bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple generations of tourmaline from Yushishanxi leucogranite in South Qilian of western China record a complex formation history from B-rich melt to hydrothermal fluid
Authors: Liu Tao , Jiang Shao-Yong
Published: September 2020

One tourmaline-bearing leucogranite dike occurs in the Yushishanxi Nb-Ta mining area in the Yushishan district of the South Qilian orogenic belt in western China. Abundant tourmalines have been identified in the leucogranite, including disseminated, crosscutting quartz-tourmaline veins and tourmaline veinlets. Detailed petrological, geochemical, and boron isotopic studies indicate that these tourmalines have distinctive core-rim zoning signatures and significant chemical variations, which can be divided into four paragenetic generations. Generation-I tourmalines in the leucogranite have a magmatic origin and were followed by hydrothermal Generation-II, Generation-III, and Generation-IV. Tourmalines from all four generations belong to the alkali group and the schorl-dravite solid-solution series. The most notable features are the variations in Mg, Fe, and Ca contents. The variable Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios in generations I to IV may be attributed to the multiple influx and/or interaction of initially magma-derived hydrothermal fluid with surrounding rocks, magma-derived Fe-rich hydrothermal fluid, and external metamorphic fluid. In situ B-isotope analyses of tourmaline yield a total range of δ11B values from –11.7 to –6.0‰. The earliest Generation-I tourmalines have δ11B values of –11.1 to –9.6‰, whereas Generation-II and Generation-III tourmalines record a higher δ11B value of –9.5 to –6.0‰ and –9.3 to –6.9‰, respectively. Such an increase is mainly controlled by boron-isotope fractionation between melt-fluid and tourmaline-fluid, Rayleigh fractionation, and also, to some extent, by a hydrothermal recharge from the same magma source. Generation-IV tourmalines have the lightest B-isotope values (down to –11.7‰). This shift back to lighter B-isotopes in the Generation-IV cannot be explained by closed-system crystallization and isotope fractionation of known phases. Alternatively, a lighter source of boron via fluid circulation from the surrounding metamorphic rocks can explain this light boron isotope composition. Therefore, we propose that an isotopically light fluid may have derived from B release during mica breakdown within the surrounding metamorphic rocks.
Antioxidant, Pharmacological, Medical Properties and Chemical Content of Rosa L. Extracts
Authors: TOLEKOVA Shyryn , SHARMANOV Turegeldy , SINYAVSKIY Yury , BERZHANOVA Ramza , MAMMADOV Ramazan , KILIÇARSLAN AKSOY Özge , YUSİFLİ Rusif
Published: September 2020

Currently, increased attention is paid to plant raw materials as a source of biologically active substances. As a consequence of this great scientific interest is dog rose (lat. Rosa), a genus of wild plants of the Rosaceae family (Rosales) and it is widely used as a medicinal, vitamin source and food raw material. The species of Rosa genus have rich vitamin content and different chemical structures. Dog rose has medicinal value as a multivitamin remedy. Many works have been devoted to the study of the dynamics of the accumulation of vitamins depending on the forms and types of dog rose, geographic location, meteorological conditions, soil, fertilizer application and other environmental factors. The most economically valuable part of the dog rose is the pulp of the fruit. Rosa is used in official and traditional medicine. They also have anti-inflammatory, choleretic, diuretic properties and a beneficial effect on carbohydrate metabolism and, they regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, enhance tissue regeneration, the synthesis of hormones. In this review article, antioxidant, pharmacological, medical properties and chemical content of the Rosa genus has been discussed in detail.
Evaluating the threat to national information security
Authors: Yarovenko Hanna
Published: September 2020

An effective strategy for managing the national information security with capabilities to resist information threats significantly impacts its further development. This study aims to assess the level of threat to the information security of countries based on the integral index. It is proposed to use five indicators characterizing individual areas of information security and 37 world development indicators, selected from the World Bank database. Correlation analysis selected 12 out of 37 development indicators relevant to security indicators for which the correlation coefficient exceeded 0.5 or –0.5. The Harrington-Mencher function is proposed to determine the information security threat index. Nonlinear normalization was carried out to bring the initial data to a comparable measurement. Canonical analysis was performed to determine the indicator weights. The data from 159 countries were taken for 2018 to assess the index. The result was presented on the map showing countries’ distribution by the information security threat index, thus forming five groups. The group with a “very well” resistance to threats includes economically developed countries with a high level of information security. The “well” group was formed by new industrial and developing countries with economic potential sufficient to prevent information threats and combat their consequences. The information security level in developing countries, where the results of overcoming information threats will affect the economic sphere, is defined as “acceptable”. Countries with a low level of development and information security formed groups designated as “bad” and “very bad”, which indicates a high level of threats to their information security.
AcknowledgmentThis work is carried out with in the tax payer – funded researches: No. 0118U003574 “Cybersecurity in the banking fraud enforcement: protection of financial service consumers and the financial and economic security growth in Ukraine”.
Tüketici Sonrası Geri Dönüştürülen Denim Kumaşların Seçilmiş Konfor Özellikleri Üzerine Bir Çalışma
Authors: DOBA KADEM Füsun , ÖZDEMİR Şehpal
Published: September 2020

