bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased risk for development of severe cervical dysplasia among postmenopausal women with normal cytology and presence of HPV mRNA
Authors: Asciutto Katrin Christine , Borgfeldt Christer , Forslund Ola
Published: January 2020

Background: During 2013 and 2016 the Region of Skåne, Sweden, started to analyse human papillomavirus (HPV) and cytology in postmenopausal women 60-65 years of age. Our aim was to evaluate if the presence of high-risk (HR) HPV mRNA could predict the development of cervical abnormalities among HR-HPV DNA positive women with normal cytology. Methods: A total of 271 women, 60-65 years of age, underwent liquid based cytology (LBC) and HPV testing by using the HR-HPV DNA MGP-PCR-Luminex assay. HR-HPV DNA-positive women with normal cytology underwent complimentary HPV mRNA testing (Aptima, Hologic). Over a period of 49 months (SD 11.0) the women received regular follow-up at intervals of 12-18 months. Women with abnormal cytology and/or a positive HR-HPV result at two subsequent visits were scheduled for colposcopy and clinical examination. Results: Over the surveillance period, 3.6% (10/271) of the HR-HPV DNA positive women developed histologically confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) or worse and 13.3% (36/271) were diagnosed with cervical atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs). The cumulative incidence rates (CIR) were 29.7% (CI 24.8-30.1) for HSIL or worse among HPV mRNA-positive women at enrolment (39.4% 107/271) and 0% among HPV mRNA negative women (60.5%, 164/271), (p=0.002). The corresponding CIRs for ASCUS and LSIL was 59.9% (95% CI 59.3-66.2) and 26.1% (95 %CI 16.5-35.9), (p=0.001). Conclusions : Postmenopausal women with normal cytology along with presence of HR-HPV mRNA are at increased risk for development of severe cervical dysplasia, in contrast to those women with negative HR-HPV mRNA.
Epidemiology of nosocomial carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia bloodstream infections in south China: factors related to the patient mortality
Authors: Xie Xiaona , Cai Xueding , Wan Tingting , Shao Lianyou , Chen Lijiang , Yao Dan , Ding Cheng , Li Guoping , Wang Liangxing , Huang Xiaoying
Published: January 2020

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) causing Bloodstream infection (BSI) are associated with high rates of mortality . Nevertheless, only a few studies regarding the epidemiology of CRKP BSI in south China. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and the mortality of risk factors associated with CRKP causing bloodstream infection. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with CRKP BSI was recruited from teaching hospital in south China from January 2016 to December 2018. Clinical data were collected from medical records. Results: In total, 90 patients with CRKP BSI were enrolled in the study, while 57% (51/90) of the CRKP BSI were obtained from ICU. Most CRKP BSIs originated from hospitals (81; 85%), while the rest (9; 10%) were healthcare-associated . In univariate analysis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage (p=0.029), Pitt bacteremia score (P=0.045), Charlson comorbidity index (p=0.018) and Corticosteroids use (p=0.036) and Septic shock (p=0.001) were associated with the risk factors for mortality. In a multivariate analysis, septic shock (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.591, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.405-22.246, P=0.015) and Corticosteroids use (aOR 4.148, 95% CI 1.331-12.928, P=0.014) were independently predictors of mortality.Conclusion: Our data showed that the morbidity and mortality of CRKP BSIs patient from ICU and non-ICU was no significant difference. Standardizing operation and improving nurse quality may play an important role in CRKP BSI patient in intensive care unit. Septic shock and Corticosteroids use were the independent factors of CRKP BSI patient mortality. However, the study did not show an association between invasive procedures and the development of CRKP BSI.
Study of laboratory staff' knowledge of biobanking in cote d'ivoire
Authors: Kintossou Ambroise Kouamé , N'Dri Mathias Kouamé , Money Marcelle , Cisse Souleymane , Doumbia Simini , Man-Koumba Soumahoro , Coulibaly Amadou Founzégué , Djaman Joseph Allico , Dosso Mireille
Published: January 2020

Backgound The biobank is a structure that manages and makes available biological resources. The biobank has medical, scientific and economic interests in an ethical manner. In 2009, Côte d'Ivoire established a biobank, which has housed the regional biobank of ECOWAS countries since 2018. To ensure optimal and efficient use of this biobank, scientific stakeholders must be aware of its existence and role. It was therefore necessary to assess the knowledge of laboratory staff on the role and activities of a biobank. Methods This is a descriptive study conducted with staff of human, animal and plant health laboratories located in southern Côte d'Ivoire. Results A total of 205 people agreed to complete the proposed questionnaire. Of these, 34.63% are biologists, 7.32% engineers, 48.78% technicians and 9.27% phD students. The average professional experience was 10.11 ± 7.83 years. Respectively, 47.32% and 43.41% have never heard of biocollection and biobank. Only 48.78% of participants had a good understanding of the role of a biobank. Technicians and phD students were less educated on the notion of biobank (p<0.000001). Biologists, although they were more educated on this issue, 21.13% of them had a misconception of biobank. Good knowledge of the role of a biobank was not significantly related to the duration of professional experience (p>0.88). Conclusion The level of knowledge of laboratory staff about biobanking remains to be improved. Training on the role, activities and interests of the biobank is important.
Benchmarking of Slovak Regions in Terms of Start-UP Implementation Indicators and Creative Potential Indicators
Authors: Pitekova J. , Vrablikova M.
Published: January 2020

