bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A post-COVID model to measure brand loyalty of banking clients
Authors: Els Dries , Bisschoff Christo
Published: April 2023

The study investigates the relationship between customers’ loyalty, trust and satisfaction concerning an organization’s reputation in the South African banking sector. High service levels exist in this highly competitive and price-sensitive market. Access to banking has also digitized significantly, and banks adapted their service strategies to comply with COVID-19 restrictions such as hard lockdowns and limited movements. Customers were not able to attend banks. Hence the whole personal (contact) service and loyalty scenario required aggressive reengineering. A bank’s competitiveness can be impacted significantly by service quality, price competitiveness, and product diversity. As a result, the study with the primary objective is to determine the new relationships between customer loyalty and antecedents such as service quality, customer satisfaction, customer trust, brand image, reputation, customer loyalty, and word of mouth. Data were gathered from South African customers using a 5-point Likert scale distributed via an electronic platform (Google Forms). More than 1,000 questionnaires were distributed, and 150 were completed and returned (representing a 15% response rate). The reliability is satisfactory (Cronbach alpha coefficient on all antecedents exceeded 0.775). The literature model was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis showed that the model possesses convergent- (r2 < Sqrt AVE) and discriminant (AVE > 0.5) validity and possesses satisfactory fit indices (CFI = .951, TL = .941, NFI = .922, RMSEA = .089, CMIN/df = 129.072/592.188 = 2.188). This indicates that the model can be operationalized in South Africa to measure post-COVID-19 bank loyalty.
Factors affecting adventure tourist satisfaction: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Parlaungan Nasution Ade , Yasir Arafat Pohan Muhammad , Ammari Ramadhan Denny , Herawati Limbong Christine , Jayanti Harahap Nova
Published: April 2023

Adventure tourism has received significant attention recently because it offers unique sensations. Managers of adventure tourism objects need to understand the determinants of satisfaction in adventure tourism. This study aims to examine the effect of intrinsic motivation and flow theory on extreme and non-extreme adventure tourists’ satisfaction in Indonesia. This study uses a quantitative approach. The sample includes 405 tourists engaged in adventure tourism activities (extreme adventure tourism activities – 200 respondents, and non-extreme adventure tourism activities – 205 respondents). Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) was used to analyze the data. The results show that autonomy and competence influence flow experience (p-value < 0.05). This applies to extreme adventure and non-extreme adventure tourism. Furthermore, flow experience has a positive effect on adventure tourist satisfaction. In the context of extreme adventure tourism, autonomy does not affect the satisfaction of extreme adventure tourists (path coefficients = 0.025 and p-value = 0.761). In the context of non-extreme adventure tourism, competence does not affect the satisfaction of non-extreme adventure tourists (path coefficients = –0.036 and p-value = 0.682). This study recommends that managers of non-extreme tourism spots add challenging aspects to tour packages because they are believed to increase tourist satisfaction.
Molecular marker technologies in food plant genetic diversity studies: An overview
Authors: Aslanbay Guler Bahar , Imamoglu Esra
Published: April 2023

Marker-assisted technologies in the field of plant biotechnology have attracted great interest of scientists seeking to determine the genetic variety and improve specific characteristics of species. Among several types, molecular markers hold great promise due to their high efficiency, adequate accuracy, and good reproducibility. This review aimed to present different molecular markers used in genetic biodiversity studies of common food plants, including potato, corn, and tomato.

We presented some of the most frequent molecular markers in terms of their methodologies, advantages, challenges, and applications. We also reviewed the latest advances in the genetic diversity studies of common food plants that contribute to agricultural activities.

According to latest progress, Simple Sequence Repeats, Sequence Characterized Amplified Region, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism are the most common molecular markers in plant diversity studies due to their co-dominancy, high level of polymorphism, great reproducibility, and adequate specificity. Considering common food plants like potato, corn, and tomato, Simple Sequence Repeats and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms provide detailed information about polymorphisms, resistance to pathogens or diseases, genome maps, and population dynamics. However, more research should be conducted to apply the latest and more efficient technologies, such as Next Generation Sequencing, Diversity Array Technologies, and omics, to the genetic diversity studies of plant species.

Within the scope of recent progress, this review has a strong potential in providing relevant material for further research. It can serve as a guide to adopt the latest and most efficient sequencing platforms for examining various plant species, primarily potato, corn, and tomato.
Hyptis suaveolens L. leaf extracts in traditional health care systems
Authors: Akharaiyi Fred Coolborn , Ehis-Eriakha Chioma Bertha , Olagbemide Peter Taiwo , Igbudu Faith Hukwu
Published: April 2023

Hyptis suaveolens L. is a medical and food plant that is commonly used to treat various microbial infections in humans in many countries of the world. We aimed to study the aqueous and ethanol extracts of H. suaveolens leaves to determine their antibacterial, in-vitro antioxidant, and phytochemical potentials for traditional medicine by using chemical analysis.

