bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Nasal Irrigation on COVID-19 Patient’s Mild Symptoms of Respiratory Tract
Authors: Siregar Siti Masliana , Utami Ratih Yulistika
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus-2 (SARS CoV-2) is a virus that causes covid-19. The initial symptoms put forward by WHO since 2020 is fever accompanied by cough and shortness of breath. Currently, the loss of smell and taste, accompanied by other symptoms, tends to be a strong predictor of COVID-19. The nose is the entrance for air, that's why the nose has an important role in the breathing process. In addition to warming, humidifying, and filtering incoming air, the nose can also maintain respiratory tract homeostasis. The use of nasal irrigation with isotonic saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) is a way to improve mucociliary clearance function by activating cilia as an olfactory sensory system.
 
AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effect of nasal irrigation to covid patients who has mild symptoms in the upper respiratory tract
 
METHODOLOGY: The purpose of this study was to see the effectiveness of nasal irrigation using 0.9% NaCl in COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, by looking at the average duration of time complaints felt by patients compared to those without nasal irrigation intervention                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
 
RESULTS: This study found a significant difference (p-value = 0.000) between the control group and the intervention group where the mean duration of symptoms in the intervention group was shorter than the control group.
 
CONCLUSION: anosmia is a symptom in covid-19 which is almost always accompanied by symptoms of loss of taste, various theories on the cause of anosmia have been put forward since the covid-19 pandemic broke out. Improvements in symptom duration were found to be shorter in COVID-19 patients who performed nasal irrigation using 0.9% NaCl independently for 10 days so that in the future it is hoped that nasal irrigation will become part of the comprehensive management of COVID-19 patients who have mild symptoms, especially symptoms related to nasal and upper respiratory complaints.
Bio-photogrammetry: digitally archiving coloured 3D morphology data of creatures and associated challenges
Authors: Kano Yuichi
Published: August 2022

Morphological data of life forms are fundamental for documenting and understanding biodiversity. I developed a photogrammetry technique for reconstructing the outer coloured morphology of various creatures and published more than 1000 models online (https://sketchfab.com/ffishAsia-and-floraZia). By suspending it with nylon fishing line(s), taking digital photos from multiple angles and analysing the photos with photogrammetry software, we can obtain a fine 3-dimensional (3D) model of a creature. I believe the challenge could contribute to various fields, such as taxonomy, museology, morphology, anatomy, ecology, education, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, metaverse and, eventually, open/citizen science. Herein, I report the idea and achievement, which I have termed “bio-photogrammetry.”
Publier, éditer, éditorialiser
Authors: Puig Vincent
Published: August 2022

La contribution des communautés d’amateurs est une constante historique dans des domaines tels que la généalogie, l’astronomie, la botanique… Mais cette activité, tout en prenant des dimensions considérables dans le champ de la fiction ( fanfiction.net ), cache en fait une grande variabilité des contributions depuis que celles-ci se confrontent directement à l’économie des données dans un rapport d’opposition, d’exploitation (souvent non consciente) ou plus rarement de collaboration. La contribution amateur peut aller, en contexte numérique, d’une simple production de traces de navigation, objet principal de l’économie des données et des réseaux sociaux, jusqu’à des formes d’édition/agrégation contributive (Wikipedia), d’éditorialisation et de commentaire (micro-critiques de films) ou de publication originale (blogs). Nous procéderons dans cet article à une analyse organologique 1 de ces productions en questionnant les fonctions sociotechniques de la contribution : annotation, indexation, catégorisation, visualisation, constitution de groupes et recommandation, éditorialisation en montrant comment ces fonctions s’articulent plus ou moins bien avec le traitement algorithmique des données. Enfin, nous proposerons des perspectives de développement de nouveaux formats herméneutiques s’inspirant de projets ayant précédé le web menacé de privatisation que nous connaissons aujourd’hui (Xanadu), ou s’approchant de certaines propositions actuelles du W3C (Open Annotation, Media Fragment) et favorisant in fine une re-décentralisation et une re-territorialisation de la publication numérique.
Application of reflectance spectroscopy to identify maize genotypes and aflatoxin levels in single kernels
Authors: Aoun M. , Siegel C. , Windham G.L. , Williams W.P. , Nelson R.J.
Published: August 2022

