bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDERN IN SELECTED RURAL AREAS AT PUDUCHERRY
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, Sri ManakulaVinayagar Nursing College, Puducherry-605107, India., Yamunambigai M. , Manohari K. ,   Assistant professor, Department of mental health nursing, Sri ManakulaVinayagar Nursing College, Puducherry-605107, India., Nithiya K. ,   Assistant professor, Department of mental health nursing, Sri ManakulaVinayagar Nursing College, Puducherry-605107, India.
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Vitamin A is essential for eye health and the proper functioning of the immune system. It is found in foods such as milk, liver, eggs, red and orange fruits, red palm oil and green leafy vegetables, although the amount of vitamin A readily available to the body from these sources varies widely. Vitamin A deficiency is a major nutritional problems among under five children in developing and under developed countries. Vitamin A deficiency is a systemic disease with major effects on eye this deficiency is usually associated with malnutrition, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome hepatic insufficiency and prematurity. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN SELECTED RURAL AREA AT PUDUCHERRY. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of knowledge regarding vitamin A deficiency among mothers of under five children. To associate the level of knowledge regarding vitamin A deficiency among mothers of under five children with their selected demographic variables. Methodology: A quantitative research design was used for this study in group of selected mothers of under five children in rural area at Puducherry. A cross sectional descriptive survey was used. A total number of 50 samples were selected by the convenient sampling technique. The data was collected using a unstructured questionnaires. The Major Findings Of The Study: The findings reveals that out of 50 mothers of under five children the knowledge regarding vitamin A deficiency 36(72%) more than half of them had inadequate knowledge, 8(16%) of them had moderate knowledge and 6(12%) of them had adequate knowledge. The chi square test reveled that is no statistically significant association between the selected demographic variables such as Age of the mother, age of the baby, sex of the baby, religion, type of family, source of information, socio economic status, occupation of the mother and information regarding vitamin A deficiency with the level of p<0.05. Conclusion: From this study it was concluded that the knowledge of the mother of under five children regarding vitamin A deficiency shows that most of the mothers have inadequate knowledge. 36(72%) more than half of them had inadequate knowledge, 8(16%) of them had moderate knowledge and 6(12%) of them had adequate knowledge. So the community health personal should motivate the mothers of under five children in educating about vitamin A deficiency and its prevention.
SMARANDACHLEY PRODUCT CORDIAL LABELING OF BLOOM TORUS GRAPH (BT M,N)
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh-492101, India., Gulab Minj Dibya , Jagannadha Rao G.V.V. ,   Department of Mathematics, St. Josephs College Darjeeling, West Bangal- 734101, India., Kujur Chiranjilal ,   Department of Mathematics, St. Josephs College Darjeeling, West Bangal- 734101, India.
Published: March 2023

In this paper we work on the Bloom Torus graph by satisfying the condition of Smarandachely product cordial labeling. Smarandachely product cordial labeling on is such a labeling with induced labeling
CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS OF SNAKE VENOM OPHTHALMIA PRESENTING TO THE TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE
Authors:   Professor & Head, Dept. of Ophthalmology, MLB Medical College Jhansi, India., Kumar Jitendra , Jain Apurva ,   Junior Resident, Dept. of Ophthalmology, MLB Medical College Jhansi, India.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To study the clinical profile of patients of snake venom ophthalmia presenting to the tertiary health care centre. Methods: This was a prospective observational study that involved25 patients with snake venom ophthalmia complaining of pain, diminution of vision, photophobia, conjunctival congestion , chemosis, corneal edema, corneal erosions and anterior chamber reaction. Results: There were 18 males and 7 females and the age group taken was 30 to 75 years. Most common presentation in snake venom ophthalmia patients is pain in 92% patients followed bydiminution of vision in 90% patients,conjunctival congestion in 88% patients, photophobia in 84% patients, chemosis in 80% patients, corneal edema in 65% patients, corneal erosions in 55% patients and anterior chamber reaction in 35% patients. Conclusion: Snake venom ophthalmia due to venom spitting is a reflex mechanism aimed at ejecting venom forcefully into the eyes of the victims. Snake venom may contain a mixture of neurotoxins, cytotoxins, phospholipases and cardiotoxins. The ocular effects of the venom depend on duration of contact of ocular surface with venom. Snake venom ophthalmia is rare form of envenoming which presents as intensely painful blurred vision associated with photophobia, conjunctival congestion, chemosis, corneal epithelial defects and anterior chamber reaction.
EFFECT OF PHASE TRANSFORMATION ON OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ZNTIO3 CERAMIC POWDER PREPARED BY SOL-GEL METHOD
Authors: Alhodaib Aiyeshah , Abdel Aal S. , Khaled Abdulaziz Alnasser Mashael
Published: March 2023

