bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Properties of Hollow-Core Bragg Fiber Waveguides
Authors: Kumar Chourasia Ritesh , Chourasia Nitesh K. , Bihari Narendra
Published: January 2023

The propagation and dispersion properties of hollow-core Bragg fibre
waveguides for both high and low refractive index contrasts of cladding materials are
explored and compared in this chapter using two design wavelengths: 1550 nm in the
near-infrared area and 632.8nm in the visible range. The boundary matching approach
was used to build a relationship between the incoming and outgoing light waves
employing the transfer matrix method. The observed photonic band gaps are somewhat
substantial in high refractive index contrast cladding Bragg fibre waveguides, i.e.
HRBFW, and low periodic cladding layers are required to achieve a perfect photonic
bandgap. The spectrum range and spectral location of photonic band gaps in both
HRBFW and low refractive index contrast cladding Bragg fibre waveguides, i.e.
LRBFW, are substantially dependent on the angle of incidence of a light beam, i.e. the
optical path of the incident light. The sensitivity of the Bragg fibre waveguide for
sensing applications may be determined by measuring the thickness of the photonic
bandgap or the spectral shift of the photonic bandgap. HRBFW seems to have a high
sensitivity when considering the change in spectral bandwidth of photonic bandgap
with core refractive index, which grows with increasing design wavelength. LRBFW
has a much higher sensitivity than HRBFW when considering the LBE (Left band
edge) and RBE (Right band edge), hence it is suggested for sensing applications.
HRBFW directed a greater number of modes than LRBFW, according to the
assessment of dispersion characteristics.
Photonic Nanostructured Bragg Fuel Adulteration Sensor
Authors: Kumar Chourasia Ritesh , Chourasia Nitesh K. , Srivastava Ankita , Bihari Narendra
Published: January 2023

The adulteration of liquid fuels has several far-reaching repercussions,
including pollution and a rising energy crisis. Around the world, fossil fuels are widely
utilized for transportation and energy generation. Fuel adulteration currently threatens a
big number of customers. Adulteration of fossil fuels with other recognised
hydrocarbons is a common occurrence. Adulterants are added to these base fuels in the
form of additional low-cost hydrocarbons with similar compositions, leading the base
to be altered and degraded. Adulteration is an unauthorised or illegal introduction of a
lower-quality external substance into a higher-quality commodity, causing the latter to
lose its original composition and qualities. The Opto-Microfluidics approach is a new
field that uses a small sample to identify adulteration in food and fuel, resulting in
high-resolution findings. Consumers will benefit from very sensitive detection of
dangerous adulteration in any commodity thanks to opto-microfluidic lab-on-chip
technologies. Using the metal-polymer nanocomposites’ multilayer cylindrical
nanostructure with a microfluidic channel, we develop a real-time and temperature dependent prototype of the Bragg Opto-microfluidic sensor for effective tracking of
contaminated fossil fuels. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the biological
motivations for the development of multilayer photonic nanostructures and various
types of fuel adulteration detection optical sensors using various sensor-based
techniques, as well as to compare the Bragg Metal-Polymer nanocomposites optical
sensor with other optical sensors. This chapter is devoted entirely to the use of the
theoretical model's Kay, Eykman, Dale-Gladstone, Newton, and Lorentz-Lorenz, as
well as Hankel formalism and the transfer matrix method for cylindrical symmetry.
Introduction of Smart Materials: The Art to Outrival Technology
Authors: Mary Savio Claire , Sharma Ishu
Published: January 2023

Smart materials are the name given to materials that can alter their properties
on the application of external stimuli. Devices using smart materials might replace
more conventional technologies in a variety of fields. Smart materials are attractive due
to their lightweight, sensing capability, lower component size, and complexity
combined with design flexibility, functionality, and reliability. A smart material is an
object which is susceptible to undergoing a material property change and shows a
visual and tangible reaction to external stimuli. Proper execution of smart materials will
provide a level of environmental robustness that is not easily achieved through
conventional technologies as they are susceptible to the influences of nature. One
concept which includes the futuristic application of smart materials is the utilization of
smart materials in the transportation sector using shape-memory alloys and
piezoelectricity. Although the applications of smart materials are far-reaching, a greater
dependency on them is prevented by certain drawbacks that need to be addressed if
utilization of smart materials is to be accomplished, such as system compatibility,
availability, cost, delicateness, decreased performance over time, difficulties with
integration and toxicity. 
HCV-Host Interactions: Interplay Part 2: Host Related Determinants and Intracellular Signaling
Authors: Shahid Imran , Jabeen Qaiser
Published: January 2023