Spectroscopy is a rapid, non-destructive, and low-cost analytical technique that has the potential to complement more resource-intensive analytical methods. We explored the use of spectral methods to differentiate maize genotypes and assess aflatoxin (AF) contamination in maize kernels. We compared the performance of two instruments: a research-grade ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrometer that measures reflectance from 304 -1,085 nm, and a miniaturised NIR spectrometer that measures reflectance from 740-1,070 nm. Both systems were used to predict AF levels in maize kernels from a single genotype and across 10 genotypes, and to predict genotype for the latter. A partial least square discriminant analysis model was trained on 70% of the kernels and tested on the remaining 30%. The classification accuracy for 10 maize genotypes was 71-72% using the UV-Vis-NIR instrument on 1,170 kernels, and 65-66% using the NIR device on 740 kernels. The classification accuracy for 247 AF-contaminated kernels of a single genotype using the UV-Vis-NIR instrument was 71, 82, and 92% for AF thresholds of 20, 100, and 1000 μg/kg, respectively. Using the same spectrometer on 872 kernels from 10 genotypes, AF classification accuracy was 67, 90, and 95% in validation sets for AF thresholds of 20, 100, and 1000 μg/kg, respectively. The UV-Vis-NIR instrument and the NIR device had similar classification accuracies for AF thresholds of 100 and 1000 μg/kg, whereas the NIR device had higher accuracy for the AF threshold of 20 μg/kg. Reflectance spectroscopy outperformed visual sorting and the bright greenish yellow fluorescence test in identifying AF levels. Applying spectral analysis to estimate mycotoxin levels and to identify maize genotypes could contribute to regional toxin surveillance and action efforts. Further, using AF-associated spectral features for grain sorting can reduce AF exposure.
Indications and Outcomes for Extraocular Muscle Disinsertion in Strabismus Surgery
Authors: Thuma Tobin B. T. , Nelson Leonard B.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

To describe a case series of extraocular muscle (EOM) disinsertions, discuss the indications for muscle disinsertion, and examine deviation outcomes.

Methods:

All consecutive patients who underwent EOM disinsertion by one surgeon from 2013 to 2021 were included in the study. Age, sex, best corrected visual acuity, diagnosis, preoperative deviation, postoperative deviation, and follow-up interval were recorded.

Results:

Twelve patients (13 eyes) underwent EOM disinsertion. Ten were men and two were women. Eight eyes had an abducens nerve (cranial nerve 6) palsy, four had thyroid eye disease, and one had an oculomotor nerve palsy (cranial nerve 3). Preoperatively, the average age was 57.7 years, best corrected visual acuity was 0.24 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in the right eye and 0.35 logMAR in the left eye, and deviation was 56.4 prism diopters (PD). The average postoperative residual deviation was 5.3 PD with an average follow-up time of 290 days. Four patients underwent reoperation, one of whom underwent a third surgery.

Conclusions:

EOM disinsertion is an effective treatment in certain specific strabismus conditions. Patients who may benefit are those with a severe cranial nerve 6 palsy who cannot abduct the eye even to the midline and those with thyroid eye disease whose EOMs are so tight intraoperatively that even a small hook cannot be easily passed under the operative muscle adequately to perform a large recession technique.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2023;60(4):253–256.]
Factors Affecting the Perception of Strabismus Among Pediatric Ophthalmologists
Authors: Ramirez Maria Katrina , Bello Nicholas R. , Schnall Bruce M. , Zhang Qiang (Ed) , Sharpe James , Gunton Kammi B.
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

To define potential factors that influence the perceived urgency of strabismus surgery with a specific focus on the contributions of gender, degree of strabismus, and direction of strabismus.

Methods:

An electronic survey was sent to members of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Respondents provided demographic information and ranked eight photographs of adults digitally altered to create varying degrees of strabismus according to perceived urgency for surgery.

Results:

Pediatric ophthalmologists ranked deviations of increasing size with increasing treatment urgency. Men were perceived with higher urgency for treatment compared to women in the smaller angles of strabismus. No consistent preference for type of deviation was found.

Conclusions:

The gender of the patient and the amount of misalignment may influence the urgency of surgical management among strabismus surgeons.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2023;60(4):257–262.]
Comparison of Dichoptic Therapy Versus Occlusion Therapy in Children With Anisometropic Amblyopia: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Roy Shayeri , Saxena Rohit , Dhiman Rebika , Phuljhele Swati , Sharma Pradeep
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

To compare a smartphone-based dichoptic video game with occlusion therapy in children with anisometropic amblyopia.

Methods:

In this prospective, randomized, interventional study, 55 children aged 5 to 15 years with anisometropic amblyopia were randomized into two groups: the video game group (n = 27) played a dichoptic video game with adjusted contrast for 2 hours/day and the patching group (n = 28) received occlusion therapy of the non-amblyopic eye for 6 hours/day. All patients were evaluated for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), near vision, contrast sensitivity, and near and distance stereoacuity at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months.