Creative regions contribute to a higher standard of living, are attractive to start-ups, create new jobs, reduce brain drain and attract applicants for university education. The paper aims to compare selected indicators of implementation of start-ups and creative potential in the regions of Slovakia at NUTS 3 level and to quantify their mutual relationship. Benchmarking of 8 Slovak NUTS 3 level regions is based on 2 comparisons, namely: 6 indicators of start-ups implementation (frequency of start-ups, creation of radical innovations, employment in fast-growing companies, venture capital awareness, crowdfunding awareness and possibilities of counselling in the implementation of start-ups) and 6 indicators of creative potential (openness and diversity, human capital, cultural environment, technologies, institutional environment and creative outputs). Numerical values of these indicators are obtained from secondary research studies – e. g. modified Slovak Creative Index, Regional Innovation Scoreboard, Slovak Start-up Report and websites of innovation incubators and crowdfunding platforms. To obtain the true values of these criteria, the analysis of secondary data – desk research and the method of pairwise comparison with 91 respondents (students of Slovak universities of economic orientation with Slovak or Ukrainian nationality) was used to determine the real significance (weights) of the criteria. According to pairwise comparison, the most important indicator of start-up implementation is possibilities of counselling and the most important indicator of creative potential is creative outputs. Consequently, the relationship between the two comparisons is quantified. The global benchmark based on the implementation of start-ups is the Bratislava region, as well as in the case with creative potential. There is a strong correlation (85.5 %) between the scores of the compared regions. The final ranking of the 5 regions out of 8 in both comparisons is also the same. The theoretical contribution is extending of the issue of benchmarking from traditional understanding (products, services, processes) to spatial understanding (region). The main practical contribution of the paper is to identify the weaknesses of each of the compared regions through benchmarking. Its implementation can be the basis for the development of regional strategies and the introduction of new study programs at universities.
Keywords: benchmarking, creative potential, region, Slovak Republic, Start-UP.
Financial Instruments of Stimulating Innovative Activities of Enterprises and Their Improvements
Authors: Liubkina O. , Murovana T. , Magomedova A. , Siskos E. , Akimova L.
Published: January 2020

The article analyzes the importance of innovations as one of the main factors influencing the competitiveness of enterprises and economies of the world. The study is based on the author’s empirical research, grounded on the methodology of analysis of empirical data. The survey was carried out among legal entities and separate departments which operate regardless of its type. The study aimed to determine the importance of financial factors in limiting innovation activity and its potential in stimulating the innovation activity of enterprises. A survey was carried out among the enterprises on the factors that significantly influenced their decision to develop innovative projects or constrained implementation of innovation activities. The key challenges of innovation activity of enterprises were analyzed (law barriers, supply-side barriers, demand-side barriers, barrier on the demand and supply interface, lack of identified priorities, challenges of commercialization of the results of scientific and technical work, as well as weak development of infrastructure, labour problems). The research was also carried out by studying features of using financial instruments to stimulate innovation activity of enterprises, analysis of economic indicators characterizing the innovative activity of enterprises, analysis of strengths and weaknesses of innovation projects, as well as improvement of financial instruments for stimulating the implementation of innovations at enterprises. Based on the conducted research, long‑, medium- and short-term directions of financial support of innovative activity were determined. Financial instruments of stimulation innovation activity of enterprises are improved based on the analysis, taking into account socio-economic, political and other particular features of country’s development where such projects are implemented; studying the experience of implementing real innovative projects, analyzing strengths and weaknesses of these projects, feasibility of implementing similar projects under such conditions.
Keywords: innovation, innovation ecosystem, innovative activities, investment, simulation of innovative processes, financial instruments.
STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF MEALS OF WHEAT AND OAT GERMS AND WILD ROSE FRUITS ON THE FERMENTING MICROFLORA ACTIVITY OF RYE-WHEAT DOUGH
Authors: Oliinyk Svitlana , Samokhvalova Olga , Lapitskaya Nadegda , Kucheruk Zinoviya
Published: January 2020

The aim of the research was to study an influence of meals of wheat germs (WGM) and oat germs (OGM) in amount 10…20 %, and also ones of wild rose fruits (WRFM) in amount 2…6 % of the total mass of flour on the fermenting microflora of rye-wheat dough; and also to establish an influence of the experimental supplements on main microbiological processes in it.

It has been established, that adding experimental meals favors the activation of bakery yeast. At introducing WGM, OGM and WRFM, its lifting force grows by 16.0–54.0, 6.0–18.0, 10.0–44.0 % respectively, and zymase and maltase activity – by 16.0–53.3, 6.0–17.7 and 11.1–44.0 % and 18.8–55.0, 6.3 31.3 and 7.5–25.0 % respectively. It has been established, that there also takes place the activity increase of lactate bacteria in rye-wheat dough with adding meals of wheat, oat germs and wild rose fruits. It is possible at the expanse of adding an additional nutritive medium with the supplements.

