bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community Health Workers for Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Rawal Lal , Jubayer Shamim , Choudhury Shohel R , Islam Sheikh Mohammad Shariful , Abdullah Abu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective: To examine the barriers and facilitators to engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) prevention and control in Bangladesh.Design: We used multipronged approaches, including a. Situation analyses using a literature review, key personnel and stakeholders’ meetings, and exploratory studies. A grounded theory approach was used for qualitative data collection, and data were analysed thematically.Setting: Data were collected from health facilities across three districts in Bangladesh, and two stakeholder consultative meetings were conducted at the central level.Participants: We conducted in-depth interviews with CHWs (Health Inspector; Community Health Care Provider; Health Assistant and Health Supervisor) (n=4); key informant interviews with central level health policymakers/ managers (n=15) and focus group discussions with CHWs (4 FGDs; total n=29). Participants in a stakeholder consultative meeting included members from the government (n=4), non-government organisations (n=2), private sector (n=1) and universities (n=2).Results: The CHWs in Bangladesh deliver a wide range of public health programs. They also provide several NCDs specific services, including screening, provisional diagnosis, and health education and counselling for common NCDs, dispatching of basic medications, and referral to relevant health facilities. These services are being delivered from the sub-district health facility, community clinics and urban health clinics. The participants identified key challenges and barriers, which include lack of NCD specific guidelines, inadequate training, excessive workload, inadequate systems-level support, and lack of logistics supplies and drugs. The facilitating factors to engage CHWs included government commitment and program priority, development of NCD related policies and strategies, the establishment of NCD corners, community support systems, social recognition and staff motivation.Conclusion: Engaging CHWs has been a key driver to NCDs services delivery in Bangladesh. However, there is a need for capacity building of CHWs, systems-level support and maximizing CHWs engagement to prevention and control of NCDs in Bangladesh.
Estimating the reproduction number and forecasting the impact of COVID-19 in Kuwait using a modified compartmental epidemiological model
Authors: AlHamli Mohammad 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A modified compartmental epidemic model was developed to simulate the state of Kuwait protocol in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. The next generation matrix method was used to drive an expression for the basic reproduction number, R0. Basic and effective reproduction numbers were calculated using data from the intrinsic growth rate of the confirmed COVID-19 cases. R0 was found to be 2.18. Three scenarios that varied by effective reproduction number were used to estimate the future course of the disease: a high value of R = 1.98, a middle value of R = 1.62, and a low value of R = 1.2. The maximum number of beds required in general hospitals in each scenario were estimated at 141 184, 85 341, and 16 412, respectively. For intensive care units, the estimated numbers of beds required were 16 461, 9 645, and 1788. Maximum deaths also varied and were estimated to be 29 202, 23 973, and 11 565. For the maximum value of R, it is estimated to peak on August 27, 2020. For the middle value of R, it is estimated to peak on September 20, 2020. For the minimum value of R, it is estimated to peak on December 21, 2020.
MMP1 and MMP11 expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells upon their interaction with Breast Cancer Cells and Fibroblasts
Authors: Eiro Noemi , Cid Sandra , Aguado Nuria , Fraile María , Cabrera Jorge Rubén , Fernández Berta , Domínguez Francisco , González Luis O , Vizoso Francisco J 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Tumor-infiltrating immune cells phenotype is associated with tumor progression. However, little is known about the phenotype of the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) from breast cancer patients. Here, we investigated the expression of MMP1 and MMP11 in PBMC from breast cancer patients and we analyzed gene expression changes upon their interaction with cancer cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAF). Finally, we measured the impact of PBMC in proinflammatory genes expression in normal fibroblast and CAF.Results: Gene expression of MMP1 and MMP11 in PBMC from breast cancer patients (n=54) and control (n=28), and expression of IL1A, IL6, IL17, IFNβ and NFB in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), CAF and in Normal Fibroblasts (NF) were analyzed by qRT-PCR before and after co-culture. Our results show the existence of a group of breast cancer patients (25.9%) with very high levels of MMP11 gene expression in PBMC. Also, we present evidence of increased gene expression of MMP1 and MMP11 in PBMC after co-culture with breast cancer cell lines, NF or CAF. Finally, we show a differential expression profile of inflammatory genes in NF and CAF when co-cultured with control or breast cancer PBMC.Conclusions: We have observed that MMPs expression in PBMC is regulated by the microenvironment, while the expression of inflammatory genes in NF or CAF is differentially regulated by control or breast cancer PBMC. These findings confirm the importance of the interaction and communication between stromal cells and suggest that PBMC would play a role to promote an aggressive tumor behavior.