Results:

Mean distance BCVA improved from 0.74 ± 0.19 and 0.70 ± 0.18 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in the video game and patching groups, respectively, at baseline to 0.53 ± 0.19 and 0.49 ± 0.19 logMAR, respectively, at 3 months (
P
< .001 for both). Mean near vision was 0.82 ± 0.19 and 0.81 ± 0.17 logMAR in the video game and patching groups, respectively, at baseline and improved to 0.60 ± 0.16 and 0.63 ± 0.17 logMAR at 3 months (
P
< .001 for both). There was no significant difference in distance and near vision between the two groups at baseline and final follow-up visit. Contrast sensitivity was 1.41 ± 0.20 and 1.38 ± 0.20 in the video game and patching groups, respectively, at baseline and 1.74 ± 0.18 and 1.61 ± 0.21 at 3 months (
P
< .001 for both). At the final follow-up visit, contrast sensitivity was significantly better in the video game group compared to the patching group (
P
= .01). Near stereoacuity significantly improved only in the video game group (
P
= .006), whereas distance stereoacuity did not improve in either group.

Conclusions:

Dichoptic video game therapy showed better results in terms of improvement in contrast sensitivity and near stereoacuity and similar outcomes for distance and near vision when compared to patching in children with anisometropic amblyopia. However, the availability of interesting games is essential to maintain children's interest.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2023;60(3):210–217.]
Gastric-Type Enteric Duplication Cyst Communicating with an Accessory Pancreatic Duct
Authors: Bence Christina M. , Koehler Shannon M. , Samra Hasan , Southern James F. , Boyd Kevin P. , Chugh Ankur A. , Lal Dave R.
Published: August 2022

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies defined by the location along the gastrointestinal tract from which they communicate as well as the epithelial lining they contain. Enteric duplication cysts in communication with the pancreas are an even rarer subset that are often difficult to diagnose due to nonspecific presenting symptoms. In a pediatric patient with a history of recurrent pancreatitis episodes, a pancreatic duplication should be on the differential. High clinical suspicion and specific imaging characteristics can aid in the diagnosis. The management of pancreatic duplication cysts requires surgical excision or drainage procedures to alleviate symptoms and prevent associated complications such as recurrent pancreatitis, bleeding, bowel obstruction, or malignancy. Here we present a case of a gastric duplication cyst in communication with an accessory pancreatic lobe with special focus on the preoperative workup, intraoperative findings, and histopathologic examination.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2022;51(8):e324–e327.]
Global Pediatric Surgery in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Raiji Manish T. , Linden Allison F.
Published: August 2022

There is a tremendous unmet need regarding the surgical care of children in low- and middle-income countries. The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the resultant redistribution of health care resources required to combat it, has created even more unique difficulties in the provision of safe, timely, and affordable surgical care of children globally. The downstream effects of potential diminished surgical capacity may even more significantly affect the morbidity and mortality of children. The full effects of these changes are yet to be seen. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created unique opportunities that can be built on moving forward. It is critical that the focus on global surgical needs, particularly for children, continues to be a priority to mitigate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2022;51(8):e316–e318.]
Revealing the spatial variation in vehicle travel time with weather and driver travel frequency impacts: Findings from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China
Authors: Lin Peiqun , Liu Xuanyi , Pei Mingyang , Wu Pan
Published: August 2022

Vehicle travel time information is an essential location-based services that can be used to assess highway traffic conditions and provide valuable insights for transit agencies and travelers. To reveal the spatial variation in vehicle travel time with multiple factors, a multiple regression model and a geographically weighted regression model are used to investigate the associations between travel time and various factors. This study draws on freeway toll data in combination with local weather station records on Fridays over 12 months (286, 406 travel information data points), and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), China, is used as a case study for examining the influence of weather and driver travel frequency on vehicle travel time. The results show that i) travel frequency along an origin-destination (OD) route has a significant effect on travel time, and this effect is approximately 3 to 100 times that of other explanatory variables; ii) rainfall significantly impacts travel time, with an effect that is 1.9 to 8.26 times that of other weather factors; and iii) both weather and driver travel frequency factors display spatial heterogeneity. These findings provide valuable insights for both traffic management and freeway travelers.
Reinforcement learning in optimization problems. Applications to geophysical data inversion
Authors: Dell'Aversana Paolo
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we introduce a novel inversion methodology that combines the benefits offered by Reinforcement-Learning techniques with the advantages of the Epsilon-Greedy method for an expanded exploration of the model space. Among the various Reinforcement Learning approaches, we applied the set of algorithms included in the category of the Q-Learning methods. We show that the Temporal Difference algorithm offers an effective iterative approach that allows finding an optimal solution in geophysical inverse problems. Furthermore, the Epsilon-Greedy method properly coupled with the Reinforcement Learning workflow, allows expanding the exploration of the model-space, minimizing the misfit between observed and predicted responses and limiting the problem of local minima of the cost function. In order to prove the feasibility of our methodology, we tested it using synthetic geo-electric data and a seismic refraction data set available in the public domain.
The study of fractional-order convection-reaction-diffusion equation via an Elzake Atangana-Baleanu operator
Authors: Naeem Muhammed , Aljahdaly Noufe H. , Shah Rasool , Weera Wajaree
Published: August 2022

