bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peranan dan Sumbangan Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi dalam Perkembangan Perubatan Homeopati di Malaysia, 1935–1969
Authors:   Pusat Pengajian Pendidikan Jarak Jauh, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Mohamad Noor Mohamad Muzammil
Published: May 2024

Makalah ini membincangkan sejarah kemunculan perubatan homeopati yang telah dipelopori oleh Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi semasa bermulanya zaman pemerintahan British ketika beliau mempelajari ilmu perubatan itu di India pada tahun 1935 sehinggalah pada akhir hayatnya dalam tahun 1969. Namun begitu, perubatan ini kurang popular dalam kalangan masyarakat Melayu tradisional kerana mereka masih mengamalkan amalan perubatan tradisional dan jampi serapah yang diselang-seli dengan ayat-ayat al-Quran, di samping perubatan moden di hospital dan klinik yang diperkenalkan oleh pihak British. Hal ini berlaku disebabkan perubatan homeopati masih baharu dan belum didedahkan secara besar-besaran. Penulisan ini melihat bagaimana pendidikan beliau di India telah mempengaruhi minatnya dalam perubatan homeopati dan perkembangan perubatan ini di Malaysia. Makalah ini hanya menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui kaedah kepustakaan iaitu sumber karya yang ditulis oleh beliau serta pengkaji perubatan homeopati dan sejarawan lain. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa perubatan homeopati yang diamalkan oleh Dr. Burhanuddin merupakan alternatif rawatan kepada perubatan alopati. Penulisan ini menyimpulkan bahawa sejarah perkembangan ilmu perubatan homeopati di Malaysia yang bertapak sejak dari tahun 1930-an, termasuk penubuhan Persatuan Homeopathy Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (PHPTM) pada tahun 1961, merupakan hasil usaha dan peranan Dr. Burhanuddin, seorang nasionalis Melayu yang juga merupakan pengamal ilmu perubatan homeopati pertama di Malaysia.
Real-Time Detection of Customer-Induced Damage in Printed Circuit Boards Using Mobile Devices and YOLO Detectors
Authors: Oliveira Santiago João Pedro , Farias Victor , Sena Lucas , Gomes João
Published: May 2024

The identification of Consumer-induced damage is essential for electronics manufacturers’ warranty programs. Consumer Induced Damage (CID) is any damage caused by an unauthorized person, including the consumer. The product warranty does not cover these damages, avoiding expenses in the manufacturer’s revenue. The consumer-induced damage warranty process is usually done manually by technically trained people. However, this task demands a lot of attention to detail, can be time-consuming, and is susceptible to human errors. With this in mind, this work presents an object detection model for low-computational-cost devices that uses computer vision and deep learning methods with YOLO detectors embedded in mobile devices to identify consumer-induced damages on printed circuit boards (PCB). We conducted sixteen experiments with four YOLO neural network architectures and successfully developed a mobile application for CID detection. Our best model achieved a mAP@0.5 of 33.1% and an average of 5.7 FPS on real mobile devices.
İç Mekânda Renk ve İmgenin Serebral Palsili Çocuklar Üzerine Algısal Etkisi
Authors: Noraslı Mehmet
Published: May 2024

İnsan, eşsiz algılama yetisiyle bulunduğu her mekânla etkileşime girer. Bu etkileşim sonucunda, mekâna bağlı olarak kişilerin hisleri, düşünceleri ve davranışlarında farklılıklar görülebilir. Bu çalışmada; serebral palsili çocukların fizyoterapi aldıkları mekânlarda motivasyonlarını olumlu yönde etkileyen renk ve imgelerin tespit edilmesi, edinilen verilere göre araştırma alanında uygulamalı tasarımın yapılarak geri dönüşlerin sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın yönteminde, anket tekniği kullanılarak renklerin serebral palsili çocuklar üzerindeki algısal etkisi tespit edilmiştir. Röportaj ve gözlem tekniği kullanılarak araştırma alanındaki fizyoterapistler ve serebral palsili çocuklarla görüşülmüş, tedavi sürecinde motivasyon sağlayan imgesel veriler elde edilmiştir. Edinilen verilerin analizine göre araştırma alanı olarak belirlenen fizyoterapi salonundaki duvarlara, yüzey tasarımı ve uygulaması yapılmıştır. Sonrasında araştırma alanında görev yapan fizyoterapistlerle görüşmeler yapılarak uygulanan tasarımın, serebral palsili çocuklar üzerindeki motivasyonel verimliliği hakkında bilgiler edinilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulgularına göre; turuncu ve mavinin serebral palsili çocuklar üzerinde olumlu etkiler gösterdiği ayrıca hikayelerin, doğa ve hayvanlara yönelik imgelerin çocuklardaki motivasyonu arttırdığı görülmüştür.
Sustainable management of small-town water supply in Nepal: improvement through the multi-stage training mechanism
Authors: Ogata Ryuji , Oniki Satoru , Karki Kabindra Bikram
Published: May 2024

