bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning-based Virtual Screening and Its Applications to Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery: A Review
Authors: Carpenter Kristy A. , Huang Xudong
Published: December 2018

Background:

Virtual Screening (VS) has emerged as an important tool in the drug development process,
as it conducts efficient in silico searches over millions of compounds, ultimately increasing yields of potential
drug leads. As a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) is a powerful way of conducting
VS for drug leads. ML for VS generally involves assembling a filtered training set of compounds, comprised
of known actives and inactives. After training the model, it is validated and, if sufficiently accurate, used on previously
unseen databases to screen for novel compounds with desired drug target binding activity.

Objective:

The study aims to review ML-based methods used for VS and applications to Alzheimer’s Disease
(AD) drug discovery.

Methods:

To update the current knowledge on ML for VS, we review thorough backgrounds, explanations, and
VS applications of the following ML techniques: Naïve Bayes (NB), k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), Support Vector
Machines (SVM), Random Forests (RF), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).

Results:

All techniques have found success in VS, but the future of VS is likely to lean more largely toward the
use of neural networks – and more specifically, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), which are a subset of
ANN that utilize convolution. We additionally conceptualize a work flow for conducting ML-based VS for potential
therapeutics for AD, a complex neurodegenerative disease with no known cure and prevention. This both
serves as an example of how to apply the concepts introduced earlier in the review and as a potential workflow
for future implementation.

Conclusion:

Different ML techniques are powerful tools for VS, and they have advantages and disadvantages
albeit. ML-based VS can be applied to AD drug development.
Role of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Breast Cancer: Design of Metronomic Chemotherapy
Authors: Sales María E. , Español Alejandro J. , Salem Agustina R. , Pulido Paola M. , Sanchez Y. , Sanchez Francisco
Published: December 2018

Background:

muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have attracted interest as
targets for therapeutic interventions in different illnesses like Alzheimer´s disease, viral infections
and different tumors. Regarding the latter, many authors have studied each subtype of mAChRs,
which seem to be involved in the progression of distinct types of malignancies.

Methods:

We carefully revised research literature focused on mAChRs expression and signaling as
well as in their involvement in cancer progression and treatment. The characteristics of screened
papers were described using the mentioned conceptual framework.

Results:

Muscarinic antagonists and agonists have been assayed for the treatment of tumors established
in lung, brain and breast with beneficial effects. We described an up-regulation of mAChRs
in mammary tumors and the lack of expression in non-tumorigenic breast cells and normal mammary
tissues. We and others demonstrated that muscarinic agonists can trigger anti-tumor actions in
a dose-dependent manner on tumors originated in different organs like brain or breast. At pharmacological
concentrations, they exert similar effects to traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Metronomic
chemotherapy refers to the administration of anti-cancer drugs at low doses with short intervals
among them, and it is a different regimen applied in cancer treatment reducing malignant
growth and angiogenesis, and very low incidence of adverse effects.

Conclusion:

The usage of subthreshold concentrations of muscarinic agonists combined with conventional
chemotherapeutic agents could be a promising tool for breast cancer therapy.
Influence of Paraquat on Four Rhizobacteria Strains: Pantoea agglomerans, Rhizobium nepotum, Rhizobium radiobacter and Rhizobium tibeticum
Authors: Maldani Mohamed , Ben Messaoud Btissam , Nassiri Laila , Ibijbijen Jamal
Published: December 2018

Background:

Soil microorganisms are exposed to herbicides after treatment, which leads to their interaction. The result of this interaction may be the degradation of the herbicides by the microorganisms and by the way, they use the degradation products as an energy source for their own physiological processes, or herbicides have a toxic effect on these microorganisms. Herbicide toxicity becomes severe instantly after application when its concentration in soil is the highest. Paraquat is one of the most widely used herbicides in agriculture; inappropriate use of this herbicide represents an immense pollution problem for soil, therefore on microorganisms. However, the knowledge about the effect of paraquat on soil microorganisms has been limited.

Objectives:

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of paraquat application on four nitrogen-fixing bacteria:Pantoea agglomerans, Rhizobium nepotum, Rhizobium tibeticumandRhizobium radiobacter.

Methods:

Paraquat was applied as the sole source of carbon at a rate (0 g/L, 0.5 g/L, 1 g/L, 3 g/L, 6 g/L and 12 g/L). The effect of paraquat treatments was determined by agar diffusion method and the rate of the growth of bacterial colonies in each treatment.

Results:

In the agar diffusion method, the bacterial strains were inhibited by paraquat, in which the inhibition zone was wider with the increase of paraquat concentration; also, analysis of the Colony Forming Units (CFUs) mostly showed a declining in bacterial growth. In comparison with the control, the growth of the four strains was decreased by increasing the paraquat concentration. Comparing strains with each other,Pantoea agglomeransis the most resistant strain to paraquat.

