bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residential Zones of Students around a University in Ho Chi Minh City: Characteristics and Preferences
Authors: T. Nguyen Ngoc , T.H. Bui Hang , T.K. Cao Duyen
Published: January 2024

The student housing market has had free and unsystematic development in developing cities with a high density of universities. In Ho Chi Minh City, the situation has resulted in specific negative urban issues and low life quality for students. This study aimed to clarify how students allocate around a university, the residential zones' characteristics, and preferences for the residential zones. We analyzed survey data of 304 students at a university in Ho Chi Minh City. We addressed the differences among residential zones through statistical analyses of group differences. A multinomial logit model was deployed to explore students' choice of residential zones. Results show significant characteristics that affected the students' choice, including academic levels, motorcycle usage, employment status, family income, household member, household size, and gender. Some implications for policymaking in the student housing market were raised regarding residential zones, integrating transport systems, travel behavior, and employment opportunities. The study enhanced knowledge of the student housing situation (i.e., residential zones or residential allocation) and the student's preferences. Policymakers and practitioners developing student housing markets, built environments, and related services can benefit from this study. The findings apply to the specific city under investigation and are useful to other Southeast Asian cities with similar socio-cultural contexts.
The Role of Animal-Aided Design in Sustainable Architecture
Authors: Tüzen Melis , Aycı Hilal
Published: January 2024

Environmentally insensitive practices such as the unconscious use of natural resources, industrialization and unplanned urbanization cause the rapid destruction of natural habitats and even the extinction of some species. Today, as the importance of sustainable architecture has increased, architectural approaches that are compatible with nature have been adopted and thus the protection of natural life has been tried to be supported. As a definition, sustainability is a form of practice that aims to harmonize the built environment with natural life. In this context, the impact on animals whose habitats we are destroying is a significant topic within sustainability discussions. Studies show that the role and importance of human-animal based sustainable architectural habitats for enhancing animal welfare have not been extensively investigated. This study aims to discuss the importance of animal-aided designs within the sustainability approach. In addition, it is to carry out studies to improve the quality of life in society by strengthening the human-animal bond. In line with this purpose, animal-aided designs at urban, infrastructure, and building scales were analyzed within sustainability approaches, and their contribution to the sustainability approach was evaluated. As a result, it is emphasized that the sustainable animal-aided design approach provides innovative solutions for structures to be designed for animals and it also contributes to environmental, social, and economic sustainability, but in order for these designs to be successful, it is underlined that living spaces suitable for the needs of animals should be created and the negative effects of environmental impacts on animals should be considered. It is also emphasized that in addition to the principles of sustainability, factors that pay regard to the lives of animals contribute to the understanding of sustainability. It is expected that the discussion of the relationship between sustainability and animal-aided design, which is put forward through this study, will create an important discussion ground for future research and application examples.
Assessment of Cost Influences in Rail Projects from Contractor's Perspectives
Authors: Ismail Mohamad Zahierruden , Mohamad Ramly Zuhaili , Maaz Zafira Nadia , Abdul Rahim Farah Nadiah
Published: January 2024

Rail transportation had been receiving more attention in the Government’s effort to enhance the Malaysian economy internationally. Nevertheless, rail projects involve various stakeholders, massive budgets and are susceptible to cost overrun. This paper aims to evaluate the cost influences concerned with rail projects in a developing nation from contractors’ perspectives. The existing studies lack the consideration of the correlation and relationship between the cost influences, which this paper emphasizes. The data collection was performed by distributing questionnaires to 200 cost managers which are quantity surveyors, project managers, and contract executives across the rail projects in Malaysia. The data analysis uses Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 27 (SPSS V27) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy showed appropriate internal consistency of the research instrument, whereas the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed acceptable Goodness-of-Fit Indices (GFI) within the constructs of the structural model. The SEM calibration resulted in 23 significant cost influences which were clustered into five groups of cost influences. Each of the five groups is associated with different parties in construction projects. A notable causative direction was observed in the relationship between the cost influences. Each cost influence can be connected to each project phase based on the PMBOK Guide. This study adds to the various cost management research along the project management of rail construction. It is able to contribute to the policymakers and consultants in strategizing their cost management plans which is crucial, especially in developing countries such as Malaysia. Emphasizing the critical particulars of cost management in rail projects, this paper also delivers its finding based on stakeholder and system aspects in relation to cost management, which can be referred to by any developing country.
Assessing E-Compliance Maturity of Public Procurement Processes in Nigeria
Authors: Aminu Ahmed , Yamusa Muhammad , Ibrahim Yahaya Makarfi , Abdullahi Muhammad , Ahmadu Hassan Adaviriku , Abdullahi Bello , Ibrahim Ahmed Doko , Bala Kabir
Published: January 2024

