bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on Transgender Women & Hijra: Insights from Gujarat, India
Authors: Pandya Apurvakumar , Redcay Alex
Published: July 2020

Protecting vulnerable populations from COVID-19 pandemic is a strategic imperative particularly considering they are at an increased risk for a wide range of issues. Based on the telephonic interview with twelve transgender women from Gujarat, India, this paper highlights the vulnerability factors for transgender individuals during a world-wide pandemic. Amongst others, transgender community members who struggle to cope financially, mentally, or physically with the crisis are also a vulnerable group that requires attention. Authors discuss key perspectives to meet the health needs of this group. Findings also offer broad insights into bolstering mental health, provisioning and encouraging availing psychological services in addition to essential healthcare services. It is critically important to address this population’s special needs during public health crisis such as COVID 19 and beyond. More studies are needed in this area to illuminate unique considerations for healthcare workers while providing care to this important group.
Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in 2019 novel coronavirus: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Esmaeili Marzieh , Abdi Fatemeh , Shafiee Gita , Rastad Hadis , Asayesh Hamid , Abdar Zahra Esmaeili , Baygi Fereshteh , Qorbani Mostafa
Published: July 2020

BackgroundEvidence showed that partial or complete loss of smell and taste might be a possible primary symptom of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This study aimed to systematically review and pool all available evidence on the olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. MethodsIn this systematic review, a comprehensive search was carried out systematically through e-databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS); that was limited to English-language studies published from 2019 up to 6th May 2020. Afterward, all studies reported the taste and smell dysfunction in the COVID-19 patients were included. The quality of the studies was assessed by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The pooled prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was estimated using the random effects meta-analysis method.ResultsAmong 28 eligible included studies in this systematic review, finally, 22 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. According to the random effect meta-analysis, the global pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) of any olfactory dysfunction, anosmia, and hyposmia was 55% (40%-70%), 40% (22%-57%), and 40% (20%-61%) respectively. The pooled estimated prevalence of any gustatory dysfunction, ageusia, and dysgeusia was 41% (23%-59%), 31% (3%-59%), and 34% (19%-48%) respectively. ConclusionOlfactory and gustatory dysfunction is prevalent among COVID-19 patients. Therefore, olfactory and gustatory dysfunction seems to be part of important symptoms and notify for the diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in the early phase of the infection.
Sequential receptor binding primes the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein for membrane fusion
Authors: Benton Donald , Wrobel Antoni , Xu Penqi , Roustan Chloë , Martin Stephen , Rosenthal Peter , Skehel John , Gamblin Steven
Published: July 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infection is initiated by virus binding to ACE2 cell surface receptors, followed by fusion of virus and cell membranes to release the virus genome into the cell. Both receptor binding and membrane fusion activities are mediated by the virus spike glycoprotein, S. As with other class I membrane fusion proteins, S is post-translationally cleaved, in this case by furin, into S1 and S2 components that remain associated following cleavage. Fusion activation following receptor binding is proposed to involve the exposure of a second proteolytic site (S2’), cleavage of which is required for the fusion peptide release. We have investigated the binding of ACE2 to the furin-cleaved form of SARS-CoV-2 S by cryoEM. We classify ten different molecular species including the unbound, closed spike trimer, the fully open ACE2-bound trimer, and dissociated monomeric S1 bound to ACE2. The ten structures describe sequential ACE2 binding events which destabilise the spike trimer, progressively opening up, and out, the individual S1 components. The opening process reduces S1 contacts with each other and un-shields the trimeric S2 core, priming fusion activation and dissociation of ACE2-bound S1 monomers. The structures also reveal refolding of one of the S1 subdomains, following ACE2 binding, that disrupts interactions with S2, notably involving Asp614, leading to destabilisation of the structure of S2 proximal to the secondary (S2’) cleavage site.
Assessment of Fluid Responsiveness After Tidal Volume Challenge During Pressure-Controlled Ventilation Volume Guaranteed: An observational study
Authors: Jiang Yu , Jiang Lingling , Hu Jun , Zhang Ye
Published: July 2020

