bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the effects of oil and non-oil export shocks on the Saudi economy
Authors: Khan Uzma , Mohammad Khan Aarif
Published: February 2023

As the world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia faces the same pressures as any other government to expand its economy. Saudi Vision 2030 is to reduce the country’s reliance on oil exports and revenues. One of the main goals of Saudi Vision 2030 is to increase the share of GDP that does not come from oil. Dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) cointegration is used to look at how oil exports and exports of goods other than oil affect GDP growth. The results of the dynamic ARDL simulation show that there is both long-term and short-term cointegration between the variables. The dynamic ARDL simulation tests rely on the presence of cointegration to show that a 1% increase in oil exports will boost Saudi Arabia’s economic growth by about 0.48% in the long run and 0.18% in the short run, depending on the type of time frame. In the same way, the results about non-oil exports showed that an increase in non-oil exports would boost Saudi Arabia’s economic growth by 0.26 percentage points in the long run and by 0.16 percentage points in the short run. This is a good sign of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil exports and make room for international investors to help the country reach its Vision 2030 goals.
AcknowledgmentThis study is supported via funding from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University project number (PSAU/2023/R/1444).
Characterization of DOM and disinfection by-products precursors in biological activated carbon filter backwash water from drinking water treatments
Authors: Sun Tianxiao , Tang Yulin , Qu Xinlu , Huang Yongjie , Liu TuoDong , Xu Bin , Tang Haihua , Zhang Tianyang , Gao Naiyun
Published: February 2023

Biological activated carbon filter backwash water (BAC FBW) removes pollutants from BAC filters in drinking water treatment plants. Characterizing the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in BAC FBW is of great significance for the recycling and treatment of backwash water. DOM pollution was monitored over a year using three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectra. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and fluorescence results showed that the DOC concentration reached the lowest value of 1.95 mg/L in the summer. The relative abundances of fluorescence components had a direct relationship with temperature variations. The soluble microbial products were enhanced greatly during cold seasons, while fulvic-acid-like and humic-acid-like compounds remained constant. Disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation potential and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The total haloacetonitriles (HANs), trihalomethanes (THMs), halonitromethanes (HNMs), and haloacetaldehyde (HALs) formation potentials ranged from 35.5 to 47.3 μg/L, 95.1 to 126 μg/L, 4.95 to 8.06 μg/L, and 43.4 to 53.0 μg/L in BAC FBW, respectively. Among all DBPs included in the calculation, the order of contribution to cytotoxicity was HANs > HALs > THMs > HNMs, respectively. Especially, HANs were much higher than the other DBPs, which should be controlled to avoid the biological risk of effluent quality.
Narrative: Event, Temporality, Sequence
Authors: Ludwigs Marina
Published: February 2023

A narrative is traditionally defined as a sequences of events. While narratologists may disagree on what a relevant narrative event would be, no one argues about what a sequence is. Sequence is taken to be a fundamental notion that is self-explanatory and directly given to our intuition. I suggest, however, that it is interesting to look more closely at sequence in order to understand narrative temporality, because there is a distinct sense that it is somewhere “within” sequence that temporality resides. In order to do this, I first try to isolate the concept of pure sequence with the help of John McTaggart’s analysis of temporal and atemporal series and apply it to narratives. I then take a close look at an experimental film, Happy End by Oldřich Lipský from 1966, that runs backwards and thus reverses the normal sequence. By tracing how moments of confusion and disorientation on the part of the viewers arise in connection to this reversal, I speculate, firstly, that our grasp of sequentiality is deeply embodied, rooted in the phenomenology of movement with its predictive cognitive component; and secondly, that the phenomenological aspect is intrinsically bound up with the symbolic aspect of thinking in patterns, which is also predictive. In the last part of my paper, I introduce the theory of Generative Anthropology, which hypothesizes about the origin of language, and situate the phenomenological and symbolic components of sequentiality in the originary anthropological structure of deferral. Thus I show that sequence is not some a priori mathematical category of pure reason, but a concept that is inherent in language and symbolic thinking.
A New 3D Frequency-Selective Structure for 5G Communication
Authors: Khorshidi Mohammadreza , Forouzanfar Mehdi
Published: February 2023

Background:

In this paper, a new frequency-selective structure (FSS) for 3 to 4 GHz frequency
band of fifth generation (5G) is proposed as a result of an analytical mode-matching method.

Methods:

A new periodic structure with stepped rods is designed using a closed-form equation derived
by the analytical mode-matching method. Performance of the structure is simulated by different
numerical packages.

