bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of flood peak scaling in mesoscale non-nested basin
Authors: Li Jianzhu , Zhou Keke , Zhang Ting , Ma Qiushuang , Feng Ping
Published: November 2019

The study of flood scaling is an important means to solve the problem of flood prediction in ungauged and poorly gauged basins. With the impact of climate change and human activities, the mechanism and process of floods are constantly changing. However, in many areas, there are only simple scaling results that can be used to guide daily work. Taking the Daqinghe River basin as an example, a fixed flood scaling exponent determined in 1974 (before the change point of 1979) is still used all over the basin, which is apparently no longer appropriate. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to explore: (1) the scale relationship between the peak flows and the basin area under changing environments; (2) the validation of the scale invariance theory; (3) the physical relationship between the event-based scaling theory and the annual flood quantile-based scaling theory in the mesoscale non-nested and partly nested basins; and (4) the modification of the existing uniform flood scaling exponent in the study area. To achieve these objectives, eight simultaneous observed flood events in seven non-nested and partly nested mesoscale sub-basins of the Daqinghe River basin were selected to analyze the flood scaling theory. The results showed that there was a scaling relationship between the flood peaks and watershed area for the flood events, and the scale invariance theory was also supported herein. To analyze the effect of the environmental conditions on flood scaling in the Daqinghe River basin, the flood events were reconstructed after the change point (the year 1979). It was found that the flood scaling exponents of the reconstructed flood events are larger than those of the observed events after the change point. The flood scaling exponent changed with flood events, varying from 0.65 to 1.26 when considering the basin area as the independent variable, and decreasing with a minimum of 0.36 when taking the rainfall characteristics into consideration. It was also found that the mean of the event-based scaling exponents is larger than the annual flood quantile-based scaling exponents.
Examination of the Role of miR-23a in the Development of Thermotolerance
Authors: Roufayel Rabih , Kadry Seifedine
Published: November 2019

Background:

Thermotolerance is an acquired state of increased heat
resistance that occurs following exposure to non-lethal proteotoxic stress. A large body
of evidences implicates that molecular chaperon members belonging to the heat shock
protein family could be acting as potential mediators of the thermotolerant state.

Objective:

Recent evidence has demonstrated heat shock proteins HSP90, HSP70 and
HSP27 have inhibited heat-induced cell death by intervening at various steps in stressinduced
apoptotic pathways. Previous studies have shown that HSP70 prevented heatinduced
apoptosis by preventing the NOXA dependent decrease in MCL-1 levels leading
to both BAX activation and cytochrome c release from mitochondria. We have also
demonstrated that HSP70 expressing cells have enhanced levels of miR-23a prevent
heat-induced increase in NOXA levels and suppress apoptosis.

Methods:

Stably transfected cell lines expressing either a control shRNA or a miR-23a
targeting shRNA are quantified using both RT-PCR and semi-quantitative RT-PCR to
determine the effect of different hyperthermic exposure treatment on miR-23a and Noxa
mRNA expression levels.

Results:

This study shows that thermotolerant-induced pre-heat shock treatment is
capable of increasing miR-23a levels. Furthermore, stable cell clones expressing a miR-
23a targeting shRNA having reduced miR-23a levels are incapable of developing a
thermotolerance state, leading to apoptosis.

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate the novel finding that miR-23a is an important
factor in the development of the thermotolerant state.
Simultaneous Determination of Medicinal Drugs with Overlapping Profiles Contained in Low Chromatographic Resolution Data using HPLC-DAD and Multivariate Curve Resolution
Authors: Mazivila Sarmento J. , da Silva Joaquim C.G. Esteves , Páscoa Ricardo N.M.J. , Leitão João M.M.
Published: November 2019

Background:

The increasing demand of effective pharmaceutical products directed to
fight against malaria lead to the combination of at least two antimalarial drugs. This combination
aims to minimize the Plasmodium falciparum resistance which is found when the most frequently
used drugs are taken individually. Within this context, proguanil hydrochloride and chloroquine
phosphate which have independent modes of action are taken together to prevent malaria. This paper
aims to develop a fast and powerful analytical method for the simultaneous determination of
proguanil hydrochloride and chloroquine phosphate in the commercial Paludrine/Avloclor dosage
forms using a multi-way chromatographic calibration based on high-performance liquid chromatography
with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and multivariate curve resolution – alternating leastsquares
(MCR-ALS).

Methods:

A rapid and powerful analytical method based on HPLC-DAD and MCR-ALS was developed
for the simultaneous quantification of proguanil hydrochloride and chloroquine phosphate in
the commercial Paludrine/Avloclor antimalarial drugs. An isocratic mobile phase composed by 0.2
M ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, and methanol (40:25:35) and a flow rate of 1.2 mL min-1 were
employed in the chromatographic runs with an elution time about 5 min.

