bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial systems for the diagnosis of Meniere’s disease: A review
Authors: Coskun Huri Nur , Yıldız Çağrı , Çalım Ömer Faruk , Gündüz Emrah
Published: December 2024

Meniere’s Disease (MD) is a complex, multifactorial inner ear disorder characterized by episodes of spontaneous vertigo, unilateral fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus. Although endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is often considered a histopathological hallmark of MD, the 2015 diagnostic guidelines emphasize that its presence is not essential for diagnosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has emerged as a valuable tool for detecting EH, though it remains in a developmental phase.
Recently, artificial intelligence (AI)—a rapidly advancing field that simulates human cognitive processes—has garnered significant attention in the study of MD. This paper reviews the current literature on the application of AI and deep learning in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of Meniere’s Disease. Our review encompasses seven relevant studies sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Among these, four articles focus on the use of MRI to detect and quantify endolymphatic hydrops. We present these findings within the context of a development trajectory, discuss the limitations of current methodologies, and outline potential avenues for future advancements.
INSEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR E O AGRAVO A SAÚDE BUCAL EM INDIVÍDUOS QUILOMBOLAS DA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA EM SAÚDE: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Santos Lairds Rodrigues dos
Published: December 2024

Introdução: A dieta alimentar influencia na saúde bucal dos indivíduos, entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre a insegurança alimentar, estado nutricional e problemas de saúde bucal em indivíduos quilombolas. Objetivo: Revisar a literatura científica a fim de evidenciar aspectos relevantes do consumo alimentar por quilombolas e relacioná-los com possíveis agravos a saúde bucal desses indivíduos. Metodologia: Buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados, PubMed, LILACS e SciELO, além de busca manual no Google Scholar, sem restrições de período. Foram utilizados descritores associados “insegurança alimentar e quilombolas”, “saúde bucal e grupo com ancestrais do continente africano” e “nutrição e saúde bucal”, tanto nos idiomas inglês e português orientado pela questão norteadora: quais interações justificam a insegurança alimentar e a saúde bucal de quilombolas? Critérios de inclusão: artigos originais e todos os tipos de revisões sobre tema quilombolas, independente da faixa etária, insegurança alimentar e nutrição. Resultados: A insegurança alimentar observada em indivíduos quilombolas faz com que estes se tornem mais suscetíveis a diminuição do ph bucal e com isso apresentem muitos problemas bucais que podem levar à perda dentária. A dificuldade de acesso aos serviços odontológicos enfrentada por este grupo populacional, faz com que os mesmos se tornem ainda mais vulneráveis em relação aos cuidados com a saúde bucal. A qualidade dos serviços de saúde bucal na Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) deve ser avaliada. Conclusões: Dificuldades de acesso aos alimentos, ingestão de alimentos calóricos e de pobre valor nutricional ou mesmo o jejum intermitente, aumentam o índice de cárie e doença periodontal impactando na alta prevalência de perda dentária em quilombolas. Processos educativos provenientes da APS que associem nutrição saudável e hábitos de higiene deveriam ser repassados de forma simples e eficaz, para motivar comportamentos positivamente transformadores neste segmento populacional.
PRÁTICAS PEDAGÓGICAS ASSOCIADAS A INFECÇÃO URINÁRIA EM GESTANTES NOS SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Caldas Naylane de Farias , Furtado Rosalina  de Paula , Cavalcante Gardênia da Silva , Oliveira Beatriz Nascimento Marinho de , Borba-Pinheiro Claudio Joaquim
Published: December 2024

Introdução: a patologia de Infecção do Trato Urinário (ITU) é causada pela presença de microrganismos patogênicos na urina, e na gravidez, as mudanças anatômicas e fisiológicas impostas ao trato urinário predispõem as mulheres a transformações, que as tornam suscetíveis a infecções bacterianas. Objetivo: analisar possíveis práticas educativas voltada para gestantes com infecção urinária atendidas nos serviços de saúde. Metodologia: foi realizado um estudo de revisão guarda-chuva nas seguintes bases de dados: BVS, Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs e Google acadêmico, usando os seguintes descritores: infecção urinária, educação em saúde, saúde da mulher, atenção integral à saúde da mulher, atenção básica. Seguindo também o modelo PRISMA que determinou a pergunta norteadora: quais são as práticas pedagógicas que influenciam na redução de infecções urinárias nas gestantes? Resultados: foram encontrados 6 artigos de revisão, onde: 4 são integrativas e 2 são sistemáticas, destes, 5 estudos abordaram o objetivo deste estudo de forma superficial e um de forma específica. Conclusões: O presente estudo conclui que existem poucas pesquisas qualificados na literatura sobre ações educativas voltadas para gestantes com infecção urinária.
The interception of organic chemistry and agriculture: a review of new method sustainable crop production
Authors:   Department of Chemical sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria, Adam Ansar Bilyaminu , Dwanga Danladi Mudwa ,   Department of Chemical sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria, Chinedu Emmanuel Kingsley ,   Department of Chemistry Modibbo Adama University Yola, Girei, Adamawa, Nigeria, Abubakar Musa Yahaya ,   Department of Chemical sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria, Aminu Abubakar ,   Department of pure and industrial Chemistry Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra, Nigeria, Joseph Aboh Mbo ,   Department of Chemical sciences Federal University Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria
Published: December 2024

