bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Interleukin-10 -592C/A Polymorphism and Cervical Cancer Risk: a Meta- Analysis
Authors: Diakite Brehima , Kassogue Yaya , Maiga Mamoudou , Dolo Guimogo , Kassogue Oumar , Musa Jonah , Morhason-Bello Imran , Traore Ban , Traore Cheick Bougari , Kamate Bakarou , Coulibaly Aissata , Nadifi Sellama , Murphy Robert , Holl Jane L , Hou Lifang
Published: March 2022

Background
The literature review showed some discrepancies regarding the association of -592C/A with the risk of cervical cancer. To allow more precise analysis of the data by increasing the number of cases studied and more acceptable generalization by considering results from different sources, the present meta-analysis was performed on available published studies that explored the relationship between SNP − 592C/A of the IL-10 gene and the risk of cervical cancer.
Methods
Eleven available studies, including 4187 cases and 3311 controls were included in this study investigating the relationship between the − 592C/A polymorphism of IL-10 and cervical cancer risk. Fixed-effects or random-effects models were performed by pooled odds ratios (ORs). Heterogeneity and bias tests were performed by the inconsistency test and funnel plot, respectively.
Results
The overall analysis showed an increased susceptibility to cervical cancer with the − 592C/A polymorphism of the IL-10 gene for the recessive model (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.14–1.49), dominant (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09–1.70) and additive (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.09–1.44). Regarding ethnicity, a significant association of the − 592C/A polymorphism of the IL-10 gene was linked to an elevated risk of cervical cancer for all genetic models (recessive model, dominant and additive) in the Caucasian and Asian population with P < 0.05.
Conclusions
-592C/A polymorphism of IL-10 gene may be considered a risk factor for cervical cancer.
Insertion of transposable elements in AVR-Pib of Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Li Jinbin , Lu Lin , Li Cheng-Yun , Wang Qun , Shi Zhu-Feng
Published: March 2022

Background: Rice blast is a very serious disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. The avirulence (AVR) genes of rice blast are perceived by the corresponding rice-blast resistance (R) genes and prompt specific resistance. A mutantion in AVR is a major force for new virulence. Exploring mutations in AVR among M. oryzae isolates from rice-production fields could aid assessment of the efficacy and durability of R genes. We studied the probable molecular-evolutionary patterns of AVR-Pib alleles by assaying their DNA-sequence diversification and examining their avirulence to the corresponding Pib resistance gene under natural conditions in China.Results: PCRs detected results from M. oryzae genomic DNA revealed that 162 out of 366 isolates collected from Yunnan Province contained AVR-Pib alleles. Among them, 36.1–73.3% isolates from six different rice-production areas of Yunnan contained AVR-Pib alleles. Furthermore, 36 (28.6%) out of 126 isolates had a transposable element (TE) insertion in AVR-Pib, which resulted in altered virulence. The TE insertion was identified in isolates from rice rather than from Musa nana Lour. Twelve AVR-Pib haplotypes encoding three novel AVR-Pib variants were identified among the remaining 90 isolates. AVR-Pib alleles evolved to virulent forms from avirulent forms by base substitution and TE insertion of Pot2 and Pot3 in the 5′ untranslated region of AVR-Pib. Conclusions: Our results revealed that AVR-Pib alleles suffered neutral evolution and divergences that led to overcome specific resistant Pib alleles under field conditions. The TE insertion in AVR-Pib was selected and adapted to rice and other Gramineae species.
Improving RED algorithm congestion control by using the Markov Decision Process
Authors: Mahawish Amar A. , Hassan Hassan J.
Published: March 2022

Congestion control plays an essential role on the internet to manage overload, which affects data transmission performance. The random early detection (RED) algorithm belongs to active queue management (AQM), which is used to manage internet traffic. The RED is used to eliminate weakness in default control of the transport control protocol (TCP) drop-tail mechanism. The drawback of RED is parameter tuning, while adaptive RED (ARED) automatically adjusts these parameters. In this study, the suggested algorithm, the Markov decision process RED (MDPRED) uses the Markov decision process (MDP) to suitably adapt values for queue weight in the RED algorithm based on average queue length to enhance the performance of the traditional RED. This study is conducted based on fluctuations among the rate of service, the queuing weight, and the mean queue length by using open-source network simulator NS3. The study shows efficient results by fluctuating end-to-end packet throughput and fast response to the inception of congestion in the network. The modified algorithm achieves a low level of loss packets by evaluating the results with the default RED algorithm and ARED, which is done by increasing the algorithm’s response when the average queue size becomes close to the maximum queue length threshold.
Assessment on coal mining land subsidence by using an innovative comprehensive weighted cloud model combination PSR conceptual model
Authors: Xu Chun , Zhou Keping , Xiong Xin , Gao Feng
Published: March 2022

