bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of the Internet to Reducing Social Isolation in Individuals Aged 50 Years and Older: Quantitative Study of Data From the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (Preprint)
Authors: Silva Patrícia , Delerue Matos Alice , Martinez-Pecino Roberto
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Social isolation has a negative impact on the quality of life of older people; therefore, studies have focused on identifying its sociodemographic, economic, and health determinants. In view of the growing importance of the internet as a means of communication, it is essential to assess whether internet use interferes with social isolation.

OBJECTIVE

This study specifically aims to clarify the relationship between internet use and social isolation of individuals aged ≥50 years, for which other surveys present contradictory results.

METHODS

We performed logistic regression analysis with social isolation as the dependent variable, internet use as the interest variable, and several other sociodemographic, economic, and health characteristics of the individuals as control variables. The sample size was 67,173 individuals aged 50 years and older from 17 European countries (Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, and Croatia) plus Israel, who were interviewed in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), wave 6.

RESULTS

The results show that countries differ in the level of social isolation and rate of internet use by individuals aged 50 years and older. They also evidence that in most of the countries analyzed, social isolation of internet users was lower compared to that of nonusers after controlling for a set of sociodemographic, economic, and health characteristics of the individuals that have been previously described in the literature as determinants of social isolation. Indeed, on average, although 31.4% of individuals in the nonuser group experienced high social isolation, only 12.9% of individuals who used the internet experienced this condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet users show lower social isolation. This result underlines the importance of promoting e-inclusion in Europe as a way to counter social isolation of individuals aged 50 years and older.
Ethnicity Differences in Sleep Changes Among Prehypertensive Adults Using a Smartphone Meditation App: Dose-Response Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Sieverdes John C , Treiber Frank A , Kline Christopher E , Mueller Martina , Brunner-Jackson Brenda , Sox Luke , Cain Mercedes , Swem Maria , Diaz Vanessa , Chandler Jessica
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

African Americans (AAs) experience greater sleep quality problems than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Meditation may aid in addressing this disparity, although the dosage levels needed to achieve such benefits have not been adequately studied. Smartphone apps present a novel modality for delivering, monitoring, and measuring adherence to meditation protocols.

OBJECTIVE

This 6-month dose-response feasibility trial investigated the effects of a breathing awareness meditation (BAM) app, Tension Tamer, on the secondary outcomes of self-reported and actigraphy measures of sleep quality and the modulating effects of ethnicity of AAs and NHWs.

METHODS

A total of 64 prehypertensive adults (systolic blood pressure <139 mm Hg; 31 AAs and 33 NHWs) were randomized into 3 different Tension Tamer dosage conditions (5,10, or 15 min twice daily). Sleep quality was assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and 1-week bouts of continuous wrist actigraphy monitoring. The study was conducted between August 2014 and October 2016 (IRB #Pro00020894).

RESULTS

At baseline, PSQI and actigraphy data indicated that AAs had shorter sleep duration, greater sleep disturbance, poorer efficiency, and worse quality of sleep (range P=.03 to P<.001). Longitudinal generalized linear mixed modeling revealed a dose effect modulated by ethnicity (P=.01). Multimethod assessment showed a consistent pattern of NHWs exhibiting the most favorable responses to the 5-min dose; they reported greater improvements in sleep efficiency and quality as well as the PSQI global value than with the 10-min and 15-min doses (range P=.04 to P<.001). Actigraphy findings revealed a consistent, but not statistically significant, pattern in the 5-min group, showing lower fragmentation, longer sleep duration, and higher efficiency than the other 2 dosage conditions. Among AAs, actigraphy indicated lower sleep fragmentation with the 5-min dose compared with the 10-min and 15-min doses (P=.03 and P<.001, respectively). The 10-min dose showed longer sleep duration than the 5-min and 15-min doses (P=.02 and P<.001, respectively). The 5-min dose also exhibited significantly longer average sleep than the 15-min dose (P=.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate the need for further study of the potential modulating influence of ethnicity on the impact of BAM on sleep indices and user-centered exploration to ascertain the potential merits of refining the Tension Tamer app with attention to cultural tailoring among AAs and NHWs with pre-existing sleep complaints.
A novel approach for heart rhythm disorder screening on primary healthcare level using a Personal Digital Mobile Sensor in Slovenia: a pilot study (Preprint)
Authors: Vodicka Stasa , Poplas Susic Antonija , Zelko Erika
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Heart rhythm disorders affect millions of people annually. The diagnosis usually depends on the electrocardiogram (ECG) record, but a single record does not necessarily reflect the real situation. Continuous methods are rarely accessible at the primary healthcare level. Considering the severity and costs of the diagnostic approach, a cheaper, but reliable, continuous monitoring system for heart rhythm disorders is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to analyse the usefulness of telecardiology in the primary health care level. With the help of a patient's history of rhythm disturbance and an ECG scan using an ECG personal sensor (ECG PS), we wanted to evaluate the satisfaction of patients and their physicians with the use of an ECG sensor treatment at the primary level. We also wanted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this tool at the primary level and develop a clinical pathway for treating patients with rhythm disorders at the primary health care level.

