bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cash transfer plus gender transformative economic empowerment intervention seeking to improve the wellbeing of caregivers of children and adolescents living with HIV in South Africa: a feasibility study protocol for a pilot cluster randomised trial
Authors: Govindasamy Darshini , Shai Nwabisa , Mwandacha Nelly , Carries Stanley , Sithole Nokwanda , Closson Kalysha , Bhana Arvin , Sigwadhi Lovemore , Washington Laura , Gibbs Andrew , Kaida Angela
Published: May 2024

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV care is dependent on informal caregiving, typically by female family members. Informal caregiving has been associated with numerous negative effects on caregivers (i.e. depression, intimate partner violence (IPV), financial insecurity). These factors impact both caregivers’ ability to provide care and their own wellbeing. South Africa is home to approximately 17% of the world’s children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV), making the development of initiatives that mitigates the negative effects of caregiving critical. This protocol details the design of a cluster randomised trial seeking to assess the feasibility, preliminary effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of a cash transfer plus gender transformative economic empowerment intervention for improving psychological wellbeing, depressive symptoms, gender equality, and economic outcomes of caregivers of CALHIV.Methods Caregivers of CALHIV will be recruited from public sector HIV clinics within the eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Clusters will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. Participants in the intervention arm (n = 120) will receive cash transfers (ZAR350, USD $18,79) and enrol in a programme (10 workshop sessions) over a 6-month period. Participants in the control arm (n = 120) will receive a monthly cash transfer (ZAR350, USD $18,79) for a 6-month period and a once-off standard mobile message at the beginning of the trial, encouraging linkage to healthcare services. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and endline, at the 7-month mark, to collect socio-demographic, health and wellbeing status, IPV, costs and earnings, and food security data. The primary outcomes (psychological wellbeing, depressive symptoms, IPV) will be measured using the Mental Health Continuum Short Form, the CES-D-10 scale, and the WHO’s Violence Against Women scale. A qualitative study and economic evaluation will be conducted alongside the main trial to probe participants perceptions on the intervention and assess economic cost and costs-effectiveness.Discussion This trial has the potential to inform a larger confirmatory trial which will be valuable for informing post-pandemic recovery efforts for caregivers of CALHIV and others disproportionally burdened by compounding health and social crises.Trial registration PACTR202311618532061. Registry name: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR); URL: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/; Registration date: 21-November-2023 (retrospectively registered); Date first participant enrolled: 24-August-2023
A New Measure of the Parental Phubbing-Mother and Father Form for Turkish Adolescents: Evaluation of Validity and Reliability
Authors: Akbağ Müge , Aydoğdu Fuat , Rizzo Amelia
Published: May 2024

Phubbing, which has captured researchers' attention in recent years and is being studied daily, is defined as snubbing someone in favor of a smartphone in a social setting. This behavior, when observed in parent–child interactions, is termed parental phubbing. To conduct robust empirical studies that examine parental phubbing in depth, it is important to create a new and specific parental phubbing scale. The present study aimed to develop a reliable tool for assessing perceived parental phubbing and evaluating its psychometric properties. Initially, a draft scale with 13 items was created from a literature review and essays by 70 middle school adolescents. After providing parental consent, the scale's construct validity was tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on two groups of 10- to 15-year-old adolescents (NEFA=325, NCFA=210). The EFA identified a 10-item structure with two factors—"interaction interruptions" and "emotional reactions", which accounted for 58.81% and 65.02%, respectively—of the total variance in the mother (PPS-M) and father (PPS-F) forms. The CFA confirmed this structure, with both forms showing a good fit. Criterion validity was examined through correlations with the Smartphone Addiction Scale and the UCLA Loneliness Scale-Short Form, revealing significant relationships. Reliability was established through Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients, which exceeded .70 for both total and subdimensions. Additionally, test-retest reliability coefficients ranged between 0.70 and 0.82 for the PPS-M and between 0.70 and 0.81 for the PPS-F, reinforcing the scale's consistency. In conclusion, the PPS-M and PPS-F are valid and reliable tools for assessing adolescents' perceptions of their parents' phubbing behaviors.
Are Binary Codes assigned to Bases in Codons A Matter of Choice Or specific ?
Authors: Mohanty Bijan Bihari
Published: May 2024

Since discovery by Russian Physicist Rumer of three types of traits (purine/pyrimidine, Strong/Weak, amino/keto ) in each of the bases A,G,C,U/T constituting the codons and anti-codons ,theoretical biologists have hit upon a close analogy between binary representation of information and the traits of the bases. As a result , binary values have been assigned to the four bases and efforts are made to unearth the underlying symmetry and information content. There are altogether 24 choices available and these choices have been exercised by researchers based upon individual assumptions or in a random manner. Till date, the following vital issue remains unresolved:--
Whether all binary choices or cluster of choices are equally suitable depending on assumptions. OR there is no choice and nature has chosen a specific set of binary configuration.
The current research article, by logical and mathematical deduction, has arrived at the conclusion that there is no choice and only 2 configurations out of 24 choices are picked up by nature for representation of base in codons/anti-codons and the rest 22 choices are not suitable.
Designing the Vaccine against the Omicron Variants of COVID-19 Virus as a Target by using Immunoinformatics Approach
Authors: Nag Aditi , Varun Pratika
Published: May 2024

