bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Angiogenesis Factors in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Khaisheva L. A. , Khorolets E. V. , Suroedov V. A. , Samakaev A. S. , Shlyk S. V.
Published: October 2020

Objective: to study the level of angiogenesis factors (fibroblast growth factor, platelet growth factor, endostatin), as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha in the acute period of myocardial infarction 6 months after the event, depending on the presence of drug revascularization.

Materials and methods: patients with AMI of the anterior wall of the left ventricle with St segment elevation were Included. AMI patients were divided into groups: I group included patients who received thrombolytic therapy (TLT), II - patients who did not receive TLT. Group III was composed of relatively healthy volunteers. Angiogenesis indicators were studied depending on the TIMI scale and complications at the hospital and outpatient stages of treatment.

Results: In AMI patients, an increase in angiogenesis processes was detected, regardless of the presence or absence of thrombolytic therapy, and an increase in the level of angiogenesis inducers. Six months after the activity of angiogenesis processes is maintained, while inflammation decreases − a decrease in the tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Conclusions: In patients with AMI with ST segment rise in the acute period, there is an increase in angiogenesis processes, regardless of the presence or absence of TLT.
Polyps and cancer of the biliary system (lecture for medical practitioners)
Authors: Shavkuta G. V.
Published: October 2020

The widespread use and availability in сlinical practice of diagnostic research methods (ultrasound, CT, MRI), which allow visualizing the abdominal organs (including the gallbladder and bile ducts), has led to a significant increase in the detection rate of gallbladder polyps. In some cases, these polyps can be considered from the point of view of precancerous diseases and lead to the development of gastric cancer. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management of patients have been proposed, depending on the size of the polyp, its characteristics, and the comorbidity of the patient. These algorithms should help primary care physicians to influence the risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the biliary tract. The article highlights the issues of etiology, clinical course, modern diagnostic methods, as well as the possibility of surgical treatment of tumors of the biliary tract. An overview of the possibilities of various diagnostic methods for examining the biliary system is presented: ultrasound research method (including endoscopic), MRI, CT. The most effective methods of additional examination of patients with difficulties in differential diagnosis are shown.
Cognitive Reappraisal in Smartphone-Based Interventions to Foster Mental Health in Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Kurth Karolina , Priesterroth Lilli , Kunzler Angela M , Tuescher Oliver , Kubiak Thomas
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

A large variety of smartphone-based interventions (SBIs) have emerged recently that aim to contribute to mental healthcare. SBIs that integrate a training of cognitive reappraisal (CR) may be particularly effective. Little is known whether CR as an evidence-based mechanism for mental health promotion is included in SBIs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the integration of CR training in recent SBIs for clinical and non-clinical adult populations and meta-analyze their effect on prevalent mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and well-being).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search in four databases revealed 1,836 unique records, which were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. 15 randomized controlled or controlled trials (N = 1406) including an adult sample that received an SBI with CR training and a comparison condition were identified. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) between SBIs and control conditions. Subgroup analyses were conducted for sample population (clinical vs. non-clinical) and degree of human support (SBIs with human support vs. SBIs without human support).

RESULTS

Most of the studies assessed a clinical population, had depression as primary outcome, and were performed without human face-to-face support for the participants. The CR training of all SBIs involved active engagement of the users that was realized with a wide range of multimedia material. We found evidence for a small effect (SMD = –0.21, 95% CI –0.40 to –0.02; P = .04) on mental health (i.e., the reduction of symptoms of mental disorders) in favor of the SBIs including CR, with moderate to substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 60%; Chi2(df) = 35.32 (14); P = .001). The overall quality of the studies was relatively low. Subgroup analyses revealed evidence for larger effect sizes of studies with clinical compared to non-clinical populations. There was no evidence for a subgroup difference between interventions with vs. without human support.

CONCLUSIONS

CR can successfully be implemented in SBIs and reduce mental health symptoms.
Emotional Reactions to Cybersecurity Breach Situations: Scenario-Based Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Budimir Sanja , Fontaine Johnny R J , Huijts Nicole M A , Haans Antal , Loukas George , Roesch Etienne B
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

With the ever-expanding interconnectedness of the internet and especially with the recent development of the Internet of Things, people are increasingly at risk for cybersecurity breaches that can have far-reaching consequences for their personal and professional lives, with psychological and mental health ramifications.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the dimensional structure of emotion processes triggered by one of the most emblematic scenarios of cybersecurity breach, the hacking of one’s smart security camera, and explore which personality characteristics systematically relate to these emotion dimensions.

METHODS

A total of 902 participants from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands reported their emotion processes triggered by a cybersecurity breach scenario. Moreover, they reported on their Big Five personality traits, as well as on key indicators for resilient, overcontrolling (internalizing problems), and undercontrolling (aggression) personality types.