The aqueous and ethanol extracts inhibited the tested bacteria species with zones of 0–15 and 10–29 mm, respectively. On the typed culture isolates, the inhibition zones were 8–25 and 16–32 mm for the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively.

The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the aqueous and ethanol extracts were not different, while the minimum bactericidal concentrations for the aqueous extract was higher than that for the ethanol extract. The screened phytochemicals were qualitatively and quantitatively present in both extracts, except for saponins which were absent in the aqueous extract. The free radical scavenging activity in the aqueous and ethanol extracts was 1.44 ± 0.50 and 1.57 ± 1.40 mg of ascorbic acid/1 g dry leaves, respectively. The ferric reduction was 1.19 ± 0.40 and 1.69 ± 0.18 mg of ascorbic acid/1 g dry leaves in the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively. Hydroxyl scavenging was 65.0 ± 0.9 and 0.43 ± 0.50 mg of ascorbic acid/1 g dry leaves for the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively.

The present research suggests that the extract of H. suaveleons can be applied as a controlling antibacterial growth agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae and other bacterial pathogens. It is noteworthy that the ethanol extract was more effective than the aqueous one in terms of the antibacterial, phytochemical and antioxidant activities.
Novel Insights of ANGPTL-3 on Modulating Cholesterol Efflux
Capacity Induced by HDL Particle
Authors: Lai Min , Jiang Xiang , Wang Bin , Cheng Ye , Su Xin
Published: April 2023

Background:

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL-3) modulates lipid
metabolism and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), especially stable angina (SA),
via suppressing lipoprotein lipase (LPL). However, whether there are other mechanisms
is not elucidated yet. The current research explored the modulatory roles of ANGPTL-3
on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which further affects atherosclerotic development

Methods:

A total of 200 individuals were enrolled in the present study. Serum ANGPTL-
3 levels were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Cholesterol
efflux capacity induced by HDL particles was detected through H3-cholesterol loading
THP-1 cell.

Results:

The serum ANGPTL-3 levels presented no significant discordance between the
SA group and the non-SA group, whereas the serum ANGPTL-3 levels in type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM) group were significantly elevated compared with those in the
non-T2DM group [428.3 (306.2 to 736.8) ng/ml vs. 298.2 (156.8 to 555.6) ng/ml, p
<0.05]. Additionally, the serum ANGPTL-3 levels were elevated in patients with low TG
levels compared to those in patients with high TG levels [519.9 (377.6 to 809.0) ng/ml
vs. 438.7 (329.2 to 681.0) ng/ml, p <0.05]. By comparison, the individuals in the SA
group and T2DM group presented decreased cholesterol efflux induced by HDL particles
[SA: (12.21±2.11)% vs. (15.51±2.76)%, p <0.05; T2DM: (11.24±2.13)% vs. (14.65±
3.27)%, p <0.05]. In addition, the serum concentrations of ANGPTL-3 were inversely
associated with the cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL particles (r=-0.184, p <0.05).
Through regression analysis, the serum concentrations of ANGPTL-3 were found to be
an independent modulator of the cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL particles
(standardized β=-0.172, p <0.05).

Conclusion:

ANGPTL-3 exhibited a negative modulatory function on cholesterol efflux
capacity induced by HDL particles.
Language and Antiracism
Authors: Magro José L.
Published: April 2023

Beginning from the premise that being non-racist – and other ‘neutral’ positions – are inadequate in the face of a racist society and institutions, this book provides language educators with theoretical knowledge and practical tools to implement antiracist pedagogy in their classrooms.
The nursing students' experience of COVID-19 confirmation
Authors: Cho Ha Na , Park Bock Soon , Park Sun-Jung
Published: April 2023

This study was conducted to prepare the basic data for the development of practical nursing intervention programs for nursing college students who have been confirmed with COVID-19 since its outbreak in Korea. The subjects of this study were 70 nursing students at the University of Nursing located in Seoul, Gangwon-do, and Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongnam-do. The data were collected from April 1st through April 30th, 2022, and analyzed it using the content analysis method. The experience of the nursing students infected with COVID-19 was classified and analyzed to draw a total of 187 significant statements and 36 categories. When establishing an infectious disease prevention program for nursing students and developing a practical nursing intervention program, it is necessary to focus on the preventive activities that emphasize personal aspects such as infection control, health management, and self-management, and to strengthen social support systems and improve quality of life.
Estética del Habitar Urbano y de la Condición Urbanita
Authors: Casanova Berna Nestor
Published: April 2023

