bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Web Archive Collection and Storage Model Based on Soft Computing and Edge-Driven System
Authors: Xie Lili , Zhao Jinbi , Sun Rui
Published: April 2021

With the continuous development of archives information network, it has become an important means to obtain archives information resources based on network means. At the same time, the number of users of network archives is increasing rapidly. It has become an urgent task to carry out the research on network archives users and do a good job in the management of network archives users. As the main body of archives utilization, archives users play a leading role in the content and direction of archives management and utilization. The informatization of archives management is not equivalent to computerization or networking, but a systematic project related to the whole educational reform and modernization. As the modern archives management has become a complex system, there are also multi-level division methods. The first level is divided into two subsystems: Archives entity management and archives information development, and each subsystem is further divided into several levels of small systems. Archives entity management is divided into collection, sorting, identification, storage, statistics and other work links. The whole file management system and its subsystems form feedback mechanism in operation. With the rapid development of computer technology and network technology, multimedia information system is penetrating into people's lives. Multimedia information system mainly includes three parts: central management system, terminal display system and network. Based on the multimedia information management system, this paper constructs a digital network archives collection and storage model.
Sustained Drug-related Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Triggered by Low Molecular Weight Heparins in COVID-19: Management and Precision Diagnosis.
Authors: Minenna Elena , Chaoul Nada , Rossi Maria Pia , Giliberti Lucia , Albanesi Marcello , Nettis Eustachio , Barbaro Maria Pia Foschino , Bona Danilo Di , Caiaffa Maria Filomena , Macchia Luigi
Published: April 2021

Background. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are administered routinely to COVID-19 patients. Systemic reactions to LMWHs (both IgE-mediated and non IgE-mediated) are considered rare. Particularly, a single case of drug-related reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) due to enoxaparin has been described in the literature. Here, we report on the first case of DRESS related to administration of fondaparinux.Case presentation. An elderly woman was diagnosed with COVID-19, during the “first wave” of the pandemics in Italy, and treated with enoxaparin (for anti-coagulation). A DRESS syndrome developed after two weeks (RegiSCAR score = 7). Enoxaparin was considered the culprit drug and replaced with the fully synthetic LMWH fondaparinux. At the same time, high-dosage prednisone was added to the therapy. The DRESS slowly subsided and the patient survived. Upon recovery and corticosteroid washout, a lymphocyte proliferation test for both LMWHs was performed, yielding a positive response not only for enoxaparin but also for fondaparinux. Conclusions. By lymphocyte proliferation test we demonstrated that both enoxaparin and fondaparinux were implicated in this case of DRESS, occurring in an elderly COVID-19 patient. In retrospect, the choice of using a sustained high-dose corticosteroid treatment while maintaining anti-coagulation by fondaparinux proved to be right. Ultimately, the patient recovered from both DRESS and COVID-19.
Psychosocial and mental health challenges faced by emerging adults living with HIV and support systems aiding their positive coping: a qualitative study from the Kenyan coast
Authors: Nyongesa Moses K. , Nasambu Carophine , Mapenzi Rachael , Koot Hans M. , Cuijpers Pim , Newton Charles R.J.C. , Abubakar Amina
Published: April 2021

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is little data on the challenges faced by young people living with HIV transitioning into adult life. Adapting the socio-ecological framework, this qualitative study investigated the challenges faced by emerging adults living with HIV from a rural Kenyan setting. Additionally, the study explored support systems that aid positive coping among these young adults. Methods: In April 2018, in-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 22 young adults living with HIV (12 females), 18-24 years old, from rural Kilifi, coast of Kenya. Data were analyzed thematically using NVIVO 11 software. Results: Young adults living with HIV from this setting face various challenges at different levels of the social ecosystem. At the individual level, key challenges they reported included acceptance of HIV positive status, antiretroviral adherence, economic burden associated with access to healthcare, building an intimate relationship, mental health problems, and HIV status disclosure. At the family level, death of parents, poverty, and being unaccepted were the commonly mentioned challenges. At the community level, socialization difficulties and long waiting time at the HIV clinic were highlighted. HIV stigma and discrimination were frequently reported across the different levels. Economic independence, social support (from families, friends, organizations, healthcare providers and peer meetings), and reliance on spirituality aided positive coping among these young adults amidst the challenges of living with HIV.Conclusions: In this rural setting, emerging adults living with HIV face various challenges at the individual, family, and community level, some of which are cross-cutting. Our findings underscore the need for designing multi-level youth-friendly interventions that can address modifiable challenges encountered by emerging adults living with HIV in this and similar settings. Such interventions should incorporate appropriate context-specific support structures that may help these young people smoothly transit into adult life.
Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Six Lower- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Kebede Adugna , Kanwagi Robert , Tolossa Asrat Dibaba , Kalam Md Abul , Davis Thomas , Larson Heidi
Published: April 2021

