bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initiation of implementation of covid-19 tough workers and digital marketing expansion in sticker cutting business in Seduri Village, Mojokerto
Authors: Yono Tri Mul , Nurdian Yudha
Published: October 2023

At the Dheary Sicker company, there are various problems due to the Covid19 pandemic, in addition to decreasing their income, there is also a lack ofconcern for prevention regarding Covid- 19. This is a background for theholding of education regarding the application of health protocols in theworkplace because in the workplace many people go in and out to carry outeconomic activities. The method used in dealing with these problems is theThematic KKN Back To Village University of Jember with the Educationwork program regarding the rules of Health Protocol in the workplace suchas mandatory use of masks, washing hands, and maintaining a safe distance.In addition, to expand the market share in the cutting sticker business so thatit remains in the midst of the Covid pandemic, among others, by conductingonline promotions using digital sites such as WA and FB, and Shopee tomarket their products. Furthermore, regarding labeling training on productsand finally performance evaluation.
The implementation of electroforming technology on home industry and souvenir center in Malang
Authors: Budiono Budiono , Suwarsono Suwarsono , Sewoyo Trihono
Published: October 2023

Souvenir industry is the supporting aspect of tourism industry. As the one of creative economy industries, souvenir shows the characteristics of a region or a tourism place. This industry needs expertise and creativity, but there is an issue in the development of product variations with high expenses and the improvement of skills to create a product. The method to conduct this program is by conducting empowerment with participative and bottom-up approach. The participants are given electroforming training for souvenir industry. From the implementation of this program, the souvenir industry is given assistance through the training of electroforming technology to improve their creativity and souvenir production.Souvenir industry is the supporting aspect of tourism industry. As the one of creative economy industries, souvenir shows the characteristics of a region or a tourism place. This industry needs expertise and creativity, but there is an issue in the development of product variations with high expenses and the improvement of skills to create a product. The method to conduct this program is by conducting empowerment with participative and bottom-up approach. The participants are given electroforming training for souvenir industry. From the implementation of this program, the souvenir industry is given assistance through the training of electroforming technology to improve their creativity and souvenir production.
Hemoglobin examination to improvement awareness blood donation on cadres at rw 05 Patangpuluhan, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta
Authors: Astuti Yuli , Susilo Tri Djoko Endro , Syafei Nanda Achmad , Tongkasi Siti Munifa
Published: October 2023

Background Blood service technicians must ensure that the blood to be used for the transfusion process is safe and quality blood. Hemoglobin examination is most of important to blood donation selection. Who will be to take blood donation its must to have hemglobin level is normal. That condition will be impact to quality of blood product.

Objectif of this community service is to examination hemoglobin on cadres at RW 05 Patangpuluhan, Wirobrajan, Yogyakarta to improvement awarenes blood donation.

Method of this community services is: the preparation and the implementation stage. The prapration stages include obtaining permits, preliminary studies with field observations, collecting materials and preparing tools and materials during activities and coordinating with cadres. Implementation stage are to check hemoglobin on cadres in Patangpuluhan Village.

Result of this community service were 23 cadres who participated in the service activities. The results obtained were hemoglobin are Normal (34.79%), anemia (47.82%), polistemiavera (4.34%), refusel to examination (13.5%).  

Conclusions of 23 participants who hemoglobin examination mostly within normal limits.
Novas metamorfoses de Kafka nos cem anos de sua morte
Authors: França Júlio , Lages Susana Kampff
Published: October 2023

Apresentação à Matraga 60.
Franz Kafka: La rebeldía contra la novela de formación
Authors: Nitschack Horst
Published: October 2023

La famosa frase de Kafka “Mi vida es literatura” tiene más de deseo que de realidad ya que gran parte de sus cartas y diarios nos indican que no era así. La literatura era más bien una salida, el intento esforzado y a menudo fallido de salvarse de la vida a la que se enfrentaba. Si partimos de la suposición de que el Bildungsroman es una de las formas literarias más familiares en las que la vida se convierte en literatura y la literatura aparece como vida, no es de extrañar que podamos interpretar la narrativa de Kafka, tanto en sus novelas fragmentarias como en sus relatos, como una confrontación y, más aún, como una rebelión contra la escritura del Bildungsroman, tanto en sus temas y motivos como en su forma literaria. La educación y formación (Bildung) se han vuelto problemáticas no sólo en la vida individual de Kafka, sino en general como fundamento de una sociedad burguesa cuyas convicciones éticas, metafísicas y sus prácticas sociales se han vuelto profundamente cuestionables. Este artículo propone, por tanto, leer la narrativa de Kafka como una rebelión, como una rebeldía contra el Bildungsroman.
El ejercicio localizado de derechos como práctica política comunitaria: el caso del asentamiento 340-c de Salta capital
Authors: Fernández Gonzalo Juan José
Published: October 2023

