bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A RARE CASE OF EMPHYSEMATOUS GASTRITIS WITH PARTIAL GUT MALROTATION - MANAGED CONSERVATIVELY
Authors:   General surgery resident, LTMGH, Mumbai., Raja C. Daniel , R. Adhikari Dev ,   Associate Professor of General Surgery, LTMGH Mumbai., Dighe Sajika ,   Assistant Professor of General Surgery, LTMGH Mumbai., N. Hegade Akash ,   General surgery resident, LTMGH, Mumbai.
Published: September 2024

Emphysematous gastritis (EG) was first reported by Fraenkel in 1889, and it is a relatively rare disease caused by gas-producing bacteria with a high mortality rate of 55.3%.Although the exact pathophysiology of emphysematous gastritis remains unclear, it is thought that pre-existing gastric ulcers or ischaemic lesions provide the nidus for bacterial infection, overgrowth and penetration into the gastric wall. The organisms produce gas after the penetration, and finally emphysematous gastritis develops. This uncommon but life-threatening condition is often confused with its relatively benign counterpart â€“ gastric emphysema, which occurs when air enters the gastric wall usually following trauma to the gastric mucosa, and has an excellent prognosis even with no treatment. However in gastric emphysema, there is no associated infection, and patient does not present with acute abdomen.Diagnosis is challenging due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, coffee-ground emesis, fever, and signs of systemic infection. We present a case of a patient with signs and symptoms of EG, where prompt diagnosis and treatment were achieved, avoiding further complications. Surgical intervention was avoided due to the successful response to conservative treatment. These cases highlight the importance of early detection and intervention in improving patient outcomes and preventing complications associated with EG.
ON APPROXIMATION BY STANCU TYPE OPERATORS IN MOBILE INTERVAL
Authors:   Government Polytechnic, Mahasamund Chhattisgarh, India., Gupta Nandita
Published: September 2024

In the present paper we propose Stancu type operators in mobile interval. We discuss its approximation properties. We also give an asymptotic estimate through Voronovskaja - type result for these operators.
Isolating, selecting, and identifying Na+, H+, Al3+, Fe2+, Mn2+-resistant purple non-sulfur bacteria solubilizing insoluble phosphorus compounds from salt-contaminated acid sulfate soil derived from rice-shrimp system
Authors: Dat Le Tien , Xuan Ly Ngoc Thanh , Nhan Tran Chi , Quang Le Thanh , Khuong Nguyen Quoc
Published: September 2024

Salt intrusion has caused adverse effects on nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of rice plants in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Thus, (i) isolating, screening, and identifying phosphorus (P)-solubilizing purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), and (ii) determining their ability to produce plant growth-promoting substances were aimed in the current study. Bacteria after isolation were investigated under microaerobic light and aerobic dark conditions for their ability to tolerate toxic cations and to produce available P from insoluble P compounds, such as Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P by spectrophotometry. Therefore, 46 isolates of PNSB were randomly collected from 21 soil samples and 21 water samples from a rice-shrimp paddy field in districts of Tran De, My Tu, and My Xuyen, Soc Trang province. Among them, four PNSB isolates could solubilize P and tolerate Na+, H+, Al3+, Fe2+, and Mn2+, which were identified by the 16S rDNA method as Cereibacter sphaeroides at 100% similarity. The four selected isolates (ST16, ST26, ST27, and ST32) dissolved 32.7 – 60.8 mg P L-1 from Al-P, 30.6 – 81.7 mg P L-1 from Fe-P, and 22.8 – 36.3 mg P L-1 from Ca-P in both conditions. Moreover, these bacterial isolates were potent in promoting plant growth by fixing nitrogen (16.2 – 104.1 mg NH4+ L-1) and providing IAA (10.3 - 21.0 mg IAA L-1), ALA (2.38 - 3.59 mg ALA L-1), siderophores (8.53 - 55.3 %) and EPS (0.68 - 1.22 mg EPS L-1). They should, thereby, be applied as a biofertilizer to increase crop yield in a pot experiment and subsequently a field trial.
Impact of castor bean cake fertilizer as side-dressing on cauliflower yield and quality in organic farming systems
Authors: Candian Joara Secchi , Nakada-Freitas Pâmela Gomes , da Silva Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro , Cardoso Antonio Ismael Inácio
Published: September 2024

