bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN DAN KEPUASAN KERJA TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA PADA PT. MAHA KARYA PUTRA CABANG KABUPATEN PASURUAN
Authors: Yusro Fitri Wakhida , Pujianto Wahyu Eko , Solikhah Afifatus , Supriyadi Supriyadi
Published: November 2022

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh secara simultan maupun secara parsial dari variabel gaya kepemimpinan dan kepuasan kerja terhadap produktivitas karyawan pada PT. Maha Karya Putra Cabang Kabupaten Pasuruan. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Pengumpulan data dalam penelitian ini diambi melalui kuesioner, dan menggunakan teknik pengukuran Skala likert. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa secara simultan gaya kepemimpinan dan kepuasan kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap produktivitas karyawan dengan nilai F hitung sebesar 4,765 dan nilai F tabel sebesar 3,147. Secara parsial gaya kepemimpinan memiliki nilai sig. 0,022 < 0,05 dan kepuasan kerja memiliki nilai sig. 0,000 < 0,05 hal ini menunjukkan adanya pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap produktivitas karyawan. Diantara variabel bebas terdapat pengaruh yang lebih dominan terhadap produktivitas karyawan pada PT. Maha Karya Putra yaitu kepuasan kerja.
Kata Kunci: Gaya Kepemimpinan, Kepuasan Kerja, Produktivitas Karyawan
 
Abstract: This study aims to determine the effect simultaneously or partially of leadership style variables and job satisfaction on employee productivity at PT. Maha Karya Putra Pasuruan Regency Branch. The method of this research uses the quantitative approach data collection in this research diambi through the questionnaire, and use measurement technique likert scale. The results of the analysis show that leadership style and job satisfaction simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on employee productivity With a value of count as much as 4,765 and a value of table much as 3,147. Partially the leadership style have value sig. 0,022 < 0,05 and job satisfaction have value sig. 0,000 < 0,05 it show a significant effect on employee productivity. Among the independent variables there is a more dominant influence on employee productivity at PT. Maha Karya Putra is job satisfaction.
Keyword: Leadership Style, Job Satisfaction, Employee Productivity.
STUDY OF THE EFFICIENCY OF SEPARATION BY RECTIFICATION IN A LABORATORY COLUMN
Authors:   PhD, Chief Assistant Professor, Prof. Dr Assen Zlatarov University, 1 Prof. Yakimov Blvd, Burgas., Karaivanova Mariana
Published: November 2022

Rectification is one of the most complex energy and metal-intensive chemical and technological processes that have a strong influence on the quality of commodity products, the economy and ecology of production. It is a major process in the petrochemical and oil processing industries and its main apparatuses, rectification columns, are part of common technologies that have many interrelated parameters. The current environmental problems and requirements for the quality of commodity products are increasing and call for improvement of the resolution of rectification installations through their reconstruction by modernizing the basic equipment of the columns. The efficiency of the mass exchange process on the tray is characterized by differential and integral characteristics. The differential (local) characteristic determines the mass transfer in the elementary (local) volume of the gas-liquid system, and the integral one does so on the entire tray. The local efficiency coefficient, Ð•OG, (local efficiency) is used as a differential characteristic and the efficiency coefficient of the tray (Murphree efficiency) is used as an integral characteristic. The aim of the present work is to experimentally study the effects of vapour velocity and the concentration of the initial mixture on the local efficiency of rectification and foam height in a glass laboratory column with a single sieve tray.
IMPACT OF MASS TREATMENT WITH PRAZIQUANTEL IN A RECENT OUTBREAK OF BILHARZIA IN GUEBO 2 IN SOUTHERN COTE DIVOIRE
Authors: Aya Nicaise NGuessan , Konan Claude Sylvain Yoboue , NGbesso Jean-Paul NGbesso
Published: November 2022

Bilharzia is a public health problem in Cote dIvoire, especially in rural areas. This study was conducted in the locality of Guebo 2 located 45.2 kilometres from Abidjan, northwest of Yopougon, with the aim of assessing the epidemiological status of bilharzia in the school environment where cases of urinary bilharzia had been reported in 2012 with a prevalence of 42.8%. 119 pupils were sampled in schools A and B, from Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils. Urine and stool samples were taken. The urine was filtered and observed under a light microscope and the stool was analysed by Kato-Katz. The results gave a prevalence of 0% for urinary bilharzia and 2.52% for intestinal bilharzia. The results show that eight (8) years later, from 2012 to 2020, urinary bilharziasis has significantly decreased in Guebo 2. The low prevalence of intestinal bilharziasis could mean that it is incipient or has declined. However, these low prevalences demonstrate that the mass treatments carried out through deworming by the Bilharzia Control Programme since 2012 are effective. Thus, the results of this study made it possible to assess the level of endemicity of bilharzia in this locality eight years after its emergence. The malacological survey identified the two genera of mollusc intermediate hosts of schistosome in Cote dIvoire, Bulinus and Biomphalaria.
MICROPOLAR FLUID LUBRICATION OF FINITE ROUGH POROUS JOURNAL BEARING WITH SQUEEZING EFFECT
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Government First Grade College, Afzalpur(Karnataka) India., Huggi Santosh
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a theoretical analysis of the effect of surface roughness on the squeeze film lubrication of finite porous journal bearings with micropolar fluids is studied. A more generalized form of surface roughness is mathematically modeled by a stochastic random variable with non-zero mean, variance and skewness. The generalized average Reynolds type equation is derived for the squeeze film lubrication of finite rough porous journal bearings with micropolar fluids as lubricant. The closed form expressions are obtained for the fluid film pressure, load carrying capacity, journal centre velocity and locus of the journal centre. The cases of a constant applied load and an alternating applied load are analyzed under a cyclic load the micropolar fluids provide a reduction in the journal centre velocity. Further, it is numerical computations of the results show that the negatively skewed surface roughness pattern increase fluid film pressure, load carrying capacity and decreases the journal centre velocity. Where as adverse effects were found for the positively skewed surface roughness pattern. The effect of porous parameter causes reduction in fliud film pressure, load carrying capacity and enhances the journal centre velocity.
A meta-analysis of the economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa
Authors: Rajkoomar Mogiveny , Marimuthu Ferina , Naicker Nalindren , Damascene Mvunabandi Jean
Published: November 2022

The economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa is gaining traction in the extant literature. This study adopted Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to concomitantly track data on carbon emissions versus economic growth in Africa from 2018 to 2022 providing evidence from a meta-analysis. Through database searches, 591 publications were identified. A machine learning algorithm called Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used as a visualization technique for reporting trends in the eleven papers selected for the analysis. Identifying, evaluating, and summarizing the findings of all relevant individual studies conducted in Africa on the impact of economic growth on carbon emissions contributes to the existing body of knowledge. This study fills a critical gap by surveying the studies conducted in Africa in the last five years, implying that economic growth negatively and significantly triggers CO2 emissions in Africa. The debate on the economic impact of CO2 emissions in Africa, the most vulnerable continent to climate change, is elucidated. The findings tracked sources of data for carbon emissions in Africa. The results showed that although some studies reported a positive correlation (and some a negative correlation) between economic growth and carbon emissions, most studies concur that the economic impact of carbon emissions over a timeline can be explained by the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Therefore, there is a dire need for African countries to strengthen economic growth without deteriorating their environment or having ecological footprint. Future research must assess whether this trend on the economic impact of carbon emissions in Africa continues.
AcknowledgmentThe authors express their appreciation to the Durban University of Technology for providing the resources to conduct this study.
Discharge and fate of biocide residuals to ephemeral stormwater retention pond sediments
Authors: Linke Felicia , Olsson Oliver , Schnarr Lena , Kümmerer Klaus , Preusser Frank , Bork Marcus , Leistert Hannes , Lange Jens
Published: November 2022

Biocides used in paints and renders prevent algae and fungi growth but can wash off during wind-driven rain and enter urban environments. Retention ponds represent part of stormwater management that retain water and partly pollutants. However, it is poorly understood which percentage of biocides leached from facades reaches a pond and how efficiently biocides are retained inside ponds although biocides can have harmful environmental effects. Here, we combined measurements and modeling to address diffuse biocide loss and a pond's retention capacity in a delimited residential area of 3 ha, with detached houses connected to an ephemeral retention pond. Six stormwater events were sampled within 2 years and confirmed biocidal residuals at pond inflow. Model results revealed that during the sampled events only 11% of terbutryn leachate arrived at the pond while the major part of this biocide was diffusely lost in the residential area. Measured low terbutryn concentrations in the sediment (mean 2.6 ng g−1) confirmed this result. Model results suggested that approximately 50% of terbutryn reaching the pond were retained and degraded. Our results are site-specific but suggest that biocide retention in ponds is limited, environmental entry pathways are diverse and that biocide use should be limited at its source.
Listado sistemático actualizado de las macroalgas estuarinas de Veracruz, México
Authors: Cuevas Sánchez Estefany , Dreckmann Kurt M. , Núñez Resendiz María Luisa , Sentíes Abel
Published: November 2022

