bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Systematic Review Automation Tools on Methodological Quality and Time Taken to Complete Systematic Review Tasks: Case Study (Preprint)
Authors: Clark Justin , McFarlane Catherine , Cleo Gina , Ishikawa Ramos Christiane , Marshall Skye
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Systematic reviews (SRs) are considered the highest level of evidence to answer research questions; however, they are time and resource intensive.

OBJECTIVE

When comparing SR tasks done manually, using standard methods, versus those same SR tasks done using automated tools, (1) what is the difference in time to complete the SR task and (2) what is the impact on the error rate of the SR task?

METHODS

A case study compared specific tasks done during the conduct of an SR on prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation in chronic kidney disease. Two participants (manual team) conducted the SR using current methods, comprising a total of 16 tasks. Another two participants (automation team) conducted the tasks where a systematic review automation (SRA) tool was available, comprising of a total of six tasks. The time taken and error rate of the six tasks that were completed by both teams were compared.

RESULTS

The approximate time for the manual team to produce a draft of the background, methods, and results sections of the SR was 126 hours. For the six tasks in which times were compared, the manual team spent 2493 minutes (42 hours) on the tasks, compared to 708 minutes (12 hours) spent by the automation team. The manual team had a higher error rate in two of the six tasks—regarding Task 5: Run the systematic search, the manual team made eight errors versus three errors made by the automation team; regarding Task 12: Assess the risk of bias, 25 assessments differed from a reference standard for the manual team compared to 20 differences for the automation team. The manual team had a lower error rate in one of the six tasks—regarding Task 6: Deduplicate search results, the manual team removed one unique study and missed zero duplicates versus the automation team who removed two unique studies and missed seven duplicates. Error rates were similar for the two remaining compared tasks—regarding Task 7: Screen the titles and abstracts and Task 9: Screen the full text, zero relevant studies were excluded by both teams. One task could not be compared between groups—Task 8: Find the full text.

CONCLUSIONS

For the majority of SR tasks where an SRA tool was used, the time required to complete that task was reduced for novice researchers while methodological quality was maintained.
User Experience With Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Methods for an Affective Exergame: Comparative Laboratory-Based Study (Preprint)
Authors: Darzi Ali , McCrea Sean M , Novak Domen
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

In affective exergames, game difficulty is dynamically adjusted to match the user’s physical and psychological state. Such an adjustment is commonly made based on a combination of performance measures (eg, in-game scores) and physiological measurements, which provide insight into the player’s psychological state. However, although many prototypes of affective games have been presented and many studies have shown that physiological measurements allow more accurate classification of the player’s psychological state than performance measures, few studies have examined whether dynamic difficulty adjustment (DDA) based on physiological measurements (which requires additional sensors) results in a better user experience than performance-based DDA or manual difficulty adjustment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to compare five DDA methods in an affective exergame: manual (player-controlled), random, performance-based, personality-performance–based, and physiology-personality-performance–based (all-data).

METHODS

A total of 50 participants (N=50) were divided into five groups, corresponding to the five DDA methods. They played an exergame version of Pong for 18 minutes, starting at a medium difficulty; every 2 minutes, two game difficulty parameters (ball speed and paddle size) were adjusted using the participant’s assigned DDA method. The DDA rules for the performance-based, personality-performance–based, and all-data groups were developed based on data from a previous open-loop study. Seven physiological responses were recorded throughout the sessions, and participants self-reported their preferred changes to difficulty every 2 minutes. After playing the game, participants reported their in-game experience using two questionnaires: the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and the Flow Experience Measure.

RESULTS

Although the all-data method resulted in the most accurate changes to ball speed and paddle size (defined as the percentage match between DDA choice and participants’ preference), no significant differences between DDA methods were found on the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and Flow Experience Measure. When the data from all four automated DDA methods were pooled together, the accuracy of changes in ball speed was significantly correlated with players’ enjoyment (r=0.38) and pressure (r=0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Although our study is limited by the use of a between-subjects design and may not generalize to other exergame designs, the results do not currently support the inclusion of physiological measurements in affective exergames, as they did not result in an improved user experience. As the accuracy of difficulty changes is correlated with user experience, the results support the development of more effective DDA methods. However, they show that the inclusion of physiological measurements does not guarantee a better user experience even if it yields promising results in offline cross-validation.