RESULTS

Principal component analyses revealed a clear 3-dimensional structure of emotion processes: emotional intensity, proactive versus fight/flight reactions, and affective versus cognitive/motivational reactions. Regression analyses revealed that more internalizing problems (β=.33, P<.001), resilience (β=.22, P<.001), and agreeableness (β=.12, P<.001) and less emotional stability (β=–.25, P<.001) have significant predictive value for higher emotional intensity. More internalizing problems (β=.26, P<.001), aggression (β=.25, P<.001), and extraversion (β=.07, P=.01) and less resilience (β=–.19, P<.001), agreeableness (β=–.34, P<.001), consciousness (β=–.19, P<.001), and openness (β=–.22, P<.001) have significant predictive value for comparatively more fight/flight than proactive reactions. Less internalizing problems (β=–.32, P<.001) and more emotional stability (β=.14, P<.001) and aggression (β=.13, P<.001) have significant predictive value for a comparatively higher salience for cognitive/motivational than affective reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

To adequately describe the emotion processes triggered by a cybersecurity breach, two more dimensions are needed over and above the general negative affectivity dimension. This multidimensional structure is further supported by the differential relationships of the emotion dimensions with personality characteristics. The discovered emotion structure could be used for consistent predictions about who is at risk to develop long-term mental well-being issues due to a cybersecurity breach experience.
A Novel Machine Learning Framework for Comparison of Viral COVID-19–Related Sina Weibo and Twitter Posts: Workflow Development and Content Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Chen Shi , Zhou Lina , Song Yunya , Xu Qian , Wang Ping , Wang Kanlun , Ge Yaorong , Janies Daniel
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Social media plays a critical role in health communications, especially during global health emergencies such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of a universal analytical framework to extract, quantify, and compare content features in public discourse of emerging health issues on different social media platforms across a broad sociocultural spectrum.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop a novel and universal content feature extraction and analytical framework and contrast how content features differ with sociocultural background in discussions of the emerging COVID-19 global health crisis on major social media platforms.

METHODS

We sampled the 1000 most shared viral Twitter and Sina Weibo posts regarding COVID-19, developed a comprehensive coding scheme to identify 77 potential features across six major categories (eg, clinical and epidemiological, countermeasures, politics and policy, responses), quantified feature values (0 or 1, indicating whether or not the content feature is mentioned in the post) in each viral post across social media platforms, and performed subsequent comparative analyses. Machine learning dimension reduction and clustering analysis were then applied to harness the power of social media data and provide more unbiased characterization of web-based health communications.

RESULTS

There were substantially different distributions, prevalence, and associations of content features in public discourse about the COVID-19 pandemic on the two social media platforms. Weibo users were more likely to focus on the disease itself and health aspects, while Twitter users engaged more about policy, politics, and other societal issues.

CONCLUSIONS

We extracted a rich set of content features from social media data to accurately characterize public discourse related to COVID-19 in different sociocultural backgrounds. In addition, this universal framework can be adopted to analyze social media discussions of other emerging health issues beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Semiautomated Classification System for Producing Service Directories in Social and Health Care (DESDE-AND): Maturity Assessment Study (Preprint)
Authors: Romero-Lopez-Alberca Cristina , Alonso-Trujillo Federico , Almenara-Abellan Jose Luis , Salinas-Perez Jose A , Gutierrez-Colosia Mencia R , Gonzalez-Caballero Juan-Luis , Pinzon Pulido Sandra , Salvador-Carulla Luis
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

DESDE-LTC (Description and Evaluation of Services and DirectoriEs for Long-Term Care) is an international classification system that allows standardized coding and comparisons between different territories and care sectors, such as health and social care, in defined geographic areas. We adapted DESDE-LTC into a computer tool (DESDE-AND) for compiling a directory of care services in Andalucia, Spain.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the maturity of DESDE-AND. A secondary objective of this study is to show the practicality of a new combined set of standard evaluation tools for measuring the maturity of health technology products.

METHODS

A system for semiautomated coding of service provision has been co-designed. A panel of 23 domain experts and a group of 68 end users participated in its maturity assessment that included its technology readiness level (TRL), usability, validity, adoption (Adoption Impact Ladder [AIL]), and overall degree of maturity [implementation maturity model [IMM]). We piloted the prototype in an urban environment (Seville, Spain).