The interception between organic chemistry and agriculture has transformed agricultural practices by producing creative answers for sustainable crop production. This thorough analysis explores the most recent developments in organic chemistry and their applications to agriculture, emphasizing cutting-edge techniques for increasing crop yields, strengthening plant disease resistance, and reducing environmental impact. We investigate the synthesis of organic chemicals to produce bioactive substances, such as biopesticides, bio-stimulants, and plant growth regulators. These substances have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing plant development, elevating stress resilience, and diminishing dependence on artificial fertilizers and insecticides. In addition, we look at how organic chemistry is used to create sustainable agricultural systems that make use of renewable resources, eco-friendly production techniques, and green chemistry concepts.
Probiotics composed of Bacillus spp. in the litter and feed of broiler chickens
Authors: Navarro Garcia Wulff Kelen , Babinski Bregonde Ricardo , Santos de Freitas Edmilson , Cristina Osaki Silvia , Tereza de Lima Edna
Published: December 2024

Adding probiotic microorganisms to broiler diets can help improve health status and zootechnical performance throughout the production period. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens probiotic strains and the composition of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus toyoi on their ability to colonize the intestine and litter of broilers. The morphometric aspects of the duodenal villi and zootechnical performance were also evaluated. The treatments were assigned in a complete randomized design. A total of 300 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicken was used in five treatments, with four replicates each. The birds were housed in batteries of experimental cages (100 x 80 cm), and the leftover feed was weighed weekly to calculate body weight gain, intake, and feed conversion ratio. Two birds from each replicate were euthanasied to determine the Bacillus spp. count in the feces of the intestinal content and samples were also collected from the poultry litter (wood shavings of Pinnus elliottii) to determine Bacillus spp. in different days. The duodenal segments of birds were analyzed to evaluate intestinal morphometry (crypts and villi). There was no change in microbiota characteristics or zootechnical performance between the treatments. In conclusion, commercial probiotic control treatment showed positive results, such as better intestinal colonization and greater presence of probiotic strains in the litter. These effects can result in better performance of birds in situations where field challenges occur.
Estrus synchronization protocols in Blackbelly sheep in tropical region: prostaglandin and male effect
Authors: Lima Meneses Beatriz , Smangorzevski Muller Lívia , da Silva Reinehr Juliana , Menezes Braga Ramayana , Carlini Cunha dos Santos Fernanda
Published: December 2024

Estrus synchronization protocols may include reproductive hormones or management practices, with differences mainly in relation to costs, labor, number of managements, and time until estrus manifestation. This study aimed to evaluate estrus synchronization protocols in sheep using prostaglandin or male effect in a tropical climatic region. Three estrus synchronization protocols were evaluated in 60 adult Blackbelly sheep, including 1) 150 µg intramuscular prostaglandin D0 and D7; 2) 30 µg vulvar submucosal prostaglandin D0 and D7; 3) male effect: ram introduction. After the last administration of prostaglandin (intramuscular or vulvar) or introduction of the male (male effect), a ram with ink in the chest was introduced, and the females were monitored for signs of estrus every 24 h. Data were tabulated and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Within 48 h, 70–80% females that received prostaglandin, regardless of the administration route, showed estrus. Both protocols with prostaglandins manifested estrus in 100% ewes within 72 h. In the male effect group, 50% ewes showed estrus within 48 h. The other 50% manifested estrus after 72 h, with 30% ewes between 96–144 h. In conclusion, regardless of the synchronization protocol, all ewes manifested estrus within six days. The male effect showed a higher interval in synchronization up to 144 h. Protocols with both intramuscular and vulvar submucosal prostaglandin administration resulted in estrus manifestation in all sheep within 72 h. Vulvar submucosal administration of a reduced dose is laborious and reduces hormone cost.
Surgical access for diaphyseal osteosynthesis of long bones of the thoracic limb in tamandua tetradactyla
Authors: Cristina Conceição da Costa Marcia , Branco Érika , Rita de Lima Ana
Published: December 2024

The reduction of habitats due to the advance of urban areas and human activities has a direct impact on the reduction of wild fauna, with a resulting increase in traumas due to animals being run over, fires, hunting, dog attacks and others. This had led to an increase in clinical-surgical consultations and practices in the veterinary routine. Seven preserved specimens were used for macroscopic description of the musculature and identification of surgical approaches for diaphyseal osteosynthesis of long bones of the thoracic limb of Tamandua tetradactyla. The suggested accesses were by approaches: craniomedial for the humerus, craniolateral for the radius, in turn, for the ulna caudolateral intervention is indicated. The goal of this information is to contribute with anatomical knowledge, which is crucial in enabling assertive choices in the clinical-surgical management of T. tetradactyla.
Aerobic Training Alleviates Muscle Atrophy by Promoting the
Proliferation of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells in Myotonic Dystrophy
Type 1 by Inhibiting Glycolysis via the Upregulation of MBNL1
Authors: Wang Hui-Qi , Guo Min , Lu Jie-Qiong , Chen Ling-Yun , Liang Feng , Huang Peng-Peng , Song Kai-Yi
Published: December 2024

Background:

Skeletal muscle atrophy in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused
by abnormal skeletal muscle satellite cell (SSC) proliferation due to increased glycolysis, which
impairs muscle regeneration. In DM1, RNA foci sequester muscleblind-like protein 1 (MBNL1)
in the nucleus, inhibiting its role in regulating SSC proliferation. Aerobic training reduces glycolysis
and increases SSC proliferation and muscle fiber volume. This study aimed to investigate
whether aerobic training prevents muscle atrophy in DM1 through the regulation of glycolysis via
MBNL1.