ZnTiO3 powders were prepared by sol-gel method using ammonium hydroxide. The effects of calcination temperature (500â€“ 1000âˆ˜ C). and the molar ratios ZnO/TiO2. The synthesis of a nano perovskite ZnTiO3 usually results in the formation of one or more of the compounds such as Zn2TiO4, and ZnTiO3 with other secondary impurity phases such as rutileTiO2 or ZnO. To obtain a phase-pure a nano perovskite ZnTiO3 at a low processing temperature is one of the challenges in materials chemistry., pure ZnTiO3 can not be synthesized under normal conditions, because it transforms into Zn2TiO4 and rutile. In the current study, the crystalline and phase transformation behaviors of sol-gel synthesized a nano perovskite ZnTiO3 has systematically been investigated with regard to various Zn:Ti precursor molar ratios. The ZnTiO3 phase can be detected by XRD in the powders calcined above 600 Â°C. The formation of ZnTiO3 is a slow reaction process, which leads to the development of large ZnTiO3 particles, with dimensions after calcination at 700 Â°C for 5 h in the range of 68â€“81 Nm. Calcination temperature increased considerably the crystallite size of the nano perovskite ZnTiO3 from 68 to 81 nm This treatment led also to the creation of holes in the matrix of calcinated solids which increased the mobility of charge carriers (electrons) leading to a significant decrease in the decrease in the optical energy gap reaching to (2.7 to 2 )e.v.
Editorial: Estar no Scopus impacta nacionalmente nas citações dos periódicos? Não
Authors: Rossoni Luciano
Published: March 2023

Neste editorial, eu demonstro, por meio da comparação de grupos pareados de periódicos indexados no Scopus e também no Spell, com aqueles indexados somente no Spell, que estar presente na primeira base não tem qualquer efeito no percentual de citações dos periódicos nacionais. Depois, apresento um balanço dos últimos cinco anos do meu tempo como editor da RECADM, ressaltando que alguns dos princípios que nortearam os valores do periódico como publicação nacional de qualidade estão sendo ameaçados pela ascensão de periódicos predatórios que cobram por publicações em troca de um processo de revisão frouxo ou inexistente. Por fim, faço uma apresentação dos artigos desta edição.
How Innovativeness Influence on Women Business Performance
Authors: Sugiyanto Eviatiwi Kusumaningtyas , Wijayanti Ratna
Published: March 2023

The problem in this study is that there are still various controversies in the results of research regarding the relationship and influence between innovations on performance. In addition, there is also a gap, namely the increasing number of women’s businesses on the one hand and on the other hand, the success of women’s businesses tends to be lower than that of men’s businesses. So this study aims to close the research gap, namely the influence of Innovativeness on business performance by mediating competitive advantage. The sample is 62 women entrepreneurs. Methods of data collection using a questionnaire via google form. The data analysis method uses SEM with the WrapPLS 7.0 program. The results show that Innovation has a significant positive effect on Competitive Advantage, but has no effect on Business Performance. Meanwhile, Competitive Advantage has a significant positive effect on Business Performance and has succeeded in becoming a mediator (full mediation) for Innovation and Business Performance.
How Small Retail Stores React on Covid-19 Pandemic Constraints
Authors: Vaz Blanche Vailankani , Mendonca Farah Felizinha
Published: March 2023

This research investigates ‘The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Small Retail Stores in India’. Its primary focus was to find out the various obstacles faced, strategies implemented and measures adopted by small retail stores during the Covid-19 pandemic and if there were any variations among the various retail stores in South Goa. Data was obtained from 69 small retail stores of South Goa namely medical, general, clothing and electronic stores. A One-way ANOVA test was used to analyze the data responses. Results indicated there were no much variations among the retail stores with respect to the obstacles faced, strategies implemented and measures adopted during Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic a large number of small retail stores faced many constraints. This paper elucidates how small retail stores can strategize and implement various ways to meet the needs of the customers in case of any such future emergencies.
The Effect of Owner’s Characteristics through Innovation on the MSMEs Performance
Authors: Wulandari Ririn , Koe Wei-Loon
Published: March 2023

This study aims to analyze the influence of the characteristics of MSME owners on their performance through innovation in Indonesia and Malaysia. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data, with the Smart-PLS program. The population in this study was Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises from various types of businesses. The number of respondents was 225 from Indonesia and Malaysia. The sampling technique used was stratified judgment sampling. Questionnaire in the form of Google Forms and distributed via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The study results show that innovation affects the performance of MSMEs in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Indonesia, owner characteristics influence innovation but do not affect performance. With the characteristics they have, MSME owners can improve their performance through the creation of innovations. However, this is not the case in Malaysia.
Mechanism of oxidative damage in Escherichia coli caused by epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the presence of calcium ions
Authors: Feng Cuimin , Luo Jia-cheng , Liu Xuan-qi , Huang Lu-meng , Yu Hong-ying , Wang Chang-zheng , Zhang Jin-shuang
Published: March 2023

