bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smartphone Addiction in Mexican Engineering Students
Authors: García-Santillán Arturo , Moreno-García Elena , Martínez-Rodríguez Valerie
Published: November 2021

Students academic performance could be affected by excessive use of the smartphone. This study focuses on analyzing the level of cell phone addiction in engineering university students. It also seeks to determine if there is a difference by gender in this behavior. 306 engineering students from a Technological Institute in Veracruz, Mexico participated in the study. The instrument used to obtain data was SAS-SV (Smartphone addiction scale-short version) designed by [1]. In order to identify the set of indicators with the highest factor loadings, an exploratory factor analysis was carried out with extraction of components and orthogonal rotation with the Varimax method. To identify if there is a difference by gender, the t test is used to contrast the hypothesis about two independent population means. The findings demonstrated the extraction of two components, which differs from the one-dimensional model proposed by [1], and no difference was found between the groups of male and female students.
Application for Identifying Students Achievement Prediction Model in Tertiary Education: Learning Strategies for Lifelong Learning
Authors: Nuankaew Pratya , Nasa-ngium Patchara , Nuankaew Wongpanya Sararat
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the research is to identify the risk of dropping out in tertiary students with an application. The components of the research goal aim (1) to develop the students’ achievement prediction model and (2) to construct a prototype application for the predictions of the tertiary students dropping out. The research tools consisted of three parts, (1) tool for developing predictive prototypes uses a tool called the CRISP-DM process with Decision Tree Classification, Feature Selection methods, Confusion Matrix performance, Cross-Validation methods, Accuracy, Precision and Recall measurements, (2) tool for application development used the SDLC with V-method, and (3) tool to assess application satisfaction used questionnaires and statistical analysis. Data sample were collected from 401 students enrolled in the Business Computer Program at the School of Information and Communication Technology, University of Phayao during the academic year 2012-2016. The results showed that the prediction model had a very high percentage of accuracy (82.29%). The prototype test results with the data gathered had a very high score level (84.04%; correct 337 out of 401 training examples). An overview of the underlying application with the utmost integrity by the researchers planned to put the application to the test in the first semester of the academic year 2021 at the School of Information Technology and Communication, University of Phayao. For future research, the researchers plan to create a mobile application for mentors in the University of Phayao to monitor learner on both Android and iOS systems.
Improving the Creative Thinking Ability of Junior High School Students Through GeoGebra Assisted Learning Community in Mathematics
Authors: Samura Asri Ode , Darhim Darhim , Juandi Dadang , Said Arwan M. , Malaka Muhlis
Published: November 2021

This study examines and analyzes the differences between GeoGebra-assisted community learning and conventional learning in improving students' creative thinking skills in junior high schools. The research method uses quantitative, designed with an experimental pattern of nonequivalent control groups. Samples taken not randomly from two different classes amounted to 79 people. One class gets community learning with the help of GeoGebra, and the other class gets conventional learning. Data obtained by using the test. The test was conducted twice, namely pretest and posttest. Normalized N-Gain is done to measure the increase in creative thinking skills. Data analysis used an independent sample t-test. Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that there was a significant increase in students' creative thinking skills. Learning community is student-centered learning in groups (Student-Centered Learning). The research findings consider it important to implement GeoGebra-assisted learning communities according to the characteristics and development of the student learning environment.
Levy Flight and Chaos Theory-Based Gravitational Search Algorithm for Global Optimization
Authors: Rather Sajad Ahmad , Bala P. Shanthi
Published: November 2021

The Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is one of the highly regarded population-based algorithms. It has been reported that GSA has a powerful global exploration capability but suffers from the limitations of getting stuck in local optima and slow convergence speed. In order to resolve the aforementioned issues, a modified version of GSA has been proposed based on levy flight distribution and chaotic maps (LCGSA). In LCGSA, the diversification is performed by utilizing the high step size value of levy flight distribution while exploitation is carried out by chaotic maps. The LCGSA is tested on well-known 23 classical benchmark functions. Moreover, it is also applied to three constrained engineering design problems. Furthermore, the analysis of results is performed through various performance metrics like statistical measures, convergence rate, and so on. Also, a signed Wilcoxon rank-sum test has also been conducted. The simulation results indicate that LCGSA provides better results as compared to standard GSA and most of the competing algorithms.
Metaheuristic Ensemble Pruning via Greedy-Based Optimization Selection
Authors: Khairalla Mergani Ahmed Eltahir
Published: November 2021

