bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional status and associated factors among school adolescents in Finote Selam Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Mengesha Damitie Kebede , Prasad Reddy P. C. J. , Asres Degnet Teferi
Published: May 2020

Background: Increased nutritional needs of adolescents relate to adolescents gain up much of their adult weight, height and skeletal mass during this period. Under nutrition among adolescents is a major public health problem in developing nations including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of nutritional status among school adolescents in Finote Selam town, northwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study among adolescent students aged 10-19 in public primary and secondary schools was carried out in Finote Selam town from February 05 to March 27, 2018. A total of 397school adolescents were included in this study. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select study subjects. Pre tested structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data was entered using Epi info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and WHO Anthro Plus software. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with malnutrition. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% level significance were used to measure the strength of association, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05. Result: The prevalence of stunting and thinness among school adolescents were 21.8% and 14.9, respectively. About 9.7% of school adolescents were both stunting and thinness. Being male (AOR= 2.27; 95% CI 1.32, 8.13), coming from rural area (AOR= 2.38; 95% CI 109, 5.18) and having less than four dietary diversity (AOR= 2.61; 95% CI 1.04, 6.50) were significantly associated with stunting at a P-value <0.05. Early Adolescent stage (AOR= 4.81; 95% CI: 1.23, 18.51), being Male adolescent students (AOR = 2.33; 95 % CI: 1.60, 3.40), having less than 1000 birr family monthly income (AOR= 6.54; 95% CI: 3:82, 14.89), having 1000-2000 birr family monthly income (AOR= 3.47; 95% CI: 1.15, 7.45) and using well water (AOR= 3.82; 95% CI: 1.46, 10.04) were significantly associated with thinness at a P-value <0.05.Conclusion: Under-nutrition was predominant problem in the study area. Sex, place of residence, dietary diversity and family monthly income were found to be important factors associated with stunting among the respondents. Strategies to improve the nutritional status of adolescent students should be given much attention.
Antimicrobial effects of craniopharyngioma cystic fluid
Authors: Jokonya Luxwell , Reid Tsungai , Kasambala Maritha , Mduluza-Joko Tariro L , Fieggen Graham , Mdul Takafira , Naicker Thajasvarie
Published: May 2020

Background Tumors are known to increase the risk of infections, more-so in the central nervous system where tumors may require insertion of surgical hardware/shunts such as in craniopharyngiomas. In contrast, our observation demonstrate that infections of surgical hardware are surprisingly scarce in craniopharyngioma cases. In this study, we explore the possibility of antimicrobial effects of craniopharyngioma cystic fluid. Methods The antibacterial effect of samples of craniopharyngioma cystic fluid against the selected human pathogens Escherichia. coli, S. aureus and S. pneumoniae was determined using the agar disc diffusion method. These results were compared with that of streptomycin and ampicillin.Results The samples of craniopharyngioma cystic fluid inhibited growth of gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. pneumoniae) but not the gram-negative bacteria, E. coli. The samples showed highest zones of S. pneumoniae growth inhibition.Conclusion Craniopharyngioma cystic fluid demonstrated significant antibacterial properties against gram positive bacteria. More studies need to be carried out to further elucidate this unique finding.
Determinants of Participation in A Post-Hospitalization Physical Exercise Program for Older Adults
Authors: Urquiza Miriam , Echeverria Iñaki , Besga Ariadna , Amasene Maria , Labayen Idoia , Rodriguez Ana , Barroso Julia , Aldamiz Mikel , Irazusta Jon
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND: In older patients, functional and cognitive status often decline after hospitalization. Although interventions based on physical exercise can revert these effects, participation in physical exercise interventions is low. This study aimed to identify determinants of refusal to participate in a physical exercise program in post-hospitalized older patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of recruitment data from a randomized controlled trial. A total of 509 hospitalized people ≥70 years old participated in this study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the Basque Public Health System database. We measured physical function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), nutritional status by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, frailty according to the Fried phenotype criteria, and cognitive function by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Student’s t, Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared tests were applied for bivariate analysis. Parameters significantly associated with participation were introduced in a logistic multivariate regression model. RESULTS: Of evaluated patients, 10.8% declined physical exercise program participation. Multivariate regression revealed that older age (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.18), poor nutritional status (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69 - 0.96), and worse home accessibility (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.9) were predictors of lower participation. Moreover, patients who declined participation had worse performance in SPPB ( p < 0.05) and its three tests: balance, leg strength and walking speed ( p < 0.05). No differences were found between groups in other variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms low participation of older adults in a post-hospitalization physical exercise program. Non-participation was associated with higher age, poorer nutritional status, and reduced home accessibility. Our findings support the need to design interventions accounting for these determinants to increase older patient participation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12619000093189 (retrospectively registered): Registered January 22, 2019. KEY WORDS Physical exercise, older people, participation, post-hospitalization
Functional Independence Measure score is associated with mortality in critically ill elderly patients admitted to an intermediate care unit.
Authors: D'Andrea Alexia , Peillet Damien Le , Reny Jean-Luc , Prendki Virginie , Fassier Thomas , Trombert Veronique , Roux Xavier
Published: May 2020