The progression of acute HCV infection to chronic disease and subsequent
extrahepatic comorbidities involve both viruses and host cellular proteins interactions
as well as insurrection or subjection of cell signaling and metabolic pathways in
infected cells. This interaction between host-specific factors and the hepatitis C
genome also weakens or impairs other physiological or metabolic regulatory roles of
the hepatocytes. Several host cell proteins promote hepatitis C infection through
binding to HCV nonstructural proteins (e.g., PPP2R5D). Some studies also found
cytokine (e.g., IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1) gene polymorphisms to be highly
associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection progression, whereas,
polymorphism in some host genes (e.g., PNPLA3, ADAR-1, and IFIH1) are found to
be actively involved in the induction of advanced liver fibrosis in patients co-infected
with HIV-1/HCV. Host lipid metabolism reprogramming through host lipid regulators
(e.g., ANGPTL-3 and 4) is also considered essential for CHC progression to severe
liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis and HCC). Several microRNAs (e.g., miR-122, miR135a)
are supposed to be key mediators of HCV infection progression and development of
HCC in infected individuals and associated hepatic comorbidities. In chapter 1, we
have illustrated the potential roles of virus-specific proteins in HCV molecular
pathogenesis. Herein, we will elucidate the host-specific culprits that subvert, impede
or disrupt host cells' communications, cell signaling, and metabolic pathways to
propagate HCV infection. We will also elaborate that how the subversion of infected
host-cell signaling and metabolic pathways disrupt cellular networks to evolve
advanced fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis in HCV-infected individuals.
Consensus-based Approaches for Hepatitis C Screening and Diagnosis in General and Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Shahid Imran , Jabeen Qaiser
Published: January 2023

Hepatitis C screening and diagnosis are both pre-requisite to predicting
infection endemicity, transmission risks and identifying vulnerable hepatitis C infected
populations in highly endemic areas of the infection prevalence. It is also pivotal to
select optimal treatment choices and their impact, including cost and access to care,
especially in resource-constrained areas in an era of all oral interferon-free direct-acting
antivirals. Furthermore, hepatitis C screening is also very crucial to “find the missing
millions” to achieve the hepatitis C elimination goal by 2030. It seems only possible by
implementing new screening and diagnostic approaches like RNA point-of-care (RNA POC) testing, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and dried blood spot (DBS) sample
testing, especially in remote communities having poor health infrastructure and where
phlebotomies are a major concern for samples collection from patients who inject drugs
(PWIDs). In addition to that, it is also very much required to bring HCV diagnostic
facilities to decentralized healthcare centers which provide care for people at high risk
or opportunistic infection of hepatitis C transmission by sexual contacts (e.g., men who
have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, current or former IDUs, people who are
incarcerated, and people in drug harm reduction centers). In this book chapter, we will
discuss consensus-based recommendations and approaches for hepatitis C screening
and diagnosis in general and vulnerable populations with their potential significance for
the identification and diagnosis of high-risk individuals of hepatitis C transmission. We
will also emphasize the importance of initial HCV screening before the start of HCV
treatment.
Appling Drug Discovery in HCV-therapeutics: A snapshot from the past and glimpse into the future
Authors: Shahid Imran , Jabeen Qaiser
Published: January 2023

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with its devastating impacts in terms of
huge disease burden and patient management on the world’s leading healthcare systems
and jolting the world’s biggest economies, has leveraged the lesson that to prevent the
transmission and elimination of a viral pandemic, endemic, or epidemic in future, a
prophylactic or protective vaccine would be indispensable. In this scenario, DAAs
regimens alone would not be sufficient to eliminate the HCV epidemic by 2030 or
beyond and there would always be the demand for a prophylactic or protective vaccine
to prevent the transmission of this epidemic again from vulnerable populations. The
anti-mRNA-based treatment strategies (e.g., anti-HCV protein-specific
oligonucleotides, RNA interference (RNAi), and micro RNA (miRNA)), and some
potential anti-hepatitis C vaccine models have been widely and extensively studied as
an alternative or adjuvant therapeutic approaches for hepatitis C in the recent past and
some of those models are still in the pipeline. The approval of the first RNAi therapy
against a hereditary protein deposition disorder has urged investigators to refocus this
approach against hepatitis C because it represents the most thoroughly studied
treatment strategy against hepatitis C in the last two decades. Furthermore, some
emerging approaches like host targeting agents (HTA), nanoparticles-containing
immunogens, and nanomedicine-based therapeutic agents are also in their full
investigative form. In this book chapter, we will discuss and highlight emerging
hepatitis C treatment approaches that could be the game-changer to vanquishing HCV
by 2030 while used as an adjuvant or compensatory regimen with DAAs.
Global Health Sector Strategy (2016-2021) Toward Ending Hepatitis-C: Promises, Policies, and Progress
Authors: Shahid Imran , Jabeen Qaiser
Published: January 2023

