bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Diversity Analysis of Soil Nematodes of Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Authors: Kouser Yasmeen
Published: December 2021

Diversity of Nematode communities in Pir Panjal range of Jammu and Kashmir along with nematodes’ driven indices were studied. Himalayan mountainous areas of district Rajouri were selected. Community composition and trophic structure (feeding types) were assessed and were analyzed at various altitudes and across varied habitats, which differ signiﬁcantly on moving from low elevation to high elevation areas. A total of 47 genera were recorded across mountain clines. In terms of taxonomic groups, in higher elevations, the order Dorylaimids represent 55.18%, followed by Tylenchida 28.85%, Mononchida 2.38%, Rhabditida 2.18%, and Aphelenchida 2.05%, whereas in the lower reaches, the order Rhabditida represent 30.18%, followed by Dorylaimids 28.75%, Tylenchida 15.85%, Mononchida 10.05% and Aphelenchida 1.05%. In terms of trophic groups, in the upper reaches, omnivores (56.6%) predominate, representing highest number, followed by plant parasitic (33.4%), bacterivore (4.2%), predatory (3.2%) and fungivore (2.60%). In the lower reaches, Bacterivores (38.08%) predominates, followed by omnivores (29.85%), plant parasitic (18.5%), predatory (12.5%) and fungivores (1.07%). The total nematode abundance and diversity were found increasing with elevation This pattern applied to most genera and feeding types. Across the regions, nematode diversity and community composition increases positively with elevations and richer habitats as given by Simpson index and Shannon-Weaver index. We conclude that nematode assemblages are potentially good bioindicators of climate change. They reacted sensitively and predictably to the changing environment. Thus, nematodes have suitability for long-term monitoring of biodiversity and community changes. Sampling techniques are well standardized and inexpensive. Furthermore, feeding types of nematodes can be determined with minimal taxonomic skills.
Sero-Prevalence of IgG Rubella Antibodies in Indian Adolescent Women from Tertiary Care Hospitals, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Muninathan Natarajan
Published: December 2021

Rubella causes a mild self‑limiting illness in children with fever and rash, however in pregnant women, rubella infection causes miscarriage, fetal death, or an infant born with congenital birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome. The present study attempts to investigate the seroprevalence of IgG rubella antibodies in Indian adolescent girls. The study being a cross -sectional hospital based, was carried at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD and ward at Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute (MMCHRI), Enathur, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. In all the cases the association was statistically not significant (P value>0.05) when compared with joint family. The odds of Rubella IgG positive was 0.656 times in nuclear family and the association was statistically not significant (P value>0.05) when compared with several children in three. The odds of Rubella IgG positive were 1.711 times in only 1 child, the odds of Rubella IgG positive in 2 children were 1.371 times. In the present study we conclude that the statistically no significant association between the socioeconomic status, parents’ age, father’s education level, father’s employment status, mother’s education level, mother’s employment status, and Rubella IgG status.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Antimicrobial Potential of Novel N-Alkylated Pyrrole Derivatives of Chitosan
Authors: P. R Kalpana.
Published: December 2021

Chitosan, a cationic biopolymer is a major derivative of chitin. It is biocompatible, non-toxic and environ-friendly material and has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, it is less effective in neutral or basic conditions due to its solubility only in acidic medium. Therefore, chemical modification with suitable groups is necessary to enhance the potency of chitosan. The present study was mainly conducted to explore the effect of structural modifications on antimicrobial potential of chitosan. N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole were reacted with N-chloroacyl-6-O-triphenylmethylchitosan prepared by stepwise modification of chitosan to form N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole derivatives of chitosan. Structural characterization of these pyrrole derivatives was done by IR, NMR, XRD, DSC and Elemental Analysis. The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus were selected for antibacterial activity and the fungus C. albicans was selected for antifungal activity by agar diffusion method and MIC method. Antimicrobial activity of the N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole derivatives on E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans showed an inhibitory effect on all the organisms. The potency of inhibition was found to be varied with the substitutions. The maximum activity was shown by N-pyrrolylpropylchitosan against E. coli (zone of inhibition 1.2±0.05cm, MIC 0.15±0.03mg/ml), S. aureus (zone of inhibition 1.4±0.03cm, MIC 0.15±0.01mg/ml), C. albicans (zone of inhibition 0.8±0.03cm, MIC 0.2±0.03mg/ml). The study also confirmed that all the three derivatives exhibited higher inhibition than that of chitosan against E. coli (zone of inhibition 0.7±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.02mg/ml), S. aureus (zone of inhibition 0.8±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.02mg/ml), C. albicans (zone of inhibition 0.6±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.03mg/ml). Results demonstrated that these three N-alkylpyrrole chitosan derivatives exhibited improved potency and hence can have the more applicability as antimicrobials.
Gene Expression in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using RNA-Seq Data: A Computational Study on Saudi Patients
Authors: Alzahrani Alanoud Bakheet
Published: December 2021