Background Age alone is not a robust predictor of mortality in critically ill elderly patients. Chronic health status and functional status before admission could be better predictors. This study aimed to determine whether functional status, assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), could be an independent predictor of mortality in a geriatric population admitted to an intermediate care unit (IMCU). Methods A monocentric, retrospective, observational study of all patients aged ≥ 75 years old admitted to Geneva University Hospitals’ geriatric IMCU between 01.01.2012 and 31.05.2016. The study’s primary outcome metrics were one-year mortality’s associations with a pre-admission FIM score and other relevant prospectively recorded prognostic variables. Results A total of 345 patients were included (56% female, mean age 85 +/- 6.5 years). Mean FIM score was 66 +/- 26. One-year mortality was 57%. Dichotomized low (≤ 63) and high FIM (> 63) scores were associated with one-year mortalities of 68% and 44%, respectively. Logistic regression calculations found an association between pre-admission FIM score and one-year mortality (p < 0.0001), including variables usually associated with mortality (e.g., age, sex, comorbidities, mini-mental health state score, renal function). Multivariate survival analysis showed a significant difference between groups, with a hazard ratio of 0.29 (95% CI: 0.13–0.65) for patients with high FIM scores. Conclusions In the present study, higher functional status, assessed using the FIM tool before admission to an IMCU, was significantly and independently associated with lower one-year mortality. This opens up perspectives on the potential value of FIM for establishing a finer prognosis and better triage of critically ill older patients.
A Clinical Study on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Treat Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: zhu lin , Guo Wen Shi , Lu Juan
Published: May 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Epidemiological and clinical features of 201 COVID-19 patients in Changsha city, Hunan, China
Authors: Zhou Jian , Sun Jing-jing , Cao Zi-qin , Wang Wan-chun , Huang Kang , Zheng Fang , Xie Yuan-lin , Jiang Di-xuan , Zhou Zhi-guo
Published: May 2020

Background: In December 2019, a cluster of coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. With the advent of the Chinese Spring Festival, this disease spread rapidly throughout the country. The information about the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients outside of Wuhan is limited.Methods: All of the patients with confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to the First Hospital of Changsha City, the designated hospital for COVID-19 assigned by the Changsha City Government. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics, data of laboratory, radiological picture, treatment, and outcomes records of 201 COVID-19 patients were collected using electronic medical records.Results: This study population consisted of 201 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Changsha by April 28, 2020. The median age of the patients was 45 years (IQR 34–59). About half (50.7%) of the patients were male, and most of the infected patients were staff (96 [47.8%]). Concerning the epidemiologic history, the number of patients linked to Wuhan was 92 (45.8%). The most common symptoms were fever (125 [62.2%]), dry cough (118 [58.7%]), fatigue (65 [32.3%]), and pharyngalgia (31 [15.4%]). One hundred and forty-four (71.6%) enrolled patients showed bilateral pneumonia. Fifty-four (26.9%) patients showed unilateral involvement, and three (1.5%) patients showed no abnormal signs or symptoms. The laboratory findings differed significantly between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and non-ICU groups. Compared with non-ICU patients, ICU patients had depressed white blood cell (WBC), neutrocytes, lymphocytes, and prolonged prothrombin time (PT). Moreover, higher plasma levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), alanine aminotransferase (ALA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), creatinine (CREA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected in the ICU group.Conclusions: In this single-center study of 201 COVID-19 patients in Changsha, China, 22.4% of patients were admitted to ICU. Based on our findings, we propose that the risk of cellular immune deficiency, hepatic injury, and kidney injury should be monitored. Previous reports focused on the clinical features of patients from Wuhan, China. With the global epidemic of COVID-19, we should pay more attention to the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients outside of Wuhan.
The influence of the starch coating on magnetic properties of nanosized cobalt ferrites obtained by different synthetic methods
Authors: Šuljagić Marija , Vulić Predrag , Jeremić Dejan , Pavlović Vladimir , Filipović Suzana , Kilanski Lukasz , Lewinska Sabina , Slawska-Waniewska Anna , Milenković Milica R. , Nikolić Aleksandar S. , Andjelković Ljubica
Published: May 2020

