bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a Mobile Phone Application to Increase Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information, Goods, and Services Among University Students in Uganda: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nuwamanya Elly , Nalwanga Robinah , Nuwasiima Afra , Babigumira Janet U. , Asiimwe Francis T. , Babigumira Joseph B. , Ngambouk Vitalis P.
Published: July 2020

Background: University students are one of the most vulnerable groups to sexual reproductive health [SRH] threats like sexually transmitted infections [STIs], unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions and often have limited access to SRH information, goods, and services. This study assessed the effectiveness of using a mobile phone application (APP) to increase access to SRH information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda.Methods: Using data from a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to both the intervention (APP) and control (standard of care) arms. We executed descriptive analyses for baseline demographic characteristics by intervention, difference in difference (DID), and quantile regression analyses for both primary and secondary outcomes.Results: The median age of participants was 21 years of age, and the majority were female (over 60%), unemployed (over 85%) and Christian (90%). Over 50% were resident in off-campus hostels and in a relationship. Between baseline and end-line, there was a significant increase in SRH knowledge score (DID=2, P<0.001), contraceptive use (DID=6.6%, P<0.05), HIV Voluntary testing and counselling (DID=17.2%, P<0.05), STI diagnosis and treatment (DID=12.9%, P<0.05), and condom use at last sex (DID=4%,P<0.05). There was a significant 0.98 unit increase in knowledge score (adjusted coefficient= 0.98, P<0.001), a significant 1.6-fold increase in odds of contraceptive use (adjusted coefficient= 1.6, P<0.05), a significant 3.5-fold increase in HIV VCT (adjusted coefficient=3.5, P<0.05), and a significant 2-fold increase in odds of STI testing and treatment (adjusted coefficient =1.9, P<0.001) after adjusting for demographic characteristics.Conclusion: A mobile phone application increased sexual and reproductive health information (knowledge score), access to goods (contraceptives), and services (HIV voluntary testing and counseling and sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and management) among sexually active university students in Uganda. Further technical development, including the refinement of youth-friendly attributes, as well as further research into potential economic impact and paths to sustainability, is needed before the app is deployed to the general youth population in Uganda and other low-income settings. Trial registration: MUREC1/7 No. 07/05–18. Registered on June 29, 2018.
Impact of Prior Cancer History on Outcomes in Thymoma
Authors: Wu Shilong , Liu Mengyang , Cui Weixue , Peng Guilin , He Jianxing
Published: July 2020

Background: Thymoma is an uncommon intrathoracic malignant tumor and has a long natural history. It is uncertain whether the survival of thymoma patient is affected by prior cancer history. Finding out the impact of a prior cancer history on thymoma survival has important implications for both decision making and research.Method: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for thymoma patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2015. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze overall survival across a variety of stages, age, and treatment methods with a prior cancer history or not.Results: A total of 3604 patients with thymoma were identified including 507 (14.1%) with a prior cancer history. The 10-year survival rate of patients with a prior cancer history (53.8%) was worse than those without a prior cancer history (40.32%, 95%CI 35.24-45.33, P < 0.0001). However,adjusted analyses showed that the impact of a prior cancer history was heterogenous across age and treatment methods. In subset analyses, prior cancer history was associated with worse survival among patients who were treated with chemoradiotherapy (HR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.51-5.20, P = 0.001) and age ≤ 65 years (HR: 1.33, 95%CI: 1.02-1.73, P = 0.036).Conclusions: Prior cancer history provides an inferior overall survival for patients with thymoma. But it does not worsen the survival in some subgroups and these thymoma patients should not be excluded from clinical trials.
Medications for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder in Individuals With or Without Coexisting Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis of Data From the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register
Authors: Johansson Viktoria , Sandin Sven , Chang Zheng , Taylor Mark J. , Lichtenstein Paul , D'Onofrio Brian M. , Larsson Henrik , Hellner Clara , Halldner Linda
Published: July 2020

Background. Clinical studies found that medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is effective in coexisting autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but current research is based on small clinical studies mainly performed on children or adolescents. We here use register data to examine if individuals with ADHD and coexisting ASD present differences in the prescribing patterns of ADHD medication when compared to individuals with pure ADHD.Methods. Data with information on filled prescriptions and diagnoses was retrieved from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and the National Patient Register. We identified 34,374 individuals with pure ADHD and 5,012 individuals with ADHD and coexisting ASD, aged between 3 to 80 years. The first treatment episode with ADHD medications (≥2 filled prescriptions within 90 days) and daily doses of methylphenidate during a three-year period was measured. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the likelihood of being prescribed ADHD medication in individuals with and without ASD and Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare group differences in dose per day.Results. Individuals with ADHD and coexisting ASD were less likely to start continuous treatment with ADHD medication (ADHD 80.5%; ADHD with ASD 76.2%; OR; 0.80, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.75-0.86), were less likely to be prescribed methylphenidate, and were more commonly prescribed second line treatments such as dexamphetamine, amphetamine or modafinil. No group difference was observed for atomoxetine. In adults with ADHD and coexisting ASD, methylphenidate was prescribed in lower daily doses over three years as compared to individuals with pure ADHD.Conclusions. The findings indicate that there are differences in the medical treatment of individuals with or without ASD. If these differences are due to different medication responses in ASD or due to other factors such as clinicians’ perceptions of medication effects in patients with ASD, needs to be further studied.
Care Integration Decreases Hospitalization Costs: Retrospective Cohort Study of Palliative Care Consult Service for Hospital Patients With Metastatic Cancer
Authors: Zemplenyi Antal Tamás , Csikós Ágnes , Fadgyas-Freyler Petra , Csanádi Marcell , Kaló Zoltán , Pozsgai Éva , Mölken Maureen Rutten-van , Pitter János György
Published: July 2020