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the widespread type of DM which causes chronic as well as progressive alterations at microvascular level, which particularly effects the eye. The main characteristic of this disease is the development of few new blood vessels around the retina of eye as well as at the posterior region of eye segments. For our computational analysis 155 differentially expressed genes calculated through paired t test statistics analysis using the GenePattern platform, of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Saudi patients were downloaded. Among the 155 genes, 95 were upregulated, and 60 were downregulated. The Annotation Cluster (FAC) tool in the (DAVID) (http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/home.jsp) was used to identify biological processes that are abundant in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The functions required for response to mRNA splicing, intracellular protein transport, mRNA processing, microtubule cytoskeleton structure, and atrioventricular canal formation are represented by the GO keywords that are abundant in genes. We used the KAAS web server to identify the biological pathways of these DEGs in addition to DAVID functional analysis and found that the majority of the DEGs were associated with important biological processes, with many being classified in metabolic pathways, Spliceosome, Cell cycle, or being involved in the mRNA surveillance pathway. findings are consistent with those of earlier research. To corroborate the predictions stated in this work, which will demonstrate the role enhanced functional processes, experimental validation will be necessary.
Biosynthesised Drug-Loaded Silver Nanoparticles: A Vivid Agent for Drug Delivery for Human Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Varadharajaperumal Pradeepa
Published: December 2021

The use of nanoparticles as drug carriers has been investigated, and it offers various benefits, including the controlled and targeted release of loaded or associated drugs, as well as enhanced drug bioavailability. They do, however, have certain disadvantages, such as in vivo toxicity, which affects all organs, including healthy ones, and overall disease treatment improvement, which might be undetectable or limited. Silver nanoparticles are being studied more and more due to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties, which allow them to be used in a variety of applications, including drug delivery to specific targets in the body. Given the constraints of traditional cancer treatment, such as low bioavailability and the resulting usage of high doses that produce side effects, attempts to address these challenges are essential. In this work, Biocompatible Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) loaded with tamoxifen have been prepared using the gelation process. Tamoxifen-loaded green synthesized AgNps are reported to be amorphous. The phytochemicals present in the extract of Hemionitis arifolia leaf were responsible for the reduction of silver nitrate to AgNPs. The functional groups existing in the particles were identified with FT-IR analysis. XRD analysis state that the particles were crystalline in nature and arranged in quartzite crystal. Particle size and shape were illustrated from SEM analysis and revealed that the particles were amorphous in nature. UV-visible spectrophotometer showed the band around 440nm which was identified as “surface Plasmon resonance band”. The synthesized AgNps loaded with tamoxifen were significantly effective against Human breast cancer cells. The silver nanoparticle loaded with tamoxifen was found to be inducing apoptotic signals in the selected cells. It inhibits the breast cancer cells even at the lower concentration of AgNPs and TAM-AgNPs. Further apoptotic studies (AO/EtBr and DAPI) reveal that cell death is due to the fragmentation of nuclear material of the treated cells.
Anticancer and Gene Expression Analysis of Piper nigrum Extract on Colon Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Giridhar Neha Jadhav
Published: December 2021

One of the most prevalent malignancies among geriatrics is colorectal cancer (CRC), which starts to develop in the forms of genetic syndromes in young adults. The Piper nigrum is one important common spice used in the household having anticancer activities. The current study aims to evaluate P. nigrum seed extracts potency as anticancer against CRC cell line (COLO205). The extract is used to elucidate the MTT assay, DNA damage studies (COMET assay), Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide dual staining, cell death, cell cycle arrest using Flow cytometry, and regulation of Bcl-2, Bax & P53 gene regulation. To check the cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay methanolic extract was used. To evaluate anticancer activity the sample was extracted in methanol. RT-PCR was used to elevate gene expression studies of Bcl-2, Bax, and P53. In the dose-dependent mode, the extract inhibited the growth of COLO205 cells and the IC50 value was calculated at 48.2 μg/ml. The DNA fragmentation induced by apoptosis was the primary reason for the cell toxicity as observed by DNA damage studies & AO/EB dual staining technique. The extract concentration ranging from 40 & 80 μg/ml remarkably increased the proportion of cells in the S & G2/M phase. Cells at the late-apoptotic stage were found to be in the range of 22% - 57%. The Bax and P53 were upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated when treated with the extract. From this investigation underlying the mechanism of CRC was found to be P. nigrum extract caused to induce apoptosis and upregulation of tumor suppressor gene downregulation of apoptosis-suppressing gene bcl-2.
Mediating effect of the organizational culture on the relationship between leadership and operational performance in food processing SMEs
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, Khuzdar, Pakistan, et al. Shah
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of leadership on the operational performance of food processing SMEs in Punjab, Pakistan. This study also examines whether the organizational culture plays a mediating role in the relationship between leadership and operational performance. Previous studies explained that visionary leadership and dynamic organizational culture are the key factors for the organization’s success that provide a competitive environment and had an impact on the organization’s performance. The data were collected from 288 food processing SMEs through purposive with snowball sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection from the Owners/Managers of the food processing SMEs. The Partial Least Square (PLS) approach was used to test the proposed hypothesis. The empirical investigations show that leadership is positively related to organizational culture and operational performance. The study also found a mediating role of organizational culture between leadership and operational performance by adopting the Hayes process of mediation. The findings of the study will help food manufacturers in improving the operational performance of their SMEs. Moreover, by practicing transformational leadership styles, and adopting the quality culture, SMEs can get a competitive advantage.
DETERMINANT FACTORS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD QUALITY INFLUENCING RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY BEHAVIOUR IN PENANG ISLAND
Authors: Abdul Fattah Hamizah , Badarulzaman Nurwati , Ali Kausar
Published: December 2021