Se vuelve necesario desarrollar la vida urbana como aisthesis, esto es, tomar debida cuenta de todas las sensaciones y juicios de valor estéticos que constituyen el día a día. No es necesaria tanto una “sensibilización”, sino que se vuelve imperiosa una justipreciación de las percepciones ordinarias de la vida cotidiana, más allá de los exaltados arrebatos con las consumadas obras de arte. Se abre paso, de modo tímido aún, una opción por la intensificación de la vida urbana por obra de una más profunda e inclusiva comprensión tanto estética como social.
Delivering a Home-Based Exercise Program to Youth With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Protocol for a Comparative-Approach Study
Authors: Powell Georgia , Gagnon Marianne , Komarova Svetlana , Rauch Frank , Veilleux Louis-Nicolas
Published: April 2023

Background

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare bone fragility disorder associated with muscle weakness. Individuals with OI may therefore benefit from exercise interventions aiming to improve muscle and bone strength. Given the rarity of OI, many patients do not have access to exercise specialists who are familiar with the disorder. As such, telemedicine, the provision of health care through technology to provide care at a distance, may be well suited for this population.

Objective

The main objectives are (1) to investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of 2 telemedicine approaches for the delivery of an exercise intervention for youth with OI and (2) to assess the impact of the exercise intervention on muscle function and cardiopulmonary fitness in youth with OI.

Methods

Patients with OI type I (the mildest form of OI; n=12, aged 12-16 years) from a pediatric orthopedic tertiary hospital will be randomized to receive a 12-week remote exercise intervention in either (1) a supervised group (n=6), monitored every session, or (2) a follow-up group (n=6), receiving monthly progress update appointments. Participants will undergo the following pre- and postintervention evaluations: sit-to-stand test, push-up test, sit-up test, single-legged balance test, and a heel-rise test. Both groups will be given the same 12-week exercise regimen, which includes cardiovascular, resistance, and flexibility training. For each exercise training session involving the supervised group, a kinesiologist will provide instructions to participants through live video sessions using a teleconferencing application. On the other hand, the follow-up group will discuss their progress with the kinesiologist every 4 weeks over a teleconferencing video call. Feasibility will be assessed by recruitment, adherence, and completion rates. A cost-effectiveness analysis of both approaches will be computed. Changes in muscle function and cardiopulmonary fitness will be examined between the 2 groups, pre- and postintervention.

Results

It is anticipated that the supervised group will have higher adherence and completion rates compared to the follow-up group, which may be associated with greater physiological benefits; however, it may not be as cost-effective compared to the follow-up approach.

Conclusions

By determining the most feasible telemedicine approach, this study may serve as a basis for providing increased access to specialized adjunct therapies for individuals with rare disorders.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/40262
Optometrists' Perspectives Regarding Artificial Intelligence Aids and Contributing Retinal Images to a Repository: Web-Based Interview Study
Authors: Constantin Aurora , Atkinson Malcolm , Bernabeu Miguel Oscar , Buckmaster Fiona , Dhillon Baljean , McTrusty Alice , Strang Niall , Williams Robin
Published: April 2023

Background

A repository of retinal images for research is being established in Scotland. It will permit researchers to validate, tune, and refine artificial intelligence (AI) decision-support algorithms to accelerate safe deployment in Scottish optometry and beyond. Research demonstrates the potential of AI systems in optometry and ophthalmology, though they are not yet widely adopted.

Objective

In this study, 18 optometrists were interviewed to (1) identify their expectations and concerns about the national image research repository and their use of AI decision support and (2) gather their suggestions for improving eye health care. The goal was to clarify attitudes among optometrists delivering primary eye care with respect to contributing their patients’ images and to using AI assistance. These attitudes are less well studied in primary care contexts. Five ophthalmologists were interviewed to discover their interactions with optometrists.

Methods

Between March and August 2021, 23 semistructured interviews were conducted online lasting for 30-60 minutes. Transcribed and pseudonymized recordings were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

All optometrists supported contributing retinal images to form an extensive and long-running research repository. Our main findings are summarized as follows. Optometrists were willing to share images of their patients’ eyes but expressed concern about technical difficulties, lack of standardization, and the effort involved. Those interviewed thought that sharing digital images would improve collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists, for example, during referral to secondary health care. Optometrists welcomed an expanded primary care role in diagnosis and management of diseases by exploiting new technologies and anticipated significant health benefits. Optometrists welcomed AI assistance but insisted that it should not reduce their role and responsibilities.