The research on land subsidence (LS) is a global topic. In recent years, the environmental problems caused by coal mining have received great attention. In particular, mining land subsidence (MLS) caused damage to villages, buildings, farmland, etc, which seriously threatened the living environment and ecological environment of the mining area. To reasonably evaluate mining land subsidence (MLS) of coal mine, based on characteristics of strata movement in coal mining, this study put forward PSR (Pressure-State-Response) concept model based on MLS to build an evaluation index system of MLS in coal mine. Based on this index system, in view of the uncertainty in the evaluation process, the cloud model is used to represent the index weight and comprehensive evaluation calculations, which fully consider the randomness and ambiguity in the evaluation process. MLS of several important mining areas in China were evaluated and were classified as three grades (Slight-Medium-Strong). The cloud model assessment results are compared with the result of the probability integration method and the actual situation. The assessment results of the cloud model are closer to the actual situation than the probability integration method. It shows that the established MLS evaluation method based on cloud model in this study is reasonable and feasible. The Mining width and height ratio, depth and height ratio and coal seam dip angle are important factors affecting MLS. Therefore, improving the mining method to deal with the goaf reasonably, optimizing the mining design to control the influence range of mining are important measures to reduce the MLS and protect the ecological environment of mining areas.
Envelhecimento e cuidado: uma experiência no contexto da nutrição
Authors: GUERRA Danúbia Joanes Rosa , SANTOS Danielly Nogueira , BRETAS Jéssica Magalhães , RODRIGUES Bruno Otávio , RIBEIRO Andréia Queiroz , GUIMARÃES Maria Sortênia Alves
Published: March 2022

O aumento da população idosa no Brasil requer a implementação de políticas que promovam um envelhecimento ativo e saudável. Nesse contexto, destacam-se as ações focadas na alimentação saudável, por meio da Educação Alimentar e Nutricional (EAN) como práticas de prevenção e promotoras do autocuidado. O objetivo desse estudo foi relatar a contribuição da Nutrição, por meio da EAN, na promoção do autocuidado para o envelhecimento saudável. O trabalho foi realizado no período de março a dezembro de 2019, com oficinas semanais de EAN, que faziam parte de um programa de atendimento nutricional. Participaram do projeto 13 idosos, com idade média de 69 anos, maioria mulheres. Observaram-se impactos positivos da EAN no cotidiano para além da alimentação saudável, por estimularem o protagonismo e valorizarem a trajetória de vida dos participantes.
Cognitive impairment in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Bordovsky S. P. , Tolmachev K. D. , Kriukova K. K. , Gurina O. I. , Preobrazhenskaya I. S.
Published: March 2022

Introduction. The COVD-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 continues from March 2020. The virus primarily affects the respiratory system. Moreover, there is new data about the various organ damage caused by COVID-19 such as heart, skin, kidney and central nervous system. That’s why it is necessary to investigate the neurological features of the COVID-19.The aim of the study. To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the cognitive functions of hospitalized patients.Materials and methods. the PCR-positive patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Hospital No. 3 had been included in the study since March 2020 for May 2021. Thorax CT scan, physical and neurological examination, the biochemical blood test was provided for all patients. The neuropsychological examination was made by: MoCA, TMTA, TMTB, and emotional condition was tested by HADS.Results. 33 patients (21 (64.6%) women) were included; the median age was 73.0 [67.0; 76.0]. The average MoCA value was 22.64 points, median: 24.00 points [20.00; 25.00], median TMTA execution speed: 68 seconds [49.00; 84.00], TMTB: 194 seconds [153; 245.75]. HADS (depression) median: 7.0 [5.00; 9.00], for HADS (anxiety) median: 8.0 [4.00; 10.00]. A link between the olfactory disorders and low MoCA results (p = 0.015) was found according to the regression analysis. Moreover, the patient’s age, lung damage degree had a negative impact on the duration of TMTB (p = 0.001 and p = 0.049). The propensity score matching was made to confirm that the olfactory disturbances, regardless of other factors, are associated with a lower MoCA result (p = 0.012).Conclusion. The potential mechanisms, modality, defect duration and pharmacological response of cognitive disorders have a great interest. That’s why it is necessary to conduct clinical and experimental studies on patients, pathomorphological material and animal models.
François Guizot: The Historian in Politics
Authors:   Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Tanshina Nataliya P. ,   Moscow State Pedagogical University
Published: March 2022

