bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal Extract of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 Inhibits the Growth of Skin Pathogenic Bacterium and Attenuates Biofilms of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mat Jalil Mohd Taufiq , Ibrahim Darah
Published: August 2021

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens associated with biofilm formation can cause life-threatening infections to humans. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of the fungal extract of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae (L. pseudotheobromae) Industrial Biotechnology Research Laboratory (IBRL) OS-64 on bacterial cells and the biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods: Broth microdilution and semi-quantitative adherence assays were conducted to determine the anti-biofilm activity of the fungal extract. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to observe the effect of the fungal extract on biofilm formation by MRSA.
Results: The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) microphotographs showed that the bacterial cells were severely damaged upon 24 h exposure to the extract and displayed several symptoms such as cell shrinkage and breakage. Meanwhile, results from the antibiofilm study indicated the extract attenuated the initial and preformed biofilms of MRSA by 80.82% and 61.39%, respectively. The initial biofilm was more sensitive to the extract compared to the pre-formed biofilm, as evidenced by the light microscopy and SEM observations that demonstrated more severe bacterial cell damage on the initial biofilms compared to pre-formed biofilms.
Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of L. pseudotheobromae IBRL OS-64 significantly inhibited bacterial cells growth and eliminated biofilm formation by MRSA.
Comparing the Outcomes of Early and Late Tracheostomy in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patient
Authors: Ismail Muhammad Ihfaz , Idris Zamzuri , Abdullah Jafri Malin , A Rahman Noor Azman , Nordin Mazin
Published: August 2021

Background: Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were expected to have poor Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) recovery and prolonged intubation. Therefore, an early tracheostomy procedure was indicated for all severe TBI. In view of growing concern regarding the safety and outcome of early tracheostomy on these patients, it was deemed valid and needed to be addressed.
Methods: This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of early and late tracheostomies in severe TBI. Only severe TBI patients who were admitted to the Neurosurgery High Dependency Unit (NHDU), Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia and who had underwent a tracheostomy were recruited. Three main outcomes noted: duration on ventilation, length of NHDU stay and rate of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).
Results: Out of 155 patients, 72 (46.5%) were in early tracheostomy group (ETG) and 83 (53.5%) were in late tracheostomy group (LTG). The majority of the participants, 95 (61.3%) were ethnic Malays. The mean duration on ventilator use was 2.65 days (1.57) for ETG and 5.63 days (2.35) for LTG. While, mean NHDU stay was 4.75 days (1.98) for ETG and 9.77 days (2.70) for LTG. Upon independent t-test, early duration of tracheostomies had shown significant outcome in reducing length of NHDU stay, (P < 0.001) and had shortening participants’ time on mechanical ventilator (P < 0.001). Then, based on forward multiple logistic regression test, there were significant association between comorbid (P = 0.003) and tracheostomy (P = 0.020) towards presence of VAP when adjusted for other variables.
Conclusion: In this study it was found that early tracheostomy was significant in shortening the duration on ventilator, reducing the length of NHDU stay and reducing the rate of VAP.
The return of poetics. Julia Kristeva vs Mikhail Bakhtin
Authors:   Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House) Russian Academy of Science, Barsht Konstantin A.
Published: August 2021

