bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Age in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Females to Monitor Changes in Transmission Potential
Authors: Gutiérrez Eileen H. Jeffrey , Riehle M. A. , Walker K. R. , Ernst K. C. , Davidowitz G.
Published: April 2022

Background: The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector of several viruses including dengue, chikungunya, zika, and yellow fever. Vector surveillance and control are the primary methods used for the control and prevention of disease transmission, however, these activities rely on measures of population abundance in surveillance programs as a trigger for initiating control activities. At the northern edge of Ae. aegypti’s geographic range, survival, rather than abundance, seems to be the factor limiting disease transmission. In this study, we sought to test the utility of using body size as an entomological index to surveil changes in the age structure of field collected, female Aedes aegypti. Methods: We collected female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes using BG sentinel traps in three cities at the northern edge of their geographic range. Collections took place during their active season over the course of three years. Female wing size was measured as an estimate of body size and reproductive status was characterized by examining ovary tracheation. Chronological age was determined by measuring transcript abundance of an age-dependent gene. These data were then tested with female abundance at each site and weather data from the estimated larval development period and adulthood (one week prior to capture). Two sources of weather data were tested to see which was more appropriate for evaluating impacts on mosquito physiology. All variables were then used to test models for predicting age via structural equation modeling. Results: In comparing city-specific NOAA weather data and site-specific data from HOBO remote temperature and humidity loggers, we found that HOBO data was more tightly associated with body size. We found that body size itself was not associated with age. Of all the variables measured, we found that temperature during development, body size, and relative humidity in the one week prior to capture produced the strongest model for predicting age. The strength of models improved drastically when testing one city at a time, with Hermosillo (the only study city with seasonal dengue transmission) having the strongest model for predicting age. Despite our finding that there was a bias in the body size of mosquitoes collected alive from the BG sentinel traps that favored large females, there was sufficient variation in body size to significantly improve the predictive capacity of our models. Conclusions: Body size nearly doubled the strength of weather-based models for predicting variation in age. Importantly, we found that variation in age was greater within cities than between cities, meaning that age predictions must be made on a city by city basis. These results contribute to efforts to use weather forecasts to predict changes in the probability of disease transmission by mosquito vectors.
The Irrationality of Malay Proselytisation: The Failure of Education as a Tool for “Civilising” Native
Authors:   Faculty of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia, Ahmad Sharifah S.
Published: April 2022

Critiques of imperialism tend to focus on the motivations of empire-builders located at the metropolitan. However, seeing from the vantage of the women and men in the colonies, realities were often more tragic. The present article seeks to test a proposition pertaining to the irrationality of colonialism by examining the Anglican missionary work in education used as a tool for evangelising Malay society in Sarawak. The correspondence by the mission’s leader Bishop Francis Thomas McDougall (1817–1886) to the missionary societies in England, namely, the Borneo Church Mission and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, constitutes the main source-material informing the argument on the irrational motivation that drove the proselytising activity in the mid-19th century Sarawak. Utilising the concept “El Dorado”, it is argued that the subterranean facets of fantastical dream, ungrounded hope and fanatical imagination produced real-life disillusionment for the historical agents carrying out the dystopian programme of civilising Malay and other natives. It is found that the proselyting mission had failed to succeed because it was predicated on the intolerance of religious difference and the compulsion to subdue it. The article concludes by reiterating a perspective that considers irrational motive as a significant historical force.
Ibn Taymiyyah’s “Mardin Fatwa” and the Mongols: An Analysis
Authors:   School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Mohd Sharif Mohd Farid , Abdullah Mohd Firdaus ,   Research Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: April 2022

The so-called “Mardin Fatwa” is Ibn Taymiyyah’s (d. 728/1328) description of Mardin city’s status as an Islamic state and its Islamic population. Yahya Michot (b. 1952) and ‘Abd Allah Bayyah’s (b. 1935) modern day readings of this fatwa emphasise different attitudes towards Mongols: Michot emphasised the word yuqātal (should be fought) in his reading of the text while Bayyah emphasised the word yu’āmal (should be justly treated). This seemingly small difference has had a large impact on Muslims’ understanding of fatwa. For instance, these two readings might alter readers’ perceptions of fatwa as either a literal or metaphorical spiritual battle. This article is grounded in a multidisciplinary approach that combines the selection, translation and critical reading of the selected sources with historical research. The overall approach followed in this article is best described as inductive. This article analyses Michot and Bayyah’s readings through a close reading of the fatwa itself. It concludes by deducing that the Mardin Fatwa text really does represent Ibn Taymiyyah’s opinion and that Yahya Michot’s reading of the text is the correct one.
A Discourse on the Malay Cultural Identity Within the Malaysian Society
Authors:   Department of Management and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Perak, Malaysia, Khalid Ali Khalidah
Published: April 2022