Denim, her yaştan ve her kesimden kullanıcıya hitap eden, dünya pazarında üstün rol oynayan bir kumaş çeşididir. Post-consumer re-cycle kavramı yani tüketici sonrası geri dönüşüm; hizmet süresini tamamlamasının ardından atılan tekstil malzemelerinin yeniden kullanılması işlemidir. Tüketici sonrası atıkların geri dönüşüm işlemi bu atıkların toplanmasını ve yeni giysilerde kullanılmak üzere bu atıklardan iplik üretilmesini kapsamaktadır. Bu çalışma ile bir denim işletmesinde, tüketici kullanımı sonrası geri dönüştürülen denim kumaşların hava geçirgenliği, eğilme dayanımı ve yıkamadan sonraki boyut değişimi standartlara göre tespit edilmiş ve elde edilen sonuçlara göre bu geri dönüşüm işleminin denim üretiminde etkin bir şekilde kullanılabileceği tespit edilmiştir.
An Experimental Evaluation of Control Modes for Pneumatic Artificial Muscles Using Fast on/off Valves
Authors: BAĞLAR Elif Tuğba , BAYSAL Cabbar Veysel
Published: September 2020

Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAM) are versatile actuators having many advantages such as high force to weight ratio, soft and flexible structure, extreme safe for human, ease of maintenance and low cost. On the other hand, their inherent nonlinear characteristics yields difficulties in control actions, which is an important factor restricting wide-spread use of PAM. In literature, there are studies to resolve the control issue and their results indicate that there is still requirement for a simple and effective control system. In this work, as a first step of achieving the control goal, three common nonlinear controllers used in literature are selected for an experimental evaluation. The implemented controllers are ‘Classical PID controller’, ‘Fuzzy PID controller’ and ‘Sliding-Mode Controller’ (SMC). The evaluation is performed using a test rig, which is a 1-D robotic arm orthosis actuated by Festo PAMs operated with fast on/off valves. According to experimental results, a model-free Sugeno type combined fuzzy PID controller has yielded most successful performance indicating that it could be a simple and effective solution for PAM control issue.
Success factors of MSMEs in Colombia
Authors: Castro-Silva Hugo Fernando , Rodríguez-Fonseca Fernando , Martínez-Chaparro Yamith Alfonso
Published: September 2020

The importance of the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) sector in the economic and social development of a country is increasingly evident. Despite the promotion of MSMEs, the startup failure rates during the first years of operation are high. This empirical and descriptive study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the influencing factors of the success of startups, including those favored with seed capital from the national government, according to the perception of the owners/managers of these companies. The methodological design of the research contemplates a systematic literature review and two stages that incorporate quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results indicate that the relationship among finance and business networks, strategic planning, product and service innovation, supply chain management, and financing decisions significantly influence the enterprise success beyond the first two years of operation. The main contribution of this work is that it is one of the few that focuses on the entrepreneur’s direct perceptions and not on aggregate economic data.
MicroRNAs Profiling in HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients
Authors: Moghoofei Mohsen , Najafipour Sohrab , Mostafaei Shayan , Tavakoli Ahmad , Bokharaei-Salim Farah , Ghorbani Saied , Javanmard Davod , Ghaffari Hadi , Monavari Seyed Hamidreza
Published: September 2020

Background:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections
are important public health issues.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the association between microRNAs expression leveland immunological
and viral markers in HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

Methods:

The expression level of miR-29, miR-149, miR-199, miR-let7, miR-223, miR-155,
miR-122, and miR-150 was evaluated in 20 HIV, 20 HCV, 20 co-infected patients, and 20 healthy
controls using real-time PCR assay. HIV and HCVviral loads were measuredby real-time PCR, and
also, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was measuredby the PIMA CD4 analyzer.

Result:

The miRNA expression pattern in each mentioned group showed significantly different expression
profiles, but some miRNA species were shared between the groups. MiR-122 and
miR-155 were upregulated, while miR-29 and miR-223 were downregulated in three patients
groups compared to healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the
expression of miR-122 and HIV/HCV loads. But, miR-29 and let-7 were negatively correlated with
HIV load, and miR-149 and let-7 were negatively correlated with HCV load. Also, miR-155 was
positively correlated with HCV load. MiR-122 and miR-199 were negative while others were positively
correlated with CD4+ T cell count.