RESULTS

The prototype was demonstrated in an operational environment (TRL 7). Sixty-eight different care services were coded, generating fact sheets for each service and its geolocation map. The observed agreement was 90%, with moderate reliability. The tool was partially adopted by the regional government of Andalucia (Spain), reaching a level 5 in adoption (AIL) and a level 4 in maturity (IMM) and is ready for full implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

DESDE-AND is a usable and manageable system for coding and compiling service directories and it can be used as a core module of decision support systems to guide planning in complex cross-sectoral areas such as combined social and health care.
Drug Abuse Ontology for the study of Substance Use Epidemiology on Social Media and Dark Web: Ontology development and usability study (Preprint)
Authors: Lokala Usha , Daniulaityte Raminta , Lamy Francois , Gaur Manas , Thirunarayan Krishnaprasad , Kursuncu Ugur , Sheth Amit
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Web-based resources and social media platforms play an increasingly important role in health-related knowledge and experience sharing. There is a growing interest in the utilization of these novel data sources for epidemiological surveillance of substance use behaviors and trends.

OBJECTIVE

The key aims are to describe the development and application of the Drug Abuse Ontology as a framework for analyzing web-based data to inform public health surveillance for the following applications: 1) determining user knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to non-medical use of buprenorphine and other illicit opioids through analysis of web forum data; 2) understanding patterns and trends of cannabis product use in the context of evolving cannabis legalization policies in the U.S through analysis of Twitter and web forum data; and 3) gleaning trends in the availability of novel synthetic opioids through analysis of crypto market data.

METHODS

The domain and scope of the drug abuse ontology were defined using competency questions from two popular ontology methodologies (Neon and 101 ontology development methodology). The quality of the ontology is evaluated with a set of tools and best practices recognized by the Semantic Web community and the AI community that engage in natural language processing. The standard ontology metrics are also presented.

RESULTS

The current version of Drug Abuse Ontology comprises 315 classes, 31 relationships, and 814 instances among the classes. The ontology is flexible and can easily accommodate new concepts. The integration of the ontology with machine learning algorithms dramatically decreases the false alarm rate by adding external knowledge to the learning process. The ontology is being updated to capture evolving concepts and has been used for four different projects: PREDOSE, eDrugTrends, eDarkTrends, DAO applications in Mental Health and COVID scenario.

CONCLUSIONS

It has been found that the developed Drug Abuse Ontology (DAO) is useful to identify the most frequently used terms/slang terms on social media/dark web related to drug abuse posted by the general population .
Best Practices for Virtual Engagement of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Teams During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Thayer Erin K , Pam Molly , Al Achkar Morhaf , Mentch Laura , Brown Georgia , Kazmerski Traci M , Godfrey Emily
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) engages patients as partners in research and focuses on questions and outcomes that are important to patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced PCOR teams to engage through web-based platforms rather than in person. Similarly, virtual engagement is the only safe alternative for members of the cystic fibrosis (CF) community, who spend their lives following strict infection control guidelines and are already restricted from in-person interactions. In the absence of universal best practices, the CF community has developed its own guidelines to help PCOR teams engage through web-based platforms.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the important attributes, facilitators, and barriers to teams when selecting web-based platforms.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews with CF community members, nonprofit stakeholders, and researchers to obtain information regarding their experience with using web-based platforms, including the effectiveness and efficiency of these platforms and their satisfaction with and confidence while using each platform. Interviews conducted via Zoom were audio recorded and transcribed. We identified key themes through content analysis with an iterative, inductive, and deductive coding process.

RESULTS

In total, 15 participants reported using web-based platforms for meetings, project management, document sharing, scheduling, and communication. When selecting web-based platforms, participants valued their accessibility, ease of use, and integration with other platforms. Participants speculated that successful web-based collaboration involved platforms that emulate in-person interactions, recognized the digital literacy levels of the team members, intentionally aligned platforms with collaboration goals, and achieved team member buy-in to adopt new platforms.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful web-based engagement in PCOR requires the use of multiple platforms in order to fully meet the asynchronous or synchronous goals of the project. This study identified the key attributes for the successful practice of PCOR on web-based platforms and the common challenges and solutions associated with their use. Our findings provide the best practices for selecting platforms and the lessons learned through web-based PCOR collaborations.
DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF TAZAROTENE LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY
Authors: RAJKUMAR ALAND  , GANESAN M  , RAJESWARA RAO P
Published: October 2020

Objective: Psoriasis is an unswervingly recurring, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder of the skin, disturbing about 2–5% of the world population. The main objective for this investigation is to develop and optimize the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) formulation of tazarotene for effective drug delivery.

Methods: Tazarotene SLNs were fabricated by hot homogenization followed by the ultrasonication using Taguchi’s orthogonal array with eight parameters that could affect the particle size and entrapment efficiency (EE). In view of the outcomes from the examinations of the responses acquired from Taguchi design, three diverse independent variables including sonication time (s), lipid to drug ratio (w/w), and surfactant concentration (%) were carefully chosen for further investigation utilizing central composite design. The lipid dynasan-116, surfactant poloxamer-188, and cosurfactant egg lecithin resulted in better percent drug loading and evaluated for particle size, drug EE, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, and stability.