Ensemble selection is a crucial problem for ensemble learning (EL) to speed up the predictive model, reduce the storage space requirements and to further improve prediction accuracy. Diversity among individual predictors is widely recognized as a key factor to successful ensemble selection (ES), while the ultimate goal of ES is to improve its predictive accuracy and generalization of the ensemble. Motivated by the problems stated in previous, we have devised a novel hybrid layered based greedy ensemble reduction (HLGER) architecture to delete the predictor with lowest accuracy and diversity with evaluation function according to the diversity metrics. Experimental investigations are conducted based on benchmark time series data sets, support vectors regression algorithm utilized as base learner to generate homogeneous ensemble, HLGER uses locally weight ensemble (LWE) strategies to provide a final ensemble prediction. The experimental results demonstrate that, in comparison with benchmark ensemble pruning techniques, HLGER achieves significantly superior generalization performance.
Delving Into the IT Governance-Management Communication Interface
Authors: Juiz Carlos , Gomez Beatriz
Published: November 2021

This work is devoted to addressing the IT governance - management communication aspects, considering that their responsibilities are different, but complementary, in developing an IT governance framework. Our research question consists of finding which aspects (and subsequent themes) from IT governance literature may be considered. We performed a systematic scoping literature review, as our objective is to conduct a wide-ranging search on the aspects that communicate the governance of IT and its management. Because we want to broadly know the communication aspects and subthemes, we first filtered the articles reading each title and abstract and the relevant studies were reduced to 174. Finally, after an exhaustive reading, review, and categorization, 92 studies were selected. We identified 14 aspects and 50 themes regarding the communication interface between IT governance and IT management. Our study brings insights on a clearer IT governance-management interface conceptualization and identifies an agenda for further research on it.
Does the Clean Air Action Really Affect Labor Demand in China?
Authors: Lin Boqiang , Li Zhensheng
Published: November 2021

How to balance resources, environment, and economic growth to achieve sustainable development is a challenge for developing countries. In 2013, China implemented a high-stringency environmental regulation—the Clean Air Action, which has effectively controlled air pollution. To explore the economic cost of environmental regulation, this paper investigates the policy effect on employment in the industrial sector. However, there are still controversies about whether environmental regulations impact employment. Based on the city-level data and firm-level data, this study applied a quasi-natural experiment for policy evaluation and used the mediating effect model for mechanism analysis. The difference-in-difference estimation results show that environmental regulation has a significant impact on employment. The mechanism analysis verifies that output adjustment, capital input, and green innovation are the main channels, by which environmental regulation distresses employment. The findings of this paper could be extended to other countries at a similar stage of development.
Gα13 Mediates Transendothelial Migration of Neutrophils by Promoting Integrin-Dependent Motility without Affecting Directionality
Authors: Chang Claire W , Cheng Ni , Bai Yanyan , Skidgel Randal A , Du Xiaoping
Published: November 2021

Neutrophil migration requires β2 integrins and chemoattractant receptor signaling for motility and directionality. G protein subunit Gα13 can facilitate cell migration by mediating RhoA activation induced by G protein–coupled receptors. However, the possible role of Gα13-integrin interaction in migration is unclear. In this study, we show that Gα13−/− neutrophils are deficient in transendothelial migration and migration on β2 integrin ligand ICAM-1. However, unlike G protein–coupled receptors and integrin inside-out signaling pathways, Gα13 is important in migration velocity and neutrophil spreading but not in directionality nor cell adhesion. Importantly, neutrophil recruitment in vivo was also inhibited in Gα13−/− mice, suggesting the importance of Gα13 in transendothelial migration of neutrophils in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a synthetic peptide (MB2mP6) derived from the Gα13 binding site of β2 inhibited Gα13-β2 interaction and Gα13-mediated transient RhoA inhibition in neutrophils, suggesting that this peptide inhibited integrin outside-in signaling. MB2mP6 inhibited migration of control neutrophils through endothelial cell monolayers or ICAM-1–coated filters, but was without further effect on Gα13−/− neutrophils. It also inhibited integrin-dependent neutrophil migration velocity without affecting directionality. In vivo, MB2mP6 markedly inhibited neutrophil infiltration into the cardiac tissues induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, Gα13-dependent outside-in signaling enables integrin-dependent neutrophil motility without affecting directionality and may be a new therapeutic target for inhibiting neutrophil trafficking but not adhesion.
FAM177A1 Inhibits IL-1β–Induced Signaling by Impairing TRAF6–Ubc13 Association
Authors: Liao Bo-Wei , Zhang Hong-Yan , Du Wen-Tian , Ran Yong , Wang Yan-Yi , Xu Zhi-Sheng
Published: November 2021