Developing a framework for water right allocation in inter-basin water transfer systems under uncertainty: The Solakan–Rafsanjan water transfer experience
Authors: Sahebzadeh Ali , Kerachian Reza , Mohabbat Hamidreza , Ashrafi Saeed 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this article, a methodology is presented for water allocation to demands in new inter-basin water transfer projects. In this methodology, by proposing some criteria such as universality, equity, enforceability, adaptivity, and exclusivity, a new scheme is developed in order to determine the share of water users. For taking the available water uncertainty into account, the concept of conditional value at risk (CVaR) is used, in which the goal is to minimize an indicator of loss in low flow conditions. Also, in order to estimate the relative weights of criteria, a novel method is introduced. This method is founded on two essential information aggregation operators, namely, hybrid weighted averaging (HWA) and ordered weighted averaging (OWA). The significant property of this method is that the weighting process is done by considering the relative weights of experts and the viewpoint of the analyzer jointly. The results of the CVaR-based model are compared with those obtained from a long-term water allocation optimization model with monthly time steps. The performance of the proposed methodology is evaluated using available data from the Solakan–Rafsanjan water transfer project.
Ultrasound–acid modified Merremia vitifolia biomass for the biosorption of herbicide 2,4-D from aqueous solution
Authors: Aswani Meethale Theruvinthalakkal , Yadav Manoj , Vinod Kumar Amgoth , Tiwari Shashank , Kumar Tarun , Pavan Kumar Malladi Venkata 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this work, a biosorbent was prepared by the ultrasound–acid treatment of Merremia vitifolia plant and tested for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a phenoxy herbicide. Optimal values of five batch biosorption parameters namely stirring speed, contact time, biosorbent dosage, initial pH and initial adsorbate concentration were experimentally obtained in sequential manner for an enhanced biosorption capacity. The kinetics of the biosorption of 2,4-D were best described by the pseudo first order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99) and the biosorption equilibrium data was successfully fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R2 = 0.99) with a maximum biosorption capacity of 66.93 mg g−1. The mechanism of biosorption was investigated using two intraparticle diffusion models (Weber and Boyd), Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm model and electrostatic interactions. The presence of intraparticle and film diffusion limitations for the biosorption was confirmed along with the physical and chemical nature of the biosorption. The thermodynamic parameters of the biosorption were calculated using the equilibrium data obtained at four different temperatures. The entropy change for biosorption was found to be negative indicating the decreased randomness at the interface. Desorption studies were carried out using different solvents and the percentages of desorption were compared.
Oxidative degradation of Orange G in aqueous solution by persulfate activated with pyrite
Authors: Zhang Xin , Qin Yingzhi , Zhang Weiting , Zhang Yali , Yuan Guang-En 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Orange G (OG), a typical azo dye in textile wastewaters, has been the subject of intense investigations. This study investigated oxidative degradation of OG in aqueous solution by persulfate (PS) activated with pyrite. A complete destruction of OG was achieved within 60 min in the pyrite/PS system. Lower solution pH, smaller pyrite particles and higher pyrite dosage was beneficial for OG degradation. Higher PS concentration was also in favour of OG degradation, but excess PS would decrease the removal efficiency of OG. The addition of HCO3− and H2PO4− but Cl− had inhibitory effects on the destruction of OG. The results of quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance tests proved that SO4•− and •OH were the dominant reactive species responsible for OG degradation in the pyrite/PS system. The azo bond, naphthalene ring and benzene ring of OG were all destroyed by the generated reactive species. The mineralization rate of OG reached 34.4% after 60 min of reaction. This work will provide information for understanding azo dye degradation by pyrite activated PS.
Germacrone: A Potent Secondary Metabolite with Therapeutic Potential in Metabolic Diseases, Cancer and Viral Infections
Authors: Riaz Ammara , Rasul Azhar , Kanwal Nazia , Hussain Ghulam , Shah Muhammad Ajmal , Sarfraz Iqra , Ishfaq Rubab , Batool Rabia , Rukhsar Fariha , Adem Şevki 
Published: July 2020