Tea polyphenols can be developed into new types of disinfectants for drinking water. The antibacterial effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the presence of Ca2+ is affected by the Ca2+ concentration. The oxidative damage mechanism and oxidative damage process of EGCG in E. coli under the presence of Ca2+ were deeply analyzed under three aspects: reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant system, and oxidative stress response in E. coli to provide a theoretical basis for the use of EGCG as a disinfectant in drinking water disinfection. EGCG leads to excessive production of superoxide anion in E. coli and the presence of Ca2+ promotes further imbalance of superoxide anion in E. coli; Ca2+ has little effect on EGCG hindering the scavenging of hydroxyl radicals in bacteria; EGCG can hinder the effect of antioxidant enzymes in E. coli, and Ca2+ has a particular regulatory effect on antioxidant enzymes, thus hindering the oxidative damage of EGCG to E. coli; Ca2+ can cause the expression of the oxyR and DPS genes, protect bacterial DNA, and prevent EGCG from damaging bacterial DNA. In the presence of a high concentration of Ca2+, it may activate the cell efflux pump through the soxS gene, resulting in E. coli resistance to EGCG.
Using a blue landscape to mitigate heat stress during a heatwave event: a simulation study in a hot-humid urban environment
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Ali Zaib
Published: March 2023

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon and climate change have become the major concerns for city sustainability in the wake of global warming and rapid growth in urbanization. This has resulted in increased intensity of heat stress and worsened outdoor thermal environmental conditions in urban microclimates. Water bodies are among the most effective means to alleviate the UHI and improve the thermal environment of urban microclimates. The thermal comfort conditions are observed at the pedestrian's level in a horizontal direction and at different vertical levels by assessing the reduction in three variables: ambient air temperature, surface temperatures, and alteration of flow velocity. The water body model used in this simulation is first validated using the sub-configuration method by replicating a previous experimental study. Two different scenarios (one with a realistic setting and the other with a representative water body) were studied and the results show that, for isolated streets, the water bodies can effectively improve thermal comfort conditions by reducing ambient air temperature (i.e. a reduction of 0.9 °C) and surface temperature by 3.5 °C, thereby reducing energy consumption. Moreover, a significant increase in wind velocity was also observed reaching its maximum value at peak times of thermal stress.
Bioremoval efficiency and metabolomic profiles of cellular responses of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to phenol and 4-fluorophenol
Authors: Li Min , Ma Lu , An Yajing , Wei Dongbin , Ma Haijun , Zhu Juanjuan , Wang Cuiping
Published: March 2023

We examined the growth tolerance, bioremoval efficacy, and metabolomic profiles of the cellular responses of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to phenol and 4-fluorophenol. We found that C. pyrenoidosa can tolerate exposure to 100 mg/L of phenol and 4-fluorophenol, and the growth of algal cells had a significant hormesis of inhibition first and then promotion. Up to 70% bioremoval of phenol and 4-fluorophenol may occur after 240 h of treatment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in algal cells in the phenol- and 4-fluorophenol-treated groups were similar or lower than in the control group. Furthermore, photosynthetic pigment and glycerophospholipid contents were significantly upregulated in both phenol- and 4-fluorophenol-treated groups, as indicated by the metabolomic analysis of C. pyrenoidosa, resulting in the vigorous growth of algal cells compared to the control group. Therefore, C. pyrenoidosa can be an excellent biosorbent for phenol and 4-fluorophenol.
Anti-colorectal Cancer Activity of Quinazoline Derivatives: A Comprehensive
Review
Authors: Singh Madan , Chandraker Vivek , Karthikeyan Chandrabose , Moorthy Narayana Subbiah Hari Narayana
Published: March 2023

Introduction and Objective:

The identification of a bioactive template (or lead) is one of the
important features of modern drug discovery. Natural products, synthetic and biotechnological sources,
serve as important templates for the development of novel bioactive molecules. Quinazoline is one of the
heterocyclic templates present in many natural and synthetic drugs and exhibits various biological activities,
including anticancer, by blocking the pharmacological pathway of different targets.

Methodology:

In this study, the data was collected from the literature and patents to examine the anticolorectal
cancer efficacy of quinazoline compounds and their mechanism of actions. According to the
published literature and patents, the benzene and/or pyrimidine rings of the quinazoline have been substituted
with amino groups or substituted amino groups to develop novel analogues endowed with anticancer
properties. The anti-colorectal cancer activity of quinazolines was due to the flexible chain containing
terminal phenyl and/or heterocyclic rings (thiazole, pyrazole, piperidine, piperazine, etc.).