Background:

While a vaccine is the only clinical preventive measure to control the infection and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), delayed acceptance or refusal of COVID-19 vaccines may increase and prolong the threat to global public health and the economy. Identifying behavioural determinants is considered a critical step in explaining and addressing the barriers of vaccine refusal, but there is a lack of evidence around COVID-19 vaccine refusal and delay from a behavioural perspective. This study aims to identify the behavioural determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and provide recommendations to design actionable interventions to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in six lower-and-middle income countries.
Methods:

Taking into consideration the Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and other behavioural models, a Barrier Analysis (BA) approach was employed to examine twelve potential behavioural determinants of vaccine acceptance in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. In all six countries, at least 45 interviews with those who intended to take the vaccine (“Acceptors”) and another 45 or more interviews with those who did not (“Non-Acceptors”) were conducted, totalling 542 interviews. Data analysis was performed to find statistically significant (a p-value of less than 0.05) differences between Acceptors and Non-acceptors and to identify which beliefs were most highly associated with acceptance and non-acceptance of the behaviour based on estimated relative risk (ERR).
Results:

The analysis showed that perceived social norms, perceived positive and negative consequences, perceived risk of getting COVID-19, perceived severity of COVID-19, trust in COVID-19 vaccines, perceived safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and expected access to COVID-19 vaccines had the highest association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, and DRC. Additional behavioural determinants found to be significant in both Myanmar and India were perceived self-efficacy, trust in COVID-19 information provided by leaders, perceived divine will, and perceived action efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. The study also identified important perceptions and beliefs around COVID-19 and its severity, advantages and disadvantages of being vaccinated, and action efficacy of the vaccine to control the spread of the virus.
Conclusion:

Many of the determinants found to be significant and their level of significance varied from country to country. National and local plans should include messages and activities that address the behavioural determinants found in this study in order to significantly increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine across these countries.
Flu-IV score: a predictive tool for assessing the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with influenza-related pneumonia
Authors: Chen Liang , Han Xiudi , Li YanLi , Zhang Chunxiao , Xing Xiqian
Published: April 2021

Background The need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is linked to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with influenza-related pneumonia (Flu-p). We aimed to develop an assessment tool to predict IMV among Flu-p patients within 14 days of admission. Methods In total, 1107 Flu-p patients from five teaching hospitals were retrospectively enrolled from January 2012 - December 2019 and used to develop a predictive model. Results Overall, 10.6% (117/1107) of patients underwent IMV within 14 days of admission. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that the following factors were associated with IMV: early neuraminidase inhibitor use (-3 points), lymphocytes < 0.8×109/L (1 point), multi-lobar infiltrates (1 point), systemic corticosteroid use (1 point), age ≥ 65 years old (2 points), PaO2/FiO2 < 300 mmHg (2 points), respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths/min (3 points), and arterial PH < 7.35 (4 points). A total score of five points was used to identify patients at risk of IMV. This model had a sensitivity of 85.5%, a specificity of 88.8%, and exhibited better predictive performance than the ROX index (AUROC = 0.909 vs 0.594, p = 0.004), modified ROX index (AUROC = 0.909 vs 0.633, p = 0.012), and HACOR scale (AUROC = 0.909 vs 0.622, p < 0.001) using the validation cohort.Conclusions Flu-IV score is a valuable prediction rule for 14-day IMV rates in Flu-p patients. However, it should be validated in a prospective study before implementation.
The Perceptions of Medical Physicists Towards Relevance and Impact of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Santos Josilene C , Wong Jeannie Hsiu Ding , Pallath Vinod , Ng Kwan Hoong
Published: April 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an innovative tool that is revolutionising healthcare and medical physics, possibly impacting clinical practices, research, and the profession. The relevance of AI and its impact on the clinical practice and routine of professionals in medical physics were evaluated by medical physicists and researchers in this field. An online survey questionnaire was designed for distribution to professionals and students in medical physics around the world. In addition to demographics questions, we surveyed opinions on the role of AI in medical physicists’ practice, the possibility of AI threatening/disrupting the medical physicists’ practice and career, the need for medical physicists to acquire knowledge on AI, and the need for teaching AI in postgraduate medical physics programmes. The level of knowledge of medical physicists on AI was also consulted. A total of 1019 responders from 94 countries participated. More than 85% of the responders agree that AI will play an essential role in medical physicists’ practice. AI should be taught in the postgraduate medical physics programmes, and that more applications such as quality control, treatment planning will be performed by AI. Half of them thought AI would not threaten/disrupt the medical physicists’ practice. AI knowledge was mainly acquired through self-taught and work-related activities. Nonetheless, many (40%) admitted that they have no skill in AI. The general perception of medical physicists is that AI is here to stay, and it will influence our practice. Medical physicists should be prepared with education and training for this new reality.
Does Concomitant DCIS Affect the Clinical Outcome in Breast Cancer Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: an Asian Perspective
Authors: Lee Wai Peng , Sudhakar Spoorthi Shetty , Seah Chin Mui Jaime , Tan Pei Ting , Tan Su Ming
Published: April 2021

BackgroundDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an established precursor to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and its coexistence with IDC appear to favour reduced biological aggressiveness. Its prognostic implication and ability to affect clinical outcome has been understudied in Asia. This study aims to explore if concomitant DCIS affects the clinical behavior and outcomes among Asians. MethodsStage I to III breast cancer patients with histologically proven invasive ductal carcinoma, diagnosed and treated in a single institution from 1 June 2004 to 30 June 2014 were included in this study. Statistical analyses were conducted using x2 test, independent T- test, multi-variate logistic regression and Kaplan- Meier test.ResultsA total of 818 patients were identified, including 224 and 594 patients with isolated IDC (No-DCIS) and IDC with coexisting DCIS (IDC-DCIS) respectively. Patients with IDC-DCIS were found to have smaller tumours (median: 22mm, p<=0.01), estrogen receptor positivity (p=0.001), progesterone receptor positivity (p<0.001) and associated with better pathological stage (p=0.001). Patients with No-DCIS were 1.6 times more likely to develop disease progression (95% CI: 1.1- 2.3, p=0.027) and subsequently associated with distant recurrences (20.5% vs 13.6%, p=0.02). The breast cancer specific 5 year overall survival rate for patients with No-DCIS and those with IDC-DCIS was 90.9% (95% CI: 86.2% - 94.5%) and 93.7% (95% CI: 91.4- 95.5%) respectively (p=0.202).ConclusionThe presence of DCIS component in IDC among Asians is associated with favourable tumour biological profile, thereby indicating reduced disease aggressiveness. Our study is the first to report the clinical significance in terms of disease progression and distant recurrences among Asians. Trial registrationThis study had received the approval of the institutional ethics committee prior to its commencement (IRB Ref No: 2019/2884).
Prospective, Comparative Clinical Pilot Study of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Device in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kim Young Jae , Lim Dong Jun , Lee Mi Young , Lee Woo Jin , Chang Sung Eun , Won Chong Hyun
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Cold atmospheric plasma generates free radicals through the ionization of air at room temperature. Its effect and safety profile in patients with atopic dermatitis have not been evaluated prospectively.Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect and safety of cold atmospheric plasma in patients with atopic dermatitis with a prospective pilot study.Methods: Cold atmospheric plasma treatment or sham control treatment were applied respectively in randomly assigned and symmetric skin lesions. Three treatment sessions were performed at weeks 0, 1, and 2. Clinical severity indices were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4 after treatment. Additionally, the microbial characteristics of the lesions before and after treatments were analyzed.Results: We included 22 patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis presented with symmetric lesions. We found that cold atmospheric plasma can alleviate the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis. Modified atopic dermatitis antecubital severity and eczema area and severity index score were significantly decreased in the treated group. Furthermore, scoring of atopic dermatitis score and pruritic visual analog scales significantly improved. In microbiome analysis revealed significantly reduced proportion of Staphylococcus aureus in the treated group.Conclusion: Cold atmospheric plasma can significantly improve mild and moderate atopic dermatitis without safety issues.
Formulation of sustainable flame retardant from waste egg shell
Authors: Korgaonkar Swati Ravindra , Sayed Usha
Published: April 2021

Egg shell are considered as waste and are generally dumped in the landfills. As the world is moving towards the sustainable way to recycle the waste and hence adding value to the waste produced. The egg shell is consisting of essential amino acids and properties which are still unexploited in various textile processing. The egg shell has proteineous matter which makes it a natural flame retardant. Cotton is the majorly used fibre in the overall textile industry. In the present study the egg shell waste was used to prepare an extract which is further applied on cotton fabric as a flame retardant. The characterization of the above egg shell powder shows it has amine group present at 1072.6 as well as at 873.56cm - C-Cl halo compound is present confirmed through FT-IR analysis. Two peaks were observed in DSC curves at 224.4 0 C and 254.5 °C. A LoI of cotton has increased to 36 at a lower concentration of 30% while that compared with the conventional cotton fabric.
Performance analysis and modeling: atmospheric turbulence and crosstalk of WDM-FSO network
Authors: Elsayed Ebrahim E.
Published: April 2021

