bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Efficiency of the Individual Case Safety Report (ICSR)
Quality and Compliance through Automation
Authors: Link Shannon , Kammler Adam , Gupta Ritu , Hembade Mahendra , Kumar Retesh , George Vinu
Published: August 2023

Background:

Over the past few years, major inspection findings have been identified in
the “management of adverse reactions” that may be due to increasing workload in pharmaceutical
organizations impacting the correctness of information in individual case safety reports (ICSRs).
Although retrospective quality check (Retro-QC) and late submission analyses are important steps
in ensuring ICSR quality, their manual application poses several challenges that can be overcome
through automation.

Objective:

To improve the efficiency of the Retro-QC analysis and late submission analysis using a
computer-operated tool called Compliance and Metrics Management (CMM) tool, and to measure
the tool’s effectiveness in terms of productivity, time, and cost savings by comparing against the
manual process.

Methods:

Time savings were calculated by measuring the difference in time taken during the manual
process versus the automated process. Cost savings were measured in terms of hourly remuneration
for the time saved. Productivity was calculated as the difference between the number of cases
handled in the manual versus automated process. Thus, the overall efficiency was measured in
terms of time and cost savings along with increased productivity.

Results:

Automation resulted in time savings of 49% and cost savings of 43% for Retro-QC analysis,
and the productivity level increased by 67%. For late submission analysis, the CMM tool
resulted in time savings of 88% and cost savings of 87%.

Conclusion:

CMM tool enhanced the efficiency of both Retro-QC and late submission analyses by
increasing productivity along with time and cost savings. It also reduced the number of errors,
thereby enhancing the accuracy of the process and overall compliance.
Autophagy Behavior under Local Hypothermia in Myocardiocytes Injury
Authors: Abdullah Marzoog Basheer
Published: August 2023

Hypothermia and autophagy are critical regulators of cell homeostasis by regulating
intra and intercellular cell communication. Myocardiocyte cryotherapy poses multiple cellular and
subcellular effects on the injured cell, including upregulation of autophagy. Autophagy plays a
crucial role in modifying cell metabolism by regulating downregulation, reducing reactive oxygen
species production, and improving the natural cellular antioxidant defense system. Reduction of
reactive oxygen species production and improving natural cellular antioxidant defense system.
Therapeutic hypothermia ranges from 32-34°C in terms of local myocardiocyte cooling. Hypothermia
induces autophagy by phosphorylating the Akt signaling pathway. Hypothermia has a
more therapeutic effect when applied at the beginning of reperfusion rather than in the beginning
of ischemia. Moderate hypothermia with 33°C poses most therapeutic effect by viability maintaining
and reduction of reactive oxygen species release. Application of local hypothermia to myocardiocytes
can be applied to infarcted myocardiocytes, anginal and to the cardiomyopathies.
Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury: Protective Approaches and Treatment
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Gupta Jeetendra Kumar , Kumar Shivendra , Anurag  , Mukherjee Soumyadip , Patel Aman
Published: August 2023

Ischemia and reperfusion damage to the liver is one of the major causes of hepatic dysfunction and liver failure after a liver transplant. The start of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion damage is linked to metabolic acidosis, Kupffer cells, neutrophils, excessive calcium, and changes in the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane. Hypoxia activates Kupffer cells, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS when accumulated, causes apoptosis and necrosis, as well as activate immune and inflammatory responses that involve many cells and signalling molecules. Numerous antioxidant compounds have been researched to lessen oxidative stress and thus serve as potential compounds to deal the ischemia-reperfusion damage. This article confers a deep understanding of the protective effects of some effective therapies, including hepatoprotective agents, attenuation of an increase in xanthine oxidase activity, and administration of antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ornithine.
Are Adolescents Engaged in Violent Radicalization Suicidal?
Authors: Dao Valerie , Oppetit Alice , Pellerin Hugues , Chamboredon Elsa , Aouidad Aveline , Bronsard Guillaume , Campelo Nicolas , Cohen David
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Radicalization among adolescents is a rising phenomenon that has
become a public health concern in Europe. According to some authors, violent radicalization by
resorting to self-violence could be a form of suicidal behavior. However, evidence-based studies to
support this assertion are lacking.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to investigate the issue of suicidality among adolescents
engaged in violent radicalization.

Methods:

We compared a group of radicalized adolescents convicted of criminal association to
commit terrorism (AMT) in France (N=15) with hospitalized adolescents who have attempted to
end their lives (N=320). This comparative study is based on two samples from two studies that used
the same instruments to assess psychiatric diagnoses, suicide risk, reasons for living, and coping.