Results:

These quinazoline derivatives were found to inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells by
modulating the expression of specific genes and proteins involved in cancer progression, such as receptor
tyrosine kinases, epidermal growth factor receptors, dihydrofolate reductase, topoisomerases, histone
deacetylase, and apoptotic proteins.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that the quinazoline nucleus may be exploited to identify new anticolorectal
cancer agents with suitable pharmacokinetic profiles.
Insulin Glargine in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Clinical Trials
and Real-world Evidence Across Two Decades
Authors: Saboo Banshi , Chandalia Hemraj , Ghosh Sujoy , Kesavadev Jothydev , Kochar IPS , Prasannakumar KM , Sarda Archana , Bantwal Ganapathi , Mehrotra RN , Rai Madhukar
Published: March 2023

Background:

Over the past two decades, insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) has
emerged as the “standard of care” basal insulin for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus
(T1DM). Both formulations, insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) and glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-
300) have been extensively studied against various comparator basal insulins across various clinical
and real-world studies. In this comprehensive article, we reviewed the evidence on both insulin
glargine formulations in T1DM across clinical trials and real-world studies.

Methods:

Evidence in T1DM for Gla-100 and Gla-300 since their approvals in 2000 and 2015, respectively,
were reviewed.

Results:

Gla-100 when compared to the second-generation basal insulins, Gla-300 and IDeg-100,
demonstrated a comparable risk of overall hypoglycemia, but the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia
was higher with Gla-100. Additional benefits of Gla-300 over Gla-100 include a prolonged (>24-
hours) duration of action, a more stable glucose-lowering profile, improved treatment satisfaction,
and greater flexibility in the dose administration timing.

Conclusion:

Both glargine formulations are largely comparable to other basal insulins in terms of
glucose-lowering properties in T1DM. Further, risk of hypoglycemia is lower with Gla-100 than
Neutral Protamine Hagedorn but comparable to insulin detemir.
Potencial de Stenotrophomonas maltophilia para la biodegradación de hidrocarburos y metales pesados. Una revisión sistemática con meta-análisis
Authors: Fonseca Peralta Julian Rolando , Sánchez Leal Ligia Consuelo
Published: March 2023

Pollution of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by toxic substances such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals, manipulated to a great extent in activities fundamental to the world economy, is currently one of the most serious and dangerous growing environmental problems for human and environmental health. Hydrocarbons are generated in large quantities by the incomplete burning of organic matter, inevitably reaching the soil and water and then, due to their properties, bioaccumulate causing serious damage to living beings. On the other hand, heavy metals, very useful in industry, especially in mining, when they accumulate in the soil and in water in high concentrations, cause different damages both in plants and in humans and animals. The objective of this review was to analyze how the use of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has increased in recent years in research related to the bioremediation of ecosystems contaminated with these substances. Materials and methods: A meta-analysis were carried out in two consecutive periods of fifteen years, the first between 1990 and 2005, and the second between 2006 and 2021; when applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, certain publications were selected in order to analyze the evolution in research on the capacity of S. maltophilia for the biodegradation of hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Results: When selecting the publications, it was evidenced that the study of the biodegradation potential of S. maltophilia increased notably in the second period of time, most likely due to the growth of environmental problems and the growing impact of taking advantage of the metabolic characteristics of microorganisms for different purposes in recent years.
Propagation of the Colombian genotype of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) CNCh-12 by somatic embryogenesis
Authors: Macias Naranjo Sandra Marcela , Henao Ramírez Ana María , Urrea Trujillo Aura Inés
Published: March 2023

Cocoa production (Theobroma cacao L.) is essential globally and constitutes one of the leading export products for Colombia. Understanding the limitations faced by this crop in Latin American countries, it is required, among other aspects, to contribute to strengthening the first link in the production chain through efficient propagation methods and genetic improvement. Knowing that somatic embryogenesis is an alternative to conventional propagation and constitutes an obligatory step in a breeding platform, the objective of this work was to establish a somatic embryogenesis protocol until the plantlet acclimatization in the nursery for the regional genotype CNCh-12, a promising material with productivities higher than 2,000 kg/ha. Different protocols were evaluated, from callogenesis induction, through the expression of primary somatic embryos (PSE) followed by maturation and subsequent conversion to plantlet two types of explants (petal and staminode) and culture time (according to the stage). Additionally, the induction of secondary somatic embryos (SSE) was evaluated in two culture media (L and F). For CNCh-12, the petal was found as an appropriate explant, with a minimum time of 15 days in induction for PSE formation, without difference between the culture media F and L (22 average embryos). Embryo maturation was achieved in medium F after 30 days, followed by an additional 30 days for conversion to plantlet (52.83%). The concentration of salts to increase the conversion and development of the embryos was 1/5 of that used in F. The highest number of SSE was in the L medium. Finally, the ex-vitro adaptation was achieved when the plants were planted in 50:50 sand-coconut fiber and moistened weekly with Hoagland's solution (1:10).