The major goal of this research is to use a new integral transform approach to obtain the exact solution to the time-fractional convection-reaction-diffusion equations (CRDEs). The proposed method is a combination of the Elzaki transform and the homotopy perturbation method. He's polynomial is used to tackle the nonlinearity which arise in our considered problems.Three test examples are considered to show the accuracy of the proposed scheme. In order to find satisfactory approximations to the offered problems, this work takes into account a sophisticated methodology and fractional operators in this context. In order to achieve better approximations after a limited number of iterations, we first construct the Elzaki transforms of the Caputo fractional derivative (CFD) and Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative (ABFD) and implement them for CRDEs. It has been found that the proposed method's solution converges at the desired rate towards the accurate solution. We give some graphical representations of the accurate and analytical results, which are in excellent agreement with one another, to demonstrate the validity of the suggested methodology. For validity of the present technique, the convergence of the fractional solutions towards integer order solution is investigated. The proposed method is found to be very efficient, simple, and suitable to other nonlinear problem raised in science and engineering.
A new group decision-making framework based on 2-tuple linguistic complex $ q $-rung picture fuzzy sets
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Khan Ayesha , Ahmad Uzma , Alcantud José Carlos R. , Al-Shamiri Mohammed M. Ali
Published: August 2022

The need for multi-attribute decision-making brings more and more complexity, and this type of decision-making extends to an ever wider range of areas of life. A recent model that captures many components of decision-making frameworks is the complex $ q $-rung picture fuzzy set (C$ q $-RPFS), a generalization of complex fuzzy sets and $ q $-rung picture fuzzy sets. From a different standpoint, linguistic terms are very useful to evaluate qualitative information without specialized knowledge. Inspired by the ease of use of the linguistic evaluations by means of 2-tuple linguistic term sets, and the broad scope of applications of C$ q $-RPFSs, in this paper we introduce the novel structure called 2-tuple linguistic complex $ q $-rung picture fuzzy sets (2TLC$ q $-RPFSs). We argue that this model prevails to represent the two-dimensional information over the boundary of C$ q $-RPFSs, thanks to the additional features of 2-tuple linguistic terms. Subsequently, some 2TLC$ q $-RPF aggregation operators are proposed. Fundamental cases include the 2TLC$ q $-RPF weighted averaging/geometric operators. Other sophisticated aggregation operators that we propose are based on the Hamacher operator. In addition, we investigate some essential properties of the new operators. These tools are the building blocks of a multi-attribute decision making strategy for problems posed in the 2TLC$ q $-RPFS setting. Furthermore, a numerical instance that selects an optimal machine is given to guarantee the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Finally, we conduct a comparison with other existing approaches.
On an anisotropic fractional Stefan-type problem with Dirichlet boundary conditions
Authors: Lo Catharine W. K. , Rodrigues José Francisco
Published: August 2022

In this work, we consider the fractional Stefan-type problem in a Lipschitz bounded domain $ \Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^d $ with time-dependent Dirichlet boundary condition for the temperature $ \vartheta = \vartheta(x, t) $, $ \vartheta = g $ on $ \Omega^c\times]0, T[$, and initial condition $ \eta_0 $ for the enthalpy $ \eta = \eta(x, t) $, given in $ \Omega\times]0, T[$ by

   \begin{document}$ \frac{\partial \eta}{\partial t} +\mathcal{L}_A^s \vartheta = f\quad\text{ with }\eta\in \beta(\vartheta), $\end{document}

where $ \mathcal{L}_A^s $ is an anisotropic fractional operator defined in the distributional sense by

   \begin{document}$ \langle\mathcal{L}_A^su, v\rangle = \int_{\mathbb{R}^d}AD^su\cdot D^sv\, dx, $\end{document}

$ \beta $ is a maximal monotone graph, $ A(x) $ is a symmetric, strictly elliptic and uniformly bounded matrix, and $ D^s $ is the distributional Riesz fractional gradient for $ 0 < s < 1 $. We show the existence of a unique weak solution with its corresponding weak regularity. We also consider the convergence as $ s\nearrow 1 $ towards the classical local problem, the asymptotic behaviour as $ t\to\infty $, and the convergence of the two-phase Stefan-type problem to the one-phase Stefan-type problem by varying the maximal monotone graph $ \beta $.
Spatiotemporal evolution of droughts and their teleconnections with large-scale climatic indices in the Lower Sebou Basin in northwestern Morocco
Authors: Hakam Oualid , Baali Abdennasser , Azennoud Khalil , El Kamel Touria , Ait Brahim Yassine , Ahouach Youssra
Published: August 2022

The Lower Sebou Basin, placed in a Mediterranean climate, has the particularity of being exposed to the influence of disturbances from the Atlantic Ocean, making periods of drought and climatic phenomena variable in space and time. Applying the world's most recognized drought indices, shows that the duration, frequency and severity of droughts have increased since the start of the 21st century. These results revealed and placed in the even wider regional climatic context, including the two dominant atmospheric oscillations such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Mediterranean Oscillation (MO), suggest that the significant drought trends determined are correlated with the relative facts of the two oscillations.
Vojna kot suspenz moralnosti: Lévinas in literatura holokavsta
Authors: Bojanović Kristina
Published: August 2022