To investigate the magnetic behaviour of starch coated cobalt ferrites, five well established synthetic methods, i.e. co-precipitation, mechanochemical, ultrasonically assisted co-precipitation, microemulsion, and microwave-assisted hydrothermal syntheses were chosen for the materials’ preparation. Obtained cobalt ferrites had pure single-phase spinel structures. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the morphology of samples is not uniform, and aggregation of individual particles is a dominant process in all cases. Fourier-transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of starch in all coated samples. The unusually higher magnetization of starch-coated samples than the magnetization of their as-prepared analogs obtained by co-precipitation, ultrasonically assisted co-precipitation and microwave-assisted hydrothermal methods might be explained by the Ostwald ripening mechanism induced by coating process. On the other hand, the decrease of saturation magnetization value was noticed for starch-functionalized nanomaterials synthesized in mechanochemical and microemulsion manner, in comparison to their as-prepared analogs, showing that the size distribution of such nanoparticles is narrow and the average diameter of the grains is near critical for the Ostwald ripening process.
Myoinositol to total choline ratio in IDH wild-type gliomas as a prognostic factor on preoperative magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Kumon Masanobu , Nakae Shunsuke , Murayama Kazuhiro , Kato Takema , Ohba Shigeo , Inamasu Joji , Abe Masato , Yamada Seiji , Sasaki Hikaru , Ohno Yoshiharu , Hasegawa Mitsuhiro , Kurahashi Hiroki , Hirose Yuichi
Published: May 2020

Background: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type gliomas tend to be pathologically defined as glioblastomas. We previously reported that, unlike IDH -mutant gliomas, IDH wild-type gliomas showed significantly lower ratios of myoinositol to total choline (i.e., the Ins/Cho ratio) on magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. Given that IDH -mutant gliomas also have much better prognoses than IDH wild-type gliomas, we hypothesized that this lower Ins/Cho ratio is associated with malignancy in adults with supratentorial gliomas. Therefore, we calculated the Ins/Cho ratios of patients with supratentorial IDH wild-type gliomas and investigated their progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) to determine its utility as a prognostic marker. Methods: We classified IDH wild-type gliomas (n = 30) into two groups based on the Ins/Cho ratios, and compared patient backgrounds, pathological findings, PFS, OS, and copy number aberrations. Results: Compared with the group with high Ins/Cho ratios, the group with low Ins/Cho ratios had shorter PFS (P = 0.020) and OS (P = 0.037) durations. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the Ins/Cho ratio corelated significantly with PFS (hazard ratio 0.34, P = 0.027). Conclusion: We conclude that the preoperative Ins/Cho ratio can be used as a novel prognostic factor for IDH wild-type gliomas.
Stakeholders’ perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district – a qualitative study.
Authors: Babatunde Gbotemi Bukola , Rensburg André Janse van , Bhana Arvin , Petersen Inge
Published: May 2020

Background: In order to develop a district child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) plan, it is vital to engage with a range of stakeholders involved in providing CAMH services, given the complexities associated with delivering such services. Hence this study sought to explore multisectoral dynamics in providing CAMH care in one resource-constrained South African district as a case study, towards informing the development of a model for district mental health plan and generating lessons for mental health systems strengthening to support CAMH services using the Health Systems Dynamics (HSD) framework. HSD provides a suitable structure for analysing interactions between different elements within the health system and other sectors.Methods: Purposive sampling of 60 key informants was conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of various stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of the available CAMH services in the district. The participants include stakeholders from the Departments of Health (DoH), Basic Education (DBE), community-based/non-governmental organizations and caregivers of children receiving CAMH care. The data was categorized according to the elements of the HSD framework.Results: The HSD framework helped in identifying the components of the health systems that are necessary for CAMH service delivery. At a district level, the shortage of human resources, un-coordinated CAMH management system, lack of intersectoral collaboration and the low priority given to the CAMH system negatively impacts on the service providers’ experiences of providing CAMH services. Services users experiences of access to available CAMH services was negatively impacted by financial restrictions, low mental health literacy and stigmatization. Nevertheless, the study participants perceived the available CAMH specialists to be competent and dedicated to delivering quality services but will benefit from systems strengthening initiatives that can expand the workforce and equip non-specialists with the required skills, resources and adequate coordination.Conclusions: The need to develop the capacity of all the involved stakeholders in relation to CAMH services was imperative in the district. The need to create a mental health outreach team and equip teachers and caregivers with skills required to promote mental wellbeing, promptly identify CAMH conditions, refer appropriately and adhere to a management regimen was emphasized.
Improvement of intensive in-seam gas drainage technology at Kirova mine in Kuznetsk coal basin.
Authors: Slastunov Sergey , Kolikov Konstantin , Batugin Andrian , Sadov Anatoly , Khautiev Adam
Published: May 2020

The Kirova mine with its 3 Mt production in 2019 is one of the coal mining leaders in Russia. The available mining equipment has the potential to significantly increase the output, however, gas is a limiting factor on the way to this. The customary approaches to coal seam degassing have already been petered out. The miners and mine science are facing a challenge to validate and test an alternative technology to ensure effective in-seam gas drainage prior to vigorous mining. This article gives an account of the improvement track record of the in-seam gas drainage technology used to pre-treat coal seam for intensive and safe extraction. This technology suggests, at the first stage, hydraulic slotting of the target coal seam through wells drilled from the surface (SHS), then hydraulic fracturing of the coal seam through the boreholes drilled from underground development headings, followed by methane extraction from the created high-permeability coal-gas reservoir through standard in-seam gas dranage underground wells. Presented in this paper are the results of field testing of improved SHS technique. Findings are presented on the effective parameters of the hydraulic fracturing technology. Methodological recommendations are offered for selecting viable in-seam gas drainage technology.
Sedimentation and sediment geochemistry in a tropical mangrove channel meander, Sungai Kerteh, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Shaari Hasrizal Bin , Nasir Qatrunnada Mohd , Mohamed Che Abd Rahim , Yusoff Abdul Hafidz , Khalid Wan Mohd Afiq Wan Mohd , Naim Erick , Setiawan Riza Yuliratno , Anthony Edward J.
Published: May 2020