The purpose of the article is to analyze the role of intellectuals in the political life of France based on the study of the views and state activities of the famous French historian and political figure François Guizot (1787–1874). The author examines the relationship between the historical views of Guizot, his understanding of the main problems of French and European history, his public and state activities during the Restoration (1814–1830) and the July Monarchy (1830–1848). The theme of the intelligentsia in power is most vividly revealed through the personality and activities of F. Guizot. He was more than just the leading politician of the July Monarchy. He enriched such fields of knowledge as history, pedagogy, constitutional law, sociology, political science. Similarly to many of his contemporaries, Guizot pursued two careers at the same time: scientific and political. However, Guizot’s failure as a politician overshadowed Guizot as a scientist. The article concludes that history and politics have always been closely intertwined for Guizot. Guizot searched in the past for answers to questions pertaining to modern France. Guizot saw history as a direct continuation of politics. In doing so, Guizot took into account not only the lessons of the past. He formulated his concept of French leadership in Europe and built a theoretical framework for his foreign policy based on knowledge of history. In addition, the article concludes: turning to the historical heritage of France and Europe for Guizot was important not only from a practical point of view, but also from the point of view of morality and education. For him, the history of the development of civilization was the history of the moral improvement of mankind.
Metal Casting Equipment in the Bronze Age Burials in Europe
Authors:   Institute for the History of the Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Batasova Anzhela V.
Published: March 2022

The article is devoted to the analysis of the finds of foundry implements in the Bronze Age burials in Europe. In addition, it revises criteria for identifying burials of metalworkers. In all probability, complexes where the professional sphere of the buried is represented only by tools associated with metal work and by those with a full set of tools suitable for work should be attributed to those of metalworkers. As a result of comparison of aspects and dynamics of this phenomena, common and specific characteristics of Eastern Europe, on the one side, and Central and Western — on the other, have been revealed. Burials with casting equipment in Europe first emerged in the Late Aeneolithic Age and existed in the Early Bronze Age. In the Middle Bronze Age, this tradition was widespread in the south of Eastern Europe, especially among the Catacomb cultures. In Central and Western Europe, in contrast, burials of metalworkers are almost totally absent in the Middle Bronze Age. Casting equipment in the funerary context emerged anew in Central and Western Europe in the Late Bronze Age. However, these finds are mostly located in the burial grounds and are connected with the burials. In Eastern Europe, only one Late Bronze Age complex with casting equipment is known. Nevertheless, in Transural region, Western Siberia and Kazakhstan they existed in the same period. These complexes are very different from the Middle Bronze Age burials of metalworkers. Overall, discrepancies in the development of this phenomenon in the eastern and western European regions are related to their cultural development in the course of the Bronze Age.
Ancient Images and Plots of the Epic of Manas
Authors:   Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B. N. Yeltsin, Bakirov Asylbek A.
Published: March 2022

The problem of the emergence and development of the Kyrgyz heroic epic of Manas has attracted the attention of scholars since the very beginning of the study of this unique memorial. The first researchers in the 19th century, Kazakh scientist Ch. Ch. Valikhanov and academician V. V. Radlov, pointed to the antiquity of the Kyrgyz epic and expressed their thoughts about its composition and existence. The question of the composition and development of the epic of Manas on the basis of research on its plot, images and ideas was explained by scientists of the 20th century, such as V. M. Zhirmunsky, P. N. Berkov, S. M. Abramzon, R. Z. Kydyrbaeva, etc. However, the question remains relevant today. There is still no consensus among scholars as to the time of the epic’s origin and its main stages of development. The author of this article aims to continue the study of the genesis of the epic of Manas and attempts to establish the historical conditions that gave rise to the heroic epos as a new type of art and determined its further development. The author considers and analyzes the most ancient plots and characters of the epic of Manas, the formation and development of which largely predetermined the nature of epic creativity in subsequent eras. The subject of analysis is mainly the image of the protagonist and the most important themes of the archaic epic: the hero’s struggle with monsters, heroic matchmaking, and the fight against raids. All material, when possible, is considered in a comparative-historical perspective, in comparison with the epic work of Turkic peoples of Southern Siberia and Central Asia.
Respect for Life from the Point of View of Naturalness
Authors: Baďurová Barbora
Published: March 2022

In daily debates, people often use the words “natural” and “naturalness”, and the meaning is often regarded as unproblematic. However, as the author points out, this can lead to misunderstanding in discussions, especially those regarding ethical matters. This paper relies mostly on philosophical methods of conceptual analysis and synthesis. The purpose of this study is to find answers to the question - Is respect for life natural and if so, in what sense? An analysis of several concepts of naturalness is presented, and later, applied to the concept of respect for life in environmental ethics for the purpose of synthesis. By analysing the concept of naturalness, the author is inspired, mostly by the investigations made by M. Sagoff and by H. Siipi. Regarding the findings, the author concludes that some senses of naturalness are not appropriate for the ethics of respect for life, because they are, for instance, not specific enough and ethically irrelevant in this context, while others may be useful in argumentation for respecting non-human living beings. The author claims that the most suitable sense seems to be the sense of naturalness in accordance with Aristotelian telos, although also modified for the sake of non-anthropocentric environmental ethics.   Even though several authors dealt with the concept of respect for life and the concept of naturalness, this contribution enriches the discussion in the environmental ethics as it seeks answers to a question - if the respect for life is natural, in what sense of naturalness is it? The philosophical methods of asking related questions, and conceptual analysis of the term “naturalness”, as well as seeking its application and synthesis, can also be applied in schools when promoting the critical and philosophical thinking of students, who can, at once, become citizens dealing responsibly with ecological crisis and environmental problems.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors [VEGFR] as Target in
Breast Cancer Treatment: Current Status in Preclinical and Clinical
Studies and Future Directions
Authors: Malekan Mohammad , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2022