The significance of organic production has grown significantly in the past decade. Therefore, research on organic fertilizer, mainly as side-dress, has gained more importance. Castor bean cake is a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and organic matter. This cake has been used as an organic fertilizer once it has higher mineralization rate compared to other sources such as as sugarcane bagasse and cattle manure. We studied rate and application time of castor bean cake on the production, physicochemical characteristics, macronutrient contents, and accumulation of cauliflower in an organic system. Ten treatments were studied, in a 3 x 3 + 1 factorial design, with three rates of castor bean cake (1290, 2580 and 3870 kg ha-1) combined with three application times as side-dress (single application at 30 or 45 days after transplanting (DAT) and split application at 30 and 45 DAT), as well as a control (without fertilizer). The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. This study measured cycle, leaf number, inflorescence diameter, height, fresh and dry biomass, vegetative part (stem and leaves) fresh and dry biomass, pH, titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA), soluble solids (SS), maturation index/ratio, reducing sugar contents (RSC), protein, macronutrient content, and accumulation in inflorescence. The maximum inflorescence fresh biomass was highest at 3015 kg ha-1, while the maximum height and diameter were at 3785 and 3335 kg ha-1, respectively. The highest rates of castor bean cake increased TA, while it decreased RSC, AA, and inflorescence ratio. The decreasing order of accumulated nutrients on inflorescence was K>N>P≈Ca>Mg>S, with maximums of 1.48; 1.03; 0.15; 0.14; 0.08 and 0.06 g inflorescence-1, respectively. The rates of 3000 to 3800 kg ha-1 of castor bean cake increased production regardless time of application. Time factor had low influence on the physicochemical characteristics, macronutrient contents, and accumulations in inflorescence. Growers are recommended to apply 3 to 4 t ha-1 of castor bean cake.
Digital transformation as a tool for creating an inclusive economy in Ukraine during wartime
Authors: Kolodiziev Oleh , Shcherbak Valeriia , Kostyshyna Tetiana , Krupka Mykhailo , Riabovolyk Tetiana , Androshchuk Ilona , Kravchuk Nataliia
Published: September 2024

The russian aggression against Ukraine underscores the need to reassess regional strategies for digitalization and inclusivity. The study aims to identify strategies for enhancing these areas during wartime. Taxonomy and cluster and factor analysis methods have shown that regions with a higher level of digitalization have lower levels of poverty and unemployment. Specifically, regions in the top quartile of the digitalization index reported, on average, 12% lower unemployment rates compared to those in the bottom quartile. The analysis identifies distinct regional groupings: areas such as Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk are partially occupied and exhibiting low digitalization and inclusivity, in contrast with Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad that show moderate progress. Rural regions face a significant digital divide, with only 60% of rural households having stable internet access compared to 90% in urban areas. Factor analysis confirms that wartime conditions have accelerated digital transformation, evidenced by a 42% increase in Diia app usage from 2021 to 2023 and a rise in internet penetration from 62% in 2019 to 78% in 2023. Additionally, IT sector export revenues grew by 20% in 2022, and technology startups doubled between 2019 and 2023. The study proposes a strategic framework for regional adaptation: intensive digitalization and inclusivity for Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions; digitalization for Mykolaiv region; inclusivity for Kirovohrad and Zakarpattia regions; and balanced adaptation for Chernivtsi and Khmelnytskyi regions. Recommended measures include modernizing digital infrastructure, expanding educational opportunities, supporting startups, and aligning digital and social initiatives to foster regional resilience and development.
Assessing the effect of rating curve uncertainty in streamflow simulation on Kulfo watershed, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Mena Nahom , Ayele Elias Gebeyehu , Chora Henok Gubula , Dada Teka Tadesse
Published: September 2024

Accurate streamflow simulation and comprehending its associated uncertainty are crucial for effective water resource management. However, the uncertainty of rating curves from which streamflow data is derived remains poorly understood. This study aims to simulate streamflow under rating curve uncertainty conditions. The bootstrap resampling technique (BSRT) was used to establish the rating curve and estimate associated uncertainty. Furthermore, it integrated with standalone and hybrid models (GRU, Bi-LSTM, and Conv1D-LSTM), to assess the effect of this uncertainty on streamflow simulation. Different lag times of rainfall and discharge are used as input for DL streamflow simulation models. Despite the complexity, the Conv1D-LSTM model did not outperform the Bi-LSTM model. However, it slightly outperforms the GRU model. Moreover, the rating curve uncertainty significantly propagates to streamflow simulation, particularly in high-flow regions. Consequently, the uncertainties related to rating curves on the Kulfo River led to a streamflow uncertainty of about 17.8 m3 s−1, representing 22% at peak discharge. The performance of the DL models was evaluated using different metrics (RMSE, MAE, NSE, and R2). The findings underscore the importance of considering rating curve uncertainty in streamflow simulation to enhance water resource management practices and support informed decision-making in the study area.
Application of coupled WetSpass-M and MODFLOW models to estimate spatial–temporal water balance components in the Chemoga watershed, Ethiopia
Authors: Mulie Asrade Tadie
Published: September 2024

The groundwater level in the Chemoga watershed has been declining due to an increase in water demand, anthropogenic activities, and climate change effects. This paper uses the WetSpass-MODFLOW coupling to evaluate the groundwater recharge in the Chemoga watershed. The MODFLOW groundwater flow simulation model is then used to simulate the hydraulic head distribution based on these findings. The input data of WetSpass models are soil, land cover, topography, slope, and groundwater depth, as well as monthly meteorological characteristics (such as temperature, wind speed, and rainfall). The long-term spatial and temporal average annual precipitation of 1,453 mm is distributed as 169 mm (11.63%) groundwater recharge and 879 mm (60.5%) surface runoff, while 405 mm (27.87%) is lost through evapotranspiration. In such seasonal variations, the groundwater head due to the wet/summer stress period varied from 4 to 41 m. While in the dry/winter stress period groundwater head varied from 3.5 to 39.8 m, and also the groundwater head due to the annual stress period varied from 3.7 to 40 m. The findings are extensive and can be applied to water resource management and groundwater resource development in a sustainable manner by safeguarding high groundwater recharge locations, and reevaluating allowable groundwater abstraction rates.
Tumor Microenvironment: From Cervical Carcinogenesis to Therapeutic Advancements
Authors: Sharma Srishti , Verma Meenakshi , Rautela Indra , Khan Fahad , Pandey Pratibha
Published: September 2024