The article offers an analysis of the concept of “intertext” that has been put forward by Julia Kristeva in her work “The Destruction of Poetics” in comparison with Mikhail Bakhtin’s idea of a universal context and “infinite dialogue”. It is concluded that Kristeva incorrectly perceived Bakhtin’s thoughts about context and dialogue, which are personalistic in nature in contrast to Kristeva’s impersonal one based on the Freudian-driven “It” and social factors of the “intertext”. The article analyzes the theoretical basis of this concept, including the crisis in literary theory in the 1970s–1980s where there was frustration by the European and Russian scientific community in the universalism of binary oppositions. In this regard, the issue of overcoming the theoretical difficulties of literary aesthetics with the help of the ternary model of aesthetic communication (“metalinguistics”), which was developed by Bakhtin in his works since the 1930s and was not heeded by Kristeva, has not yet been mastered in modern philological science. This concept is based on the idea of aesthetics as metaethics, which is built up in the process of textual communication over simple binary ethical exchange. The article suggests that the use of this idea of a ternary (metalinguistic) construction of the communicative field of a literary work can significantly advance the solution of many problems in theoretical poetics, in particular, reveal new ways for linking the discursive-textual and axiological fields of a literary-fiction text into one whole.
Cognitive and pragmatic peculiarities of positive and negative food representation in Russian media discourse
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Shevchenko Viacheslav D. , Shevchenko Ekaterina S. ,   Samara National Research University
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of cognitive and pragmatic aspects of food representation in media discourse as well as peculiarities of the language means of such representation. The language means used for the realization of cognitive models referring to the spheres of entertainment, cooking and eating as well as the models referring to the negative aspects of food representation in Russian media discourse are investigated. The article also studies the connection between the realization of cognitive models and journalists’ pragmatic goals aimed at a positive or negative representation of food in media discourse. The cognitive models’ dominant components are analyzed. The promotion of such components as participants, food and drink, place, entertainment, characteristics of the object (food), action, consequences, etc., is driven by journalists’ pragmatic goals aimed at drawing attention to particular dishes or preventing the negative consequences of consuming a certain food. Filling the components of the cognitive model with particular contents by means of language units results in achieving the journalist’s goal. The article also investigates the connection between various spheres of human life established by the representation of food. The authors refer to the peculiarities of the realization of the cognitive model “Food as a source of danger”. The results of the undertaken research can be used for analyzing the realization of cognitive models in other types of discourse as well as in theoretical courses on text linguistics, discourse analysis, and media linguistics.
The Results of New Research in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia: Three Rock-hewn Churches of Kola Tembien as Historical Sources
Authors:   Scientific Research Institute of Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Planning, branch of the Central Institute for Research and Design of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation, Klyuev Sergey A. , Semenova Valeria N. ,   Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera)
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the results of research focused on three rock-hewn churches, which are not well-represented in literature, in Kola Tembien of the Tigray region in Ethiopia. Fieldwork was carried out with the financial support of the Russian foundation for Basic Research. Trips to the site were conducted in the autumn of 2019 and 2020. The problems of dating and typology is the focus of this research. In the article, three churches are described — Mikaʼel ʽAddi Kawa, Abunä Fäqadä Amlak in ʽAdi Śərä and Maryam Degol Chako. Special reference is made to the architectural ties of these three monuments with others of the region in order to reveal the possible mutual influence of architectural constructions and some decorative elements. Information on these churches has not been published since the time of cooperative research by Ruth Plant and David Buxton in the 1970s. Particular attention in the article is paid to the churches Abunä Fäqadä Amlak inʽAdi Śərä and Maryam Degol Chako as they have very rich paintings on canvas dating from the middle of the XX century. These paintings are valuable not only as art objects of Christian Ethiopia, but also as important sources of the cultural and political history of Tigray. Unfortunately, the preservation of these paintings in the studied churches raises concerns. The article presents new authentic material on the described churches. Photographs of the interiors are published for the first time. In addition, on the basis of the iconographic and architectural analysis, a number of hypotheses by the author are presented for further discussion and verification. It is worth noting the possibility of reconstructing the previous basilica rock-hewn churches into centric structures by building the interior the walls.
Evolution of Masculine Gender Stereotypes in Korean
Authors:   Moscow State Linguistic University, Mozol Tatiana S.
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the evolution of masculine stereotypes represented in the Korean language. Language is an integral part of culture, it reflects changes in social consciousness, while the lexis of the language is the first to react to sociocultural transformations taking place in society. The material for the study was Korean traditional paremias, modern proverbs, metaphors, and neologisms about men. Korean traditional paremias convey ideas of hegemonic masculinity and ideas about the absolute superiority of men. Men in Korean proverbs are portrayed from the positive side, they emphasize the dignity and various achievements of men in every possible way. On the other hand, the linguistic material of the modern Korean language allows us to say that conceptualization of masculinity is changing — the male image becomes less authoritarian and new images of natural masculinity are appearing. Contemporary Korean society is still largely androcentric, but society and language have undergone numerous transformations over the years, and new more feminine images of men are replacing the traditional male images of a patriarchal society. Thus, modern metaphors reflect the perception of a person, regardless of gender: modern Korean metaphors about men have much in common with metaphors about women. Modern proverbs about men convey ideas that are opposite to traditional patriarchal ideas, they record a change in social roles and emphasize the increasing social role of women. Korean neologisms represent largely feminized images of men, portraying gentle, authoritarian-minded men with an interest in household chores, fashion, and beauty.
The Principles of the Formal Construction of the Lexical-Semantic Field in Modern Chinese
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Karapetyants Artemii M. , Timchishena Elena A. ,   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics,
Published: August 2021

The article presents an attempt to formally construct a lexical-semantic field for the Chinese language, taking into account the fact that the concept of such a field presupposes a certain classification system of the vocabulary, which is divided into large and small groups ordered in relation to each other. Due to the presence in the Chinese language of a large number of copulative complexes, paradigmatic relations of semantic proximity are expressed in syntagmatic relations of juxtaposition, which allowed the authors of the article to construct semantic fields based on the data of normative dictionaries and vocabulary lists. This article presents formal methods for constructing a semantic field for the modern Chinese language, a semantic method for fixing the language. It is based on a graphical representation of combinations of symbols (synographic images) and their explanations in dictionaries and wordlists of the modern Chinese language. As typical examples, the sphere of designations of emotions and verbs with the meanings of purchase and sale was chosen. The article defines the features of the structure of the lexical-semantic field of the verbs of sale and purchase, reveals the lexical units that are included in the core, near and far periphery. The material presented in the article indicates that in the case of the Chinese language, a similar method of constructing a lexical-semantic field can be applied both to tokens with an abstract meaning and to tokens with a specific meaning.
Assessing the explanatory power of naturalism in addressing ultimate questions
Authors:   Sharif University of Technology, Darvish Aghajani Javad
Published: August 2021

