bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Monovarietal Red Wines from Lazio Cultivars: A Chemometric Evaluation
Authors: Vinci Giuliana , Prencipe Sabrina Antonia , Renzo Matteo Di , Ruggeri Marco , Campana Paola , Tarola Anna Maria
Published: December 2024

Background:

Antioxidant activity is currently one of the most significant characteristics
of red wines, mainly attributable to phenolic components, that enhance health-promoting
effects. To this purpose, it is necessary to implement simple, and reliable analytical methods
for evaluating such bioactive compounds in wines according to their background.

Objective:

This research aims to characterize the phenolic and antioxidant activity of 48 commercial
monovarietal red wines produced from eight native Lazio cultivars (“Cesanese del
Piglio”, “Cesanese di Olevano Romano”, “Cesanese da Castel Franco”, “Olivella del
Frusinate”, “Nostrano”, “Syrah”, “Merlot”, and “Nero Buono”), according to different winemaking
techniques and vintage.

Methods:

The characterization was carried out through the chromatographic determination of
anthocyanins (HPLC-PDA), spectrophotometric assays for total phenolic content (TPC), total
flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic acid content (TPAC), and antioxidant activity (AA)
through ABTS, and DPPH assays, coupled with chemometric tools (Principal Component
Analysis and Cluster Analysis).

Results:

The quantitative determination of phenolic compounds showed significant (p > 0.05)
differences according to wine cultivars. Wine belonging to ‘Syrah’, ‘Nero Buono’, ‘Cesanese
del Piglio’ and ‘Cesanese di Olevano Romano’ cultivars showed the highest TPC (2.673 –
4.094; 1.963 – 3.859, 2.104 – 3.794, and 2.668 – 3.549 mg GAE/L, respectively), as well as the
highest TFC and TPAC.

Conclusion:

In addition, wines sharing cold maceration (i.e., COR and CP samples) resulted in
the highest total anthocyanidin content with a variable malvidin and cyanidin distribution percentage;
as well as younger wines (2019) showed the highest TPC and anthocyanidins content.
In these regards, the natural groupings among samples obtained by chemometrics reinforce the
influence of cultivar origin, the wine-making process, as well as wine aging on phenolic content
and compositions, thus acting as fingerprints for specific grape cultivars.
Perivascular Epithelial Cell Tumor of the Stomach Diagnosed Preoperatively by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration
Authors: Wang Limei , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Perivascular Epithelioid Cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm characterized by the co-expression of melanocytic and myoid
markers. While PEComas can arise in diverse anatomical sites, gastric PEComas are exceedingly rare, with merely nine cases documented in the
extant literature.

Case Presentation:

Herein, we have presented a case of gastric PEComa in a 65-year-old male patient who exhibited a 3-year history of epigastric pain, with notable
exacerbation in the two months prior to diagnosis. For the initial evaluation of the patient's condition, Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle
Aspiration (EUS-FNA) and Computed Tomography (CT) were employed, which enabled a preoperative diagnosis. Radiological assessment
demonstrated a neoplasm exhibiting heterogeneous arterial enhancement, persistent delayed enhancement, and distinct margins. Subsequent to
diagnosis, the patient underwent surgical resection and has maintained a disease-free status for one year postoperatively. This case report highlights
the crucial role of EUS-FNA in facilitating preoperative histological diagnosis and optimizing surgical planning for gastric PEComa.

Conclusion:

This case constitutes the tenth documented instance of gastric PEComa in the global literature. In this case, EUS-FNA facilitated a preoperative
histopathological diagnosis, thereby enabling precise surgical planning. An accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial for devising an optimal
treatment strategy.
A 17-Years Follow-up of Occupational Radiation Doses in an Interventional Cardiology Department
Authors: Kostova-Lefterova Desislava , Mateev Hristo , Aleksandrov Aleksandar , Ivanova Elena , Vladimirov Georgi , Bankova Aleksandra , Simeonov Filip , Stanev Stefan
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Various studies have demonstrated large variations in the annual occupational exposure of medical personnel working in interventional cardiology
departments, ranging from 0.1 mSv to exceeding the annual effective occupational dose limit of 20 mSv.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 17-year dynamics in the personal dosimetry records of the medical staff in one interventional
cardiology department in Bulgaria.

Methods:

The study was performed between 2007 and 2023 and included 31 interventional cardiologists. For each of them, data from all individual
dosimetry control reports were analysed. The number and complexity of interventional procedures were analysed on an annual basis. A total
number of 39639 procedures performed over 17 consecutive years were classified and analysed.