Residential mobility behaviour is about people’s choices and preferences whether to remain at the present house and neighbourhood, or to move out. Moving to another house or neighbourhood entails a deliberate decision that require various considerations by the residents involved especially in dealing with housing adjustments, life neccesities and financial matters. Residents’ perceptions of their housing and neighbourhood can be indicative of their intention to stay in or move out. The act of moving is often asssociated with lower levels of satisfactions with residents’ current housing and neighbourhood environment, thus activating selfpreference and residential mobility. This study aims to identify the determinant factors of neighbourhood quality that influence residential mobility behaviour in neighbourhoods in Penang Island. The nine attributes of neighbourhood quality dimensions included in this study are dwelling features, dwelling utility, neighbourhood facilities, greenery, accessibility, public transportation, environment, economic livelihood, and neighbourhood interaction and attachments. A total of 717 heads of households residing in Penang Island were involved in the questionnaire survey. Using logistic regression method, the study findings reveal that four factors of dwelling features, facilities, neighbourhood environment, and neighbourhood interaction and attachments are significant in influencing residents’ intention to move. Moreover, both internal and external factors of housing and the neighbourhood can influence the residents’ decision to stay in or to move out, thus implying important policy measures for local housing.
LANDSLIDE MONITORING USING CLOSE RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY
Authors: Mohd Mokhtar Munirah Radin , Abdul Wahab Suriani Ngah , Husain Mohd Najib , Hashim Haslina , Che Kasim Asmma’
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the preliminary results of a simulation study on the production of low cost Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for a landslide study area in Seri Iskandar, Perak. The important objective of this paper is to present the potentiality of Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) as a data acquisition tool in producing a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) by using data from surface measurement. This method was applied using stereopair photographs captured data from ground level detection, or known as close range photogrammetry with the use of a digital camera mounted on a tripod as a tool for data collection. Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) applications is useful for mapping of areas that are difficult and risky to point manpower on terrain that consist of steep and dangerous slopes. Conventional methods require measurement using Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM), but this method is very costly and requires a survey team placed on the land site area. The research data were carried out with two different epoch data. The outcome proves that CRP can produce DEM with less cost compared to other methods.
RECYCLING INTENTION AND BEHAVIOUR AMONG THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS’ (HEIS) COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Jamil Nik Nadia Izyan , Ibrahim Mansor , Has-yun Hashim Khairusy Syakirin , Jaiyeoba Haruna Babatunde
Published: December 2021

The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are among the largest waste producers in the municipality, and they have a huge responsibility towards the waste they produced. In order to divert waste as much as possible from the landfill, many HEIs have implemented reduce, reuse and recycle (3Rs) strategies and programs on their campuses. However, not all the communities are aware of the programs initiated, and as such, the recycling rate in most universities is still low. Therefore, this research seeks to identify the factors that influence the HEIs community to practise recycling on the campus. This study has extended the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with the inclusion of situational factors, recycling information and personal norm in the model. A total of 1068 duly completed questionnaire surveys were collected from six selected universities. The data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential analyses. The findings show that all the constructs investigated significantly influence recycling intention with exception of the subjective norm, whereas the situational factors have a significant direct influence on recycling behaviour. These findings have led to several suggestions and recommendations for a better sustainable waste management on the campuses in Malaysia.
Neuronal Coherence Agent for Shared Intentionality: A Hypothesis of Neurobiological Processes Occurring during Social Interaction
Authors:   Academic Center for Coherent Intelligence, Riga, Latvia, Danilov Igor Val , Mihailova Sandra ,   Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia
Published: December 2021