Conclusions

Our investigation focusing on optometrists is novel because most similar studies on AI assistance were performed in hospital settings. Our findings are consistent with those of studies with professionals in ophthalmology and other medical disciplines: showing near universal willingness to use AI to improve health care, alongside concerns over training, costs, responsibilities, skill retention, data sharing, and disruptions to professional practices. Our study on optometrists’ willingness to contribute images to a research repository introduces a new aspect; they hope that a digital image sharing infrastructure will facilitate service integration.
Motivational Message Framing Effects on Physical Activity Dynamics in a Digital Messaging Intervention: Secondary Analysis
Authors: Lee Alexandra M , Hojjatinia Sahar , Courtney Jimikaye B , Brunke-Reese Deborah , Hojjatinia Sarah , Lagoa Constantino M , Conroy David E
Published: April 2023

Background

Digital smartphone messaging can be used to promote physical activity to large populations with limited cost. It is not clear which psychological constructs should be targeted by digital messages to promote physical activity. This gap presents a challenge for developing optimal content for digital messaging interventions.

Objective

The aim of this study is to compare affectively framed and social cognitively framed messages on subsequent changes in physical activity using dynamical modeling techniques.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected from a digital messaging intervention in insufficiently active young adults (18-29 years) recruited between April 2019 and July 2020 who wore a Fitbit smartwatch for 6 months. Participants received 0 to 6 messages at random per day across the intervention period. Messages were drawn from 3 content libraries: affectively framed, social cognitively framed, or inspirational quotes. Person-specific dynamical models were identified, and model features of impulse response and cumulative step response were extracted for comparison. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVAs evaluated the main effects and interaction of message type and day type on model features. This early-phase work with novel dynamic features may have been underpowered to detect differences between message types so results were interpreted descriptively.

Results

Messages (n=20,689) were paired with valid physical activity monitoring data from 45 participants for analysis. Received messages were distributed as 40% affective (8299/20,689 messages), 39% social-cognitive (8187/20,689 messages), and 20% inspirational quotes (4219/20,689 messages). There were no statistically significant main effects for message type when evaluating the steady state of step responses. Participants demonstrated heterogeneity in intervention response: some had their strongest responses to affectively framed messages, some had their strongest responses to social cognitively framed messages, and some had their strongest responses to the inspirational quote messages.

Conclusions

No single type of digital message content universally promotes physical activity. Future work should evaluate the effects of multiple message types so that content can be continuously tuned based on person-specific responses to each message type.
The Chinese Version of the Breast Cancer Literacy Assessment Tool: Translation, Adaptation, and Validation Study
Authors: Shan Yi , Ji Meng
Published: April 2023

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Chinese women, with an age-standardized prevalence of 21.6 cases per 100,000 women. Limited cancer health literacy reduces females’ ability to engage in cancer prevention and detection. It is necessary to assess Chinese women’s breast cancer literacy to deliver targeted interventions and effective education. However, there is no Breast Cancer Literacy Assessment Tool (B-CLAT) available in China currently.

Objective

This study aimed to translate and linguistically and culturally adapt the B-CLAT into a simplified-Chinese version (C-B-CLAT), and then validate its psychometric properties by administering it to Chinese college students.

Methods

First, we translated the B-CLAT into a simplified-Chinese version and verified its validity and reliability using rigorous translation and validation guidelines proposed in previous studies. We then evaluated the psychometric properties among 50 female participants with a mean age of 19.62 (SD 1.31) years recruited from Nantong University, China.

Results

Items 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, and 30 were deleted to increase the relevant subscale internal consistency. Items 3, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 27, and 31 were deleted due to their Cronbach α being lower than .5 in the test-retest analysis. After deletion, the internal consistency of the entire scale was fair with α=.607. The prevention and control subscale had the highest internal consistency with α=.730, followed by the screening and knowledge subscale with α=.509, while the awareness subscale had the lowest internal consistency with α=.224. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the C-B-CLAT (items 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 28, 32, 33, and 34) was fair to excellent (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.503-0.808). The values of Cronbach α for items 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 28, 32, 33, and 34 ranged from .499 to .806, and the α value for the C-B-CLAT was .607. This indicates fair test-retest reliability. The mean difference in the C-B-CLAT scores between stage 1 and stage 2 was 0.47 (OR 0.67, 95% CI −0.53 to 1.47), which was not significantly different from zero (t48=0.945; P=.35). This result implies that the C-B-CLAT produced the same scores at stage 1 and stage 2 on average, thus showing good agreement in the C-B-CLAT scores between stage 1 and stage 2. The SD of the difference was 3.48. The 95% limits of agreement were −6.34 to 7.28.

Conclusions

We developed a simplified-Chinese version of the B-CLAT through translation and adaptation. Psychometric properties testing has proven this version valid and reliable for assessing breast cancer literacy among Chinese college students.
Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Wu Yiwen , Li Xin , Zhou Yuxin , Gao Rui , Wang Kaifeng , Ye Huiling , Lyu Na , Wang Chun , Zhang Ning , Wang Zhen , Fan Qing
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and chronic mental illness with a high rate of disability. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) makes online treatment available to patients and has been shown to be effective. However, 3-arm trials on ICBT, face-to-face cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT), and only medication are still lacking.