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β is a crucial mediator of inflammatory responses. IL-1β–induced signaling is finely regulated by various mechanisms, and its imbalance is involved in a variety of diseases. In this study, we identified FAM177A1, a protein of unknown function, as a negative regulator of IL-1β–induced signaling in human cells. Overexpression of FAM177A1 inhibited IL-1β–triggered activation of NF-κB and transcription of inflammatory genes, whereas knockdown of FAM177A1 showed the opposite effects. Mechanistically, FAM177A1 competitively bound to the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 and impaired its interaction with the E2-conjugating enzyme Ubc13; therefore, it inhibited TRAF6-mediated polyubiquitination and recruitment of downstream signaling molecules. These findings reveal a function of FAM177A1 and promote our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of IL-1β–induced inflammatory responses.
The Calcium Channel Inhibitor Nimodipine Shapes the Uveitogenic T Cells and Protects Mice from Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis through the p38–MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Yunwei , Chen Guanyu , Huang Jun , Li Zhuang , Li Zuoyi , Xie Yanyan , Chen Yuxi , Li He , Su Wenru , Chen Xiaoqing , Liang Dan
Published: November 2021

Autoimmune uveitis (AU) is a sight-threatening ocular inflammatory disorder, characterized by massive retinal vascular leakage and inflamed lesions with infiltration of the uveitogenic T cells in the retina and disorders of the T cell–related immune response in the system. Stimulation of TCRs can trigger calcium release and influx via Ca2+ channels and then transmit signals from the surface to the nucleus, which are important for energy metabolism, proliferation, activation, and differentiation. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx by pharmacological modulation of Ca2+ channels may suppress T cell function, representing a novel anti-inflammatory strategy in the treatment of AU. This study investigated the effects of the l-type voltage-gated calcium channel blocker nimodipine in experimental AU (EAU). Nimodipine was found to not only decrease the clinical and histopathological inflammation score of EAU (C57BL/6J mice) but also dwindle the infiltration of uveitogenic CD4+ T cells into the retina. Moreover, nimodipine decreased the effector T cells and increased the regulatory T cells in the immune system. In vitro, nimodipine reduced the effector T cell differentiation of the IRBP1–20–specific CD4+ T cells of EAU mice and LPS-stimulated PBMCs of uveitis patients. Meanwhile, nimodipine suppressed the energy metabolism, proliferation, activation, and Th1 cell differentiation of T cells. Further studies on RNA sequencing and molecular mechanisms have established that nimodipine alleviates EAU by regulating T cells response through the p38–MAPK pathway signaling. Taken together, our data reveal a novel therapeutic potential of the l-type Ca2+ channels antagonist nimodipine in AU by regulating the balance of T cell subsets.
Endogenous Sulfur Dioxide, a Novel Gaseous Transmitter Involved in the Regulation of Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Chen Siyao , Du Junbao
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) used to be perceived as a notorious, toxic pollutant of the atmosphere. However, recently several studies revealed that in vivo generated mainly from sulfur-containing amino acids, SO2 serves as an essential novel gasotransmitter involved in the regulation of extensive biological activities. Several studies indicate that endogenous SO2 protects against inflammation by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators via different molecular pathways. The present review, therefore, summarized the anti-inflammatory effect of endogenous SO2 and its molecular mechanisms.
Trichoscopic Findings in Pressure Alopecia
Authors: Porriño-Bustamante María Librada , Arias-Santiago Salvador , Fernández-Pugnaire María Antonia
Published: November 2021

Pressure alopecia (PA) is an uncommon type of hair loss due to ischemic changes of the scalp, as a result of prolonged immobilization. Clinically, it often appears within the 1st month of the trigger and tends to resolve spontaneously within 4 months. If the duration of the immobilization is longer, irreversible alopecia can be developed. Trichoscopy is usually nonspecific, being black dots, broken, and dystrophic hairs the most frequent findings. However, yellow dots and thin hairs have also been reported. We herein present two patients with PA, one with a recent development and another one with a long-lasting alopecia. Both of them showed keratotic follicular plugs and thin hairs as the main trichoscopic findings.
Amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia
Authors: Lakshmi G. Sri , Tejaswini G. , Alekhya B. , Manuel Maria Bethasaida , Ram R. , Kumar V. Siva
Published: November 2021

Drugs associated with gingival overgrowth fall into three broad categories – anticonvulsants, immune suppressants and calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine is a third-generation dihydropyridine. The prevalence of amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia is 4.2%. We report two patients with the amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia.
COVID-19 and thrombotic complications—the role of anticoagulants, antiplatelets and thrombolytics
Authors: Khandelwal Gaurav , Ray Avik , Sethi Samdish , Harikrishnan H. K. , Khandelwal Chaitanya , Sadasivam Balakrishnan
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic the world is dealing with currently. Clinical evidences suggest that the patients are predisposed to both venous and arterial thrombotic complications. This is because of severe inflammatory responses, injury to endothelium and activation of platelets leading to increased coagulation. Additionally, individuals who are already receiving antithrombotic drug therapy for various cardiovascular diseases and complications might contract the disease in which case, attention should be given to the choice and duration of the therapy besides close monitoring of biochemical blood parameters. Herein, we review the incidences of thrombotic complications and their outcomes in COVID-19 patients as reported till date, while understanding the prophylactic and therapeutic roles of anticoagulants, antiplatelets and thrombolytics in the management of this severe viral respiratory illness.
Evaluation of antenatal services at Family welfare Centre under RMNCH+A Programme in Delhi
Authors: Kaur Gurmeet , Gupta Kalika , Shyam Subhajit
Published: November 2021

