bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Updated Review on Possible Therapeutic Role of Vincamine
Via 5-HT Receptors in the Treatment of Depression
Authors: Bee Rizwana , Ahmad Mohammad , Verma Shashi , Badruddeen  , Akhtar Juber , Khan Mohd. Irfan
Published: July 2023

Background:

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates neuronal activity and a
variety of cognitive functions, and medicines that target serotonin receptors are frequently utilized
in psychiatry and neurology. Clinical and preclinical research on the role of serotonin in
major depressive disorder is growing. These findings demonstrate the intricacy of serotonin
transmission across multiple receptors, in a variety of brain areas, and across the lifespan. The
serotonin transporter's significance in major depressive disorder has been highlighted in geneenvironment
association studies, as well as its participation in the mechanism of the most successful
antidepressant medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. While most of the
15 known serotonin receptors have been linked to depression or depressive-like behaviour, the
serotonin 1A (5-HT) and 1B (5-HT) receptors have received the most attention.

Objectives:

The primary goal of this study is to review the antidepressant effect of herbal medications
by modifying serotonin receptors in the future.

Result:

Human brain imaging and genetic studies suggest that 5-HT and 5-HT receptors play a
role in major depressive disorder and antidepressant treatment response. The availability of
tissue-specific and inducible knockout mice lines in rodents has allowed for the detection of 5-
HT and 5-HT receptor involvement throughout development and in cell-type specific ways. It
may be found that herbal drugs will be effective as the serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Conclusion:

This and other future preclinical pharmacology studies show that these receptors'
autoreceptor and heteroreceptor populations play different roles in modulating depressionrelated
behaviour and antidepressant responses, as well as having different functions during
early postnatal development versus adulthood. According to analysis of our research findings,
alkaloids may have some therapeutic promise as natural antidepressants. Given their widespread
distribution in nature, alkaloids might be a cheap way to treat depression.
Assessment of Traces of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Laboratory Setting Using
In vitro-Diagnostic RT-qPCR
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Pal Lal Chand , Choudhary Sahdev , Kumar Arbind , Kumar Sanjay
Published: July 2023

Background:

The global incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection is now very low. Despite the
vaccination drive worldwide, the emergence of new omicron variants and their infection have been reported
in a few countries. It is now required to identify potential risks associated with the COVID-19
disease aftermath’s 3rd disease wave. During pandemic stages, the healthcare system bears a significant
burden in identifying early risk and providing early management to reduce infection.

Methods:

In this investigation, an attempt has been made to assess the laboratory risk of SARS-CoV-2
contamination. The samples were collected from the various blocks of the testing centre, including the
surface, floor, diagnostic instruments, solutions, and tap water, and then RNA was isolated and in vitro
diagnostic RT-qPCR was performed. A total of 316 samples were collected and analysed for the presence
of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our findings confirmed that only four samples (1.77%) had ORF-1ab and E gene
signals, which indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The CT values for the E gene were 34.52
[IQR: 32.37-36.36] and 35.02 [IQR:34.25-35.76] for the ORF1-ab gene, respectively.

Results:

All four were taken from the surfaces, indicating that other parts were contamination-free. Very
few positive contaminations demonstrated that laboratory sterilising processes are fully functional and
effective.

Conclusion:

This study eventually provided more information about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA
traces in the environment aftermath of 3rd disease wave of COVID-19, including diagnostic laboratories.
Curry Leaf: Traditional Herb and its Medicinal Profile, Multipotential
Nutraceutical Properties, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity
Authors: Verma Abhishek , Patel Preeti , Singh Dilpreet , Singh Amrinder , Kurmi Balak Das
Published: July 2023

:

This review briefly discusses about herbal medication, i.e., Murraya koenigii, also known as curry leaves, that have been useful in traditional medicine for centuries and natural products with different pharmacological activities. It might lead to a better knowledge of natural products' potential therapeutic effects and the creation of promising pharmaceuticals with minimal toxicity and great effectiveness for treating different ailments. The Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), Technological Periodical Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Google Scholar, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Sci Finder, and PubMed were used to compile the content of this review. From 1975 through 2020, data were collected. More than 23 components of M. koenigii have been discovered so far, with sterols, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and alkaloids causing the most concern. Due to its multicomponent nature, M. koenigii has a wide range of beneficial biological activities, including analgesic, anticancer, antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic activities, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review discusses the vast details of M. koenigii (Curry leaves) and its possible medicinal use for different therapeutic purposes. The plant incorporates other essential substances, as discussed, are beneficial to remedy and deal with several ailment cures that exhibit different pharmacological actions. The accumulated ethnopharmacological details of that plant may be further helpful for the upcoming research about the said properties and use of M. koenigii.
A Critical Appraisal of Lipid Nanoparticles Deployed in Cancer
Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Chakraborty Santanu , Dhibar Manami , Das Aliviya , Swain Kalpana , Pattnaik Satyanarayan
Published: July 2023