COVID-19 vaccines have been a key determinant in humanity’s fight against the pandemic. It has been observed that vaccinated individuals have shown decline in instances of symptoms occurring and even in the overall severity of symptoms in the individuals where they do appear. However, due to this upgraded defence in hosts several variants have emerged. The most recent VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 in these newly emerged variants is the omicron variant. Reports shows that the surface glycoprotein of omicron, has changed with as many as around 52 mutations than its preceding variant Delta. Thus, despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines against ancestral strains, their effectiveness is predicted to decreases with each variant, necessitating more potent vaccines against emerging variants. Therefore, the aim was to identify a vaccine candidate against the Omicron (BA.2 and XBB.1.5) by targeting stable structural proteins using immunoinformatic. Tools like, the IEDB, and VaxiJen v2.0, have been used for the identification of the T-cell and B-cell epitopes. The interaction of receptors and the validated 3D model of vaccine candidate were predicted. Promising antigenic peptides, from the structural proteins of Omicron (BA.2) were predicted to MHC class I (HLA)-A*11-01allele, exhibiting high antigenicity. The study has identified promising vaccine candidates using immunoinformatic against Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.
LarvaeCountAI: a robust convolutional neural network-based tool for accurately counting the larvae of Culex annulirostris mosquitoes
Authors: Javed Nouman , López-Denman Adam J. , Paradkar Prasad N. , Bhatti Asim
Published: May 2024

Accurate counting of mosquito larval populations is essential for maintaining optimal conditions and population control within rearing facilities, assessing disease transmission risks, and implementing effective vector control measures. While existing methods for counting mosquito larvae have faced challenges such as the impact on larval mortality rate, multiple parameters adjustment and limitations in availability and affordability, recent advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in AI-driven visual analysis, hold promise for addressing these issues. Here, we introduce LarvaeCountAI, an open-source convolutional neural network (CNN)-based tool designed to automatically count Culex annulirostris mosquito larvae from videos captured in laboratory environments. LarvaeCountAI does not require videos to be recorded using an advanced setup; it can count larvae with high accuracy from videos captured using a simple setup mainly consisting of a camera and commonly used plastic trays. Using the videos enables LarvaeCountAI to capitalise on the continuous movement of larvae, enhancing the likelihood of accurately counting a greater number of larvae. LarvaeCountAI adopts a non-invasive approach, where larvae are simply placed in trays and imaged, minimising any potential impact on larval mortality. This approach addresses the limitations associated with previous methods involving mechanical machines, which often increase the risk of larval mortality as larvae pass through multiple sections for counting purposes. The performance of LarvaeCountAI was tested using 10 video samples. Validation results demonstrated the excellent performance of LarvaeCountAI, with an accuracy ranging from 96.25–99.13% across 10 test videos and an average accuracy of 97.88%. LarvaeCountAI represents a remarkable advancement in mosquito surveillance technology, offering a robust and efficient solution for monitoring larval populations. LarvaeCountAI can contribute to developing effective strategies for reducing disease transmission and safeguarding public health by providing timely and accurate data on mosquito larvae abundance.
Impactos da atomização da informação mediante manipulação dos algoritmos das redes sociais na seara jurídica: Análise do fenômeno ‘Brasil Paralelo’
Authors: Mamedes Mateus , Freitas Rita de Cássia Souza Tabosa
Published: May 2024

A disputa do campo da verdade é parte indissociável do fenômeno político. Com o advento da Internet, o combate ao sofisma modernizou-se, adquirindo complexidade no ambiente digitalizado. Assim, a mentira, como mecanismo estratégico de manipulação de massas, foi algoritimificada e vendida como mercadoria virtual. Desta forma, este trabalho dedica-se a responder à seguinte problemática: Quais são os impactos causados pela atomização da informação por meio da manipulação dos algoritmos das redes sociais na seara jurídica a partir da análise do fenômeno ‘Brasil Paralelo’? Assim, o objetivo geral do trabalho é analisar os impactos causados pela atomização da informação mediante a manipulação dos algoritmos das redes sociais na seara jurídica a partir da análise do fenômeno “Brasil Paralelo”. Os objetivos específicos são: compreender o funcionamento dos algoritmos e como são usados pela empresa ‘Brasil Paralelo’ para segmentar a audiência; analisar as consequências da atomização da informação a partir da desinformação propagada pela empresa “Brasil Paralelo” a partir das eleições presidenciais de 2018, do ponto de vista jurídico, e estudar estratégias de enfrentamento aos desafios impostos pela desinformação causada pela manipulação da verdade no meio digital. Para isso, foram traçadas como marco delimitador do espaço amostral da pesquisa as produções da empresa Brasil Paralelo. Este trabalho obedece ao método indutivo a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, sendo, primordialmente, um estudo exploratório por meio de revisão bibliográfica. Ante o exposto, o presente estudo avança no sentido de trazer reflexões sobre um tema extremamente relevante, mas que ainda enfrenta dificuldades em termos de debate.
Activity, stability, and kinetic study of CuO/TiO2 Janus photocatalyst for rhodamine B degradation
Authors: Nazari Parisa , Sohrabi Somayeh , Akhlaghian Faranak , Mansouri Mohsen , Malek Mohammadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: May 2024