In Nepal, a project to sustain a safe water supply for small towns was executed in 68 towns, each with distinctive water sources and topographical situations. This project adopted two approaches to establish a standardized capacity development process for small-town water supplies. The first approach, the Management Model, consists of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and business planning. The second approach, termed the Support Model, entails a comprehensive system for training, monitoring, and evaluating water supply management. Throughout the project, a total of 31 SOPs pertaining to operation, maintenance, and facility rehabilitation manuals were developed. Moreover, four courses consisting of training, basic and on-site training, and interactive workshops were conducted. Consequently, the data deficiency rate reduced significantly by 61%, while 87% of water samples met water quality standards. In contrast, the operating ratio and water production rates improved by 17 and 29%, respectively. The materials produced from these models are expected to contribute to small-town water supply systems beyond the pilot sites. This is due to the versatility of the model for future applications. Although the project was effectively implemented, continuous support for small-town water supply by the Government of Nepal is needed for future sustainability.
Spatial-temporal characteristics of meteorological drought and its relationship with circulation indices over Songhua River Basin, China
Authors: Xu Jiale , Li Xiumei , Xue Jianwen , Dou Xiangzhou , Wu Wenqing , Wu Gaopeng , Zhao Qiang
Published: May 2024

Global warming has increased the risk of meteorological drought and associated hazards. Based on daily data from 35 meteorological stations in the Songhua River Basin (SRB) collected from 1960 to 2019, this study applied the standardised precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and used the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method and Pettitt's mutation test to perform a partitioned segmentation analysis of the multi-temporal and spatial variations in the meteorological droughts affecting the basin in terms of frequency and intensity, and discussed the relationship between the atmospheric circulation index and meteorological drought. The results showed that the overall meteorological drought trends shifted from a drought to a humid trend from 1960 to 2019. The drought in the basin had periods of 3, 6.7, 15, and 30 years, with mutation points in 1968, 1980, 1997, and 2012. The drought trend in Regions I and IV of the entire basin was enhanced, while that in Regions II, III, and V was weakened. Drought in the basin was strongly influenced by the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI).
Theranostic Potential of Bacteriophages against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Easwaran Maheswaran , Madasamy Sivagnanavelmurugan , Venkidasamy Baskar
Published: May 2024

:

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a widespread and challenging disease that accounts
for 94% of cancers of the oral cavity worldwide. Bacteriophages (phages) have shown promise
as a potential theranostic agent for the treatment of OSCC. It may offer advantages in overcoming
the challenges of conventional methods. Modern high-throughput pyrosequencing techniques
confirm the presence of specific bacterial strains associated with OSCC. Bio-panning and filamentous
phages facilitate visualization of the peptide on surfaces and show high affinity in OSCC cells.
The peptide has the potential to bind integrin (αvβ6), aid in diagnosis, and inhibit the proliferation
of OSCC cells. Mimotopes of tumor-associated antigens show cytotoxic and immune responses
against cancer cells. Biomarker-based approaches such as transferrin enable early OSCC diagnosis.
A modified temperate phage introduces CRISPR-Cas3 to target antimicrobial-resistant bacteria associated
with OSCC. The research findings highlight the evolving field of phage diagnostics and
therapy and represent a new avenue for non-invasive, targeted approaches to the detection and
treatment of OSCC. However, extensive clinical research is required to validate the efficacy of
phages in innovative cancer theranostic strategies.
Cardioprotective Effects of Exercise: The Role of Irisin and Exosome
Authors: Wang Yuehuan , Yang Yi , Song Yanjuan
Published: May 2024

:

Exercise is an effective measure for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, although
the exact molecular mechanism remains unknown. Previous studies have shown that both
irisin and exosomes can improve the course of cardiovascular disease independently. Therefore, it
is speculated that the cardiovascular protective effect of exercise is also related to its ability to regulate
the concentrations of irisin and exosomes in the circulatory system. In this review, the potential
synergistic interactions between irisin and exosomes are examined, as well as the underlying
mechanisms including the AMPK/PI3K/AKT pathway, the TGFβ1/Smad2/3 pathway, the
PI3K/AKT/VEGF pathway, and the PTEN/PINK1/Parkin pathway are examined. This paper provides
evidence to propose that exercise promotes the release of exosomes enriched with irisin,
miR-486-5p and miR-342-5p from skeletal muscles, which results in the activation protective networks
in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the potential synergistic effect in exosomal cargo
can provide new ideas for clinical research of exercise mimics.
Macrophages: Balancing Inflammation and Homeostasis in Health and
Disease
Authors: Ramalingam Rabika , Venkatachalam Kaliyamurthi , Piyushbhai Modi Kiran , Sharma Prakhar , Binesh Ambika
Published: May 2024

:

Inflammation is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to insults,
yet dysregulated inflammation can lead to various diseases. Macrophages, central to the immune
system, play key roles in initiating, regulating, and resolving inflammation. This review provides
an overview of macrophage functions, including activation mechanisms, recruitment to inflamed
tissues, interactions with other immune cells and mediators, and their roles in phagocytosis, clearance
of apoptotic cells and debris, and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, it
discusses macrophage-induced regulatory T-cell formation, the impact of pro-inflammatory and
anti-inflammatory cytokines on macrophage behavior, and the influence of microbial products and
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on macrophage function. The review also identifies
targeting macrophages as a promising strategy for managing inflammatory diseases while acknowledging
challenges such as macrophage heterogeneity, limitations of in vitro models, and incomplete
understanding of regulatory mechanisms. Finally, it suggests areas for further research,
including identifying specific macrophage subsets, understanding macrophage plasticity, exploring
resolution signaling pathways, and investigating the role of metabolism and microenvironmental
cues in macrophage function, aiming to pave the way for more effective macrophage-targeted
therapies in inflammatory diseases.
Nanomaterials in Wound Healing: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Prospects
Authors: Rani Kavita , Singh Gurvirender , Narwal Smita , Chopra Bhawna , Dhingra Ashwani K.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Poor wound healing poses a significant global health challenge, leading
to increased mortality rates and considerable healthcare expenses. Nanotechnology has emerged
as a promising approach to address the complexities associated with wound healing, offering potential
solutions to enhance the wound microenvironment and promote efficient tissue repair.

Aim:

This review aims to comprehensively summarize recent advancements in the application of
nanomaterials for wound healing, with a focus on their mechanisms of action. The review also explores
the prospects and challenges of using nanomaterials in wound dressings, specifically in the
context of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic effects.

Results:

The integration of nanomaterials in wound healing has demonstrated significant progress
in addressing key challenges, such as providing a suitable environment for cell migration, controlling
microbial infections, and managing inflammation. Nanomaterials have been found to stimulate
cellular and molecular processes, promoting hemostasis, immune regulation, and tissue proliferation,
thereby accelerating wound closure and tissue regeneration.

Conclusion:

Nanotechnology-based wound healing has shown great promise in revolutionizing
wound care. Nanomaterials offer unique physicochemical and biological properties that can be harnessed
to develop advanced wound dressings capable of sustained therapeutic agent delivery and
targeted bacterial detection and treatment. Despite these promising advancements, challenges such
as reproducibility, stability, toxicity, and histocompatibility must be addressed to ensure successful
translation from laboratory research to clinical applications. Further research is required to better
understand the in-vivo behaviour of nanomaterial-based wound dressings and to explore innovative
approaches, such as intelligent wound dressings that detect and treat infections synergistically,
to enhance wound healing outcomes. Overall, nanomaterials hold tremendous potential for future
wound healing strategies, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare
burdens.
Breast Cancer Prediction Using Oversampling Technique, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Mahato Kapil Dev , Saini Chitra , Das S S Gourab Kumar , Kumar Abhilash , Azad Chandrashekhar , Kumar Uday
Published: May 2024

Background:

Breast cancer is one of the most devastating and prominent reasons for women's life loss on the planet today. Therefore, the development of tools for the early detection of breast cancer based on the use of a large amount of available clinical data in combination with machine learning/artificial intelligence models can be a cost-effective and game-changer solution for saving women's lives. Researchers have been working hard to put such a tool into practice in recent years.

Introduction:

Breast cancer is a serious health issue, and detecting it early is crucial to improving patient outcomes. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent chronic illness in women behind lung cancer and can also affect males, though it does so significantly on a smaller scale

Objective:

For early detection of breast cancer, a wide range of methods, including oversampling, feature selection, fuzzy logic, and machine learning algorithms, have been explored. This research article aims to predict the type and risk factors of breast cancer.

Methods:

In this study, the support vector machine-synthetic minority oversampling technique (SVM-SMOTE) was used to balance the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Original (WBCO) dataset from the UCI repository. To enhance the models’ performance and decrease the number of features, features were extracted using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Furthermore, thirteen types of models are proposed: Decision Tree (DT), Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting (GB), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Adaptive Boosting (AB), Categorical Boosting (CB), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Extra Trees (ET). The PSO-suggested features are utilized as input fuzzy variables, and fuzzy logic is trained.

Results:

As a result of these proposed techniques, the highest accuracy was obtained at 92.64%, 98.31%, and 97.19% using SVM-SMOTE, SVM-SMOTE+PSO, and PSO+fuzzy logic, respec-tively.

Conclusion:

In our investigation, we used fewer attributes (three), such as clump thickness, mar-ginal adhesion, and Bland chromatin, in the fuzzy logic systems and obtained satisfactory results.
Criticality Analysis of A Sea Port`s Shore Cranes Using Analytic Hierarchy Process Method
Authors: Đelović Deda
Published: May 2024

Introduction/Background

Critical assets are the organizational resources of crucial importance for maintaining operations and achieving the organization's mission. The criticality of organization assets is continuously researched by numerous authors.

Ports have critical importance for the global supply chain. Together with the port workforce, port infrastructure, and port superstructure, which are interconnected with the port information system, port machinery enables the functioning of a port.

Depending on the characteristics of a port (level of its specialization,etc.), there are various port machinery types used in the cargo handling process, and all of them do not have the same criticality level.

In the available literature, no research directly related to the criticality analysis of shore cranes in use at a terminal in a seaport can be found. It was one of the principal initial motives of the author to write this paper.