Conclusion:

These miRNAs are probably involved in the clinical progression and pathogenesis of
HIV and HCV infections. Therefore, determining and manipulating these miRNAs can lead to
opening a new gate to control these important infections.
Two Schiff-base Complexes of Copper and Zirconium Oxide Fabricated on Magnetic Nanoparticles as Practical and Recyclable Catalysts in C-C Coupling Reaction
Authors: Nikoorazm Mohsen , Naseri Masoomeh
Published: September 2020

Fe3O44 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared via a chemical co-precipitation method.
Then, the surface of Fe3O44 MNPs was modified by (3-Chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane and then two
Schiffbase complexes of zirconium oxide and copper were stabilized on modified Fe3O44 MNPs. These
catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDS, WDX, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM and AAS techniques.
The catalytic activity of these catalysts was described in the carbon-carbon coupling reaction. VSM
analysis of these catalysts indicates the high magnetic performance; therefore these catalysts can be recovered
by an external magnet and reused several times without reducing the number of catalysts. Reusability,
excellent yields and high TON values indicate the high efficiency of these catalysts. Leaching
of these catalysts was studied by AAS which leaching of copper or zirconium was not observed.
Also, the stability of these catalysts was confirmed by the characterization of recovered catalysts and
comparing to fresh catalysts.
Tailored Quinolines Demonstrate Flexibility to Exert Antitumor Effects through Varied Mechanisms-A Medicinal Perspective
Authors: Sharma Sachin , Singh Arshdeep , Sharma Sahil , Sharma Ram , Singh Jagjeet , Kinarivala Nihar , Nepali Kunal , Liou Jing P.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Quinoline is considered to be a privileged heterocyclic ring owing to its presence in
diverse scaffolds endowed with promising activity profiles. In particular, quinoline containing compounds have
exhibited substantial antiproliferative effects through the diverse mechanism of actions, which indicates that the
heteroaryl unit is flexible as well as accessible to subtle structural changes that enable its inclusion in chemically
distinct anti-tumor constructs.

Methods:

Herein, we describe a medicinal chemistry perspective on quinolines as anticancer agents by digging
into the peer-reviewed literature as well as patents published in the past few years.

Results:

This review will serve as a guiding tool for medicinal chemists and chemical biologists to gain insights
about the benefits of quinoline ring installation to tune the chemical architectures for inducing potent anticancer
effects.

Conclusion:

Quinoline ring containing anticancer agents presents enough optimism and promise in the field of
drug discovery to motivate the researchers towards the continued explorations on such scaffolds. It is highly
likely that adequate efforts in this direction might yield some potential cancer therapeutics in the future.
Quercetin Inhibits AQP1 Translocation in High-Glucose-Cultured SRA01/04 Cells Through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Authors: He Linlin , Zhang Nan , Wang Lei , Du Lei , Li Chengcheng , Li Yuan , Li Xizhi , Zhu Xia , Lu Qian , Yin Xiaoxing
Published: September 2020

Objective:

The study aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on Aquaporin 1
(AQP1) translocation in high glucose condition and made an attempt to clarify the underlying
mechanisms and provide new ideas for the treatment of diabetic cataract (DC).

Methods:

The human lens epithelial line SRA01/04 cells were divided into groups mentioned below:
normal glucose, high glucose with a specific time (0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h), high glucose
plus the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, high glucose plus the mammalian
target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin, and high glucose plus quercetin with different
doses (2 μmol/L, 4 μmol/L and 8 μmol/L). The western blotting assay was used to detect the protein
kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (m-
TOR), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and AQP1. Real-time polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of AQP1. A Membrane and Cytosol
Protein Extraction Kit was applied to separate membrane proteins. Immunofluorescence assay
was performed to evaluate the expression and location of AQP1. The effect of quercetin on the
expression of AQP1 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling was detected.

Results:

AQP1 protein was found to be significantly increased in 24 hour when exposed to high
glucose condition (P<0.01). LY294002 and rapamycin inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AQP1 expression
(P<0.01), preventing the change of AQP1 location in the SRA01/04 plasma membrane
(P<0.01). This effect was further proved by immunofluorescence. In different doses of quercetin
groups (2 μmol/L, 4 μmol/L and 8 μmol/L), the phosphorylation of mTOR and Akt were decreased
and AQP1 in the membrane was changed compared with high glucose group (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

Quercetin significantly decreased the AQP1 elevation and prevented the change of
AQP1 location through inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in high-glucose--
cultured SRA01/04 cells, which might have the preventable and inhibitory effects on the early development
of diabetic cataract. The specific pathophysiological role of quercetin still needs to be
verified.
Studying the capabilities of the analytical system based on the machine learning method
Authors: Palmov S. V.
Published: September 2020

