bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced modelling and experimental validation of ultra-low pressure reverse osmosis membrane system for treatment of synthetic brackish water
Authors: Norizam Saffa Syamimi , Hussain Mohd Azlan , Junaidi Mohd Usman Mohd
Published: October 2021

Water purification from brackish water sources has been acknowledged as one of the most promising ways to produce drinkable water in water-scarce areas. In this study, an ultra-low pressure reverse osmosis (ULPRO) membrane was numerically and experimentally investigated to produce drinking water by the removal of sodium chloride salt which provides further validation of the model from a practical perspective. An enhanced predictive model based on the Donnan–Steric Pore Model with dielectric exclusion (DSPM-DE) incorporating the osmotic effects was formulated in process simulation. The feed pressure and concentration were optimized as input variables and interaction between them was observed, while salt rejection and water recovery rate were taken as response attributes. The results obtained on the ULPRO membrane showed that the performance depends on the charge, steric, and dielectric effects. Furthermore, the enhanced model was validated with the experimental data attained from a laboratory-scale filtration system with good accuracy in the salt rejection and water recovery results. Comparing the enhanced DSPM-DE with the existing solution diffusion model reveals that the enhanced model predicts the membrane performance better and thereby qualifies itself as a reliable model for desalination of brackish water using ULPRO membrane.
Democracy in America?
Authors: Gligich-Zolotareva M. V. , Kirjuhin K. S.
Published: October 2021

It is officially known that democracy in the United States of America became the main idea more than two hundred years old. For a long time, it was considered the most progressive and standard for the whole world. But now people are increasingly asking questions about whether there really is a democracy in America. Is United States is really a democratic state? This article examines various aspects of the democratic structure of the state, including theoretical, historical and legal, as well as the current political situation in the United States. Based on the analysis of the US electoral legislation and the work of the American electoral system, it is concluded that, on the one hand, the citizens of the country are not guaranteed the exercise of their active and passive electoral rights. And on the other hand, key laws and political decisions are made without relying on the opinion of the citizens of the country, which does not allow us to classify such a way of governing the country as unambiguously democratic. The presidential election-2020, with its numerous violations and mass riots, was particularly criticized. To a large extent, this situation in the American electoral system is explained by fact, that the orientation of The Founding Fathers of the United States was not to ensure democratic governance of the country. They argued for strengthen American federalism, which reflected the complexity and archaic nature of the electoral system. Its allows us to conclude that neither formallyconstitutionally, nor in fact, the United States is not a democracy. The system of power that has historically developed in the United States is most accurately described by the term “oligarchy”, which generates a number of both political and constitutional-legal consequences.
Regionalization of Human Capital Development and US Regional Innovation Policy
Authors: Minat V. N.
Published: October 2021

Over the past 70 years, human capital, which is the most important factor in the innovation process and innovation activity in the United States, has acquired spatial forms corresponding to territorial innovation systems. Under the influence of the instruments of the state regional innovation policy, the regionalization of the development of human capital in the United States has gone through its own evolutionary path, dialectically coupled with the cyclical processes of socio-economic and technological development of society. The tendencies of human capital regionalization revealed on the basis of the systemic and evolutionary approaches reveal the subject-object essence of the research. The phenomenon of regionalization of human capital development investigated in the work is reflected in the dynamics of average annual growth rates, under the influence of the unambiguous in its direction, but having subregional differences in the instruments of selective equalization and proactive regional innovation policy, as well as differences at the level of the leading states of the United States.
China: Decarbonising the Economy and Adhering to the ESG Principles
Authors: Lukonin S. A. , Anosov B. A.
Published: October 2021

In China, as in other countries, ESG factors are becoming more and more important in the investment discourse and, in particular, in the reporting of public companies. However, if factor E (environmental) is actively discussed both within public companies and by the Chinese government, then reporting on factors S (social) and G (governance) is still in its infancy, since it must be borne in mind that the Chinese private sector is in in conjunction with the official rhetoric of the Chinese government, and the difference in the perception of social and managerial factors between Chinese business and Western companies determines the inconsistency of Chinese reporting with Western standards. This article analyzes the use of ESG principles by Chinese companies, the impact of decarbonization on China’s Belt and Road investment project, as well as China’s international cooperation on decarbonization and ESG principles.
The Sectoral Structure of the Economy of Russian Regions as a Factor of their Development in 2020
Authors: Kuznetsova O. V. , Babkin R. A.
Published: October 2021