Results:

The analytical and simulation results demonstrate that the designed structure transmits incident
waves in 3.4 to 3.9 GHz frequency range with return loss lower than 10 dB and insertion loss
of about 0.5 dB. The structure reflects the frequencies out of this range, especially wireless local
area network (WLAN) 5 GHz, which is adjacent to this band. Furthermore, the performance of the
proposed structure is independent of the TE and TM polarization of the incident wave and relative
to the angle of the incident wave up to 60 degrees from perpendicular to the FSS surface, it has minor
variations of about 8% in the transmitted frequency bandwidth. In addition, the average value of
maximum field enhancement factor (MFEF) as the ratio of maximum field magnitude on the FSS
surface to the magnitude of the incident field, used for assessing power handling capability of the
structure, is about 4.5.

Conclusion:

Therefore, these features make the proposed structure suitable for 5G communication
and high power systems.
Influencer Marketing on Instagram: Examining issues of disclosure and regulation for Malaysia
Authors: Nawi Nor Fadzlina , Faizol Nur Amalina
Published: February 2023

Social media influencers have now become the foundation of the digital marketing landscape. This paper discusses the different types of ‘influencers’ and examines influencer marketing practices in Malaysia based on selected post content on Instagram, and explored Malaysia’s need to review its regulation, especially when it comes to disclosure. The study’s findings give an overview of the marketing practices undertaken by these influencers and the lack of disclosure of ‘material connection’ between the business or brand and the influencers. Finally, it is acknowledged that Malaysia needs to welcome changes in the laws dealing with influencer marketing.
Composition of Classification Models for Recognizing the Flow Velocity of Liquids in Capillaries
Authors: Kornaeva E. P. , Stebakov I. N. , Stavtsev D. D. , Dremin V. V. , Kornaev A. V.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research. Development of a technique for estimating the average flow rate of physiological fluids in capillaries from images obtained using laser speckle-contrast imaging. The technique includes obtaining experimental data in the form of an image of the fluid flow in a thin tube, their preliminary processing, including filtering and compressing data, as well as training and testing approximate models using modern machine learning methods.Methods. The experimental study of the fluid flow in the tube is based on the application of the laser speckle-contrast imaging method. The spatial speckle-contrast values are calculated from the obtained images. The obtained data are subjected to preliminary processing, including the data filtering out and extending to a steady flow mode, as well as compressing the obtained images using the principal component method, which allows reducing the dimension of the feature space. The problem of predicting the average velocity from the image of the fluid flow is solved as a classification problem based on the composition of decision trees constructed through the bagging procedure, as well as in the form of a random forest.Results. A technique for predicting the average velocity of liquid flow in a capillary from images obtained using the laser speckle-contrast imaging method has been developed. The accuracy of predicting the average velocity (or flow rate) based on the training sample was about 91%, on the validation and test samples - at least 81.5%.Conclusion. Based on the developed technique, it is planned to determine the kinematic characteristics of the parameters of physiological fluids flow, which will improve the inertial method of measuring the viscosity of the tested liquids developed earlier by the authors, getting rid of a number of assumptions about the velocity profile.
Simulation of Control System of Executive Links of Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Considering Spasticity Effect
Authors: Jatsun S. F. , Malchikov A. V. , Postolny А. А. , Yatsun A. S.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research. Mathematical modeling of the adaptive control system of the rehabilitation exoskeleton complex, which allows considering the effects of human interaction with the actuators of the drive system, including detecting the appearance of the spasticity effect. The authors of this work solve the following problems: development of human-machine interaction concept, description of the information infrastructure of the exoskeleton complex; development of a structure of an adaptive control system that allows to take into account the interaction of a person with a robot in the process of movement; development of a mathematical model of a man-machine system (MMS) and setting up computational experiments in order to develop adaptive control algorithms under various conditions, development of a method for detecting a spasticity phenomenon and an algorithm of an adaptive control system providing patient safety.Methods. When constructing a mathematical model of the MMS, biomechanical and physiological properties of the manipulation object, mechanical properties of power elements of the structure, as well as features of the operation of the information system of electromechanical device are considered. The work uses mathematical model represented by a system of differential equations of the second order, describing the dynamics of the joint movement of executive links of the exoskeleton and the limb of the operator.Results. During numerical simulation time diagrams of rotation angles changes of exoskeleton links and operator's leg, laws of torques changes in hinges and forces on cuffs characterizing man-machine interaction under various modes and conditions of device functioning are obtained.Conclusion. Conclusions were drawn on applicability of the proposed algorithms of adaptive control system under various modes and conditions of exoskeleton complex functioning, including for rehabilitation of patients with the possibility of spasticity. The conclusions were drawn based on the obtained results of mathematical modeling of MMS functioning.