Breast cancer [BC] is one of the most common cancers among women, one of the leading causes of a considerable number of cancer-related death globally. Among all procedures leading to the formation of breast tumors, angiogenesis has an important role in cancer progression and out-comes. Therefore, various anti-angiogenic strategies have been developed so far to enhance treat-ment's efficacy in different types of BC. Vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGFs] and their re-ceptors are regarded as the most well-known regulators of neovascularization. VEGF binding to vas-cular endothelial growth factor receptors [VEGFRs] provides cell proliferation and vascular tissue formation by the subsequent tyrosine kinase pathway. VEGF/VEGFR axis displays an attractive tar-get for anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer drug design. This review aims to describe the existing litera-ture regarding VEGFR inhibitors, focusing on BC treatment reported in the last two decades.
The Importance of Nutrition and a Balanced Diet in the Elderly during the
COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Esgin Özge , Erten Tayyibe
Published: March 2022

Background:

Age is an important risk factor for the mortality rate in the COVID-19
disease, and mostly, hospitalised patients over 60 years with chronic diseases are at high risk of
death due to this disease. Along with preventive measures, proper nutrient intake might be helpful
in maintaining a healthy state or reduce the severity of the COVID-19 disease in the elderly.

Methods:

The search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Google Scholar and Web
of Science using the following terms: COVID-19, coronavirus, elderly, elderly nutrition.

Results:

The requirement for some macro and micronutrients, especially the nutrients that support
the immune activity, increases in this disease. During the pandemic, the daily energy requirement
for the elderly is 27-30 kcal/kg, while the protein intake is at least 1g/kg, and the ratio of fat and
carbohydrate is 30:70 or less than 50:50. The daily intake of vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, zinc and
selenium can also be increased due to their supporting function in the immune system. Probiotics
include Bifidobacterium longum MM-2, Lactobacillus plantarum 06CC2, Lactobacillus bulgaricus
OLL1073R-1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus M21, and the consumption of prebiotics in diet enhances
the immune function. Additionally, flavonoids, such as baicalin, epigallocatechin gallate,
gallocatechin gallate, kaempferol, luteolin, resveratrol and quercetin, improve immunity by reducing
oxidative stress in the elderly.

Conclusion:

Adequate and balanced nutrition diet should be applied during the pandemic; in addition
to this, micronutrient deficiencies should also be overcome in the elderly at every stage of life.
A Cross-Sectional Online Survey on Knowledge, Awareness, and Perceptions of Hollywood Smile Among the Saudi Arabia Population
Authors: Alsurayyi Mohammed Abdulrahman , Almutairi Wafi , Binsaeed Abdulrahman Ismail , Aldhuwayhi Sami , Shaikh Saquib Ahmed , Mustafa Mohammed Ziauddeen
Published: March 2022

Background:

Hollywood smile has gained popularity in recent times to improve aesthetics among the general population. Since patients’ perceptions of dental aesthetics play a vital role in planning and evaluating cosmetic dental treatment, it is essential to understand their knowledge, awareness, and factors that influence their perceptions of dental aesthetics.

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of Hollywood smile among the general population in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A close-ended questionnaire consisting of demographic information and 20 questions related to Hollywood smile was circulated through social media in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analyses of the data obtained were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version 17, USA). Frequencies, percentages, and mean and standard deviation were calculated using descriptive statistics. Pearson chi-squared test was employed to test the association between the demographic variables, such as age, gender, and education levels, with the questionnaire items.

Results:

A total of 4104 participants responded to the study questionnaire. The responses to the questionnaire revealed that nearly half of the participants were not satisfied with their dental appearance (48.6%). The majority of the participants had heard or known about Hollywood smile (98%). About 42% of study participants were aware of the complications involved in the procedure. The results revealed that the younger generation (18 to 30 years) had more awareness and felt more need for dental aesthetics (p=0.001). The proportion of male participants who underwent Hollywood smile correction were more than females (p=0.001). Graduates showed more awareness regarding smile, dental aesthetics, and Hollywood smile than the other categories (p=0.001).