Background: The reliability of pulse pressure variation (PPV) and stroke volume variation (SVV) to predict fluid responsiveness have not previously been established when using pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) mode. We hypothesized that with a transient increase in tidal volume from 6 to 8 mL/kg of predicted body weight (PBW), which we reference as the “tidal volume challenge (TVC)”, the changes to PPV and SVV will be an indicator of fluid responsiveness.Methods: The patients were first ventilated with a tidal volume of (Vt) 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight (PBW) using PCV-VG. Following intravenous anesthesia induction, PPV6 and SVV6 were recorded, then the TVC was performed, which increased Vt from 6 mL/kg to 8 mL/kg PBW for 1 minute and PPV8 and SVV8 were recorded again. The changes in value of PPV and SVV (ΔPPV6-8 and ΔSVV6-8) were calculated after TVC. Following the minute of TVC, the tidal volume was returned to 6 ml/kg PBW for the fluid challenge (FC), a colloid infusion of 6ml/kg PBW for 20 minutes. Patients were classified as responders if there was an increase in cardiac index (CI) of more than 15% after FC, otherwise the patients were identified as non-responders. Eligible patients were divided into groups of responders or non-responders.Results: 37 patients were classified as responders and 44 were non-responders. PPV6 and SVV6 could not predict the fluid responsiveness, while PPV8 and SVV8 could predict the fluid responsiveness when using PCV-VG mode. The changes in value of PPV and SVV after TVC (ΔPPV6-8 and ΔSVV6-8) identified true fluid responders with the highest sensitivity and specificity in the above variables, which predicted fluid responsiveness with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) (95% CIs) being 0.96 (0.93-1.00) and 0.98 (0.96-1.00), respectively. No significant difference was found when comparing the AUCs of ΔPPV6-8 and ΔSVV6-8 (P > 0.05). Linear correlation was represented between the change value of CI after FC and the change value of SVV or PPV after TVC (r = 0.68; P < 0.0001 and r = 0.77; P < 0.0001, respectively).Conclusions: A transient increase in tidal volume, which we reference as the “tidal volume challenge (TVC)” could enhance the predictive value of PPV and SVV for the evaluation of fluid responsiveness in patients under ventilation with PCV-VG.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000028995). Prospectively registered on 11 January 2020. http://www.medresman.org.
PROF. DR. FUAT SEZGİN VE BİLİM TARİHİ
Authors: GÜZELOĞLU Tuğşat
Published: July 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı Fuat Sezgin’in bilim tarihindeki önemini ortaya koymaktır. Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, ömrünü İslam Bilim Tarihi araştırmalarına adayan önemli bir Türk âlimdir. Nitekim iyi derecede yirmi yedi dil bilen Fuat Sezgin, Bilimler Tarihi alanında dünyanın sayılı bilim adamlarından birisidir. Bu anlamda Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, yalnızca Türkiye’de değil dünya çapında bir etkiye sahiptir. Fuat Hoca’nın İslam medeniyetinin sonraki nesillere aktarılması konusunda sayısız çalışmaları vardır. Fuat Hoca’nın çalışmalarındaki asıl derdi ise İslam kültür ve medeniyetinin daha iyi anlaşılması için bir bilinç oluşturmaktır. Bu çalışmaları ile Sezgin’in tüm ömrünü bilime ve ülkesine adayarak geçmişle gelecek arasında bir köprü kurduğu da yadsınamaz bir gerçektir. Dolayısıyla Fuat Sezgin tarihte çığır açarak, tarihe ışık saçan bir âlimdir.
UMA LEITURA DA DISCIPLINA DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA NA BNCC DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL À LUZ DOS ESTUDOS DO LETRAMENTO
Authors: Cardogna Nogueira Furman Evelyn , Petermann Rafael
Published: July 2020

Resumo: O presente trabalho busca destacar os conceitos-chave subjacentes à Base Nacional Comum Curricular (2017) do Ensino Fundamental, na disciplina de Língua Portuguesa e, desta forma, refletir sobre as possíveis condutas dos professores e as suas implicações didáticas a partir da ótica dos estudos do letramento. Para tanto, utilizou-se como metodologia uma abordagem qualitativa, de epistemologia interpretativista do tipo análise documental com objetivo exploratório. Os fundamentos teóricos são embasados em Street (2014), Kleiman (2014), Rojo (2012) , que compartilham da teoria de letramento como prática social, complementado pela concepção de multiletramentos. Em termos de resultados, verificamos que o documento analisado, ao assumir uma concepção enunciativo-discursiva de linguagem, e ensino e aprendizagem baseados em competências e habilidades ligadas aos campos de atuação social, apontam para a necessidade também de condutas coerentes de professores, de forma a considerar as práticas sociais letradas locais a fim de (re)significá-las em sala de aula.
A ESCOLHA DE UM CURSO TÉCNICO E AS IMPLICAÇÕES DAS E NAS RELAÇÕES DE GÊNERO
Authors: Vega Incerti Tânia Gracieli , Casagrande Lindamir Salete
Published: July 2020

Este artigo é parte dos resultados de uma pesquisa de mestrado realizada no Programa de Pós-graduação em Tecnologia e Sociedade da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, que em sua completude tinha por finalidade discutir as relações de gênero na educação profissional e tecnológica. Objetiva-se trazer para o debate as descrições, mensagens e direcionamentos apresentados pelas/os estudantes de dois cursos técnicos do Instituto Federal do Paraná - IFPR que, de alguma forma, se relacionam à escolha desses cursos e suas implicações das e nas relações de gênero. Como técnica de pesquisa, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com vinte e quatro estudantes dos cursos técnicos em Mecânica e em Processos Fotográficos - Campus Curitiba. Os resultados apontam que em ambos os cursos, a maioria das respostas pertinentes à escolha do curso, está relacionada aos estereótipos de gênero.
COMO PROMOVER DESENVOLVIMENTO TERRITORIAL A PARTIR DE TECNOLOGIAS SOCIAIS?
Authors: Souza Larissa Ferreira de
Published: July 2020