Treatment modalities of various cancers and the delivery strategies of anticancer agents
have evolved significantly in the recent past. The severity and fatality of the disease and hurdles to the
effective delivery of therapeutic agents have drawn the attention of researchers across the world for
proposing novel and effective drug delivery strategies for anticancer therapeutics. Attempts have been
made to propose solutions to the diverse limitations like poor pharmacokinetics and higher systemic
toxicities of the traditional delivery of anticancer agents. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems
including lipid-based nanocarriers have demonstrated significant efficiency in this scenario. The review
critically assessed the different types of lipid nanocarrier systems for the effective and optimal
delivery of anticancer therapeutic agents. The diverse synthesis approaches are discussed for the laboratory
scale and commercial development of different categories of lipid nanocarriers. Further, their
application in anticancer drug delivery is illustrated in detail followed by a critical appraisal of their
safety and toxicity.
Performance analysis and techno economy of post overhaul circulating fluidized bed boiler PLTU
Authors: Amin Muhammad Khairul , Sulardjaka Sulardjaka , Saptadi Singgih
Published: July 2023

All countries in the world have a high dependence on energy. Predictions of energy demand continue to increase in all countries, so savings measures are needed. One of the saving measures in the power generation industry is an overhaul. An overhaul is a maintenance activity that must be carried out periodically to maintain the NPHR performance of the power plant as it was when the initial conditions were built. This study aims to (1) determine the performance of the power plant before and after overhaul, (2) determine how the PLTU performs at 50%, 75%, and 100% load, and (3) analyze the techno-economics of overhaul activities with a serious type inspection. The results of this study explain that the three treatments of the post-overhaul loading pattern have a good impact on the PLTU, namely in the form of a decrease in the NPHR after the overhaul work. The impact of the reduced post-overhaul NPHR value at this PLTU is that it can save fuel costs of 17.5 billion rupiah per year. The cost for this overhaul work is 14.9 billion rupiah so in 1 year it can save around 2.6 billion rupiah.
COVID-19 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE ADVANCEMENT FOR OFFICE BUILDING USING INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ELEMENTS
Authors: Ab Rahman Nur Hannani , Ab. Azis Shazmin Shareena , Zulkifli Nur Amira Aina , Baskaran Shastitharran , Aziz Nursyuhaida , Mat Salleh Kamarulzaman
Published: July 2023

COVID-19 guideline is expected to be part of the 'new norms' for workplace. However, regarding COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Ministry of Health Malaysia, there is inadequate concentration on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) parameters even it has been proven in various research that COVID-19 transmission spread actively in indoor environment and green elements could mitigate the virus transmission. Therefore, this study aims to enhance existing COVID-19 SOP by discovering sustainable COVID-19 framework for office building. Sets of questionnaires is distributed among employees at Menara Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru, Malaysia and analysed using Frequency Analysis and Cross Tabulation Analysis. Overall, result shows that EQ7 Air Change Effectiveness is the most important IEQ parameters that can be selected to improve the current COVID-19 SOP. This study is significant for building manager in workplace to enhance their current SOP by adding green elements which is IEQ parameters to reduce COVID-19 spread in workplace.
Economic Security Strategy of the Russian Federation: Some Suggestions for Improvement (in the Context of the Implementation of Article 35 of the Strategy)
Authors: Chapchikov S. Y.
Published: July 2023

Relevance. The emerging global changes in the world order require a timely and adequate response. The year that has passed since the beginning of the Special Military Operation encourages summing up some results, evaluating experience, adjusting tasks. This applies equally to law-making in the field of constitutional, state, and military construction. First of all, there is a need to improve the fundamental legal acts included in the mechanism of ensuring national security, such as the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation, Military Doctrine and others. This article is an attempt to form the main directions for improving the Strategy of Economic Security of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy).The purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop separate proposals for adjusting the current Strategy of Economic Security of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030.Objectives: to give a general description of the effectiveness of the Strategy; to identify the main problematic aspects of the implementation of the provisions of the Strategy in practice; to form proposals for improving the Strategy.Methodology. In this work, such methods of scientific research as: logical, comparative legal, formal legal, as well as some other methods were used.The results of the study are distinguished by an integrated approach to the study of the problem under consideration, the practical orientation of theoretical generalizations on the presented topic.Conclusion. In this difficult period for the Russian state, a progressive legal framework is very important, objectively reflecting the current situation and contributing to the effective development of the economy. Unfortunately, it is difficult to voice all the proposals in one article. However, some of them are reflected in this scientific work.
Criminological Risks of Personal Data: Main Trends and Forecasts
Authors: Alikhadzhiyeva I. S.
Published: July 2023