Results:

AMT adolescents were significantly less suicidal and less depressive/ hopeless than
adolescents with suicide attempts (SAs). AMT adolescents showed fewer instances of depressive
and borderline personality disorders but more manic and psychotic episodes than SA adolescents.
They also had much more efficient coping strategies than SA adolescents, especially for the
following strategies: seeking professional help, relational support and spiritual support. All the
subscores of the reasons for the living scale were significantly higher for AMT adolescents than for
SA individuals, apart from the subscore on peer acceptance and support.

Conclusion:

Adolescents engaged in violent radicalization cannot be considered suicidal
adolescents who have found an opportunity to end their lives through the process of radicalization.
Understanding this phenomenon within a social, political and cultural context is necessary.
Suicide in an Akan Language Novel
Authors: Adinkrah Mensah
Published: August 2023

Suicide in fiction can promote insights into perceptions of, and attitudes about suicide ideation and behavior in a society. This article uses the novel Aku Sika as a case in point. Aku Sika is a novel set in Ghana in the 1950s. A young married woman attempts to end her life to avoid imminent disgrace. The king’s youngest wife, Aku, plots to commit suicide in response to rivalry and evil machinations of the king’s senior-most wife, S?kyeraa. Aku suffers from a hand deformity caused by a childhood accident and had been successfully hiding the deformity from public view. Due to her extraordinary beauty, the king selects her as a wife unbeknownst to him that she had a physical handicap, this in a society with a cultural prohibition barring kings from marrying physically handicapped brides. S?kyeraa swears under oath that she should be executed if it cannot be proven that Aku was not physically handicapped, A date was set for Aku to reveal her hand to the public. She decided to self-destruct rather than face public ignominy. On the banks of a major river where she planned to die by suicide, the river spirit appeared and healed her deformed hand.
En el desafío de la predicción de la respuesta a terremotos mediante el enfoque de redes neuronales
Authors: Zavala Toledo Carlos , Diaz Miguel , Honma Claudia
Published: August 2023

Since the decade of the 1990 the neural networks algorithms have been used for compute approximate solutions for different problems in engineering.

In the building behavior against loads is important to know its response. The behavior during the earthquakes and the estimation of the response is quite difficult to compute due to the nonlinearity of geometry and material properties. Neural networks approach is a powerful tool for computing the response of structures with an appropriate learning process from big data of structural components. Even if some material parameters are unknown, the learning on a neural network will be possible and will provide an estimation using collect information from experience and learning.

To make a learning process in this paper, we present a simple algorithm of back propagation implemented in python programming language where the output shows the decrease of the error and how the response start to learn from the beginning until the end of the process. The results show good agreement between the learning data set and predicted response after the neural network learning.
Managing the Development of Integration Processes in the Innovation Environment of the Region
Authors: Nikitin S. A. , Tronina I. A. , Tatenko G. I. , Grekova A. E.
Published: August 2023

Relevance. Integration processes form the modern image of the innovative model of the economy through the successful functioning and competent interrelation of the structural elements of the innovation system at the national and regional levels. The control levers of such systems should be effective, and therefore sufficiently diverse and flexible, so as not to limit the system, but to ensure the processes of its functioning and development in the conditions of the singularity of the external environment. A new approach to the study of the problems of innovative development of the region can be offered by the theory of systems with an emphasis on a new understanding of complex self-organizing structures, as well as the concept of open innovation, which allows participants in the innovation process to establish partnerships based on knowledge exchange.

The purpose of the study is to find a model solution to the problem of managing the development of integration processes in the innovation environment of the region.

The objectives of the study can be formulated as follows: identification of problems of innovative development of the territory; study of theoretical constructions of the development of integration processes in the innovation environment of the region; theoretical justification and development of a model solution for the formation of interaction of stakeholders of the innovation process based on the model of the «Quadruple Innovation Helix».

Methodology. The research methodology consists of general scientific methods of cognition, statistical methods, as well as principles and methods of a systematic approach.

Results. One of the important problems of the innovative development of the territory is the low level of integration processes that ensure the interaction of regional stakeholders. A model solution to the problem of managing the development of integration processes based on the principles of managing a region as a complex dynamic system and an open innovation model is proposed. This model reveals the problem of balancing the innovative development of the region from the perspective of taking into account the interests of participants in the innovation process.