The Malays are the main ethnic group of Malaysia, representing 50.4% of the total population and 63.1% of the population distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. They are among the identified bumiputera, together with the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia and indigenous groups in Sarawak and Sabah. This discourse study relates to the cultural identity of the Malays and investigates their ethics and values from social constructionist approaches. Cultural identity includes the cultural background, religion/spirituality and socialisation. This research concurs with other studies that the Malay culture was characterised by a mix of animism, Hinduism and Buddhism, although the Malays have been identified with Islam as their religion. There are still remnants of animistic and Hinduistic beliefs and practices in the Malay Muslim life, especially in the practice of adat. While adat is a cultural and legally-defined element of the Malays in identity, the foundation of Malay ethics and value system is budi-Islam, adab and akhlak.
Rethinking Visions of “Unity” and “Belonging”: Insights into Audience Responses Towards Popular Music of Malaysia’s Indigenous Ethnic Communities – A Case of Iban Pop Song
Authors:   Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia, Jerome Collin , Ting Su-Hie ,   Faculty of Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia, John Perry Esther ,   School of Foundation Studies, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia
Published: April 2022

This article presents the findings of a larger ongoing study that explores visions of “unity” and “belonging” among present-day Malaysians that are shaped by their engagements with popular music genres of the country’s indigenous ethnic communities. Through a critical theory-informed qualitative analysis of Malaysians’ views on the popular Iban song, “Biar Bekikis Bulu Betis”, the study described in this article examines the visions of unity and belonging that they conceived through various engagements with the song. The findings show that these visions were co-created in and through a dynamic interaction between the song and the audience. The former evoked a sense of solidarity and cohesion, and the latter conceived their visions of unity and belonging based on those feelings. However, the findings reveal that these visions did not coalesce with the “grand” or “official” narratives of unification and inclusion, given the audience’s strong sense of togetherness and attachment to their state of origin and community rather than to the country and the nation. Such findings are important as they provide insights into the potential role that popular music of Malaysia’s indigenous ethnic communities can play in the complex and never-ending process of achieving a national sense of unity, belonging and identity in Malaysia.
Organização-cidade e território: a territorialidade das pessoas em situação de rua a partir de suas práticas cotidianas
Authors: Costa Junior Valdir , Chagas Priscilla Borgonhoni , Oliveira Josiane Silva de
Published: April 2022

O objetivo deste artigo é compreender as práticas de territorialização das cidades pelas pessoas em situação de rua. Para tanto, compreendemos o espaço como anterior e parte indissociável do território, sendo este formado por relações sociais e de poder e que a organização-cidade é constituída por diferentes territórios, em que distintos grupos os vivenciam, apropriam e disputam. Sendo assim, partimos do pressuposto de que a apropriação e a vivência em um dado território, processo esse conhecido como territorialização, ocorre por meio de práticas estratégicas e táticas, num espaço organizacional complexo imbricado em símbolos e significados, neste estudo, a organização-cidade. Adotamos a etnografia como metodologia de pesquisa, consistindo das técnicas de diários de campo, entrevistas semiestruturadas e informais, observação participante e ativa. A pesquisa foi realizada num período de pouco mais de um ano, de abril de 2018 a maio de 2019, na cidade de Maringá, Paraná. O estudo revelou que as pessoas em situação de rua em Maringá passam por constantes desterritorializações e reterritorializações caracterizadas por incertezas e subversões, uma vez que a vivência no território “rua” é marcada por uma arte de viver própria, imbricada em diferentes tipos de práticas cotidianas.
Iron removal from groundwater using granular activated carbon filters by oxidation coupled with the adsorption process
Authors: Thinojah T. , Ketheesan B.
Published: April 2022

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is commonly used as an adsorbent for the removal of organic micropollutants. However, little is known about the inorganic pollutant removal using GAC. In this study, GAC was examined for the removal of iron from synthetic groundwater (SGW) using oxidation coupled with an adsorption mechanism. Batch experiments including kinetic and isotherm studies were carried out to find out the adsorption capacity of GAC. A column test was conducted at different phases to identify the influence of the initial concentration of iron, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and air supply to the system. It was observed that the experimental results for the kinetic experiment best fit the pseudo-first-order kinetics model with 88% maximum removal efficiency achieved in 240 min. A reduction in adsorption capacity was observed with the concomitant increase in the weight of GAC, whereas the maximum adsorption capacity of GAC was found to be 0.17mg Fe/g GAC. Column experiments confirmed that the effluent iron concentration reduced from 0.05 to 0.03mg/L when the iron concentration in the influent increased from 1 to 3mg/L. The reduction in HRT from 7 to 3.5h did not significantly affect the iron removal efficiency. The air supply to the system with the flow rate of 3.5L/min did not show any improvement in the iron removal efficiency due to the increased airflow rate. In all cases, the iron level in the effluent satisfied the drinking water quality standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) which affirms that GAC filters are more suitable for iron removal from groundwater.
Monthly precipitation prediction using neural network algorithms in the Thua Thien Hue Province
Authors: Giang Nguyen Hong , Wang YuRen , Hieu Tran Dinh , Phuong Le Anh , Thinh Nguyen Tien
Published: April 2022