Tropical mangrove swamps are commonly characterized by dense networks of tidal channels that may show pronounced meandering and dendritic patterns. Channel meanders are sometimes accompanied by cut offs, and, like classical fluvial meanders, record changes in hydrology and sedimentation over time. Channel meandering can, thus, be an important process that contributes to spatial and temporal variability in the preserved record of the sedimentology and geochemistry of mangrove sediments. The aim of this study is to highlight changes in channel meander sedimentation in response to a meander cut-off in a tropical mangrove swamp. Two short sediment cores were sampled, respectively from a point bar (core KR1, 122 cm) at the junction with the neck cut-off and inside the cut-off (core KR2, 98 cm) in the Sungai Kerteh mangroves of Peninsular Malaysia. The profile comparison was based on sediment characteristics, total organic carbon (TOC) and selected elements (Fe, Na, Mg, Mn, Ba and Sr). Sedimentation rates at both sites were determined from 210Pb. A smaller standard deviation of mean grain size (MGS) was found at the point bar (4.37±0.51 ϕ) than in the cut-off (4.43 ±1.76 ϕ), indicating a difference in flow velocity between the two settings. A small difference in sedimentation rate between the upper (0.41 cm.yr-1) and bottom (0.50 cm.yr-1) parts of core KR1 suggests that water velocity at the point bar area has been rather uniform over the timescale of sedimentation. On the other hand, a higher sedimentation rate in the bottom (0.60 cm.yr-1), compared to the upper (0.39 cm.yr-1) part of core KR2 may reflect a reduction in sediment supply following cut-off. This change also resulted in increased accumulation of selected elements and TOC at the cut-off site from a depth of ~ 60 cm to the core-top segment probably associated with a slowing down of sediment settling. A higher TOC recorded in the cut-off (2.74±1.42%) compared to the point bar (1.14±0.46%) suggests a propensity for prolonged in-situ accumulation of organic matter in the abandoned meander bend. This study provides grain-size and sediment geochemical information that is consistent with patterns of long-term active and inactive sedimentation in the meander bends of mangrove channels.
Vitality Models Found Useful in Modeling Tag-Failure Times in Acoustic-tag Survival Studies
Authors: Skalski John R. , Whitlock Steven L.
Published: May 2020

Acoustic telemetry studies often rely on the assumption that premature tag failure does not affect the validity of inferences. However, in some cases this assumption is possibly or likely invalid and it is necessary to apply a correction to estimation procedures. The question of which approaches and specific models are best suited to modeling acoustic tag failures has received little research attention. In this short communication, we present a meta-analysis of 42 acoustic tag-life studies, originally used to correct survival studies involving outmigrating juvenile salmonids in the Columbia/Snake river basin. We compare the performance of nine alternative parametric models including common failure-time/survival models and vitality models of Li and Anderson (2009 and 2013), which characterize demographic heterogeneity in the mortality of populations. The tag-life studies used acoustic tags from three different tag manufacturers, had expected lifetimes between 12 and 61 days, and had dry weights ranging from 0.22 to 1.65 grams. In 57% of the cases, the vitality models of Li and Anderson (2009 and 2013) fit the tag failure-times best. The vitality models were also the second-best choices in 17% of the cases. Together, the vitality models, log-logistic, (19%), and gamma models (14%) accounted for 90% of the models selected. Unlike more traditional failure-time models, the vitality models are capable of characterizing both the early onset of tag failure due to manufacturing errors and the anticipated battery life. We provide further guidance on appropriate sample sizes (50–100 tags) and procedures to be considered when applying precise tag-life corrections in release-recapture survival studies.
Cutaneous wound healing: Canine allogeneic ASC therapy
Authors: Enciso Nathaly , Avedillo Luis , Fermín Maria Luisa , Fragío Cristina , Tejero Concepción
Published: May 2020

