bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small-size Unmanned Control Algorithm of an Underwater Complex
Authors: Bondyrev V. E. , Knyazev S. I. , Korolev V. I. , Jatsun S. F.
Published: February 2021

Purpose of research: The creation of water bodies monitoring systems makes it possible to evaluate environmental situation in various points of monitoring area quickly. One of the main stages of water quality research is sampling, which is currently carried out at stationary posts, which makes it impossible to ensure operational control in various areas of an observation site. The problem can be solved by using mobile robotic platforms. The purpose of this study is to create mathematical model and algorithm for controlling autonomous movement of an underwater robotic device for collecting water samples in a reservoir. Methods. The following problems were solved for this purpose: the structure of the device was developed, which consists of a power frame unit, units of screw electric drives, units of depth and direction rudders. On-board power supply unit, sensor unit providing interaction of underwater vehicle with environment were also developed. Control tasks are formulated. A scheme of device movement in a reservoir has been developed for this purpose. Results. Modular method of trajectory planning is proposed. It is based on a single motion cycle concept, which consists of 2 turns and 2 straight-line stages of 2R2P. A model of control algorithm is also proposed and reactions of apparatus to external disturbances are studied. General dynamics theorems, method of algorithm synthesizing according to inverse dynamics problem were applied when solving problems. Conclusion: As a result of conducted studies, the system response to disturbances acting in longitudinal direction is described, disturbance diagrams are also described, random type with normal distribution law and mass center deviation s from the given position are given.
Trends and Characteristics of the US Adult Population’s Behavioral Patterns in Web-Based Prescription Filling: National Survey Study
Authors: Yang Lin-Ya , Lyons Jennifer G , Erickson Steven R , Wu Chung-Hsuen
Published: February 2021

Background

Filling a prescription on the web has become an alternative to in-person pharmacies for individuals to access their medications. However, the adoption of web-based filling has been gradual, and the use patterns remain to be unclear.

Objective

This study aims to estimate the trend and prevalence of web-based prescription-filling behavior and identify associated factors among adults in the United States.

Methods

We used data from the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2009 to 2018. Adult respondents (aged ≥18 years and over) self-reported their behavior of web-based prescription filling, which was defined as having filled a prescription using the internet in the past 12 months during the survey year. We reported trends using weighted percentages adjusted by the NHIS complex sampling design. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models to examine trends and identify factors associated with web-based prescription-filling behavior.

Results

The estimated number of adults reporting web-based prescription-filling behavior significantly increased from 13,319,877 (13,319,877/225,217,942, 5.91%) in 2009 to 28,308,262 (28,308,262/246,611,125, 11.48%) in 2018 (P<.001). Those who were more likely to report filling a prescription on the web were aged between 35 and 74 years, female, White, and frequent users of the computer or internet; these adults also reported higher education, higher income, insurance coverage, and poorer health status.

Conclusions

Web-based prescription-filling behavior among US adults has increased significantly from 2009 to 2018. Health care providers should be aware of the upward trend in the use of web-based pharmacies and ensure the clinical safety of web-based prescriptions.
Public Opinions and Concerns Regarding the Canadian Prime Minister’s Daily COVID-19 Briefing: Longitudinal Study of YouTube Comments Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Zheng Chengda , Xue Jia , Sun Yumin , Zhu Tingshao
Published: February 2021

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided updates on the novel coronavirus and the government’s responses to the pandemic in his daily briefings from March 13 to May 22, 2020, delivered on the official Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) YouTube channel.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine comments on Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s COVID-19 daily briefings by YouTube users and track these comments to extract the changing dynamics of the opinions and concerns of the public over time.

Methods

We used machine learning techniques to longitudinally analyze a total of 46,732 English YouTube comments that were retrieved from 57 videos of Prime Minister Trudeau’s COVID-19 daily briefings from March 13 to May 22, 2020. A natural language processing model, latent Dirichlet allocation, was used to choose salient topics among the sampled comments for each of the 57 videos. Thematic analysis was used to classify and summarize these salient topics into different prominent themes.

Results

We found 11 prominent themes, including strict border measures, public responses to Prime Minister Trudeau’s policies, essential work and frontline workers, individuals’ financial challenges, rental and mortgage subsidies, quarantine, government financial aid for enterprises and individuals, personal protective equipment, Canada and China’s relationship, vaccines, and reopening.

Conclusions

This study is the first to longitudinally investigate public discourse and concerns related to Prime Minister Trudeau’s daily COVID-19 briefings in Canada. This study contributes to establishing a real-time feedback loop between the public and public health officials on social media. Hearing and reacting to real concerns from the public can enhance trust between the government and the public to prepare for future health emergencies.
Supporting mental health during COVID-19 using a digital behaviour change intervention: an open-label, single-arm, pre-post intervention research study (Preprint)
Authors: Summers Charlotte , Wu Philip
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is taking its toll on people's mental health, particularly as people are advised to adhere to social distancing, self-isolation measures and government imposed national lockdowns. Digital health technologies have an important role to play in keeping people connected and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as even before this unprecedented time, mental health and social services were already stretched.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the 12-week outcomes of the digitally delivered Gro Health platform, a digital behaviour change intervention for self-management of mental wellbeing, sleep, activity, and nutrition.