CLINICALTRIAL
Evaluating Scholars’ Impact and Influence: Cross-sectional Study of the Correlation Between a Novel Social Media–Based Score and an Author-Level Citation Metric (Preprint)
Authors: Oliveira J e Silva Lucas , Maldonado Graciela , Brigham Tara , Mullan Aidan F , Utengen Audun , Cabrera Daniel
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

The development of an author-level complementary metric could play a role in the process of academic promotion through objective evaluation of scholars’ influence and impact.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the Healthcare Social Graph (HSG) score, a novel social media influence and impact metric, and the h-index, a traditional author-level metric.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of health care stakeholders with a social media presence randomly sampled from the Symplur database in May 2020. We performed stratified random sampling to obtain a representative sample with all strata of HSG scores. We manually queried the h-index in two reference-based databases (Scopus and Google Scholar). Continuous features (HSG score and h-index) from the included profiles were summarized as the median and IQR. We calculated the Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) to evaluate the correlation between the HSG scores and h-indexes obtained from Google Scholar and Scopus.

RESULTS

A total of 286 (31.2%) of the 917 stakeholders had a Google Scholar h-index available. The median HSG score for these profiles was 61.1 (IQR 48.2), and the median h-index was 14.5 (IQR 26.0). For the 286 subjects with the HSG score and Google Scholar h-index available, the Spearman correlation coefficient ρ was 0.1979 (P<.001), indicating a weak positive correlation between these two metrics. A total of 715 (78%) of 917 stakeholders had a Scopus h-index available. The median HSG score for these profiles was 57.6 (IQR 46.4), and the median h-index was 7 (IQR 16). For the 715 subjects with the HSG score and Scopus h-index available, ρ was 0.2173 (P<.001), also indicating a weak positive correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a weak positive correlation between a novel author-level complementary metric and the h-index. More than a chiasm between traditional citation metrics and novel social media–based metrics, our findings point toward a bridge between the two domains.
A Multimodal Imaging–Based Deep Learning Model for Detecting Treatment-Requiring Retinal Vascular Diseases: Model Development and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kang Eugene Yu-Chuan , Yeung Ling , Lee Yi-Lun , Wu Cheng-Hsiu , Peng Shu-Yen , Chen Yueh-Peng , Gao Quan-Ze , Lin Chihung , Kuo Chang-Fu , Lai Chi-Chun
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic macular edema (DME), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV), and branch and central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO/CRVO), are considered vision-threatening eye diseases. However, accurate diagnosis depends on multimodal imaging and the expertise of retinal ophthalmologists.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop a deep learning model to detect treatment-requiring retinal vascular diseases using multimodal imaging.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled participants with multimodal ophthalmic imaging data from 3 hospitals in Taiwan from 2013 to 2019. Eye-related images were used, including those obtained through retinal fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography with or without indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICGA). A deep learning model was constructed for detecting DME, nAMD, mCNV, BRVO, and CRVO and identifying treatment-requiring diseases. Model performance was evaluated and is presented as the area under the curve (AUC) for each receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

A total of 2992 eyes of 2185 patients were studied, with 239, 1209, 1008, 211, 189, and 136 eyes in the control, DME, nAMD, mCNV, BRVO, and CRVO groups, respectively. Among them, 1898 eyes required treatment. The eyes were divided into training, validation, and testing groups in a 5:1:1 ratio. In total, 5117 retinal fundus photos, 9316 OCT images, and 20,922 FA/ICGA images were used. The AUCs for detecting mCNV, DME, nAMD, BRVO, and CRVO were 0.996, 0.995, 0.990, 0.959, and 0.988, respectively. The AUC for detecting treatment-requiring diseases was 0.969. From the heat maps, we observed that the model could identify retinal vascular diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study developed a deep learning model to detect retinal diseases using multimodal ophthalmic imaging. Furthermore, the model demonstrated good performance in detecting treatment-requiring retinal diseases.
A Smartphone Serious Game for Adolescents (Grow It! App): Development, Feasibility, and Acceptance Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dietvorst Evelien , Aukes Michelle A , Legerstee Jeroen S , Vreeker Annabel , Hrehovcsik Micah M , Keijsers Loes , Hillegers Manon H J
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and mood problems in adolescents often go unnoticed and may therefore remain untreated. Identifying and preventing the development of emotional problems requires monitoring and effective tools to strengthen adolescents' resilience, for example, by enhancing coping skills.

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the developmental process, feasibility, and acceptance of Grow It!, a multiplayer serious game app for adolescents aged 12-25 years. The app consists of the experience sampling method (ESM) to monitor thoughts, behaviors, and emotions in daily life to enhance self-insight and daily cognitive behavioral therapy–based challenges to promote adaptive coping.

METHODS

Our approach entails an iterative game design process combined with an agile method to develop the smartphone app. The incorporated game features (ie, challenges, chat functionality, and visual representation) in the Grow It! app were co-designed with adolescent end users to increase participant engagement and adherence.