Background: Palliative Care Consult Service (PCCS) programme was established in Hungary to provide palliative care to hospitalized patients with complex needs and to manage the patients’ pathway when discharged from the hospital. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of PCCS on healthcare costs from the perspective of the payer.Methods: Study population consisted of patients with metastatic cancer (identified by TNM status or ICD-10 code), who were admitted to the Clinical Center of the University of Pécs between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016. Patients who did not die within 180-days from enrolment were excluded. Patients receiving services from PCCS team (intervention patients) were compared to patients receiving usual care (controls). The two populations were matched using propensity scores based on age, gender, number of tumor affected organs, Charlson comorbidity index, number of hospital admissions in the year prior to enrollment, outpatient visits in 90 days prior to hospitalization, and number of days to death. Data was obtained from electronic health records linked to claims data. Results: 197 matched pairs were identified with comparable characteristics. Mean number of hospital admissions was 2.1 and 2.5 (p =0.020); ratio of hospital deaths was 75% and 86% (p = 0.003); cost of inpatient care was 1,053 EUR and 1,300 EUR (p = 0.013); cost of home hospice care was 58 EUR and 21 EUR (p = 0.003); and total cost of care was 1,719 EUR and 1,982 EUR (p = 0.099) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that palliative care consult service for end-stage cancer patients with a very limited prognosis can add value to healthcare by reducing costs associated with hospital stays and unnecessary examinations and treatments. The data suggest that early initiation of palliative care could have even greater implications.
The Burden of Hyperglycemia First Detected in Pregnancy Among Indonesian Women
Authors: Fitria Najmiatul , Pradipta Ivan Surya , Utama Bobby Indra , Postma Maarten , Asselt Antoinette van , Schmidt Amand Floriaan
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVE: Despite improvements, Indonesian maternal health falls short of the Sustainable Development Goals. Using contemporary electronic healthcare records, this study explored the burden of Hyperglycemia First Detected in Pregnancy (HFDP) and its association with the determinants of maternal health in Indonesia. METHODS: Electronic Health Records data were extracted on high-risk pregnant women without pre-existing diabetes who were screened for HFDP between 2014 and 2015 at two West Sumatera hospitals. Screening consisted of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), grouping women into Diabetes In Pregnancy (DIP, glucose 126 mg/dl), Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM, glucose 92-125 mg/dl), or high-risk women without elevated glucose levels (glucose < 92 mg/dl); following the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including mortality, were associated with the three diabetes statuses, using general and generalized linear models (depending on the type of outcome) adjusted for maternal age and parity. RESULT: 3536 pregnant women were screened, of which 722 (21%) had HFDP; 655 (19%) were classified as GDM and 67 (2%) as DIP. Women with HFDP did not have a significantly higher risk of death: OR 1.36 (95%-CI 0.71-2.62) for GDM and 0.90 (95%-CI 0.12-6.67) for DIP. We did observe a significantly lower neonatal death rate for children born of GDM women, with three deaths (1%) compared to 178 (6%) in high-risk normal FBG women (p-value < 0.01). This observation was not replicated when comparing DIP to normal FBG women (OR 0.58; 95%-CI 0.26-1.29). CONCLUSION: The observed lack of difference in pregnancy outcomes between HFDP and pregnant women with normal fasting blood glucose levels (at the time of screening) reflects the considerable residual risk of these women. Nevertheless, have and calls for closer monitoring of high-risk women irrespective of their OGTT results. Larger sample-sized studies are warranted to replicate findings with sufficient accuracy to detect possibly smaller, but meaningful differences.
What makes multicomponent school-based health promotion interventions work? A qualitative study nested in the SEHER trial in Bihar, India.
Authors: Shinde Sachin , Khandeparkar Prachi , Pereira Bernadette , Sharma Amit , Ross David A , Weiss Helen A , Patton George , Patel Vikram
Published: July 2020

Background

A cluster-randomized controlled trial in secondary schools in Bihar, India, reported the effectiveness of a multi-component, school health promotion intervention (SEHER) when delivered by lay counsellors (“SEHER Mitra” (SM); meaning “friend” in the local language), but not when delivered by a teacher (“Teacher as SEHER Mitra” (TSM)) compared with the government-run Adolescence Education Program (AEP). This nested qualitative study explored what key factors determined the effectiveness of the intervention and the difference in effectiveness by the delivery agent.
Methods

We purposively selected 12 intervention schools (6 each from the two intervention arms) based on the size of school. In these schools, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 principals, 12 AEP teachers, 12 other teachers, and 11 students who participated in SEHER counselling services. We conducted focus group discussions with girl students (n = 14), boy students (n = 12) SMs (n = 2), TSMs (n = 2), and supervisors (n = 1). Data analysis followed a framework approach to thematic analysis.
Results