Este artículo tiene como finalidad relatar y analizar algunos trazos de una experiencia de acompañamiento social llevada adelante con la comunidad del asentamiento 340-c, ubicado en la periferia de la ciudad de Salta capital, Argen-tina. Los pasajes aquí desagregados pretenden dar cuenta de diversas tácticas de sobrevivencia y singulares modos de ejercer de¬rechos, desa-rrollados por una comunidad pobre, en los intersticios liminares de la ejecución de una foco-política como el PROMEBA. Desandamos nuestro análisis desde la perspectiva de la gubernamen-talidad, destacando prácticas discursivas y no discursivas, haciendo hincapié en la codificación de notas etnográficas y autoetnográficas. La metodología cualitativa de la investigación acción participante junto a recursos descriptivos prove-nientes de la sociología de la imagen complementa nuestras herramientas.
Pathway for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: impact on patient confidence and satisfaction
Authors: Broom Ruth
Published: October 2023

Background:

Between 8 and 87% of prostatectomies result in urinary incontinence, with around half of patients using incontinence pads daily at 6 months. Specialist urology continence nurses at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) NHS Foundation Trust created a pre- and post-surgical care pathway formalising support for these patients, which involves the provision of TENA Men (Essity) male incontinence pads.

Aims:

This audit aimed to assess patient satisfaction with this pathway and TENA Men pads.

Methods:

Patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy at NNUH between 27 April and 9 November 2021 and who required continence pads were invited to fill out an online anonymous mixed-method (mainly qualitative) survey.

Results:

Of 28 respondents, 71% reported incontinence after their surgical catheter was removed. Most (89%) were satisfied with the preoperative advice. Of 19 respondents to questions on confidence and satisfaction, 16 were confident that the pads they had been prescribed were helping them to manage urinary leakage, and 16 were confident or very confident that they could manage their incontinence themselves. Generally, respondents were confident that their overall and mental health had improved, and most were confident or very confident that they had less anxiety. However, less than a quarter of respondents were ‘very confident’ about going out, meeting people or exercising. All but one respondent found TENA Men pads easy to fit, and the most used words in the free-text explanations of what they most liked, included ‘easy’, ‘discreet’, ‘comfortable’ and ‘unobtrusive’.

Conclusion:

The clinical pathway helped give patients undergoing radical prostatectomy confidence in their ability to manage post-surgery incontinence themselves and could be of value in other hospitals. Easy access to incontinence pads designed for the male anatomy has an important part in this.
Nursing students experiences of end-of-life care
Authors: Jones Kerry , Draper Jan , Bolton Nerys
Published: October 2023

Background:

Undergraduate nursing students spend a significant amount of time in clinical placements where they are involved in care at the end of a person's life and care after death. While their role is to provide compassionate care, some students feel wholly unprepared.

Aims:

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore student nurses’ experiences of care in death, dying and post death care, and to explore how students can be better prepared to provide such care.

Methods:

This is a qualitative descriptive study that is concerned with the subjective reality of participant's experiences.

Findings:

Six themes were developed from the analysis: first encounters with death and dying; preparedness; mentoring and support received; the caring role; striving to cope; working with families and working through COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Students described their experience of placements in end-of-life care as challenging, yet were also able to adopt ways to develop as compassionate practitioners.
Coagulation factors as potential predictors of COVID-19 patient outcomes
Authors: Anggita Dwi , Djaharuddin Irawaty , Iskandar Harun , Tabri Nur Ahmad , Madolangan Jamaluddin , Putrawan Harry Akza , Wiriansya Edward Pandu
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND Causes of death and length of hospitalization in patients with COVID-19 have been associated with coagulopathy. The coagulopathy mechanism involves the process of coagulation and endothelial damage triggered by an inflammatory response of the SARS-CoV-2 infection due to excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to determine the association of coagulation factors as potential predictors of COVID-19 patient outcomes.

METHODS This retrospective study was performed on 595 patients at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, from June 2020 to June 2021. Participants were recruited using total sampling and assessed for COVID-19 severity using the World Health Organization classification and coagulation factors (D-dimer, fibrinogen, thrombocyte, and prothrombin time [PT]). Patient outcome assessments were survival and length of hospitalization.