Choosing Methodology of How to Manage Distributed Information Systems under Conditions of High Dynamics of Network Infrastructure
Authors: Klimenko А. B.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research.is to identify a distributed system control method that, based on known parameters, would reduce the resource consumption of computing devices. An information system resource is probability of failure-free operation (FFO), which decreases over time for each node, the faster the higher its load.Methods.Frequency of system reconfiguration becomes relatively high with high dynamics of edge layer of a network and the need for reconfiguration is unpredictable. Reducing the total time spent on reconfiguration allows to increase time spent on solving functional computing tasks of the system and thereby reducing nodes load. Reconfiguration time can be reduced both by reducing failure detection time in distributed system and by reducing searching time for new configuration. A method for reducing failure detection time is described. The applicability analysis of system management methods (centralized, distributed leader, decentralized) is carried out on the basis of obtained analytical evaluations of failure detection time by the system in control conditions through one or another method. A numerical experiment allows to distinguish areas of system parameters, where it is preferable to use the method with a distingods. Frequency of system reconfiguration becomes relatively high with high dynamics of edge layer of a network and the need for reconfiguration is unpredictable. Reducing the total time spent on reconfiguration allows to increase time spent on solving functional computing tasks of the system and thereby reducing nodes load. Reconfiguration time can be reduced both by reducing failure detection time in distributed system and by reducing searching time for new configuration. A method for reducing failure detection time is described. The applicability analysis of system management methods (centralized, distributed leader, decentralized) is carried out on the basis of obtained analytical evaluations of failure detection time by the system in control conditions through one or another method. A numerical experiment allows to distinguish areas of system parameters, where it is preferable to use the method with a distinuished leader.Results.The main result of this work is a method of choosing how to manage distributed information systems in conditions of high dynamics of network infrastructure, focused on reducing of resource consumption in computing devices.Conclusion. The system reconfiguration time could be reduced by selecting the most appropriate control method. In this case, the time for solving functional tasks of application is increased, the workload of computing nodes is reduced, and therefore FFO values are increased over the planning horizon.
Stability Study of a Neuro-Fuzzy Output System Based on Ratio Area Method
Authors: Milostnaya N. A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research is to study the hypothesis about the possibility of changing the type of transition process during training in a neuro-fuzzy inference system based on area ratio method, and to study the properties of weight coefficient influence on its stability.Methods. An apparatus of fuzzy logic is used for the development of a neuro-fuzzy output system. At the same time, input and output variables are described by triangular membership functions. Mamdani implication model was used in the compositional rule. A linear model of area ratio was used in defasification. The reverse error propagation method was used during training.Results. In experimental studies, it was found that the proposed neuro-fuzzy model based on area ratio method allows to change the type of transition process, namely, to transform oscillatory process into an aperiodic (monotonic) process. In experimental studies, it was also found that the stability of neuro-fuzzy output system is more influenced by the weight coefficient determined in calculating the total area of membership output functions. Thus, the obtained results prove: first, that the proposed neuro-odd output system ensures the transformation of transfer characteristics, and second, ensures its stability in a given range of weight coefficient characteristics.Conclusion: The architecture of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy output system based on a linear method of area ratio is described. A distinctive feature of the proposed architecture is the use of an odd system of triangular accessory functions at inputs and outputs. Analysis of the simulation process of its training showed that it s important to ensure stability during training. It is also necessary to establish permissible values of the weight coefficient, numerical values of which in its turn affect the transformation of transfer characteristics of a neuro-fuzzy output system.
Investigation of Molding Process and Consolidation of Preforms from Mechanically Synthesized Powders of Europium and Cerium Hafnates