Relevance of the article is due to the global growth worldwide of crimes committed against or using human personal data. In terms of the number of leaks to the Global Network of Personal Confidential Information, Russia ranks second in the world, and therefore one of the serious problems in our country can be crime associated with the illegal trafficking of personal data. The article presents an original analysis of the main trends and criminological risks of this type of crime as a new segment of Russian crime. Using examples of investigative and judicial practice, statistical data, expert assessments, the main trends of this type of crime are shown and a forecast of its further development is based.The purpose of the study is to identify and formulate the main trends and criminological risks associated with the illegal receipt and/or use of personal confidential information.Objectives: on the basis of materials of criminological research, statistical data, investigative and judicial practice, to identify and subject to subsequent comprehension the main trends and criminological risks of illegal trafficking in personal data.Methodology. In the process of work, methods of theoretical research (analysis, synthesis, induction and deduction), as well as statistical, documentary and formal-logical methods were used.The results. Based on expert assessments, statistical data and investigative and judicial practice, the main trends in the development of crime with personal data have been established, which affect the qualitative and quantitative transformation of all Russian crime as a whole. A certain gap in criminological science has been filled in terms of the formulation of criminological risks, the development of which can lead to an increase in latent criminal violence, fraudulent actions, corruption, extortion, violation of human rights and freedoms, etc.Conclusion. Until now, the state and the legislator have not fully understood the socially dangerous consequences of committing crimes with personal data. Their illegal trafficking has significant criminogenic potential, which is minimized by the prevention measures developed by science and the legislator.
Mechanical Equilibrium of a Nonmagnetic Body Immersed in a Cylindrical Container with a Magnetic Fluid Magnetized by an External Homogeneous Magnetic Field
Authors: Ivanov А. S.
Published: July 2023