Conclusion:

This study has shown that the younger generation, female participants, and graduates had more awareness regarding smile, dental aesthetics, and Hollywood smile.
Conjunctival Balloon Cell Nevus in a Young Child: A Case Report
Authors: Tulvatana Wasee , Sanpavat Anapat , Rojanaporn Duangnate , Noppakun Nopadon
Published: March 2022

Background:

Conjunctival balloon cell nevus is rare and often presents in young adults to middle-aged patients with a longstanding history of melanocytic lesion, suggestive of benign pathology. The main treatment modality is excisional biopsy. Tumor recurrence is very rare. Malignant transformation has never been reported.

Objective:

This study aimed to report a case of conjunctival balloon cell nevus with an atypical presentation in a preschooler.

Methods:

We describe a case of a 5-year-and-9-month-old girl who presented with a rapidly growing melanocytic conjunctival mass, which she had since birth. Ophthalmic examination showed two prominent feeder vessels, and the lesion straddled the limbus to overlie the peripheral part of the cornea. These findings raised an index of suspicion of malignant transformation. The lesion was completely excised with a 2-mm resection margin, superficial keratectomy, ethyl alcohol epitheliectomy, and cryotherapy.

Results and Discussion:

The histopathological examination and immunohistochemical study showed a compound conjunctival nevus of the conjunctiva with most of the cells as balloon cell type. There were no malignant changes found. Moreover, there were no signs of tumor recurrence at the last follow-up of 6 months.

Conclusion:

Clinically malignant characteristics have never been reported in balloon cell nevi in a preschooler of this age. Thorough physical examination, well-planned surgical procedure, and careful pathological examination all play vital roles in the management of patients with these lesions.
Stakeholder Perspectives on In-home Passive Remote Monitoring to Support Aging in Place in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada: Rapid Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Read Emily A , Gagnon Danie A , Donelle Lorie , Ledoux Kathleen , Warner Grace , Hiebert Brad , Sharma Ridhi
Published: March 2022

Background

The province of New Brunswick (NB) has one of the oldest populations in Canada, providing an opportunity to develop and test innovative strategies to address the unique health challenges faced by older adults. Passive remote monitoring technology has the potential to support independent living among older adults. Limited research has examined the benefits of and barriers to the adoption of this technology among community-dwelling older adults.

Objective

This study aimed to explore perceptions of in-home passive remote monitoring technology designed to support aging in place from the perspective of older adults, their family or friend caregivers, social workers, and government decision-makers in the province of NB, Canada.

Methods

Between October 2018 and March 2020, a rapid qualitative investigation of 28 one-on-one interviews was conducted in person or via telephone. Participants included 2 home support services clients and 11 family or friend caregivers who had used passive remote monitoring technology in their homes; 8 social workers who had worked as case managers for home support services clients; and 7 individuals who were key government decision-makers in the adoption, policy development, and use of the technology in the province of NB. The interviews focused on the following topics: decision to adopt the passive remote monitoring system, barriers to adopting the passive remote monitoring system, benefits of the passive remote monitoring system, impact on client health outcomes, and privacy concerns. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by a team of 6 researchers. Data analysis was conducted using a rapid assessment process approach that included matrix analysis.

Results

Participants reported that the use of the remote monitoring system allowed older adults to live at home longer and provided caregiver relief. Stakeholders were invested in meeting the home support (home care) needs of older adults. However, when it came to the use of remote monitoring, there was a lack of consensus about which clients it was well-suited for and the role that social workers should play in informing clients and caregivers about the service (role ambiguity, gatekeeping, and perceived conflicts of interest).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight many benefits and challenges of the adoption of passive remote monitoring for clients, their family or friend caregivers, and public provincial health and social services systems. Passive remote monitoring is a valuable tool that can provide support to older adults and their family or friend caregivers when it is a good fit with client needs. Further work is needed in NB to increase public and social workers’ awareness of the service and its benefits.
The Acceptability of Digital Technology and Tele-Exercise in the Age of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ho Vanda , Merchant Reshma A
Published: March 2022

Background

With the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has been increasingly used to offset the negative outcomes of social isolation and functional decline in older adults. Crucial to the success of telehealth is end user adoption.

Objective

This study aims to investigate perception and acceptability of digital technology among Asian older adults.

Methods

The Healthy Ageing Promotion Program for You (HAPPY) dual-task exercise was conducted virtually to participants aged ≥60 years. Questionnaires were administered digitally and collected data on demographics, perceptions of digital technology and evaluation of HAPPY, the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale, intrinsic capacity using the Integrated Care for Older People tool, and a functional screening with the FRAIL scale and five chair rises. Descriptive analysis was used.