The dynamics of development and the structure of the economy of Russian regions are considered in the article on the basis of data on the volume of goods shipped, works performed and services performed by own forces for a full range of organizations in 2019 and 2020, as well as industrial production indices; the “shift and share” method is used. It is shown that, as in all previous crises, the sectoral structure of the regional economy was a significant factor in their economic dynamics. Despite the specifics of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (the maximum rate of decline in some types of services and the extraction of fuel and energy resources; on the contrary, significant growth in healthcare, the production of medicines and medical materials, and the IT sector), in 2020, patterns typical of all economic crises appeared. This is a positive impact on the economic dynamics of the regions of a high degree of economic diversification and the availability of high-tech industries, highly qualified personnel; as a result, in economically developed regions, restrictions in certain types of services were mitigated by the active introduction of digital technologies, in some cases even compensated by the dynamic development of other sectors. The traditional differences between the production of durable goods, which is experiencing a strong decline, and the production of everyday goods, which is relatively stable during the crisis, have also emerged.
Occurrence of tick-borne diseases in domestic dogs in Belém, Pará, Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Mylenna de Cássia Neves , Silva Pâmela Talita de Aguiar e , Monteiro Thamillys Rayssa Marques , Santos Camila de Cássia dos , Costa Jacqueline Corrêa , Valente Keila Feitosa , Silva Barbara Wilka Leal , Casseb Alexandre do Rosário , Casseb Livia Medeiros Neves
Published: October 2021

Tick-borne blood cell pathogens, which are challenging to diagnose, are primarily detected using molecular techniques. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the main infectious agents involved in 50 cases of suspected hemoparasitosis in dogs treated at the Veterinary Hospital Mário Dias Teixeira of the Federal Rural University of the Amazon. Hematological parameters were evaluated, and blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for DNA amplification of the following species: Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Babesia canis. The PCR test results indicated that the most prevalent infectious agent was E. canis, present in 12% (6/50) infected animals, followed by A. platys and B. canis, present in 8% (4/50) and 2% (1/50) infected animals, respectively. Regarding hematological analysis, the most relevant changes were anemia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and leukopenia. The availability of molecular techniques allows the management of the most appropriate treatment to infected animals in a rapid and specific way.
Physical and hygienic-sanitary conditions of poultry slaughterhouses in the municipality of Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
Authors: Lima Melânia Meneses , Ferreira Siluana Benvindo , Albuquerque Ítalo Reneu Rosas de , Meneses Carlos Kaiser Ferreira de , Feitosa Lauro César Soares , Sousa Katiene Regia Silva , Carvalho Isabel Azevedo
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the physical and hygienic-sanitary conditions of poultry slaughterhouses in the municipality of Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil. Ten slaughterhouses were visited, using a checklist as an evaluation criterion, seeking to assess the physical and hygienic-sanitary conditions of facilities, equipment, handlers, environment, production, and food transportation, during the entire slaughtering process, to verify compliance with current legislation. The slaughterhouses visited (10 / 100%) had no Official Inspection Service and did not obey the rules established by legislation, showing precarious physical and hygienic-sanitary conditions of operation. Most of the establishments (9 / 90%) were located in the urban area and one (10%) in the rural area. None of them followed the animal welfare recommendations. Moreover, seven (70%) establishments had no waste treatment and the residues were dumped in an open area. Therefore, it was concluded that the hygienic-sanitary conditions of poultry slaughterhouses in Parnaíba pose risks to meet quality and the health of slaughterhouses employees and people who consume the products from those establishments.
Precision Psychiatry: Machine Learning as a Tool to Find New Pharmacological
Targets
Authors: Rema João , Novais Filipa , Telles-Correia Diogo
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The present work reviews current evidence regarding the contribution of machine
learning to the discovery of new drug targets.

Methods:

Scientific articles from PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science Core Collection
published until May 2021 were included in this review.

Results:

The most significant areas of research are schizophrenia, depression and anxiety,
Alzheimer´s disease, and substance use disorders. ML techniques have pinpointed target gene candidates
and pathways, new molecular substances, and several biomarkers regarding psychiatric disorders.
Drug repositioning studies using ML have identified multiple drug candidates as promising
therapeutic agents.

Conclusion:

Next-generation ML techniques and subsequent deep learning may power new findings
regarding the discovery of new pharmacological agents by bridging the gap between biological
data and chemical drug information.
Thieno[3,2-c] Quinoline Heterocyclic Synthesis and Reactivity Part (VI)
Authors: Gouda Moustafa A. , Abu-Hashem Ameen A. , Abdelgawad Ahmed A.M.
Published: October 2021

The biological and medicinal properties of thieno[3, 2-c] quinoline have prompted
enormous research aimed at developing synthetic routes for these systems. This review focuses on
the chemical properties associated with this system. The most reported reactions are Bischler-
Napieralski, Suzuki−Miyaura−Schlüter, Pictet-Spengler, Stille coupling and Friedlander and
Beckmann rearrangement reaction.
Multimodal Medical Image Fusion Based on Content-based and PCA-sigmoid
Authors: Bavirisetti Durga Prasad , Polinati Srinivasu , Rajesh Kandala N.V.P.S. , Dhuli Ravindra
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The objective of any multimodal medical image fusion algorithm is to
assist a radiologist for better decision-making during the diagnosis and therapy by integrating
the anatomical (magnetic resonance imaging) and functional (positron emission tomography/
single-photon emission computed tomography) information.