OBJECTIVE

This study is a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial of 3 groups for OCD: ICBT combined with medication, CBGT combined with medication, and conventional medical treatment (ie, treatment as usual [TAU]). The study aims to investigate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ICBT related to CBGT and TAU for adults with OCD in China.

METHODS

In total, 99 patients with OCD were selected and randomly assigned to the ICBT, CBGT, and TAU groups for treatment for 6 weeks. The primary outcomes were the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and the self-rating Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (FOCI), compared at baseline, during treatment (3 weeks), and after treatment (6 weeks), to analyze efficacy. The secondary outcome was the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) scores of the EuroQol 5D Questionnaire (EQ-5D). The cost questionnaires were recorded to analyze cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for data analysis, and the final effective sample size was 93 (ICBT: n=32, 34.4%; CBGT: n=28, 30.1%; TAU: n=33, 35.5%). After 6-week treatment, the YBOCS scores of the 3 groups significantly decreased (P<.001), and there were no significant differences among groups. The FOCI score of the ICBT (P=.001) and CBGT (P=.035) groups was significantly lower than that of the TAU group after treatment. The total cost of the CBGT group (renminbi [RMB] 6678.45, 95% CI 4460.88-8896.01 [US $1010.36, 95% CI 678.87-1345.84]) was significantly higher than that of the ICBT group (RMB 3308.81, 95% CI 2476.89-4140.73[US $500.58, 95% CI 374.72-626.43], P<.001) and the TAU group (RMB 2259.61, 95% CI 2074.16-2445.05 [US $341.85, 95% CI 313.79-369.90], P<.001) after treatment. The ICBT group spent RMB 303.19 (US $45.97) less than the CBGT group and RMB 11.57 (US $1.75) less than the TAU group for each unit reduction in the YBOCS score.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapist-guided ICBT combined with medication is as effective as face-to-face CBGT combined with medication for OCD. ICBT combined with medication is more cost-effective than CBGT combined with medication and conventional medical treatment. It is expected to become an efficacious and economic alternative for adults with OCD when face-to-face CBGT is not available.

CLINICALTRIAL

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900023840; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=39294
The Chinese Version of the Breast Cancer Literacy Assessment Tool: Translation, Adaptation, and Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Shan Yi , Ji Meng
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Chinese women, with an age-standardized prevalence of 21.6 cases per 100,000 women. Limited cancer health literacy reduces females’ ability to engage in cancer prevention and detection. It is necessary to assess Chinese women’s breast cancer literacy to deliver targeted interventions and effective education. However, there is no Breast Cancer Literacy Assessment Tool (B-CLAT) available in China currently.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to translate and linguistically and culturally adapt the B-CLAT into a simplified-Chinese version (C-B-CLAT), and then validate its psychometric properties by administering it to Chinese college students.

METHODS

First, we translated the B-CLAT into a simplified-Chinese version and verified its validity and reliability using rigorous translation and validation guidelines proposed in previous studies. We then evaluated the psychometric properties among 50 female participants with a mean age of 19.62 (SD 1.31) years recruited from Nantong University, China.

RESULTS

Items 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, and 30 were deleted to increase the relevant subscale internal consistency. Items 3, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 27, and 31 were deleted due to their Cronbach α being lower than .5 in the test-retest analysis. After deletion, the internal consistency of the entire scale was fair with α=.607. The prevention and control subscale had the highest internal consistency with α=.730, followed by the screening and knowledge subscale with α=.509, while the awareness subscale had the lowest internal consistency with α=.224. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the C-B-CLAT (items 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 28, 32, 33, and 34) was fair to excellent (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.503-0.808). The values of Cronbach α for items 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 28, 32, 33, and 34 ranged from .499 to .806, and the α value for the C-B-CLAT was .607. This indicates fair test-retest reliability. The mean difference in the C-B-CLAT scores between stage 1 and stage 2 was 0.47 (OR 0.67, 95% CI −0.53 to 1.47), which was not significantly different from zero (t48=0.945; P=.35). This result implies that the C-B-CLAT produced the same scores at stage 1 and stage 2 on average, thus showing good agreement in the C-B-CLAT scores between stage 1 and stage 2. The SD of the difference was 3.48. The 95% limits of agreement were −6.34 to 7.28.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a simplified-Chinese version of the B-CLAT through translation and adaptation. Psychometric properties testing has proven this version valid and reliable for assessing breast cancer literacy among Chinese college students.
A Digital Telehealth System to Compute Myasthenia Gravis Core Examination Metrics: Exploratory Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Garbey Marc , Joerger Guillaume , Lesport Quentin , Girma Helen , McNett Sienna , Abu-Rub Mohammad , Kaminski Henry
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine practice for neurological diseases has grown significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine offers an opportunity to assess digitalization of examinations and enhances access to modern computer vision and artificial intelligence processing to annotate and quantify examinations in a consistent and reproducible manner. The Myasthenia Gravis Core Examination (MG-CE) has been recommended for the telemedicine evaluation of patients with myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the ability to take accurate and robust measurements during the examination, which would allow improvement in workflow efficiency by making the data acquisition and analytics fully automatic and thereby limit the potential for observation bias.