Authors: Eremeeva Zh. V. , Ageev E. V. , Sharipzyanova G. K. , Kaplansky Yu. Y. , Nitkin N. M. , Akhmetov A. S. , Orlov V. L. , Saenko A. A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research. To study the process of molding and consolidation of preforms from mechanically synthesized powders of europium and cerium hafnates.Methods. Complex compounds of europium hafnateEu2HfO5 and cerium hafnate Ce2HfO5 have been synthesized from europium, hafnate and cerium oxides using mechanochemical synthesis in a planetary centrifugal mill. The rotational speed of the disk was 600 - 900 rpm and the rotational speed of the drums is 1000 - 1800 rpm, with the ratio of grinding bodies to the mass of the powder charge (35 - 45): 1, in an argon atmosphere. Synthesis lasts 5 - 120 minutes.Results. An X-ray phase analysis has been performed showing the formation of Eu2HfO5 and Ce2HfO5; as well as the study of the morphology of particles of the obtained powders, their technological properties, granulometric composition, formability and compaction, as well as the process of their consolidation.Conclusion. On the basis of the experimental studies aimed at studying the molding process and consolidation of preforms from mechanically synthesized powders of europium and cerium hafnates, it has been revealed the optimal mode of synthesis of cerium and europium hafnates. We have obtained a cerium hafnate powder with a particle size of 30-100 nm and a europium hafnate powder with a particle size of 40-70 nm by the method of mechanical activation. Using X-ray phase analysis, TEM and SEM methods, the mixed structure of lanthanide hafnates powders obtained by mechanosynthesis have been studied. The technological properties of mechanically synthesized powders of cerium and europium hafnate, as well as, their compaction and formability after pressing and sintering have been determined and studied. Samples from europium hafnate powder have a relative density higher than samples from cerium hafnate powder after consolidation at temperatures of 900-1200 ° C and isothermal holding time from 30 to 120 min. A study of the microhardness of lanthanide hafnate samples after sintering has shown that europium hafnate samples have greater hardness than cerium hafnate samples .
Implementation of Agent-Based Metacomputersystems and Applications
Authors: Karamysheva N. S. , Svishchev D. S. , Popov K. V. , Zinkin S. A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research. Creation of a methodology for designing a prototype of a metacomputer distributed computing system, taking into account the current stage of the evolution of hardware and cloud-network software to provide users with the means to create applications with inter-program parallelism and the ability of components to work together.Methods. Logical models of artificial intelligence, semantic networks and conceptual graphs, agent-based technology, virtualization of network resources. The method of conducting a full-scale experiment was that when the application was launched for execution in a virtual agent-based metacomputer, a network infrastructure was used with remote access to the Fast Ethernet laboratory network via the Internet, and then time characteristics were measured.Results. A technique for designing cloud-network metacomputer systems and applications is proposed, and prototype middleware software based on multi-agent technology is created. The goal of the study has been achieved, since the developed agent-based environment allows the implementation of universal programming control structures - transition by one or more conditions, cycle, sequence, parallelization, for which executable conceptual specifications have been introduced.Conclusion. An approach to the implementation of a distributed metacomputer application in a computer network environment based on conceptual graphs describing the exchange of messages and data processing by software agents is proposed. The performance of the application under conditions of extraneous load on the network was demonstrated.
Model and Methodology for Optimal Equipment Setting for Monitoring and Verification of Enterprises of the Automotive Cluster
Authors: Averchenkova E. E. , Shabanov A. A.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of research. To develop a classifier of control and verification equipment, to propose a model of a set of control and verification equipment, as well as a methodology for forming an optimal set of control and verification equipment to ensure the effective functioning of an organizational and technological system for providing mechanical assembly based on threaded connections of an automated assembly process control system at automotive cluster enterprises.Methods. Calibration equipment set in the assembly production organizational and technological system based on thread joints of the automated assembly process control system at the enterprises of the automotive cluster is presented in the work on the basis of a set-theoretic approach. Set-theoretic models are used to describe the calibration equipment set. The method of hierarchical classification became the basis for the development of models. Formalization of the decision-making process on the formation of calibration equipment set is based on the methods of decision theory. Separate elements of the methodology are based on the use of methods of mathematical analysis.Results. A set-theoretic model of the calibration equipment set is proposed. A classifier of calibration equipment is proposed. The technique of making a decision on the formation of calibration equipment set is described. The technique takes into account the actual load on the sensors for measuring the torque and allowing optimize the cost of calibration equipment purchasing. The cost savings from the use of the developed models, classifiers, methods and algorithms for production technological preparation and for equipment purchasing are calculated. The application of the developed models, classifiers, methods and algorithms in the conditions of an automotive cluster enterprise shows a significant reduction in the labor intensity of technological preparation of production, as well as significant savings in financial costs for the purchase of calibration equipment set.Conclusion. The developed classifier, model and methodology for the formation of an optimal calibration equipment set make it possible to simplify managerial work at an automotive cluster enterprise and solve the problem of optimal control of calibration equipment subsystem, which is part of assembly production organizational and technological system based on thread joints of the automated assembly process control system at the enterprises of the automotive cluster.
Contexto de cadena forestal
Authors: Zambrano Muñoz Adriana del Pilar
Published: February 2023