Methods:

We proposed a new medical image fusion method based on content-based
decomposition, principal component analysis (PCA), and sigmoid function. We considered
empirical wavelet transform (EWT) for content-based decomposition purposes since it can
preserve crucial medical image information such as edges and corners. PCA is used to obtain
initial weights corresponding to each detail layer.

Results:

In our experiments, we found that direct usage of PCA for detail layer fusion
introduces severe artifacts into the fused image due to weight scaling issues. In order to tackle
this, we considered using the sigmoid function for better weight scaling. We considered 24 pairs
of MRI-PET and 24 pairs of MRI-SPECT images for fusion, and the results are measured using
four significant quantitative metrics.

Conclusion:

Finally, we compared our proposed method with other state-of-the-art transformbased
fusion approaches, using traditional and recent performance measures. An appreciable
improvement is observed in both qualitative and quantitative results compared to other fusion
methods.
Nanomaterials for the Delivery of Herbal Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Wahab Shadma , Ahmad Md. Parwez , Hussain Arshad , Qadir Shaik Fayazuddin Abdul
Published: October 2021

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary domain that involves overlapping areas such as
nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, and nanobiotechnology. Herbal medicine is a significant component
of traditional medicine and has been a part of treating many diseases. Asian people have been using
these herbal medicines for decades. Still, herbal extracts' therapeutic efficacy and pharmaceutical
application are associated with many factors such as poor bioavailability, low solubility, permeability,
and lack of targeting potential. In the present work, we have reviewed thriving strategies for the
targeted drug delivery of phytoconstituents and critically explained the most recent progressions on
emerging novel nano-phytomedicine-based materials as herbal medicines carriers. Nanotechnologybased
clinical trial studies targeting herbal bioactive compounds were discussed. Advancements in
nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems intended to enhance cellular uptake, improved pharmacokinetics,
and effectiveness of herbal drugs have facilitated the powerful targeting of specific agents
against diseases. This review provides insight into the current progress and future opportunities for
nanomedicines as potential curative targets for the delivery of herbal bioactive compounds. This
information could be used as a platform for the future expansion of multi-functional nano constructs
for the advanced detection of diseases and functional drug delivery of phytoconstituents.
Role of SCN2A c.56G/A Gene Polymorphism in Egyptian Children with Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizure Plus
Authors: Berseem Naglaa Fathy , Khattab Essam Shawky A. E. H. , Saad Dalia S. , Abd Elnaby Sameh A.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Febrile Seizures (FS) are the most common seizures in children younger than 5 years. In the last decade, various coding and noncoding sequence variations of voltage-gated sodium channels SCN2A have been identified in patients with seizures, implying their genetic base. We aimed to evaluate the association between SCN2A c. G/A genetic polymorphism among Egyptian children with febrile seizure plus.

Methods:

The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 epileptic infants and children, attendants of the Neurology Unit, pediatric department, Menoufia University Hospitals (Group Ι). The patients were sub-classified into two groups, according to response to anti-epileptic treatment; Group Ι a (drug responder) and Group Ι b (drug-resistant). Evenly divided number of apparently healthy, age and gender-matched children were selected as controls (Group II). A complete history, throughout the systemic examination and radiological & metabolic assessment, whenever needed was provided, all participants were genotyped for SCN2A rs17183814 polymorphism by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results:

Both of A allele and AA, GA genotypes of SCN2A c. 56 G/A were detected more in patients with febrile seizure plus comparison to the control group with a statistically significant difference at frequencies of 17% and 11% and 12% respectively; OR (CI95%): 10.04 (3.49-28.87) and p <0.001. On classifying epileptic patients into 2 subgroups, carriers of SCN2A rs17183814 AA genotype tended to respond poorly to Anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed that rs17183814 A allele and positive family history of epilepsy were considered the highest predicted risk factors for the development of epilepsy; p<0.05.

Conclusion:

SCN2A rs17183814 (A) allele was specifically associated with developing febrile seizure plus and could modulate the patient's response to anti-epileptic medications.
Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration Membranes for Water Purification
Authors: Banerjee P.
Published: October 2021

Random and rampant urbanization have rendered one third of the global population vulnerable to water scarcity. For mitigating this problem, membrane technology has been widely investigated for desalination as well as reuse and reclamation of wastewater. Polymeric membranes have reportedly displayed significantly lower consumption of energy with potential self-cleansing and antifouling. Application of microporous and ultraporous polymeric membranes for water purification has been vividly discussed herein. The diverse facets of water treatment technologies using polymeric membranes compiled herein will facilitate all potential readers like academicians, environmentalists, industrialists and membrane technologists, and to address the water scarcity challenges of our society.
Polymeric Membrane for CO2/CH4 Separation
Authors: Sazali N.
Published: October 2021