Keywords: Cacao, petals, in vitro propagation, plant growth regulators, somatic embryogenesis.
Impact of inflammatory markers, dread diseases and cycle threshold (Ct) Values in COVID-19 progression
Authors: Abdul Hussein Thaer A. , Fadhil Hula Y.
Published: March 2023

The link between the inflammatory marker and SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold (Ct) with disease progression remains undefined, mainly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to identify several inflammatory markers (Ferritin, LDH, and D-dimer), and Ct values to predict outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 Iraqi patients. A case study was performed on 426 patients to guess cutoff values of inflammatory markers that were detected by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and specific auto-analyzer instrument. Significantly increased levels of inflammatory markers in critical and severe patients compared with mild-moderate (p < 0.001). Compared with aging and disease severity, inflammatory markers and Ct values are significantly related to the aging and severity in critical and severe COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001). Finding the Ct value was negatively associated with Ferritin, LDH, and D-dimer (p < 0.001); moreover, inflammatory markers concentrations and Ct values were significantly higher during the first ten days. The Ct values correlate with some relevant clinical parameters of inflammation. Higher levels of D dimer, S. Ferritin and LDH were associated with older age and the severity of COVID-19. The area under the ROC curve indicates that serum ferritin was the highest and excellent predictor for disease severity.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Inflammation; D-dimer; Ferritin; Lactate dehydrogenase; Cycle threshold (Ct).
The Effectiveness of Smartphone App–Based Interventions for Assisting Smoking Cessation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Yi-Qiang , Chen Yuling , Dabbs Annette DeVito , Wu Ying
Published: March 2023

Background

Smoking is a leading cause of premature death globally. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of all-cause mortality by 11%-34%. Smartphone app–based smoking cessation (SASC) interventions have been developed and are widely used. However, the evidence for the effectiveness of smartphone-based interventions for smoking cessation is currently equivocal.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the evidence for the effectiveness of smartphone app–based interventions for smoking cessation.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of smartphone interventions for smoking cessation based on the Cochrane methodology. An electronic literature search was performed using the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases to identify published papers in English or Chinese (there was no time limit regarding the publication date). The outcome was the smoking abstinence rate, which was either a 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate or a continuous abstinence rate.

Results

A total of 9 randomized controlled trials involving 12,967 adults were selected for the final analysis. The selected studies from 6 countries (the United States, Spain, France, Switzerland, Canada, and Japan) were included in the meta-analysis between 2018 and 2022. Pooled effect sizes (across all follow-up time points) revealed no difference between the smartphone app group and the comparators (standard care, SMS text messaging intervention, web-based intervention, smoking cessation counseling, or apps as placebos without real function; odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% CI 0.99-1.56, P=.06, I2=73.6%). Based on the subanalyses, 6 trials comparing smartphone app interventions to comparator interventions reported no significant differences in effectiveness (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.85-1.26, P=.74, I2=57.1%). However, the 3 trials that evaluated the combination of smartphone interventions combined with pharmacotherapy compared to pharmacotherapy alone found higher smoking abstinence rates in the combined intervention (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.38-2.33, P=.74, I2=7.4%). All SASC interventions with higher levels of adherence were significantly more effective (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.20-1.84, P<.001, I2=24.5%).

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis did not support the effectiveness of delivering smartphone-based interventions alone to achieve higher smoking abstinence rates. However, the efficacy of smartphone-based interventions increased when combined with pharmacotherapy-based smoking cessation approaches.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021267615; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=267615
A “Do No Harm” Novel Safety Checklist and Research Approach to Determine Whether to Launch an Artificial Intelligence–Based Medical Technology: Introducing the Biological-Psychological, Economic, and Social (BPES) Framework
Authors: Khan Waqas Ullah , Seto Emily
Published: March 2023

Given the impact artificial intelligence (AI)–based medical technologies (hardware devices, software programs, and mobile apps) can have on society, debates regarding the principles behind their development and deployment are emerging. Using the biopsychosocial model applied in psychiatry and other fields of medicine as our foundation, we propose a novel 3-step framework to guide industry developers of AI-based medical tools as well as health care regulatory agencies on how to decide if a product should be launched—a “Go or No-Go” approach. More specifically, our novel framework places stakeholders’ (patients, health care professionals, industry, and government institutions) safety at its core by asking developers to demonstrate the biological-psychological (impact on physical and mental health), economic, and social value of their AI tool before it is launched. We also introduce a novel cost-effective, time-sensitive, and safety-oriented mixed quantitative and qualitative clinical phased trial approach to help industry and government health care regulatory agencies test and deliberate on whether to launch these AI-based medical technologies. To our knowledge, our biological-psychological, economic, and social (BPES) framework and mixed method phased trial approach are the first to place the Hippocratic Oath of “Do No Harm” at the center of developers’, implementers’, regulators’, and users’ mindsets when determining whether an AI-based medical technology is safe to launch. Moreover, as the welfare of AI users and developers becomes a greater concern, our framework’s novel safety feature will allow it to complement existing and future AI reporting guidelines.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Telehealth Chronic Disease Management System: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Xiao Ziyan , Han Xiuping
Published: March 2023

Background

Long-term daily health monitoring and management play a more significant role in telehealth management systems nowadays, which require evaluation indicators to present patients’ general health conditions and become applicable to multiple chronic diseases.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of subjective indicators of telehealth chronic disease management system (TCDMS).