En esta ficha de contexto se mencionan los aspectos importantes de la cadena de forestal enfocados a su marco productivo, regional, económico, comercio internacional, así como sus perspectivas y tendencias frente al mercado, dando a conocer su entorno de Ciencia y Tecnología e Innovación.
The Clinical Suitability of an Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Pain Assessment Tool for Use in Infants: Feasibility and Usability Evaluation Study
Authors: Hughes Jeffery David , Chivers Paola , Hoti Kreshnik
Published: February 2023

Background

Infants are unable to self-report their pain, which, therefore, often goes underrecognized and undertreated. Adequate assessment of pain, including procedural pain, which has short- and long-term consequences, is critical for its management. The introduction of mobile health–based (mHealth) pain assessment tools could address current challenges and is an area requiring further research.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility aspects of PainChek Infant and, therefore, assess its applicability in the intended setting.

Methods

By observing infants just before, during, and after immunization, we evaluated the accuracy and precision at different cutoff scores of PainChek Infant, which is a point-of-care mHealth–based solution that uses artificial intelligence to detect pain and intensity based solely on facial expression. We used receiver operator characteristic analysis to assess interpretability and establish a cutoff score. Clinician comprehensibility was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire. Other feasibility aspects were evaluated based on comparison with currently available observational pain assessment tools for use in infants with procedural pain.

Results

Both PainChek Infant Standard and Adaptive modes demonstrated high accuracy (area under the curve 0.964 and 0.966, respectively). At a cutoff score of ≥2, accuracy and precision were 0.908 and 0.912 for Standard and 0.912 and 0.897 for Adaptive modes, respectively. Currently available data allowed evaluation of 16 of the 17 feasibility aspects, with only the cost of the outcome measurement instrument unable to be evaluated since it is yet to be determined. PainChek Infant performed well across feasibility aspects, including interpretability (cutoff score defined), ease of administration, completion time (3 seconds), and clinician comprehensibility.

Conclusions

This work provides information on the feasibility of using PainChek Infant in clinical practice for procedural pain assessment and monitoring, and demonstrates the accuracy and precision of the tool at the defined cutoff score.
Health Care Resource Utilization in Adults Living With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in the South African Public Health Sector: Protocol for a 1-Year Retrospective Analysis With a 5-, 10-, and 25-Year Projection
Authors: Bhana Sindeep , Naidoo Poobalan , Pillay Somasundram , Variava Ebrahim , Naidoo Kiolan , Rohitlall Neeresh , Sekhuthe Lauren , Pauly Bruno
Published: February 2023

Background

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is less common than type 2 diabetes mellitus but is increasing in frequency in South Africa. It tends to affect younger individuals, and upon diagnosis, exogenous insulin is essential for survival. In South Africa, the health care system is divided into private and public health care systems. The private system is well resourced, whereas the public sector, which treats more than 80% of the population, has minimal resources. There are currently no studies in South Africa, and Africa at large, that have evaluated the immediate and long-term costs of managing people living with T1DM in the public sector.

Objective

The primary objective was to quantify the cost of health care resource utilization over a 12-month period in patients with controlled and uncontrolled T1DM in the public health care sector. In addition, we will project costs for 5, 10, and 25 years and determine if there are cost differences in managing subsets of patients who achieve glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] <7%) and those who do not.

Methods

The study was performed in accordance with Good Epidemiological Practice. Ethical clearance and institutional permissions were acquired. Clinical data were collected from 2 tertiary hospitals in South Africa. Patients with T1DM, who provided written informed consent, and who satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Data collection included demographic and clinical characteristics, acute and chronic complications, hospital admissions, and so on. We plan to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to quantify the costs of health care utilization in the preceding 12 months. In addition, we will estimate projected costs over the next 10 years, assuming that study participants maintain their current HbA1c level. The cost-effectiveness analysis will be modeled using the IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model. The primary outcome measures are incremental quality-adjusted life years, incremental costs, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, and incremental life years.

Results

Ethical clearance and institutional approval were obtained (reference number 200407). Enrollment began on February 9, 2021, and was completed on August 24, 2021, with 224 participants. A database lock was performed on October 29, 2021. The statistical analysis and clinical study report were completed in January 2022.

Conclusions

At present, there are no data assessing the short- and long-term costs of managing patients with T1DM in the South African public sector. It is hoped that the findings of this study will help policy makers optimally use limited resources to reduce morbidity and mortality in people living with T1DM.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR1-10.2196/44308
mHealth to Improve Experience, Adherence to Pharmacological Treatment, and Positive Mental Health in Patients Diagnosed With Femur Fractures: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Marcos Anton Gemma , Puig Llobet Montserrat , Lluch Canut Teresa , Sanchez Ortega Maria Aurelia , Piazuelo Pont Mercè , Moreno-Arroyo MªCarmen
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Considering the prognosis of femur fractures worldwide, the ageing of our society, and the problems in adherence to treatment found in these patients, it is believed that mobile health can have a positive impact on the process and quality of care.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacological educational nurse intervention with Myplan app with regard to knowledge, adherence to pharmacological treatment, and positive mental health of patients with femur fractures.

METHODS

A nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study will be carried out with a pretest-posttest control group. It will include 278 older patients diagnosed with femur fractures, with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 15 and access to mobile devices. Patients with psychological pathologies and cognitive impairment or patients treated in isolation will be excluded. Study variables are as follows: sociodemographic variables (AdHoc Form), patient experience (Patient Experience Questionnaire-15), adherence to pharmacological treatment (Morisky-Green questionnaire), and positive mental health (Positive Mental Health questionnaire). The measurements will be taken 24 hours after admission, upon discharge, and 25 days after discharge.