Conclusion:

Our study has shown the impact of the irrational use of pesticide upon the beneficial bacteria in question. For that, the results of this research have a positive impact on the natural environment, which will have tangible social and economic impacts.
Treatment Assessment Among Hypertensive Patients of a Rural Polyclinic in Russia: The Results of Structured Questionnaire
Authors: Posnenkova O.M. , Gerasimov S.N. , Popova Y.V. , Gridnev V.I. , Kiselev Anton R.
Published: December 2018

Background:

Information on treatment obtained from hypertensive patients could add the data of medical records and reveal the problems addressed to hypertensives’ attitudes and behavior.

Objective:

To evaluate patients’ knowledge on hypertension and treatment behavior at a rural polyclinic with the help of structured questionnaire.

Methods:

We interviewed 83 patients with essential hypertension (64.6±9.6 yo; 30% - men) who referred to a polyclinic of a rural settlement in the Saratov region of the Russia. Consecutive patients with hypertension diagnosis specified in their medical records, visiting a therapeutist or cardiologist on one randomly selected workday, were enrolled in our study. The appointment took place during 1-31 July 2015. Eleven district therapeutists, two general practitioners and the only cardiologist of the polyclinic participated in the study. Structured questionnaire for patients with elevated Blood Pressure (BP) proposed by S.N. Gerasimov et al. (2015) was used for interviewing. The questionnaire included 16 questions addressed to the following issues: Awareness of hypertension and risk factors, BP self-monitoring, non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment, adherence to antihypertensive therapy, referrals to medical care.

Results:

Ninety percent of respondents have known previously about BP elevation. Ninety four percent of patients had a tonometer at home. Eighty four percent of hypertensives measured their BP no rare than once a week, and fifty four percent did it every day. Eighty eight percent of study participants took antihypertensive drugs regularly. Only 36% of patients could be classified as adherent to therapy according to the Morisky-Green scale. Ninety two percent of respondents received one or more advices on lifestyle modification. Eighty two percent underwent diet counseling. Two-third of participants were advised to reduce their weight. About half of hypertensives were asked by the doctor to increase their physical activity. One-third of patients received smoking cessation advice, and the same part of enrollees received advice on alcohol consumption. The majority of patients (62.7%) were interested in organization of special follow-up program.

Conclusion:

With the help of structured questionnaire we revealed high frequency of BP self-measurement among visitors of rural polyclinic in Saratov region whereas the adherence to antihypertensive medication was low. We observed good level of knowledge on non-pharmacologic treatment interventions and revealed patients’ interest in special follow-up program. Such program should be addressed to the increase of patients’ adherence to treatment.
Investigating Effective Methods of Designing Sonifications
Authors: Quinton Michael , McGregor Iain , Benyon David
Published: November 2018

This study aims to provide an insight into effective sonification design. There are currently no standardized design methods, allowing a creative development approach. Sonifcation has been implemented in many different applications from scientific data representation to novel styles of musical expression. This means that methods of practice can vary a greatly. The indistinct line between art and science might be the reason why sonification is still sometimes deemed by scientists with a degree of scepticism. Some wellestablished practitioners argue that it is poor design that renders sonifications meaningless, in-turn having an adverse effect on acceptance. To gain a deeper understanding about sonification research and development 11 practitioners were interviewed. They were asked about methods of sonification design and their insights. The findings present information about sonification research and development, and a variety of views regarding sonification design practice.
Ampliación de la distribución geográfica de la ranita de vidrio Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni (Anura: Centrolenidae) en El Salvador
Authors: Segura Jordi , Aguirre Christian , Pineda Rodrigo , Pineda Luis
Published: November 2018

En esta nota científica se reporta una ampliación del área de distribución geográfica de la ranita de cristal (Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni) para El Salvador, en el municipio de Cinquera, Departamento de Cabañas. Por avistamientos previos se registró por primera vez a un individuo de la especie en el cantón de Montenegro, municipio de Metapán, Departamento Santa Ana y otro en Río Sapo, Departamento de Morazán.
Studi evaluasi pelaksanaan kebijakan sertifikasi guru di Kementerian Agama
Authors: Fuadi Kamal , Sudjanto Bedjo , Kamaluddin Kamaluddin
Published: December 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi (1) lingkungan strategis implementasi kebijakan, (2) proses implementasi kebijakan, dan (3) hasil implementasi kebijakan sertifikasi guru di Kementerian Agama RI. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan model evaluasi Countenance yang dikembangkan oleh Stake. Lingkungan strategis implementasi kebijakan sertifikasi guru di Kementerian Agama RI cukup mendukung keterlaksanaan dan pencapaian hasil kebijakan namun masih ditemui beberapa kelemahan dan kendala yaitu peserta mengundurkan diri, belum ada rencana induk pengembangan, belum ada evaluasi diri dan penjaminan mutu kelembagaan LPTK. Kementerian Agama RI melakukan proses pengawasan dan evaluasi namun kurang terdokumentasikan sehingga proses tindak lanjut tidak dilaksanakan. Implementasi kebijakan menghasilkan lulusan guru profesional namun terdapat kelemahan dan kendala yang menyebabkan banyaknya peserta yang mengundurkan diri dan tidak lulus. Pada angkatan I seluruh peserta sertifikasi guru lulus. Pada angkatan II dari 947 peserta jumlah yang lulus sebanyak 945 (99,79%) dan yang tidak lulus sebanyak 2 (0,21%).Kata kunci: kebijakan, evaluasi, guru, sertifikasi EVALUATION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF TEACHER CERTIFICATION POLICY IN THE MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRSAbstractThis study aims to evaluate (1) the strategic environment of the policy implementation; (2) the process of the policy implementation; and (3) the results of the policy implementation of teacher certification on the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA). The research method was a qualitative evaluation approach based on a model of evaluation developed by Stake. The strategic environment in the MORA is sufficient to support the implementation and achievement of the policy result although there are still weaknesses and obstacles follows that the participants resign, there is no PPG development master plan, no self-evaluation, and institutional quality assurance. The MORA has conducted a process of monitoring and evaluation although it is not documented so that the follow-up process is not implemented. Implementation of the policy shows the results of graduates of professional teachers despite the weaknesses and obstacles that caused many participants who resigned and did not pass. In the first batch of all teacher, certification participants passed all. In the second batch of 947 participants, the number passed as 945 (99.79%) and who did not pass as much as 2 (0.21%).Keywords: policy, evaluation, teacher, certification
Pemanfaatan metode active debate untuk peningkatan hasil belajar dan karakter kesantunan dalam pembelajaran PKn di SMP
Authors: Cahyaningtyas Dwi , Marzuki Marzuki
Published: December 2018