Conclusions. The use of the proposed model allows a comprehensive and systematic approach to the study of the possibilities of effective interaction of participants in the innovation process in the region with the observance of the conditions of balance and synergy as a result for the evaluation of the integration process.
Staffing in the Hospitality Industry of the Kursk Region: Finding a Solution to the Problem
Authors: Abushenkova M. V.
Published: August 2023

Relevance. The relevance of the study is determined by the rapid development of domestic tourism, which revealed the most important problem of the industry - the shortage of professional personnel. In order not to lose the growing interest of travelers in new areas of domestic tourism, it is necessary to improve the skills of employees of the hospitality industry as soon as possible and more effectively.

The purpose of this study is to find a solution to the problem of staffing, which will ensure the quality of customer service of the hospitality industry in the Kursk region.

Objectives: assessment of the dynamics of employment in the hospitality sector in the country and in the Kursk region; investigation of the causes of professional staff turnover; search for ways out of the crisis situation; development of proposals aimed at solving the problem of staffing in the hospitality industry of the Kursk region.

Methodology. Within the framework of the study, materials of news agencies, standard methods of statistical processing were used; methods of scientific generalization, collection and processing of information, as well as methods of comparative and strategic analysis were applied.

Results. The results of the study showed that the problem of staffing the hospitality industry in the Kursk region remains relevant and requires close attention. To solve it, it is necessary to combine the efforts of organizations of higher, secondary and additional education with the needs of employers in the hospitality industry.

Conclusions. The dynamic and sustainable functioning and development of the hospitality industry requires solving the problem of staffing, including due to the high level of turnover of specialists. Educational organizations of different levels and professional associations do not ignore the emerging challenges and discuss the development of training programs for specialists in this field of activity.
Prospects for Trade Cooperation between Russian Regions and the Countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area (on the Example of the Kursk Region)
Authors: Khaustova T. V. , Soklakov A. A.
Published: August 2023

Relevance.In modern conditions, in the interaction of Russia with foreign partners, there are trends towards changing traditional global value chains and changing logistics directions. In this connection, Russia needs to address the issue of expanding trade cooperation with new partners and the formation of more sustainable value chains.

The purposeis identifying and evaluating the main foreign trade indicators that affect the cooperation of Russia and its regions with the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Objectives:to analyze the volume and structure of Russia's foreign trade turnover with the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area; determine the conditions that can contribute to the expansion of Russia's partnership with the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area; to propose directions for the development of foreign trade relations between the regions of Russia and the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Zone (on the example of the Kursk region).

Methodology.The study is based on the statistical collection and analysis of information on the volume, structure and dynamics of foreign trade with the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Results.The analysis of the main indicators characterizing the mutual foreign trade of Russia and its regions with the countries of the African Continental Free Trade Area has been carried out. The main trading partners among African countries and the conditions for expanding partnerships with them have been identified.

Conclusions.It is concluded that the countries of the African continental free trade zone are the main market for certain types of domestic agricultural products of the extractive and manufacturing industries, and Russian enterprises receive the raw materials they need from African countries. At the same time, the expansion of Russia's trade relations with African countries will be facilitated by the conclusion of agreements on the creation of free trade zones, primarily with Egypt, as the main trading partner.
Omnichannel Approach to Customer Service in the Digital Economy
Authors: Kazarenkova N. P. , Biktagirova E. V. , Ershov N. Yu.
Published: August 2023

Relevance. The current conditions for the development of the customer service system in companies of various business profiles are characterized by the influence of many factors: from uncertainty and increased risks against the background of the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and sanctions pressure to the digital transformation of business processes. At the same time, generations of potential consumers are changing, which contributes to the transformation of approaches to customer service and their requirements for the quality of products, services and services.

In this regard, the relevance of finding new customer service channels, expanding the sphere of promotion of products and services to potential consumers, as well as mastering new methods and technologies of client services is growing. The implementation of these areas is possible on the basis of the development and implementation of an omnichannel service system for a potential and formed client base.

The purposeof the study is to identify modern trends and potential for the development of an omnichannel approach to customer service in the context of the digital transformation of the Russian economy.

Objectives: highlight the factors of changing the paradigm of customer service; determine the directions of transformation of customer service services; identify the prerequisites for using the omnichannel approach to the implementation of client services and the potential for its development in the modern conditions of the digital economy.

Methodology. In the course of the study, general scientific methods were used: scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis, generalization and extrapolation.

Results. The study made it possible to form and highlight the following scientific results: the essence and content of the omnichannel approach to customer service was determined; the classification of channels and customer service services in the aggregate of the omnichannel approach was given, promising directions of omnichannel service systems in the digital economy were identified.