The manual approach to public procurement is plagued with inefficiencies. To address these problems, efforts were made to digitize the processes in Nigeria. However, the e-compliance readiness of procurement processes is not known. This study attempts to assess e-compliance maturity of public procurement lifecycle in Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed research approach. A qualitative research method was used to establish criteria for evaluating the readiness of public procurement processes for digitization. Focus group interview with Six (6) automation and procurement professionals was conducted to arrive at the parameters used for the readiness assessment. Consequently, a questionnaire survey was administered on experienced public procurement professionals to evaluate the e-compliance readiness of some identified public procurement processes. Best to Worst Method (BWM) was used to evaluate e-compliance maturity level. The study shows that the processes are readily compliant for digitization.
Influencing Factors of Students’ Willingness to Communicate in English in the EFL Classroom: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dong Yan , Ahmad Norhakimah Khaiessa , Che Nawi Nur Raihan
Published: January 2024

Willingness to communicate (WTC) has been considered a research hotspot in second language acquisition and foreign language teaching. However, systematic analysis of factors influencing students’ WTC in English is scarce. This systematic review aims to explore and summarize existing research on factors influencing students’ English WTC published from 2013 to 2022. According to the selection criteria, a total of 25 relevant publications are included in the scope of analysis, which has been categorized into internal and external factors. Both of these factors influence students’ English WTC. The results showed that most of the studies were concentrated among Middle East participants and the quantitative approach was dominant in these studies. This review revealed that the factors have become more diversified, such as emotional intelligence, ethnic group affiliation, and digital game-based learning. The factors include not only internal and external factors, but there is also a growing trend examining the comprehensive factors including individual factors, affective factors, and learning environment that affect students’ WTC in English. Finally, this study may benefit English teachers, researchers, and educators who aspire to improve students’ English WTC by providing a detailed review of the factors influencing students’ English WTC. It concludes with recommendations for future research to study students’ WTC in English.
Exploring the Social and Cultural Implications of Hate Speech on Facebook in Malaysia
Authors: Kuwi Hoi New , Shi Joh Tay
Published: January 2024

The study provides insights into the prevalence of hate speech on Facebook among Malaysian users and highlights the need for greater efforts to counteract hate speech in Malaysia. Effective policies and interventions could be developed to address this issue based on the findings. This study examines hate speech trends among Facebook users in Malaysia and their attitudes towards regulating such speech. The study employs a four-part survey questionnaire: Part A covers demographics (gender, age, education); Part B examines social media engagement (platform choice, Facebook usage); Part C explores Facebook hate speech (locations, types, frequency); and Part D investigates responses (experiences, emotions, actions, perspectives). It was conducted with 225 respondents. The study found that race-related content is not the most commonly observed form of hate speech on Facebook in Malaysia; instead, users commonly encounter other types of hate speech. Additionally, users' level of awareness regarding hate speech is influenced by their level of activity on the platform. Notably, the duration of time spent on Facebook is not correlated with the frequency of exposure to hate speech. Experiences of being victimized by hate speech do not necessarily lead to support for regulating hate speech on Facebook. These findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence of hate speech on Facebook among Malaysian users and underscore the need for greater efforts to counteract hate speech in Malaysia. The study suggests the importance of developing effective policies and interventions to address this issue based on the findings.
Overcoming Socio-Cultural Exclusion Through Skill Execution: A Case Study of the Minority Biharis in Dhaka
Authors: Hussein Khan Pantha , Hayat Khan Tareef , Rahman Tista Rafsana
Published: January 2024

Minority communities often face economic struggles. It becomes even worse when they are socially marginalized. For their survival, they adopt different methods to overcome it. There are destructive methods and constructive methods. Community-based entrepreneurship that allows for the execution of particular skills has proved to be one suitable constructive method to overcome their struggle. However, most research does not go further to check whether that method can sustain their existence for good. This study is on a particular group of minorities called Biharis, which refers to the people from the state of Bihar, India, residing as a marginalized group inside a particular sector in Dhaka, Bangladesh. To survive, they have adopted a particular crafting skill of making Benarasi Saree. Saree refers to a traditional garment worn by women in South Asia, while Benarasi refers to something related to the city of Benaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. After a couple of generations, who not only helped overcome the economic struggle to some extent but also brought social inclusion, they faced a new struggle that threatened to make them give up that skill. The aim of the study is to find out what they are thinking to overcome this new struggle. The researchers adopted the qualitative method, searching for a grounded theory by collecting data through participant observation. Later, immersive techniques were applied to extract the implicit themes. Findings suggest that even though they have the passion to keep the skills going, they are ready to give them up without prejudice in order to survive, which brings to attention how significant the intervention from the top is if such rare skills develop in marginalized societies and later cease to exist.
Managing Organizational Change: The role of Middle Managers’ Stories and Emotional Reflexivity
Authors: Khalid Noor Khairin Nawwarah , A. Manaf Aini Maznina , Ismail Rizalawati
Published: January 2024