Results: The prepared nanoformulations were evaluated for different parameters and found to be in an acceptable range. In vitro drug release of optimized SLN formulation (F1) was found to be 98.12±1.52%, whereas pure drug release was 42.12 after 60 min, and the major mechanism of drug release follows zero-order kinetics release data for optimized formulation (F1) with non-Fickian (anomalous) with a strong correlation coefficient (R2=0.98598) of Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Transmission electron microscopy analysis has demonstrated the presence of individual nanoparticles in spherical shape, and the results were also compatible with particle size measurements. The drug content of tazarotene gel formulation was found to 98.96±0.021%, and the viscosity of gel formulation at 5 rpm was found to be 5.98×103±0.34×103 cp. The release rate (flux) of tazarotene across the membrane and expunged skin diverges pointedly, which specifies the barrier nature of skin. The flux value for SLN based gel formulation (193.454±4.324 μg/cm2/h) was found to be higher than that for marketed gel (116.345±2.238 μg/cm2/h). The higher flux and Kp values of SLN based gel suggest that it might be able to enter the skin easily as compared with marketed gel with an advantage of low interfacial tension of the emulsifier film that ensures an excellent contact to the skin.

Conclusion: From the obtained results, the topically oriented SLN-based gel formulation of tazarotene could be useful in providing effective and site-specific psoriasis treatment.
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. F. RESIN
Authors: YASSER HUSSEIN EISSA MOHAMMED  , DEEPIKA HS  , FARES HEZAM AL-OSTOOT  , ZABIULLA  , ANILAKUMAR  , SHAUKATH ARA KHANUM
Published: October 2020

Objective: The objective of the study was to in vitro evaluate of hypolipidemic effect of extracts of medicinal Dracaena cinnabari Balf. f. resin.

Methods: About 800 g of dry powder of the resin of dracaena cinnabar was taken in a Soxhlet apparatus and subjected for sequential extraction of solvents from non-polar to polar end (hexane, benzene, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water); the extract samples were kept at 4°C for further assays. All the extracts were subjected to glucose uptake assay.

Results: The ethanol extract showed significant (p<0.05) hypolipidemic effect by decreasing the activity of enzyme such as significant reduction in the pancreatic lipase enzyme, malic dehydrogenase enzyme, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme with IC50~13, ~13, and ~14, respectively. This results were similar to the standard drug atorvastatin with IC50~12, ~16, and ~17, respectively. Ethanol extract exhibited significant atherogenic index and percentage protection against hyperlipidemia. The potential biological activity of ethanol extract may be attributed to the highest polarity which needs further investigation.
MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: PRATHYUSHA RANI T  , PRASHANTHI B  , AYESHA AMREEN FATHIMA  , AYESHA FIRDOSE  , SARA NASER  , NAJMA BEGUM  , KAUSER BEGUM
Published: October 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the adherence of medications among type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. To evaluate adherence to therapy and study factors associated with non-adherence and adherence in patients with type II DM.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted for 6 months in three hospitals. A total of 200 type II diabetic patients, who were on anti-diabetic drug therapy for at least 6 months, were enrolled. Blood glucose was measured and details of drug therapy were noted. Medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and adherence scores were calculated.

Results: Only 15% had high medication adherence, while 24% had moderate and 61% had low medication adherence. Only 30% were having optimally controlled glycemic levels, whereas 70% were having uncontrolled glycemic levels. Medication adherence scores were lower (reflecting lower adherence) in type II patients with uncontrolled glycemic levels than those having optimally controlled glycemic levels, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Overall, medication adherence was low in type II diabetic patients. The study shows that to improve medication adherence, better counseling and health education of patients are required. Although several patients were adherent to therapy, adherent patients are more preferably to achieve glycemic control than nonadherent patients. Greater efforts are needed to facilitate diabetes self-management behaviors to improve patient outcomes.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIPARKINSON’S DRUG INCORPORATED TRANSDERMAL FILMS
Authors: POREDDY SRIKANTH REDDY  , ALAGARSAMY V  , SUBHAH CHANDRA BOSE P  , DAMINENI SARITA  , SRUTHI V
Published: October 2020

Objective: Ropinirole suitable for transdermal delivery due to its small molecular size (260.37 g/mol), optimum log p (2.3), and low oral bioavailability (50%) due to first-pass metabolism, the short elimination half-life of 4–6 h. Dose of drug is 6 mg/day. Hence, in the present study, an attempt was made to deliver antiparkinson’s drug through transdermal route in the form of transdermal film to attain sustained release using different concentration of drug, polymers stabilizers.

Methods: Among the different formulations of matrix type (F1 to F5), F2 and F4 formulations were optimized based on crystallinity. These formulations were carried out for in vitro permeation studies. Out of these two formulations, F4 formulation showed target drug release.