Such action of enriching raw materials on the microflora favors intensification of alcoholic and lactate fermentation that is established by data of acid accumulation and gas formation in rye-wheat dough. The counted indices at introducing WGM, OGM, WRFM increase by 39.0, 27.8, 33.9 % and 18.2, 13.6, 16.7 % respectively.
Structural Plasticity of EAK-16 Peptide Inducing Vesicle Membrane Leakage
Authors: Majid Abdul , Naz Farah , Khaskheli Muhammad Hassan
Published: January 2020

Background:

Ionic complementary peptide EAK-16 has been studies for anticancer drug
delivery application. This is a 16 residues, short sequence peptide has ability to trosnform into
micro/nanoparticle via self-assembly. However, it is still not clear that how this can bind with cell
membrane to induce membrane leakage or delivering their cargo inside cell membrane.

Objective:

The main objective of this work was to understand behaviour of secondary structure
conformation of peptide in solution and at lipid membrane interfaces and membrane permeability
of synthetic ionic complementary peptide EAK-16. The corresponding secondary structure
conformation was evaluated.

Methods:

We performed biophysical investigation to probe the interaction of synthesised ionic
complementary peptide (EAK-16) with dimyristoylphospholcholine (DMPC) and
dimyristoylphosphoserine (DMPS) membrane interfaces. The folding behaviours of EAK-16 were
studied with Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Membrane leakage with peptide was
confirmed with calcein leakage assay.

Results:

Our finding of this study showed that in aqueous phase EAK-16 was predominantly folded
into β-sheets. The temperature could alter the β-sheets. However, in DMPC and DMPS membrane
interfaces, EAK-16 adopted helical conformation. EAK-16 has preference in perturbing anionic
compared Zwitterionic lipid vesicles. This study proposed that hydrophobic grooves of EAK-16
might be a key in the association with lipid bilayers. Secondly, a charge distribution of ionic
residues would also support the orientation at lipid bilayers. This peptide membrane association
would facilitate the membrane destabilisation.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated the supporting evidence that EAK-16 could interact with
lipid membranes and conforming to helical structure, while the helical conformation induced the
lipid membrane leakage. Overall, this study provides a physical rationale that ionic complementary
peptide can be a useful tool for designing and development of novel antibiotics and anticancer
agents along its previous drug delivery applications.
Sequence-based Identification of Arginine Amidation Sites in Proteins Using Deep Representations of Proteins and PseAAC
Authors: Naseer Sheraz , Hussain Waqar , Khan Yaser Daanial , Rasool Nouman
Published: January 2020

Background:

Among all the major post-translational modifications, amidation seems to
be a small change, where a peptide ends with an amide group (-NH 2), not a carboxyl group
(-COOH). Thus, to study their physicochemical properties, identification of the amidation
mechanism is very important. However, the in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo identification can be
laborious, time-taking and costly. There is a dire need for an efficient and accurate computational
model to help researchers and biologists identifying these sites, in an easy manner.

Objectives:

Herein, we propose a novel predictor for the identification of arginine amide (R-Amide)
sites in proteins, by integrating the Chou’s Pseudo Amino Acid Composition (PseAAC) with deep
features. Methods: We use well-known DNNs for both the tasks of learning a feature representation
of peptide sequences and performing classifications.

Methods:

We use well-known DNNs for both the tasks of learning a feature representation of peptide sequences and performing classifications.

Results:

Among different DNNs, CNN showed the highest scores in terms of accuracy, and all other
computed measures outperformed all the previously reported predictors.

Conclusions:

Based on these results, it is concluded that the proposed model can help identify
arginine amidation in a very efficient and accurate manner, which can help scientists understand the
mechanism of this modification in proteins.
Independent Inverse System Decoupling Control Strategy of Bearingless Induction Motor
Authors: Bu Wenshao , Lu Panchao , Lu Chunxiao , Pu Yi
Published: January 2020

Background:

In the existing inverse system decoupling methods of bearingless induction
motor, the inverse system model is more complex, and it is not easy to realize the independent control
of the magnetic suspension system. In this paper, in order to simplify its inverse system model,
an independent inverse system decoupling control strategy is proposed.

Methods:

Under the conditions of considering the current dynamics of torque windings, the state equations
of torque system and those of magnetic suspension system are established, and the independent inverse system
model of torque system and that of the magnetic suspension system are deduced. The air gap fluxlinkage
of the torque system that is needed in the magnetic suspension system is identified by an independent
voltage model. After the independent inverse model of torque system and that of magnetic suspension system
are connected in parallel, they are connected in front of the original system of a bearingless induction
motor. After this, the torque system is decoupled into two second-order integral subsystems, i.e. a fluxlinkage
subsystem and a motor speed subsystem, while the magnetic suspension system is decoupled into
another two second-order integral subsystems, i.e. the α- and β-displacement component subsystems. The
design of the additional closed-loop controller is achieved through the pole assignment method.