METHODS

The study used a quasi-experimental research design consisting of an open-label, single-arm, pre-post intervention engagement using a convenience sample. From adults who had joined the intervention and had a complete baseline dataset (GAD-7 Anxiety Test Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire), we followed all users for 12 weeks (N=273), including 33 (12.1%) who reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis during the study period. Users engagement with the Gro Health platform was tracked by active minutes.

RESULTS

Of the 347 study participants, 273 (78.67%) completed both baseline and follow up surveys. Change in scores for anxiety, perceived stress and depression was predicted by app engagement with the strongest effect being seen in change perceived stress scores F(1,271)=251.397, p<0.001, with an R2 of .479.

CONCLUSIONS

A digital behaviour change platform that provides remote mental wellbeing support can be effective in managing depression, anxiety, and perceived stress during times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

CLINICALTRIAL

Approved by Royal Holloway, University of London Ethics Board.
Technology Support Challenges and Recommendations for Adapting an Evidence-Based Exercise Program for Remote Delivery to Older Adults: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Gell Nancy , Hoffman Elise , Patel Kushang
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Tele-exercise has emerged as a means for older adults to participate in group exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the technology support needs of older adults for accessing tele-exercise.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the needs of older adults for transition to tele-exercise, identify barriers to and facilitators of tele-exercise uptake and continued participation, and describe technology support challenges and successes encountered by older adults starting tele-exercise.

METHODS

We used an exploratory, sequential mixed methods study design. Participants were older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (N=44) who started participating in a remotely delivered program called Enhance Fitness. Before the start of the classes, a subsample of the participants (n=10) completed semistructured phone interviews about their technology support needs and the barriers to and facilitators for technology adoption. All of the participants completed the surveys including the Senior Technology Acceptance Model scale and a technology needs assessment. The study team recorded the technology challenges encountered and the attendance rates for 48 sessions delivered over 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged from the interviews: participants desire features in a tele-exercise program that foster accountability, direct access to helpful people who can troubleshoot and provide guidance with technology is important, opportunities to participate in high-value activities motivate willingness to persevere through the technology concerns, and belief in the ability to learn new things supersedes technology-related frustration. Among the participants in the tele-exercise classes (mean age 74, SD 6.3 years; 38/44, 86% female; mean 2.5, SD 0.9 chronic conditions), 71% (31/44) had a computer with a webcam, but 41% (18/44) had little or no experience with videoconferencing. The initial technology orientation sessions lasted on average 19.3 (SD 10.3) minutes, and 24% (11/44) required a follow-up assistance call. During the first 2 weeks of tele-exercise, 47% of participants (21/44) required technical assistance, which decreased to 12% (5/44) during weeks 3 to 16. The median attendance was 100% for the first 6 sessions and 93% for the subsequent 42 sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

With appropriate support, older adults can successfully participate in tele-exercise. Recommendations include individualized technology orientation sessions, experiential learning, and availability of standby technical assistance, particularly during the first 2 weeks of classes. Continued development of best practices in this area may allow previously hard-to-reach populations of older adults to participate in health-enhancing, evidence-based exercise programs.

CLINICALTRIAL
EFFECT OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (Preprint)
Authors: Alfakeh Sulhi
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The continuous reporting of the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia and globally, with the concomitant social distancing measures and university closures, is likely to affect the mental wellbeing of many university students. There have been many reports on the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public, hospital staff, patients, children, and older adults [4,5]. However, to date, only a few studies on the mental health effects of COVID-19 and the wellbeing of college students have been conducted during the pandemic [6].

In this study, we aimed to estimate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on university students in Saudi Arabia. We conducted our study to learn more about the psychological status of university students through the pandemic for the following reasons: to evaluate the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression of university students during the pandemic; and to provide a basis for universities and governmental policies to support university students affected by the impact of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

Objective: To estimate the psychological impact of COVID-19 on university students in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Method: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was distributed via the university students’ accounts. Of the 71,945 full-time undergraduate university students, 3,515 respondents completed the questionnaires. The study questionnaire also included demographic information, including age, gender, source of income, living arrangements, smoking status, and weekly physical exercise.

RESULTS

Results: Nearly half of participants had normal stress (40.5%, n = 1425) and anxiety (42.4%, n = 1492) levels. In terms of depression, nearly one-third of subjects were classified as ‘normal’ (29.3%, n = 1031); however, one-fourth of them were classified as ‘extremely severe’ (23.8%, n = 838). There were significantly higher levels of stress among female students. Also, a significantly higher rate of male students (50.4%, n = 667) had normal anxiety levels, compared with female students (37.7%, n = 825). Finally. significantly higher proportion of female students had symptoms of depression (72.66%, n = 1,592) compared with the degrees of depression among male students (67.37%, n = 892).

