bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing Daily Streamflow Forecasting in Snow-Fed Mountainous Region Using a Novel Hybrid SWAT-BiLSTM Approach
Authors: Ahmad Khalil , Iqbal Mudassar , Tariq Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman , Shahid Muhammad Laiq Ur Rahman , Khan Afed Ullah , Nadeem Abdullah , Adnan Muhammad
Published: February 2024

Precise prediction of streamflow ensures reliable planning and management of water resources. Physical-based prediction models are prone to significant uncertainties due to the complexity of processes involved as well as due to the uncertainties in model parameters and parameterizations. This study evaluates the performance of daily streamflow prediction in Astore a snow-fed mountainous region, by coupling physical-based semi-distributed hydrological Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with data-driven (DD) Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) model. Firstly SWAT and BiLSTM models are calibrated individually then coupled in three modes; SWAT-D-BiLSTM: flows obtained from SWAT with default parameters values used as one of the input in BiLSTM, SWAT-T-BiLSTM: flows obtained from SWAT with three most sensitive parameters values used as one of the input in BiLSTM and SWAT-A-BiLSTM: flows obtained from SWAT with all sensitive parameters values used as one of the input in BiLSTM. Input selection for DD model was carried out by cross correlation analysis of temperature, precipitation, and total rainfall with streamflow. The calibration, validation, and prediction of coupled models are carried out for periods 2007–2011, 2012–2015 and 2017–2019, respectively. Prediction performance is evaluated based on Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and Percentage Bias (PBIAS). Temperature showed greater correlation of 0.7 at 1-day lag as compared to precipitation and total rainfall with streamflow at daily time scale. The results showed that integrated model SWAT-A-BiLSTM outperformed SWAT-T-BiLSTM followed by SWAT-D-BiLSTM, BiLSTM and SWAT respectively. This study recommends coupling of hydrological models facing uncertainties with DD models.
Comparative assessment of seismic soil- shallow/pile foundation-structure responses in the saturated and dry soil deposits using 3D parallel finite element analysis
Authors: Asgari Ali , Bagheri Mohsen , Hadizadeh Mohammad
Published: February 2024

The research aims to investigate and compare the seismic responses of various models, including free field, pile group, fixed base, and shallow/deep foundation-structure with different structure’s height/width (h/b) ratios in saturated and dry sands during realistic earthquakes with varying intensities to realize the detrimental or beneficial effects of soil-foundation-structure-interaction (SFSI). None of the comparative research has simultaneously considered the shallow/deep foundations response in saturated and dry soil. This paper fills this gap using 3D non-linear parallel finite element models validated with two sets of centrifuge tests, and the extended analysis of nonlinearity effects of seismic SFSI considering large deformation performed. Focusing on the time-frequency content distribution result, the input acceleration amplitudes at different times are intensified by passing through the stiffer system (e.g., dry site, remediated soil, and shorter structure) at high frequencies. However, they decrease in the softer system, especially in liquefiable soil, due to the excess pore pressure build-up. The time of PGA alters at the foundation level, and correspondingly, the commencement time of significant settlement occurs quicker or later. A structure with a higher flexibility base increases rocking and, as a result, reduces flexural drifts, internal forces, and base shear force to seismic weight ratio in the structure, and subsequently decreases the structure's local damage. In contrast to lower h/b, the structure’s base shear force in the saturated soil site is more than in the dry one due to the higher peak structural acceleration. The results need attention in seismic design to help engineers in practical applications.
A quantitative method to compare regional tumor contrast between prone and supine breast MRI
Authors: Byrd Brook K. , Krishnaswamy Venkataramanan , Fox Misty J. , Gui Jiang , DiFlorio Roberta , Paulsen Keith , Barth Richard J. , Rooney Timothy B.
Published: February 2024

Purpose
For surgical guidance applications, supine breast MRI tumor contrast should be non-inferior to prone MRI, currently considered the standard-of-care. However, comparing image contrast quantitatively between different MRI sequences and breast orientations presents a significant challenge. Herein, we present a method for quantitatively comparing regional tumor contrast in the prone and supine breast MRI orientations for the purpose of tumor localization, and we apply this framework to assess the performance of two investigational supine scans (i.e. independent and prone-to-supine, P2S) compared to diagnostic prone MRI.
Methods
Patient tumors from two studies (NCT03573804, NCT03573661) were outlined slice-by-slice by a breast radiologist using Gd-enhanced, T1-weighted MRI. Image data were derived from subjects undergoing standard-of-care prone imaging (n = 78), independent supine imaging (n = 17), and P2S supine imaging (n = 61). Normalized tumor contrast was computed between the segmented tumor and neighboring normal tissue regions and compared for statistical differences amongst cohorts and non-inferiority to prone MRI.
Results
The independent supine cohort possessed non-inferior tumor-to-fibroglandular contrast compared to prone (p = 0.002), while tumor-to-fibroglandular contrast from the P2S supine cohort was found inferior to the prone cohort. However, both investigational supine scans produced non-inferior tumor-to-adipose contrast when compared to prone MRI (p < 0.001 in both cases).
Conclusions
Regional contrast between tumor and surrounding fibroglandular tissue suffered at later timepoints observed in the P2S supine study, resulting in inferior tumor contrast. However, when contrast-enhanced supine breast MRI is acquired independently, ratiometric comparisons indicate that tumor contrast is non-inferior to prone MRI.
Discovery of potential protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 inhibitors from phytochemical database through structure- based high-throughput virtual screening and machine learning Discovery of protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 inhibitors
Authors: Tu Vo Linh , Chen Tran Van , Hoang Thai Minh , Tran Pham Nguyen Bao , Quynh Tran Thi Thuy , Triet Nguyen Thanh
Published: February 2024

Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2) has recently become a viable target for cancer immunotherapy. Our study aimed to predict compounds with potential to inhibit PTPN2 for anticancer immunotherapy through a combination of structure-based and ligand-based virtual screening. Using a virtual screening method based on the protein structure of PTPN2 (PDB: 7UAD), we were able to identify 94 compounds from the PhytoHub database that have the ability to bind to PTPN2. These compounds include flavonoids, stilbenes, alkaloids, carotenoids, coumarin, ellagitannins, diterpenoids, curcuminoids, and phenolic acids. The predicted IC50 value for the PTPN2 inhibitory activity of the compounds is from 15.25 µM to 3.26 µM through our machine learning model. Among them, the leading structures of each group also had stable complexes with proteins during molecular dynamics simulations and tightly bound to proteins while exhibiting low binding free energy (MM/GBSA). The two leading groups of compounds are metabolites derived from hesperetin and trans-resveratrol (sulfate and glucuronide) that can be further investigated as potential PTPN2 inhibitors for anti-tumor immunotherapy.
Rethinking of BERT Sentence Embedding for Text Classification
Authors: Galal Omar , Abdel-Gawad Ahmed H. , Farouk Mona
Published: February 2024

Text classification is a fundamental task in NLP that is used in several real-life tasks and applications. Large pre-trained language models such as BERT achieve state-of-the-art performance in several NLP tasks including text classification tasks. Although BERT boosts text classification performance, the common way of using it for classification lacks many aspects of its advantages. This work rethinks the way of using BERT final layer and hidden layers embeddings by proposing different aggregation architectures for text classification tasks such as sentiment analysis and sarcasm detection. This research also proposes different approaches for using BERT as a feature extractor without fine-tuning whose performance surpasses its fine-tuning counterpart. It also proposes promising multi-task learning aggregation architectures to improve the performance of the related classification problems. The experiments of the different architectures show that freezing BERT can outperform fine-tuning it for sentiment analysis. The experiments also show that multi-task learning while freezing BERT boosts the performance of yet hard tasks such as sarcasm detection. The best-performing models achieved new state-of-the-art performance on the ArSarcasm-v2 dataset for Arabic sarcasm detection and sentiment analysis. For multi-task learning and freezing BERT, a new SOTA F1-score of 64.41 was achieved for the sarcasm detection with a 3.47% improvement and near SOTA FPN of 75.78 for the sentiment classification. For single-task learning, a new SOTA FPN of 75.26 was achieved for the sentiment with a 1.81% improvement.
Vernetzung und Kooperation als Erfolgsfaktor für die Digitalisierung an österreichischen Hochschulen
Authors: Gilch Harald , Jungermann Imke
Published: February 2024

Der Artikel bietet eine Analyse und einen Vergleich ausgewählter Digitalisierungsprojekte an österreichischen Hochschulen und diskutiert deren Übertragbarkeit auf das deutsche Hochschulsystem. Durch eine Betrachtung verschiedener Projekte in Österreich werden innovative Ansätze und Strategien im Bereich der digitalen Verwaltung und Organisation aufgezeigt. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf den Erfolgsfaktoren dieser Projekte, wie z. B. der Vernetzung und Kooperation, der Einbindung von Stakeholdern, der Anpassungsfähigkeit an wechselnde Bildungsumgebungen und der effektiven Nutzung von Technologien. Die zentralen Erkenntnisse aus den österreichischen Projekten umfassen die Bedeutung einer strategischen Planung, die Notwendigkeit interdisziplinärer und hochschulübergreifender Zusammenarbeit und die Rolle der Technologie als Katalysator für Veränderungen im Bildungswesen. Diesen Projekten und Initiativen aus Österreich werden aktuelle Entwicklungen in Deutschland gegenübergestellt, die Einblicke bieten, wie ähnliche Konzepte in Deutschland aussehen und erfolgreich implementiert werden könnten.
Austrian University Toolkit – Entwickung eines digitalen Baukastens aus IT-Tools und Applikationen für die Digitalisierung der Hochschulverwaltung
Authors: Fink Jakob , Dietinger Thomas
Published: February 2024