METHODS

We used Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) videos of patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing the MG-CE. The core examination tests required 2 broad categories of processing. First, computer vision algorithms were used to analyze videos with a focus on eye or body motions. Second, for the assessment of examinations involving vocalization, a different category of signal processing methods was required. In this way, we provide an algorithm toolbox to assist clinicians with the MG-CE. We used a data set of 6 patients recorded during 2 sessions.

RESULTS

Digitalization and control of quality of the core examination are advantageous and let the medical examiner concentrate on the patient instead of managing the logistics of the test. This approach showed the possibility of standardized data acquisition during telehealth sessions and provided real-time feedback on the quality of the metrics the medical doctor is assessing. Overall, our new telehealth platform showed submillimeter accuracy for ptosis and eye motion. In addition, the method showed good results in monitoring muscle weakness, demonstrating that continuous analysis is likely superior to pre-exercise and postexercise subjective assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the ability to objectively quantitate the MG-CE. Our results indicate that the MG-CE should be revisited to consider some of the new metrics that our algorithm identified. We provide a proof of concept involving the MG-CE, but the method and tools developed can be applied to many neurological disorders and have great potential to improve clinical care.
The impact of mHealth-based continuous care on disease knowledge, treatment compliance, and serum uric acid levels in Chinese patients with gout: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)
Authors: Ying Wang Ying
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

In patients with gout, suboptimal management refers to a lack of disease knowledge, low treatment compliance, and inadequate control of serum uric acid levels. Several studies have shown that continuous care is recommended for disease management in patients with gout. However, there is still low efficiency and coverage of continuous gout care in China.

OBJECTIVE

this study aimed to explore the impact of mHealth-based continuous care on improving gout knowledge and treatment compliance and reducing serum uric acid levels.

METHODS

This study was a single-center, single-blind, and parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow-up period. The participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received continuous care via a mHealth app, including the establishment of a health file, a 24-stage gout-related knowledge share, and interactive support. The control group received routine continuous care, including face-to-face health education, paper health education material consistent with the content of the intervention group, and telephone consultation initiated by the patient. Participants' gout knowledge levels and treatment compliance were measured at baseline and in the 12th and 24th weeks, and participants' serum uric acid levels were measured at baseline and in the 24th week. A generalized estimator equation model was used to test the effects of the intervention.

RESULTS

In total, 120 Chinese patients with gout enrolled in the study. Measurements at baseline were comparable between the groups. The intervention group exhibited a significant improvement in gout knowledge levels over time (P=0.015 and P<0.001 in the 12th and 24th weeks, respectively) and treatment compliance (P=0.509 and P=0.012 in the 12th and 24th weeks, respectively) compared with the control group. Serum uric acid levels decreased in both groups, but no significant intergroup differences were observed (P=0.532 in the 24th week). The intervention group had a larger difference in serum uric acid than the control group, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.549).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous care based on mHealth app improves knowledge level and treatment compliance among patients with gout. We suggest incorporating this intervention modality into standard continuous care for patients with gout.

CLINICALTRIAL

This study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (protocol number: ChiCTR2100042712).
Older Adults' Use of Physical Activity Monitors in an 18-Month Trial: Descriptive Study of Technical Problems and Assistance (Preprint)
Authors: Choma Elizabeth A , Hayes Shannon , Lewis Beth A. , Wyman Jean F. , Rothman Alexander J. , Guan Weihua , McMahon Siobhan
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Encouraging older adults to use physical activity monitors can augment efforts to promote increased physical activity. However, little is known about the frequency and type of technical assistance needed during long-term physical activity monitor (PAM) use.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine PAM-related technical problems reported and assistance received by a sample of older adults in an 18-month community-based, physical activity trial, Ready Steady 3.0 (RS3).

METHODS

This was an ad-hoc, longitudinal analysis of process variables representing technical problems reported and assistance received by 113 study participants in the 18 months after their orientation to PAMs. Variables included date of contact, problem(s) reported, mode of technical assistance, and equipment replacement. Analysis was descriptive including frequencies and incidence rates of distinct contacts, types of problems, and modes of technical assistance.

RESULTS

On average, participants were 77 years old (+ 5.2). Most identified as female (77%), reported experience using smart phones (81.4%), and used the PAM between 2 and 18 months. Eighty-two participants (73%) reported 1 to 9 problems with using PAMs, resulting in a total of 150 technical assistance contacts with a mean of 1.3 (SD=1.3). The incidence rate of new, distinct contact for technical assistance was 99, per 100 persons, per year from 2018 to 2021. The most common problems were wearing the PAM (28.7%), reading its display (15.3%), logging into its app (13.3%), charging the PAM (12%), and synchronizing the PAM to the app (10.7%). The modalities of technical assistance were in-person (35%), telephone (34%), email (17%), and U.S. mail (14%).