Data analysis carried out by machine learning tools has covered almost all areas of human activity. This is due to a large amount of data that needs to be processed in order, for example, to predict the occurrence of specific events (an emergency, a customer contacting the organization’s technical support, a natural disaster, etc.) or to formulate recommendations regarding interaction with a certain group of people (personalized offers for the customer, a person’s reaction to advertising, etc.). The paper deals with the possibilities of the Multitool analytical system, created based on the machine learning method «decision tree», in terms of building predictive models that are suitable for solving data analysis problems in practical use. For this purpose, a series of ten experiments was conducted, in which the results generated by the system were evaluated in terms of their reliability and robustness using five criteria: arithmetic mean, standard deviation, variance, probability, and F-measure. As a result, it was found that Multitool, despite its limited functionality, allows creating predictive models of sufficient quality and suitable for practical use.
Parallel programming technologies on computer complexes
Authors: Pryadko S. A. , Troshin A. Yu. , Kozlov V. D. , Ivanov A. E.
Published: September 2020

The article describes various options for speeding up calculations on computer systems. These features are closely related to the architecture of these complexes. The objective of this paper is to provide necessary information when selecting the capability for the speeding process of solving the computation problem. The main features implemented using the following models are described: programming in systems with shared memory, programming in systems with distributed memory, and programming on graphics accelerators (video cards). The basic concept, principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each of the considered programming models are described. All standards for writing programs described in the article can be used both on Linux and Windows operating systems. The required libraries are available and compatible with the C/C++ programming language. The article concludes with recommendations on the use of a particular technology, depending on the type of task to be solved.
Optimal programmed movement with variable control times
Authors: Khoroshavin V. S. , Grudinin V. S.
Published: September 2020

The problems of speed and accuracy are typical in the theory and practice of optimal control, and the requirement for the technology of minimum deviation from a given motion is often more important than speed. The search for controls that ensure the accuracy of reproducing the trajectory of motion for a given time of the transient process is considered. The Pontryagin maximum principle is used as the main method. It is supplemented for the study of special situations without analyzing auxiliary variables by the state commonness conditions (SCC) for nonlinear systems in extended coordinate space, taking into account an object, a criterion nonlinear in coordinate deviations, and an explicit occurrence of time. To expand the control algorithms, the elements of the vectors that affect the execution of the SCC are investigated. The transition time is determined by the parameter introduced into the integral criterion of accuracy, which characterizes the rate of change of coordinates. An example of a transition to the origin of coordinates of an object with two series-connected integrators with a criterion that takes into account the accuracy and time of the transition is considered. With the help of SCC, new control algorithms and structures of closed systems are obtained. Relationships between the regulation time parameter and the initial conditions for coordinates are determined. Taking into account the constraint on the control, the conditions for realizing the continuous special control and / or sliding mode are obtained. Analytical materials are confirmed by the results of system modeling. The results of the work can be used for control, including nonlinear objects, in robotics, thermal processes (furnaces, autoclaves, intermittent heating control in buildings).
Collective Response to Media Coverage of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Reddit and Wikipedia: Mixed-Methods Analysis
Authors: Gozzi Nicolò , Tizzani Michele , Starnini Michele , Ciulla Fabio , Paolotti Daniela , Panisson André , Perra Nicola
Published: September 2020

Background

The exposure and consumption of information during epidemic outbreaks may alter people’s risk perception and trigger behavioral changes, which can ultimately affect the evolution of the disease. It is thus of utmost importance to map the dissemination of information by mainstream media outlets and the public response to this information. However, our understanding of this exposure-response dynamic during the COVID-19 pandemic is still limited.

Objective

The goal of this study is to characterize the media coverage and collective internet response to the COVID-19 pandemic in four countries: Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Methods

We collected a heterogeneous data set including 227,768 web-based news articles and 13,448 YouTube videos published by mainstream media outlets, 107,898 user posts and 3,829,309 comments on the social media platform Reddit, and 278,456,892 views of COVID-19–related Wikipedia pages. To analyze the relationship between media coverage, epidemic progression, and users’ collective web-based response, we considered a linear regression model that predicts the public response for each country given the amount of news exposure. We also applied topic modelling to the data set using nonnegative matrix factorization.

Results

Our results show that public attention, quantified as user activity on Reddit and active searches on Wikipedia pages, is mainly driven by media coverage; meanwhile, this activity declines rapidly while news exposure and COVID-19 incidence remain high. Furthermore, using an unsupervised, dynamic topic modeling approach, we show that while the levels of attention dedicated to different topics by media outlets and internet users are in good accordance, interesting deviations emerge in their temporal patterns.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings offer an additional key to interpret public perception and response to the current global health emergency and raise questions about the effects of attention saturation on people’s collective awareness and risk perception and thus on their tendencies toward behavioral change.
Development of a Web-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention to Support Lifestyle Behavior Change and Well-Being in Health Care Staff: Participatory Design Study
Authors: Brown Menna , Hooper Nic , Eslambolchilar Parisa , John Ann
Published: September 2020

Background

Positive emotional well-being is associated with healthier lifestyle choices and overall health function, whereas poor mental health is associated with significant economic and psychological costs. Thus, the development of effective interventions that improve emotional well-being is crucial to address the worldwide burden of disease.

