bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of a Voice-Enabled Medical Diary App (SpeakHealth) for Caregivers of Children With Special Health Care Needs and Health Care Providers: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Sezgin Emre , Noritz Garey , Lin Simon , Huang Yungui
Published: April 2021

Background

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) require more than the usual care management and coordination efforts from caregivers and health care providers (HCPs). Health information and communication technologies can potentially facilitate these efforts to increase the quality of care received by CSHCN.

Objective

In this study, we aim to assess the feasibility of a voice-enabled medical diary app (SpeakHealth) by investigating its potential use among caregivers and HCPs.

Methods

Following a mixed methods approach, caregivers of CSHCN were interviewed (n=10) and surveyed (n=86) about their care management and communication technology use. Only interviewed participants were introduced to the SpeakHealth app prototype, and they tested the app during the interview session. In addition, we interviewed complex care HCPs (n=15) to understand their perception of the value of a home medical diary such as the SpeakHealth app. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analyses. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.

Results

The survey results indicated a positive attitude toward voice-enabled technology and features; however, there was no strong correlation among the measured items. The caregivers identified communication, information sharing, tracking medication, and appointments as fairly and highly important features of the app. Qualitative analysis revealed the following two overarching themes: enablers and barriers in care communication and enablers and barriers in communication technologies. The subthemes included parent roles, care communication technologies, and challenges. HCPs found the SpeakHealth app to be a promising tool for timely information collection that could be available for sharing information with the health system. Overall, the findings demonstrated a variety of needs and challenges for caregivers of CSHCN and opportunities for voice-enabled, interactive medical diary apps in care management and coordination. Caregivers fundamentally look for better information sharing and communication with HCPs. Health care and communication technologies can potentially improve care communication and coordination in addressing the patient and caregiver needs.

Conclusions

The perspectives of caregivers and providers suggested both benefits and challenges in using the SpeakHealth app for medical note-taking and tracking health events at home. Our findings could inform researchers and developers about the potential development and use of a voice-enabled medical diary app.
Conflicts of Interest Among Authors of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Investigating Interventions for Melanoma: Cross-sectional Literature Study
Authors: Rulon Zane , Powers Kalyn , Anderson J Michael , Weaver Michael , Johnson Austin , Hartwell Micah , Vassar Matt
Published: April 2021

Background

Previous studies have highlighted the potential influence that industry relationships may have on the outcomes of medical research.

Objective

We aimed to determine the prevalence of author conflicts of interest (COIs) in systematic reviews focusing on melanoma interventions, as well as to determine whether the presence of these COIs were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting favorable results and conclusions.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses focusing on interventions for melanoma. We searched MEDLINE and Embase for eligible systematic reviews published between September 1, 2016, and June 2, 2020. COI disclosures were cross-referenced with information from the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Open Payments database, Dollars for Profs, Google Patents, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and previously published COI disclosure statements. Results were quantified using descriptive statistics, and relationships were evaluated by Fisher exact tests.

Results

Of the 23 systematic reviews included in our sample, 12 (52%) had at least one author with a COI. Of these 12 reviews, 7 (58%) reported narrative results favoring the treatment group and 9 (75%) reported conclusions favoring the treatment group. Of the 11 systematic reviews without a conflicted author, 4 (36%) reported results favoring the treatment group and 5 (45%) reported conclusions favoring the treatment group. We found no significant association between the presence of author COIs and the favorability of results (P=.53) or conclusions (P=.15).

Conclusions

Author COIs did not appear to influence the outcomes of systematic reviews regarding melanoma interventions. Clinicians and other readers of dermatology literature should be cognizant of the influence that industry may have on the nature of reported outcomes, including those from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Mining and Validating Social Media Data for COVID-19–Related Human Behaviors Between January and July 2020: Infodemiology Study
Authors: Daughton Ashlynn R , Shelley Courtney D , Barnard Martha , Gerts Dax , Watson Ross Chrysm , Crooker Isabel , Nadiga Gopal , Mukundan Nilesh , Vaquera Chavez Nidia Yadira , Parikh Nidhi , Pitts Travis , Fairchild Geoffrey
Published: April 2021

Background

Health authorities can minimize the impact of an emergent infectious disease outbreak through effective and timely risk communication, which can build trust and adherence to subsequent behavioral messaging. Monitoring the psychological impacts of an outbreak, as well as public adherence to such messaging, is also important for minimizing long-term effects of an outbreak.

Objective

We used social media data from Twitter to identify human behaviors relevant to COVID-19 transmission, as well as the perceived impacts of COVID-19 on individuals, as a first step toward real-time monitoring of public perceptions to inform public health communications.

