bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature and Light Characterization during Winter Production Season in High Tunnels in the Southwestern United States
Authors: Uchanski Mark E. , VanLeeuwen Dawn M. , Guldan Steven J. , Falk Constance L. , Shukla Manoj , Enfield Juliette
Published: March 2020

Replicated temperature data from passively heated high tunnels are lacking, especially in the southwestern United States. Field studies were conducted over three seasons in two locations in New Mexico—a southern site in Las Cruces and a northern site in Alcalde—to characterize the crop environment in three high-tunnel designs during the winter growing season (October–March). High tunnels were 16 × 32 ft and oriented with the long edge running east to west. Heavyweight woven plastic covered the single-layer (SL) high-tunnel design. Double-layer designs (DL) were covered with a lightweight woven plastic on the bottom, followed by a second layer of the heavyweight plastic inflated with a fan. A heat sink was created using 16 55-gal barrels painted black, filled with water, and aligned along the north side of the double layer for the DL+B design. Soil temperature (3 inches deep) and air temperature (1 ft above the soil surface) were recorded inside the high tunnel, inside the high tunnel under a floating rowcover, and outside the high tunnel. In addition, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was recorded inside and outside the high tunnels during or near the winter solstice each year of the study. Daily air and soil temperature minimums were highest in the DL+B design and lowest in the SL design. Maximum air and soil temperatures did not significantly differ between high-tunnel designs, although the DL+B design measurements were consistently lower. During season 1, the SL design had significantly higher PAR transmission than the other two designs. In the northern location, the difference became insignificant during seasons 2 and 3, likely due to dust accumulation and plastic aging. In the southern location, the SL design maintained higher PAR transmission throughout the study, possibly due to plastic cleaning. Data collected in this study can help inform the decisions of high-tunnel growers and researchers in the region.
Guidelines of the Association of Anesthesiologists-Intensivists, the Interregional Non-Governmental Organization Alliance of Clinical Chemotherapists and Microbiologists, the Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (IACMAC), and NGO Russian Sepsis Forum Diagnostics and antimicrobial therapy of the infections caused by multiresistant microorganisms
Authors: Beloborodov V. B. , Gusarov V. G. , Dekhnich A. V. , Zamyatin M. N. , Zubareva N. A. , Zyryanov S. K. , Kamyshova D. A. , Klimko N. N. , Kozlov R. S. , Kulabukhov V. V. , Polushin Yu. S. , Rudnov V. A. , Sidorenko S. V. , Shlyk I. V. , Edelshtein M. V. , Yakovlev S. V.
Published: March 2020

Introduction.Strains of microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial agents are commonly found in medical units throughout most regions of the world, including Russia. This leads to lower antimicrobial therapy efficacy when treating nosocomial infections. In this regard, the timely implementation of adequate antibiotic therapy is of great importance.

The objective of the guidelines:To provide summarized information on contemporary approaches to microbiological diagnostics and the assessment of results, as well as the principles of rational use of antimicrobial and antifungal agents, including treatment of infections caused by multiple drug-resistant strains of microorganisms.

Subjects and methods.These guidelines are based on published data obtained in the course of randomized trials, as well as information presented in the provisions of international guidelines supported by high-level evidence. The guidelines were prepared by a working group of Russian experts with extensive experience in research and practical work in this area. On October 11, 2019, the ﬁnal version of the guidelines was reviewed and approved at a joint meeting of the working group and representatives of the public organizations which initiated the development of these guidelines (Association of Anesthesiologists-Intensivists, the Interregional Non-Governmental Organization Alliance of Clinical Chemotherapists and Microbiologists, the Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (IACMAC), NGO Russian Sepsis Forum).

Conclusion.The guidelines reﬂect an interdisciplinary consensus of approaches to the diagnostics and antibiotic therapy of infections caused by multiresistant microorganisms. The provisions set forth should be used to decide on the strategy of empirical and etiotropic therapy of the most severe infections.
Сentral and peripheral mechanisms of mu-opioid analgesia and tolerance
Authors: Kolesnikov Yu. A.
Published: March 2020

Objective – An analysis of the basic science and clinical publications found in PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science. The search covered modern laboratory and clinical mechanisms of peripheral mu opioid analgesia, the role of peripheral mu receptors in systemic analgesia and the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of opioids. The review discusses the regulatory mechanisms of synthesis and transport of mu-opioid receptors in the primary afferent neurons and the molecular mechanisms responsible for modulating the conduction of nociceptive information from the periphery to the spinal cord. According to some authors, the peripheral component can account for 50-90% of the total analgesic effect after the systemic administration of morphine and methadone. The review reports on the important role of glycoprotein-P and the blood-brain barrier transport system in modulating the peripheral component of the analgesic effect of morphine as well as the synergistic interaction between central and peripheral mu receptors. The results of the reviewed studies convincingly show the key role of peripheral mu receptors in the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine after its systemic administration. The mechanisms of opioid tolerance also involve peripheral anti-opioid, pronociceptive systems such as NMDA receptors. It is well known that the same mechanisms are involved in maintaining peripheral hyperalgesia and allodynia. The development of analgesic drugs that act on peripheral antinociceptive systems offers a promising perspective on the possible treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Hydrogen and Abiotic Hydrocarbons: Molecules that Change the World
Authors: Truche Laurent , McCollom Thomas M. , Martinez Isabelle
Published: March 2020