Conclusions. The digital transformation of business processes affects the customer service system, primarily in terms of the choice of specific channels and services, as well as an integrated approach to their implementation. Customer focus as a basic trend in the development of modern business contributes to improving the efficiency of the customer service system based on omnichannel services.
The Impact of Tax Benefits and Preferences on the Territorial Development of Russia: a Regional Aspect
Authors: Belousova S. N. , Tatyana T. Yu.
Published: August 2023

Relevance. The formation of a rational spatial organization of the economy of the country and its regions is the most important function of any state, associated with its self-preservation and sustainable socio-economic development. As tools to stimulate territorial development, the state uses tax and customs benefits and preferences, creates more comfortable conditions for the development and operation of business in certain areas of the country.

The introduction of various tax incentives is an effective tool for ensuring the development of the economy and society, however, like most economic categories, tax preferences have a dual nature: if the existence of a tax expense is inefficient, then this reduces the overall well-being due to the appearance of falling budget revenues.

Purpose. The main purpose of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of preferential taxation as a tool for socio-economic stimulation of the country's territories.

It is concluded that the established tax and customs benefits in the special territories of the Russian Federation contribute to the growth in the production of goods and services, the growth of investments, the increase in the number of jobs, but at the same time create tax risks.

Objectives. The following tasks are solved in the article: measures of tax and customs support for territories with a special status in the Russian Federation are reflected; the performance of the SEZ for 2017-2021 was assessed; tax expenses incurred.

Methodology. The methodological base of the study is based on a set of methods of economic research, united by a systematic approach to the study of this problem.

Results. The article presents the results of assessing the impact of tax benefits and preferences on the socioeconomic development of special territories of Russia, and identifies the most significant risks for the state from the consequences of preferential taxation.

Conclusions. Tax incentives must be considered as the tax costs incurred by the state and possible tax risks. In order to reduce tax risks, in our opinion, it is necessary to establish tighter control by the state over the amounts released as a result of the provision of tax benefits and preferences.
Determinants of the Development of the Regional Market for the Sale of Dairy Products in Large Retail Chains
Authors: Polozhentseva Yu. S. , Logvinov I. O.
Published: August 2023

Relevance. An analysis of the regional market for the sale of dairy products in large retail chains will make it possible to identify the main players in the market, their shares and strategies, as well as to identify the characteristics of consumer demand and supply in this category of products.

The purposeis to conduct a comprehensive study of the regional market for dairy products in large retail chains in order to determine the determinants of development and the main players in the market, their shares and strategies, as well as the size of the share of each manufacturer in this market.

Objectives: collect and analyze data on sales of dairy products in large retail chains in the region; identify the main players in the market, their shares and strategies; based on the results obtained, to draw conclusions and determine the determinants of development to improve the position of manufacturers and retailers in the dairy market in the city of Kursk.

Methodology.In the course of the study, general scientific methods of logical and statistical analysis, as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis, were used.

Results.The share of producers of the Kursk region of the total number of dairy producers represented in the retail chains of the city of Kursk is 17,13%, of which 7,69% is occupied by the production of the city of Kursk. The volume of dairy products sold in large retail chains in the city of Kursk for 2022 for five positions decreased by an average of 20,5%.

Conclusions.There is a small amount of imports of goods from local producers to large retail chains of the city, which may indicate a lack of support and priority for the city to work with local producers in these networks. It may also indicate possible limitations in the production capacity of local producers, their lack of competitiveness in comparison with other producers from other regions.
ЯМР-исследование интерфейса наноуглеродный материал/Nafion в радиопоглощающем композите
Authors: Глебова Н.В. , Мазур А.С. , Краснова А.О. , Плешаков И.В. , Нечитайлов А.А.
Published: August 2023

Inorganic-polymer composites are widely used as radio-absorbing materials, the study of their properties is important from the point of view of improving technical characteristics. The results of the study of Nafion/thermoexpanded graphite and Nafion/carbon black composites by nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetry are presented. The formation of new compounds at the contact boundaries of the components, leading to thermal stabilization of the composites, is shown. Differences between thermally expanded graphite and carbon black upon interaction with Nafion are discussed.
Challenging the Portrait of the Unhealthy Gamer—The Fitness and Health Status of Esports Players and Their Peers: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ketelhut Sascha , Bodman Alex , Ries Thomas , Nigg Claudio R
Published: August 2023

Background

Esports players are often referred to as sedentary athletes, as gaming requires prolonged sedentary screen exposure. As sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are major causes of noncommunicable diseases and premature death, esports players may be at an increased risk for health implications. Prior research has established esports players as having higher levels of body fat and lower levels of lean body mass versus age-matched controls, suggesting the need to assess further health and fitness outcomes of this demographic. However, while research interest is undoubtedly increasing, the majority of studies has focused on subjective self-report data and has lacked relevant objective health and fitness measurements.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the health and fitness status of a group of competitive esports players in relation to an age- and sex-matched comparison group.