Results:

This approach demonstrates that chromatographic analysis may become considerably simpler
and economical in terms of time, cost, and organic solvent consumption when coupled to multiway
calibration models such as MCR-ALS. In fact, this multi-way chromatographic calibration based
on second-order HPLC-DAD data matrices (with extremely low chromatographic resolution) and
MCR-ALS allows the development of greener analytical methods for complex samples. The proposed
analytical method allowed the simultaneous quantification of two antimalarial APIs present in
the commercial Paludrine/Avloclor drugs with low REP values below 8% for the simultaneous determination
of proguanil hydrochloride and chloroquine phosphate.

Conclusion:

The proposed multi-way chromatographic strategy can be used for routine control of
pharmaceutical dosage forms. It should be highlighted that MCR-ALS allowed to: (a) achieve the second-
order advantage and the quantification of analytes in the presence of uncalibrated compounds
such as coeluted profile measured in different magnitude of the signal in each successive chromatographic
run and significant overlapping profiles and (b) separate the contribution of several components
from chromatographic runs with extremely low separation of peaks through the deconvolution
of the signal obtained, performing the so-called mathematical chromatography.
Simultaneous Determination of Seven Active Components in Desheng Pills by High-performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Xu Yang , Yang Huailei , Shan Baiyu , Fang Kuo , Li Mingyu , Wang Fang , Bao Huiwei
Published: November 2019

Background:

Desheng pills (DSP) consist of six traditional Chinese medicine. This preparation
is used fornourishing blood, eliminating stasis, soothing liver and regulating menstruation, and can
also be used to treat menoxenia and dysmenorrhea caus ed by qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Objective:

In this paper, an accurate and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array
detector (HPLC-DAD) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of
seven active components (gallic acid, paeoniflorin, costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone, rutin, leonurine
hydrochloride and ferulic acid) in the traditional Chinese formula-Desheng pills.

Methods:

The seven analytes were separated on Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (250mm× 4.6mm,
5μm) maintained at the temperature of 30. Gradient elution was performed with the mobile phase of
methanol (A)-0.1% phosphoric acid solution (B) at the flow rate of 1.0mL·min-1. The analysis was carried
out at the wavelength of 225 nm, 256 nm, 277 nm and 320 nm with an injection volume of 10 μL.

Results:

The measured seven components showed good linear relationships within their own concentration
ranges along with coefficients of determination ≥0.9996. The limits of detection and quantitation
of all analytes were in the range of 0.19-13.51 μg/mL and 0.59-40.93 μg/mL, respectively. Average
recoveries ranged from 98.82% to 102.01% with RSDs of 1.47%-1.99%. The content of tested
components was in the range of 0.053-0.421 mg/g.

Conclusion:

The proposed method was found to be sensitive, accurate and reproducible, which provided
an effective quantitative analytical method for quality control of Desheng pills.
Onychomycosis: An Updated Review
Authors: Leung Alexander K.C. , Lam Joseph M. , Leong Kin F. , Hon Kam L. , Barankin Benjamin , Leung Amy A.M. , Wong Alex H.C.
Published: November 2019

Background :

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the nail.

Objective:

The study aimed to provide an update on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of onychomycosis.

Methods:

A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term “onychomycosis”. The search was conducted in May 2019. The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews published within the past 20 years. The search was restricted to English literature. Patents were searched using the key term “onychomycosis” in www.freepatentsonline.com.

Results :

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail unit. Approximately 90% of toenail and 75% of fingernail onychomycosis are caused by dermatophytes, notably Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum. Clinical manifestations include discoloration of the nail, subungual hyperkeratosis, onycholysis, and onychauxis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by direct microscopic examination with a potassium hydroxide wet-mount preparation, histopathologic examination of the trimmed affected nail plate with a periodic-acid-Schiff stain, fungal culture, or polymerase chain reaction assays. Laboratory confirmation of onychomycosis before beginning a treatment regimen should be considered. Currently, oral terbinafine is the treatment of choice, followed by oral itraconazole. In general, topical monotherapy can be considered for mild to moderate onychomycosis and is a therapeutic option when oral antifungal agents are contraindicated or cannot be tolerated. Recent patents related to the management of onychomycosis are also discussed.

Conclusion:

Oral antifungal therapies are effective, but significant adverse effects limit their use. Although topical antifungal therapies have minimal adverse events, they are less effective than oral antifungal therapies, due to poor nail penetration. Therefore, there is a need for exploring more effective and/or alternative treatment modalities for the treatment of onychomycosis which are safer and more effective.
Performance Analysis of Energy Efficient Opportunistic Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Chithaluru Premkumar , Tiwari Rajeev , Kumar Kamal
Published: November 2019

Background:

Energy Efficient wireless routing has been an area of research particularly to mitigate challenges surrounding performance in category of Wireless Networks.

Objectives:

The Opportunistic Routing (OR) technique was explored in recent times and exhibits benefits over many existing protocols and can significantly reduce energy consumption during data communication with very limited compromise on performance.

Methods :

Using broadcasting nature of the wireless medium, OR practices to discourse two foremost issues of variable link quality and unpredictable node agility in constrained WSNs. OR has a potential to reduce delay in order to increase the consistency of data delivery in network.