A typical scientist has no responsibility other than to explain how a natural event occurred. However, when a philosopher asks about the conditions under which a scientist’s explanation is true, he is, in fact, raising an ultimate question, the concept which Karl Popper used for the first time. Answering this question requires that no elements are neglected in the explanation, and no significant factors in the explanation are overlooked. In other words, in explainingphenomenon, at any level of its explanation, there should be no remainder. These requirements can be achieved through the full explanation. In the present article, by drawing on concepts such as theory-ladenness of observation, underdetermination of theory by evidence, and the role of models and metaphors in developing a scientific theory, it is illustrated thatcomplete explanation includes both a scientific explanation and personal explanation. A personal explanation comprises mental properties such as belief, desire, and intention, which are irreducible to physical properties. Therefore, we cannot provide a personal explanation while restricting ourselves to scientific methods. Consequently, it is argued in this article first, the personal explanation is irreducible to a scientific explanation. Second, the personal explanation is inevitable in order to provide a full explanation. Third, (methodological) naturalists claim that the ultimate judgment of what is natural and unnatural is possible only by scientific inquiry. Finally, accepting these three premises entails the inability of a naturalist to answer ultimate questions.
Identifying and interpreting extreme rainfall events using image classification
Authors: Barnes Andrew Paul , McCullen Nick , Kjeldsen Thomas Rodding
Published: August 2021

This study presents the first attempt to identify extreme rainfall events based on surrounding sea-level pressure anomalies, using neural network-based classification. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to identify the spatial importance of sea-level pressure anomalies. Three classification models were generated: the first classifies the patterns between extreme and regular rainfall events in the North West of England, the second classifies the patterns between extreme and regular rainfall events in the South East of England, and the third classifies between the patterns of extreme events in the North West and South East of England. All classifiers obtain accuracies between 60 and 65%, with precision and recall metrics showing that extreme events are easier to identify than regular events. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the spatial importance of the patterns across the North Atlantic, highlighting that for all three classifiers the local anomaly sea-level pressure patterns around the British Isles are key to determining the difference between extreme and regular rainfall events. In contrast, the pattern across the mid and western North Atlantic shows no contribution to the overall classifications.
GEP- and MLR-based equations for stable channel analysis
Authors: Harun Mohd Afiq , Ab. Ghani Aminuddin , Mohammadpour Reza , Chan Ngai Weng
Published: August 2021

For decades, research on stable channel hydraulic geometry was based on the following parameters: river discharge, dimensionless discharge, the median size of bed material and the slope. Although significant research has been conducted in this area, including applied machine learning to increase the geometry model prediction accuracy, there has been no remarkable improvement as the variables used to describe the geometry relationship remain the same. The novelty of this study is demonstrated by the parameters used in the stable channel geometry equations that outperform the existing equation's accuracy. In this research, sediment transport parameters are introduced and analysed by applying the multiple linear regression (MLR) and gene expression programming (GEP) methods. The new equation of the width, depth and bed slope can give much-improved results in efficiency and lower errors. Furthermore, a new parameter B/y is introduced in this study to solve the restriction issue, either in width or depth prediction. The results from MLR and GEP show that in addition to the existing hydraulic geometry parameter, the B/y parameter is also able to give high accuracy results for width and depth predictions. Both calibration and validation for the B/y parameter yield high R2 and NSE values with low mean squared errors and mean absolute errors.
Non-perpendicular incidence angle of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment for fabrication of silver-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor for detection of Escherichia coli in water
Authors: Hosseinpour Maryam , Zendehnam Akbar , Hamidi Sangdehi Seyedeh Mehri , Ghomi Marzdashti Hamidreza
Published: August 2021

In this study, for the first time, to our knowledge, a biosensor was produced using cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment of silver thin film surface with non-perpendicular incidence angle for identification of Escherichia coli in distilled water. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) exhibits that before deposition, non-perpendicular CAP treatment of glass surface substrate leads to the production of pinhole-free silver thin ﬁlm. The results of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and curve fitting show that non-perpendicular CAP treatment of this pinhole-free silver thin film indicates to the appearance of Ag NPs with smaller size and larger surface area compared to untreated silver film deposited on the untreated glass substrate. The silver-based pinhole-free SPR biosensor produced with non-perpendicular CAP treatment of both glass substrate and silver film shows E. coli detection in the distilled water in the range of 104 colony forming unit (CFU/ml) to 108 CFU/ml with better sensitivity compared to the untreated silver-based SPR biosensor.
Una china poblana en Tamaulipas. La fotografía como representación de discursos políticos y nacionalistas
Authors: Hernández Juárez Saúl Iván
Published: August 2021

