bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions Containing Game Components for the Self-management of Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Ossenbrink Linda , Haase Tina , Timpel Patrick , Schoffer Olaf , Scheibe Madlen , Schmitt Jochen , Deckert Stefanie , Harst Lorenz
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Games and game components have become a major trend in the realm of digital health research and practice as they are assumed to foster behavior change and thereby improve patient-reported and clinical outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and evaluate the current evidence on the effectiveness of digital health interventions containing game components on behavioral, patient-reported, and clinical outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE and PsycINFO in April 2020; updated in April 2022; and supplemented by additional searches via Google Scholar, Web of Science (which was used for forward citation tracking), and within the references of the included records. Articles were identified using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 2 reviewers independently conducted title, abstract, and full-text screening and then individually performed a critical appraisal of all the included studies using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool version 2. A consensus was reached through discussion.

RESULTS

Of 2325 potentially relevant titles (duplicates excluded), 10 (0.43%) randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Quality assessment revealed a high risk of bias for all randomized controlled trials except for 10% (1/10), with performance bias due to the lack of blinding being the major source of bias. There is evidence suggesting that digital health interventions containing game components can substantially improve motivation for physical activity (1/1, 100% of the studies dealing with PA motivation), exercise intensity (3/5, 60%), dietary behavior (4/4, 100%), health literacy (1/3, 33%), mental quality of life (2/2, 100%), glycated hemoglobin level (2/6, 33%), BMI (1/3, 33%), fasting plasma glucose level (1/2, 50%), waist circumference (1/1, 100%), and aerobic capacity (1/1, 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Published studies indicated that digital health interventions containing game components might improve health behavior patterns, quality of life, and clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the intervention types and outcomes studied were heterogeneous, and study quality was mostly low, which translates to ambiguous results. Future research should focus on sound methodology and reporting as well as on identifying game components that contribute to significant positive effects.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42020209706; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=209706
Profiles and Findings of Population-Based Esophageal Cancer Screening With Endoscopy in China: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Li He , Teng Yi , Yan Xinxin , Cao Maomao , Yang Fan , He Siyi , Zhang Shaoli , Li Qianru , Xia Changfa , Li Kai , Chen Wanqing
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Population-based esophageal cancer (EC) screening trials and programs have been conducted in China for decades; however, screening strategies have been adopted in different regions and screening profiles are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a meta-analysis to profile EC screening in China by positivity rate, compliance rate, and endoscopy findings, aiming to provide explicit evidence and recommendations for EC screening programs.

METHODS

English (PubMed, Embase) and Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) language databases were systematically searched for population-based EC screening studies in the Chinese population until December 31, 2022. A meta-analysis was performed by standard methodology using a random-effects model. Pooled prevalence rates were calculated for three groups: high-risk areas with a universal endoscopy strategy, rural China with a risk-stratified endoscopic screening (RSES) strategy, and urban China with an RSES strategy. Positive cases included lesions of severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, intramucosal carcinoma, submucosal carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma.

RESULTS

The pooled positivity rate of the high-risk population was higher in rural China (44.12%) than in urban China (23.11%). The compliance rate of endoscopic examinations was the highest in rural China (52.40%), followed by high-risk areas (50.11%), and was the lowest in urban China (23.67%). The pooled detection rate of positive cases decreased from 1.03% (95% CI 0.82%-1.30%) in high-risk areas to 0.48% (95% CI 0.25%-0.93%) in rural China and 0.12% (95% CI 0.07%-0.21%) in urban China. The pooled detection rate of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) was also in the same order, being the highest in high-risk areas (3.99%, 95% CI 2.78%-5.69%), followed by rural China (2.55%, 95% CI 1.03%-6.19%) and urban China (0.34%, 95% CI 0.14%-0.81%). Higher detection rates of positive cases and LGIN were observed among males than among females and at older ages. The pooled early detection rate was 81.90% (95% CI 75.58%-86.88%), which was similar to the rates in high-risk areas (82.09%), in rural China (80.76%), and in urban China (80.08%).

CONCLUSIONS

Under the current screening framework, a higher screening benefit was observed in high-risk areas than in other regions. To promote EC screening and reduce the current inequality of screening in China, more focus should be given to optimizing strategies of high-risk individual assessment and surveillance management to improve compliance with endoscopic examination.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42022375720; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=375720
Skin-Lightening Product Use Among South Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Banala Manisha , Mamidipaka Anusha , Ogunleye Temitayo
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite their potential for adverse health effects, skin-lightening products remain popular among South Asian Americans.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates attitudes toward skin tone and the prevalence and adverse effects of skin-lightening product use among South Asian Americans.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study, recruiting and surveying 175 women or nonbinary individuals meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) lived in the United States, (2) identified as South Asian, and (3) were raised by parents born in South Asian countries.