The worldwide prevalence of the hepatitis C virus takes a heavy toll on
lives, communities, and health systems. Every year more than 4 million peoples die
from hepatitis C-related liver cancers and cirrhosis- a mortality tool comparable to that
of HIV and tuberculosis. It needs for a global health sector strategy stems from the
scale and complexity of the hepatitis C epidemic, along with growing recognition of its
massive public health burden, and the huge opportunities for action. It is a golden time
now to establish a coherent public health hepatitis C response that prioritizes effective
interventions, promotes service delivery approaches that ensure quality and equity to
test and treat every hepatitis C infected individual, takes programs to achieve the
sustained impact of hepatitis C diagnostics and therapeutics at the population level, and
establishes clear stakeholder responsibility and accountability. There are unprecedented
opportunities to act while ending the hepatitis C epidemic and are feasible with the
tools and approaches currently available and in the pipeline. For the greatest impact,
these opportunities should be combined and tailored for specific populations, locations,
and settings. New opportunities and health sector policies provide a ray of hope for the
elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat. In this book chapter, we will
highlight the goals, aims, opportunities, and barriers to a coherent public health policy
for hepatitis C effective interventions at screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic scale in
general and vulnerable hepatitis C infected populations and their consensus
implementations to healthcare systems.
Nanotechnology in Defence and Security
Authors: B.P. Choudhary
Published: January 2023

Nanotechnology, an indispensable branch of technology is presently being used in many specific technologically advanced domains. Technology can offer possibilities far beyond previously known limits, which means a debate between hope and anonymity. The potential of nanotechnology to harvest its strategic advantages or cause a disaster depends on a nation’s level of preparedness. The integration of nano-materials and nanodevices into the defence systems is aimed at improving their performance in terms of defensive and/or offensive capabilities, individual safety, and reliability of systems/ subsystems. Major military powers around the world have been working diligently to improve their understanding of this emerging technology area. The earliest developments in this area involved the production of organic explosives in the form of fine powders with a particle distribution from the submicron to nano-meter range. The challenge ahead is to move from powder to integration of energy nanomaterials into the production system. According to the published literature, the subject studies are in the early stage on this specific domain, wherein numerous techniques are recently reported for making products from nano-thermites. This chapter is aimed to discusses various means and ways to protect the population from attack and to prevent industrial accidents, disaster management and also the potential applications of nanotechnology in warfare.
Hard Ferrites for Permanent Magnets
Authors: Jasrotia R.
Published: January 2023

The hard ferrites called hexaferrites or hexagonal ferrites show excellent characteristics which makes them suitable for many potential applications. The magnetic characteristics of these hexaferrites must be tweaked to meet the needs of a certain potential application. This can be fulfilled by making few modifications within the crystal structure of hexagonal ferrites such as reduction of the size at the nanoscale, changes in the morphology, substitution of divalent as well as trivalent metal cations for increasing magnetization, and many more. In the current chapter, the requirement for excellent hexaferrite-based magnets, we evaluate the most promising ways for improving the performance of hexaferrite-based materials for utilization in permanent magnets, as well as their latest results. Then, we have provided a comprehensive study on the suggested modifications such as size reduction, substitution, shape and many more, which helps in the improvement of magnetic characteristics of hexagonal ferrites for their commercial use for permanent magnets application. Lastly, the concluding remarks have been presented.
Spectral study of the structure and properties of complexes of unsubstituted indoline spiropyran with aluminum ions
Authors: Belikov N. E.  , Lukin A. Yu.  , Varfolomeev S. D.  , Levina I. I.  , Petrovskaya L. E.  , Demina O. V.  , Barachevsky V. A.  , Khodonov A. A.
Published: January 2023

The methods of absorption electronic and NMR spectroscopy were used to study the processes of complexation during the interaction of molecules of unsubstituted indoline spiropyran with aluminum salts. The mechanism of formation and structure of complexes of two types has been established. Negative photochromism of the complex of the merocyanine form of spiropyran with aluminum ions was found. The stability of metal complexes to the action of various agents has been investigated. Keywords: photochromism, spiropyrans, metal complexes, aluminum salts, electron spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy.
دور القدرات الجوهرية في تعزيز الابداعي المؤسسي
Authors: Moheden Nishteman Othman , Rasul Hoshmand Muhammad
Published: January 2023