The present interdisciplinary study discusses the physical foundations of the neurobiological processes occurring during social interaction. The review of the literature establishes the difference between Intentionality and Intention, thereby proposing the theoretical basis of Shared Intentionality in humans. According to the present study, Shared Intentionality in humans (Goal-directed coherence of biological systems), which is the ability among social organisms to instantly select just one stimulus for the entire group, is the outcome of evolutionary development. Therefore, this interaction modality should be the preferred, archetypal, and most propagated modality in organisms, attributed to the Model of Hierarchical Complexity Stage 3. This characteristic of biological systems facilitates the training of the new members of the group and also ensures efficient cooperation among the members of the group without requiring communication. In humans, Shared Intentionality contributes to the learning of newborns. The neurons of a mature organism may teach the neonate neurons regarding the fitting reactions to the excitatory inputs of the specific structural organization. This enables the neonate neurons to develop a Long-Term Potentiation that links particular stimuli with specific embodied sensorimotor neural networks. The present report discusses three possible neuronal coherence agents that could involve quantum mechanisms in cells, thereby enabling the distribution of the quality of goal-directed coherence in biological systems (Shared Intentionality in humans). Recently reported case studies conducted online with the task of conveying the meaning of numerosity to the children of age 18–33 months revealed the occurrence of Shared Intentionality in mother-child dyads in the absence of sensory cues between the two, which promoted cognitive development in the children. The findings of these case studies support the concept of physical foundations and the hypothesis of the neurophysiological process of social interaction proposed in the present study.
Older Adults’ Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Physical Information and Communication Technology in the Era of Ambient Assisted Living: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Latikka Rita , Rubio-Hernández Rosana , Lohan Elena Simona , Rantala Juho , Nieto Fernández Fernando , Laitinen Arto , Oksanen Atte
Published: December 2021

Background

Loneliness and social isolation can have severe effects on human health and well-being. Partial solutions to combat these circumstances in demographically aging societies have been sought from the field of information and communication technology (ICT).

Objective

This systematic literature review investigates the research conducted on older adults’ loneliness and social isolation, and physical ICTs, namely robots, wearables, and smart homes, in the era of ambient assisted living (AAL). The aim is to gain insight into how technology can help overcome loneliness and social isolation other than by fostering social communication with people and what the main open-ended challenges according to the reviewed studies are.

Methods

The data were collected from 7 bibliographic databases. A preliminary search resulted in 1271 entries that were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. The characteristics of the selected studies were coded, and the results were summarized to answer our research questions.

Results

The final data set consisted of 23 empirical studies. We found out that ICT solutions such as smart homes can help detect and predict loneliness and social isolation, and technologies such as robotic pets and some other social robots can help alleviate loneliness to some extent. The main open-ended challenges across studies relate to the need for more robust study samples and study designs. Further, the reviewed studies report technology- and topic-specific open-ended challenges.

Conclusions

Technology can help assess older adults’ loneliness and social isolation, and alleviate loneliness without direct interaction with other people. The results are highly relevant in the COVID-19 era, where various social restrictions have been introduced all over the world, and the amount of research literature in this regard has increased recently.
Detection of Clenbuterol-Induced Changes in Heart Rate Using At-Home Recorded Smartwatch Data: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Elzinga Willem O , Prins Samantha , Borghans Laura G J M , Gal Pim , Vargas Gabriel A , Groeneveld Geert J , Doll Robert J
Published: December 2021

Background

Although electrocardiography is the gold standard for heart rate (HR) recording in clinical trials, the increasing availability of smartwatch-based HR monitors opens up possibilities for drug development studies. Smartwatches allow for inexpensive, unobtrusive, and continuous HR estimation for potential detection of treatment effects outside the clinic, during daily life.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the repeatability and sensitivity of smartwatch-based HR estimates collected during a randomized clinical trial.

Methods

The data were collected as part of a multiple-dose, investigator-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 12 patients with Parkinson disease. After a 6-day baseline period, 4 and 8 patients were treated for 7 days with an ascending dose of placebo and clenbuterol, respectively. Throughout the study, the smartwatch provided HR and sleep state estimates. The HR estimates were quantified as the 2.5th, 50th, and 97.5th percentiles within awake and asleep segments. Linear mixed models were used to calculate the following: (1) the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of estimated sleep durations, (2) the ICC and minimum detectable effect (MDE) of the HR estimates, and (3) the effect sizes of the HR estimates.