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion: We detected that stress, anxiety, and depression increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and university students were at more risk of developing mental health issues. Ongoing follow-up and monitoring of psychological consequences and their potential negative impact on academic performance and mental wellbeing are needed.

CLINICALTRIAL

none
Computer-Aided Discovery of Pentapeptide AEYTR as a Potent Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor
Authors: Istyastono Enade Perdana , Prasasty Vivitri Dewi
Published: February 2021

One of the key targets in the drug development for potential Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics is the search for acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitors. Very recently, a pentapeptide AEYTR was reported as a potential inhibitor for AChE. The peptide was identified in a retrospectively validated virtual screening campaign, which was subsequently followed by 10 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The study aimed to characterize the structure and identify in vitro of AEYTR peptide as a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This article presents the structure characterization and the in vitro examination of the peptide as an AChE inhibitor, followed by MD simulations for 100 ns. The results show that the pentapeptide is a potent AChE inhibitor with an IC50 value in the picomolar range and stabilizes the enzyme during MD simulations.
Development of a Simple Fe(II) Ion Colorimetric Sensor from the Immobilization of 1,10-Phenanthroline In Alginate/Pectin Film
Authors: Muliawati Nindya Tri , Siswanta Dwi , Aprilita Nurul Hidayat
Published: February 2021

An optical analytical sensor was proposed based on the complexation reactions of 1,10-phenanthroline derivative in aqueous solutions. This study aims to synthesize a metal ion sensor for detecting Fe(ll) ion from the immobilization of 1,10-phenanthroline compound in alginate/pectin film. This was carried out by characterizing the films using the Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The determination of the optimal condition for Fe(II) ion detection and validation of the parameters was conducted by measuring the absorbance of the films using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. After the addition of Fe(II) ion, the color of the alginate/pectin-phenanthroline film changed from transparent yellow to orange-red, showing its potential as a visual colorimetric sensor for iron(II) ion. It was found that the optimum condition for Fe(II) ion sensing was at 513 nm after 2 min of detection at pH 2. The alginate/pectin-phenanthroline film had good linearity, precision, selectivity, and accuracy with a detection limit as low as 0.446 mg L–1, which was remarkable.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2,3-Diaminomaleonitrile Derivatives by One-Pot Schiff Base Reaction and Their Application in Dye Synthesized Solar Cells
Authors: Abdalhadi Saifaldeen Muwafag , Al-Baitai Asmaa Yahya , Al-Zubaidi Hazim Abdulrazzaq
Published: February 2021

In a one-pot reaction, three new 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) derivative dyes were prepared by simple Schiff base reaction. The compounds were designed as a sensitizer in dye synthesizes solar cells (DSSCs). Many conditions have been used to provide the methodology to get the best yield. The prepared dyes were characterized by melting point, elemental microanalysis, mass spectroscopy, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. A computational study was carried out to support our results. The DSSC data was shown the best performance for SA3 dye with 0.38% efficiency at AM 1.5 then SA2 with 0.22% and the last dye is SA1 with 0.09%, compared to control cell (N719) 5.4%.
Deposition of Hydroxyapatite on Silica Made from Rice Husk Ash to Produce the Powder Component of Calcium Phosphate Cement
Authors: Windarti Tri , Widjijono Widjijono , Nuryono Nuryono
Published: February 2021

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been deposited on silica (SiO2) particles to produce HA-SiO2 composite that will be used as the powder component of calcium phosphate cement. HA was expected to be on the composite surface to maintain its bioactivity. SiO2 was made by the sol-gel method, in which silicate solution was extracted from rice husk ash with NaOH solution. Deposition of HA on SiO2 was carried out by wet chemical deposition method at various Ca/Si molar ratio (in a range of 5–25) followed by calcination at 600 °C for 2 h. Results showed that HA was successfully deposited on SiO2 particles. The cell parameters of the HA crystals were slightly distorted by the presence of SiO2 and HA in the composite had a bigger cell volume than pure HA. The crystallite size of HA in the composites increased with the increase of the Ca/Si ratio but the values were smaller than pure HA. SiO2 acted as a morphology directing agent. At low Ca/Si ratio, the HA-SiO2 particles were in a form of short rod-like particles with sizes of < 50 nm, while at high Ca/Si ratio, a mixture of short and long rod-like particles with the size of < 100 nm was obtained. The zeta potential of composites was almost similar to pure HA. These properties indicated that HA-SiO2 composites support the bioactivity of injectable calcium phosphate cement.
Flavonoids as Antidiabetic Agents
Authors: Cahyana Yana , Adiyanti Tsani
Published: February 2021