-   الغاية الرئيسة من البحث الحالي هي معرفة دور القدرات الجوهرية في تعزيز الابداع المؤسسي في عينة من الجامعات والمعاهد في اقليم كوردستان العراق، وكما تظهر مشكلة البحث الحالية في فقر الابداع المؤسسي في المؤسسات التعليمية المبحوثة، ولحل هذه المشكلة اقترح الباحثان الاهتمام بالقدرات الجوهرية ببعديها التعلم التنظيمي والقدرات التكنلوجية، ومن ثم دراستها ضمن إطار واحد ووفق منهج تسلسلي وتتابعي للوصول إلى رؤية شاملة وواضحة لمضامين لماذا على المؤسسات التعليمية الاهتمام المتزايد بالقدرات الجوهرية.
أذ تمثل عينة البحث اَراء عينة من أعضاء هيئة التدريس في عينة من الجامعات والمعاهد في أقليم كوردستان العراق، تم توزيع الاستبانة الألكترونية عن طريق نماذج جوجل (Google) بوصفها الأداة الرئيسة لجمع البيانات الخاصة لعينة البحث وتم استرجاع (107) استمارة صالحة لتحليل كعينة العشوائية ، يعتمد البحث لغرض التحليل والمعالجة الإحصائية على مجموعة من الوسائل الإحصائية منها (التكرارات ، النسبة المئوية ، الوسط الحسابي ، الإنحراف المعياري ، معامل الارتباط ، ، معامل الانحدار الخطي البسيط، الانحدار الخطي المتعدد)، بالاعتماد على مخرجات البرامج الاحصائي (SPSS V.25). اعتمد الباحثان المنهج الوصفي التحليلي لوصف المتغيرات وتحليل البيانات التي تم تجميعها.
توصل البحث على مجموعة من الاستنتاجات، كان أهمها أن التعلم التنظيمي تؤثر في تعزيز الابداع المؤسسي وكذلك القدرات التكنلوجية  تؤثر في تعزيز الابداع المؤسسي، إذ تدل على إثبات الفرضية الأولى  والثانية للبحث، واستناداً لذلك تمت الإشارة إلى مجموعة من المقترحات المتعلقة بضرورة زيادة وعي وإهتمام المؤسسات التعليمية بشكل عام والمؤسسات التعليمية المبحوثة بشكل خاص بمضامين القدرات الجوهرية ليأخذ مكانة مرموقة ومتميزة بين السبل والاَليات الأخرى المعاصرة بوصفه فرصة مناسبة لتبني أساليب عمل الابداعي، ووضع خطط متميزة بحيث تضعها في مكانة جيدة مستقلاً تحسن ادائها و من ثم التفوق على منافسيها.
A Neural Network Model Using Pain Score Patterns to Predict the Need for Outpatient Opioid Refills Following Ambulatory Surgery: Algorithm Development and Validation
Authors: Gabriel Rodney Allanigue , Simpson Sierra , Zhong William , Burton Brittany Nicole , Mehdipour Soraya , Said Engy Tadros
Published: January 2023

Background

Expansion of clinical guidance tools is crucial to identify patients at risk of requiring an opioid refill after outpatient surgery.

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop machine learning algorithms incorporating pain and opioid features to predict the need for outpatient opioid refills following ambulatory surgery.

Methods

Neural networks, regression, random forest, and a support vector machine were used to evaluate the data set. For each model, oversampling and undersampling techniques were implemented to balance the data set. Hyperparameter tuning based on k-fold cross-validation was performed, and feature importance was ranked based on a Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) explainer model. To assess performance, we calculated the average area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), F1-score, sensitivity, and specificity for each model.

Results

There were 1333 patients, of whom 144 (10.8%) refilled their opioid prescription within 2 weeks after outpatient surgery. The average AUC calculated from k-fold cross-validation was 0.71 for the neural network model. When the model was validated on the test set, the AUC was 0.75. The features with the highest impact on model output were performance of a regional nerve block, postanesthesia care unit maximum pain score, postanesthesia care unit median pain score, active smoking history, and total perioperative opioid consumption.

Conclusions

Applying machine learning algorithms allows providers to better predict outcomes that require specialized health care resources such as transitional pain clinics. This model can aid as a clinical decision support for early identification of at-risk patients who may benefit from transitional pain clinic care perioperatively in ambulatory surgery.
Children and Young People’s Involvement in Designing Applied Games: Scoping Review
Authors: Saiger Michael John , Deterding Sebastian , Gega Lina
Published: January 2023

Background

User involvement is widely accepted as key for designing effective applied games for health. This especially holds true for children and young people as target audiences, whose abilities, needs, and preferences can diverge substantially from those of adult designers and players. Nevertheless, there is little shared knowledge about how concretely children and young people have been involved in the design of applied games, let alone consensus guidance on how to do so effectively.

Objective

The aim of this scoping review was to describe which user involvement methods have been used in the design of applied games with children and young people, how these methods were implemented, and in what roles children and young people were involved as well as what factors affected their involvement.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search and selection across the ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using State of the Art through Systematic Review software for screening, selection, and data extraction. We then conducted a qualitative content analysis on the extracted data using NVivo.

Results

We retrieved 1085 records, of which 47 (4.33%) met the eligibility criteria. The chief involvement methods were participatory design (20/47, 43%) and co-design (16/47, 37%), spanning a wide range of 45 concrete activities with paper prototyping, group discussions, and playtesting being the most frequent. In only half of the studies (24/47, 51%), children and young people participated as true design partners. Our qualitative content analysis suggested 5 factors that affect their successful involvement: comprehension, cohesion, confidence, accessibility, and time constraints.