A partir de la fotografía de una niña vestida de china poblana en la ciudad de Tampico, Tamaulipas (México), que tiene como escenografía Nueva York, la icónica Estatua de la Libertad y el Empire State Building, el objetivo del artículo es desarticular los elementos que la componen desde diferentes puntos de análisis. En primer lugar, se observará cómo y cuándo fue producida, desde cuál tradición fotográfica de la primera mitad del siglo XX fue realizada, para finalmente demostrar los discursos políticos, nacionalistas, culturales e internacionales en los que está inmersa, y cómo la tradición se contraponía a la modernidad capitalista. Se comprobará que la fotografía es un documento histórico, un archivo visual que aporta nuevas formas de interpretar la historia tradicional.
Electrochemical Properties of NiCo2S4/rGO Nanocomposites Synthesized
by Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Ding Meijie , Wei ZhiQiang , Huang ShangPan , Li Chao , Lu Qiang
Published: August 2021

Background:

Transition metal sulfide, especially Nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4), has
been widely studied as electrode material based on its excellent electrochemical properties. It is
found that increasing the conductivity and stability of the electrode material can greatly improve the
performance of the supercapacitor.

Method:

Three-dimensional (3D) NiCo2S4 and NiCo2S4/rGO composite material are synthesized via
two-step hydrothermal method for high-performance supercapacitor electrode material. Besides, the
electrochemical properties of NiCo2S4/rGO have been analyzed by many characterization methods.

Results:

The experiment shows that pure NiCo2S4 samples exhibit a cubic spinel structure, and their
morphologies are 3D flower-like structures. The ultra-pasteurized NiCo2S4 nanospheres have been
successfully inserted into the surface of graphene through a hydrothermal method. A large specific
surface of NiCo2S4/rGO has been observed from morphology and structure analysis. The specific
electric capacity of the NiCo2S4/rGO electrode has reached 1002.9 F/g, when the current density is 1
A/g.

Conclusion:

It has been found that the capacitance retention rate of NiCo2S4/rGO composite electrode
material has increased from 59.6% to 88.5% compared to NiCo2S4 after 2000 cycles at 5 A/g.
Moreover, experiments denote that NiCo2S4/rGO electrode material has a larger ion diffusion rate
and lesser solution resistance from the Electrochemical Independence Spectrum (EIS).
Preparation and Characterization of Black Titanium by Chemical
Reduction of TiO2 and its Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Kouhail Meriem , ahmadi Zakia El , Benayada Abbés , Gmouh Said
Published: August 2021

Background:

Monitoring of the chemical synthesis of black titanium.

Objective:

In this study, we prepared a black titanium nanomaterial by chemical reduction (NaBH4
treatment). Control of the black TiO2 nanomaterial synthesis followed by a thermal analysis from
100°C to 400°C under azote atmosphere is presented. We used a commercial dye, Reactive Bezactiv
Yellow (RBY) degradation, to examine the photocatalytic activity of the black titanium.

Method:

The thermal analysis of WT and a mixture of treated TiO2(WT+NaBH4) was examined by
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
The obtained nanoparticle is analyzed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), UV–visible spectrophotometry, thermal gravimetric analysis
(TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Results:

A deformation of the crystalline lattice is extended beyond the entire visible spectrum. The
thermal property reveals that the black titanium is more stable than the white titanium, and BT indicated
a more photocatalytic performance than WT.

Conclusion:

We have successfully synthesized black titanium via chemical reduction employing a
synthesis of white titanium. The thermal analysis reveals that BT has a high resistance than WT that
offers a promising opportunity for several photocatalytic applications.
Microalgae Production: A Sustainable Alternative for a Low-carbon Economy Transition
Authors: Bacellar Mendes Leonardo Brantes , Viegas Carolina Vieira , Joao Rafael Richard , Bernardo da Silva Ronaldo
Published: August 2021

The production of microalgae on a commercial scale began in the 1970s. From this time until today it has consolidated itself as an alternative for human consumption and animal feed, mainly through aquaculture (carcinoculture, oyster farming, and fish farming).

Currently, most of the micro-algal biomass that has been produced in photoautotrophic systems for human consumption comes from four main genera (Chlorella, Arthrospira, Dunaliella, and Haematococcus). Recent advances allowed Nannochloropsis and Euglena cultivation in open ponds for feed and fuels.

Although the initiatives mentioned represent the success of the scale-up for microalgae production, there are challenges to be overcome for the use of the vast set of existing microalgae species.