RESULTS

Of the 175 participants, 55 (31%) respondents used a skin-lightening product before. Parental pressure to use skin-lightening products and decreased time spent in the United States were significantly associated with skin-lightening product use (odds ratio [OR] 8.51, 95% CI 3.33-21.78, P<.001, and OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.96, P=.03, respectively). Although only 6 of the 55 (11%) users reported being aware of the potential side effects of skin-lightening products, 33 (60%) reported adverse effects, with acne, skin sensitivity, and dry skin being the most common. Users and nonusers equally endorsed statements associating lighter skin with increased attractiveness (P=.31), marriageability (P=.94), social status (P=.98), self-esteem (P=.73), and respect received from others (P=.74).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of skin-lightening products among South Asian Americans is common and linked to social and psychological factors. Parental pressure and cultural beauty standards may play a significant role in perpetuating this practice. This study highlights the need for educational campaigns about the potential health risks associated with skin-lightening and increased efforts to challenge harmful beauty standards.
An Epistemological and Infodemiological Framework for Health-Communication During COVID-19 and Future Crises (Preprint)
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro , Castaldo Lucia
Published: June 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

The infodemic, defined as the overabundance of both accurate and inaccurate information, represents a significant challenge in today's digital society. First and foremost, the notion of a baseline truth state pertains to the definition of what is true and what is not prior to communication. This constitutes a philosophical and epistemological quest to establish a foundation for determining the veracity of information before it is disseminated. Once a baseline truth state is determined, communicative issues arise in effectively disseminating information. Factors that can have an impact are due to both the communicative ability and credibility of the communicator and the potential biases of the recipients. The present manuscript proposes a novel theoretical framework to assess communicative appropriateness and the credibility of scientific evidence to be communicated. By addressing these aspects, this approach aims to enhance the quality of information dissemination and mitigate and/or prevent the negative effects of the infodemic. In this regard, it is crucial to emphasize that the success of the proposed strategies relies heavily on the population’s infodemic resilience and education. Moreover, scientists are ethically required not to step out of their roles and to leave communication to communication experts. Finally, national and international legislations could force communicators and/or control bodies to associate a color with the various types of degrees of reliability discussed in any media.
Analysis of options for prescribing hormone replacement therapy after thyroid organ-sparing surgery
Authors: Tovkai O.A. , Palamarchuk V.O. , Kvitka D.M. , Zemskov S.V. , Kuts V.V.
Published: June 2023

Background. Performing thyroid organ-sparing surgery primarily aims to preserve the quality of life. Organ-sparing surgery should be understood as hemithyroidectomy with mandatory removal of the isthmus and pyramidal lobe of the thyroid (if present). The choice of one or another concept of prescribing hormone replacement therapy remains debatable. The purpose of the study is to determine the proportion of patients who do not need replacement therapy with levothyroxine after organ-sparing surgery on the thyroid gland, among those who were prescribed replacement therapy immediately and one month after discharge from the hospital, as well as to analyze the factors causing hypothyroidism in people with hemithyroidectomy. Materials and methods. The first group included 82 patients with hemithyroidectomy who were prescribed replacement therapy immediately after discharge from the hospital. The second group included 61 patients with hemithyroidectomy. The administration of replacement therapy was postponed for one month. A month after the operation, clinical examinations and monitoring of thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine indicators were performed. Results. After one month of observation, 72 (87.8%) of 82 patients in the first group continued to take levothyroxine, and 8 (13.1%) of 61 persons in the second group began to take it. In the first group, there was a moderate direct correlation between thyroid-stimulating hormone level before surgery and levothyroxine dose one month after (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.304, p=0.009). It was found that the chances of continuing taking levothyroxine after one month in the first group were 47 times higher than the chances of prescribing levothyroxine after one month in the second group. The proportion of patients in the first group who continued to take levothyroxine after one month was significantly higher than the proportion of patients in the second group who started taking levothyroxine after one month (87.8±3.6% vs. 13.1±3.5%, p<0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). Conclusions. Among patients who were prescribed hormone replacement therapy immediately after hemithyroidectomy, 12.2% did not need to continue taking levothyroxine after one month. Among persons in whom the administration of hormone replacement therapy was postponed for one month after hemithyroidectomy, 86.9% of patients did not require the use of levothyroxine in the future. The volume of the thyroid remnant ≤ 3.67 cm3 can be considered a predictor for hypothyroidism occurrence in the future, with a high risk of prescribing hormone replacement therapy. The study of such a factor as the ratio of the remnant thyroid volume to the body weight did not provide statistically reliable data for its use as a predictor of hypothyroidism occurrence in the postoperative period.
The influence of hypothyroidism on the course of coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Kucheriava M.V. , Mankovskyi G.B.
Published: June 2023