Methods

In total, 51 competitive esports players (mean 23, SD 3 years, 2 female) and 51 nonesports players (mean 24, SD 3 years, 2 female) were enrolled in this cross-sectional laboratory study. The esports players and the nonesports players completed a questionnaire assessing demographic data and self-reported physical activity levels. Furthermore, physical parameters including BMI, waist-to-height ratio, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, maximal grip strength, and maximal oxygen consumption were assessed.

Results

There were no significant differences in BMI (t100=1.54; P=.13; d=0.30), waist-to-height ratio (t100=1.44; P=.16; d=0.28), body fat percentage (t100=−0.48; P=.63; d=−0.09), systolic blood pressure (t100=−0.06; P=.93; d=−0.01), diastolic blood pressure (t100=0.37; P=.71; d=0.07), pulse wave velocity (t93=−2.08; P=.15; d=−0.43), maximal grip strength (t100=−.08; P=.94; d=−0.02), maximal oxygen consumption (t100=−0.11; P=.92; d=−0.02), and physical activity (PA) levels (t86=2.17; P=.08; d=0.46) between the groups.

Conclusions

While the health narrative directed toward esports players has been mainly negative, this laboratory-based study indicated that esports players are not less healthy or fit compared to their peers. However, it seems that esports players are very heterogeneous and seem to span across the whole range of the fitness and health spectrum. Thus, the generalized statements of the esports athlete as an obese and unhealthy individual may need to be reconsidered.
Personalized Flexible Meal Planning for Individuals With Diet-Related Health Concerns: System Design and Feasibility Validation Study
Authors: Amiri Maryam , Li Juan , Hasan Wordh
Published: August 2023

Background

Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension are major global health challenges. Healthy eating can help people with chronic diseases manage their condition and prevent complications. However, making healthy meal plans is not easy, as it requires the consideration of various factors such as health concerns, nutritional requirements, tastes, economic status, and time limits. Therefore, there is a need for effective, affordable, and personalized meal planning that can assist people in choosing food that suits their individual needs and preferences.

Objective

This study aimed to design an artificial intelligence (AI)–powered meal planner that can generate personalized healthy meal plans based on the user’s specific health conditions, personal preferences, and status.

Methods

We proposed a system that integrates semantic reasoning, fuzzy logic, heuristic search, and multicriteria analysis to produce flexible, optimized meal plans based on the user’s health concerns, nutrition needs, as well as food restrictions or constraints, along with other personal preferences. Specifically, we constructed an ontology-based knowledge base to model knowledge about food and nutrition. We defined semantic rules to represent dietary guidelines for different health concerns and built a fuzzy membership of food nutrition based on the experience of experts to handle vague and uncertain nutritional data. We applied a semantic rule-based filtering mechanism to filter out food that violate mandatory health guidelines and constraints, such as allergies and religion. We designed a novel, heuristic search method that identifies the best meals among several candidates and evaluates them based on their fuzzy nutritional score. To select nutritious meals that also satisfy the user’s other preferences, we proposed a multicriteria decision-making approach.

Results

We implemented a mobile app prototype system and evaluated its effectiveness through a use case study and user study. The results showed that the system generated healthy and personalized meal plans that considered the user’s health concerns, optimized nutrition values, respected dietary restrictions and constraints, and met the user’s preferences. The users were generally satisfied with the system and its features.

Conclusions

We designed an AI-powered meal planner that helps people create healthy and personalized meal plans based on their health conditions, preferences, and status. Our system uses multiple techniques to create optimized meal plans that consider multiple factors that affect food choice. Our evaluation tests confirmed the usability and feasibility of the proposed system. However, some limitations such as the lack of dynamic and real-time updates should be addressed in future studies. This study contributes to the development of AI-powered personalized meal planning systems that can support people’s health and nutrition goals.
Implementation of a Surveillance System for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Austria: Protocol for a Retrospective Longitudinal Feasibility Study
Authors: El-Khatib Ziad , Richter Lukas , Reich Andreas , Benka Bernhard , Assadian Ojan
Published: August 2023

Background

The risk of a large number of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases emerging is a global concern. SARI can overwhelm the health care capacity and cause several deaths. Therefore, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety will explore the feasibility of implementing an automatic electronically based SARI surveillance system at a tertiary care hospital in Austria as part of the hospital network, initiated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Objective

We aim to investigate the availability of routinely collected health record data pertaining to respiratory infections and the optimal approach to use such available data for systematic surveillance of SARI in a real-world setting, describe the characteristics of patients with SARI before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate the feasibility of identifying the risk factors for a severe outcome (intensive care unit admission or death) in patients with SARI.