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los sistemas estuarinos veracruzanos cubren 1166 km2 correspondientes a 14 lagunas costeras que constituyen uno de los ambientes acuáticos con mayor diversidad y productividad. Estos son ambientes críticos para especies económicamente importantes, como las macroalgas, que dependen de ellos para su reproducción, alimentación, establecimiento y refugio. Aunque lo anterior los hace candidatos ideales para estudios de biología de la conservación, solo hay dos contribuciones previas a 1995 sobre ficología estuarina. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue elaborar un listado sistemático actualizado de las macroalgas estuarinas de Veracruz, junto con un análisis gráfico, que contribuya al conocimiento del grupo y sirva como referencia para posteriores investigaciones biogeográficas, ecológicas o de conservación. Métodos: Se revisó la literatura ficológica publicada de 1963 a septiembre de 2022, así como la base de datos del herbario UAMIZ, para complementar y actualizar los registros. Para la determinación taxonómica de los ejemplares se hizo un estudio de morfología externa. La sinonimia y estatus nomenclatural fueron revisados en AlgaeBase. A partir de los registros obtenidos se realizó un análisis gráfico. Resultados clave: Se presenta una lista actualizada con 113 especies de macroalgas estuarinas: 62 Rhodophyta, 26 Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta y 25 Chlorophyta, distribuidas en 24 órdenes, 38 familias y 68 géneros. Conclusiones: De acuerdo con lo observado, son evidentes los escasos o nulos estudios ficológicos en ambientes estuarinos veracruzanos, lo que origina un vacío en el contexto de la diversidad de macroalgas estuarinas. Este listado, además de ser una contribución actualizada para Veracruz, es un punto de partida para emprender futuros análisis que ayuden a establecer áreas de importancia biológica en estos ambientes, con el fin de maximizar la diversidad. Además, es evidente la necesidad de un monitoreo ficofloristico constante en los estuarios.
Limited Cerebral Metastases in NSCLC: A Literature Review of SRS Versus Whole-brain Radiotherapy
Authors: GRENZELIA MARIA , ZYGOGIANNI ANNA , GRAPSA DIMITRA , MARAGKOUDAKIS EMMANOUIL , FYTA ELENI , CHARPIDOU ANDRIANNI , SYRIGOS KONSTANTINOS , MPAKAKOS PETROS
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: Brain metastases (BMs) are common in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with or without corticosteroid use has historically been the first choice for most patients with BMs despite its negative impact on cognition and quality of life. However, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment and has been established for patients with limited, inoperable BMs. SRS and WBRT are either used separately or together, in an attempt to achieve the best possible local and distal control rates and even improve overall survival. A number of phase III trials have focused on answering the question which modality – SRS, WBRT or both – can achieve the best possible results. In this review, we present the existing data regarding the use of SRS compared with WBRT and their combination for NSCLC patients with limited, non-operable BMs. Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed in PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library databases from 1995 up to 2021. Principles outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement were followed. Results: We identified seven randomised control trials (RCTs) that compared WBRT with WBRT plus SRS boost and four RCTs that compared SRS alone with SRS plus WBRT. Conclusion: Overall, addition of WBRT to SRS did not improve survival but had a positive effect on locoregional control.
Efficacy and Safety of External-beam Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Primary or Local Recurrent Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: MURAKAMI TAKASHI , AIZAWA RIHITO , MATSUO YUKINORI , HANAZAWA HIDEKI , TAURA KOJIRO , FUKUDA AKIHISA , UZA NORIMITSU , SHIOKAWA MASAHIRO , KANAI MASASHI , HATANO ETSURO , SENO HIROSHI , MUTO MANABU , MIZOWAKI TAKASHI
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: Treatment options for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of definitive external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: Patients with unresectable primary cholangiocarcinoma, or local recurrent cholangiocarcinoma after primary surgery, without distant metastasis who received definitive EBRT (≥45 Gy) between January 2006 and December 2020 at our Institution were analyzed retrospectively. EBRT was basically performed using conventional fractionation (1.8-2 Gy per fraction). Prophylactic nodal irradiation was not performed. Results: A total of 21 consecutive patients were analyzed: 7 primary and 14 recurrent cases. The median age was 70 (range=38–85) years at initiation of EBRT. A median dose of 54 (range=45-60) Gy comprising 1.8 (range=1.8-3) Gy per fraction was administered to the primary/recurrent local tumor site. The median follow-up period was 21.6 months. The 2-year overall survival, cause-specific survival, progression-free survival, and local recurrence-free rates were 35.7, 35.7, 16.1, and 32.7%, respectively. Long-term local control (>2 years after EBRT) was achieved in 19.0%. Grade 3 toxicities related to EBRT were observed in 4.8% (duodenum hemorrhage). No grade 4 or higher toxicities were observed. Conclusion: Definitive EBRT for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma was feasible and achieved long-term local control in a subset of patients. As the avoidance of local recurrence may lead to the benefits of prolonging biliary patency and subsequently alleviating the need for an invasive procedure for biliary drainage, EBRT could be one sustainable therapeutic option for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.
Comparison of Late Toxicity After Whole-pelvis Versus Prostate-only VMAT for Prostate Cancer
Authors: OGINO RYO , ISHII KENTARO , NAKAJIMA TOSHIFUMI , HOSOKAWA YUKINARI , KUBO KAZUKI , TAKEMURA REIKO , MORIMOTO HIDEYUKI , MATSUDA SHOGO , KAWAMORITA RYU , TADA TAKUHITO
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: To evaluate whether whole-pelvis (WP) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is associated with increased late toxicity compared with prostate-only (PO) VMAT in patients with localized prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Participants comprised 384 consecutive patients treated with definitive VMAT to 78 Gy in 39 fractions from July 2011 to August 2016. Of these, 183 patients received PO-VMAT and 201 patients received initial WP-VMAT to 46.8 Gy in 26 fractions using a simultaneous integrated boost technique. Gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were prospectively scored using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results: Median follow-up was 49 months (range=16-88 months) in the PO-VMAT group and 52 months (range=10-85 months) in the WP-VMAT group. Frequencies of Grade 3 late GI and GU toxicities were ≤3% across both groups. No patients experienced Grade 4+ toxicity. Cumulative incidences of Grade 2+ late GI and GU toxicities were similar between PO- and WP-VMAT groups (p=0.508 and p=0.838, respectively). Five-year cumulative incidences of Grade 2+ late GI and GU toxicities were 12.2% and 6.6% for the PO-VMAT group and 12.3% and 8.9% for the WP-VMAT group, respectively. Conclusion: WP-VMAT did not increase late GI and GU toxicities. This suggests that concerns about increasing toxicity profile are insufficient reason for omitting WPRT for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.
Novel Mathematical Diagnostic Analysis of Malignant Biliary Stenosis Using Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: NANASHIMA ATSUSHI , KOMI MASANORI , IMAMURA NAOYA , HIYOSHI MASAHIDE , HAMADA TAKEOMI , TSUCHIMOCHI YUUKI , ICHIKI NOBUHIKO , ENZAKI MASAHIRO , AZUMA MINAKO
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: A novel mathematical diagnostic analysis using Fourier transform (FT) algorithm of the extrahepatic bile duct (BD) using magnetic resonance-cholangiography (MRC) was performed to evaluate irregularities of the bile duct lumen indicating BD cancer (BDC) extension compared to pancreatic head malignancies controls. Patients and Methods: BD lumen was automatically traced, and a 2D-diagram cross-section was measured and a FT-based integrated-power-spectral-density-function value (FTV) of both diameter and area (mm2 and mm4/Hz) was calculated for cancerous and non-cancerous parts utilizing a computer workstation. Results: FT analysis that was achieved in 59 patients consisted of BDC in 31, pancreatic cancer with biliary stenosis (PC) in 10 and pancreatic neoplasm without stenosis (PN) in 18. FTV-diameter and -area of non-tumorous proximal BD were larger compared to tumor involving BD (p<0.01), and those of the entire BD in BDCs were significantly larger than those in PN (p<0.01). FTV-diameter and -area in proximal BDC-positive were smaller than those in BDC-negative (p<0.05). BDC part was significantly discriminated by the cutoff value (286 mm2Hz–1 in diameter and 10,311 mm4Hz–1 in area) compared to PC and diagnostic accuracy was over 70% (p<0.01). Conclusion: Novel mathematical MRC FT-analysis is promising for differentiating between BDC and PC with biliary stenosis and can be utilized as an objective diagnostic tool in the future.
Changes in Renal Function of Patients With Prostate Cancer: Focus on Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: MIYAZAWA YOSHIYUKI , SEKINE YOSHITAKA , ARAI SEIJI , NOMURA MASASHI , KOIKE HIDEKAZU , MATSUI HIROSHI , SUZUKI KAZUHIRO
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: To investigate the association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in male Japanese patients with prostate cancer, based on post-hoc analysis of data from a previous prospective study. Patients and Methods: Among 103 patients with prostate cancer in whom renal function changes were tracked over 5 years, 88 were divided into a group who completed ADT within 3 years (short ADT group; n=47) and a group who continued with ADT for more than 5 years (continuous ADT group; n=41). We compared the groups in terms of the eGFR, calculated based on age and serum creatinine (mg/dl) before ADT initiation and every other year over the next 5 years. Results: The eGFR decreased by 4.91 and 2.89 ml/min in the short and continuous ADT groups, respectively, over the 5-year period following ADT initiation. The respective decreases in the eGFR were 0.98 and 0.58 ml/min/year. No significant difference in the eGFR was observed between the two groups at any measurement point. Patients treated with ADT showed a decrease in the eGFR of 0.58-0.98 ml/min/year over a 5-year period, which is about twice as high as that of normal Japanese males. No significant difference in the eGFR by ADT duration was observed. Conclusion: The eGFR decreased by 0.58-0.98 ml/min/year in our ADT patients, which was about twice as high as the rate of decrease in normal Japanese males, and approximately the same as in urine protein-positive male patients. We suggest that a large decrease in the eGFR may not play a role in the development of acute kidney injury. In addition, the duration of ADT does not appear to have a significant effect on the eGFR.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Novel Artificial Intelligence-based Prediction Model for Surgical Site Infection in Colon Cancer
Authors: OHNO YUKI , MAZAKI JUNICHI , UDO RYUTARO , TAGO TOMOYA , KASAHARA KENTA , ENOMOTO MASANOBU , ISHIZAKI TETSUO , NAGAKAWA YUICHI
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: There are few studies on artificial intelligence-based prediction models for colon cancer built using clinicopathological factors. Here, we aimed to perform a preliminary evaluation of a novel artificial intelligence-based prediction model for surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with stage II-III colon cancer. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 730 patients who underwent radical surgery for stage II-III colon cancer between 2000 and 2018 at our institute were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to examine the association between SSI and oncological outcomes (recurrence-free survival time). Next, we used the machine learning software Prediction One to predict SSI. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the accuracy of the artificial intelligence model. Results: The prognosis in terms of recurrence-free survival time was poor in patients with SSI (p=0.005, 95% confidence interval=4892.061-5525.251). The area under the curve of the artificial intelligence model in predicting SSI was 0.731. Conclusion: As SSI is an important prognostic factor associated with oncological outcomes, the prediction of SSI occurrence is important. Based on our preliminary evaluation, the artificial intelligence model for predicting SSI in patients with stage II-III colon cancer was as accurate as the previously reported model derived through conventional statistical analysis.
Octogenarians With Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-rearranged Non-small-cell Lung Cancer: A Case Series
Authors: HATTORI SOU , OJIMA EIJI , OKAUCHI SHINICHIRO , SASATANI YUIKA , SHIOZAWA TOSHIHIRO , SATOH HIROAKI , HIZAWA NOBUYUKI
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements define a distinct group of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mainly represented by never-smoking young individuals. However, we also encounter elderly patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC over the age of 80 years. We report herein three cases of these patients that we have experienced. Case Report: Three patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC aged 80 years or older received therapy with the ALK-tyrosine kinase, alectinib. Of them, one was male and two had a history of smoking. Comorbidities, especially heart diseases, were prominent. Long-term survival was achieved with alectinib treatment in two patients. Conclusion: ALK-rearranged mutations should be evaluated even in octogenarians with NSCLC, regardless of sex and smoking history. Even if they have comorbid diseases, long-term control might be achieved with alectinib therapy in cooperation with physicians other than chest physicians and medical oncologists.
Effect of Aromatase Inhibitors on Serum Calprotectin Levels in an Animal Experimental Model: Trial
Authors: BOUTAS IOANNIS , KONTOGEORGI ADAMANTIA , KOUFOPOULOS NEKTARIOS , DIMITRAKAKIS CONSTANTINE , DIMAS DIONYSIOS , KALANTARIDOU SOPHIA N. , KOROU LASKARINA-MARIA , PERREA DESPOINA
Published: November 2022