Članek obravnava Lévinasovo idejo vojne kot suspenza moralnosti in idejo miru kot vladajoče moči, ki konstituira etični pomen sveta, in sicer tako, da analizira koncept etike in drugosti, ki sta stržen Lévinasove filozofije. Prispevek s poudarjanjem etičnih zapovedi, ki se kažejo v odgovornosti in dolžnosti do drugega, nemožnosti umora drugega, bližini njegovega obraza – v nasprotju do sprijenosti vojne in njenega zunajmoralnega značaja – ponuja možne odgovore na izziv pozabe in izničenja drugega v stanju vojne. V tekstu so zato obravnavani primeri strahot iz koncentracijskih taborišč, kot jih poznamo iz bogate literature holokavsta, v središču pozornosti je predvsem delo Noč Elija Wiesela. Poleg tega članek skuša tematizirati možne sledi človekoljubja in etike neskončnosti, in sicer tako, da preiskuje podobe odnosov do drugih, ki pa so pogosto tudi v nasprotju z Lévinasovim razumevanjem etičnega; pri tem so poleg Wiesla uporabljeni tudi zgledi iz Remarqua in sodobnega srbskega pisca Davida Albaharija.
Evidencing the value of educational development: Charting a course on the waves and winds of change
Authors: Groen Jovan , Hoessler Carolyn , Ives Carolyn , Bamber Veronica , Laverty Corinne , Kolomitro Klodiana
Published: August 2022

Across higher education, educational developers and theirsupporting campus communities are being called upon to scale up evidence-informedpractices, to enhance student experiences, and to document the changes. Thisarticle builds on the work of scholars who have taken up this evaluativechallenge, by examining varied aspects of the evidencing process using anadaptation of Saunders’s (2000) RUFDATA framework for evidencing value.Reflections on emerging patterns and tensions in the evidencing of educationaldevelopment are subsequently discussed. We argue for making evidencing value apurposeful and intentional process, and we chart a path forward for creatingand implementing a vision for the age of evidence. 
Vis-NIR Spectroscopy and PLS-Da Model for Classification of Arabica and Robusta Roasted Coffee Bean
Authors: Pahlawan Muhammad Fahri Reza , Masithoh Rudiati Evi
Published: August 2022

Visible-Near Infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy combined with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to classify Arabica and Robusta roasted coffee beans. The number of coffee beans analyzed was 200 samples consisting of 5 origins (Flores, Temanggung, Aceh Gayo, Jawa, and Toraja). Reflectance spectra with a wavelength of 450-950 nm were used to build two types of models, namely single-origin and general models. Single-origin Flores, Temanggung, Aceh Gayo, and Toraja models performed very well to classify coffee beans samples from the same origin with Sen, Spe, Acc, and Rel of 1, as well as TFN and TFP of 0. General PLS-DA model with baseline correction pretreatment yields Sen, Spe, Acc, and Rel of 0.97, as well as TFN and TFP of 0.04. Based on this paper, it was concluded that Vis-NIR combined with PLS-DA perform well in classifying roasted coffee beans based on the variety.
Field tests of candidate pheromone blends show promise for mating disruption of the invasive swede midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Hodgdon Elisabeth A. , Hallett Rebecca H. , Heal James D. , Stratton Chase A. , Hoepting Christine A. , Chen Yolanda H.
Published: August 2022

Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causes severe economic losses in Brassica Linnaeus (Brassicaceae) crops in its invasive range in North America. Larvae feed within the meristem of their host plants, causing deformed heads, stems, and leaves. Pheromone-mediated mating disruption is particularly promising for swede midge management in high-value vegetable crops because its use is allowed in organic production. However, a major challenge to developing economically viable mating disruption is that the stereospecific three-component swede midge pheromone is costly to synthesise. In broccoli (Brassica oleracea Linnaeus var. italica) field plots, we tested whether stereospecific, lower-cost racemic, and single-component pheromone blends resulted in trap shutdown and reduced crop damage compared to nontreated controls. We found a significant reduction in males caught in three-component stereospecific and racemic pheromone–treated plots but not in the single-component treatments. Although marketable broccoli yields were not higher overall in the pheromone-treated plots compared with those in the controls, yields were significantly higher in the three-component stereospecific treatment in year 2. Therefore, the three-component stereospecific blend shows promise as a pheromone blend for swede midge mating disruption. However, due to high cost and levels of crop damage across all treatments, additional research is necessary to optimise swede midge mating disruption.
Assessment of the Aphodius fimetarius–Aphodius pedellus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species complex in Canada
Authors: Floate Kevin D. , Wilches Diana , Coghlin Paul , Smith Andrew B.T.
Published: August 2022

Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae: Aphodiini) sensu lato is a taxon of probable European origin common in cattle dung across North America. This species has recently been recognised as a species complex composed of A. fimetarius and Aphodius pedellus (De Geer, 1774), with overlapping distributions in North America. A previous report that only A. pedellus is present in Canada was based on examination of specimens almost solely from the United States of America. In the present study, we examined the morphology of specimens (n = 2091) from localities across Canada. In combination with DNA barcoding, our results confirm that only A. pedellus is present in Canada. Results of similarity analysis confirm reduced genetic diversity among North American specimens of A. pedellus, consistent with the hypothesis that this species was introduced onto the continent during European settlement.
Comparing felt intensity patterns for crustal earthquakes in the Cascadia and Chilean subduction zones, offshore British Columbia, United States, and Chile
Authors: Rutherford J , Cassidy J F
Published: August 2022

In this study, we utilize US Geological Survey citizen science earthquake felt intensity data to investigate whether , crustal earthquakes in the Chilean Subduction Zone show similar, "felt intensity" distributions to events of the same magnitude and depths
within the Cascadia Subduction Zone (Quitoriano & Wald, 2020; USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, 2020). In a companion article (Rutherford & Cassidy, 2022) we examine intraslab deep earthquake intensity patterns for the Chile and Cascadia subduction zones. Building on from the
intraslab companion article, the goal of this comparison is to determine whether felt intensity information from several recent large (M8-8.8) subduction earthquakes in Chile can be applied to Cascadia (where no subduction earthquakes have been felt since 1700). This would provide a better
understanding of shaking intensity patterns for future subduction earthquakes in Cascadia - critical information for scientists, engineers, and emergency management organizations. For this research, we utilized 20 years of cataloged Did-You-Feel-It (DYFI) citizen science data from the US Geological
Survey's (USGS) earthquake online catalog, the ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) Documentation (USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, 2021). In total, we considered and compared intensity patterns for fourteen magnitudes from 30 earthquakes in Cascadia (ranging from magnitudes 4.5 to 7.2,
the highest magnitude event in Cascadia zone) to the intensity patterns from 114 earthquakes in Chile, with the same magnitudes as the Cascadia events (M4.5-M7.2). Our analysis involved plotting and fitting the Chile and Cascadia earthquake DYFI responses to compare the intensity patterns for the
two subduction zones. Overall, we find good agreement between felt patterns in Chile and Cascadia. For example, all plots show the expected downward trend for intensity with distance. Even distribution with limited clustering is seen in all fourteen magnitudes, with slight intensity clustering of
responses around the 30 to 600 km. This is slightly different from the intraslab pattern which demonstrated a distinct cluster at further distance from the hypocenter, e.g., cluster at 50 to 300 km. These results provide confidence that we can use Chilean intensity data for megathrust earthquakes in
Cascadia.
Effect of Kahoot game based versus nongame based on learning achievements and anxiety among nursing students
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Mohamed Heba N. , Saleh Nadia M.H. , El-Gilany Abdel-Hady , Alam Raefa R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that may be used to review students’ knowledge, for formative assessment or as a respite from traditional classroom activities.

Aim

To determine the effect of Kahoot game-based versus nongame-based on learning achievements and anxiety among nursing students.

Patients and methods

A quasi-experimental research design was done on 119 nursing students at the Technical Institute of Nursing in Sherbin city, Dakahlia Governorate, affiliated to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Tools

For data collection, four tools were used: Nursing Students’ Demographic Data Questionnaire, Knowledge of Nursing Students about Theoretical Part, Students’ Satisfaction with Kahoot Game, and Test Anxiety Tool.

Results

After application of the kahoot game, students in the Kahoot game-based group had a higher total mean score of learning achievements and a lower total mean score of anxiety level than students in the nongame-based group, with significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

Kahoot game improves learning achievements, and decreases the level of anxiety among students in game-based group than nongame-based group.

Recommendations

The Kahoot game is a useful learning platform that allows nursing students to improve their academic learning performance and demonstrating a low level of test anxiety.
Effect of pre-cesarean section instruction on postpartum maternal–newborn attachment behavior
Authors: Mohamed Soad A.E. , Kader Shadia A. , Azzam Hanan F.
Published: August 2022

Background

Attachment is a pattern of interaction and communication established and developed between the mother and the newborn after birth. As it is important for the growth of mentally and physically healthy individuals, it develops during pregnancy and continues after birth. The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of pre-cesarean section (CS) instruction on post-cesarean maternal–newborn attachment behaviors.

Design

A quasi-experimental (posttest only) design was adopted for the current study. Sample: a purposive sample of 130 post-CS women was recruited and randomly assignment to study and control groups (65 women each).

Tools

A structured interview questionnaire and postpartum maternal-newborn attachment behavior observational tools were used to collect data.