This chapter presents a critical overview of polymeric membrane applications for CO2/CH4 separation. Comparative summary of availability and practice of different gas separation methods are outlined to give a state-of-the-art view of this technology. Detailed discussions on polymer-based membranes are also discussed in this work, highlighting the mechanism of selective gas permeation through the membranes. Future direction is discussed for possible new experimental design to maximize the membrane performances in separation of CO2/CH4.
Threats and risks from the digitalization of society and artificial intelligence: Views of generation Z students
Authors:   Faculty of Humanities, Russian State Social University, Moscow, Russia, et al. Vinichenko
Published: October 2021

The aim of this article was to identify the nature of threats and risks for people and society from the digitalization of society and the introduction of artificial intelligence from the perspective of Russian and Slovak students of Generation Z. The main empirical research methods were questionnaires, in-depth interview and focus group. In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic limitations, the research was conducted remotely using Google Form, Skype, and Zoom. 1857 GenZ students from 35 Russian universities and 316 GenZ students from two Slovak universities took part in the survey. When comparing the populations of Russian and Slovak GenZ by qualitative characteristics, a very high positive correlation was revealed with the Pearson correlation coefficient R=0.962-0.9782. The following trend was revealed: an increase in the rate of digitalization of society and the introduction of AI in comparison with the rate of study by society, a person of the possibilities of the digital environment, AI, and their mastery of technologies for using AI. The study revealed a stable connection: digitalization and AI create comfortable conditions for human life and at the same time generate a danger for human dependence on the digital environment. The main directions for the further development of this study can be studying this problem in other countries, the definition of a methodology for identifying threats and risks, and the development of a set of measures to overcome them.
THE ROLE OF METABOLIC DISORDERS IN THE FORMATION OF UROLITHIASIS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Kolupayev S. M. , Andonieva N. M. , Kirienko O. M. , Khanzhyn V. V. , Iemets D. O.
Published: October 2021

The article presents the study of the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the features of the urolithiasis development and factors affecting stone formation. As part of the study, 28 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were treated at the «Regional Medical Clinical Center of Urology and Nephrology named after V. I. Shapoval», where a comprehensive examination was carried out to determine the level of glycosylated hemoglobin, glomerular filtration rate, serum concentration of triglycerides, urea, creatinine and uric acid. All patients underwent ultrasound examination of the urinary system organs. In case of detecting stones in the kidneys or urinary tract, multispiral computed tomography with contrast was performed, which evaluated the size, localization and X-ray density of the stones. Depending on the above parameters, patients underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, contact laser ureterolithotripsy or percutaneous  nephrolithotripsy, followed by assessment of the mineral composition of the obtained stone fragments by infrared spectroscopy. The study revealed a positive correlation between the level of uric acid in the blood and the duration of diabetes mellitus both in men (r = 0.64, р < 0.05) and in women (r = 0.58, р < 0.05), while the concentration of uricacid in the blood did not depend on the age and gender of the patients. There was a direct relationship betweenhyperuricemia and the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin. The level of uricemia increased simultaneously with the level of creatinine in the blood. Urolithiasis was diagnosed in 67.8% of the examined patients. There was a significant increase in the number of cases of urolithiasis with an increase in the duration of diabetes mellitus (r = 0.64, p < 0.05). In 68.4% of patients, stones had a monophasic composition, which was represented by uric acid or uric acid dihydrate.In 31.5% of cases, stones had a mixed mineral composition, with uric acid being the dominant component, occupyingmore than 50% of the sample volume.
THE IMPACT OF QUERCETIN ON THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AND HEMOSTASE IN RATS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Ivanova Olha
Published: October 2021

Introduction. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other cardiovascular complications such as cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, and thrombotic events. Quercetin (Q) possesses a wide range of multiple activities: anti-diabetic, anti-proliferative, anti-atherosclerotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-apoptotic effects and is regarded as a candidate for the role of cardiovascular complications protecting agent.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Q on the functional state of cardiovascular system and haemostasis in diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods. T2DM was induced in Wistar rats by a high-caloric diet during 14 weeks combined with intraperitoneal injections of 25 mg/kg streptozotocin twice per week. All diabetic animals were divided into three groups: treated with solvent and with Q (in dose 10 and 50 mg/kg/day per os) for 8 weeks after diabetes induction. Fibrinogen concentration and induced euglobulin fibrinolysis time were measured in plasma using reagent kits. Electrocardiograms were recorded in leads II.