Background/Aim: Utilizing an experimental animal model, we investigated the correlation between aromatase inhibitors (AIs) (anastrozole and letrozole) and Calprotectin levels. AIs have demonstrated superior efficacy when used as adjuvant endocrine therapy or monotherapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive early-stage breast cancer, although various side effects have been recorded. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five adult female Wistar rats were randomized and assigned into four groups. The control group received no intervention. The other three groups were subjected to ovariectomy, and serum Calprotectin levels were measured at baseline, 2, and 4 months. In addition, glucose, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein- (VLDL-) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein- (HDL-) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured. Histological analysis of liver tissue was carried out following rats’ euthanasia. Results: Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole and letrozole) affect calprotectin levels in ovariectomized rats. Calprotectin, a marker of inflammation, was found to be affected by the use of the inhibitors. Conclusion: The potential of hepatotoxicity can be examined by assessing the elevation of inflammation markers such as Calprotectin, which is an indicator that should be strictly taken into consideration when administering aromatase inhibitors as treatment.
Yuca para la alimentación animal en la región Caribe: manejo, conservación y uso eficiente
Authors: Suárez Paternina Emiro Andrés , Mestra-Vargas Lorena Inés , Paternina Paternina Yacerney , Salcedo Carrascal Erika , Luna Castellanos Lily Lorena , Araujo Vázquez Hernando
Published: November 2022