Methods

We selected Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Cochrane library, IEEE, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang, a Chinese medical database, and searched papers published from January 1, 2015, to July 1, 2022, regarding randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of the telehealth system on patients with chronic diseases. The narrative review summarized the questionnaire indicators presented in the selected studies. In the meta-analysis, Mean Difference (MD) and Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with a 95% CI were pooled depending on whether the measurements were the same. Subgroup analysis was conducted if the heterogeneity was significant, and the number of studies was sufficient.

Results

Twenty RCTs with 4153 patients were included in the qualitative review. Seventeen different questionnaire-based outcomes were found, within which quality of life, psychological well-being (including depression, anxiety, and fatigue), self-management, self-efficacy, and medical adherence were most frequently used. Ten RCTs with 2095 patients remained in meta-analysis. Compared to usual care, telehealth system can significantly improve the quality of life (SMD 0.44; 95% CI 0.16-0.73; P=.002), whereas no significant effects were found on depression (SMD −0.25; 95% CI −0.72 to 0.23; P=.30), anxiety (SMD −0.10; 95% CI −0.27 to 0.07; P=.71), fatigue (SMD −0.36; 95% CI −1.06 to 0.34; P<.001), and self-care (SMD 0.77; 95% CI −0.28-1.81; P<.001). In the subdomains of quality of life, telehealth statistically significantly improved physical functioning (SMD 0.15; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.29; P=.03), mental functioning (SMD 0.37; 95% CI 0.13-0.60; P=.002), and social functioning (SMD 0.64; 95% CI 0.00-1.29; P=.05), while there was no difference on cognitive functioning (MD 8.31; 95% CI −7.33 to 23.95; P=.30) and role functioning (MD 5.30; 95% CI −7.80 to 18.39; P=.43).

Conclusions

TCDMS positively affected patients’ physical, mental, and social quality of life across multiple chronic diseases. However, no significant difference was found in depression, anxiety, fatigue, and self-care. Subjective questionnaires had the potential ability to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term telehealth monitoring and management. However, further well-designed experiments are warranted to validate TCDMS’s effects on subjective outcomes, especially when tested among different chronically ill groups.
Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Population Health and the Public’s Role in Its Governance: Perspectives From a Citizen and Expert Panel
Authors: Couture Vincent , Roy Marie-Christine , Dez Emma , Laperle Samuel , Bélisle-Pipon Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2023

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are widely used in the health care sector. Mainly applied for individualized care, AI is increasingly aimed at population health. This raises important ethical considerations but also calls for responsible governance, considering that this will affect the population. However, the literature points to a lack of citizen participation in the governance of AI in health. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the governance of the ethical and societal implications of AI in population health.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the perspectives and attitudes of citizens and experts regarding the ethics of AI in population health, the engagement of citizens in AI governance, and the potential of a digital app to foster citizen engagement.

Methods

We recruited a panel of 21 citizens and experts. Using a web-based survey, we explored their perspectives and attitudes on the ethical issues of AI in population health, the relative role of citizens and other actors in AI governance, and the ways in which citizens can be supported to participate in AI governance through a digital app. The responses of the participants were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results

According to the participants, AI is perceived to be already present in population health and its benefits are regarded positively, but there is a consensus that AI has substantial societal implications. The participants also showed a high level of agreement toward involving citizens into AI governance. They highlighted the aspects to be considered in the creation of a digital app to foster this involvement. They recognized the importance of creating an app that is both accessible and transparent.

Conclusions

These results offer avenues for the development of a digital app to raise awareness, to survey, and to support citizens’ decision-making regarding the ethical, legal, and social issues of AI in population health.
Prediction of factors influencing adults‘ likelihood of accepting any COVID-19 vaccination and their willingness to pay – a nation-wide discrete choice experiment from India. (Preprint)
Authors: Raj Jeffrey
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Vaccines remain a key prevention strategy against any contagion and mitigate an epidemic/pandemic. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic vaccine uptake was not as brisk as expected right from the roll out because of concerns regarding certain vaccine attributes like effectiveness, risk of adverse events, and cost among other factors that affected decision making. Thus, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to identify the key attributes of COVID-19 vaccine for its acceptability and people’s willingness to pay for it.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the key attributes of COVID-19 vaccine for acceptability and the participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for it in the face of an ongoing pandemic by the general population of India. The secondary objectives were to estimate the extent of and predictors of vaccine hesitancy among the Indian public.

METHODS

A pan-India digital cross-sectional survey was conducted among those over 18 years, any gender, and residing in India for at least six months. The DCE section had six hypothetical vaccine pairs that included a trap question with one of the vaccine pair being unambiguously better than the other. Those who failed the trap question were excluded.

RESULTS

: Of 10,000 respondents, 1241 failed the trap question and 8759 responses were finally analysed. The most important attributes were effectiveness and duration of protection. The respondents were willing to spend approximately INR1549 (20·12USD) and INR587 (7·62USD) per dose to take vaccines that provided 90% protection (relative to 50% protection) and a protective duration of 5 years (relative to 6 months) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

When in a pandemic, and while seeking to achieve close to 100% vaccination, understanding these issues pertaining to vaccine acceptability such as effectiveness or duration of protection becomes imperative.