Molecular hydrogen (H2), methane, and hydrocarbons with an apparent abiotic origin have been observed in a variety of geologic settings, including serpentinized ultramafic rocks, hydrothermal fluids, and deep fractures within ancient cratons. Molecular hydrogen is also observed in vapor plumes emanating from the icy crust of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, and methane has been detected in the atmosphere of Mars. Geologic production of these compounds has been the subject of increasing scientific attention due to their use by chemosynthetic biological communities. These compounds are also of interest as possible energy resources. This issue summarizes the geological sources of abiotic H2 and hydrocarbons on Earth and elsewhere and examines their impact on microbial life and energy resources.
Abiotic Hydrogen and Methane: Fuels for Life
Authors: Ménez Bénédicte
Published: March 2020

Geologically produced (abiotic) molecular hydrogen and methane could be widely utilized by microbial communities in surface and subsurface environments. These microbial communities can, therefore, have a potentially significant impact on the net emissions of H2 and CH4 to Earth’s ocean and atmosphere. Abiotic H2 and CH4 could enable microbial communities to exist in rock-hosted environments and hydrothermal systems with little or no input from photosynthetic carbon fixation, making these communities potential analogs for the earliest metabolisms on Earth (or other planetary bodies). The possible dependence of rock-hosted ecosystems on H2 and CH4 should factor into current and future plans for engineering the subsurface for storage of these compounds as energy fuels.
What You might not be Assessing through a Multiple Choice Test Task
Authors: KAYARKAYA Burcu , ÜNALDI Aylin
Published: March 2020

Comprehending a text involves constructing a coherent mental representation of it and deep comprehension of a text in its entirety is a critical skill in academic contexts. Interpretations on test takers’ ability to comprehend texts are made on the basis of performance in test tasks but the extent to which test tasks are effective in directing test takers towards reading a text to understand the whole of it is questionable. In the current study, tests based on multiple choice items are investigated in terms of their potential to facilitate or preclude cognitive processes that lead to higher level reading processes necessary for text level macrostructure formation. Participants’ performance in macrostructure formation after completing a multiple choice test and a summarization task were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Task performances were compared and retrospective verbal protocol data were analyzed to categorize the reading processes the participants went through while dealing with both tasks. Analyses showed that participants’ performance in macrostructure formation of the texts they read for multiple choice test completion and summarization task differed significantly and that they were less successful in comprehending the text in its entirety when they were asked to read to answer multiple choice questions that followed the text. The findings provided substantial evidence of the inefficacy of the multiple choice test technique in facilitating test takers’ macrostructure formation and thus pointed at yet another threat to the validity of this test technique.
Characterization and anaerobic digestion of highly concentrated Mexican wine by-products and effluents
Authors: Vital-Jacome M. , Cazares-Granillo M. , Carrillo-Reyes J. , Buitron G.
Published: March 2020

Wine production has increased in recent years, especially in developing countries such as Mexico. This increase is followed by an increase of winery effluents that must be treated to avoid environmental risks. However, little information is available about the characteristics of these effluents and the possible treatments. This paper aimed to characterize the effluents and by-products generated by the Mexican winery industry and to evaluate the performance and stability of the anaerobic treatment using a single-stage and a two-stage process. Results showed that the winery effluents had a high content of biodegradable organic matter, with chemical oxygen demand (COD) values ranging from 221 to 436 g COD/L. The single-stage anaerobic process was able to treat an organic loading rate of 9.6 kg COD/(m3 d); however, it was unstable and highly dependent on the addition of bicarbonate alkalinity (0.31 g NaHCO3/g COD removed). The two-stage process was more stable working at a higher organic load (12.1 kg COD/(m3 d)) and was less dependent on the addition of bicarbonate (0.17 g NaHCO3/g COD removed). The results highlight the potential of the winery effluents to produce methane through anaerobic digestion in a two-stage process, making wine production more sustainable.
Avaliação da Contaminação Ambiental por Arsênio e Estudo Epidemiológico da Exposição Humana em Paracatu-MG - Brasil
Authors: Castilhos Zuleica Carmen , De Capitani Eduardo Mello , Jesus Iracina Maura de , Bidone Edison Dausacker , Mello William Zamboni de , Lima Marcelo de Oliveira , Faial Kleber Raimundo Freitas , Mataveli Lidiane Raquel Verola , Arauz Luciana Juncioni de , Silva Lilian Irene Dias da , Ferreira Aldo Pacheco , Távora Renata Souza , Mertens Frédéric
Published: March 2020