Este manual constituye una oferta de conocimiento actualizada, diseñada para aumentar las capacidades de los asistentes técnicos y productores de ganadería en el manejo agronómico del cultivo de yuca forrajera. Así, contiene estrategias para su conservación (ensilaje, heno y harinas) y su uso eficiente en la alimentación y nutrición animal, especialmente, durante los periodos críticos. El objetivo es desarrollar sistemas ganaderos sostenibles y competitivos que permitan mejorar la calidad de vida de los productores y de sus familias. Por tal razón, en este manual también se evalúa el efecto de la suplementación con forraje de yuca tanto en la respuesta animal como en los costos de producción.
Shared Autonomy to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Among Sit-Stand Desk Users in the United States and India: Web-Based Study
Authors: Kim Lawrence H , Saha Gourab , Leon Annel Amelia , King Abby C , Mauriello Matthew Louis , Paredes Pablo E
Published: November 2022

Background

Fitness technologies such as wearables and sit-stand desks are increasingly being used to fight sedentary lifestyles by encouraging physical activity. However, adherence to such technologies decreases over time because of apathy and increased dismissal of behavioral nudges.

Objective

To address this problem, we introduced shared autonomy in the context of sit-stand desks, where user input is integrated with robot autonomy to control the desk and reduce sedentary behavior and investigated user reactions and preferences for levels of automation with a sit-stand desk. As demographics affect user acceptance of robotic technology, we also studied how perceptions of nonvolitional behavior change differ across cultures (United States and India), sex, familiarity, dispositional factors, and health priming messages.

Methods

We conducted a web-based vignette study in the United States and India where a total of 279 participants watched video vignettes of a person interacting with sit-stand desks of various levels of automation and answered questions about their perceptions of the desks such as ranking of the different levels of automation.

