. Notably, human exceptionalism has been one of the key ideological drivers which prevent a more inclusive consideration of animals in the study of our social world. The anthropocentric view of the world and society has put the needs and status of humans above all other animals. This line of thinking has implications on how humanity relates and interacts with animals in a broader context. In times of crisis, humans relegate animals as conveniently expendable or an inconvenient afterthought, which easily leads to instances of animal abandonment and even abuse. However, there has been a collective shift in the way acts of animal abandonment are perceived on social media. This article examined the responses on social media pertaining to animal abandonment during the onslaught of typhoon Vamco in the Philippines in 2020. More specifically, two themes were analyzed: outrage against negligence and compassionate treatment of animals. While this article looks specifically at the abandonment of animals, the project invites further reflection on the notions of environmental ethics and the species boundary.
Animality and Entanglement: The Gothicized “anthropological machine” in Bram Stoker’s short fiction
Authors:   De La Salle University, Manila., Pacheco Vincent
Published: October 2021

This paper closely reads what constitutes the “non-human” vis-à-vis animality in Bram Stoker’s often overlooked short stories, namely The Squaw and The Burial of the Rats. The Squaw is a tale about an American who murders a kitten in cold blood, and in turn, the mother grotesquely avenges her kitten. The anxiety of interspecies relationship is evident in this text, and I argue that this anxiety allows what Giorgio Agamben calls the “anthropological machine” (a system which excludes animals from the zone of livable human life) to operate. The same can be said in The Burial of the Rats where the inability to articulate a boundary between animality and humanity becomes the same thing that pervasively haunts the characters in the story. Here, the vermin and the humans become “relationally entangled” as Donna Haraway puts it and I argue that the notion of entanglement here is precisely what makes the “anthropological machine” gothic in the stories. I also suggest that what makes the representations of animals horrific is the possibility that the caesura between man and animal is non-existent.
The Party of Evil Genius in Orwell’s 1984
Authors:   Department of English, Yarmouk University, Zuraikat Malek J. , al-Nawasreh Haneen ,   Independent Researcher, Jordan
Published: October 2021

This paper explores the strategies of Evil Genius for manipulating people’s principles, thoughts, orientations, and ideologies in favor of promoting the logic of the party of Evil Genius, as found in Orwell’s 1984 (1949). Relying on Descartes’s definition of Evil Genius, we argue that the party in 1984 deploys the strategies of delusional propaganda, memory resetting, and doublethink to convince people of the significance of Big Brother for their peace and prosperity. The paper examines the party’s approach towards Winston, who has always been suspicious of the party, contending that the party successfully toys with Winston’s mental and emotional perspectives, thus leading him to view his own ego or rationale as his worst enemy. Such a reading is significant due to potential similarities between Winston’s experience of victimization and people’s feeling of being victimized by the party of Evil Genius in the postmodern society.
State Authority and Lynching in Latin America
Authors:   University of Turin, Corvino Giovanni B.
Published: October 2021

Social scientists observed a significant increase in the number of lynchings in contemporary Latin America. The reasons for the rise are wide-ranging and conflicting. However, there are commonalities with the well-known cases of the United States of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in which state legitimacy was the subject of intense debate. Therefore, this essay aims at observing why state intervention was deemed illegitimate in resolving local disputes that led to the vigilantes’ use of this form of extra-legal violence.
Indian English is also Creole: Incorporating Regional Bias in Research Pedagogy
Authors:   Professor, Department of Art and Enterprise, University of Guanajuato, Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, Mexico., Mexico, Mukhopadhyay Tirtha Prasad
Published: October 2021

Research pedagogy in India should readjust itself to accommodate claims of regional autonomy in arts and letters. Different ways of reconstructing a pedagogy of research are recommended. Reflexive Humanism ensures adequate assessment and evaluation of cultural, literary, and aesthetic achievements of diverse populations. The Indian English corpus is redefined as a creolized Indian language with lexical and semantic factors borrowed from English. The consciousness of pro-national subjectivism is also considered an essential constituent of Indian English literature. Lines of research are suggested for aspiring scholars in the Indian academy. The author emphasizes a dynamic and sensitive adaptation of research methodology which respects and reintegrates itself with the evolution of globally aware, contemporary society in India.
Antimonies of Crude Oil Production in the Niger Delta: Reflection on Ahmed Yerima’s Trilogy
Authors:   Senior lecturer, Dept. of Theatre & Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, Eze Norbert Oyibo , Nnanna Ndubuisi ,   Lecturer, Dept. of Theatre & Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, Aniago Emeka ,   enior lecturer, Dept. of Theatre & Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Published: October 2021