The prediction of precipitation is of importance in the Thua Thien Hue Province, which is affected by climate change. Therefore, this paper suggests two models, namely, the Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model and the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model, to predict the precipitation in the province. The input data are collected for analysis at three meteorological stations for the period 1980–2018. The two models are compared in this study, and the results showed that the LSTM model was more accurate than the SARIMA model for Hue, Aluoi, and Namdong stations for forecasting precipitation. The best forecast model is for Hue station (= 0.94, = 0.94, = 8.15), the second-best forecast model is for Aluoi station ( = 0.89, = 0.89, = 12.72), and the lowest level forecast is for Namdong station ( = 0.89, = 0.89, = 12.81). The study result may also support stakeholderswho apply these models with future data to mitigate natural disasters in Thua Thien Hue.
Implication of bias correction on climate change impact projection of surface water resources in the Gidabo sub-basin, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Worako Adimasu Woldesenbet , Haile Alemseged Tamiru , Taye Meron Teferi
Published: April 2022

Climate change impact studies that evaluated the biases of climate models' simulations showed the presence of large systematic errors in their outputs. However, many studies continue to arbitrarily select bias correction methods for error reduction. This work evaluated the implications of bias correction methods on the projections of climate change impact on streamflow of the Gidabo sub-basin, Ethiopia. Climate outputs from four global climate model and regional climate model (GCM–RCM) combinations for the representative concentration pathway (RCP4.5) scenario were used. Five bias correction methods were used to reduce the systematic errors of the simulated rainfall data. The future changes in rainfall pattern, evapotranspiration, and streamflow were analyzed by using their relative percentage difference between the projected and the baseline period. The distribution mapping method provided better results in mean and extreme rainfall cases. This is also reflected in streamflow projections, as the daily interquartile range value indicates the lowest variability of the projected streamflow. The wet season streamflow will likely decrease in the future, whereas the short rainy season streamflow will increase. Our findings show that climate models and bias correction methods considerably limit the magnitude of future projections of streamflow. However, similar research should be conducted in other catchments to extend the conclusions of this study.
Assessment of the impacts of landscape patterns on water quality in Trondheim rivers and Fjord, Norway
Authors: Chang Tong , Nie Linmei , Killingtveit Ånund , Nøst Terje , Lu Jinmei
Published: April 2022

Due to the impacts of hydrological and ecological processes on water quality, discharges from upstream catchments have induced significant pollution to the recipients. This study aims to investigate the possible pollution sources from catchments with different types of land use and landscape patterns and develop the relationships between water quality and the catchment hydro-geological and environmental variables. Data from 10 monitoring sites in Trondheim formulated the basis of the case study. Thermotolerant coliform bacteria (TCB) and total phosphorus (TP) were applied as main indicators to represent the water quality in the recipient rivers, streams and in Trondheim Fjord. Based on the GIS-oriented spatial analysis, 15 hydro-geographical and landscape parameters were selected as explanatory variables. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were developed at catchment and river reach scales to study correlations between the explanatory variables and the response variables, TCB and TP, in rain and snow seasons. The study showed that the spatial landscape patterns resulted in differences in the concentrations of TCB and TP in the recipients. The agricultural land was shown to be the main pollution source, leading to a higher concentration of TP in streams. Buildings, roads, and other impervious areas have induced an increase in both TCB and TP. In contrast, the forest areas, lakes, river density and steep river slopes were shown to have capacity to filter incoming P-rich runoff, thus prevent pollutant conveyance and accumulation in recipients.
Nucleic Acid-conjugated Carbohydrate Nanobiosensors: A Multimodal Tool for
Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Kantak Maithili , Shende Pravin
Published: April 2022

Background:

Nucleic acid-based carbohydrate sensors (NAbCSs) constitute a strategy involving
nucleic acids as recognition elements for the development of a unique, stable, sensitive, mono- or multimodal
detection system in the field of nanomedicine, gas sensing, and gene therapy. Thus, this advanced platform for
next-generation investigation compromises cost-effective, wearable, and noninvasive sensing devices as diagnostics
in healthcare.

Objectives:

This review article highlights the importance of NAbCSs and explores the novel applications of sensors
fabricated via the conjugation of nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Additionally, advances in smart portable
devices, like smartphones, printers, and digital multimeters, are summarized, followed by the challenges involved
in the development of futuristic sensing tools.