Results :

Various OR based routing protocols have shown varying performances. In this paper, a detailed conceptual and experimental analysis is carried out on different protocols that uses OR technique for providing more clear and definitive view on performance parameters like Message Success Rate, Packet Delivery Ratio and Energy Consumption.
Studies on X-Ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Stability, Antibacterial- Antifungal Activity of Fe(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) Metal Chloroquine Complexes Against Bacterial Strains and Fungal Spore
Authors: Kadam Mukesh Shankarrao , Khiste Sachin Atmaram , Dake Satish Ashruba , Khade Bhimrao Chintamanrao
Published: November 2019

Introduction:

Synthesis of new coordination complexes has gained a great interest of
the inorganic chemists as well as researchers.

Methods:

A literature survey has revealed that main group elements as well as transition metals
with ligand like Schiff’s base and many drug have the ability to form a coordinate bond. 3d-series
of metal complex with chloroquine as a ligand was synthesized (ML2) stoichiometrically and characterized
by conductivity, melting point, UV-spectra, TGA and X-ray analysis of coordination
complexes and anti-microbial activity.

Results:

The synthesized metal complex was evaluated for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity
against the bacterial strains such as Plasmodium falciparum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E.
coli, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus niger.

Conclusion:

The metal complex shows very potential antibacterial as well as antifungal activity
like a commercial drug. Inorganic chemistry gives us good opportunities to use metal complexes as
Pharmacological agents.
Human Papillomavirus Infections, Cervical Cancer and MicroRNAs: An Overview and Implications for Public Health
Authors: Sammarco Michela Lucia , Tamburro Manuela , Pulliero Alessandra , Izzotti Alberto , Ripabelli Giancarlo
Published: November 2019

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted infections
in both females and males across the world that generally do not cause symptoms and are characterized
by high rates of clearance. Persistent infections due at least to twelve well-recognized High-Risk
(HR) or oncogenic genotypes, although less frequent, can occur, leading to diseases and malignancies,
principally cervical cancer. Three vaccination strategies are currently available for preventing certain
HR HPVs-associated diseases, infections due to HPV6 and HPV11 low-risk types, as well as for
providing cross-protection against non-vaccine genotypes. Nevertheless, the limited vaccine coverage
hampers reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases globally. For HR HPV types, especially
HPV16 and HPV18, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins are needed for cancer development. As for other
tumors, even in cervical cancer, non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in posttranscriptional
regulation, resulting in aberrant expression profiles. In this study, we provide a summary
of the epidemiological background for HPV occurrence and available immunization programs.
In addition, we present an overview of the most relevant evidence of miRNAs deregulation in cervical
cancer, underlining that targeting these biomolecules could lead to wide translational perspectives,
allowing better diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics, and with valuable applications in the
field of prevention. The literature on this topic is rapidly growing, but advanced investigations are
required to achieve more consistent findings on the up-regulated and down-regulated miRNAs in
cervical carcinogenesis. Because the expression of miRNAs is heterogeneously reported, it may be
valuable to assess factors and risks related to individual susceptibility.
MiR-181a Reduces Platelet Activation via the Inhibition of Endogenous RAP1B
Authors: Dahiya Neetu , Atreya Chintamani D.
Published: November 2019

Aim:

Since RAP1B is critical for platelet functions, including hemostasis, this study was
conducted to identify RAP1B regulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in ex vivo stored platelets.

Background:

Previous studies with platelets identified factors affecting RAP1B activity but
regulatory miRNAs that affect RAP1B protein expression have not been reported.

Objective :

To understand the functional significance of miRNA mediated regulation of RAP1B in
stored platelets, using microRNA, miR-181a as an example.

Methods:

A Tagged RNA Affinity approach (MS2-TRAP) was employed to identify miRNAs that
bound to the 3` untranslated region (3`UTR) of the RAP1B mRNA in HeLa cells as an assay system.
And subsequently, the mRNA 3’UTR:miRNA interactions were verified in platelets through the ectopic
expression of miR-181a mimic and appropriate controls. The interaction of such miRNAs with
RAP1B mRNA was also validated by qRT-PCR and Western analysis.

Results:

Sixty-two miRNAs from MS2 assay were then compared with already known 171 platelet
abundant miRNAs to identify a common set of miRNAs. This analysis yielded six miRNAs (miR-
30e, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-206, miR-208a and miR-454), which are also predicted to target
RAP1B mRNA. From this pool, miR-181a was selected for further study since RAP1B harbors two
binding sites for miR-181a in its 3′UTR. Ectopic expression of miR-181a mimic in platelets resulted
in lowering the endogenous RAP1B at both mRNA and protein levels. Further, miR-181a ectopic
expression reduced the surface expression of the platelet activation marker, P-selectin.