Methods

We developed a coding schema for 6 categories and 11 subcategories, which included both a wide number of behaviors as well codes focused on the impacts of the pandemic (eg, economic and mental health impacts). We used this to develop training data and develop supervised learning classifiers for classes with sufficient labels. Classifiers that performed adequately were applied to our remaining corpus, and temporal and geospatial trends were assessed. We compared the classified patterns to ground truth mobility data and actual COVID-19 confirmed cases to assess the signal achieved here.

Results

We applied our labeling schema to approximately 7200 tweets. The worst-performing classifiers had F1 scores of only 0.18 to 0.28 when trying to identify tweets about monitoring symptoms and testing. Classifiers about social distancing, however, were much stronger, with F1 scores of 0.64 to 0.66. We applied the social distancing classifiers to over 228 million tweets. We showed temporal patterns consistent with real-world events, and we showed correlations of up to –0.5 between social distancing signals on Twitter and ground truth mobility throughout the United States.

Conclusions

Behaviors discussed on Twitter are exceptionally varied. Twitter can provide useful information for parameterizing models that incorporate human behavior, as well as for informing public health communication strategies by describing awareness of and compliance with suggested behaviors.
The Effect of Training on Participant Adherence With a Reporting Time Frame for Momentary Subjective Experiences in Ecological Momentary Assessment: Cognitive Interview Study
Authors: Wen Cheng K Fred , Junghaenel Doerte U , Newman David B , Schneider Stefan , Mendez Marilyn , Goldstein Sarah E , Velasco Sarah , Smyth Joshua M , Stone Arthur A
Published: April 2021

Background

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has the potential to minimize recall bias by having people report on their experiences in the moment (momentary model) or over short periods (coverage model). This potential hinges on the assumption that participants provide their ratings based on the reporting time frame instructions prescribed in the EMA items. However, it is unclear what time frames participants actually use when answering the EMA questions and whether participant training improves participants’ adherence to the reporting instructions.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the reporting time frames participants used when answering EMA questions and whether participant training improves participants’ adherence to the EMA reporting timeframe instructions.

Methods

Telephone-based cognitive interviews were used to investigate the research questions. In a 2×2 factorial design, participants (n=100) were assigned to receive either basic or enhanced EMA training and randomized to rate their experiences using a momentary (at the moment you were called) or a coverage (since the last phone call) model. Participants received five calls over the course of a day to provide ratings; after each rating, participants were immediately interviewed about the time frame they used to answer the EMA questions. A total of 2 raters independently coded the momentary interview responses into time frame categories (Cohen κ=0.64, 95% CI 0.55-0.73).

Results

The results from the momentary conditions showed that most of the calls referred to the period during the call (57/199, 28.6%) or just before the call (98/199, 49.2%) to provide ratings; the remainder were from longer reporting periods. Multinomial logistic regression results indicated a significant training effect (χ21=16.6; P<.001) in which the enhanced training condition yielded more reports within the intended reporting time frames for momentary EMA reports. Cognitive interview data from the coverage model did not lend themselves to reliable coding and were not analyzed.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide the first evidence about adherence to EMA instructions to reporting periods and that enhanced participant training improves adherence to the time frame specified in momentary EMA studies.
Detecting Adverse Drug Events Through the Chronological Relationship Between the Medication Period and the Presence of Adverse Reactions From Electronic Medical Record Systems: Observational Study
Authors: Teramoto Kei , Takeda Toshihiro , Mihara Naoki , Shimai Yoshie , Manabe Shirou , Kuwata Shigeki , Kondoh Hiroshi , Matsumura Yasushi
Published: April 2021

Background

Medicines may cause various adverse reactions. An enormous amount of money and effort is spent investigating adverse drug events (ADEs) in clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance. Real-world data from multiple electronic medical records (EMRs) can make it easy to understand the ADEs that occur in actual patients.

Objective

In this study, we generated a patient medication history database from physician orders recorded in EMRs, which allowed the period of medication to be clearly identified.

Methods

We developed a method for detecting ADEs based on the chronological relationship between the presence of an adverse event and the medication period. To verify our method, we detected ADEs with alanine aminotransferase elevation in patients receiving aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine. The accuracy of the detection was evaluated with a chart review and by comparison with the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM), which is a standard method for detecting drug-induced liver injury.