Method:

A novel platform has been unfolded for the detection of different chemical toxins (like aflatoxin B1,
ochratoxin A) and biomarkers (like miRNA in cancer) present in biosamples, food and biowarfare agents. The
potential applications of biosensing in the areas of miniaturization, reusability, rapid, point-of-care or portable
for home analysis techniques, cost-effective, eco-friendly, high throughput and personalized sensors for qualitative
analysis of target analyte/s in bio-fluids and food have been explored.

Conclusion:

NAbCSs provide real-time monitoring of biosamples qualitatively and semi-quantitatively (luminometer,
fluorimeter, etc.) in the absence of trained personnel. Explorations of NAbCSs encompass advantages
in remote resource-limited access areas with simultaneous monitoring via smart devices for multiple analytes
with greater precision, sensitivity, and selectivity.
A Review of the Applicability of Classical and Extension of Fuzzy Logic
Approaches to Project Decision-Making using Real Options
Authors: Kouatli Issam , Ben Abdallah Skander , Terhini Abbas , Naccash Hiba
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

In this study, a review of fuzzy implementation to Real Options Approach
(ROA) theory where the applicability of classical and extended theories of “fuzziness” studied.

Background:

ROA allows taking into account the value of some sources of managerial flexibility and
therefore assessing a more accurately project value. The positive value of flexibility results from limiting
the impacts of adverse events while taking advantage of positive ones. One of the main lessons is
that uncertainty adds value in the presence of flexibility. Ambiguous parameters that have a significant
effect on the project value are usually represented as fuzzy sets using Zadeh's classical theory of
Fuzzy logic (also termed "type-1"). However, there have been so many derivatives, and expansions of
the fuzzy set theories developed by different researchers. Dealing with uncertainty can be manifested
in the different mechanism of fuzziness.

Objective:

The objective of this review is to identify the research gap as well as provide an elementary
guide to the applicability of different varieties of classical and extended applicability of fuzziness to
ROA when evaluating project investment.

Methods:

After a generic review of the progress of ROA theory and fuzzy approaches by researchers
This paper reviews the applicability of ROA to fuzzy sets (classical and extended) implementation to
decision-making for large projects where project timing and uncertainty are key parameters affecting
the project value

Results:

After reviewing the applicability of each of the classical and extended theories of fuzzy logic
to ROA, a tabular format shows the result of this study summarizing the scenario, showing the applicability
of different techniques.

Conclusion:

Most of the reviewed techniques of fuzzy implementation to ROA approach, still based
on the classical theory of fuzzy logic. Implementation of more extended techniques has a potential of
enhancing the outcome of such research.
Eğitim Hukukuna İlişkin Öğretmen Görüşleri
Authors: Polat Hakan , Demirkol Murat , Özdemir Tuncay Yavuz
Published: April 2022

Toplumsal hayatta birçok alanda olduğu gibi eğitim ile ilgili pek çok hukuksal metinler bulunmaktadır. Eğitim-öğretim süreci bu hukuksal kavramlar doğrultusunda yürütülür. Bu araştırmada öğretmenlerin eğitim hukukuna ilişkin görüşlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemleri içerisinde yer alan olgubilim deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Fırat Üniversitesinde tezsiz yüksek lisans eğitimi gören 29 öğretmen oluşturmaktadır. Öğretmenlere yöneltilen beş adet açık uçlu soruya yanıt vermeleri istenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler içerik analizi yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre, sorunların önlenmesi veya çözümü noktasında mevcut yasaların yeterli olmadığı görüşleri ortaya çıkmıştır. En sık karşılaşılan hukuksal sorunlar arasında; öğrenci devamsızlığı, öğrenciye şiddet, öğretmenin hak ve sorumlulukları, öğretmene şiddet, öğretmenlere yönelik adaletsizlik gibi durumlar olduğu ifade edilmiştir. Ayrıca yaşanan sorunların olumsuz etkileri olduğu, yöneticilerin yasalara bağlı kaldığı görüşleri ortaya çıkmıştır. Eğitimin özelleşmesinin hukuki sorunlar doğurabileceği görüşleri de ifade edilmiştir.
Особенности электрофизических параметров кремния, легированного последовательно примесными атомами фосфора и бора
Authors: Зикриллаев Х.Ф. , Аюпов К.С. , Мавлонов Г.Х. , Усмонов А.А. , Шоабдурахимова М.М.
Published: April 2022

Silicon samples sequentially doped with impurity
atoms of phosphorus and boron were studied. These investigations
make it possible to study the interaction and distribution of
phosphorus and boron impurity atoms in silicon. It has been
established that, in such silicon samples, the mobility of electrons
and holes changes. From the analysis of the obtained results, it
was shown that boron atoms change the type of conductivity of the
material to a depth of 2 μm due to the compensation of phosphorus
atoms, which are 4 times higher than the concentration of boron
in silicon.
Virtual Specialist Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Multimethod Patient Experience Study
Authors: Dainty Katie N , Seaton M Bianca , Estacio Antonio , Hicks Lisa K , Jamieson Trevor , Ward Sarah , Yu Catherine H , Mosko Jeffrey D , Kassardjian Charles D
Published: April 2022

Background

Transitioning nonemergency, ambulatory medical care to virtual visits in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic has been a massive shift in philosophy and practice that naturally came with a steep learning curve for patients, physicians, and clinic administrators.