Diante do desafio de promover desenvolvimento territorial em um país com tamanha extensão como o Brasil as Tecnologias Sociais têm se apresentado como uma alternativa inovadora capaz de promover desenvolvimento nacional e atender as demandas locais. Isso é possível por meio da criação de uma Política Nacional de Desenvolvimento Territorial apoiada nos princípios da Gestão Social. Diante dessa discussão, o presente estudo objetivou analisar como as Tecnologias Sociais se inserem na Política de Desenvolvimento Territorial Brasileiro. Para alcançar tal objetivo foi realizado um levantamento da bibliografia relacionada ao desenvolvimento territorial, tecnologias sociais e as políticas públicas ligadas a essas áreas. A relação entre Tecnologias Sociais e Gestão Social também foi estudada, além da realização de pesquisas junto a estudiosos do assunto e análise dos materiais publicados no Brasil acerca daquilo que tem sido desenvolvido em termos de TS. Os resultados alcançados mostraram que é alta a incidência dos princípios de Gestão Social dentro das iniciativas de TS desenvolvidas no país, comprovando que as Tecnologias Sociais podem ser utilizadas como ferramentas para a construção de uma política nacional que leve ao desenvolvimento dos territórios. Além disso, a inserção das TS na política de desenvolvimento territorial do Brasil se dá mediante o cumprimento dos princípios básicos da Gestão Social, principal pilar de sustentação dessa política, atuando as TS como complemento da Gestão Social e a Gestão Social como complemento da primeira.
ANÁLISE DO PLANO NACIONAL DO LIVRO DIDÁTICO NO CONTEXTO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA E SOCIEDADE
Authors: Salvador Heloiza , Oliveira Patricia
Published: July 2020

O estudo dos documentos que regem as diretrizes para a educação brasileira apresentam relevância no meio acadêmico. Dentre as bases que regem a rede de ensino, neste artigo iremos nos restringir a análise do Plano Nacional do Livro Didático (PNLD). Sendo um programa do governo federal brasileiro que possui como objetivo analisar e distribuir livros didáticos que são utilizados como apoio na prática docente e discente. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar, por meio da perspectiva da Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS), como os impactos dessa tecnologia (livro didático) na sala de aula (sociedade) interferem no ensino e na aprendizagem da ciência. Ao associar o Plano Nacional do Livro Didático - PNLD ao contexto educacional, é preciso se pautar na ciência, levando em consideração os aspectos epistemológicos de cada ciência e compreender que a tecnologia escolhida, no caso o livro didático, deve abarcar os elementos sociais, ambientais e culturais. Nesse sentido tais questões precisam ser levadas em consideração, pois se pautando no contexto da ciência, tecnologia e sociedade (CTS), a escolha de tais tecnologia necessitam compor o conhecimento necessário que além de ampliar os conceitos científicos fundamentais para a formação do aluno, esses também podem contribuir para a sua emancipação e tomadas de decisão na sociedade. Portanto, o PNLD é uma tecnologia, que para ter um efeito de impacto social, é preciso ser analisada do ponto de vista do contexto CTS.
Delimitando espaços e definindo papéis:
Authors: Gonçalves de Oliveira Ricardo
Published: July 2020

Mudanças de paradigma na organização do trabalho resultam em diferentes níveis de aceitação/adaptação/legitimação dos novos modelos organizacionais pelos trabalhadores. Nesse sentido, propomos analisar o corte geracional entre trabalhadores, suas causas e suas consequências. Observou-se uma divisão dos trabalhadores em distintos grupos geracionais, resultado de como se relacionam com o trabalho bancário reestruturado. Por outro lado, a compreensão da divisão geracional e suas implicações para a organização e para as relações de trabalho nos permite uma nova abordagem dos constrangimentos à organização e à ação sindical. Nesse sentido, propomos que tal análise considere o distanciamento entre sindicato e trabalhadores a partir de seus desacordos de ideias e valores, informados por distintas trajetórias e formações enquanto trabalhadores.

Palavras-chaves: Gerações de trabalhadores; estabelecidos; outsiders; trabalho bancário; modelo flexível.
Application of Functionalized Nanomaterials as Effective Adsorbents for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater: A Review
Authors: Siddeeg Saifeldin M. , Tahoon Mohamed A. , Alsaiari Norah S. , Shabbir Muhamad , Rebah Faouzi B.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Nanomaterials offer promising remediation techniques for water containing
toxic pollutants especially heavy metals.

Method:

A complete analysis of the application of nano-adsorbents for heavy metals removal from
water has been reviewed. The effect of their functionalization on the adsorption capacity, the reusability,
and the surface area has also been discussed.