:
Natural products, an infinite reserve of bioactive molecules, will continue to serve humans as an important
source of therapeutic agents. Germacrone is a bioactive natural compound found in the traditional medicinal plants of
family Zingiberaceae. This multifaceted chemical entity has become a point of focus during recent years due to its
numerous pharmacological applications, e.g., anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-adipogenic,
anti-androgenic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and neuroprotective. Germacrone is an effective inducer of cell cycle
arrest and apoptosis in various cancers (breast, brain, liver, skin, prostate, gastric, and esophageal) via modulation of
different cell signaling molecules and pathways involved in cancer proliferation. This is the first report highlighting
the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities exhibited by germacrone. The reported data collected from various
shreds of evidences recommend that this multifaceted compound could serve as a potential drug candidate in the near
future.
Chewable Tablets of Acacia catechu Extract, an Alternative to Betel (Paan) for Mouth Ulcers: Formulation and In vitro Evaluation
Authors: Bhardwaj Pooja , Shailendra Kodati , Sharma Deep Shikha , Sharma Amit , Kulkarni Mangesh Pradeep , Singh Sachin Kumar , Singh Vrinder Pal , Singh Gurvinder , Kumar Pardeep , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: July 2020

Objective:
The objective of the current research work was to prepare chewable tablets having
Acacia catechu extract useful for mouth ulcers using a 32 factorial design.

Methods:
Acacia catechu heartwood extract was prepared using a reported method with some modifications.
The extract was characterized using TLC against the catechin marker. Then, drug-excipient interaction
studies were carried out. The mixture of drug and excipients was evaluated for pre-compression
parameters. With the application of 32 factorial design, chewable tablets were prepared using direct
compression technique. Prepared tablets were evaluated for post-compression parameters.

Results:
In vitrodrug release study of the developed formulations was investigated both in intact and crushed form of tablets. Based on in vitroperformance, the best formulations were selected (F6, F7 & F8 from intact and F1, F5 & F9 from the crushed group) and subjected to various kinetic models and evaluated for chewing difficulty index (CDI).

Conclusion:
The overall results revealed that the formulated chewable tablets complied with the standards and exhibited a satisfactory performance in terms of drug release, chewing difficulty index and other related parameters.
Natural Fibre Based Biopolymer Formulations with Potential Applications in Biomedical and Packaging Sector
Authors: Fortunati Elena , Verma Deepak , Luzi Francesca , Torre Luigi 
Published: July 2020

:
Considering the global environmental issues, various factors such as industrial ecology,
eco-efficiency, and chemical engineering are being combined to develop advanced material known as
bio-based or natural polymer-based materials. The environment and the cost-effective factors are
now propelling the inclination in the direction of greater utilization of bio-based polymers and materials.
Biobased materials are generally used to make industrial products and reliable goods. They are
composed of a natural polymer, reinforced with agricultural waste, natural fibres and carbohydrates
like starch, lignin, and cellulose. In this paper, we have discussed the introductory part of the biopolymers,
e.g., cellulose, chitin, chitosan, PLA, and soy protein. Also, the mechanical properties of
composites developed by using these biopolymers and their applications, specifically in the areas of
biomedical and packaging sectors, have been discussed.
Enfrentamentos em torno de gênero: resistências em defesa da diversidade nas escolas
Authors: Jesus Fátima Weiss de , Pantoja Ramily Frota 
Published: July 2020