Purpose. Analytical and numerical description of the magnetohydrodynamic forces acting on a small nonmagnetic spherical body in a cylindrical container with magnetic fluid (magnetofluid dispenser and separator approximation) that determine the hydrostatic mechanical equilibrium in the system.Methods. The numerical study solves the magnetostatic problem by the finite element method in the FEMM program package using the Lua script language. The system of Maxwell’s equations is solved by the standard method in the vector potential formulation. The analytical solution of the magnetostatic problem is obtained by the mirror image method using a simplifying model representation of the linear law of magnetization of a magnetic fluid. The ponderomotive force acting on a body immersed in a magnetic fluid is calculated using the Rosensweig formula and the energy approach.Results. A refined expression for the magnetic ponderomotive force acting on a nonmagnetic sphere immersed in a cylindrical container with magnetized magnetic fluid is obtained. Direct numerical simulation of the laboratory experiment is performed, which allows us to compare the accuracy of the numerical and analytical solutions with the experimental data. Despite violating the limits of applicability of the analytical theory, the new expression correctly describes the nonmonotone coordinate dependence of the force, and the error in determining the coordinate extremums does not exceed 6 % and 26 % in absolute value. The physical justification for the condition of mechanical equilibrium in the model system under study is given.Conclusion. The competition of two oppositely directed magnetic forces leads to the fact that a nonmagnetic sphere in a cylindrical container with magnetized magnetic fluid has one unstable mechanical equilibrium position in the center of the container, so that the body is pressed against the wall, or (additionally) two stable equilibrium positions that allow the body to levitate near the container wall without touching it.
Structure and Properties of Thin Magnetron Films of Cadmium Arsenide on Various Substrates
Authors: Kochura А. V. , Aung Zaw Htet , Zakhvalinsky V. S. , Pilyuk E. A. , Kochura E. P. , Ril A. Yu. , Emelaynov V. M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of the study. Synthesis of cadmium arsenide magnetron films on various substrates and study of their structure, composition, optical and electrical properties.Methods. The deposition of thin films of cadmium arsenide was carried out by the method of non-reactive highfrequency magnetron sputtering in an argon atmosphere. The structure and composition of the films were studied using X-ray phase analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, and small-angle X-ray diffractometry. Optical studies were performed using Raman spectroscopy. The results of a study of the electrical properties of thin films of cadmium arsenide are presented.Results. On silicon, sapphire, and strontium titanate substrates, thin films of the Dirac semimetal, cadmium arsenide, were obtained with a thickness of about 40 nm. A study of their structure and composition showed a significant effect of annealing in an argon atmosphere following deposition on the crystallinity of the film. After annealing, regardless of the crystal structure of the substrate, partial orientation of the film with the (112) texture axis. The films closest to the stoichiometric composition were obtained by deposition followed by annealing onto an oriented strontium titanate substrate, and to the crystal structure of cadmium arsenide single crystals of a film on a sapphire substrate. Annealing also leads to a smoothing of the film surface, a decrease in structural defects, and the transition of the fractal dimension of its topology to two-dimensional from close to three-dimensional immediately after deposition. The optical properties after annealing also change, which indicates their transition from a polycrystalline (amorphous) state to a single-crystal (textured).Conclusion. Experimental studies of the structure and properties performed by various methods made it possible to establish that single-crystal or textured cadmium arsenide films suitable for studying the manifestation of topological properties can be obtained by controlled annealing.
Charge Obtained by Electrodispersing Waste of the LS58-3 Alloy in Distilled Water
Authors: Ageeva E. V. , Abolmasova L. S. , Ignatenko N. M. , Serebrovsky V. V.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study was to conduct metallographic studies of the composition of the charge obtained by the method of electrodispersion of lead brass waste in distilled water.Methods. Waste electrodispersion of lead brass brand LS58-3 was carried out on an experimental setup. Metallographic studies of charge samples from LS58-3 alloy waste were performed using the equipment of FGBOU VO SWGU and NRU BelGU: the shape, size and structure of charge particles, as well as its granulometric composition.Results. On the basis of the conducted experimental studies aimed at studying the composition, structure and properties of the charge obtained from the waste of the LS58-3 alloy in distilled water, the high efficiency of using the electrodispersion technology is shown, which provides, at low power costs, the production of new copper-lead powders suitable for industrial use. materials. It is noted that the powder materials obtained by electroerosion of lead brass waste of grade LS58-3 in distilled water have the following characteristics: the geometric shape of the charge particles is mainly spherical; particle sizes from 0.45 to 29.63 microns; the volume average particle diameter is 7.1 μm.Conclusion. The research carried out will allow for a gradual transition to advanced production technologies and materials through the use of progressive, environmentally friendly, low-tonnage and waste-free technology of electroerosive dispersion in the production of new copper-lead powder materials from LS58-3 alloy waste.
Reducing Alcohol Use Before and After Surgery: Qualitative Study of Two Treatment Approaches
Authors: Chapman Lyndsay , Ren Tom , Solka Jake , Bazzi Angela R , Borsari Brian , Mello Michael J , Fernandez Anne C
Published: July 2023

Background

High-risk alcohol use is a common preventable risk factor for postoperative complications, admission to intensive care, and longer hospital stays. Short-term abstinence from alcohol use (2 to 4 weeks) prior to surgery is linked to a lower likelihood of postoperative complications.

Objective

The study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of 2 brief counseling approaches to reduce alcohol use in elective surgical patients with high-risk alcohol use in the perioperative period.

Methods

A semistructured interview study was conducted with a group of “high responders” (who reduced alcohol use ≥50% postbaseline) and “low responders” (who reduced alcohol use by ≤25% postbaseline) after their completion of a pilot trial to explore the acceptability and perceived impacts on drinking behaviors of the 2 counseling interventions delivered remotely by phone or video call. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

In total, 19 participants (10 high responders and 9 low responders) from the parent trial took part in interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) the intervention content was novel and impactful, (2) the choice of intervention modality enhanced participant engagement in the intervention, and (3) factors external to the interventions also influenced alcohol use.

Conclusions

The findings support the acceptability of both high- and low-intensity brief counseling approaches. Elective surgical patients are interested in receiving alcohol-focused education, and further research is needed to test the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing drinking before and after surgery.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929562; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03929562
Economic Evaluation of Telerehabilitation: Systematic Literature Review of Cost-Utility Studies
Authors: Baffert Sandrine , Hadouiri Nawale , Fabron Cécile , Burgy Floriane , Cassany Aurelia , Kemoun Gilles
Published: July 2023

Background

Telerehabilitation could benefit a large population by increasing adherence to rehabilitation protocols.

Objective

Our objective was to review and discuss the use of cost-utility approaches in economic evaluations of telerehabilitation interventions.

Methods

A review of the literature on PubMed, Scopus, Centres for Review and Dissemination databases (including the HTA database, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database), Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov (last search on February 8, 2021) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The inclusion criteria were defined in accordance with the PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study design) system: the included studies had to evaluate patients in rehabilitation therapy for all diseases and disorders (population) through exercise-based telerehabilitation (intervention) and had to have a control group that received face-to-face rehabilitation (comparison), and these studies had to evaluate effectiveness through gain in quality of life (outcome) and used the design of randomized and controlled clinical studies (study).