Background. Thyroid hormones play a fundamental role in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common diseases worldwide, causing a significant percentage of mortality, hospitalizations, and disability. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of hypothyroidism on the course of atherosclerotic lesions of coronary arteries and major cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction after myocardial revascularization using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and methods. This prospective observational one-center study included 103 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, with and without hypothyroidism who underwent PCI. The result of revascularization was evaluated within 2 years. Inclusion criteria: age over 18 years, coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%. Results. Patients with hypothyroidism had a worse lipid profile and, as expected, a higher baseline thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). According to echocardiography, patients with hypothyroidism had thickening of the left ventricular myocardium walls, which is indicated by a probable increase in the dimensions of the left ventricular posterior wall (11.40±0.98 mm; p<0.001). In the first group, patients had higher myocardial mass indicators as one of the criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (172.73±12.72g/m2; p<0.001). After multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression, an elevated TSH level was still associated with significantly higher rates of cardiovascular mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.95; p<0.001), repeat PCI (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.65–0.85; p<0.05) and decompensation due to heart failure (RR 0.88; 95% CI 0.78–0.96; p<0.05). Conclusions. Hypothyroidism is associated with a higher incidence of the primary composite endpoint of repeat PCI, hospitalizations for decompensated heart failure, and the secondary endpoint of cardiovascular mortality compared to euthyroid patients over two years of follow-up. Maintaining adequate control of TSH in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is prognostically important for preventing cardiovascular events.
Metabolic preconditions for the formation andprogression of steatohepatitis of alcoholic,mixed, non-alcoholic aetiology and their comorbidity withobesity and anaemic conditions
Authors: Antofiichuk T. , Khukhlina O. , Antofiichuk M. , Kaspruk N.
Published: June 2023

Background. The urgency of the problem of comorbidity of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with anaemic conditions and the need for their differentiated correction is determined by the significant frequency of these diseases in the world and Ukraine and the presence of the syndrome of the mutual burden. Anaemia is a marker for the progression of steatohepatitis to liver cirrhosis, in which anaemic conditions is often a manifestation of hypersplenism with the increased destruction of red blood cells in the spleen, as well as frequent complications of liver cirrhosis caused by posthemorrhagic anaemia, which occurs due to bleedings from the oesophageal and gastric varices, portal hypertension and decreased biosynthesis of coagulation factors by the liver. The purpose of the study was to find out metabolic prerequisites for the formation and progression of steatohepatitis of alcoholic, mixed and non-alcoholic aetiology and comorbid anaemic conditions. Materials and methods. One hundred and twenty-five patients with steatohepatitis of alcoholic, non-alcoholic and mixed aetiology were examined for comorbidities of anaemic conditions with lipid metabolism and glycemic regulation disorders. Results. The results of investigations demonstrate hyperlipidemia (by 1.35–1.5 times) in patients with steatohepatitis of mixed aetiology and ASH, although in anaemic conditions, the content of blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased (p<0.05). Increased blood levels of triglycerides (in the range of 1.6–2.2 times) and decreased blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (by 1.45–1.55 times) in all groups of patients with steatohepatitis and comorbidity with anaemic conditions deepened (p<0.05). In NASH with anaemic conditions, there is an increase in the blood LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, with the rise of the atherogenic index by 2.8 times (p<0.05). Рatients with NASH and obesity have high values of glucose, insulin and degree of insulin resistance (by 2.6 times, p<0.05), and with anaemic conditions, insulinemia and degree of insulin resistance are increased (by 2.9 and 3.0 times, respectively; p<0.05). In patients with ASH and steatohepatitis of mixed aetiology associated with alcohol consumption, insulin deficiency is formed (by 1.4 and 1.2 times, p<0.05), which develops in addition to anaemic conditions (blood insulin content is below the lower values by 1.8 and 1.6 times). Conclusions. The consequence of metabolic pathology (hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance), which developed under the comorbidity of steatohepatitis with anaemic conditions, was an increase in the degree of hepatocyte steatosis (p<0.05).
Changes in the cortisol level under the influence of physical exertion in patients with hypertension and in practically healthy individuals
Authors: Dronyk I.S. , Dutka R.Ya. , Chmyr N.V. , Pshyk R.S. , Falion R.I.
Published: June 2023