Result:

In particular, the focus was on the applications of graphene oxide, carbon, silica, titanium
dioxide, and iron oxide for water treatment. Additionally, the effect of functional groups on heavy
metal selectivity has been discussed as well.

Conclusion:

This article will provide environmental engineers and academicians with information
related to the latest engineered nanomaterials employed for the treatment of wastewater containing
toxic heavy metals.
Potentiometric Determination of Mercury Ions by Sol-gel Synthesized
Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Zr (IV) Phosphate Composite Fabricated
Membrane Electrode
Authors: Rangreez Tauseef Ahmad , Mobin Rizwana , Chisti Hamida Tun Nisa
Published: July 2020

Background:

The nanocomposites are formed by introducing inorganic nano-clusters, fullerenes, clays, metals,
oxides with numerous organic polymers. The assembly of these materials exhibits better properties such as catalytic, thermal
stability and adsorption properties, etc. than the individual materials.

Objective:

The nanocomposite synthesized here by sol-gel method was primarily evaluated for cation exchange properties
viz, elution concentration, elution behavior, effect of temperature on ion-exchange capacity. The synthesized composite was
used as an electro-active component for fabrication of Hg2+ ion selective membrane electrode.

Method :

The sol-gel technique was used to synthesize multi-walled carbon nanotubes Zr(IV) phosphate composite cation
exchanger. By the technique of solution casting the material as an electroactive part was used for the fabrication of mercury
ion-selective membrane electrode. The potential response of the electrode was also investigated as a function of membrane
composition and plasticizer.

Results:

The composite cation exchanger exhibited 1.8 meq g-1 ion-exchange capacity (IEC). It retained almost 65 % of its
initial IEC upto a temperature of 400 °C. Distribution studies showed the selective nature of the composite for Hg(II) ions.
The ion-selective membrane electrode exhibited typical Nernstian response towards Hg2+ ions in the concentration range
1×10-1
-1×10-7 M.

Conclusion:

The results discussed reveal that a new cation composite exchanger-multi-walled carbon nanotubes Zr (IV)
phosphate exhibited excellent cation exchange properties and was found to be preferentially selective towards the Hg2+ ions.
It was also used as an indicator electrode in the titration of Hg2+ using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a titrant.
Development and Characterization of LBG-PVA Interpenetrating Networks Incorporating Gliclazide for Sustained Release
Authors: Katoch Ashish , Nagpal Manju , Kaur Malkiet , Singh Manjinder , Aggarwal Geeta , Dhingra Gitika Arora
Published: July 2020

Background:

Controlled oral dosage forms have always been preferred for drugs with variable absorption, and short biological half life and frequent dosing. The prime goal with sustained release systems is to maintain uniform therapeutic blood levels for more extended periods of time. Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) have been evidenced as uniform sustained release systems. In the current study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and locust bean gum (LBG) based IPNs were developed for the oral sustained release drug delivery of gliclazide (shows variable absorption).

Methods:

The IPNs were synthesized by emulsion cross-linking method using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross linking agent. Gliclazide is a potential second generation, and short-acting sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic agent having a short biological half-life (2-4 h), variable absorption and poor oral bioavailability. Various batches of IPNs were formulated by varying LBG: PVA ratio and evaluated for percentage yield, drug entrapment efficiency (DEE), swelling properties and in vitro drug release studies. Further characterizations were done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), C13 Solid state NMR, X-Ray diffraction study (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Differential scanning microscopy (DSC) studies.

Results:

The percentage yield, drug entrapment and equilibrium swelling were observed to be dependent on PVA-LBG ratio and GA amount. Sustained release of drug was observed in all IPN formulations (approx 59 - 86% in 8 h in various batches) with variable release kinetics. SEM studies revealed the regular structures of IPNs. FTIR, XRD, C13 Solid state NMR and DSC studies proposed that drug was successfully incorporated into the formed IPNs.

Conclusion:

IPNs of LBG and PVA can be used as a promising carrier with uniform sustained release characteristics.
Abundance and diversity of soil macroinvertebrates in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) plantations under organic and chemical fertilization in Belize
Authors: Chi Luciano , Huerta-Lwanga Esperanza , Álvarez Solís David , Kú-Quej Víctor Manuel , Mendoza-Vega Jorge
Published: July 2020