Objective

We undertook a multimethod study to understand the key factors associated with successful and less successful experiences of virtual specialist care, particularly as they relate to the patient experience of care.

Methods

This study was designed as a multimethod patient experience study using survey methods, descriptive qualitative interview methodology, and administrative virtual care data collected by the hospital decision support team. Six specialty departments participated in the study (endoscopy, orthopedics, neurology, hematology, rheumatology, and gastroenterology). All patients who could speak and read English and attended a virtual specialist appointment in a participating clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) between October 1, 2020, and January 30, 2021, were eligible to participate.

Results

During the study period, 51,702 virtual specialist visits were conducted in the departments that participated in the study. Of those, 96% were conducted by telephone and 4% by video. In both the survey and interview data, there was an overall consensus that virtual care is a satisfying alternative to in-person care, with benefits such as reduced travel, cost, time, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and increased convenience. Our analysis further revealed that the specific reason for the visit and the nature and status of the medical condition are important considerations in terms of guidance on where virtual care is most effective. Technology issues were not reported as a major challenge in our data, given that the majority of “virtual” visits reported by our participants were conducted by telephone, which is an important distinction. Despite the positive value of virtual care discussed by the majority of interview participants, 50% of the survey respondents still indicated they would prefer to see their physician in person.

Conclusions

Patient experience data collected in this study indicate a high level of satisfaction with virtual specialty care, but also signal that there are nuances to be considered to ensure it is an appropriate and sustainable part of the standard of care.
Effectiveness of Hydrotherapy on Neuropathic Pain and Pain Catastrophization in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Pilot Trial Study
Authors: Campo Andrés Reyes , Pacichana-Quinayáz Sara Gabriela , Bonilla-Escobar Francisco Javier , Leiva-Pemberthy Luz Miriam , Tovar-Sánchez Maria Ana , Hernández-Orobio Olga Marina , Arango-Hoyos Gloria-Patricia , Mujanovic Adnan
Published: April 2022

Background

Neuropathic pain (NP) is one of the most frequent spinal cord injury (SCI) complications. Pain, quality of life, and functionality are associated and can lead to pain catastrophization. Pharmacological management of patients with NP secondary to SCI is widely known and there is increasing evidence in the area. Nevertheless, nonpharmacological management is not fully elucidated since its efficacy is inconclusive.

Objective

We hypothesize that (1) hydrotherapy is effective in reducing NP secondary to SCI. Additionally, our secondary hypotheses are that (2) hydrotherapy decreases the catastrophization of NP, and that (3) hydrotherapy improves life quality and minimizes the degree of disability, when compared to physical therapy.

Methods

A sample of approximately 20 participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention (hydrotherapy) or control group (standard physical therapy). Both interventions will be administered twice a week over a 9-week period (18 sessions in total). Primary outcomes are changes in neuropathic pain perception and pain catastrophization. Secondary outcomes are changes in disability and quality of life scores. They will be assessed at baseline and follow-up at 4 weeks after discharge. Validated Spanish language scales that will be used are the following: Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophization, Health-related Quality of life, and the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Generalized mixed linear models will be used for comparing baseline and postintervention means of each group and their differences, together with 95% CIs and P values. A P value of less than .05 will be considered significant.

Results

Recruitment began in April 2019, and we recruited the last participants by December 2019, with 10 individuals assigned to hydrotherapy and 8 to physical therapy (control). Results from this study will be disseminated via scientific publication, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and in national and international conferences in the latter half of 2022.

Conclusions

This trial will explore the effects of hydrotherapy on neuropathic pain, together with functionality and quality of life, in patients with SCI. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate these therapeutic modalities, including perception variables, and mental processes, which may affect the clinical condition and rehabilitation outcomes in these patients. Hydrotherapy is likely to be a safe, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to the current standard of care for NP secondary to SCI, with comparable results between the two.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04164810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04164810

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/37255
Social Networking Service, Patient-Generated Health Data, and Population Health Informatics: National Cross-sectional Study of Patterns and Implications of Leveraging Digital Technologies to Support Mental Health and Well-being (Preprint)
Authors: Ye Jiancheng , Wang Zidan , Hai Jiarui
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The emerging health technologies and digital services provide effective ways of collecting health information and gathering patient-generated health data (PGHD), which provide a more holistic view of a patient’s health and quality of life over time, increase visibility into a patient’s adherence to a treatment plan or study protocol, and enable timely intervention before a costly care episode.