Background. Today, there are difficulties with the prevention and diagnosis of early stages of hypertension, especially in active and able-bodied young people. Among the factors that potentiate an increase in blood pressure, one of the components is chronic stress, which a person often faces in modern society. The purpose of study is to evaluate and compare blood cortisol and plasma malondialdehyde content in healthy individuals and in patients with stage II hypertension before and after dosed exercises. Materials and methods. Thirty patients with stage II hypertension and 10 practically healthy persons were examined. Subjects performed two-stage physical exercises on a bicycle ergometer with an intensity corresponding to 50 and 75% of the appropriate maximum oxygen consumption of the body. The duration of the load was equal to 5 minutes at each stage with a three-minute rest between them. Blood was taken from the ulnar vein before cycling ergometry and 5 minutes after it. Blood cortisol and plasma malondialdehyde content were determined in patients before and after exercises. Results. A significant increase in cortisol content after exercises was noted in healthy individuals against the background of some decrease in patients with hypertension. It has been suggested that since people with high blood pressure already have an elevated initial level of cortisol, their threshold of stress sensitivity to physical exertion is increased. Submaximal bicycle ergometric load does not lead to an increase in blood cortisol levels in hypertensive patients. Conclusions. The background higher level of cortisol in individuals with hypertension does not increase under the influence of submaximal dosed exercises. An increase in the level of malondialdehyde can be considered a marker of the degree of stress for assessing the power of physical exertion. In view of the above, it can be stated that the activation of the sympathoadrenal system under the influence of emotional stress leads to an increase in blood pressure. There is sufficient evidence that psycho-emotional stress is a cause of white-coat hypertension and hypertension in the workplace.
Effect of treatment on genetic predictors and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity
Authors: Bukach O.P. , Buzdugan I.O. , Voloshina L.O.
Published: June 2023

Background. Connective tissue disease, in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is characterized by a progressive joint damage and polymorphism of extra-articular lesions that affect the patient’s quality of life. Although the widespread implementation of basic therapy through the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs has a positive effect on social consequences, the experience gained shows the impossibility of achieving a stable remission of the disease or reducing the activity of autoimmune inflammation against the background of using these medicines in all patients for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is the presence of comorbid pathology, which requires a personalized approach to each person. The objective was to study the quality of life of patients with RA in combination with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and obesity depending on the T-786C polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene promoter. Materials and methods. A laboratory and instrumental examination involved 110 patients who were treated at the clinical base of the Department of Internal Medicine of Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi Regional Endocrinology Center, Chernivtsi Regional Clinical Hospital, and Reference Center for Molecular Genetic Research of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Results. When assessing the quality of life in the studied groups, a decrease in indicators on all scales was detected. Thus, in RA combined with hypertension and obesity, PF was 1.73 times lower, RP— 1.97 times, BP— 1.44 times, SF— 1.46 times, MH— 1.26 times , RE— 1.66 times, GH— 1.35 times (p<0.05) lower than in patients with isolated RA. Taking into account the T-786C polymorphism of the eNOS gene, it can be asserted that all indicators of quality of life were reduced in the carriers of the СС genotype, in contrast to the carriers of the T-allele: PF— by 2.06 (pTT<0.05) and 2.46 times (pTС<0.05); RP— by 2.0 (pTT<0.05) and 2.87 times (pTС<0.05); BP— by 1.86 (pTT<0.05) and 2.52 times (pTС<0.05); SF— by 1.55 and 2.07 times (рTС<0.05); MH— by 1.42 (pTT<0.05) and 1.53 times (pTС<0.05); RE— by 1.30 (pTT<0.05) and 1.54 times (pTС<0.05); VT— by 3.34 (pTT<0.05) and 3.72 times (pTС<0.05); GH— by 2.32 (pTT<0.05) and 2.38 times (pTС<0.05), respectively. Conclusions. When comparing the quality of life in the studied groups, it can be stated that the lowest indicators on all scales were in patients with RA combined with hypertension, obesity and T2DM and in carriers of the СС genotype of the analyzed gene, which reflected the worst physical condition and psychosocial status.
Comparison of Different Simulation Tools for Load Flow Analysis in Power Systems
Authors: Nawaz Sarfaraz , Bhardwaj Ekta , Sharma Divyansh Raj , Parmar Divyanshu
Published: June 2023

The comparative analysis provides valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of different simulation tools, helping to improve the accuracy and efficiency of load flow studies, ultimately contributing to the reliable and secure operation of modern power systems. In this paper load flow analysis of IEEE 9 bus system is performed on three different software tools i.e. Power world simulator (PWS), MATLAB, MATPOWER. The results of load flow analysis of all three tools are compared. The economic load dispatch problem is also resolved in PWS and MATPOWER software. The results are promising and efficient when compared with latest ones.
La acción de inaplicabilidad por inconstitucionalidad como mecanismo idóneo y efectivo en el contexto del problema de constitucionalidad del artículo 2331 del Código Civil
Authors: Salem Gesell Catalina
Published: June 2023