Results

The calculated rates of ADE with ALT elevation in patients receiving aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine were 3.33% (868/26,059 patients), 3.70% (188/5076 patients), and 5.69% (226/3974 patients), respectively, which were in line with the rates of previous reports. We reviewed the medical records of the patients in whom ADEs were detected. Our method accurately predicted ADEs in 90% (27/30patients) treated with aspirin, 100% (9/9 patients) treated with clopidogrel, and 100% (4/4 patients) treated with ticlopidine. Only 3 ADEs that were detected by the RUCAM were not detected by our method.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that the present method is effective for detecting ADEs based on EMR data.
Virtual Reality for Supporting the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Baghaei Nilufar , Chitale Vibhav , Hlasnik Andrej , Stemmet Lehan , Liang Hai-Ning , Porter Richard
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Mental health conditions pose a major challenge to health care providers and society at large. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, mental health conditions will be the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. The current need for mental health care is overwhelming. In New Zealand, 1 in 6 adults has been diagnosed with common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders, according to a national survey. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to effectively help patients overcome a wide variety of mental health conditions. Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) might be one of the most exciting technologies emerging in the clinical setting for the treatment of anxiety and depression.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the virtual reality (VR) technologies currently being used to help support the treatment of depression and anxiety. We also aim to investigate whether and how CBT is included as part of VRET and look at the VR technologies and interventions that have been used in recent studies on depression and anxiety.

METHODS

We performed a scoping review. To identify significant studies, we decided to use already aggregated sources from the Google Scholar database. Overall, the goal of our search strategy was to limit the number of initial results related to VR in mental health to only a relevant minimum.

RESULTS

Using our defined keywords, Google Scholar identified >17,300 articles. After applying all the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we identified a total of 369 articles for further processing. After manual evaluation, 34 articles were shortlisted; of the 34 articles, 9 (26%) reported the use of CBT with VR. All of the articles were published between 2017 and 2021. Out of the 9 studies, CBT was conducted within a VR environment in 5 (56%) studies, whereas in the remaining 4 (44%) studies, CBT was used as an addition to VRET. All 9 studies reported the use of CBT either in vivo or in a virtual environment to be effective in supporting the treatment of anxiety or depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Most studies demonstrated the use of VR to be effective for supporting the treatment of anxiety or depression in a range of settings and recommended its potential as a tool for use in a clinical environment. Even though standalone headsets are much easier to work with and more suitable for home use, the shift from tethered VR headsets to standalone headsets in the mental health environment was not observed. All studies that looked at the use of CBT either in vivo or in a virtual environment found it to be effective in supporting the treatment of anxiety or depression.
The Impact of Religious Atmosphere on Corporate Governance: An Empirical Study Based on the Number of Temples around Listed Companies
Authors: Liu Kaikai , Wang Xinyi , Liang Jingjing
Published: April 2021