Methods:

In this study, we used the HSALR transgenic mice (DM1 mice model) to investigate the
effects of aerobic training on skeletal muscle atrophy and its molecular mechanisms. HSALR mice
were subjected to 4 weeks of aerobic training. After aerobic training, hindlimb grip, and myofiber
mean cross-sectional area (CSA) detected by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed.
In DM1 primary SSCs, cell proliferation was assessed using Pax7 and MyoD immunofluorescence
and CCK-8 assays, RNA foci were detected by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization,
and total MBNL1 expression was measured by western blot. We also used lentivirus to knock
down MBNL1 in DM1 primary SSCs and performed RNA sequencing and extracellular acidification
rate (ECAR). Furthermore, glycolysis detected by ECAR and oxygen consumption rate
(OCR) assays were performed in WT, Sedentary, and Training group SSCs. Glycolysis was inhibited
with shikonin, a glycolysis inhibitor, and the proliferation of DM1 SSCs was subsequently
evaluated. Finally, we engineered an adeno-associated virus specifically targeting MBNL1 to
knock down MBNL1 in DM1 mice. Subsequently, we assessed hindlimb grip strength and CSA
in vivo, as well as the glycolytic capacity and proliferative capacity of DM1 SSCs in vitro.

Results:

Aerobic training increased hindlimb grip strength and the average myofiber CSA in
DM1 mice. Additionally, aerobic training reduced RNA foci, upregulated MBNL1, and promoted
SSC proliferation. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that glycolytic processes were
enriched following the knockdown of MBNL1. Furthermore, ECAR showed glycolysis was enhanced
after the knockdown of MBNL1. Aerobic training reduced elevated glycolysis in DM1
mice and primary SSCs. Treatment with shikonin promoted DM1 SSC proliferation. However,
MBNL1 knockdown was shown to abolish the reduced glycolysis and increased proliferation capability
of SSCs due to aerobic training.

Conclusion:

Taken together, aerobic training suppresses glycolysis in SSCs via the upregulation
of MBNL1, thereby enhancing SSC proliferation and alleviating muscle atrophy.
Transteritin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a difficult patient for an internist
Authors: Khailo N. V. , Belovolova E. V. , Tseluiko O. V. , Kalmykova D. A. , Morozova L. V.
Published: December 2024

To enhance the clinical awareness and vigilance of healthcare professionals, such as therapists, cardiologists and neurologists, in the detection of ATTR amyloidosis among patients suffering from multi-organ damage, particularly in cases where heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction is progressing and resistant to standard treatment
The effect of comorbid conditions on the duration of pain syndrome in patients with total hip replacement and the ability to manage them
Authors: Tikhomirova N. Yu. , Zhikhareva O. A. , Eliseyeva L. N. , Zhdamarova O. I. , Bondarenko M. N.
Published: December 2024

Objective: identification of risk factors for long-term pain syndrome in patients with total hip replacement (TEP) and the possibility of managing them.

Material and methods: 122 patients were examined. Inclusion criteria: men and women aged 55-67 years, suffering from stage III osteoarthritis of the hip joint (OA TBS), compensated type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), who signed an informed consent for dynamic follow-up. All patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=62) had a combination of OA TBS+DM, group 2 (n=60) included patients with OA TBS without DM. All the examined patients underwent an assessment of concomitant pathology, an anthropometric study with the calculation of body mass index, a study of morphometric parameters of the heart by echocardiography, as well as the calculation of glomerular filtration rate using the CKD-EPI formula. The presence of pain syndrome was assessed for more than 3 months after surgery. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed using the package of licensed statistical programs STATISTICA 6.0 (StatSoftInc., USA).

Results: in our study, the risk of pain syndrome increased for more than 3 months: age, concomitant pathology (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, varicose veins of the lower extremities with thrombosis), duration of osteoarthritis of the hip joint, decreased GFR. In our work, the proportion of people with GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was significantly higher among patients with OA TBS+DM, as well as with a duration of OA TBS for more than 10 years and the presence of DM, which can be explained by the negative effect on the kidneys of taking painkillers with long-term OA, as well as the influence of high levels blood glucose (against the background of concomitant diabetes) on the glomerular apparatus. Among patients with OA TBS+DM without SYSADOA, the proportion of people with GFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was 3.1 times higher than among people with OA TBS without DM+ SYSADOA (p<0.05).