RESULTS We found a significant sex-based disparity, with a higher COVID-19 incidence in males. Severe cases were more common among those aged >50 years, with prolonged hospitalization (>10 days) linked to higher severity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31–3.77, p<0.001). Elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer levels, as well as prolonged PT, predicted severe cases. However, D-dimer had the highest influence compared to other coagulation factors (OR = 14.50, 95% CI = 5.85–35.95, p<0.001), while prolonged PT influenced mortality rates (OR = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.35–12.00, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS Coagulation factors, such as elevated D-dimer and fibrinogen levels and prolonged PT, predicted the severity of COVID-19 patients leading to death.
The medieval Irish legal fragment lost from British Library MS Egerton 92
Authors: Eska Charlene M.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: According to the hand-written list of contents bound with British Library MS Egerton 92, the last six pages, numbered 55–60, contain early Irish legal material related to fines for injury. A note added by Eugene O’Curry in 1849 notes that there were no legal texts contained in the volume. This article presents evidence that the last six pages of Egerton 92 have not been lost, but rather that they were bound with British Library MS Egerton 90 at some point after the original list of contents in Egerton 92 was written, but before O’Curry saw the manuscript.
Wordsworth’s Liturgical Excursion
Authors: Gibson Richard Hughes
Published: October 2023

Abstract: This article joins the critical reassessment of the Romantic generation’s role in contemporary debates about religious belief and practice. I focus on Wordsworth’s frequent but often neglected use of liturgical discourse in The Excursion . Critics have repeatedly characterized the poem as a “failure” due to the fact Wordsworth’s skeptical character, the Solitary, does not undergo a conversion experience at the poem’s end. I argue that by paying close attention to liturgical discourse, we do see a change in Solitary—a growing openness to spiritual fellowship, which the poem ultimately names as “communion.”
Particle trapping with optical nanofibers: a review [Invited]
Authors: Praveen Kamath Pramitha , Sil Souvik , Truong Viet Giang , Nic Chormaic Síle
Published: October 2023

Optical trapping has proven to be an efficient method to control particles, including biological cells, single biological macromolecules, colloidal microparticles, and nanoparticles. Multiple types of particles have been successfully trapped, leading to various applications of optical tweezers ranging from biomedical through physics to material sciences. However, precise manipulation of particles with complex composition or of sizes down to nanometer-scales can be difficult with conventional optical tweezers, and an alternative manipulation tool is desirable. Optical nanofibers, that is, fibers with a waist diameter smaller than the propagating wavelength of light, are ideal candidates for optical manipulation due to their large evanescent field that extends beyond the fiber surface. They have the added advantages of being easily connected to a fibered experimental setup, being simple to fabricate, and providing strong electric field confinement and intense magnitude of evanescent fields at the nanofiber’s surface. Many different particles have been trapped, rotated, transported, and assembled with such a system. This article reviews particle trapping using optical nanofibers and highlights some challenges and future potentials of this developing topic.
Miniature line-scanned dual-axis confocal microscope for versatile clinical use
Authors: Bishop Kevin W. , Hu Bingwen , Vyawhare Rajat , Yang Zelin , Liang David C. , Gao Gan , Baraznenok Elena , Han Qinghua , Lan Lydia , Chow Sarah S. L. , Sanai Nader , Liu Jonathan T. C.
Published: October 2023

A miniature optical-sectioning fluorescence microscope with high sensitivity and resolution would enable non-invasive and real-time tissue inspection, with potential use cases including early disease detection and intraoperative guidance. Previously, we developed a miniature MEMS-based dual-axis confocal (DAC) microscope that enabled video-rate optically sectioned in vivo microscopy of human tissues. However, the device’s clinical utility was limited due to a small field of view, a non-adjustable working distance, and a lack of a sterilization strategy. In our latest design, we have made improvements to achieve a 2x increase in the field of view (600 × 300 µm) and an adjustable working distance range of 150 µm over a wide range of excitation/emission wavelengths (488–750 nm), all while maintaining a high frame rate of 15 frames per second (fps). Furthermore, the device is designed to image through a disposable sterile plastic drape for convenient clinical use. We rigorously characterize the performance of the device and show example images of ex vivo tissues to demonstrate the optical performance of our new design, including fixed mouse skin and human prostate, as well as fresh mouse kidney, mouse intestine, and human head and neck surgical specimens with corresponding H&E histology. These improvements will facilitate clinical testing and translation.
Resilience enhancement in open network–cloud ecosystems through disaggregation and cooperation [Invited]
Authors: Xu Sugang , Ishii Kiyo , Yoshikane Noboru , Sahoo Subhadeep , Ferdousi Sifat , Shiraiwa Masaki , Hirota Yusuke , Tsuritani Takehiro , Tornatore Massimo , Awaji Yoshinari , Namiki Shu , Mukherjee Biswanath
Published: October 2023