Religious belief can affect individual’s behavior. It usually induces managers to be more risk averse, thereby mitigating the agency problem and positively influencing governance. This paper conducts an empirical study to analysis the effect of religious atmosphere on corporate governance. It could be figured out that strong religious atmosphere plays an active role in corporate governance. The stronger the influence of religious tradition on listed companies, the less likely the managers are to violate the rules. Through precepts and deeds, these religious traditions are passed on from generation to generation and have become a significant factor affecting human economic behavior.
CYNICISM AND RUDENESS OF REGIONAL POLITICAL ELITE IN THE CONTEXT OF STRUCTURAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Authors:   Saratov State Law Academy, KNYZHOVA Z.Z. , SUSLOV I.V. ,   Saratov State Law Academy
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to analyze the biographies of a number of representatives of the regional political elite, who in the period of 2018-2020 (mainly) due to incorrect, sometimes boorish statements and actions against citizens, became participants in public scandals. The authors focused on more than 80 biographies of leaders and employees of regional and municipal authorities. The structural and biographical analysis made it possible to determine to which generation this cohort of politicians belongs, the peculiarities of the spiritual and professional atmosphere of their socialization in the context of both their previous work and the time they came to power structures, geographical and regional aspects, as well as the educational level. The factors that determine the tendency of the modern regional elite to harsh neoliberal rhetoric provoking public outrage and scandals are highlighted. Within the framework of the regional cut of the scandalous mass-elite communication, the Volga-Ural region turned out to be predominant. The statements and activities of politicians / officials from the central and (especially) southern regions were the least likely to find themselves in the center of public scandals.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF AN MFC SPECIALIST AS A MECHANISM FOR FORMING PUBLIC OPINION IN POLITICS
Authors:   Vladimir Branch of RANEPA, KOTLYAROVA O.V. , BARANOV A.V. ,   South-Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to consider the competence capabilities of MFC specialists that require structuring in a professional standard, aimed at increasing satisfaction with the implemented policy of providing public services to the population. The article focuses on the results of a survey of MFC employees, aimed at determining the factors that, according to respondents, form the professional standard of a specialist in a multifunctional center. The authors believe that structuring of a professional standard can act as an innovative mechanism for shaping public opinion in politics. Public opinion, aimed at assessing the quality of interaction with the authorities and the provision of services to the population, can not only reflect the massive satisfaction of the needs of the population, but also take into account the point of view of the current employees of multifunctional centers. Using the self-assessment methodology in the context of an “inside look”, MFC specialists objectively assess their own competence capabilities; identify professional problems, gaps, weaknesses, which should be addressed by additional professional education. In the first part of the article, the authors analyze various mechanisms for shaping public opinion that are often used in modern political science. The second part of the article presents the results of a survey of current MFC employees. Based on the analysis of the survey results, the criteria for the professional standard of an MFC specialist were formed, which include: 1) awareness, that is, understanding the need to implement a professional standard; 2) the range of the most significant competencies of an MFC specialist; 3) a system of individual and personal qualities that form the professional efficiency of employees.
VECTORS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND PARTY-POLITICAL SYSTEM OF RUSSIA AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
Authors:   Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin, NIKONENKO S.A. , PENKOV V.F. ,   Tambov State Technical University
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to consider the ongoing systemic transformations after the adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the country at the all-Russian Vote on July 1, 2020. In the course of reasoning, the processes under study were analyzed not from the legal side, but from the position of a political forecast of the vectors of development of civil society and the party-political configuration. The object is the process of changes in the party-political system of Russia and the development of civil society. The subject is the impact of the 2020 constitutional reform on civil society and the institutional development of partogenesis. Amendments to the Constitution adopted at the all-Russian Vote were a response to new challenges and prevention of potential social splits. The authors, using the method of electronic polling of twenty regional experts and the hardware of the program "Google-Form", received answers to questions covering important aspects of the development of society, the party system and state power. It can be argued that the 2020 constitutional reform laid the foundations for preventing divisions in civil society.
VOLUNTEERING AS A SOCIAL MECHANISM FOR REDUCING THE RISK OF FIRES IN THE REGION
Authors:   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA, PROKAZINA N.V. , SERGASHOV E.V. ,   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to characterize the features of volunteering as a social mechanism for reducing the risk of fires in the region and to substantiate the main rec-ommendations for improving volunteering in the field of fire fighting in the regions of Russia. Research methodology is based on sociological concepts of risk and theoretical pro-visions used in the sociological literature to analyze volunteering activity. As a result, the authors analyzed the theoretical and methodological concepts of risk research and the activities of volunteers, the main characteristics of the concepts under consideration are determined. The performed theoretical analysis made it possible to identify the main characteristics of volunteering as a social mechanism for reducing the risk of fires in the region. The systematization of statistical data made it possible to carry out a structural anal-ysis of the quantitative composition of the voluntary fire brigade at different organiza-tional levels. The authors identified the main differences in the composition of the volun-tary fire brigade of the Russian Federation and the developed countries of the world. The activity of the Russian voluntary fire brigade in the Central Federal District is considered. Recommendations for improving volunteerism as a social mechanism for reducing the risk of fires in the region, increasing the efficiency of their activities are substantiated.
RUSSIA AND CHINA AGAINST TERRORISM: STAGES AND DIRECTIONS OF COOPERATION
Authors:   Voronezh branch of the Russian University of Economics named after G.V. Plekhanov, NECHAEV D.N. , BUKREEVA T.N. ,   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to determine the main prerequisites for the development of Russian-Chinese anti-terrorist cooperation, to study the international treaty base that determines the priority areas of bilateral interaction, based on the dynamics of joint anti-terrorist activities, to propose a periodization of interaction between the two countries in the area under study. The research methodology is based on a systematic analysis of bilateral cooperation between Russia and China in countering terrorism. In the course of the study, the authors analyzed the treaty base within the framework of this topic, the UN reports on terrorism and the FATF recommendations for Russia and China. As a result, on the basis of the proposed periodization, it is demonstrated that Russian-Chinese bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism is of an applied systemic nature and is fine-tuned in the areas of holding consultative meetings, countering the financing of terrorist activities and organizing joint military exercises. The authors revealed that the problematic area of interaction is the exchange of operational information in the framework of terrorist financing, associated with the unwillingness of the Chinese side to provide relevant information at their disposal. In conclusion, it is proved that it is advisable to expand cooperation between Russia and China in the fight against international terrorism in the direction of countering non-standard challenges and threats to the information space, biological origin, chemical impact and environmental nature.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: RESULTS AND PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Central Russian Institute of Management, Branch of RANEPA, AVDEEVA I.L.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to consider the main possibilities of digital transformation in terms of economics, business models, decision-making methods, human and technological perspectives in the era of Industry 4.0. The subject of the research is the process of digital transformation of economic systems based on the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies into production and production environment. Research methodology: the theoretical and methodological research is based on the works of scientists and researchers in the field of digital transformation. Research results: the features, problems of digital transformation are analyzed, the influence of Industry 4.0 on economic systems of various levels is revealed, the author's definition of the concept of "digitalization of the process" is given. The article focuses on the fact that correct understanding of digitalization trends and their importance for economic systems of various levels will increase their benefit in the future. As a result, it is indicated that three different forms of digital production: assistive systems, cyber-physical systems and artificial intelligence (as elements of Industry 4.0) will change the nature of work and, in varying degrees, will affect the reduction in the number of workers.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ACCELERATION MECHANISMS AS A DEVELOPMENT DIRECTION OF BUSINESS THINKING OF YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
Authors:   Kaluga Branch of RANEPA, GERASIKOVA E.N. , SOLOVYOVA N.A. ,   Kaluga Branch of RANEPA
Published: April 2021