RESULTS

The Grow It! app was delivered for Android and iOS in May 2020. Grow It! was offered to adolescents during the COVID-19 crisis between May and December 2020. Participants of the Grow It! COVID-19 study (sample 1: N=685; mean age 16.19, SD 3.11 years; 193/685, 28.2% boys; sample 2: N=1035; mean age 18.78, SD 3.51 years; 193/1035, 18.64% boys) completed 31.5% (13.2/42) to 49.5% (10.4/21) of challenges. Compliance of ESM was suboptimal (35.1/210, 16.7% to 32.5/105, 30.9%). Follow-up questionnaires indicated an overall score of the app of 7.1 out of 10. Moreover, 72.6% (278/383) to 75.6% (487/644) would recommend the app to friends.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, Grow It! is the first gamified ESM app that both measures individual differences in emotional dynamics and offers an integrated cognitive behavioral therapy–based intervention. Our findings support the feasibility and acceptance, and therefore applicability, of the Grow It! app in adolescents. Further iterations of this serious game app will focus on the increase of compliance and on providing participants feedback through their personal mood profiles.
Correction: Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t) (Preprint)
Authors: Sullivan Patrick Sean , Taussig Jennifer , Valentine-Graves Mariah , Luisi Nicole , Del Rio Carlos , Guest Jodie L , Jones Jeb , Millett Greg , Rosenberg Eli S , Stephenson Rob , Kelley Colleen
Published: May 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

In “Disparities in Care Outcomes in Atlanta Between Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Engage[men]t)” (JMIR Res Protoc 2021;10(2):e21985) the authors noted one error.
In the originally published manuscript, one author was inadvertently not displayed in the authorship list. Author Jodie Guest was uploaded in the manuscript file, but inadvertently not entered in the online metadata..
Dr. Guest’s authorship has been recognized in the corrected manuscript.
The correction will appear in the online version of the paper on the JMIR Publications website on April 28, 2021, together with the publication of this correction notice. Because this was made after submission to PubMed, PubMed Central, and other full-text repositories, the corrected article has also been resubmitted to those repositories.
User requirements analysis of an Embodied Conversational Agent for coaching older adults to choose active and healthy ageing behaviors during the transition to retirement: a cross-national User Centered Design study (Preprint)
Authors: Santini Sara , Stara Vera , Galassi Flavia , Merizzi Alessandra , Schneider Cornelia , Schwamm Sabine , Stolte Elske , Kropf Johannes
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

The ageing worldwide population involves an increase of multiple chronic diseases and the consequent demand for healthcare services by older people, thus challenging the healthcare systems’ sustainability and older people’s quality of life. In order to postpone older adults’ need for care, the promotion of healthy ageing is a key action that can be favored today by embodied conversational agents. Nevertheless, the role and benefit of this technology is still relatively ignored by the literature, especially when being applied to older workers and new retirees, and from a preventive perspective.

OBJECTIVE

This study wants to answer two research questions: 1) What are the user requirements of a virtual coaching based on an Embodied Conversational Agent for motivating older adults in transition to retirement to adopt a healthy lifestyle? 2) How could a virtual coaching system address the active and healthy ageing dimensions, especially during COVID-19 times?

METHODS

To answer the questions above, according to the User Centered Design approach, two-wave cross-national focus-groups with 60 end-users aged 55 and over and follow-up telephone interviews to 27 end-users were carried out in Austria, Italy and the Netherland between Spring 2019 and January 2021. Qualitative data were analysed through the Framework Analysis in order to highlight cross-country commonalities and national peculiarities.

RESULTS

End-users suggest the virtual coach motivates older workers and retirees to practice physical activity, maintain social contacts and provide them with practical activities to improve their mental and emotional well-being. It can be used every day based on users’ time, mood, family relationships and social condition. The embodied conversational agent should be reactive, customizable, expected to be expressive, sympathetic, not directive nor patronizing and its language should be appropriate, pleasant and motivating. The COVID-19 outbreak accelerated the acceptance of the system by increasing the users’ need for functions that boost community, physical and emotional well-being activities.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that the virtual coaching system can be one of the solutions that can best address the active and healthy ageing dimensions by suggesting activities that can improve individuals’ physical activity, mental well-being and socialisation. especially in the current worldwide epidemiological situation. Nevertheless, to be fully effective, it has to have a pleasant appearance and voice to motivate users without being patronising nor directive. Moreover, it should be customisable, yet non stigmatising, and should be able to adapt to the ageing process and to the evolution of the retirement transition.
Using Electronically Delivered Therapy and Brain Imaging to Understand Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Pathophysiology: Protocol for a Pilot Study (Preprint)
Authors: Stephenson Callum , Malakouti Niloufar , Nashed Joseph Y , Salomons Tim , Cook Douglas J , Milev Roumen , Alavi Nazanin
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating and prevalent anxiety disorder. Although the basal ganglia and frontal cortex are the brain regions that are most commonly hypothesized to be involved in OCD, the exact pathophysiology is unknown. By observing the effects of proven treatments on brain activation levels, the cause of OCD can be better understood. Currently, the gold standard treatment for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention. However, this is often temporally and geographically inaccessible, time consuming, and costly. Fortunately, CBT can be effectively delivered using the internet (electronically delivered CBT [e-CBT]) because of its structured nature, thus addressing these barriers.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study are to implement an e-CBT program for OCD and to observe its effects on brain activation levels using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is hypothesized that brain activation levels in the basal ganglia and frontal cortex will decrease after treatment.