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan hasil belajar dan karakter kesantunan dengan memanfaatkan metode Active Debate. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas VIII F SMP Negeri 6 Yogyakarta. Analisis data menggunakan teknik deskriptif kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemanfaatan metode Active Debate dalam pembelajaran PKn dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar dan karakter kesantunan  peserta didik  kelas VIII F SMP Negeri 6 Yogyakarta tahun ajaran 2015-2016. Hal ini terbukti dari kenaikan nilai rata-rata hasil belajar dari 60,64 menjadi 73,79 pada akhir siklus 1 dan menjadi 80,16 setelah siklus 2. Skor kesantunan pada kondisi awal 45,54 menjadi 65,14 pada akhir siklus 1dan menjadi 80,54 setelah siklus 2. Terjadi peningkatan hasil belajar peserta didik dengan rata-rata 13,15 (21,99%) pada akhir siklus 1menjadi  6,37 (8,89%) pada akhir siklus 2 dengan kategori baik, dengan ketuntasan belajar secara klasikal sebesar 87,50%. Terjadi peningkatan sikap kesantunan dalam berpendapat pada siklus 1 dengan rata-rata  19,61 (48,29%) menjadi 15,40 (24,28%). Total peningkatan pada siklus 2 sebesar 35,01 (80,54%) dan skor tersebut telah mencapai kategori baik.Kata kunci: metode active debate, hasil belajar, karakter kesantunan THE USE OF THE ACTIVE DEBATE METHOD TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING OUTCOME AND  CHARACTER OF POLITENESS IN THE TEACHING CIVICS EDUCATION IN  SMPAbstractThis research was action research which was carried out in two cycles ams to determine of learning outcome and character politeness by utilizing the method of Active Debate. The subjects of this research were  VIII F students of SMPN 6 Yogyakarta. The analysis technique used in this research was descriptive qualitative. The result shows that the use of the Active Debate method in teaching Civics Education could improve the  learning outcome and the character of politeness of VIII F students of SMPN 6 Yogyakarta in 2015-2016. This was proven by: (1) The increase of the average score of learning outcomes in the initial condition after cycle 1 60.64 to become 73.79 and after cycle 2 to 80.16. The score of politeness character was 45.54 in the initial conditions and after cycle 1 it increased 65.14 and after cycle 2 to 80.54. There is an improvement in the students’ learning outcome with the average score of 13.15 ( 21.9%) in the first cycle and 6.37 ( 8.89%) in the second cycle, which is in a good category with the classical learning mastery of 87.50%. There is an improvement in students’politeness character in expressing opinions with the average score of 19.61( 48.29%) in the first cycle and 15.40 ( 24.28%) in the second cycle. The total improvement in the second cycle is 35.01 (80.54%) which is in a good category.Keywords: Active Debate method, learning outcome,  polite character
Faktor determinasi profesionalisme guru
Authors: Syamsuriyanti S. , Sukirno S.
Published: December 2018

