bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinicoepidemiological profile of COVID-19 in elderly patients of South-Eastern Rajasthan
Authors: Sharda Meenaxi , Jain Prateek , Shyoran Sachin , Goyal Bhimsain 
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives:
COVID-19 pandemic took a significant toll on all, especially elderly individuals, who seem to have a higher risk for severe disease and mortality. We aim to study the clinicoepidemiological profile of COVID-19 in elderly patients of South-Eastern Rajasthan and to assess its severity and outcome.

Methods:
A retrospective analysis of 200 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 patients aged ≥60 years admitted between May and October 2020 in the dedicated COVID hospital of a tertiary care center of South-Eastern Rajasthan was done.

Results:
The median age of patients was 66 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 63–72 years). Twenty-five percent, 26.5%, and 48.5% cases fell under mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively, with 52 nonsurvivors. The mean age of severe (68.78 ± 7.20 years) cases was significantly more than that of mild ones (65.96 ± 5.29 years, P = 0.048). Males (70.5%) and urban population (90%) were more affected than females (29.5%) and the rural ones (10%). 67.5% patients had comorbidities. The presence of multiple comorbidities was significantly associated with increased severity (P = 0.03). The median duration of symptoms was 4 days (IQR: 3–7 days). 19% presented asymptomatically. Complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (47%), renal impairment (31%), hepatic dysfunction (30%), myocardial injury (30%), shock (10.5%), stroke (2%), encephalopathy (2%), acute STEMI (1.5%), deep vein thrombosis (1%), and heart failure (1%). The presence of dyspnea (P = 0.000), desaturation (P = 0.000), leukocytosis (P = 0.000), neutrophilia (P = 0.000), lymphopenia (P = 0.000), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.000), hyperglycemia (P = 0.015), renal impairment (P = 0.024), elevated creatine kinase-MB (P = 0.020), raised transaminases (P = 0.002), hypoproteinemia (P = 0.003), hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.000), A:G ratio reversal (P = 0.000), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.000), and higher computed tomography severity score (P = 0.000), all were associated with both increased severity and mortality. Need of vasopressor support was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.022).

Conclusion:
Increasing age, multiple comorbidities, severe category, and complications are associated with poor prognosis in elderly patients.
Comparative Analysis of Expression of Lupus Erythematosus in Geriatrics versus Adults
Authors: Gupta Neha , Paliwal Vijay , Bhargava Puneet , Mathur Deepak Kumar 
Published: August 2021

Objective:
Comparative analysis of expression of lupus erythematosus (LE) in geriatrics versus adults.

Materials and Methods:
We analyzed and compare the patient's records attending our department between June 2017 and June 2019, diagnosed clinically and immunologically as LE between the two groups.

Results:
Sixty patients, 30 in each group, met ACRA criteria, were enrolled with mean age of presentation for early-onset was 28 ± 9.8 years and late-onset, 59 ± 4.8 years. Most of the patients were females with decrease in sex ratio with age. The most common presentations were malar rash, photosensitivity, and oral ulcers. Joint complaints, lung and cardiac involvement, and nonscarring alopecia were more common in the elderly. Direct Coombs test positive hemolytic anemia, renal involvement in forms of proteinuria and lupus nephritis, and neurological involvement were seen more commonly in adults. In immunological parameters, antinuclear antibody, anti-double standard DNA antibody (AntiDsDNA), and anti-smith antibody testing were done. AntiDsDNA positivity was more in adults correlate with disease severity. We calculate the systemic LE disease activity index 2000 score was higher in the adult population.