It is argued that the writ of inapplicability due to unconstitutionality is an apt and effective means to enable the legal standing, in order to sue compensation for non-pecuniary damages caused by slanderous allegations against a person’s credit or honor. This is a relevant debate in view of the different interpretations that have been given to Article 2331 of the Civil Code, as these have had an impact on whether or not there is a chance to claim full compensation in this context. The present research shows that we are faced with an antinomy whose solution is up to the Constitutional Court by means of its power to inapply the laws. It also shows that, based on an analysis of both ordinary case-law and inapplicability case-law, one can conclude that the writ of inapplicability is the most effective mechanism for granting access to justice and for providing full compensation of damages caused against this highly personal right.
Molecular Detection of Virulence Genes, Biofilm Formation, and Antibiotic Resistance in Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus from Taif Hospitals
Authors: Alorabi Jamal A.
Published: June 2023

The bacterium Staphylococcus can cause various health problems, particularly in hospitalized patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to isolate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, test their capability to form a biofilm, and detect genes related to virulence and biofilm formation. Bacterial isolates were collected from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Children’s hospital in Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia, and identified using primers for mecA and nuc1. They were tested for resistance against twelve widely distributed antibiotics and biofilm formation capability. The MRSA isolates were tested for fnbA, fnbB, and SCCmec. Among 100 isolates, 24 were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, and most of them were MRSA. Most isolates were resistant to cefrizine and cefepime (96%). The isolates showed higher resistance to amoxicillin and ampicillin (92%), followed by aztreonam (83%). Two isolates, S15 and S17, were high-grade positive for biofilm formation, 62.5% were medium-grade, and 20.8% were low-grade positive. Two of the isolates, S11 and S16, tested negative for biofilm formation. Furthermore, mecAI. ncu1 was found in all of the isolates, except S11. Most isolates had SCCmecIII and SCCmecV. All isolates were habituated to fnbB, while fnbA was not found in S3 and S11. These results indicated that PCR techniques offer rapid, simple, and accurate determination of the genetic profile and biofilm production capability of MRSA, and can be used in clinical diagnosis as well as to monitor the spread of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains.
Commutative Group with Respect to Neutrix Product
Authors: Kazmi Mariyam , Tiwari Chinta Mani
Published: June 2023

Abstract: This research presents a comprehensive study of generalized functions and distribution theory, exploring their fundamental concepts, properties, and applications in mathematics and mathematical physics. The research aims to provide a thorough understanding of this powerful mathematical framework, shedding light on its versatile applications in diverse areas of study.
Multicolour LED Scrolling Display
Authors: Sapkale Darshan S. , Mahajan Rameshwar D. , Patil Vishal S. , Patil Harish A.
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Size of the display board can be increased row wise and column wise without making any changes in the LED's are a fantastic way to illuminate any kind of sign, be it lettering or panels. LED Dot-Matrix Displays are a common sight nowadays on streets, malls, buildings, parks and other public places. It is a way of visual information where large LCD and other display become too much expensive. The commonly seen displays are single colour or having 2 or 3 colours But here multi coloured LED display is being introduced .This project provides an efficient and scalable approach to LED Dot Matrix displays. The system is comprised of a tricolor dot matrix display panel with an interface circuit to a computer. It also comprises an executive program that runs on the computer for the display control of characters, decorative pattern or messages on the display panel. A multi colour LED Indoor Advertising Display can be used by companies to advertise even in bright day-light conditions. The display board displays any character entered from the host computer which is interfaced using USB to a microcontroller that initializes the led driver. The advantage of this project is that circuitry since display board is the repetition of a small independent module.
Smart Way for Prescribing Medication
Authors: Patil Girish , Nillawar Kartik , Khatri Mohit , Shetkar Sachin , Shinde Snehal
Published: June 2023

Abstract: This research addresses the implementation of digital signature technique for electronic prescription to prevent cybercrime problem such as robbery, modification and unauthorized access. In this research, RSA 2048-bit algorithm will be implemented in Java programming and android based system. Secure Electronic Prescription (SEP) application design is intended to combine given services, such as confidentiality, authentication, and non-repudiation. Cryptography is used to ensure the prescription file and QR-Code for detailed information on the prescription that have been given only for the pharmacist. The QR-Code will be encrypted using an asymmetric algorithm based on NIST Standard. In the application, there are two schemes, namely the protection schemes and verification scheme. This research uses black-box testing, and white-box testing to test input values, code and output without testing the process and design that occurs in the system. We demonstrate the implementation of cryptography in Secure Electronic Prescription (SEP). The implementation of digital signature in this research can prevent archive thievery which is shown on implementation and is proven on the test
Implementation of Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) Method for Pneumonia Dataset Augmentation
Authors: Chandranegara Didih Rizki , Sari Zamah , Dewantoro Muhammad Bagas , Wibowo Hardianto , Suharso Wildan
Published: June 2023