To accommodate the growing demand for cloud services, telecom carriers’ networks and datacenter (DC) facilities form large network–cloud ecosystems (ecosystems for short) physically supporting these services. These large-scale ecosystems are continuously evolving and must be highly resilient to support critical services. Open and disaggregated optical-networking technologies promise to enhance the interoperability across telecom carriers and DC operators, thanks to their open interfaces in both the data plane and control/management plane. In the first part of this paper, we focus on a single entity (e.g., a telecom carrier or an emerging telecom/DC partnership company) that owns both the network and DC infrastructures in the ecosystem. We introduce a solution by leveraging open and disaggregated technologies to enhance the resilience of the optical networks within a multi-vendor and multi-domain ecosystem. In the second part of this paper, we consider the case when the networks and DCs are owned by different entities. Also, in this case, cooperation among datacenter providers (DCPs) and carriers is crucial to provide failure/disaster resilience to today’s cloud services. However, such cooperation is more challenging since DCPs and carriers, being different entities, may not disclose confidential information, e.g., detailed resource availability. Hence, we introduce a solution to enhance the resilience of such multi-entity ecosystems through cooperation between DCPs and carriers without violating confidentiality.
Spatial susceptibility modulation and controlled unidirectional reflection amplification via four-wave mixing
Authors: Geng Yue , Pei Xiaoshan , Li Guanrong , Lin Xinyu , Zhang Hanxiao , Yan Dong , Yang Hong
Published: October 2023

Control of unidirectional light propagation is of paramount importantance to optical signal processing and optical communication. Especially, the amplified optical signal can isolate noise well that may provide more applications. In this work, we propose a dynamically modulated regime to realize unidirectional reflection amplification in a short and dense uniform atomic medium, and all atoms are driven into four-level double-Λ type by two coupling fields with linearly varied intensities along x direction and two weak probe fields. Based on four-wave mixing resonance and the broken spatial symmetry, the complete nonreciprocal reflection (unidirectional reflection) can be amplified with reflectivity more than 2.0, even to 6.0. In addition, the width, height, and position of the unidirectional reflection bands can be tunable. Thus, our regime is feasible and may inspire further applications in all-optical networks that require controllable unidirectional light amplification.
Humanitarian sector (international non-governmental organisations) support to the community in Goma city/DRC during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Expectations and reality
Authors: Hamuli Roger Paluku , Mayhew Susannah H. , Sahani Mateus Kambale
Published: October 2023

COVID-19 was the largest public health emergency to disrupt social life and health systems worldwide. The pandemic affected all world continents creating fear and stress in many aspects of social life. The pandemic spread from China to Europe, then to Africa carrying with it all the negative impacts affecting population wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in March 2020 and created huge shock and stress countrywide. Goma city accommodates more than 30 international non-governmental humanitarian organisations (HO) who have sought to support local communities to help them overcome COVID-19 stress. Few studies to date have considered the role of these HO from the perspective of the beneficiary populations. This is a descriptive, analytical study, reporting data collected from a survey questionnaire to 100 community members (including 21 healthcare professionals) in Karisimbi health zone in Goma city in DRC. The study’s main aim was to explore how community members viewed the contribution and impact of HO actions during COVID-19 in Goma city. We identified some important mis-matches between community expectations and HO actions which must be addressed in future outbreaks. First, community members had big expectations of HO in terms of practice support to tackle the pandemic (including providing handwashing devices and mobile support teams), yet the vast majority of respondents reported seeing little or no such actions. This can create resentment against HO and it is critically important that they rapidly engage with communities at the start of any outbreak to understand their needs and concerns and develop strategies to directly respond to these. Second, HO played a very limited role in dissemination of information about COVID-19 and were not trusted messengers. Our findings showed that most people’s preferred source of information about COVID-19, specifically vaccines, was local healthcare workers–particularly those who were known well and therefore trusted. HO (and national responders) should therefore map trusted spokespersons (including healthcare professionals) in the targeted communities and involve them in the planning and implementation of interventions as essential steps in the response. Among our respondents, social media played a large role in information sharing. Further research is needed to understand the role that social media (particularly Facebook and WhatsApp which were most frequently used) could play in sharing messages from trusted sources, including official government communications. Collectively, these actions could help create a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine and similar interventions in future outbreaks.
Suicidality among university students in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review
Authors: Fadakar Hasti , Kim Jane , Saunders Lauren C. , Kamel Mostafa M. , Kianpoor Mohsen , Moghadam Arash Hoseyni , Hayati Dianah , Ramadhan Noor , Maragha Tala , Meyer Maximilian , Jang Kerry , Krausz Reinhard M.
Published: October 2023

The prevalence of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among university students is a global concern. Cultural values, social determinants, religion, and especially growing stress all play an important role in this. This systematic review aimed to identify potential protective and risk factors thought to be associated with suicidal ideation among students in the Eastern Mediterranean region and highlight the importance of developing an effective health care response. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, WHO Global Health Library, IMEMR, Web of Science Core Collections and Farsi and Arabic databases were searched for papers in English, Farsi, and Arabic. A combination of validated filters, free text keywords, and Mesh and Non-Mesh terms were used to retrieve relevant literature. A total of 2774 papers were found after the search, 257 selected for full-text review, and 72 papers included in the final review. Family and peer support play a potential protective role in the development of suicidal ideation among university students, while adverse life events, bullying, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were identified as risk factors. Suicidality was likely under-reported due to stigma around social and cultural factors. Factors involving religion and culture may act as both protective and risk factors and require more in-depth investigation. The student population in the Eastern Mediterranean region face many challenges. The common theme of suicidality emerged as an indicator of an imbalance of resources and stress, which needs to be addressed proactively, given a most likely underreporting of suicidal ideation and attempts due to stigma.
Octogenarian patients and laser-assisted lead extraction: Should we put a limit?
Authors: Al-Maisary Sameer , Romano Gabriele , Karck Matthias , De Simone Raffaele , Kremer Jamila , Arif Rawa
Published: October 2023