Conclusion:
Our study illustrated that disease activity and damage are more in adults in comparison to geriatrics. However, geriatrics had more organ damage that may be attributable to associated comorbidities. Although the connective tissue diseases in the elderly needs less aggressive management, it requires more attention for possible organ damage due to associated comorbidities.
Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Disability among Elderly Rural Population in a Community Development Block of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal
Authors: Saha Chandradip , Thakur Rupali P. , Das Sulagna , Das Dilip K. 
Published: August 2021

Introduction:
With demographic transition and increase in life expectancy elderly population has increased substantially in recent years. Rapid growth in the elderly population resulted in high magnitude of noncommunicable diseases leading to physical disability, dependency on caregivers and poor quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical disability among elderly rural population in a community development block.

Subjects and Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman district from November 2020 to January 2021 among 350 elderly participants ≥60 years selected by multistage random sampling. With prior informed consent, data were collected using semi-structured pre-designed, pretested schedule and 10-item Barthel index. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was done to find out the correlates.

Results:
The prevalence of physical disability among elderly was 28.9% and proportion was more in ≥70 years age group, 62.6% of the subjects suffered from one or more chronic diseases. In bivariate analysis age (odds ratio [OR] = 5.36), caste (OR = 2.27), education (OR = 4.57), current employment status (OR = 0.13), type of family (OR = 2.15), socioeconomic status (OR = 4.04) and presence of any chronic diseases (OR = 1.86) was significantly associated with physical disability. Multivariable analysis revealed age (adjusted OR [AOR] = 2.96 [1.54–5.68]), education (AOR = 2.98 [1.60–5.54]) and current employment status (AOR = 0.23 [0.09–0.58]) as significant predictors.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of physical disability among elderly is substantially high in the study area. Effective promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative geriatric health care services need to be strengthened for early diagnosis and treatment of health problems in the elderly.
Traditional Homemade Probiotic Drink “Kanji” Versus Marketed Probiotic Drink
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Arora Malika , Maithani Mukesh , Kumari Moni , Bansal Parveen 
Published: August 2021

Background:
The traditional homemade Kanji (commonly known as Kanjika) is an Indian fermented drink, which is prepared from black carrots and has indigenous probiotic species. It is being used since long back due to its high nutritional/therapeutic value and availability of anthocyanin pigment. However, the use of traditional food drinks is decreasing and these are being replaced by marketed probiotic drinks. At present, probiotics are regulated as per their intended use, and there are certain confusions and challenges in regulatory guidelines. Hence, ensuring safe, swift, and successful usage of probiotics is the urgent need of the hour.

Aims and objective:
The present study was aimed to investigate homemade Kanji and a marketed formulation for its analytical/ biological studies in order to compare their therapeutic potency.

Materials and Methods:
A marketed probiotic drink was procured from the local market and Kanji was prepared at home using a traditional method.

Results:
The preliminary evaluation of kanji over marketed probiotic drink has shown that the homemade drink Kanji is having better probiotic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial profile in comparison to the marketed products.