Three overarching themes were identified – i.e. stakeholders’ understanding of SEHER; SEHER intervention planning and implementation, and other issues in the implementation process. All the stakeholders from both the arms strongly believed that the SEHER program was important in imparting health knowledge and life skills to secondary school students. The following factors facilitated the successful implementation of SEHER in SM-arm schools: a shared understanding of the SEHER program by the whole school community, influential school-level leadership, engagement of, and collaboration with, all stakeholders including students in program activities, the trust of the school community in the SMs, full-time availability of SMs for program activities, and prompt actions on students’ concerns by the SMs. Barriers to effective implementation of SEHER in TSM-arm schools included: lack of communication and poor relationship-building between the TSMs, principals and other teachers, TSMs’ perceptions that they were overburdened with academic and non-academic responsibilities, students’ lack of clarity about the TSM’s role, concerns about confidentiality, inaction on students’ concerns, and lack of support from other teachers and the department of education.
Conclusions

The embedded qualitative study identified important facilitators and barriers to the effective implementation of the intervention when delivered by two different delivery agents.
Trial registration:
www.clinicaltrials.gov/ NCT02484014
A Novel Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) Related 6 Genes Signature for Prognosis of Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: Jia XuYang , Huang RunZhi , Xian ShuYuan , Song Yu , Pan Hao , Zhou DongLei
Published: July 2020

Background: Unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway has attracted increasing attention in the last few years for its close relation to cancer process like proliferation and drug resistance. However, few studies reported its prognostic effect in gastric cancer (GC). The purpose of this study is to identify the UPR expression in gastric cancer and construct a prognostic gene signature for clinical practice. Method: TCGA-STAD (gastric cancer cohort) was set as the training group and GSE84437 for validation. GSVA and GSEA was performed to identify the high expressed pathway in patients with gastric tumor. Following that, cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to screen genes correlated with survival in UPR path. Then, risk score for each patients was computed (FKBP14 value * (0.267719774) + TUBB2A value * (0.193233442) + SLC1A4 value * (-0.246893982) + SEC11A value * (0.484354542) + IFIT1 value * (0.152379968) + IGFBP1 value * (0.127045661)) and survival analysis was conducted between patients in high and low risk group according to their median risk score. A nomogram was built accordingly to guide clinical practice.Result: The UPR path was identified as the most highly expressed hallmark in GC with β of 32.98. A 6 genes prognostic signature was constructed according to the Cox regression and survival analysis obtained significant result where patients in low risk group showed longer OS (overall survival). The signature demonstrated an independent prognostic effect cox regression with a HR of 1.8. The external GSE84437 data proved the nomogram performed well in predicting 5 years OS. Conclusion: Our study identified that UPR pathway was highly activated in GC and a UPR related 6 genes prognostic signature demonstrated good performance. The 6 UPR related genes may serve as reliable prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.
Medical students' perception of simulation-based assessment in emergency and paediatric medicine: a focus group study.
Authors: Philippon Anne-Laure , Truchot Jennifer , Suremain Nathalie De , Renaud Marie-Christine , Petit Arnaud , Baron Georges-Louis , Freund Yonathan
Published: July 2020

Background Simulation-based assessment is scarcely used for undergraduate medical students. We created a simulation-based assessment to validate medical students’ technical and psychometrics’ skills, during their emergency medicine and pediatric curriculum. The aim of our study was to collect medical students’ perception on this novel assessment.Methods This is a qualitative study that includes 9 focus groups among the 215 students who participated in either a pediatric or an emergency medicine simulation-based-course. These sessions ended by an assessment on a manikin. Among the 40 students who were randomly selected to participate in the focus groups, 30 agreed to participate. Data were analyzed using grounded theory and, data were coded the by two independent investigators.Results Seven major and two minor themes emerged from the focus groups. The importance of being certified by simulation to be more self-confident in hospital clerkships, the perception of simulation-based assessment as a high quality assessment, the contribution of the simulation-based assessment to change students’ practices and enhance their engagement in their curriculum and a disappointment because simulation-based assessment didn’t help student for the faculty high stakes assessments. Some students also found that simulation-based assessment was a stressful and unfair exercise. The last discussion was about practical issues of the assessment such as this normative way, and about the importance of the feedback.Conclusion The students reported positive aspects of the simulation-based assessment method such as helpful for their hospital clerkship, change of their practices and way of learning. However they also reported that it might be a biased and a stressful assessment method.
Using Spatial Regression Models in Identifying the Drivers of Forest Structure in the Hyrcanian Forests of Iran
Authors: Alavi Seyed Jalil , Mardanpour Vria , Dormann Carsten F.
Published: July 2020