Flavonoids are polyphenol compounds that exert many potential health benefits, including diabetes type-II, which is the third most common disease that causes death, right after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The excessively high level of blood glucose has been believed to trigger type II diabetes. The aim of this review is to describe the flavonoid's ability as an alternative treatment for diabetes type-II patients. This paper addresses several aspects in which flavonoids may impart a pivotal role in starch digestion, such as the interaction of flavonoids with enzymes involved in starch hydrolysis, the role of flavonoids in inhibiting glucose absorption, as well as the interaction of flavonoids with starch to form a complex resistant to hydrolysis. Further studies, however, are suggested to extensively carry out, particularly the ones dealing with the intervention study using human volunteers to reveal the role of flavonoids in the real applications. The data on human intervention studies are still rare and can further be exploited using meta-analysis to have firmer results. Flavonoids in the food matrix are more realistic to perform to reveal the effect of interaction with other compounds, which may affect the mechanism of flavonoids interaction or their bioavailability.
Morphology of NdFeB-Type Permanent Magnet Coercivity Enhancement by Heat Treatment Process
Authors: Afrilinda Eva , Djuanda Dagus Resmana , Virdhian Shinta , Doloksaribu Martin , Muttahar Moch Iqbal Zaelana , Pratomo Sri Bimo
Published: February 2021

To understand the morphology of the coercivity enhancement by heat treatment, a commercial sintered NdFeB-type permanent magnet is annealed, and the coercivity is measured by Permagraph. It is shown that the coercivity is increased compared to the initial. Observation by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) is then conducted. The XRD result shows the amount of NdFeB content in the NdFeB-type permanent magnet is increased after heat treatment. The more significant amount of NdFeB content causes higher coercivity. The maximum coercivity, 19 kOe, is achieved at 850 °C of heat treatment temperature, where the NdFeB content is at the highest amount. Microstructural characterizations using SEM-EDS show that at 850 °C of heat treatment temperature, the iron (Fe) content in the grain boundaries is the lowest. It causes higher coercivity. This is due to the magnetically decoupled between NdFeB grains. The decoupling magnet of the NdFeB grains is affected by the Fe content in the grain boundaries. High-temperature heat treatment at 900 and 1050 °C led to the decomposition of NdFeB content in the grains and increased the Fe content in the grain boundaries, which resulted in a substantial reduction of magnetic coercivity.
Mutation of Gyra Gene Found In Mycobacterium Leprae From Leprosy Patient In West Papua and Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Maladan Yustinus , Krismawati Hana , Agus Rosana , Hutapea Hotma M.L. , Tanjung Ratna , Cahyani Vatim Dwi , Rokhmad Muhammad Fajri , Parikesit Arli Aditya
Published: February 2021

Cases of leprosy in Indonesia are still high, especially in the provinces of West Papua, North Maluku and Papua. Drug resistance surveillance and typing strains of Mycobacterium leprae are useful molecular tools for leprosy control especially in the three Provinces. The purpose of this study was to identify mutations in the gyrA          M. leprae gene obtained from leprosy patients in the provinces of West Papua and Papua on a molecular basis. M. leprae samples obtained from leprosy patients were extracted and continued with PCR and sequencing in the M. leprae gyrA gene. The sequencing results are aligned with M. leprae TN sequences to identify mutations. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using Mega 7 to get the M. leprae gyrA cluster. The RNAalifold server was employed to generate the conserved 2D structure for the gyrA MSAs. Six variants were found in the gyrA M. leprae obtained from the provinces of West Papua and Papua. The six variants are H71R, K73R, D95G, A101T, R107W, A127V. The existence of mutations in the gyrA M. leprae gene found in this study can be information in the treatment of leprosy in Papua if using Ofloxacin as an alternative treatment. Based on phylogenetic analysis found there are three distinct clusters of gyrA gene. The five variants are H71R, K73R, A101T, R107W, A127V are new variant of gyrA M. leprae. The D95G variant has been confirmed to cause resistance to Fluoroquinolone by in vitro methods, while the H71R, K73R, A101T, R107W, A127V variants are new variants whose effects on the fluoroquinolone are unknown. Thus, further analysis is needed to study the effects of the five variants on ofloxacin.
EFFECT OF LYOPHILIZED JUICE OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. IN ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND INFLAMMATORY PAIN
Authors: GUERRERO-SOLANO JOSE ANTONIO , BAUTISTA MIRANDELI , CRUZ-CANSINO NELLY DEL SOCORRO , CHEHUE-ROMERO ALEJANDRO , JARAMILLO-MORALES OSMAR ANTONIO
Published: February 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the analgesic activity of lyophilized juice of Punica granatum L., obtained from Hidalgo, Mexico, in theformalin test.Methods: We extracted the juice manually, filtered it and then dried down in a lyophilizer machine. We evaluated the antinociceptive effect oflyophilized juice from pomegranate in the formalin test (2%) in male Wistar rats (180–200 g body weight). Thirty minutes before the test, a dose of316 mg/kg (lyophilized juice) and acetylsalicylic acid as reference drug (100 mg/kg) both were administered intragastrically (i.g.).Results: The oral administration of lyophilized juice of pomegranate showed a significant decrease in the number of flinches in the temporal courseand a significant antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain compared with the vehicle. In the same way, this effect appeared with thedrug of reference (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/kg i.g). Furthermore, it was shown that juice had a 34% of antinociception on overall effect versus vehicle.Conclusion: The results suggest that lyophilized juice of pomegranate has antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain. Therefore, thisstudy supports the possible use of this lyophilized juice of pomegranate in the treatment of pain.
IN VITRO ANTIPLATELET AND ANTICOAGULANT ACTIVITY OF INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES FROM SOUTHERN THAILAND
Authors: SUKATI SURIYAN , KHOBJAI WARACHATE
Published: February 2021