Result:

The obtained inverse model of the magnetic suspension system is independent of the fluxlinkage
orientation mode of torque system, and thus the flexibility of the independent control for the
torque system and magnetic suspension system is increased. The simulation results have shown that
the system has good static- and dynamic-decoupling control performance.

Conclusion:

The proposed independent inverse system decoupling control strategy is effective and
feasible.
Kodlama Eğitiminde Oyun Geliştirme Platformlarının Kullanımı
Authors: Yılmaz İnce Ebru
Published: January 2020

Teknolojik ürünlerin çalıştırılması ve geliştirilmesi
bilgisayar yazılımlarıyla sağlanmaktadır. Bireylerin yazılım geliştirme
alanında yüksek kalitede eğitilmesi ülkemizin teknolojik alanda gelişmesini
sağlayacaktır. Bilgisayarda yazılım geliştirme bireylerin bilgisayar başında
uzun süreler geçirmelerini ve teknolojik yatkınlarının olmasını
gerektirmektedir. Dolayısıyla öğrencilerin yazılım geliştirme motivasyonlarının
yüksek tutulması çok önemli bir durumdur. Kodlama eğitiminin kalitesini
arttırılması öğrencilerin ilgili oldukları alanlarda kodlama yapmalarının
teşvik edilmesi ile sağlanabilmektedir. Bilgisayar oyunları dijital neslin boş
zamanlarında eğlence amaçlı kullandıkları yazılımlardır. Günümüzde bilgisayar
oyunlarının geliştirilmesinin yayınlaşması amacıyla çeşitli bilgisayar oyunu geliştirme
platformları olarak oyun motorları kullanılmaktadır. Oyun programlama dersinin
müfredata eklenmesi ile öğrencilerden oyun motorlarında oyun geliştirmeleri
dolasıyla oyun kodlamaları istenmektedir. Bu araştırmada, kodlama eğitiminde
oyun motorlarının kullanılmasına yönelik öğrencilerinin görüşleri
araştırılmıştır. Çalışma nitel araştırma türünden özel durum incelemesi
şeklinde tasarlanmıştır. Veriler Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Teknik Bilimler
Meslek Yüksekokulu Bilgisayar Teknolojileri’ndeki oyun programlama dersini alan
öğrencilerle yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme metodu kullanılarak toplanmıştır.
Görüşmelerdeki veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Araştırma
sonunda, öğrencilerin oyun programlama dersi hakkındaki görüşleri betimlenmiştir.
Mobile Phone–Based Behavioral Interventions in Pregnancy to Promote Maternal and Fetal Health in High-Income Countries: Systematic Review
Authors: Hussain Tasmeen , Smith Patricia , Yee Lynn M
Published: January 2020

Background

Chronic diseases have recently had an increasing effect on maternal-fetal health, especially in high-income countries. However, there remains a lack of discussion regarding health management with technological approaches, including mobile health (mHealth) interventions.

Objective

This study aimed to systematically evaluate mHealth interventions used in pregnancy in high-income countries and their effects on maternal health behaviors and maternal-fetal health outcomes.

Methods

This systematic review identified studies published between January 1, 2000, and November 30, 2018, in MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and gray literature. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included only pregnant women in high-income countries and evaluated stand-alone mobile phone interventions intended to promote healthy maternal beliefs, behaviors, and/or maternal-fetal health outcomes. Two researchers independently reviewed and categorized aspects of full-text articles, including source, study design, intervention and control, duration, participant age, attrition rate, main outcomes, and risk of bias. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed, and the study was registered in PROSPERO before initiation.

Results

Of the 2225 records examined, 28 studies were included and categorized into 4 themes: (1) gestational weight gain, obesity and physical activity (n=9); (2) smoking cessation (n=9); (3) influenza vaccination (n=2); and (4) general prenatal health, preventive strategies, and miscellaneous topics (n=8). Reported sample sizes ranged from 16 to 5243 with a median of 91. Most studies were performed in the United States (18/28, 64%) and were randomized controlled trials (21/28, 75%). All participants in the included studies were pregnant at the time of study initiation. Overall, 14% (4/28) of studies showed association between intervention use and improved health outcomes; all 4 studies focused on healthy gestational weight. Among those, 3 studies showed intervention use was associated with less overall gestational weight gain. These 3 studies involved interventions with text messaging or an app in combination with another communication strategy (Facebook or email). Regarding smoking cessation, influenza vaccination, and miscellaneous topics, there was some evidence of positive effects on health behaviors and beliefs, but very limited correlation with improved health outcomes. Data and interventions were heterogeneous, precluding a meta-analysis.

Conclusions

In high-income countries, utilization of mobile phone–based health behavior interventions in pregnancy demonstrates some correlation with positive beliefs, behaviors, and health outcomes. More effective interventions are multimodal in terms of features and tend to focus on healthy gestational weight gain.
Usage Metrics of Web-Based Interventions Evaluated in Randomized Controlled Trials: Systematic Review
Authors: Koneska Elena , Appelbe Duncan , Williamson Paula R , Dodd Susanna
Published: January 2020

Background

The evaluation of web-based interventions (defined as an intervention that can be downloaded or accessed on the internet through a web browser) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has increased over the past two decades. Little is known about how participants’ use of the intervention is measured, reported, and analyzed in these studies.