Results:

The results have suggested that when a newly formed team gains clinical experience, the focus shifts towards optimizing radiation exposure to
patients, and it has been observed to change from 40 Gy.cm2 in 2009 to 14.8 Gy.cm2 in 2023 for diagnostic and from 146 Gy.cm2 in 2009 to 51.2
Gy.cm2 in 2023 for interventional procedures, and from 19.5 mSv/year under the lead apron in 2012 and 3.7 mSv/year in 2023 for one of the
interventional cardiologists among the medical staff. The optimization process in the department has been found to be slow but consistent, starting
with the routine application of basic methods to reduce the likelihood of skin injury. Any practical implementation of a methodology or process
requires periodic training to raise awareness of the topic and the use of different strategies to put it into practice. Most of the reported values from
individual dosimetry monitoring have been found to be in the range below 4 mSv/year, consistent with the summarised results from other studies.

Conclusion:

The radiation protection awareness program introduced in 2014 has been found to result in between a 2- and 6-fold reduction in individual
effective doses for some staff members and a 2-fold reduction in typical patient doses.
Low-Power Design of Fully Digital BPSK Modulator and Demodulator Utilizing Nanoscale FinFET for Smart Implants
Authors: G. Lakshmi Priya , Jena Biswajit , M. S. Keerthana , Priyanka Kasturi
Published: December 2024

This study aims to create a high-speed, low-power data transmission solution for
implantable medical devices based on cutting-edge FinFET technology. The work examines
the application of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation through a transmission gate
design, which provides an optimal blend of low resistance, high-speed performance, and minimal
power consumption. Additionally, the work includes the design of a sine-to-square wave
converter and a modulating signal generator. FinFET is employed owing to its high switching
speed, low power consumption, low leakage current, and excellent tolerance of short channel
effects. The design exhibits a steady electric field at the source end, a high electrostatic potential,
and an improved ON current at low work function values using Sentaurus TCAD simulations
of a 20nm FinFET, allowing high-speed data modulation in smart implants. A nonoverlapping
phase generator, a low-power, current-starved gated ring oscillator, a frequency
divider utilizing a True Single Phase Clock D-Flip-flop, and an XOR gate serving as a pulse
counter are all featured in the design of the BPSK demodulator. This work is significant for its
ability to drastically reduce power consumption to 1.75μW while retaining high data transmission
speeds, making it perfect for next-generation implantable medical devices. With a 0.9 V
power supply, this FinFET-based BPSK modulator and demodulator achieve a far lower power
consumption than conventional CMOS-based designs, which increases device longevity and
efficiency in settings with limited resources.
Luminescent and Scintillation Properties of LiLu(PO3)4:Pr3+Nanophosphor
Authors: Horchani-Naifer Karima
Published: December 2024

Background:

Recent advancements in luminescent materials have drawn significant interest
due to their wide-ranging applications in radiation detection, lighting, and display technologies.
Praseodymium-doped phosphates, in particular, have shown promise because of their unique
luminescent and scintillation properties.

Objective:

This study aims to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the luminescent and scintillation
properties of praseodymium-doped polyphosphate LiLu(PO3)4, focusing on the potential applications
of these materials.

Methods:

LiLu(PO3)4:Pr3+ microcrystals were synthesized using the flux method, while nanocrystals
were produced via the coprecipitation technique. The synthesized polyphosphates were characterized
using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence
(PL) spectroscopy.

Results:

LiLu(PO3)4:Pr3+ crystals were found to crystallize in the monoclinic C2/c space group
with specific lattice parameters. The structural analysis revealed that the basic units are helical ribbons
of (PO3)n formed by corner-sharing PO4 tetrahedra, with LuO8 dodecahedra and LiO4 tetrahedra
forming linear chains. The incorporation of praseodymium ions resulted in the observation of
both ultraviolet and visible luminescence under X-ray and laser excitations. UV emission, originating
from 4f-5d → 4f2 transitions, exhibited a very fast lifetime (τ4f-5d = 3 ns), while visible emission
from transitions within the Pr3+ 4f2 ground configuration showed a short decay time of approximately
100 ns.

Conclusion:

The scintillation properties of LiLu(PO3)4:Pr3+ demonstrated promising results, indicating
their potential for various high-performance applications, including solid-state lighting, bioimaging,
and radiation detection.
Effect of Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract on the Toxicity Induced by Ethyl Methanesulphonate (EMS) in the Third Instar Larvae of Transgenic Dro-sophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) Bg9
Authors: Ansari Samra Zaki , Varshney Himanshi , Gaur Kajal , Subhan Iqra , Fatima Javeria , Ara Gulshan , Siddique Yasir Hasan
Published: December 2024

Background:

Neem, known for its medicinal benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, can serve as a complementary or al-ternative treatment. Research has also indicated that neem extracts lessen the harmful ef-fects of the chemotherapy drug cisplatin on healthy cells while still preserving its ability to target cancer cells effectively. Different parts of the Neem tree, such as leaves, bark, fruit, flowers, oil, and gum, have been traditionally used in herbal medicine for treating various health conditions, including cancer, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.

Objective:

The effect of neem extract was studied on the Ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) (an anti-cancerous drug)-induced toxicity in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophi-la melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ) Bg9.