Results

Participants generally preferred either manual or semiautonomous desks over the fully autonomous option (P<.001). However, participants in India were generally more amenable to the idea of nonvolitional interventions from the desk than participants in the United States (P<.001). Male participants had a stronger desire for having control over the desk than female participants (P=.01). Participants who were more familiar with sit-stand desks were more likely to adopt autonomous sit-stand desks (P=.001). No effects of health priming messages were observed. We estimated the projected health outcome by combining ranking data and hazard ratios from previous work and found that the semiautonomous desk led to the highest projected health outcome.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the shared autonomy desk is the optimal level of automation in terms of both user preferences and estimated projected health outcomes. Demographics such as culture and sex had significant effects on how receptive users were to autonomous intervention. As familiarity improves the likelihood of adoption, we propose a gradual behavior change intervention to increase acceptance and adherence, especially for populations with a high desire for control.
A Linked Open Data–Based Terminology to Describe Libre/Free and Open-source Software: Incremental Development Study
Authors: Jahn Franziska , Ammenwerth Elske , Dornauer Verena , Höffner Konrad , Bindel Michelle , Karopka Thomas , Winter Alfred
Published: November 2022

Background

There is a variety of libre/free and open-source software (LIFOSS) products for medicine and health care. To support health care and IT professionals select an appropriate software product for given tasks, several comparison studies and web platforms, such as Medfloss.org, are available. However, due to the lack of a uniform terminology for health informatics, ambiguous or imprecise terms are used to describe the functionalities of LIFOSS. This makes comparisons of LIFOSS difficult and may lead to inappropriate software selection decisions. Using Linked Open Data (LOD) promises to address these challenges.

Objective

We describe LIFOSS systematically with the help of the underlying Health Information Technology Ontology (HITO). We publish HITO and HITO-based software product descriptions using LOD to obtain the following benefits: (1) linking and reusing existing terminologies and (2) using Semantic Web tools for viewing and querying the LIFOSS data on the World Wide Web.

Methods

HITO was incrementally developed and implemented. First, classes for the description of software products in health IT evaluation studies were identified. Second, requirements for describing LIFOSS were elicited by interviewing domain experts. Third, to describe domain-specific functionalities of software products, existing catalogues of features and enterprise functions were analyzed and integrated into the HITO knowledge base. As a proof of concept, HITO was used to describe 25 LIFOSS products.

Results

HITO provides a defined set of classes and their relationships to describe LIFOSS in medicine and health care. With the help of linked or integrated catalogues for languages, programming languages, licenses, features, and enterprise functions, the functionalities of LIFOSS can be precisely described and compared. We publish HITO and the LIFOSS descriptions as LOD; they can be queried and viewed using different Semantic Web tools, such as Resource Description Framework (RDF) browsers, SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) queries, and faceted searches. The advantages of providing HITO as LOD are demonstrated by practical examples.

Conclusions

HITO is a building block to achieving unambiguous communication among health IT professionals and researchers. Providing LIFOSS product information as LOD enables barrier-free and easy access to data that are often hidden in user manuals of software products or are not available at all. Efforts to establish a unique terminology of medical and health informatics should be further supported and continued.
Text Topics and Treatment Response in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Text Mining Study
Authors: Mylläri Sanna , Saarni Suoma Eeva , Ritola Ville , Joffe Grigori , Stenberg Jan-Henry , Solbakken Ole André , Czajkowski Nikolai Olavi , Rosenström Tom
Published: November 2022

Background

Text mining methods such as topic modeling can offer valuable information on how and to whom internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapies (iCBT) work. Although iCBT treatments provide convenient data for topic modeling, it has rarely been used in this context.

Objective

Our aims were to apply topic modeling to written assignment texts from iCBT for generalized anxiety disorder and explore the resulting topics’ associations with treatment response. As predetermining the number of topics presents a considerable challenge in topic modeling, we also aimed to explore a novel method for topic number selection.

Methods

We defined 2 latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic models using a novel data-driven and a more commonly used interpretability-based topic number selection approaches. We used multilevel models to associate the topics with continuous-valued treatment response, defined as the rate of per-session change in GAD-7 sum scores throughout the treatment.

Results

Our analyses included 1686 patients. We observed 2 topics that were associated with better than average treatment response: “well-being of family, pets, and loved ones” from the data-driven LDA model (B=–0.10 SD/session/∆topic; 95% CI –016 to –0.03) and “children, family issues” from the interpretability-based model (B=–0.18 SD/session/∆topic; 95% CI –0.31 to –0.05). Two topics were associated with worse treatment response: “monitoring of thoughts and worries” from the data-driven model (B=0.06 SD/session/∆topic; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.11) and “internet therapy” from the interpretability-based model (B=0.27 SD/session/∆topic; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.46).

Conclusions

The 2 LDA models were different in terms of their interpretability and broadness of topics but both contained topics that were associated with treatment response in an interpretable manner. Our work demonstrates that topic modeling is well suited for iCBT research and has potential to expose clinically relevant information in vast text data.
Digital Health Technology to Support Health Care Professionals and Family Caregivers Caring for Patients With Cognitive Impairment: Scoping Review
Authors: Choukou Mohamed-Amine , Olatoye Funminiyi , Urbanowski Reg , Caon Maurizio , Monnin Caroline
Published: November 2022

Background

Digital health technology is a promising way of supporting health care providers and family caregivers as they care for patients with cognitive impairment.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to portray the use of digital health technology to assist health care providers and family caregivers in caring for patients with cognitive impairment who live in the community or in a facility.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed scientific articles available in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL with Full Text, as well as gray literature available in preprint servers, theses depositories, and various national and international dementia organizations’ websites. The search yielded 975 articles, of which we included 7 (0.7%) in the review.