Results. It was established that Q in dose 50 mg/kg b.w. prevents in the formation of sinus tachycardia in experimental animals. In addition, Q in both doses inhibits the development of myocardial diastolic dysfunction, which was confirmed by prolongation of T-P interval and a decrease of duration of the T wave in comparison with diabetic rats. Q in both doses restorated the processes of coagulations and fibrinolysis, as indicated by a decrease of fibrinogen levels and the time of thrombolysis compared to diabetic rats.

Conclusions. Q, independently of dose, inhibits the development of myocardial diastolic dysfunction and reduces prothrombotic potential in rats with type 2 diabetes, which may ameliorate diabetic cardiovascular risk. This data justify the perspective of Q for the prevention and management of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Jornada Acadêmica de Dermatologia da UFMG - JAD
Authors: Jornada Acadêmica de Dermatologia da UFMG - JAD
Published: October 2021

A Jornada Acadêmica de Dermatologia da UFMG (JAD) foi realizada de maneira on-line e gratuita com o intuito de promover conhecimento científico para a comunidade acadêmica com a temática da dermatologia e suas grandes áreas: dermatoses infecciosas, tumores cutâneos, cabelos e unhas, principais manifestações dermatológicas nas doenças sistêmicas e cosmiatria. Foi organizado pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) e realizado nos dias 10 e 17 de julho de 2021.
Nephrostomy-free percutaneous nephrolithotripsy: intraoperative hemostasis methods of the percutaneous tract
Authors: Popov S. V. , Orlov I. N. , Pazin I. S. , Perfilyev M. A.
Published: October 2021

Review based on the analysis of more than 40 scientific papers published in the Pubmed and Medline databases from 1984 to 2019, dedicated to intraoperative hemostasis of the percutaneous tract and its tightness during nephrostomyfree percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The article aimed to summarize scientific data on this issue. We presented information about the history and development of percutaneous surgery in the treatment of urolithiasis. In our review, we have been demonstrated various methods of surgical and intraoperative hemostasis during nephrostomy-free PCNL.
The value of the analysis of the urinary stones for studying the features of urolithiasis pathogenesis
Authors: Lebedev D. G. , Smirnova V. I. , Lapin S. V. , Burlaka O. O. , Rozengauz E. V. , Emanuel V. L.
Published: October 2021

Introduction. Urolithiasis is a multifactorial recurrent disease, unevenly spread throughout the world and characterized

by the formation of urinary stones of various chemical compositions, depending on pathogenesis, etiological, and epidemiological risk factors. Understanding the composition of chemicals and their prevailing ratios can help make decisions about treatment tactics, preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrence and the prevalence of urolithiasis.

Purpose of the study. To assess the distribution of chemical components in urinary stones along with an analysis of their population significance.

Materials and methods. The urinary stones were obtained from 2854 patients with urolithiasis. The composition of urinary stones was analyzed by using an infrared spectroscopy method.

Results. The predominance of oxalate stones was determined in multicomponent kidney stones (83,7%) and the prevalence of urate stones (54,2%) was revealed in monocomponent kidney stones. Urinary stones with a predominance of oxalates contained significantly fewer impurities (12.4%) than urinary stones with a predominance of urates, phosphates and carbonates with an average amount of impurities >24.0%.

Conclusion. The analysis of urinary stones distribution based on pathogenic factors showed that the calcium metabolism disturbances prevail in the population of the Russian Federation (88.0%).
Non-antibacterial methods for the prevention and treatment of recurrent lower urinary tract infections
Authors: Kubin N. D. , Volkova O. V. , Shkarupa D. D.
Published: October 2021

Urinary tract infections are widespread throughout the world and occupy one of the leading places among infectious diseases. Antibacterial methods are the basis of modern treatment standards. At the same time, a widespread increase in antibiotic resistance of the main uropathogens is currently observed. In clinical practice, recurrent lower urinary tract infections are increasingly common. Following this, the main task of the doctor is to maximize the recurrence-free interval. Given the obvious negative collateral effect of long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, specialists are increasingly turning to alternative methods. Non-antibacterial preventive measures are aimed at key links in the pathogenesis of the disease, such as counteracting the penetration and adhesion of uropathogens, as well as stimulating the immune system of the macroorganism. The available physicians' toolkit includes pharmacological agents (d-mannose, methenamine hippurate, estrogens, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, probiotics, intravesical glycosaminoglycans, immunostimulants and vaccines), natural uroantiseptics (medicinal herbs and cranberry products), as well as behavioural therapy. The main advantages of non-antibacterial methods for the treatment and prevention of lower urinary tract infections are environmental friendliness. It is associated with the absence of a negative effect on the commensal flora, as well as a reduction in the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. The current guidelines provide very limited information on the application of this approach to treatment. Published studies indicate the high potential of non-antibacterial methods, some of which are comparable in effectiveness to standard therapy. However, the quality of studies and the lack of drug use standards do not allow including this approach in the existing guidelines. The need for new, high-quality clinical trials is evident.
Factors Influencing the Intention of Actors in Hospitals to Use Indoor Positioning Systems: Reasoned Action Approach
Authors: Wichmann Johannes , Leyer Michael
Published: October 2021

Background

Indoor positioning systems (IPS) have become increasingly important for several branches of the economy (eg, in shopping malls) but are relatively new to hospitals and underinvestigated in that context. This research analyzes the intention of actors within a hospital to use an IPS to address this gap.