Results

A total of 42 participants were digitally interviewed. The mean age was 69.1 (4.7) years. Hearing, vision, and 3-item recall difficulty were present in 14% (n=6), 12% (n=5), and 24% (n=10) of participants, respectively. Of the participants, 29% (n=12) had possible sarcopenia and 14% (n=6) were prefrail. Around 24% (n=10) were at risk of social isolation. Most of the participants (n=38, 91%) agreed that technology is good, and 79% (n=33) agreed that technology would allow them to be independent for longer. Over three-quarters of participants (n=33, 79%) agreed that they have the necessary knowledge, and 91% (n=38) had technological assistance available. However, 57% (n=24) were still apprehensive about using technology. Despite 71% (n=30) of older adults owning their devices, 36% (n=15) felt finances were limiting. Through digital HAPPY, 45% (n=19) of participants reported feeling stronger, 48% (n=20) had improved spirits, and 40% (n=17) and 38% (n=16) had improved mood and memory, respectively.

Conclusions

The majority of older adults in this study believed in digital technology and had the necessary knowledge and help, but almost half still felt apprehensive and had financial barriers to adopting technology. A digitally administered exercise program especially in a group setting is a feasible option to enhance intrinsic capacity in older adults. However, more work is needed in elucidating sources of apprehension and financial barriers to adopting technology.
A Reusable Multiplayer Game for Promoting Active School Transport: Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Laine Teemu H , Duong Nhi , Lindvall Helena , Oyelere Solomon Sunday , Rutberg Stina , Lindqvist Anna-Karin
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Most children and adolescents in Sweden do not meet the recommended daily physical activity levels of the World Health Organization. Active school transport (AST) and gamification are potential methods for increasing children’s daily physical activity. We previously developed a game named Tic-Tac-Training for promoting active transport at workplaces; however, the game has not been applied to AST.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study are to investigate how Tic-Tac-Training functions to promote AST among schoolchildren in northern Sweden, improve the game to be more suitable for schoolchildren, and construct a road map for future development based on children’s ideas.

METHODS

First, we developed Tic-Tac-Training using the Scrum agile software development method. Second, we conducted a questionnaire-based formative evaluation of the game with schoolchildren (n=16; 9/16, 56% male; 6/16, 38% female; and 1/16, 6% other aged 11-12 years) in Luleå, Sweden. Third, we conducted focus group interviews with 33 children (13/33, 39% male and 20/33, 61% female aged 12-13 years) to gather ideas for gamifying AST. We mapped the interview results to the Octalysis gamification framework and established a road map for future development.

RESULTS

The formative evaluation revealed several issues, including a lack of interesting game features, lack of support for continuous engagement, disliked competitive features, and lack of incentives for discourse and participation. New features such as rewards, collectibles, and levels were implemented based on the results. The focus group interviews revealed additional ideas for gamifying AST, such as using avatars, in-game currency and trading, and context-sensitive tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

The results have several potential impacts on how reusable, gamified AST interventions can be developed and what kind of gamification elements schoolchildren in northern Sweden wish to see. These results can interest game researchers and teachers who wish to apply gamification in school contexts. Finally, we aim to continue developing the game based on the road map.
Strategies to Address the Lack of Labeled Data for Supervised Machine Learning Training With Electronic Health Records: Case Study for the Extraction of Symptoms From Clinical Notes (Preprint)
Authors: Humbert-Droz Marie , Mukherjee Pritam , Gevaert Olivier
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Automated extraction of symptoms from clinical notes is a challenging task owing to the multidimensional nature of symptom description. The availability of labeled training data is extremely limited owing to the nature of the data containing protected health information. Natural language processing and machine learning to process clinical text for such a task have great potential. However, supervised machine learning requires a great amount of labeled data to train a model, which is at the origin of the main bottleneck in model development.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to address the lack of labeled data by proposing 2 alternatives to manual labeling for the generation of training labels for supervised machine learning with English clinical text. We aim to demonstrate that using lower-quality labels for training leads to good classification results.

METHODS

We addressed the lack of labels with 2 strategies. The first approach took advantage of the structured part of electronic health records and used diagnosis codes (International Classification of Disease–10th revision) to derive training labels. The second approach used weak supervision and data programming principles to derive training labels. We propose to apply the developed framework to the extraction of symptom information from outpatient visit progress notes of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTS

We used >500,000 notes for training our classification model with International Classification of Disease–10th revision codes as labels and >800,000 notes for training using labels derived from weak supervision. We show that the dependence between prevalence and recall becomes flat provided a sufficiently large training set is used (>500,000 documents). We further demonstrate that using weak labels for training rather than the electronic health record codes derived from the patient encounter leads to an overall improved recall score (10% improvement, on average). Finally, the external validation of our models shows excellent predictive performance and transferability, with an overall increase of 20% in the recall score.

CONCLUSIONS

This work demonstrates the power of using a weak labeling pipeline to annotate and extract symptom mentions in clinical text, with the prospects to facilitate symptom information integration for a downstream clinical task such as clinical decision support.