Many studies suggest that sugarcane management practices have negative impact on soil quality, especially on soil organisms, however, information on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity in conventional sugarcane fields is scarce. This study determined the abundance and diversity of soil macroinvertebrates in sugarcane plantations under 2 types of soils, Cambisol and Fluvisol, with three types of fertilizer management: chemical fertilizer, vinasse and filter mud, and in a secondary forest (on a Cambisol). Sampling was carried out in northern Belize during two crop cycles (from May 2013 to May 2015). Soil macroinvertebrates were collected using monoliths based on Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Handbook of Methods at the end of the rainy seasons. The parameters evaluated were biomass, density and diversity of soil macroinvertebrates (number of morphospecies, an ecological index for tropical soil quality based on macrofauna, and a converted Shannon index (H_exp)), yield and plant response variables (number of stool, number of stem, number of active leaves, stem length and stem diameter). A total of 7,634 individuals were identified, grouped into 52 morphospecies belonging to 16 orders and three species of annelids. No significant differences existed among management systems (application of chemical fertilizer, vinasse, filter mud and secondary forest) on abundance and diversity of soil macroinvertebrates, yield and plant variables. However, there were significant differences between soils and cycles in some evaluated parameters. Presuming that soil type and seasonal conditions, in a two years trial, had higher weight on determine the studied parameters than the different management systems.
Hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) del estado de Sinaloa, México
Authors: Rosas-Mejía Madaí , Vásquez-Bolaños Miguel , Gaona García Griselda , Vanoye-Eligio Venancio
Published: July 2020

En México se ha realizado escaso trabajo taxonómico de las hormigas, particularmente en los estados del noroeste, como Sinaloa. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo revisar la información disponible para los registros de especies de hormigas en el estado de Sinaloa, México. Se muestrearon 11 sitios que comprendieron el 61% de los municipios de Sinaloa y se realizó una revisión exhaustiva de artículos, páginas web y todo tipo de información especializada disponible sobre Formicidae. Se encontraron un total de 91 especies pertenecientes a 35 géneros. La revisión de la información reveló que el 85.7% de los registros de hormigas involucraban zonas rurales y urbanas, así como bordes de carreteras. Las selvas bajas caducifolias representaron el 7.61%, seguidos por los bosques espinosos y los mezquitales con 2.85% y 1%, respectivamente. Se reconoce un total de ocho especies introducidas para Sinaloa. Este es el primer estudio para documentar el conocimiento de Formicidae en Sinaloa. Se sugiere más investigación taxonómica para explorar la diversidad y hábitats relacionados.
POST-CONSERVATION EVALUATION (PCE): FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF ADAPTIVE REUSE MUSEUMS IN GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA
Authors: Abdul Aziz Muhammad Firzan
Published: July 2020

Adaptive reuse of historic buildings has become a prominent trend in the scenario of built heritage conservation of Melaka and George Town, UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Malaysia. Such implementation however is questionable since there have been several dilemmas raised in relation to the local museum industry. Among them are stiff competition faced by museums as an attractive cultural product, not appealing to business funders, rarely favoured as a family holiday destination and being perceived as dull and old repositories by the younger generations. As adaptive reuse is known to revive the physical and functional facets of historic building which then contributes to its economic generation, this study attempts to understand the financial impact from such implementations. Post-conservation evaluation (PCE) focusing on financial performance was conducted on adaptive reuse museums in the Core Zone and Buffer Zone of George Town, involving Penang State Museum (PSM), Made in Penang Interactive Museum (MIPIM), Batik Painting Museum (BPM) and Dark Mansion-3D Glow in the Dark Museum (DM) which were shortlisted trough purposive sampling. Key informants’ survey was then carried by engaging key person identified to be resourceful and knowledgeable with the respective museums’ financial background and history. It is found that the adaptive reuse museums have yet to gain a stable return of investment, due to low-income generation from their ticketing sales in relation to higher operational and maintenance costs they require. By conducting PCE on the financial performance of adaptive reuse buildings that are of cultural and historical values, conservation stakeholders may be furnished with better information that aids better decisionmaking in the future.
SURVEILLANCE AND GUARDIANSHIP ATTITUDES: ROLE OF MULTIPLE MEDIATORS
Authors: Marzbali Massoomeh Hedayati , Abdullah Aldrin , Maghsoodi Tilaki Mohammad Javad
Published: July 2020

Urban design researchers and environmental criminologists believe that personal and situational characteristics influence how and when residents act as guardians over where they live. However, little is known about the individual factors that explain residential guardianship behaviours. This study focuses on sociophysical factors in explaining residents’ willingness to act as guardians to control criminal behaviour through multiple mediators. A sample of 247 residents in Penang, Malaysia was analysed via structural equation modelling. Results demonstrated that although no significant direct association exists between natural surveillance and guardianship, this relationship was mediated via territorial identity and increases in social cohesion. Findings also indicated the significant role of territorial identity, perceived risk and social cohesion in explaining the amount of guardianship attitude. Furthermore, surveillance helps reduce perceived risk among residents. Social cohesion is the most influential factor in shaping the opportunity for capable guardianship in the study area. It is concluded that organising community-based activities will help strengthen community ties, thereby creating substantial willingness among residents to intervene for the common good and building safer communities. Using extensive survey data from a multi-ethnic community in Malaysia, this study brings to the fore the ways in which the sociophysical factors help foster guardianship attitudes within residential contexts using multiple mediators.
EVOLUTION OF WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN LUMUT CITY, PERAK, MALAYSIA
Authors: Isa Mohd Ismail
Published: July 2020