Background: Understanding the relationships between forest structure, in particular attainable height, and the environment is important for sustainable forest management. Similarly, modeling structural attributes improve our understanding of forest growth dynamics and may identify key drivers of long-term changes in the forest ecosystem. Due to the inherent complexity of these relationships, quantification of some drivers of forest growth is often not available, resulting in spatially auto-correlated errors of the regression model. Methods: To explore the tree height-environment relationships of oriental beech we compared the performance of a standard regression model (multiple linear regression, MLR) to those accommodating a spatial correlation structure, specifically a Generalized Least Squares model with exponential correlation structure (GLS) and three variations of the Simultaneous Autoregressive Model (SAR): the spatial lag model (SLM), the spatial Durbin model (SDM) and the spatial error model (SEM). Across 127 0.1 ha circular sample plots in the primeval World Heritage Hyrcanian Forests of Iran, we collected data on tree height and edaphic and topographic. Within each plot, the height of all trees with DBH ≥ 7 cm was measured. Results: The results showed that SAR and GLS models reduced spatial autocorrelation of model residuals and improved model fit, with both SDM and SEM slightly superior to the SLM in removing spatial autocorrelation in the model residuals. SDM performs better than SEM in terms of RMSE and adjusted R2. Conclusions: Although SAR-based models performed marginally better than GLS, we still recommend GLS for spatial analyses due to their easier implementation and ease-of-use compared to SAR models. However, when the computation time is a concern, SAR-based models can be more useful because of faster execution. Keywords: spatial autocorrelation; Hyrcanian forests; multiple linear regression model; simultaneous autoregressive model; generalized least squares
A prospective observational study to evaluate a simple airway management algorithm in the austere environment using the McCoy laryngoscope
Authors: Perin Daniel , Inoue Gustavo , Campana Camila S. , Carmona Maria J. C.
Published: July 2020

Background Problems related to inadequate oxygen or ventilation remain an important issue regarding anesthesia care, representing more than 30% of primary airway complications in both North America and United Kingdom. Several guidelines have been proposed since the early 1990's. Although they have had important effects on patient's outcome and survival, it is difficult to identify the optimal guideline. This project prospectively evaluated the success rate of a simple intubation management algorithm with costless and low learning curve equipment.Methods this study included all adult patients (18 years or older) who underwent induction of elective general anesthesia performed by the researchers. A total of 293 patients were included. Their ASA physical status ranged from 1 to 4. After induction of general anesthesia and confirmation of adequate ventilation the algorithm was followed. If ventilation with face mask was impossible or oxygen saturation reached below 90%, the protocol was interrupted. The algorithm was centered on the use of McCoy laryngoscope, "backward, upward and right upward and rightward pressure" BURP maneuver and bougie. All patients were evaluated before the induction of anesthesia. The following characteristics were noted: age, sex, dental status (good, regular and poor, defined by the patients themselves), Mallampati index, personal history of apnea or snoring, mouth opening (mm), body mass index (m2/kg), cervical circumference (cm), previous history of difficult airway, thyromental distance and previous treatment with cervical radiation.Results all patients were successfully intubated following the algorithm.Conclusions this algorithm, centered on the use of McCoy laryngoscope, BURP maneuver and bougie, was able to be used successfully in patients of daily practice with a high success rate.
A case report of COVID-19 virus infection in a patient with hereditary angioedema
Authors: Kanani Amin
Published: July 2020

Background: This is the first reported case of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in a patient with hereditary angioedema (HAE) type 1/2. Case presentation: A female with HAE receiving C1 inhibitor prophylaxis had no angioedema attacks when contracting the COVID-19 virus and had a mild clinical course.Conclusions: In this case there was no exacerbation of angioedema with the COVID-19 virus and the mild clinical course could possibly be from receiving C1 inhibitor prophylaxis.
Equity and Elderly Health in India: Reflections from 75th Round National Sample Survey, 2017-18, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ranjan Alok , R Muraleedharan V
Published: July 2020

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, called coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19), has affected more than 200 countries across the globe with a higher fatality rate in the elderly population. Historical experience shows that the pandemic disproportionately afflicts the socioeconomically disadvantaged population. Aim of the study is to highlight the vulnerability of the aged amidst the current pandemic, in the light of the recent international evidence, and what government could do to mitigate their vulnerability.Methods: Data from the recently released (November 2019) 75 th Round National Sample Survey (NSS), which was conducted from July 2017 to June 2018, across 8077 rural villages and 6181 urban wards was used for this study. Data collected from 555115 individuals (rural: 325232; urban: 229232) included that of 42762 elderly individuals (60 years or above). Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used for the calculation.Results: 27.7 % of elderly reported suffering from any ailment in the last 15 days, whereas 8.5% had hospitalization during the last 365 days. Hospitalization rate was higher in the urban areas (OR: 1.21), general category (OR: 1.18), richest economic quintile (OR: 1.68), and among elderly living alone (OR: 2.05), which was statistically significant. 64% of the scheduled tribe and 51.0% of the poorest income quintile elderly utilized public facilities during hospitalization. Cardiovascular ailments were major cause for hospitalization (18.1%) and outpatient visit (32.0%) in the elderly. Diabetes and hypertension together constituted 55% of outpatient visit for the elderly. 18.9% of the elderly has health insurance though chances of facing catastrophic health expenditure was high in the elderly. 6.6% of elderly female and 1.6% male live alone, and 27.5% of elderly of age 80 years or above are immobile. 50% of male and 90% of female are financially dependent on others and more so in poorer economic quintiles.Conclusions: The vulnerability of India’s elderly increases across various equity dimensions which include the place of residence, gender, caste, marital status, economic quintile, living arrangements, surviving children, and economic dependence. The current COVID-19 pandemic poses a greater risk of social isolation among the elderly, which may lead to detrimental health impact.Trial Registration: No applicable since the study is based on secondary data.
P-V-T equation of state of hydrous phase A up to 10.5 GPa
Authors: Yang Cuiping , Inoue Toru , Kikegawa Takumi
Published: July 2020

Pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) data of synthetic Mg7Si2O8(OH)6 phase A were collected under P-T conditions up to ~10.5 GPa and 900 K by energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction using a cubic type multi-anvil apparatus, MAX80, located at the Photon Factory–Advanced Ring (PF-AR) at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). P-V EoS using only room-temperature data yielded V0 = 511.6(2) Å3, KT0 = 106.8(18) GPa, and pressure derivative KT′ = 3.88(38). These parameters were consistent with the subsequent equation of state (EoS) analysis. The compressibility of phase A was anisotropic, with its a-axis being ~26% more compressible than the c-axis, which is normal to the plane of the distorted close-packed layers. A fit of the present data to the high-temperature Birch-Murnaghan EoS yielded V0 = 511.7(3) Å3, K0 = 104.4(24) GPa, K′ = 4.39(48), (∂KT/∂T)P = –0.027(5) GPa K–1, and thermal expansion α = a + bT with values of a = 2.88(27) × 10–5 K–1 and b = 3.54(68) × 10–8 K–2. The lattice dynamical approach by the Mie-Grüneisen-Debye EoS yielded θ0 = 928(114) K, q = 2.9(10), and γ0 = 1.19(8). The isobaric heat capacity CP of phase A at 1 atm. was calculated based on the Mie-Grüneisen-Debye EoS fit of present P-V-T data. In addition, the density profiles of subducting slabs with different degrees of serpentinization were also calculated along the cold geotherm up to ~13 GPa. The serpentinization of subducting slab will significantly lower the density of slab at shallower depth; however, this effect becomes negligible when antigorite dehydrates to phase A. Because the phase A bearing subducting slab is supposed to be denser than the surrounding mantle, the water can transport into deeper parts of the upper mantle and the transition zone.
Partition behavior of platinum-group elements during the segregation of arsenide melts from sulfide magma
Authors: Piña Rubén , Gervilla Fernando , Helmy Hassan , Fonseca Raúl O.C. , Ballhaus Chris
Published: July 2020

Evidence of immiscibility between arsenide and sulfide melts has been observed both in experimental studies and natural samples from several localities worldwide (e.g., Ronda, Spain; Beni Bousera, Morocco; Dundonald Beach South, Canada). Platinum-group elements (PGE) have shown to have a strong affinity for arsenide melts, but little is known about their partitioning behavior between arsenide and sulfide melts. In this study, we experimentally determine the partition coefficients of PGE (Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Os) between both types of melt in As-saturated sulfide systems doped with trace amounts of PGE. Results show that all PGE display a strong preference to the arsenide melt with DPGEAs/sulf melts ranging from 20 to 2700, with Ir and Pt showing a marked preference for arsenide melts. These partition coefficients values are similar to estimates made from natural samples and demonstrate that the separation of arsenide melts from sulfide magmas can be an efficient mechanism to scavenge PGE from magmas and to fractionate Os, Ru, and Pd from Pt and Ir.
Effects of small crystallite size on the thermal infrared (vibrational) spectra of minerals
Authors: Hamilton Victoria E. , Haberle Christopher W. , Mayerhöfer Thomas G.
Published: July 2020

The thermal infrared (TIR, or vibrational) emission spectra of a suite of synthetic Mg-Fe olivines exhibit notable differences from their natural igneous counterparts in terms of their band shapes, relative depths, and reduced shifts in some band positions with Mg-Fe solid solution. Comparable reflectance spectra acquired from olivine-dominated matrices and fusion crusts of some carbonaceous chondrite meteorites exhibit similar deviations. Here we show that these unusual spectral characteristics are consistent with crystallite sizes much smaller than the resolution limit of infrared light. We hypothesize that these small crystallites denote abbreviated crystal growth and also may be linked to the size of nucleation sites. Other silicates and non-silicates, such as carbonates, exhibit similar spectral behaviors. Because the spectra of mineral separates are commonly used in the modeling and analysis of comparable bulk rock, meteorite, and remote sensing data, understanding these spectral variations is important to correctly identifying the minerals and interpreting the origin and/or secondary processing histories of natural materials.
Mogućnost primjene tradicionalnih i suvremenih estetičkih teorija na logičko-matematičke dokaze
Authors: Kardum Marko , Skansi Sandro
Published: July 2020

U ovom radu istražujemo mogućnost primjene tradicionalnih i suvremenih estetičkih teorija na logičko-matematičke dokaze, s ciljem boljeg razumijevanja intuitivnog pojma matematičke ljepote. Ovo je neformalan pojam koji zauzima središnje mjesto u radu logičara i matematičara i može se smatrati njihovom glavnom motivacijom. U ovom radu pokušavamo definirati pojmove vezane uz matematičku ljepotu, odnosno ljepotu u matematičkim dokazima, da bismo postavili temelje za preciznu definiciju matematičke ljepote koju bismo dobili preko detaljnog anketiranja logičara i matematičara, a što bismo proveli u odvojenom radu. Ovaj rad donosi važne rezultate za izradu te ankete.
Estetika kao izraz etike
Authors: Berdica Josip
Published: July 2020