Methods:

The third instar larvae were exposed to 25 μM of EMS alone and along with 4×10-3g/ml, 8×10-3g/ml, 12×10-3g/ml, and 16×10-3g/ml of neem extract (NE) mixed in diet for 24 hrs.

Results:

A significant increase in toxicity was observed in the larvae exposed to 25 μM of EMS. A dose-dependent significant decrease in the toxic effects was observed in the lar-vae exposed to various doses of neem extract. The GCMS analysis of the neem extract showed the presence of Phytol and α-tocopherol as major compounds.

Conclusion:

The reduction in the toxicity induced by EMS is mainly attributed to phytol and α-tocopherol.

conclusion:

The reduction in the toxicity induced by EMS is mainly attributed to phytol and α-tocopherol.
An Overview of Mycorrhizae: Nature's Own Biofertilizers
Authors: Mohan Lalit , Gupta Vandana
Published: December 2024

Mycorrhizae are mutualistic associations between plant roots and fungi,
conferring several advantages to plants, improving their survival and growth even
under harsh soil conditions such as drought, acidic pH, the presence of toxic
compounds, low nutrient availability, the presence of soil pathogens, etc., and hence act
as nature’s own biofertilizers. The importance of mycorrhizal associations is signified
by the fact that almost all the plant species on our planet carry these associations at
least for some part and typically for most of their life cycle. In this chapter, our focus is
to provide undergraduate and graduate students with an overview of three different
types of mycorrhizae, namely endo-mycorrhizae, ectomycorrhizae, and
ectendomycorrizae, based primarily on their macro- and microscopic structures.
Further classification of endomycorrhizae into vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae
(VAM), arbuscular mycorrhizae, orchid, and ericoid mycorrhizae and classification of
ectendomycorrhizae into monotropoid and arbutoid mycorrhizae are based on further
details of microscopic features and the fungal and plant species involved. This chapter
also aims at providing the reader with an insight into the advantages conferred by the
fungal partner to the plants and the accelerated use of these fungi as inoculants for
various applications such as agriculture, afforestation, and reclamation of waste lands.
Mycorrhiza: Prospects, Possibilities, and Potential
Authors: Dubey Shivani , Sharma Mukul
Published: December 2024

Mycorrhiza is the mutually beneficial relationship between a plant and a
fungus colonizing its roots wherein the plant provides carbohydrates to fungi, in return
Mycorrhizal fungal partner imparts several advantages to plants viz., making otherwise
unavailable nutrients available to the plant, imparting resistance to diseases. It also has
the potential to be used extensively not only for growth and yield but also for disease
and insect control along with nutrient cycling, heavy metal assimilation, land
reclamation, restoration and so on. The application of mycorrhizal biotechnology has
great potential and can play an essential role in the restoration of degraded lands in
many surface-mined areas. This chapter is an overview of the prospects, potential and
possibilities of Mycorrhiza in agriculture, industry and other environmental
applications.
Agricultural Application of Mycorrhiza on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill-A Case Study
Authors: Aher Rangnath
Published: December 2024

The present investigation deals with the effect of six different species of
mycorrhizal inoculation on the germination and growth of Lycopersicon esculentum
Mill (Tomato). This experiment was conducted to observe the efficient VAM
inoculation that would be beneficial for plant growth. Tomato occupies a prominent
position in vegetables and is a commercially exploited crop. The local variety of
tomatoes (1057) was inoculated with six different AM fungal inoculums in the
germinating media. The germination percentage and plant vigour were increased by
different VA mycorrhizal fungi. The minimum number of days taken for germination
was observed by Glomus fasciculatum (6 days) followed by G. mosseae, G.
monosporum, G. heterosporum, G. geosporum and G. multicaule (7 days). The highest
germination percent was recorded with G. fasciculatum (96%) followed by G.
geosporum (94.12 per cent) when compared to the control. The highest shoot height,
root length, fresh shoot weight and the highest fresh root weight were recorded with
Glomus fasciculatum compared to the control and other VA fungal species. Hence, it is
concluded that AM fungi help in better seed germination by mutualistic symbiosis.
Soil Microbes as a Tool for Industry and Research
Authors: Pal Priti , Rani Humaira , Ansari Shamim Akhtar , Sachdev Swati , Raheem Abdul , Amir Mohammad , Ansari Mohammad Israil
Published: December 2024