Conclusion:
The results concluded that the traditional homemade drinks are more effective and safe beverages even as per today's lifestyle.
Multiple Discrete Typing Units of Trypanosoma cruzi Infect Sylvatic Triatoma dimidiata and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus in Southeast Mexico
Authors: Joselín Díaz-Valdez , Ignacio Martínez , Ángel Rodríguez-Moreno , Gabriel Gutiérrez-Granados , Rodrigo Isaias León-Villegas , Víctor Sánchez-Cordero , Jorge Fraga-Nodarse , Jose Ángeles-Chimal , Bertha Espinoza 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT.
Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. According to its genetic characteristics, this parasite is divided into six groups (TcI–TcVI) called discrete typing units (DTUs). Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted to humans by insects of the Triatominae family. In Mexico, despite having a great variety of triatomine species, little is known about vector sylvatic populations and the DTUs associated with them. In this work, molecular markers such as minicircle, miniexon, 18S, and 24S ribosomal genes and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the hsp70 gene were used to determine the DTUs present in vectors from rural communities and sylvatic areas inside the Biosphere Reserve Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, in southeast Mexico. One hundred triatomines were collected and two species were identified: Triatoma dimidiata and Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus. The infection with T. cruzi was determined in 29% of analyzed vectors from the domestic area and TcI was the predominant DTU. Furthermore, 71% of vectors from the sylvatic environment were infected and TcI, TcII, TcIV, and TcVI were identified. One female and one male of P. rufotuberculatus were infected only with TcI. This is the first report of TcVI in T. dimidiata from the sylvatic area in México and the first report of P. rufotuberculatus infected with T. cruzi in Mexico.
Strengthening the Mentorship and Leadership Capacity of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Researchers in South Africa
Authors: Desai Mayur M. , Göç Nükte , Chirwa Tobias , Manderson Lenore , Charalambous Salome , Curry Leslie A. , Linnander Erika 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT.
Programs to increase emerging and established HIV and tuberculosis (TB) researchers’ capacity to be more effective leaders and mentors are urgently needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although conceptual frameworks of mentoring and mentoring toolkits have been developed by and for researchers in LMIC settings, few mentor training programs have been implemented and evaluated in these settings. We created, implemented, and evaluated a 9-month, certificate-level mentorship training program to strengthen the pipeline of HIV and TB researchers in South Africa. Differentiating features of the program included careful contextualization of mentorship tools and approaches, inclusion of a leadership curriculum to improve participant ability to work effectively in teams and organizations, and attention to processes that promote interinstitutional collaboration in mentorship. Twelve mid-career researchers graduated from the first cohort of the program. Among participants, we observed significant longitudinal improvement in mentorship competencies, increased numbers of network connections in multiple domains of collaboration, and high levels of satisfaction. We anticipate that the program description and results will be useful to researchers, research institutions, and funders seeking to build research mentorship and leadership capacity in LMIC settings.
Quantitative Geomorphological Parameters Analysis for the Aynalem- Illala Streams, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Woldemariyam Tesema Fethangest , Hailu Kahsay Gebrerufael , Abadi Berhe Berihu 
Published: August 2021

Morphometric analysis is the measurement and mathematical analysis of the configuration of the surface, shape, and dimension of landforms. The objective of this study is to characterize the Aynalem and Illala streams using the morphometric parameter. The topographic map at a scale of 1:50,000 taken from the Ethiopian National Mapping Agency was used to characterize the linear and areal aspects. ASTER Digital Elevation Model with 10m resolution was used to characterize the relief aspect. The Arc GIS 10.4.1 was used during the morphometric analysis. The analysis result of the streams is summarized based on the linear, areal, and relief aspects. The area is characterized by a dendritic drainage pattern which is characteristics of massive hard rock terrain. The Aynalem and Illala streams are 4th and 5th order streams. Considering the number of streams in the Aynalem (75.81%) and Illala (74.66%) is composed of first-order streams that indicate a flashy flood and the mean bifurcation value of Aynalem (6.8) and Illala (4.7) shows that the Aynalem area is more structurally affected than Illala but both show less stream integration. The analysis of areal aspects such as elongation ratio, circularity ratio, and form factor has indicated that both streams are characterized as elongated streams, this implies that both streams are flowing in heterogeneous rock material, presences of structural effect, and slow runoff discharge. The other areal aspect such as drainage density, stream frequency, infiltration number, and length of overland flow all show smaller values in both streams. This implies that the streams are characterized by a relatively permeable rock material with a higher infiltration capacity. The relief aspect of the Aynalem and Illala was also analyzed using basin relief, relief ratio, ruggedness number, hypsometric curves, and Hypsometric integral. The streams are characterized by a lower relief ratio and ruggedness number which implies a relatively flat slope and lower relief. The hypsometric curves and the Hypsometric Integral of the streams indicate that the Aynalem and Illala are at the maturity stage. This shows the area is characterized by higher erosion but less affected by recent structures. Based on the morphometric parameter analysis result it is possible to conclude that the stream development is dependent on the topography and geology of the study area and both streams show similar morphometric character.
Apresentação do Dossiê
Authors: Salles Ferro Flavia , Da Silva Teixeira Wagner 
Published: August 2021