A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) access network using high-speed free-space optical (FSO) communication for the distribution link is proposed. This Paper investigates terrestrial atmospheric of WDM-FSO communication systems operating under the influence of turbulence-induced scintillation, beam spreading, optical interchannel crosstalk, amplified spontaneous emission noise and pointing errors. On-off keying-non–return-to-zero and digital pulse position modulation are the modulation schemes used for the calculations.
Mapping the PHQ-8 to EQ-5D, HUI3 and SF6D in patients with depression
Authors: Abdin Edimansyah , Chong Siow Ann , Seow Esmond , Tan Kelvin Bryan , Subramaniam Mythily
Published: April 2021

Background There is limited evidence of mapping the clinical instrument to a generic preference based instrument in an Asian patient population. The current study aims to map the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ) onto the EuroQol fivedimensional (EQ-5D), the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the Short Form-6D (SF-6D) which helps to inform future in cost-utility analyses for treatment in depression sample. Methods A total of 249 participants who have completed PHQ-8, EQ5D, SF-6D and HUI3 questionnaires were included in the analyses. A beta regression mixture model was used to map the utility scores. Results The results were compared against two common regression methods including Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Tobit regression models. The mean age of the sample was 36.2 years (SD=11.1). The mean EQ-5D-3L,EQ-5D-5L, HUI3 and SF-6D utility scores were 0.615, 0.709, 0.461 and 0.607,respectively. The EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D utility scores were best predicted by the beta mixture regression model consisting of PHQ total sores, PHQ-squared, and covariates including age and gender. The HUI3 was best predicted by the OLS model. Conclusions The current study provides important evidence to clinicians and researchers about the mapping algorithms that can be used in economics evaluation among patients with depression.
A Conjoint Analysis of Preferences on Medical Endoscope After-sales Service
Authors: Zheng Jun , Wei Jingming , Xie Ying , Chen Siyao , Li Jun , Lou Ligang , Sun Jing , Feng Jingyi
Published: April 2021

Background: Medical endoscope instruments are minimally invasive, and they are widely used to investigate symptoms or help to perform certain types of surgery. This study investigates and defines a comprehensive set of attributes, to measure the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. The set of attributes help customers communicate their real needs with suppliers, and guide suppliers to develop the right products and services to fulfil customer demands. Methods: Based on literature review and the findings from the Delphi study, we identified 5 factors (attributes) that best described the expectations on the after-sales service of medical endoscopes. Using conjoint analysis, a set of 16 combinations (also named as cards or profiles) of the factor levels were generated in orthogonal design and used to develop the questionnaire. We administered the cards to 65 medical staff and 56 medical engineers across 50 Chinese hospitals, asking them to assign a preference score to each card. The utility value of each factor level was estimated and attribute importance values were obtained.Results: Attribute importance and utility values of factor levels were analysed at the aggregate level, occupation level, and medical institution level. (1) At the aggregate level, the five attributes were ranked in the order of importance values, the most important one is “maintenance response” and the least important is “maintenance efficiency”. (2) Medical staff and medical engineers ranked the five attributes in the same order. However, medical staff paid more attention to "maintenance response" and medical engineers paid more attention to "maintenance quality". (3) At the medical institution level, primary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance price", while tertiary hospitals paid more attention to "maintenance quality".Conclusions: In this study, the utility values and attribute importance that affected the after-sales service level of medical endoscopes were obtained using conjoint analysis. The research results were consistent with the actual market situation of medical endoscope service. In general, this study provides a more scientific solution for hospitals in choosing after-sales service of medical equipment, and it also helps manufacturers and suppliers improve the after-sales service.
Integrated UPLC-HRMS, Chemometric Tools, and Metabolomic Analysis of Forage Palm (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) to Define Biomarkers Associated with Non‑Susceptibility to Carmine Cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae)
Authors: Matos Thiago Kelvin , Guedes Jhonyson , Alves Filho Elenilson , Luz Licia , Lopes Gisele Simone , do Nascimento Ronaldo , de Sousa João , Canuto Kirley , de Brito Edy , Dias-Pini Nivia , Zocolo Guilherme
Published: April 2021