The CuO/TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized using hydrothermal and sonochemical methods and subsequently applied to degrade rhodamine B in wastewater. The best synthesis conditions were established, determining Cu(NO3)2 solution concentration of 2.5 wt.% and calcination temperature of 500 °C. The CuO/TiO2 photocatalyst underwent characterization through various techniques, including inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, ASAP, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. TEM and SEM analyses revealed the presence of TiO2 nanowires and CuO nanoparticles. The Box–Behnken design, encompassing 27 experimental runs, assessed the impact of process variables such as initial dye concentration, pH, UV lamp power, and catalyst dose on the degradation process. The model's R2 value of 0.9893 indicated a high precision in fitting the predicted data to their actual values. Analysis of variance results highlighted UV irradiation power as the most significant variable within the design space. In addition, the CuO/TiO2 photocatalyst demonstrated efficacy under visible light irradiation. Light-expanded clay aggregate beads were chosen as the substrate for photocatalyst immobilization, which enhanced the reaction rate. The stability of CuO/TiO2 was evidenced by about 2% reduction in efficiency after four degradation cycles.
Teacher training in secondary education: trends and contradictions
Authors: Volegov Vladimir S. , Somkhishvili Kristina O.
Published: May 2024

This article examines the main trends teacher training in the Russian secondary education. Based on the analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches and several empirical works, the authors draw a conclusion about the importance of stable replenishment of the professional structure, including at the level of general education, as well as the presence of a number of factors influencing its success. Such factors include territorial conditions, (as well as socio-economic and demographic ones), changes in the population’s education level and the education system’s specifics (e. g., the presence of pre-vocational education as a mechanism for recruiting potential employees), among other groups of factors. This article analyzes the statistical data from the RF Ministry of Education on the number, structure, and dynamics of personnel movement in organizations implementing general education programs. The authors show several negative trends associated with an increase in the number of teachers who have left their jobs and an increase in the number of rates per full-time education worker, as well as an increase in the number of positions vacant at the beginning of the school year. The described trends have specific manifestations in urban and rural educational organizations, and manifest themselves with varying degrees of intensity in various subject areas, increasing problems with training, primarily in natural science subjects.
Recent Trends in Therapeutic and Electroanalytical Applications of
Boron-Doped Diamond Sensors
Authors: Soni Anish , Kaur Prabhjot , Bhatia Rohit , Kumar Rangra Naresh
Published: May 2024

In recent years, research and development efforts have been heavily focused on conductive
diamond electrodes for electrochemical applications. Such initiatives may have been spurred by
their broad potential window, low background current, chemical inertness, and mechanical robustness.
Compared to other carbon-based materials, conducting diamond can oxidize several analytes
before the breakdown of water in aqueous electrolytes. Since the evolution of oxygen and hydrogen
does not obstruct the analysis, this is significant for the detection and/or identification of species in
solution. As a result, conductive diamond electrodes expand the application of electrochemical detection
and make it possible to use them for analytes that are incompatible with traditional electrode
materials. Fabricating boron-doped diamond films via chemical vapor deposition on different substrates
is of special interest. This article highlights the therapeutic and electroanalytical applications
of boron-doped diamond electrodes in various aspects in addition to the synthetic strategies to obtain
Boron Doped Diamond Electrodes (BDDE), the cost-effectiveness of BDD and its in-vivo compatibility
that will help the analytical researchers to learn almost everything about the previous studies
done on BDDE and encourage them to work more efficiently in this research field.
USP31 Activates the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway and Promotes Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation, Invasion and Migration
Authors: Li Lan , Ye Limin , Cui Yinying , Wu Yueting , Shui Ling , Zong Zheng , Nie Zhao
Published: May 2024

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) has a poor prognosis because it is highly aggressive,
yet there are currently few effective therapies available. Although protein ubiquitination has been
shown to play a complex role in the development of gastric cancer, to date, no efficient ubiquitinating
enzymes have been identified as treatment targets for GC.

Methods:

The TCGA database was used for bioinformatic investigation of ubiquitin-specific protease
31 (USP31) expression in GC, and experimental techniques, including Western blotting,
qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry, were used to confirm the findings. We also analyzed the relationship
between USP31 expression and clinical prognosis in patients with GC. We further investigated
the effects of USP31 on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and glycolysis of GC
cells in vitro and in vivo by using colony formation, CCK-8 assays, Transwell chamber assays,
cell scratch assays, and cell-derived xenograft. Furthermore, we examined the molecular processes
by which USP31 influences the biological development of GC.