Background Wound healing is a complex biological process comprised of a series of sequential events aiming to repair injured tissue. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in cellular therapy in preclinical animal studies; a promising source of MSCs is adipose tissue (AT). In this paper, we evaluated the clinical value and safety of the application of cultured allogenic MSCs from AT for in acute and chronic skin wound healing in a canine model.Methods Twenty-four dogs of different breeds between 1–10 years of age with acute and chronic wounds were studied. Morphology of the wounded skin was monitored for changes over time via serial photographs and histopathological studies.Results The percentage of the wounds that exhibited contraction and re-epithelialization were significantly different between wounds treated with adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and control wounds; this effect was observed in both acute and chronic conditions. At 90 days, re-epithelization of acute and chronic wounds reached more than 97%. Histopathological study revealed a reduction in inflammatory infiltrate and the presence of multiple hair follicles on day 7 after treatment with ASCs, promoting epidermal and dermal regeneration. To guarantee the safety of our treatment, we determined the serum levels of cytokine markers in our patients. ASC treatment upregulated granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) at the gene level, which may contribute to the recruitment of cells that participate in skin repair to the site of injury.Conclusions The development of an allogenic ASC therapy to improve wound healing in a canine model that could have a clinical impact in human treatment.
Students' perspectives and views toward a comprehensive based model of teaching: Confidence, effectiveness and challenges
Authors: Hattar Susan , Alhadidi Abeer , Altarawneh Sandra , Ghazaleh Suha Abu , Hammad Mohammad
Published: May 2020

Background The holistic methodology in education has been widely appreciated and implicated in dental schools in the last decade. Our department of conservative dentistry decided to reform the educational model of teaching from a traditional requirement-based model to a hybrid model incorporating comprehensive care treatment. The aim of our study was to assess students’ confidence and perspectives regarding the benefits of a comprehensive model of teaching. Methods A questionnaire was distributed at the end of the scholastic year 2018-2019 and designed to investigate students’ opinions on the benefits of the new model of teaching as well as difficulties encountered and possible shortcomings. In addition, self-perceived confidence level was assessed for purpose of comparison between their confidence in supervised tasks versus confidence during comprehensive case treatment. Results Completed responses were gathered from 127 students out of 202 giving a response rate of 63%. The majority of students believed that comprehensive cases allowed them to better address patients’ needs, gives higher satisfaction, positively influences self-confidence, permits greater exposure to clinical skills/techniques and enhances reasoning and analytical skills. However, their confidence was still lower in comprehensive case management when compared to supervised tasks. Conclusions Our students showed an appreciation of the comprehensive care model. Self-learning and didactic skills were enhanced. It would therefore be beneficial to adapt this methodology to earlier years and other disciplines, to enhance the effectiveness of education and achievement of learning outcomes.
Corticosteroid Treatment in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liang Mengyuan , Chen Ping , He Miao , Tang Jian , He Xinliang , Zhou Yaya , Feng Siwei , Xue Yu'e , Liu Yao , Ma Yanling , Zhang Jianchu
Published: May 2020

Objectives: The role of corticosteroids in the treatment of COVID-19 is controversial. In this paper, we intend to study the application value of corticosteroid in critically ill patients with COVID-19.Methods: We collected data from 120 patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Wuhan Union Hospital. In the first part of this study, the outcome of patients given corticosteroids was compared with that of patients not given corticosteroids. The second part of the study was a matched (1:1) case–control study. After matching the baseline characteristics between the two groups, the effect of corticosteroid use on the outcome was analyzed again.Results: Analysis of data without adjusting differences in baseline characteristics indicated that the proportion of mechanical ventilation and the mortality was higher in the corticosteroid treatment group in severely ill patients. The length of hospitalization and viral shedding have no significant difference between the two groups. After adjusting the difference between the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid treatment group, analysis revealed that the use of corticosteroids had no effect on the outcome.Conclusions: Among the critically ill patients, the use of corticosteroids has no effect on length of hospitalization, viral shedding or mortality rates.
Which mammalian species are at risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2: an ACE2 perspective
Authors: Wei Yulong , Aris Parisa , Farookhi Heba , Xia Xuhua
Published: May 2020

SARS-CoV-2 can transmit efficiently in humans, but it is less clear what other mammalian are at high risk of being infected. SARS-CoV-2 contain a Spike (S) protein that uses mammalian ACE2 receptors to mediate cell entry, a species with a human-like ACE2 receptor is therefore at risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2. We compared between 131 mammalian ACE2 genes and 15 coronavirus S proteins. We showed that global similarity reflected by the phylogenetic relationship from ACE2 gene alignment is a poor predictor of high-risk mammals, whereas local ACE2 similarities at key binding sites highlight several high-risk mammals. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 likely have a bat origin; however, direct human transmission is unlikely due to their differences in ACE2 receptors, and various mammals share similar or better homologies in ACE2 receptor with humans. Furthermore, by comparing key binding sites at S protein of SARS-like coronaviruses in high-risk mammals, we found high similarities in S protein binding domains between SARS-CoV-2 and Pangolin-CoV but not Civets-CoV, and high similarities between SARS-CoV and Civets-CoV but not Pangolin-CoV. Hence, evolutionary adaptation of the bat virus in different intermediate hosts could allow it to acquire distinct high binding potential between S protein and human-like ACE2 receptors.
An Evaluation of COVID-19 in Italy: A data-driven modeling analysis
Authors: Ding Yongmei , Gao Liyuan
Published: May 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has been spreading worldwide since December 2019 has sickened millions of people, shut down major cities and some countries, prompted unprecedented global travel restrictions. Real data-driven modeling is an effort to help evaluate and curb the spread of the novel virus. Lockdowns and the effectiveness of reduction in the contacts in Italy has been measured via our modified model, with the addition of auxiliary and state variables that represent contacts, contacts with infected, conversion rate, latent propagation. Results show the decrease in infected people due to stay-at-home orders and tracing quarantine intervention. The effect of quarantine and centralized medical treatment was also measured through numerical modeling analysis.
Prognostic Model for Mortality of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Wuhan, China: A Multi-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mei Qi , Wang Amanda Y. , Yang Yang , Li Ming , Wang Fei , Zhao Zia Wei , Ma Ke , Wu Liang , Chen Huawen , Luo Jinlong , Du Shangming , Halfter Kathrin , Li Yong , Hu Guangyuan , Yuan Xianglin , Li Jian
Published: May 2020