Previous studies have increasingly emphasised on the important roles of middle managers’ emotions in ensuring successful organisational change implementation. However, earlier research rarely focuses on middle managers’ emotional reflexivity during organisational change. The lack of awareness in practicing emotional reflexivity during change can affect middle managers’ work life quality where they can experience emotional vulnerability, workplace isolation and high sense of inadequacies. Using Communicative constitution of organisations the Montreal School (CCO TMS) as the theoretical underpinning, this research was conducted to study the emotional reflexivity of middle managers in a Malaysian organisation during organisational change. A qualitative methodology using semi-structured in-depth interviews was being carried to study about the targeted phenomenon and thirty middle managers from different departments in a Malaysian manufacturing aerospace component organisation has participated in this study. The analysis of the data generated seven emotional organisational change stories which were anxious, fear, anger, grief, hope, happy and gratitude. Those stories also generated the respondents’ emotional reflexivity dimensions which were self-consciousness, self-control and motivation. This research highlights the importance of listening to middle managers’ stories because it exposes the reasons for their acceptance and resistance towards change initiatives. It also highlights the importance for middle managers to instil emotional reflexivity skills in their work life as it helps them to understand and adapt to their organisation’s change programmes effectively. Lastly, this research also contributes to the enrichment of literature in the areas of CCO TMS theory, emotional reflexivity, organisational stories, as well as organisational change.
Development of a Microcontroller Programming Basic Module for Technology Design Students in the Topic of Electronic Design at Secondary Schools in Malaysia/ Pembangunan Modul Asas Pengaturcaraan Mikrobit Untuk Pelajar Reka Bentuk Teknologi Bagi Topik Reka Bentuk Elektronik di Peringkat Menengah Sekolah Harian di Malaysia
Authors: Hussain Mohd Azlan Mohammad , Mohd Shorkri Muhammad Firdaus , Basri Azizul Qayyum , Mohd Imam Ma'arof Nurul Nazirah , A/L Kolandan Subramaniam , Othman Muhammad Azri
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study is to develop Microbit Basic Module Teaching Aids to be used in learning electronic design, RBT level 2 subject. Specifically, the objective of this study is to identify the essential elements to produce the Microbit basic module and develop the module to determine its usability. Furthermore, it is conducted using the learning theory of cognitivism and is developed based on the Addie model. This study will involve three expert parties: one daily high school design and technology subject teacher and two Sultan Idris University of Education lecturers in the engineering field to be interviewed and gain insight into the Microbit Basic Module Teaching Aids to be developed. As for the research instrument, this study will use an inventory of interview protocols with experts who have been appointed. The findings of the study show that this developed PDP module needs improvements that several experts will suggest. As soon as these teaching aids are available, they are expected to help improve achievement and understanding and serve as an additional reference for students.
English-Language Lecturers' Acceptance of E-Learning in Libyan Universities; Theoretical Models and Challenges: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Ali Badi Manal , Md Noor Norah
Published: January 2024

In comparison to developed nations, the utilisation of e-learning in developing countries remains relatively uncommon. Consequently, this research addresses the prevailing call in the academic literature for increased investigation into the reception, integration, and utilisation of e-learning systems and applications among English-language educators in Libyan universities, aiming to contribute to the existing knowledge gap. This study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. This rigorous method centred on theories and models related to the acceptance of e-learning technology,  the pertinent issues and challenges encountered within Libyan higher education institutions. The findings of the PRISMA-guided review shown that  Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) stands as the predominant theoretical framework employed to assess the adoption of e-learning in Libyan universities. Conversely, studies grounded in alternative technological acceptance theories, such as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), are notably scarce. Therefore, this study advocates for the continued utilisation of the TAM framework in forthcoming research endeavours due to its comprehensive foundation in technology acceptance models and its capacity to offer novel insights. The results of this PRISMA-guided study hold potential significance for scholars engaged in the examination of technology adoption for teaching and learning the English language as a foreign language (EFL), particularly in the context of developing countries.
Pitfalls of Digitalization: Teacher Recruitment in Malaysia International Schools
Authors: Yee Leong Sok , Said Hamdan
Published: January 2024