OBJECTIVE

Through a national cross-sectional survey in the United States, we aimed to describe and compare the characteristics of populations with and without mental health issues (depression or anxiety disorders), including physical health, sleep, and alcohol use. We also examined the patterns of social networking service use, PGHD, and attitudes toward health information sharing and activities among the participants, which provided nationally representative estimates.

METHODS

We drew data from the 2019 Health Information National Trends Survey of the National Cancer Institute. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to mental health status. Then, we described and compared the characteristics of the social determinants of health, health status, sleeping and drinking behaviors, and patterns of social networking service use and health information data sharing between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the predictors of mental health. All the analyses were weighted to provide nationally representative estimates.

RESULTS

Participants with mental health issues were significantly more likely to be younger, White, female, and lower-income; have a history of chronic diseases; and be less capable of taking care of their own health. Regarding behavioral health, they slept <6 hours on average, had worse sleep quality, and consumed more alcohol. In addition, they were more likely to visit and share health information on social networking sites, write online diary blogs, participate in online forums or support groups, and watch health-related videos.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates that individuals with mental health issues have inequitable social determinants of health, poor physical health, and poor behavioral health. However, they are more likely to use social networking platforms and services, share their health information, and actively engage with PGHD. Leveraging these digital technologies and services could be beneficial for developing tailored and effective strategies for self-monitoring and self-management.
HIV-Specific Patient Reported Outcome Measures: A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Zhu Yaxin , Duan Xiyu , Kang Hao , Qu Bo
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

The management of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is multidimensional and complex. It is increasingly recognized that the use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) is the key to providing patient-centered health care to meet the lifelong needs of PLWHA from diagnosis to the end of life. However, there is no consensus on which PROM should be recommended for healthcare providers and researchers to assess health outcomes of PLWHA currently.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to assess HIV-specific PROMs for adult PLWHA using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology.

METHODS

This systematic review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The literature search was conducted in 3 recommended databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsychINFO) on January 15, 2021. Eligible studies were included if they assessed any psychometric property of HIV-specific PROMs in adult PLWHA. The PROMs were assessed for 9 psychometric properties, which were assessed in each included study using the COSMIN methodology by assessing (1) the methodological quality assessed using the COSMIN risk of bias checklist, (2) overall rating of results, (3) level of evidence assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and (4) level of recommendation.

RESULTS

A total of 88 PROMs in 8 categories were identified, assessing the psychometric properties of PROMs for adult PLWHA in 152 studies involving 79213 PLWHA. The psychometric properties of the majority of included PROMs were rated with insufficient evidence. The PROMs that received class A recommendation was the Poz Quality of Life, HIV Symptom Index or Symptoms Distress Module of the ACTG, and People Living with HIV Resilience Scale. In addition, due to insufficient evidence, most of remaining assessed PROMs cannot make recommendations regarding their use (received class B recommendation).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review recommended 3 PROMs to assess health outcomes of adult PLWHA, however, they all have some shortcomings. It is necessary to conduct a more thorough assessment of the psychometric properties of existing PROMs. These findings may provide a reference to the selection of high-quality HIV-specific PROMs by healthcare providers and researchers for clinical practice and research.
Stakeholders’ Perceptions on the Performance of Motorcycle Riding Business in Nyamagana District
Authors: Essau George , Ngonzi Dr. Tihibunda
Published: April 2022

This study sought to examine stakeholder practices in the Nyamagana district motorcycle riding business. This study used a case study research design with a sample size of 93. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were utilized to collect data, and SPSS was used to analyze it. The findings indicated activities such as using various advertising strategies, raising awareness, forming a motorbike driver's association, offering inexpensive service costs, holding seminars, and safety. The results of correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between promotion strategy (r (90) > -.293 p.005), awareness about the use of motorcycle as a business (r (90) >.154 p048), association of motorcycle drivers (r (90) > -1.12p.295), affordable price (r (90) >.098p.358), and seminar and safety education (r (90) > -.307 p.003). Motorcycles are promoted by government authorities as an easy and quick way to get licensed and insured. There were other concerns including complicated registration, tax compliance, motorcycle driver theft, careless driving, poor personal cleanliness, inadequate passenger safety gear, and traffic issues. The report advocated clear mechanisms for motorcycle business operators to undertake their activities without interference by extraneous authorities, improved working conditions, and regular training and seminars for motorcycle drivers and operators.
Who owes? Class struggle, inequality and the political economy of leverage in the twenty-first century
Authors: Sgambati Stefano
Published: April 2022