Objective

This study aimed to review the evaluation of web-based interventions in RCTs, assessing study characteristics and the methods used to record, and adjust for, intervention usage.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify all published reports of RCTs that involved a web-based intervention. A random sample of 100 published trials was selected for detailed data extraction. Information on trial characteristics was extracted, including whether web usage data were recorded, and if so, the methods used to gather these data and whether these data were used to inform efficacy analyses.

Results

A PubMed search identified 812 trials of web-based interventions published up to the end of 2017 and demonstrated a growing trend over time. Of the 100 studies reviewed, 90 studies collected web usage data, but more than half (49/90, 54%) of these studies did not state the method used for recording web usage. Only four studies attempted to check on the reliability of their web usage data collection methods. A total of 39% (35/90) studies reported patterns or levels of web intervention use, of which 21% (19/90) studies adjusted for intervention use in their outcome analysis, but only two of these used appropriate statistical methods.

Conclusions

Trialists frequently report a measure of web-based intervention usage but do not always report the collection method or provide enough detail on their analysis of web usage. Appropriate statistical methods to account for intervention use are rarely used and are not well reported even in the very few trials in which they are used. The number of trialists who attempt to check on the reliability of their web usage collection methods is extremely low.
The Effect of a Customized Nutrient-Profiling Approach on the Glycated Hemoglobin Levels of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Alrige Mayda , Alharbey Riad , Chatterjee Samir
Published: January 2020

Background

Presently, dietary management approaches are mostly oriented toward using calorie-counting and diet-tracking tools that draw our attention away from the nutritional value of our food. To improve individuals’ dietary behavior, primarily that of people with type 2 diabetes, a simple technique is needed to increase their understanding of the nutritional content of their food.

Objective

This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a customized nutrient-profiling tool called EasyNutrition. EasyNutrition was built to introduce the new concept of nutrient profiling by applying the Intelligent Nutrition Engine, an algorithm that we developed for ranking different food recipes based on their nutritional value. This study also aimed to investigate the efficacy of EasyNutrition in lowering glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and improving dietary habits among people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We evaluated the utility of EasyNutrition using design science research in three sequential stages. This paper has elaborated on the third stage to investigate the efficacy of EasyNutrition in managing type 2 diabetes. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a diabetes treatment center (n=28). The intervention group utilized EasyNutrition over 3 months, whereas participants in the control group utilized the standard of care provided by the center. Dietary habits and HbA1c levels were measured to capture any change before and after experimenting with EasyNutrition.

Results

The intervention group (n=9) exhibited a statistically significant change between the pre- and postexposure results of their HbA1c (t9=2.427; P=.04). Their HbA1c dropped from 8.13 to 6.72. This provided preliminary evidence of the efficacy of using a customized nutrient-profiling app in reducing HbA1c for people with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions

This study adds to the evidence base that a nutrient-profiling strategy may be a modern adjunct to diabetes dietary management. In conjunction with reliable dietary education provided by a registered dietician, EasyNutrition may have some beneficial effects to improve the dietary habits of people with type 2 diabetes.
British South Asian Patients’ Perspectives on the Relevance and Acceptability of Mobile Health Text Messaging to Support Medication Adherence for Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study
Authors: Prinjha Suman , Ricci-Cabello Ignacio , Newhouse Nikki , Farmer Andrew
Published: January 2020

Background

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is greater in South Asian populations and health outcomes are poorer compared with other ethnic groups. British South Asians are up to six times more likely to have T2D than the general population, to develop the condition at a younger age, and to experience diabetes-related complications. Interventions to support people in managing their condition can potentially reduce debilitating complications. Evidence to support the use of digital devices in T2D management, including mobile phones, has shown positive impacts on glycemic control. There is increasing recognition that health interventions that are culturally adapted to the needs of specific groups are more likely to be relevant and acceptable, but evidence to support the effectiveness of adapted interventions is limited and inconclusive.

Objective

This formative study aimed to explore the perceptions and views of British South Asian patients with T2D on mobile health SMS text messaging to support medication adherence, aimed at the general UK population.

Methods

Eight exploratory focus groups were conducted in Leicester, the United Kingdom, between September 2017 and March 2018. A diverse sample of 67 adults took part.

Results

British South Asian people with T2D who use digital devices, including mobile phones, felt that short messages to support medication adherence would be acceptable and relevant, but they also wanted messages that would support other aspects of self-management too. Participants were particularly interested in content that met their information needs, including information about South Asian foods, commonly used herbs and spices, natural and herbal approaches used in the United Kingdom and in South Asia, and religious fasting. Short messages delivered in English were perceived to be acceptable, often because family members could translate for those unable to read or understand the messages. Suggestions to support patients unable to understand short messages in English included having them available in different formats, and disseminated in face-to-face groups for those who did not use digital devices.