Apresentamos um estudo interdisciplinar onde condições ambientais, sociais e de saúde são integradas para avaliar o risco de exposição ao arsênio na população de Paracatu, devido à exploração da maior mina de ouro a céu aberto do Brasil. O estudo possui três fases: avaliação da contaminação ambiental; estudo epidemiológico de exposição ambiental humana; exame dos fatores associados aos comportamentos para reduzir o risco de exposição. As águas de consumo humano na área urbana não estão contaminadas com arsênio. Os teores de arsênio em urina indicam exposição mais alta em bairros próximos à mina, em concordância com os dados sobre material particulado atmosférico. A taxa de mortalidade por câncer não se mostrou superior aos controles. As redes sociais e relações de gênero são chave na adoção de comportamentos preventivos. Recomenda-se o estabelecimento de um Programa de Vigilância da exposição ao arsênio, com envolvimento do SUS, ao nível municipal, estadual e federal.
La mitología fronteriza: Turner y la modernidad
Authors: Brenna B. Jorge E.
Published: March 2020

La modernidad ha sido creadora de espacios, límites nuevos y fronteras en tanto marcas metafísicas, mitológicas y simbólicas de territorios físicos e imaginarios. El espacio moderno y sus fronteras son metáforas, límites que se crean, muros que se levantan para identificarnos con unos y categorizar a otros. En este breve trabajo abordamos el problema de la transformación de la idea de frontera (geográfica, cultural, simbólica, etc.) como pretexto para una reflexión en torno a las transformaciones de esa obsesión civilizatoria llamada frontera. La frontera ha sido siempre un referente en el que se enfrentan las identidades, los nombres, los símbolos, los imaginarios diferenciados: es la línea de mayor enfrentamiento entre dos alteridades. A partir del marco anterior reflexionamos en torno a la mitología turneriana, ya que consideramos que detrás de la creación del imaginario de la frontera norte está la mítica visión de la frontera norteamericana como canon ideológico que explica y consagra la presencia de la raza blanca en una frontera rehecha a imagen y semejanza del llamado “sueño americano”. La reflexión de Frederick Turner acerca del papel de la frontera en la historia norteamericana no sólo es el estudio de la importancia del avance hacia el Oeste sino que –más aún– es el análisis del significado que tuvo la frontera norteamericana como proceso histórico que no terminó en 1893, como afirmó Turner, sino que se extendió hasta el siglo xx, y continúa en permanente determinación del proceso de territorialización de la frontera.
Non-Enzymatic Protein Acetylation by 7-Acetoxy-4-Methylcoumarin: Implications in Protein Biochemistry
Authors: Bhatt Anant Narayan , Rai Yogesh , Verma Amit , Pandey Sanjay , Kaushik Kumar , Parmar Virinder S. , Arya Anu , Prasad Ashok K. , Dwarakanath Bilikere S.
Published: March 2020

Background:

The semi-synthetic acetoxycoumarins are known to acetylate proteins
using novel enzymatic Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase) system in cells. However, the nonenzymatic
protein acetylation by polyphenolic acetates is not known.

Objective:

To investigate the ability of 7-acetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (7-AMC) to acetylate proteins
non-enzymatically in the test tube.

Methods:

We incubated 7-AMC with BSA and analyzed the protein acetylation using Western blot
technique. Further, BSA induced biophysical changes in the spectroscopic properties of 7-AMC
was analyzed using Fluorescence spectroscopy.

Results:

Using pan anti-acetyl lysine antibody, herein we demonstrate that 7-AMC acetylates
Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in time and concentration dependent manner in the absence of any
enzyme. 7-AMC is a relatively less fluorescent molecule compared to the parental compound, 7-
hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7-HMC), however the fluorescence of 7-AMC increased by two fold
on incubation with BSA, depending on the time of incubation and concentration of BSA. Analysis
of the reaction mixture of 7-AMC and BSA after filtration revealed that the increased fluorescence
is associated with the compound of lower molecular weight in the filtrate and not residual BSA,
suggesting that the less fluorescent 7-AMC undergoes self-hydrolysis in the presence of protein to
give highly fluorescent parental molecule 7-HMC and acetate ion in polar solvent (phosphate
buffered saline, PBS). The protein augmented conversion of 7-AMC to 7-HMC was found to be
linearly related to the protein concentration.