Background: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection is a global public health issue and has now affected more than 70 countries worldwide. Severe adult respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia is associated with high risk of mortality. However, prognostic factors assessing poor clinical outcomes of individual patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia remain unclear.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were admitted to four hospitals in Wuhan, China from December 2019 to February 2020. Mortality at the of end of follow up period was the primary outcome. Prognostic factors for mortality were also assessed and a prognostic model was developed, calibrated and validated.Results: The study included 492 patients with SARS-CoV-2, which were divided into three cohorts, the training cohort (n=237), the validation cohort 1 (n=120), and the validation cohort 2 (n=135). Multivariate analysis showed that five clinical parameters were predictive of mortality at the end of follow up period, including age, odds ratio (OR), 1.1 / years increase (p<0.001); neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio OR, 1.14 (p<0.001), body temperature on admission OR, 1.53 / °C increase (p=0.005), increase of aspartate transaminase OR, 2.47 (p=0.019), and decrease of total protein OR, 1.69 (p=0.018).Furthermore, the prognostic model drawn from the training cohort was validated with the validation cohort 1 and 2 with comparable area under curve (AUC) at 0.912, 0.928, and 0.883, respectively. While individual survival probabilities were assessed, the model yielded a Harrell’s C index of 0.758 for the training cohort, 0.762 for the validation cohort 1, and 0.711 for the validation cohort 2, which were comparable among each other.Conclusions: A validated prognostic model was developed to assist in determining the clinical prognosis for SARS- CoV-2 pneumonia. Using this established model, individual patients categorized in the high risk group were associated with an increased risk of mortality, whereas patients predicted in the low risk group had a high probability of survival.
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Northern Cyprus using a Mathematical Model
Authors: Sanlidag Tamer , Sultanoglu Nazife , Kaymakamzade Bilgen , Hincal Evren , Sayan Murat , Suer Kaya , Baddal Buket
Published: May 2020

The present study studied the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern-Cyprus (NC) by using real data and a designed mathematical model. The model consisted of two equilibrium points, which were disease-free and epidemic. The stability of the equilibrium points was determined by the magnitude of the basic reproduction number (𝑹𝟎). If 𝑹𝟎 < 1, the disease eventually disappears, if 𝑹𝟎 ≥ 1, the presence of an epidemic is stated. 𝑹𝟎 has been calculated patient zero, with a range of 2.38 to 0.65. Currently, the 𝑹𝟎 for NC was found to be 0.65, indicating that NC is free from the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
Molecular docking-simulation edge assessment of potential and less-toxic ‘anti- HIV-drug and phyto-flavonoid’ combination against COVID-19
Authors: Swain Shasank S. , Singh Satya R. , Sahoo Alaka , Hussain Tahziba , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: May 2020

The emergence of the pandemic coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) or 2019-novel coronavirus-2019 (2019- nCoV-2019) has created a disease-ridden environment for the entire human community, globally. However, no potent prophylactic therapy is available to control the deadly emerged viral disease. Repurposing of existing antiviral, antiinflammatory, antimalarial drugs is the only option against SARS-CoV-2. But without any clinical evidence, the recommended dose and expected side effects are under debate. As an alternative solution, we proposed a newer hypothesis using the selective, potent anti-HIV drugs and flavonoid class of phytochemicals in combination to balance the potency and toxicity during combat against SARS-CoV-2. Primarily, ten anti-HIV protease inhibitor drugs with ten phyto-flavonoids are selected as ligands for docking study against the putative target, the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB ID: 6Y2E), as an essential enzyme in viral genome replication. According to molecular docking and drug-ability scores of each ligand, the anti-HIV drug, the darunavir (with a docking score, -10.25 kcal/mol and drug-likeness rating, 0.60) and the quercetin-3-rhamnoside (with a docking score, -10.90 kcal/mol and drug-likeness rating, 0.82), were selected for further analysis in the mixture. Later, the interchanged mutual docking analysis suggested that ‘darunavir-quercetin-3- rhamnoside’ was the most potent and less toxic drug chemical-cocktail/ formulation against SARS-CoV-2-Mpro. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation, predicted toxicity and pharmacokinetics profiles also support to the hypothesized formulation; mainly, eight strong H- bond interactions were found against SARS-CoV-2-Mpro. Thus, projected molecular docking- simulation based active and lesser toxic ‘anti-HIV-drug-phyto-flavonoid’ therapy could be promoted against SARS-CoV-2.
Retractions among Indian Scientific Authors: Multiple Offenders 
Authors: Elango B , Kozak Marcin
Published: May 2020