Objective: Epidemiological studies have indicated that diets rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).However, data about the antithrombotic activity of local vegetables is rare. The objective of this study was to evaluate antiplatelet and anticoagulantactivity in indigenous vegetables with high phenolic compounds collected from Southern Thailand.Methods: Five selected indigenous vegetables were crudely extracted by distilled water and 80% methanol. The extracts were screened for in vitroantiplatelet and anticoagulant activity at a concentration of 10 μg/μl. The antiplatelet activity was measured by inhibition of platelet adhesion tocollagen and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, while the anticoagulant activity was assessed by the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partialthromboplastin time (APTT) tests.Results: Among the selected vegetables, the extracts of mon-pu (Glochidion perakense Hook.f.) and young cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale L.)showed high antithrombotic properties. The highest antithrombotic activity was observed in the methanolic extract of mon-pu, which showed92.79±0.78% of platelet adhesion inhibition, 102.9±1.53% of platelet aggregation inhibition, and a prolonged APTT assay (48.92±0.94 s). Theprolonged APTT but normal PT results suggested that the extract could affect factors VIII, IX, XI, and XII of the intrinsic coagulation pathway.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated antiplatelet and anticoagulation properties of indigenous vegetables from Southern Thailand. The multipotentialeffects of mon-pu extracts on antithrombosis evidently suggest that mon-pu can be considered as an excellent nutraceutical option in theprevention of thrombosis-related CVDs caused by different mechanisms.
ANALYSIS OF AGOMELATINE TREATMENT WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
Authors: LU LING-YU , TSAI CHUN-CHIA
Published: February 2021

Objective: Agomelatine is a new mechanism of antidepressants, which is approved by Taiwan Food and Drug Administration and available in Taiwan.Agomelatine behaves both as a potent agonist at melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and as a neutral antagonist at 5-HT2C receptors. The structuresof agomelatine are similar to melatonin with not only the effects to maintain depression symptoms but also can help patients who have insomnia.Methods: This is a retrospective study. In a mental hospital in Taoyuan, we analyzed the prescriptions of the outpatients who were prescribedagomelatine to realize the effects of agomelatine and whether the prescriptions were prescribed appropriately.Results: Catastrophic illnesses were found to be associated with significantly used multiple hypnotics (χ2 =22.02, p<0.001). When patients’ ageincreased by 1 year, multiple hypnotics used increased by 1.013 times (Exp(B)=1.013, p<0.01). Catastrophic illnesses were found to be associatedwith significantly used augmentation with other antidepressants (χ2=54.07, p<0.001).Conclusions: Doctors should be evaluating the benefits and risks when they prescribe a medicine to patients, and they should be written in medicalrecord. This study is the hope to provide relevant units as a reference for formulating health policies.
SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF NOVEL BISPIDINE DERIVATIVES
Authors: MALMAKOVA AIGUL YE. , YU VALENTINA K. , PRALIYEV KALDYBAY D. , KALDYBAYEVA ALTYNAI B. , AMIRKULOVA MARZHAN K.
Published: February 2021

Objective: Derivatives of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one attract considerable attention from pharmacists for the treatment of a wide rangeof diseases. According to this interest, the novel derivatives of 3-cyclopropanmethyl-7-alkoxyalkyl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one withisopropoxypropyl and ethoxypropyl substituents in the position 7 had been synthesized to study their biological activity and toxicity. The practicalsignificance of the work is in the accumulation and development of scientific representations about diazabicyclic compounds, methods for theirsynthesis, structure, and properties, which can subsequently be used in a targeted design and identification of even more complex systems, as wellas in the development of further research in the field of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes. For this purpose, complexes of the synthesized compoundswith β-cyclodextrin are obtained and their biological activity is investigated at the Department of Pharmacology of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh NationalMedical University with the aid of the pharmacological tests.Methods: An experimental study of local anesthetic activity on the models of infiltration, conduction anesthesia, and acute toxicity of synthesizedmolecules was carried out using primary screening methods.Results: As a result of pharmacological screening, it has been found that the compounds exhibit local anesthetic activity and low toxicity and wasrecommended for in-depth study of their pharmacological properties.Conclusion: It turned out that a nature of the N-alkoxyalkyl radical does not affect the toxicity of cyclopropanmethyl- substituted bispidines. In theseries of O-benzoyloximes of bispidinones, the isopropoxypropyl- substituted analog is 1.3 times less toxic than ethoxypropyl- one.
THEVETIA PERUVIANA ROOTS EXTRACT MEDICATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES AND ITS UREASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY
Authors: BAWAZEER SAUD
Published: February 2021