Conclusion:

MicroRNA-181a can target RAP1B and this interaction has the potential to regulate
platelet activation during storage.
Complexity in Clinical Trials: Blind Spots, Misleading Criteria, Winners and Losers
Authors: Yuan Gang , Wang Lishi , Li Jing , Feng Helin , Ji Jiafu , Gu Weikuan , Shan Baoen
Published: November 2019

More than 90% of new potential therapeutic drugs have failed in clinical trials. In this
study, the characteristics of failed new drugs for the treatment of seven types of cancer were first examined,
followed by a review of the hazard ratios of survival in typical phase III clinical drug trials of
these cancers from the last five years. The data suggested that population sizes in most clinical trials
were limited to a certain level of detection. Evidently, each drug has its effect only in certain individuals
with defined characteristics, and the success and failure of a new drug depend on these characteristics,
such as ethnic group, sex, environmental conditions, pathological features, and genotype.
Due to the complexity of the influence of multiple factors and the current limitation in understanding
them, a large number of subgroups among patients may not have been recognized. Therefore, any decision
only based on a few statistical comparisons, may not always provide correct judgement for a
new drug. The drugs that are successful in clinical trials are “winners” regardless of how the differences
in genotypes or other characteristics' influence on patients as compared to new drugs and placebos,
or new and existing drugs. Drugs that are effective on certain characterizations or a specific
group of patients are often categorized as a failure in clinical trials based on the current statistical criteria.
Thus, previously failed drugs can be reevaluated and reutilized by analyzing whether these
drugs have different effects on various genomic populations, or on patients who may emerge as subgroups
based on other variables.
Decision Making Using Machine Learning Based Opinion Prediction Model for Smart Governance
Authors: Kumar Akshi , Sharma Abhilasha
Published: November 2019

Background:

Decision making requires a rigorous process of evaluation, which is an analytical
and organized process to figure out the present positive influences, favourable future prospects,
existing shortcomings and ulterior complexities of any plan, program, practice or a polity.
Evaluation of policy is an essential and vital process required to measure the performance or progression
of the scheme. The main purpose of policy evaluation is to empower various stakeholders
and enhance their socio-economic environment. A large number of policies or schemes in different
areas are launched/constituted by government in view of the citizen welfare. Although, the governmental
policies intend to better shape up the quality of life of people but may also impact their everyday's
life.

Objective:

The contemplation of public opinion plays a very significant role in the process of policy
evaluation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to incorporate the concept of opinion mining in policy
evaluation. An attempt has been made to elevate the process of policy evaluation by analyzing public
opinion.

Methods:

A latest governmental scheme Saubhagya launched by the Indian government in 2017 has
been selected for evaluation by applying supervised learning based opinion mining techniques. The
data set of public opinion associated with this scheme has been captured by Twitter.

Results:

The result validates that the proposed methodology supports the optimizing process of policy
evaluation and provides a more accurate and actual status of policy's effect among Indian citizen.
As a result, this would aid in identifying and implementing the preventive and corrective measures
required to be taken for a successful policy.

Conclusion:

The proposed methodology will stabilize and strengthen the process of policy evaluation
which target towards favourable and flourishing future prospects concerning the socio-economic
status of a nation. The results are quite exciting and further extension of work will be performed in
order to develop and design a patent framework in the area of social big data analytics.
A Green Process for Selective Hydrolysis of Cinnamaldehyde in Water to Natural Benzaldehyde by Using Ti and Zn Modified Hydrotalcites as Catalysts
Authors: Jadhav Amarsinh L. , Yadav Ganapati D.
Published: November 2019

Hydrolysis of Cinnamaldehyde (CNM) is one of the important processes for the production of industrially essential natural benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde is a vital precursor in the production of perfumes, cosmetics, food, beverages, and pharmaceutical intermediates. As homogeneous base catalysts are polluting and difficult to separate, heterogeneous catalysts should be used. Hydrolysis of cinnamaldehyde to benzaldehyde was studied over modified hydrotalcite (HT) base catalysts wherein HT was activated with either zinc or titanium, by combustion synthesis using glycine or glycerol as fuel. Both the catalyst composition and combustion fuel affect the activity of modified HT catalysts. SEM, EDXS, BET surface area and porosimetry were used to characterize all catalysts. Zinc modified hydrotalcite using glycine as fuel (Zn-HT-Glycine) was the most active, selective, and reusable catalyst under mild reaction conditions, and it was used to study the influence of different process parameters on the reaction rate, conversion and selectivity. Reaction mechanism and kinetics were established. The reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. At 1:92 mole ratio of cinnamaldehyde to water and 0.005 g/cm3 catalyst loading, the reaction gives 75.8 % conversion of cinnamaldehyde and 100 % selectivity to benzaldehyde at 130oC in 4 h. The apparent activation energy was 19.15 kcal/mol. The overall process is green and the catalyst reusable.
Facile Preparation of Activated Carbon/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Talalah Ramli Nurul Infaza , Rafaie Hartini Ahmad , Kasim Muhd Firdaus , Ibno Hanifa Binti
Published: November 2019

Objective:

An efficient and facile preparation route has been developed to prepare
activated carbon (AC)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite electrodes for the supercapacitor
electrode.