Methods

We will test the feasibility of a surveillance system, as part of a large European network, at a tertiary care hospital in the province of Lower Austria (called Regional Hospital Wiener Neustadt). It will be a cross-sectional study for the inventory of the electronic data records and implementation of automatic data retrieval for the period of January 2019 through the end of December 2022. The analysis will include an exploration of the database structure, descriptive analysis of the general characteristics of the patients with SARI, estimation of the SARI incidence rate, and assessment of the risk factors and different levels of severity of patients with SARI using logistic regression analysis.

Results

This will be the first study to assess the feasibility of SARI surveillance at a large 800-bed tertiary care hospital in Austria. It will provide a general overview of the potential for establishing a hospital-based surveillance system for SARI. In addition, if successful, the electronic surveillance will be able to improve the response to early warning signs of new SARI, which will better inform policy makers in strengthening the surveillance system.

Conclusions

The findings will support the expansion of the SARI hospital-based surveillance system to other hospitals in Austria. This network will be of use to Austria in preparing for future pandemics.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/47547
Smartphone App–Based and Paper-Based Patient-Reported Outcomes Using a Disease-Specific Questionnaire for Dry Eye Disease: Randomized Crossover Equivalence Study (Preprint)
Authors: Nagino Ken , Okumura Yuichi , Akasaki Yasutsugu , Fujio Kenta , Huang Tianxiang , Sung Jaemyoung , Midorikawa-Inomata Akie , Fujimoto Keiichi , Eguchi Atsuko , Hurramhon Shokirova , Yee Alan , Miura Maria , Ohno Mizu , Hirosawa Kunihiko , Morooka Yuki , Murakami Akira , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Inomata Takenori
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Using traditional patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as paper-based questionnaires, is cumbersome in the era of web-based medical consultation and telemedicine. Electronic PROs may reduce the burden on patients if implemented widely. Considering promising reports of DryEyeRhythm, our in-house mHealth smartphone app for investigating dry eye disease (DED) and the electronic and paper-based Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) should be evaluated and compared to determine their equivalency.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to assess the equivalence between smartphone app–based and paper-based questionnaires for DED.

METHODS

This prospective, nonblinded, randomized crossover study enrolled 34 participants between April 2022 and June 2022 at a university hospital in Japan. The participants were allocated randomly into 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The paper-app group initially responded to the paper-based Japanese version of the OSDI (J-OSDI), followed by the app-based J-OSDI. The app-paper group responded to similar questionnaires but in reverse order. We performed an equivalence test based on minimal clinically important differences to assess the equivalence of the J-OSDI total scores between the 2 platforms (paper-based vs app-based). A 95% CI of the mean difference between the J-OSDI total scores within the ±7.0 range between the 2 platforms indicated equivalence. The internal consistency and agreement of the app-based J-OSDI were assessed with Cronbach α coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficient values.

RESULTS

A total of 33 participants were included in this study. The total scores for the app- and paper-based J-OSDI indicated satisfactory equivalence per our study definition (mean difference 1.8, 95% CI –1.4 to 5.0). Moreover, the app-based J-OSDI total score demonstrated good internal consistency and agreement (Cronbach α=.958; intraclass correlation=0.919; 95% CI 0.842 to 0.959) and was significantly correlated with its paper-based counterpart (Pearson correlation=0.932, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the equivalence of PROs between the app- and paper-based J-OSDI. Implementing the app-based J-OSDI in various scenarios, including telehealth, may have implications for the early diagnosis of DED and longitudinal monitoring of PROs.
Implementation of a Surveillance System for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Austria: Protocol for a Retrospective Longitudinal Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: El-Khatib Ziad , Richter Lukas , Reich Andreas , Benka Bernhard , Assadian Ojan
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

The risk of a large number of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases emerging is a global concern. SARI can overwhelm the health care capacity and cause several deaths. Therefore, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety will explore the feasibility of implementing an automatic electronically based SARI surveillance system at a tertiary care hospital in Austria as part of the hospital network, initiated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to investigate the availability of routinely collected health record data pertaining to respiratory infections and the optimal approach to use such available data for systematic surveillance of SARI in a real-world setting, describe the characteristics of patients with SARI before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigate the feasibility of identifying the risk factors for a severe outcome (intensive care unit admission or death) in patients with SARI.