Objective: The main objective of the current research work was synthesized of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of Thevetia peruviana aqueous extract,characterization, and screening for urease enzyme inhibitory activity.Methods: AuNPs were synthesized by mixing 1 mM gold salt solution with T. peruviana aqueous extract without any reducing agents. The preparedAuNPs were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Thesynthesized AuNPs were assessed for in vitro urease enzyme inhibitory activity at 0.2 μg in comparison with the aqueous extract.Results: In this finding, we synthesized the AuNPs of T. peruviana aqueous extract for the 1st time. The AuNPs exhibited significant stability atroom temperature. The AuNPs showed significant urease inhibitory activity with IC50 67.56±1.67 at 0.2 μg as compared to aqueous extract whichexhibited good activity with IC50 39.21±1.32 μ at 0.2 mg, against standard thiourea (IC50=21.00±1.16). The formation of AuNPs correlates due to activephytochemical present in extract which is responsible for synthesizing NPs.Conclusion: T. peruviana extract and prepared AuNPs are an outstanding urease enzyme inhibitor and are capable of making fine NPs. Application:The synthesized AuNPs of T. peruviana aqueous extract which significant urease inhibitory activity may allow us to discover NPs for potentiallyeffective and safe nanoherbal therapy.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE AND FLUPENTIXOL DIHYDROCHLORIDE IN COMBINED DOSAGE FORM AND PLASMA
Authors: SELLAPPAN MALATHI , DEVAKUMAR DARTHI
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a simple and rapid chromatographic method for quantification of escitalopram oxalate and flupentixol dihydrochloride in combined dosage form and plasma.

Methods: The separation was achieved with a sun fire C8 [150×4.6 mm] 3.5 µm column with an isocratic mobile phase containing a mixture of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate buffer: methanol: acetonitrile [30:60:10 v/v/v] pH adjusted to 11. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 1.5 ml/min with a Photodiode array [PDA] detection at 230 nm.

Results: The HPLC method was developed and validated with respective linearity, accuracy, and precision, detection of limit, robustness, and specificity. The precision of the results stated as the relative standard deviation was below 2 %. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range from 10-50 µg/ml for escitalopram oxalate and 1-5 µg/ml for flupentixol dihydrochloride with a correlation co-efficient 0.994 and 0.977 respectively. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated at levels in the range of 100 % and 120 % of the specification limit. The recovery of escitalopram oxalate and flupentixol dihydrochloride was found to be in the range of 90 % to 88 %, respectively. The lowest detection limits were found to be 2 µg/ml for escitalopram oxalate and 0.1 µg/ml for flupentixol dihydrochloride. The lowest quantification limits were found to be 5 µg/ml of escitalopram oxalate and 0.5 µg/ml of flupentixol dihydrochloride.

Conclusion: The developed method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, the limit of detection and quantification, specificity. The method was applied successfully for the determination of escitalopram oxalate and flupentixol dihydrochloride in the combined dosage form and plasma.
OPTIMIZED AND VALIDATED SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF AMPICILLIN IN PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATIONS
Authors: HAQUE S. K. MANIRUL
Published: February 2021

Objective: A simple, precise, and accurate spectrophotometric method has been developed to determine Ampicillin in pharmaceutical formulations.
Methods: The proposed method, based on the carboxylic acid group reaction, present in Ampicillin with a mixture of KIO3 and KI, form a yellow-colored product in an aqueous medium. The response was allowed to proceed at 25±1 °C, and absorbance measured after 5 min against a reagent blank prepared simultaneously using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The parameters verified were specificity, linearity, linearity range, accuracy, precision, detection limit, quantitation limit, robustness, and ruggedness.
Results: The yellow-colored product was measured at 352 nm against the reagent blank using UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The linear dynamic range of concentration was 0.25–2.5 µg/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The LOD, LOQ values to be 0.086 and 0.261 µg/ml, respectively, for the proposed method. The percentage of recoveries was 98.27–100.89% with an acceptable relative standard deviation (±2%). The robustness and ruggedness values were excellent.
Conclusion: The ICH guidelines for pharmaceuticals and human use were followed and applied to validate the proposed method. The method was compared with available literature and found similar results that confirmed the reliability and effective way for Ampicillin's determination.
USE OF CARTRIDGE BASED NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TEST FOR RAPID DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS IN PULMONARY AND EXTRAPULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: KARIGOUDAR RASHMI M. , KARIGOUDAR MAHESH H. , WAVARE SANJAY M. , KAKHANDKI LAKSHMI , BAGALI SMITHA
Published: February 2021

Objective: Tuberculosis is an airborne infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent the spread of infection. Cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) provides a valuable tool in the early detection of TB. This study is undertaken to evaluate the utility of CBNAAT for the detection of MTB. Comparison of cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification testing with ZN staining.

Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, BLDEDU’s Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and RC and Dr. Karigoudar Diagnostic Laboratory, Vijayapur. A total of 129 samples from patients with the presumptive diagnosis of TB based on history, clinical presentation, and radiological findings were included in the study. All samples were subjected to ZN staining, and Cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test and data were analyzed.

Results: The present study showed ZN smear positivity of 7.75% and CBNAAT positivity of 19.38%. CBNAAT sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 86.55, respectively, compared with ZN staining with a significant P value of <0.001.