Results

We included 11 economic evaluations, of which 6 concerned cardiovascular diseases. Several types of interventions were assessed as telerehabilitation, consisting in monitoring of rehabilitation at home (monitored by physicians) or a rehabilitation program with exercise and an educational intervention at home alone. All studies were based on randomized clinical trials and used a validated health-related quality of life instrument to describe patients’ health states. Four evaluations used the EQ-5D, 1 used the EQ-5D-5L, 2 used the EQ-5D-3L, 3 used the Short-Form Six-Dimension questionnaire, and 1 used the 36-item Short Form survey. The mean quality-adjusted life years gained using telerehabilitation services varied from –0.09 to 0.89. These results were reported in terms of the probability that the intervention was cost-effective at different thresholds for willingness-to-pay values. Most studies showed results about telerehabilitation as dominant (ie, more effective and less costly) together with superiority or noninferiority in outcomes.

Conclusions

There is evidence to support telerehabilitation as a cost-effective intervention for a large population among different disease areas. There is a need for conducting cost-effectiveness studies in countries because the available evidence has limited generalizability in such countries.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021248785; https://tinyurl.com/4xurdvwf
Reducing Alcohol Use Before and After Surgery: Qualitative Study of Two Treatment Approaches (Preprint)
Authors: Chapman Lyndsay , Ren Tom , Solka Jake , Bazzi Angela R , Borsari Brian , Mello Michael J , Fernandez Anne C
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

High-risk alcohol use is a common preventable risk factor for postoperative complications, admission to intensive care, and longer hospital stays. Short-term abstinence from alcohol use (2 to 4 weeks) prior to surgery is linked to a lower likelihood of postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of 2 brief counseling approaches to reduce alcohol use in elective surgical patients with high-risk alcohol use in the perioperative period.

METHODS

A semistructured interview study was conducted with a group of “high responders” (who reduced alcohol use ≥50% postbaseline) and “low responders” (who reduced alcohol use by ≤25% postbaseline) after their completion of a pilot trial to explore the acceptability and perceived impacts on drinking behaviors of the 2 counseling interventions delivered remotely by phone or video call. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 19 participants (10 high responders and 9 low responders) from the parent trial took part in interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) the intervention content was novel and impactful, (2) the choice of intervention modality enhanced participant engagement in the intervention, and (3) factors external to the interventions also influenced alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the acceptability of both high- and low-intensity brief counseling approaches. Elective surgical patients are interested in receiving alcohol-focused education, and further research is needed to test the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing drinking before and after surgery.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929562; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03929562
Gamification and Soft Skills Assessment in the Development of a Serious Game: Design and Feasibility Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Altomari Luca , Altomari Natalia , Iazzolino Gianpaolo
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The advent of new technologies has had a profound impact on the labor market, transforming the way we work and interact with each other. With the rise of digital tools and platforms, gamification has emerged as a powerful technique for enhancing productivity and engagement in various fields, including human resource management. In particular, gamification has been found to be effective in developing and assessing soft skills, which play a critical role in determining the success of individuals, teams, and organizations.

OBJECTIVE

We present a serious game that identifies the most sought-after skills in the job market and offers feedback, and we provide a set of guidelines for the creation of serious games.

METHODS

We present the serious game Among the Office Criticality (AOC). The AOC game structure involves a set of sequence analysis techniques, which is known as process mining.

RESULTS

The pilot study findings indicate that the game is both engaging and beneficial to subjects, suggesting that the results align with current theoretical perspectives. Furthermore, the study suggests that the obtained data can be extended to the broader population.

CONCLUSIONS

This study illustrates a serious game structured according to the needs of the labor market and developed to put the user at the center, using evaluation techniques consistent with the literature, with the aim of constituting an interdisciplinary approach suitable for adequately assessing users and creating value for them.
Automated Machine Learning Analysis of Patients With Chronic Skin Disease Using a Medical Smartphone App: Retrospective Study (Preprint)
Authors: Bibi Igor , Schaffert Daniel , Blauth Mara , Lull Christian , von Ahnen Jan Alwin , Gross Georg , Weigandt Wanja Alexander , Knitza Johannes , Kuhn Sebastian , Benecke Johannes , Leipe Jan , Schmieder Astrid , Olsavszky Victor
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Rapid digitalization in health care has led to the adoption of digital technologies; however, limited trust in internet-based health decisions and the need for technical personnel hinder the use of smartphones and machine learning applications. To address this, automated machine learning (AutoML) is a promising tool that can empower health care professionals to enhance the effectiveness of mobile health apps.