Conclusion:

Thus protein acetylation induced by 7-AMC could also be non-enzymatic in nature
and this molecule can be exploited for quantification of proteins.
G Protein-coupled Receptors in Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Jiang Yuhong , Zhuo Xin , Mao Canquan
Published: March 2020

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly expressed on a variety of tumour tissues while several
GPCR exogenous ligands become marketed pharmaceuticals. In recent decades, cancer stem cells (CSCs) become
widely investigated drug targets for cancer therapy but the underlying mechanism is still not fully elucidated.
There are vigorous participations of GPCRs in CSCs-related signalling and functions, such as biomarkers for
CSCs, activation of Wnt, Hedgehog (HH) and other signalling to facilitate CSCs progressions. This relationship
can not only uncover a novel molecular mechanism for GPCR-mediated cancer cell functions but also assist our
understanding of maintaining and modulating CSCs. Moreover, GPCR antagonists and monoclonal antibodies
could be applied to impair CSCs functions and consequently attenuate tumour growth, some of which have been
undergoing clinical studies and are anticipated to turn into marketed anticancer drugs. Therefore, this review
summarizes and provides sufficient evidences on the regulation of GPCR signalling in the maintenance, differentiation
and pluripotency of CSCs, suggesting that targeting GPCRs on the surface of CSCs could be potential
therapeutic strategies for cancer therapy.
A Review on the Pharmacokinetic Properties of Naringin and Its Therapeutic Efficacies in Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Zeng Xuan , Su Weiwei , Liu Buming , Chai Ling , Shi Rui , Yao Hongliang
Published: March 2020

Flavonoids are an important class of phytopharmaceuticals in plants. Naringin (naringenin-
7-O-rhamnoglucoside) is a flavanone glycoside isolated from folk herbal medicine Exocarpium Citri
grandis (called Huajuhong in Chinese). Massive experimental works have been performed on naringin
describing its phytochemical, pharmacokinetic, and bioactive properties. Naringin was found to possess
multiple pharmacological activities in relieving inflammation, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular
disorders, and metabolic syndrome. Recently, it has been approved as a potential antitussive
and expectorant for clinical trials. However, the pharmacokinetic aspects of naringin and its therapeutic
potentials in respiratory diseases have not been comprehensively reviewed. The present review provides
highlights of naringin with respect to its absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and its
therapeutic effects on cough, phlegm, and pulmonary inflammation. This review would be helpful for
the interpretation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of naringin in clinical trials.
Synthesis, Characterization and Anti-hepatoma Activity of New Hederagenin Derivatives
Authors: Liu Xiao , Sun Lu , Liu Qing-Hua , Chen Bao-Quan , Liu Yu-Ming
Published: March 2020

Background:

Based on the biological significance of hederagenin-type saponins found in
our previous investigation, a series of new hederagenin derivatives were designed and synthesized.

Methods :

Their in vitro antiproliferative activities were evaluated against the HepG2 liver cancer cell
line and normal cell line L929 by MTT assay.

Results:

The preliminary bioassay results demonstrated that all the tested compounds 1-7 showed potent
anti-hepatoma activities, and some compounds exhibited better effects than 5-fluorouracil against
human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line. Furthermore, compound 5 showed a significant antihepatoma
activity against HepG2 cells with an IC50 value of 1.88 µM. Besides, all of the tested compounds
showed a low cytotoxic effect against the normal cell line L929.

Conclusion:

All the compounds 1-7 displayed superior selectivity against human hepatocellular carcinoma
HepG2 cell line, and the results suggest that the structural modifications of C ring on the hederagenin
backbone are vital for modulating anti-hepatoma activities.
Chvostek's Sign in Paediatric Practice
Authors: Hasan Zeeshaan U. , Absamara Rania , Ahmed Mas
Published: March 2020

Chvostek’s Sign was first described in 1876, as a clinical clue associated with patients who suffered from latent tetany, and is induced by percussion of the angle of the jaw. However, over the years many clinicians have called into question the strength of the association with latent tetany, particularly in paediatric practice. This review examines the variation in techniques used to elicit the sign in studies conducted on this phenomenon in children as well as how differences in the classification of a positive Chvostek’s sign have lead to varied reports on the strength of the association. Furthermore, an appraisal of the literature regarding the proposed mechanism of Chvostek’s sign is reported alongside analysing other diseases which have been associated with Chvostek’s sign to uncover any unifying mechanism for the presence of this clinical sign in children.
Thrombotic Complications of Neonates and Children with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Lau Keith K. , Chan Howard H. , Massicotte Patti , Chan Anthony K.
Published: March 2020