Conclusion: CBNAAT helps diagnose TB and detect rifampicin resistance within 2-3 h with high sensitivity and specificity. Rifampicin resistance detection is of great concern, which otherwise leads to treatment failure and on time spread of multidrug resistance TB, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
TESTING HECKSCHER-OHLIN-VANEK THEOREM BY USING NORMALIZED TRADE BALANCE APPROACH
Authors: Žmuk Berislav , Jošić Hrvoje
Published: February 2021

The study described here introduces new approach for testing the Heckscher-Ohlin-Vanek (HOV) theorem based on the normalized trade balance concept. The intention was to include in the analysis all countries worldwide but due to the lack of data a certain number of countries had to be excluded. Overall 111 countries were observed according to region and income level for the year 2014. The HOV model was estimated using the sign test. It compared the expected sign of the normalized trade balance or net exports, according to the SITC 2 product classification, with the relative endowment of production factors intensively used in the production of a specific product. Production factors were divided into groups such as produced capital, labour force and natural resources further divided into forests, metals and minerals, oil, coal and gas, pastureland and cropland. Researchers in R&D per million people variable represented the impact of technological differences across countries. The results of the sign test have shown that the HOV theorem held in 55% of cases. The percentage of matched signs was highest for the non-OECD high income countries (75%) and lowest for the lower middle income and low income countries (below 50%).
La reforma tributaria: una discusión necesaria en la nueva normalidad
Authors: Ramírez Cedillo Eduardo
Published: February 2021

La pandemia en América Latina ha dejado ver la debilidad de sus finanzas públicas para afrontar la situación, esto aun cuando en varios de los países de la región se han tenido avances importantes en materia de recaudación. México es una de las excepciones y por el contrario en materia de ingresos tributarios ha denotado pocos avances a pesar de las distintas reformas que se han instrumentado en el pasado reciente. La crisis de salud hace necesaria una reforma tributaria en el país, no de forma inmediata, pero sí se precisa y se debe poner el acento en la construcción de una, con miras de mediano y largo plazo para darle cobertura a la demanda de gasto público y revertir la historia de baja recaudación a la que se ha enfrentado el país por lo menos en los últimos 50 años. En el presente documento se exploran aspectos teóricos básicos y experiencias de América Latina encaminadas a vitalizar las discusiones en la construcción de dicha reforma. De forma adicional se estima la relación de los ingresos tributarios y del PIB con un modelo de rupturas estructurales para tener una idea de cuál puede ser la caída de los ingresos públicos en los próximos meses.
Impacto del rezago social en el número de muertes y contagios por COVID-19 en México: análisis con redes neuronales artificiales empleando información a nivel municipal
Authors: Sosa Miriam , Ortiz Edgar , Cabello Alejandra
Published: February 2021

La situación que atraviesa México, a raíz de la pandemia del COVID19, ha puesto en evidencia la vulnerabilidad de ciertas regiones propiciada por carencias relacionadas con acceso a servicios de salud, educación y servicios básicos de la vivienda (electricidad, agua y drenaje). El presente trabajo analiza el impacto que la falta de dichos servicios tiene en la incidencia de contagio y muerte por COVID19. Para ello, se utiliza la metodología de redes neuronales artificiales con datos a nivel municipal del Índice de Rezago Social, publicado por el Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social (CONEVAL) y datos de muertes y contagios acumulados reportados por el Gobierno de México a través de la plataforma COVID19. Los resultados revelan que las carencias estructurales, relacionadas con la falta de condiciones de saneamiento y acceso al agua, son los principales determinantes del número de contagios y muertes por la pandemia.
Impacto de la COVID-19 en las remesas y sus efectos contracíclicos en las economías regionales en México
Authors: Valdivia Lopez Marcos , Mendoza González Miguel Ángel , Quintana Romero Luis , Salas Paez Carlos , Lozano Ascencio Fernando
Published: February 2021

Este artículo analiza las implicaciones de la COVID-19 en la recepción de remesas de los estados y sus efectos en el crecimiento económico durante 2020. Con una metodología basada en simulaciones de un modelo macro regional y el uso de cuadrantes, como instrumento para la construcción de un semáforo de alertas, se concluye que nuevamente las remesas serán de los pocos mecanismos contracíclicos con los que contará la economía mexicana para afrontar una crisis económica. Sin embargo, el efecto de amortiguamiento de las remesas sobre la actividad económica de los estados será heterogéneo y, en algunos estados, no suficiente para contrarrestar la pérdida de ingreso y empleo que experimentará el país. La región tradicional de migración será una de las más beneficiadas del efecto contracíclico de las remesas.
La vulnerabilidad estructural de la economía mexicana ante la crisis derivada de la pandemia COVID-19
Authors: Landa Díaz Heri Óscar , Cerezo García Verónica , Perrotini Hernández Ignacio
Published: February 2021