Background

Transvenous laser lead extraction (TLE) for cardiac implantable electric devices (CIED) is a challenging procedure especially if performed in octogenarians. In this study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of transvenous laser lead extraction in elderly patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of octogenarian patients who underwent laser-assisted lead extraction (LLE) (GlideLight laser sheath, Philips, San Diego, USA). 270 Consecutive patients were included. Patients were divided into two groups. Octogenarian group and non-octogenarian group. The Data was gathered from patients treated between September 2013 and January 2020 and is retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of 270 consecutive patients, 38 (14.0%) were 80 years old or more. The total number of the extracted leads was 556 among which 84(15.0%) from the Octogenarian group. From these leads were 155 single coil leads, 82 dual coil leads, 129 right ventricular pacing leads, 155 right atrial leads, and 35 left ventricular leads. In the Octogenarian group the number of removed leads was as follows: 13 single coil leads, 10 dual coil leads, 28 right ventricular pacing leads, 28 right atrial leads and 5 left ventricular leads. No mortality was recorded in the Octogenarian group. One patient in the YG suffered from a superior vena cava tear and one patient suffered from pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion

In octogenarian laser assisted lead extraction patients is a safe and effective procedure. No increase in morbidity, mortality or perioperative complication could be recorded in this group. Age should not be a limiting factor to perform this procedure.
Hunting for the elusive target antigen in gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD)
Authors: Rieneck Klaus , Rasmussen Karen Koefoed , Schoof Erwin M. , Clausen Frederik Banch , Holze Henrietta , Bergholt Thomas , Jørgensen Marianne Hørby , Christensen Vibeke Brix , Almaas Runar , Jordal Peter Lüttge , Locard-Paulet Marie , Runager Kasper , Nielsen Leif Kofoed , Schlotmann Balthasar Clemens , Weischenfeldt Joachim Lütken , Jensen Lars Juhl , Dziegiel Morten Hanefeld
Published: October 2023

The prevailing concept is that gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD) is caused by maternal antibodies targeting a currently unknown antigen on the liver of the fetus. This leads to deposition of complement on the fetal hepatocytes and death of the fetal hepatocytes and extensive liver injury. In many cases, the newborn dies. In subsequent pregnancies early treatment of the woman with intravenous immunoglobulin can be instituted, and the prognosis for the fetus will be excellent. Without treatment the prognosis can be severe. Crucial improvements of diagnosis require identification of the target antigen. For this identification, this work was based on two hypotheses: 1. The GALD antigen is exclusively expressed in the fetal liver during normal fetal life in all pregnancies; 2. The GALD antigen is an alloantigen expressed in the fetal liver with the woman being homozygous for the minor allele and the father being, most frequently, homozygous for the major allele. We used three different experimental approaches to identify the liver target antigen of maternal antibodies from women who had given birth to a baby with the clinical GALD diagnosis: 1. Immunoprecipitation of antigens from either a human liver cell line or human fetal livers by immunoprecipitation with maternal antibodies followed by mass spectrometry analysis of captured antigens; 2. Construction of a cDNA expression library from human fetal liver mRNA and screening about 1.3 million recombinants inEscherichia coliusing antibodies from mothers of babies diagnosed with GALD; 3. Exome/genome sequencing of DNA from 26 presumably unrelated women who had previously given birth to a child with GALD with husband controls and supplementary HLA typing. In conclusion, using the three experimental approaches we did not identify the GALD target antigen and the exome/genome sequencing results did not support the hypothesis that the GALD antigen is an alloantigen, but the results do not yield basis for excluding that the antigen is exclusively expressed during fetal life., which is the hypothesis we favor.
Association between clinical, serological, functional and radiological findings and ventilatory distribution heterogeneity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bessa Elizabeth Jauhar Cardoso , Ribeiro Felipe de Miranda Carbonieri , Rodrigues Rosana Souza , Henrique da Costa Cláudia , Rufino Rogério , Pinheiro Geraldo da Rocha Castelar , Lopes Agnaldo José
Published: October 2023

Background

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the involvement of the pulmonary interstitium can lead to structural changes in the small airways and alveoli, leading to reduced airflow and maldistribution of ventilation. The single-breath nitrogen washout (SBN2W) test is a measure of the ventilatory distribution heterogeneity and evaluates the small airways. This study aimed to find out which clinical, serological, functional and radiological findings are useful to identify RA patients with pathological values of the phase III slope (SIII) measured by the SBN2W test.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study in which RA patients were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and underwent serological analysis of autoantibodies and inflammatory markers. In addition, they underwent pulmonary function tests (including the SBN2W test) and chest computed tomography (CT).