METHODS

The Jožef Stefan Institute developed a personal portable ECG sensor that works with a smartphone, which was used in our pilot study. We included patients with a history of suspected rhythm disturbance who visited their family physician at the Healthcare Center Ljubljana and Healthcare Center Murska Sobota from October 2016 to January 2018.

RESULTS

After the ECG sensor measurement and first checkup at a family physician, the study found that there was no statistical significant difference in the number of present rhythm disorders and actions taken to treat patients with either observation or administration of a new drug. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients being referred to a cardiologist (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of an ECG sensor allows family physicians to confirm an accurate diagnosis and helps them distinguish between patients who need to be referred to a cardiologist as soon as possible and those who can be treated by primary healthcare providers. This method is also readily applicable and useful for both physicians and patients because it shortens the time in starting the treatment and reduces unnecessary cost.
Twitter Discussions and Emotions About the COVID-19 Pandemic: Machine Learning Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Xue Jia , Chen Junxiang , Hu Ran , Chen Chen , Zheng Chengda , Su Yue , Zhu Tingshao
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

It is important to measure the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter is an important data source for infodemiology studies involving public response monitoring.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to examine COVID-19–related discussions, concerns, and sentiments using tweets posted by Twitter users.

METHODS

We analyzed 4 million Twitter messages related to the COVID-19 pandemic using a list of 20 hashtags (eg, “coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” “quarantine”) from March 7 to April 21, 2020. We used a machine learning approach, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), to identify popular unigrams and bigrams, salient topics and themes, and sentiments in the collected tweets.

RESULTS

Popular unigrams included “virus,” “lockdown,” and “quarantine.” Popular bigrams included “COVID-19,” “stay home,” “corona virus,” “social distancing,” and “new cases.” We identified 13 discussion topics and categorized them into 5 different themes: (1) public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, (2) social stigma associated with COVID-19, (3) COVID-19 news, cases, and deaths, (4) COVID-19 in the United States, and (5) COVID-19 in the rest of the world. Across all identified topics, the dominant sentiments for the spread of COVID-19 were anticipation that measures can be taken, followed by mixed feelings of trust, anger, and fear related to different topics. The public tweets revealed a significant feeling of fear when people discussed new COVID-19 cases and deaths compared to other topics.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that Twitter data and machine learning approaches can be leveraged for an infodemiology study, enabling research into evolving public discussions and sentiments during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation rapidly evolves, several topics are consistently dominant on Twitter, such as confirmed cases and death rates, preventive measures, health authorities and government policies, COVID-19 stigma, and negative psychological reactions (eg, fear). Real-time monitoring and assessment of Twitter discussions and concerns could provide useful data for public health emergency responses and planning. Pandemic-related fear, stigma, and mental health concerns are already evident and may continue to influence public trust when a second wave of COVID-19 occurs or there is a new surge of the current pandemic.
Personalization in digital interventions for behavior change (Preprint)
Authors: Tong Huong Ly , Quiroz Juan C , Kocaballi A Baki , Kennedy Georgina , Coiera Enrico , Laranjo Liliana
Published: May 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Effective behavior change interventions may require ongoing personalized support for users. Rapid developments in digital technology and artificial intelligence are giving rise to more advanced types of personalized interventions that can analyze large amounts of data to provide real-time, contextualized support. Despite growing research attention, there is still a lack of consensus in the literature about what is considered a personalized system, and how to design such system. This paper provides a definition of personalization and proposes a set of building blocks to design and implement personalized behavior change interventions, drawing on concepts from control systems engineering. We also discuss existing challenges in evaluating the net effects of personalized interventions and outline future directions in this field.
Annotating and Detecting Topics from Social Media Forum and Modelling the Annotation to Derive Directions-A Case Study (Preprint)
Authors: B Athira , Jones Josette , Idicula Sumam Mary , Kulanthaivel Anand , Chakraborty Sunandan , Zhang Enming
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Widespread influence on social media has its ramifications on all walks of life over the last few decades. Interestingly enough, the healthcare sector is a significant beneficiary of the reports and pronouncements that appear on social media. Although medics and other health professionals are the final decision-makers, advice or recommendations from kindred patients has consequential role. In full appreciation of the current trend, the present paper explores the topics pertaining to the patients, diagnosed with breast cancer as well as the survivors, who are discussing on online fora.

OBJECTIVE

The study examines the online forum of Breast Cancer.org (BCO), automatically maps discussion entries to formal topics, and proposes a machine learning model to characterize the topics in the health-related discussion, so as to elicit meaningful deliberations. Therefore, the study of communication messages draws conclusions about what matters to the patients.

METHODS

Manual annotation was made in the posts of a few randomly selected forums. To explore the topics of breast cancer patients and survivors, 736 posts are selected for semantic annotation. The entire process was automated using machine learning model falling into category of supervised learning algorithms. The effectiveness of those algorithms used for above process has been compared.