Objective

This study aims to develop a web-based emotional well-being intervention for use by health care staff using participatory design to consider adherence and engagement from a user perspective.

Methods

A 3-staged iterative participatory design process was followed, including multiple stakeholders: researchers, computer scientists, mental health experts, and health care staff. Stage 1 used document analyses, direct observation, and welcome interviews; stage 2 used focus group discussions, rapid prototyping, and usability tasks; and stage 3 evaluated a high-fidelity prototype.

Results

Different health care staff (N=38) participated during a sustained period. A structured, sequential, automated, 12-week, web-based emotional well-being intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy was developed. Freely navigated psychoeducational resources were also included.

Conclusions

The iterative and collaborative participatory design process successfully met its objectives. It generated an in-depth understanding of well-being within the workplace and identified barriers to access. The 3-staged process ensured that participants had the opportunity to explore and articulate criteria relevant to their roles over time and reflect on decisions made at each stage.
Transmission Dynamics of the COVID-19 Epidemic at the District Level in India: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Saurabh Suman , Verma Mahendra Kumar , Gautam Vaishali , Kumar Nitesh , Goel Akhil Dhanesh , Gupta Manoj Kumar , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Misra Sanjeev
Published: September 2020

Background

On March 9, 2020, the first COVID-19 case was reported in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. Understanding the epidemiology of COVID-19 at a local level is becoming increasingly important to guide measures to control the pandemic.

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the serial interval and basic reproduction number (R0) to understand the transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak at a district level. We used standard mathematical modeling approaches to assess the utility of these factors in determining the effectiveness of COVID-19 responses and projecting the size of the epidemic.

Methods

Contact tracing of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 was performed to obtain the serial intervals. The median and 95th percentile values of the SARS-CoV-2 serial interval were obtained from the best fits with the weibull, log-normal, log-logistic, gamma, and generalized gamma distributions. Aggregate and instantaneous R0 values were derived with different methods using the EarlyR and EpiEstim packages in R software.

Results

The median and 95th percentile values of the serial interval were 5.23 days (95% CI 4.72-5.79) and 13.20 days (95% CI 10.90-18.18), respectively. R0 during the first 30 days of the outbreak was 1.62 (95% CI 1.07-2.17), which subsequently decreased to 1.15 (95% CI 1.09-1.21). The peak instantaneous R0 values obtained using a Poisson process developed by Jombert et al were 6.53 (95% CI 2.12-13.38) and 3.43 (95% CI 1.71-5.74) for sliding time windows of 7 and 14 days, respectively. The peak R0 values obtained using the method by Wallinga and Teunis were 2.96 (95% CI 2.52-3.36) and 2.92 (95% CI 2.65-3.22) for sliding time windows of 7 and 14 days, respectively. R0 values of 1.21 (95% CI 1.09-1.34) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21) for the 7- and 14-day sliding time windows, respectively, were obtained on July 6, 2020, using method by Jombert et al. Using the method by Wallinga and Teunis, values of 0.32 (95% CI 0.27-0.36) and 0.61 (95% CI 0.58-0.63) were obtained for the 7- and 14-day sliding time windows, respectively. The projection of cases over the next month was 2131 (95% CI 1799-2462). Reductions of transmission by 25% and 50% corresponding to reasonable and aggressive control measures could lead to 58.7% and 84.0% reductions in epidemic size, respectively.

Conclusions

The projected transmission reductions indicate that strengthening control measures could lead to proportionate reductions of the size of the COVID-19 epidemic. Time-dependent instantaneous R0 estimation based on the process by Jombart et al was found to be better suited for guiding COVID-19 response at the district level than overall R0 or instantaneous R0 estimation by the Wallinga and Teunis method. A data-driven approach at the local level is proposed to be useful in guiding public health strategy and surge capacity planning.
A Change Talk Model for Abstinence Based on Web-Based Anonymous Gambler Chat Meeting Data by Using an Automatic Change Talk Classifier: Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yokotani Kenji
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Change and sustain talks (negative and positive comments) on gambling have been relevant for determining gamblers’ outcomes but they have not been used to clarify the abstinence process in anonymous gambler meetings.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop a change talk model for abstinence based on data extracted from web-based anonymous gambler chat meetings by using an automatic change talk classifier.

METHODS

This study used registry data from the internet. The author accessed web-based anonymous gambler chat meetings in Japan and sampled 1.63 million utterances (two-sentence texts) from 267 abstinent gamblers who have remained abstinent for at least three years and 1625 nonabstinent gamblers. The change talk classifier in this study automatically classified gamblers’ utterances into change and sustain talks.

RESULTS

Abstinent gamblers showed higher proportions of change talks and lower probability of sustain talks compared with nonabstinent gamblers. The change talk model for abstinence, involving change and sustain talks, classified abstinent and nonabstinent gamblers through the use of a support vector machine with a radial basis kernel function. The model also indicated individual evaluation scores for abstinence and the ideal proportion of change talks for all participants according to their previous utterances.