Conclusions

Co-design, participatory design, and similar high-level labels that are currently used in the field gloss over very uneven degrees of participation in design and a wide variety of implementations that greatly affect actual user involvement. This field would benefit from more careful consideration and documentation of the reason of user involvement. Future research should explore concrete activities and configurations that can address the common challenges of involving children and young people, such as comprehension, cohesion, confidence, and accessibility.
Objective and Perceived Reading Performance: Mixed-Method Experimental Study Comparing Reading Media and Methods (Preprint)
Authors: Gweon Gahgene , Seo Kiyeal
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite the prevalent use of digital media, traditional reading approaches like reading on paper or employing oral reading are recommended when high levels of RP are required. However, little research on Reading Performance (RP) according to the reading medium has been conducted in current prevailing digital device environment. In addition, although the effectiveness of oral reading has been shown to help immature language speakers, the effect of oral reading has not been proven for mature language speakers. For the Reading Performance (RP), both objective indicators such as reading comprehension and perceived indicators such as enjoyment are considered important in today's diverse reading environment.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are differences in objective and perceived RP according to two factors: reading media (paper versus screen), and methods (silent versus oral) in mature language speakers.

METHODS

We conducted a two-by-two between-subject mixed method experimental study. A total of 63 immature language speakers participated based on the smartphone ownership, and daily internet usage were recruited. For the reading medium variable, participants read on either paper or screen. For the reading method variable, participants followed either silent reading or oral reading. The reading materials and comprehension questions used in the study were those from XXX(blind-review) SAT. To measure the objective RP, we evaluated comprehension in two levels; low- and high-construal. For the perceived RP, we surveyed three variables; reading preference, reading convenience, and expected comprehension.

RESULTS

Our experimental study revealed that reading preference in perceived RP is higher when reading on paper than on screen (F(1, 61)=8.391, P=.005). Reading preference of perceived RP is also higher when oral reading than silent reading (F(1,61)=7.808, P =.007). However, the results showed no significant difference between groups in reading convenience and expected comprehension of perceived RP. In the objective RP, low- and high-construal level of comprehension did not differ according to the reading media and methods.

CONCLUSIONS

As far as we know, this is the first study that measures the concept of perceived RP explicitly. Our study, in which readers preferred reading on paper rather than on a screen, even though participants reported no difference in objective RP, implies that measures should be taken to overcome the negative perception of digital reading. In addition, the findings that the perceived PR of oral reading was higher than that of silent reading suggests that oral reading can be used for mature language speakers in situations where perceived RP is the reading goal.
Health Literacy and Health Care System Confidence as Determinants of Attitudes to Vaccines in France: Representative Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Khoury Georges , Ward Jeremy K , Mancini Julien , Gagneux-Brunon Amandine , Luong Nguyen Liem Binh
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Health literacy involves individuals’ knowledge, personal skills, and confidence to take action to evaluate and appraise health-related information and improve their health or that of their community.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the association between health literacy and attitude toward vaccines, adjusted with other factors.

METHODS

We used the SLAVACO Wave 3, a survey conducted in December 2021 among a sample of 2022 individuals, representative of the French adult population. We investigated factors associated with the attitude toward vaccines using respondents’ different sociodemographic data, health literacy levels, and the health care system confidence levels using a multinomial logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 440.4 (21.8%) were classified as “distrustful of vaccines in general,” 729.2 (36.1%) were “selectively hesitant,” and 852.4 (42.2%) were “nonhesitant.” In our model, the level of health literacy was not statistically different between the “distrustful of vaccines in general” and the “selectively hesitant” (P=.48), but it was associated with being a “nonhesitant” (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.86, 95% CI 1.25-2.76). The confidence in the health care system was a strong predictor for a “nonhesitant” attitude toward vaccines (aOR 12.4, 95% CI 7.97-19.2). We found a positive correlation of 0.34 (P<.001) between health literacy and confidence in the health care system, but the interaction term between health literacy and health care system confidence was not significant in our model.

CONCLUSIONS

Health literacy was associated with a “nonhesitant” attitude toward vaccines. The findings demonstrated that health literacy and confidence in the health care system are modestly correlated. Therefore, to tackle the subject of vaccine hesitancy, the main focus should be on increasing the population’s confidence and on increasing their health literacy levels or providing vaccine information addressing the needs of less literate citizens.
Disparities in Insulin Pump Use Among Spanish-Speaking Children With Type 1 Diabetes Compared to Their Non-Hispanic White Peers: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Loomba Lindsey , Bonanno Shaila , Arellano Diana , Crossen Stephanie , Glaser Nicole
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Disparities in Insulin Pump Use Among Spanish-Speaking Children With Type 1 Diabetes Compared to Their Non-Hispanic White Peers: Mixed Methods Study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the use of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices among Spanish-language–preferring children in our clinic population and to identify specific barriers to technology use.

METHODS

First, we assessed rates and patterns of diabetes technology use (eg, insulin pumps and CGM devices) in a sample of 76 children (38 Spanish-language preferring and 38 non-Hispanic White). We compared rates of technology use, average length of time between diabetes diagnosis and initiation of insulin pump or CGM device, and rates of discontinuation of these devices between the Spanish-language–preferring and non-Hispanic White children. Second, to understand specific barriers to technology use, we compared responses to a questionnaire assessing decision-making about insulin pumps.