Soils are a rich source of biologically active industrial and medical
compounds arising from microbial populations and their ecosystem services that
comprise soil microbiome. The research of soil microbial ecosystems has supported the
development of a complete knowledge of the earth's microbial community's (bacteria,
archaea, lower and higher eukaryotes, and viruses) important role in repairing soil
structure and function and making it active. Soil microbiome discovery has
transformed environmental problems, agricultural productivity, bio-manufacturing and
medical science. Soil microbes are an obligatory fundamental form of life affecting us
in a variety of ways, helping as tools in industry and research. Soil microorganisms in
the biosphere play a crucial role in supporting life in the face of increasing 21st century
challenges such as soil fertility, food insecurity, epidemics, and a global energy
dilemma.Algae, fungi, mushrooms, protozoa, seaweeds, and, in particular, soil microorganisms
now represent an unlimited source and ingredients used in pharmaceuticals for the
manufacture of antibiotic compounds, in food industries for the advancement of human
nutrition, in medication and beauty care products, in climate control, in the industry for
the creation of fuel, chemicals, and other bioactive mixtures, and in research. A
detailed knowledge of soil microorganism resilience might lead to new advances in
agriculture, energy, healthcare, and the environment.
Endophytes: Distribution, Molecular Characterization and Biodiversity Evaluation
Authors: Gothwal Raj Kumar , Nehra Sampat , Solanki Pooran Singh , Varshney Alok Kumar , Ghosh P.
Published: December 2024

Endophytes are considered all microorganisms present within plants that can
be cultured in suitable media (MEA, PDA). In addition to mutualistic and
commensalistic symbionts, endophytes could include latent pathogens, latent
saprotrophs, and early stages of colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia.
Endophytes inhabit the interior of plant tissues, causing no harm to the host and do not
develop external structures, excluding in this way modulating bacteria and mycorrhizal
fungi.The intimate relationship between endophytic microorganisms and their hosts involves
co-evolutionary processes and may influence the physiology of the plant and also
interfere with the presence of other endophytes. This endophyte-plant interaction may
have been naturally selected during long climatic changes thus allowing a great genetic
variability in endophyte populations that open perspectives for the discovery of
improved or new enzymes, drugs, and other products with new and useful properties.
In this chapter, endophytes, their ubiquitous occurrence, transmission, techniques of
isolation, molecular characterization, biodiversity evaluation and future directions for
endophytic exploitation have been focused. In the literature, examples have been
summarized that show the functional significance and importance of endophytic fungi
and bacteria.Recent studies have demonstrated that these endophytes can be used as vectors to
provide new characteristics with biotechnological interest to the host plant. In this
aspect, endophytic fungi can be genetically modified and express heterologous genes.
They can be used to control pathogens, promote plant growth and produce vitamins,
amino acids and vaccines inside the host plant. Therefore, it is extremely important to
look at endophytes as microorganisms with biotechnological potential besides their
biological role.
Therapeutic Potential of Endophytes of Medicinal Plants with reference to the Family Zygophyllaceae: A Review
Authors: Sharma Varsha , Khandelwal Sapana , Meena Poonam
Published: December 2024

Medicinal plants have been known for their therapeutic properties for
centuries, as they are rich in uncountable and valuable phytochemical compounds.
Synthesis as well as different biological aspects of such compounds in plants increases
many folds in association with endophytes. These microbial endophytes reside in host
plants without causing any symptoms of infection so they are gaining the attention of
researchers for research in many fields such as in agriculture, medicines, environmental
studies, etc. In the recent development of research, the medicinally important family
Zygophyllaceae has a limited extent of microbial endophytes’ specificity. Very limited
studies have been conducted on bioactive compounds isolated from endophytes and
their role in health-related benefits. Therefore, this article presents a review of the
evaluation of endophytes studied in plants of Zygophyllaceae for the study of bioactive
compounds along with various biological activities. This review article will
prominently contribute to the exploration of endophytes from medicinal plants of
Zygophyllaceae as a source of bioactive and chemically novel compounds.
Major Viruses Infecting Temperate Fruit Crops and Their Impact on the Fruit Industry
Authors: Wani Sumiah , Ashaq Mohd , Sumaira-Hamid  , Dar G. H. , Asha-Nabi  , Ahmad Mushatq , Padder B. A. , Shah Mehraj D.
Published: December 2024

Several plant viruses infecting temperate fruit crops are extremely infectious
and have devastating effects on the host trees. They all have a significant effect on
yield and yield-related efficiency. Others cause a slew of problems, necessitating a
large sum of money to save these infectious diseases from wreaking havoc. Yield and
other economic losses are the most visible manifestations of this effect. These viruses
cause economic loss to the farmers/producers and consumers by affecting plant growth
and reproduction, causing sterility, yield and/or quality reduction, increased
susceptibility to other stresses, crop failure, loss of aesthetic value, quarantine, and the
need for eradication of the infected plants, thus increasing the cost of control measures
as well as detection programs. Since future yield and risks are so unpredictable, losses
incurred by any viral disease cannot be calculated explicitly. Experimental evaluation
of the losses due to viral diseases is difficult because the infection of safe, controlled
plants is rarely possible, and inoculations under vector-proof conditions do not
adequately represent what occurs in natural conditions. Viruses are also unusual, and
their structures are deceptively simple. However, this simplicity leads to a stronger
reliance on the host, and the two have a complicated relationship. This complicates
plant-virus management strategies as well as the damage caused by them. Plant virus
control systems rely on our knowledge of the virus-vector/host relationship and will
remain one of the most difficult tasks faced by plant virologists, growers, and
nurserymen in the future.
Introduction to Biocompatible Glasses, Ceramics, and Glass-Ceramics
Authors: Moghanian Amirhossein , Miri Zahra , Sánchez Danna Valentina , Miri Amir K.
Published: December 2024