OBJECTIVE

We used AutoML to analyze data from clinical studies involving patients with chronic hand and/or foot eczema or psoriasis vulgaris who used a smartphone monitoring app. The analysis focused on itching, pain, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) development, and app use.

METHODS

After extensive data set preparation, which consisted of combining 3 primary data sets by extracting common features and by computing new features, a new pseudonymized secondary data set with a total of 368 patients was created. Next, multiple machine learning classification models were built during AutoML processing, with the most accurate models ultimately selected for further data set analysis.

RESULTS

Itching development for 6 months was accurately modeled using the light gradient boosted trees classifier model (log loss: 0.9302 for validation, 1.0193 for cross-validation, and 0.9167 for holdout). Pain development for 6 months was assessed using the random forest classifier model (log loss: 1.1799 for validation, 1.1561 for cross-validation, and 1.0976 for holdout). Then, the random forest classifier model (log loss: 1.3670 for validation, 1.4354 for cross-validation, and 1.3974 for holdout) was used again to estimate the DLQI development for 6 months. Finally, app use was analyzed using an elastic net blender model (area under the curve: 0.6567 for validation, 0.6207 for cross-validation, and 0.7232 for holdout). Influential feature correlations were identified, including BMI, age, disease activity, DLQI, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety scores at follow-up. App use increased with BMI >35, was less common in patients aged >47 years and those aged 23 to 31 years, and was more common in those with higher disease activity. A Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety score >8 had a slightly positive effect on app use.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between data characteristics and targeted outcomes in patients with chronic eczema or psoriasis, highlighting the potential of smartphone and AutoML techniques in improving chronic disease management and patient care.
Automatic prediabetes prediction using heart rate variability (Preprint)
Authors: Moses Jeban Chandir , Adibi Sasan , Islam Shariful , Angelova Maia
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Approximately 25% of prediabetics progress to overt type 2 diabetes within 3 to 5 years and 70% develop overt diabetes in their lifetime. Prediabetics could be identified through screening, which could reduce the healthcare burden. HRV is an index of the autonomic nervous system and serves as a measurable indicator for various chronic diseases. Commercial wearable devices have the potential to capture HRV in non-clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates if machine learning techniques applied to HRV data captured in non-clinical settings could be used as a non-invasive biomarker to classify healthy adults and those with elevated blood glucose levels.

METHODS

Four machine learning classification algorithms: support vector machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Naive Bayes (NB), and Decision Tree (DT), was applied to the computed HRV parameters to perform classification.

RESULTS

The overall best performance accuracy of 80% was achieved by KNN, and DT trained on HRV data with a time window length of 5 min. The study observed that HRV parameters computed from wearables in non-clinical settings could classify healthy adults and those with elevated blood glucose levels with acceptable accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study could inform the use of machine learning approaches with wearable device data to screen prediabetes individuals.
The Impact of a Web-Based Restorative Dentistry Course on the Learning Outcomes of Dental Graduates: Pre-Experimental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Al-Sbei Rasha , Ataya Jawdat , Jamous Issam , Dashash Mayssoon
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Restorative dentistry plays a crucial role in dental practice, necessitating professionals to stay abreast with the latest advancements in the field. The advancement of technology has made web-based learning a widely used method of education delivery in dentistry, providing learners with extensive information and flexibility.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate how effective an online educational course in restorative dentistry is for dental graduates in Syria.

METHODS

This study used a pre-experimental study design, with pretest and posttest assessments to measure changes in participants’ knowledge and skills. A total of 21 dental graduates completed the online course in restorative dentistry, which was hosted on Moodle, using the learning management system of the Syrian Virtual University. Participants were provided with a suggested learning sequence and had the flexibility to navigate the course on their own and at their own pace. The course was developed based on the principles of web course design and web-based course development using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) general instructional design model. The pretest and posttest assessments consisted of 50 multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer, aligning with the course content. Furthermore, participants were asked to complete a course acceptance survey upon finishing the course.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant improvement in the participants’ knowledge of restorative dentistry, supported by a statistically significant P value of less than .05. The effect size of the difference between the pre and posttest indicated that the effect size, as indicated by ω2, demonstrated a significant 62.1% difference between the pre and posttest, indicating a high and statistically significant effect. Furthermore, the value derived from the Haridy obtained work ratio formula indicated that the educational program was effective, with an effectiveness amount of 3.36%. Additionally, 93% (n=19) of respondents expressed confidence in having gained the expected benefits from the educational course upon its completion.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated a notable enhancement in the participants’ understanding of restorative dentistry. The participants’ high satisfaction rate and positive feedback from the course acceptance survey further emphasize the favorable reception of the web-based learning approach. This study highlights the potential of web-based learning in dental education, opening the door for future research in this area. The findings of this study carry important implications for the design and implementation of web-based educational programs in dentistry, suggesting that such programs can serve as an effective tool for continuous professional development in the field.
Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Herpes Zoster Vaccination Among Chinese Adults: Discrete Choice Experiment (Preprint)
Authors: Xia Yiqi , Wang Ming , Hu Mingzheng , Wang Yanshang , Yuan Beibei , Zhu Dawei , He Ping
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) is rapidly increasing, causing both clinical and economic burdens in China. Very little is known about Chinese residents’ HZ vaccine preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for each vaccination attribute.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to elicit the preferences of Chinese urban adults (aged 25 years or older) regarding HZ vaccination programs and to calculate WTP for each vaccination attribute.