Results:

Patients with high USP31 expression have a poor prognosis because USP31 is abundantly
expressed in GC. Therefore, USP31 reduces the level of ubiquitination of the Wnt/β-catenin
pathway by binding to β-catenin, thereby activating glycolysis, which ultimately promotes GC proliferation
and aggressive metastasis.

Conclusion:

USP31 inhibits ubiquitination of β-catenin by binding to it, stimulates the Wnt/β--
catenin pathway, activates glycolysis, and accelerates the biology of GCs, which are all demonstrated
in this work.
Iris Recognition based on Statistically Bound Spatial Domain Zero Crossing and Neural Networks
Authors: Sudheesh K V , Puttegowda Kiran , Patil Chandrashekar M. , Ravi Vinayakumar , Al Mazroa Alanoud
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The iris pattern is an important biological feature of the human body. The recognition of an individual based on an iris pattern is gaining more popularity due to the uniqueness of the pattern among the people. Iris recognition systems have received attention very much due to their rich iris texture which gives robust standards for identifying individuals. Notwithstanding this, there are several challenges in unrestricted recognition environments.

Methods

This article discusses a highly error-resistant technique to implement a biometric recognition system based on the iris portion of the human eye. All iris recognition algorithms of the current day face a major problem of localization errors and the enormous time involved in this localization process. Spatial domain zero crossing may be the simplest and least complex method for localization. Yet, it has not been used due to its high sensitivity to erroneous edges, as a consequence of which more complex and time-consuming algorithms have taken its place. Appropriate statistical bounds imposed on this process help this method to be the least erroneous and time-consuming. Errors were reduced to 0.022% using this approach on the CASIA v1 & v2 datasets. Time consumption in this stage was the least compared to other algorithms. At the comparison stage, most algorithms use multiple comparisons to account for translation and rotation errors. This is time-consuming and very resource-hungry.

Results

The current approach discusses a robust method based on a single comparison, which works with a correct recognition of over 99.78% which is clearly demonstrated by tests.

Conclusions

The technique is to use a neural network trained to recognize special statistical and regional parameters unique to every person’s iris. The algorithm also gives sufficient attention to consider illumination errors, elliptical pupils, excess eyelash errors and bad contrast.
Efficacy of Recombinant Methioninase on Late-stage Patient Cancer in the Histoculture Drug Response Assay (HDRA) as a Potential Functional Biomarker of Sensitivity to Methionine-restriction Therapy in the Clinic
Authors: KUBOTA YUTARO , SASAKI MASATO , HAN QINGHONG , HOZUMI CHIHIRO , TSUNODA TAKUYA , HOFFMAN ROBERT M.
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim: The present study utilized the three-dimensional histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) to determine the efficacy of recombinant methioninase (rMETase) on tumor tissue resected from patients with late-stage cancer, as a functional biomarker of sensitivity to methionine restriction therapy. Patients and Methods: Resected peritoneal-metastatic cancer, including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and pseudomyxoma were placed on Gelform in RPMI 1640 medium for seven days and treated with rMETase from 2.5 U/ml to 20 U/ml. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. A total of 48 patients with late-stage cancer underwent testing for rMETase responsiveness using the HDRA. Results: Colorectal cancer and pseudomyxoma had the highest sensitivity to rMETase. Pancreatic and ovarian cancer also responded to rMETase, but to a lesser degree. Conclusion: Patients with tumors with at least 40% sensitivity to rMETase in the HDRA are being considered as candidates for methionine restriction therapy, which includes the use of rMETase in combination with a low-methionine diet.
Postoperative Lymph Node Recurrence in Esophageal Cancer After Surgery and Prognosis of Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: EMI MANABU , HAMAI YOICHI , YOSHIKAWA TORU , HIROHATA RYOSUKE , OHSAWA MANATO , KUROKAWA TOMOAKI , MURAKAMI YUJI , NISHIBUCHI IKUNO , OKADA MORIHITO
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of definitive chemoradiotherapy and clinical features of postoperative lymph node (LN) recurrence after curative resection of thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC). Patients and Methods: A total of 586 patients who underwent radical resection of ESCC at the Hiroshima University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of 54 patients who developed recurrence in a solitary LN by comparing them to 182 patients who experienced total recurrence. Additionally, we analyzed the prognostic factors of 50 patients who received chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Results: The results revealed a tendency for a higher incidence of solitary LN recurrence in cases of early esophageal cancer and upper thoracic esophageal cancer among all recurrence cases. The 3-, 5-, and 7-year overall survival (OS) rates were 40.5%, 37.8% and 34.6%, respectively, with a median survival time of 27.9 months. Univariate analysis of OS factors, such as age, depth of the primary tumor at the initial surgery, time to LN recurrence after surgery, site of LN recurrence, and the number of the regional LNs with recurrence showed no significant impact on OS. Conclusion: Approximately 35% of patients with ESCC who experienced LN recurrence after curative resection achieved long-term survival through CRT. Despite the absence of identifiable prognostic factors, CRT proves to be a valuable initial treatment option for LN recurrence.
Renal Failure Without Hemodialysis Is a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: FUJIMOTO TAKAAKI , INOUE SHIGETAKA , MATSUNAGA TAKETO , SHIMIZU TORU , MITSUBUCHI HARUKA , MATSUYOSHI TAKAHITO , MATSUDA KAOU , TERASAKA SOSHI , YASUI TAKAHARU , KAMEDA CHIZU , OGURA YASUHIRO , UEDA JUNJI , NAKAI KENTARO , TOKUMOTO MASANORI , NISHIYAMA KENICHI , MOTOYAMA KENTARO , NAGAI EISHI , NAKAFUSA YUJI
Published: May 2024