Methodology

After an overview of literature sources dealing with assets` criticality analysis and a condensed theoretical consideration of the general importance of ports and port machinery, this paper shows the results of research on the port`s shore cranes‘ criticality ranks, using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The research included a group of shore cranes at the Dry Bulk Cargo Terminal in the Port of Bar JSC (Montenegro), which consists of three gantry cranes (with a capacity per item of 12 t), two mobile harbor cranes with a capacity of 144 t and 124 t and a ship loader for cereals with a capacity of 300 t/h. Criticality analysis was conducted based on four selection criteria: C1-if the shore crane type is an element of cargo handling technology with priority cargo group; C2-level of hourly productivity; C3-level of operating costs; C4-level of cost generated by shore crane downtime during the loading/unloading process. The AHP hierarchy framework used was a three-level model: “level 0” – goal; “level 1” the – criterion; “level 2” the – choice.

Results/Discussion

According to the calculated level of criticality based on the defined selection criteria, the highest criticality rank was observed for the mobile harbor crane with a capacity of 144 t, which had the highest rank for three out of four selection criteria.

Conclusion

The results of the research can be used as a base for further research studies in this field as well as a reliable base for a very wide range of managerial activities directed to improvements in the maintenance system of shore cranes as well as in the cargo handling system where the cranes are used. As one of the potential purposes of the results, with a high level of importance, their potential usage for introducing, adequate modeling, and implementing the concept of predictive maintenance of shore cranes (with all related benefits) is pointed out.
Financial Feasibility Analysis of the Beef Cattle Fattening Business
Authors: Mayulu Hamdi , Puteri Sarah Shevi Annisa , Christiyanto Marry , Rorimpandey Boyke
Published: May 2024

Financial analysis is an activity of assessing and determining rupiah units on aspects that are considered feasible from decisions made in the business analysis stage, and the results of the analysis are used as basic parameters in determining the feasibility of a business. The objective of this research was to determine the financial feasibility of the beef cattle fattening business in Balikpapan city. The study employed a survey method within the North Balikpapan subdistrict, in which 40 respondents were selected through purposive sampling. Criteria for respondents included ownership of at least two beef cattle with a rearing period exceeding one year. The financial feasibility analysis used several key indicators, including the break event point (BEP), net present value (NPV), benefit cost ratio (B/C ratio), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period (PP). Based on the study calculations, the BEP was IDR 9.676.911; NPV (9.15%) was IDR 1.017.779.514; NPV (14.15%) was IDR 952.403.118; B/C ratio was 2.7; IRR was 87%; and PP was 0.37 years. According to these results, it could be concluded that the beef cattle business in the North Balikpapan subdistrict, Balikpapan city, was feasible.
Chemical Composition and Fermentation Characteristics of Different Proportions of Fermented Poultry Manure and Sheep Feces as Unconventional Feed
Authors: Aisy Nadya Durrotul , Wardani Arrynda Rachma Dyasti , Paradhipta Dimas Hand Vidya , Agus Ali , Noviadi Cuk Tri
Published: May 2024

The aim of this recent study was to investigate the effects of different ratios of poultry manure and sheep feces on the fermentation quality of fermented poultry and sheep manure (FPSM). This study used poultry manure, dry sheep feces, cassava flour, molasses, and the addition of multiple microbes (Saus Burger Pakan, SBP®). Dried and ground sheep feces, as adsorbents, were mixed with fresh poultry manure at different ratios, including 40% sheep feces and 60% poultry manure (T40), 50% sheep feces and 50% poultry manure (T50), and 60% sheep feces and 40% poultry manure (T60). Each treatment was replicated in triplicate, and 30 kg of each silo was fermented for 14 d. After fermentation, the samples from each treatment were analysed to determine their physical characteristics, chemical compositions, fermentation characteristics, and microbial contamination. The data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s test if any significant difference was detected. The FPSM results showed that T60 presented (P<0.05) higher amounts of dry matter, crude fibre, pH, and lactic acid bacteria colonies. This study recommended the addition of as much as 60% SBP® inoculum and absorbent poultry manure to produce optimum and effective fermentation quality in poultry manure processing.
Pemberdayaan Peternakan Goatzilla Farm Lumajang Tentang Budidaya Susu Kambing
Authors: Wijaya Hastono , Gapsari Femiana , Setyarini Putu Hadi , Baroroh Dina Nikmatul , Barasa Alvadro , Matondang Cecilia , Altair Afriel
Published: May 2024

Peternakan Goatzilla Farm (GF) terletak di Wonorejo, sebuah desa di Senduro, Lumajang, adalah bagian penting dari komunitas, terkenal dengan keluarga dan anak-anaknya. Peternakan GF merupakan peternakan kambing yang salah satu produknya adalah susu kambing. . Produksi susu GF berkontribusi pada diversifikasi, kesehatan, lingkungan, dan ekonomi lokal..Untuk memastikan bahwa produk olahan susu kambing seperti keju atau yogurt tetap dalam kondisi yang baik dan aman, mungkin diperlukan fasilitas pendinginan. Pendinginan dapat membantu menjaga kualitas dan memperpanjang umur simpan barang. Program Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ini bertujuan untuk memberi GF ilmu teknologi untuk membuat pengolahan susu aman, tahan lama, dan sehat. Hasil menunjukkan adanya freezer memberikan kualitas hasil susu dan yoghut olahan
Adding Virtual Reality Mindful Exposure Therapy to a Cancer Center’s Tobacco Treatment Offerings: Feasibility and Acceptability Single-Group Pilot Study
Authors: Jackson Riley Walton , Cao-Nasalga Ann , Chieng Amy , Pirkl Amy , Jagielo Annemarie D , Xu Cindy , Goldenhersch Emilio , Rosencovich Nicolas , Waitman Cristian , Prochaska Judith J
Published: May 2024