Results and Discussion: The formulation F4 containing 2 mg drug, 600 mg hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E15 and 50 mg of Eudragit RS 100 was selected as optimized formulation, after considering its microscopic examination throughout stability, % drug content (98.4%), drug permeated through the cellophane membrane at the end of 72 h, and evaluation of physicochemical characterization parameters such as thickness, weight variation, flatness, folding endurance, moisture content, and tensile strength.

Conclusion: The results of physicochemical characterization were ensured the stability of the films. The drug permeation profile was also found to follow Higuchi kinetic model.
Abordaje bioético de “la educación médica desde el enfoque de la salud basado en derechos humanos”
Authors: Páez Moreno Ricardo
Published: October 2020

Los resultados aportados por la Investigación sobre la Educación Médica analizados desde un enfoque bioético basado en los derechos humanos, han dejado ver que los derechos a una educación médica de calidad, a un empleo digno de los médicos residentes, y a la atención de la salud de los pacientes, quedan en entredicho bajo el sistema educativo actual. Tales falencias han generando una situación de violencia sistémica que se ha estructurado a distintos niveles: violencia subjetiva o aquella directamente ejercida contra los médicos; objetiva o la implícita en las relaciones de dominación que han caracterizado el sistema educativo médico; y violencia simbólica que ha normalizado las relaciones de explotación en el sistema educativo en salud mexicano. Todo lo anterior ha repercutido en mermas en la atención de la salud de los pacientes.
El evidente y desatendido problema de estudiantes de medicina y médicos
Authors: Trujillo Gamboa André
Published: October 2020

Es evidente que los profesionales y estudiantes de medicina sufren niveles de ansiedad y depresión superior a la población general. Es imperioso tomar medidas desde las facultades e instituciones.
Pengembangan Konsep Indo-Pasifik: Sebuah Konstruksi Geopolitik Indonesia di Kawasan Melalui ASEAN
Authors: Saputra Pradipta Nindyan , Sudirman Arfin
Published: October 2020

Abstract The concept of geopolitics appears to bridge the relationship between geographical factors in contemporary politics. Through its focus on geographical factors, geopolitics has a very materialistic and objective foundation. Based on a critical examination of the implementation of the concept, it becomes clear that the geopolitical framework depends on social construction. Through qualitative methods, this article tries to explain that the concept of "Indo-Pacific" which is of international concern at the moment, is inseparable from a geopolitical construction carried out by the countries concerned. The significance of this new regional concept has been contested by some countries such as the United States, China, India, Australia, and Japan. Seeing its position at the Indo-Pacific geopolitical junction, Indonesia felt the need to make a geopolitical construction effort to encourage the creation of a better regional ecosystem, not as an arena for conflicting interests, as happened in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the geopolitical construction effort and changing perceptions of all countries in the region, Indonesia through the ASEAN framework continues to promote the Indo-Pacific region which is open, free, and inclusive in various international forums.
Performance characteristics of modified antifriction coatings based on the metal composition
Authors: Ipatov Aleksey G. , Shmykov Sergey N.
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes the technology for obtaining antifriction coatings by short-pulse laser treatment of powder compositions. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in synthesizing thin anti-friction coatings on the surface of steel substrates by short-pulse laser treatment of metal powder compositions and analyze their physical and mechanical properties. (Materials and methods) A solid-state pulsed laser generator was used to synthesize antifriction coatings. B83 babbit powder has been used as an additive material. The powder composition was additionally doped with PMS-1 copper and molybdenum disulfide in order to increase the friction properties and load-bearing capacity of the coatings. Laboratory samples were subjected to wear tests under boundary friction conditions using the SMT-2070 friction machine in comparison with standard surfaces of B83 babbite coating, steel surface, and Molykote d-321R clad surface. X-ray diffractometer DRON-6 was used for x-ray diffractometry. (Results and discussion) It was found that the porosity of the modified coating does not exceed 5 percent, and there are no traces of detachment and destruction in the experimental samples. It was found that the coefficient of friction of the analyzed coating under conditions of boundary friction was 0.12-0.13, which corresponds to the coefficient of friction of a standard babbit alloy. The modified coating have a more efficient workability and a stable coefficient of friction over a large range of loads. It was found that the wear intensity of the analyzed coating is significantly lower than one of the compared surfaces. The increase in friction characteristics is due to the features of the coating structure, which is characterized by a large number of solid intermetallic compounds Cu3Sn having a hexagonal structure, which determines the low friction coefficient. (Conclusions) The results shows the high practical potential of modified antifriction coatings that can be used in mechanical engineering and repair production in the design and restoration of bearing assemblies.
Energy-saving technologies of technical service and processing of organic waste
Authors: Fedotov Anatoliy V.
Published: October 2020