CLINICALTRIAL

CTRI Number: CTRI/2021/09/036631
The Experiences of Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia in Web-Based Psychoeducation Programs: Systematic Review and Metasynthesis (Preprint)
Authors: Yu Ying , Xiao Lily , Ullah Shahid , Meyer Claudia , Wang Jing , Pot Anne Margriet , Shifaza Fathimath
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Informal caregivers of people living with dementia experience a higher level of physical and mental stress compared with other types of caregivers. Psychoeducation programs are viewed as beneficial for building caregivers’ knowledge and skills and for decreasing caregiver stress.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to synthesize the experiences and perceptions of informal caregivers of people with dementia when participating in web-based psychoeducation programs and the factors that enable and impede informal caregivers’ engagement in web-based psychoeducation programs.

METHODS

This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol of systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies. We searched 4 English databases, 4 Chinese databases, and 1 Arabic database in July 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies written in English were included in this review. From these studies, 87 findings were extracted and grouped into 20 categories. These categories were further synthesized into 5 findings: web-based learning as an empowering experience, peer support, satisfactory and unsatisfactory program content, satisfactory and unsatisfactory technical design, and challenges encountered in web-based learning.

CONCLUSIONS

High-quality and carefully designed web-based psychoeducation programs offered positive experiences for informal caregivers of people living with dementia. To meet broader caregiver education and support needs, program developers should consider information quality and relevancy, the support offered, individual needs, flexibility in delivery, and connectedness between peers and program facilitators.

CLINICALTRIAL
Unveiling the depth of Satire in Abubakar Adams Ibrahim’s Season of Crimson Blossoms
Authors: Folasade Balogun
Published: March 2023

Contemporary African writers have addressed their countries' social, political and economic problems using satire to crystallise the malaises and irregularities affecting their societies. Satire is seen as a tool for expressing their disillusionment on the burgeoning prevalence of political, economic, religious and social abnormalities in the dysfunctional setting of African countries. One of such African writers is Abubakar Adams Ibrahim who uses his novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms to expose not just the societal maladies but also the follies and ineptitudes of mankind, and religion hypocrisies. This study critically scrutinizes the place of satire in achieving the aforementioned in the writer's fictional rendering. Emphasis is laid on political irregularities, cultural dissonances and hypocrisies associated with religion and the effects they have on characters and the society at large. The groundwork for these are squeezed out of the psychological make-up of characters, characters' conversation with one another, actions and inactions of characters. The aforementioned will be considered using satire as a tool to demystify the aspects that the writer advocate for change. Inadvertently, in the study of satire as a tool for viewing a work of art, sociological approach or criticism is inevitable as a framework because the society that gave rise to the book must be thoroughly understood before satire can come in to advocate for social transformation and revitalization.
EL TRÁFICO DE LAGARTIJAS EMBLEMATICAS DEL GÉNERO Abronia (SQUAMATA: ANGUIDAE)
Authors: Moreno Israel , Cruz-Elizalde Raciel , Suazo-Ortuño Ireri , Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio
Published: March 2023

Las lagartijas arborícolas del género Abronia se consideran un grupo de reptiles muy vulnerables a la extracción del medio silvestre para el mercado de mascotas. En el presente estudio se evaluó el tráfico de especies del género Abronia que se distribuyen en México. También se identificaron aquellas especies del género que son más ofertadas en el comercio internacional. Se hizo una revisión de la literatura sobre el tráfico de reptiles y se consultaron bases de datos, así como páginas de internet, donde se comercializan los reptiles a nivel internacional. Se encontró que las especies Abronia deppii, A. graminea y A. taeniata son las más frecuentemente decomisadas en México. Adicionalmente, 11 especies (Abronia aurita, A. campbelli, A. deppii, A. graminea, A. lythrochila, A. martindelcampoi, A. mixteca, A. smithi, A. taeniata y A. vasconcelosii) son las más traficadas a nivel internacional. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los precios de venta de cada especie en el comercio legal e ilegal, así como los precios de ejemplares vendidos entre tiendas formales y en foros de internet. Estos precios oscilan en un rango de $ 999 (~ 49.86 USD) a $ 35 017 (~ 1747.78 USD) pesos mexicanos por ejemplar. Se resalta la necesidad de la intervención de agencias internacionales (CITES) y nacionales para poder disminuir la colecta ilegal y el tráfico de estas especies.
CONFIRMACIÓN DE UNA NUEVA LOCALIDAD DE Telmatobufo venustus PHILIPPI, 1899 EN LA PRECORDILLERA ANDINA DE LA REGIÓN DE ÑUBLE, CHILE
Authors: González Véliz Niocolás Antonio , Valdés-Puga Manuel , Espinoza-Carbullanca Pablo , Serrano José Manuel , Velásquez Nelson A
Published: March 2023