The promising future of the industry involved in large scale production of microalgae is supported by its characteristic that is clearly sustainable from an ecological point of view and in the transition proposal to a low carbon economy that has been intensified in response to the effects caused by the progressive release of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Innovative applications from microalgae biotechnology are being developed every year. In this context, there have been several research and development initiatives over the past decade aimed at obtaining advanced fuels making full use of micro-algal biomass.
Расчетно-экспериментальное исследование влияния вдува/отсоса газа через перфорированную поверхность на пограничный слой при сверхзвуковом числе Маха
Authors: Поливанов П.А.
Published: August 2021

In this paper a numerical and experimental study of the effect of blowing/suction through a perforated surface on a turbulent boundary layer at a Mach number M = 1.4 is carried out. Most of the calculations were performed by Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the k-w SST turbulence model. The calculated geometry completely repeated the experimental one including the perforated surface. The numerical data were compared with experimental measurements obtained by the PIV method. Analysis of the data made it possible to find the limits of applicability of the numerical method for this flow.
Public Health Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Literature
Authors: Saad Randa K , Al Nsour Mohannad , Khader Yousef , Al Gunaid Magid
Published: August 2021

Background

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) hosts some of the world’s worst humanitarian and health crises. The implementation of health surveillance in this region has faced multiple constraints. New and novel approaches in surveillance are in a constant state of high and immediate demand. Identifying the existing literature on surveillance helps foster an understanding of scientific development and thus potentially supports future development directions.

Objective

This study aims to illustrate the scientific production, quantify the scholarly impact, and highlight the characteristics of publications on public health surveillance in the EMR over the past decade.

Methods

We performed a Scopus search using keywords related to public health surveillance or its disciplines, cross-referenced with EMR countries, from 2011 to July 2021. Data were exported and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Visualization of Similarities Viewer. Quality of journals was determined using SCImago Journal Rank and CiteScore.

Results

We retrieved 1987 documents, of which 1927 (96.98%) were articles or reviews. There has been an incremental increase in the number of publications (exponential growth, R2=0.80) over the past decade. Publications were mostly affiliated with Iran (501/1987, 25.21%), the United States (468/1987, 23.55%), Pakistan (243/1987, 12.23%), Egypt (224/1987, 11.27%), and Saudi Arabia (209/1987, 10.52%). However, Iran only had links with 40 other countries (total link strength 164), and the biggest collaborator from the EMR was Egypt, with 67 links (total link strength 402). Within the other EMR countries, only Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan produced ≥79 publications in the 10-year period. Most publications (1551/1987, 78.06%) were affiliated with EMR universities. Most journals were categorized as medical journals, and the highest number of articles were published in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (SCImago Journal Rank 0.442; CiteScore 1.5). Retrieved documents had an average of 18.4 (SD 125.5) citations per document and an h-index of 66. The top-3 most cited documents were from the Global Burden of Diseases study. We found 70 high-frequency terms, occurring ≥10 times in author keywords, connected in 3 clusters. COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and pandemic represented the most recent 2020 cluster.

Conclusions

This is the first research study to quantify the published literature on public health surveillance and its disciplines in the EMR. Research productivity has steadily increased over the past decade, and Iran has been the leading country publishing relevant research. Recurrent recent surveillance themes included COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. This study also sheds light on the gaps in surveillance research in the EMR, including inadequate publications on noncommunicable diseases and injury-related surveillance.
Internet-Based HIV Self-Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Through Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: 3-Month Prospective Cohort Analysis From China (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Tucker Joseph , Tang Weiming , Wang Hongyi , Chu Zhenxing , Hu Qinghai , Huang Xiaojie , Chen Yaokai , Wang Hui , He Xiaoqing , Li Yao , Zhang Lukun , Hu Zhili , Bao Rantong , Li Shangcao , Li Hang , Ding Haibo , Jiang Yongjun , Geng Wenqing , Xu Junjie , Shang Hong
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Routine HIV testing accompanied with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires innovative support in a real-world setting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the usage of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits and their secondary distribution to partners among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, who use PrEP, in an observational study between 2018 and 2019.

METHODS

In 4 major cities in China, we prospectively followed-up MSM from the China Real-world oral PrEP demonstration study, which provides daily or on-demand PrEP for 12 months, to assess the usage and secondary distribution of HIVST on quarterly follow-ups. Half of the PrEP users were randomized to receive 2 HIVSTs per month in addition to quarterly facility-based HIV testing. We evaluated the feasibility of providing HIVST to PrEP users.