Agricultural production in the Russian Federation is several times more energy-and material-intensive than in developed countries. (Research purpose) The research purpose is evaluation of the effectiveness of energy-saving technologies for technical maintenance of equipment using nanostructured aluminum oxyhydroxide and hydrothermal processing of agricultural waste in supercritical conditions. (Materials and methods) Nanostructured aluminum oxyhydroxide (boehmite) was produced by hydrothermal synthesis from aluminum powders. Tribological studies were carried out on a four-ball friction machine, a special device from WAGNER, on friction machines 2070 SMT-1M and MTU. Bench-in run was carried out on the D-240 engine and gearbox of a mobile drilling rig. The crushed solid waste of the agro-industrial complex was used as adsorbents for organic wastewater pollution. Their joint processing was carried out under hydrothermal supercritical conditions. (Results and discussion) It has been shown that nanostructure boehmite has antifriction, antiwear and extreme pressure properties. The possibility of its use as a product for running of a diesel engine has been found. The application of the boehmite in oils accelerates the running-in of a diesel engine, provides savings in material, labor and energy resources. For running-in of power transmission units, an additive containing bemite, surfactant, talc and kaolin reduced the running-in time of the drilling rig gearbox by 2.5 times. The article shows that the crushed plant waste of the agro-industrial complex, such as buckwheat husk, rice, and sunflower can be effectively used as adsorbents for the localization of pollution and wastewater treatment of agricultural enterprises. Subsequent processing of the adsorbent saturated with organic matter under hydrothermal supercritical conditions ensures the complete processing of organic substances to produce purified water and a high-enthalpy vapor-gas mixture or combustible gases, depending on the processing conditions. (Conclusions) Energy-saving technologies for the technical service of a diesel engine and transmission units can be based on the use of tribotechnical materials containing nanostructure boehmite. Technological solutions for energy-saving technologies for processing solid and liquid organic waste can consist in adsorption wastewater treatment followed by hydrothermal treatment in supercritical conditions.
E-governance: A study of the concept and implementation in the emerging economy
Authors: Pandey Dhruba Lal , Risal Nischal
Published: October 2020

Good governance is the essence of success for every public and private organization. The traditional governance system is delayed and costly. With the robust development of information technology, an adaptation of e-governance is common across the country to reduce the drawbacks of the traditional governance system. But the complaints from the public related to the discharge of public service have not been reduced. The claims of the general public lie on poor economic governance in the implementation of e-governance. Thus, the study aims to examine the role of economic governance on e-governance practices. Descriptive and correlational research designs were deployed while undertaking the study to explain the position of variables in the national context and examine the relationship between economic governance and e-governance. The bureaucrats, academicians and business professionals are the respondents of the study. Purposive sampling methods were deployed. The study findings show the government should develop a strategic framework for the effective implementation of e-governance. Government tends to focus on infrastructure, and qualified manpower development and increase computer literacy on the public to effective implementation of e-governance in Nepal.
Toxoplasma gondii in pork & pork products - too much on our plate?
Authors: Klun Ivana , Djurkovic-Djakovic Olgica
Published: October 2020

Background. The constant growth of the global population has led to increasing food production, which has been particularly evident in the production of pork in recent years. In 2015, the number of pigs surpassed one billion, and in 2018 a record high of 120 million tonnes of pork was produced worldwide. In spite of the expansion and dominance of specialized industrial farming in developed countries, Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs as a source of human infection remains an issue in traditional small-scale farming. The disease burden of toxoplasmosis is estimated to be the highest of all parasitic infections and even higher than that of salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. Scope and Approach. This paper reviews the latest research on T. gondii-contaminated pork and pork products, published in the past decade. As current methods do not allow for practical and cost-effective detection of T. gondii at slaughter, efforts towards safe meat have focused on the detection of the parasite in pork and ready-to-eat pork products and on post-harvest mitigation measures. Key Findings and Conclusions. In contrast to recommendations for preventing Trichinella infection, there are no globally applicable standardised and validated inactivation procedures for rendering T. gondii infected pork/pork products safe for consumers. Moreover, there are no EU regulations in place for the prevention of T. gondii infection by consumption of pork and pork products. Recommended actions, both at the producer and consumer levels, include post-harvest processing such as cooking, freezing, and proper salting/curing.
Shadow Trading
Authors: Mehta Mihir N. , Reeb David M. , Zhao Wanli
Published: October 2020

We investigate whether corporate insiders attempt to circumvent insider trading restrictions by using their private information to facilitate trading in economically linked firms, a phenomenon we call “shadow trading.” Using measures of informed trading to proxy for shadow trading, we find increased levels of informed trading among business partners and competitors before a firm releases private information. To rule out alternative explanations, we examine two shocks to insiders' incentives to engage in shadow trading: high-profile regulatory enforcement against conventional insider trading, and staggered changes to their outside employment opportunities. Finally, we document attenuated levels of informed trading among business partners and competitors when firms prohibit shadow trading. Overall, we provide evidence that shadow trading is an undocumented and widespread mechanism that insiders use to avoid regulatory scrutiny.