Human resource practices, particularly teacher recruitment, are evolving due to digitalisation. There is a critical need for international schools to attract and select quality teaching staff to ensure the quality of learning for students and maintain their competitiveness within a dynamic market. This paper reported the findings of a study that investigated the challenges that school administrators faced during the digitalisation of teacher recruitment practices at international schools in Malaysia. A series of semi-structured interviews involving fourteen management personnel from eleven international schools revealed seven challenges highlighted by the participants: 1) a rise in competition, 2) attracting irrelevant or underqualified applicants, 3) time-consuming preparation of detailed job ads and recruitment booklets, 4) escalating recruitment costs, 5) student privacy issues, 6) managing a large number of applications, and 7) loss of important information during virtual interview. To address these challenges, the participants took four actions: 1) advanced planning before the new school term, 2) building rapport with potential candidates, 3) selecting a suitable online recruitment platform, and 4) integrating online and offline recruitment. The findings of the study contribute to the growing literature on talent acquisition at international schools by providing empirical evidence of the existing challenges faced at a sample of international schools in Malaysia.
Mapping loneliness through social intelligence analysis: a step towards creating global loneliness map
Authors: Shah Hurmat Ali , Househ Mowafa
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Loneliness is a prevalent global public health concern with complex dynamics requiring further exploration. This study aims to enhance understanding of loneliness dynamics through building towards a global loneliness map using social intelligence analysis.

Settings and design

This paper presents a proof of concept for the global loneliness map, using data collected in October 2022. Twitter posts containing keywords such as ‘lonely’, ‘loneliness’, ‘alone’, ‘solitude’ and ‘isolation’ were gathered, resulting in 841 796 tweets from the USA. City-specific data were extracted from these tweets to construct a loneliness map for the country. Sentiment analysis using the valence aware dictionary for sentiment reasoning tool was employed to differentiate metaphorical expressions from meaningful correlations between loneliness and socioeconomic and emotional factors.

Measures and results

The sentiment analysis encompassed the USA dataset and city-wise subsets, identifying negative sentiment tweets. Psychosocial linguistic features of these negative tweets were analysed to reveal significant connections between loneliness, socioeconomic aspects and emotional themes. Word clouds depicted topic variations between positively and negatively toned tweets. A frequency list of correlated topics within broader socioeconomic and emotional categories was generated from negative sentiment tweets. Additionally, a comprehensive table displayed top correlated topics for each city.

Conclusions

Leveraging social media data provide insights into the multifaceted nature of loneliness. Given its subjectivity, loneliness experiences exhibit variability. This study serves as a proof of concept for an extensive global loneliness map, holding implications for global public health strategies and policy development. Understanding loneliness dynamics on a larger scale can facilitate targeted interventions and support.
Adherence of randomised controlled trials using artificial intelligence in ophthalmology to CONSORT-AI guidelines: a systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Pattathil Niveditha , Zhao Jonathan Z L , Sam-Oyerinde Olapeju , Felfeli Tina
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Many efforts have been made to explore the potential of deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in disciplines such as medicine, including ophthalmology. This systematic review aims to evaluate the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate AI technologies applied to ophthalmology.

Methods

A comprehensive search of three relevant databases (EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane) from 1 January 2010 to 5 February 2022 was conducted. The reporting quality of these papers was scored using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials-Artificial Intelligence (CONSORT-AI) checklist and further risk of bias was assessed using the RoB-2 tool.

Results

The initial search yielded 2973 citations from which 5 articles satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. These articles featured AI technologies applied to diabetic retinopathy screening, ophthalmologic education, fungal keratitis detection and paediatric cataract diagnosis. None of the articles reported all items in the CONSORT-AI checklist. The overall mean CONSORT-AI score of the included RCTs was 53% (range 37%–78%). The individual scores of the articles were 37% (19/51), 39% (20), 49% (25), 61% (31) and 78% (40). All articles were scored as being moderate risk, or ‘some concerns present’, regarding potential risk of bias according to the RoB-2 tool.

Conclusion

A small number of RCTs have been published to date on the applications of AI in ophthalmology and vision science. Adherence to the 2020 CONSORT-AI reporting guidelines is suboptimal with notable reporting items often missed. Greater adherence will help facilitate reproducibility of AI research which can be a stimulus for more AI-based RCTs and clinical applications in ophthalmology.
Long short-term memory model identifies ARDS and in-hospital mortality in both non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 cohort
Authors: Chen Jen-Ting , Mehrizi Rahil , Aasman Boudewijn , Gong Michelle Ng , Mirhaji Parsa
Published: January 2024

Objective

To identify the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in-hospital mortality using long short-term memory (LSTM) framework in a mechanically ventilated (MV) non-COVID-19 cohort and a COVID-19 cohort.

Methods

We included MV ICU patients between 2017 and 2018 and reviewed patient records for ARDS and death. Using active learning, we enriched this cohort with MV patients from 2016 to 2019 (MV non-COVID-19, n=3905). We collected a second validation cohort of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in 2020 (COVID+, n=5672). We trained an LSTM model using 132 structured features on the MV non-COVID-19 training cohort and validated on the MV non-COVID-19 validation and COVID-19 cohorts.