METHODS

In this study, we interviewed 2864 residents in 9 cities in China. A discrete choice experiment was conducted to investigate the residents’ preferences for HZ vaccination and to predict the uptake rate for different vaccine scenarios. A mixed logit model was used to estimate the preferences and WTP for each attribute. Seven attributes with different levels were included in the experiment, and we divided the coefficients of other attributes by the coefficient of price to measure WTP.

RESULTS

Vaccine effectiveness, protection duration, risk of side effects, place of origin, and cost were proven to influence Chinese adults’ preferences for HZ vaccination. The effectiveness of the HZ vaccine was the attribute that had the most predominant impact on residents’ preferences, followed by protection duration. The residents were willing to pay CN ¥974 (US $145) to increase the vaccine effectiveness from 45% to 90%, and they would barely pay to exchange the vaccination schedule from 2 doses to 1 dose. It is suggested that the expected uptake could be promoted the most (by 20.84%) with an increase in the protection rate from 45% to 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese urban adults made trade-offs between vaccine effectiveness, protection duration, place of origin, side effects, and cost of HZ vaccination. Vaccine effectiveness was the most important characteristic. The residents have the highest WTP (CN ¥974; US $145) for enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines. To maximize HZ vaccine uptake, health authorities should promote vaccine effectiveness.
Can we use ChatGPT for Mental Health and Substance Use Education? Examining Its Quality and Potential Harms (Preprint)
Authors: Spallek Sophia , Birrell Louise , Kershaw Stephanie , Devine Emma Krogh , Thornton Louise
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

The use of generative artificial intelligence, more specifically large language models (LLMs), is proliferating, and as such, it is vital to consider both the value and potential harms of its use in medical education. Their efficiency in a variety of writing styles makes LLMs, such as ChatGPT, attractive for tailoring educational materials. However, this technology can feature biases and misinformation, which can be particularly harmful in medical education settings, such as mental health and substance use education. This viewpoint investigates if ChatGPT is sufficient for 2 common health education functions in the field of mental health and substance use: (1) answering users’ direct queries and (2) aiding in the development of quality consumer educational health materials.

OBJECTIVE

This viewpoint includes a case study to provide insight into the accessibility, biases, and quality of ChatGPT’s query responses and educational health materials. We aim to provide guidance for the general public and health educators wishing to utilize LLMs.

METHODS

We collected real world queries from 2 large-scale mental health and substance use portals and engineered a variety of prompts to use on GPT-4 Pro with the Bing BETA internet browsing plug-in. The outputs were evaluated with tools from the Sydney Health Literacy Lab to determine the accessibility, the adherence to Mindframe communication guidelines to identify biases, and author assessments on quality, including tailoring to audiences, duty of care disclaimers, and evidence-based internet references.

RESULTS

GPT-4’s outputs had good face validity, but upon detailed analysis were substandard in comparison to expert-developed materials. Without engineered prompting, the reading level, adherence to communication guidelines, and use of evidence-based websites were poor. Therefore, all outputs still required cautious human editing and oversight.

CONCLUSIONS

GPT-4 is currently not reliable enough for direct-consumer queries, but educators and researchers can use it for creating educational materials with caution. Materials created with LLMs should disclose the use of generative artificial intelligence and be evaluated on their efficacy with the target audience.
A Theoretical Framework for Developing a National Transportation Strategy
Authors: Giglio Joseph M. , Chieppo Charles D.
Published: July 2023