Results

Sleep duration was moderately repeatable (ICC=0.64) and was not significantly affected by study day (P=.83), clenbuterol (P=.43), and study day by clenbuterol (P=.73). Clenbuterol-induced changes were detected in the asleep HR as of the first night (+3.79 beats per minute [bpm], P=.04) and in the awake HR as of the third day (+8.79 bpm, P=.001). The median HR while asleep had the highest repeatability (ICC=0.70). The MDE (N=12) was found to be smaller when patients were asleep (6.8 bpm to 11.7 bpm) than while awake (10.7 bpm to 22.1 bpm). Overall, the effect sizes for clenbuterol-induced changes were higher while asleep (0.49 to 2.75) than while awake (0.08 to 1.94).

Conclusions

We demonstrated the feasibility of using smartwatch-based HR estimates to detect clenbuterol-induced changes during clinical trials. The asleep HR estimates were most repeatable and sensitive to treatment effects. We conclude that smartwatch-based HR estimates obtained during daily living in a clinical trial can be used to detect and track treatment effects.

Trial Registration

Netherlands Trials Register NL8002; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8002
Barriers to and Facilitators of Using a One Button Tracker and Web-Based Data Analytics Tool for Personal Science: Exploratory Study
Authors: van de Belt Tom H , de Croon Aimee , Freriks Faye , Blomseth Christiansen Thomas , Eg Larsen Jakob , de Groot Martijn
Published: December 2021

Background

Individuals’ self-tracking of subjectively experienced phenomena related to health can be challenging, as current options for instrumentation often involve too much effort in the moment or rely on retrospective self-reporting, which is likely to impair accuracy and compliance.

Objective

This study aims to assess the usability and perceived usefulness of low-effort, in-the-moment self-tracking using simple instrumentation and to establish the amount of support needed when using this approach.

Methods

In this exploratory study, the One Button Tracker—a press-button device that records time stamps and durations of button presses—was used for self-tracking. A total of 13 employees of an academic medical center chose a personal research question and used the One Button Tracker to actively track specific subjectively experienced phenomena for 2 to 4 weeks. To assess usability and usefulness, we combined qualitative data from semistructured interviews with quantitative results from the System Usability Scale.

Results

In total, 29 barriers and 15 facilitators for using the One Button Tracker were found. Ease of use was the most frequently mentioned facilitator. The One Button Tracker’s usability received a median System Usability Scale score of 75.0 (IQR 42.50), which is considered as good usability. Participants experienced effects such as an increased awareness of the tracked phenomenon, a confirmation of personal knowledge, a gain of insight, and behavior change. Support and guidance during all stages of the self-tracking process were judged as valuable.

Conclusions

The low-effort, in-the-moment self-tracking of subjectively experienced phenomena has been shown to support personal knowledge gain and health behavior change for people with an interest in health promotion. After addressing barriers and formally validating the collected data, self-tracking devices may well be helpful for additional user types or health questions.
Older Adults’ Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Physical Information and Communication Technology in the Era of Ambient Assisted Living: A Systematic Literature Review (Preprint)
Authors: Latikka Rita , Rubio-Hernández Rosana , Lohan Elena Simona , Rantala Juho , Nieto Fernández Fernando , Laitinen Arto , Oksanen Atte
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Loneliness and social isolation can have severe effects on human health and well-being. Partial solutions to combat these circumstances in demographically aging societies have been sought from the field of information and communication technology (ICT).

OBJECTIVE

This systematic literature review investigates the research conducted on older adults’ loneliness and social isolation, and physical ICTs, namely robots, wearables, and smart homes, in the era of ambient assisted living (AAL). The aim is to gain insight into how technology can help overcome loneliness and social isolation other than by fostering social communication with people and what the main open-ended challenges according to the reviewed studies are.

METHODS

The data were collected from 7 bibliographic databases. A preliminary search resulted in 1271 entries that were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. The characteristics of the selected studies were coded, and the results were summarized to answer our research questions.

RESULTS

The final data set consisted of 23 empirical studies. We found out that ICT solutions such as smart homes can help detect and predict loneliness and social isolation, and technologies such as robotic pets and some other social robots can help alleviate loneliness to some extent. The main open-ended challenges across studies relate to the need for more robust study samples and study designs. Further, the reviewed studies report technology- and topic-specific open-ended challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology can help assess older adults’ loneliness and social isolation, and alleviate loneliness without direct interaction with other people. The results are highly relevant in the COVID-19 era, where various social restrictions have been introduced all over the world, and the amount of research literature in this regard has increased recently.
Detection of Clenbuterol-Induced Changes in Heart Rate Using At-Home Recorded Smartwatch Data: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Elzinga Willem O , Prins Samantha , Borghans Laura G J M , Gal Pim , Vargas Gabriel A , Groeneveld Geert J , Doll Robert J
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Although electrocardiography is the gold standard for heart rate (HR) recording in clinical trials, the increasing availability of smartwatch-based HR monitors opens up possibilities for drug development studies. Smartwatches allow for inexpensive, unobtrusive, and continuous HR estimation for potential detection of treatment effects outside the clinic, during daily life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the repeatability and sensitivity of smartwatch-based HR estimates collected during a randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

The data were collected as part of a multiple-dose, investigator-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 12 patients with Parkinson disease. After a 6-day baseline period, 4 and 8 patients were treated for 7 days with an ascending dose of placebo and clenbuterol, respectively. Throughout the study, the smartwatch provided HR and sleep state estimates. The HR estimates were quantified as the 2.5th, 50th, and 97.5th percentiles within awake and asleep segments. Linear mixed models were used to calculate the following: (1) the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of estimated sleep durations, (2) the ICC and minimum detectable effect (MDE) of the HR estimates, and (3) the effect sizes of the HR estimates.