Glass ceramics and ceramics have a vast range of applications in tissue
engineering and regenerative medicine. Biocompatible glasses and ceramics, including
bioinert ceramics, bioactive glasses (BGs), and calcium phosphate have been reviewed
in this chapter detailing the history, properties, structure, and application. Ceramics and
glasses with bioactivity and biocompatibility properties are pioneer solutions for a
variety of clinical needs. The capacity of ceramics in hydroxyapatite formation (HA)
has also been explained in this section. This chapter includes the invention of the first
generation of ceramics and an explanation of how significant are their clinical
applications.
Bioactive Glasses: Structure, Properties, and Processing
Authors: Bahati David , Bricha Meriame , Mabrouk Khalil El
Published: December 2024

Bioactive glasses, as pioneering artificial biomaterials, uniquely establish
strong bonds with hard and soft native tissues by forming a bone-like hydroxyapatite
layer in contact with physiological body fluid. This hydroxyapatite layer, mimicking
the inorganic phase of natural bone, adds a fascinating dimension to their biomedical
significance. Comprising three primary components; network formers, network
modifiers, and intermediate oxide components; bioactive glasses allow tailored
properties through component variation. While extensively explored for broadening
biomedical applications, especially in regenerative medicine, their use is constrained by
inherent mechanical shortcomings such as brittleness, fragility, and poor elasticity.
Ongoing studies focus on incorporating bioactive glasses into composite/hybrid
biomaterials with biopolymers, aiming to optimize mechanical properties for diverse
biomedical applications, especially in load-bearing sites of hard tissues. Despite
successful applications, the mechanical limitations persist, prompting investigations
into the influence of composition and processing methods on bioactive glass properties.
Notably, doping bioactive glasses with metallic ions at lower concentrations emerges
as a promising avenue, enhancing mechanical and biological attributes, including
bioactivity, osteogenicity, osteoinductivity, and antibacterial effects. This chapter
provides a comprehensive examination of three bioactive glass types, accentuating their
structures, properties, and processing methods. Additionally, it delves into property
modifications facilitated by metallic ion dopants, contributing valuable insights to the
evolving landscape of biomaterials.
Navigating the Ethical Landscape of Digital Investigations
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Singh Pradeep , Prasad Ajay
Published: December 2024

This book aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of
Digital Forensics, from its relatively new beginnings as a Digital forensics subdiscipline to its rapidly growing importance when combined with the more established
digital forensic field of investigations. You should be able to comprehend the function
of digital forensic professionals as well as the business and cybercrime contexts in
which they are actively looking for proof of criminal and civil offenses after reading
this chapter. You can gain an understanding of the difficulties faced by forensic
practitioners and the intricacy of many cases by looking through case studies and
examples presented in the book chapters.
Acquisition of Live Analysis and Volatile Data
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Singh Pradeep , Prasad Ajay
Published: December 2024

The process of conducting a proactive Forensic investigation begins with
data acquisition. The process of obtaining Forensic data involves more than just
moving files from one device to another. To generate a Forensic duplicate of the data,
investigators use Forensic data acquisition to try and retrieve every bit of information
from the victim system's memory and storage. Furthermore, the creation of this
Forensic duplicate needs to ensure that the data's verifiable integrity is maintained and
that it can potentially be used as evidence in court. The basic ideas of data acquisition
are covered in this chapter, along with the several processes that make up the data
acquisition methodology.
File System Forensics
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Singh Pradeep , Prasad Ajay
Published: December 2024

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are two types of
storage devices that are crucial information sources for forensic investigations. The
information gathered from storage devices should be located and safeguarded by the
investigator as evidence. As a result, the investigator must be familiar with the design
and operation of storage devices. Additionally, the file system is crucial since it
determines how data is distributed and stored on a device.
Forensics Investigation Reporting
Authors: Bhardwaj Akashdeep , Singh Pradeep , Prasad Ajay
Published: December 2024

Digital forensic investigation reports are integral components of forensic
examinations, providing comprehensive documentation of the investigation process,
methodologies employed, and findings unearthed. In a landscape inundated with digital
complexities and evolving cyber threats, these reports serve as vital tools for legal
proceedings, regulatory compliance, and organizational security measures. The chapter
presents a set of abstract templates that may assist investigators to plan and document
their proceedings. The sections will guide the investigators towards proper and
foolproof case records and evidence collection. By documenting lessons learned and
best practices, one can foster continuous improvement in digital forensic techniques.
Ultimately, digital forensic investigation reports uphold the credibility and reliability of
investigative outcomes.
IMPLEMENTASI KESYARIAHAN PENERAPAN BIAYA ADMINISTRASI AKAD PEMBIAYAAN DI KOPERASI SYARIAH
Authors: Nariswari Jihan Fashura Ilhami , Galuh Ajeng Kartika
Published: December 2024