METHODS

We will test the feasibility of a surveillance system, as part of a large European network, at a tertiary care hospital in the province of Lower Austria (called Regional Hospital Wiener Neustadt). It will be a cross-sectional study for the inventory of the electronic data records and implementation of automatic data retrieval for the period of January 2019 through the end of December 2022. The analysis will include an exploration of the database structure, descriptive analysis of the general characteristics of the patients with SARI, estimation of the SARI incidence rate, and assessment of the risk factors and different levels of severity of patients with SARI using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

This will be the first study to assess the feasibility of SARI surveillance at a large 800-bed tertiary care hospital in Austria. It will provide a general overview of the potential for establishing a hospital-based surveillance system for SARI. In addition, if successful, the electronic surveillance will be able to improve the response to early warning signs of new SARI, which will better inform policy makers in strengthening the surveillance system.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings will support the expansion of the SARI hospital-based surveillance system to other hospitals in Austria. This network will be of use to Austria in preparing for future pandemics.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/47547
The Influence of Incentive-Based Mobile Fitness Apps on Users’ Continuance Intention With Gender Moderation Effects: Quantitative and Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Faizah Aaya , Hardian Alifah Fatimah Azzahra , Nandini Rania Devina , Handayani Putu Wuri , Harahap Nabila Cyldea
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

A survey conducted by McKinsey & Company reported that, as of May 2022, as many as 26% of Indonesians had recently started to engage actively in physical activity, 32% undertook regular physical activity, and 9% exercised intensely. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has spurred the rapid development of mobile fitness apps (MFAs) used to track people’s sports activities. However, public interest in using these apps for any length of time is still relatively low.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of incentives (eg, self-monitoring, social support, platform rewards, and external influence) on the use of MFAs and the moderating effect of gender on users’ continuance usage intention.

METHODS

The study used a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were collected through a web-based questionnaire and qualitative data from interviews with 30 respondents. The quantitative data, collected from 379 valid responses, were processed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. The qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis. The MFAs included in this research were those used as sports or physical activity trackers, such as Apple Fitness, Strava, Nike Run Club, and Fita.

RESULTS

The results of the data analysis show that 3 groups of incentives, namely, self-monitoring, platform rewards, and external influence (with the exception of social support), affect the perceived usefulness of these apps. Gender was also shown to moderate user behavior in relation to physical activity. The study showed that women were more likely to be motivated to exercise by social and external factors, while men paid greater attention to the tracking features of the app and to challenges and rewards.

CONCLUSIONS

This research contributes to the field of health promotion by providing guidance for MFA developers.
Influence of Social Media on Treatment Choice of Esophagus Motility Disorder Patients: Orıgınal Artıcle (Preprint)
Authors: Günay Süleyman , Yenıova Abdullah Ozgur , Süzer Kamil , Aktaş Levent
Published: August 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

Introduction: Social media (SM) is online platforms that individuals share contents, ideas, videos or blogs. SM use has arisen as a catalyst of social change and can be a promising tool for healthcare delivery. Esophagus motility disorders (EMD) are rare disorders that present with various symptoms such as dyspaghia. There are not many studies that search the influence of SM on patients’ treatment choice. Present study aimed to search the infleunce of social media on EMD patients’ treatment choice.

Material and Methods: Patients referred for treatment of EMD were enrolled into the study. Questionnaire was used to assess the influence of SM on treatment choice. Participants were asked whether they use SM and search information about EMD treatments. They were divided into three groups according to their SM use and admission type. (Group 1: patients referred by health care provider (HCP) and who did not seek information from SM. Group 2: patients referred by HCP and who seek information from SM. Group 3: patients who admitted directly without referance of HCP after seeking information from SM). Influence of SM on treatment choices were compared between these groups.

Results: It was found that group 2 patients choosed treatment options that they previously seek from SM rather than HCP recommended. Group 1 patients’ acceptance rate was 37,9 %, whereas group 3 and group 1 were 7,9 % and 40% respectively. The difference was statistically significant. (p <0.001)

Conclusion: Present study showed that SM has influence on patients’ treatment choice. They can choose a treatment option that are not recommended by HCP in first line. Patients choice did not contradict with scientific evidence in this example but it may not always happen like this way. Although SM use has a potential to contribute to better healthcare delivery, it has ethical, legal, social considerations. There is current lack of official recommendations for SM use in healthcare for both HCPs and patiens. Further guidelines must be developed to utilize SM use in healthcare in an effective manner.
Lógica difusa y redes inalámbricas
Authors: Pérez Gaspar Miguel , Gómez Castellano Javier , Bárcenas Patiño Everardo , García Jiménez Luis Francisco
Published: August 2023