RESULTS

Spanish-language–preferring patients had lower rates of insulin pump use, even after controlling for age, gender, age at diagnosis, and type of health insurance. Spanish-language–preferring participants were more likely to report concerns over learning to use an insulin pump and were more likely to discontinue using an insulin pump after starting one.

CONCLUSIONS

These data confirm demographic disparities in insulin pump use among children with T1D and provide new insights about insulin pump discontinuation among Spanish-language–preferring children. Our findings suggest a need for improved patient education about insulin pump technology in general and improved support for Spanish-language–preferring families with T1D after initiation of pump therapy.
Study Of Biochemical Factors And Knowledge, Attitude, Practice In Patients Of Premature Greying Of Hair (Preprint)
Authors: Dhaka Kanchan , Chowdhry Sundeep , D'souza Paschal , Bhattacharya Ipshita
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Background: Premature greying of hair (PGH) is a clinical entity which has multiple ramifications such as low self- esteem, inferiority complex and may interfere with an individual’s social interaction capabilities and hence adversely affect the individual’s psychosocial health. As there is paucity of epidemiological, investigative and psychoanalytical studies on PGH from the Indian subcontinent, the present study has been undertaken to ascertain role of biochemical factors and assess knowledge, attitude, practice in patients of premature greying of hair, so as to explore the possible association of this entity with common systemic disorders and deficiencies which may possibly be related to its etiology and study comprehensively in detail the impact of quality of life in these patients of PGH by using a detailed KAP questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

Objective: To study the biochemical factors and knowledge, attitude, practice in patients of premature greying of hair.

METHODS

Materials and methods: A case control study including 75 cases and equal number of age and sex matched controls was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Various epidemiological variables and biochemical parameters (Vit B12, Vit D, Calcium, Iron profile, lipid profile, thyroid hormones) were ascertained and these were compared between the cases and controls. Severity of greying was assessed using Greying severity score (GSS) and a knowledge, attitude, practice study was conducted by administering a pre validated questionnaire to assess impact on quality of life of these affected individuals.

RESULTS

Results : Significant differences between cases and controls in the serum levels of biochemical parameters namely Vit B12 (P =.001), Vit D (P = .004), serum iron (P <.001), ferritin (P <.001) & TIBC(P = .037), and thyroid hormones T4 (P =.002) & TSH (P= .041) was found. No correlation between PGH and serum calcium & lipid profile was derived. Along with this, statistically significant difference was noted in the appetite pattern of cases and controls (P =.003). Stress, smoking, altered sleep pattern and bowel habits were also more prevalent in cases as compared to controls. It was also noted that majority study cases belonged to lower middle class of the modified Kuppuswamy scale. Through KAP study, which was extremely comprehensive and detailed in nature, it was observed that PGH has a significant affect on quality of life of these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusion: The study reveals a strong association between PGH and deficiency of Vit D, abnormal levels of Vit B12, hypothyroidism and deranged iron profile; and altered appetite patterns. Along with this prevalence of stress, smoking, altered sleep pattern and bowel habits was also higher in PGH cases. Hence, all these parameters should be analysed in such patients. KAP analysis was a unique approach to study common conceptions and practices in PGH cases and it’s psychological impact.
Human Digital Twins for Pervasive Mental Healthcare: A Scoping Review and Perspectives (Preprint)
Authors: Lee Uichin , Park Eunji , Park Joonyoung , Lee Duri , Kang Soowon , Lee Takyeon , Hong Hwajung , Lee Sung-Ju , Kim Heepyung , Park Yu Rang
Published: January 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

Human digital twins replicate humans in virtual worlds with real-time sensing and machine learning, enabling various services such as visualization, simulation, and prediction. The concept of human digital twins has recently been applied in diverse domains such as manufacturing and healthcare. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews and discussions on the key components of human digital twins and their applications in mental healthcare contexts. This article first offers a scoping review of the purposes of human digital twins and their models and thereafter charts how human digital twins with sensing, mapping, and acting capabilities can serve as an enabling technology for a data-driven, patient-centric, systems approach to pervasive mental healthcare. This article used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for selecting 24 papers from the last 10 years in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
The Hidden Factor of Female Offending – Gender
Authors: Kumari Madhumala
Published: January 2023