Objective

To investigate the intentions of hospital visitors and employees (as the main actors in a hospital) to use an IPS in a hospital.

Methods

The reasoned action approach was used, according to which the behavior of an individual is caused by behavioral intentions that are affected by (1) a persuasion that represents the individual’s attitude toward the behavior, (2) perceived norms that describe the influence of other individuals, and (3) perceived norms that reflect the possibility of the individual influencing the behavior.

Results

The survey responses of 323 hospital visitors and 304 hospital employees were examined separately using SmartPLS 3.3.3. Bootstrapping procedures with 5000 subsamples were used to test the models (one-tailed test with a significance level of .05). The results show that attitude (β=.536; P<.001; f²=.381) and perceived norms (β=.236; P<.001; f²=.087) are predictors of hospital visitors’ intention to use an IPS. In addition, attitude (β=.283; P<.001; f²=.114), perceived norms (β=.301; P<.001; f²=.126), and perceived behavioral control (β=.178; P=.005; f²=.062) are predictors of hospital employees’ intention to use an IPS.

Conclusions

This study has two major implications: (1) our extended reasoned action approach model, which takes into account spatial abilities and personal innovativeness, is appropriate for determining hospital visitors’ and employees’ intention to use an IPS; and (2) hospitals should invest in implementing IPS with a focus on (a) navigational services for hospital visitors and (b) asset tracking for hospital employees.
Usability of an At-Home Anterior Nares SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Sample Collection Kit: Human Factors Feasibility Study
Authors: Strong Laura E , Middendorf Irene , Turner Michelle , Edwards V David K , Sama Varun , Mou Joshua , Adams K Colleen
Published: October 2021

Background

Readily available testing for SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to mitigate COVID-19 disease outbreaks. At-home collection kits, in which samples are self-collected without requiring a laboratory or clinic visit and sent to an external laboratory for testing, can provide convenient testing to those with barriers to access. They can prevent unnecessary exposure between patient and clinical staff, increase access for patients with disabilities or remote workers, and decrease burdens on health care resources, such as provider time and personal protective equipment. Exact Sciences developed an at-home collection kit for samples to be tested to detect SARS-CoV-2 that includes an Instructions for Use (IFU) document, which guides people without prior experience on collecting a nasal swab sample. Demonstrating successful sample collection and usability is critical to ensure that these samples meet the same high-quality sample collection standards as samples collected in clinics.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the usability of a SARS-CoV-2 at-home nasal swab sample collection kit.

Methods

A human factors usability study was conducted with 30 subjects without prior medical, laboratory, or health care training and without COVID-19 sample self-collection experience. Subjects were observed while they followed the IFU for the at-home sample collection portion of the SARS-CoV-2 test in a setting that simulated a home environment. IFU usability was further evaluated by requiring the subjects to complete a survey, answer comprehension questions, provide written feedback, and respond to questions from the observer about problems during use.

Results

All 30 subjects successfully completed the sample collection process, and all 30 samples were determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing to meet quality standards for SARS-CoV-2 testing. The subjects’ written feedback and comments revealed several recommendations to improve the IFU.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated the overall usability of an at-home SARS-CoV-2 collection kit. Various feedback mechanisms provided opportunities to improve the wording and graphics for some critical tasks, including placing the label correctly on the tube. A modified IFU was prepared based on study outcomes.
Risk Factors of COVID-19 Critical Outcomes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Multicountry Retrospective Study
Authors: Lami Faris , Elfadul Maisa , Rashak Hiba , Al Nsour Mohannad , Akhtar Hashaam , Khader Yousef , Hussein Ahmed M , Naciri Mariam , Samy Sahar , Ghaleb Yasser , Taha Hana , Hussein Alaa , Ali Nameer A , Hussein Raheem , Ikram Aamer , Rahman Fazal ur , Khan Mohammad Mujeeb , Adam Reema , Ahmed Abdulrazaq Yusuf , Afifi Salma
Published: October 2021

Background

The establishment of empirical evidence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region necessitates the implementation of wide-scale studies to describe the demographic, clinical features, and severity profile of patients with COVID-19.

Objective

This study aims to assess the patterns of COVID-19 severity and mortality in seven countries, and to determine the risk factors of COVID-19 severity and mortality.

Methods

This multicountry study was based on a retrospective review of medical records of hospitalized patients confirmed to have COVID-19. This study includes data from Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Morocco, Egypt, and Yemen. All demographic and clinical data were extracted from hospital records (paper files) by trained data collectors.