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) refers to a disease presenting with massive proteinuria in association with hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema at birth or within the first three months of life. In the past, most children with CNS had extremely poor prognosis and succumbed to various complications, usually within the first 6 months. Recent advancements in protein supplementation and nutritional support, renal replacement therapy and renal transplantation in infancy, render these patients to have much better outcomes [1-5]. However, there are still many hurdles in the management of this disease. Thromboembolism is an uncommon, yet important complication which the healthcare givers must be aware of. This article reviews the challenges in the management of the thrombotic complications with special emphasis on the unique characteristics of the newborn hemostasis system and anti-thrombin (AT) depletion in nephrotic syndrome. Due to the relatively low incidence of CNS in children and scarce information in the literature on the optimal management of the thromboembolic complications, most of the recommendations are based on the authors’ experience.
Is Red Meat Required for the Prevention of Iron Deficiency Among Children and Adolescents?
Authors: Savva Savvas C. , Kafatos Anthony
Published: March 2020

Iron deficiency remains the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide despite the fact that global prevention is a high priority. Recent guidelines suggest intake of red meat both in infants and toddlers to prevent iron deficiency. However frequent consumption of red and processed meat may be associated with an increased risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Evidence also suggests that even in vegetarian diets or diets with little consumption of white or red meat, iron status may not be adversely affected. The Eastern Orthodox Christian Church dietary recommendations which is a type of periodic vegetarian diet, has proved beneficial for the prevention of iron deficiency and avoidance of excess iron intake. This paper aims to provide examples of meals for children and adolescents that may be sufficient to meet age specific iron requirements without consumption of red meat beyond the recommended consumption which is once or twice per month.
Liraglutide as Adjunct to Insulin Treatment in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Dimitrios Patoulias , Michael Doumas , Vasilios Kotsis , Konstantinos Stavropoulos , Konstantinos Imprialos , Ioanna Zografou , Konstantinos Petidis , Spyridon Bakatselos , Asterios Karagiannis
Published: March 2020

Background:

A few Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) have evaluated the use of liraglutide in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Through the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim at critically appraising and summarizing those RCTs, providing precise effect estimates.

Methods:

We searched major databases and grey literature from their inception to October 2018, for RCTs with a duration ≥ 12 weeks, comparing liraglutide with placebo or any other comparator as adjunct to insulin in patients with T1D, investigating major efficacy and safety endpoints. This review is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results:

We included 5 trials with 2,445 randomized participants. Liraglutide provided modest reductions in HbA1c, with liraglutide 1.8 mg producing the greatest decrease (MD = -0.24%, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.16, I2=0%). Significant weight reduction, up to 4.87 kg with liraglutide 1.8 mg was also observed (95% CI -5.31 to -4.43, I2=0%). Decrease in total daily insulin dose, primarily driven by a decrease in bolus insulin requirements, was demonstrated. Liraglutide decreased non-significantly the odds for severe hypoglycemia (OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.57-1.14, I2=0%), while it increased significantly the odds for gastrointestinal adverse events (for nausea, OR=4.70, 95% CI 3.68-6.00, I2=37%, and for vomiting, OR=2.50, 95% CI 1.54-4.72, I2=27%). A significant increase in heart rate was also demonstrated. No association with diabetic ketoacidosis or malignancies was identified.

Conclusion:

In patients with T1D, liraglutide might prove be an adjunct to insulin, improving glycemic control, inducing body weight loss and decreasing exogenous insulin requirements and severe hypoglycemia.
Prognostication of Bioremediation Requisite Around Industrially Contaminated Environment: A Review
Authors: Vyas Charu , Waoo Ashwini A.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Noxious effects of heavy metal pollution on environment have created an
alarming situation for human life and aquatic biota and a consequent want for focus on an effort for
remediation, because of its high persistence, non-degradable nature, high toxicity and bioaccumulation
tendency. Further, heavy metals cannot be converted into non-toxic forms and can only be transformed
into less toxic species. Cement dust includes heavy metals like nickel, cobalt, lead, chromium and
many other pollutants unsafe to the biotic surroundings, with unfavorable effects on plants, human and
animal fitness and ecosystems.

Objective:

In the present work, research objectives were to study heavy metal pollution, with a view to
establish the contamination status of soil, from cement dust contaminated soils/sediments from various
locations around different cement industrial zones in Satna region. The main purpose of this research was
to emphasize on the efforts and requisites towards microbial consortium-enhanced bioremediation of
heavy metals by bacteria and then study microbial diversity profile through shotgun metagenomics
approach.

Methods:

For this, the isolation of heavy metal tolerant bacterial strains, biostimulation of native
strains of microorganisms (bacterial strains) for heavy metal degradation and evaluation of bioaugmented
mediated microbial consortium-enhanced bioremediation potential of selected bacterial strains as individual
isolates and/or their consortium at the laboratory scale level and then at a large scale were carried out.

Result:

Through these efforts, in the future, novel efficient tolerant species and their consortium could
be explored which could have great bioremediation potential for the uptake of heavy metals from cement
dust contaminated soil/sediments, near areas of cement and other industries in Satna region. This
review article confirms the prognostication of bioremediation in Satna region.