Metabolomics, together with analytical methods and chemometric tools, point to new paths for selecting species that are resistant to pests and diseases. In this work, the forage palm species’ metabolomic profile was investigated, and the relation between the chemical composition and resistance to Dactylopius opuntiae (carmine cochineal). The study was performed in cladodes of different non-susceptible cultivars (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck, Opuntia stricta (Haw.), Nopalea cochenillifera and susceptible cultivar (Opuntia ficus‑indica (L.) Mill.)). Metabolic profile showed 28 metabolites detected in the four species. From these total, 18 metabolites were annotated using UPLC‑QTOF‑MSE (ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time‑of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode). By comparing the chemical profiles of non-susceptible and susceptible species through the application of chemometric tools, it was possible to obtain biomarkers (quercetin-3‑O‑2’,6’‑dirhamnosylglucoside, quercetin rhamnosyl dihexoside, and isorhamnetin-3-sophoroside-7‑rhamnoside) that may be associated with resistance to carmine cochineal. Metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF-MSE and chemometric allowed to establish the biomarkers knowledge of the resistance present in forage palm species. These results contribute to developing the initial understanding of flavonoids’ role in the defense mechanisms of cactaceans and can be useful for application in breeding programs; it can increase the chances of success in creating new varieties of plants not susceptible to carmine cochineal.
Simulation and assessment of a water pollution accident caused by phenol leakage
Authors: Guo Gaimei , Duan Runbin
Published: April 2021

Frequent occurrence of water pollution accidents has caused serious ecological and environmental damage. The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of water pollution accidents on the human body and the ecosystem and to use a new calculation method of mean absolute deviation (MAD) to measure model error. A water pollution accident caused by the phenol leakage was simulated using the Environmental Damage Model of Water Pollution Accidents. In order to analyze the impacts of the phenol leakage event on the human body and the ecosystem, pollution level and its classification method were defined, and the result showed that the leakage event of phenol could have a destructive impact and present great danger in some areas, which covered 32–56% of the study area. The measurement of the model error indicated that lower resolution meant smaller MAD. Quantity Deviation and Hierarchical Deviation did not change with the resolution, and low resolution meant small Pixel Deviation. MAD not only reflected the deviation between layers but also embodied the impact of individual data on the whole deviation.
Efficient integration of IoT-based micro storages to improve urban drainage performance through advanced control strategies
Authors: Oberascher Martin , Rauch Wolfgang , Sitzenfrei Robert
Published: April 2021

The smart rain barrel (SRB) consists of a conventional RB with storage volumes between 200 and 500 L, which is extended by a remotely (and centrally) controllable discharge valve. The SRB is capable of releasing stormwater prior to precipitation events by using high-resolution weather forecasts to increase detention capacity. However, as shown in a previous work, a large-scale implementation combined with a simultaneous opening of discharge valves clearly reduced the effectiveness. The aim of this work was to systematically investigate different control strategies for wet weather by evaluating their impact on sewer performance. For the case study, an alpine municipality was hypothetically retrofitted with SRBs (total additional storage volume of 181 m3). The results showed that combined sewer overflow (CSO) volume and subsequently pollution mass can be reduced by between 7 and 67% depending on rain characteristics (e.g., rain pattern, amount of precipitation) and an applied control strategy. Effectiveness of the SRBs increases with lower CSO volume, whereas more advanced control strategies based on sewer conditions can clearly improve the system's performance compared to simpler control strategies. For higher CSO volume, the SRBs can postpone the start of an CSO event, which is important for a first-flush phenomenon.
Extreme Value Theory and Auction Models
Authors: Morganti Paolo Riccardo
Published: April 2021

The objective of this article is to develop a parametric approach to estimating auctions with incomplete data using Extreme Value Theory (EVT). The methodology is mainly theoretical: we first review that, when only transaction prices can be observed, the distribution of private valuations is irregularly identified. The sample bias produced by nonparametric estimators will affect all functionals of practical interest. We provide simulations for a best-case scenario and a worst-case scenario. Our results show that, compared to nonparametric approaches, the approximation of such functionals developed using EVT produces more accurate results, is easy to compute, and does not require strong assumptions about the unobserved distribution of bidders' valuations. It is recommended that financial operators working with auctions use this parametric approach when facing incomplete datasets. Given the difficult nature of the analysis, this work does not provide large sample properties for the proposed estimators and recommends the use of bootstrapping. This article contributes originally to the literature of structural estimation of auction models providing a useful and robust parametric approximation.
The Entrepreneurial Social Discount Rate: Risk Premium and Loss Aversion in New Ventures
Authors: Ceballos Hornero David , Mongrut Montalván Samuel
Published: April 2021

We derive a mathematical extension of the social discount rate (SDR) in such a way that we can valuate intergenerational startups financed with personal and government funds at the aggregate level. The results imply that the precise determination of the SDR can change the financial priority of investment. Therefore, we recommend government officials to include factors of economic growth (wealth effect), intergenerational prevention (precautionary effect), loss aversion, and the specific risk of the business in the valuation of new ventures and in the estimation of the social discount rate to be more representative of the social utility. Our contribution lies in including a risk premium from the firm’s average non-systematic risk and the loss aversion of a representative investor in estimating the SDR.
Asynchronous teleophthalmology for monitoring glaucoma patients – a retrospective study (Preprint)
Authors: Bisorca-Gassendorf Lukas , Murovski Simo , Julich-Härtel Henrike , Erokhina Mariya , Szabo Julie , Wenzel Martin , Rickmann Annekatrin , Januschowski Kai
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 created an escalating need for limiting in-person exams and potential viral exposure. Teleophthalmology allows ophthalmologists to continue providing care to patients while ensuring physician and patient safety.