Background:

According to WHO, 536,000 women die every year in the world from causes relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum. Ninety nine percent of these deaths occur in the developing countries. Primary health centres (in densely populated areas and in urban slums are also referred to as family welfare centres, since they provide the whole continuum of care, from birth through adolescent and delivery and thereafter.

Aim:

To evaluate the antenatal services under Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child plus Adolescent (RMNCHA) programme at a family welfare centre located in Central Delhi, India. We have proposed an action plan that will help in evaluating and improving these services.

Methodology:

The study included health providers of antenatal services and the beneficiaries. With a response rate of 90% from a sample of 218, 203 consenting antenatal women (beneficiaries) visiting the centre for ANC check-up under RMNCH + A programme and PMSMA were included. For quantitative component, a pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured screening questionnaire were administered to the beneficiaries and healthcare providers to evaluate the antenatal services under RMNCH + A programme at the family welfare centre.

Results:

Qualitative and quantitative analysis was done separately. Only 43% of ANC women said health workers visited them at home during pregnancy and very few could tell about importance of lab investigations. Almost all (97%) knew about key messages given by health workers. Nearly all participants considered that the screening process was smooth. The waiting time and time to undergo varied from 4 to 6 min.
Psychological self-security and self-concept among Saudi epilepsy patients at a tertiary care center in KSA
Authors: Aldosary Wardah S. , Heena Humariya , El-Bakri Nahid. K.
Published: November 2021

Objective:

While psychological issues in epilepsy patients have been studied extensively, the phenomena of self-concept and self-security have not been adequately addressed in such patients. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to assess the levels of psychological self-security and self-concept among Saudi epilepsy patients.

Methods:

A case-control study was conducted on adult patients with epilepsy from the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Healthy controls were obtained from the community. Demographic data including age, gender and education level were collected. Self-concept and self-security were assessed using validated scales. Descriptive statistics were obtained, and inferential testing was conducted.

Results:

Data from 145 subjects was entered in the final analysis, including 100 patients with epilepsy and 45 controls (females = 32%). A significantly higher level of psychological insecurity was found in PWE (people with epilepsy) compared to controls. No significant difference was noticed on self-concept level between PWE versus controls. Education level was significantly lower in PWE than in controls. Those with higher education levels scored lower on psychological insecurity, although this effect disappeared when the data were split by health status.

Conclusion:

Level of psychological self-security was higher in PWE than controls, while no difference in self-concept was observed. This study highlights the areas of focus needed in epilepsy-related social services in order to improve the psychological wellbeing of patients with epilepsy.
Are the labour rooms of primary healthcare facilities capable of providing basic delivery and newborn services? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sachan Divyata , Kumar Deepak , Gangwar Abhinav , Jain Pankaj Kumar , Kumar Sandip , Shukla Sushil Kumar , Srivastava Dhiraj Kumar , Kharya Pradip , Bajpai Prashant Kumar , Pathak Pooja , Rao Tamma Raja
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

The study aimed to assess the functionality of labour rooms by evaluating the labour room infrastructure with reference to the standard guidelines, the status of the availability of human resources, the availability of essential equipment and consumables in the labour room and by documenting the knowledge of the healthcare provider in terms of labour room practices. The study also explored the facility parameters associated with its delivery load taking the facility as a unit of analysis.

Design:

A cross-sectional analytical study.

Setting:

India has realised the importance of improving the quality of care in public health facilities, and steps are being taken to make healthcare more responsive to women’s needs. With an increase in the proportion of institutional deliveries in India, the outcome of the delivery process can be improved by optimising the health facility components.

Participants:

The study was conducted in 52 health facilities and healthcare providers involved in the delivery process in the selected facilities.