Conclusion:

This small vision and efforts of bioremediation could prove to be a small beneficial step
and lead to an overall improvement of the socio-economic condition of the locality of Satna and the
nearby region. This could be very beneficial for residential people by creating a healthy environment.
Soil metagenomics initiatives might be a useful resource to the scientific community and will provide a
much greater understanding of microbial diversity and functions in the soil.
PEMBINAAN KARAKTER DISIPLIN BERKENDARA MELALUI PEMBELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN KEWARGANEGARAAN DAN BUDAYA DISIPLIN
Authors: Prasetyo Danang , Indriani Weka
Published: March 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkap pembinaan karakter melalui pembelajran PKn dan budaya disiplin. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitataif. Subjek penelitian adalah Guru Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan dan Kepala Sekolah di SMP Negeri 9 Yogyakarta. Pengumpulan data dengan teknik wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Pemeriksaan keabsahan data dilakukan dengan traingulasi sumber. Analisis data dilakukan secara kualitatif melalui tahap pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa di SMP Negeri 9 Yogyakarta secara eksplisit melakukan pendidikan karakter disiplin berkendara melalui pembelajaran PKn dengan cara mengintegrasikan pendidikan disiplin berkendara pada pembelajaran norma hukum. Selain itu, di SMP Negeri 9 Yogyakarta secara eksplisit melakukan pendidikan karakter disiplin berkendara melalui pembiasaan dengan cara menerapkan budaya disiplin berkendara di sekolahPembinaan Karakter, Disiplin Berkendara, Pembelajaran Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan, Budaya Disiplin
Perspectives Toward Seeking Treatment Among Patients With Psoriasis: Protocol for a Twitter Content Analysis
Authors: Reuter Katja , Lee Delphine
Published: March 2020

Background

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease estimated to affect more than 6 million adults in the United States. It poses a significant public health problem and contributes to rising health care costs, affecting people’s quality of life and ability to work. Previous research showed that nontreatment and undertreatment of patients with psoriasis remain a significant problem. Perspectives of patients toward seeking psoriasis treatment are understudied. Social media offers a new data source of user-generated content. Researchers suggested that the social network Twitter may serve as a rich avenue for exploring how patients communicate about their health issues.

Objective

The objective of this study is to conduct a content analysis of Twitter posts (in English) published by users in the United States between February 1, 2016, and October 31, 2018, to examine perspectives that potentially influence the treatment decision among patients with psoriasis.

Methods

User-generated Twitter posts that include keywords related to psoriasis will be analyzed using text classifiers to identify themes related to the research questions. We will use Symplur Signals, a health care social media analytics platform, to access the Twitter data. We will use descriptive statistics to analyze the data and identify the most prevalent topics in the Twitter content among people with psoriasis.

Results

This study is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science through a Clinical and Translational Science Award award. Study approval was obtained from the institutional review board at the University of Southern California. Data extraction and cleaning are complete. For the time period from February 1, 2016, to October 31, 2018, we obtained 95,040 Twitter posts containing terms related to “psoriasis” from users in the United States published in English. After removing duplicates, retweets, and non-English tweets, we found that 75.51% (52,301/69,264) of the psoriasis-related posts were sent by commercial or bot-like accounts, while 16,963 posts were noncommercial and will be included in the analysis to assess the patient perspective. Analysis was completed in Summer 2020.

Conclusions

This protocol paper provides a detailed description of a social media research project including the process of data extraction, cleaning, and analysis. It is our goal to contribute to the development of more transparent social media research efforts. Our findings will shed light on whether Twitter provides a promising data source for garnering patient perspective data about psoriasis treatment decisions. The data will also help to determine whether Twitter might serve as a potential outreach platform for raising awareness of psoriasis and treatment options among patients and implementing related health interventions.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/13731
Predicting Metabolic Syndrome With Machine Learning Models Using a Decision Tree Algorithm: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yu Cheng-Sheng , Lin Yu-Jiun , Lin Chang-Hsien , Wang Sen-Te , Lin Shiyng-Yu , Lin Sanders H , Wu Jenny L , Chang Shy-Shin
Published: March 2020

Background

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that significantly influence the development and deterioration of numerous diseases. FibroScan is an ultrasound device that was recently shown to predict metabolic syndrome with moderate accuracy. However, previous research regarding prediction of metabolic syndrome in subjects examined with FibroScan has been mainly based on conventional statistical models. Alternatively, machine learning, whereby a computer algorithm learns from prior experience, has better predictive performance over conventional statistical modeling.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of different decision tree machine learning algorithms to predict the state of metabolic syndrome in self-paid health examination subjects who were examined with FibroScan.