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh (1) kualifikasi pendidikan terhadap profesionalisme guru, (2) sikap inovatif terhadap profesionalisme guru, (3) etos kerja terhadap profesionalisme guru, dan (4) pengaruh kualifikasi pendidikan, sikap inovatif dan etos kerja secara simultan terhadap profesionalisme guru IPS SMP di Kabupaten Gowa. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kausal-komparatif yang bersifat ex post facto. Penelitian menggunakan populasi sebesar 119 orang guru IPS. Pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner. Teknik analisis data menggunakan regresi linear berganda dengan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) terdapat pengaruh kualifikasi pendidikan terhadap profesionalisme guru, (2) terdapat pengaruh pengaruh sikap inovatif terhadap profesionalisme guru, (3) terdapat pengaruh pengaruh etos kerja terhadap profesionalisme guru, dan (4) terdapat pengaruh pengaruh kualifikasi pendidikan, sikap inovatif dan etos kerja secara simultan terhadap profesionalisme guru IPS SMP di Kabupaten Gowa.Kata kunci: profesionalisme guru, kualifikasi pendidikan, sikap inovatif, etos kerja FACTORS DETERMINATION PROFESSIONALISM OF TEACHERAbstractThe study aimed to know the effect of (1) the educational qualifications of the professionalism of teachers, (2) innovative attitude towards professionalism of teachers, (3) the work ethic in the professionalism of teachers, and (4) the effect of educational qualifications, innovative attitude and work ethic simultaneously in the professionalism of teachers IPS SMP in Gowa. Population on this study was 119 junior high social studies teacher in Gowa. Collected data using questionnaire. Data analysis was using multiple linear regression. The results of this study showed: (1) there were significant educational qualifications in the professionalism of teachers, (2) there were significant influences innovative attitude towards professionalism of teachers, (3) there were significant effect of the work ethic in the professionalism of teachers, and (4) there were significant effect of educational qualifications, innovative attitude and work ethic simultaneously in the professionalism of junior high social studies teacher in Gowa.Keywords: professionalism of teachers, educational qualifications, innovative attitude, work ethic
Pendidikan multi kultural berbasis kearifan lokal (studi di SMA Negeri 1 Narmada)
Authors: Muttaqin Zainul , Wardana Amika
Published: December 2018

Penulisan artikel ini bagian dari master tesis yang bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan bagian dari pendidikan multikultural berbasis kearifan lokal sebagaimana dipraktikan di SMA N 1 Narmada, Lombok Barat, Nusa Tenggara Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitativ. Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah kepala sekola, guru, siswa dan staf non-akademik lainya yang ada di lingkugan sekolah. hasil penelitian ini menunjukan 4 (empat) temuan utama: (1) imtaq dan kegiatan peduli sosial (wales/bales) sebagai nilai utama dari pendidikan multikultural berbasis kearifan lokal; (2) Alam takambang jari guru as mode pembelajaran; (3) gendang baleq sebagai bagian dari pendidikan multikultural berbasis kearifan lokal bertujuan untuk menanamkan nilai-nilai  harmonisasi dalam perbedaan; (4) kultur sekolah sebagai pondasi proses sosialisasi dan internalisasi nilai-nilai multikultural berbasis kearifan lokal.Kata Kunci: pendidikan multikultural, kearifan lokal. MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION BASED ON LOCAL WISDOM (STUDY AT STATE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1 IN NARMADA)AbstractThe article written as part of master thesis-aimed to investigate the forms of the multicultural education based on local wisdom as it practiced at State Senior High School 1 in Narmada, West Lombok. The study was pursued under the qualitative approach. The subject of the research is Headmaster, teacher, students and other non-academic staffs of the school. The research result 4 (four) main findings: (1) Imtaq and social care activities (wales/bales) as the fundamental values of multicultural education based on the local wisdom; (2) Alam Takambang Jari Guru as learning model; (3) Gendang Beleq as a form of multicultural education based on the local wisdom as an attempt of harmonization of togetherness in difference; (4) school culture is the basic foundation of the socialization and internalization process of multicultural education based on the local wisdom.Keywords: multicultural education, local wisdom,
Perbedaan metode inkuiri model pair checks dengan metode ceramah dalam meningkatan hasil dan motivasi belajar
Authors: Atmaja Subekti Triyana , Mulyani Endang
Published: December 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkapkan perbedaan efektivitas metode Inkuiri dipadu model Pair Checks dengan metode Ceramah untuk peningkatan hasil belajar dan motivasi belajar siswa pada pembelajaran ekonomi. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif. Subyek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas X IPS 2 sebagai kelas eksperimen dan siswa kelas X IPS 4 sebagai kelas control dengan  menggunakan metode inkuiri dipadu model Pair Checks, sedangkan kelas kontrol menggunakan metode ceramah. Data diperoleh melalui Pre test dan Post test, serta dari pengisian angket motivasi. Data penelitian ini dianalisa dengan menggunakan uji ANOVA. Hasil penelitian adalah sebagai berikut: metode Inkuiri dipadu model Pair Checks tidak lebih efektif dibanding metode Ceramah untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa pada pelajaran ekonomi dengan topik Koperasi Indonesia, metode Inkuiri dipadu model Pair Checks tidak lebih efektif dibanding metode Ceramah untuk meningkatkan motivasi belajar siswa pada pelajaran ekonomi dengan topik Koperasi Indonesia.Kata kunci: metode inkuiri dipadu model pair checks, hasil belajar, motivasi belajar DIFFERENCES OF THE INQUIRY METHOD WITH PAIR CHECKS WITH LECTURE METHOD IN INCREASING THE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND MOTIVATIONAbstractThe study aims to reveal the difference in the efectiveness of the Inquiry method combined with Pair Checks with lecture method in increasing student’s learning outcomes and student’s economics learning motivation. The research approach was quantitative. The subjects were grade X 2 IPS as experimental class and grade X IPS 4 as the control class. The control class was taught using the inquiry method combined with Pair Checks mode, while the experimental class was taught using the lecture method. The data were obtained through the pretest and posttest, as well as a motivation questionnaire. The research data were analyzed by using the ANOVA test. The research results are as follows: the Inquiry method combined with Pair Checks mode is not more effective than the Lecture method in improving student's learning outcomes in economics on Koperasi Indonesia  topic, the Inquiry method combined with Pair Checks mode is not more effective than the Lecture method in increasing the motivation of students in learning economics in Koperasi Indonesia topic.Keywords: inquiry combined pair checks model, the results of study, the motivation of learning
Evaluation of financial management pattern of the production unit in referral vocational school with adversary model in Yogyakarta Special Region
Authors: Astuti Ambar Wahyu , Soenarto Soenarto
Published: December 2018