Results:

The infrastructure of the facilities was found to be the best for medical college followed by district hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and subcentres. Similar findings were observed in terms of the availability of equipment and consumables. Lack of healthcare providers was observed as only 20% of the posts for health personnel were fulfilled in CHCs followed by PHCs, subcentres and district hospitals where 43, 50 and 79% of the available vacancies were fulfilled. The level of knowledge of healthcare providers in terms of partograph, active management of the third stage of labour and post-partum haemorrhage ranged as per their designation. The specialists were the most knowledgeable while the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (AMNs) were the least. All the components of structural capacity, i.e. infrastructure (r
2 = 0.377, P value < 0.001), equipment and consumable (r
2 = 0.606, P value < 0.001) and knowledge of healthcare providers (r
2 = 0.456, P value < 0.001) along with the overall facility score were positively correlated with the average delivery load of the health facility. The results from multivariate linear regression depict significant relation between the delivery load and availability of equipment and consumables (t = 4.015, P < 0.01) and with the knowledge of healthcare providers (t = 2.129, P = 0.039).

Conclusions:

The higher facilities were better equipped to provide delivery and newborn care. A higher delivery load was found at high-level facilities which can be attributed to better infrastructure, adequate supply of equipment and consumables and availability of trained human resources.
Awareness and perception of COVID-19 among final-year dental students, Sudan
Authors: Mahmoud Mai O. , Ali Marwa M. Elameen. I. , Khalifa Amar F. M.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Infection with COVID-19 has serious consequences, which may lead to severe pneumonia and even death. There is a high risk of infection between dental personnel and patients due to working in proximity while performing dental treatments.

Objective:

This study aims to assess the awareness about COVID-19 and its preventive measures among final-year dental students.

Methods:

Institutional-based cross-sectional study, among the final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery students, the sample size was 288 participants during the period from August 8, 2020, to August 15, 2020. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire formed of a series of close-ended questions about sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about COVID-19, prevention in dental clinic, and perception toward COVID-19. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science, version 25 (SPSS 20.0, Chicago, IL). The Chi-square test was used for the significance level, which was set at a value of P = 0.05 or less for all analyses.

Results:

Form 288 students, the average age (measured in years) was 23.31 ± 1.8. (means ± SD). A total of 224 (77.8%) respondents were females. For COVID-19-related knowledge, 282 (97.9%) students possessed a high knowledge level, 4 (1.4%) had moderate knowledge, and only 2 (0.7%) showed poor knowledge. Also, 95% of participants responded correctly with a total agreement to questions regarding infection control measurements, the least agreement response (85%) was for: avoid aerosol-generating procedures whenever possible. There are statistically significant relations between knowledge score and gender (P = 0.024), knowledge score and source of knowledge (P = 0.017), and perceived severity and knowledge score (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

This study illustrated that the knowledge score among participants is good. There are associations between gender and level of knowledge, knowledge score and source of knowledge, and perceived severity and knowledge score.
Practices followed by type-II diabetes mellitus patients for prevention of foot ulcers
Authors: Kaur Vaneet , Kalyani C. Vasantha , Rohilla Kusum K.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Type-II diabetes mellitus is a serious lifestyle-related health problem globally and its prevalence is rapidly increasing day by day. The main purpose of this study was to assess practices followed by Type-II diabetes mellitus patients regarding the prevention of foot ulcers.

Method:

This study was a cross-sectional study using a case series type of research design. Purposively, a total of 100 type-II diabetes mellitus patients were registered with AIIMS Rishikesh for their treatment. Data collection tools were a semi-structured questionnaire that included 20 items. By conducting an interview schedule, data was collected from each participant.

Results:

Majority of participants belong to age group of 51–60 years and were males. Practice score showed majority of Type-II DM patients were following moderate-level practices, followed by only few (15%) were following good practice for preventing foot ulcers.

Conclusion:

Health care professionals must empathize on educating type-II diabetes patients regarding preventive measures for foot ulcers. Educate patients regarding the importance of self-foot care practice and promoting them for proper follow-up as well to decrease incidence of diabetic foot ulcers.
A comparative study of the perceptions of family members patients hospitalized in intensive and cardiac care units (CCU and ICU) in regard to the importance of family needs in Golestan University of Medical Sciences 2020
Authors: Izadpanah Asemeh , Kolagari Shohreh , Sabzi Zahra
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

Intensive care units (ICUs) cause double stress and tension in hospitalized patients’ family members. Improving care quality in these wards requires estimating the importance of the families’ needs by the nurses. Therefore, the present research was designed to determine and compare the perceptions of family members of the patients hospitalized in the ICUs and cardiac care units (CCUs) about the importance of family needs and their relationship with some factors in the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, 2020.

Methods:

This was a descriptive-analytical study. Eighty-eight companions of the patients admitted in the ICU and 88 companions of the patients admitted in the CCU were studied by stratified sampling, proportional, and then, available allocation. To analyze the data, Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, and multivariate analysis of variance in the SPSS 18 statistical software were used (the significance level was 0.05).