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient care of an asynchronous teleconsultation for glaucoma patients in a rural German area.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational and monocentric study included 50 patients diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma (n = 49) and ocular hypertension (n = 1), requiring medication for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Only patients with a well-regulated disease situation were included and a brief survey was analyzed. During each visit of every single patient IOP was measured, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field test, a slit lamp photo of the anterior segment, as well as ultra-wide-field image of the fundus were taken.

RESULTS

Of the 50 patients included, the mean number of follow-up visits in this observation period was 4.4. No patients were lost to follow-up. Missed follow-up visits (but not lost to follow up) were nine in total. No patients required a change in their treatment regime during the observational period. Regarding patient focused assessment, the majority of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the teleconsultation in general.

CONCLUSIONS

Asynchronous teleophthalmology is a promising option and effective way for monitoring glaucoma patients. The majority of patients are satisfied with the teleconsultation and adhered to the follow-up schedule. However, more prospective trails with a larger number of patients are needed. Further trials should focus also on the aspect of cost-effectiveness.
A computer-assisted system for early mortality risk prediction in patients with traumatic brain injury using artificial intelligence models in emergency room triage (Preprint)
Authors: Tu Kuan-Chi , Che-Chuan Wang Che-Chuan , Chen Nai-Ching , Chen Kuo-Tai , Chen Chia-Jung , Wang Jhi-Joung , Liu Chung-Feng , Kuo Jinn-Rung
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a critical public health challenge. Although studies have found several prognostic factors for TBI, a useful early predictive model for mortality has yet to be developed for TBI patients in the emergency room.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to develop predictive models for TBI patients in the emergency room triage. This could provide scientific data for healthcare providers which they could use as a reference when deciding which treatment to give and when informing and educating patient’s family members.

METHODS

From January 2010 to December 2019, this study retrospectively enrolled 18,249 TBI patients (9908 males and 8341 females; mean age: 57.85 ± 19.44 years) in the electronic medical records of three Chi-Mei Medical Centers, and investigated the 12 potentially predictive feature variables. Mortality during hospitalization was designated as the outcome variable. The correlation coefficient matrix was used to analyze the feature variables and mortality using Spearman rank order correlation methods. Further, the present study constructed six machine learning models including logistic regression (LR) random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM), Light GBM, XGBoost and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) to predict mortality risk. Next, following the model training and building, we conducted area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for six models performance evaluation. Finally, we deployed and installed the model in the hospital information system for clinical practice in the triage setting.

RESULTS

The results showed that all six predictive models had high AUC from 0.851 to 0.925. Among these predictive models, LR-based model was the best model for mortality risk prediction with sensitivity of 0.812, specificity of 0.894, and accuracy of 0.89 for the 12 feature variables; thus, this was used to develop an application to assist in clinical decision making.

CONCLUSIONS

These results revealed that the LR model was the best model to predict the mortality risk in patients with TBI in the emergency room. Since the developed AI system can easily obtain the 12 feature variables during the initial triage, it can provide quick outcome prediction to clinicians to help them explain the patient’s condition to family members and to guide them in deciding further treatment.
Digital credential infrastructure: gateways to the future of medicine (Preprint)
Authors: Brogan James , Goodier Henry , Nijjar Manreet , Rose Christian
Published: April 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

The current credentialing process for physicians struggled to accommodate fluctuating regional demands for providers during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. This hurdle highlighted existing inefficiencies and difficulties facing healthcare systems across the world and led us to explore how credentialing can be improved using digital technologies. We explain how this is a critical moment to make the shift from physical to digital credentials by specifying how a digital credentialing system could simplify onboarding for providers, enable secure expansion of telehealth services, and enhance information exchange.
Teleassessments for Enrollment of Adults With Physical or Mobility Disability in a Home-Based Exercise Trial in Response to COVID-19: Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wilroy Jereme , Lai Byron , Currie Madison , Young Hui-Ju , Thirumalai Mohanraj , Mehta Tapan , Giannone John , Rimmer James
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

The Scale-Up Project Evaluating Responsiveness to Home Exercise And Lifestyle Tele-Health (SUPER-HEALTH) initiative is a large randomized controlled study that aims to overcome logistical barriers to exercise via telehealth for people with physical disabilities. However, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment was halted due to limited operations at the testing site, which included no onsite visits that involved participant data collection. In response to the limited operations, a modified data collection protocol was developed for virtual enrollment of study participants.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents feasibility data on using teleassessments to enroll people with mobility impairment into a home-based exercise trial.