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of Referral Vocational School (SMK Rujukan) program in financial management of production units in the DI. Yogyakarta province. This research was an evaluative research which described problem of financial management of production unit at SMK Rujukan. The approach used of this research were mixed methods which combined quantitative and qualitative research. The evaluation model of this research were an adversary model. An adversary evaluation model were an evaluation that seeked to uncover all the important aspects of the program being evaluated. The results showed that of the 5 SMK studied, there is only 1 SMK that had adequate financial management system of production unit, while 4 other SMK not yet adequated. Forms of protection to financial management of production units for SMK in the DI. Yogyakarta province had not been established yet. No school of the 5 schools studied, had implemented a pattern of financial management in accordance with applicable regulations.
Noncommunicable Disease Emergencies During Arbaeenia Mass Gathering at Public Hospitals in Karbala, Najaf, and Babel Governorates, Iraq, 2014: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lami Faris , Jewad Abdul Wahhab , Hassan Abulameer , Kadhim Hadeel , Alharis Sura
Published: December 2018

Background

Arbaeenia is the largest religious mass gathering (MG) in Iraq where millions of people from Iraq and many other countries visit Karbala city, south Iraq. MGs are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality from different noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and asthma. There is a scarcity of publications that address MGs in Iraq.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the NCD emergencies in public hospitals in Karbala, Najaf, and Babel governorates in Iraq, during the Arbaeenia MG and assess predisposing factors for NCD emergencies.

Methods

The study was conducted from November 27 to December 16, 2014. Data were collected in the pre-event and during MG event from 7 selected hospitals. The pre-event data were collected from emergency room (ER) registers and logbooks, and the data on the MG event were collected daily through direct interview with patients and treating physicians using a structured questionnaire.

Results

In total, 4425 NCD emergencies were recorded. Of these, 80.13% (3546/4425) were collected during the MG event. The NCD emergencies attended at ER hospitals during MG were severe hypertension (HT), diabetes (hyperglycemia), ischemic heart disease (IHD), asthma, and pulmonary edema. The load of NCD emergencies and the daily average emergencies increased 4-fold and 2-fold during the MG event, respectively. Most of the NCD emergencies were treated at ER departments, and a few were hospitalized. Intense physical activities and poor adherence to diet and medication were risk factors for IHD, severe HT, and hyperglycemic diabetes emergencies. Exposure to noxious gases or fumes and recent respiratory infections were risk factors for asthma emergencies.

Conclusions

As the pilgrims approached Karbala city during the Arbaeenia MG, the hospitals on the roads leading to the city experienced an increased load of patients because of different NCD emergencies. Although hospitals should be equipped with the necessary supplies, health education for pilgrims is mandatory, particularly on the factors that can exacerbate their diseases.
Visibility of Community Nursing Within an Administrative Health Classification System: Evaluation of Content Coverage (Preprint)
Authors: Block Lorraine J , Currie Leanne M , Hardiker Nicholas R , Strudwick Gillian
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization is in the process of developing an international administrative classification for health called the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). The purpose of ICHI is to provide a tool for supporting intervention reporting and analysis at a global level for policy development and beyond. Nurses represent the largest resource carrying out clinical interventions in any health system. With the shift in nursing care from hospital to community settings in many countries, it is important to ensure that community nursing interventions are present in any international health information system. Thus, an investigation into the extent to which community nursing interventions were covered in ICHI was needed.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to examine the extent to which International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) community nursing interventions were represented in the ICHI administrative classification system, to identify themes related to gaps in coverage, and to support continued advancements in understanding the complexities of knowledge representation in standardized clinical terminologies and classifications.

METHODS

This descriptive study used a content mapping approach in 2 phases in 2018. A total of 187 nursing intervention codes were extracted from the ICNP Community Nursing Catalogue and mapped to ICHI. In phase 1, 2 coders completed independent mapping activities. In phase 2, the 2 coders compared each list and discussed concept matches until consensus on ICNP-ICHI match and on mapping relationship was reached.