RESULTS

The method could classify following 8-high level topics, such as writing medication reviews, explaining the adverse effects of medication, clinician knowledge, various treatment options, seeking and supporting various matters, diagnostic procedures, financial issues and implications in everyday life. The model viz. Ensembled Neural Network (ENN) achieved a promising predicted score of 83.4 % F1-score among four different models.

CONCLUSIONS

The research was able to segregate and name the posts all into a set of 8 classes and supported by the efficient scheme for encoding text to vectors, the current machine learning models are shown to give impressive performance in modelling the annotation process.
Behavioral Impact of Lockdown Due to COVID-19 in Pakistan (Preprint)
Authors: Kokab Risham , Kokab Meschawl , Mahmood Muhammad Asif , Ayub Muhammad
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Since it was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China, Covid-19 has spread across the globe. In absence of vaccination and effective treatment the mainstay of prevention is social distancing and other preventive measures to curtail spread of the disease. Most countries in the world have imposed some form of restrictions on travelling and businesses. Pakistani Government imposed a lockdown on March 23rd 2020.

OBJECTIVE

In this online survey we have collected data about individuals’ perception of the risks of the epidemic, adherence to the preventive practices, and emotional impact of the epidemic and lockdown.

METHODS

We collected data for this study through an online survey using an questionnaire.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and fifty-two individuals responded to the survey. There was a strong support for the lockdown. There was a realistic understanding of the risk and participants reported adherence to the preventive measures. Participants were going out of their houses for the purpose of work and buying groceries mostly. There was an emotional impact in the form of self-reported anxiety, depression and anger feelings.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants report adherence to preventive measures apart from going out of their houses out of necessities.
Student Performance on End of Year State Assessments and Correlation to Teacher’s Worth
Authors: Willis Kanequa Dismuke
Published: May 2020

This study explored how accountability over the years has shifted with attention mainly focusing how well students are performing on their end of the year assessments and how that determines a teacher’s worth. Through these assessments, the teachers are being told of their worth if a student meets their goal or being told of their ineffectiveness when the teachers and students fail to measure up. Teachers were considered to have value-added as an educator when their students attained their goals. Other educators faced dismissal or reassignment when their students did not meet their goals. The focus is placed upon the educator and the educator’s career is heavily impacted by low test scores and even the high test scores. With teacher value being associated with test scores, other problems came to the surface of the research. High teacher turnover rates, discourse amongst peers when scores were being compared or incentive pay being offered, and educators becoming teachers that teach to the test. The goal was determine how educators and those studying this new shift felt and reacted.
THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER IN THE APPLICATION OF INCLUSIVE TEACHING OF THE SUBJECT NATURE AND SOCIETY IN REGULAR CLASSES
Authors: Mitić Ljiljana , Drobac Ana
Published: May 2020

The main aim of this paper is to point out the specifics of teachers' work in teaching the subject Nature and Society, using different forms of teaching, learning and assessment, which ensure equal access to education for all children in accordance with developmental and personal educational affinities, and age. The paper focuses on a teachers' need for education, expertise, knowledge and the skills necessary for inclusive teaching of the subject Nature and Society in regular classes with students with disabilities. The importance of the teachers' role in the teaching process with students with disabilities has been emphasized, in relation to their integration and inclusion into normal life. The success of an education system is reflected in attracting, and choosing the right candidates, capable people for work in the classroom, which contributes to greater and better student achievement.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DIDACTIC MEDIA IN TEACHING PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Authors: Mitić Ljiljana
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to present the significance of modern, electronic didactic media in the realization of physical education (PE) classes. PE helps students become skilled, active, healthy, responsible, independent and competent, able to think analytically and critically, and ready to act in new and unexpected situations. The didactic media open up wide application in contemporary PE classes that seeks to overcome the disadvantages of traditional teaching. It involves the introduction of innovative models of PE, as well as the use of modern didactic media. Advantages of the implementation are numerous, and most often emphasized: better motivation, and better communication between PE teachers and students in the educational process.
TEACHING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING: PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICE IN THE BUSINESS ENGLISH CLASSROOM
Authors: Tuzlukova Victoria , Heckadon Peter
Published: May 2020

This paper introduces the social entrepreneurship project currently incorporated in English for Business course offered by the Centre for Preparatory Studies at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, in which students identify real world ill-structured problems and acquire knowledge by working together in groups to develop, fund (both through grants/donations and through selling goods and services) and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. In more detail, in addition to discussing the concept of social entrepreneurship and its application in student project work and English learning practice, it also explores the effectiveness of a problem based learning approach that relies on the constructive learning principle when teaching social entrepreneurship. Practical recommendations on anchoring social entrepreneurship teaching in problem-based learning and constructing social entrepreneurship projects are also considered.
STUDY OF MOTIVATION TYPES OF ENGLISH-MAJORING STUDENTS AND DEMOTIVATING FACTORS - IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MONGOLIA, ERDENET SCHOOL
Authors: Shagdarsuren Solongo , Batchuluun Ulambayar , Lang Daniel Lindbergh
Published: May 2020