Results:

The results revealed that in both the ICUs, the variable “the family relationship of hospitalized patients’ companions” and their needs was found to be significantly different in general. This difference in all dimensions was related to the relationship between the spouse and the patient. Generally, there was no significant difference between the gender of the patient’s companion and the importance of family needs in the CCU ward, but this difference was significant in general and in all dimensions in the ICU ward so that the importance of all the needs was more in the female companions.

Conclusion:

This study proved that the need in the “confidence” dimension is the most important need of the family of patients admitted to the two wards (CCU) and (ICU).
Weight control practices among the Saudi Arabian population during the Covid-19 lockdown
Authors: Alharthi Muffarah H.
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

Physical activity appears to be essential to maintain health during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for those at high risk, because of its advantages mentally as well as physically. This study determines weight control behaviors among the Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

The study was a cross-sectional survey of Saudis aged 18–60 and residents in the country during the lockdown period. The study sample was 384 people obtained from the Leslie formula for sample size calculations. The population covered all Saudi regions.

Results:

A total of 397 people responded to the survey. Among these people, 196 (49.4%) were male and 201 (50.6%) were female. The majority of them were urban residents (288; 72.5%). One hundred seventy-five (44.1%) had engaged in healthy behavior for weight control during the COVID-19. Factors that significantly affected these healthy behaviors were gender, employment, and educational level (P value <0.05). During pandemic, certain activities and behaviors were affected (P value < 0.05), including smoking (36; 9.1%), exercising (255; 64.2%), dieting for weight loss (98; 24.7%), dieting for weight maintenance (102; 25.7%), regular dieting before COVID-19 (112; 28.2%), and maintaining exercise after pandemic (194; 48.9%). Other significantly affected healthy behaviors were decreasing food intake (301; 75.8%; P value 0.01) and eating less meat (200; 50.4%; P value 0.00).

Conclusions:

Healthy behavior for weight control during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by less than half of the study population. Minority (15.6%) engaged in at least one unhealthy or extreme weight loss practice. Healthy behavior was significantly influenced by gender, employment, and educational level.
Mental health orientation among ASHAs
Authors: Mary Kapanee Aruna Rose , Meena K.S. , Nattala Prasanthi , Sudhir Paulomi M.
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

The high mental health treatment gap in India, necessitates mental health service delivery through the primary health care system. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) as frontline community health workers are a key member of the primary health care team. The ASHAs training needs related to mental health, require to be determined in order to accordingly tailor capacity-building programs. In this context, the present study aims to examine the ASHAs mental health orientation utilizing a factorially validated Indian tool.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 91 ASHAs from a taluk of Bengaluru Urban District, responded to the self-administered Orientation towards Mental Illness (OMI) scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics viz. frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

Results:

The ASHAs reported an overall unfavourable mental health orientation and the specific OMI factors on which unfavourable orientation was observed were Psychosocial stress, Non-restrained behaviour, Weak cognitive control, Fidgety behaviour, Bizarre behaviour, Psychosocial manipulation, and Hypo-functioning.

Conclusion:

The findings of the study suggest that capacity-building programs for ASHAs will need to first examine their orientation to mental health and collaboratively address an unfavourable orientation when present, as it would have a bearing on ASHAs mental health service delivery in the community.
A cross-sectional study on generalized anxiety disorder and its socio-demographic correlates among the general population in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aljurbua Faisal I. , Selaihem Ahmed , Alomari Naif A. , Alrashoud Abdualziz M.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is often described than define as a psychological illness that is characterized by excessive worry. Little attention has been given to anxiety disorders by the medical community in Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out to screen for GAD among adults and determine the correlation of anxiety disorder with other comorbidities.

Methodology:

This study was a cross-sectional observational study carried out among adults aged 18 years and above in the general population in Saudi Arabia. The people were screened by using an Arabic validated version of General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire that was sent as a Google link via emails or different social media (Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram groups) of the general population. The study was approved by the hospital research committee and the Institutional Review Board (HlRI-05-Apr21-01).

Results:

We collected 338 participants in response to our questionnaire where 60.7% of them were females and 54.5% were aged between 25 and 34 years old. hypersensitivity, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) were the main medical conditions represented by 7.6%, 4.8%, 3.7%, and 3.4%. According to GAD-7 questionnaire, prevalence of any degree of anxiety was 62.1% where 33.1% of the total sample had mild anxiety, 15.7% had a moderate degree of anxiety and 13.3% had severe anxiety. Anxiety was related to age, residency, occupation, and some medical conditions.