RESULTS

Sleep duration was moderately repeatable (ICC=0.64) and was not significantly affected by study day (P=.83), clenbuterol (P=.43), and study day by clenbuterol (P=.73). Clenbuterol-induced changes were detected in the asleep HR as of the first night (+3.79 beats per minute [bpm], P=.04) and in the awake HR as of the third day (+8.79 bpm, P=.001). The median HR while asleep had the highest repeatability (ICC=0.70). The MDE (N=12) was found to be smaller when patients were asleep (6.8 bpm to 11.7 bpm) than while awake (10.7 bpm to 22.1 bpm). Overall, the effect sizes for clenbuterol-induced changes were higher while asleep (0.49 to 2.75) than while awake (0.08 to 1.94).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the feasibility of using smartwatch-based HR estimates to detect clenbuterol-induced changes during clinical trials. The asleep HR estimates were most repeatable and sensitive to treatment effects. We conclude that smartwatch-based HR estimates obtained during daily living in a clinical trial can be used to detect and track treatment effects.

CLINICALTRIAL

Netherlands Trials Register NL8002; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8002
An assessment of the impact of occupational health workers' activities on the workers' health: Preliminary results and protocol of a nationwide Internet-based longitudinal survey (Preprint)
Authors: Ikegami Kazunori , Yoshimoto Yasuro , Baba Hiroka , Sekoguchi Shingo , Ando Hajime , Ogami Akira
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, work environments and systems, as well as occupational health measures or activities that fall within our research field, are constantly changing. We consider it necessary to assess the impact of these changes on the physical and mental health of workers.

OBJECTIVE

To assess how occupational health measures affect the health of workers, we conducted a baseline longitudinal Internet-based survey among Japanese workers in October 2021, and additionally scheduled two follow-up surveys for 2022 and 2023.

METHODS

This survey is a prospective cohort study conducted online among Internet monitors. The baseline survey was conducted from October 1 to 7, 2021. The study targeted those who were working and between the ages of 20 and 69 years. Regarding sampling plan, 5111 respondents who passed the screening survey and proceeded to the main survey were enrolled according to collection units organized by both sex and age group. For the screening and main surveys, the questionnaire consisted of 9 and 33 items, with 9 and 55 total number of questions, respectively. We performed consistency and completeness checks after the questionnaires were submitted. We compared the basic characteristics such as sex, age group, educational background, and marital status among all participants including withdrawal participants in the analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 5,111 initial survey respondents, 571 were regarded as fraudulent. The data of the remaining 4,540 participants (Male: 2273, Female:2267) included for analysis were well-balanced across participant gender and age group according to the sampling plan, because there was no significant difference by sex and age group using the chi-square test for checking the distribution bias of the participants (p=0.838). With compared to Female participants, male participants tended to be more likely to be managers and supervisors (Male:323, Female: 86), to work in a secondary industry (Male:742, Female: 357), and to have annual income ≥5 million yen (Male:976, Female:429). For the evaluation of a psychological indicator, Kessler 6 (K6), according to gender and age group, the characteristics of the score distribution of the included participants were similar to those reported in previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a protocol and an overview of the results of an Internet-based occupational health survey of workers. Using the results of this survey, we hope to evaluate the changes in occupational health activities and their impact on workers' health while controlling for the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Usefulness and effectiveness of locally available food that can improve gut health using mHealth: Audio-based Intervention for Malnourished Children living in tribal settings Rajasthan (AIM-Children) (Preprint)
Authors: Sharma Shruti , Chitme Havagiray R , Gupta Mansi , Joshi Ashish
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Child malnutrition is a major global health problem that imposes morbidity and mortality burdens. Malnutrition has long-term effects on gut health which can affect the development of children. Gut microbes play a crucial role in the absorption of nutrients in food. Improving mothers’ awareness regarding gut health is one of the many ways to strengthen against diarrheal conditions and malnutrition among children.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the present study are to design, develop and evaluate a mobile-based intervention to improve gut health through mHealth. The study will further explore the association between socio-demographic characteristics, health status, dietary pattern of child and Water and Sanitation Hygiene Practice (WASH) related knowledge, attitude, practices of a mother living in tribal of Sikar, Rajasthan.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental randomized trial will be conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. 150 mothers of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) children will be recruited and enrolled using a non-probability complete enumeration sampling method from the Sapera, Loharu, and Banjara community of Sikar. The study participants will be randomized into two groups: Intervention (mobile linked audio-based messages); and Control group (no-mobile linked audio-based messages). Differences in the dietary pattern of children, mothers’ WASH-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices will be measured across the group.
The data will be collected for the focus group, baseline, timeline 1 (after one month of the baseline) and timeline 2 (after one month of timeline 1). The study outcomes include the change in KAP of mothers pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS

The study's results will help assess the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed design and development of a user-centered informatics platform that can deliver multimedia-driven nutrition and health educational modules tailored to facilitate healthy habits and improvement in gut health in children of tribal settings.

CONCLUSIONS

The study will provide insights toward the barriers and challenges leading to malnutrition and poor gut health of the children in tribal populations and the relationship between gut health and malnutrition in the children. We anticipate that the intervention group will show a significant change in improvement in gut health, dietary pattern, WASH practices, knowledge, attitude, and practice of mother.

CLINICALTRIAL

Ethical approval was obtained from the UREC (University Research Ethics Committee) of DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India (DITU/UREC/2021/07/6).
Innovative App (ExoDont) and Other Conventional Methods to Improve Patient Compliance After Minor Oral Surgical Procedures: Pilot, Nonrandomized, and Prospective Comparative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Sybil Deborah , Krishna Meenakshi , Shrivastava Priyanshu Kumar , Singh Shradha , Khan Imran
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Postoperative care is influenced by various factors such as compliance, comprehension, retention of instructions, and other unaccounted elements. It is imperative that patients adhere to the instructions and prescribed regimen for smooth and placid healing. ExoDont, an Android-based mobile health app, was designed to ensure a smooth postoperative period for patients after a dental extraction. Besides providing postoperative instructions at defined intervals, the app also sends drug reminders as an added advantage over other available, conventional methods.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the compliance rate of individuals with respect to the prescribed regimen and postoperative instructions. Additionally, we aimed to assess any changes in the postoperative complication rate of patients assigned to 3 categories: the verbal, verbal plus written, and ExoDont app-based delivery groups.

METHODS

We conducted a pilot, nonrandomized, and prospective comparative study in which patients after tooth extraction were assigned to 3 groups—verbal (Group A), verbal plus written (Group B), and ExoDont app-based delivery (Group C)—based on the eligibility criteria, and a 1-week follow-up was planned to obtain the responses regarding compliance and postoperative complications from the participants.

RESULTS

In total, 90 patients were recruited and equally divided into 3 groups. Compliance to prescribed drug was found to be the highest in Group C, where of the 30 participants, 25 (83%) and 28 (93%) followed the entire course of antibiotics and analgesics, respectively. For postoperative instructions, higher compliance was observed in Group C in relation to compliance to diet restrictions (P=.001), not rinsing for 24 hours (P<.001), and warm saline rinses after 24 hours (P=.001). However, the difference was not significant for smoking restrictions (P=.07) and avoiding alcohol (P=.16). Moreover, the difference in postoperative complication rate was not statistically significant among the 3 groups (P=.31).

CONCLUSIONS

As evident from the results, it is anticipated that the ExoDont app will be helpful in circumventing the unaccounted possibilities of missing the prescribed dosage and postoperative instructions and ensuring the smooth recovery of patients after dental extraction. However, future studies are required to establish this app-based method of delivery of postoperative instructions as a viable option in routine clinical practice.
SMART: Stress Management and Resilience Training for emergency physicians. Protocol for a pilot study with intervention. (Preprint)
Authors: Somville Francis , Van Bogaert Peter , De Cauwer Harald , Van Olmen Daan , Franck Erik
Published: December 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

Background
In recent years, the factors of stress, anxiety and work-life balance received more attention. More specifically, the determinants of professional well-being, impact of occupational risks and traumatic events, stress and type D personality, and work stress related problems in physicians in COVID-19 Times were addressed in physicians and more specifically in emergency physicians.
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program on stress, anxiety and resilience as well as the professional quality of life of hospital physicians and in particular emergency physicians.
Methods
This is a pre-post intervention study, pilot study with intervention. Setup / Participants:
The participants (hospital physicians/emergency physicians) are recruited through internal and external networks such as the specialist medicine trainees and social media of the own professional group of physicians and physician specialists in training.
A combination of several validated interventional and coping strategies will be used to achieve an improvement of personal factors such as stress reduction, anxiety reduction, resilience, quality of professional life of the hospital physicians/emergency physicians. This study also measures additional data such as heart rate variability and physical activity based on the number of daily steps.