Methods:

The zinc oxide nanostructure was synthesized via the sol-gel method by using
conventional hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) reagent as the reducing agent.

Results:

The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposites were
characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis, respectively.
10 wt% of ZnO loading shows an optimum specific capacitance of 398 F/g at a
scan rate of 50 mV/s. The optimum sample retained 96% of its initial specific capacitance
upon 100 consecutive cycles.

Conclusion:

The enhanced specific capacitance can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of
the individual properties of AC and ZnO.
A fényszennyezés műszaki jellemzőire és élettani hatásaira vonatkozó, lakossági ismeretek felmérése két településen
Authors: Apró Anna , Novák Richárd , Hankovszki Mónika , Kertész Alex , Mika János
Published: November 2019

Iparosodott világunk egyik legújabb környezeti kihívása a fényszennyezés. Ez, egyszerűen fogalmazva, azt jelenti, hogy a szükségesnél több fényt bocsátunk ki, és ezt gyakran az emberek és az állatvilág számára zavaró, sőt az egészségre káros hullámhosszakon tesszük. E problémakör tudatosítását szolgálják az ún. Csillagos Égbolt Parkok, ahol nagy területen semmilyen mesterséges fényforrás nem terheli a környezetet. Az egyik ilyen Park BAZ megyében, Répáshuta közelében van, illetve élvez folyamatos fejlesztést. Tanulmányunk arról a kérdőíves vizsgálatról számol be, amit a témakörben tájékoztatást élvező Répáshuta illetve a hozzá közel fekvő, de a problémakörről közvetlen ismereteket nem kapó Cserépváralja településeken végeztünk. Mindkét község lakosságának a száma 400 körül van, akik közül 30 lakost kérdeztünk meg, gondosan ügyelve arra, hogy mindenki más-más családban éljen. Közvetlen helyszíni lekérdezéssel 21-21 kérdésre kértünk és minden esetben kaptunk is válaszokat, természetesen ügyelve a válaszadók teljes anonimitására. A felvételezésre 2019 márciusában és áprilisában került sor.
Adaptability of Powdered Activated Carbon Production from Ground Catering Waste Pyrolysis Coke
Authors: Nagy Gábor , Simon Andrea , Géber Róbert , Rácz Ádám
Published: November 2019

Three mixture of catering waste was pyrolyzed at 650, 725 and 900 °C and the solid residue (coke) was examined for powdered activated carbon production. For this, the carbon content, iodine number, particle size distribution and scanning electron microscopic images were analysed. Based on the carbon content, these cokes are suitable for activated carbon production, which were 60-85 wt.% (depending on the base material and pyrolysis temperature). The studied cokes showed slightly porous structure with smooth surfaces. Because of this, the iodine number was mostly small (13-30). Based on the grinding experiments, 10 minutes of grinding was found to be optimal. After this grinding time, the reached iodine number of powdered activated carbon was 350-610.
Temporal Changes of Pyrite Oxidation Rate in Bolivian Sulphidic Mining Wastes
Authors: Móricz Ferenc , Mádai Ferenc
Published: November 2019

Since the 70's, when huge sulphidic open pits were developed, the acidic rock drainage (ARD) become the leader problem of the sulphidic mining industry. Although the recycling is an essential technology, it cannot cover the demand alone, thus mining activity needs to continue. Acidity in mine drainage commonly requires most of the attention, but the main problem is the caused elevated level of metal mobility and leaching, which are generated by the increased rates of sulphide weathering under acidic conditions. The Itos mine is a polymetallic vein deposit in Bolivia, had been mined for silver and tin until 1990, leaving behind much and huge tailings and mine waste heaps, where quite often the pyrite content exceeds 10 %. Serious ARD effects take place in the mine waste heaps. These processes can be well characterized with the pH 1 or 2 of the seepage water, which forms serious alteration in the waste itself and the neighbouring rocks. In three consecutive years, the pyrite oxidation rate was investigated on the same 7 samples by humidity cell test. 5-6 months pauses were left between the humidity cell test periods, which mimics the alternation of wet and dry periods, typical for the place. The results give much more information, than the oxidation rate in the individual test periods, showing the changes by time. This applied method gave good result to characterize the behaviour of the waste in long-term. The column test was complemented with mineralogical analyses, such as electron probe micro analysis. The mineralogical and column test analyses show, that the changes of the pyrite oxidation rate split the samples into three different groups, one where the oxidation rate decreases, second where it increases with time and the third where oxidation rate is maximal and stays stable for several years.
A környezeti teljesítményértékelés indikátorai – elmélet és vállalati esettanulmány
Authors: Péterné Baranyi Rita , Harazin Piroska
Published: November 2019