METHODS

Individuals with OCD will be offered a 16-week e-CBT program with exposure and response prevention mirroring in-person CBT content and administered through a secure web-based platform. The efficacy of the treatment will be evaluated using clinically validated symptomology questionnaires at baseline, at week 8, and after treatment (week 16). Using functional MRI at baseline and after treatment, brain activation levels will be assessed in the resting state and while exposed to anxiety-inducing images (eg, dirty dishes if cleanliness is an obsession). The effects of treatment on brain activation levels and the correlation between symptom changes and activation levels will be analyzed.

RESULTS

The study received initial ethics approval in December 2020, and participant recruitment began in January 2021. Participant recruitment has been conducted through social media advertisements, physical advertisements, and physician referrals. To date, 5 participants have been recruited. Data collection is expected to conclude by January 2022, and data analysis is expected to be completed by February 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study can further our understanding of the causation of OCD and help develop more effective treatments for this disorder.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04630197; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04630197.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/30726
Mapping Individual Differences on the Internet: Case Study of the Type 1 Diabetes Community (Preprint)
Authors: Bedford-Petersen Cianna , Weston Sara J
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Social media platforms, such as Twitter, are increasingly popular among communities of people with chronic conditions, including those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). There is some evidence that social media confers emotional and health-related benefits to people with T1D, including emotional support and practical information regarding health maintenance. Research on social media has primarily relied on self-reports of web-based behavior and qualitative assessment of web-based content, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Meanwhile, recent advances in natural language processing have allowed for large-scale assessment of social media behavior.

OBJECTIVE

This study attempts to document the major themes of Twitter posts using a natural language processing method to identify topics of interest in the T1D web-based community. We also seek to map social relations on Twitter as they relate to these topics of interest, to determine whether Twitter users in the T1D community post in “echo chambers,” which reflect their own topics back to them, or whether users typically see a mix of topics on the internet.

METHODS

Through Twitter scraping, we gathered a data set of 691,691 tweets from 8557 accounts, spanning a date range from 2008 to 2020, which includes people with T1D, their caregivers, health practitioners, and advocates. Tweet content was analyzed for sentiment and topic, using Latent Dirichlet Allocation. We used social network analysis to examine the degree to which identified topics are siloed within specific groups or disseminated through the broader T1D web-based community.

RESULTS

Tweets were, on average, positive in sentiment. Through topic modeling, we identified 6 broad-bandwidth topics, ranging from clinical to advocacy to daily management to emotional health, which can inform researchers and practitioners interested in the needs of people with T1D. These analyses also replicate prior work using machine learning methods to map social behavior on the internet. We extend these results through social network analysis, indicating that users are likely to see a mix of these topics discussed by the accounts they follow.

CONCLUSIONS

Twitter communities are sources of information for people with T1D and members related to that community. Topics identified reveal key concerns of the T1D community and may be useful to practitioners and researchers alike. The methods used are efficient (low cost) while providing researchers with enormous amounts of data. We provide code to facilitate the use of these methods with other populations.
A Novel Digital Pill System for Medication Adherence Measurement and Reporting: Usability Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Baumgartner Susan L , Buffkin Jr D Eric , Rukavina Elise , Jones Jason , Weiler Elizabeth , Carnes Tony C
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Medication nonadherence is a costly problem that is common in clinical use and clinical trials alike, with significant adverse consequences. Digital pill systems have proved to be effective and safe solutions to the challenges of nonadherence, with documented success in improving adherence and health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this human factors validation study is to evaluate a novel digital pill system, the ID-Cap System from etectRx, for usability among patient users in a simulated real-world use environment.

METHODS

A total of 17 patients with diverse backgrounds who regularly take oral prescription medications were recruited. After training and a period of training decay, the participants were asked to complete 12 patient-use scenarios during which errors or difficulties were logged. The participants were also interviewed about their experiences with the ID-Cap System.