Discussion

Some aspects of this intervention study have already been initiated in previous studies, whereby we aim to achieve even more efficient and structural improvement with a combination of various validated methodologies and coping strategies to address these factors (stress reduction, anxiety reduction, resilience increase, quality of life increase) of hospital/emergency physicians. The abovementioned study will also include process measures such as heart rate variability and physical activity based on the number of daily steps. With this she responds to new trends in chronic stress research. Further studies should be undertaken to confirm the results of this study to identify determinants that can be the object of adequate interventions to improve professional well-being in these physicians.
A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF GREEN PRODUCTIVITY CONCEPT
Authors: KOC Erdinc , ŞİMŞEK Ahmed İhsan
Published: December 2021

Aim: This study aims to determine the relationships between studies, important sub-topics and new trends in the field, in parallel with the increasing studies in the field of green productivity in recent years.
Method: Using the Web of Science database, 118 studies on green productivity published between 1980 and 2021 were analyzed with bibliometric analyzes through the R and Vosviewer program.
Findings: The results obtained from the analyzes were shared under two separate headings: Descriptive Statistics and Network Analysis. As descriptive statistics, the most productive journals, authors, and countries were shared. With descriptive statistics, it was found out that the most productive journal is the Journal of Cleaner Production and the most productive institution is Xiamen University. The study found that China is the most productive country in the field of green productivity. As part of the network analysis, co-occurrence, co-citation, co-authorship, and country collaboration in the field of green productivity were tried to be revealed. Co-occurrence analysis shows that 21 nodes and six clusters are formed. The authors are divided into seven clusters in the co-authorship analysis, and Li Ke has the most links. The country with the most links in the country collaboration analysis is China. In the co-citation analysis, it is seen that the studies in the field of “green productivity” are divided into three clusters.
Results: As a field of study, green productivity attracts the attention of different science and social sciences disciplines, and the number of publications on this subject is constantly increasing. The interest of different disciplines in the subject field has enabled different keywords to take part in the studies. In addition to showing trends in the field, the study results also show productivity in the corresponding years’ range. With our study, researchers who want to work in the field of Green Productivity will be able to identify the guiding articles. Besides, they will be able to identify pioneering researchers, institutions and journals and see the collaborations made on the basis of country, institution and author in the field of green productivity. In this way, researchers will have the chance to look at the field of green productivity from a broader perspective. Researchers can use this study as a roadmap for their studies.
Klasifikasi Jenis dan Sebaran Sedimen Menggunakan Data Multibeam Echosounder Multi-Temporal di Alur Pelayaran Barat dan Timur Surabaya
Authors: Ayuningtyas Fadilla Ivana , Cahyono Bambang Kun
Published: December 2021

Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak Surabaya merupakan salah satu pelabuhan utama di Indonesia yang memiliki peran penting dalam transportasi laut Indonesia. Survei batimetri rutin diperlukan untuk mengidentifikasi kedalaman alur akses pelabuhan dan kondisi sedimentasi yang terjadi. Kondisi sedimen dapat dikarakterisasi berdasarkan sifat alaminya: ukuran butir, berat jenis, kecepatan jatuh, komposisi, porositas, bentuk, dll. Kondisi sedimen juga dapat dikarakterisasi berdasarkan nilai hamburan balik sonar, menggunakan instrumen Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) . Data mentah nilai hamburan balik kemudian dikoreksi dengan mengadopsi persamaan regangan kontras linier ke kisaran tertentu. Data masukan penelitian ini diukur menggunakan ODOM MB2 dengan instrumen Applanix oleh The Surabaya Navigational District (DISNAV) pada bulan Februari 2019 (Lokasi 2) dan Oktober 2018 (Lokasi 1) untuk alur akses barat Surabaya (APBS) dan Agustus 2017 ( Lokasi 3) untuk jalur akses timur Surabaya (APTS). Uji kualitas data batimetri dilakukan dengan mengikuti IHO S-44 2008 untuk spesifikasi pesanan khusus. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa data batimetri memiliki akurasi yang baik pada lokasi 1, 2, dan 3 dengan nilai 0,0862; 0,1317; dan 0,1072. Hubungan antara tipe sedimen dan hamburan balik menunjukkan bahwa tipe sedimen pasir memberikan hamburan balik yang kuat. Semakin kecil nilai hamburan balik maka jenis sedimennya semakin lunak. Klasifikasi di APBS dan APTS menunjukkan bahwa di APBS terdiri dari empat jenis sedimen (lempung, lanau lempung, lanau berpasir, dan pasir) sedangkan di APTS hanya terdapat tiga jenis sedimen (lanau lempung, lanau berpasir, dan pasir).