The purpose is on the example of the results of the study of the formation of the components of business thinking among students of the Kaluga branch of RANEPA, systematically engaged in project activities, involved by the university in the work of the All-Russian accelerator of social initiatives RAISE, to show the effects of introducing the project method into the educational process, the dynamics of the development of business thinking of young entrepreneurs. Research methodology: the practice, current trends and prospects for the development of acceleration programs in Russia and abroad are studied. The social effects of the introduction of project management and acceleration mechanisms for supporting young entrepreneurs' initiatives into the educational process are revealed, the analysis of the level of formation of the components of business thinking (entrepreneurial thinking) of 3-4-year students studying in the direction of training "Organization Management" participating in the All-Russian accelerator is carried out social initiatives of RAISE for at least a year, included in the implementation of social projects using an entrepreneurial approach. As a result, the main expectations of startups for the structure and content of modern acceleration programs are determined. The positive dynamics of the development of cognitive, operational, value-semantic components of the business thinking of students who implement social projects using an entrepreneurial approach through participation in the All-Russian accelerator of social initiatives RAISE are noted.
CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS IN THE MEDIATION PROCEDURE
Authors:   Altai branch of RANEPA, MEZHENIN Y.E. , SHEVYAKOVA A.M. ,   Saint Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the article is to consider the structure of mediation session and standardization of the mediation procedure in the management of interpersonal conflicts. The research methodology is based on the theory of conflict, which understands sociology, the narrative approach, as well as the fundamental scientific developments of sociology and psychology of conflict. In various approaches to the mediation procedure, caucus is regarded as a key stage, since it is it that has the greatest influence on the result of the entire negotiation procedure with the participation of a mediator. The authors describe several cases from the practice of mediation, focusing on the logic of the mediator's action. Case analysis demonstrates the complexity and multivariance of the behavior of the parties to the conflict. As a result of the systematization of practical experience, a number of problematic issues are formulated that require reflection by the mediator in order to predict and influence the situation of the conflict between the parties as efficiently as possible. Such a system of questions of the mediator to oneself allows providing a qualitative study of the conflict situation and building a constructive line of interaction between the parties to the conflict participating in the mediation procedure. As a result of forecasting problem situations, the use of answers to these questions will bring closer the possibility of negotiating a strategy of cooperation. A number of recommendations are offered to novice mediators for better work on the study of the conflict, planning its stages, forecasting and finding mutually acceptable solutions during the caucus stage.
A constraint-based modeling approach to reach an improved chemically defined minimal medium for recombinant antiEpEX-scFv production by Escherichia coli
Authors: Behravan Aidin , hashemi atieh , Marashi Sayed-Amir
Published: April 2021

Increasing demand for recombinant therapeutic proteins highlights the
necessity of their yield improvement. Culture medium formulation is a
popular approach for bioprocess optimization to improve therapeutic
protein production. Constraint-based modeling can empower high-precision
optimization through information on how media compounds affect
metabolism and cell growth. In the current study, a genome-scale
metabolic model (GEMM) of Escherichia coli cells was employed to design
strategies of minimal medium supplementation for higher antiEpEX-scFv
production. Dynamic flux balance analysis of the recombinant E. coli
cell model predicted that ammonium was depleted during the process.
Based on the simulations, three amino acids (Asn, Gln and Arg) were
chosen to be added to the medium to compensate for ammonium depletion.
Experimental validation suggested that the addition of these amino acids
(one-by-one, or in combinations) can indeed improve cell growth and
recombinant protein production. Then, design of experiment was used to
optimize the concentrations of amino acids in the growth medium. About
two-fold increase in the growth rate and total scFv expression level was
observed using this strategy. We conclude that the GEMM-based approach
can provide insights into an effective feeding strategy to improve the
production of recombinant protein in E. coli.
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Severe and Very Severe Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Bigdelu Leila , Boskabady Morteza , Molooghi Kasra , Amirbeik Leila , Dadgarmoghaddam Maliheh , Azari Ali
Published: April 2021