METHODS

The modified protocol replaced onsite enrollment and data collection visits with teleassessments using a computer tablet and testing equipment that was shipped to the participants’ home address prior to the synchronous teleassessments conducted by an exercise physiologist through Zoom. The participants were mailed a teleassessment toolkit that included a digital blood pressure cuff, spirometer, hand dynamometer, mini disc cone, and measuring tape (to complete standardized testing). The teleassessment measures included resting blood pressure and heart rate, forced vital capacity, grip strength, Five Times Sit to Stand, and Timed Up and Go. Feasibility metrics included technological effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. The technological effectiveness of the telehealth assessment was determined by the percentage of sessions completed without technical issues with ≥90% criteria set a priori. Efficiency was measured by a session duration of ≤2 hours. Safety was measured by the number of adverse events related to the teleassessments reported.

RESULTS

Data from 36 participants were included in this feasibility study, and 34 (94%) participants completed all teleassessments without technical issues. For efficiency, the teleassessment sessions were completed in a mean time of 65 minutes and a maximum session length of 110 minutes. There were no adverse events reported to indicate concerns with the safety of teleassessments.

CONCLUSIONS

The modified teleassessment protocol, in response to COVID-19 restrictions, may be a feasible process for enrolling adults with mobility impairment into a home exercise trial who otherwise would have not been able to participate.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03024320; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03024320
Identification of Prediabetes Discussions in Unstructured Clinical Documentation: Validation of a Natural Language Processing Algorithm (Preprint)
Authors: Schwartz Jessica L , Tseng Eva , Maruthur Nisa M , Rouhizadeh Masoud
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 US adults. Most are not receiving evidence-based interventions, so understanding how providers discuss prediabetes with patients will inform how to improve their care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm using machine learning techniques to identify discussions of prediabetes in narrative documentation.

METHODS

We developed and applied a keyword search strategy to identify discussions of prediabetes in clinical documentation for patients with prediabetes. We manually reviewed matching notes to determine which represented actual prediabetes discussions. We applied 7 machine learning models against our manual annotation.

RESULTS

Machine learning classifiers were able to achieve classification results that were close to human performance with up to 98% precision and recall to identify prediabetes discussions in clinical documentation.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that prediabetes discussions can be accurately identified using an NLP algorithm. This approach can be used to understand and identify prediabetes management practices in primary care, thereby informing interventions to improve guideline-concordant care.
Correction: Author’s Responses to Peer Reviews of “Forecasting the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia Using a Modified Singular Spectrum Analysis Approach: Model Development and Data Analysis” (Preprint)
Authors: Alharbi Nader
Published: April 2021

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Nexus between Climate Change and Agricultural Production in Odisha, India: An ARDL Approach
Authors: Jena Pratap Kumar
Published: April 2021

Climate change is an emerging issue particularly in agricultural research as it is observed that the climate change has unfavorably distressed the agricultural production in different regions in India. Therefore, the present study has empirically examined the relationship between climate change and agricultural production in the selected districts of Odisha, India using a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) model over the period 1993 to 2019. The study found that the climate variables have adversely affected the crops production in the districts of Odisha. In order to minimize the impact of climate change on crops production in the state, there must have implementation of various policies and adaptive strategies by the government and farmers.
Bipartite quantum measurements with optimal single-sided distinguishability
Authors: Czartowski Jakub , Życzkowski Karol
Published: April 2021

We analyse orthogonal bases in a composite N×N Hilbert space describing a bipartite quantum system and look for a basis with optimal single-sided mutual state distinguishability. This condition implies that in each subsystem the N2 reduced states form a regular simplex of a maximal edge length, defined with respect to the trace distance. In the case N=2 of a two-qubit system our solution coincides with the elegant joint measurement introduced by Gisin. We derive explicit expressions of an analogous constellation for N=3 and provide a general construction of N2 states forming such an optimal basis in HN⊗HN. Our construction is valid for all dimensions for which a symmetric informationally complete (SIC) generalized measurement is known. Furthermore, we show that the one-party measurement that distinguishes the states of an optimal basis of the composite system leads to a local quantum state tomography with a linear reconstruction formula. Finally, we test the introduced tomographical scheme on a complete set of three mutually unbiased bases for a single qubit using two different IBM machines.
The History of Jurisprudence in the Republic of Tatarstan in the Last Century
Authors:   Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Bagautdinov Fleur N.
Published: April 2021