The social concept of gender emphasizes the bond between society and people. Gender is not determined through the sexual characteristics of either women or men but constructed socially. Gender role is a social position that includes a variety of actions and attitudes that are usually considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for people based on their personal or biological sex. This research was based on “gender role and crime”, and the main objective was to examine the impact of gender role towards the female offending in Sri Lankan context. A simple Randoms ample of 60 convicted female prisoners from Welikada prison in Sri Lanka was selected as the sample and data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Questions were focused on the crime committed, direct reason for committing, civil status and socio-economic background of the offenders. All 60 offenders could be categorized into five groups based on the “type of crime committed”. Majority of the offenders were accused of “Drug possession and trafficking”, and it holds 55% from the whole. Prostitution (28%), abortion (8.3%), homicide (3.3%) and financial fraud (5%) were recognized as the other crimes committed. Economic status, addiction, social labelling, social indignity, motivation, and protection were identified as primary reasons for offending. “Gender role” has been played a particular part in female offender’s life which is hidden from direct reasons. Female gender role is created an early civilization based on the household and childcare. Nevertheless, with the intangible change of society has disorganized the female gender role. Male gender role existed with the dominance of the household with minimal change. Female gender role became complicated within the limitations of traditional duties. To address this social dilemma, gender role should be flexible; responsibilities should be taken by the family as an institution while mutual accountabilities are transferred for individuals.
Формирование монгольской интеллигенции во Внутренней Монголии Китая в начале XX в.
Authors:   Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the RAS (6, Sakhyanova St., 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation), Kuras Leonid V. , Ochirov Tsyden S. , Tsybenov Bazar D.
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The 20th-century shaping and development of the intelligentsia in China’s Inner Mongolia remains understudied in Russian Mongolian studies. Goals. The study aims at exploring the development of Inner Mongolia’s education system, including in Daur-inhabited areas, in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, at determining the place and role of the Mongolian-Tibetan Special School in training of Inner Mongolia’s advanced youth. Materials and methods. The article analyzes a wide range of sources, including documents from the Russian State Archive of Sociopolitical History (RGASPI) and Central Archives of the Federal Security Service of Russia (CA FSB). It also examines a number of publications, such as collected documents and memoirs titled ‘Notes of Disasters and Sufferings’, one reference book on Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner, and the Neimenggu ribao (Inner Mongolia Daily) newspaper. Certain attention is paid to works by Russian and foreign historians that touch upon some aspects of education development in ethnic regions of China. Results. In the early 20th century, the youth of Inner Mongolia gained opportunities to study at educational institutions of China and other countries. Subsequently, the revolutionary youth to further constitute a large proportion of the Mongolian intelligentsia took an active part in the sociopolitical events of the examined period. Conclusions. The reforms of the Qing and ROC governments in ethnic minorities education system gave rise to a large number of educational institutions to be attended by commoners’ children in Inner Mongolia. This proved a crucial factor to have formed a new social stratum in the region throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The latter was shaped by young Mongols to have undergone training not only in China but also in Japan, Mongolia, and the USSR. They played a significant role in the all-Mongolian national liberation movement. The paper asserts important impacts of the Mongolian-Tibetan Special School which had educated political elites of 20th-century Inner Mongolia.
Е. А. Стулов и его поездка в Архангайский аймак в 1932 г.: по материалам сборника документов «Монголия в документах из архивов ФСБ России (1922–1936 гг.)»
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS (12, Rozhdestvenka St., 107031 Moscow, Russian Federation), Orlova Keemya V.
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The edition titled ‘Federal Security Service Archives: Mongolia Documented, 1922–1936’ contains a Note by Advisor to the MPR Economic Council E. Stulov on [His] Journey to Arkhangai Aimag. The document is of certain interest primarily from a perspective of the current economic and political situation in the country. Advisor E. Stulov was staying in Tsetserleg, the capital of Arkhangai Aimag, from 1 to 10 June 1932, and compiled the Note on 25 June of the same year to be marked top secret. The author mentions the main objective of the journey was to ‘investigate essentials and causes of the uprising’ in the aimag. Personal files of Evgeny A. Stulov are housed at the Russian State Archive of the Economy (Collection of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Trade as of the Year 1925). The Note can be viewed as an extended report on events to have taken place not only in Arkhangai but also in other provinces, and be structured as follows: 1) causes and essentials of the 1932 uprising, 2) economic reasons of the uprising, 3) work of the party organization in the aimag and wider — that of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party nationwide. Goals. The article attempts an analysis of Stulov’s journey to Arkhangai Aimag and examines reasons — political and economic ones — of the uprising and related riots both in Arkhangai and across the bulk of the country. Materials. The paper examines archival documents, published sources, and academic literature. Results and conclusions. E. Stulov’s Note reveals reasons of social unrests across various Mongolian estates. The journey is sure to have been crucial to that the Soviet Government undertook prompt measures to tackle the dramatic events. The unrests had begun in April 1932, and already in May the Mongolian question was being discussed at a meeting of the Politburo (VKP(b) Central Committee), which dispatched a letter to Ulaanbaatar containing proposals aimed at eliminating errors and miscounts afforded. This is why in June the Advisor to the MPR Economic Council was missioned to the country for detailed insights, and the officer’s journey note did reveal actual reasons of what had happened.
A Laboratory Perspective on an Epidemiological Pattern of Infectious Gastroenteritis: A Five-year Surveillance between 2016 to 2020 from Established Private Healthcare Centers within Klang Valley in Malaysia
Authors: Nor Fadzilah Mohd , Aazmi Shafiq , Anuar Tengku Shahrul , Muslim Azdayanti , Aziz Muhammad Nazri , Ibrahim Nabila , Yahya Mohd Fakharul Zaman Raja , Zainuri Siti Nabilah , Mohd Yusof Farida Zuraina
Published: January 2023