A decline in number of credit hours of English courses for English-majoring students at National University of Mongolia is forcing teachers and students to focus on how to learn English more effectively and what factors would affect that process within credit hours allowed at the university. However, the English teaching class hours in Mongolian secondary schools have been increasing for the last few years, due to the interest in learning English as a foreign language, and resulting in a growth in the demand for English teachers. This study has a goal to investigate into motivation of English-majoring students towards learning English and the factors affecting them to be demotivated. Twenty students studying English as a major at National University of Mongolia, Erdenet School completed the research questionnaire  which intended to discover English learning motivation through 12 items and attended focus group interview with 5 questions to find internal and external demotivating factors in 2019-2020 academic year. The students had instrumental orientation and demonstrated a strong desire to learn English. Furthermore, they were demotivated by their teachers’ and classmates’ attitudes and living conditions. The researchers suggested some recommendations based on the study findings.
TOP-DOWN OR BOTTOM-UP? EMPLOYING A MIDDLE-GROUND APPROACH IN DESIGNING A UK ACADEMIC WRITING COURSE FOR ADVANCED CHINESE GRADUATES
Authors: Ganchev Ivo
Published: May 2020

This article documents the academic writing course design process for advanced Chinese learners aiming to pursue postgraduate degrees in business-related fields at their respective target universities in the UK. Four holders of BA degrees in the social sciences from second tier universities in Beijing were tested, surveyed and observed in detail to design a non-terminal twenty-hour pre-sessional writing course (ten two-hour sessions) to assist in their preparation for postgraduate study. All students held offers from Russell Group universities in the UK and had covered the IELTS requirement (6.5-7.0) for admission there prior to signing up for the EAP course discussed in this paper. The aim of the course is to enhance the students’ academic skills and improve their performance in the following year when they attend UK universities. The course design process is informed by two sets of principles, incorporating both a top-down and a bottom-up perspective. The former is framed within an understanding of EAP as academic, rather than language training. The latter is based on needs analysis of student-specific weaknesses explored through the use of a questionnaire, a diagnostic writing test and in-class observations. Both perspectives feed into the course goals and objectives which serve as a basis for the course rationale. Aiming to bridge the gap between Chinese undergraduate and UK postgraduate study, the course combines textbooks with authentic materials and formative with summative assessment. Reflections on major constraints and limitations are provided throughout the process. This documented case of academic writing course design aims to reveal challenges faced by EAP practitioners working with UK and Chinese institutions, and to present a middle ground approach to resolving tensions between top-down and bottom-up pressures in the context of course design for advanced Chinese graduates.
PRINCIPLED PRAGMATISM AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: TWO FACETS OF CONSTRUCTIVISM IN ESP
Authors: Tarnopolsky Oleg B. , Kozhushko Svitlana P.
Published: May 2020

The article discusses two approaches that are considered to be the most promising ones in today’s teaching of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The two approaches in question are Kumaravadivelu’s principled pragmatic approach and the experiential learning approach. It is shown that they both help to unify into one single new paradigm the three leading paradigms in modern ESP teaching: content-based instruction, English immersion, and culture-specific target language learning. After defining each of the two approaches in ESP courses at tertiary schools, the paper proceeds to prove the authors’ leading idea that both principled pragmatism and experiential learning are a perfect match embodying two facets of a broader pedagogical approach that is applicable not only when teaching ESP (and teaching foreign languages in general) but also when teaching other disciplines, especially at the tertiary school level. This broader pedagogical approach is constructivism, which provides students with opportunities for ‘constructing’ their own knowledge and skills through practical experience in real-life or modeled activities. In this case, students acquire their knowledge and skills (including skills of communicating in the target language) as a by-product of their real-life or modeled activities, thus internalizing (appropriating) the knowledge and skills and not just learning them. The peculiarities of constructivism in ESP courses are discussed, and the guidelines are given for the practical implementation of the principled pragmatic approach through experiential learning activities in the framework of the fully constructivist ESP course (in what concerns its theoretical and methodological foundations).
Opinión de la población migrante sobre los cuidados del equipo de salud en dos policlínicas municipales de Montevideo
Authors: Barboza Alexis , Casavieja Daniela , López Silvana , Marina Katia , Toledo Nicolás
Published: May 2020

La presente investigación procura identificar la opinión de la población migrante sobre cuidados que faciliten su accesibilidad a los servicios de salud pública. La población objetivo comprende a migrantes internacionales que se atienden en dos policlínicas municipales de Montevideo, Uruguay. La investigación es de tipo cuantitativo, descriptiva y de corte transversal. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante encuesta, aplicada a 38 usuarios migrantes mayores de 18 años, con un mínimo de tres consultas realizadas en las policlínicas seleccionadas. El perfil socio demográfico demostró un predominio del rango etario comprendido entre 28 y 38 años (47,4%), de género femenino (68,4%), procedente de países de América Latina y del Caribe (98,4%) y con un nivel de instrucción universitario (63,8%). En cuanto a cuidados, el 92,1% de los encuestados refirió sentir buena recepción en las policlínicas y el 100% manifestó desear seguir con su atención. Los cuidados valorados como más facilitadores en la accesibilidad fueron los relacionados con la comunicación (97,4%) y la calidad del asesoramiento (89,5%). El cuidado cultural - definido por el interés del Equipo de Salud por la cultura y creencias- resultó ser el menos preponderante, con el 41,2% y 62,5% de respuestas negativas respectivamente.
Interferon: Role in health, current trends and therapeutic potentials
Authors: Uchendu Ikenna Kingsley , Ojiako Nkiruka Peace
Published: May 2020