Das Projekt „Austrian University Toolkit“ hat die Entwicklung eines modularen IT-Baukastens, der aus Applikationen und Systemen für die Durchführung und Vereinfachung von typischen Hochschulprozessen besteht, zum Ziel. Die entwickelten Lösungen werden als OpenSource interessierten Hochschulen zur Verfügung gestellt und auf Plattformen wie dem Digital University Hub präsentiert, um ein kooperatives Miteinander zu fördern. Auch soll es jeder Hochschule ermöglicht werden, einzelne Komponenten zu verwenden und gemeinsam weiterzuentwickeln. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet die zugrundeliegenden Motive, beschreibt einzelne Module und gibt einen Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Aspekte nach Projektende.
Optimizing Speech Emotion Recognition:Evaluating Combinations of Databases, Data Augmentation, and Feature Extraction Methods
Authors: Ottoni Lara Toledo , Cerqueira Jés
Published: February 2024

Speech emotion recognition is a challenging and essential task with numerous applications in human-computer interaction, healthcare, and entertainment. However, achieving high accuracy in this task is complicated by the need to select the best combination of machine learning algorithms, databases, data augmentation techniques, and feature extraction methods. This paper discusses the difficulty of choosing appropriate combinations of these factors and proposes a methodology to address this challenge. The proposed method evaluates the performance of various combinations of databases, data augmentation techniques, and feature extraction methods to determine the most effective approach for speech emotion recognition. The paper also presents a convolutional neural network to classify the emotions of happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust, and neutral. The results showed that the optimal combination proposed, with 94% accuracy, uses the combined RAVDESS and TESS databases, using data augmentation with noise, stretch, and pitch, and using MFCC to extract the characteristics of the audios.
Simulação de Veículos Autônomos em Ambientes 2D Usando Aprendizado por Reforço Aplicados para a Solução de Labirintos
Authors: Porsch Darlan , Vieira João Antônio , Silva Ênio
Published: February 2024

Este trabalho apresenta uma discussão sobre o uso de inteligência artificial (artificial intelligence – IA) e aprendizado de máquina (machine learning – ML) aplicados a navegação de veículos autônomos. Particularmente, visando a investigação de técnicas de aprendizado por reforço (reinforcement learning – RL), a implementação do algoritmo Q-learning e considerada para a solução de problemas de navegação representados por labirintos. Adicionalmente, a fim de obter alternativas para a construção e visualização de diferentes labirintos, assim como possibilitar o acompanhamento visual das tomadas de decisão de agentes robóticos simulados durante as etapas de treinamento e teste, uma interface de desenvolvimento de RL (RL framework) e aqui concebida. Resultados de simulação numérica são apresentados e permitem inferir acerca da qualidade das soluções de navegação realizadas por meio das estratégias de ML aqui investigadas, confirmando a eficácia das implementações de RL e do RL framework desenvolvido neste trabalho de pesquisa.
Aplicações de Aprendizado por Reforço em Manipuladores Robóticos: Uma Revisão Sistemática
Authors: Brito Franklin , Carvalho Ottoni André Luiz , Ottoni Lara Toledo
Published: February 2024

O Aprendizado por Reforço (AR) tem diversas aplicações em tecnologia como um método expoente de resolução de problemas otimizando ações por meio de recompensas. Existe uma gama de estudos aplicados à robótica com o objetivo de aprimorar o estado da arte nesta área. Assim, este trabalho visa discutir as aplicações de AR em manipuladores robóticos através de uma revisão sistemática da literatura, onde foram analisados 38 trabalhos da área publicados entre 2013 e 2023. Desta forma, foram elaboradas 6 perguntas de pesquisa para o desenvolvimento do trabalho. Baseado nestas perguntas, foi possível destacar os resultados da revisão sistemática. Entre as técnicas discutidas, Q-Learning (23,68%), Deep Reinforcement Learning (28,95%), Actor-Critic (26,32%) e Policy Gradient (21,05%) foram as principais. Entre os ambientes e equipamentos para experimentação física e simulada, os mais utilizados foram o simulador Matlab (18,42%) e o manipulador UR3 (7,89%). também foram apresentados resultados sobre o ajuste de hiperparâmetros, sendo que apenas 10,53% dos trabalhos realizaram o ajuste. Além disso, foi realizada uma comparação com outros trabalhos de revisão sistemática do tema proposto. Por fim, foram discutidas as perguntas de pesquisa deste trabalho e apresentadas as principais indicações de trabalhos futuros para promover a continuidade do desenvolvimento de aplicações na área.
Aprendizagem por Reforço Profundo com Redes Convolucionais Aplicada à Navegação Autônoma de Robôs Reais Utilizando Treinamento em Cenário Virtual
Authors: Bezerra Carlos Daniel , Vieira Flávio
Published: February 2024