Results

A total of 4141 patients were included in this study from seven countries. Comorbidities were reported by nearly half of the patients, with hypertension (n=1021, 24.7%) and diabetes (n=939, 22.7%) being the most common. Older age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart diseases were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. Ever smoking and renal diseases were significantly associated with severity but not mortality, while male gender, respiratory diseases, and malignancy were significantly associated with mortality but not severity.

Conclusions

The study confirms the role of comorbidities and demographic features on the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Understanding the contributing factors ensures attentive care and informs clinical management of patients with poorer prognoses in the early stages of diseases.
Effect of an Active Video Game Intervention Combined With Multicomponent Exercise for Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children With Overweight and Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Comeras-Chueca Cristina , Villalba-Heredia Lorena , Perez-Lasierra Jose Luis , Lozano-Berges Gabriel , Matute-Llorente Angel , Vicente-Rodriguez German , Casajus Jose Antonio , Gonzalez-Aguero Alex
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Childhood overweight and obesity have become major global health problems and are negatively related with the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level in school children and adolescents. Exercise, specifically multicomponent training, is effective for CRF improvement, but the main challenge is to ensure adherence to exercise in children with overweight and obesity. Therefore, new ways of exercising that are more attractive and motivational for this population are needed and playing or training with active video games (AVGs) has been proposed as an effective alternative because they require full-body movement and therefore increase energy expenditure.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an AVG intervention combined with multicomponent training on CRF at maximal and submaximal intensities in children with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

We recruited 28 children (13 girls and 15 boys) aged 9 to 11 years with overweight or obesity from medical centers and divided them into 2 groups, an intervention group (n=20) that participated in a 5-month supervised AVG exercise program combined with multicomponent exercise, and a control group (n=8) that continued daily activities without modification. A maximal stress test to measure CRF using a walking-graded protocol with respiratory gas exchange was performed by the participants.

RESULTS

The AVG group showed a significant decrease in heart rate and oxygen uptake for the same intensities in the submaximal stages of the maximal treadmill test, as well as a lower oxygen uptake percentage according to the individual maximal oxygen uptake, whereas the control group did not show overall changes. No change in the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was found.

CONCLUSIONS

A 5-month AVG intervention combined with multicomponent exercise had positive effects on CRF at submaximal intensity, showing a lower heart rate and oxygen uptake at the same intensities and displaying a lower oxygen uptake percentage according to the individual (VO2peak). Greater benefits were found in children with the highest fat percentage.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04418713; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04418713
Leveraging Machine Learning to Understand How Emotions Influence Equity Related Education: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Sukhera Javeed , Ahmed Hasan
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Teaching and learning about topics such as bias are challenging due to the emotional nature of bias-related discourse. However, emotions can be challenging to study in health professions education for numerous reasons. With the emergence of machine learning and natural language processing, sentiment analysis (SA) has the potential to bridge the gap.

OBJECTIVE

To improve our understanding of the role of emotions in bias-related discourse, we developed and conducted a SA of bias-related discourse among health professionals.

METHODS

We conducted a 2-stage quasi-experimental study. First, we developed a SA (algorithm) within an existing archive of interviews with health professionals about bias. SA refers to a mechanism of analysis that evaluates the sentiment of textual data by assigning scores to textual components and calculating and assigning a sentiment value to the text. Next, we applied our SA algorithm to an archive of social media discourse on Twitter that contained equity-related hashtags to compare sentiment among health professionals and the general population.

RESULTS

When tested on the initial archive, our SA algorithm was highly accurate compared to human scoring of sentiment. An analysis of bias-related social media discourse demonstrated that health professional tweets (n=555) were less neutral than the general population (n=6680) when discussing social issues on professionally associated accounts (χ2 [2, n=555)]=35.455; P<.001), suggesting that health professionals attach more sentiment to their posts on Twitter than seen in the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that health professionals are more likely to show and convey emotions regarding equity-related issues on social media has implications for teaching and learning about sensitive topics related to health professions education. Such emotions must therefore be considered in the design, delivery, and evaluation of equity and bias-related education.
Modeling Trust in COVID-19 Contact-Tracing Apps Using the Human-Computer Trust Scale: Online Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Sousa Sonia , Kalju Tiina
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in technology use worldwide, both socially and economically. This pandemic crisis has brought additional measures such as contact-tracing apps (CTAs) to help fight against spread of the virus. Unfortunately, the low adoption rate of these apps affected their success. There could be many reasons for the low adoption, including concerns of security and privacy, along with reported issues of trust in CTAs. Some concerns are related with how CTAs could be used as surveillance tools or their potential threats to privacy as they involve health data. For example, in Estonia, the CTA named HOIA had approximately 250,000 downloads in the middle of January 2021. However, in 2021, only 4.7% of the population used HOIA as a COVID-19 CTA. The reasons for the low adoption include lack of competency, and privacy and security concerns. This lower adoption and the lack of trustworthiness persist despite efforts of the European Union in building ethics and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI)-based apps.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand how to measure trust in health technologies. Specifically, we assessed the usefulness of the Human-Computer Trust Scale (HCTS) to measure Estonians’ trust in the HOIA app and the causes for this lack of trust.