Background

Smoking contributes to 1 in 3 cancer deaths. At the Stanford Cancer Center, tobacco cessation medication management and counseling are provided as a covered benefit. Patients charted as using tobacco are contacted by a tobacco treatment specialist and offered cessation services. As a novel addition, this study examined the acceptability of a virtual reality (VR) mindful exposure therapy app for quitting smoking called MindCotine.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of offering 6 weeks of MindCotine treatment as a part of Stanford’s Tobacco Treatment Services for patients seen for cancer care.

Methods

As part of a single-group pilot study, the MindCotine VR program was offered to English- or Spanish-speaking patients interested in quitting smoking. Given the visual interface, epilepsy was a medical exclusion. Viewed from a smartphone with an attachable VR headset, MindCotine provides a digital environment with audiovisual content guiding mindfulness exercises (eg, breathing techniques, body awareness, and thought recognition), text-based coaching, and cognitive behavioral therapy-based self-reflections for quitting smoking. Interested patients providing informed consent were mailed a MindCotine headset and asked to use the app for 10+ minutes a day. At the end of 6 weeks, participants completed a feedback survey.

Results

Of the 357 patients reached by the tobacco treatment specialist, 62 (17.3%) were ineligible, 190 (53.2%) were not interested in tobacco treatment services, and 78 (21.8%) preferred other tobacco treatment services. Among the 105 eligible and interested in assistance with quitting, 27 (25.7%) were interested in MindCotine, of whom 20 completed the informed consent, 9 used the program, and 8 completed their end-of-treatment survey. Participants using MindCotine completed, on average, 13 (SD 20.2) program activities, 19 (SD 26) journal records, and 11 (SD 12.3) coaching engagements. Of the 9 participants who used MindCotine, 4 (44%) reported some dizziness with app use that resolved and 7 (78%) would recommend MindCotine to a friend. In total, 2 participants quit tobacco (22.2% reporting, 10% overall), 2 others reduced their smoking by 50% or more, and 2 quit for 24 hours and then relapsed.

Conclusions

In a feasibility and acceptability pilot study of a novel VR tobacco treatment app offered to patients at a cancer center, 4 of 9 (44%) reporting and 4 of 20 (20%) overall substantially reduced or quit using tobacco after 6 weeks and most would recommend the app to others. Further testing on a larger sample is warranted.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05220254; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05220254
Nurses’ Use of mHealth Apps for Chronic Conditions: Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Shiyab Wa'ed , Rolls Kaye , Ferguson Caleb , Halcomb Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

Background

Mobile health (mHealth) is increasingly used to support public health practice, as it has positive benefits such as enhancing self-efficacy and facilitating chronic disease management. Yet, relatively few studies have explored the use of mHealth apps among nurses, despite their important role in caring for patients with and at risk of chronic conditions.

Objective

The aim of the study is to explore nurses’ use of mHealth apps to support adults with or at risk of chronic conditions and understand the factors that influence technology adoption.

Methods

A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023. The survey was shared via social media and professional nursing organizations to Australian nurses caring for adults with or at risk of chronic conditions.

Results

A total of 158 responses were included in the analysis. More than two-thirds (n=108, 68.4%) of respondents reported that they personally used at least 1 mHealth app. Over half (n=83, 52.5% to n=108, 68.4%) reported they use mHealth apps at least a few times a month for clinical purposes. Logistic regression demonstrated that performance expectancy (P=.04), facilitating condition (P=.05), and personal use of mHealth apps (P=.05) were significantly associated with mHealth app recommendation. In contrast, effort expectancy (P=.09) and social influence (P=.46) did not have a significant influence on whether respondents recommended mHealth apps to patients. The inability to identify the quality of mHealth apps and the lack of access to mobile devices or internet were the most common barriers to mHealth app recommendation.

Conclusions

While nurses use mHealth apps personally, there is potential to increase their clinical application. Given the challenges reported in appraising and assessing mHealth apps, app regulation and upskilling nurses will help to integrate mHealth apps into usual patient care.
A Symptom-Checker for Adult Patients Visiting an Interdisciplinary Emergency Care Center and the Safety of Patient Self-Triage: Real-Life Prospective Evaluation
Authors: Meer Andreas , Rahm Philipp , Schwendinger Markus , Vock Michael , Grunder Bettina , Demurtas Jacopo , Rutishauser Jonas
Published: May 2024

Background

Symptom-checkers have become important tools for self-triage, assisting patients to determine the urgency of medical care. To be safe and effective, these tools must be validated, particularly to avoid potentially hazardous undertriage without leading to inefficient overtriage. Only limited safety data from studies including small sample sizes have been available so far.