This mini review presents the current trends and topical issues on interferon. This article illustrates the theoretical background and details about interferon, its mechanism of action or roles in the prevention of microbial- or pathogenic disease progression, types and classes, and their therapeutic potentials. All the reported applications have shown that interferon has found its application in gene manipulation and expression of gene products; immunological techniques, viral disease treatment and in the treatment of cancers.

Keywords: Interferon, cancers, cancer therapy, viral infection, viral disease treatment.
Assessment of In Vitro Antidiabetic Potential of Purified Anthocyanin Extract from Floral Petals of Wild Balsam Species
Authors: ARATHY R , MURUGAN K , DINESH BABU KV , MANOJ GS
Published: May 2020

Diabetes is a notorious and growing clinical and public health issue. The International Diabetes Federation assumes that 592 million had diabetes by 2035 and that by 2040 the number will increase to 642 million. Cardiovascular corollary accounts for four million deaths annually attributable to diabetes. Evidence reveals that certain glucose-lowering phytochemicals can improve vascular outcomes with type 2 diabetes, which, together with better understanding of using multiple therapies concurrently, offers opportunities for beneficial personalization of medication regimens. Anthocyanins are coloured pigments and are natural antioxidants. Keeping this in focus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antidiabetic activity in the petals of wild Impatiens balsamina L. The anthocyanin was extracted from floral petals of wild balsam species and purified to homogeneity using chromatographic techniques. Evaluation of in vitro antidiabetic properties of anthocyanin extract revealed a dose-dependent increase in the inhibitory effect on the alpha-glucosidase (200 μg/ml) and alpha-amylase enzymes (500 μg/ml) and was comparable with the standard acarbose drug (189 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml). These results indicated that anthocyanin could be used as a source of functional food and nutraceuticals. This information from wild species will be useful in finding more potent antidiabetic principle from the natural resources for the clinical development of antidiabetic therapeutics. Future studies are planned to substantiate the antidiabetic power of anthocyanin using in vivo animal models.

Keywords: Alpha amylase, alpha glucosidase, diabetes, herbal remedies, Impatiens balsamina L.
Acute Oral Toxicity Studies of the Crude Extract of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Annona senegalensis Pers
Authors: Onah A. Ikechukwu , Kenechukwu C. Franklin , Berebon P. Dinebari , Agboke A. Akeem , Ibezim E. Chinedum , Attama A. Anthony
Published: May 2020

Establishment of safety and toxicity profiles of metabolites of endophytic organisms from known medicinal plants are crucial in their pharmacological and biological applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral acute toxicity (LD50) of crude extract of endophytic fungi isolated from Annona senegalensis Pers. The endophytic fungal metabolite was extracted with ethyl acetate. The LD50 was estimated following the method described by Lorke. Three dose levels (10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg) of the crude extract were administered to three mice each for the first phase using oral gavage needle in a single dose disposable syringe. The animals were observed for possible deaths or other side effects of the test substance in each group within 24 hours of the treatment. In the second phase, which was deduced from the first phase, eight mice were sub-divided into four groups of two mice each and they were treated with doses of 1200, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg orally. They were also observed within 24 hours and final LD50 value was determined. Results showed that the endophytic fungal extract exhibited no mortality or any histological defect in the liver tissues of the mice. More so, the immunological parameter tested showed significant increase in neutrophils and lymphocytes relative to the control in all the fungal isolates. Additionally, the LD50 for the crude metabolites was > 5000 mg/kg. This study has revealed that crude extract of endophytic fungi isolated from Annona senegalensis Pers did not show oral acute toxicity in mice. Further studies will evaluate long term-toxicity of the crude extract.

Keywords: Endophytes, LD50, Annona senegalensis, Metabolites, Fungi
Utilization pattern of antibiotics and drug related problems in the orthopedic department at a tertiary care hospital: a prospective study
Authors: Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Alam Kadir , Sah Anil Kumar , Sarraf Deependra Prasad
Published: May 2020

Background: Antibiotics are generally prescribed for both prophylactically and to treat ongoing infections in the orthopedic department. Assessment of prescribing pattern at regular interval is essential to avoid inappropriate use of drugs.

Objectives: To know the utilization pattern of antibiotics and drug related problems like adverse drug reactions (ADR) and drug-drug interactions (DDI) in hospitalized patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among hospitalized patients using WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology for one month duration in orthopedic department at a tertiary hospital. Standard data collection forms were used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the data.