State laws that regulate financing administration costs include Regulation of the Minister of Cooperatives Number 12/Per/M.KUKM/IX/2015 and Regulation of the Financial Services Authority Number 29 of 2014. Islamic law refers to the Qur'an and the fatwa of the DSN MUI. BMT generally applies a percentage and can be usury because it does not reflect real administration costs, so it is necessary to review the determination of the nominal so that it is more in accordance with Islamic law. This study aims to analyze how the implementation of the application of sharia administration costs in the BMT Sarana Wiraswasta Muslim Sharia Cooperative. The study was conducted using a qualitative case study method through interviews with informants. The results of the study showed that the cooperative made a breakdown of administration costs so that it reflects the real expenses needed by considering the guarantee, in accordance with the provisions of both Islamic law and state law. This study provides suggestions for the Cooperative to clearly clarify the details of its administration costs so that members become more aware of the importance of maintaining sharia in their transactions.
Barriers to and Facilitators of Implementing Team-Based Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Simulation Study: Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Brown Joan , De-Oliveira Sophia , Mitchell Christopher , Cesar Rachel Carmen , Ding Li , Fix Melissa , Stemen Daniel , Yacharn Krisda , Wong Se Fum , Dhillon Anahat
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical tool in the care of severe cardiorespiratory dysfunction. Simulation training for ECMO has become standard practice. Therefore, Keck Medicine of the University of California (USC) holds simulation-training sessions to reinforce and improve providers knowledge.

Objective

This study aimed to understand the impact of simulation training approaches on interprofessional collaboration. We believed simulation-based ECMO training would improve interprofessional collaboration through increased communication and enhance teamwork.

Methods

This was a single-center, mixed methods study of the Cardiac and Vascular Institute Intensive Care Unit at Keck Medicine of USC conducted from September 2021 to April 2023. Simulation training was offered for 1 hour monthly to the clinical team focused on the collaboration and decision-making needed to evaluate the initiation of ECMO therapy. Electronic surveys were distributed before, after, and 3 months post training. The survey evaluated teamwork and the effectiveness of training, and focus groups were held to understand social environment factors. Additionally, trainee and peer evaluation focus groups were held to understand socioenvironmental factors.

Results

In total, 37 trainees attended the training simulation from August 2021 to August 2022. Using 27 records for exploratory factor analysis, the standardized Cronbach α was 0.717. The survey results descriptively demonstrated a positive shift in teamwork ability. Qualitative themes identified improved confidence and decision-making.

Conclusions

The study design was flawed, indicating improvement opportunities for future research on simulation training in the clinical setting. The paper outlines what to avoid when designing and implementing studies that assess an educational intervention in a complex clinical setting. The hypothesis deserves further exploration and is supported by the results of this study.
Factors Associated With the Accuracy of Large Language Models in Basic Medical Science Examinations: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kaewboonlert Naritsaret , Poontananggul Jiraphon , Pongsuwan Natthipong , Bhakdisongkhram Gun
Published: December 2024

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become widely applied across many fields, including medical education. Content validation and its answers are based on training datasets and the optimization of each model. The accuracy of large language model (LLMs) in basic medical examinations and factors related to their accuracy have also been explored.

Objective

We evaluated factors associated with the accuracy of LLMs (GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Google Bard, and Microsoft Bing) in answering multiple-choice questions from basic medical science examinations.

Methods

We used questions that were closely aligned with the content and topic distribution of Thailand’s Step 1 National Medical Licensing Examination. Variables such as the difficulty index, discrimination index, and question characteristics were collected. These questions were then simultaneously input into ChatGPT (with GPT-3.5 and GPT-4), Microsoft Bing, and Google Bard, and their responses were recorded. The accuracy of these LLMs and the associated factors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. This analysis aimed to assess the effect of various factors on model accuracy, with results reported as odds ratios (ORs).

Results

The study revealed that GPT-4 was the top-performing model, with an overall accuracy of 89.07% (95% CI 84.76%‐92.41%), significantly outperforming the others (P<.001). Microsoft Bing followed with an accuracy of 83.69% (95% CI 78.85%‐87.80%), GPT-3.5 at 67.02% (95% CI 61.20%‐72.48%), and Google Bard at 63.83% (95% CI 57.92%‐69.44%). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a correlation between question difficulty and model performance, with GPT-4 demonstrating the strongest association. Interestingly, no significant correlation was found between model accuracy and question length, negative wording, clinical scenarios, or the discrimination index for most models, except for Google Bard, which showed varying correlations.