RESULTS

We recruited 939 MSM and randomized 471 to receive HIVST, among whom 235 (49.9%) were daily and 236 (50.1%) were on-demand PrEP users. At baseline, the median age was 29 years, 390 (82.0%) men had at least college-level education, and 119 (25.3%) had never undergone facility-based HIV testing before. Three months after PrEP initiation, 341 (74.5%) men had used the HIVST provided to them and found it very easy to use. Among them, 180 of 341 (52.8%) men had distributed the HIVST kits it to other MSM, and 132 (51.6%) among the 256 men who returned HIVST results reported that used it with their sexual partners at the onset of intercourse. Participants on daily PrEP were more likely to use HIVST (adjusted hazard ratio=1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.6) and distribute HIVST kits (adjusted hazard ratio=1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) than those using on-demand PrEP.

CONCLUSIONS

MSM who used PrEP had a high rate of usage and secondary distribution of HIVST kits, especially among those on daily PrEP, which suggested high feasibility and necessity for HIVST after PrEP initiation. Assuming that fourth-generation HIVST kits are available, HIVST may be able to replace facility-based HIV testing to a certain extent.

CLINICALTRIAL

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800020374; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=32481

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036231
Association Between Social Media Use and Cancer Screening Awareness and Behavior for People Without a Cancer Diagnosis: Matched Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Qin Lei , Zhang Xiaomei , Wu Anlin , Miser James S , Liu Yen-Lin , Hsu Jason C , Shia Ben-Chang , Ye Linglong
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

The use of social media in communications regarding cancer prevention is rapidly growing. However, less is known about the general population’s social media use related to cancer screening awareness and behavior for different cancers.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the relationship between social media use and cancer screening awareness and behavior among people without a cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Data were collected from the Health Information National Trends Survey 5 Cycle 1 to 3 in the United States (n=12,227). Our study included 10,124 participants without a cancer diagnosis and 3 measures of screening awareness (those who had heard of hepatitis C virus [HCV], human papillomavirus [HPV], and the HPV vaccine) and 4 measures of behavior (those who had prostate-specific antigen tests, Papanicolaou tests for cervical cancer, as well as breast cancer and colon cancer tests). Propensity-score matching was conducted to adjust for the sociodemographic variables between the social media user and nonuser participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of social media use by gender. Jackknife replicate weights were incorporated into the analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 3794 matched participants, 1861 (57.6% weighted) were male, and the mean age was 55.5 (SD 0.42) years. Compared to social media nonusers, users were more likely to have heard of HCV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.27, 95% CI, 1.29-3.98 and aOR=2.86, 95% CI, 1.51-5.40, for male and female users, respectively) and HPV (aOR=1.82, 95% CI, 1.29-2.58 and aOR=2.35, 95% CI, 1.65-3.33, for male and female users, respectively). In addition, female users were more likely to have heard of the HPV vaccine (aOR=2.06, 95% CI, 1.41-3.00). No significant associations were found between social media use and prostate-specific antigen tests in males, Papanicolaou tests and breast cancer tests in females, or colon cancer tests in both male and female users.

CONCLUSIONS

While social media services can potentially promote cancer screening awareness in the general population, but they did not improve screening behavior after adjusting for socioeconomic status. These findings strengthened our understanding of social media use in targeting health communications for different cancers.
Variations in Patients’ Overall Assessment of Their Health Across and Within Disease Groups Using the EQ-5D Questionnaire: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study in the Swedish National Quality Registers (Preprint)
Authors: Teni Fitsum Sebsibe , Rolfson Ola , Devlin Nancy , Parkin David , Nauclér Emma , Burström Kristina ,   The Swedish Quality Register (SWEQR) Study Group
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

EQ-5D is one of the most commonly used questionnaires to measure health-related quality of life. It is included in many of the Swedish National Quality Registers (NQRs). EQ-5D health states are usually summarized using “values” obtained from members of the general public, a majority of whom are healthy. However, an alternative, which remains to be studied in detail, is the potential to use patients’ self-reported overall health on the visual analog scale (VAS) as a means of capturing experience-based perspective.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess EQ VAS as a valuation method with an experience-based perspective through comparison of its performance across and within patient groups, and with that of the general population in Sweden.

METHODS

Data on nearly 700,000 patients from 12 NQRs covering a variety of diseases/conditions and nearly 50,000 individuals from the general population will be analyzed. The EQ-5D-3L data from the 12 registers and EQ-5D-5L data from 2 registers will be used in the analyses. Longitudinal studies of patient-reported outcomes among different patient groups will be conducted in the period from baseline to 1-year follow-up. Descriptive statistics and analyses comparing EQ-5D dimensions and observed self-assessed EQ VAS values across and within patient groups will be performed. Comparisons of the change in health state and observed EQ VAS values at 1-year follow-up will also be undertaken. Regression models will be used to assess whether EQ-5D dimensions predict observed EQ VAS values to investigate patient value sets in each patient group. These will be compared across the patient groups and with the existing Swedish experience-based VAS and time trade-off value sets obtained from the general population.

RESULTS

Data retrieval started in May 2019 and data of patients in the 12 NQRs and from the survey conducted among the general population have been retrieved. Data analysis is ongoing on the retrieved data.