Conclusions

Exploring the views of British South Asian patients about SMS text messaging aimed at the general UK population is important in maximizing the potential of such an intervention. For such a digital system to meet the needs of UK South Asian populations, it may also have to include culturally relevant messages sent to those who opt to receive them. It is equally important to consider how to disseminate message content to patients who do not use digital devices to help reduce health inequalities.
The Development of the Military Service Identification Tool: Identifying Military Veterans in a Clinical Research Database Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning
Authors: Leightley Daniel , Pernet David , Velupillai Sumithra , Stewart Robert J , Mark Katharine M , Opie Elena , Murphy Dominic , Fear Nicola T , Stevelink Sharon A M
Published: January 2020

Background

Electronic health care records (EHRs) are a rich source of health-related information, with potential for secondary research use. In the United Kingdom, there is no national marker for identifying those who have previously served in the Armed Forces, making analysis of the health and well-being of veterans using EHRs difficult.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a tool to identify veterans from free-text clinical documents recorded in a psychiatric EHR database.

Methods

Veterans were manually identified using the South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Biomedical Research Centre Clinical Record Interactive Search—a database holding secondary mental health care electronic records for the SLaM National Health Service Foundation Trust. An iterative approach was taken; first, a structured query language (SQL) method was developed, which was then refined using natural language processing and machine learning to create the Military Service Identification Tool (MSIT) to identify if a patient was a civilian or veteran. Performance, defined as correct classification of veterans compared with incorrect classification, was measured using positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, F1 score, and accuracy (otherwise termed Youden Index).

Results

A gold standard dataset of 6672 free-text clinical documents was manually annotated by human coders. Of these documents, 66.00% (4470/6672) were then used to train the SQL and MSIT approaches and 34.00% (2202/6672) were used for testing the approaches. To develop the MSIT, an iterative 2-stage approach was undertaken. In the first stage, an SQL method was developed to identify veterans using a keyword rule–based approach. This approach obtained an accuracy of 0.93 in correctly predicting civilians and veterans, a positive predictive value of 0.81, a sensitivity of 0.75, and a negative predictive value of 0.95. This method informed the second stage, which was the development of the MSIT using machine learning, which, when tested, obtained an accuracy of 0.97, a positive predictive value of 0.90, a sensitivity of 0.91, and a negative predictive value of 0.98.

Conclusions

The MSIT has the potential to be used in identifying veterans in the United Kingdom from free-text clinical documents, providing new and unique insights into the health and well-being of this population and their use of mental health care services.
Deploying Patient-Facing Application Programming Interfaces: Thematic Analysis of Health System Experiences
Authors: Neinstein Aaron , Thao Crishyashi , Savage Mark , Adler-Milstein Julia
Published: January 2020

Background

Health systems have recently started to activate patient-facing application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate patient access to health data and other interactions.

Objective

This study sought to ascertain health systems’ understanding, strategies, governance, and organizational infrastructure around patient-facing APIs, as well as their business drivers and barriers, to facilitate national learning, policy, and progress toward adoption.

Methods

We performed a content analysis of semistructured interviews with a convenience sample of 10 health systems known to be leading adopters of health technology, having either implemented or planning to implement patient-facing APIs.

Results

Of the 10 health systems, eight had operational patient-facing APIs, with organizational strategy driven most by federal policy, the emergence of Health Records on iPhone, and feelings of ethical obligation. The two priority use cases identified were enablement of a patient’s longitudinal health record and digital interactions with the health system. The themes most frequently cited as barriers to the increased use of patient-facing APIs were security concerns, an immature app ecosystem that does not currently offer superior functionality compared with widely adopted electronic health record (EHR)–tethered portals, a lack of business drivers, EHR vendor hesitation toward data sharing, and immature technology and standards.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal heterogeneity in health system understanding and approaches to the implementation and use of patient-facing APIs. Ongoing study, targeted policy interventions, and sharing of best practices appear necessary to achieve successful national implementation.
Unibody Endograft Using AFX 2 for Less Invasive and Faster Endovascular Aortic Repair: Protocol for a Multicenter Nonrandomized Study
Authors: Silingardi Roberto , Sirignano Pasqualino , Andreoli Francesco , Mansour Wassim , Migliari Mattia , Speziale Francesco ,   LIVE Study Collaborators
Published: January 2020

Background

Since the introduction of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), progressive improvements in results have been achieved. However, conventional bifurcated stent grafts have been proven to have a nonnegligible risk of failure and secondary intervention, principally due to the lack of adequate proximal sealing. The unique AFX 2 Endovascular AAA System (Endologix, Irvine, CA) unibody device, which provides different sealing and fixation features compared with conventional devices, seems to overcome these limitations.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate intraoperative, perioperative, and postoperative results in patients treated with the AFX 2 Endovascular AAA System endografts for elective AAA repair in a large cohort of consecutive patients.

Methods

All eligible EVAR patients will be included in this observational, multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized study. The number of patients to be enrolled is 500.

Results

The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the technical and clinical success of EVAR with unibody endografts in short- (90-day), mid- (1-year), and long-term (5-year) follow-up periods. The following secondary endpoints will also be addressed: operative time, intraoperative radiation exposure, contrast medium usage, AAA sac shrinkage at 12-month and 5-year follow-up, and any potential role of patients’ baseline characteristics and device configuration on primary endpoint. The actual start date of the investigation was November 2019. The final patient is expected to be treated by the end of December 2020, and the estimated study completion date is December 2025.