The prevalent consensus in critical social sciences is that finance articulates the world economy as a global hierarchy of creditor-debtor relations that reproduce and further aggravate existing income and wealth inequalities. Class struggle is correspondingly understood as a conflict between elite creditors, who are members of the global top 1% of wealth holders, and mass debtors, who are burdened by growing costs of servicing public and private debts. This article offers an alternative understanding of how debt, inequality and class relate to one another. At its basis is the recognition that over the past four decades, finance has empowered upper class borrowers, including the top 1%, as it has magnified their capacity to generate capital gains and capture greater wealth and income shares via levered-up investments and other forms of positioning in financial and property markets. The article thus provides a political economy of leverage as power, showing how contemporary global finance has not given shape to a distributional conflict between creditors and debtors as two distinct classes, but instead has set debtors against debtors, and namely the greater borrowers against the lesser ones.
Bitcoin and stone money: Anglophone use of Yapese economic cultures, 1910-2020
Authors: Walton Jo Lindsay
Published: April 2022

Recently parallels have been drawn between Bitcoin and Yapese stone money. This article focuses on Fitzpatrick and McKeon's (2019) exploration of similarities and differences. The analogy between Bitcoin and Yapese stone money is based on proposed commonalities that are inaccurate, ill-defined, and/or trivial. However, this does not signal a need to refine the comparison, but rather a need to reconsider the rationale for attempting it in the first place. Recent attempts to redefine Yapese stone money using terminology from the field of cryptocurrency reproduces a longer textual history in which writers from the Global North have misrepresented Yap for pedagogic or polemic convenience. Examples include works by William Furness III, John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, and influential macroeconomics textbooks, such as N. Gregory Mankiw's Macroeconomics. This history features frequent colonialist tropes of Yap as well as the erasure of histories of colonial violence and power. More caution should be exercised in the study and pedagogic use of Yapese economic cultures, and greater effort should be made to center Yapese voices, acknowledge colonial contexts, and reflect positionality and uncertainty.
IOT Based Industrial Plant Safety Gas Leakage Detection
Authors: Ghodvinde Swarangi Sanjay , Tanksale Mukta Milind , Patil Megha Yashvant , Patil Ms. Pranali
Published: April 2022

Abstract: Most of the fire-breakouts in industries are due to Gas leaks. These cause dreadful damage to the equipment, human life leading to injuries, deaths, and environment. Currently Available leakage detectors warn the people around using on-site alarms. So, this project proposes a leakage detector which sends the warning to the concerned people through SMS. This detector senses the presence of harmful gases particularly, LPG, Methane and Benzene. LPG and Methane gases catch fire easily resulting in blasts. Benzene is carcinogen effecting the health of workers, if inhaled in higher concentrations. Hence, detection of these gases is essential. This low-cost project includes MQ6, MQ4 and MQ135 gas sensors which detect LPG, Methane and Benzene gas leaks respectively and uses ESP-32 as a Wi-Fi module. The Concentration levels of the abovementioned gases are uploaded in the firebase cloud and the login details are included in the alert message so that the user can check, if needed. Keywords: Sensors, ESP-32, IOT cloud(firebase).
Self-Driving Car
Authors: Parmar Mihir M , Rawlo Rokhi R , Shirke Jaywant L , Sangam Dr. Savita
Published: April 2022

Abstract: Every person in this world is concerned about being safe. Increasing safety and reducing road accidents, thereby saving lives are of great interest in the context of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Among the complex and challenging tasks of future road vehicles is road lane detection or road boundaries detection. In driving assistance systems, obstacle detection especially for moving object detection is a key component of collision avoidance. Many sensors can be used for obstacle detection and lane detection, such as laser, radar and vision sensors. The most frequently used principal approach to detect road boundaries and lanes using a vision system on the vehicle. Detecting all kinds of obstacles on the road, mainly include the IPM (Inverse Perspective Mapping) method. The system acquires the front view using a camera mounted on the vehicle then applying a few processes in order to detect the lanes and objects. A versatile methodology is used in order to detect the lanes and objects. In our research we have developed a simple heuristic method which is more robust in both lane detection object detection and tracking in video. In this method we use clustering methodology to group the detected points in case of lane detection. Heuristic gives effective results in detection and tracking of multiple vehicles at a time irrespective to the distance.
Analisis Perbedaan Pendapatan Pengerajin Tenun Sebelum dan Sesudah Adanya Ritel Modern
Authors: Winata Lalu Reza Wisnu , Arifin Zainal , Sudarti Sudarti
Published: April 2022