O artigo apresenta e discute, a partir de Manaus, o engajamento de pessoas ativistas/militantes LGBT e professoras/es antropólogas/es e de outras áreas interessadas/es no campo de gênero na reação à retirada de gênero nos textos dos planos municipal e estadual de educação e na criação de um grupo/movimento para contestar a Lei Municipal nº 439/2017: o Educação pela Diversidade no Amazonas (Ediversa). Da mesma forma, procuramos compreender como categorias de entendimento são apropriadas, acionadas e reconstituídas no campo político e como acontece o enfrentamento das posições de tal campo a partir de teorias de gênero e sexualidade e suas apropriações em torno dos direitos humanos em gênero e sexualidade, ou seja, resistências.
O DESENHO DA PERFORMANCE NO CONTEXTO DA 14ª EDIÇÃO DA QUADRIENAL DE PRAGA: TEATRALIDADE TESTEMUNHAL EM THIS BUILDING TALKS TRULY
Authors: Pereira Dalmir Rogério 
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo aborda o desenho da performance a partir do estudo de caso do projeto expositivo This Building Talks Truly proposto pela República da Macedônia do Norte e premiado com a Triga de Ouro de melhor projeto na Mostra de Países e Regiões da 14ª edição da Quadrienal de Praga de Desenho da Performance e Espaço. O estudo propõe a problematização da “qualidade pública da obra” (Cornago, 2019) concebida sob a forma de situação e/ou dispositivo na qual será analisada as estratégias de ativação do espaço através da performance. Especificamente na condição de atividade e gesto simbólico inseridos na esfera social comunitária e seu deslocamento para o espaço expositivo. Para a análise será utilizado o conceito de teatralidade como operador de leitura a partir noção de “teatralidade testemunhal” (Diegues, 2016) definida pela autora como estratégia capaz de tornar visíveis e advertir processos de deterioração e aniquilação de comunidades na relação sujeito e espaço. Neste sentido, a teatralidade atua como dispositivo expandido capaz de incidir na disposição de comportamentos e acontecimentos localizados no contexto das práticas cênicas como discurso social e intervenção cultural. Condição que autoriza o deslocamento teórico e prático da perspectiva do desenho da cena enquanto mirada para as produções das supostas estéticas cotidianas, para além do teatro e das artes. O Projeto Expositivo atua como um mosaico de sobreposições e deslocamentos de linguagens e situações tendo como centro gravitacional o acontecimento síntese um programa relacional comunitário de longo prazo, desenvolvido no Edifício Ferroviário ocupado. Neste sentido, pressupõe-se que independente da realidade cultural, econômica e geográfica a teatralidade testemunhal enquanto dispositivo, atua como mecanismo gerador de espaços liminares capazes de suspender, transitar e reorganizar linguagens e realidades em modelos experimentais de antiestruturas (Turner, 2013). Palavras-chavesDesenho da Performance. Estética Relacional. Teatralidade Testemunhal. This Building Talks Truly.
Quando a semiótica se tornou uma teoria da comunicação?
Authors: Martino Luis Mauro Sá 
Published: July 2020

O objetivo deste texto é compreender como uma perspectiva originária da Linguística e/ou da Filosofia se tornou uma referência teórica para a Comunicação. Este artigo destaca alguns momentos dessa aproximação, examinando, a partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, a presença da Semiótica em 26 livros-textos de Teoria da Comunicação publicados entre 1969 e 2018. A análise das evidências sugere que: (1) não há consenso sobre sua pertinência: 14 dos livros analisados não a incluem entre as teorias da comunicação, e apenas três detalham o tema; (2) embora presente na área desde a década de 1960, o tema ganha espaço como “teoria da comunicação” nos anos 1990; (3) não há quase distinção entre abordagens semióticas, apresentadas como teoria dos signos e geralmente associada à Linguística e à Teoria da Informação. Estes resultados são discutidos no contexto da atual pesquisa de epistemologia da Comunicação.
Determinación de nitrógeno foliar en palma de aceite con espectroscopía en el infrarrojo medio (mir) y cercano (nir) por el método de regresión de mínimos cuadrados parciales de componentes principales (pls).
Authors: Crespo Gonzalez Jhoan Jose , Ruiz Villadiego Orlando Simon , Ospino Villalba Karen Stefanie 
Published: July 2020