Results

Applying LSTM (model score 0.9) on the MV non-COVID-19 validation cohort had a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 57%. The model identified the risk of ARDS 10 hours before ARDS and 9.4 days before death. The sensitivity (70%) and specificity (84%) of the model on the COVID-19 cohort are lower than MV non-COVID-19 cohort. For the COVID-19 + cohort and MV COVID-19 + patients, the model identified the risk of in-hospital mortality 2.4 days and 1.54 days before death, respectively.

Discussion

Our LSTM algorithm accurately and timely identified the risk of ARDS or death in MV non-COVID-19 and COVID+ patients. By alerting the risk of ARDS or death, we can improve the implementation of evidence-based ARDS management and facilitate goals-of-care discussions in high-risk patients.

Conclusion

Using the LSTM algorithm in hospitalised patients identifies the risk of ARDS or death.
Web-based eHealth Clinical Decision Support System as a tool for the treat-to-target management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus:development and initial usability evaluation
Authors: Parra Sanchez Agner Russo , Grimberg Max G , Hanssen Myrthe , Aben Moon , Jairth Elianne , Dhoeme Prishent , Tsang-A-Sjoe Michel W P , Voskuyl Alexandre , Jansen Hendrik Jan , van Vollenhoven Ronald
Published: January 2024

Background

Treat-to-target (T2T) is a therapeutic strategy currently being studied for its application in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients and rheumatologists have little support in making the best treatment decision in the context of a T2T strategy, thus, the use of information technology for systematically processing data and supporting information and knowledge may improve routine decision-making practices, helping to deliver value-based care.

Objective

To design and develop an online Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) tool “SLE-T2T”, and test its usability for the implementation of a T2T strategy in the management of patients with SLE.

Methods

A prototype of a CDSS was conceived as a web-based application with the task of generating appropriate treatment advice based on entered patients’ data. Once developed, a System Usability Score (SUS) questionnaire was implemented to test whether the eHealth tool was user-friendly, comprehensible, easy-to-deliver and workflow-oriented. Data from the participants’ comments were synthesised, and the elements in need for improvement were identified.

Results

The beta version web-based system was developed based on the interim usability and acceptance evaluation. 7 participants completed the SUS survey. The median SUS score of SLE-T2T was 79 (scale 0 to 100), categorising the application as ‘good’ and indicating the need for minor improvements to the design.

Conclusions

SLE-T2T is the first eHealth tool to be designed for the management of SLE patients in a T2T context. The SUS score and unstructured feedback showed high acceptance of this digital instrument for its future use in a clinical trial.
Call to digital health leaders: test and leverage this guideline to support health information technology implementation in practice
Authors: Harding Samantha Erin , Day Karen , Carswell Peter
Published: January 2024

Background

Health information technology (HIT) is increasingly used to enable health service/system transformation. Most HIT implementations fail to some degree; very few demonstrate sustainable success. No guidelines exist for health service leaders to leverage factors associated with success. The purpose of this paper is to present an evidence-based guideline for leaders to test and leverage in practice.

Methods

This guideline was developed from a literature review and refined by a set of eight interviews with people in senior HIT roles, which were thematically analysed. It was refined in the consultancy work of the first author and confirmed after minor refinements.

Results

Five key actions were identified: relationships, vision, HIT system attributes, constant evaluation and learning culture.

Conclusions

This guideline presents a significant opportunity for health system leaders to systematically check relevant success factors during the implementation process of single projects and regional/national programmes.
Exploring the reliability of inpatient EMR algorithms for diabetes identification
Authors: Lee Seungwon , Martin Elliot A , Pan Jie , Eastwood Cathy A , Southern Danielle A , Campbell David J T , Shaheen Abdel Aziz , Quan Hude , Butalia Sonia
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Accurate identification of medical conditions within a real-time inpatient setting is crucial for health systems. Current inpatient comorbidity algorithms rely on integrating various sources of administrative data, but at times, there is a considerable lag in obtaining and linking these data. Our study objective was to develop electronic medical records (EMR) data-based inpatient diabetes phenotyping algorithms.

Materials and methods

A chart review on 3040 individuals was completed, and 583 had diabetes. We linked EMR data on these individuals to the International Classification of Disease (ICD) administrative databases. The following EMR-data-based diabetes algorithms were developed: (1) laboratory data, (2) medication data, (3) laboratory and medications data, (4) diabetes concept keywords and (5) diabetes free-text algorithm. Combined algorithms usedorstatements between the above algorithms. Algorithm performances were measured using chart review as a gold standard. We determined the best-performing algorithm as the one that showed the high performance of sensitivity (SN), and positive predictive value (PPV).