This study on the evolution of waterfront development in Lumut through physical improvement serves as one component in the formation of a city from the economic, social and environmental aspects. The current study aims to review the elements of urban design that offer an alternative to the revitalisation of the waterfront city in Lumut, Malaysia, particularly to upgrade the physical environment quality and economic vibrancy of cities. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) examine the consideration and perceptions of urban design aspects given by the respondents related to the evolution of a Lumut waterfront city, and (2) identify urban design elements that have evidence of significant contributions to the revitalisation of the aforementioned city. This research comprises two components. The first component explains the analysis based on observation and the obtained secondary information. The second component is the inventory study and analysis related to the city design in the study area. The theoretical study involves city image enhancement concepts, basic methods and principles in improving the structure of city elements. It also elaborates that any improvement or modification that should be done in any of the city elements must proceed through a proper channel and adhere to improvement or modification steps that have been proposed by design experts. The reason is to create harmony between the city elements with their surroundings to form an image that has identity, structure and meaning. With effective consideration, the proposed development must be closely assessed for its use and function before any project is endorsed and enforced. Issues discovered by this study will facilitate the formulation of strategies and suitable proposals, and automatically ensures improvement of the economic, social and environmental conditions.
SPATIAL PATTERN OF RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. THE CASE STUDY: KUCHING, SARAWAK
Authors: Jubit Norita , Masron Tarmiji , Marzuki Azizan
Published: July 2020

Residents in Malaysia are mostly concentrated in urban areas. However, people do feel worried about residential burglary despite living in urban areas. Although burglary cases have recorded a decline, the fears of crime are still high among the people in Kuching, Sarawak. The objective of this study is to identify the spatial pattern of residential burglary in Kuching, Sarawak. This study is using Global Moran’s I method as it can evaluate the spatial autocorrelation of residential burglary in the global context. The spatial data consists of Kuching district boundary, road data, police station boundary and police sector boundary, while non-spatial data includes residential burglary from 2015-2017, time, addresses of the crime occurrences, latitude and longitude. The result revealed that the strong global spatial patterns were found for residential burglary in Kuching, Sarawak between 2015 and 2017. However, there was no global spatial pattern found for residential burglary in 2016.
CHALLENGES AND OWNERSHIP ISSUES FACING BY LOW (B40) AND MEDIUM INCOME GROUP (M40) IN SELANGOR
Authors: Mohamed Osman Mariana , Zainudin Farah Eleena , Rabe Noor Suzilawati , Hitam Mizan
Published: July 2020

A shelter is a necessity based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and in the present situation, owning a home is quite difficult for low-income earners living in urban area. Currently, it was found that people living in a city mostly prefer to rent rather than buying a house due to the expensive house prices. Access to decent and affordable housing can be consider as fundamental human right and the government have the responsibility to address this human right issue. Thus, the study tries to analyse the perception of community specifically within the B40 and M40 living in Selangor towards the idea of purchasing a house. The study surveyed 500 respondents using stratified random sampling. The study found that the main challenges was the high prices of property, followed by unable to obtained loan and high monlty expenses that lead to them unable to pay for the 10% deposit of the house. In term of affordability level, with level 3 considered as afforabable range, the study found that Petaling and Kuala Langat were severely unaffordable followed by Hulu Langat, Klang, Sepang and Sabak Bernam (Seriously unaffordable) and Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor and Gombak were at moderately unaffordable.
Experiences With Wearable Activity Data During Self-Care by Chronic Heart Patients: Qualitative Study
Authors: Andersen Tariq Osman , Langstrup Henriette , Lomborg Stine
Published: July 2020

Background

Most commercial activity trackers are developed as consumer devices and not as clinical devices. The aim is to monitor and motivate sport activities, healthy living, and similar wellness purposes, and the devices are not designed to support care management in a clinical context. There are great expectations for using wearable sensor devices in health care settings, and the separate realms of wellness tracking and disease self-monitoring are increasingly becoming blurred. However, patients’ experiences with activity tracking technologies designed for use outside the clinical context have received little academic attention.

Objective

This study aimed to contribute to understanding how patients with a chronic disease experience activity data from consumer self-tracking devices related to self-care and their chronic illness. Our research question was: “How do patients with heart disease experience activity data in relation to self-care and chronic illness?”

Methods

We conducted a qualitative interview study with patients with chronic heart disease (n=27) who had an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. Patients were invited to wear a FitBit Alta HR wearable activity tracker for 3-12 months and provide their perspectives on their experiences with step, sleep, and heart rate data. The average age was 57.2 years (25 men and 2 women), and patients used the tracker for 4-49 weeks (mean 26.1 weeks). Semistructured interviews (n=66) were conducted with patients 2–3 times and were analyzed iteratively in workshops using thematic analysis and abductive reasoning logic.