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

JEL Classifications: D4; G14; K22.
Performance-Vesting Share Award Outcomes and CEO Incentives
Authors: Pawliczek Andrea
Published: October 2020

I investigate the incentives provided by performance-vested stock awards (PVSAs) and the accuracy of ex ante PVSA valuations. In PVSAs, the number of shares awarded to the CEO varies based on how firm performance compares to target performance levels. The incentives provided by PVSAs and their valuations depend on the difficulty of the performance targets, which cannot be easily determined using ex ante disclosures. Using a hand-collected dataset of PVSA outcomes, I find that target difficulty is such that CEOs have incentives to earn additional shares from improved firm performance in 75 percent of PVSAs. In contrast, findings in prior studies using methodologies that rely on comparisons of PVSA targets to similarly named financial statement metrics suggest only 12 percent of awards provide such incentives. I further find that, on average, PVSAs pay out 115 percent of shares disclosed in ex ante valuations, suggesting the valuations of awards are understated.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources cited in the text. PVSA outcome data are available upon request from the author.

JEL Classifications: G34; J33; M12.
Disclosure Regulation and Competitive Interactions: Evidence from the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Badia Marc , Duro Miguel , Jorgensen Bjorn N. , Ormazabal Gaizka
Published: October 2020

We study the effects of mandatory disclosure on competitive interactions in the setting of oil and gas (O&G) reserve disclosures by North American public firms. We document that reserve disclosures inform competitors: when one firm announces larger increases in O&G reserves, competitors experience lower announcement returns and higher real investments. To sharpen identification, we analyze several sources of cross-sectional variation in these patterns, the degree of competition, and the sign and the source of reserves changes. We also exploit two plausibly exogenous shocks: the tightening of the O&G reserve disclosure rules and the introduction of fracking technology. Additional tests more directly focused on the presence of proprietary costs confirm that the mandated reserve disclosures result in a relative loss of competitive edge for announcing firms. Our collective evidence highlights important trade-offs in the market-wide effects of disclosure regulation.
Information Externalities of SFAS 161: Evidence from Supply Chains
Authors: Chen Jing , Dou Yiwei , Zou Youli
Published: October 2020

Effective in 2009, SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative use and hedging activities. We test for changes to the information environment of firms whose disclosure policy is unaffected by this standard directly. Using a sample of non-users of derivatives, we find an increase in stock liquidity after their critical customers expand derivative disclosures under SFAS 161. The effect persists for one year and becomes insignificant in subsequent years as the firms dial back their voluntary disclosure. The effect is also more salient for firms that have stronger economic links with their customers and for firms whose customers exhibit more significant improvements in derivative disclosures. The findings suggest that the mandatory derivative disclosures due to SFAS 161 lead to short-term positive information externalities along supply chains.

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

JEL Classifications: G32; M41; M48.
Are Lengthy and Boilerplate Risk Factor Disclosures Inadequate? An Examination of Judicial and Regulatory Assessments of Risk Factor Language
Authors: Cazier Richard A. , McMullin Jeff L. , Treu John S.
Published: October 2020

Although formal guidance instructs firms to avoid issuing lengthy and boilerplate risk factor disclosures, regulators and users of financial statements note these disclosures are excessively long and boilerplate. The persistence of these characteristics is surprising given that prior research finds that firms disclosing lengthy and boilerplate risk factors experience negative capital market consequences. We investigate two potential sources of firms' incentives to issue such disclosures by examining how judicial and regulatory assessments of firms' risk factor disclosures correlate with the disclosure length and boilerplate. Results suggest that lengthier and more boilerplate risk factor disclosures are less likely to be considered inadequate under judicial and regulatory review. Further analysis finds that when risk factor language is assessed as adequate in judicial review, industry peers borrow that language more frequently, and that judicial assessments of risk factor disclosures prompt industry peers to lengthen their risk factor disclosures.

JEL Classifications: D8; G38; M4.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Byun David J. , Braunstein Rebecca , Flynn Jessica , Zheng Junting , Lefkowitz Robert A. , Kanbour Sarah , Girotra Monica
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVE

To characterize immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated diabetes
mellitus (ICI-DM) in a single-institution case series.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective
chart review of 18 patients with new-onset ICI-DM following anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1
therapy for advanced carcinomas.

RESULTS

9/18 patients had diabetic ketoacidosis (median glucose: 27.92mmol/L;
median glucose before presentation: 6.35mmol/L). Median C-peptide at ICI-DM
diagnosis was low, and declined during follow-up. Median anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1
duration before ICI-DM was 3.65
months (range 0.56-12.23).
Time to ICI-DM onset was a
median 1.4 months/3 ICI cycles and 6 months/10
cycles in those positive and negative for GAD65 autoantibodies, respectively. Time to ICI-DM onset was a median 2.5 months/3 ICI cycles and 4.8
months/8 cycles after anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-1 therapy, respectively. Significant
pancreatic atrophy was seen radiographically.