Aplicações industriais de sistemas robóticos móveis autônomos tem exigido o desenvolvimento de algoritmos de navegação autônoma utilizando inteligência artificial. Este artigo propõe um método baseado em algoritmo de aprendizagem por reforço profundo e rede convolucional (DQN-CNN: Deep Q-Network with Convolutional Network) para propiciar navegação autônoma a robôs dotados de câmera RBG, onde a fase de treinamento deste algoritmo e realizada no ambiente de simulação Coppelia VREP com a placa de desenvolvimento Jetson Nano da NVIDIA. A metodologia proposta abrange desde o treinamento em ambiente de simulação até a integração com sistema real. Para prototipação, utiliza-se uma pista de navegação com o rob o controlado por algoritmo de aprendizado por reforço DQN. Os resultados apontam para efetividade da proposta, onde foi possível verificar o robo real desempenhando com sucesso a missão planejada. Espera-se que este trabalho possa contribuir para o avanço da área de robótica móvel e aprendizado por reforço, Além de fornecer uma metodologia útil para pesquisadores e desenvolvedores que trabalham com estas tecnologias.
Enhancing TDE-based Drone DoA Estimation with Genetic Algorithms and Zero Cyclic Sum
Authors: Fernandes Rigel , Apolinário Júnior José , Seixas José Manoel
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses a way to enhance an acousticbased approach to obtaining the direction of arrival (DoA) of a drones ego noise using a microphone array. We focus on obtaining better time delay estimations (TDE) from a set of possible candidates. Recently, a large number of works have been put forward to detect and classify drones with different techniques. However, more investigation is required to tackle the drone DoA estimation problem using the time difference of arrival between pairs of microphones for the case of strongly corrupted audio signals, possibly by noise and multipath. The main problem in a complex acoustic environment is accurately estimating the time difference of arrival. With a traditional approach, this task becomes nearly impossible without the line of sight assumption, that is, whenever the highest cross-correlation peak between signals does not correspond to the delay between them. This paper uses genetic algorithms to search for the correct delays between pairs of microphones among a set of possible delays (primary and secondary delays). We define a fitness function based on the concept of zero cyclic sum of closed loops, i.e., when forming a closed loop, the sum of all theoretical delays should equal zero. A drawback of closed loops is that incorrect delays may result in a zero-sum; we thus created a fitness function that considers all possible closed loops of a given array. We exploited different approaches to estimate the direction of arrival using the combination of genetic algorithms and zero cyclic sum. In our experiments, the method successfully found all correct delays in simulations, providing strong evidence of its effectiveness when a correct delay exists among multiple possible delays. Furthermore, in experimental trials, it significantly enhanced the number of correct delays detected, further validating its utility and potential in practical scenarios.
Assessment of surface water quality using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), around tannery industry effluent discharge areas
Authors: Monira Umama , Sattar Golam Sabbir , Mostafa Md Golam
Published: February 2024

The study attempted to assess the water quality around the tannery effluent discharge areas for suitability for irrigation purposes using different indices (Water Quality Index (WQI)) and statistical analysis in Savar Upazilas, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The samples were collected three times, from monsoon 2021 to pre-monsoon 2023. The analysis results showed that the concentrations of various parameters at most of the sampling points exceeded the surface water standard. Pollution levels were found in the following order: pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, and monsoon. At SW1 point, the CWQI, WWQI, and MWQI of the surface water quality showed a ‘poor’ category. The IWQI values showed that the surface water at all the sampling points was suitable for irrigation purposes, except for the SW1 sampling point. The NPI indicates that EC, BOD, COD, TSS, Cl−, Na+, and NO3--N parameters were potentially responsible for polluting most sampling sites. Multivariate statistical analyses like principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and Pearson correlation matrix showed significant anthropogenic intrusions of these variables in surface water in the area. A strong correlation between these parameters indicated their common origin, i.e., poorly treated tannery industry effluent entered the surface water, suggesting an improvement in the efficiency of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING - APN
Authors: Gomes Antônio Marcos Freire , Santos Betânia Maria Pereira dos , Peres Ellen Marcia , Palha Pedro Fredemir , Miranda Neto Manoel Vieira de , Silva Manoel Carlos Neri da , Freire Neyson Pinheiro
Published: February 2024

This is a technical note on Advanced Nursing Practices (ANP) in Brazil, prepared by a committee and submitted for approval by the plenary of the Federal Nursing Council (Cofen). The document addresses concepts, actions, implementation and regulation of advanced nursing practices, expanding the limits of the scope of nurses’ work and reinforcing their clinical practice.
APROPRIAÇÃO DOS PATIOS ESCOLARES E A IMPORTÂNCIA PARA SEUS USUA´RIOS
Authors: Pacheco Juliana , Dorneles Vanessa Goulart
Published: February 2024

Este artigo tem como objeto de estudo o pátio escolar, um espaço para a socialização, trocas, convívio, explorações e experimentações, um subsistema de espaços livres de utilização cotidiana e coletiva. Consiste em uma análise da apropriação de pátios escolares por estudantes, considerando a importância para seus usuários. A pesquisa possui uma abordagem no estudo da relação pessoa-ambiente, considerando o aporte teórico da psicologia ambiental, e adota delineamento de métodos mistos, com a visão do pesquisador, através da visita exploratória, observação sistemática e mapa comportamental, e a visão do usuário com a entrevista estruturada e semiestruturada. A investigação ocorreu em três escolas particulares de ensino fundamental e médio do município de Santa Maria – RS. O resultado dos métodos e técnicas aplicados possibilitou compreender as necessidades dos usuários e entender o processo de apropriação e não-apropriação dos pátios escolares em diversas situações. Por meio desse conhecimento foram propostas recomendações para melhoria e maior apropriação do local, tais como, o replanejamento de implantação de brinquedos adequados para cada faixa etária, implantação de um maior número de mobiliários e projetos paisagísticos, entre outros essenciais para torná-lo mais adequado aos estudantes.
SOBRE UM ENSINO EM ‘ABERTO’
Authors: Medeiros Luciana , Santos Leite António
Published: February 2024