Results

Of the 60 RA patients evaluated, 39 (65%) had an SIII >120% of the predicted value. There were significant correlations between SIII and age (r = 0.56, p<0.0001), HAQ-DI (r = 0.34, p = 0.008), forced vital capacity (FVC, r = -0.67, p<0.0001), total lung capacity (r = -0.46, p = 0.0002), residual volume/total lung capacity (TLC) (r = 0.44, p = 0.0004), and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (r = -0.45, p = 0.0003). On CT scans, the subgroup with moderate/severe disease had a significantly higher SIII than the normal/minimal/mild subgroup (662 (267–970) vs. 152 (88–283)% predicted, p = 0.0004). In the final multiple regression model, FVC, extent of moderate/severe involvement and age were associated with SIII, explaining 59% of its variability.

Conclusions

In patients with RA, FVC, extent of lung involvement and age, all of which are easily obtained variables in clinical practice, identify poorly distributed ventilation. In addition, the presence of respiratory symptoms and deteriorated physical function are closely related to the distribution of ventilation in these patients.
Stochastic modeling and parameter estimation of turbogenerator unit of a thermal power plant under classical and Bayesian inferential framework
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Chaudhary Ravi , Kumar Kapil , Saini Monika , Saini Dinesh Kumar , Gupta Punit
Published: October 2023

The work reported in present study deals with the development of a novel stochastic model and estimation of parameters to assess reliability characteristics for a turbogenerator unit of thermal power plant under classical and Bayesian frameworks. Turbogenerator unit consists of five components namely turbine lubrication, turbine governing, generator oil system, generator gas system and generator excitation system. The concepts of cold standby redundancy and Weibull distributed random variables are used in development of stochastic model. The shape parameter for all the random variables is same while scale parameter is different. Regenerative point technique and semi-Markov approach are used for evaluation of reliability characteristics. Sufficient repair facility always remains available in plant as well as repair done by the repairman is considered perfect. As the life testing experiments are time consuming, so to highlight the importance of proposed model Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out. A comparative analysis is done between true, classical and Bayesian results of MTSF, availability and profit function.
Optimization of sports effect evaluation technology from random forest algorithm and elastic network algorithm
Authors: Wang Caixia
Published: October 2023

This study leverages advanced data mining and machine learning techniques to delve deeper into the impact of sports activities on physical health and provide a scientific foundation for informed sports selection and health promotion. Guided by the Elastic Net algorithm, a sports performance assessment model is meticulously constructed. In contrast to the conventional Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) algorithm, this model seeks to elucidate the factors influencing physical health indicators due to sports activities. Additionally, the incorporation of the Random Forest algorithm facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of sports performance across distinct dimensions: wrestling-type sports, soccer-type sports, skill-based sports, and school physical education. Employing the Top-K criterion for evaluation and juxtaposing it with the high-performance Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, the accuracy is scrutinized under three distinct criteria: Top-3, Top-5, and Top-10. The pivotal innovation of this study resides in the amalgamation of the Elastic Net and Random Forest algorithms, permitting a holistic contemplation of the influencing factors of diverse sports activities on physical health indicators. Through this integrated methodology, the research achieves a more precise assessment of the effects of sports activities, unveiling a range of impacts various sports have on physical health. Consequently, a more refined assessment tool for sports performance detection and health development is established. Capitalizing on the Elastic Net algorithm, this research optimizes model construction during the pivotal feature selection phase, effectively capturing the crucial influencing factors associated with different sports activities. Concurrently, the integration of the Random Forest algorithm augments the predictive prowess of the model, enabling the sports performance assessment model to comprehensively unveil the extent of impact stemming from various sports activities. This study stands as a noteworthy contribution to the arena of sports performance assessment, offering substantial insights and advancements to both sports health and research methodologies.
Machine learning-based prediction models for home discharge in patients with COVID-19: Development and evaluation using electronic health records
Authors: Zapata Ruben D. , Huang Shu , Morris Earl , Wang Chang , Harle Christopher , Magoc Tanja , Mardini Mamoun , Loftus Tyler , Modave François
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to develop and validate predictive models using electronic health records (EHR) data to determine whether hospitalized COVID-19-positive patients would be admitted to alternative medical care or discharged home.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using deidentified data from the University of Florida Health Integrated Data Repository. The study included 1,578 adult patients (≥18 years) who tested positive for COVID-19 while hospitalized, comprising 960 (60.8%) female patients with a mean (SD) age of 51.86 (18.49) years and 618 (39.2%) male patients with a mean (SD) age of 54.35 (18.48) years. Machine learning (ML) model training involved cross-validation to assess their performance in predicting patient disposition.