CONCLUSIONS

ICI-DM presents abruptly, appears irreversible, is characterized
by pancreatic atrophy, and may occur both earlier following
PD-L1 blockade compared to PD-1 inhibition and in those who have positive
GAD65 autoantibodies.
Workplace Stress among Nurses
Authors: Mohammed Alqahtani Ibtesam
Published: October 2020

Worldwide, occupational stress among care professionals, nurses in particular, is a major concern in health care systems. Work stress in nursing is linked to high rates of job dissatisfaction, burnout, absenteeism, turnover, and stress-related illness, thus placing job performance among nurses’ and patients’ lives at risk. The purpose of this integrative review is to explore the concepts of occupational stress among nurses. Three main theoretical models are included to illustrate different viewpoints of occupational stress. Meta-analysis of the basic literature and the results of previous research are used. Findings from studies have shown that evaluations of nursing work environments reflect a strong link with burnout. The excessive workload of nursing professionals, complexity of patient care activities, poor organized work environments, and lack of leaders’ support are considered as contributing factor to the job stress which has resulted in providing unsafe care. The findings highlight that nurses frequently experience occupational stress due to the nature of the nursing profession. Thus, it is critical to implement effective organizational interventions to minimize work-related stressors and work performance of nurses. It is significant to have supportive working environments that encourage collaboration and empower nurses to provide excellent care and reduce work-related stressors.
A Systematic Review of the Zinc Concentrations in the Prostate Fluid of Normal and Inflamed Gland
Authors: Zaichick Vladimir , Zaichick Sofia
Published: October 2020

Background and objective: the prostate gland is subject to various disorders and of them chronic prostatitis (CP) is a complex disease. Various studies indicate some discrepancies regarding zinc (Zn) levels in prostatic fluid of normal and inflamed glands. The present study evaluated by systematic analysis the published data for Zn levels analyzed in expressed prostatic fluid (EPF) of normal and inflamed glands. Methods: The present systematic analysis included 25 studies, all of which were published in the years from 1961 to 2018 and selected by searching the databases Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER-EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science. The articles were analyzed and “Median of Means” and “Range of Means” were used to examine heterogeneity of Zn concentrations in two groups of subjects – apparently healthy men “N” and patients with prostatitis “P”. Moreover, using the ratios of prostatic fluid Zn in “P” group to prostatic fluid Zn in “N” group (ZnP/ZnN) obtained (or calculated by us) in the reviewed studies, “Median of Means” and “Range of Means” for these ratios were found. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 25 studies, with total 285 subjects in “P” group and more than 900 subjects in “N” group. Results: The range of means of Zn concentration reported in the literature for normal EPF varies widely from 47.1 mg/L to 825 mg/L with median of means 501 mg/L. The range of means of Zn concentration for EPF of untreated prostatitis varies also widely from 56 mg/L to 491 mg/L, with median of means 268 mg/L. Thus, the obtained median of means for Zn concentration in normal human prostatic fluid is about two times higher than median of mean values of the element content in EPF of inflamed prostate. In other words, the analysis of 25 studies with discordant data regarding prostatic fluid concentration of Zn demonstrated that there is a significantly diminished concentration of Zn in EPF of patients with prostatitis compared to controls. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between lowered Zn concentrations in prostatic fluid and prostatitis, but because of small sample size and high data heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies.
Simulación del campo electromagnético en una línea de transmisión de extra alto voltaje mediante el método de los elementos finitos
Authors: Cabezas Krissia , Jiménez Pedro , Ramirez Juan David , Canelos Raúl
Published: October 2020

En el presente artículo se presentan los resultados de las simulaciones del campo electromagnético en la Línea de Transmisión de 500 kV San Rafael – El Inga mediante el Método de los elementos finitos en el programa FEMM. Los resultados obtenidos son contrastados con las mediciones realizadas con instrumentos de medición en el campo. Con ayuda de AutoCAD se levantaron los diseños de las estructuras a escala 1:1, mismos que fueron exportados al programa FEMM para realizar las simulaciones correspondientes del campo electromagnético emitido por las líneas de transmisión de extra alto voltaje. Se consideraron las estructuras ubicadas en diferentes altitudes sobre el nivel del mar y se simularon diferentes alternativas de la geometría de las torres de la línea de transmisión para determinar los valores del campo eléctrico y magnético hasta obtener una configuración adecuada que presente valores bajos del campo electromagnético. Finalmente, mediante las simulaciones realizadas en el programa FEMM se muestra el diseño adecuado resultante para una línea de transmisión de extra alto voltaje.