CLINICALTRIAL
Asymmetric Influence of Emotion in the Sharing of COVID-19 Science on Social Media: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Luo Kai , Yang Yang , Teo Hock Hai
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Unlike past pandemics, COVID-19 is different to the extent that there is an unprecedented surge in both peer-reviewed and preprint research publications, and important scientific conversations about it are rampant on online social network, even among lay people. Clearly, this new phenomenon of scientific discourse is not well understood in that we do not know the diffusion patterns of peer-reviewed publications vis-à-vis preprints and what makes them viral.

OBJECTIVE

To inform health science communicator and policy makers’ decision on how to promote reliable sharing of crucial pandemic science on social media, this paper aims to examine how the emotionality of the messages about preprint and peer-reviewed publications shape their diffusion through online social networks.

METHODS

We collected a large sample of all Twitter discussion of early month COVID-19 medical research outputs in both preprint servers and peer-reviewed journals and conducted statistical analyses to examine how the emotional valence, specific emotion, as well as scientists’ participation influence the retweet rate.

RESULTS

Our large-scale analyses (n=243,567) revealed that scientific publications with positive emotion tweets were transmitted faster than those with negative emotion tweets, especially for messages about preprints. Our results also showed that scientists’ participation on social media could accentuate the positive emotion effects on the sharing of peer-reviewed publications.

CONCLUSIONS

Clear communication of critical science is crucial in the nascent stage of a pandemic. Through revealing the emotional dynamics in the social media sharing of COVID-19 scientific outputs, our study offers scientists and policy makers an avenue to shape the discussion and diffusion of emerging scientific publications by manipulating the emotionality of the tweets.
Lessons learned in development and implementation of a novel web-based app for influenza outbreak detection and response in residential aged care facilities (Preprint)
Authors: Hsiao Kai Hsun , Quinn Emma , Johnstone Travers , Gomez Maria , Ingleton Andrew , Parasuraman Arun , Najjar Zeina , Gupta Leena
Published: March 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

There are plenty of potential roles for innovative digital health technologies in public health, including in outbreak response. However, the translation of a digital health innovation into an effective public health tool can be a complex process requiring diverse enabling factors for success. This paper describes the experience of a district-level public health authority in designing, developing and implementing a novel web-based app to assist residential aged care facilities in influenza outbreak detection and response. It shares key lessons learned in user engagement, agile development, data security and organisational support structures, contributing to the much-needed knowledge base in digital health development and implementation.
Mailed letter versus phone call to increase diabetic retinopathy screening engagement by patients in a team-based primary care practice: a prospective, single-masked, randomized trial. (Preprint)
Authors: Stamenova Vess , Nguyen Megan , Onabajo Nike , Merritt Rebecca , Sutakovic Olivera , Mossman Kate , Wong Ivy , Ives-Baine Lori , Bhatia R. Sacha , Brent Michael , Bhattacharyya Onil
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Vision loss from diabetic retinopathy (DR) is preventable through regular screening.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test different patient engagement approaches to expand a teleophthalmology program at a primary care clinic in the city of Toronto, Canada.

METHODS

A teleophthalmology program was set up in a large urban academic team-based primary care practice. Patients over 18 years of age, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were randomized to one of four engagement strategies: a phone call, a letter, a letter plus phone call, or usual care. Outreach was conducted by administrative staff within the clinic. The primary outcome was booking an appointment

RESULTS

Twenty three patients in the phone, 28 in the mail, 32 in the mail and phone, and 27 in the control (usual care) were included in the analysis. After the intervention, 88% of patients in the phone, 11% in the mail, and 100% in the mail and phone group booked an appointment with the teleophthalmology program compared to 0% in the control group. Phoning patients positively predicted patients booking a teleophthalmology appointment (p< .0001), while sending a letter had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient engagement to book DR screening via teleophthalmology in an urban academic team-based primary care practice using telephone calls was much more effective than letters or usual care. Practices that have access to a local DR screening programs and have resources for such engagement strategies should consider using them as a means in improving their DR screening rates.
Evaluation of Online Near-Peer Teaching for Penultimate-Year Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in the COVID-19 Era: Longitudinal Study (Preprint)
Authors: Shah Savan
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

The benefits of near-peer learning are well established in several aspects of undergraduate medical education including preparing students for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a paradigm shift to predominantly online teaching.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of an exclusively online near-peer OSCE teaching program in a time of significant face-to-face and senior-led teaching shortage.

METHODS

A teaching program was delivered to penultimate-year students by final-year students at Manchester Medical School. Program development involved compiling a list of salient topics and seeking senior faculty approval. Teachers and students were recruited on Facebook. In total, 22 sessions and 42 talks were attended by 72 students and taught by 13 teachers over a 3-month period. Data collection involved anonymous weekly questionnaires and 2 separate anonymous student and teacher postcourse questionnaires including both quantitative and qualitative components.