Conclusion:

We found high prevalence of anxiety among our population which was the highest among younger participants, and students. Moreover, we found that prevalence and severity of anxiety were higher in patients with chronic conditions and depressed patients.
Factors associated with early cessation of exclusive breast feeding among Saudi mothers
Authors: Al Shahrani Abeer Salem , Hushan Hessah Mamdouh , Binjamaan Noura Khalid , Binhuwaimel Wajd Abdulrahman , Alotaibi Jawaher Jazaa , Alrasheed Lama Ali
Published: November 2021

Context:

World Health Organization recommending initiation of breastfeeding within hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. In Saudi Arabia, there is a paucity of studies on the factors associated with early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.

Aims:

We aimed to assess the exclusive breastfeeding rates and to identify the risk factors for early breastfeeding cessation at maternal and institutional levels.

Settings and Design:

A prospective observational study carried out at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods and Materials:

It included all postpartum women who had given birth to full term, singleton, healthy newborns, and were breastfeeding before discharge. Data were collected before discharge, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks postpartum using an adapted instrument.

Statistical Analysis:

Using JMP14 software with appropriate statistical tests.

Results:

The study included 136 mothers, of whom 37.5% were exclusively breastfeeding in the first 2 weeks; this rate dropped to 19% with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001). Early breastfeeding cessation was significantly associated with maternal age, health status, mother’s knowledge, and attitude, in addition to other modifiable factors that was encountered during hospital stay such as latching difficulties and introduction of formula feeding.

Conclusions:

This study reported low exclusive breastfeeding rates in the first 2 months postpartum among Saudi mothers. Multiple factors were associated with breastfeeding, and some are modifiable. Breastfeeding promotion and support for is a critical role required from healthcare workers in all settings, including primary health care. Healthcare professionals play a major role in promoting, protecting, and supporting exclusive breastfeeding.
Lifestyle changes of attendees at primary health care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almutairi Abdulaziz , Kalevaru Chandra Sekhar
Published: November 2021

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many individuals in the past year through increased mortality, morbidity, and economic disturbances while also affecting individual lifestyles. Healthy lifestyle practices can reduce mortality and morbidity and improve quality of life. We aimed to identify daily lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we examined factors related to family, livelihood, and other associated changes.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among attendees visiting selected primary health care centers of Qassim province. The data was collected through direct interview method, and 365 individuals participated during the study period. Data was entered in SPSS version 21.0, and necessary statistical tests were applied.

Results:

Out of 365 individuals, 27.4% were male and 72.6% were female. There was a drastic decrease in the frequency of in-person shopping (74.2%) and a steep increase in online shopping (41.4%). The mean weight increase was 4.5 (SD = 3.09) kg. Telemedicine use was 43.6%. There was a statistically significant association found between male gender and fear about COVID-19 (P = 0.019).

Conclusions:

We noticed adverse lifestyle changes in the study population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health promotional measures and lifestyle modifications are still required to combat COVID-19.
Traveling with ROSE in EBUS-TBNA – Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Authors: Vasugi Gramani Arumugam , Mathivanan Koushik Muthuraja , Rajendiran Swaminathan , Sundaram Sandhya , Ayub Irfan I.
Published: November 2021

Aims and Objectives:

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a precise modality for tissue sampling of mediastinal and hilar lesions adjacent to the proximal airway. This study aims to determine the diagnostic efficacy, sensitivity, and specificity of rapid-on site evaluation (ROSE) in EBUS-TBNA.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study that included 100 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA of paratracheal and mediastinal lymph nodes in a tertiary care hospital in South India between March 2018 and March 2020. After the procedure, the diagnostic yield from the nodes sampled was transferred to slides that were stained with rapid hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), and then onsite evaluation was done. The tissue derived was also processed for histopathologic examination in all cases. ROSE was performed to assess sample adequacy and to arrive at a preliminary diagnosis. In patients suspected of tuberculosis, the sample was collected for GeneXpert evaluation as well.

Results:

Of the 100 cases studied, 51 were males and 49 were females. The age distribution was between 3 and 78 years. Forty-seven cases were diagnosed as granulomatous lymphadenitis, 13 as metastatic malignancies, 33 as reactive lymphadenitis, 3 as atypical cells, and 1 case was diagnosed as a cystic lesion. The diagnostic yield was not adequate for evaluation in three cases. Diagnostic yield was obtained in the first two passes where the lymph nodes were more than 2 cm in size. More diagnostic passes were required in lymph nodes less than 2 cm and those located between and adjacent to major vessels. The onsite diagnosis was correlated with the final histopathologic diagnosis.

Conclusion:

ROSE serves as a useful adjunct to reduce procedure time and enhance sample collection and triaging, and reduces the need for further invasive testing.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children among pediatrician in Eastern India
Authors: Sahu Sanjay Kumar , Patnaik Sibabratta , Behera Jyoti Ranjan , Jain Mukesh Kumar , Pathak Mona
Published: November 2021

Background:

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 is a new life-threatening entity whose diagnosis and management warrant awareness and in-depth knowledge. This study intends to estimate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward MIS-C among pediatricians of eastern India.