Results

We developed and validated six supervised ML-based prediction models (logistic regression, Gaussian Naïve Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, decision trees, random forest, and support vector machine classifier) to predict patient discharge status. The models were evaluated based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), precision, accuracy, F1 score, and Brier score. The random forest classifier exhibited the highest performance, achieving an accuracy of 0.84 and an AUC of 0.72. Logistic regression (accuracy: 0.85, AUC: 0.71), k-nearest neighbor (accuracy: 0.84, AUC: 0.63), decision tree (accuracy: 0.84, AUC: 0.61), Gaussian Naïve Bayes (accuracy: 0.84, AUC: 0.66), and support vector machine classifier (accuracy: 0.84, AUC: 0.67) also demonstrated valuable predictive capabilities.

Significance

This study’s findings are crucial for efficiently allocating healthcare resources during pandemics like COVID-19. By harnessing ML techniques and EHR data, we can create predictive tools to identify patients at greater risk of severe symptoms based on their medical histories. The models developed here serve as a foundation for expanding the toolkit available to healthcare professionals and organizations. Additionally, explainable ML methods, such as Shapley Additive Explanations, aid in uncovering underlying data features that inform healthcare decision-making processes.
Psychometric properties of End Stage Renal Disease-Adherence Questionnaire-Sinhalese version among patients receiving haemodialysis
Authors: Lasanthika Chalani , Wanigasuriya Kamani , Hettiaratchi Usha , Amarasekara Thamara Dilhani , Goonewardena Christine Sampatha Evangeline
Published: October 2023

The chronic kidney disease is a leading public health concern, particularly in low-to middle-income countries, while the number of patients receiving haemodialysis is rapidly increasing. Adherence to a complex treatment regimen is vital for those patients on maintenance haemodialysis though the precise evaluation is reported inadequately. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of Sinhalese version of End Stage Renal Disease-Adherence Questionnaire (SINESRD-AQ) to assess treatment adherence behaviour among patients receiving haemodialysis in a Sri Lankan hospital. The cultural adaptation of ESRD-AQ involved forward and back translation, expert committee consolidation and pretesting among patients (n = 10). Face and content validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using a modified Delphi technique. Construct validity of the subscales of SINESRD-AQ was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A descriptive cross-sectional study among a consecutive sample of 150 patients receiving haemodialysis in a selected Teaching hospital, Sri Lanka was involved in performing CFA. Reliability was confirmed with test-retest reliability. Excellent face and content validity were reported with Item level content validity index (0.83–1.0), Average Item level content validity index for whole scale (0.93), Item level content validity ratio (0.67–1.0) and modified kappa statistic coefficient (0.81–1.0). CFA of two subscales demonstrated better indices closure to the model fit with five- item two factor model for direct adherence behaviour subscale and eight-item two factor model for attitude/perception subscale. The intra class correlation coefficient of 0.837 (p<0.001) and 0.752 (p<0.001) indicated acceptable test-retest reliability of direct adherence behaviour and attitude/perception subscale respectively. The study confirmed SINESRD-AQ as a valid and reliable measure which enables periodic assessment of treatment adherence behaviour of the patients receiving haemodialysis in a Sri Lankan hospital.
An integrated framework for examining groundwater vulnerability in the Mekong River Delta region
Authors: Powlen Kathryn A. , Haider Saira , Davis Kyle W. , Burkardt Nina , Shah Sachin , Romañach Stephanie S. , Andersen Matthew E.
Published: October 2023

The Mekong River provides water, food security, and many other valuable benefits to the more than 60 million Southeast Asian residents living within its basin. However, the Mekong River Basin is increasingly stressed by changes in climate, land cover, and infrastructure. These changes can affect water quantity and quality and exacerbate related hazards such as land subsidence and saltwater intrusion, resulting in multiple compounding risks for neighboring communities. In this study, we demonstrate the connection between climate change, groundwater availability, and social vulnerability by linking the results of a numerical groundwater model to land cover and socioeconomic data at the Cambodia-Vietnam border in the Mekong River Delta region. We simulated changes in groundwater availability across 20 years and identified areas of potential water stress based on domestic and agriculture-related freshwater demands. We then assessed adaptive capacity to understand how communities may be able to respond to this stress to better understand the growing risk of groundwater scarcity driven by climate change and overextraction. This study offers a novel approach for assessing risk of groundwater scarcity by linking the effects of climate change to the socioeconomic context in which they occur. Increasing our understanding of how changes in groundwater availability may affect local populations can help water managers better plan for the future, leading to more resilient communities.
Patient satisfaction with advanced physiotherapy practice internationally: Protocol for a systematic mixed studies review
Authors: Davis Chris , Noblet Tim , Mistry Jai , Kowalski Katie , Rushton Alison
Published: October 2023

Rationale

Patient satisfaction is a complex construct consisting of human and system attributes. Patient satisfaction can afford insight into patient experience, itself a key component of evaluating healthcare quality. Internationally, advanced physiotherapy practice (APP) extends across clinical fields and is characterised as a higher level of practice with a high degree of autonomy and complex decision making. Patient satisfaction with APP appears positive. While evidence synthesis of patient satisfaction with APP exists, no systematic review has synthesised evidence across clinical fields. Therefore, the objectives of this systematic review are 1) to evaluate patient satisfaction with APP internationally, and 2) to evaluate human and system attributes of patient satisfaction with APP.