Cervical cancer has become a major worldwide health concern that demands attention
to women's health and often needs more effective and specialized treatment options. Cervical
cancer claims the lives of over 300,000 women globally, ranking as the fourth most prevalent
cancer among women. The tumor microenvironment (TME) shapes a distinctive landscape for
tumor survival, characterized by factors like immunosuppression, hypoxia, acidity, and nutrient
scarcity. Comprising tumor cells, immune cells, mesenchymal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts,
and extracellular matrix, the TME reprograms key aspects of tumor development, uncontrolled
proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and response to treatments. Recognizing the TME's
pivotal role in tumor progression and treatment responsiveness, targeting the TME has emerged
as a potential strategy in cancer therapy. This publication delves into recent TME research, offering
a comprehensive overview of the specific functions of each TME component in cancer
development and progression. Based on the reviewed literature, it appears that women with cervical
cancer may benefit from more effective therapy, fewer side effects, and a higher quality of
life in the future. By addressing pressing problems and unmet needs in the field, this review has
the potential to significantly alter the course of cervical cancer treatment in the future. Furthermore,
it outlines the primary therapeutic targets identified by researchers, which may prove valuable
in treating tumors.
De passief rokende hond: een overzicht van de gezondheidsgevaren van sigarettenrook voor honden
Authors: Withagen L. , Reckelbus D. , de Rooster H.
Published: September 2024

In België en Nederland, waar roken in het openbaar maar ook in de thuisomgeving steeds minder sociaal geaccepteerd wordt, is er nog maar weinig aandacht voor de mogelijke gevolgen van sigarettenrook voor honden terwijl ze regelmatig in contact komen met sigarettenrook. Hoewel onderzoek naar passief roken bij honden nog maar in zijn kinderschoenen staat, kon er reeds een verband aangetoond worden tussen bepaalde aandoeningen en de blootstelling aan sigarettenrook. Zo bestaat er een verhoogd risico op longtumoren bij brachycefale honden en een verhoogd risico op nasale tumoren bij dolichocefale honden wanneer er een rokende eigenaar aanwezig is. Naast de potentiële gevolgen van passief roken voor het respiratoire stelsel, lopen honden die blootgesteld worden, ook een verhoogd risico op het ontwikkelen van atopische dermatitis en kunnen honden mogelijk verslaafd geraken aan nicotine. In dit artikel wordt op basis van de huidige literatuur een overzicht gegeven van de gezondheidsgevaren van sigarettenrook voor honden.
Penile fibropapilloma in a Belgian Blue breeding bull
Authors: Beci B. , Proost K. , Govaere J. , Opsomer G. , Meesters M.
Published: September 2024

Penile fibropapilloma or a penile wart associated with bovine papillomavirus-1, is a neoplastic disease frequently encountered in young bulls. Penile warts can cause paraphimosis or phimosis, and can impede copulation and overall breeding performance. In this case report, the diagnostic approach and surgical treatment of large penile masses are described in a 2.5-year-old Belgian Blue breeding bull, with the inability to copulate. During clinical examination, the exteriorization of the penis proved to be impossible. A bilateral internal pudendal nerve block completely desensitized the penis, subsequently facilitating exteriorization and examination. The neoplastic masses were highly suggestive to be fibropapillomas and were surgically removed. An autogenous vaccine derived from the excised masses was produced by the laboratory Dierengezondheidzorg Vlaanderen (DGZ) and administered to the bull to reduce potential recurrence of the warts. After a month of sexual rest, the bull was able to resume breeding and produced viable offspring.
Performance analysis of the fabricated animal feed mixer machine
Authors: Ardian Aan , Wikantara Astana Aji , Aditya Zaky Ahmad , Kusdiyarto Prihatno
Published: September 2024

This research focused on the development of an animal feed mixer machine to improve mixing capacity. The research used an experimental model and involved need analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The goal was to determine the optimal rotational speed of a stirrer screw for different types of animal feeds as well as understand the stages of making the machine and its working principle. The process involved manufacturing the frame, shaft, transmission, screw fins, sheet metal process, and assembly. The results shows that the animal feed mixer machine with a stirring speed of 312.3 rotations/minute was able to produce 958.3 kg of feed in one hour. This stirring speed provides the best fuel consumption, which is 676.5 ml/hour. The mixer has a safe element on the reduction shaft, with 115.8 kg.mm of torque and 5.82 kW of power. Thus, this mixer is an efficient and productive solution for the animal feed industry.
Techno-feasibility assessment on utilization of rice husk and wood scrap as energy sources of the rotary drier while drying BSF maggot
Authors: Purwaka Purwaka , Susastriawan Anak Agung Putu , Saputra Hadi , Rahayu Suparni Setyowati , Hidayat Taufiq , Sidharta Bambang Wahyu , Mathur Akanksha
Published: September 2024