Background: Right Ventricular (RV) failure has a critical role in the
onset and progression of clinical symptoms and the prognosis of patients
with Mitral Stenosis (MS), but the exact role, effect, and
pathophysiology of RV dysfunction in MS is still controversial. In this
study, we aimed to evaluate echocardiographic signs of systolic RV
dysfunction using Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) and Velocity Vector
Imaging (VVI) in subjects with severe and very severe MS. Methods: 46
isolated MS cases (23 severe and 23 very severe) and 23 healthy controls
were enrolled in this study. RV function was assessed by tricuspid
annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), fractional area change (FAC),
and peak systolic velocity of the tricuspid annulus (S’) using TDI, and
RV free wall strain (RVFWS) employing VVI. Furthermore, these values
were compared with mitral valve area (MVA) and pulmonary arterial
pressure (PAP). Results: TAPSE, FAC, S’, and RVFWS values were
substantially declined in MS cases compared with healthy controls.
Moreover, PAP values were considerably increased in MS subjects.
Additionally, S’ and TAPSE values were significantly lower in very
severe MS patients compared with severe patients. Conclusion: RV
systolic function deteriorates in patients with severe and very severe
MS. It appears that the degree of the severity of MS can proportionately
affect the extent of RV dysfunction and some of its echocardiographic
markers such as S’ and TAPSE. TDI and VVI can be used as practical early
diagnostic methods for RV dysfunction in MS.
Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 with flow-mediated dilatation
Authors: Mansıroğlu Aslı Kurtar , SEYMEN Hande , Sincer İsa , Gunes Yilmaz
Published: April 2021

Aim: It is a well-known fact that inflammation plays a crucial role in
many diseases including COVID-19. Using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD),
we aimed to compare the effects of inflammation on endothelial
dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 and the control group. Materials
and Methods: The present study was conducted on a total of 161
participants, of whom 80 were diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 6
months (comprising 48 women and 32 men with a mean age of 32.10 ± 5.87
years) and 81 were healthy controls (comprising 45 women and 36 men with
a mean age of 30.51 ± 7.33 years). We analyzed the findings of
transthoracic echocardiography and FMD in all participants. Results:
Except for FMD, there was no statistically significant difference in
echocardiographic parameters. (9.52 ± 5.98 vs. 10.53 ± 6.31, p=0.010).
In multivariate analysis with the forward stepwise model, FMD was
significantly different in the control group compared to the COVID group
(1.086 (1.026 - 1.149), p=0.04). Spearman’s correlation test indicated
that FMD (r=0.27, p=0.006) had a significantly positive correlation with
the presence of COVID. A receiver operating curve analysis revealed that
an FMD value of <10.62% was capable of predicting the
presence of COVID with a sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 59%,
respectively (AUC=0.625, 95% CI, 0.538 - 0.711). Conclusion: The value
of FMD decreased significantly in COVID-19 patients compared to the
healthy subjects, which may be an early marker for COVID-19 induced
endothelial dysfunction. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, endothelial dysfunction,
flow-mediated dilatation (FMD
Worm addendum thickness and gear curvature interference for enveloping cylindrical worm drive with arc-toothed worm
Authors: Zhu Xinyue , Zhao Yaping , Chi Yifei , Li Gongfa , Chen Xinyuan
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this paper is to provide the calculation methods on worm
addendum thickness and curvature interference limit line, and find the
feasible value range of the technological crossing angle to avoiding
addendum sharpening and curvature interference for enveloping
cylindrical worm drive with arc-toothed worm. In accordance with the
features of the proposed worm, the mathematical models of cutting and
working are established. Based on this, the tooth profile geometry of
the worm in its axial section and the worm addendum thickness are
obtained by geometric analysis and calculation, and then, the feasible
value range of the technological crossing angle is given. In virtue of
vector rotation and elimination method, the nonlinear equation with one
variable for solving the interference limit line is determined. In the
process of solving nonlinear equation, the method of geometric
construction is used to judge the existence of solutions and provide an
initial value for the subsequent iterative calculation. The numerical
example results show that with the increases of the technological
crossing angle, the interference limit line is close to the boundary
line of the conjugate region of the worm pair, and the hazard of
curvature interference evident increases. Generally, a smaller value of
the technological crossing angle within its available value range can
completely avoid the occurrence of the curvature interference.
Challenging primary school students’ attitude toward calculators
Authors: Sri Padmi Russasmita
Published: April 2021