As práticas didático-pedagógicas relacionadas ao ensino de projeto, atualmente aliadas às inovações tecnológicas e às novas formas de trabalho colaborativo, tem sido tema de constante debate. Os chamados ateliers virtuais de projeto, seus diferentes formatos e elementos constitutivos, ampliam oportunidades na prática arquitetônica. Assim, este artigo apresenta aspectos didático-pedagógicos de um workshop de projeto sob o olhar dos docentes participantes de uma das equipes de trabalho. Para tanto, o foco das reflexões engloba duas contextualizações sobre a atividade. A primeira discorre sobre as questões metodológicas e postura pedagógica adotada, com ênfase na sequenciação e organização das atividades, delimitando os tempos, as ferramentas envolvidas, alterações no percurso e o alcance de um efetivo trabalho colaborativo. Na segunda contextualização, regista-se a defesa de um ensino em ‘aberto’, um ensino que, mais do que se ensinar o previamente conhecido, deve estimular, tanto nos docentes como nos alunos, uma genuína vontade de descobrir e apreender. A partir deste enquadramento, evidencia-se uma proposição programática sobre a reabilitação de ‘lugares históricos’, ‘lugares multitemporais’ marcados pelas realidades culturais de quem as habitou, compreendendo-os como lugares de futuro. Como resultado, destaca-se a validade de um exercício realizado à distância, moldado por escolhas metodológicas mais amplas, que favoreceram a integração entre alunos e docentes de diferentes instituições.
COLABORAÇÃO E COMUNICAÇÃO NO ATELIÊ VIRTUAL DE PROJETO
Authors: Rodrigues Clara Ovídio de Medeiros , Andrade Silva Heitor , Monteiro Verner
Published: February 2024

O International Virtual Architectural Design Studio (IVADS) ocorreu em 2023, com o tema: “projetar virtualmente na preexistência” e propostas de usos para economia criativa. Esse artigo tem o objetivo de discutir a colaboração e a comunicação em processos projetuais desenvolvidos em ateliês virtuais com equipes interinstitucionais para a formação de estudantes. Para tanto, utilizou-se de observações das atividades e consultas aos participantes de três equipes como fonte de dados. As análises abordaram a caracterização geral das equipes e a percepção dos participantes, nos eixos: a) pertinência e complexidade do tema; b) composição das equipes; e c) tempo; recursos de comunicação e representação gráfica; e a colaboração no processo. Observou-se que o processo foi caracterizado pela complexidade do tema (intervenção em preexistência de valor patrimonial) e do contexto de intervenção (comunidades em situação de vulnerabilidade social), bem como pela heterogeneidade dos membros que constituíram as equipes. Os processos projetuais nas equipes analisadas foram predominantemente colaborativos com alguns momentos de cooperação. Os meios de representação e concepção do projeto foram diversos, bem como os canais de comunicação utilizados. Conclui-se que a experiência relatada confirma o potencial colaborativo dos ateliês virtuais, que pôde ser beneficiado pelos meios de comunicação ao proporcionar níveis de interação bem superiores aos desenvolvidos nos ateliês virtuais de uma ou duas décadas atrás.
Kidney Injury: Focus on Molecular Signaling Pathways
Authors: Liu Wei , Hu MengDi , Wang Le , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: February 2024

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in which kidney function reduces
suddenly. This syndrome which includes both structural changes and loss of function
may lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Kidney regeneration capacity depends on
the cell type and severity of the injury. However, novel studies indicated that regeneration mostly relies on endogenous tubular cells that survive after AKI. Regenerative pharmacology requires a great knowledge of fundamental processes involved in the development and endogenous regeneration, leading to a necessity for investigating related signaling molecules in this process. Regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are currently known as critical regulators of gene expression in various cellular
processes, and this regulatory function is also observed in nephrotic tissue, following damaging insults, which may promote or inhibit the progression of damage. Thus, studying signaling molecules and pathways involved in renal injury and repair results in a
comprehensive prospect of these processes. Moreover, these studies can lead to new opportunities for discovering and enhancing therapeutic approaches to renal diseases.
Herein, we review studies dealing with the role of different signaling pathways involved
in renal injury. Besides, we discuss how some signaling pathways are useful for the repair process following AKI.
Diabetic Retinopathy - Pathophysiology to Treatment: A Review
Authors: Singh Randhir , Walia Aditya , Kaur Jasleen , Kumar Praveen , Verma Inderjeet , Rani Nidhi
Published: February 2024

:

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular disease affecting the eyes of diabetic patients,
and is the most prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus. Vision improvement is not
possible in the majority of DR patients. Several studies have indicated that microvascular changes,
inflammation, oxidative stress, and retinal neurodegeneration are involved in the pathogenesis
of DR. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new and effective treatment
for DR. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of disease will
pave a way for better treatment and management of DR. This article has emphasized the molecular
pathogenesis and treatment of DR.
Molecular Absorption Scanning and Assay of Serotonin Reception
Inhibitor Antidepressant Drugs
Authors: Santana Silva Amanda , de Paula Victor Hugo Abreu , dos Santos Xavier Lucas Gabriel , da Silva Ludimila Nascimento , Silva Lucas Ana Carolyne , Lourenço Alves Aléxia Mariany , dos Santos Fernando Machado
Published: February 2024

Background::

Spectrophotometric techniques are based on the absorption of electromagnetic
energy by the molecules of the substance analyzed and can be applied to drug
analysis.