We learn from history that some consequences of abysmal government policies and dysfunctional tactics include socio-economic retrogression, increased deprivation ideology, victimhood, rebellion, war and revolution; and theorists have provided several plausible contextualizations for elucidation. One of such conceptualizations is Ted Robert Gurr’s theory of relative deprivation, which can be applied to illuminate sufficiently how discontent enacted in Ahmed Yerima’s trilogy can lead to aggressive responses. Thus, through an interpretive approach, we shall look at how Yerima portrays creatively in his trilogy – Hard Ground, Little Drops, and Ipomu why a show of force, divide and rule, carrot and stick tactics by successive Nigerian governments have exacerbated grief, restiveness and rebellion in Niger Delta because of unwholesome oil exploitation and ineffectual corporate social responsibility approaches. In the end, this study proposes that Niger Delta oil exploitation related discontent will fester and linger if functional inclusiveness and proportional infrastructural development are not deployed progressively.
Ras Kimono, the Relics of Slavery and the African Diaspora: A Study on the Socio-Cultural Factors in the Haitian-Biafran Relations
Authors:   PhD, Research Fellow, Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka., E. Ibenekwu Ikpechukwuka , Okonkwo Uche Uwaezuoke ,   Senior Lecturer, Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Corresponding Author., Ifesinachi Efobi ,   Graduate, Department of History and International Relations, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki.
Published: October 2021

It is no longer news that people of African descent were enslaved to the new world via: Caribbean, America and Europe for more than four hundred years. Rastafari movement has always engaged in the history of memory especially to reminiscence about slave experiences. Bob Marley songs are replete with such freedom chants. For example, Marley’s Redemption song and Buffalo Soldier are strong lyrics about the horrors of slavery. The cultural linkage between the Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria and Haiti in the Caribbean is examined, especially the nexus between Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the Haitian support to the Biafran struggle during the Nigerian Civil War 1967-1970 re-echoes the African slave narratives as Kimono recorded in his song.
Tertiary Teachers Strike (TTS) and e-Learning Deficit amidst Covid-19 Crisis in Nigeria
Authors:   PhD, Professor, Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Corresponding Author., Ukaogo Victor Okoro , Orabueze Florence Onyebuchi ,   PhD, Professor, Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka., Ojukwu Chika Kate
Published: October 2021

Amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic across the world and the debilitating tertiary teachers strike in Nigeria, this study’s objective seeks to examine the prevailing un-lived experiences of Nigerian tertiary students in e-learning. The study argues that Covid-19 has widened the digital divide between Nigerian universities and other universities in other parts of the world on the one hand and between public and private tertiary institutions in Nigeria on the other. This e-learning deficit is worsened by university teachers’ strikes, constituting a twin inhibition into which higher education is consigned in Nigeria. The study identifies poor funding of education as a major constraint to virtual learning and instruction faced by public tertiary students especially in the era of the pandemic. Data collection for the study will be carried out through oral interviews basically focus group discussion (FGD) from a sample population of 50 university students (male and female) in three universities across the southeast region of Nigeria, newspaper reports, and participant-observer methods of research analysis.
Role of Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids in the Treatment of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Ghosh Anindita , Panda Chinmay Kumar
Published: October 2021

Bladder cancer carries a poor prognosis and has proven resistance to chemotherapy. Pentacyclic
Triterpenoid Acids (PTAs) are natural bioactive compounds that have a well-known impact
on cancer research because of their cytotoxic and chemopreventive activities. This review focuses
on bladder cancer which can no longer be successfully treated by DNA damaging drugs. Unlike
most of the existing drugs against bladder cancer, PTAs are non-toxic to normal cells. Collecting
findings from both in vitro and in vivo studies, it has been concluded that PTAs may serve as promising
agents in future bladder cancer therapy. In this review, the roles of various PTAs in bladder
cancer have been explored, and their mechanisms of action in the treatment of bladder cancer have
been described. Specific PTAs have been shortlisted from each of the chief skeletons of pentacyclic
triterpenoids, which could be effective against bladder cancer because of their mode of action. This
review thereby throws light on the multi targets and mechanisms of PTAs, which are responsible for
their selective anticancer effects and provides guidelines for further research and development of
new natural antitumor compounds.
Thiophene and Its Analogs as Prospective Antioxidant Agents: A Retrospective
Study
Authors: Mishra Raghav , Kumar Nitin , Sachan Neetu
Published: October 2021

:

The field of Free Radical Chemistry has gained considerable interest in the current scenario.
The formation of free radicals is attributable to different physiochemical factors, radiation exposure,
pathological conditions, environmental contaminants, and as by-products of metabolized drugs.
The concentration of free radicals is regulated strongly under normal conditions by physiological antioxidants.
Free radicals may cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, sugars, and DNA when abundantly
produced or when antioxidants are depleted. This imbalance of reduction-oxidation, referred to
as oxidative stress, can change the body's physiological conditions and ultimately lead to tissue injury,
further contributing to various disease pathologies. A proper balance between free radicals and antioxidants
is required for an effective physiological process. The oxidation mechanism is chemically hindered
by antioxidants; these are often called free radical scavengers. The application of an external
antioxidant source is crucial in addressing the issue of oxidative stress. Plenty of naturally occurring,
semi-synthetic, and synthetic antioxidants are used, and the search for an efficient, non-toxic, and safe
antioxidant is stepped up over time. As an influential scaffold, thiophene and its derivatives have become
a significant source of interest for researchers due to its substantial variety of biological activities.
The versatility of thiophene moiety has been identified by an affluent unveiling of its derivatives
with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial behaviors. Thiophene activity has
been influenced greatly by the nature and orientation of the substitutions. The current study aims at
addressing various synthetic compounds with thiophene or condensed thiophene as a fundamental
moiety or substituent as radical scavengers.
Recent Progress in Andrographolide Derivatization: Structural Modification
and Biological Activity
Authors: Wang Wang , Yang Yueying , Liu Yang , Sun Dejuan , Li Hua , Chen Lixia
Published: October 2021

:

Natural products have remarkable structural diversity and biological characteristics, providing
researchers with more possibilities to develop novel drugs for disease therapeutics. Andrographolide,
an ent-labdane diterpenoid from traditional Chinese medicines, Andrographis paniculata,
exhibits a broad range of biological activities, which has been a hot area of research for several years.
Up to now, lots of its derivatives with multiple bioactivities have been prepared through chemical
modification. This review summarizes andrographolide derivatives prepared in the last ten years
(2006-present), classifies them by different biological activities, and provides some discussion about
the design of novel and potent derivatives.
Sustainable Catalyst-free N-formylation using CO2 as a Carbon Source
Authors: Li Zhengyi , Yang Song , Li Hu
Published: October 2021

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The development of new sustainable catalytic conversion methods of carbon dioxide (CO2) is of great interest in the synthesis of valuable chemicals. N-formylation of CO2 with amine nucleophiles as substrates has been studied in depth. The key to benign formylation is to select a suitable reducing agent to activate CO2. This paper showcases the activation modes of CO2 and the construction strategies of sustainable and catalyst-free N-formylation systems. The research progress of catalyst-free N-formylation of amines and CO2 is reviewed. There are two broad prominent categories, namely reductive amidation of CO2 facilitated by organic solvents and ionic liquids in the presence of hydrosilane. Attention is also paid to discussing the involved reaction mechanism with practical applications and identifying the remaining challenges in this field.
QSAR Model Study of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole of Cystic-
brosis-transmembrane Conductance-regulator Gene Potentiators
Authors: Si Yaru , Ma Kang , Hu Yingfeng , Si Hongzong , Zhai Honglin
Published: October 2021

Background:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease, which has no effective treatment.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to predict the EC50 value of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole core as a novel chemotype of potentiators to establish a highly predicting quantitative structure-activity relationship model.

Methods:

41 products were optimized, and a linear model was built by a heuristic method in CODESSA program. In this study, 3 descriptors were selected and utilized to build a nonlinear model in gene expression programming.

Results:

The square of the correlation coefficient of the heuristic method is 0.57, and the s2 is 0.30. In gene expression programming, the square of correlation coefficient and the mean square error for the training set are 0.74 and 0.13, respectively. The square of correlation coefficient and the mean square error for the test set are 0.70 and 0.27, respectively.

Conclusion:

The GEP model has stronger predictive ability to help develop the novel structure of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole of cystic-brosis-transmembrane conductance-regulator gene potentiators.
Sex-Related Differences in Polygraphic Parameters in a Population of
Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Buratti Laura , Rocchi Chiara , Totaro Viviana , Broggi Serena , Lattanzi Simona , Viticchi Giovanna , Falsetti Lorenzo , Silvestrini Mauro
Published: October 2021

Background:

Sex-related differences in the prevalence and clinical presentation of Obstructive
Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) have been widely documented. The aim of this study was
to investigate the influence of patients’ sex on polygraphic parameters with particular attention to
sleep autonomic changes in a population of OSAS patients.

Methods:

Sixty OSAS patients aged 55-65 years (30 men, 30 women) were enrolled. Sleep quality
was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness with the Epworth
Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The presence of respiratory events and autonomic changes during
the night was investigated by polygraphy.