Conclusions

This study will provide verified real-world data on AAAs treated by AFX 2 endografts and followed for a long-term interval.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/16959
How Behavior Change Strategies are Used to Design Digital Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Among Patients With Hypertension: Systematic Review
Authors: Etminani Kobra , Tao Engström Arianna , Göransson Carina , Sant’Anna Anita , Nowaczyk Sławomir
Published: January 2020

Background

Information on how behavior change strategies have been used to design digital interventions (DIs) to improve blood pressure (BP) control or medication adherence (MA) for patients with hypertension is currently limited.

Objective

Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and can be controlled with appropriate medication. Many interventions that target MA to improve BP are increasingly using modern digital technologies. This systematic review was conducted to discover how DIs have been designed to improve MA and BP control among patients with hypertension in the recent 10 years. Results were mapped into a matrix of change objectives using the Intervention Mapping framework to guide future development of technologies to improve MA and BP control.

Methods

We included all the studies regarding DI development to improve MA or BP control for patients with hypertension published in PubMed from 2008 to 2018. All the DI components were mapped into a matrix of change objectives using the Intervention Mapping technique by eliciting the key determinant factors (from patient and health care team and system levels) and targeted patient behaviors.

Results

The analysis included 54 eligible studies. The determinants were considered at two levels: patient and health care team and system. The most commonly described determinants at the patient level were lack of education, lack of self-awareness, lack of self-efficacy, and forgetfulness. Clinical inertia and an inadequate health workforce were the most commonly targeted determinants at the health care team and system level. Taking medication, interactive patient-provider communication, self-measurement, and lifestyle management were the most cited patient behaviors at both levels. Most of the DIs did not include support from peers or family members, despite its reported effectiveness and the rate of social media penetration.

Conclusions

This review highlights the need to design a multifaceted DI that can be personalized according to patient behavior(s) that need to be changed to overcome the key determinant(s) of low adherence to medication or uncontrolled BP among patients with hypertension, considering different levels including patient and healthcare team and system involvement.
A Graded Exposure, Locomotion-Enabled Virtual Reality App During Walking and Reaching for Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain: Cohort Gaming Design (Preprint)
Authors: Hennessy Rebecca White , Rumble Deanna , Christian Mike , Brown David A , Trost Zina
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) can interfere with daily activities, and individuals with elevated pain-related fear (also known as kinesiophobia or the fear of injury due to movement) can develop worse long-term disability. Graded exposure (GEXP) protocols use successive participation in avoided activities to help individuals overcome fearful movement appraisals and encourage activity. We sought to develop a series of GEXP virtual reality (VR) walking and reaching scenarios to increase the exposure and engagement of people with high kinesiophobia and cLBP.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to (1) determine GEXP content validity of the VR application and (2) determine the feasibility of individuals with cLBP performing locomotion-enabled physical activities.

METHODS

We recruited 13 individuals with cLBP and high pain-related fear to experience six VR modules, which provide progressive movement exposure over three sessions in a 1 week period. At session 1, participants ranked each module by likelihood to avoid and assigned an expected pain and concern for harming their back rating to each module. Participants provided a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after experiencing each module. To test feasibility, we administered the system usability scale (SUS) and treatment evaluation inventory (TEI) following the final session. In addition, we measured pain and pain-related fear at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

The 12 participants who completed the study period assigned higher avoidance (P=.002), expected pain (P=.002), and expected concern (P=.002) for session 3 modules compared with session 1 modules. RPE significantly increased from session 1 (mean 14.8, SD 2.3) to session 3 (mean 16.8, SD 2.2; P=.009). The VR application showed positive feasibility for individuals with cLBP through acceptable SUS (mean 76.7, SD 13.0) and TEI (mean 32.5, SD 4.9) scores. Neither pain (P=.20) nor pain-related fear (P=.58) changed significantly across sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

The GEXP VR modules provided progressive exposure to physical challenges, and participants found the VR application acceptable and usable as a potential treatment option. Furthermore, the lack of significant change for pain and pain-related fear reflects that participants were able to complete the modules safely.
Young People’s Experiences of Engaging With Fitspiration on Instagram: Gendered Perspective (Preprint)
Authors: Mayoh Joanne , Jones Ian
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Fitness inspiration or fitspiration is a term used to describe web-based images of fit people, people in the gym, health foods, or inspirational quotes relating to diet and fitness being shared and consumed via visual social media. The popularity of this content is most notable via the Instagram platform. Currently, the majority of fitspiration research has focused on women’s experiences; however, increasingly, studies have pointed to the need to explore the gendered ways by which people engage with this content.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore how young men and women engage in fitspiration content on Instagram and provide a gendered analysis of how and why they consume this content.

METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional web-based survey (N=1213) of UK-based fitspiration users aged 18-24 years consisting of closed-ended questions to capture quantitative data.