Objective::

This study has been proposed to carry out molecular absorption scanning and assay
in the ultraviolet region of generic antidepressant drugs of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor
class produced by three Brazilian laboratories, addressing the importance of good manufacturing
practices, drug quality control, and the use of qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques.

Methods::

The physicochemical analyses were performed in a Marte Científica (580 UVP)
UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and the result was evaluated according to the acceptance interval
described in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia.

Results::

When calculating the dosage of the fluoxetine hydrochloride sample, the value of
90.95% was obtained and, therefore, the drug was approved for the dosage test. The dosage
test for the drugs, citalopram hydrobromide and sertraline hydrochloride, was also approved,
obtaining values of 102.4% and 98.2%, respectively.

Conclusion::

The results presented provide future perspectives regarding the rigor of the need
for good drug handling practices, maintenance and qualification of quality control laboratory
equipment, and the guarantee of validation of analytical methodologies used in the pharmaceutical
industries, contributing to the improvement of the quality of production and pharmaceutical
products analysis.
Mycobacterium flavescens Infection - An Unusual Case of Prosthetic Joint
Infection
Authors: Holleb Peter , De Srijisnu , Antony Suresh
Published: February 2024

Introduction::

The onset of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is characterized by early on-set defined as within 90 days of the procedure, delayed onset defined as within 3 to 12 months, and late onset defined as over 12 months. In only a scant number of case reports, Mycobacterium flavescens-associated infections are typically found in sputum cultures and associated with various forms of penetrating joint traumas, particularly post-surgical interventions. Due to its rarity in presentation among cases of PJIs, we have presented a case of PJI caused by Mycobacterium fla-vescens.

Case Presentation::

We have, herein, reported a case of a 70-year-old male presenting with stab-bing left knee pain over the past several months along with accompanying erythema and swelling with the presence of purulent discharge. Outpatient cultures have shown the growth of Mycobacte-rium flavescent; subsequently, the patient underwent a 2-stage revision arthroplasty and was treat-ed with a three-drug regimen and implant 5 months later. Although being an atypical cause of PJIs, we emphasize the importance of considering NTM as a differential for immunocompromised patients, especially those with prior surgical intervention.

Discussion::

Mycobacterium spp. related PJIs manifest clinical features similar to other bacteria-causing PJIs, such as warm, indurated edema at the surgical site resulting in wound dehiscence and joint effusion. Diagnosis of Mycobacterium spp. related PJIs includes history and physical exami-nation findings, serum inflammatory markers, synovial fluid analysis, and culture. Concurrently with surgical interventions, utilization of antimicrobial agents provides additional control in My-cobacterium-related PJI. Mycobacterium flavescens should be included among other NTMs as a possible cause of PJIs.
Model Praktik Baik Kepala Sekolah dalam Pengembangan Kemampuan Dasar Guru pada Satuan Pendidikan Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Rochaendi Endi , Ma'mun Saepul
Published: February 2024

 

In carrying out their main duties and functions, school principals still receive critical issues from various circles in the educational ecosystem because they have yet to fully contribute optimally to increasing teacher professionalism. The literature review research aims to identify and analyze several models of good practice implemented by school principals in developing the basic abilities of teachers in elementary school education units. The research findings state that the school principal's good practice model consists of two activities/actions: the Principal as a learning leader and the Principal acting as the creator of the learning environment. The key role of the Principal as a learning leader consists of a servant, role model, expert and instructional leader. Meanwhile, the Principal as the creator of the learning environment is related to his role as a communicator, supporter and manager. These good practices can create a professional, vital teacher profile and construction consisting of passion, vigour, facility, and satisfaction to achieve more productive and competitive learning goals in the educational unit.

 

Keywords: good practice; principal’s; basic teacher abilities
Profiles of Cough and Associated Risk Factors in Nonhospitalized Individuals With SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Infection: Cross-Sectional Online Survey in China (Preprint)
Authors: Xu Tingting , Chen Yuehan , Zhan Wenzhi , Chung Kian Fan , Qiu Zhongmin , Huang Kewu , Chen Ruchong , Xie Jiaxing , Wang Gang , Zhang Min , Wang Xuefen , Yao Hongmei , Liao Xiuqing , Zhang Yunhui , Zhang Guojun , Zhang Wei , Sun Dejun , Zhu Jia , Jiang Shujuan , Feng Juntao , Zhao Jianping , Sun Gengyun , Huang Huaqiong , Zhang Jianyong , Wang Lingwei , Wu Feng , Li Suyun , Xu Pusheng , Chi Chunhua , Chen Ping , Jiang Mei , He Wen , Huang Lianrong , Luo Wei , Li Shiyue , Zhong Nanshan , Lai Kefang ,   China Cough Coalition
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Cough is a common symptom during and after COVID-19 infection; however, few studies have described the cough profiles of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, severity, and associated risk factors of severe and persistent cough in individuals with COVID-19 during the latest wave of the Omicron variant in China.