A vállalati teljesítményértékelés gyakorlatában az elmúlt évtizedekben változás ment végbe. Megjelentek a teljesítménymenedzsment rendszerek, az indikátorokon alapuló értékelő-készletek, illetve az intellektuális tőke értékelésének hangsúlyossága és ehhez kapcsolódóan az újabb értékelési módszertanok. A teljesítményértékelésnek tehát sokszínű és korszerű eszközei alakultak ki mind elméletben és gyakorlatban. A munka szempontjából kiemelkedő tény, miszerint az üzleti életben növekedésnek indult a fenntartható fejlődés koncepciójának térnyerése, továbbá a fenntarthatósághoz kapcsolódó koncepciók, eszközök, módszerek használata is. Így jelenik meg a fenntarthatóság pilléreihez kapcsolódó vállalati gyakorlat mérése, értékelése is hangsúlyosan – legyen szó környezeti teljesítményértékelésről, vagy éppen a CSR tevékenységek értékeléséről. A munka a környezeti teljesítményértékelés elméletére és gyakorlatára fókuszál. Összegezzük – definíciókon keresztül vizsgáljuk – a környezeti teljesítményértékelés koncepcióját. Különös figyelmet fordítunk a környezeti teljesítményindikátorok tulajdonságaira – mind szabványosítási hátteret figyelembe véve, mind az aktuális szakirodalmakat tekintve –, továbbá az indikátorkészletek összeállításának elméleti hátterére is kitérünk. Az elméletet meghaladva azonban érdemes a gyakorlatot is figyelembe venni. A munkát egy multinacionális vállalat telephelyének gyakorlati példájával zárjuk.
Water Shortage in Jordan
Authors: Odeh Omar
Published: November 2019

Water shortage in Jordan is considered to be one of the main challenges that face the country throughout the years. In this manuscript all aspects of this issue will be highlighted.  In this article, first, the water situation inputs, contests and outputs will be discussed. Secondly, there will be a detailed study about the ‘WADI AL-ARAB’ Project which is funded by the European Investment Bank and managed by the Yarmouk Water Company, its missions, assets and workflow. Finally, the Improvement of Energy Efficiency in the water sector, project aims, framework, and the major findings expected as a result of these analysis will be highlighted. This document presents the essential elements of a work that required a long time, an enormous effort and a hard work to collect all the data from several sources such as the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) and the European Commission (EU Official Website) and analyze them. Also, all the information listed about “WADI AL ARAB” Project was collected from multiple site visits.
Fenntarthatóság, fenntartható ellátási lánc menedzsment
Authors: Horváth Adrienn , Károlyi László
Published: November 2019

A világgazdaság gyors fejlődése, a természeti erőforrások növekvő hiánya és a szennyezés által okozott romlás miatt a környezetvédelem a világ országainak és régióinak alapvető problémája lett. A fenntarthatóság a politikai döntéshozók, az újságírók, a tudósok, az egyetemek és a társadalom körében a világ számos részén és a különböző kutatási területeken közös vita tárgyává. Általánosan elfogadott, hogy a vállalatok fontos szerepet töltenek be a fenntartható fejlődés problémáinak kezelésében is. Ebben a szerepben kulcsfontosságú kihívást jelent a fenntartható fejlődés által okozott gyakran ellentétes nyomások egyensúlyba hozni, azaz a vállalati szintű gazdasági teljesítmény szembenállását a környezeti romlással és a társadalmi zavarokkal. A fenntarthatóság elveinek a vállalatokba való hatékony integrálásához a szervezetek határain túlmutató cselekvésre van szükségük. A fenntarthatóság kérdése egyre erőteljesebben megjelenik a felelős vállalatirányítás eszméi között. Az ellátási lánc menedzsment egyik legfontosabb területe, hogy a vállalatok versenyelőnyt szerezzenek a piacon. Ez jelentős hatást gyakorol a természeti környezetre, és egyre nagyobb szükség van a környezeti gondolkodás integrációjára az ellátási lánc menedzsmentjében és folyamataiban, ezért a vállalatok egyre nagyobb figyelmet fordítanak a fenntartható fejlődésre, egyre nagyobb részt vállalnak a vállalati társadalmi felelősségvállalás kezdeményezésekből, a környezetbarát ellátási lánc elérésért. Az elmúlt évtizedekben kidolgozták a fenntartható és a zöld ellátási lánc menedzsment gyakorlatokat, ezzel próbálva integrálni a környezetvédelmi szempontokat a szervezetekbe, a termelési és fogyasztási folyamatok környezetére gyakorolt, nem kívánt negatív következmények csökkentésével. Jelen cikkben a szakirodalmakat alapul véve főként leíró szekunder kutatás során vizsgáltam a fenntarthatóság és a fenntartható ellátási lánc menedzsment kérdéskörét.
Mechanical Design and Finite element Analysis for Acetabular cup
Authors: Muhammad Admed Abdullah
Published: November 2019