The history of jurisprudence in Tatarstan is associated mainly with the Kazan University. In 1920–1952, the foundations of legal education and legal science are created in Tatarstan. New legal educational institutions appear and undergo reorganization or liquidation. The article examines the history of legal educational institutions of the republic, presents Kazan law schools in various branches of law, the most famous legal scholars of the republic who have made a significant contribution to the development of jurisprudence both in Tatarstan and in the Russian Federation. The author reveals the multifacted process of establishing legal science in the region in the scope of the social-political situation in the country.
Memories are an Echo of War
Authors:   G. Ibragimov Institute of Language, Literature and Art of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Zakirova Ilsiyar G.
Published: April 2021

Reminiscences and a bait of the war years recorded in 1948 during a folklore expedition which was organized by scholars of the Institute of Language, Literature and History Hamid Yarmi and Khalida Gatina, are offered to readers’ attention. The expedition visited Aktanyshsky, Kalininsky, Muslyumovsky and Menzelinsky districts of Tatarstan. The expedition was attended by a third-year student of Kazan State University Nurikhan Fattakhov, who later became the author of historical novels. During the post-war expeditions, most of the informants were the Great Patriotic War veterans, front-line soldiers. They share memories of the Great Patriotic War, talk about the battles in which they participated, and about their military comrades. The first memory was recorded based on the story of Mukhammatziya Valiev. Valiev was a scout on the Leningrad and Stalingrad fronts for three years, and was wounded four times. According to the memoirs of a corporal intelligence officer, he spent one day in reconnaissance on the Stalingrad front. Salikh Shakirov ended the Great Patriotic War with the rank of Guard Captain, for display of courage he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner and the Medal For Courage. Salikh Shakirov was the commander of the reconnaissance department and recalls the events that took place during the military campaign to the German rear. Mirza Ibragimov tells about fierce battles in Ukraine, on the banks of the Dnieper. The memoirs describe how the soldiers resisted to the last, blew up German tanks, and carried out the wounded. Khanif Shaimardanov describes the tragedy of captivity. No edits were introduced into the texts. This gives you an opportunity to feel the live speech of the informants. The documents are kept in the funds of the Center for Written and Musical Heritage “Miraskhane” of the G. Ibragimov Institute of Language, Literature and Art of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences (collection No. 34, folder No. 4).
Review of the monograph by O.V. Vasilyeva “Ethnicity and Society in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): Sociological Analysis” (Yakutsk, 2020)
Authors:   Marjani Institute of History of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Gabdrakhmanova Gulnara F.
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of a new book – a monograph by O.V. Vasilyeva “Ethnicity and Society in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): Sociological Analysis”, published in 2020 in Yakutsk. Its advantage is a new original approach to studying the process of constructing ethnicity in the context of the development of capitalist relations and modern global economic flows. The reviewer gives some parallels in the social development of the Yakuts and Tatars at different historical stages. This is the emergence of the bourgeoisie and political organizations at the beginning of the 20th century, specific labeling under the influence of the Soviet Republic constitutional acts and post-Soviet census campaigns, the “acquisition of republics” in the conditions of the Soviet practice of national zoning of territories, etc. All such facts highlight how much the peoples of the Turkic world of the Russian Empire, the USSR, and the Russian Federation had in common. The monograph by O.V. Vasilyeva encourages new research in the field of social aspects of the the Turkic world ethnicity functioning.
A Look at the History of the Great Patriotic War through the Prism of Microhistory
Authors:   Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Gallyamova Alfiya G.
Published: April 2021

In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War beginning, the experience of modern reading of one of the bloodiest events in the history of the country is of current interest. From the author’s point of view, at present there is a tendency towards pathos patriotism and romanticization of the feat in the use of military issues for educational purposes. This, like any deviation, can lead to dangerous consequences, in this particular case, to militarization of consciousness. The article uses the example of one of the largest villages in the Almetyevsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan to demostrate a wide range of different aspects of the history of the war, which show not only the greatness of the victory and the heroes who won it. Considerable attention is given to the coverage of war as the most severe inhumane form of manifesting social relations that require people to make excessive efforts to survive and preserve human dignity. The article includes recollections of the villagers about the first day of the war, about the front-line everyday life, severe hardships, and tragic details of the military battles in which the Novonadyrovtsy participated. The article depicts domestic disorder, extreme stress, psychological overload, constant physical fatigue on the verge of human capabilities. It also tells about remarkable encounters in the war and close front-line friendship. The paper also highlights the extreme conditions in which peasants survived in the rear, women's labor to the point of exhaustion, the unity of people in the harsh realities of the war years, and at the same time ambiguous manifestation of patriotism. The uneasy fates of the soldiers who were in German captivity are also depicted.