Conclusions

The GPT-4 and Microsoft Bing models demonstrated equal and superior accuracy compared to GPT-3.5 and Google Bard in the domain of basic medical science. The accuracy of these models was significantly influenced by the item’s difficulty index, indicating that the LLMs are more accurate when answering easier questions. This suggests that the more accurate models, such as GPT-4 and Bing, can be valuable tools for understanding and learning basic medical science concepts.
Design and Use of Patient-Facing Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes and Sensor Data Visualizations During Outpatient Chemotherapy
Authors: Bartel Christianna , Chen Leeann , Huang Weiyu , Li Qichang , Li Qingyang , Fedor Jennifer , Durica Krina C , Low Carissa A
Published: December 2024

This study describes patients’ interaction with a personalized web-based visualization displaying daily electronic patient-reported outcomes and wearable device data during outpatient chemotherapy.
Net Reproduction Number as a Real-Time Metric of Population Reproducibility
Authors: Achangwa Chiara , Han Changhee , Lim Jun-Sik , Cho Seonghui , Choi Sangbum , Ryu Sukhyun
Published: December 2024

The total fertility rate (TFR) is a biased estimate of the population reproductive potential when there is a sex-ratio imbalance at birth, and it does not account for the mortality of women of childbearing age. This study aimed to estimate the reproduction rate (Rt), which adjusts for the sex-ratio imbalance and the mortality of women of childbearing age, and to assess the differences in the timing of when the population reached the replacement level of the TFR and Rt. We first estimated the Rt using the probability of survival in women and the number of female births. Then, using a time-series analysis, we compared the time series of the TFR and Rt in the Korean population between 1975 and 2022. We found the Rt showed a below replacement level of the population a year earlier than the TFR. However, the estimate of the time-series analysis of Rt was not significantly different from the estimates of the TFR. Our finding suggests that the Rt can provide timely information on the adjusted population reproductive potential and is easier for the public to interpret compared to TFR.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Age-Based Disparities in Digital Health Technology Use: Secondary Analysis of the 2017-2022 Health Information National Trends Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Qiu Yuanbo , Huang Huang , Gai Junjie , De Leo Gianluca
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital health technology, but it could also impact age-based disparities as existing studies have pointed out. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, whether the rapid digitalization of the health care system during the pandemic widened the age-based disparities over a long period remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the multifaceted landscape of digital health technology used across diverse age groups among US citizens.

METHODS

We conducted the retrospective observational study using the 2017-2022 Health Information National Trends Survey to identify the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on a wide range of digital health technology use outcomes across various age groups. The sample included 15,505 respondents, which were categorized into 3 age groups: adults (18-44 years), middle-aged adults (45-64 years), and older adults (more than 65 years). We also designated the time point of March 11, 2020, to divide the pre- and post-pandemic periods. Based on these categorizations, multivariate linear probability models were used to assess pre-post changes in digital health technology use, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables among different age groups.

RESULTS

Essentially, older adults were found to be significantly less likely to use digital health technology compared with adults, with a 26.28% lower likelihood of using the internet for health information (P<.001) and a 32.63% lower likelihood of using health apps (P<.001). The usage of digital health technology for all age groups had significantly increased after the onset of the pandemic, and the age-based disparities became smaller in terms of using the internet to look for health information. However, the disparities have widened for older adults in using the internet to look up test results (11.21%, P<.001) and make appointments (10.03%, P=.006) and using wearable devices to track health (8.31%, P=.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals a significant increase in the use of digital health technology among all age groups during the pandemic. However, while the disparities in accessing online information have narrowed, age-based disparities, particularly for older adults, have widened in most areas such as looking up test results and making appointments with doctors. Therefore, older adults are more likely left behind by the rapidly digitalized US health care system during the pandemic. Policy makers and health care providers should focus on addressing these disparities to ensure equitable access to digital health resources for US baby boomers.
Commentary on the Intersection Between Health Information, Misinformation, and Generative AI Technologies (Preprint)
Authors: Bandeira António , Gonçalves Luis , Holl Felix , Shaibu Juliet Ugbedeojo , Gonçalves Mariana Laranjo , Payinda Ronan , Paudel Sagun , Berionni Alessandro , Purnat Tina D , Mackey Timothy Ken ,   Young WFPHA
Published: December 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence has seen rapid advancements, with models, such as large-language models and generative AI, evolving at a rapid pace. While this progress offers tremendous opportunities, it also presents risks, particularly in the creation, consumption, and amplification of information and its impact on population health and health program delivery. Thoughtful approaches are necessary to navigate the consequences of advances in AI for different healthcare professionals, patient populations, and from a policy and governance perspective. Through a collaboration between the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Working Groups, this commentary article brings together perspectives, concerns, and aspirations from young adult professionals across five continents, each with diverse backgrounds, to explore the future of public health and AI in the context of the changing health information environment. Our discussion is divided into two parts specifically examining aspects of disinformation and AI and also the role of public health and medical professionals in a growing AI-driven health information ecosystem. The commentary concludes with five key recommendations on how to potentially address issues such as (Dis)Information overload, misinformation propagation, and resultant changes in health practices, research, ethics, and the need for robust policies that can dynamically address current and future challenges.
The efficacy and safety of canaloplasty for the management of primary open angle glaucoma: A systematic review protocol (Preprint)
Authors: Anwar Mohammed Ma'arij , Iqbal Sobia , Osman Ahmed , Alcalde Dr Celia , Tatham Dr Andrew
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma forms the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with a disproportionately rising prevalence in Asian and African countries. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) accounts for the majority of cases. Medical therapies of POAG are not without side effects, meanwhile surgical treatments carry high complication rates. Ab-interno canaloplasty promises a safer, minimally invasive yet effective treatment option for mild-to-moderate POAG, as well as a cost-effective technique for low-resource countries. Despite this, no systematic review currently exists to verify this procedure's efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a protocol for a systematic review aimed at evaluating the efficacy canaloplasty against all other forms of POAG treatment.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the short-term, medium-term and long-term efficacy and safety of ab-interno canaloplasty in treating POAG in comparison to all other treatments with the primary outcome measure of mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcome measures include proportion of participants medication free after treatment and mean change in health-related quality of life. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library