As a communicable disease, the majority of pneumonia cases are brought on by bacteria or viruses, which cause the lungs' alveoli to swell with fluid or mucus. Pneumonia may arise from this and further making breathing challenging since the lungs' air sacs are unable to contain enough oxygen for the body. Pneumonia may generally be diagnosed clinically (by a physician based on physical symptoms) as well as through a photo chest radiograph, CT scan, and MRI. In this case, the lower cost of a chest radiograph examination making it as one of the most popular medical imaging tests. However, chest radiograph photo readings have a disadvantage, where it takes a long time for medical staff or physicians to identify the patient's illness since it is difficult to detect the condition. Therefore, an identification of chest radiograph imagery into various forms using machine learning becomes one way to address this issue. This research focuses on building a deep neural network model using techniques from the Generative Adversarial Network algorithm. GAN is a category of machine learning techniques using two models to be trained simultaneously, one is a generator model to generated fake data and the other is a discriminator model used to separate the raw data from the real data set images. The dataset used is Chest X-Ray images obtained from repo GitHub and repo Kaggle totaling 5,863 with normal data 1583 images and pneumonia data 4273 imagesThe results showed that the use of the Generative Adevrsarial Network method as augmentation data proved to be more effective in improving the generalization of neural networks, this can be seen from the results the result of the accuracy value obtained is 97%.
Scalable and Flexible Classical Shadow Tomography with Tensor Networks
Authors: Akhtar Ahmed A. , Hu Hong-Ye , You Yi-Zhuang
Published: June 2023

Classical shadow tomography is a powerful randomized measurement protocol for predicting many properties of a quantum state with few measurements. Two classical shadow protocols have been extensively studied in the literature: the single-qubit (local) Pauli measurement, which is well suited for predicting local operators but inefficient for large operators; and the global Clifford measurement, which is efficient for low-rank operators but infeasible on near-term quantum devices due to the extensive gate overhead. In this work, we demonstrate a scalable classical shadow tomography approach for generic randomized measurements implemented with finite-depth local Clifford random unitary circuits, which interpolates between the limits of Pauli and Clifford measurements. The method combines the recently proposed locally-scrambled classical shadow tomography framework with tensor network techniques to achieve scalability for computing the classical shadow reconstruction map and evaluating various physical properties. The method enables classical shadow tomography to be performed on shallow quantum circuits with superior sample efficiency and minimal gate overhead and is friendly to noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. We show that the shallow-circuit measurement protocol provides immediate, exponential advantages over the Pauli measurement protocol for predicting quasi-local operators. It also enables a more efficient fidelity estimation compared to the Pauli measurement.
Causal structure in the presence of sectorial constraints, with application to the quantum switch
Authors: Ormrod Nick , Vanrietvelde Augustin , Barrett Jonathan
Published: June 2023

Existing work on quantum causal structure assumes that one can perform arbitrary operations on the systems of interest. But this condition is often not met. Here, we extend the framework for quantum causal modelling to situations where a system can suffer sectorial constraints, that is, restrictions on the orthogonal subspaces of its Hilbert space that may be mapped to one another. Our framework (a) proves that a number of different intuitions about causal relations turn out to be equivalent; (b) shows that quantum causal structures in the presence of sectorial constraints can be represented with a directed graph; and (c) defines a fine-graining of the causal structure in which the individual sectors of a system bear causal relations. As an example, we apply our framework to purported photonic implementations of the quantum switch to show that while their coarse-grained causal structure is cyclic, their fine-grained causal structure is acyclic. We therefore conclude that these experiments realize indefinite causal order only in a weak sense. Notably, this is the first argument to this effect that is not rooted in the assumption that the causal relata must be localized in spacetime.
Reflection and Feedback as Predictors of Directed Development of Assessment Competence
Authors:   Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Labak Irena , Sablić Marija , Bognar Branko ,   Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Published: June 2023

The assessment is part of the complex profile of teacher competencies that supports the development of teachers’ and students’ generic and professional competencies. The paper focuses on formative assessment, i.e., the approach to assessment as learning and assessment for learning that takes place during the learning process, which ultimately contributes to self-regulated learning. This paper aims to determine if there are changes in the use of formative assessment in the classroom. For this purpose, Biology teachers participated in reflective learning-based professional development. In this action research, reflective learning was applied in learning communities. The learning process consisted of acquiring theoretical knowledge about formative assessment, applying what has been learned in the classroom, and (self)analyzing video recordings of the lessons according to the formative assessment representation form. The analysis provided (internal) feedback on progress and aspects for improvement as a starting point for a new cycle of reflective learning. The initial recordings of the lessons showed that formative assessment needs improvement. The results indicate that professional development in formative assessment varied among teachers. One teacher was found to make steady progress during professional development, while other teachers were found to have sporadic and incoherent changes. We believe that the improvement of the professional development model should include explicit incentives for teachers to implement phases of self-regulated learning during professional development.
Psychological Characteristics of Transprofessional Competences of a Vocational Education Teacher
Authors:   Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, Kolodyazhna Alla
Published: June 2023