RESULTS

The initial percentage agreement between the 2 coders was 47% (n=88), but reached 100% with consensus processes. After consensus was reached, 151 (81%) of the community nursing interventions resulted in an ICHI match. A total of 36 (19%) of community nursing interventions had no match to ICHI content. A total of 100 (53%) community nursing interventions resulted in a broader ICHI code, 9 (5%) resulted in a narrower ICHI code, and 42 (23%) were considered equivalent. ICNP concepts that were not represented in ICHI were thematically grouped into the categories family and caregivers, death and dying, and case management.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the content mapping yielded similar results to other content mapping studies in nursing. However, it also found areas of missing concept coverage, difficulties with interterminology mapping, and further need to develop mapping methods.
Using a Mobile Diary App in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Helweg-Joergensen Stig , Schmidt Thomas , Lichtenstein Mia Beck , Pedersen Susanne S
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a disorder characterized by difficulties with regulating emotions and impulsive behavior. Long-term monitoring of progress during BPD psychotherapy constitutes a challenge using paper and pencil registration. Hence, a mobile app assessing emotions and progress in treatment may be useful.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of using the mDiary app as an adjunct to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for the treatment of BPD.

METHODS

A total of 9 focus group interviews were conducted and analyzed according to the grounded theory approach. Furthermore, the usability of the mDiary app was examined using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The app was implemented in a standard DBT program as an adjunct to DBT. In total, 16 patients (age range 19-41 years) and 23 therapists (age range 25-64 years) from 5 Danish public outpatient psychiatric treatment facilities participated in the study.

RESULTS

Overall, patients were satisfied with the mDiary app, as it was “easy to use” and “always there.” Inside-out innovation, meaning new work tasks generated during implementation and communication of modifications needed in the app, was found to influence the perceived usability negatively among the interviewed therapists. The patients rated the usability as high (mean SUS score 81.2, SD 9.9), whereas therapists rated the mDiary app at an average level (mean 68.3, SD 14.3). Older age of the users correlated with lower usability ratings on the SUS score (Pearson r=−0.60).

CONCLUSIONS

The mDiary app was considered as an acceptable and relevant way of registering DBT diary data for both patients and therapists generating increased long-term overview. Older users were overall more reluctant to accept this new technology in clinical practice. Time to align expectations among involved parties needs to be set aside when implementing this new approach to patient monitoring. Here, the focus should be on the realistic use of resources and expected impact on present clinical work.
When Chatbots Meet Patients: One-Year Prospective Study of Conversations Between Patients With Breast Cancer and a Chatbot (Preprint)
Authors: Chaix Benjamin , Bibault Jean-Emmanuel , Pienkowski Arthur , Delamon Guillaume , Guillemassé Arthur , Nectoux Pierre , Brouard Benoît
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

A chatbot is a software that interacts with users by simulating a human conversation through text or voice via smartphones or computers. It could be a solution to follow up with patients during their disease while saving time for health care providers.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate one year of conversations between patients with breast cancer and a chatbot.

METHODS

Wefight Inc designed a chatbot (Vik) to empower patients with breast cancer and their relatives. Vik responds to the fears and concerns of patients with breast cancer using personalized insights through text messages. We conducted a prospective study by analyzing the users’ and patients’ data, their usage duration, their interest in the various educational contents proposed, and their level of interactivity. Patients were women with breast cancer or under remission.

RESULTS

A total of 4737 patients were included. Results showed that an average of 132,970 messages exchanged per month was observed between patients and the chatbot, Vik. Thus, we calculated the average medication adherence rate over 4 weeks by using a prescription reminder function, and we showed that the more the patients used the chatbot, the more adherent they were. Patients regularly left positive comments and recommended Vik to their friends. The overall satisfaction was 93.95% (900/958). When asked what Vik meant to them and what Vik brought them, 88.00% (943/958) said that Vik provided them with support and helped them track their treatment effectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that it is possible to obtain support through a chatbot since Vik improved the medication adherence rate of patients with breast cancer.
A Smartphone App Designed to Empower Patients to Contribute Toward Safer Surgical Care: Community-Based Evaluation Using a Participatory Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Russ Stephanie , Latif Zahira , Hazell Ahmarah Leah , Ogunmuyiwa Helen , Tapper Josephine , Wachuku-King Sylvia , Sevdalis Nick , Ocloo Josephine
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

MySurgery is a smartphone app designed to increase patient and carer involvement in behaviors that contribute toward safety in surgical care.

OBJECTIVE

This study presents a pilot evaluation of MySurgery in which we evaluated surgical patients’ perceptions of the app in terms of its content, usability, and potential impacts on communication and safety.

METHODS

A participatory action research (PAR) approach was used to formulate a research steering group consisting of 5 public representatives and 4 researchers with equal decision-making input. Surgical patients were recruited from the community using multiple approaches, including Web based (eg, social media, recruitment websites, and charitable or voluntary organizations) and face to face (via community centers). Participants referred to MySurgery before, during, and after their surgery and provided feedback via an embedded questionnaire and using reflective notes.