CONCLUSIONS

Abstinence likelihood among gamblers can be increased by providing personalized evaluation values and indicating the optimal proportion of change talks. Moreover, this may help to prevent severe mental, social, and financial problems caused by the gambling disorder.
Design and Development of a Suite of Intimate Partner Violence Screening and Safety Planning Web Apps: User-Centered Approach (Preprint)
Authors: O'Campo Patricia , Velonis Alisa , Buhariwala Pearl , Kamalanathan Janisha , Hassan Maha Awaiz , Metheny Nicholas
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

The popularity of mobile health (mHealth) technology has resulted in the development of numerous apps for almost every condition and disease management. mHealth and eHealth solutions for increasing awareness about, and safety around, intimate partner violence are no exception. These apps allow women to control access to these resources and provide unlimited, and with the right design features, safe access when these resources are needed. Few apps, however, have been designed in close collaboration with intended users to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to discuss the design of a suite of evidence-based mHealth and eHealth apps to facilitate early identification of unsafe relationship behaviors and tailored safety planning to reduce harm from violence including the methods by which we collaborated with and sought input from a population of intended users.

METHODS

A user-centered approach with aspects of human-centered design was followed to design a suite of 3 app-based safety planning interventions.

RESULTS

This review of the design suite of app-based interventions revealed challenges faced and lessons learned that may inform future efforts to design evidence-based mHealth and eHealth interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Following a user-centered approach can be helpful in designing mHealth and eHealth interventions for marginalized and vulnerable populations, and led to novel insights that improved the design of our interventions.
Factors Influencing Telehealth Implementation and Use in Frontier Critical Access Hospitals: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Haque Saira Naim , DeStefano Sydney , Banger Alison , Rutledge Regina , Romaire Melissa
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Telehealth has potential to help individuals in rural areas overcome geographical barriers and to improve access to care. The factors that influence the implementation and use of telehealth in critical access hospitals are in need of exploration.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to understand the factors that influenced telehealth uptake and use in a set of frontier critical access hospitals in the United States.

METHODS

This work was conducted as part of a larger evaluation of a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services–funded demonstration program to expand cost-based reimbursement for services for Medicare beneficiaries for frontier critical access hospitals. Our sample was 8 critical access hospitals in Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota that implemented the telehealth aspect of that demonstration. We reviewed applications and progress reports for the demonstration program and conducted in-person site visits. We used a semistructured discussion guide to facilitate conversations with clinical, administrative, and information technology staff. Using NVivo software (QSR International), we coded the notes from the interviews and then analyzed the themes.

RESULTS

Several factors influenced the implementation and use of telehealth in critical access hospitals, including making changes to workflow and infrastructure as well as practitioner acceptance and availability. Participants also cited technical assistance and support for implementation as supportive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Frontier critical access hospitals may adopt telehealth to overcome challenges such as distance from specialty practitioners and workforce challenges. Telehealth can be used for provider-to-patient and provider-to-provider interactions to improve access to care, remove barriers, and improve quality. However, the ability of telehealth to improve outcomes is limited by factors such as workflow and infrastructure changes, practitioner acceptance and availability, and financing.
The Perceived Impact and Usability of a Care Management and Coordination System in Delivering Services to Vulnerable Populations: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rizvi Rubina , VanHouten Courtney , Bright Tiffani J , McKillop Mollie M , Alevy Shira , Brotman David , Sands-Lincoln Megan , Snowdon Jane , Robinson Barbie J , Staats Carolyn , Jackson Gretchen P , Kassler William J
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

People with complex needs, such as those experiencing homelessness, require concurrent, seamless support from multiple social service agencies. Sonoma County, California has one of the nation’s largest homeless populations among largely suburban communities. To support client-centered care, the county deployed a Care Management and Coordination System (CMCS). This system comprised the Watson Care Manager (WCM), a front-end system, and Connect 360, which is an integrated data hub that aggregates information from various systems into a single client record.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the perceived impact and usability of WCM in delivering services to the homeless population in Sonoma County.

METHODS

A mixed methods study was conducted to identify ways in which WCM helps to coordinate care. Interviews, observations, and surveys were conducted, and transcripts and field notes were thematically analyzed and directed by a grounded theory approach. Responses to the Technology Acceptance Model survey were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 16 participants were interviewed, including WCM users (n=8) and department leadership members (n=8). In total, 3 interdisciplinary team meetings were observed, and 8 WCM users were surveyed. WCM provided a central shared platform where client-related, up-to-date, comprehensive, and reliable information from participating agencies was consolidated. Factors that facilitated WCM use were users’ enthusiasm regarding the tool functionalities, scalability, and agency collaboration. Constraining factors included the suboptimal awareness of care delivery goals and functionality of the system among the community, sensitivities about data sharing and legal requirements, and constrained funding from government and nongovernment organizations. Overall, users found WCM to be a useful tool that was easy to use and helped to enhance performance.