Infectious gastroenteritis is endemic globally and caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites. The study determined the epidemiological pattern of infectious gastroenteritis within selected urban areas in Malaysia. Analysis of 745 laboratory requests was conducted based on FilmArray gastrointestinal assay and socio-demographic details from suspected cases in KPJ hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia, between 2016 to 2020. Descriptive analysis and Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact testing were performed to ascertain the relationship between socio-demographics with the type of infections. Of 745 requests, 288 (38.7%) were caused by one etiological agent (mono-infection), while the remaining 334 (44.8%) were due to more than one agent (co-infection). Mono-infection was significantly higher among adolescents (n=9; 47.4%) and young adults (n=37; 40.2%) in comparison to adults (n=18; 35.3%). Whereas co-infection was significantly higher in infants (n=216; 49.2%). Mono-infection was mainly caused by bacteria (n=194/288; 67.4%) with Salmonella spp. was prevalent (16.6%), followed by EPEC (12.5%), Campylobacter spp. (11.9%) and Norovirus (10.5%). The co-infections (n=334) were identified with a combination of EPEC and the following bacteria or viruses (Norovirus=38, Campylobacter spp.=30, Salmonella spp.=26, EAEC=22, Rotavirus=19, Adenovirus=10). The month of August to October was recognised as the peak season for infectious gastroenteritis. The present findings may indicate contamination of infectious agents to the food supply and food processing chain as well as reduced hygiene in food sanitation leading to foodborne health issues, particularly among the children in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Biomedical Waste Management: An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Care Hospital, Chhattisgarh
Authors: Diwan Trinjana , Jain Kamlesh , Singh Neha , Verma Nirmal , Jain Vineet
Published: January 2023

In the current scenario, medical concern is fundamental for everyone’s existence in addition to well-being, but the waste produced as of healthcare facilities signifies an actual concern in our surroundings. One of the healthcare workers (HCWs) most crucial duties is to handle biomedical waste (BMW) created in a healthcare institution properly since inappropriate management of BMW not only puts both individuals and the environment at risk but might also lead to lawful act opposed to healthcare workers and hospital authority. Current research plan is intended to assess biomedical waste management in a tertiary care hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. A facility-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur; Chhattisgarh from July 2021 to August 2021. Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and observation was done by interviewing 105 healthcare workers, selected by simple random sampling, using a predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis revealed that medical staff had good knowledge, attitude and practice of biomedical waste management than the paramedical professionals or non-medical workers. There is an imperative need for orientation training to protect themselves, and citizens visiting this healthcare facility and close by communities.
A Comprehensive Mini-review on COVID-19 Pathogenesis on Perspectives of Cytokine Storm and Recent Developments in Anti-Covid Nucleotide Analogues
Authors: Deshmukh Rehan , Roy Utpal
Published: January 2023

The world has been rocked by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has significantly changed our way of life. Despite the unusual measures taken, COVID-19 still exists and affects people all over the world. A remarkable amount of study has been done to find ways to combat the infection’s unsurpassed level. No ground-breaking antiviral agent has yet been introduced to remove COVID-19 and bring about a return to normalcy, even though numerous pharmaceuticals and therapeutic technologies have been reused and discovered. The cytokine storm phenomenon is of utmost importance since fatality is strongly connected with the severity of the disease. This severe inflammatory phenomenon marked by increased amounts of inflammatory mediators can be targeted for saving patients’ life. Our analysis demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 specifically generates a lot of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and results in lymphocyte exhaustion. Tocilizumab is an IL-6 inhibitor that is currently thought to be both generally safe and effective. Additionally, corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blockers and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors could be effective and dependable methods to reduce cytokine-mediated storm in SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Comparative Analysis of Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks based on Transfer Learning for Pneumonia Detection
Authors: Chiwariro Ronald , Wosowei Julius B.
Published: January 2023

Abstract: Artificial intelligence has been used in many different fields throughout its development, especially in recent years as the amount of data available has increased. Its major objective is to aid individuals in making more reliable decisions more quickly. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are being used more and more in medicine. This is particularly true in the medical field where a large number of digital files must be collected and processed to apply a variety of biomedical imaging and diagnostic techniques. Machine learning is used to analyse medical images, which helps with consistency and increases reporting accuracy. To process chest X-ray data and assist in diagnosis, this study compares transfer learning-based deep neural networks. The study focuses on comparing and evaluating deep learning methods based on convolutional neural networks for the identification of pneumonia. To establish the model that would accurately diagnose pneumonia, the researchers developed several different models. Five distinct CNN models, including VGG19, VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionNet v3, and YOLO v5, were trained using the RSNA Pneumonia Detection Challenge dataset. Validation Accuracy and Area Under Curve were used to gauge their performance. On test data, VGG16 had the highest validation accuracy (88%) and AUC-ROC (91.8%), whereas YOLO v5 was used to locate the inflammation with a 99% level of confidence.