RESULTS

A diverse mix of 42 patients took part with good representation from 2 “seldom heard” groups: those with a disability and those from a black, Asian, or minority ethnic group. Most were very supportive of MySurgery, particularly those with previous experience of surgery and those who felt comfortable to be involved in conversations and decisions around their care. The app showed particular potential to empower patients to become involved in their care conversations and safety-related behaviors. Perceptions did not differ according to age, ethnicity, or length of hospital stay. Suggestions for improving the app included how to make it more accessible to certain groups, for example, those with a disability.

CONCLUSIONS

MySurgery is a novel technology-driven approach for empowering patients to play a role in improving surgical safety that seems feasible for use within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. Adopting a PAR approach and the use of a diversity strategy considerably enhanced the research process in terms of gaining diverse participant recruitment and patient and public involvement. Further testing with stakeholder groups will follow.
Wearable Finger Pulse Oximetry for Continuous Oxygen Saturation Measurements During Daily Home Routines of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Over One Week: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Buekers Joren , Theunis Jan , De Boever Patrick , Vaes Anouk W , Koopman Maud , Janssen Eefje VM , Wouters Emiel FM , Spruit Martijn A , Aerts Jean-Marie
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients can suffer from low blood oxygen concentrations. Peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), as assessed by pulse oximetry, is commonly measured during the day using a spot check, or continuously during one or two nights to estimate nocturnal desaturation. Sampling at this frequency may overlook natural fluctuations in SpO2.

OBJECTIVE

This study used wearable finger pulse oximeters to continuously measure SpO2 during daily home routines of COPD patients and assess natural SpO2 fluctuations.

METHODS

A total of 20 COPD patients wore a WristOx2 pulse oximeter for 1 week to collect continuous SpO2 measurements. A SenseWear Armband simultaneously collected actigraphy measurements to provide contextual information. SpO2 time series were preprocessed and data quality was assessed afterward. Mean SpO2, SpO2 SD, and cumulative time spent with SpO2 below 90% (CT90) were calculated for every (1) day, (2) day in rest, and (3) night to assess SpO2 fluctuations.

RESULTS

A high percentage of valid SpO2 data (daytime: 93.27%; nocturnal: 99.31%) could be obtained during a 7-day monitoring period, except during moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (67.86%). Mean nocturnal SpO2 (89.9%, SD 3.4) was lower than mean daytime SpO2 in rest (92.1%, SD 2.9; P<.001). On average, SpO2 in rest ranged over 10.8% (SD 4.4) within one day. Highly varying CT90 values between different nights led to 50% (10/20) of the included patients changing categories between desaturator and nondesaturator over the course of 1 week.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous SpO2 measurements with wearable finger pulse oximeters identified significant SpO2 fluctuations between and within multiple days and nights of patients with COPD. Continuous SpO2 measurements during daily home routines of patients with COPD generally had high amounts of valid data, except for motion artifacts during MVPA. The identified fluctuations can have implications for telemonitoring applications that are based on daily SpO2 spot checks. CT90 values can vary greatly from night to night in patients with a nocturnal mean SpO2 around 90%, indicating that these patients cannot be consistently categorized as desaturators or nondesaturators. We recommend using wearable sensors for continuous SpO2 measurements over longer time periods to determine the clinical relevance of the identified SpO2 fluctuations.
Concordance Study Between IBM Watson for Oncology and real clinical practice for Cervical cancer patients in China：a Retrospective analysis. (Preprint)
Authors: Zou Fangwen , Liu Chao-Yuan , Liu Xu-Hong , Tang Yi-Fang , Ma Jin-An , Hu Chun-Hong
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Watson for Oncology (WFO) is a artificial intelligence clinical decision-support systems with evidence-based treatment options for oncologists. WFO has been gradually used in China, but limited reports on whether WFO is suitable for Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the concordance of treatment options between WFO and real clinical practice at the Second Xiangya Hospital Cancer Center for Cervical cancer patients retrospectively.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 300 cases of cervical cancer patients who were hospitalized at the Second Xiangya Hospital Cancer Center from May 2017 to August 2018. WFO provide treatment options for 246 supported cases. Real clinical practice were defined as concordant if treatment options were designated “recommended” or “for consideration” by WFO. Concordance of treatment option between WFO and real clinical practice was analysed statistically.

RESULTS

Treatment concordance between WFO and real clinical practice occurred in 72.8% (179/246) of cervical cancer cases.Logistic regression analysis showed that rural registration residence [0.64(0.427-0.946), P=0.025], advanced age [0.08(0.03-0.28), P=0.032], poor ECOG performance status [0.29(0.083-1.058), P=0.048], stages II-IV disease ([2.08 (1.002-4.325), P=0.046], [2.09(1.001-4.381), P=0.047], [0.19(0.038-0.91), P=0.025], respectively) have remarkable impact on consistency.Pathological type, differentiation degree, lymphatic and distant metastasis were not found to affect concordance.The main reasons attributed to the 27.2% (67/246) of the discordant cases were the substitution of nedaplatin for cisplatin,reimbursement plan of bevacizumab, surgical preference,and absence of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