Methods

Multivariate logistic regression was conducted for every known risk factor of metabolic syndrome. Principal components analysis was used to visualize the distribution of metabolic syndrome patients. We further applied various statistical machine learning techniques to visualize and investigate the pattern and relationship between metabolic syndrome and several risk variables.

Results

Obesity, serum glutamic-oxalocetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, controlled attenuation parameter score, and glycated hemoglobin emerged as significant risk factors in multivariate logistic regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for classification and regression trees and for the random forest were 0.831 and 0.904, respectively.

Conclusions

Machine learning technology facilitates the identification of metabolic syndrome in self-paid health examination subjects with high accuracy.
Identification of the Facial Features of Patients With Cancer: A Deep Learning–Based Pilot Study
Authors: Liang Bin , Yang Na , He Guosheng , Huang Peng , Yang Yong
Published: March 2020

Background

Cancer has become the second leading cause of death globally. Most cancer cases are due to genetic mutations, which affect metabolism and result in facial changes.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to identify the facial features of patients with cancer using the deep learning technique.

Methods

Images of faces of patients with cancer were collected to build the cancer face image data set. A face image data set of people without cancer was built by randomly selecting images from the publicly available MegaAge data set according to the sex and age distribution of the cancer face image data set. Each face image was preprocessed to obtain an upright centered face chip, following which the background was filtered out to exclude the effects of nonrelative factors. A residual neural network was constructed to classify cancer and noncancer cases. Transfer learning, minibatches, few epochs, L2 regulation, and random dropout training strategies were used to prevent overfitting. Moreover, guided gradient-weighted class activation mapping was used to reveal the relevant features.

Results

A total of 8124 face images of patients with cancer (men: n=3851, 47.4%; women: n=4273, 52.6%) were collected from January 2018 to January 2019. The ages of the patients ranged from 1 year to 70 years (median age 52 years). The average faces of both male and female patients with cancer displayed more obvious facial adiposity than the average faces of people without cancer, which was supported by a landmark comparison. When testing the data set, the training process was terminated after 5 epochs. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.94, and the accuracy rate was 0.82. The main relative feature of cancer cases was facial skin, while the relative features of noncancer cases were extracted from the complementary face region.

Conclusions

In this study, we built a face data set of patients with cancer and constructed a deep learning model to classify the faces of people with and those without cancer. We found that facial skin and adiposity were closely related to the presence of cancer.
Improvement of the Efficiency and Completeness of Neuro-Oncology Patient Referrals to a Tertiary Center Through the Implementation of an Electronic Referral System: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Fernández-Méndez Rocío , Wong Mei Yin , Rastall Rebecca J , Rebollo-Díaz Samuel , Oberg Ingela , Price Stephen J , Joannides Alexis J
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Quality referrals to specialist care are key for prompt, optimal decisions about the management of patients with brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the impact of introducing a Web-based, electronic referral (eReferral) system to a specialized neuro-oncology center, using a service-developed proforma, in terms of waiting times and information completeness.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective cohort study based on the review of medical records of referred adult patients, excluding follow-ups. Primary outcome measures were durations of three key phases within the referral pathway and completion rates of six referral fields.

RESULTS

A total of 248 patients were referred to the specialist center during the study period. Median (IQR) diagnostic imaging to referral intervals were 3 (1-5) days with eReferrals, and 9 (4-19), 19 (14-49), and 8 (4-23) days with paper proforma, paper letter, and internal referrals, respectively (P<.001). Median (IQR) referral to multidisciplinary team decision intervals were 3 (2-7), 2 (1-3), 8 (2-24), and 3 (2-6) days respectively (P=.01). For patients having surgery, median (IQR) diagnostic imaging to surgery intervals were 28 (21-41), 34 (27-51), 104 (69-143), and 32 (15-89) days, respectively (P<.001). Proportions of complete fields differed significantly by referral type in all study fields (all with Ps <.001) except for details of presentation, which were present in all referrals. All study fields were always present in eReferrals, as these are compulsory for referral submission. Depending on the data field, level of completeness in the remaining referral types ranged within 69% (65/94) to 87% (82/94), 15% (3/20) to 65% (13/20), and 22% (8/41) to 63% (26/41) in paper proforma, paper letter, and internal referrals, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

An electronic, Web-based, service-developed specific proforma for neuro-oncology referrals performs significantly better, with shorter waiting times and greater completeness of information than other referral types. A wider application of eReferrals is an important first step to streamlining specialist care pathways and providing excellent care.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/10.2196/15002
Social and physical effects of an original pedometer/communication app on older males: a controlled before-and-after trial using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods (Preprint)
Authors: Abe Hiroki , Kamishima Tamotsu , Ojima Ryoji , Onishi Ryuta , Hirano Michiyo
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

As the international birthrate is decreasing and the aging population is increasing, rejuvenation in older adults is required, especially in developed countries. Therefore, older people must act as active social participants to improve their health. With a recent spread of information and communication technology (ICT), older people can use ICT to improve their health and interact with others, and ICT can promote the social participation of older people. However, owing to its design issues, ICT use is limited among older people. Therefore, it is necessary to develop ICT that is suited to the needs of older people. We developed a communication application, “kikoeru,” based on the needs of older people and verified its physical and social effects. The functions of the app include conversations with voice messages, sharing of photographs, and sharing a pedometer among users.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the effects of connection, subjective health, loneliness, and motivation to walk using kikoeru.