Conclusions: monitoring the intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the preoperative period, correction of concomitant pathology, as well as compliance with national recommendations for the treatment of coxarthrosis in terms of taking SYSADOA and physical exercises will reduce the risk of prolonged pain syndrome in the postoperative period of hip TEP.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Diagnosis of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Chen Ruiyuan , Fan Ning , Zang Lei , Yuan Shuo , Du Peng , Wu Qichao , Wang Aobo , Li Jian , Kong Xiaochuan , Zhu Wenyi
Published: December 2024

Background

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a major cause of pain and disability in older individuals worldwide. Although increasing studies of traditional machine learning (TML) and deep learning (DL) were conducted in the field of diagnosing LSS and gained prominent results, the performance of these models has not been analyzed systematically.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to pool the results and evaluate the heterogeneity of the current studies in using TML or DL models to diagnose LSS, thereby providing more comprehensive information for further clinical application.

Methods

This review was performed under the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using articles extracted from PubMed, Embase databases, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies that evaluated DL or TML algorithms assessment value on diagnosing LSS were included, while those with duplicated or unavailable data were excluded. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 was used to estimate the risk of bias in each study. The MIDAS module and the METAPROP module of Stata (StataCorp) were used for data synthesis and statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 12 studies with 15,044 patients reported the assessment value of TML or DL models for diagnosing LSS. The risk of bias assessment yielded 4 studies with high risk of bias, 3 with unclear risk of bias, and 5 with completely low risk of bias. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.82-0.86; I2=99.06%) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.84-0.90; I2=98.7%), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 36 (95% CI 26-49), the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was 6.6 (95% CI 5.1-8.4), and the negative likelihood ratio (LR–) was 0.18 (95% CI 0.16-0.21). The summary receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve of TML or DL models for diagnosing LSS of 0.92 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), indicating a high diagnostic value.

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis emphasize that despite the generally satisfactory diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence systems in the experimental stage for the diagnosis of LSS, none of them is reliable and practical enough to apply in real clinical practice. Further efforts, including optimization of model balance, widely accepted objective reference standards, multimodal strategy, large dataset for training and testing, external validation, and sufficient and scientific report, should be made to bridge the distance between current TML or DL models and real-life clinical applications in future studies.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42024566535; https://tinyurl.com/msx59x8k
Evaluating Bard Gemini Pro and GPT-4 Vision Against Student Performance in Medical Visual Question Answering: Comparative Case Study
Authors: Roos Jonas , Martin Ron , Kaczmarczyk Robert
Published: December 2024

Background

The rapid development of large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT has significantly impacted medical research and education. These models have shown potential in fields ranging from radiological imaging interpretation to medical licensing examination assistance. Recently, LLMs have been enhanced with image recognition capabilities.

Objective

This study aims to critically examine the effectiveness of these LLMs in medical diagnostics and training by assessing their accuracy and utility in answering image-based questions from medical licensing examinations.

Methods

This study analyzed 1070 image-based multiple-choice questions from the AMBOSS learning platform, divided into 605 in English and 465 in German. Customized prompts in both languages directed the models to interpret medical images and provide the most likely diagnosis. Student performance data were obtained from AMBOSS, including metrics such as the “student passed mean” and “majority vote.” Statistical analysis was conducted using Python (Python Software Foundation), with key libraries for data manipulation and visualization.

Results

GPT-4 1106 Vision Preview (OpenAI) outperformed Bard Gemini Pro (Google), correctly answering 56.9% (609/1070) of questions compared to Bard’s 44.6% (477/1070), a statistically significant difference (χ2₁=32.1, P<.001). However, GPT-4 1106 left 16.1% (172/1070) of questions unanswered, significantly higher than Bard’s 4.1% (44/1070; χ2₁=83.1, P<.001). When considering only answered questions, GPT-4 1106’s accuracy increased to 67.8% (609/898), surpassing both Bard (477/1026, 46.5%; χ2₁=87.7, P<.001) and the student passed mean of (674/1070, SE 1.48%; χ2₁=4.8, P=.03). Language-specific analysis revealed both models performed better in German than English, with GPT-4 1106 showing greater accuracy in German (282/465, 60.65% vs 327/605, 54.1%; χ2₁=4.4, P=.04) and Bard Gemini Pro exhibiting a similar trend (255/465, 54.8% vs 222/605, 36.7%; χ2₁=34.3, P<.001). The student majority vote achieved an overall accuracy of 94.5% (1011/1070), significantly outperforming both artificial intelligence models (GPT-4 1106: χ2₁=408.5, P<.001; Bard Gemini Pro: χ2₁=626.6, P<.001).

Conclusions

Our study shows that GPT-4 1106 Vision Preview and Bard Gemini Pro have potential in medical visual question-answering tasks and to serve as a support for students. However, their performance varies depending on the language used, with a preference for German. They also have limitations in responding to non-English content. The accuracy rates, particularly when compared to student responses, highlight the potential of these models in medical education, yet the need for further optimization and understanding of their limitations in diverse linguistic contexts remains critical.
The Use of “Cancer Ratio” in Differentiating Malignant and Tuberculous Pleural Effusions: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chalamalasetty Sai Pooja , Acharya Preetam , Antony Thomas , Ramakrishna Anand , Kotian Himani
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Differentiating between tuberculosis and malignancy as the cause of an exudative lymphocyte predominant pleural effusion is difficult due to similarities in the cellular and biochemical characteristics of the pleural fluid in both conditions. Microbiological tests in tubercular pleural effusions have a poor diagnostic yield, and the long turnaround time for results prevents an early diagnosis. The diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is hampered by a variable yield of pleural fluid cytology and closed pleural biopsy and the fact that thoracoscopy may not be readily available or feasible in each patient. A key gap in the existing knowledge is the performance of the serum lactate dehydrogenase to pleural adenosine deaminase ratio (ie, “cancer ratio”; CR) in differentiating between tuberculous and MPE in a high tuberculosis prevalence country like India, although its use has been well established in Western literature. The CR may find a practical application in the community health care settings in low-income countries without ready access to biopsy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the CR as a test to differentiate tubercular and malignant etiology in patients with an exudative lymphocyte predominant pleural effusion. Secondary objectives to be assessed include a comparison of CR to pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen in MPE and the association of histologic type of lung carcinoma to the CR positivity.