Black Soldier Flies (BSF) maggot business got increasing attention nowadays, especially dried BSF maggot. The dried BSF maggot is very suitable for fish feed, thus dried maggot business has good prospectus not only in terms of financial sector but also in terms of waste management sector. Unfortunately, making dried maggot requires high cost during drying process, since additional cost for LPG is needed. It is important to replace LPG fuel by less expensive one, such as biomass fuel. Indonesia has huge potential of biomass energy sources which mainly come from agricultural, forestry, and industrial waste. The present work aims to investigate techno-feasibility of rice husk and waste scrap waste as feedstock of rotary drum drier. The experimental work is conducted by drying 10 kg fresh BSF maggot for 2 hours in the drier using blend feedstock of 6 kg rice husk- 6 kg wood scrap (RH-WS) and feedstock of 12 kg wood scrap (WS). The results depict that the waste of rice husk and wood scrap are technological feasible as energy sources for rotary drum dryer while drying BSF maggot. The performance of the drier in terms of drying rate, drying heat, specific fuel consumption, and drier’s effectiveness is better when a blend of rice husk and wood scrap is used as a feedstock. The values of drying rate, drying heat, specific fuel consumption, and drier’s effectiveness when using blend feedstock are 0.92 g/s, 20996.37 kJ, 27940.15 kJ/kg, and 0.67, respectively. It is recommended to use waste of rice husk and wood scarp in blending form to obtain optimum performance of the rotary drier while drying BSF maggot.
Characteristics of blockchain technology and its impact on improving supply chain performance from an accounting perspective: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors:   Department of Accounting, College of Business, University of Jeddah, Al-Kamel Governorate Branch, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Younis Nagat Mohamed Marie
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to clarify the importance of using blockchain in the supply chain sector and examine the impact of blockchain technology characteristics on improving supply chain performance by applying it to industrial companies in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this, the study used an inductive approach to analyze existing accounting literature on four blockchain characteristics and their impact on enhancing supply chain performance. A field study was conducted to gather the perspectives and opinions of faculty members in the Accounting Department of Saudi universities, accountants in Saudi industrial companies, and information and communications technology experts working in blockchain and supply chain fields. The sample size was 150 individuals from 2012 to August 2023, and the analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Version 29. The study concluded that blockchain technology significantly improves supply chain performance in Saudi industrial companies, with the four blockchain characteristics (transparency and privacy, decentralization, traceability, and smart contracts) having a positive impact. The study recommends future research on the relationship between blockchain technology and corporate governance, examining tax issues related to blockchain operations, and training accountants and industrial workers to use blockchain to enhance supply chain performance.
Investors Perception of Financial Planning for Financial Well-Being
Authors: Sardana Shilpa , Ram Tika
Published: September 2024

The present study analyses investors’ perceptions of financial planning. The purpose of this empirical investigation was to examine the role of different factors like financial behaviour, financial freedom, financial anxiety, tenure of investment, financial goals, and risk involved in personal financial planning. The study’s targeted population (425) was investors residing in the National Capital Region (NCR), India, which was approached based on purposive sampling techniques. A semi-structured set of questions was employed for collecting the information through Google Forms. SEM was adopted for analysing the primary data and finding the relationship among the factors. The results highlighted the most significant contribution of financial goals in financial planning. Tenure of investment, financial freedom, financial anxiety and risk also showed their relevance for financial planning. Risk has been found to impact financial planning negatively while other factors positively impact financial planning. The study favours financial planning to make sound financial decisions and protect themselves from fraudulent practices.
Web-Based Corporate Governance Disclosures: A Study of BSE 500 Companies
Authors: Sandhu Akasha
Published: September 2024

The internet plays a pivotal role as channel for information disclosure. The current study aims to examine the status of disclosure practices of corporate governance items of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 500 companies on their corporate website. The study uses a twenty-five items checklist to calculate score for the corporate governance items on the company website. The results reveal that score with respect to disclosure of corporate governance items exhibited a wide range, spanning from 44 percent to 96 percent. The average corporate governance disclosure score stands at 69.64 percent which suggests that Indian companies are effectively using their corporate websites to disclose corporate governance information. However, this also highlights a significant room for enhancement in the portrayal of corporate governance attributes on the corporate website.
The Added Value of Using Video in Out-of-Hours Primary Care Telephone Triage Among General Practitioners: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Authors: Nebsbjerg Mette Amalie , Bomholt Katrine Bjørnshave , Vestergaard Claus Høstrup , Christensen Morten Bondo , Huibers Linda
Published: September 2024

Background

Many countries have introduced video consultations in primary care both inside and outside of office hours. Despite some relational and technical limitations, general practitioners (GPs) have reported the benefits of video use in the daytime as it provides faster and more flexible access to health care. Studies have indicated that video may be specifically valuable in out-of-hours primary care (OOH-PC), but additional information on the added value of video use is needed.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate triage GPs’ perspectives on video use in GP-led telephone triage in OOH-PC by exploring their reasons for choosing video use and its effect on triage outcome, the decision-making process, communication, and invested time.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study among GPs performing telephone triage in the OOH-PC service in the Central Denmark Region from September 5, 2022, until December 21, 2022. The questionnaire was integrated into the electronic patient registration system as a pop-up window appearing after every third video contact. This setup automatically linked background data on the contact, patient, and GP to the questionnaire data. We used descriptive analyses to describe reasons for and effects of video use and GP evaluation, stratified by patient age.