CONCLUSIONS

WCM supports the delivery of care to individuals with complex needs. Integration of data and information in a CMCS can facilitate coordinated care. Future research should examine WCM and similar CMCSs in diverse populations and settings.
A Novel Mobile App (Heali) for Disease Treatment in Participants With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Rafferty Aaron J , Hall Rick , Johnston Carol S
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

A diet high in fermentable, oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Previous literature reports significant improvement in IBS symptoms with initiation of a low FODMAP diet (LFD) and monitored reintroduction. However, dietary adherence to the LFD is difficult, with patients stating that the information given by health care providers is often generalized and nonspecific, requiring them to search for supplementary information to fit their needs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine whether Heali, a novel artificial intelligence dietary mobile app can improve adherence to the LFD, IBS symptom severity, and quality of life outcomes in adults with IBS or IBS-like symptoms over a 4-week period.

METHODS

Participants were randomized into 2 groups: the control group (CON), in which participants received educational materials, and the experimental group (APP), in which participants received access to the mobile app and educational materials. Over the course of this unblinded online trial, all participants completed a battery of 5 questionnaires at baseline and at the end of the trial to document IBS symptoms, quality of life, LFD knowledge, and LFD adherence.

RESULTS

We enrolled 58 participants in the study (29 in each group), and 25 participants completed the study in its entirety (11 and 14 for the CON and APP groups, respectively). Final, per-protocol analyses showed greater improvement in quality of life score for the APP group compared to the CON group (31.1 and 11.8, respectively; P=.04). Reduction in total IBS symptom severity score was 24% greater for the APP group versus the CON group. Although this did not achieve significance (–170 vs –138 respectively; P=.37), the reduction in the subscore for bowel habit dissatisfaction was 2-fold greater for the APP group than for the CON group (P=.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This initial study provides preliminary evidence that Heali may provide therapeutic benefit to its users, specifically improvements in quality of life and bowel habits. Although this study was underpowered, findings from this study warrant further research in a larger sample of participants to test the efficacy of Heali app use to improve outcomes for patients with IBS.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04256551; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04256551
Mobile Sensing Apps and Self-management of Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Web-Based Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Suruliraj Banuchitra , Bessenyei Kitti , Bagnell Alexa , McGrath Patrick , Wozney Lori , Orji Rita , Meier Sandra
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people had to adapt their daily life routines to the currently implemented public health measures, which is likely to have resulted in a lack of in-person social interactions, physical activity, or sleep. Such changes can have a significant impact on mental health. Mobile sensing apps can passively record the daily life routines of people, thus making them aware of maladaptive behavioral adjustments to the pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the views of people on mobile sensing apps that passively record behaviors and their potential to increase awareness and helpfulness for self-managing mental health during the pandemic.

METHODS

We conducted an anonymous web-based survey including people with and those without mental disorders, asking them to rate the helpfulness of mobile sensing apps for the self-management of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted in May 2020.

RESULTS

The majority of participants, particularly those with a mental disorder (n=106/148, 72%), perceived mobile sensing apps as very or extremely helpful for managing their mental health by becoming aware of maladaptive behaviors. The perceived helpfulness of mobile sensing apps was also higher among people who experienced a stronger health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (β=.24; 95% CI 0.16-0.33; P<.001), had a better understanding of technology (β=.17; 95% CI 0.08-0.25; P<.001), and had a higher education (β=.1; 95% CI 0.02-0.19; P=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the potential of mobile sensing apps to assist in mental health care during the pandemic.
Un análisis del comportamiento de la sociedad española con respecto a la protección de la privacidad en internet
Authors: Gómez Barroso José Luis
Published: September 2020

La privacidad es un fenómeno social cuya descripción no ha recibido la atención que merece dada la creciente revelación y uso de información personal en relaciones privadas y públicas. A partir de una encuesta completada por 1650 individuos, este artículo investiga las variables que definen a quienes muestran una mayor preocupación por la privacidad en internet y a aquellos que siguen unos hábitos que permiten un mejor control de los datos que ceden. Tener antecedentes de problemas con la seguridad o de irritación por la invasión de la esfera privada es en ambos casos la variable más significativa. Está acompañada por otros factores relacionados con la actividad en internet y experiencia en su uso; las variables socioeconómicas o demográficas juegan un papel secundario.
La protección ocupacional de viejos riesgos sociales en España: pensiones y atención sanitaria
Authors: Gutiérrez Rodolfo , López Rodríguez Fermín , Rodríguez Vanesa , Tejero Aroa
Published: September 2020

La investigación sobre el bienestar social se ha extendido al estudio del bienestar ocupacional (BO), entendiendo por ello el conjunto de prestaciones (transferencias monetarias o en especie) suministradas de forma voluntaria por empresas privadas - o por administraciones públicas en su condición de empleadores - a sus propios trabajadores. Se caracteriza al caso español con un desarrollo bajo en la protección de los viejos riesgos sociales (VRS) que son enfrentados, principalmente, con pensiones, atención sanitaria y protección por desempleo.