Calculators are a viable option for educational technology in developing countries due to its affordability and accessibility; it is also supported by literature to have positive effects on the students’ acquisition of mathematics concepts and skills positively. However, the stakeholders of education in Indonesia often stigmatize the use of calculators in mathematics classrooms, especially in primary school. This is in contrast with the policy of many developing countries which include calculator as one of the educational technologies to be used in the classroom. This study aims to investigate the effect of calculator-enhanced mathematics lessons on the attitude of primary school students’. Fourth-grade students (n = 95) in four separate schools with minimum calculator experience participated in this study. The questionnaire was administered before and after the lesson to record their attitude. The use of a well-established scale ensured validity, while the Cronbach-Alpha score confirmed reliability. Data analysis was conducted through the comparison of mean value between pre- and post-questionnaires scores. The finding suggests that while the effect on attitude toward mathematics is somewhat mixed, there is a significant improvement in the students’ attitude toward using calculators to learn mathematics. Calculator-enhanced mathematics lessons help the students foster more positive attitudes toward calculators. The finding of the present study is expected to help teachers to challenge the stigma about calculator and thus can benefit from calculator to enhance their lesson.
Designing learning trajectory of circle using the context of Ferris wheel
Authors: Fitri Nur Lailatul , Prahmana Rully Charitas Indra
Published: April 2021

Ferris wheel is one amusement playground that resembles a giant spinning wheel. Many students are familiar with the Ferris wheel in the mini version of it at night market festivals. This is the potential for learning mathematics. Furthermore, there is a mathematical learning approach called Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education (IRME) where students learn with contexts which are close to students' life as starting points. Therefore, this study aims to design a learning trajectory using the IRME approach with the Ferris wheel as the context in the learning process to support students' understanding of the learning about circles. The research method is design research that consists of three stages: preliminary design, design experiments, and retrospective analysis. The subjects were 20 eighth-grade students from one of the private Junior High School in Yogyakarta. The instruments used are videos to see the learning process and when students work on the given problems, photos to refer the results of student work, and written test in worksheets to get the data on student's work. The research result explores the learning trajectory practiced using the Ferris wheel as the context seen in the student's daily activities. The learning trajectory consists of four events, namely assembling the Ferris wheel, drawing an illustration of the Ferris wheel, making a list of the circle parts, and solving a problem related to the parts of the circle. Lastly, this study shows that learning trajectory activities have essential roles in supporting students' understanding of the concept of a circle.
Distributivity, partitioning, and the multiplication algorithm
Authors: Hurst Chris , Huntley Ray
Published: April 2021

Multiplicative thinking underpins much of the mathematics learned beyond the middle primary years. As such, it needs to be understood conceptually to highlight the connections between its many aspects. This paper focuses on one such connection; that is how the array, place value partitioning and the distributive property of multiplication are related. It is important that students understand how the property informs the written multiplication algorithm. Another component of successful use of the standard multiplication algorithm is extended number facts and the paper also explores students’ ability to understand and generate them. One purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which students used the standard multiplication algorithm and if their use of it is supported by an understanding of the underpinning components of the array, partitioning, the distributive property, and extended number facts. That is, we seek to learn if students have a conceptual understanding of the multiplication algorithm and its underpinning mathematics that would enable them to transfer their knowledge to a range of contexts, or if they have procedurally learned mathematics. In this qualitative study, data were generated from the administration of a Multiplicative Thinking Quiz with a sample of 36 primary aged students. Data were analyzed manually and reported using descriptive statistics. The main implications of the study are that the connections among the multiplicative array, place value partitioning, base ten property of place value, distributive property of multiplication, and extended number facts need to be made explicit for children in terms of how they inform the use of the written algorithm for multiplication.
The implementation of self-explanation strategy to develop understanding proof in geometry
Authors: Maarif Samsul , Alyani Fitri , Pradipta Trisna Roy
Published: April 2021