Results

There were highly statistically significant differences between study and control groups regarding the mean total attachment score (86.32±23.02 vs. 70.05±26.44 in the study and control group, respectively; P=0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences between both groups regarding the mean scores of emotional, keeping close, caring behaviors, and time of initiation of breastfeeding after CS (P=0.001).

Conclusion

Providing mothers with the necessary bonding instructions before delivery had a significant effect on post-CS maternal–newborn attachment behaviors.

Recommendations

Conducting educational programs for all women about promoting postpartum maternal–newborn attachment behaviors should be a part of prenatal care.
Indigenously Prepared Intermittent Negative Pressure Wound Dressing: Effective and Economic in Indian Scenario
Authors: Choudhary Aayushi , Joshi Mrinal , Lamoria Nitesh
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Intermittent negative pressure wound treatment (INPWT) is a proven way to accelerate wound healing by increasing blood flow, promoting angiogenesis and suction removal of matrix metalloproteinases. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of INPWT in pressure sores. In our study, we have used very low-cost locally available material for INPWT in place of commercially available costly vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) machine and dressing.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective study conducted in the department of plastic and reconstruction surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation at a tertiary level facility. Eighty patients of spinal cord injury with 70% of ASIA Grade A and B with pressure ulcer most commonly at sacral and ischial regions with National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Grade 3 and Grade 4 pressure sore were treated. Patients enrolled included 57 males and 23 females. The study employed locally manufactured low-cost materials such as foam, Ioban tape, Room Vac drain and suction machine (easily and locally available at any primary, secondary as well as tertiary healthcare centre) for INPWT in patients with pressure sores. Dressing was changed every 4th day till desired granulation tissue was formed.

Results:

Out of patients who were treated with INPWT, 30% achieved direct closure, 49% required split skin grafting and 21% required reconstruction by local flaps. Commercial available VAC machines available in the market cost around 300,000–500,000 INR, and the cost of single dressing is around 7000–15,000 INR. This may not be economically feasible, especially in patients having large wounds which require multiple applications of these dressings with our indigenous dressing; there is a 95%–98% decrease in pricing of dressing.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that low-cost indigenously prepared INPWT dressing produced effective results at minimum cost that were at par with commercially available costly VAC dressing. This low-cost indigenously prepared INPWT can be groundbreaking in treatment of patients with pressure ulcer in developing country like India in both rural and urban settings.
Clinical Evaluation of Digital Therapeutics: Present and Future
Authors: Huh Ki Young , Oh Jaeseong , Lee SeungHwan , Yu Kyung-Sang
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Digital therapeutics (DTx) are software-based therapeutic interventions based on clinical evidence. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are often the source of clinical evidence, similar to conventional drugs or medical devices. However, novel approaches such as the use of real-world data or digital biomarkers are also utilized. This article aimed to review how DTx products have been clinically evaluated. Methods: DTx products approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as of 2020 were reviewed and products with sufficient published information were selected. Pivotal clinical trials were analyzed according to the elements of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guideline. Case reviews were presented for other clinical evaluation strategies, considering the small number of publications. Results: Most approved DTx products used RCTs for clinical evaluations. Similar to conventional RCTs, parallel-group designs with statistical hypothesis testing were adopted. However, DTx trials were often not blinded due to practical issues and involved various comparator groups. In addition, DTx products could be readily evaluated in home-based settings and delivered through the internet. Other evaluation approaches included retrospective analyses using insurance claims data or usage data, which enabled long-term evaluations of effectiveness. Digital biomarkers obtained from real-time and continuous log data were also used to improve the objectiveness of endpoints. Conclusions: RCTs accounted for the majority of DTx evaluations. The designs of DTx trials were comparable to those of drug or device trials, but blinding and comparator elements were often different. Furthermore, the use of real-world data and digital biomarkers are also being tried.
Exploring the Health and Social Needs of Community Residents Using an Online Community Care Platform: Linkage to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health
Authors: Park Myounghwa , Bui Linh Khanh , Jeong Miri , Choi Eun Jeong , Lee Nayoung , Kwak Minjung , Kim Jahyeon , Kim Jinju , Jung Jihye , Shin Ouckyong , Na Junsik , Guk Huynjeong
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of the Comprehensive Health and Social Need Assessment (CHSNA) system, which identifies community residents’ health and social needs, and to link these needs with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Methods: Adult community residents in a metropolitan city in Korea were recruited. They were asked to assess their health and social needs via the CHSNA system, which was integrated into an online community-care platform. Three assessment steps (basic health assessment, needs for activities of daily living, and in-depth health assessment) associated with five ICF components were used to evaluate physical health impairment, difficulties in activities and participation, and environmental problems. The final list of health and social needs was systematically linked to the domains and categories of the ICF. Only data from participants who completed all three assessment steps were included.Results: Wide ranges of impairments and difficulties regarding the daily living activities, physical health, and environmental status of the community were recorded from 190 people who completed assessments of their health and social needs by the CHSNA system. These participants reported various health and social needs for their community life; common needs corresponded to the ICF components of body functions and activities/participation. Conclusions: The ICF may be suitable for determining the health-related problems and needs of the general population. Possible improvements to the present system include providing support for completing all assessment steps and developing an ICF core set for an enhanced understanding of health and social needs.
Unsupervised Machine Learning to Identify Depressive Subtypes
Authors: Kung Benson , Chiang Maurice , Perera Gayan , Pritchard Megan , Stewart Robert
Published: August 2022