and ClinicalTrials.gov databases will be searched for relevant RCTs. All studies will be subject to pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality of eligible RCTs will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data will be extracted with a focus on raw data where possible and analysis will be performed using Revman 5.4 software to compare the mean changes in IOP (mmHg) between ab-interno canaloplasty and other comparator therapies. A funnel plot will be used to assess risk of publication bias if 10 or more trials are included in the review. I2 statistics will be used to assess heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to exclude studies with high-risk of bias and, where possible, on the primary outcome. The GRADE approach will be used to summarise the main findings.

RESULTS

The results of this systematic review are not yet available as it is still at the protocol stage. This protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database for systematic reviews (CRD42024558671) on the 27th of June 2024. Data collection for this review began on the 14th of July 2024 with the anticipated completion date being within the following year.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this systematic review will be important to patients, clinicians and policymakers worldwide in addressing the growing burden and health inequality of glaucoma.

CLINICALTRIAL

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42024558671
Current topics in human varicella infection: Pearls and challenges
Authors: Luthvia Annisa  , Mohamad S. Hakim  , Abu T. Aman
Published: December 2024

Varicella zoster virus (VZV), an alphaherpesvirus, is a highly contagious and neurotropic virus infecting the majority of the adult and pediatric population worldwide. Varicella zoster virus  is the only human herpesvirus for which a licensed live attenuated vaccine has been developed. It can be considered that additional study on VZV is superfluous given the significant success of the VZV vaccines. This has been the case for other viruses including rubella and measles, for which effective vaccinations are widely available. Contrarily, much regarding VZV, a complex and chronic human disease due to its latency, still needs to be uncovered. Over the past two decades, our understanding of the molecular biology of VZV and its pathogenicity has expanded.  In this review, we discussed our recent understanding of VZV biology, pathogenesis as well as its clinical aspect, including diagnosis, clinical management, and vaccine development.
Enhancing In-Vitro Fertilization Outcomes through Machine Learning: A Comparative Analysis of Predictive Models and Dataset Evaluation
Authors: Malathi P.
Published: December 2024

By enabling the fertilisation of eggs and sperm outside the body, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) offers couples struggling
with infertility hope through a complex medical procedure. The complex procedure involves causing the ovaries to release eggs,
extracting the eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a lab environment to create embryos, and then putting the embryos into the
uterus.Machine learning methodologies such as K-nearest neighbors (KNN), random forest, and support vector machine (SVM)
exhibit potential in forecasting IVF outcomes and alleviating the physical and emotional burden associated with treatment. This
study's objective was to examine several machine learning algorithms and assess the IVF dataset's reliability by contrasting it
with other datasets. Consequently, the KNN model achieved a 64% accuracy rate, whereas the SVM, random forest, and logistic
regression models obtained perfect accuracy rates of 100%. Assessing the IVF dataset using standardized data models through
benchmarking helps confirm its quality, relevance, and importance, thus guiding efforts to improve IVF success rates. In
essence, machine learning models are quite good at predicting the outcomes of IVF, which leads to customised reproductive
therapies that improve IVF success.
Evaluation of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill by HELP Model and Leachate Modelling by Hydrus-1d: A Review
Authors: V Chavan Vaishnavi
Published: December 2024

The effective management of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills is vital for minimizing their environmental and
public health impacts. The Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) model and HYDRUS-1D are widely used
tools for modeling landfill hydrology and leachate dynamics, respectively. This review consolidates recent advances in their
application for evaluating MSW landfills. The HELP model's capabilities in simulating landfill hydrological behavior and
HYDRUS-1D’s precision in modeling leachate transport through porous media are explored. The paper highlights the
advantages, limitations, and future directions for integrating these models in landfill studies to promote sustainable waste
management practices.