Objective

The objective of our study was to prospectively investigate the safety of patients’ self-triage in a large patient sample. We used SMASS (Swiss Medical Assessment System; in4medicine, Inc) pathfinder, a symptom-checker based on a computerized transparent neural network.

Methods

We recruited 2543 patients into this single-center, prospective clinical trial conducted at the cantonal hospital of Baden, Switzerland. Patients with an Emergency Severity Index of 1-2 were treated by the team of the emergency department, while those with an index of 3-5 were seen at the walk-in clinic by general physicians. We compared the triage recommendation obtained by the patients’ self-triage with the assessment of clinical urgency made by 3 successive interdisciplinary panels of physicians (panels A, B, and C). Using the Clopper-Pearson CI, we assumed that to confirm the symptom-checkers’ safety, the upper confidence bound for the probability of a potentially hazardous undertriage should lie below 1%. A potentially hazardous undertriage was defined as a triage in which either all (consensus criterion) or the majority (majority criterion) of the experts of the last panel (panel C) rated the triage of the symptom-checker to be “rather likely” or “likely” life-threatening or harmful.

Results

Of the 2543 patients, 1227 (48.25%) were female and 1316 (51.75%) male. None of the patients reached the prespecified consensus criterion for a potentially hazardous undertriage. This resulted in an upper 95% confidence bound of 0.1184%. Further, 4 cases met the majority criterion. This resulted in an upper 95% confidence bound for the probability of a potentially hazardous undertriage of 0.3616%. The 2-sided 95% Clopper-Pearson CI for the probability of overtriage (n=450 cases,17.69%) was 16.23% to 19.24%, which is considerably lower than the figures reported in the literature.

Conclusions

The symptom-checker proved to be a safe triage tool, avoiding potentially hazardous undertriage in a real-life clinical setting of emergency consultations at a walk-in clinic or emergency department without causing undesirable overtriage. Our data suggest the symptom-checker may be safely used in clinical routine.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04055298; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04055298
Home telemonitoring of arterial hypertension versus usual care: the HOROSCOPE study (Preprint)
Authors: Saafi Meniar , Belhaj Ali Khaoula , Dhaoui Randa , Toumia Marwa , Sassi Sarra , Ben Daya Yosra , Bouchoucha Mohamed , Ben Hafaiedh Sonia , Trabelsi Imen , Sekma Adel , Bakir Arij , Jaballah Rahma , Yaakoubi Hager , Youssef Rym , Zorgati Asma , Beltaief Kaouthar , Mezgar Zied , Khrouf Meriem , Sghaier Amira , Jerbi Nahla , Razgallah Rabie , Bouida Wahid , Grissa Mohamed Habib , Ben Saad Jamal , Boubaker Hamdi , Boukef Riadh , Msolli Mohamed Amine , Nouira Semir
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Control of hypertension has shown a decrease in blood pressure compared to usual care

OBJECTIVE

The Horoscope trial aimed to assess the efficacy of home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring (TLM) in controlling BP reduction in hypertensive patients compared with usual care.

METHODS

This is a multi-center, prospective randomized, parallel-group trial comparing TLM with usual care during a period of 6 months in patients with hypertension.

RESULTS

We included 525 patients randomly assigned in a 1-1 ratio to telemonitoring (TLM group ; n =260) or usual care (control group ; n=265). After 6 months of follow up, mean values of 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in both TLM and control groups. The mean decrease was significantly greater in the TLM g roup vs control group ( −3.29 mmHg Vs −1.19; p=0.009) and (−2.9 mmHg Vs ,−0.07; p=0.002) for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that TLM results in significant BP reduction compared to usual care in a Tunisian population of patients with hypertension. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating telemedicine in the management of hypertensive patients ; it has the potential to improve the quality of the delivered care and to prevent cardiovascular consequences of uncontrolled BP.

CLINICALTRIAL

The study was approved by the Ethics committee of Monastir Medical University and is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT04607239).
Human Papillomavirus Education and Professional Skills Intervention for Healthcare Providers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Martinez Jacob , Cordero Jacquelin I. , Whitney Meagan , LaRoche Katie L. , Frietze Gabriel , Moya Eva M. , Gosselink Kristin
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an effective way to prevent HPV and its associated cancers. Provider recommendation has been shown to be one of the most successful strategies for increasing uptake of the HPV vaccine; however, more training and resources are needed to help boost healthcare providers’ confidence and communication skills in recommending the HPV vaccine to their patients, particularly in underserved Hispanic communities where vaccination rates among all ages are lower.

OBJECTIVE

Improve provider recommendations and patient communication strategies, using motivational techniques to increase education in HPV knowledge, vaccine uptake, and screening in the Hispanic community by recruiting healthcare providers (N = 150) serving the El Paso US-Mexico Border Region to compare educational and professional skills interventions focused on HPV.

METHODS

We will conduct a randomized post-test only controlled behavioral trial using a parallel group design that will examine the effectiveness of a fully automated culturally tailored HPV education and professional skills intervention containing unique reading material and video role-play.