Punih je petnaest godina Lav Nikolajevič Tolstoj (1828. – 1910.) radio na svom jedinom estetskom traktatu Što je umjetnost? (1897. – 1898.) u kojem je zapisao da umjetnost nije pojava neke tajanstvene ideje ili ljepote Boga, ni produkt čovjekove energije ili manifestacija njegovih emocija, već sredstvo za međusobno komuniciranje ljudi, potrebno za život i nagnuće prema dobru svakog čovjeka. Umjetnost je za njega oblik komunikativnog stvaralaštva koje sjedinjuje ljude u istim osjećanjima među kojima se osobito ističe važnost Dobra. Upravo je prenošenje osjećajâ putem simboličkog govora glavna osobina umjetnosti. Cilj je ovoga rada iščitavanje po mnogim mjestima razasutih Tolstojevih stavova o estetici i umjetnosti da bismo došli do vizije po kojoj je umjetnost sasvim osobiti vid ‘potrage-za’, ali i odraz samoga Dobra. Rad je pisan u uvjerenju da obuhvatnije istraživanje Tolstojevih estetskih pogleda može pružiti skroman doprinos ‘rehumanizaciji umjetnosti’.
Ontologija lijepoga
Authors: Ignjatović Dušan
Published: July 2020

Teorija lijepoga igra važnu ulogu u Plotinovoj filozofiji. Ona ima metafizičku, psihološku, etičku i estetičku dimenziju. Neodvojiva je od duhovnog napredovanja i misticizma. Za Plotina, uloga je ljepote u podsjećanju na znanje o idejama. Rezultat toga znanja jest uspon duše istinskoj ljepoti uvježbavanjem u vrlinama i pročišćenjem. Također, njegova estetička teorija, posredstvom lijepoga, traga za krajnjim počelom i teži poistovjećenju s njim. Zato je Plotinova kalologija isto tako važna kao i njegova ontologija. Upravo zbog toga i proširuje značenje onoga lijepog i upućuje na njega u nekoliko svojih eneadskih rasprava (Enn. I. 6., V. 8. i VI. 7.).
ACIDENTES TECNOLÓGICOS E O PRINCÍPIO DA PRECAUÇÃO
Authors: Gouvêa Patricia Milla , Silva Emerson Luís Pawoski da , Tonetti Emerson Luis
Published: July 2020

Durante muitos séculos, as catástrofes estiveram associadas apenas aos fenômenos de origem natura, como terremotos, tempestades, erupções vulcânicas, tornados, furacões, etc, porém o avanço do desenvolvimento tecnológico, a criação de novas indústrias, o uso de mais e maiores quantidades de substâncias perigosas, originaram um novo tipo de evento catastrófico, os acidentes tecnológicos, que são acontecimentos súbitos e não planejados, causadores de danos graves nos seres humanos e no ambiente. Precaução é um princípio que norteia as ações antecipatórias do homem com a segurança da integridade da vida humana e proteção do meio ambiente. O princípio da precaução ganhou relevância nas últimas décadas com a emergência dos riscos tecnológicos proveniente de atividades industriais, caracterizados genericamente por conhecimento científico limitado e incerto, pela sua natureza coletiva e involuntária, e por baixas probabilidades, mas danos potencialmente elevados ou mesmo irreversíveis. Neste sentido, temos uma mudança do paradigma de que a ciência é sempre absoluta e não questionável. À medida que ocorre o desenvolvimento tecnológico, também surgem novas percepções do risco que ainda não foram dominadas pela ciência, mas que devem ser levadas em consideração, visto que podem prevenir novos acidentes tecnológicos. Por este motivo, o princípio da precaução é uma ferramenta de extrema utilidade pública, visto que seu uso na gestão de riscos pode prevenir acidentes tecnológicos, trazendo mais segurança à população nos quesitos ambiental, social e econômico.
STORYTELLING E APRENDIZAGEM ORGANIZACIONAL: UMA ANÁLISE SEGUNDO A PERSPECTIVA DA TEORIA ATOR-REDE
Authors: De França Geovana Ezequieli , Brusamolin Valério
Published: July 2020

O estudo pretende traçar uma análise sobre a Teoria Ator-Rede, dentro de uma empresa que realiza a coleta de lixo na cidade de Paranaguá, que por meio da Aprendizagem Organizacional e da utilização da ferramenta Storytelling tem repassado conhecimento à população. O trabalho caracteriza-se como qualitativo e exploratório, buscando analisar as ações realizadas pela empresa com objetivo de disseminar o conhecimento por meio da utilização de narrativas. As interações que ocorrem na organização são importantes para o entendimento de como a rede e seus atores se relacionam. As perspectivas teóricas abordadas pelo artigo apresentam a importância da AO na divulgação do conhecimento na empresa e a utilização da ferramenta da Storytelling como uma maneira de interação entre os próprios colaboradores e a sociedade que usufrui dos serviços prestados pela organização. A metodologia da TAR para associação dos atores e de suas interações abre um campo de pesquisa para a sociologia que existe dentro da empresa e no seu meio de atuação, a análise sob esta perspectiva traz um novo viés também para a compreensão do papel da gestão do conhecimento e da gestão da informação. Além disso, estreita os laços que existem entre a forma de conhecimento existente nas organizações, a interação entre os colaboradores e a sociedade.
OS IMPACTOS NA MOBILIDADE URBANA DECORRENTES DO CRESCIMENTO POPULACIONAL
Authors: Batista Ellen Felizardo , Batista Rodrigo Costa
Published: July 2020