Apresentação do dossiê temático “ Sociedades em tempos de crise: os séculos XX e XXI em perspectiva", organizado pelo Professor Dr. Wagner da Silva Teixeira (Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro) e pela Professora Dra. Flávia Salles Ferro (Secretaria Municipal de Educação - Campestre/MG).
INFLUENCE OF CUSTOMER FOCUS ON COMPETITIVENESS OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA
Authors: Muiruri Edward Maina , Ngugi Dr. Patrick Karanja , Kihara Dr. Allan 
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Manufacturing firms are critical to the economic growth and development through provision of products and employment. Their competitiveness is therefore critical. The firms have been facing steep competition from foreign companies due to increased globalization. Strategic drivers have been found to be key enablers of firm competitiveness and performance. It is on this basis that the study sought to establish the influence customer focus on the competitiveness of food and beverage processing companies in Kenya.
Methodology: The study was informed by commitment trust theory. Empirical studies were reviewed to provide the basis for research gaps to be filled by the current study. Descriptive research design was employed while the target population was the 187 food and beverage processing firms in Kenya. A census was used where all the 187 companies were contacted. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain the primary data which was analyzed through mixed method analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. Inferential statistics were used to analyze the relationship between variables through the regression model. The findings were presented in form of tables, pie-charts and bar-graphs.
Findings: It was established that customer focus was upheld in most of the surveyed food and beverage processing companies where after sale services, customer engagement and customer contacting were the main platforms applied. It was concluded that while most of the food and beverage processing firms recognized key strategic drivers (customer focus) as a major aspects of competitiveness, most of the firms did not practically embrace the drivers which could explain their continued lack of competitiveness.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that for the food and beverage processing companies to take their place in the local and global market, the management should embrace and keenly focus on customer focus.
Pedagogical features of creating collaborative projects in training philological disciplines
Authors: Aripova Malika 
Published: August 2021

The article examines the pedagogical features of creating a collaborative project in the educational process of the university in the course of organizing and conducting a seminar with bachelor students in the discipline "History of Russian Literature". Features of the module “Artistic features of the novel in verse“ Eugene Onegin ”A.S. Pushkin ". Methodical recommendations for conducting classes in pedagogical universities. Creation of collaborative design and collaborative environment in conducting classes.
KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE ABOUT ADMINISTRATION OF HIGH ALERT MEDICATION IN THE TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN LAHORE
Authors: Younis Ishrat , Shaheen Nabeela , Bano Sumaira 
Published: August 2021

Purpose: High alert medications are enlightened as those medicines that bear the maximum threat of causing major patient harm when administered incorrectly. Nurses are accountable for the administration of high alert medication; inappropriate administration can show a substantial clinical result and at times can be deadly for the patients. High Alert Medication is commonly used in the emergency room, intensive care unit, pediatric ward and medical ward. Because high alert medication is used in emergency situations, they bear a heightened risk of causing patient harm when used incorrectly. Some high alert medication has a narrow therapeutic index e.g., warfarin, when used improperly, rapidly causes the undesirable side effect of bleeding. Further, well-known chemotherapeutic agents, such as vincristine, require special handling, and should be administered according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Current investigation targeted to evaluate the level of knowledge of high alert medication among nurses in tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to explore the level of knowledge and regulations of high alert medication and obstacles faced by nurses during the administration of high alert medication in tertiary care hospital. The instrument used for the data collection was adopted questioner and convenient sampling technique was used.
Results: Outcome of current study deliver confirmation that nurses have deficient knowledge of high alert medication and its administration and regulation. Deficiency of knowledge was the significant obstacles that nurses faced during administration of high alert medication. Participants reported that conflicting views between nurses and doctors, were the most commonly encountered obstacles during administration of high alert medication these contribute to the possibility of Medicine Errors.
Novel formulation, cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and anti-human lung cancer properties of gold nanoparticles containing Verbascum thapsus L. leaf aqueous extract
Authors: Lu Kaijin , Ou Yan , Jiang Lihao , Xiao Yijia , Chinnathambi Arunachalam , Alahmadi Tahani Awad , Wainwright Milton 
Published: August 2021