Hip replacements typically consist of a four-part piece. Our research will focus primarily on the acetabular component. Several different types of materials can be used when creating a hip replacement implant ranging from plastic to titanium. Different materials are used to accommodate for allergic reactions or circumventing potential health risks. Aside from the material, the size of the components plays a factor in terms of durability; a larger diameter head might avoid dislodgement though it could increase wear and tear on the stems through constant friction. A patient’s force applied to the hip replacement is usually measured through a number of physical assessments. Finite element analysis (FEA), a computer-based method of data observation, allows for us to accurately simulate hip forces and their impact on the hip replacements. Through this, it becomes easier to predict and calculate the performance of specific designs. Generative systems can also be used to support performance analysis and optimization through assessing a multitude of cases, many of which apply in real-world scenarios. By applying both systems, we designed and modeled an acetabular cup that when measured decreased the mass from 129 grams initially down to 52 grams, a 60% decrease in total mass. Furthermore, the design we created lessened the trauma on the piece through distributing force across the entirety of the piece rather than specific segments only. This shows an increased durability and life expectancy when compared to usual acetabular cups.
E-sportra vonatkozó motivációs vizsgálatok egyetemisták körében
Authors: Tóthné Kovács Enikő , T. Kiss Judit
Published: November 2019

Kutatásunk alapját az e-sport népszerűsödése, és annak jelentős ütemben történő fejlődése adta. Hasonlóan sok más sporthoz viszonyítva az e-sport nem csupán sportjátéknak tekinthető, hiszen dinamikusan fejlődő üzletág is egyben, amelyben szereplő érintettek piaci sikeressége nagymértékben függ attól, hogy képesek-e felismerni és megismerni az érintettek, azaz a sportolók, a közönség és a sportklubok igényeit. Kutatásunk során arra a kérdésre keressük a választ, hogy jellemezhető az egyetemisták e-sporthoz való hozzáállása, valamint mi motiválja őket, hogy minél több időt töltsenek az e-sporttal. Többek között arra a megállapításra jutottunk, hogy a hallgatók belsőleg motiváltak, a saját örömszerzés, a saját maguknak való megfelelés mellett, nagyon fontos a tapasztalatszerzés, valamint, hogy magukat folyamatosan fejlesszék, minél több új technikát, módszert tanuljanak meg az adott e-sportjátékkal kapcsolatban.
What Patients Value in Physicians: Analyzing Drivers of Patient Satisfaction Using Physician-Rating Website Data
Authors: Bidmon Sonja , Elshiewy Ossama , Terlutter Ralf , Boztug Yasemin
Published: November 2019

Background

Customer-oriented health care management and patient satisfaction have become important for physicians to attract patients in an increasingly competitive environment. Satisfaction influences patients’ choice of physician and leads to higher patient retention and higher willingness to engage in positive word of mouth. In addition, higher satisfaction has positive effects on patients’ willingness to follow the advice given by the physician. In recent years, physician-rating websites (PRWs) have emerged in the health care sector and are increasingly used by patients. Patients’ usage includes either posting an evaluation to provide feedback to others about their own experience with a physician or reading evaluations of other patients before choosing a physician. The emergence of PRWs offers new avenues to analyze patient satisfaction and its key drivers. PRW data enable both satisfaction analyses and implications on the level of the individual physician as well as satisfaction analyses and implications on an overall level.

Objective

This study aimed to identify linear and nonlinear effects of patients’ perceived quality of physician appointment service attributes on the overall evaluation measures that are published on PRWs.

Methods

We analyzed large-scale survey data from a German PRW containing 84,680 surveys of patients rating a total of 7038 physicians on 24 service attributes and 4 overall evaluation measures. Elasticities are estimated from regression models with perceived attribute quality as explanatory variables and overall evaluation measures as dependent variables. Depending on the magnitude of the elasticity, service attributes are classified into 3 categories: attributes with diminishing, constant, or increasing returns to overall evaluation.

Results

The proposed approach revealed new insights into what patients value when visiting physicians and what they take for granted. Improvements in the physicians’ pleasantness and friendliness have increasing returns to the publicly available overall evaluation (b=1.26). The practices’ cleanliness (b=1.05) and the communication behavior of a physician during a visit (b level between .97 and 1.03) have constant returns. Indiscretion in the waiting rooms, extended waiting times, and a lack of modernity of the medical equipment (b level between .46 and .59) have the strongest diminishing returns to overall evaluation.

Conclusions

The categorization of the service attributes supports physicians in identifying potential for improvements and prioritizing resource allocation to improve the publicly available overall evaluation ratings on PRWs. Thus, the study contributes to patient-centered health care management and, furthermore, promotes the utility of PRWs through large-scale data analysis.
A National Behavioral and Clinical Surveillance System of Adults With Diagnosed HIV (The Medical Monitoring Project): Protocol for an Annual Cross-Sectional Interview and Medical Record Abstraction Survey
Authors: Beer Linda , Johnson Christopher H , Fagan Jennifer L , Frazier Emma L , Nyaku Margaret , Craw Jason A , Sanders Catherine C , Luna-Gierke Ruth E , Shouse R Luke
Published: November 2019

Background

The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is a national population-based behavioral and clinical surveillance system of adults with diagnosed HIV in the United States, and it is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its purpose is to provide locally and nationally representative estimates of factors affecting HIV transmission risk and clinical outcomes.

Objective

This study aimed to describe the rationale for and methodology of the MMP, in addition to its contribution to evaluating and monitoring HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts in the United States.