METHODS

This hospital-based, prospective, observational study will include patients admitted with pleural effusion whose pleural fluid reports indicate a lymphocyte-predominant exudate. The ability of the CR to discriminate between tuberculous and MPE will be evaluated as a primary objective of this study. The performance of CR and pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen in the diagnosis of MPE will be compared using the receiver operating characteristics and area under the curve for both tests as a secondary objective. The association between a positive CR and histologic type of lung cancer will be analyzed as well.

RESULTS

Data collection began in June 2022. As of March 24, 2024, we have recruited 22 patients. Outcomes of the study are expected at the end of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will provide an objective basis for the use of CR in differentiating between tuberculosis and malignancy as the cause of an exudative lymphocyte predominant pleural effusion.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/56592
Identifying the Relative Importance of Factors Influencing Medication Compliance in General Patients Using Regularized Logistic Regression and LightGBM: Web-Based Survey Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Iino Haru , Kizaki Hayato , Imai Shungo , Hori Satoko
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Medication compliance, which refers to the extent to which patients correctly adhere to prescribed regimens, is influenced by various psychological, behavioral, and demographic factors. When analyzing these factors, challenges such as multicollinearity and variable selection often arise, complicating the interpretation of results. To address the issue of multicollinearity and better analyze the importance of each factor, machine learning methods are considered to be useful.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify key factors influencing medication compliance by applying regularized logistic regression and LightGBM.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 638 adult patients in Japan who had been continuously taking medications for at least 3 months. The survey collected data on demographics, medication habits, psychological adherence factors, and compliance. Logistic regression with regularization was used to handle multicollinearity, while LightGBM was used to calculate feature importance.

RESULTS

The regularized logistic regression model identified significant predictors, including “using the drug at approximately the same time each day” (coefficient 0.479; P=.02), “taking meals at approximately the same time each day” (coefficient 0.407; P=.02), and “I would like to have my medication reduced” (coefficient –0.410; P=.01). The top 5 variables with the highest feature importance scores in the LightGBM results were “Age” (feature importance 179.1), “Using the drug at approximately the same time each day” (feature importance 148.4), “Taking meals at approximately the same time each day” (feature importance 109.0), “I would like to have my medication reduced” (feature importance 77.48), and “I think I want to take my medicine” (feature importance 70.85). Additionally, the feature importance scores for the groups of medication adherence–related factors were 77.92 for lifestyle-related items, 52.04 for awareness of medication, 20.30 for relationships with health care professionals, and 5.05 for others.

CONCLUSIONS

The most significant factors for medication compliance were the consistency of medication and meal timing (mean of feature importance), followed by the number of medications and patient attitudes toward their treatment. This study is the first to use a machine learning model to calculate and compare the relative importance of factors affecting medication adherence. Our findings demonstrate that, in terms of relative importance, lifestyle habits are the most significant contributors to medication compliance among the general patient population. The findings suggest that regularization and machine learning methods, such as LightGBM, are useful for better understanding the numerous adherence factors affected by multicollinearity.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence On the Quality of Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review. (Preprint)
Authors: Alghareeb Eman
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

: Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology with the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. In Saudi Arabia, the healthcare sector has adopted AI technologies over the past decade to enhance service efficiency and quality, aligning with Vision 2030's technological thrust.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to systematically examine Artificial intelligence's impact on healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia hospitals

METHODS

: A meticulous and comprehensive systematic literature review was undertaken to identify studies investigating AI's impact on healthcare in Saudi Arabia by collecting several articles from selected databases , PubMed, Google Scholar, and Saudi Digital Library databases. The search terms used were "Artificial Intelligence", healthcare, health care Quality (AI) in Saudi Arabia,(AI) in healthcare, healthcare providers. The review focused on studies published in the last ten years, ensuring the inclusion of the most recent and relevant research on the effects of AI on Saudi healthcare organizations. The review included quantitative and qualitative analyses, providing a robust and comprehensive understanding of the topic

RESULTS

12 articles were included in this systematic review.The findings suggest that AI has significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, patient management, and operational efficiency within the Saudi healthcare system. AI technologies have been used in various healthcare areas, such as radiology, cardiology, and pathology. However, the review also highlights challenges in data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. The review underscored the importance of ongoing monitoring and rigorous training of healthcare personnel in AI applications.

CONCLUSIONS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform healthcare in Saudi Arabia by improving patient outcomes and streamlining operations. AI can aid in predicting patient outcomes, personalizing medicine, and enhancing administrative efficiency. However, challenges such as ensuring data privacy, making necessary infrastructure investments, and addressing biases in AI algorithms must be addressed.