RESULTS

The participants ranged in age from 27 to 74 years (mean 51 years, SD 13.8 years), and they were heterogeneous in other demographic factors as well, such as education level, handedness, and sex. In this human factors validation study, the patient users completed 97.5% (196/201) of the total use scenarios successfully; 75.1% (151/201) were completed without any failures or errors. The participants found the ID-Cap System easy to use, and they were able to accurately and proficiently record ingestion events using the device.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants demonstrated the ability to safely and effectively use the ID-Cap System for its intended use. The ID-Cap System has great potential as a useful tool for encouraging medication adherence and can be easily implemented by patient users.
Occupational and Physical Therapy Strategies for the Rehabilitation of COVID-19-Related Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the Long-term Acute Care Hospital Setting: Case Report (Preprint)
Authors: Connors Catherine , McNeill Stephanie , Hrdlicka Henry Charles
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Although several reports have described the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COVID-19-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), there is a paucity of literature describing the occupational and physical therapy (OT and PT) strategies used in the long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) setting to rehabilitate these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To expand this body of literature, we present a case report highlighting the treatment strategies used to rehabilitate and discharge an individual from an independent LTACH facility, following diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19-related GBS at a regional ACH.

METHODS

A 61-year-old male was admitted to an LTACH for the rehabilitation of GBS following COVID-19 infection and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Rehabilitation in the LTACH setting uses a variety of skilled treatment interventions to meet patient-driven goals and maximize their function to the highest level possible in preparation of their discharge to a subacute or homecare setting. In this case, this was accomplished through individual OT and PT sessions, OT/PT cotreatment sessions, and targeted group therapy sessions focused on leg, arm, and fine motor coordination exercises.

RESULTS

With the OT and PT standard of care, the patient’s improvement was demonstrated by several outcome measures, including manual muscle testing, range of motion, grip strength, and the activity measure for postacute care. The patient was successfully rehabilitated and returned to the community after presenting with COVID-19-associated GBS.

CONCLUSIONS

This report highlights the complex rehabilitation needs patients require to regain independence after diagnosis of COVID-19-associated GBS.
Artificial Intelligence in Predicting Cardiac Arrest: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Alamgir Asma , Mousa Osama , Shah Zubair
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening cessation of activity in the heart. Early prediction of cardiac arrest is important, as it allows for the necessary measures to be taken to prevent or intervene during the onset. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and big data have been increasingly used to enhance the ability to predict and prepare for the patients at risk.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the use of AI technology in predicting cardiac arrest as reported in the literature.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted in line with the guidelines of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) extension for scoping reviews. Scopus, ScienceDirect, Embase, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies. Backward reference list checks of the included studies were also conducted. Study selection and data extraction were independently conducted by 2 reviewers. Data extracted from the included studies were synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

Out of 697 citations retrieved, 41 studies were included in the review, and 6 were added after backward citation checking. The included studies reported the use of AI in the prediction of cardiac arrest. Of the 47 studies, we were able to classify the approaches taken by the studies into 3 different categories: 26 (55%) studies predicted cardiac arrest by analyzing specific parameters or variables of the patients, whereas 16 (34%) studies developed an AI-based warning system. The remaining 11% (5/47) of studies focused on distinguishing patients at high risk of cardiac arrest from patients who were not at risk. Two studies focused on the pediatric population, and the rest focused on adults (45/47, 96%). Most of the studies used data sets with a size of <10,000 samples (32/47, 68%). Machine learning models were the most prominent branch of AI used in the prediction of cardiac arrest in the studies (38/47, 81%), and the most used algorithm was the neural network (23/47, 49%). K-fold cross-validation was the most used algorithm evaluation tool reported in the studies (24/47, 51%).

CONCLUSIONS

AI is extensively used to predict cardiac arrest in different patient settings. Technology is expected to play an integral role in improving cardiac medicine. There is a need for more reviews to learn the obstacles to the implementation of AI technologies in clinical settings. Moreover, research focusing on how to best provide clinicians with support to understand, adapt, and implement this technology in their practice is also necessary.
In-vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Green Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles and Its Indigenous Mouthwash
Authors: Solanki Lichi. A. , Sundari KK Shantha , Rajeshkumar S
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the prepared Gold Nanoparticles from Triphala Plant extract and of the indigenous mouthwash prepared from these Triphala based gold nanoparticles (AuNP’s) using Artemia salina test. Its objective was to assess whether the prepared mouthwash was safe and biocompatible to use as an alternative to commercial mouthwashes in orthodontic patients to reduce the plaque load around brackets and bands as an adjuvant to tooth brushing. 15 g of brine shrimps was hatched in salt solution after incubating them for 24 – h. Prepared AuNP’s at concentrations 0µL (microliter), 5µL, 10µL, 20µL, 30µL, 50µL were added using a micropipette in one of the microtiter plates and mouthwash prepared from these AuNP’s were added at concentrations 0µL, 10µL, 20µL, 30µL, 40µL, 50µL in another microtiter plate. 10 Hatched nauplii (brine shrimps) were added in each of these microtiter plates and incubated for 24 – h. All nauplii were alive at the end of 24 – h in the microtiter plate containing AuNP’s. At concentrations 0µL, 10µL, 20µL, 30µL nauplii were alive and at 40µL, 50µL concentrations no nauplii were alive at the end of 24 – h in the microtiter plate containing mouthwash. Triphala mediated AuNP’s showed no toxic effect on the brine shrimps. AuNP’s based mouthwash showed excellent compatibility at lower concentrations. Mild toxic effects were elicited at higher concentrations. Hence, AuNP’s could be used to prepare mouthwashes at 20- 30 µL concentrations.
Study of the Antimicrobial Potential of Bacteria found in Natural Resources
Authors: Noskova Svetlana , Ivanova Svetlana , Prosekov Alexander , Dyshlyuk Lyubov , Ulrikh Elena , Shevchenko Margarita , Babich Olga , Sukhikh Stanislav
Published: May 2021