Results

The algorithms tested generally performed well: ICD-coded data, SN 0.84, specificity (SP) 0.98, PPV 0.93 and negative predictive value (NPV) 0.96; medication and laboratory algorithm, SN 0.90, SP 0.95, PPV 0.80 and NPV 0.97; all document types algorithm, SN 0.95, SP 0.98, PPV 0.94 and NPV 0.99.

Discussion

Free-text data-based diabetes algorithm can yield comparable or superior performance to a commonly used ICD-coded algorithm and could supplement existing methods. These types of inpatient EMR-based algorithms for case identification may become a key method for timely resource planning and care delivery.
A New Artificial Intelligence‐Based Model for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Prediction
Authors: Alzahrani A. Khuzaim , Alsheikhy Ahmed A. , Shawly Tawfeeq , Barr Mohammad , Ahmed Hossam E.
Published: January 2024

Currently, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease is considered fatal since it affects the central nervous system with no cure or clear treatments. This disease affects the spinal cord, more specifically, the lower motor neurons (LMNs) and the upper motor neurons (UMNs) inside the brain along with their networks. Various solutions have been developed to predict ALS. Some of these solutions were implemented using different deep‐learning methods (DLMs). Nevertheless, this disease is considered a tough task and a huge challenge. This article proposes a reliable model to predict ALS disease based on a deep‐learning tool (DLT). The developed DLT is designed using a UNET architecture. The proposed approach is evaluated for different performance quantities on a dataset and provides promising results. An average obtained accuracy ranged between 82% and 87% with around 86% of the F‐score. The obtained outcomes can open the door to applying DLMs to predict and identify ALS disease.
A Note on Approximation of Blending Type Bernstein–Schurer–Kantorovich Operators with Shape Parameter α
Authors: Ayman-Mursaleen Mohammad , Rao Nadeem , Rani Mamta , Kilicman Adem , Al-Abied Ahmed Ahmed Hussin Ali , Malik Pradeep
Published: January 2024

The objective of this paper is to construct univariate and bivariate blending typeα-Schurer–Kantorovich operators depending on two parametersα∈0,1andρ>0to approximate a class of measurable functions on0,1+q,q>0. We present some auxiliary results and obtain the rate of convergence of these operators. Next, we study the global and local approximation properties in terms of first- and second-order modulus of smoothness, weight functions, and by Peetre’sK-functional in different function spaces. Moreover, we present some study on numerical and graphical analysis for our operators.
An Unusual Case of Hyperhemolysis Syndrome and Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction due to Anti-Jk(a) and Anti-P1 Antibodies
Authors: Montgomery Hunter , Luo Matthew X. , Baker Steven , Lim Ming Y.
Published: January 2024

Background. Hyperhemolysis syndrome (HS) is a severe hemolytic transfusion reaction that can cause hemoglobin and hematocrit levels to drop below pretransfusion levels, leading to severe anemia. HS most commonly occurs in patients with a pre-existing hemoglobinopathy such as sickle cell disease (SCD) or beta-thalassemia. Methods. We report a case of HS, occurring in the absence of hemoglobinopathy, making the diagnosis challenging. The patient reported was also affected by a CIC-rearranged sarcoma. As part of the workup, the patient received a bone marrow biopsy for suspected hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Results. This provided a rare biopsy specimen to correlate reticulocytopenia with marked erythroid hyperplasia in the marrow, supporting the hypothesis of reticulocyte destruction as a contributing cause of anemia in these patients. This patient had demonstrable alloantibodies to the Jk(a) and P1 antigens as potential triggers for HS. Conclusions. It is vital that a diagnosis of HS be correctly made in these patients with severe anemia, as blood transfusions generally lead to worsening of their conditions.
Maximum Entropy Principle Based on Bank Customer Account Validation Using the Spark Method
Authors: Qiu Xiaorong , Xu Ye , Shi Yingzhong , Deepa S. Kannadhasan , Balakumar S.
Published: January 2024