CONCLUSIONS

This research project will provide information on the differences across and within patient groups in terms of self-reported health status through EQ VAS and comparison with the general population. The findings of the study will contribute to the literature by exploring the potential of self-assessed EQ VAS values to develop value sets using an experience-based perspective.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04359628; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04359628.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/27669
Factors to Effective Telemedicine Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Gmunder Kristin Nicole , Ruiz Jose W , Franceschi Dido , Suarez Maritza M
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

With COVID-19 there was a rapid and abrupt rise in telemedicine implementation often without sufficient time for providers or patients to adapt. As telemedicine visits are likely to continue to play an important role in health care, it is crucial to strive for a better understanding of how to ensure completed telemedicine visits in our health system. Awareness of these barriers to effective telemedicine visits is necessary for a proactive approach to addressing issues.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify variables that may affect telemedicine visit completion in order to determine actions that can be enacted across the entire health system to benefit all patients.

METHODS

Data were collected from scheduled telemedicine visits (n=362,764) at the University of Miami Health System (UHealth) between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020. Descriptive statistics, mixed effects logistic regression, and random forest modeling were used to identify the most important patient-agnostic predictors of telemedicine completion.

RESULTS

Using descriptive statistics, struggling telemedicine specialties, providers, and clinic locations were identified. Through mixed effects logistic regression (adjusting for clustering at the clinic site level), the most important predictors of completion included previsit phone call/SMS text message reminder status (confirmed vs not answered) (odds ratio [OR] 6.599, 95% CI 6.483-6.717), MyUHealthChart patient portal status (not activated vs activated) (OR 0.315, 95% CI 0.305-0.325), provider’s specialty (primary care vs medical specialty) (OR 1.514, 95% CI 1.472-1.558), new to the UHealth system (yes vs no) (OR 1.285, 95% CI 1.201-1.374), and new to provider (yes vs no) (OR 0.875, 95% CI 0.859-0.891). Random forest modeling results mirrored those from logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS

The highest association with a completed telemedicine visit was the previsit appointment confirmation by the patient via phone call/SMS text message. An active patient portal account was the second strongest variable associated with completion, which underscored the importance of patients having set up their portal account before the telemedicine visit. Provider’s specialty was the third strongest patient-agnostic characteristic associated with telemedicine completion rate. Telemedicine will likely continue to have an integral role in health care, and these results should be used as an important guide to improvement efforts. As a first step toward increasing completion rates, health care systems should focus on improvement of patient portal usage and use of previsit reminders. Optimization and intervention are necessary for those that are struggling with implementing telemedicine. We advise setting up a standardized workflow for staff.
A Multimodal Messaging App (MAAN) for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mixed Methods Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hijab Mohamad Hassan Fadi , Al-Thani Dena , Banire Bilikis
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit difficulties in social and communication skills. For more than 30 years, specialists, parents, and caregivers have used techniques, such as applied behavioral analysis, augmentative and alternative communication, and the picture exchange communication system to support the social and communication skills of people with ASD. Even though there are many techniques devised to enhance communication, these techniques are not considered in existing social media apps for people with ASD.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding accessibility features, such as text-to-speech (TTS), speech-to-text (STT), and communication symbols (CS), to a messaging app (MAAN). We hypothesized that these accessibility features can enhance the social and communication skills of adults with ASD. We also hypothesized that usage of this app can reduce social loneliness in adults with ASD.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 5 experts working in fields related to ASD to help design the app. Seven adults with ASD participated in the study for a period of 10 to 16 weeks. Data logs of participants’ interactions with the app were collected. Additionally, 6 participants’ parents and 1 caregiver were asked to complete a short version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) questionnaire to compare pre-post study results. The Mobile Application Rating Scale: user version questionnaire was also used to evaluate the app’s usability. Following the study, interviews were conducted with participants to discuss their experiences with the app.

RESULTS

The SELSA-S questionnaire results showed no change in the family subscale; however, the social loneliness subscale showed a difference between prestudy and poststudy. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that poststudy SELSA-S results were statistically significantly higher than prestudy results (z=−2.047; P=.04). Point-biserial correlation indicated that the SELSA-S rate of change was strongly related to usage of the TTS feature (r=0.708; P=.04) and CS feature (r=−0.917; P=.002), and moderately related to usage of the STT feature (r=0.428; P=.17). Lastly, we adopted grounded theory to analyze the interview data, and the following 5 categories emerged: app support, feature relevance, user interface design, overall feedback, and recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study discusses the potential for improving the communication skills of adults with ASD through special features in mobile messaging apps. The developed app aims to support the inclusion and independent life of adults with ASD. The study results showed the importance of using TTS, STT, and CS features to enhance social and communication skills, as well as reduce social loneliness in adults with ASD.
Evaluasi Penerapan Smart Mobility di Jakarta
Authors: Sifa Novwidia Agni  , Manzila Izniardi Djomiy  , Roki Fernando  , Catur Apriono
Published: August 2021