CONCLUSIONS

Results provide a detailed description of the types and quantity of technical assistance needs to expect when planning supportive structures to facilitate the long-term use of PAMs among older adults. Health promotion programs and researchers should further examine technical assistance for PAM problems experienced by older adults, such as proactive and responsive support, variations by PAM models, and expanded assistance strategies, such as the use of short graphics interchange formats and video calls.

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinical Trials.gov NCT03326141
Effectiveness of a multimodal tele-rehabilitation programme with virtual reality glasses in DMD and BMD boys during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study. (Preprint)
Authors: Baeza Barragan Rosa , Labajos Manzanares Maria Teresa , Amaya Álvarez Mercedes Cristina , Morales Vega Fabian , Rodriguez Ruiz Judith , Martín Valero Rocío
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (from now "DMD" and "BMD" respectively) are the neuromuscular diseases with the most significant involvement in children. It affects dystrophin production, reducing the patient's mobility and quality of life. New technologies have become part of physical therapy in DMD and BMD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation through virtual reality-based games could help these children to keep their abilities.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the difference in mobility in patients with DMD and BMD, as measured with the 6MWT test, between 10 conventional and telerehabilitation treatment sessions.

METHODS

Descriptive, open, quasi-experimental study with prospective A-B (control-intervention) design. Twelve participants who fulfilled the control criteria followed the program for five weeks, up to 10 telerehabilitation sessions. During the sessions, the participants used virtual reality glasses to train for the treatment goals. All sessions were in person, and participants were assessed before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The participants showed a 19.55 m increase in the 6MWT scale. The motor function was also kept stable according to other scales used to assess it. Both families and children positively valued the programs. Furthermore, it does help us understand that conducting targeted training so that the children can carry out the test improves its results by decreasing the fatigue feeling throughout the sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

Telerehabilitation may helpful maintain motor function in children with DMD and BMD. The learning effect helped to reduce the feeling of fatigue in children during the program.

CLINICALTRIAL

Trial Registration:
This trial has the approval of the Andalucía Ethics Committee with PEIBA code 0107-N-20. The results of the research will be disseminated by the investigators to peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration no. NCT03879304.
Mental Health Self-Tracking Preferences of Young Adults With Depression and Anxiety Not Engaged in Treatment: Qualitative Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Beltzer Miranda L , Meyerhoff Jonah , Popowski Sarah A , Mohr David C , Kornfield Rachel
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Despite the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among young adults, many do not seek formal treatment. Some may turn to digital mental health tools for support instead, including to self-track moods, behaviors, and other variables related to mental health. Researchers have sought to understand processes and motivations involved in self-tracking, but few have considered the specific needs and preferences of young adults who are not engaged in treatment and who seek to use self-tracking to support mental health.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to assess the types of experiences young adults not engaged in treatment have had with digital self-tracking for mood and other mental health data and to assess how young adults not seeking treatment want to engage in self-tracking to support their mental health.

METHODS

We conducted 2 online asynchronous discussion groups with 50 young adults aged 18 years to 25 years who were not engaged in treatment. Participants were recruited after indicating moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety on screening surveys hosted on the website of Mental Health America. Participants who enrolled in the study responded anonymously to discussion prompts on a message board, as well as to each other’s responses, and 3 coders performed a thematic analysis of their responses.

RESULTS

Participants had mixed experiences with self-tracking in the past, including disliking when tracking highlighted unwanted behaviors and discontinuing tracking for a variety of reasons. They had more positive past experiences tracking behaviors and tasks they wanted to increase, using open-ended journaling, and with gamified elements to increase motivation. Participants highlighted several design considerations they wanted self-tracking tools to address, including building self-understanding; organization, reminders, and structure; and simplifying the self-tracking experience. Participants wanted self-tracking to help them identify their feelings and how their feelings related to other variables like sleep, exercise, and events in their lives. Participants also highlighted self-tracking as useful for motivating and supporting basic activities and tasks of daily living during periods of feeling overwhelmed or low mood and providing a sense of accomplishment and stability. Although self-tracking can be burdensome, participants were interested and provided suggestions for simplifying the process.