Proof is a key indicator for a student in developing mathematical maturity. However, in the process of learning proof, students have the difficulty of being able to explain the proof that has been compiled using good arguments. So we need a strategy that can put students in the process of clarifying proof better. One strategy that can explore student thought processes in explaining geometric proof is self-explanation strategy. This research aimed to analyze the ability to understand the geometric proof of prospective teacher students by implementing a self-explanation strategy in basic geometry classes. This study used a quasi-experimental research type of nonequivalent control group design. The participants of this research were 75 students of mathematics education study programs at one private university in Semarang. This research used four instrument tests of geometric proof. Before being used for research, the instruments were tested for validity and reliability using product-moment and Cronbach's alpha. Data analysis in this study used a two-way ANOVA test. The results showed that: the increased ability to understand the geometric proof of students who used self-explanation strategy was better than those who obtained direct learning; there was a significant difference between the increase of students’ mathematical proof ability in a group of students with a high and moderate level of initial mathematical ability; the initial ability (high, medium, low) of mathematics did not directly influence the learning process to improve the ability to understand the geometric proof. Hence, it can be concluded that the self-explanation strategy is effective to be used to improve the understanding of the geometric proof.
Análise do perfil de pacientes que sobrevivem à sepse
Authors: Fernandes Taise Mateus , Ribeiro Rivael Marcelino , Comin Mariana Freitas , Dagostin Valdemira Santina , Ceretta Luciane Bisognin , Tessmann Mágada
Published: April 2021

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil dos pacientes sobreviventes à sepse em um hospital privado do sul catarinense. Métodos: Foi realizado uma pesquisa de abordagem quantitativa, transversal, documental, exploratória e de campo, no qual a coleta de dados foi realizada a partir de dados secundários oferecidos pela instituição na qual a pesquisa foi realizada. Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes pesquisados eram mulheres, com sítio infeccioso predominantemente urinários, gastrointestinais e respiratórios, com manifestação da sepse em maio e agosto, com necessidade de reinternação e desenvolvimento de choque séptico. Conclusão: Observou-se que é essencial avaliar a qualidade de vida desses pacientes após sua alta hospitalar, para ter certeza de que o tratamento foi adequado e eficiente, reduzindo, consequentemente, os danos originados por essa doença, os quais influenciam diretamente na condição de saúde de cada indivíduo.Palavras-chave: Sepse, Perfil, Sobreviventes. Analysis of the profile of patients surviving sepsisABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the profile of patients surviving sepsis in a private hospital in southern Santa Catarina. Methodology: A quantitative, transversal, documentary, exploratory and field research was carried out, in which data collection was carried out based on secondary data offered by the institution where the research was carried out. Results: Most of the patients surveyed were women, with an infectious site predominantly urinary, gastrointestinal, and respiratory, with sepsis manifestation in May and August, requiring rehospitalization and development of septic shock. Conclusion: It was observed that it is essential to assess the quality of life of these patients after their hospital discharge, to be sure that the treatment was adequate and efficient, consequently reducing the damage caused by this disease, which directly influence the condition of health of everyone.Keywords: Sepsis, Profile, Survivors.
Autismikirjon osamäärä (AQ) autismikirjon piirteitä seulomassa: Seulontalomakkeen erottelukyky nuorilla aikuisilla
Authors: Loukusa Soile , Kotila Aija , Mattila Marja-Leena , Ylämäki Maija , Joskitt Leena , Moilanen Irma , Ebeling Hanna , Hurtig Tuula
Published: April 2021

Autismikirjon piirteet ulottuvat sosiaalisten taitojen, kommunikaation, mielikuvituksen, tarkkaavuuden siirtämisen ja yksityiskohtien huomioimisen alueille. Näillä osa-alueilla esiintyviä piirteitä voidaan seuloa autismikirjon osamäärän (engl. autism spectrum quotient, AQ) avulla. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on saada suomalaiset viitearvot AQ:lle sekä tarkastella, erotteleeko AQ-lomake suomalaisia autismikirjon nuoria aikuisia oman sukupuolen nuorista aikuisista, joilla ei ole autismikirjon diagnoosia. Lisäksi tarkastellaan ryhmien suoriutumisessa olevia eroja osioittain sekä AQ:n sisäistä yhtenäisyyttä. Tutkimukseen osallistui 52 autismikirjon nuorta aikuista (39 miestä ja 13 naista) sekä 1686 verrokkia (577 miestä ja 1109 naista). Tulokset osoittavat, että autismikirjon henkilöiden pistemäärät nousevat samaa sukupuolta olevien verrokkihenkilöiden pistemääriä korkeammalle. AQ erottelee autismikirjon miehet melko hyvin verrokkimiehistä, mutta autismikirjon naiset vain kohtalaisesti verrokkinaisista. Osioanalyysissä eniten ryhmien välisiä tilastollisesti merkitseviä eroja tuli esille sosiaalisia taitoja ja kommunikaatiota mittaavissa väittämissä.