The background of this research is that there is a gap between regions that is a serious problem, the gap affects the income of artisans in sukarara village with modern retail entrepreneurs. Based on the background of this research, the purpose of this research is to know the characteristics of weaving entrepreneurs and to know if there are differences in the income of weaving craftsmen before and after the arrival of modern retail in Sukarara Village Jonggat District central Lombok Regency. main objective of this study is to analyze the characteristics and the effect of the modern retail market on the difference of income level to weave production in Sukarara Village, Lombok Tengah Regency in one month. The method in this research is quantitative descriptive, that is analyzed of the different test (t-test) using the SPSS application. The data used are primary, primary data obtained through field interviews directly to weaving craftsmen on Sukarara Village. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that there are significant income differences obtained by weaving entrepreneurs after and before the existence of modern weaving retail. Changes in income in the form of a decrease in income occur on average by Rp. 1,775,862 of all respondents.
Renal replacement therapy may be initiated in patients with hepatorenal syndrome who are not transplant candidates
Authors: Donohue Laura
Published: April 2022

A clinical decision report using:

Allegretti AS, Parada XV, Eneanya ND, et al. Prognosis of Patients with Cirrhosis and AKI Who Initiate RRT. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;13(1):16-25. https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.03610417

for a patient being considered for RRT who was not yet a candidate for liver transplant.
Use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine as an alternative for treatment in HIV positive patients
Authors: Nirmalan Aravindh
Published: April 2022

A clinical decision report using:

Mantsios A, Murray M, Karver TS, et al. Efficacy and Freedom: Patient Experiences with the Transition from Daily Oral to Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy to Treat HIV in the Context of Phase 3 Trials. AIDS Behav. 2020;24(12):3473-3481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02918-x

for a young adult patient struggling with adherence.
Determining the optimal exercise intensity level for adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder
Authors: Block C. James
Published: April 2022

A clinical decision report using:

Helgadóttir B, Hallgren M, Ekblom Ö, Forsell Y. Training fast or slow? Exercise for depression: A randomized controlled trial. Prev Med. 2016;91:123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.08.011

for a patient seeking an exercise regimen to help with depressive symptoms.
School is closed!
Authors: Raby Rebecca , Waboso Nwakerendu , Donison Laurel , Harding Evan , Grossman Keely , Myatt Haley , Sheppard Lindsay C.
Published: April 2022

Drawing on biweekly interviews with thirty children from Southern Ontario, Canada, from diverse backgrounds and most of whom were between 8 years old and 15 years old, our paper discusses children’s educational experiences when schooling shifted online during the first few months of the pandemic. We focus on the challenges and opportunities that were offered during that time, with a particular focus on how these were significantly shaped by inequality. We address the following key themes, all with attention to related inequalities: shifts in children’s engagement with space and time; differential availability of help when faced with challenges in online schooling; missing school friends, peers, and teachers and strategies to remain connected; and finally, how some on- and offline schooling activities, as well as independent, explorative learning, helped the children to enjoy their online schooling.
The Rise in Demand for Special Education in Ontario, Canada: A Focus on French-Language Schools
Authors: Jaber Lindsey , Guenot Brittany
Published: April 2022

Over the past several decades, teachers have been increasingly challenged with a greater diversity of learning profiles within their classrooms. Historically, within Ontario, Canada, students who did not learn effectively through traditional methods were labelled and separated into alternate learning environments. Legislation and policy transformation have resulted in greater inclusion and stigma reduction. Changes to formal and informal identification processes have also increased the number of students accessing special education services. This conceptual paper examines the challenges arising from students’ changing learning needs, with a specific focus on the French classroom. Issues related to the Individual Education Plan, the formal identification processes, and the inconsistency inherent to special education terminology and teachers’ preparation concerning differentiated learning and resources in special education are explored. Further, employing Katz and colleagues’ (Hymel & Katz, 2019; Katz, 2013; Katz & Sokal, 2016) three-block model of universal design for an inclusive classroom as a framework, a case study from a French-language secondary school in Ontario, Canada, is examined to determine systemic gaps that need to be addressed to achieve the goal of fully inclusive classrooms that promote successful learning experiences for all students.
Preservice Teachers Engage Parents in At-Home Learning: “We Are in This Together!”
Authors: McKee Lori , Murray-Orr Anne , Throop Robinson Evan
Published: April 2022

During pandemic school closures, preservice teachers designed activity plans to support the at-home learning of children in early elementary grades and recognized parents as vital to supporting their children’s learning. This article uses data from a multiple case study of preservice teachers’ planning during an alternate practicum. Drawing on models of family vibrancy and parent engagement that arise from funds of knowledge and parent knowledge theories, we highlight how preservice teachers included parents in reciprocal and democratic ways that honoured diverse family’s contexts and their knowledge of their children. Results illustrate the importance of asset-oriented, flexible pedagogies that include meaningful parent partnerships both during and beyond the pandemic.