Contextualización: La determinación de nitrógeno foliar es utilizada como uno de los índices que mide la necesidad nutricional de la planta en los cultivos de palma de aceite. También fue de igual importancia en esta investigación es enfocarse a una tendencia en general de los laboratorios llamada química verde, la cual se centra en minimizar la utilización de reactivos químicos en los diferentes análisis de laboratorio.
Vacío de conocimiento: usando espectroscopía de infrarrojo medio y cercano (MIR y NIR) se pretendió minimizar en gran parte la generación de contaminantes producidos por el método de Kjeldahl, además de reducir los tiempos de análisis.
Objetivos: determinar la cantidad de nitrógeno foliar mediante la construcción modelos predictivos a partir de los espectros de infrarrojo medio y cercano para la determinación de nitrógeno foliar usando como método de referencia Kjeldahl.
Metodología: En el desarrollo del experimento se analizaron 198 muestras foliares de palma y se tomaron sus respectivos espectros infrarrojos MIR y NIR. Cada uno de los espectros fue pretratado por diferentes métodos matemáticos para corregir efectos de dispersión de la radiación. En total se realizaron 8 pretratamientos a cada uno de los espectros incluyendo los espectros crudos. Estos fueron tomados para elegir el mejor modelo de predicción tanto para los espectros NIR como para los espectros MIR.
Resultados y conclusiones: Utilizando el pretratamiento de SNV en el modelo se obtuvo un RMSE de 0.265 y un R2 de 0.51 para el infrarrojo cercano y para el infrarrojo medio, el modelo formado con la absorbancia de los espectros sin pretratar arrojó valores de RMSE de 0.245 y un R2 de 0.46. aunque puede utilizarse de una forma general como modelo de predicción, se puede observar puntos anómalos que amplían el error y disminuyen el R2, a partir de estos datos se puede evidenciar la necesidad de clasificar de una mejor forma los grupos de muestras foliares y si es necesario realizar modelos de predicción para cada uno de los grupos.
Impact of Socio – Economic Status in Language Development of Children in Primary Schools in Mitrovica
Authors: Baruti M. , Baruti Sh. , Baruti S. 
Published: July 2020

The focus of this research is to understand the impact that socio-economic status has on the linguistic development of children in primary schools in Mitrovica. The research focused on four schools in Mitrovica , primary school "Musa Hoti", P.S. "Andon Zako Çajupi", P.S."Jusuf Rexha", P.S. "Fazli Greiçevci", for pupils from 1st to 5th grade.
The selection of schools was done in a planned manner. The sample selected for this research is 100 pupils of these four systematically selected schools. In addition to the students, the research also includes 25 randomly selected parents.
The instrument used for the study is a questionnaire that contains questions about children's language development and questions about socio-economic status. The questions are scaled-down type with the scale, ordinal and nominal scale. The data were analyzed by the Statistical Packet of Social Sciences - SPSS 21, for which some analyzes were used: frequency analysis, regression analysis and reliability analysis.In this paper it was assumed that the high socio-economic status positively influences the linguistic development of children in elementary schools. Thus, based on the findings of the research according to the frequency analysis and regression analysis, this hypothesis is proved.
Determinants of Credit Risk in the Banking Sector of Ghana: A Panel Co-integration Approach
Authors: Appiah Thomas , Bisiw Frank 
Published: July 2020

The economic development of any nation hinges on the health of its financial system. In recent years, the health of the Ghanaian Banking sector has been affected severely as a result of high levels of non-performing loans (NPLs), which has been identified as a major threat to the overall profitability and survival of banks. To minimize the impact of NPLs on the financial sector, key stakeholders such as the government, bank officials and regulators are working hard in that regard. However, any policy response aimed at dealing with the high rate of non-performing loans first requires the understanding of the underlying determinants of NPLs. Against this backdrop, this paper apply panel co-integration techniques to investigate the determinants of credit risk (NPLs) in the banking sector of Ghana. We use NPL as a proxy to measure credit risk and assess how it is influenced by macroeconomic and bank-specific factors. A balanced panel data of 16 universal banks in Ghana from 2010 to 2016 has been analyzed using Panel co-integration techniques such as Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS). Our result shows that growth in the economy, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has significant influence on the NPLs of banks in the long-run. The results further revealed that capital adequacy, profitability and liquidity of banks are significant predictors of NPLs. However, our results suggest that bank size, inflation and interest rate have statistically insignificant influence on the NPLs of Ghanaian banks. The study recommend, among others, that whereas it is important for government and policymakers to work to improve macroeconomic outcomes, banks should also improve their capital adequacy, profitability, and efficiency position as these bank-specific interventions could significantly improve credit quality and minimize NPLs.