RESULTS

Enrollment commenced in October 2022. Data collection will be completed in April 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study will offer evidence of the effectiveness of a pharmacological educational nurse intervention by means of a free smartphone app. If its efficacy is demonstrated and the results are acceptable, it could mean an improvement in the care of patients with femur fractures, and this technology could be used to guide other training interventions in patients with other pathologies.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCTT05669040; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCTT05669040

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/45856
Indigenous Women and Their Nutrition During Pregnancy (the Mums and Bubs Deadly Diets Project): Protocol for a Co-designed mHealth Resource Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie , Irvine Rachel , D'or Melissa , Adam Marc T P , Collins Clare E , Marriott Rhonda , Rollo Megan , Walker Roz , Rae Kym
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Nutrition in pregnancy is pivotal to optimizing infant growth and maternal well-being. The factors affecting Indigenous people’s food and nutrition intake are complex with a history of colonization impacting the disproportionate effect of social determinants to this day. Literature regarding the dietary intake or dietary priorities of Indigenous women in Australia is scarce, with supportive, culturally appropriate resources developed for and with this group rare. Research suggests mobile health (mHealth) tools are effective in supporting health knowledge of Indigenous people and positive health behavior changes when designed and developed with the expertise of Indigenous communities.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to build the body of knowledge related to nutrition needs and priorities for Indigenous women in Australia during pregnancy. Further, this project team and its participants will co-design an mHealth digital tool to support these nutrition needs.

METHODS

The Mums and Bubs Deadly Diets study recruits Indigenous women and health care professionals who support Indigenous women during pregnancy into 2 phases. Phase 1 (predesign) uses a mixed methods convergent design using a biographical questionnaire and social or focus groups to inform phase 2 (generative). Phase 2 will use a participatory action research process during co-design workshops to iteratively develop the digital tool; the exact actions within a workshop will evolve according to the participant group decisions.

RESULTS

To date, this project has undertaken phase 1 focus groups at all Queensland sites, with New South Wales and Western Australia to begin in early to mid-2023. We have recruited 12 participants from Galangoor Duwalami, 18 participants from Carbal in Toowoomba, and 18 participants from Carbal in Warwick. We are expecting similar numbers of recruits in Western Australia and New South Wales. Participants have been both community members and health care professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is an iterative and adaptive research program that endeavors to develop real-world, impactful resources to support the nutrition needs and priorities of pregnant Indigenous women in Australia. This comprehensive project requires a combination of methods and methodologies to ensure Indigenous voices are heard at each stage and in all aspects of research output. The development of an mHealth resource for this cohort will provide a necessary bridge where there is often a gap in access to nutrition resources for women in pregnancy in Indigenous communities.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/45983
Using Wear Time for the Analysis of Consumer-Grade Wearables’ Data: A Case Study Using Fitbit Data (Preprint)
Authors: Baroudi Loubna , Zernicke Ronald Fredrick , Tewari Muneesh , Carlozzi Noelle E , Choi Sung Won , Cain Stephen Matthew
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Consumer-grade wearables allow researchers to capture a representative picture of human behavior in the real world over extended periods. However, maintaining users’ engagement remains a challenge and can lead to a decrease in compliance (e.g., wear time in the context of wearable sensors) over time (e.g., “wearables’ abandonment”).

OBJECTIVE

In this work, we analyzed datasets from diverse populations (e.g., caregivers for various health issues, college students, and pediatric oncology patients) and found evidence that emphasizes the need to account for participants’ wear time in the analysis of consumer-grade wearables data. In Aim 1, we demonstrated the sensitivity of scientific results to different data processing methods with respect to wear time. In Aim 2, we demonstrated the need to adapt wear time requirements based on the research question.

METHODS

We analyzed 3 Fitbit datasets comprising 6 different clinical and healthy populations. For Aim 1, we analyzed the sensitivity of average daily step count and average daily heart rate at the population and individual levels to different methods of defining “valid” days using wear time. For Aim 2, we evaluated how the wear time requirements can differ between two research questions: (1) the estimation of the average daily step count, and (2) the estimation of the average heart rate while walking.

RESULTS

Aim 1: We found that the changes in population average daily step count could reach 2,000 steps for different methods of analysis and were dependent on the population. As expected, populations with a low daily wear time (under ~15 hours of wear time per day) showed the most sensitivity to changes in methods of analysis. On the individual level, we observed that around 15% of individuals had a difference in step count higher than 1,000 for 4 of the 6 populations analyzed when using different data processing methods. Those individual differences were higher than 3,000 for close to 5% of individuals across all populations. Average daily heart rate appeared to be robust to changes in wear time.
Aim 2: We found that for 5 populations out of 6, around 11% of individuals had enough data for the estimation of average heart rate while walking but not for the estimation of their average daily step count.