Background/Aim: Surgical outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with renal failure (RF) remain to be clarified. The objective of this research was to investigate how RF impacts the surgical outcomes in patients with CRC. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 633 patients who underwent colorectal resection for CRC between January 2017 and December 2021. Outcomes of the patients with and without RF were compared. RF was defined as estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate less than 30. Results: Forty-five (7%) patients with RF were identified. RF was a significant risk factor for postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery (odds ratio=2.19, 95% confidence interval=1.08-4.42, p=0.0284). The patients with RF had significantly more comorbidity (p=0.016), and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (p<0.01). Hemoglobin level (p<0.01) and PNI (p<0.01) were significantly lower in those with RF. Postoperative complications were significantly higher (p=0.016), and the postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer (p<0.01) among patients with RF compared to those without RF. Patients with RF, excluding those undergoing hemodialysis, had significantly more complications compared to those without RF (p=0.004). Conclusion: Careful attention should be paid to perioperative management in RF colorectal cancer patients.
Short-course Radiotherapy for Airway Stenting in Malignant Airway Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: FACONDO GIUSEPPE , REVERBERI CHIARA , CESCHIA TINO , PARISI GIUSEPPE , VULLO GIANLUCA , MORETTI EUGENIA , TROVÒ MARCO
Published: May 2024

Background: Malignant airway obstruction (MAO) secondary to tumor growth occurs in nearly a third of patients with lung cancer and portends a very poor prognosis if untreated. Treatment options include bronchoscopic intervention with tumor debulking, stent placement, endobronchial brachytherapy, or palliative radiotherapy. Case Report: This is a report of a 74-year-old woman with a medical history of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, hospitalized for dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chest pain with a radiographic finding of MAO on chest X-ray and computed tomography. Patient underwent radiation with a total dose of 13 Gy in two once-weekly fractions of 6.5 Gy per fraction. Three days after the end of radiation treatment, chest X-ray showed a completely right lung re-expansion without atelectasis. Two weeks after radiotherapy treatment, the patient was discharged from hospital without pulmonary symptoms. Conclusion: A different fractionation with a lower equivalent dose in 2 Gy fraction compared to literature data showed efficacy in resolving MAO with excellent local control in the first three months of follow-up.
Patient and Provider Perspectives About the Use of Patient-Generated Health Data During Pregnancy: Qualitative Exploratory Study (Preprint)
Authors: MacEwan Sarah R , Olvera Ramona G , Jonnalagadda Pallavi , Fareed Naleef , McAlearney Ann Scheck
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in using patient-generated health data (PGHD) to improve patient-centered care during pregnancy. However, little research has examined the perspectives of patients and providers as they report, collect, and use PGHD to inform obstetric care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the perspectives of patients and providers about the use of PGHD during pregnancy, including the benefits and challenges of reporting, collecting, and using these data, as well as considerations for expanding the use of PGHD to improve obstetric care.

METHODS

We conducted one-on-one interviews with 30 pregnant or postpartum patients and 14 health care providers from 2 obstetrics clinics associated with an academic medical center. Semistructured interview guides included questions for patients about their experience and preferences for sharing PGHD and questions for providers about current processes for collecting PGHD, opportunities to improve or expand the collection of PGHD, and challenges faced when collecting and using this information. Interviews were conducted by phone or videoconference and were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and deidentified. Interview transcripts were analyzed deductively and inductively to characterize and explore themes in the data.

RESULTS

Patients and providers described how PGHD, including physiologic measurements and experience of symptoms, were currently collected during and between in-person clinic visits for obstetric care. Both patients and providers reported positive perceptions about the collection and use of PGHD during pregnancy. Reported benefits of collecting PGHD included the potential to use data to directly inform patient care (eg, identify issues and adjust medication) and to encourage ongoing patient involvement in their care (eg, increase patient attention to their health). Patients and providers had suggestions for expanding the collection and use of PGHD during pregnancy, and providers also shared considerations about strategies that could be used to expand PGHD collection and use. These strategies included considering the roles of both patients and providers in reporting and interpreting PGHD. Providers also noted the need to consider the unintended consequences of using PGHD that should be anticipated and addressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Acknowledging the challenges, suggestions, and considerations voiced by patients and providers can inform the development and implementation of strategies to effectively collect and use PGHD to support patient-centered care during pregnancy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience With Technology in Relation to Nutritional Intake and Physical Activity Among Older Adults at Risk of Falls: Semistructured Interview Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kikkenborg Julie , Magelund Emma , Riise Maria Silke , Kayser Lars , Terp Rikke
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