RESULTS

The majority actively using Instagram for fitspiration (therefore eligible participants) were women (826/1175, 70.30%). Men were more likely to view content posted by athletes (χ21, N=1153=71.8; P=.001) and bodybuilders (χ21, N=1153=32.8; P<.001), whereas women were more likely to view content related to weight loss (χ21, N=1153=36.8; P<.001), diet plans (χ21, N=1153=11.9; P<.001), and celebrities’ content (χ21, N=1153=33.5; P<.001). Men were more likely to use fitspiration as a source of inspiration to exercise to gain muscle or get stronger (χ21, N=1147=17.9; P<.001), whereas women were more likely to use fitspiration as inspiration for healthy eating (χ21, N=1147=37.7; P<.001), or to exercise to diet or lose weight (χ21, N=1147=13.5; P<.001). Women were more likely to engage in passive behaviors such as viewing content on their feed (χ21, N=1139=7.9; P=.005) or scrolling through accounts (χ21, N=1139=15.2; P<.001), whereas men were more likely to engage in active consumption by tagging fitspiration accounts in posts (χ21, N=1139=7.2; P=.007), commenting on posts (χ21, N=1139=8.1; P=.004), and posting fitspiration content (χ21, N=1139=6.4; P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Female fitspiration consumers engaged with content that reinforced the feminine thin but shapely ideal, whereas male users sought out content that reinforced the masculine muscular ideal. Male users were more likely to engage actively with content (eg, posting fitspiration content), while female users were more likely to engage passively (eg, scrolling through accounts, posts, or images). Future research should consider how fitspiration consumption reflects and reproduces oppressive gender ideology.
Identifikasi dan Perancangan Pengendali PID Menggunakan Penduga ARX Sistem Pemanas Udara (Halaman 1 s.d. 5)
Authors: Khuriati R.S. Ainie
Published: January 2020

Pada makalah ini digunakan metodologi estimasi Auto-Regression model with eXogeneous inputs (ARX) untuk merancang pengendali PID yang digunakan  untuk mengendalikan suhu pemanas udara. Masukan tangga dikenakan terhadap system pemanas dan data suhu udara dikirim ke MATLAB melalui system akuisisi data. Data yang diperoleh digunakan untuk mengidentifikasi model proses dalam bentuk ARX. Parameter PID diperoleh dengan meminimalkan integral galat (IAE, ISE, ITSE, dan ITAE,).
Analisis Spektrum Energi dan Fungsi Gelombang Potensial Non-Sentral Poschl-Teller Termodifikasi plus Potensial Scarf Trigonometri Menggunakan Persamaan Hipergeometri (Halaman 41 s.d. 47)
Authors: - Suparmi , Yuliani Hadma , Yuniati Dwi
Published: January 2020

Spektrum energi dan fungsi gelombang untuk potensial non-sentral dianalisis secara intensif.  Persamaan hipergeometri digunakan untuk menganalisa spektrum energi dan fungsi gelombang untuk potensial non-sentral Poschl-Teller termodifikasi dan Scarf II trigonometri. Spektrum energi dan fungsi gelombang radial yang diperoleh hanya bersifat  pendekatan karena dimasukkannya faktor sentrifugal dan diperoleh dari persamaan Schrodinger bagian radial, sedangkan fungsi gelombang bagian sudut dan bilangan kuantum orbital diperoleh dari persamaan Schrodinger bagian sudut. Fungsi gelombang bagian radial dan bagian sudut yang diperoleh dinyatakan dalam polinomial hipergeometri.
Sintesis Nanopartikel Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) dengan Metode Kopresipitasi dan Karakterisasi Sifat Kemagnetannya (Halaman 20 s.d. 25)
Authors: - Muflihatun , Shofiah Siti , Suharyadi Edi
Published: January 2020

Nanopartikel Nikel Ferit (NiFe2O4) telah disintesis dengan metode kopresipitasi dengan memvariasi konsentrasi NaOH dan suhu sintesis. Struktur kristal, ukuran partikel, dan morfologi dari sampel dianalisa menggunakan X-ray diffraction (XRD) dan transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ukuran butir pada konsentrasi NaOH 3, 5, dan 10 M masing-masing adalah 5,7; 4,3; dan 4,2 nm, sedangkan pada suhu 60, 80, dan 150°C berturut-turut adalah 4,2; 4,9; dan 5,5 nm. Analisa fourier transform infrared (FTIR) menunjukkan dua puncak serapan pada rentang ~400-600 cm-1 yang terkait dengan site oktahedral dan tetrahedral pada struktur NiFe2O4. Sifat magnetik NiFe2O4 hasil analisa vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) menunjukkan bahwa sampel berperilaku ferromagnetik dengan nilai koersivitasnya pada rentang 42-47 Oe. Sampel dengan variasi konsentrasi NaOH, koersivitasnya cenderung menurun dengan menurunnya ukuran partikel. Sementara sampel dengan variasi suhu, semakin kecil ukuran partikel, koersivitasnya cenderung meningkat. Pada 15 kOe, nilai magnetisasi terbesar (6,17 emu/g) diperoleh pada sampel dengan rasio fasa α-Fe2O3 paling rendah.