CONCLUSIONS

We leveraged datasets from diverse populations to demonstrate the direct correlation between scientific results from consumer-grade wearable devices and participants’ wear time. Our findings highlighted the importance of a thorough analysis of wear time when processing data from consumer-grade wearables to ensure the relevance and reliability of the associated findings.
Predicting the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Virtual Community Intervention for University Students Targeting Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety and Stress (Preprint)
Authors: El Morr Christo , Tavanga Farideh , Ahmad Farah , Ritvo Paul ,   MVC Team
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Students’ mental health crisis has been recognized before COVID-19 pandemic and deepened during the pandemic. Mindfulness Virtual Community (MVC), an eight-week web-based mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program and featuring online videos, discussion forums, and videoconferencing, has proven to be an effective web-based program to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Predicting the success of MVC before a student enrolls in the program is important to advise students’ accordingly.

OBJECTIVE

Prediction of the effectiveness (i.e., success) of MVC in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress with undergraduate students at a large Canadian university.

METHODS

Machine learning models were developed to assess MVC’s effectiveness defined as success in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety as measured using the Patient Health Questionniare-9 (PHQ9), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), to at least the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). A dataset representing a sample of undergraduate students (n = 209) who took the MVC intervention between Fall 2017 and Fall 2018 was used. Several algorithms were trained based on the dataset to predict MVC’s effectiveness using sociodemographic and self-reported data.

RESULTS

Random Forest and Gradient Boosting (AUC=.89, Accuracy=.88) achieved the best performance both in terms of AUC and accuracy for predicting PHQ 9; and SVM (AUC=.91, Accuracy=.92) had best performance for predicting BAI, while random forest and several other algorithms were the best performing in predicting intervention effectiveness for PSS (AUC=.1, Accuracy=.1). The exposure to online mindfulness videos was the most important predictor for the intervention’s effectiveness for PHQ9, BAI and PSS.

CONCLUSIONS

The performances of the random forest models to predict MVC intervention effectiveness for depression, anxiety, and stress, are very high. These models might be useful for professionals to advise students early enough on taking the intervention or choose other alternatives. The students’ exposure to online mindfulness videos is the most important predictor for the effectiveness for the MVC intervention.
Timing, Indicators, and Approaches to Digital Patient Experience Evaluation: Umbrella Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Tingting , Giunti Guido , Goossens Richard , Melles Marijke
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of DH applications has outpaced research and practice in digital health (DH) evaluations. Patient experience (PEx) was reported as one of the challenges facing the health system by the World Health Organization. To generate evidence on DH and promote the appropriate integration and use of technologies, a standard evaluation of PEx in DH is required.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to systematically identify evaluation timing considerations (ie, when to measure), evaluation indicators (ie, what to measure), and evaluation approaches (ie, how to measure) with regard to digital PEx. The overall aim of this study is to generate an evaluation guide for further improving digital PEx evaluation.

METHODS

This is a 2-phase study parallel to our previous study. In phase 1, literature reviews related to PEx in DH were systematically searched from Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Two independent raters conducted 2 rounds of paper screening, including title and abstract screening and full-text screening, and assessed the interrater reliability for 20% (round 1: 23/115 and round 2: 12/58) random samples using the Fleiss-Cohen coefficient (round 1: k1=0.88 and round 2: k2=0.80). When reaching interrater reliability (k>0.60), TW conducted the rest of the screening process, leaving any uncertainties for group discussions. Overall, 38% (45/119) of the articles were considered eligible for further thematic analysis. In phase 2, to check if there were any meaningful novel insights that would change our conclusions, we performed an updated literature search in which we collected 294 newly published reviews, of which 102 (34.7%) were identified as eligible articles. We considered them to have no important changes to our original results on the research objectives. Therefore, they were not integrated into the synthesis of this review and were used as supplementary materials.

RESULTS

Our review highlights 5 typical evaluation objectives that serve 5 stakeholder groups separately. We identified a set of key evaluation timing considerations and classified them into 3 categories: intervention maturity stages, timing of the evaluation, and timing of data collection. Information on evaluation indicators of digital PEx was identified and summarized into 3 categories (intervention outputs, patient outcomes, and health care system impact), 9 themes, and 22 subthemes. A set of evaluation theories, common study designs, data collection methods and instruments, and data analysis approaches was captured, which can be used or adapted to evaluate digital PEx.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings enabled us to generate an evaluation guide to help DH intervention researchers, designers, developers, and program evaluators evaluate digital PEx. Finally, we propose 6 directions for encouraging further digital PEx evaluation research and practice to address the challenge of poor PEx.
Flocculation Performance of Industrial Sugarcane Juice by Acrylamide-Based Anionic Flocculant
Authors: Ningrum Eva Oktavia , Subyakto Agung , Ciptonugroho Wirawan , Lorensa Shania , Ramadhani Devianti Anggraini , Surono Agus
Published: February 2023