More than one-third of older adults (aged ≥65 y) experience falls every year. The prevalent modifiable risk factors for falling are malnutrition and physical inactivity, among others. The involvement of older adults in the prevention of falls can decrease injuries, hospitalizations, and dependency on health care professionals. In this regard, eHealth can support older adults’ self-management through more physical activity and adequate food intake. eHealth must be tailored to older adults’ needs and preferences so that they can reap its full benefits. Therefore, it is necessary to gain insight into the knowledge, skills, and mindset of older adults living at home who are at risk of falls regarding eHealth.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study aims to explore older adults’ use of everyday digital services and technology and how they acquire knowledge about and manage their nutritional intake and physical activity in relation to their health.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 older adults (n=9, 60% women; n=6, 40% men; age range 71-87 y) who had all experienced falls or were at risk of falling. These individuals were recruited from a geriatric outpatient clinic. The interviews were analyzed using deductive content analysis based on a modification of the Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology framework.

RESULTS

The qualitative data showed that the informants’ social networks had a positive impact on their self-management, use of technology, and mindset toward nutritional intake and physical activity. Although the informants generally lived active lives, they all lacked knowledge about how their food intake influenced their physical health, including their risk of falling. Another finding was the large diversity in the use of technology among the informants, which was related to their mindset toward technology.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults can use technology for everyday purposes, but some need additional introduction and support to be able to use it for managing their health. They also need to learn about the importance of proper nutritional intake and physical activity in preventing falls. Older adults need a more personalized introduction to technology, nutrition, and physical activity in their contact with health professionals.
A Web-Based Peer Support Network to Help Care Partners of People With Serious Illness: Co-Design Study (Preprint)
Authors: O’Donnell Elizabeth A , Van Citters Aricca D , Khayal Inas S , Wilson Matthew M , Gustafson David , Barnato Amber E , Buccellato Andrea C , Young Colleen , Holthoff Megan M , Korsunskiy Eugene , Tomlin Stephanie C , Cullinan Amelia M , Steinbaugh Alexandra C , Hinson Jennifer J , Johnson Kristen R , Williams Andrew , Thomson Ruth M , Haines Janet M , Holmes Anne B , Bradley Ann D , Nelson Eugene C , Kirkland Kathryn B
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Care partners of people with serious illness experience significant challenges and unmet needs during the patient’s treatment period and after their death. Learning from others with shared experiences can be valuable, but opportunities are not consistently available.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to design and prototype a regional, facilitated, and web-based peer support network to help active and bereaved care partners of persons with serious illness be better prepared to cope with the surprises that arise during serious illness and in bereavement.

METHODS

An 18-member co-design team included active care partners and those in bereavement, people who had experienced serious illness, regional health care and support partners, and clinicians. It was guided by facilitators and peer network subject-matter experts. We conducted design exercises to identify the functions and specifications of a peer support network. Co-design members independently prioritized network specifications, which were incorporated into an early iteration of the web-based network.

RESULTS

The team prioritized two functions: (1) connecting care partners to information and (2) facilitating emotional support. The design process generated 24 potential network specifications to support these functions. The highest priorities included providing a supportive and respectful community; connecting people to trusted resources; reducing barriers to asking for help; and providing frequently asked questions and responses. The network platform had to be simple and intuitive, provide technical support for users, protect member privacy, provide publicly available information and a private discussion forum, and be easily accessible. It was feasible to enroll members in the ConnectShareCare web-based network over a 3-month period.

CONCLUSIONS

A co-design process supported the identification of critical features of a peer support network for care partners of people with serious illnesses in a rural setting, as well as initial testing and use. Further testing is underway to assess the long-term viability and impact of the network.
Text Message Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)
Authors: Goode Kisha , Pirbaglou Meysam , Grace Sherry , Katz Joel , Henriques Denise , Ritvo Paul
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Adherence to medication regimens is critical to effectively manage chronic diseases, prevent their complications, and reduce costs. Text messaging interventions, are a potentially cost-effective way to support chronic disease management in developing nations, owing to the increasing availability of mobile phones.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and meta-analyze scientific literature on the effectiveness of text message-interventions that support medication adherence in adults with chronic diseases in developing nations.

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the period of January 2000-October 2023. Publications that met eligibility criteria were subsequently evaluated for risk of bias, and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.