RESULTS

Chi-square analyses will be used to assess associations between variables reported on the baseline provider knowledge, attitudes, and practice scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Current study protocol outlines the methods deployed in the first-ever clinical trial to be conducted regarding HPV communication practices with healthcare providers in the US-Mexico border region.

CLINICALTRIAL

NCT05120869
A Study Protocol of Triglyceride Glycemic Index And Carotid Artery Doppler In Patient With Psoriasis: A Case-Control Study (Preprint)
Authors: Talasila SreeRamya
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis, a persistent and widespread inflammatory skin condition affecting around 3% of the global population, goes beyond surface-level manifestations, leading to systemic challenges. This ailment is closely linked to an increased susceptibility to a range of systemic conditions, notably cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and psychological disorders. Integrating systemic biomarkers like the triglyceride glycemic index (TyG) index and utilizing non-invasive techniques such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement through sonography are valuable approaches to comprehensively assess cardiovascular risk and manage systemic complications in individuals with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to investigate triglyceride glycaemic index and cardiac Doppler findings in psoriasis patients, establishing correlations between triglyceride glycaemic index and Carotid Doppler study results.

METHODS

60 participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be chosen and divided into two groups, each consisting of 30 individuals. Group A will comprise patients diagnosed with psoriasis. At the same time, Group B will consist of healthy controls with non-inflammatory dermatological conditions other than psoriasis matched in terms of age, sex, and BMI range to the cases. Triglyceride levels, glycemic index, and carotid Doppler scans will be conducted for both groups.

RESULTS

Results will be drawn from the observations of subjective and objective parameters

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides a quantitative key indicator for establishing a relationship between the triglyceride glycemic index and carotid Doppler study findings for atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinical Trials Registry - India (ICMR-NIMS)
REF/2024/03/081271
Spatial Variations of Earthquake Clustering Factor in Japan
Authors: Tsakhilova Ekaterina
Published: May 2024

The article is devoted to the spatial distribution of the average productivity of earthquakes in the main part of Japan for the period 2000–2020. The maps were generated with The Generic Mapping Tools using the Japan Meteorological Agency catalog for earthquakes 40 km below the surface. We are talking about «crustal» earthquakes on the island part of Japan. Maps were built for the period 2010–2020, where the radius (25 km, 50 km, 100 km), catalog completeness (1 and 1.5) and ∆ -productivity (1 and 2) were varied. For the most indicative map, the stability of the picture in time was checked. An attempt was also made to test the effect of surface heat flux on the distribution of average earthquake productivity.
The World of Shakespeare and Company: An Introduction
Authors: Kotin Joshua , Sutton Koeser Rebecca
Published: May 2024

What’s left to learn about Shakespeare and Company, Sylvia Beach’s bookshop and lending library in interwar Paris? This introduction addresses this question by discussing the eight articles collected in the special cluster, “The World of Shakespeare and Company,” co-published by the Journal of Cultural Analytics and Modernism/modernity. All eight articles use data from the Shakespeare and Company Project to develop new accounts of modernism, the sociology of reading, and historical archives. Combining qualitative, quantitative, and computational methods, the articles open new paths for studying one of the most important institutions in literary history.
Unpacking Reed Peggram’s Library
Authors: Whitmire Ethelene
Published: May 2024

Reed Peggram, a queer African American doctoral student in comparative literature at Harvard University, became a member of the Shakespeare and Company lending library in 1938, when studying decadence in nineteenth-century French literature at the Sorbonne. The essay examines the items he borrowed to provide insights into his life.
Lending Books on the Left and Right Banks: Borrowing Practices at the American Library in Paris and Shakespeare and Company
Authors: Cannon Nissa Ren
Published: May 2024

Shakespeare and Company and the American Library in Paris (ALP) have long been represented as rivals. Yet the relationship between the two preeminent American lending libraries in Paris—both of which opened their doors after World War I as the city was becoming the heart of Anglophone modernist literature—is more complicated. This article uses records from the Shakespeare and Company lending library, historical newspapers, and the ALP’s annual Year Book to reveal connections between the two institutions. The article asks us to stop treating the libraries as rivals and understand them as complementary nodes in the network of Paris’s interwar Anglophone community.
The Dispute and Countermeasure of Workers' Off-line Right in the Digital Age
Authors: Guo Boning , Chen Haozhe
Published: May 2024

In the age of digital advancement, society has shifted to a data-centric and interconnected paradigm. This transformation has not only altered lifestyles but also impacted labor dynamics significantly. As digital tools bring convenience, they also pose challenges such as blurred work-life boundaries and prolonged working hours.This article delves into the debate surrounding offline rights of workers in the digital era and proposes effective solutions. Employing a mixed-method approach, it elucidates the essence of these rights and argues for their legal recognition. The focus is on devising a comprehensive framework that balances legal clarity, market dynamics, and worker protection.By offering innovative policy recommendations, this research addresses the pressing need to safeguard workers' offline rights. It not only provides theoretical insights but also practical guidance to promote work-life balance and sustainable digital economy development. Upholding these rights signifies a commitment to modern labor values and social equity in today's digital age.
Reasonable Planning of King County's E-bus Replacement Plan
Authors: Ye Hongquan , Gao Junhang , Chen Fuwei , Bi Xiangyu
Published: May 2024