El principal objetivo es ofrecer un mapa del desarrollo del BO en la esfera de VRS. El desarrollo de algunas prestaciones, como planes de pensiones o seguros de salud, es moderado, con una tendencia ascendente a largo plazo. Ese desarrollo se concentra en grandes empresas y en ramas determinadas, lo que parece apuntar a una dinámica de complementariedad respecto al pilar público, pero limitada a un segmento del total de asalariados.
La difícil coordinación en la enseñanza de la Sociología
Authors: Feito Alonso Rafael
Published: September 2020

In the different degrees in Sociology taught at the Spanish university, lecturer coordination is far from common. Despite the fact that students are supposed to master a series of competences throughout their studies, the way in which this development takes place is rarely disclosed. Once inside the classroom, each lecturer enjoys extensive autonomy to determine the way in which he or she teaches, the university students assessment method and, sometimes, even the curricular content. All of this can lead to a quiet huge arbitrariness, which can be especially serious in the case of Final Degree Projects. In this text, the need arises for university teachers to return, with the corresponding observations and assessments, all written material —be it in the form of an exam or coursework— delivered to them by the students.
Business Power in post-authoritarian Chile: explaining regulatory continuity in the pension system, 1990-1994
Authors: Schiappacasse Ignacio
Published: September 2020

Es difícilmente controversial sostener que las elites económicas en América Latina tienen una gran y desproporcionada influencia política. En este contexto, Chile ofrece un estudio de caso único para el análisis del poder empresarial. La Concertación, la coalición de centro-izquierda que gobernó Chile entre 1990 y 2010, fue electa con un programa de gobierno que prometía la creación de un sistema de seguridad social con elementos de solidaridad. Sin embargo, esta coalición terminó finalmente consolidando el sistema privado de pensiones impuesto en 1981 por la dictadura militar. El presente trabajo aborda esta paradoja entrándose en el debate sobre pensiones desarrollado durante la primera administración de la Concertación (1990-1994). En resumen, esta investigación demuestra que, a pesar del nuevo contexto democrático, la elite económica continuó controlando el proceso de toma de decisiones por medio de múltiples mecanismos.
Evolución de las percepciones de las élites políticas en democracias frágiles: los casos de El Salvador, Guatemala y Nicaragua
Authors: Martí Puig Salvador
Published: September 2020

El artículo muestra datos extraídos de encuestas realizadas a las elites parlamentarias de El Salvador, Guatemala y Nicaragua desde la década de 1990 hasta 2017 respecto a los temas de la democracia, las instituciones del Estado de Derecho, los actores políticos, sus respectivos partidos, los partidos con los que compiten, y a la relación entre el Estado y el mercado en sus países. El objetivo del trabajo es analizar las percepciones sobre cómo han evolucionado los sistemas políticos democráticos en El Salvador, Guatemala y Nicaragua, que nacieron como democracias de nuevo cuño en un contexto de crisis y guerra. Los temas centrales sobre los que el artículo reflexiona son la consolidación democrática en El Salvador, la frágil permanencia democrática en Guatemala y la des-democratización en Nicaragua, y la difícil reconciliación entre los actores políticos en contextos de pos-conflicto.
La COVID-19: la gran oportunidad para pensar y crear sociedades futuras mejores
Authors: Rodríguez Díaz José Antonio
Published: September 2020

La envergadura global y consecuencias dramáticas de la pandemia causada por el COVID-19 nos ofrece la oportunidad de reflexionar, colectivamente, acerca de los futuros sociales probables, posibles y preferibles y con ello iniciar el camino de construcción de mejores y más deseables sociedades. El futuro no está escrito en piedra. La sociología del futuro y los estudios de futuros son el espacio ideal de combinar las visiones con las acciones para construir sociedades futuras mejores, más armoniosas, y más felices.
Élites empresariales y desigualdad en tiempos de pandemia en América Latina
Authors: Cárdenas Julián , Robles-Rivera Francisco , Martínez-Vallejo Diego
Published: September 2020

El presente artículo realiza un análisis triple para entender el efecto de la pandemia del COVID-19 sobre la desigualdad económica en América Latina. En primer lugar, se evidencia que las divisas latinoamericanas son de las más depreciadas del mundo, lo que sumerge a las economías de América Latina en una alta inestabilidad económica y dificulta construir políticas macroeconómicas estables de distribución y redistribución. En segundo lugar, se discuten las consecuencias de la alta informalidad en el empleo de las economías de América Latina para mostrar el probable aumento de la desigualdad. Finalmente, se identifican las demandas de las élites empresariales en tiempos de pandemia en cinco países de América Latina y las respuestas del gobierno, lo que evidencia fuertes barreras para implementar reformas fiscales progresivas.