Results

A total of 2456 questionnaires were completed. The most frequent reasons for video use were to assess the severity (n=1951, 79.4%), to increase the probability of self-care (n=1279, 52.1%), and to achieve greater certainty in decision-making (n=810, 33%) (multiple answers were possible for reasons of video use). In 61.9% (n=1516) of contacts, the triage GPs anticipated that the contact would have resulted in a different triage outcome if video had not been used. Use of video resulted in a downgrading of severity level in 88.3% (n=1338) of cases. Triage GPs evaluated the use of video as positive in terms of their decision-making process (n=2358, 96%), communication (n=2214, 90.1%), and invested time (n=2391, 97.3%).

Conclusions

Triage GPs assessed that the use of video in telephone triage did affect their triage outcome, mostly by downgrading the level of care needed. The participating triage GPs found video in OOH-PC to be of added value, particularly in communication and the decision-making process.
Social Media Recruitment as a Potential Trigger for Vulnerability: Multistakeholder Interview Study
Authors: Matthes Nina , Willem Theresa , Buyx Alena , Zimmermann Bettina M
Published: September 2024

Background

More clinical studies use social media to increase recruitment accrual. However, empirical analyses focusing on the ethical aspects pertinent when targeting patients with vulnerable characteristics are lacking.

Objective

This study aims to explore expert and patient perspectives on vulnerability in the context of social media recruitment and seeks to explore how social media can reduce or amplify vulnerabilities.

Methods

As part of an international consortium that tests a therapeutic vaccine against hepatitis B (TherVacB), we conducted 30 qualitative interviews with multidisciplinary experts in social media recruitment (from the fields of clinical research, public relations, psychology, ethics, philosophy, law, and social sciences) about the ethical, legal, and social challenges of social media recruitment. We triangulated the expert assessments with the perceptions of 6 patients with hepatitis B regarding social media usage and attitudes relative to their diagnosis.

Results

Experts perceived social media recruitment as beneficial for reaching hard-to-reach populations and preserving patient privacy. Features that may aggravate existing vulnerabilities are the acontextual point of contact, potential breaches of user privacy, biased algorithms disproportionately affecting disadvantaged groups, and technological barriers such as insufficient digital literacy skills and restricted access to relevant technology. We also report several practical recommendations from experts to navigate these triggering effects of social media recruitment, including transparent communication, addressing algorithm bias, privacy education, and multichannel recruitment.

Conclusions

Using social media for clinical study recruitment can mitigate and aggravate potential study participants’ vulnerabilities. Researchers should anticipate and address the outlined triggering effects within this study’s design and proactively define strategies to overcome them. We suggest practical recommendations to achieve this.
Implementation and User Satisfaction of a Comprehensive Telemedicine Approach for SARS-CoV-2 Self-Sampling: Monocentric, Prospective, Interventional, Open-Label, Controlled, Two-Arm Feasibility Study
Authors: Voit Florian , Erber Johanna , Egert-Schwender Silvia , Hanselmann Michael , Laxy Michael , Kehl Victoria , Hoffmann Dieter , Jeske Samuel D , Michler Thomas , Protzer Ulrike , Kohlmayer Florian , Schmid Roland M , Spinner Christoph D , Weidlich Simon
Published: September 2024

Background

The universal availability of smartphones has created new opportunities for innovative telemedicine applications in health care. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the demand for contactless health care services, making SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing a crucial component of pandemic containment.

Objective

This feasibility study aimed to examine a comprehensive telemedicine approach for SARS-CoV-2 testing, focusing on the practicality, user satisfaction, and economic implications of self-sampling guided by a telemedicine platform.

Methods

The study process involved shipping self-sampling kits, providing instructions for at-home sample collection, processing biomaterials (swabs and capillary blood), communicating test results, and providing interoperable data for clinical routine and research through a medical mobile app. A total of 100 individuals were randomly assigned to either the conventional health care professional (HCP)–performed SARS-CoV-2 testing group (conventional testing group, CG) or the telemedicine-guided SARS-CoV-2 self-sampling approach (telemedicine group, TG). Feasibility of the TG approach, user satisfaction, user-centered outcomes, and economic aspects were assessed and compared between the groups.