The study identifies repeated offenders of scientific misconduct among authors affiliated to Indian institutions. To do so, we searched the SCOPUS database for retraction notices of articles written or co-written by such authors. Among them, we identified those who authored or co-authored more than one retracted article. The number of such authors is worrying: About one in ten authors whose at least one article was retracted had more than one retracted publication. Among these multiple offenders, we detected two collaboration networks, linked to two institutions. The retraction notices for one group were mainly due to plagiarism while for the other mainly due to self-plagiarism.
Assessment of undergraduate student knowledge, practices, and attitude towards COVID-19 in Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia
Authors: Aynalem Yared Asmare , Akalu Tadess Yirga , Gebresellassie Birhan , Sharew Nigussie Tadesse , Shiferaw Wondimeneh Shibabaw
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground: Novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that has caused a global pandemic. As of April, 2020, there were 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ethiopia, but none in Debre Berhan where this study was conducted. Under these conditions we sought to assess what undergraduate students at Debre Berhan University knew about COVID-19and how it shaped their attitudes and practices regarding this disease. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 18–24, 2020 among undergraduate students at Debre Berhan University. The data were checked for completeness, coded, entered into Epi Data VS 3.1, and then exported into STATA™ Version 14 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the relationship between study participants and the relevant variables. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors. Factors were selected with a backward stepwise method. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the associations between variables and knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP). Variables with a p value ≤ 0.05 following multivariable analysis were considered significant.Results: A total of 546 participants were included in this study with a mean age of 21.74 years old. In this study, approximately 73.8% of the study participants were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and their overall attitude was favorable. However, most participants showed poor practices in terms of containing potential virus outbreaks. In our multivariable analyses, people 25 and older (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI; 1.2, 4.6) and those who lived in urban areas (AOR = 4.3, 95%CI; 2.6, 15.8) were significantly associated with being knowledgeable about COVID-19. Moreover, we found that the source of information about COVID-19 (AOR = 2.3, 95%CI; 1.6, 8.7) was significantly associated with the attitude undergraduate students had about COVID-19.Conclusion: The undergraduate students at Debre Berhan University were moderately knowledgeable about COVID-19 and had an optimistic attitude towards its resolution. However, this optimism may be leading to poor public health practices within this community. Therefore, greater efforts need to be made through educational campaigns to inform the public of the necessity for proper practices in containing this disease.
Definición de una metodología ágil de ingeniería de requerimientos para empresas emergentes de desarrollo de software del sur-occidente colombiano
Authors: Merchán Luis , Urrea Alba , Rebollar Rubén
Published: May 2020

Como industria, el software requiere de productos y servicios de alta calidad, lo cual se logra mediante la aplicación de modelos y metodologías de calidad reconocidos internacionalmente. Las empresas emergentes no logran aplicar estas metodologías pues su gran obstáculo se observa en los altos costos de implementación, el recurso humano requerido y los estándares exigidos que restringen la creatividad, parte importante de su capital. El Laboratorio de Investigación para el Desarrollo de la Ingeniería de Software (LIDIS), siendo consecuente con esta situación, adelantó una investigación que propone un modelo liviano de mejoramiento de los procesos de desarrollo de software partiendo de la caracterización de las empresas emergentes
Effect of Different Concentrations of BAP and Putrescine on Potato Microtuberization (cv. Agria)
Authors: KHORSANDİ Samad , MOTALLEBİ AZAR Alireza , ZAARE NAHANDİ Fariborz , HATAMİ Ali , MOKHTARZADEH Sam
Published: May 2020

One of the most critical stages of produced virus free potato plants is rapid and efficient in vitro microtuberization. Plant growth regulators and their concentration is important factor on potato microtuberization. This study was conducted to develop a protocol for rapid microtuber formation for potato micropropagation by different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0, 1 and 2 mg.l-1) and five concentrations of Putrescine (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg.l-1) with 8% sucrose and 8 g.l-1 agar. Present study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications in tissue culture laboratory to investigate the effect of different BAP and Putrescine concentrations. Lateral buds of cv. Agria from in vitro shoots were cultured as explants. Cultures were kept in germinator with constant darkness and temperature of 17±2°C. Variance analysis showed that none of the traits were affected by different concentrations of the Putrescine other than weight of the shoots. Also, the interaction effect of PUT×BAP on shoot weight was significant. However, the effect of different levels of BAP was significantly associated with the most trait of microtuberization. In this experiment, the best concentration of BAP for microtuberization was 1 mg.l-1. Also, the appropriate Putrescine level for increasing of microtuberization number and percentage was 80 mg.l-1 but the effect of Putrescine on microtuberization number and percentage was non-significant.
Karaman İl Merkezinde Yaşayan Halkın Bilinçli Gıda Tüketim Derecesinin Araştırılması
Authors: YERLİKAYA Sabire , KARAMAN Şura Nur , TUNA Süheyla , ŞEN ARSLAN Hülya
Published: May 2020