The healthcare sector can benefit from AI through better disease outbreak predictions, advanced training for medical professionals, and support for ongoing education. The rise of telehealth and digital health strategies highlights AI's important role in the future of healthcare in the region.

To maximize the benefits of AI, it is critical to tackle the associated challenges. With proper implementation and training, AI can lead to more accurate and cost-effective healthcare services.

CLINICALTRIAL

NO Trial
Investigating the Influence of Virtual Reality Illusions on Balance Performance and Immersive User Experience (Preprint)
Authors: Abayasiri R. Achintha M. , Padilha Lanari Bo Antonio , Dick Taylor J. M. , Baghaei Nilufar
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Rehabilitation interventions to improve standing balance are often tedious and complex limiting user engagement and increasing the burden of the clinicians delivering them. Virtual Reality (VR) has been incorporated into such practices as a solution and VR illusions have emerged as a method for perturbing balance within interventions. However, the influence of VR illusions on balance performance, such as Centre of Pressure (CoP), and user experience metrics remains under explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of VR illusions on standing balance and user experience in young adults.

METHODS

Young healthy adults (n=15, age: 18-35) played a VR table tennis game while standing on a force plate and were provided with eight directional and magnitude-based VR illusions scaled according to participants’ heights. VR illusions were generated by offsetting the position of the playing hand in VR and were provided through eight trials for each participant. Each VR illusion was delivered throughout the final 50 seconds of each 70-second trial. Absolute CoP displacements, directional tendency of CoP displacement and game performance were analysed to evaluate the impact of the VR illusions. Responses to the User Experience Questionnaire, Slater-Usoh-Steed Presence Questionnaire, NASA Task Load Index, and Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire were analysed to assess the immersive user experience.

RESULTS

Both VR illusion magnitude and changes in VR illusion direction led to significantly greater CoP displacements with high illusion magnitudes, anterior and posterior directional illusions associated with higher CoP displacements. Conversely, those illusion magnitudes and directions were associated with low game performance. The directional tendency of the CoP displacements varied across the illusion directions but showed a significant association with the illusion directions. Questionnaire responses showed that participants had moderate to high immersive user experience within the VR illusion paradigm.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a novel approach for future developments of more effective VR-based balance rehabilitation interventions. The results provide inspiration for the development of future VR-based exergames that can perturbate CoP direction and magnitude. By adjusting the difficulty level through directional and magnitude changes in VR illusions, exergames can provide a personalized rehabilitation experience.
Exploring Suicide-Related Internet Use Among Suicidal Mental Health Patients: Findings from an Online Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Bojanić Lana , Hunt Isabelle M , Flynn Sandra , Ibrahim Saied , Turnbull Pauline
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

The dual nature of suicide-related internet use (SRIU) as preventative or harmful is well-documented, but its characteristics in mental health patient population remain underresearched. Some evidence suggests mental health patients use SRIU differently from the general population.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the types, motivations, frequency, and perceived impacts of SRIU in suicidal mental health patients, as well as their engagement with online prevention resources.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online survey distributed between June and December 2023. Participants (N=696) were UK adults with secondary mental health service contact and recent suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours. Of these, 523 (75%) engaged in SRIU. Collected data included sociodemographic details, clinical history, types and motivations for SRIU, and interactions with suicide prevention resources. Analysis utilized descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Wilcoxon tests, with multiple testing corrections applied.

RESULTS

The most common SRIU type was searching for suicide-related content (87.4%), followed by connecting with others (51.8%). Motivations included seeking information on suicide methods (60.8%) and support for suicidality (57.2%), with significant overlap. Participants perceived SRIU as neither harmful nor helpful overall, with those seeking suicide methods rating it as more harmful. Most participants encountered suicide prevention messaging, but less than half engaged with it. Only 27.5% disclosed SRIU to clinicians, with only 1 in 10 being asked about it by their clinician.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the dual role of suicide-related internet use (SRIU) as both a source of support and a potential risk for mental health patients. Despite high exposure to prevention messaging, engagement remains low, with significant gaps in clinical communication about SRIU. Despite high exposure to suicide prevention messaging, engagement was limited, suggesting inefficiencies in current intervention designs. Clinicians rarely inquired about SRIU, and voluntary disclosure by patients was low, representing missed opportunities for intervention. Proactive discussions about SRIU in clinical settings could improve risk identification and support planning. Addressing its harmful aspects while leveraging its potential for support requires integrated online and offline strategies.
Acceptability of a Web-Based Financial Education Intervention for Latino Caregivers: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Mage Susanna , Benton Donna , Wilber Kathleen , Aguila Rodriguez Rocio , Silva David , Gonzalez Alexander , Puga Frank , Meyer Kylie
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Latino caregivers spend nearly double their annual household income on caregiving expenses compared to non-Latino caregivers. CONFIDENCE is an asynchronous, web-based, culturally-tailored intervention to reduce financial stress among Latino caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the program’s acceptability and perceived value to end-users.

METHODS

We analyzed 14 semi-structured interviews and 27 satisfaction survey responses to evaluate acceptability. Themes included 1) perceived need for financial intervention, 2) perceived intervention effectiveness, 3) positive responses to participation, and 4) recommendations for intervention improvement.