RESULTS

Systematic searches identified 19 RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of text-messaging interventions in adults with chronic cardio-metabolic (78.9%), respiratory (10.5%), renal (5.3%), and neurological (5.3%) disorders. Meta-analysis results for medication adherence, quantified as a questionnaire-based and numeric outcome (n= 9), demonstrated statistically significant standardized mean difference (SMD) between groups at post intervention, favoring text message interventions (SMD= 0.84, P=.0001, 95% CI= 0.45, 1.24, I2= 93.0%). Meta-analysis results for medication adherence, evaluated as a dichotomous criteria-based outcome (n= 8), indicated an overall 1.73 times greater likelihood of medication adherence in text message interventions groups compared to comparison conditions, expressed in odds ratios (OR= 1.73, P=.0002, 95% CI= 1.30, 2.31, I2= 48.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differences in methodological quality, medication adherence evaluation, and heterogeneity in effect sizes, text messaging interventions appear to beneficially influence medication adherence in developing nations.
The Origin of Geomagnetism
Authors: Yao Kexin
Published: May 2024

The paper clarifies that a magnetic field is not a real material existence and concludes that a magnetic field is essentially a contracting electric field in motion. Based on this new principle, all electromagnetic laws can be derived and proven. Experiments confirm that there is indeed an electrostatic field around a static magnetic field, which is a powerful scientific proof of the new principle that a magnetic field is a contracting electric field in motion. The paper believes that the westward movement of negative ion-containing air in the Earth's upper layers is the fundamental reason for the generation of geomagnetism. Due to the fact that a magnetic field is a contracting electric field in motion, the author determines that people in different motion situations will see different moving electric fields on the Earth, namely, they will see different geomagnetic fields. He further determines that an observer outside the Earth who is stationary relative to the Sun will see a strong geomagnetic field with the North Pole being the South pole.
A CULTURA DA PAZ NA ESCOLA: educação ambiental como possibilidade para se promover a paz
Authors: De Sousa Farias Leila Katia , Da Silva Bicalho Frederico
Published: May 2024

O objetivo deste relato é compartilhar uma experiência, fruto do projeto desenvolvido em uma escola com as turmas de 1º Ano do Ensino Fundamental, voltado para educação ambiental como possibilidade para se promover a cultura da paz. O projeto surgiu a partir da discussão sobre o cuidado do ambiente de sala de aula, pois foi possível perceber que os alunos não apresentavam comportamentos de limpeza. Quando isto era solicitado, surgiam resistências e transferências de responsabilidades, ocasionando discórdias entre os alunos. Quanto à metodologia, consiste em uma pesquisa-ação, de natureza descritiva com abordagem qualitativa, utilizando a observação participante como técnica de pesquisa. A fundamentação teórica tem como referência a Base Nacional Comum Curricular – BNCC, a Lei nº 9.795/1999, Gomes e Nakayama (2017), dentre outros. Como resultados, percebeu-se que os alunos passaram a valorizar seu espaço e o de outras pessoas, mantendo um ambiente preservado, com cuidados que foram imprescindíveis para a cultura da paz. Ademais, durante o andamento do projeto de forma transdisciplinar, foi perceptível a proximidade da escola com as famílias, por meio do trabalho colaborativo. Destarte, cuidar do meio ambiente escolar possibilita o ser humano viver em paz, pois os indivíduos terão zelo pela limpeza deste espaço, serão acessíveis na divisão de tarefas, proporcionando boas convivências uns com os outros. Ademais, a cultura da paz deve ser trabalhada nos espaços escolares, a fim de combater toda e qualquer forma de violência.
Democracia y cultura política en Honduras, contextualizados en las publicaciones del Instituto Universitario en Democracia, Paz y Seguridad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Authors: Hasemann-Lara Ana Eugenia
Published: May 2024

En el texto presento un breve análisis de la democracia y la violencia en Honduras a través de las publicaciones académicas más recientes del Instituto Universitario en Democracia, Paz y Seguridad (IUDPAS) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. La discusión gira alrededor de un texto en particular, el libro Honduras. Persistencia y cambios en la cultura política, 1980-2020 de Julieta Castellanos. Apoyadas en esta contribución, se plantean algunas reflexiones sobre el panorama sociopolítico actual y próximo en cuanto al estado de derecho, la gobernanza y la seguridad ciudadana en Honduras y en la región Centroamericana, así como posibles líneas de estudio para el IUDPAS.
Las graves consecuencias de la militarización de la seguridad ciudadana
Authors: Garza Miguel
Published: May 2024

Durante el mandato de Felipe Calderón se dio la capacitación e intercambio de información en materia de inteligencia para coordinar operaciones estratégicas contra importantes líderes del crimen organizado; en la administración de Enrique Peña Nieto, las fuerzas armadas estuvieron desplegadas en el país hasta tener presencia en por lo menos 28 estados; sin embargo, los fallidos resultados de esta estrategia de militarización de la seguridad pública fue documentado ampliamente. Por ello, cuando el actual presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador anunció que su estrategia para mejorar los niveles de seguridad sería la creación de una guardia nacional, provocó gran desconcierto. La Ley de la Guardia Nacional establece que este cuerpo de seguridad tiene como funciones principales la prevención de faltas y delitos; salvaguardar la integridad de las personas y su patrimonio; garantizar, mantener y restablecer el orden y la paz social; informar a la persona al momento de su detención sobre sus derechos; poner a disposición de las autoridades competentes a las personas detenidas; y realizar el registro de la detención y preservar el lugar de los hechos. Así pues, el 11 de mayo de 2020 se publicó el Acuerdo que establece que dichas fuerzas armadas realizarán tareas de seguridad pública, y ya desde el 2016, uno de los principales objetivos de la Ley de Seguridad Interior es regular la posibilidad de que los militares y marinos actúen como primer respondiente. Pero, ¿quién supervisa las labores de las fuerzas armadas?, ¿será posible que realicen las tareas de seguridad con apego a los derechos humanos?, ¿ante quién rendirán cuentas los soldados que incumplan las normas y qué consecuencias disciplinarias habrá?, ¿cómo fiscalizar la actuación de las fuerzas armadas?
Desintegración social
Authors: González Ulloa Aguirre Pablo Armando
Published: May 2024