Results

Of the 27 patients, 18 related the heart rate, sleep, and step count data directly to their heart disease. Wearable activity trackers actualized patients’ experiences across 3 dimensions with a spectrum of contrasting experiences: (1) knowing, which spanned gaining insight and evoking doubts; (2) feeling, which spanned being reassured and becoming anxious; and (3) evaluating, which spanned promoting improvements and exposing failure.

Conclusions

Patients’ experiences could reside more on one end of the spectrum, could reside across all 3 dimensions, or could combine contrasting positions and even move across the spectrum over time. Activity data from wearable devices may be a resource for self-care; however, the data may simultaneously constrain and create uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. By showing how patients experience self-tracking data across dimensions of knowing, feeling, and evaluating, we point toward the richness and complexity of these data experiences in the context of chronic illness and self-care.
Diabetes related disease and disorder in a Chinese Q&A website: Comparison on frequency and position (Preprint)
Authors: Feng Wei , Huang Ruocheng , Lu Shan , Shan Tao , Wang Hong , Wang Shengyun , Liu Yun
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

With the development of the Internet, online medical community can help patient access to medical information and relevant decisions more conveniently, and meet the needs of patients for their own healthcare management. Mining these Q&A (Question and Answer) data, we can help doctors give more targeted feedback which improve the efficiency of question-and-answer, and patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (1) analysis frequency and position of diabetes related diseases or symptoms in Q&A website and (2) find out the differences of disease terms in gender and age using in the questions.

METHODS

We collected 5766 Q&A diabetes related data on the website of Chunyuyisheng from June 2012 to April 2020. In 38176 combined sentences, a vocabulary contains 3 categories of 3851 word and 2094 ICD (International Classification of Diseases) matching terms were obtained by calculating the similarity using word vectors. Proportion of the frequency of words and Mann-Whitney U test on word position were used to quantify the difference in patient’s gender and age group.

RESULTS

The vocabulary of the disease category accounts for 70%. We analyzed the word frequency and position in questions for different gender and age group. For gender, women participate in question answering more, accounting for 53% of total questions. They pay more attention to pregnancy, sleep and thyroid gland related vocabulary compared to men. Men focus more on circulation system, kidney failure related vocabulary. For different age group, pregnancy, glucose regulation, digestive and respiratory system related vocabulary have a higher proportion for patients under 40 years old. Patients over 40 years old pay more attention on kidney failure, cerebral ischaemia, infectious and circulation system.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a new insight into frequency and position of diabetes related diseases or symptoms in online medical services. It can show patients’ different attention by comparing disease or symptom categories for gender and age with ICD disease codes. The frequency and position of disease category words in patients’ conversation can be used for further risk evaluation for chronic diseases research.
COVID-19 and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Communities: A Complex Relationship Without Just Cause (Preprint)
Authors: Phiri Peter , Delanerolle Gayathri , Al-Sudani Ayaat , Rathod Shanaya
Published: July 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Emerging evidence has indicated a negative and disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Previous studies have already reported that biological and social risk factors increase disease susceptibility, particularly in BAME communities. Despite frontline workers in ethnic minority communities in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service attempting to quell the pandemic, disproportionate numbers of BAME physicians and other health care workers have died of COVID-19. This unprecedented situation highlights ethical and moral implications, which could further augment the impact of the pandemic on their mental health. While the government attempts to mitigate the rate of virus transmission, certain key factors inadvertently augment the negative impact of the pandemic on the mental health and general well-being of BAME communities. This study examined the available literature to explore the association between, and the wider impact of, COVID-19 on BAME communities. Furthermore, this study aims to raise awareness and provide a deeper insight into current scientific discussions.
Patient Utilization of Online Information and its Influence on Orthopedic Surgeon Selection: Cross-sectional Survey of Patient Beliefs and Behaviors (Preprint)
Authors: Hoang Victor , Parekh Amit , Sagers Kevin , Call Trevor , Howard Shain , Hoffman Jason , Lee Daniel
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Patient attitudes and behavior are critical to understand owing to the increasing role of patient choice. There is a paucity of investigation into the perceived credibility of online information and whether such information impacts how patients choose their surgeons.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and behavior of patients regarding online information and orthopedic surgeon selection. Secondary purposes included gaining insight into the relative importance of provider selection factors, and their association with patient age and education level.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study involving five multispecialty orthopedic surgery groups. A total of 329 patients who sought treatment by six different orthopedic surgeons were asked to anonymously answer a questionnaire consisting of 25 questions. Four questions regarded demographic information, 10 questions asked patients to rate the importance of specific criteria regarding the selection of their orthopedic surgeon (on a 4-point Likert scale), and 6 questions were designed to determine patient attitude and behaviors related to online information.