En el presente artículo realizamos un diagnóstico de la fragilidad estructural de la economía mexicana en el momento en que ocurrió el impacto de la crisis de salud Covid-19. Con la metodología de Chenery y Watanabe (1956), Rasmussen (1963) y Laumas (1976) estimamos índices de eslabonamientos hacia atrás y hacia adelante del sector industrial manufacturero. El análisis empírico revela que la dependencia tecnológica, los débiles eslabonamientos productivos de este sector y la alta concentración de nuestras exportaciones en el mercado mundial, condicionaron la vulnerabilidad de la economía ante la irrupción de la pandemia y, ceteris paribus, determinarán el ritmo, vigor y tiempos de la recuperación cíclica y del retorno de la economía a la trayectoria de desarrollo previa al choque de la crisis sanitaria.
COVID-19 y el empleo en México: impacto inicial y pronósticos de corto plazo
Authors: Mendoza Cota Jorge Eduardo
Published: February 2021

El trabajo busca estimar los efectos económicos de la pandemia del Covid-19 en México y las repercusiones iniciales en el mercado laboral en México. Se destaca el desplome de la población económicamente activa ocupada a partir del mes de abril, así como de la ocupación de trabajadores formales. Se establecieron dos modelos de series de tiempo univariadas y un modelo de vectores autoregresivos para pronosticar las tendencias de la ocupación en el corto plazo. Los resultados indican que, con base en el choque económico inicial, en el corto plazo, la economía mexicana experimentará un periodo de estancamiento en los niveles de ocupación de la población económicamente activa, con la posibilidad de recuperación de la tendencia hacia el primer trimestre de 2021.
Efecto de la desigualdad y la actividad económica en el COVID-19 en Ecuador: un bosquejo de sus posibles determinantes económicos, sociales y demográficos
Authors: Ponce Pablo , Loaiza Verónica , Del Río Rama María de la Cruz , Bollain Parra Leticia
Published: February 2021

El COVID-19, es un problema sanitario que vivimos en la actualidad el cual provocó que la actividad económica a nivel mundial decrezca como consecuencia del confinamiento decretado en los países. El COVID-19 se ve influenciada por factores económicos que inciden en la propagación de los contagios y varían en función de las características estructurales de los países. En este sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es examinar el efecto de la desigualdad de ingreso y la actividad económica en los contagios del COVID-19 en el Ecuador. Luego se utilizan variables económicas, sociales y demográficas para determinar otros factores asociados al aumento de los contagios.  Para cumplir con el objetivo la metodología utilizada se basa en el uso de técnicas econométricas (modelo de regresión lineal con el estimador Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios) con datos de corte transversal recopilados de la Encuesta Nacional de Empleo, Desempleo y Subempleo (2019) y del Ministerio de Salud Pública (2020). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el aumento de la desigualdad provoca aumentos del contagio del COVID-19, de igual manera los sectores de la actividad económica provocan un efecto heterogéneo en el COVID-19. Las medias de política deben estar orientadas a garantizar el acceso a bienes y servicios de los grupos con mayor desigualdad para disminuir los contagios del COVID-19.
Probabilidad de ganancias cambiarias, inversión de largo plazo y deuda en moneda extranjera, antes y durante el brote de Covid-19: un análisis de empresas mexicanas
Authors: Castro José Antonio Morales , López Herrera Francisco
Published: February 2021

Este artículo muestra el análisis de los impactos de las inversiones en activos de largo plazo, deuda en moneda extranjera y de la paridad peso-dólar en la probabilidad de obtener ganancias cambiarias durante el periodo de Covid-19, en comparación con el periodo previo (1990-2019). Mediante especificaciones logit, se encuentra que antes de la pandemia los activos intangibles, la inversión en activos fijos durante los doce meses recientes, la paridad peso-dólar y la deuda en dólares reducen la probabilidad de obtener ganancias cambiarias; únicamente las inversiones en inmuebles, planta y equipo tiene un efecto positivo en la probabilidad de obtener ganancias cambiarias en el caso de una depreciación monetaria. Durante el periodo asociado con la contingencia, únicamente fueron significativas las inversiones recientes en activos fijos, manteniendo la relación inversa observada en el periodo previo.  
Efecto de factores socio-económicos y condiciones de salud en el contagio de COVID-19 en los estados de México
Authors: Mejía Reyes Pablo , Hurtado Jaramillo Annel , Rendón Rojas Liliana
Published: February 2021

El objetivo de este documento es analizar el impacto de múltiples factores
demográficos, sociales, de salud y económicos en la magnitud e intensidad del
contagio de SARS-CoV-2 en los estados mexicanos. Para ello se desarrolla un análisis
de límites extremos (extreme-bounds analysis) en modelos de regresión de corte
transversal, que pueden incluir efectos espaciales. Los resultados sugieren que una
mayor densidad de población (que dificulta el distanciamiento social), el
padecimiento de obesidad y/o enfermedades crónico-degenerativas (diabetes e
hipertensión) y el no respeto a las disposiciones sanitarias han favorecido el
contagio de COVID-19. Las condiciones sociales de la población y las características
económicas de los estados no resultaron relevantes. Las implicaciones de política
pública que se derivan de este resultado son directas.

 