Araştırmada Karaman şehir merkezinde ikamet eden demografik özellikleri birbirinden farklı rastgele seçilmiş 280 tüketiciye gıda tüketim bilincini belirlemeye yönelik 14 sorudan oluşan bir anket uygulanmıştır. Gıda ürünü satın alırken marka faktörüne dikkat edilip edilmediği ile ilgili sorulan soruya verilen cevaplar ile araştırmaya katılan bireylerin meslek durumları arasındaki ilişkinin önemli olduğu bulunmuştur (P=0.000). Gıdalarda gözlenen bombaj (şişkinlik) olayının neyi ifade ettiği sorulmuş ve alınan cevaplar ile eğitim durumu arasındaki ilişkinin önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir (P=0.021). Eğitim durumu arttıkça verilen cevapların doğruluğu da artmıştır. Fakat katılımcıların büyük bir kısmı et ve süt ile ilgili sorulan sorulara doğru cevaplar verememiştir. Et ve süt ürünleriyle ilgili daha çok anket çalışması yapılmalı ve alınacak sonuçlara göre çeşitli eğitimler düzenlenerek Karaman halkının bilinç derecesi arttırılmalıdır.
Design, Producing and Testing of 12-Step Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverter with Flexible Independent PWM Current Control for Brushless Direct Current Motor
Authors: ÖZGENEL Mehmet Cihat
Published: May 2020

Brushless motors are used in wide areas in the industrial and domestic applications owing to their superior advantages over other type electric motors such as induction and brushed direct current motors. Owing to fact that the brushless direct current motors and their drivers are cheaper and easier to design than drives of permanent magnet synchronous motors, brushless direct current motors are preferred a large application areas. But BLDC motor drivers are still run classical three-phase six-step inverter. Because of that the BLDC motors are run classical three-phase six-step inverter, the BLDC motor does not show its real dynamic performance. If BLDC motor is run via 12-step inverter, it gives a better dynamic performance than that of six-step inverter. The aim of this study, to manufacture 12-step inverter which controls phase currents using pulse width modulation (PWM) technique and to analyze the dynamic performance of BLDC motor running under purposed 12-step inverter. In the 12-step inverter, two or three transistors are on conduction mode at each time interval alternatively and in order to keep switching losses minimum only one transistor runs PWM mode in this study. The experimental results show that purposed flexible independent PWM 12-step inverter works perfectly and this proposed inverter provides the BLDC motor generating high dynamic performance than that of six-step one.
Mechanical Performance of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Concretes
Authors: ALGIN Zeynep , MERMERDAŞ Kasım , KHALID Lawand Waleed
Published: May 2020

The fresh and hardened characteristics of concrete reinforced with basalt fiber (BF) have been investigated in the presented study. The chopped micro BF with the length of 12 mm are included in concrete mixes at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% of total volume along with the variation of water to cement ratios (w/c) of 0.47 and 0.59. Mechanical features of concrete incorporating BF are specified using the parameters obtained from static modulus of elasticity, compressive, flexural and splitting tensile strength tests. The multi objective optimization analyses using response surface method (RSM) is performed by the parameterization of the minimized cost and the maximized performance based on the dependent parameters presented. Test results reveal that the mechanical properties are improved while the workability of concrete is remarkably deteriorated by BF incorporation. The optimization analysis has inferred that the BF content of 0.356% provides the optimum result with the w/c ratio of 0.47.
Examination of the Biodiesel Production Performances of Natural and Modified Bentonite Heterogeneous Basic Catalysts
Authors: ASLAN Sema
Published: May 2020

Intension of this study is the production of an alternative energy source from rapeseed oil with renewable heterogeneous basic catalysts. Production of biodiesel from biomass has been studied over decades and the positive effects of the heterogeneous basic catalysts on this process are still worth to examine. In the presented study firstly, natural bentonite (BT) was activated by calcination to obtain calcinated bentonite (C-BT). Then Li impregnation experiments were completed, and Li impregnated bentionite (Li-BT) catalyst was prepared. Obtained catalysts were characterized and analysed with FTIR, TGA and SEM/EDS measurements. Measurements showed that Li-BT is a promising catalyst and due to Li impregnation, exchange ability of the surface of the BT increased. Subsequently, they were utilized to the biodiesel production from rapeseed oil process individually and total fatty acid methyl ester yields of the obtained biodiesel were examined by GC-MS measurements. As a result, the best conversion yield was obtained from Li-BT used experiments as 98.80 % besides C-BT revealed with no yield. These studies can be enlarged by the consecutive catalytic experiments in detail. In conclusion, there is no need to use expensive catalysts and petroleum sourced hazardous chemicals to produce renewable energy catalysts.