Despite the widespread use of ionic polymer flocculants in sugar refineries, there is still insufficient knowledge on the relationship between the polymer properties and the efficiency of flocculation. This paper describes the performance of poly(sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) (poly(SA-co-AAm)) as an anionic flocculant in the flocculation–coagulation of sugarcane juice from the sugar factory Gempolkrep PTPN X Mojokerto. Poly(SA-co-AAm) was successfully prepared via free radical polymerization of sodium acrylate and acrylamide with respective molar ratios of 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40, and compared with the commercial flocculant Accofloc. It was found that the mud height of the sugarcane decreased with increasing SA:AAm ratio. However, mud height increase was observed with further increasing SA:AAm ratio. Furthermore, increasing the flocculant dosage did not induce any significant change in the mud height and pH. The total dissolved solids (TDS) significantly decreased when the ratio of sodium acrylate:acrylamide was changed from 40:60 to 50:50, whereas a further change to 60:40 increased the TDS value again. It is also noticed that the tendency of turbidity is consistent with the TDS value. These results demonstrate that poly(SA-co-AAm) is a feasible alternative to the commercial flocculant owing to its good flocculation–coagulation performance with an optimum SA:AAm ratio of 50:50.
Status and Research Gaps of Microplastics Pollution in Indonesian Waters: A Review
Authors: Manullang Corry Yanti , Patria Mufti Petala , Haryono Agus , Anuar Sabiqah Tuan , Suyadi Suyadi , Opier Rafidha Dh Ahmad
Published: February 2023

This study is the first review of current research on microplastics (MPs) in the marine environments at the national scale in Indonesia from 2015 to 2022. This review was conducted to measure the environmental risk and highlight the waste management issue in Indonesian waters. Our literature study found that: (1) the MPs research was mainly conducted in the western part of Indonesia, especially in Java Island; (2) current research has primarily focused on coastal waters (98%) rather than the deep-sea area (2%); (3) the comparability of data is still hampered by difference in quality, about 67% of articles published have not carried out the polymer confirmation; (4) MPs concentrations reported on the articles that did not carry out the polymer identification tended to report higher MPs concentrations. Finally, we propose to have a standard guideline for MPs analysis at a national level and to do more research in the eastern part of Indonesia and deep-sea areas. Further research is required to fill research gaps on plastic distribution and density in deep-sea areas in the eastern part of Indonesia.
Degradable Bioplastic Developed from Pine-Wood Nanocellulose as a Filler Combined with Orange Peel Extract
Authors: Farrah Dibha Alyaa , Masruri Masruri , Srihardyastutie Arie
Published: February 2023

This research presents the degradable bioplastics developed from pinewood nanocellulose as a filler in PVA matrices. The steps involve the isolation and characterization of cellulose and nanocellulose. Meanwhile, the manufacturing of degradable bioplastic involves the combination of PVA, nanocellulose, and with or without orange peel extract. The effect of bioplastics without the addition of citric acid and orange peel extract is also reported as a comparison. It is found that orange peel extract improves the tensile strength (1708.54 kPa), elastic modulus (42.71 kPa), elongation (40%), and degradability (78.44% in 2 weeks) compared to bioplastic without the orange peel extract. These results indicate that orange peel extract acts as a reinforcing agent in PVA-nanocellulose bioplastic.
Steroids from Atactodea striata and Their Cytotoxic Activity against MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Hadrian Evan , Sari Aprilia Permata , Mayanti Tri , Harneti Desi , Maharani Rani , Darwati Darwati , Farabi Kindi , Supratman Unang , Waranmaselembun Celcius , Salam Supriatno , Fajriah Sofa , Azmi Muhamad Nurul
Published: February 2023

Marine environment is known as a source of potential steroids with multiple biological activities, one of which is an anticancer agent. Atactodea striata are one of the seashells distributed in Indonesia located in the Kei Islands, Southeast Maluku. During the course of our continuing search for biologically active substances from Indonesia seashells, seven steroids have been isolated from the n-hexane fraction of A. striata and they were identified as 7β-hydroxy-sitosterol (1), campesterol (2), β-sitosterol (3), cholesterol (4), 5α,8α-epidioxycholest-6-en-3-β-ol (5), 7-keto-cholesterol (6), and 7α-hydroxy-cholesterol (7). The structure was identified by spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques, FTIR, HRTOFMS, and chemical shift comparison with previously reported spectral data. Compounds 1-7 were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and showed weak or no anticancer activity.