Bank customer validation is carried out with the aim of providing a series of services to users of a bank and financial institutions. It is necessary to perform various analytical methods for user’s accounts due to the high volume of banking data. This research works in the field of money laundering detection from real bank data. Banking data analysis is a complex process that involves information gathered from various sources, mainly in terms of personality, such as bills or bank account transactions which have qualitative characteristics such as the testimony of eyewitnesses. Operational or research activities can be greatly improved if supported by proprietary techniques and tools, due to the vast nature of this information. The application of data mining operations with the aim of discovering new knowledge of banking data with an intelligent approach is considered in this research. The approach of this research is to use the spiking neural network (SNN) with a group of sparks to detect money laundering, but due to the weakness in accurately identifying the characteristics of money laundering, the maximum entropy principle (MEP) method is also used. This approach will have a mapping from clustering and feature extraction to classification for accurate detection. Based on the analysis and simulation, it is observed that the proposed approach SNN-MFP has 87% accuracy and is 84.71% more functional than the classical method of using only the SNN. In this analysis, it is observed that in real banking data from Mellat Bank, Iran, in its third and fourth data, with a comprehensive analysis and reaching different outputs, there have been two money laundering cases.
Prognostic Value of a Novel Index Combining the Prognostic Nutritional Index and D-Dimer Levels for Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy
Authors: Yamamoto Masaaki , Omori Takeshi , Shinno Naoki , Hara Hisashi , Mukai Yosuke , Sugase Takahito , Takeoka Tomohira , Kanemura Takashi , Mikamori Manabu , Hasegawa Shinichiro , Akita Hirofumi , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Nishimura Junichi , Wada Hiroshi , Matsuda Chu , Yasui Masayoshi , Miyata Hiroshi , Ohue Masayuki
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and D-dimer level are two useful measures for gastric cancer prognosis. As they each comprise different factors, it is possible to employ a more useful combined indicator. This study therefore aimed to establish a PNI-D score – which combines the PNI and D-dimer level – and validate its usefulness as a prognostic marker. Methods: We collected data from 1,218 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone radical gastrectomy (R0) between January 2004 and December 2015. Patients were divided into three PNI-D score groups based on the following criteria: score 2, low-PNI (≤46) and high D-dimer levels (>1.0 µg/mL); score 1, either low-PNI or high D-dimer levels; and score 0, no abnormality. We defined the PNI-D score as low (score 0 or 1) and high (score 2), respectively. Results: The PNI-D score was significantly associated with overall, recurrence-free, and disease-specific survival (all log-rank p < 0.0001). The 5-year overall survival rates of patients with PNI-D scores of low and high were 88.1% and 64.7%, respectively; their 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 86.7% and 61.3%, respectively; and their 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 99.3% and 76.5%, respectively. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that a high-PNI-D score was an independent, statistically significant prognostic factor for poor overall (p = 0.01) survival in patients with gastric cancer. Conclusions: The PNI-D is an independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer.
Prognostic Factors of Survival for Grade 3 Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis
Authors: Bhutada Abhishek S. , Hoggarth Austin R. , Adhikari Srijan , Cuoco Joshua A. , Entwistle John J. , Marvin Eric A. , Rogers Cara M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Grade 3 solitary fibrous tumor, previously known as anaplastic hemangiopericytoma, is a rare and highly malignant intracranial tumor with a limited understanding of its natural history and treatment outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database spanning 2000–2019 to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment modalities that influence overall survival in this tumor entity. A cohort of 249 patients with intracranial grade 3 solitary fibrous tumors was identified. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were employed to determine significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Kaplan-Meier models were used to visualize survival curves, and a nomogram was constructed to predict survival probabilities at 6- and 12-month following diagnosis. Results: Our findings indicated that patient age (<65 years), localized or regional disease burden, surgical resection, and radiation therapy were significant predictors of better overall survival. Combination therapies showed improved survival, with surgery and radiation therapy having the most significant impact. However, chemotherapy alone or in combination did not demonstrate a significant survival benefit, likely due to the limited sample size. The nomogram provided personalized prognostic predictions based on significant clinical factors. Conclusions: These data emphasize the importance of surgical resection and radiation therapy in the management of grade 3 solitary fibrous tumors, supporting the use of combination therapies to improve overall survival in this rare and aggressive intracranial neoplasm.
Neuronal Hyperactivity in the Hippocampus during the Early Stage of Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes in Mice
Authors: Fang Fang , Xu Ling , Zhang Rui , Liu Lian , Tang Min , Liu Fang , Peng Yong-De , Wang Yu-Fan
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction due to reduced neuronal transmission in the brain is a major emerging complication in diabetes. However, recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated non-linear changes including hyperactivity in the hippocampus during the early stage of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the changes in neuronal activity at a single-cell level in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in the early stage of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in mice. Methods: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from acute brain slices were performed in mice over 4 consecutive weeks following the induction of hyperglycaemia using streptozotocin. In addition, microdialysate was collected from CA1 area while the mice were in an arousal state. The concentrations of glutamate and GABA in the microdialysate were then measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Results: CA1 neurons in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice exhibited higher membrane potentials (p = 0.0052), higher frequency of action potentials (p = 0.0052), and higher frequency of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (p = 0.037) compared with controls during the second week after hyperglycaemia was established. No changes in electrophysiological parameters were observed during the first, the third, and the fourth week. Moreover, the diabetic mice had higher extracellular glutamate concentration in CA1 area compared with controls (p = 0.021) during the second week after the initiation of diabetes. No change in the extracellular GABA concentration was observed. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a temporary state of neuronal hyperactivity at the single-cell level in the hippocampal CA1 region during the early stage of diabetes. This neuronal hyperactivity might be related to altered glutamate metabolism and provide clues for future brain-target intervention.
Prevalence and predictors of social anxiety disorders among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the influence of internet gaming disorder and impulsivity
Authors: Mohamed Nor Firdous , Jiun Ting Tan , Ab Manan Norhafizah , Mohd Senari Izatul Farhana , Muhammad Firdaus Chan Muhd Fadlin , Rahmatullah Bahbibi , Govindasamy Priyalatha , Abdulla Kahar
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore its correlations with demographic variables, impulsivity behavior, and internet gaming disorder (IGD). A total of 1574 participants from 12 government secondary schools across five Malaysian states, comprising 569 males and 1005 females, completed an online questionnaire containing validated Malay versions of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - Short Form. The findings revealed a notable SAD prevalence rate of 40.53% among Malaysian adolescents. Logistic regression analysis unveiled significant associations between SAD and factors such as attention impulsiveness (OR = 2.58, p < .001), motor impulsiveness (OR = 1.47, p = .03), female gender (OR = 2, p < .001), Malay ethnicity, and IGD (OR = 1.08, p < .001). In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the extent of social anxiety experienced by Malaysian secondary school students during the pandemic, shedding light on the demographic and psychosocial factors linked to its emergence. Furthermore, the research underscores a robust link between IGD and SAD, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both issues concurrently. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of these associations, future interventions can be tailored to provide holistic support for adolescents' mental well-being.
Five-year follow-up of a phase 2 study of ibrutinib plus fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab as initial therapy in CLL
Authors: Ahn Inhye E. , Brander Danielle M. , Ren Yue , Zhou Yinglu , Tyekucheva Svitlana , Walker Heather A. , Black Robert , Montegaard Josie , Alencar Alvaro , Shune Leyla , Omaira Mohammad , Jacobson Caron A. , Armand Philippe , Ng Samuel Y. , Crombie Jennifer , Fisher David C. , LaCasce Ann S. , Arnason Jon , Hochberg Ephraim P. , Takvorian Ronald W. , Abramson Jeremy S. , Brown Jennifer R. , Davids Matthew S.
Published: January 2024