RESULTS

Patient-reported referral sources included the emergency room (29/329, 8.8%), friend (42/329, 12.8%), insurance company (47/329, 14.3%), internet search/website (28/329, 8.5%), primary care physician (148/329, 45.0%), and other (34/329, 10.3%). Among the 329 patients, 130 (39.5%) reported that they searched the internet for information before their first visit. There was a trend of increased belief in online information to be accurate and complete in younger age groups (P=.02). There was an increased relative frequency in younger groups to perceive physician rating websites to be unbiased (P=.003), provide sufficient patient satisfaction information (P=.01), and information about physician education and training (P=.03). There was a significant trend for patients that found a surgeon’s website to be useful (P<.001), with the relative frequency increased in younger age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that insurance network, physician referrals, appointment availability, and office location are important to patients, whereas advertising and internet reviews by other patients were considered to be not as helpful in choosing an orthopedic surgeon. Future studies may seek to identify obstacles to patients in integrating online resources for decision-making and strategies to improve health-seeking behaviors.
Acute Exacerbation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prediction System Using Wearable Device Data, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning: Development and Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wu Chia-Tung , Li Guo-Hung , Huang Chun-Ta , Cheng Yu-Chieh , Chen Chi-Hsien , Chien Jung-Yien , Kuo Ping-Hung , Kuo Lu-Cheng , Lai Feipei
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization has projected that by 2030, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third-leading cause of mortality and the seventh-leading cause of morbidity worldwide. Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are associated with an accelerated decline in lung function, diminished quality of life, and higher mortality. Accurate early detection of acute exacerbations will enable early management and reduce mortality.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop a prediction system using lifestyle data, environmental factors, and patient symptoms for the early detection of AECOPD in the upcoming 7 days.

METHODS

This prospective study was performed at National Taiwan University Hospital. Patients with COPD that did not have a pacemaker and were not pregnant were invited for enrollment. Data on lifestyle, temperature, humidity, and fine particulate matter were collected using wearable devices (Fitbit Versa), a home air quality–sensing device (EDIMAX Airbox), and a smartphone app. AECOPD episodes were evaluated via standardized questionnaires. With these input features, we evaluated the prediction performance of machine learning models, including random forest, decision trees, k-nearest neighbor, linear discriminant analysis, and adaptive boosting, and a deep neural network model.

RESULTS

The continuous real-time monitoring of lifestyle and indoor environment factors was implemented by integrating home air quality–sensing devices, a smartphone app, and wearable devices. All data from 67 COPD patients were collected prospectively during a mean 4-month follow-up period, resulting in the detection of 25 AECOPD episodes. For 7-day AECOPD prediction, the proposed AECOPD predictive model achieved an accuracy of 92.1%, sensitivity of 94%, and specificity of 90.4%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of the model in predicting AECOPD was greater than 0.9. The most important variables in the model were daily steps walked, stairs climbed, and daily distance moved.

CONCLUSIONS

Using wearable devices, home air quality–sensing devices, a smartphone app, and supervised prediction algorithms, we achieved excellent power to predict whether a patient would experience AECOPD within the upcoming 7 days. The AECOPD prediction system provided an effective way to collect lifestyle and environmental data, and yielded reliable predictions of future AECOPD events. Compared with previous studies, we have comprehensively improved the performance of the AECOPD prediction model by adding objective lifestyle and environmental data. This model could yield more accurate prediction results for COPD patients than using only questionnaire data.
Online Tool for the Assessment of the Burden of COVID-19 in Patients: Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: van Noort Esther M J , Claessens Danny , Moor Catharina C , Berg Carlijn A L Van Den , Kasteleyn Marise J , in 't Veen Johannes C C M , Van Schayck Onno C P , Chavannes Niels H
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt worldwide, yet we are still unsure about its full impact. One of the gaps in our current knowledge relates to the long-term mental and physical impact of the infection on affected individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the Netherlands at the end of February 2020, resulting in over 900,000 people testing positive for the virus, over 24,000 hospitalizations, and over 13,000 deaths by the end of January 2021. Although many patients recover from the acute phase of the disease, experience with other virus outbreaks has raised concerns regarding possible late sequelae of the infection.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop an online tool to assess the long-term burden of COVID-19 in patients.

METHODS

In this paper, we describe the process of development, assessment, programming, implementation, and use of this new tool: the assessment of burden of COVID-19 (ABCoV) tool. This new tool is based on the well-validated assessment of burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tool.

RESULTS

As of January 2021, the new ABCoV tool has been used in an online patient platform by more than 2100 self-registered patients and another 400 patients in a hospital setting, resulting in over 2500 patients. These patients have submitted the ABCoV questionnaire 3926 times. Among the self-registered patients who agreed to have their data analyzed (n=1898), the number of females was high (n=1153, 60.7%), many were medically diagnosed with COVID-19 (n=892, 47.0%), and many were relatively young with only 7.4% (n=141) being older than 60 years. Of all patients that actually used the tool (n=1517), almost one-quarter (n=356, 23.5%) used the tool twice, and only a small group (n=76, 5.0%) used the tool 6 times.

CONCLUSIONS

This new ABCoV tool has been broadly and repeatedly used, and may provide insight into the perceived burden of disease, provide direction for personalized aftercare for people post COVID-19, and help us to be prepared for possible future recurrences.