Bacteriocins are of great interest as potential antimicrobial agents against various types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Isolates of microorganisms derived from natural sources were used in the current study, including lactic acid bacteria and other antagonistic microorganisms. The species of the microorganisms were determined using 16S rDNA and ITS nrDNA analyses. E. coli, S. enterica, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. mycoides, A. faecalis, P. vulgaris, S. flexneri , L. monocytogenes, C. albicans, A. flavus, and P. citrinum were used as pathogenic and opportunistic strains. It was found that 11 strains of antagonistic microorganisms have significant antimicrobial activity against all pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. The antimicrobial properties of these microorganisms are currently under study.
Burden of Dengue and Chikungunya – A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sathish J.V. , Wadekar Mita D. , Jayashree S. , Pooja C.
Published: May 2021

Arboviral infections like dengue fever and chikungunya are the most common infections that share the same Aedes mosquito vectors. Clinical presentations of these two infections are also similar, especially in initial stages. Non-structural antigen (NS1 Ag)detection for dengue and detection of IgM antibodies by capture ELISA for chikungunya and dengue infection may help in the early diagnosis. Early diagnosis is essential for the treatment and control measures. The present study was conducted to know the burden of dengue and chikungunya. A retrospective study was conducted for a period of 1 year from Dec 2017 to Nov 2018 to know the burden of dengue and chikungunya in Chamarajanagar. Dengue (> 5 days fever) and chikungunya testing was done by IgM antibody capture ELISA kits produced by NIV. Dengue samples (< 5 days fever) were subjected to NS1 antigen detection by microwell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from Qualpro diagnostics. The tests were carried out following manufacturer’s instruction. Samples received for dengue NS1 Ag testing was 446, of which, 49(11.0%) were positive and of 730 samples received for IgM antibody, 53 (7.3%) were positive. Age group commonly affected was 0-20 years 44(43.1%). Of 668 samples received for chikungunya test, 86 (12.9%) were positive. Maximum number of cases was seen in age group of 21-40 years 45(52.3%). Males 56(54.9%) were affected higher than female 46(45.1%) in dengue infection while in chikungunya, females 45(52.3%) were more affected than males 41(47.7%). Both infections are high in the month of June and July. Early detection of dengue by NS1 antigen and detection of Ig M antibodies by capture ELISA chikungunya and dengue infection helps in appropriate treatment and initiation of prevention and control measures by community awareness and vector control.
The Influence of Sufism on the Sudanese Belt
Authors:   University of Latvia, Sharief Salah M.
Published: May 2021

As of the last decade of the 20th century, the Middle East and Africa have been the birthplace of extremist organizations espousing a radical ideology, which encourages violence against the dissenters and branding them apostates. Organizations like Al-Qā’ida and Dā’ish/ISIL performed numerous terrorist acts around the world, but especially in the Middle East. Other Salafi organizations like Boko Haram also gained recognition in international media disproportionate to their actual size. This discourse was behind the coinage of the term ‘Islamic Terrorism’, which casts a shadow of suspicion on any member of the Muslim community worldwide and served as an impetus for the writing of this paper as a means of shedding light on other Muslim organizations, which arguably are much larger in scope and influence. At the same time, these organizations are peaceful in nature and characterized by an incomparable level of tolerance. In my quest for sources of both narratives, I traced the history of the advent and dissemination of Islam in Africa – such a diverse geographic, cultural, ethnic and religious setting. I discovered that whereas the advent of Islam in the northern part of the region (North Africa) unfolded relatively quickly through invasion, it entered the Sudanese Belt (an area from the red sea shore of modern-day Sudan in the East to today’s Mauritania by the Atlantic Ocean in the West) more gradually via trade relations and the influence of Sufi sheikhs. They lived with the people indigenous to the area and seamlessly weaved themselves into the fabric of the societies they came to counsel. This paper argues that the areas where Sufi Islam is present have been largely shielded from extremist ideologies, and the reverse is true for North Africa, where Islam arrived in a relatively short period of invasion. The argument is presented by looking at the example of modernday Sudan, which leads me to examine the phenomenon of Sufi orders entering political life through direct involvement by establishing political parties, which propelled them into direct confrontation with representatives of a different branch of the Islamic movement in politics, namely, the Islamists. Arguably, the strongest Islamist party in the Middle East and Africa of today is the Muslim Brotherhood. I look at the diverging values of the two. Where the Muslim Brotherhood is arguably seeking absolute political power through a rigid organizational structure, the Sufi orders have been integrating into the political life of the country of residence. I argue that this example constitutes an opportunity to renegotiate the social contract between different factions of the society and lay the foundation for a different Islamic narrative. One based on pluralism, tolerance and understanding, which has the potential to gradually transform the sociopolitical environment of the entire Sudanese Belt in this direction.
Environmental Strategies and Preservation of Ancient Traditions in Contemporary Japanese Gardens with Focus on “Suzaku no niwa” (朱雀の庭) “Red Phoenix Garden” in Kyōto and “Suikei-en” 「水景園」“Water Mirror Garden” at Keihanna Commemorative Park, Nara Prefecture
Authors:   University of Latvia, Haijima Agnese
Published: May 2021