O presente estudo aborda o crescimento populacional das pequenas e médias cidades e seus impactos na mobilidade urbana do município, bem como a relevância da elaboração por parte da gestão pública de um plano diretor de mobilidade que vise suprir as demandas que surgem desse processo. O trabalho foi elaborado através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica com contribuições significativas, procurando enfatizar a importância da utilização de outros meios de transportes, em substituição ao transporte individual motorizado, reduzindo- se dessa forma os congestionamentos, impactos ambientais e acidentes de trânsito. Concluiu -se que há uma necessidade por parte da gestão pública da elaboração de políticas de mobilidade levando-se em consideração o crescimento populacional e suas resultantes nos sistemas de transportes juntamente com as necessidades dos munícipes.
INOVAÇÃO E SUAS REPRESENTAÇÕES: UMA ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DOS IDEAIS NORMATIVOS SOBRE INOVAÇÃO E SUA RELAÇÃO COM C&T
Authors: Fernandes Rodrigo Rafael , Silva Sidney Reinaldo da
Published: July 2020

Este trabalho tem por objetivo discutir a inovação e algumas de suas principais representações e significações desde os primeiros usos da palavra na Grécia Antiga até o século XX. Busca-se, dentro dos limites destas breves páginas, trilhar os caminhos que levaram uma expressão de conotação política e que pouco ou nada tinha que ver com artefatos e tecnologia, para as significações vinculadas ao progresso, à economia, ao mercado e, mais especialmente, ao campo da ciência e da tecnologia. Para tanto, busca-se contextualizar as representações e narrativas acerca da inovação e os valores ético-políticos e sociais a eles associados por meio de uma abordagem crítica de reconstrução normativa imanente, identificando suas determinações sociais, políticas e econômicas. O que se observa é que as representações acerca da inovação não foram lineares, e em várias épocas assumiram sentidos próximos, ambivalentes e mesmo opostos, dependendo dos objetivos dos escritores e do contexto em que estavam inseridos. Os ideais normativos tiveram conotações diversas e polissêmicas, variando ao longo do tempo. Nem sempre inovação esteve associada à criatividade, artefatos e processos tecnológicos, nem tampouco vinculada à economia e ao mercado, o que aconteceu somente ao longo do século XX.
Construction of rural water ecological civilization index system in China
Authors: Li Yanbin , Li Hongxing , Li Daoxi , Zhang Zezhong , Feng Ya
Published: July 2020

Water ecological civilization is an important component and basic guarantee of ecological civilization. With the comprehensive development of ecological civilization in China, the practice of water ecological civilization village construction has been carried out one after another. The establishment of an evaluation index system of rural water ecological civilization is an important step in the construction of rural water ecological civilization from the theoretical stage to the practical application stage. Based on China's rural water conditions, this study constructed an evaluation index system, including 21 evaluation indicators of seven subsystems: water security, water environment, water ecology, water management, water landscape, water culture, and regional characteristic indicators. The indicator weights are determined by the analytic hierarchy process, a set-pair analysis model is established, and typical rural were selected for instance verification. The results show that the evaluation index system of rural water ecological civilization is reasonable, and the comprehensive evaluation model is also feasible.
An Emerging Role for Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Guiding Biological Treatment in Severe Asthma
Authors: Rolla Giovanni , Heffler Enrico , Pizzimenti Stefano , Michils Alain , Malinovschi Andrei
Published: July 2020

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with regard to the inflammatory pathways activated.
In recent years, biologic drugs (monoclonal antibodies) directed towards specific components
of type 2 inflammation have been approved for the treatment of severe asthma. Phenotyping
of patients with severe asthma and evaluation of biomarkers have been recommended
to help identify patients who are candidates for treatment with biologics and to monitor
treatment responses.

Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) is a biomarker of type 2 inflammation in asthma, signaling
activation of Interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 pathway. FeNO could be useful to assess treatment
response or identify candidates for a specific drug that acts on type 2 inflammation
mechanisms linked to Nitric Oxide (NO) production, such as the IL-4/IL-13 pathway or upstream
processes.

The value of FeNO as a biomarker predictive of responses to the biologics available for treating
severe asthma is discussed based on the published studies at the moment of the review.
Drugs Repurposing in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Torralba Manuel , Farra Rossella , Maddaloni Marianna , Grassi Mario , Dapas Barbara , Grassi Gabriele
Published: July 2020

Background:

Ovary Carcinoma (OC) is the most lethal gynecological neoplasm
due to the late diagnoses and to the common development of resistance to platinum-based
chemotherapy. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, the
strategy of drug repurposing is becoming attractive. By this approach, the effectiveness of a
drug originally developed for another indication is tested in a different pathology. The advantage
is that data about pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity are already available. Thus, in
principle, it is possible to reduce research costs and to speed up drug usage/marketing.