Today, society needs educators who can respond quickly to the demands of employers and train mid-level professionals for the needs of high-tech production. In this regard, the level of professional competence of vocational education teachers is of particular importance. This makes the training of vocational education teachers particularly crucial. The competences of various professional activities have already become demanded. A future vocational education teacher should be a researcher and practitioner, an organiser and an implementer, a manager and an analyst, a programmer and a psychologist at the same time. Transprofessionalism as an expansion of socio-professional boundaries and increased effectiveness can be a response to this challenge. The study of transprofessionalism requires special attention from researchers. Transprofessionals with developed interprofessional competences that meet real and future challenges of the digital economy, post-industrial society and digital industrialisation are required. The educational and professional communities are confronted with the problem of identifying the essential characteristics of transprofessional competences. Transprofessionalism as a scientific category has conflicting interpretations, and researches on this issue in both Ukrainian and foreign science are sparse and not general. Moreover, the lack of holistic methodological ideas of transprofessionalism, how it is formed, and by which personal qualities is determined, makes it impossible to organise and implement the process of transprofessional’s training. Our study clarifies the definition of transprofessionalism, analyses its psychological essence rather than the composition of transprofessional competences; the theoretical analysis will be used to identify the component factors of transprofessionalism that contribute to its development in the subject personality’s activity. The purpose of the study: is to identify and describe the psychological characteristics of transprofessional competences of a vocational education teacher. Research methods: theoretical analysis, questionnaire, methods of mathematical and statistical analysis, methods of interpretation.
Teachers with Different Educational Background and Their Self-Efficacy
Authors:   Masaryk University, Faculty of Education, Department of Education, Fico Martin
Published: June 2023

The presented text responds to the repeated opening of the topic of qualification prerequisites for the teaching profession. The aim of the work is to measure and compare teachers‘ self-efficacy among teachers with different educational backgrounds. The main research question is how preparation for the teaching profession is mirrored in teacher self-efficacy. The research sample in this study consists of Czech teachers (n = 377) with different educational backgrounds (teachers’ educational programs from faculties of education, faculties of sciences, faculties of arts) also included those who have not pedagogical qualification (they have degree from university but not in teachers program). Quantitative measurement of teacher self-efficacy took place through the adapted Norwegian teacher self-efficacy scale (NTSES) for the Czech Republic, whose internal structure was verified by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability measure by McDonald’s Omega and Cronbach’s Alpha. Statistical procedures used for data analysis were t-tests and ANOVA tests. The results in the text represent partial results from an ongoing research and suggest that teacher self-efficacy may be related to teachers’ educational background and that Czech version of NTSES is fit to be used for another measure of teacher self-efficacy in the Czech educational environment. Bigger and more representative sample is needed for the further research for more evidence of possible effect of educational background to teachers‘ self-efficacy.
Vaulting Corneo-Limbus – A Scleral Lens Bridge Too Far?
Authors: Bergmanson Jan
Published: June 2023

The original scleral lenses (SGP), fitted over a hundred years ago, were designed to vault over the cornea and limbus and to land on the conjunctiva over the sclera. Among current SGP practitioners there appears to be a general agreement on the validity of this approach, so the philosophy of the desired SGP fit has not changed in this respect. Yet the SGPs available to practitioners come in sizes typically ranging between 13 and 20 mm in overall diameter. This reality may be interpreted to mean that there is a huge individual variation in the corneo-limbal diameter or that there is a disagreement on what this dimension truly amounts to. The purpose of this article is to establish what it is that we know and what still needs to be determined.
Aptidão agrícola e concentração da produção em municípios da Mesorregião Oriental do Tocantins e da Mesorregião Extremo Oeste Baiano
Authors: Sobrinho Orimar Souza Santana , Sobrinho Fernando Luiz Araújo
Published: June 2023

Este trabalho analisa a marcha pioneira de produtos agrícolas que compõem a contemporânea concentração espacial da produção agrícola nos municípios da Mesorregião Oriental do Tocantins e da Mesorregião Extremo Oeste Baiano, considerando os dados de 2000, 2010 e 2020 disponibilizados na pesquisa de Produção Agrícola Municipal (PAM) realizada pelo IBGE. Precedida de rastreamento bibliográfico sobre o tema e levantamento e organização de banco de dados secundários da PAM, os procedimentos metodológicos serão detalhados no texto. Os resultados identificam produtos que formam a história agrícola desse recorte territorial com acentuada concentração da produção e alteração na área plantada da Mesorregião Extremo Oeste Baiano vis-à-vis a Mesorregião Oriental do Tocantins.
Investigating Neural Responses Underlying Product Valuation in The Real-World Using Wireless Electroencephalography and Eye-Tracking
Authors: Roberts Hannah , Tyson-Carr John , Soto Vicente , Fallon Nicholas , Giesbrecht Timo , Stancak Andrej
Published: June 2023