IntroductionIn the present study, gold nanoparticles were prepared and synthesized in aqueous medium using V. thapsus leaf extract. We assessed the anti-human lung cancers potentials of these nanoparticles against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines.Material and methodsAuNPs were characterized and analyzed by common nanotechnology techniques including FT-IR and UV-Vis. Spectroscopy, Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. For determining of anti-human lung cancer properties of HAuCl4, V. thapsus, and AuNPs, MTT assay was used on normal (HUVECs), well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma (HLC-1), moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung (LC-2/ad), and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung (PC-14) cell lines.ResultsIn the FT-IR test, the presence of many antioxidant compounds with related bonds caused the excellent condition for reducing of gold in the gold nanoparticles. In UV-Vis, the clear peak in the wavelength of 548 nm indicated the formation of gold nanoparticles. AuNPs had excellent anti-human lung cancer effects dose-dependently against HLC-1, LC-2/ad, and PC-14 cell lines. The best result of anti-human lung cancer activities of AuNPs against above cell lines was observed in the case of the PC-14 cell line.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the synthesized AuNPs showed significant anti-human lung cancer properties against well-differentiated bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung cell lines in a dose depended on manner.
Trust and Accountability in a Business Consortium: a case of coopetition
Authors: Do Nascimento Eder Bruno Cavalcanti , Outtes Wanderley Lilian Soares , Pires Duarte Raabe 
Published: August 2021

This study in a business consortium at SERVTEC - PE, in Recife/Brazil, aimed at analyzing various aspects of trust in a coopetitive environment. This is a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, including semi-structured interviews with the five companies directors who have decided for the formation of the consortium. Combining the literature of coopetition and trust, the research had as main objective, to better understand relations of trust in a business consortium, considering that participants cooperate and compete in the same industry. The results showed that trust is essential in a business consortium relationship and it strongly contributes to achieving good results in a project. It was evident that the duration of this relationship determined the confidence levels of the consortium and therefore ensured longevity of the consortium for other projects. The study identified key attributes of trust considered by consortium members as competence, trustworthiness and mutual respect. These three are the core attributes of trust at SERVTEC. Finally, it became clear that accountability in a business consortium and clear division of responsibilities, together with financial results of the project can contribute to the achievement of higher levels of inter-organizational trust.
Marketing Verde: Fatores da geração Z sobre questões ambientais
Authors: Pereira Glauber Ruan , Veiga Alípio Ramos , Oliveira Júnior Jonilson Carvalho de , Oliveira Heitor César 
Published: August 2021

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar os fatores determinantes do interesse em questões ambientais entre consumidores da geração “Z”. Estratégias de marketing ambiental têm sido aplicadas para promover vantagem competitiva em um mercado preocupado com questões ambientais. Conhecer como se comportam os consumidores que estarão em cena nas próximas décadas pode auxiliar empresas a antecipar-se, adequando-se às necessidades de um público favorável às questões ambientais. Este estudo adotou um instrumento com 67 variáveis selecionadas da literatura, onde se investigou 342 adolescentes selecionados por conveniência de acesso. Através da análise fatorial exploratória foram encontrados 10 fatores que determinam o comportamento desses indivíduos. Os resultados deste estudo indicam uma percepção ambiental singular no que concerne a responsabilidade ambiental da empresa como preponderante na decisão de compra. Sugere-se que possa haver continuidade da pesquisa para que seja desenvolvido um modelo teórico contribuindo para percepção do interesse em questões ambientais entre consumidores da geração “Z”.