METHODS

In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we collected information of the characteristics of cough from individuals with infection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using an online questionnaire sent between December 31, 2022, and January 11, 2023.

RESULTS

There were 11,718 (n=7978, 68.1% female) nonhospitalized responders, with a median age of 37 (IQR 30-47) years who responded at a median of 16 (IQR 12-20) days from infection onset to the time of the survey. Cough was the most common symptom, occurring in 91.7% of participants, followed by fever, fatigue, and nasal congestion (68.8%-87.4%). The median cough visual analog scale (VAS) score was 70 (IQR 50-80) mm. Being female (odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% CI 1.20-1.43), having a COVID-19 vaccination history (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.37-2.12), current smoking (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.41-0.58), chronic cough (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.69-2.45), coronary heart disease (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.17-2.52), asthma (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.02-1.46), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.45) were independent factors for severe cough (VAS>70, 37.4%). Among all respondents, 35.0% indicated having a productive cough, which was associated with risk factors of being female (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.31-1.57), having asthma (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.52-2.22), chronic cough (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.19-1.74), and GERD (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.47). Persistent cough (>3 weeks) occurred in 13.0% of individuals, which was associated with the risk factors of having diabetes (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.30-3.85), asthma (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11-2.62), and chronic cough (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.32-2.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Cough is the most common symptom in nonhospitalized individuals with Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infection. Being female, having asthma, chronic cough, GERD, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and a COVID-19 vaccination history emerged as independent factors associated with severe cough, productive cough, and persistent cough.
Evaluating the Digital Health Experience for Patients in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Choy Melinda Ada , O'Brien Kathleen , Barnes Katelyn , Sturgiss Elizabeth Ann , Rieger Elizabeth , Douglas Kirsty
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

The digital health divide for socioeconomic disadvantage describes a pattern in which patients considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, who are already marginalized through reduced access to face-to-face health care, are additionally hindered through less access to patient-initiated digital health. A comprehensive understanding of how patients with socioeconomic disadvantage access and experience digital health is essential for improving the digital health divide. Primary care patients, especially those with chronic disease, have experience of the stages of initial help seeking and self-management of their health, which renders them a key demographic for research on patient-initiated digital health access.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide comprehensive primary mixed methods data on the patient experience of barriers to digital health access, with a focus on the digital health divide.

METHODS

We applied an exploratory mixed methods design to ensure that our survey was primarily shaped by the experiences of our interviewees. First, we qualitatively explored the experience of digital health for 19 patients with socioeconomic disadvantage and chronic disease and second, we quantitatively measured some of these findings by designing and administering a survey to 487 Australian general practice patients from 24 general practices.

RESULTS

In our qualitative first phase, the key barriers found to accessing digital health included (1) strong patient preference for human-based health services; (2) low trust in digital health services; (3) high financial costs of necessary tools, maintenance, and repairs; (4) poor publicly available internet access options; (5) reduced capacity to engage due to increased life pressures; and (6) low self-efficacy and confidence in using digital health. In our quantitative second phase, 31% (151/487) of the survey participants were found to have never used a form of digital health, while 10.7% (52/487) were low- to medium-frequency users and 48.5% (236/487) were high-frequency users. High-frequency users were more likely to be interested in digital health and had higher self-efficacy. Low-frequency users were more likely to report difficulty affording the financial costs needed for digital access.

CONCLUSIONS

While general digital interest, financial cost, and digital health literacy and empowerment are clear factors in digital health access in a broad primary care population, the digital health divide is also facilitated in part by a stepped series of complex and cumulative barriers. Genuinely improving digital health access for 1 cohort or even 1 person requires a series of multiple different interventions tailored to specific sequential barriers. Within primary care, patient-centered care that continues to recognize the complex individual needs of, and barriers facing, each patient should be part of addressing the digital health divide.
Clinical Informatics Team Members’ Perspectives on Health Information Technology Safety After Experiential Learning and Safety Process Development: Qualitative Descriptive Study (Preprint)
Authors: Recsky Chantelle , Rush Kathy L , MacPhee Maura , Stowe Megan , Blackburn Lorraine , Muniak Allison , Currie Leanne M
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Although intended to support improvement, the rapid adoption and evolution of technologies in health care can also bring about unintended consequences related to safety. In this project, an embedded researcher with expertise in patient safety and clinical education worked with a clinical informatics team to examine safety and harm related to health information technologies (HITs) in primary and community care settings. The clinical informatics team participated in learning activities around relevant topics (eg, human factors, high reliability organizations, and sociotechnical systems) and cocreated a process to address safety events related to technology (ie, safety huddles and sociotechnical analysis of safety events).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore clinical informaticians’ experiences of incorporating safety practices into their work.