Results

In the TG group, 47 out of 49 (95%) individuals received a self-sampling kit via mail (76%) individuals successfully returned at least one sample for diagnostics. SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests were conducted in 95% () of TG cases compared with 88% () in the CG. Users in the TG reported high satisfaction levels with ease of use (5.2/7), interface satisfaction (5.2/7), and usefulness (4.3/7). A microcosting model indicated a slightly higher cost for the TG approach than the CG approach. The TG demonstrated the potential to facilitate interoperable data transmission by providing anonymized, standardized datasets for extraction using Health Level 7-Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources. This supports the national COVID-19 Data Exchange Platform and facilitates epidemiological evaluation based on the German COVID Consensus dataset.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings suggest that a telemedicine-based approach to SARS-CoV-2 testing is feasible and could be integrated into existing hospital data infrastructures. This model has the potential for broader application in medical care, offering a scalable solution that could improve user satisfaction and treatment quality in the future.
Practical Applications of Large Language Models for Health Care Professionals and Scientists
Authors: Reis Florian , Lenz Christian , Gossen Manfred , Volk Hans-Dieter , Drzeniek Norman Michael
Published: September 2024

With the popularization of large language models (LLMs), strategies for their effective and safe usage in health care and research have become increasingly pertinent. Despite the growing interest and eagerness among health care professionals and scientists to exploit the potential of LLMs, initial attempts may yield suboptimal results due to a lack of user experience, thus complicating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into workplace routine. Focusing on scientists and health care professionals with limited LLM experience, this viewpoint article highlights and discusses 6 easy-to-implement use cases of practical relevance. These encompass customizing translations, refining text and extracting information, generating comprehensive overviews and specialized insights, compiling ideas into cohesive narratives, crafting personalized educational materials, and facilitating intellectual sparring. Additionally, we discuss general prompting strategies and precautions for the implementation of AI tools in biomedicine. Despite various hurdles and challenges, the integration of LLMs into daily routines of physicians and researchers promises heightened workplace productivity and efficiency.
Exploring Impediments Imposed by the Medical Device Regulation EU 2017/745 on Software as a Medical Device (Preprint)
Authors: Svempe Liga
Published: September 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

In light of rapid technological advancements, the health care sector is undergoing significant transformation with the continuous emergence of novel digital solutions. Consequently, regulatory frameworks must continuously adapt to ensure their main goal to protect patients. In 2017, the new Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) came into force, bringing more complex requirements for development, launch, and postmarket surveillance. However, the updated regulation considerably impacts the manufacturers, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, and consequently, the accessibility of medical devices in the European Union market, as many manufacturers decide to either discontinue their products, postpone the launch of new innovative solutions, or leave the European Union market in favor of other regions such as the United States. This could lead to reduced health care quality and slower industry innovation efforts. Effective policy calibration and collaborative efforts are essential to mitigate these effects and promote ongoing advancements in health care technologies in the European Union market. This paper is a narrative review with the objective of exploring hindering factors to software as a medical device development, launch, and marketing brought by the new regulation. It exclusively focuses on the factors that engender obstacles. Related regulations, directives, and proposals were discussed for comparison and further analysis.
The Use of Gamification to Support the Teaching Process of Anatomy and Physiology of Fetal Circulation: Preliminary Results (Preprint)
Authors: Sartorao-Filho Carlos Izaias , Varraschim Leticia Lucarelli Tucunduva , Ladeira Jonas Mendonça , Begosso Luiz Ricardo
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Fetal circulation differs from the extrauterine circulatory mode by the anatomical and functional way it occurs. Understanding the flow of this circulation is fundamental for medical students. However, the anatomy and physiology of the fetal circulation process are complex, making understanding it difficult.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the study of gamification applied to the anatomy and physiology of fetal circulation, especially establishing a relationship with the treatment of fetal diseases, for the computer game "Fetal Circulation."

METHODS

We developed descriptive research on the topic of fetal circulation. We created a prototype of a computational game using the C# language, the Unity 3D platform, with graphic libraries, and the use of free software components.

RESULTS

We developed the first phase of the game prototype about fetal circulation. Further advances must be provided in a second phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, the first phase describes the basic diagram of the screen and graphic layers and the fundamental paths for the gamification. These preliminary results are disposed of in the manuscript. We are programming and designing the subsequent phases of the game, which will include the application of the simulated fetal circulation diseases. Machine learning, Gamification, Fetal circulation
Textual Metaphor Generative Mechanism and Identification in the view of Cognitive Linguistics
Authors: Cui Haoyuan
Published: September 2024