RESULTS

Caregivers appreciated the group setting, which allowed for mutual interaction and learning. Participants also praised the content’s trustworthiness and relevance. Although most agreed participation required minimal effort, some noted logistical challenges to participation, like time constraints. Findings will inform CONFIDENCE’s refinements, including limiting burden while maintaining strengths such as group learning opportunities.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the economic burdens Latino caregivers face, it is vital to develop and support interventions tailored to their unique needs.
Tính nửa liên tục dưới của nghiệm bài toán cân bằng vector và áp dụng vào bài toán tối ưu vector
Authors: Lâm Quốc Anh , Nguyễn Thái Anh , Trần Ngọc Tâm
Published: December 2024

Bài báo xem xét bài toán cân bằng vector phụ thuộc tham số trong không gian vector tô pô Hausdorff. Bằng việc sử dụng các tính chất của hàm vô hướng hoá được xây dựng dựa vào hàm khoảng cách định hướng Hiriart-Urruty cùng với các điều kiện cũng như kỹ thuật thích hợp khác, các điều kiện đủ cho tính nửa liên tục dưới của ánh xạ nghiệm hữu hiệu bài toán đang xét đã được thiết lập. Kết quả đạt được này là mới và được áp dụng cho bài toán tối ưu vector.
Tìm hiểu mức độ hiệu quả trong giảng dạy tư duy thiết kế tại trường Đại học Yersin Đà Lạt
Authors: Nguyễn Trần Xuân Thành
Published: December 2024

Tư duy thiết kế đang trở nên ngày càng phổ biến trong nhiều lĩnh vực khác nhau, từ giáo dục, kinh doanh cho đến công nghệ. Việc đưa tư duy thiết kế vào chương trình đào tạo đại học đang được nhiều trường có chuyên ngành về lĩnh vực thiết kế triển khai. Tuy nhiên, hiệu quả giảng dạy tư duy thiết kế vẫn chưa có nhiều sự ghi nhận. Bằng phương pháp quan sát kết hợp với phỏng vấn các đối tượng là sinh viên khóa K20 ngành Thiết kế nội thất trường Đại học Yersin Đà Lạt, dữ liệu quá trình giảng dạy về tư duy thiết kế được thu thập. Kết quả phân tích cho thấy sinh viên còn gặp khó khăn trong việc nhớ và áp dụng các bước của tư duy thiết kế, việc thiếu kỹ năng mềm và học trực tuyến cũng ảnh hưởng trực tiếp tới hiệu quả giảng dạy. Nhà trường cần tổ chức các lớp kỹ năng mềm, tăng cường hướng dẫn trực tiếp và thiết kế các hoạt động thực hành hấp dẫn như workshop, ứng dụng tư duy thiết kế vào giải quyết vấn đề thực tế.
Thành phần động vật nguyên sinh (Protozoa) trong các ao nuôi tôm thẻ chân trắng (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931) thâm canh
Authors: N Guyễn Thị Hằng Ny , Nguyễn Thị Kim Liên
Published: December 2024

Nghiên cứu nhằm xác định mối liên hệ giữa Protozoa với các thông số môi trường nước trong các ao nuôi tôm thẻ chân trắng thâm canh. Các mẫu Protozoa được thu ở 5 ao tôm và 2 kênh cấp tại tỉnh Sóc Trăng. Các ao tôm được chia thành 2 nhóm gồm nhóm N1 (3 ao) và nhóm N2 (2 ao). Tất cả các ao tôm đều có qui trình nuôi tương tự nhau. Tuy nhiên, chỉ có nhóm N2 có sử dụng ao lắng trong quá trình nuôi. Kết quả đã ghi nhận 20 loài Protozoa (36%). Số loài Protozoa trong các ao tôm và kênh cấp không khác biệt đáng kể. Mật độ Protozoa trong các ao tôm cao hơn kênh cấp, biến động lần lượt từ 34.089-31.155.511 ct/m3 đến 60.507-3.037.222 ct/m3. Giống Tintinnopsis chiếm ưu thế ở nhóm N2, trong khi một số loài thuộc Ciliate chiếm tỉ lệ cao ở nhóm N1 giai đoạn 28-42 ngày. pH và độ mặn tương quan nghịch có ý nghĩa (p<0,01) với thành phần loài Protozoa. Ngược lại, PO43- tương quan thuận có ý nghĩa (p<0,05) với thành phần loài Protozoa. Mật độ Protozoa bị ảnh hưởng bởi hàm lượng NO3- và chlorophyll-a.
Đặc điểm carbon hữu cơ trong đất và tính ổn định theo trình tự thời gian của rừng trồng keo lai (Acacia hybrid) tại ban quản lý rừng phòng hộ Xuân Lộc, tỉnh Đồng Nai
Authors: Lê Văn Cường , Nguyễn Văn Quý , Nguyễn Thị Xuân Viên
Published: December 2024