Objectives: This study evaluated an unsupervised machine learning method, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), as a method for identifying subtypes of depression within symptom data. Methods: Data from 18,314 depressed patients were used to create LDA models. The outcomes included future emergency presentations, crisis events, and behavioral problems. One model was chosen for further analysis based upon its potential as a clinically meaningful construct. The associations between patient groups created with the final LDA model and outcomes were tested. These steps were repeated with a commonly-used latent variable model to provide additional context to the LDA results. Results: Five subtypes were identified using the final LDA model. Prior to the outcome analysis, the subtypes were labeled based upon the symptom distributions they produced: psychotic, severe, mild, agitated, and anergic-apathetic. The patient groups largely aligned with the outcome data. For example, the psychotic and severe subgroups were more likely to have emergency presentations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.43 and OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05–1.29, respectively), whereas these outcomes were less likely in the mild subgroup (OR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78–0.94). We found that the LDA subtypes were characterized by clusters of unique symptoms. This contrasted with the latent variable model subtypes, which were largely stratified by severity. Conclusions: This study suggests that LDA can surface clinically meaningful, qualitative subtypes. Future work could be incorporated into studies concerning the biological bases of depression, thereby contributing to the development of new psychiatric therapeutics.
Modification of Case-Based Reasoning Similarity Formula to Enhance the Performance of Smart System in Handling the Complaints of in vitro Fertilization Program Patients
Authors: Christianto Paminto Agung , Sediyono Eko , Sembiring Irwan
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Eighty percent of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients have high anxiety levels, which influence the success of IVF and drive IVF patients to quickly report any abnormal symptoms. Rapid responses from fertility subspecialist doctors may reduce patients’ anxiety levels, but fertility subspecialist doctors’ high workload and their patients’ worsening health conditions make them unable to handle IVF patients’ complaints quickly. Research suggests that smart systems using case-based reasoning (CBR) can help doctors handle patients quickly. However, a prior study reported enhanced accuracy by modifying the CBR similarity formula based on Lin’s similarity theory to generate the Chris case-based reasoning (CCBR) similarity formula. Methods: The data were validated through interviews with two fertility subspecialist doctors, interviews with two IVF patients, a questionnaire administered to 17 community members, the relevant literature, and 256 records with data on IVF patients’ complaints and how they were handled. An experiment compared the performance of the CBR similarity formula algorithm with the CCBR similarity formula algorithm. Results: A confusion matrix showed that the CCBR similarity formula had an accuracy value of 52.58% and a precision value of 100%. Fertility subspecialist doctors stated that 89.69% of the CCBR similarity formula recommendations were accurate. Conclusions: We recommend applying a combination of the CCBR similarity formula and a minimum reference value of 80% with a CBR smart system for handling IVF patients’ complaints. This recommendation for an accurate system produced by the CBR similarity formula may help fertility subspecialist doctors handle IVF patients’ complaints.
Text Mining of Biomedical Articles Using the Konstanz Information Miner (KNIME) Platform: Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome as a Case Study
Authors: Dorr Ricardo A. , Casal Juan J. , Toriano Roxana
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Automated systems for information extraction are becoming very useful due to the enormous scale of the existing literature and the increasing number of scientific articles published worldwide in the field of medicine. We aimed to develop an accessible method using the open-source platform KNIME to perform text mining (TM) on indexed publications. Material from scientific publications in the field of life sciences was obtained and integrated by mining information on hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a case study. Methods: Text retrieved from Europe PubMed Central (PMC) was processed using specific KNIME nodes. The results were presented in the form of tables or graphical representations. Data could also be compared with those from other sources. Results: By applying TM to the scientific literature on HUS as a case study, and by selecting various fields from scientific articles, it was possible to obtain a list of individual authors of publications, build bags of words and study their frequency and temporal use, discriminate topics (HUS vs. atypical HUS) in an unsupervised manner, and cross-reference information with a list of FDA-approved drugs.Conclusions: Following the instructions in the tutorial, researchers without programming skills can successfully perform TM on the indexed scientific literature. This methodology, using KNIME, could become a useful tool for performing statistics, analyzing behaviors, following trends, and making forecast related to medical issues. The advantages of TM using KNIME include enabling the integration of scientific information, helping to carry out reviews, and optimizing the management of resources dedicated to basic and clinical research.