METHODS

The main research question was: Can the HCTS be used to assess citizens’ perception of trust in health technologies? We established four hypotheses that were tested with a survey. We used a convenience sample for data collection, including sharing the questionnaire on social network sites and using the snowball method to reach all potential HOIA users in the Estonian population.

RESULTS

Among the 78 respondents, 61 had downloaded the HOIA app with data on usage patterns. However, 20 of those who downloaded the app admitted that it was never opened despite most claiming to regularly use mobile apps. The main reasons included not understanding how it works, and privacy and security concerns. Significant correlations were found between participants’ trust in CTAs in general and their perceived trust in the HOIA app regarding three attributes: competency (P<.001), risk perception (P<.001), and reciprocity (P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that trust in the HOIA app among Estonian residents did affect their predisposition to use the app. Participants did not generally believe that HOIA could help to control the spread of the virus. The result of this work is limited to HOIA and health apps that use similar contact-tracing methods. However, the findings can contribute to gaining a broader understanding and awareness of the need for designing trustworthy technologies. Moreover, this work can help to provide design recommendations that ensure trustworthiness in CTAs, and the ability of AI to use highly sensitive data and serve society.
Bridging the Gap: Securitizing Lack of Accessible Education in Indonesia During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Leonard Aloysius Efraim , Saphira Ruth Latreia Theo
Published: October 2021

The Global South continues to face new threats and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The debate over health and economy continues and often leaves one aspect out of the equation: education. Especially in Southeast Asia, where regional and domestic disparity still lingers. Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) acknowledged that the development gap remained one of the most crucial issues in the region. Using Wæver and Buzan’s securitization theory and Japanese approach of human security, the article tries to prove why the current state of education should be considered as a new non-traditional security threat and should be securitized by countries in the region. The article will use a qualitative method and hypothesizes that the inability for states to ensure quality education during the pandemic will affect the quality of the states’ human capital. The pandemic forces education institutions to rely on online learning. However, not every student has access towards required facilities such as, internet connection, gadgets, technologies, etc. Students in underdeveloped areas might struggle to participate in online classes, forcing them to be left behind. In the long-run, this will slow down Southeast Asian countries’ progress in tackling the development gap.
Zulu Empire Decolonised: The Epic Story of the Zulu from Pre-Colonial Times to the 21st Century by Shalo Mbatha Johannesburg, South Africa: iZigi Publishing, 2021, p. 392. ISBN: 978-0-620-89782-2
Authors: X. S. Ntombela Berrington
Published: October 2021

The Zulu Empire is one of the well-known empires in Africa and the world. It is well-known for having resisted and militarily defeated the English army in the battle of Isandlwana. However, history writers who predominantly wrote from the outsider perspective distorted a lot of historical events. This article reviews a book written by Shalo Mbatha entitled “Zulu Empire Decolonised: The Epic Story of the Zulu from Pre-colonial Times to the 21st Century”. The article argues how the title remains true to the project of decolonisation. It further demonstrates how Shalo reverses the popular history created by colonisers by presenting events as known by those who lived through them. Her greatest success is in writing the history in the language of the colonised, thus restoring their dignity and having them rewrite their own history.
Un enfoque hermenéutico fenomenológico sobre la perspectiva narrativa
Authors: Chamberlain Daniel
Published: October 2021

Daniel Chamberlain trata en este trabajo de la perspectiva que en la narrativa es parte de un proceso a través del cual cada lector recibe una perspectiva más amplia del mundo porque con cada lectura tiene que abrir su perspectiva a otros mundos que constituyen el objeto verdadero de toda interpretación y además es también un movimiento porque mueve al lector hacia el texto y hacia un punto de partida desde donde puede reflexionar sobre su propia existencia y desde donde se le abre un mundo nuevo.
Generating faces From the Sketch Using GAN
Authors: C Ms. Faseela Kathun.
Published: October 2021

Abstract: In most cases, sketch images simply show basic profile details and do not include facial detail. As a result, precisely generating facial features is difficult. Using the created adversarial network and attributes, we propose an image translation network. A feature extracting network and a down-sampling up-sampling network make up the generator network. There is a generator and a discriminator in GANs. The Generator creates fake data samples (images, audio, etc.) in intended to mislead the Discriminator. On the other hand, the Discriminator attempts to distinguish between the real and fake sample Keywords: Deep Learning, Generative Adversarial Networks, Image Translation, face generation, skip-connection.