This article is dedicated to two contemporary gardens: “Suzaku no niwa” (朱雀の) “Red Phoenix Garden” in Kyōto and “Suikei-en” 「水景園」 “Water Mirror Garden” at Keihanna Commemorative Park, Nara Prefecture both designed by landscape artist Yoshida Masahiro 吉田昌弘. The author analyses the gardens from the aspect of incorporation of environmental strategies in contemporary Japanese gardens, as well as preservation of ancient traditions and merging them with new technologies and innovative approaches.
Vjetnamiešu saskarsmes kultūra. Antropoloģisks ziņojums
Authors:   Latvijas Universitāte, Taivans Leons , Kriķis Jurģis , Lāce Rota , Petričenko Anna , Striževska Olga , Siliņēviča Diana
Published: May 2021

Vjetnamiešu kopiena Latvijā ir kvalitatīvi jauns fenomens, kas parādījies tagadējā sociālā un ekonomiskā formā pēc neatkarības iegūšanas. Imigrācijas temps ir salīdzinoši liels, un vjetna­miešu sociālās vides izpēte ir tuvākās nākotnes aktualitāte. Ikviens antropoloģisks lauka pē­tījums sākas ar attiecīgā etnosa sociālās uzvedības normu apguvi. Šī publikācija ir pirmais solis vjetnamiešu saskarsmes kultūras izpētē, kas ir nepieciešams ne tikai zinātniekiem, bet arī tiem, kas veic konkrētu darbu ar imigrantu kopienām no Latvijā reģistrētām nevaldības organizācijām vai arī oficiālām valsts institūcijām. Pētījums ir veikts kā komandas darbs ar orientālistikas studentu piedalīšanos.
Decomposition of food waste from protein and carbohydrate sources by black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens L.
Authors:   Department of Earth Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Jalil N.A.A. , Abdullah S.H. ,   Department of Earth Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Ahmad I.K. ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia, Basri N.E.A. ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia, Mohamed Z.S. ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Published: May 2021

Aim: To determine the variability of black soldier fly larvae treatment in comparison to different sources of substrates with an emphasis on protein and carbohydrate with regards to black soldier fly larvae growth and the physico-chemical characteristics of the final compost. Methodology: The study comprised of an experimental setup, sample preparation of synthetic food waste (protein and carbohydrate source), physico-chemical and nutrients laboratory test and analysis of data. Results: The results showed that larvae that compost protein food sources are likely to be bigger than larvae that compost carbohydrate food sources. From the laboratory results, the amount of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and C/N ratio content of protein source compost were 266.1 µg g-1, 204.3 µg g-1, 28.6 µg g-1 and 0.51 µg g-1 respectively. Whereas, the physico-chemical results for the carbohydrate source compost were 55.1 µg g-1, 20.5 µg g-1, 2.3 µg g-1 and 3.33 µg g-1 respectively. Interpretation: Black soldier fly larvae prefer to accumulate protein food residues rather than carbohydrate food residues, thus emphasizing that protein content is vital for their growth. The increase in potassium, phosphorus and magnesium for black soldier fly larvae yield compost can potentially produce organic solid fertilizer for farming and agricultural industries. The unfavourable nutrients from food waste is considered to be a significant factor that can affect the development, production and efficiency of life stage of composting black soldier fly larvae.
Variation in antibacterial properties of endophytic fungi isolated from Phaeophytes and Rhodophytes of Johor, Malaysia
Authors:   Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Zainee N.F.A. , Ibrahim N. ,   Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Hidayah N. ,   Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Rozaimi M. ,   Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia
Published: May 2021