Materials and methods

A systematic mixed studies review using a parallel-results convergent synthesis design will be conducted. Searches of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro and grey literature databases will be conducted from inception to 18/7/2023. Studies of APP (World Physiotherapy definition) whereby practitioners a) have advanced clinical and analytical skills that influence service improvement and provide clinical leadership, b) have post-registration masters level specialisation (or equivalence), c) deliver safe, competent care to patients with complex needs and d) may use particular occupational titles; that measure patient satisfaction across all clinical fields and countries will be included. Two reviewers will screen studies, extract data, assess methodological quality of included studies (mixed methods appraisal tool), and contribute to data synthesis. Quantitative data will undergo narrative synthesis (textual descriptions) and qualitative data thematic synthesis (analytical themes). Integration of data syntheses will inform discussion.

Implications

This systematic review will provide insight into patient satisfaction with APP internationally, exploring attributes that influence satisfaction. This will aid design, implementation, or improvement of APP and facilitate the delivery of patient-centred, high-quality healthcare. Lastly, this review will inform future methodologically robust research investigating APP patient satisfaction and experience.
Indigenous Ecofeminism? Decolonial Practices and Indigenous Resurgence in Lee Maracle’s Works
Authors: López-Serrano Lucía
Published: October 2023

Ecocritical and ecofeminist studies have frequently borrowed from Indigenous epistemologies to conform new approaches to human-nature relations, particularly now that the pressing climate crisis is making western societies contemplate the need for radical solutions. As Leanne Betasamosake Simpson remarks, “the western academy is now becoming interested in certain aspects of Indigenous Knowledge” such as “Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)” (373). However, the scope of this interest is reduced and disconnects ecological knowledge from decolonial practices, such as land claims or Indigenous feminisms. Maile Arvin et al. emphatically support that “settler colonialism has been and continues to be a gendered process” (8) and thus its ramifications and effects (upon nature or Indigenous communities) cannot be detangled without an Indigenous feminist perspective. In this article, I focus on an ecocritical analysis of several works by Lee Maracle, who dedicated her career to the regeneration and revalorization of Indigenous systems of knowledge, in order to pinpoint the intersections between feminism, decolonization, and nonhuman ecological thinking that might develop into a potential Indigenous ecofeminism that truly recognizes Indigenous epistemologies in their full context. Basing myself off Nishnaabeg scholar Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s theories on Indigenous radical resurgence, which assert that a cultural resurgence (such as a revalorization of Indigenous ecological knowledge) cannot take place without a political resurgence (such as the acknowledgement of Indigenous sovereignty), I argue that Maracle’s portrayal of natural elements and her imagining of human-nature relations is inextricably linked to a decolonizing perspective foregrounded on Indigenous feminism.
A FUNÇÃO SOCIOAMBIENTAL DA PROPRIEDADE: UM ESTUDO SOBRE A LEGISLAÇÃO IMPLEMENTADA NO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO PAULO - BRASIL
Authors: Carolino Katia , Ormelesi Vinicius Fernandes , Vieira Ricardo Stanziola
Published: October 2023

Contextualização: O estudo concentra-se nas decisões das Cortes Constitucionais do Brasil, quando da discussão sobre homofobia e transfobia e sua equiparação ao crime de racismo e, do Quênia, quando da discussão sobre a penalização de relações homossexuais (anti-sodomy law), visto que ambas, ao perpassarem pautas jurídicas envolvendo liberdades individuais decidiram.

Objetivo: O presente artigo objetiva analisar as premissas da estratégia denominada “judicial dialogue” transnacional, no contexto de Cortes Constitucionais inseridas na noção de Sul Global, com foco no tratamento jurídico da homofobia e na penalização do homossexualismo.

Metodologia: Utilizou-se, para o desenvolvimento da presente pesquisa, o método indutivo, operacionalizado pelas técnicas de conceito operacional, da pesquisa bibliográfica e de análise jurisprudencial.

Resultados: Como resultado, tem-se que a estratégia “judicial dialogue” transnacional deve considerar que a identidade dos valores individuais em muitas ocasiões depende de como os membros individuais da comunidade consideram e valorizam uma personalidade individual. Por outro lado, não se recomenda o enclausuramento das Cortes Constitucionais.