La lógica en general se encarga del estudio de los procesos de razonamiento. Los contextos filosóficos y matemáticos de esta disciplina son posiblemente los más tradicionales. En el área del cómputo, la lógica juega actualmente un papel fundamental. La creciente necesidad de la automatización del razonamiento ha sido uno de los principales motivos del desarrollo de la lógica en la era moderna. El campo de las telecomunicaciones no es la excepción, donde existen diversas tareas de razonamiento que requieren automatización. En este artículo, se describe la aplicación de métodos lógicos para la automatización de estas tareas. Más concretamente, se explica cómo algunos problemas de razonamiento propios de las redes inalámbricas requieren métodos lógicos no-clásicos como la lógica difusa.
El impacto de un programa de becas en las horas de estudio fuera del aula de clase en escolares de educación básica
Authors: Sánchez Vargas Armando
Published: August 2023

Analizamos el impacto del Programa de Becas Escolares de la Ciudad de México en las horas de estudio de niños y niñas en educación básica. Usamos una encuesta aleatorizada para evaluar su impacto en el ciclo escolar 2014-2015 del DIF CDMX. Utilizamos un enfoque basado en la comparación de un grupo de tratamiento con un grupo de control, en el contexto de una ecuación de una función de producción de logros escolares. Se emplean los métodos de estimación MCO y Máxima Verosimilitud para asegurar la robustez estadística de la estimación de la efectividad del programa. El programa permitió aumentar el tiempo de estudio en poco más de una hora diaria en los menores del grupo tratado.
Competencia en el sistema crediticio mexicano: una aproximación biológica
Authors: Gutiérrez-Vargas Octavio , Gavira-Durón Nora , Cruz-Aké Salvador
Published: August 2023

Se analiza la velocidad y adaptación de bancos mexicanos que otorgan créditos, ante cambios de estrategia de sus competidores, con sistemas de ecuaciones diferenciales para un juego evolutivo “piedra, papel o tijera”; para el grado de competencia, se incluye un parámetro de mutación de estrategias del mercado. Los resultados muestran que para trayectorias de solución estables debe existir adaptación de estrategias en los competidores; el parámetro de mutación no cero, resulta una variable oculta que mide grado de competencia y rige la variable temporal tiempo de adaptación. La principal aportación es la inclusión de un movimiento browniano a la ecuación que modela la función de pagos de cada banco y un factor de mutación para modelar el efecto de la información asimétrica, lo que permite medir el grado de competencia industrial. Una limitación es no considerar los casos en que el grado de innovación sea pequeña o grande.
Un juego de inversión con información completa e incompleta aplicado al mercado eléctrico
Authors: García Mazo Claudia María , Ramírez Díaz Luis Francisco , Monsalve Lozano Bernardo Antonio
Published: August 2023

El propósito de este trabajo es presentar dos juegos de inversión, con información completa e imperfecta en tres etapas, que permita la identificación del equilibrio de los jugadores en un mercado oligopólico. La reestructuración del mercado de energía trajo consigo la aparición de nuevos competidores convirtiendo al sector en un escenario con alto riego e incertidumbre, como consecuencia de la volatilidad de la demanda, competencia entre agentes, los precios de la electricidad y de los combustibles, dificultando de esta forma la toma de decisiones en relación con la inversión en la generación de la electricidad. Esta propuesta aplica como metodología la teoría de juegos que ayuda a la toma de decisiones en una estrategia de competencia imperfecta.  Se concluye que cuando hay suficiente información tanto para el titular como el potencial entrante, la mejor opción es invertir, pero cuando la información es asimétrica, la mejor opción para el Potencial Entrante es invertir.
Calidad de la Educación Superior en México en el Contexto de la Acreditación Internacional
Authors: Flores Zepeda Margarita
Published: August 2023

La disertación presenta el análisis realizado sobre el Sistema de Acreditación Mexicano enmarcado en los procesos de acreditación internacional, con la finalidad de conocer el avance y la forma de cómo se ha llevado a cabo en el país, por medio de identificar a las Instituciones de Educación Superior que han logrado realizar este tipo de evaluación externa; a los organismos acreditadores nacionales que han incluido indicadores con estándares internacionales y la cuantía de programas con reconocimiento internacional. Lo anterior, para valorar si la calidad de la educación superior que se imparte en el país está acorde con los parámetros del contexto mundial.
Los resultados evidenciaron que es reducida la proporción de instancias acreditadoras nacionales que están buscando enfrentar el proceso tanto regional o internacional. Aun cuando, el propio sistema educativo está consciente de que se requiere transitar a este modelo en un futuro cercano, dado el mundo globalizado en el que nos encontramos.