Results

Of the 7 interventions included in the retrieved manuscripts, 2 (29%) were digital calendar reminder systems to support activities of daily living and medication management; 2 (29%) were apps on tablet devices to simulate the presence of family before therapy interventions; 1 (14%) was a social robot used in therapeutic sessions to include elements of musicotherapy, reminiscence, cognitive games, and relaxation; 1 (14%) was a commercially available computer system that provides access to various recreational leisure activities; and 1 (14%) was a web-based self-management support system that helps family caregivers to deal with behavior changes in a relative with dementia. Of the 7 articles, only 1 (14%) reported on the use of a behavior change theory, namely a comprehensive process model of engagement coupled with cognitive stimulation therapy.

Conclusions

Literature on the topic is scarce, recent, and heterogeneous. There is a clear need for a theoretical framework to conceptualize and govern the use of behavior change models that incorporate technology for patients with cognitive impairment.
Ice Flavor–Related Discussions on Twitter: Content Analysis
Authors: Galimov Artur , Vassey Julia , Galstyan Ellen , Unger Jennifer B , Kirkpatrick Matthew G , Allem Jon-Patrick
Published: November 2022

Background

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently restricted characterizing flavors in tobacco products. As a result, ice hybrid–flavored e-cigarettes, which combine a cooling flavor with fruit or other flavors (eg, banana ice), emerged on the market. Like menthol, ice-flavored e-cigarettes produce a cooling sensory experience. It is unclear if ice hybrid–flavored e-cigarettes should be considered characterizing flavors or menthol, limiting regulatory action. Monitoring the public’s conversations about ice-flavored e-cigarettes on Twitter may help inform the tobacco control community about these products and contribute to the US FDA policy targets in the future.

Objective

This study documented the themes pertaining to vaping and ice flavor–related conversations on Twitter. Our goal was to identify key conversation trends and ascertain users’ recent experiences with ice-flavored e-cigarette products.

Methods

Posts containing vaping-related (eg, “vape,” “ecig,” “e-juice,” or “e-cigarette”) and ice-related (ie, “Ice,” “Cool,” “Frost,” and “Arctic”) terms were collected from Twitter’s streaming application programming interface from January 1 to July 21, 2021. After removing retweets, a random sample of posts (N=2001) was selected, with 590 posts included in the content analysis. Themes were developed through an inductive approach. Theme co-occurrence was also examined.

Results

Many of the 590 posts were marked as (or consisted of) marketing material (n=306, 51.9%), contained positive personal testimonials (n=180, 30.5%), and mentioned disposable pods (n=117, 19.8%). Other themes had relatively low prevalence in the sample: neutral personal testimonials (n=45, 7.6%), cannabidiol products (n=41, 7%), negative personal testimonials (n=41, 7%), “official” flavor description (n=37, 6.3%), ice-flavored JUUL (n=19, 3.2%), information seeking (n=14, 2.4%), and comparison to combustible tobacco (n=10, 1.7%). The most common co-occurring themes in a single tweet were related to marketing and disposable pods (n=73, 12.4%).

Conclusions

Our findings offer insight into the public’s experience with and understanding of ice-flavored e-cigarette products. Ice-flavored e-cigarette products are actively marketed on Twitter, and the messages about them are positive. Public health education campaigns on the harms of flavored e-cigarettes may help to reduce positive social norms about ice-flavored products. Future studies should evaluate the relationship between exposure to personal testimonials of ice-flavored vaping products and curiosity, harm perceptions, and experimentation with these products among priority populations.
Nigerian and Ghanaian Young People’s Experiences of Care for Common Mental Disorders in Inner London: Protocol for a Multimethod Investigation
Authors: Isiwele Anthony , Rivas Carol , Stokes Gillian
Published: November 2022

Background

The Care Quality Commission published a review in 2018 in England titled “Are We Listening,” which revealed that child and adolescent mental health services are not responsive to the specific needs of young Black people and other ethnic minorities even in areas with ethnically diverse populations. It found that commissioners and service planners failed to engage with these young people and their families to understand their needs and expectations.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to engage Nigerian and Ghanaian young people (NAGYP) with experiences of care for common mental disorders (CMDs) in London, to increase understanding of their needs, and to give voice to their views and preferences. Their parents’, caregivers’, and practitioners’ views will also be sought for service improvement.

Methods

Three combined contemporary complementary methodologies—thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and intersectionality-based policy analysis (IBPA)—will be used across 3 comprehensive phases. First, a scoping review where relevant themes will be critically analyzed will inform further phases of this study. Detailed mapping of community and mental health care services in 13 inner London boroughs to investigate what professionals actually do rather than what they say they do. Second, IBPA will be used to scrutinize improving access to psychological therapies and other legislations and policies relevant to NAGYP to undertake an intersectional multileveled analysis of power, models, and constraints. Third, IPA will “give voice” and “make sense” of NAGYP lived experiences of CMDs via a representative sample of NAGYP participants’ (n=30) aged 16-25 years, parents or caregivers’ (n=20), and practitioners’ (n=20) perspectives will be captured.