Reportamos el hallazgo de dos individuos adultos del sapo hermoso Telmatobufo venustus, en un arroyo correntoso y en un ambiente de bosque templado de Nothofagus, en la comuna de San Fabián de Alico, Región de Ñuble, Chile. Los individuos fueron encontrados durante la noche, en el verano del 2019. Esta nueva población, cuya ubicación requería confirmación, se encuentra geográficamente aislada 130 km al sur y 72 km al norte de las localidades más cercanas con población previamente registrada. Este hallazgo contribuye al conocimiento de la distribución geográfica fragmentada de esta especie.
DISTRIBUTION EXTENSION AND PARENTAL CARE IN Leptodactylus brevipes COPE, 1887 (ANURA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE)
Authors: CUESTAS CARRILLO JUAN FERNANDO , Santana Diego J. , Prado Cynthia CP
Published: March 2023

El cuidado parental tiene un importante papel para la sobrevivencia de la descendencia en varias especies de anfibios, incluyendo especies de ranas de la familia Leptodactylidae. Aquí reportamos una nueva localidad de ocurrencia para Leptodactylus brevipes en el Cerrado brasileño y describimos su comportamiento de cuidado parental. Observamos una hembra de L. brevipes cuidando de un cardumen de renacuajos y realizando el comportamiento de "pumping". Los renacuajos se mantuvieron cerca a la hembra cuidadora, raspando sus piernas y espalda varias veces. No registramos comportamiento agresivo por parte de la hembra. Nuestros resultados están de acuerdo con las observaciones de cuidado maternal en otras especies del grupo de L. melanonotus, incluyendo L. melanonotus, L. natalensis, L. podicipinus y L. pustulatus.
Power Generation by Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Solar Energy
Authors: Brahma M. Chaitanya , Raju M. Solomon , Sekhar P. Purna Chandra , Deepak V. , Rao G. S. R. N. Malleswara
Published: March 2023

Abstract: Wind and solar energies are the types of non-conventional forms of energy and those are available in affluence. Electricity can be generated with the help of vertical axis wind turbine and solar panel. The main objective is to utilize these wind energy and solar energy in most efficient manner to get maximum electrical output. These are useful in producing electricity in Indian highways roads. Where we can take advantage of moving vehicles on the road and solar energy from sun. The turbine is fabricated as per specifications the blades are semi -circular shape and are connected to the disc which is connected to the shaft. The shaft is connected to the discs with the help of bearing and then the gears will be fixed to the shaft. The dc motor will mesh to the gear. When wind strikes the blades the dc motor generates the power.The power is developed so that is stored in battery. on the other side the solar energy is generated with the help of sun to the panel, and it converts into electrical energy. Hybrid energy system using wind turbine and solar energy gives continuous power without any interruption. That electricity is stored in battery which it can be used to domestic purposes, streetlamps andhighways. So, the power is generated using VAWT and solar energy
IMPROVING CHILDREN’S EARLY LITERACY SKILL USING MAHARAJA CIRCLE MEDIA
Authors: Astuti Endang Puji , Nurhayati Sri
Published: March 2023

Abstract The main objective of this study would be to explain how early literacy learning is implemented for early childhood children aged 5-6 years through the meharaja’s circle media. By arranging cards and mattresses in pictorial circles, the maharaja’s circle media introduces syllables to form words. In media circles, the maharaja begins by singing the sounds of the syllables on the maharaja’s card to the child after he or she has memorized and grasped the concept of syllable sounds, and then plays with the maharaja’s circle mat. The method of research is qualitative descriptive. Observation, interviewing, and documentation were used to collect data. The data analysis technique employed in this study was data reduction and visualization. This study established the value of using the maharaja’s circle media for early literacy learning in early childhood. The findings of this study are expected to aid educators in the development of early childhood literacy skills through the use of exciting and fun media from the maharaja's circle. Abstrak Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menjelaskan implementasi pembelajaran keaksaraan awal anak usia dini usia 5-6 tahun dengan menggunakan media lingkaran maharaja. Media lingkaran maharaja adalah media untuk mengenalkan suku kata hingga membentuk kata dengan mengguanakan kartu dan matras yang berbentuk lingkaran bergambar. Dalam penggunaan media lingkaran maharaja diawali dengan mengenalkan bunyi suku kata pada kartu maharaja melalui bernyanyi, setelah anak hafal dan faham akan konsep bunyi suku kata, dilanjutkan dengan bermain menggunakan matras lingkaran maharaja. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif. Tehnik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah reduksi data dan display data. Hasil penelitian ini, menunjukkan bahwa media lingkaran maharaja layak digunakan untuk pembelajaran keaksaraan awal pada anak usia dini. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat bermanfaat bagi para pendidik dalam mengembangkan kemampuan keaksaraan awal anak usia dini yaitu dengan menggunakan media lingkaran maharaja yang seru dan menyenangkan.