Textual metaphor serves as a main feature of discourse analysis and is existed in the whole text, which can be understood and analyzed as megametaphor. Megametaphor refers to a metaphor with only one nounmenon and many metaphorical objects modifying it. Our research will analyze the generative mechanism of megametaphor in three stages including concept, root metaphor and construction process, thus revealing the formation of textual metaphor in the view of cognitive linguistics. Our research also gives some corpus-based methods that can be used in identifying textual metaphors.
External Debt and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Developing Countries
Authors: Ismael Nechirwan Burhan , Mahmod Shamal Hasan Obaid , Khorsheed Hariwan Subhi
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the complex relationship between external debt and economic growth in developing countries. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, data was collected from three selected developing countries through an online questionnaire distributed to key stakeholders, totaling 189 responses. Various statistical techniques, including t-tests, Chi-square tests, Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) assessment, Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that moderate levels of external debt can positively impact economic growth, while excessive debt levels are detrimental. Effective debt management practices and strong institutional frameworks significantly enhance the positive effects of external debt. The study also highlights the adverse impact of external economic shocks on the debt-growth relationship. Key predictors of economic growth identified include external debt levels, debt management practices, and institutional quality. These factors underscore the importance of maintaining sustainable debt levels, implementing robust debt management strategies, and improving governance to optimize the benefits of external borrowing. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers to maintain sustainable debt levels, negotiate favorable borrowing terms, and develop risk management strategies to mitigate external shocks. Limitations of the study include the reliance on data from three countries and the cross-sectional design. Future research should consider longitudinal studies, broader samples, sector-specific analyses, qualitative approaches, and the impact of global economic changes. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of external debt and economic growth in developing countries, offering guidance for policy formulation and economic planning to promote sustainable development.
Planejamento tributário e o retorno anormal de empresas listadas na bolsa de valores brasileira
Authors: Oliveira Pires de Souza Renata , Lopes Stanzani Lívia Maria
Published: September 2024

Atualmente, a carga tributária brasileira é alta e, portanto, representa um custo significativo para as organizações. Diante disto, é importante que as empresas possuam um bom planejamento tributário, minimizando legalmente sua carga tributária sempre que possível. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a relação entre o planejamento tributário eficiente — representado pela "proxy" do Índice de Planejamento Tributário Eficiente (IPTE) — e o retorno anormal do preço das ações das empresas listadas na B3, no período de 2008 a 2018. A amostra foi de 1.638 observações e, como ferramenta estatística, foi implementada uma regressão de dados em painel com estimadores de efeitos fixos, cuja intenção foi identificar as variáveis que explicavam o retorno anormal das ações no mercado. Os resultados do estudo indicaram que o IPTE não teve relação significativa com o retorno anormal. No entanto, rentabilidade, liquidez financeira, dividendos, estrutura de capital e endividamento se mostraram significativos no modelo. Concluiu-se, que o IPTE não tinha correlação significativa com o retorno anormal de mercado, apesar de ter relação com o ativo total e com o endividamento.
Proemio a propósito de este tomo La carga del cuidado durante la COVID-19: el contexto mundial
Authors: Durán Heras María Ángeles
Published: September 2024

Entre las primeras noticias sobre la aparición de un nuevo virus de etiología desconocida en la ciudad china de Wuhan, en diciembre de 2019, al que se identificó como sars-CoV-2, y la primera defunción reconocida en esta misma ciudad transcurrió apenas un mes. A partir de ese momento comenzó a limitarse la libre movilidad dentro de la provincia. Un mes más tarde, la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) reconoció que, a pesar de las medidas preventivas y la limitación de la movilidad nacional e internacional se habían producido contagios en ciento catorce países. La enfermedad dejó de catalogarse como una epidemia producida en un solo país y la OMS declaró oficialmente la existencia de una pandemia, una epidemia de rango mundial. Para no generar alarmas y reacciones adversas, la mayoría de las medidas e incluso el suministro de información se realizaron por los gobiernos de todo el mundo de una manera deliberadamente pausada, para que la población fuese sumiéndolo poco a poco. El descontrol generado por la pandemia tuvo sus secuelas sobre los procesos de investigación y difusión de resultados. Las fuentes de datos sobre cambios de actitud de la población han sido aún más dispersas y discontinuas que las sanitarias. La carga del cuidado, tanto remunerado (sistema sanitario, servicios sociales) como no remunerado (hogares y, especialmente, mujeres), aumentó enormemente en México durante la pandemia, al mismo tiempo que se disparaba el desempleo y el subempleo. Con el fin de reducir la transmisión del virus, se cerraron temporalmente numerosas entidades educativas, sanitarias, de restauración y ocio, así como religiosas y de espectáculos. En cuanto a la carga del cuidado por la COVID, buena parte se destinó a actividades indirectas, preventivas, principalmente higiénicas y de mantenimiento de la distancia social y conectividad por sistemas no presenciales. Los indicadores de cuidado directo han sido poco abundantes y precisos. La carga de cuidado requerida por un enfermo asintomático es casi irrelevante por comparación con la de los internados en la unidad de vigilancia intensiva o los pacientes dados de alta que arrastran secuelas neurológicas de las que no se sabe cuánto tiempo tardarán en sanar. Buena parte de los debates se han centrado en la capacidad y la legitimidad de los Gobiernos para restringir libertades y otros derechos fundamentales en aras de la protección sanitaria. Las consecuencias de la pandemia se extenderán a mediano y largo plazo, tanto en el aspecto sanitario como en el económico y social. En el plano de la investigación, todavía no se han analizado plenamente las transformaciones que tuvieron lugar durante el periodo álgido de la COVID, que seguirán exigiendo nuevas investigaciones en los meses próximos
Introducción: Democracia en tiempos difíciles
Authors: López Leyva Miguel Armando , Montes de Oca Barrera Laura Beatriz
Published: September 2024