CONCLUSIONS

These young adults not engaged in treatment reported interest in using self-tracking to build self-understanding as a goal in and of itself or as a first step in contemplating and preparing for behavior change or treatment-seeking. Alexithymia, amotivation, and feeling overwhelmed may serve both as barriers to self-tracking and opportunities for self-tracking to help.
Searching maps by words: how machine learning changes the way we explore map collections
Authors: Vitale Valeria
Published: April 2023

Large numbers of maps have always been difficult to examine in detail, even now that they are being digitized around the world. But imagine searching digitised map collections by their text content: moving beyond titles or other catalogue fields, you could search every single word that appears on map sheets, as if they were book pages in any of the well-known, full-text-search enabled collections. This experience is now a reality. This piece is a data-driven journey across such experimental “text on maps” searching in the online interface for one of the largest and best-known digital libraries of maps, the David Rumsey Map Collection. Starting from the search for a single placename, the author discusses potential, as well as the limitations, of this approach, and suggests ways in which this new interface, which brings together the power of machine learning, the beauty of data visualisation, and the interactivity of annotation, can fuel scientific curiosity as well as playful exploration
K-Ar ages of lavas from shield volcanoes in the Michoacan-Guanajuato volcanic field, Mexico
Authors: Ban M. , Hasenaka T. , Delgado -Granados H. , Takaoka N.
Published: April 2023

Se reportan edades radiométricas K-Ar para ocho volcanes escudo y un estrato-volcán pertenecientes al Campo Volcánico de Michoacán-Guanajuato, del centro de México. Las edades varían entre 0.06 Ma y 2.27 Ma, siendo más antiguos los volcanes de la parte norte que los del sur. Esta relación fue observada también en volcanes menores de la región estudiada, tales como conos cineríticos y maares: los conos cineríticos y maares de la parte norte son más antiguos que los del sur. Por otra parte, tanto los volcanes escudo como los conos cineríticos en el norte poseen el mismo rango de edad. Estos resultados sugieren que la actividad volcánica en el Campo Volcánico de Michoacán-Guanajuato migró hacia el sur en los últimos dos millones de años, probablemente como un reflejo de cambios en el movimiento de placas, o en la ubicaci6n y geometría de la zona de subducción.doi: sin doi
Estudio de minerales de fierro y titanio y magnetismo de rocas en el distrito ferrífero El Encino, Jalisco, México
Authors: Alva Valdivia L. M. , Vega Carrillo J. J. , Urrutia Fucugauchi J.
Published: April 2023

Sc presentan resultados de un estudio mineralógico-paleomagnético de la mayoría de las unidades volcano-sedimentarias y de mineralización de hierro en el Distrito Minero de El Encino, Jalisco. Los principales objetivos del estudio son: (a) investigar las relaciones entre parámetros paleomagnéticos y observaciones mineragráficas (minerales opacos) y (b) analizar sus implicaciones sobre origen, tipo y grado de oxidación, tamaños de granos magnéticos, razón de enfriamiento, metamorfismo y alteración hidrotermal. Los resultados para las fases del sistema Ti02 -FeO-Fc203 analizados por el microscopio mineragráfico, muestran que los óxidos magnéticos son abundantes, de grano grande y estado magnético de dominio múltiple, que han sufrido enfriamiento lento y oxidación deutérica de bajo grado. Estos óxidos incluyen predominantemente titano-magnetitas, con menores cantidades de ilmenita y hematita. La pequeña variación en reflectividad dentro de los granos de titano-magnetita y el color, sugieren la ocurrencia de titano-magnetita pobre en titanio así como un grado de oxidaci6n constante, lo cual es consistente con análisis químicos de óxidos mayores (menores cantidades de Ti02 respecto a FeO y Fe203). La polaridad para la mayoría de las unidades estudiadas es normal, lo que concuerda con la escala de polaridad para el Crétacico, en el Cron Normal Aptiano-Albiano. La dispcrsi6n angular de las direcciones de magnetización para la mineralización de hierro es mayor que la observada en las otras litologías. Esto se debe probablemente a procesos de oxidación, metamorfismo y alteración hidrotermal ocurridos postmincralización. Las propiedades magnéticas de la mineralización esuin principalmente controladas por titano-magnetita de dominio múltiple. La susceptibilidad en los cuerpos intrusivos (sitios 8 y 9) es relativamente baja, en el orden de 1.3 x 10-3 Sl, en el rango reportado para granitos de tipo ilmenita. Esto también puede ser resultado de los procesos mencionados arriba. Los resultados paleomagnéticos, que comprenden espectros de desmagnctizaci6n térmica, diagramas vectoriales y de adquisición de magnctizaci6n remanente isotermal, muestran una correspondencia directa con las observaciones mineragráfica indicando un claro predominio de minerales de la serie de titano-magnetitas, con contenidos variables de magnetita y ulvoespincla. Asimismo, se documentan diversos registros de componentes secundarias de magnetización asociados a procesos entre los que predominan eventos de metamorfismo y alteración hidrotermal, identificados en los estudios microscópicos con luz transmitida y luz ref1ejada. Además existe la posible inf1uencia de magnetizaciones remanentes viscosa e isotermal.doi: sin doi