Subjects and Methods:

A descriptive, web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among pediatricians of eastern India between January 1 and March 31, 2021, where they were invited to participate irrespective of their experience in treating COVID-positive children.

Results:

The majority of pediatricians (≥95%) are aware of the terminology MIS-C, its clinical features, presence of raised inflammatory markers, its treatment, and follow-up. Although 75% were aware of the vulnerable age group, only 50% knew the exact timing of occurrence. Fever as a mandatory criterion for diagnosis was known to 62.6%. The majority (75%) agreed that positivity of any of the tests (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, antigen, or antibody) or history of contact with COVID is necessary for diagnosis. Kawasaki Disease and Toxic Shock Syndrome as a common differential diagnosis of MIS-C were agreed upon by 86%. Pediatricians working in COVID hospital were more confident in managing MIS-C than who are not working (72.8% vs. 38.6%). Steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin used as first-line treatment by 94% and 72%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Although the majority of pediatricians are now aware of MIS-C, still there is need for continuing medical education (CME) and interactive sessions with experts, to make them suspect, detect early and manage it more effectively.
HAVA ARAÇLARINDA BUZLANMA RİSK DERECESİNİN YAPAY ZEKA İLE TAHMİN EDİLMESİ
Authors: ATEŞ Fatmanur , ŞENOL Ramazan
Published: November 2021

Hava araçlarında buzlanma geçmişten günümüze havacılık alanında ciddi problemlerden biridir. Buzlanma hava araçlarının performansını düşürür ve hava aracının hakimiyetinin kaybedilip düşmesine, bunun sonucu olarak ise ölüm ve yaralanmalara sebep olabilir. Literatürde hava aracı üzerinde oluşan buzlanmadan ötürü pek çok kaza meydana gelmiştir ve günümüzde de halen meydana gelmektedir. Hava araçlarında buzlanma probleminin önüne geçebilmek için buz önleme ve buz giderme sistemleri önerilmiştir. Buz önleme ve giderme sistemlerinin doğru zamanda devreye alınıp çıkarılması önem arz eder. Aynı zamanda buz önleme ve giderme sistemlerinin çalıştırılıp kapatılması için buzlanmanın varlığına göre kararı pilota bırakmamakta insan kaynaklı hataların önüne geçmeyi sağlar. Bu çalışmada buzlanma risk derecesinin karar ağaçları algoritması kullanarak tahmin edilmesi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Karar ağacı algoritması hold-out, k kat çapraz doğrulama ve biri dışarda çapraz doğrulama modelleri için kurulmuştur. Hold-out yöntemi için farklı doğrulama verisi oranları kullanılmış, k kat çapraz doğrulama modeli için ise farklı k kat değerleri kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar performans değerlendirme metriklerinden doğruluk, duyarlılık, kesinlik ve F-ölçütü kullanılarak belirlenmiştir.
Use of a real-time virtual patient simulation for interprofessional distance education: A pilot study
Authors: Burmeister Paul , Isaacs Gabrielle , Griffiths Bronwen , Mo Lanxinning , Chin Jordan , McCall Cate , Duffull Stephen
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the use of cloud-based virtual patients as a tool for engagement in interprofessional distance education (IPDE).
Methods: Five pairs of final-year pharmacy and final-year nursing students interacted with an autonomous, real-time, cloud-based virtual patient (VP). They were debriefed after completion of their case and completed a questionnaire on the relevance of the VP to core IPE competencies.
Results: The virtual patient approach was considered to be able to cover 25 of the 39 core IPE competencies. From a thematic analysis, there was evidence of students learning from, with, and about each other.
Conclusions: The use of cloud-based autonomous VPs could be a successful tool for IPE.
Inequality in accessing learning during pandemic crises in developing countries: Reflections from COVID-19-induced online learning at a Kenyan pharmacy school
Authors: Njambi Kihugi Veronica , Mayoka Godfrey Wabwile
Published: November 2021

Background: Virtual learning platforms gained unprecedented prominence after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Assuring the quality of education and student satisfaction are critical, especially in developing countries often plagued with infrastructural limitations, including information technology.    
Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the perceptions of students at a Kenyan Pharmacy School of online learning with regards to affordability and overall effectiveness.    
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey containing pre-determined questions aligned to achieve the research objectives.    
Results:  Students in senior classes (Fifth year) viewed online learning more favourably and had fewer challenges with accessibility than students in the lower classes (First year to third year).    
Conclusion: The study identified areas of strength, such as convenience, time-efficiency, and self-initiative, as well as weaknesses, including inequitable access, internet connectivity challenges, and unsatisfactory lecturer digital competency, with relation to online learning.