Results :

Similar main cardiovascular risk factors prevalence was observed in both men and women.
We observed a significant difference in PSQI (higher in women, p=0.0001) and ESS (higher in
men, p=0.004) scores. Snoring (p=0.033), supine AHI (p=0.004), T90 (p=0.021), LO2 (p=0.0001),
LF/HF ratio and LF (p=0.0001) were significantly higher in men. Sex differences in PSQI mean
score and LF/HF ratio variability were preserved in all the subgroups of OSA severity.

Conclusion:

The influence of sex in modulating cardiovascular risk is a widely discussed topic. In
our study, men showed more severe polygraphic parameters and an increase in LF/HF ratio compared
to women. The results of our investigation suggest the relevance of delivering information
about the different expressions of OSAS in men and women in order to improve diagnostic skills
and in-depth prevention approaches.
The implementation of smartphones in the instructional process in the views of the female students at Hail University
Authors:   Department of Curriculum and Teaching Methods, College of Education, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia, Genedy Laila Mohamed Sedky
Published: October 2021

This study aims to examine the implications of implementing smartphones in the educational process in the views of students at the University of Hail. The descriptive survey method was used in the research. To achieve the goal of the research, a questionnaire was prepared regarding the degree of use of smartphones in the learning process which is consisted of 20 paragraphs. The research sample was the female students at the University of Hail. It is found that the overall degree is medium as the arithmetic average is 3.34 with a standard deviation of 0.28. It was concluded that students are prodigiously interested in reviewing the university sites. Moreover, it was found that students are immensely skilled in using smartphones for the exchange of electronic messages and the exchange of information. However, they are less interested in submitting electronic assignments. Few students are watching educational presentations on smartphones because of their small size screens and high drainage from the batteries. Therefore, it is highly recommended to conduct experimental studies showing the importance of using the smartphone.
Organizational and economic mechanism of the automatic underground train operation system
Authors:   Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Administration, O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Kharkiv, Ukraine, et al. Palant
Published: October 2021

This work deals with the provision of underground, as one of the main modes of public transport, with automated control systems, in particular the provision of automated train management. It defines that the underground is one of the most progressive modes of transport, which is related to its environmental safety, comfort, and speed of movement, as this mode of transport does not intersect with other transport and pedestrian routes, which excludes traffic blocks. Underground is an important element of urbanized spaces, for it serves large passenger traffic. The article presents an algorithm for the creation of an automated control system for the underground train system. Based on this algorithm, a model of building an organizational and economic mechanism for automation of control systems has been developed. The diagram of organizational and technical implementation of the automated system of underground train management is presented. An economic analysis of the effectiveness of the application of the automated control system of underground trains was carried out. The recoupment on the acquisition and installation of automation systems is very high. The application of the automated system will increase the capacity of the underground by optimizing the traffic schedules, which will contribute to increasing its profitability. It is also useful to determine the reduction of electricity consumption due to the change in the dynamics of acceleration and braking systems, which is important, as the underground is a powerful enterprise. In the future, a promising direction is to streamline the coordination of train schedules and other modes of land public transport.
Integral approach of assessment of interaction level of stakeholders of construction enterprises
Authors:   Department of Public Administration, Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations and Social Sciences, Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Kyiv, Ukraine, et al. Marusheva
Published: October 2021

This article is devoted to issues of interaction of stakeholders of construction enterprises. First of all, the peculiarities of the construction industry are defined, which form additional requirements for the development of an integrated system for assessing interaction with stakeholders. Second, approaches to the formation of a register of potential stakeholders have been identified. A template for analysis has been developed, and individual examples are grouped by interaction directions. The methodology of identifying potential stakeholders by means of a three-level process of applying different versions of expert assessment methods in order to minimize their negative factor – subjectivity, is proposed. Methods of direct selection of experts and algorithms of their assessment are defined. Proposals to rank stakeholders according to their priority and potential result from their interaction with the construction enterprise have been developed. According to the integral assessment, ways of controlling the processes of interaction with stakeholders of different ranking levels are proposed, recommendations for building a further strategy for managing these processes are given. A system of modeling interaction between construction enterprises and stakeholders to ensure planning, organization, monitoring, and control processes in optimistic, realistic, and pessimistic scenarios has been created. Recommendations for further use of the methodology of integral assessment of the interaction of stakeholders of construction enterprises in practice are given.
Assessing the Quality of Online Health Information About Breast Cancer from Chinese Language Websites: Quality Assessment Survey
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Luo Aijing , Bian Zhiwei , Zhao Bin , Liu Peng , Wang Kai , Liu Yuwen , Xie Wenzhao , Wang Fuzhi
Published: October 2021

Background

In China, the internet has become one of the most important ways to obtain information about breast cancer. However, quantitative evaluations of the quality of Chinese health websites and the breast cancer treatment information they publish are lacking.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Chinese breast cancer websites and the value, suitability, and accuracy of the breast cancer treatment information they publish.