Research in freely moving participants demonstrated that eye-movement
related potentials (EMRPs) obtained during wireless EEG and eye-tracking
can resolve low versus higher subjective value (SV) of products within
200 ms of first viewing. It remains unknown whether neural components
underpinning SV are computed linearly or in distinct clusters. A limited
stimulus value range may have prevented detection of linear
discrimination of EMRP components by SV. The residual presence of
oculomotor artefacts could have contributed to the lack of
discrimination of EMRPs for individual SVs. The present study
investigated whether EMRPs during product viewing would encode SVs
linearly by expanding retail-value range and implementing guided-saccade
artefacts removal. Participants viewed 216 product images in a
mock-gallery. Continuous 64-channel wireless EEG and eye-tracking data
were recorded. Willingness-to-pay was evaluated in an auction,
categorising products by SV. Adaptive Spatial Filtering removed
oculomotor artefacts from guided-saccade recordings. EMRPs were analysed
using independent component (IC) and clustering analysis. Four ICs
between 50~̵̵ 230 ms resolved product SVs. One IC showed linearly
decreasing activity paralleling increasing SV, with strongest activation
for low-value. Other ICs responded preferentially to medium-value. ICs
resolving early SVs (50~̵̵ 60 ms) differentiated the low-value category
from other categories. Cortical components elicited during free-viewing
of products in quasi-naturalistic settings were mostly tuned to specific
bands of SV with only one IC representing SV linearly. SVs appear to be
formed automatically during initial product viewing and are represented
on a coarse value grid, with the lowest SV products being processed
earliest.
Impact of steaming and roasting heat-treatment on physico-chemical, functional and digestibility of walnut kernel
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Ren Xiangrui , Liu Hongkai , Wang Meng , Zhang Xiaowei , Hu Haifang
Published: June 2023

In order to develop the application of walnut kernel, the effect of
steaming and roasting treatment on the physicochemical and functional
properties of walnut kernel at 95 ºC for different time (15, 20 and 30
min) was investigated, and compared to those of untreated sample.
Scanning electron microscopy suggested that heating treatment had a
notable effect on the microstructure of walnut kernel, especially the
steam heating. Both treatments significantly increased the enthalpy,
vitro protein digestibility, viscosity, G′ and G″ (P < 0.05),
the order from high to low was steaming > roasting
> untreated. All samples contained the amounts of essential
amino acids, the amino acid score (AAS) of samples by steaming was the
highest compared to that of the untreated and roasting, and the only
limiting amino acid of walnut kernel before or after heat treatment was
lysine. In addition, the protein of walnut kernel after heating
treatment with the extension of time contained more α-helix and random
coil structures compared to the untreated sample, while β-sheet and
β-turns structures decreased. Moreover, the thermal treatment could
cause the changes of the water/oil holding capacity, foaming and
emulsifying properties of walnut kernel flour. When there were
differences between the results of steaming and roasting samples, it was
concluded that the water played an important role in steaming. These
results suggested that the thermal treatment as an effective approach
could improve the physico-chemical, structural and functional properties
of walnut kernel and be potentially applied in the food processing.
Improved cooperative Ant Colony Optimization for the solution of binary combinatorial optimization applications
Authors: Prado-Rodríguez Roberto , González Patricia , Banga Julio R. , Doallo Ramón
Published: June 2023

Binary combinatorial optimization plays a crucial role in various
scientific and engineering fields. While deterministic approaches have
traditionally been used to solve these problems, stochastic methods,
particularly metaheuristics, have gained popularity in recent years for
efficiently handling large problem instances. Ant Colony Optimization
(ACO) is among the most successful metaheuristics and is frequently
employed in non-binary combinatorial problems due to its adaptability.
Although for binary combinatorial problems ACO can suffer from issues
such as rapid convergence to local minima, its eminently parallel
structure means that it can be exploited to solve large and complex
problems also in this field. In order to provide a versatile ACO
implementation that achieves competitive results across a wide array of
binary combinatorial optimization problems, we introduce a parallel
multicolony strategy with an improved cooperation scheme to maintain
search diversity. We evaluate our proposal (Binary Parallel Cooperative
ACO, BiPCACO) using a comprehensive benchmark framework, showcasing its
performance and, most importantly, its flexibility as a successful
all-purpose solver for binary combinatorial problems.