Results: Out of 196, most of patients (72.96%) were male and most of patients (34.69%) were from the age group 21-30 years. A total of 782 drugs were prescribed during study period and among them 262 were antibiotics. None of the drugs were prescribed in generic name. Ceftriaxone (33.58%) was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic. Average cost of drug therapy per patient was NPR 3125.7. DDD/100 bed-days were highest for Cefixime (27.9).  A total of 233 ADRs were suspected in 64 patients (32.6%). Thrombophlebitis (26.2%) was the commonest ADR. Potential DDI were found in 51 patients (26.02%). The most common interacting pairs were Cefuroxime and Rabeprazole (15 encounters).

Conclusion: Generic prescribing is urgently needed for cost minimization. The prevalence rate of ADR occurrence and DDI was high. The study finding benefits the hospital policy makers to formulate and address policies for rational use of antibiotics.

Keywords: Adverse Drug Reactions; Antibiotics; Cost; Drug Utilization; Drug-Drug interaction
Antihyperglycemic activity of total extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpus
Authors: MOTTO Enam Aku , Lawson-Evi Povi , Kantati Yendube , Eklu-Gadegbeku Kwashie , Aklikokou Kodjo , Gbeassor Messanvi
Published: May 2020

Anogeissus leiocarpus (Combretaceae) is a medicinal plant used by traditional practitioners to treat people living with diabetes mellitus in Togo. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the plant. The hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of A. leiocarpus roots was evaluated on hyperglycemic mice by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and on normoglycemic mice. The effect of the total extract and fractions was also measured on the adsorption and absorption of glucose respectively in vitro and ex vivo. At 30 minutes after glucose overload, the total extract and all fractions (supernatant and pellet) significantly (p< 0.0001) reduced hyperglycemia compared to controls. However, this reduction in hyperglycemia was greater in mice treated with the supernatant fraction at 100 mg.kg-1 during 180 minutes (p < 0.01). In our conditions, the extract at the 500 mg.kg-1 of the total extract in normoglycemic mice did not significantly decrease (p>0.05) basal blood glucose levels compared to controls. In vitro, the extract and fractions of A. leiocarpus adsorbed glucose and inhibited glucose intestinal absorption ex vivo. The results of this study support the use of A. leiocarpus as an antidiabetic plant.

Keywords:  Anogeissus leiocarpus- fractions- antihyperglycemic- adsorption – absorption.
Formulation and Evaluation of Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Loaded Alginate Microbeads
Authors: Dahima Rashmi
Published: May 2020

Multiple unit dosage forms such as microbeads have increased acceptance because of added even spreading of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract, unvarying drug absorption, abridged local irritation and removal of undesirable intestinal retaining of polymeric material, when compared to non-disintegrating single unit dosage form. The purpose of the presented research is to develop microbeads of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride utilizing sodium alginate as the hydrophilic carrier in combination with HPMC as drug release modifier to lessen the dosing frequency and thereby advance the patient compliance. The microbeads were formulated by varying concentrations of HPMC and calcium chloride. The optimum formulation was chosen based upon in vitro drug release studies and further evaluated. The compatibility of drug-polymer was studied using FTIR analysis. The prepared formulation underwent evaluation for various parameters like drug entrapment, microbeads size, swelling index, mucoadhesive property and stability. No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in compatibility studies and the formulation was found to be stable on 45 days storage. The formulations exhibited an extended drug release pattern which was the ultimate aim of the study. The microbeads represented good yield, high drug entrapment, low microbeads size and appropriate swelling property. The in vitro wash-off test indicated that the sodium alginate microbeads represent decent mucoadhesive properties. Henceforth, the formulated HPMC coated sodium alginate beads can be utilized as a substitute and cost-effective carrier for the oral controlled delivery of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

Keywords: microbeads, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, sodium alginate, drug release
Antioxidant chlorophyll purification from maize leaves by liquid-to-liquid extraction method
Authors: Cuong Dang Xuan
Published: May 2020

Chlorophyll is the blood of plant possesses a medical-value for treating support of disease in human, and the paper focused on the purification of antioxidant chlorophyll extracting from maize leaves in Vietnam. Chlorophyll was extracted with 96% ethanol and segmented by different solvents, for example, n-hexane, 96% ethanol, and ethyl acetate, respectively. Ethanol fraction was running via the chromatography column of silica gel for collecting antioxidant purified chlorophyll. All fractions were analysed chlorophyll content, antioxidant activities (total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity) and run the thin layer chromatography for determining the chlorophyll purification degree and the Rf. The results showed that the purification of antioxidant chlorophyll from maize leaves was by using the liquid-liquid segment and the column run, for example, in turn, ethanol, n-hexane, ethanol, and the silica gel chromatography. The highest value of chlorophyll content, total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 0.563±0.003 µg chl equivalent/ml, 1.392±0.018 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/ml, 3.396±0,024 mg FeSO4/ml, and 76.34±0.81 (%), respectively, as the n-hexane/ethanol ratio of 1/1 (v/v). After the chromatography run, chlorophyll content, total antioxidant activity, reducing power activity, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity corresponded to 0.217±0.002 µg chl equivalent/ml, 0.628±0.013 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/ml, 1.928±0.019 mg FeSO4/ml, and 77.19±0.58 (%), respectively.