Results:

Here, some noticeable examples of repurposed drugs for OC, such as amiodarone,
ruxolitinib, statins, disulfiram, ormeloxifenem, and Quinacrine, are reported. Amiodarone, an
antiarrhythmic agent, has shown promising anti-OC activity, although the systemic toxicity
should not be neglected. The JAK inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, may be employed particularly in coadministration
with standard OC therapy as it synergistically interacts with platinum-based
drugs. Particularly interesting is the use of statin which represent one of the most commonly
administered drugs in aged population to treat hypercholesterolemia. Disulfiram, employed in
the treatment of chronic alcoholism, has shown anti-OC properties. Ormeloxifene, commonly
used for contraception, seems to be promising, especially due to the negligible side effects.
Finally, Quinacrine used as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug, is able to downregulate
OC cell growth and promote cell death.

Conclusion:

Whereas further testing in patients are necessary to better clarify the therapeutic
potential of repurposed drugs for OC, it is believed that their use, better if combined with OC
targeted delivery systems, can significantly contribute to the development of novel and effective
anti-OC treatments.
NPC1 as a Modulator of Disease Severity and Viral Entry of SARSCoV- 2
Authors: Vial Cecilia , Calderón Juan Francisco , Klein Andrés D.
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 plague is hitting mankind. Several viruses, including SARS-CoV-1,
MERS-CoV, EBOV, and SARS-CoV-2, use the endocytic machinery to enter the cell. Genomic
variants in NPC1, which encodes for the endo-lysosomal Niemann-Pick type C1 protein, restricts
the host-range of viruses in bats and susceptibility to infections in humans. Lack of NPC1 and its
pharmacological suppression inhibits many viral infections including SARS-CoV-1 and Type I Feline
Coronavirus Infection. Antiviral effects of NPC1-inhibiting drugs for COVID-19 treatment should be
explored.
Bis-dihydroisoxazolines: Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, Antimicrobial Evaluation, and DNA Photocleavage Assay
Authors: Kaur Manvinder , Yusuf Mohamad , Malhi Dharambeer Singh , Sohal Harvinder Singh
Published: July 2020

Aim and Objective:

Isoxazole is an active core found in many drugs. The aim of this work was to synthesize
bis-isoxazoline compounds and to analyze the effect of linker chain length on biological activities.

Material and Methods:

A simple, convenient, and efficient method for the conversion of bischalcones to new
bis(4,5-dihydroisoxazole) derivatives was developed by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride under basic medium.
Synthesized moieties were also evaluated for their antimicrobial potencies and DNA photocleavage assay.

Results and Discussion:

The synthesized compounds were more active than their chalcone precursors and the
long-chain linkers (4e&4f) were more potent in antimicrobial, as well as in DNA photocleavage activity.

Conclusion:

It was found that many of the tested bischalcones and bis-isoxazolines exhibited moderate to significant
antimicrobial activity against various strains. Furthermore, the present study also provides significant information
and interesting outcomes regarding cyclization, increasing the length of linker chains, and their effects
on the DNA photocleavage and antimicrobial activities.
Manufacture of the Functional Noodle and its Effects on Postprandial 2h-blood Glucose and Serum Lipid Levels of Subjects with IGT
Authors: Kim Yong-Taek , Jo Zong-Do , Pang Hung-Mun , Paek Chan-Ok , Mun Chang-Sok
Published: July 2020

Background:

The earliest determinant of progression to type 2 diabetes is a loss of early
insulin secretion, a defect which results in postprandial hyperglycemia and is often believed to reflect
insulin resistance. In Asian countries including our country, noodle is the traditional food which has
been eaten from ancient times and is taken one or two times a day. The functional noodle is a staple
meeting nutritional requirements for the prevention and treatment of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT).

Methods:

FNs were prepared using the noodle making machine according to Barak et al. with slight
modifications. After giving FNs prepared by three mixing ratios of main materials to the IGT-induced
rats for 30 days, the levels of postprandial 2h-blood glucose in all experimental groups and control
group were measured to determinate the optimal mixing ratio of FN. After the IGT subjects in experimental
group ate 200g of FN (dried weight) in exchange for a lunch for 60 days, the levels of postprandial
2h-blood glucose and of TG and TC in serum were measured to compare with that in the control
group who had not undergone control in their diet.

Results:

After 30 days of experiment, the levels of postprandial 2h-blood glucose in rats of pl group 4
were lowest. The levels of postprandial 2h-blood glucose in the control group that most of them had
not undergone control in their diet were increased, but that in experimental group who had taken FN
decreased from 30 days of experiment to be significantly different after 60 days. The concentrations of
serum TC and TG of IGT subjects in the experimental group were decreased compared with that in the
control group, but significance among two groups was achieved only in the concentration of serum
TC.

Conclusion:

FN made in the 4:3:3 ratio of powder of corn, powder of bean cake defatted and powder
of peeled whole potato is more effective to decrease the levels of postprandial 2h-blood glucose. FN is
a staple type of functional food that could be used for the treatment of IGT.