Developing the surface transportation systems the United States needs will require asking and answering a series of questions, beginning with the most basic:What is the main purpose of surface transportation?What resources are available and what is the best way to deploy those resources?How do we measure success?Determining what future transportation systems should look like will require analyzing a range of economic, demographic, technological and socio-political variables.As management guru Peter Druker famously said, “The primary goal of every enterprise should be to create customers”. Transportation leaders must undertake the critical task of determining what transportation customers want and are willing to pay for. In doing so, they must understand that there are many categories of customers—such as commuters, businesses, and logistics companies—each with different priorities. Measurements of success should also be customer-focused.Finally, state departments of transportation—not their federal counterparts—are often best positioned to ask these questions and develop the right answers for their own states.
Debt for status? Consumer credit, ordinary consumption, and the sense of place
Authors: González-López Felipe
Published: July 2023

The quest for social status is usually considered one of the main drivers of the demand for consumer credit. This article provides a nuanced take on consumer credit by exploring the interaction between consumption, borrowing, and class identity. To do so I pursue a cultural class analysis inspired by the work of Pierre Bourdieu. Drawing from 26 semi-structured interviews, the article has two main findings. First, it shows that people engage in borrowing not only to gain prestige, but also to assert their belongingness to symbolic groups, which embody the values of imagined communities. Second, against the idea that borrowing is undertaken mainly for conspicuous consumption, the article's findings show that middle-income families in Chile borrow to consume ‘ordinary’ goods. Through the consumption of these goods, the Chilean middle classes seek to stabilize their class identities through their life trajectories, thereby achieving a sense of place in a changing environment. These findings lead me to focus on the normalization of credit and the process through which borrowing practices turn consumer goods from wants into needs, ratcheting up the demand for credit. The article argues that this is an overlooked way in which competitive dynamics drive the demand for credit, which is a missing link in the explanation for the rise of household debt.
A LONG STORY OF OPPRESSION OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Authors: Petrovic Anja
Published: July 2023

Canada’s colonial past may be arguably described as the process of forcibly disconnecting Indigenous peoples from their land, disintegrating their traditional ways of life, and destroying their system of values over an extensive period of time, before confining these communities to reserves. The detrimental consequences of physical segregation enforced through the Residential School System and life on the reserves are seen to this day through the fact that most Indigenous peoples were left disconnected from their traditional culture and economically impoverished in modern-day society. One of the ways to get an accurate insight into this methodical disempowerment process would be to experience it from the Indigenous point of view by reading their literature. Thus, this paper aims at analyzing the works of Beth Brant (“A Long Story”), Emma Lee Warrior (“Compatriots”), and Emily Pauline Johnson (“A Red Girl’s Reasoning”) in the postcolonial framework in order to expose instances of both spiritual and physical discrimination as well as economic marginalization imposed on Indigenous characters in these stories.
LA INVERSIÓN MANUFACTURERA Y EL LENTO CRECIMIENTO DE LA ECONOMÍA MEXICANA A PARTIR DE 1993
Authors: Aroche Reyes Fidel
Published: July 2023

El producto, la productividad factorial, el empleo de la fuerza de trabajo, además de la formación bruta de capital de la economía mexicana han mostrado lentos ritmos de crecimiento durante las últimas décadas. Mientras, las políticas económicas han procurado mantener el equilibrio fiscal, relegando el crecimiento y, más aún, el desarrollo. La inversión pública no ha sido protagonista en la dinámica económica y la inversión privada no ha procurado serlo. Por lo tanto, como lo demuestran diversos estudios, el sector productivo mantiene en buena medida las características adquiridas durante la etapa de industrialización y no ha habido factores que corrijan sus mayores fallas estructurales. Ello a pesar del rápido crecimiento de las exportaciones manufactureras y la integración con la economía de Estados Unidos, metas que ha querido alcanzar la estrategia postindustrial de largo plazo. Este trabajo explora el comportamiento de la formación bruta de capital en un horizonte largo, desde una perspectiva multisectorial enfatizando el análisis del sector manufacturero, puesto que el veloz crecimiento de sus exportaciones es el elemento que caracteriza a la evolución económica de las últimas décadas.
 
MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT AND THE SLOW PACE OF THE MEXICAN ECONOMY SINCE 1993
ABSTRACT
Mexico’s output, factorial productivity, employment and gross capital formation have grown slowly during the last few decades. Economic policies have emphasized keeping the fiscal balance, leaving aside growth and —even more— development. Public investment has not determined the system’s dynamics: Private investment has been sluggish. As many papers show, the productive sector maintains many features that correspond to the industrialisation period, while there are no factors to solve its main structural failures. All that after a long period of fast growth of manufacturing exports and the efforts to integrate the economy with that of the US. Such have been the goals of the long-term strategy. This paper explores the behaviour of gross capital formation over a long-time horizon from a multisectoral perspective, emphasising the study of the manufacturing industry since the expanding manufacturing exports characterise the economic evolution in the last few decades.