With the increasingly intensified global warming severe air pollutions, governments all over the world have begun or is right now looking for ways to fix the problem. Among all the solutions, sustainable urban transportation system is what many governments pay attention to because of their apparent contribution to the reduction in greenhouse gases emissions and pollutants. In this passage, we focus on the exact ecology impacts the promotion of e-buses will cause. On the other hand, the potential financial burdens the transitioning processes will bring are perceived by us in order to make a decent plan for the government to implement.For the first part of constructing the model to measure the ecology impact of transition in one area, we start with the identification of King County as a metropolitan area suitable for prediction. Then we collect information and data of its local bus fleet and e-bus transitioning plan, find out the exact number of each type of buses (diesel, hybrid and electric) around these years and the emissions of corresponding buses. We use both ARIMA and Least Squares Regression to predict the number these buses in the future until the year the local government aim to complete the plan but choose the result displayed by the better one. In this case, we obtain the data for emission of carbon dioxide, oxynitride and PM10 in each year and evaluate the ecological impact. At the same time, we predict the data for the emissions later if the bus fleet keep the same and observed over 90% of decline when we compare the value after transition to the control group.Afterwards, to estimate the financial cost, we identify the main parts involved in the processes of transitioning, classify them with one group of cost for long-term and the other for short-term---that is, changed as the plan is gradually implemented. We build models for each factor we identified and use Riemann Sum to unify the long-term and short-term costs. Based on the data we predict in problem one and from the local government’s website, we easily gain the financial implications of for about 50 million dollars in King County. Through the analysis of the government’s grant in other area, we roughly verify that 50 million dollars would be an acceptable cost.Finally, in our 10-year roadmap development, we explored further into the population distribution of King County and the existing traits for public transportation. Our starting point in this article is to classify the urban pattern into four types of bus operation routes, and then define the passenger flow from high to low. At the same time, we define the total number of vehicles that need to be replaced for different types to develop transportation replacement plans. Based on our assumptions, calculate the carrying capacity of each type of bus in line with the passenger flow. Eventually, it can be proven that the total carrying capacity of the bus meets the transportation needs of all King counties. Then apply to other regions.
Semi Automated Welding Machine Using PLC
Authors: Barge Tushar
Published: May 2024

Abstract: In this project, we will be doing Design,Analysis & Manufacturing automation for circular parts welding with uniform weld structure usingPLC. We will be designing & manufacturing the turntable, which will be rotating at specific requiredspeed depending upon the requirement of fillet material to be added. Further, the electrode nozzle iskept stationary, which will be in contact with the surface of components to be welded. Therefore, thisproject proposed a detailed design for the conversionof the conventional MIG welding machine (ARC) into an automated machine for welding round components. Together with this main modification, the existing MIG welding machine – (a stationary, downward-facing ARG – HEAD, which has provisions for horizontal and upward movements) isto be modified into portable robotic weldingmachine.
Solar Based Water Purification System
Authors: Ingle Dr. A. H.
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Solar-based water purification is an innovative and sustainable method leveraging solar energy to produce clean drinking water from contaminated sources. This approach integrates various technologies, primarily solar distillation, solar disinfection (SODIS), and solar-powered filtration systems
MERN Stack Based Fitness Application
Authors: Lavania Gouri
Published: May 2024

Abstract: In today's digitally driven world, the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle has become increasingly prevalent, with individuals seeking innovative solutions to track, manage, and optimize their fitness journeys. This abstract outlines the development of a fitness application using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js) as a comprehensive platform to address the evolving needs of fitness enthusiasts. The proposed fitness application aims to revolutionize the way users engage with their health and wellness goals by providing a seamless and intuitive user experience. Leveraging the capabilities of the MERN stack, the application offers a dynamic and feature-rich environment for users to set fitness goals, track progress, access personalized workout plans, and engage with a supportive community of fellow enthusiasts.
Driver Drowsiness Detection using CNN
Authors: Bankar Jaitee
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Driver drowsiness is a significant factor contributing to road accidents worldwide, posing a major threat to public safety. This project presents a robust and efficient approach to detecting driver drowsiness using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). The proposed system aims to enhance road safety by monitoring drivers in real-time and providing timely warnings to prevent accidents caused by fatigue. The methodology involves capturing video frames of the driver's face using a camera installed in the vehicle. The CNN model is trained on a comprehensive dataset containing images of alert and drowsy states. Key facial landmarks and features, such as eye closure duration, yawning frequency, and head position, are extracted and analyzed to determine the driver's level of alertness. By leveraging the powerful feature extraction capabilities of CNNs, the system can accurately distinguish between alert and drowsy states with high precision. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in real-world scenarios, achieving a high accuracy rate in detecting drowsiness. The system's performance is evaluated against various benchmarks, showcasing its potential for integration into modern vehicles as a preventive safety measure. The deployment of this CNN-based drowsiness detection system can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, contributing to safer driving conditions and saving lives.