Keywords: antioxidant, chlorophyll, maize, purification, liquid-to-liquid
Quantum Natural Gradient
Authors: Stokes James , Izaac Josh , Killoran Nathan , Carleo Giuseppe
Published: May 2020

A quantum generalization of Natural Gradient Descent is presented as part of a general-purpose optimization framework for variational quantum circuits. The optimization dynamics is interpreted as moving in the steepest descent direction with respect to the Quantum Information Geometry, corresponding to the real part of the Quantum Geometric Tensor (QGT), also known as the Fubini-Study metric tensor. An efficient algorithm is presented for computing a block-diagonal approximation to the Fubini-Study metric tensor for parametrized quantum circuits, which may be of independent interest.
LA CONTINUIDAD DEL ESTADO NEOLIBERAL EN CHILE DURANTE LOS GOBIERNOS DEL PARTIDO SOCIALISTA
Authors: Rojas Gómez Pablo Carlos
Published: May 2020

La presente investigación plantea la pregunta de por qué hay una adopción del neoliberalismo durante los gobiernos del Partido Socialista (PS). Para resolverla se parte de un enfoque de estudio del Estado como condensación de relaciones económicas y políticas.
Conservadorismo, neoconservadorismo e bolsonarização
Authors: Lima Elizabeth Christina de Andrade , Lima Isabelly Cristiany Chaves
Published: May 2020

Este artigo propõe um recorte analítico, a partir da produção teórica da Sociologia contemporânea, na tentativa de realizar uma reflexão sobre os conservadorismos (no plural) do Brasil hodierno. Busca-se compreender as especificidades da emergência do neoconservadorismo e o processo de “bolsonarização”, compreendido como uma teia de determinações estruturais e conjunturais, reconhecendo os pontos de regularidades, os denominadores comuns, que produzem a unidade simbólica, como também os pontos de fugas e as peculiaridades inerentes a tal processo, para apontar que, de fato, é possível afirmar que, no campo da cultura, das práticas sociais e da cultura política, o Brasil vive sob a égide de um neoconservadorismo que ajuda a “alimentar¨, e até mesmo justificar, várias das ações do atual governo.
Morfometría corporal y reproducción de la rata de campo Sigmodon hirsutus (Rodentia:Cricetidae) en Costa Rica
Authors: Monge Javier
Published: May 2020

Introducción: La rata de campo (Sigmodon hirsutus) es común en ambientes agrícolas de América Central, de la cual se dispone de relativa poco información biológica y ecológica, dada su reciente reclasificación como especie. Objetivos: Describir la morfometría corporal, utilizada a su vez como criterio de condición corporal y determinar su ciclo reproductivo de la rata de campo. Métodos: El estudio se realizó en el cantón La Cruz, provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica entre marzo de 2009 a abril de 2010. Se realizaron 29 muestreos quincenales de tres noches consecutivas en cultivos de piña orgánica. Se tomaron medidas de longitud y peso de los individuos para establecer una relación entre estas variables y utilizarlas para estimar el índice de condición corporal. Se determinó el ciclo reproductivo basado en el estado de preñez, presencia de juveniles, y en forma complementaria la posición testicular en los machos. Por características corporales y actividad reproductiva se definió categorías de edad. Resultados: Se colectaron 418 especímenes de S. hirsutus, para una proporción de sexos de 1:0,6 (machos:hembras). Se presenta un dimorfismo sexual con un mayor peso y tamaño para los machos. El índice de condición corporal (mm/g) osciló entre 1 y 6,4 para los machos y entre 1 y 8,3 para las hembras, con una relación inversa con la categoría de peso. De las 154 hembras colectadas, el 36,4% se encontraban preñadas, las cuales presentes en todos los mes y con mayor frecuencia en abril de 2009, junio y agosto. La presencia de juveniles fue mayor en los meses de abril de 2009 y junio, aunque estuvieron presentes en casi todos los meses del año. La posición escrotal de testículos fue la más común (54,4%). Las categorías de edad presentes a través del año, sugieren una actividad reproductiva para la especie y sitio durante todo el año. Conclusión: La rata S. hirsutus es de tamaño mediano (141,65mm y 84,13g y de 131,81mm y 69,07g, para machos y hembras, respectivamente), y presenta dimorfismo sexual. La actividad reproductiva se presenta en todo el año.
Adsorção de cromo hexavalente usando rejeito de beneficiamento de carvão em modelo de batelada e coluna de leito fixo
Authors: Nunes Keila Guerra Pacheco , Batistel Nathali Ribeiro , Barbosa Dafne , Rosa Ivan Reis , Davila Ivone Vanessa Jurado , Féris Liliana Amaral
Published: May 2020