Masalah perkotaan, seperti kemacetan yang disebabkan olah pertumbuhan jumlah penduduk yang sangat pesat dan arus urbanisasi yang tinggi, menjadi masalah yang umum di kota besar seperti Jakarta. Konsep smart city sudah berkembang dan mulai diimplementasikan di beberapa kota besar di Indonesia, termasuk Jakarta. Salah satu bagian dari konsep smart city adalah smart mobility, yang saat ini berkembang untuk menyelesaikan berbagai masalah perkotaan, khususnya pada transportasi publik untuk meningkatkan kualitas layanan yang efektif dan efisien. Makalah ini membahas solusi penerapan konsep smart mobility di Jakarta berdasarkan tingkat kesiapan dari setiap indikatornya menurut indikator yang terdapat dalam konsep smart city. Tujuan makalah ini adalah untuk memberikan gambaran tentang tingkat kesiapan penerapan smart mobility di Jakarta serta perbaikan yang perlu dilakukan. Makalah ini menggunakan metode studi literatur untuk mendapatkan gambaran awal kondisi di Jakarta, lalu penilaian menggunakan assessment data survei serta analisis kualitatif dekskriptif. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa pada dasarnya Jakarta sudah siap dalam penerapan smart mobility, tetapi perlu ada perbaikan dan pengadaan di beberapa aspek smart mobility.
Pengaruh Parameter Motor pada Sistem Kendali tanpa Sensor Putaran
Authors: Bernadeta Wuri Harini
Published: August 2021

Dalam pengendalian motor sinkron magnet permanen (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor/PMSM) tanpa menggunakan sensor putaran dibutuhkan beberapa data parameter motor. Di antara parameter motor yang digunakan dalam pengendalian tersebut adalah resistans dan induktans stator serta fluks magnetik. Pada makalah ini dianalisis pengaruh nilai-nilai parameter tersebut dalam pengendalian motor tanpa sensor putaran. Nilai-nilai parameter divariasikan sehingga nilai-nilai parameter motor yang ada di pengendali arus berbeda dengan nilai-nilai parameter motor yang sebenarnya. Besar persentase variasi masing-masing parameter berbeda-beda, tergantung pada pengaruh parameter tersebut terhadap pengendalian. Putaran motor yang diinginkan adalah 100 rad/s dengan pengaturan konstanta-konstanta pengendali KP = 0,5 dan Ki = 0,9. Nilai penguatan pengendali (KP dan Ki) diperoleh dengan metode penalaan heuristic. Simulasi dilakukan untuk beberapa perbedaan nilai parameter menggunakan Simulink. Dari ketiga parameter tersebut, perubahan nilai resistans dan fluks magnetik paling memengaruhi sistem kendali. Putaran motor tidak sama dengan putaran yang diinginkan jika perubahan nilai resistans ≥ 4% dan fluks magnetik ≥ 10%. Nilai-nilai induktans akan berpengaruh jika perubahan induktans sangat besar, yaitu sd L ≥ 500% dan sq L ≥ 300%.
Selshi Effect: A New age conspicuous Exceptions to the Theory of Law of Demand
Authors: Kumar S. Naveen
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Hypothesis: As we all come across the word “Demand” (a simple word but with multitude usage in practice), the foundational concept to understand what the economics is? And how it functions? With due importance of it, one can easily understand the behavior of commodities’ against its prices (termed as Law of Demand) subject to its assumptions. There are certain circumstances where this law loses its validity due to one or the other reasons Viz.., Veblen’s effect, Giffen paradox 1 etc.., In continuation to these exceptions this article is an attempt to check whether the state of the economy (especially recession) acts as an exceptional factor in determining the goods’/commodities’ demand or not, by considering different sectors for different time periods 2. The outputs were surprising because some sectors/businesses were benefitted due to this pandemic led recession and some faced challenge for its survival and revival. However the article is based on secondary data 3 obtained from their competing agency/authority in which the credibility and credit follows them.
Comparative Study Seismic Analysis of RCC, Steel & Steel-Concrete Composite Frame: A Review
Authors: Verma Pankaj Kumar
Published: August 2021

Abstract: This study examines how composite structures are gaining popularity in developing countries. For medium and high levels in RCC buildings are no longer economical due to increased weight, range limitations and low natural frequencies and dangerous formwork. Steel and concrete composite structures are becoming increasingly popular today and are safe throughout their useful lives. Round Steel and concrete structures are the best solution for modern buildings. In this article we will discuss the various results of building construction for RCC, metal and composite construction taking into account different studies. Keyword: RCC Structure, Steel Structure, Composite Structure, Joint Displacement, Base Shear