Aim: To identify endophytic fungi of tropical macroalgae and analyse variation in antibacterial activity. Methodology: Endophytic fungi were aseptically isolated from macroalgae tissue, identified by macroscopic and microscopic observations, screened for the presence of antibacterial activity using cross streak and disc diffusion methods against six human pathogenic bacteria. Results: A total of 27 endophytic fungi were isolated and identified from 7 species of macroalgae collected from the Johor coast, Malaysia. Twenty-three fungal isolates belonged to Ascomycota, while two belonged to Zygomycota and Oomycota, respectively. Aspergillus niger was the most common and abundant endophyte found in macroalgal samples. Preliminary screening determined 13 species (48.15%) having positive antibacterial activity. Quantitative analysis of antibacterial activity showed significant differences (p< 0.01) against six human pathogenic bacteria. Two fungal isolates indicated strong and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity namely, Pythium sp. and Trichoderma viride. Interpretation: The findings demonstrate that certain macroalgae-derived endophytic fungi from Johor possess antibacterial properties and can be potentially new antibiotic sources, which are hitherto under-reported.
Adaptation and taxonomic value of leaf anatomical characteristics of selected Ipomoea L. species
Authors:   Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Noraini T. , Amirul-Aiman A.J. ,   Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43400, Malaysia, Ruzi A.R. ,   Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Bunawan H. ,   Institute of Biological System,  Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia, Nurdiana S.F. ,   Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia
Published: May 2021

Aim: To investigate the taxonomic value of leaf anatomical characteristics and to determine the anatomical features that enabled the species to adapt to different environmental conditions. Methodology: Three methods were applied for leaf anatomy observation: sectioning using a sliding microtome, leaf clearing and epidermal peels. Results: The findings showed some common anatomical characteristics shared in all species studied, such as incomplete leaf venation, the presence of trichome and schlerenchyma cells, and the presence of mucilaginous idioblast cells in the petiole and midrib. Straight-to-sinuous anticlinal cell walls, amphistomatic leaves, and three types of stomata: parasitic, anomocytic and staurocytic were on the abaxial side of leaf lamina in this study. Peltate and capitate glandular trichome, as well as simple trichome, were all present in the petiole, midrib and lamina. However, peltate glandular trichome were only found in the root of I. triloba. Druses were observed in all species, except I. batatas. Interpretation: Leaf anatomical characteristics possess taxonomic value, especially in species differentiation and identification, that can be subsequently useful in explaining plant's adaptation to their environment.
Reproductive traits of Goby Glossogobius sparsipapillus Akihito and Meguro, 1976 in Tra Vinh Province, Vietnam
Authors:   School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh, 940000, Vietnam, Ho N.K. , Nguyen T.M. ,   The Centre of Hi-Tech Application in Agriculture, Ben Tre, 930000, Vietnam, Dinh Q.M. ,   Department of Biology, School of Education, Can Tho University, Can Tho, 900000, Vietnam
Published: May 2021

Aim: This study was conducted to contribute data on the reproductive biology such as sex proportion, spawning season and pattern, fecundity and its relation to fish size, and length at first mature of the commercial fish Glossogobius sparsipapillus in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. Methodology: Fish was collected monthly using trawling nets at four sampling sites during dry and wet seasons between July 2019 to June 2020. Next, fish was stored in ice before transporting to the laboratory. In laboratory, total length, body weight, and sex before removing gonads were examined histologically. Results: Female G. sparsipapillus (806 individuals) out numbered males (591 individuals). This goby was a multi-spawner as different developmental stages of oocytes and spermatocytes were present in the cross-section of testes and ovaries. A combined analysis of frequency of mature ovaries and GSI showed that this goby could spawn throughout the study period with the mean peak from July to October. The batch fecundity was 17,537 SE and related positively to fish length and weight, indicating it increased as fish grew Interpretation: This study results in an enhanced understanding of this species' reproductive biology for better sustainable management and brood stock study in studied regions.
Topology Uniformity Pinning Control for Multi-agent Flocking
Authors: Liu Jintao , He Ming , Liu Qiang , Wang Jie , Zou Mingguang , Zhang Weishi
Published: May 2021

The optimal pinning node selection for multi-agent flocking is a NP-hard
problem. The current pinning node selection strategies mainly depend on
complex network node characteristics which are lack of rigorous
mathematical proof for flocking control. This paper studies the effect
and selection strategy of pinning node based on matrix eigenvalue
theory. Firstly, the effect on the eigenvalue of Laplacian matrix by
pinning node is analyzed. Secondly, the synchronization index which
reflects topology uniformity of multi-agent system is proposed to exert
maximum influence on the system synchronizability. A practicable optimal
pinning node selection method based on synchronization index is proposed
and analyzed by the eigenvalue perturbation method. Finally, the
simulations show the rate of system convergence by using optimal
synchronizability pinning node is better than the maximum degree
centrality.