Methods

Chinese breast cancer health websites were searched and manually screened according to their Alexa and Baidu search engine rankings. For each website included in the survey, which was conducted on April 8, 2019, the three most recently published papers on the website that met the inclusion criteria were included for evaluation. Three raters assessed all materials using the LIDA, DISCERN, and Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) tools and the Michigan Checklist. Data analysis was completed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and Microsoft Excel 2010.

Results

This survey included 20 Chinese breast cancer websites and 60 papers on breast cancer treatment. The LIDA tool was used to evaluate the quality of the 20 websites. The LIDA’s scores of the websites (mean=54.85, SD 3.498; total possible score=81) were low. In terms of the layout, color scheme, search facility, browsing facility, integration of nontextual media, submission of comments, declaration of objectives, content production method, and robust method, more than half of the websites scored 0 (never) or 1 (sometimes). For the online breast cancer treatment papers, the scores were generally low. Regarding suitability, 32 (53.33%) papers were evaluated as presenting unsuitable material. Regarding accuracy, the problems were that the papers were largely not original (44/60, 73%) and lacked references (46/60, 77%).

Conclusions

The quality of Chinese breast cancer websites is poor. The color schemes, text settings, user comment submission functions, and language designs should be improved. The quality of Chinese online breast cancer treatment information is poor; the information has little value to users, and pictorial information is scarcely used. The online breast cancer treatment information is accurate but lacks originality and references. Website developers, governments, and medical professionals should play a full role in the design of health websites, the regulation of online health information, and the use of online health information.
Effects of Using a Text Message Intervention on Psychological Constructs and the Association Between Changes to Psychological Constructs and Medication Adherence in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Results From a Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study
Authors: Bartlett Yvonne Kiera , Farmer Andrew , Newhouse Nikki , Miles Lisa , Kenning Cassandra , French David P
Published: October 2021

Background

Poor adherence to oral medications is common in people with type 2 diabetes and can lead to an increased chance of health complications. Text messages may provide an effective delivery method for an intervention; however, thus far, the majority of these interventions do not specify either a theoretical basis or propose specific mechanisms of action. This makes it hard to determine how and whether an intervention is having an effect. The text messages included in the current intervention have been developed to deliver specific behavior change techniques. These techniques are the “active ingredients” of the intervention and were selected to target psychological constructs identified as predictors of medication adherence.

Objective

There are 2 aims of this study: (1) to assess whether a text message intervention with specified behavior change techniques can change the constructs that predict medication adherence behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes and (2) to assess whether changes to psychological constructs are associated with changes in self-reported medication adherence.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled, 6-month feasibility trial. Adults prescribed oral medication for type 2 diabetes (N=209) were recruited from general practice and randomized to either receive a text message–based intervention or care as usual. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of covariance and Spearman rho correlation coefficients.

Results

For 8 of the 14 constructs that were measured, a significant time-by-condition interaction was found: necessity beliefs, intention, maintenance self-efficacy, recovery self-efficacy, action control, prompts and cues, social support, and satisfaction with experienced consequences all increased in the intervention group compared to the control group. Changes in action self-efficacy, intention, automaticity, maintenance self-efficacy, and satisfaction with experienced consequences were positively associated with changes in self-reported medication adherence.

Conclusions

A relatively low-cost, scalable, text message–only intervention targeting medication adherence using behavior change techniques can influence psychological constructs that predict adherence. Not only do these constructs predict self-reported medication adherence, but changes in these constructs are correlated with changes in self-reported medication adherence. These findings support the promise of text message–based interventions for medication adherence in this population and suggest likely mechanisms of action.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN13404264; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13404264
The influence of leader-member exchange and organizational climate on military organizational commitment
Authors: Hermawati Adya , Prasetyaning Pawestri Hartini , Dewi Sri Susilowati Kartika , Martaleni Martaleni , Sambung Roby
Published: October 2021

This study aims to determine the effect of leader-member exchange and organizational climate on organizational commitment mediated by work performance. This study is explanatory research, and the sample analysis of this research is the military personnel of the 30th maintenance department, Abdul Rachman Saleh Malang Airbase. In this study, the researchers set a sample size of 100 respondents and tested the research’s model by the Partial Least Square approach. This study shows that organizational climate can directly encourage organizational commitment while leader-member exchange has a positive effect when mediated by work performance.