Nghiên cứu này được thực hiện nhằm khám phá động thái tích lũy SOC và xác định các nhân tố chính điều chỉnh sự tích lũy SOC ở ba độ sâu tầng đất (0-10, 10-30 và 30-60 cm) của rừng trồng keo lai theo các tuổi lâm phần khác nhau (3, 5, 7 năm tuổi) tại rừng phòng hộ Xuân Lộc, tỉnh Đồng Nai. Kết quả cho thấy: (1) Hàm lượng SOC tăng lên đáng kể theo tuổi lâm phần. Hơn nữa, hàm lượng SOC chủ yếu tập trung ở lớp đất mặt và giảm đáng kể theo độ sâu đất. (2) Trữ lượng SOC (TC) tăng từ 57,86 tấn/ha (lâm phần tuổi 3) lên 100,57 tấn/ha (lâm phần tuổi 7) trong quá trình phát triển của rừng. TC có sự kết tụ bề mặt rõ ràng, với hơn 60% tổng TC hiện diện ở độ sâu 0–30 cm. (3) Dữ liệu từ phân tích phân vùng biến động (Variation Partitioning Analysis) cho thấy hàm lượng đạm tổng số, sinh khối vật rơi rụng và pH của đất là những yếu tố chính chi phối sự thay đổi về hàm lượng SOC. Kết quả nghiên cứu này cung cấp thông tin cho các hoạt động quản lý rừng trồng keo lai cũng như trong việc tiến hành lập mô hình tích lũy C trong đất rừng tại khu vực.
Creative Class Mobility and Quality of Life: Migration of Creative Class from Istanbul to Izmir
Authors: Shah Khurshid Ahmad , Gokcen Sebnem
Published: December 2024

The place attractiveness determines the movement of creative people in a city. Young and skilled people migrate to Izmir from istanbul because Izmir offers higher standards of life with respect to social indicators and tolerance for people who are different than others. It was observed from the migrated creative people that Izmir has the social and cultural advantage over istanbul to attract these free-thinking talented people. In the case comparative study, it was evident that Izmir has the potential to be creative milieu to develop into creative smart city in the region but Istanbul has some negative externalities such as over population, inaccessibility, conservatism, expensive city. This paper examines the migration of creative professionals from Istanbul to Izmir, testing Florida’s creative class concept and the 3T model (Talent, Technology, Tolerance) via QoL parameters regarding creative migration. A mixed-method approach was used to gather and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data for locational preferences of the creative class. The study finds that young, innovative individuals are attracted to cities with high tolerance, advanced technology, and favourable work conditions. These factors not only enhance their quality of life but also drive economic growth and job creation in Izmir, highlighting that while quality of life attracts talent, career opportunities are crucial for their retention.
Assessment of Flood Risk Induced by Land Subsidence Using Machine Learning
Authors: Yuwono Bambang Darmo , Sabri L. M. , Wijaya A. P. , Awaluddin M.
Published: December 2024

Semarang City is facing significant environmental challenges, with land subsidence being a critical issue that intensifies flood inundation and worsening flood damage. As urban areas expand and climate change impacts become more pronounced, understanding and mitigating flood risks are crucial for sustainable urban development and disaster management. Therefore, this study aimed to assess flood risk induced by land subsidence using machine learning to improve flood management. Five different machine learning models (MLMs) were used to assess flood risk, which included Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF). Additionally, fourteen different indices and 2884 sample points were used to train and test the models, with hyperparameter optimization ensuring fairness in comparisons. To address uncertainty in the sample dataset, flood hot spots were used to validate the rationality of flood risk zoning maps. The study investigated driving factors of different flood risk levels, focusing on flood areas to determine flood risk mechanisms in the highest-risk areas. The results showed that KNN performed the best and provided the most reasonable flood risk value among the models. Meanwhile, curve number (CN), distance to the river (DTRiver), and Building Density (BD) were identified as the top three significant factors of flood risk, ranked using the average score decrease in KNN model. Finally, this study expanded the application of machine learning for flood risk assessment and also deepened understanding of the potential mechanisms of flood risk, and provided perceptions about better flood risk management.
Environmental Degradation Analysis of Former Bengawan Solo River Lake Ecosystem
Authors: Ade Yudono Andi Renata , Suntoro Suntoro , Danisworo Conrad , Ikhsan Cahyono
Published: December 2024

The ecosystem of the former river section lake in the research area formed by the straightening of the river and located in the Sub-Urban area, faces significant environmental degradation such as pollution, erosion, and water shrinkage that threaten its sustainability. The magnitude of environmental degradation that occurs needs to be studied because it can result in a reduction in clean water and shallowing of the lake. Compared with lakes such as Poyang Lake in China, which has experienced a decline in water quantity and quality due to seasonal fluctuations, climate change and waste, this study offers a similar perspective by highlighting the interaction of natural and human factors, and adds a new dimension related to degradation caused by erosion. This study uses a comprehensive approach, namely by combining image analysis, field measurements using measuring sticks, USV, geodetic GPS, laboratory analysis, and interviews. The results of the study indicate that the lake water quality status ranges from "moderately polluted" to "heavily polluted," while the groundwater quality varies from "meets quality standards" to "lightly polluted." The high water quality status is caused by human activities and land conditions, as well as the high rate of erosion around the lake reaching 289.63 tons/ha/year, with an average soil loss of 0.11 tons/year. In addition, the lake in the study area has shrunk by up to 72% due to seasonal fluctuations and climate change. Based on this, effective management is needed to maintain the ecological balance and environmental health of the former river section lake.