METHODS

The subjects were seven men aged 65 years or older who did not receive outpatient treatment for dementia in the community. The study design was a controlled before-and-after trial. The effect of kikoeru was measured using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods by means of a questionnaire and oral interviews. The survey items consisted of the Ando-Osada-Kodama (AOK) loneliness scale, target steps completed, and a rating of subjective health. In the interview, we asked "Did you feel connected when using the app?" In addition, the usage days of the app were collected from the server.

RESULTS

Participants used the app for an average of 54.9 days during the 60-day intervention period. The running days when they did not use the app averaged 1.9 days. As a result of the interview, use of the communication app created the following four connections: “Reliance construction,” “Remembering to consider friends ,” “Cognition of friends’ daily life and using it in my life,” and “Taking an interest in friends.”Loneliness improved for four out of seven people, was maintained by three people, and did not get worse for anyone. The target number of steps improved for three out of seven people, was maintained by four people, and did not get worse for anyone. The subjective health feeling improved with a perfect score of 100. The score rose from 63.6 points to 72.9 points after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Older people experienced a reduction in loneliness after creating connections with their older friends using the functions of ICT communication tools. A competitive spirit that developed through communication using ICT among older males might improve their target number of daily steps and subjective health.
Association of Primary Care Involvement with Death or Hospitalizations for Patients Starting Dialysis
Authors: Silver Samuel A. , Bota Sarah E. , McArthur Eric , Clemens Kristin K. , Harel Ziv , Naylor Kyla L. , Sood Manish M. , Garg Amit X. , Wald Ron
Published: March 2020

Background and objectives

It is uncertain whether primary care physician continuity of care associates with a lower risk of death and hospitalization among patients transitioning to maintenance dialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Using provincial-linked administrative databases in Ontario, Canada, we conducted a population-based study of incident patients who initiated maintenance dialysis between 2005 and 2014 and survived for at least 90 days. We defined high primary care physician continuity as both a high usual provider of care index (where >75% of primary care physician visits occurred with the same primary care physician) in the 2 years before dialysis (an established measure of primary care physician continuity) and at least one visit with the same primary care physician in the 90 days after dialysis initiation. We used propensity scores to match a group of patients with high and low continuity so that indicators of baseline health were similar. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes included all-cause and disease-specific hospitalizations during the 2 years after maintenance dialysis initiation.

Results

We identified 19,099 eligible patients. There were 6612 patients with high primary care physician continuity, of whom 6391 (97%) were matched to 6391 patients with low primary care physician continuity. High primary care physician continuity was not associated with a lower risk of mortality (14.5 deaths per 100 person-years versus 15.2 deaths per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.02). There was no difference in the rate of all-cause hospitalizations (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 1.01), and high primary care physician continuity was not associated with a lower risk of any disease-specific hospitalization, except for those related to diabetes (hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.97).

Conclusions

High primary care physician continuity before and during the transition to maintenance dialysis was not associated with a lower risk of mortality or all-cause hospitalization.
John Locke
Authors: Ryle Gilbert
Published: March 2020

Abstract
A. Grünbaum, Geometry: Chronometry and Empiricism
Authors: Coffa J.A.
Published: March 2020

Resumen
What is it, "to Exist"?
Authors: Ducasse C.J.
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Justo Nicola Romero, Introducción a la Lógica Moderna
Authors: Padilla Hugo
Published: March 2020

Resumen
Acts, the Logic of Obligation, and Deontic Calculi
Authors: Castañeda Héctor-Neri
Published: March 2020

Spanish summary for this article can be read on pages 96-99 of the PDF.
Dualismo y monismo neutral
Authors: Rabossi Eduardo A.
Published: March 2020

Resumen
Francisco Larroyo, La Lógica de las Ciencias
Authors: Margáin H.
Published: March 2020

Resumen
Copi, I.M. & Gould, J.A. (ed.), Contemporary Readings in Logical Theory
Authors: Bobbio F.
Published: March 2020

Resumen
Sobre las paradojas de autorreferencia
Authors: Schoenberg Judith
Published: March 2020

Resumen
Raymond Boudon, A quoi sert la notion de "Structure"? Essai sur la signification de la notion de structure dans les sciences humaines
Authors: Korn Francis
Published: March 2020

Resumen