RESULTS

On a scale of 1-10, students rated the quality of the program highly (mean 9.30, SD 1.15) and felt the sessions were highly useful in guiding their revision (mean 8.95, SD 0.94). There was a significant increase in perceived confidence ratings after delivery of the program (P<.001). Teachers felt the program helped them better understand and retain the subject material taught (mean 9.36, SD 0.81) and develop skills to become effective clinical teachers (mean 9.27, SD 0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study demonstrating the efficacy of a near-peer OSCE teaching program delivered exclusively online. This provides an exemplary framework for how similar programs should be encouraged given their efficacy and logistical viability in supplementing the undergraduate curriculum.
Monitoring Heart Rate under Psychological Stress: A Validation Study Comparing a Fitbit Wearable to an ECG Gold Standard (Preprint)
Authors: Gagnon Joel , Khau MIchelle , Lavoie-Hudon Léandre , Vachon François , Drapeau Vicky , Tremblay Sébastien
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Wearable devices collect physiological and behavioral data that have the potential to identify individuals at risk of declining mental health and well-being. Past research has mainly focused on assessing the accuracy and the agreement of heart rate (HR) measurement of wearables under different physical exercise conditions. However, the capacity of wearables to sense physiological changes, assessed by increasing HR, caused by a stressful event has not been thoroughly studied.

OBJECTIVE

This study followed three objectives. First, to test the ability of a wearable device (Fitbit Versa 2) to sense an increase in HR upon induction of psychological stress in the laboratory. Second, to assess the accuracy of the wearable device to capture short-term HR variations caused by psychological stress compared to a gold-standard electrocardiogram (ECG) measure (Biopac). Third, to quantify the degree of agreement between the wearable device and the gold-standard ECG measure across different experimental conditions.

METHODS

Participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test protocol which consists of an oral phase, an arithmetic stress phase, an anticipation phase, and two relaxation phases (at the beginning and the end). During the stress protocol, participants wore a Fitbit Versa 2 and were also connected to a Biopac. A mixed-effect modeling approach was used to assess 1) the effect of experimental conditions on HR and 2) to estimate several metrics of accuracy and 3) agreement: the Bland-Altman limits of agreement, the concordance correlation coefficient, the coverage probability, the total deviation index, and the coefficient of individual agreement. Mean absolute error and mean absolute percent error were calculated as accuracy indices.

RESULTS

A total of 34 university students were recruited for this study (64% of participants were female with a mean age of 26.8 years SD=8.3). Overall, results showed significant HR variations across experimental phases. Post-hoc tests revealed significant pairwise differences for all phases. Accuracy analyses revealed acceptable accuracy for the Fitbit Versa 2 to capture the short-term variations in psychological stress levels. However, poor indices of agreement between the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Biopac were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, results support the use of the Fitbit Versa 2 to capture short-term stress variations. The Fitbit device showed acceptable levels of accuracy but poor agreement with an ECG gold standard. Greater inaccuracy and smaller agreement were found for stressful experimental conditions that induced a higher HR. Fitbit device can be used in research to measure HR variations caused by stress although it cannot replace an ECG instrument when precision is of utmost importance.
Preferences in the willingness to download a Covid tracing app: An experimental study in the Netherlands and Turkey (Preprint)
Authors: Folkvord Frans , Peschke Lutz , Ağca Yasemin Gümüş , van Houten Karlijn , Stazi Giacomo , Lupiáñez-Villanueva Francisco
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Despite the worldwide growth in using Covid-19 tracing apps and the potential benefits for citizens, governments, healthcare professionals, businesses, and other organizations, only a few number of studies have examined factors affecting the willingness to download levels.

OBJECTIVE

In the current study we investigated individuals’ preferences in the willingness to download of a health app.

METHODS

We conducted an experimental study in two countries (the Netherlands [N=62] and Turkey [N=83], using four different vignettes (i.e., data protection models, manufacturer, reward model, and gaming model) with different attributes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the conditions within the vignettes.

RESULTS

The results showed that data protection and gaming elements are factors that influence the willingness to download a Covid-19 tracing app. More specific, we see that data protection is an important factor explaining the willingness to download the app in Turkey, while including gaming elements significantly affects the willingness to download in the Netherlands.

CONCLUSIONS

Covid-19 tracing apps are highly promising to reduce the spread of the virus and make it easier to open up society faster, especially because they can be used quickly and share information rapidly. Covid-19 tracing app developers must ensure that the apps satisfactorily addressing ethical consideration sufficiently, even in times of crisis.
China-Russia Sports Programs
Authors: Kataria Anuradha
Published: March 2022

This paper analyses the different styles of governance in various parts of the world which is also reflected in their respective sports programs. While the democratic Western countries lead in this arena in an inspiring democratic way, the autocratic countries like China and Russia have scintillating sports output but it is done in their characteristic autocratic way. Variegated systems are perhaps good for sports in general and people in all countries are used to their respective systems and it perhaps works for them that way.