Methods

MMP employs a stratified 2-stage sample design to select annual samples of persons living with diagnosed HIV from the National HIV Surveillance System and conducts interviews and medical record abstractions with participating persons.

Results

MMP data are published routinely via annual reports, conference presentations, and scientific publications. Data may be accessed upon request from the CDC, contingent on the guidelines established for the security and confidentiality of HIV surveillance data.

Conclusions

MMP is the only source of annual population-based data on the behaviors and clinical care of persons with diagnosed HIV in the United States. It provides essential information for monitoring progress toward national treatment and prevention goals and guiding efforts to improve the health of persons with diagnosed HIV and prevent HIV transmission.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR1-10.2196/15453
Exploring People’s Candidacy for Mobile Health–Supported HIV Testing and Care Services in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Adeagbo Oluwafemi , Herbst Carina , Blandford Ann , McKendry Rachel , Estcourt Claudia , Seeley Janet , Shahmanesh Maryam
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

The use of mobile communication technologies (mHealth: mobile health) in chronic disease management has grown significantly over the years. mHealth interventions have the potential to decentralize access to health care and make it convenient, particularly in resource-constrained settings. It is against this backdrop that we aimed to codevelop (with potential users) a new generation of mobile phone–connected HIV diagnostic tests and Web-based clinical care pathways needed for optimal delivery of decentralized HIV testing, prevention, and care in low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand ways in which an mHealth intervention could be developed to overcome barriers to existing HIV testing and care services and promote HIV self-testing and linkage to prevention and care in a poor, HIV hyperendemic community in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

METHODS

A total of 54 in-depth interviews and 9 focus group discussions were conducted with potential users (including health care providers) in 2 different communities. Theoretically informed by the candidacy framework, themes were identified from the interview transcripts, manually coded, and thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

Participants reported barriers, such as fear of HIV identity, stigma, long waiting hours, clinic space, and health care workers’ attitudes, as major impediments to effective uptake of HIV testing and care services. People continued to reassess their candidacy for HIV testing and care services on the basis of their experiences and how they or others were treated within the health systems. Despite the few concerns raised about new technology, mobile phone–linked HIV testing was broadly acceptable to potential users (particularly men and young people) and providers because of its privacy (individual control of HIV testing over health provider–initiated testing), convenience (individual time and place of choice for HIV testing versus clinic-based testing), and time saving.

CONCLUSIONS

Mobile phone–connected HIV testing and Web-based clinical care and prevention pathways have the potential to support access to HIV prevention and care, particularly for young people and men. Although mHealth provides a way for individuals to test their candidacy for HIV services, the barriers that can make the service unattractive at the clinic level will also need to be addressed if potential demand is to turn into actual demand.
Cost-Effective Smartphone-Based Articulable Endoscope Systems for Developing Countries: Instrument Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Moon Youngjin , Oh Jeongmin , Hyun Jaeho , Kim Youngkyu , Choi Jaesoon , Namgoong Jeongman , Kim Jun Ki
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Endoscopes are widely used for visualizing the respiratory tract, urinary tract, uterus, and gastrointestinal tracts. Despite high demand, people in underdeveloped and developing countries cannot obtain proper access to endoscopy. Moreover, commercially available endoscopes are mostly nonarticulable as well as not actively controlled, limiting their use. Articulating endoscopes are required for some diagnosis procedures, due to their ability to image wide areas of internal organs. Furthermore, actively controlled articulating endoscopes are less likely to harm the lumen than rigid endoscopes because they can avoid contact with endothelial tissues.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone-based wide-field articulable endoscope system for minimally invasive clinical applications in developing and less developed countries.

METHODS

A thin articulable endoscope system that can be attached to and actively controlled by a smartphone was designed and constructed. The system consists of a flexible endoscopic probe with a continuum mechanism, 4 motor modules for articulation, a microprocessor for controlling the motor with a smartphone, and a homebuilt app for streaming, capturing, adjusting images and video, and controlling the motor module with a joystick-like user interface. The smartphone and motor module are connected via an integrated C-type On-The-Go (OTG) USB hub.

RESULTS

We tested the device in several human-organ phantoms to evaluate the usability and utility of the smartphone-based articulating endoscope system. The resolution (960 × 720 pixels) of the device was found to be acceptable for medical diagnosis. The maximum bending angle of 110° was designed. The distance from the base of the articulating module to the tip of the endoscope was 45 mm. The angle of the virtual arc was 40.0°, for a curvature of 0.013. The finest articulation resolution was 8.9°. The articulating module succeeded in imaging all 8 octants of a spherical target, as well as all 4 quadrants of the indices marked in human phantoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The portable wide-field endoscope was successfully controlled using a smartphone, yielding clear images with a resolution of 960 × 720 pixels at realistic focal distances. Actively and precisely controlled articulating movements have resulted in minimally invasive monitoring in the narrow space of internal organs providing a wide-area view. We found our smartphone-based active articulated endoscope to be suitable for point-of-care applications in developing and less developed countries.