The objective of this work is to utilize a coal beneficiation tailing from Moatize (Mozambique) for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium from water in batch model and fixed bed column. Coal waste was used in particle size between 0.7 and 1.5 mm. The effects of pH, contact time and solid adsorbent concentration were analyzed by batch experiments. The results indicated that it was possible to obtain 98.6% of removal under the experimental conditions of pH 2, 10 h of process and 8 g.L-1 of solid adsorbent. From these experimental results, equilibrium isotherms were build and Langmuir and Sips models presented a better fit to the experimental data. The adsorption of chromium hexavalent from aqueous solution onto coal waste was investigated in a fixed bed column at 298 K. The effects of the inlet concentration, feed flow rate, bed depth on adsorption were investigated. In general, the evaluated parameters improved as a results increase in a Z (bed deep) and decreases in Q (feed flow rate). These performance metrics also improved as C0 (inlet concentration) was increased.
Diversity and structure of the woody component of a restinga in Alcântara, Maranhão State, Brazil
Authors: Almeida Júnior Eduardo Bezerra , Correia Bruna Emanuele Freire , Santos-Filho Francisco Soares
Published: May 2020

Although Maranhão State has the second longest coastline of Brazil, phytosociological studies are necessary to expand the knowledge of the restinga vegetation therein. Thus, the present study characterizes structural parameters of the woody component of a restinga in Alcântara city, west coast of Maranhão State. The phytosociological sampling included thirteen 100 m parallel transects, totaling 50 points. The inclusion criterion established for the species was perimeter at ground level ≥ 10 cm. We sampled 34 species, 26 genera, and 17 families, totaling 200 individuals. The species with the highest importance value (IV) were Guettarda angelica Mart. ex Müll.Arg., Anacardium occidentale L., Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Cenostigma bracteosum (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, Fridericia sp., Eugenia stictopetala Mart. ex DC., and Mouriri guianensis Aubl. The average height of the specimens was 4.44 m, and the average diameter was 12.6 cm. The Shannon diversity index found in the restinga was 2.92 nat. ind-1, and Pielou’s evenness was 0.83. It is worth mentioning the presence of Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong and Manilkara bidentata (A.DC.) A.Chev, which are common species of the Cerrado and the Amazonian forest, respectively. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of diversity, generating data for the development of conservation studies, besides reinforcing the influence of the flora of neighboring ecosystems in the colonization of the restingas of Maranhão State.
O mínimo existencial ecológico e os ditames salutares da Educação Ambiental
Authors: Silva Raquel Torres de Brito , Gonçalves Cavalcanti Dias Clara Angélica
Published: May 2020

Com um destaque preliminar acerca da importante evolução histórica do Estado de direito até o hodierno cenário do Estado Democrático e Socioambiental, fruto do Constitucionalismo do direito, o presente artigo, objetivará reforçar o fomento de reflexões em torno dos parâmetros sustentáveis e do mínimo existencial ecológico, se utilizando, para tal intento, um acervo bibliográfico pautado no método dedutivo-qualitativo, com pesquisas de doutrinas, periódicos e demais produções acadêmicas e científicas em prol de contribuir, da melhor maneira possível, na pretensão maior em apreço, utilizando-se da modalidade revisão na sua feitura. Por derradeiro, em prol do supino robustecimento de tais conscientizações, serão abordados breves apontamentos no que tange ao direito fundamental ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado, saudável, ecodigno e respeitado em prol das presentes e futuras gerações, bem como para as demais formas de vida. Para o alcance de tal intento, é notório, por intermédio da insofismável contribuição da Educação Ambiental, que é possível ampliar-se tais diretrizes, inclusive em todos os níveis de ensino, em prol do vislumbre de alienações sendo superadas e da promoção da conscientização ambiental em torno do nosso comprometimento intergeracional.
Mycota (Ascomycota) of Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc., Raso da Catarina Ecological Station, Brazil: new records
Authors: Vitoria Nadja Santos , Soares Fortes Nilo Gabriel , Lima dos Santos Maiara Araujo , Barbosa Rebeca Leite
Published: May 2020

The Raso da Catarina Ecological Station (ESEC) is a conservation unit of integral protection located in the Caatinga biome, Northeastern Brazil, Bahia, between the cities of Paulo Afonso, Rodelas, and Jeremoabo. Among the botanical species of great relevance in the ESEC region stands out the palm Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. (licuri). Currently, there is little information about the mycota that colonizes this host. Thus, this study analyzes the taxonomy of fungi occurring in S. coronata at ESEC Raso da Catarina. For that purpose, we conducted eight excursions between May 2014 and January 2015, in which we randomly demarcated and georeferenced 25 S. coronata plants. For the survey of the Ascomycota, we collected leaves, bracts, inflorescences, fruits, stem pieces and litter. We morphologically identified twenty-six taxa. Following an extensive literature research, we present dichotomous keys for genera, distribution data, and a checklist of fungi species, of which four are lichenized and 22 non-lichenized (nine anamorph/asexual and 13 teleomorph/sexual). These species belong to 26 genera and 18 families. We report Syagrus coronata in this study as a new botanical host for 22 fungi species.