Results

The study has been approved by the UCL Institute of Education Research Ethics Committee (Z6364106/2022/02/28; health research) and University College London (Z6364106/2022/10/24; social research). Recruitment has begun in 13 inner boroughs of London. Data collection through observation, semistructured interviews, and focus groups are expected to be finalized by early 2024, and the study will be published by early 2025.

Conclusions

Combining multiple qualitative methodologies and methods will enable rigorous investigation into NAGYP’s lived experiences of care received for CMDs in London. Findings from this study should enable a reduction in the negative connotations and harmful superstitions associated with mental health–related issues in this group, inform evidence-based interventions, and facilitate preventive or early access to interventions. There may also be an indirect impact on problems resulting from mental illness such as school dropout, antisocial behaviors, knife crimes, juvenile detention centers, and even death.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/42575
Design Validation of a Relational Agent by COVID-19 Patients: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Islam Ashraful , Chaudhry Beenish Moalla
Published: November 2022

Background

Relational agents (RAs) have shown effectiveness in various health interventions with and without doctors and hospital facilities. In situations such as a pandemic like the COVID-19 pandemic when health care professionals (HCPs) and facilities are unable to cope with increased demands, RAs may play a major role in ameliorating the situation. However, they have not been well explored in this domain.

Objective

This study aimed to design a prototypical RA in collaboration with COVID-19 patients and HCPs and test it with the potential users, for its ability to deliver services during a pandemic.

Methods

The RA was designed and developed in collaboration with people with COVID-19 (n=21) and 2 groups of HCPs (n=19 and n=16, respectively) to aid COVID-19 patients at various stages by performing 4 main tasks: testing guidance, support during self-isolation, handling emergency situations, and promoting postrecovery mental well-being. A design validation survey was conducted with 98 individuals to evaluate the usability of the prototype using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and the participants provided feedback on the design. In addition, the RA’s usefulness and acceptability were rated by the participants using Likert scales.

Results

In the design validation survey, the prototypical RA received an average SUS score of 58.82. Moreover, 90% (88/98) of participants perceived it to be helpful, and 69% (68/98) of participants accepted it as a viable alternative to HCPs. The prototypical RA received favorable feedback from the participants, and they were inclined to accept it as an alternative to HCPs in non-life-threatening scenarios despite the usability rating falling below the acceptable threshold.

Conclusions

Based on participants’ feedback, we recommend further development of the RA with improved automation and emotional support, ability to provide information, tracking, and specific recommendations.
Експериментальне обґрунтування оптимальних конструкційних властивостей кільцевих спице-стрижневих фіксаторів
Authors: Rushaу A.K. , Bayda M.V. , Martynchuk O.O. , Musienko O.S. , Fam D.K.
Published: November 2022

Актуальність. Використання кільцевих фіксаторів спице-стрижневого типу є одним із провідних методів лікування незрощень кісток. Удосконалення конструктивних властивостей системи фіксації є перспективним напрямком поліпшення результатів лікування. Мета дослідження — експериментальне обґрунтування конструкційних удосконалень кільцевих спице-стрижневих фіксаторів. Матеріали та методи. Завданням експерименту було визначити вплив просторової фіксації стрижня в кільцевому спице-стрижневому фіксаторі. Об’єктом дослідження була синтетична кістка Sawbones® із моделлю перелому, який був фіксований кільцевим фіксатором 2 типів. Усі параметри (кількість кілець, спиць, кутів їх перехрестя) були аналогічними. Відмінність двох моделей полягала лише в наявності чи відсутності ребра жорсткості фіксації стрижня. За допомогою універсальної випробувальної машини TIRATEST-2151 визначаються характеристики міцності й деформації матеріалів із максимальним зусиллям до 5 кН. Зразки випробували у трьох режимах: стиск вздовж осі кістки, кручення, згин. У процесі навантаження були записані таблиці, у яких розміщені дані, що реєструвала випробувальна установка (переміщення і сили, що прикладалася). У процесі випробування дослідний зразок, включаючи контрастні точки, фотографували при різних навантаженнях. Зображення обробляли на комп’ютері, використовуючи стандартну систему управління цифровим зображенням. Результати. За отриманими даними, ребро жорсткості при фіксації стрижня кільцевого фіксатора впливало на показники жорсткості системи при усіх видах навантаження. Найбільш чутливим був згин. Так, жорсткість при згині зменшилась на 23 %, при стиску — на 8,5 %. Використання удосконалень фіксації стрижня при лікуванні незрощень кісток гомілки після перелому показало клінічну ефективність. Висновки. Використання ребра жорсткості фіксації стрижня кільцевого спице-стрижневого фіксатора в експерименті довело підвищення показників жорсткості. Найбільш значимим було збільшення параметрів жорсткості при згині. За попередніми даними, застосування удосконалень кільцевих фіксаторів при лікуванні незрощень кісток гомілки після перелому засвідчило клінічну ефективність.