Hablar de la década COVID nos lleva a pensar en el tiempo: en el pasado, el presente y el futuro; nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo la pandemia ha modificado el curso de nuestras vidas, como integrantes de una familia, ciudadanos y ciudadanas, trabajadores, individuos y sociedad. un acontecimiento como la pandemia coronavírica de 2019 puede ser entendido como un hito que marca un antes y un después, un hecho disruptivo que afecta distintos aspectos y dimensiones de la vida social, política y económica. Frente a esta idea nos preguntamos: ¿qué hubo antes y qué habrá después?, ¿es posible hablar de una década en torno a los diversos aspectos y dimensiones de la vida que han mutado, así como de las distintas regiones y países? En ese contexto, en el que parecían agravarse los impactos globales producto de la actividad humana, llegamos a 2020 con una imprevista pandemia y lo que anticipamos será la década COVID-19. En este libro nos abocamos para hacer una aproximación sobre qué implicó, en términos políticos, la pandemia para México. Partimos de la particular periodización de su proceso de cambio político, con énfasis en su largo proceso de transición democrática. Durante el debilitamiento de la democracia mexicana llega la pandemia. Frente a ello, en este libro proponemos reflexionar sobre el impacto que este hito global está teniendo en el acontecer político de México. Conjuntando diversas miradas y anclajes analíticos, Democracia en tiempos difíciles, presenta una reflexión colectiva, basada en textos de investigación, sobre la forma en cómo los dos primeros años de la enfermedad coronavírica de finales de 2019 involucró retos y oportunidades, a la vez que reveló inercias o se tradujo en nuevas tendencias o lecciones de acción pública para transformar la realidad y reorientar el rumbo político de un país cuyo régimen, al igual que otros, afronta importantes problemas en torno a su configuración democrática (muchos de ellos, como se ha dicho, previos a la propia pandemia). El planteamiento inicial del libro fue que el Estado de derecho, las decisiones públicas y los procesos institucionales se verían afectados, pero también se erigirían como una posible salida a la catástrofe acaecida. Las autoridades en distintos niveles de gobierno tendrían la responsabilidad de actuar y proponer soluciones acotadas, aunque también integrales; propuestas de acción inmediatas y líneas de acción para el futuro postpandemia.
Un enfoque de analíticas para el bachillerato virtual de la Universidad de Guadalajara
Authors: Orozco Núñez José , Oliva Íñiguez Gladstone , Varela Navarro Gerardo Alberto , Ochoa Reynoso Rosa Marcela
Published: September 2024

Las analíticas del aprendizaje en entornos virtuales se han convertido en una herramienta útil para identificar el comportamiento de la comunidad estudiantil con la finalidad de apoyar en la mejora de los indicadores de los programas educativos. En este trabajo se presenta un enfoque particular del uso de analíticas en el Sistema de Universidad Virtual de la Universidad de Guadalajara para disminuir la deserción y reprobación en los estudiantes del Bachillerato General por Áreas Interdisciplinarias mediante un desarrollo propio llamado Herramienta de Análisis del Comportamiento del Estudiante (HACE).
Reestructuración del Bachillerato Universitario a Distancia de la UAEMéx
Authors: Montaño Reyes Patricia del Carmen , Torres Gutiérrez Alberto
Published: September 2024

La Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México reestructuró el Currículo de su Bachillerato Universitario a Distancia (CBUaD) para el ciclo escolar 2024-2025. Esta actualización se basa en la evaluación del plan de estudios anterior (CBUaD 2012) y en la necesidad de alinearse con el Currículo del Bachillerato Universitario 2024 de la UAEMéx y el Marco Curricular Común de la Educación Media Superior (MCCEMS). El nuevo CBUaD 2024 se fundamenta en un enfoque pedagógico que privilegia el aprendizaje centrado en el estudiante, el aprendizaje orientado a la acción individual y colaborativa, y el uso de estrategias didácticas como el aprendizaje invertido, el aprendizaje servicio y el aprendizaje móvil. Además, se incorporan recursos tecnológicos como e-books y laboratorios virtuales a SEDUCA y Microsoft Teams.
Diseño de actividades de aprendizaje, creación de contenido y uso de apps con base en técnicas didácticas en educación media superior y superior en línea
Authors: González Pérez Marco Antonio
Published: September 2024

Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de integración teórica de temas que habitualmente se han desarrollado de forma separada, pero que, en buena medida, constituyen las actividades de docencia en línea en educación media superior y superior. Como contexto se presenta el nuevo modelo educativo centrado en el aprendizaje del alumno, del cual se desprende la necesidad de enseñar utilizando técnicas didácticas que fomentan la autonomía del estudiante, el aprendizaje colaborativo, significativo y situado y el desarrollo de habilidades y actitudes. Se hace hincapié en la importancia, para docentes y estudiantes, de la creación de contenido con base en la adquisición de competencias digitales. Se aborda la importancia del diseño de actividades de aprendizaje como centro de la relación pedagógica profesor-alumno y se incorpora la importancia de las aplicaciones digitales (apps) y su evaluación como herramientas didácticas. Finalmente, se presenta una propuesta inicial de planeación de actividades integrando estos conceptos en un formato sustentado en la fundamentación teórica.