En este texto se hace un recorrido por el concepto de desintegración social de la mano de la formación del Estado. La historia moderna está marcada por una tensión entre las identidades nacionales que fluctúan entre la integración y la desintegración de las sociedades. A través de la globalización se cuestiona la idea de la supuesta homogeneidad del Estado nación, con lo cual se visibiliza el conflicto y la necesidad de reconocimiento de los diversos grupos.
Repensar y recuperar la intervención desde el trabajo social: El caso de “La campañita”
Authors: Martínez Gómez Edgar
Published: May 2024

El siguiente texto plantea la recuperación de la experiencia profesional práctica como una estrategia parala construcción de conocimiento en el trabajo social, la cual, ha sido marginada por los continuos intentosacadémicos de repensar una y otra vez sobre el objeto de estudio: ¿qué es trabajo social? Debido a esto sepropone partir de una pregunta alterna que trascienda del “qué” al “cómo” para generar nuevas contribucionescentradas en la intervención profesional. El presente trabajo expone las diferentes iniciativas quese han dedicado a repensar la definición del trabajo social. Posteriormente se presenta un marco reflexivocentrado en la observación de segundo orden para la recuperación de la experiencia en el trabajo social.Y en un tercer momento se analiza el proceso de intervención con la denominada “Campañita” que fueimplementada en el contexto de la práctica comunitaria y que permite hallar elementos para repensar yrecuperar el quehacer profesional.
Ocio nocturno: Sumisión química y agresiones sexuales
Authors: Arredondo Quijada Rafael
Published: May 2024

El formato de ocio nocturno en el que la juventud se incorpora está conformado por una serie de elementos que establece sus principales características para la diversión, bajo el prisma de pasarlo bien, compuesto por la sexualidad, la música, el alcohol y el consumo de sustancias estupefacientes ilegales en algunas de las ocasiones, un elenco de variables para una noche mágica. Este panorama no se encuentra exento de riesgo y vulnerabilidad, sobre todo para el género femenino, que tiene que enfrentarse a situaciones como la sumisión química y las agresiones sexuales.
Criterios para la intervención social con familias
Authors: Aguilar Medina José Iñigo
Published: May 2024

Este trabajo ofrece una serie de anotaciones conceptuales para entender, definir y problematizar ciertas nociones básicas para el estudio de la familia y de su ámbito espacial, el hogar, así como los lazos sociales que marca el sistema de parentesco. Analiza las nociones: familia, hogar, vivienda y corresidencia. Revisa las características efímeras con las que se han dado otros tipos de familias en la historia, frente a la permanencia y continuidad de la tradicional. Propone criterios de mediación con todo tipo de familias, según bondades y pautas demostradas por la familia nuclear a lo largo de la historia. Concluye señalando sus valores, los aspectos a potenciar en orden a reforzar e incrementar las conexiones sociales y llama la atención sobre la relevancia de dos dilemas: el envejecimiento de la población y el embarazo adolescente, como retos a superar por la sociedad, por la intervención social y porlas familias.
Aprendizajes significativos en la formación del trabajador social: cultura de la sexualidad y los derechos humanos
Authors: López Amador María de Jesús
Published: May 2024

El objetivo de la investigación es identificar los conceptos sobre sexualidad y derechos humanos que los jóvenes adquieren en el proceso de formación educativa, valorando su claridad y manejo como parte del aprendizaje significativo que les permite integrar una cultura de la sexualidad y de los derechos humanos, al ser resultado de un conjunto de interacciones que se dan en el contexto sociocultural que viven las y los jóvenes.
La retórica mítica de López Obrador: Grandilocuencia, resentimiento y odio
Authors: Amador Bech Julio
Published: May 2024

El presente artículo lleva a cabo un análisis crítico y una contextualización de los elementos míticos contenidos en el discurso político de Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Se destaca el uso de ciertos componentes retóricos que han sido de uso común a lo largo de la historia política universal, particularmente la moderna, como lo son la grandilocuencia, el resentimiento y el odio. Durante el siglo XX estos recursos retóricos, resultaron ser particularmente eficaces en los discursos de los líderes fascistas, nacionalsocialistas y comunistas. En las referidas formas discursivas se utiliza un lenguaje sencillo y coloquial, propio del populismo, que permite llegar a un público sumamente amplio y mover sus emociones en un sentido político premeditado.
González Ulloa Aguirre, P. y Cervantes González, O. (Coordinadores). (2023). Categorías políticas de la democracia ante un mundo en cambio. México, UNAM/Gedisa
Authors: Escalona Villaseñor Marco Antonio
Published: May 2024

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