METHODS

We used a qualitative descriptive design and conducted web-based focus groups with clinical informaticians. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

A total of 10 informants participated. Barriers to addressing safety and harm in their context included limited prior knowledge of HIT safety, previous assumptions and perspectives, competing priorities and organizational barriers, difficulty with the reporting system and processes, and a limited number of reports for learning. Enablers to promoting safety and mitigating harm included participating in learning sessions, gaining experience analyzing reported events, participating in safety huddles, and role modeling and leadership from the embedded researcher. Individual outcomes included increased ownership and interest in HIT safety, the development of a sociotechnical systems perspective, thinking differently about safety, and increased consideration for user perspectives. Team outcomes included enhanced communication within the team, using safety events to inform future work and strategic planning, and an overall promotion of a culture of safety.

CONCLUSIONS

As HITs are integrated into care delivery, it is important for clinical informaticians to recognize the risks related to safety. Experiential learning activities, including reviewing safety event reports and participating in safety huddles, were identified as particularly impactful. An HIT safety learning initiative is a feasible approach for clinical informaticians to become more knowledgeable and engaged in HIT safety issues in their work.
Geographic Disparities in Online Searches for Psoriasis Biologics in the United States: Google Trends Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Chang Annie , O'Hagan Ross , Young Jade N , Wei Nancy , Gulati Nicholas
Published: February 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

N/A
Insights into how mHealth applications could be introduced into standard hypertension care in Germany - a qualitative study with German cardiologists and general practitioners (Preprint)
Authors: May Susann , Seifert Frances , Bruch Dunja , Heinze Martin , Spethmann Sebastian , Muehlensiepen Felix
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

mHealth apps can help to improve treatment adherence, facilitate lifestyle changes or optimize blood pressure control in people with hypertension. However, in Germany, the adoption of digital health technologies, such as mHealth apps, by patients and their endorsement by physicians remain limited. The factors driving physicians' willingness to recommend such mHealth apps are not adequately understood at present.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to develop an understanding of how information needs, and acceptance factors are related in order to best integrate mHealth apps into daily routines.

METHODS

A total of 24 guided telephone interviews were conducted with physicians of hypertensive patients (14 cardiologists, 10 general practitioners). Potential participants were approached following a heterogeneity sampling. Thematic analysis of the data was completed using MAXQDA software.

RESULTS

Physicians have different information needs regarding the type and functionality of mHealth apps and their effects and benefits for patients. This need for information influences physicians' willingness to recommend mHealth apps. Various determinants of physicians’ willingness were identified. Acceptance increases with more knowledge, with reliable data quality, with the generation shift, with evidence of effectiveness and with pre-defined areas of application and responsibilities. If the information needs were met, acceptance towards mHealth apps and thus the frequency of recommendations would also increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The successful adoption of mHealth apps in the management of hypertension could be significantly enhanced through focused dissemination of knowledge regarding the variety and efficacy of hypertension apps available to patients. Employing a range of knowledge transfer strategies is crucial to facilitate the enduring integration of these apps into daily healthcare practices, ensuring their optimal use and maximizing their potential benefits.

CLINICALTRIAL

https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00029761, identifier DRKS00029761.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.3389/fcvm.2022.1089968
A Contextualised Evidence-Based Interprofessional Rehabilitation Model Responsive to the Needs of Children With Cerebral Palsy in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Research Protocol for a Sequential Multi-Method Study. (Preprint)
Authors: Duma Noxolo Erica , Benjamin-Damons Natalie , Pefile Ntsikelelo , Hlongwana Khumbulani Welcome
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common motor disability in children, and it refers to a group of disorders that affect a child’s ability to move, maintain balance and posture. Children with CP-related motor disorders experience disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behavior, that are due to epilepsy. They may also have secondary musculoskeletal problems. Interprofessional team is needed to manage CP. However, in KwaZulu-Natal, rehabilitation services are fragmented, with departments working in isolation. Thus, there is a need to develop an interprofessional model of care responsive to the needs of those involved in the care of children with CP (CWCP).

OBJECTIVE

This study aims generate data that will be used to propose an interprofessional model of care responsive to the needs of children with cerebral palsy in KwaZulu-Natal.

METHODS

This study will employ a phased sequential multi-method approach. Phase one will map the current evidence on the interprofessional rehabilitation practices utilized to manage CP in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through a systematic scoping review, complemented with in-depth interview (IDI) schedule of Health Care Practitioners (HCPs) in KwaZulu-Natal. In Phase two, quantitative and qualitative data will be collected through a validated structured questionnaire (cross-sectional survey) and IDI and focus group discussion (FGD) schedule, respectively. The results obtained from phases one and two will be used in phase three to propose and validate a model of care through a Delphi technique. The study has obtained ethics approval and gatekeeper permission from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC) and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health, respectively.

RESULTS

Data collection for the study commenced in October 2023. Results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and the thesis will be placed in the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s library repository.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is anticipated to provide an evidence-based interprofessional model of care responsive to the needs of CLWCP, given that models used in high-income countries may not be appropriate for LMICs’ contexts.