We previously reported high rates of undetectable minimal residual disease <10−4 (uMRD4) with ibrutinib plus fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (iFCR) followed by 2-year ibrutinib maintenance (I-M) in treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we report updated data from this phase 2 study with a median follow-up of 63 months. Of 85 patients enrolled, including 5 (6%) with deletion 17p or TP53 mutation, 91% completed iFCR and 2-year I-M. Five-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89%-100%) and 99% (95% CI, 96%-100%), respectively. No additional deaths have occurred with this extended follow-up. No difference in PFS was observed by immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region gene status or duration of I-M. High rates of peripheral blood (PB) uMRD4 were maintained (72% at the end of iFCR, 66% at the end of 2-year I-M, and 44% at 4.5 years from treatment initiation). Thirteen patients developed MRD conversion without clinical progression, mostly (77%) after stopping ibrutinib. None had Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) mutations. One patient had PLCG2 mutation. Six of these patients underwent ibrutinib retreatment per protocol. Median time on ibrutinib retreatment was 34 months. The cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation was 8%. Second malignancy or nonmalignant hematologic disease occurred in 13%, mostly nonmelanoma skin cancer. Overall, iFCR with 2-year I-M achieved durably deep responses in patients with diverse CLL genetic markers. Re-emergent clones lacked BTK mutation and retained sensitivity to ibrutinib upon retreatment. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02251548.
Effectiveness and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Dawwas Ghadeer K. , Cuker Adam , Schaubel Douglas E. , Lewis James D.
Published: January 2024

Hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic anticoagulation compared with no anticoagulation in hospitalized patients with IBD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a hospital-based database. We included patients with IBD who had a length of hospital stay ≥2 days between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019. We excluded patients who had other indications for anticoagulation, users of direct oral anticoagulants, warfarin, therapeutic-intensity heparin, and patients admitted for surgery. We defined exposure to prophylactic anticoagulation using charge codes. The primary effectiveness outcome was VTE. The primary safety outcome was bleeding. We used propensity score matching to reduce potential differences between users and nonusers of anticoagulants and Cox proportional-hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The analysis included 56 194 matched patients with IBD (users of anticoagulants, n = 28 097; nonusers, n = 28 097). In the matched sample, prophylactic use of anticoagulants (vs no use) was associated with a lower rate of VTE (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41-0.94) and with no difference in the rate of bleeding (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87-1.26). In this study of hospitalized patients with IBD, prophylactic use of heparin was associated with a lower rate of VTE without increasing bleeding risk compared with no anticoagulation. Our results suggest potential benefits of prophylactic anticoagulation to reduce the burden of VTE in hospitalized patients with IBD.