WFO recommendations were in 72.8% of concordant with real clinical practice for cervical cancer patients in China. However, several localization and individual factors limit its wider application. So,WFO could be an essential tool but it cannot currently replace oncologists.To be rapidly and fully apply to cervical cancer patients in China, accelerate localization and improvement were needed for WFO.
Mining of Textual Health Information from Reddit: Analysis of Chronic Diseases With Extracted Entities and Their Relations (Preprint)
Authors: Foufi Vasiliki , Timakum Tatsawan , Gaudet-Blavignac Christophe , Lovis Christian , Song Min
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Social media platforms constitute a rich data source for natural language processing tasks such as named entity recognition, relation extraction, and sentiment analysis. In particular, social media platforms about health provide a different insight into patient’s experiences with diseases and treatment than those found in the scientific literature.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aimed to report a study of entities related to chronic diseases and their relation in user-generated text posts. The major focus of our research is the study of biomedical entities found in health social media platforms and their relations and the way people suffering from chronic diseases express themselves.

METHODS

We collected a corpus of 17,624 text posts from disease-specific subreddits of the social news and discussion website Reddit. For entity and relation extraction from this corpus, we employed the PKDE4J tool developed by Song et al (2015). PKDE4J is a text mining system that integrates dictionary-based entity extraction and rule-based relation extraction in a highly flexible and extensible framework.

RESULTS

Using PKDE4J, we extracted 2 types of entities and relations: biomedical entities and relations and subject-predicate-object entity relations. In total, 82,138 entities and 30,341 relation pairs were extracted from the Reddit dataset. The most highly mentioned entities were those related to oncological disease (2884 occurrences of cancer) and asthma (2180 occurrences). The relation pair anatomy-disease was the most frequent (5550 occurrences), the highest frequent entities in this pair being cancer and lymph. The manual validation of the extracted entities showed a very good performance of the system at the entity extraction task (3682/5151, 71.48% extracted entities were correctly labeled).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that people are eager to share their personal experience with chronic diseases on social media platforms despite possible privacy and security issues. The results reported in this paper are promising and demonstrate the need for more in-depth studies on the way patients with chronic diseases express themselves on social media platforms.
ICT Framework to Support a Patient-Centric approach in Public Healthcare: A Case Study of Malawi (Preprint)
Authors: Pankomera Richard , Van  Greunen Darelle
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Although Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the healthcare sector are extensively deployed globally, they are not used effectively in developing countries. Many resource poor countries face numerous challenges in implementing the ICT interventions. For instance, many health applications that have been deployed are not user-centric. As a result, such ICT interventions do not benefit many health consumers. The lack of an ICT framework to support patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi renders the e-health and mhealth interventions less sustainable and less cost effective.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was therefore to develop an ICT Framework that could support patient-centric healthcare services in the public health sector in Malawi. This framework is therefore proposed to ensure that eHealth and mobile health interventions are more sustainable and cost effective.

METHODS

The comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews highlighted many challenges underlying ICT development in Malawi. The framework was validated by five experts selected from different areas of expertise including electronic health application developers, ICT policy makers and public health practitioners.

RESULTS

The evaluation from the experts shows that the framework is relevant and useful in the healthcare public sector in Malawi

CONCLUSIONS

The ICT framework can therefore facilitate the provision of patient-centric healthcare services in Malawi. The patient-centric healthcare model empowers the patient to take ownership of their health and their well-being rendering the provision of healthcare services more cost effective. Furthermore, it is envisaged that this framework can also be implemented in various countries with similar settings.
“Cool” dan “Hot” Brain Executive Functioning dan Perfomansi Akademik Siswa
Authors: Siregar Nani Restati
Published: December 2018

The study of literature was to aim exploring role of cool and hot executive functions (EF) on academic performance. It was consist of (a) what are they; (b) developmental hot and cool EF; and (c) The dynamic of hot and cool EF toward academic performance. This study of literature explores a distinction (and relationship, too) made within this general domain that has emerged only recently in the theoretical and empirical literature: cool and hot executive function. Cool executive functions were related as cognitive tasks (working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition control), and hot executive functions were related as emotion tasks (motivation, affective decision making, behavior). Both of them played an important role in academic performance. Implication of literatures study should be useful for teaching strategy in classroom. Teachers need to create good atmosphere, in particular to stimulate positive emotions for learners
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)–AN OVERVIEW
Authors: C. Muhas , M. Nishad K. , P. Ummunnoora K. , K. Jushna , V. Saheera K. , P. Dilsha K.
Published: November 2018

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of most common female endocrine disorder that affects 6-15% of the female population. Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health and appearance. Androgen excess and insulin resistance are currently recognized to be responsible for much of the phenotypic presentation, though insulin resistance is far from universally present. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycle, acne and also associated with type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Efficient management of PCOS provides a prospective window of opportunity to avoid the risk of associated complications. Treatment is broadly aimed at tackling (IR), effects of hyperandrogenism, irregular menstruation, and infertility. This review article mainly deals with the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of Polycystic ovary syndrome.