bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital coupons and Gen Z: An application of technology acceptance model with coupon proneness as a moderator
Authors: Pandey Neha , Gupta Nimish , Rastogi Sanjay , Rajan Singh Rashika , Mishra Manish
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to comprehend the perceptions and intentions of Generation Z consumers in India regarding the utilization of digital coupons, adopting the framework of the technology acceptance model. Through purposive sampling, 386 participants from Generation Z were selected to offer diverse perspectives, reflecting the significant influence of demographics on contemporary consumer behavior. An online survey was conducted across India, utilizing popular social networking applications, such as WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Facebook, to distribute the online questionnaire as these platforms have widespread usage and accessibility among the target demographic. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between the constructs. The study revealed that perceived ease of use had no significant impact on the attitudes toward digital coupons (p > 0.05). However, a strong positive relationship was observed between perceived usefulness and ease of use (β = 0.542, p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, perceived usefulness positively influenced attitudes toward digital coupons (β = 0.484, p ≤ 0.05), as did attitudes toward usage intention (β = 0.746, p ≤ 0.05). The relationships between attitude and perceived ease of use (β = –0.093, p ≤ 0.05) and attitude and usage intention (β = –0.124, p ≤ 0.05) were moderated by digital coupon proneness. Insights derived from this study hold substantial relevance for marketers aiming to effectively engage Generation Z through digital couponing strategies.
AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to their respective universities, heads of departments, and others who have supported and contributed to the effective conduct of this study.
A pessoa com deficiência e sua participação no ensino superior: uma análise da realidade brasileira
Authors: Wermuth Maiquel Ângelo Dezordi , Palumbo Lívia Pelli
Published: April 2024

A pesquisa cujos resultados parciais são apresentados neste artigo está vinculada ao Projeto de Pesquisa CAPES/Programa de Desenvolvimento da Pós-Graduação (PDPG) Alteridade na Pós-graduação: “Pessoas com deficiência no ensino de pós-graduação stricto sensu no Brasil: a ética da alteridade na construção de políticas públicas de inclusão”, desenvolvido no âmbito do Programa de Pós-graduação em Direitos Humanos da Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Unijuí). O tema ganha destaque no âmbito acadêmico, na medida em que ainda existem muitos obstáculos para a concretização da efetivação dos direitos inalienáveis das pessoas com deficiência, apesar de alguns avanços em relação ao tema do direito à educação. O problema pode ser assim sintetizado: quais são as dificuldades de acesso e permanência das pessoas com deficiência nos bancos da academia e a necessidade de um olhar pautado na inclusão a partir de políticas públicas. Como hipótese inicialmente lançada ao problema de pesquisa, pode-se afirmar a dificuldade da inserção social na área da educação desse grupo de pessoas, em razão do período de invisibilidade e exclusão. O aporte teórico, conceitual e metodológico que dá sustentação ao estudo empreendido apresenta uma reflexão sobre como a não implementação adequada de políticas públicas resulta em fronteiras e limites a esse grupo de estudantes no ensino superior, a partir da análise dos dados estatísticos sobre a educação desse contingente populacional, de uma avaliação crítica da legislação e políticas públicas da educação especial à educação inclusiva, e os desafios para transformar a educação superior em um espaço de efetiva inclusão desse grupo de pessoas, e o papel de como as políticas públicas são necessárias na diminuição do descompasso entre a dimensão programadora (legislação) e operacional (políticas públicas) da efetivação do direito à educação, por meio de políticas de atendimento educacional especializado (AEE), de tecnologias assistivas e de acessibilidade. O estudo apresentado é desenvolvido a partir do método hipotético-dedutivo e da seleção da bibliografia que forma o referencial teórico, através do levantamento de produções científicas e legislação/regulação já existentes sobre a temática.
La pertenencia y los linderos de las heredades en la configuración de los estados de la Mesa del Centro. Un análisis desde la georreferenciación de la cartografía histórica
Authors: Hernández Gutiérrez José Esteban
Published: April 2024

El presente trabajo es una contribución y propuesta de cómo la geohistoria, ayudada por la construcción histórica del catastro rural y apoyada en la georreferenciación de mapas antiguos con herramientas de código abierto, puede reconstruir y determinar los límites territoriales en el siglo decimonónico, durante la consolidación de los estados nacionales. El Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (Inegi) asevera que no todos los tramos de los límites de los estados de la nación son susceptibles de interpretación y transcripción en la cartografía topográfica y no tienen respaldo jurídico en sus delimitaciones. La propuesta es analizar el territorio desde la pertenencia, los linderos de las heredades y sus actores (propietarios, autoridades e ingenieros agrimensores) que pueden explicar la configuración de los estados. Para ello, se utiliza el análisis histórico de las delimitaciones y la lectura cartográfica como método, las técnicas empleadas son la reconstrucción histórica del catastro rural y la georeferenciación de cartografía pretérita para las cuales se usan programas de los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), la cartografía de las haciendas, los sitios y los ranchos son una fuente científica que se puede aprovechar para reconstruir los límites territoriales de los estados; estas propiedades particulares representaban el principal patrimonio de las élites, una posesión que cuidaban y defendían, para lo que no escatimaban recursos en la contratación de los mejores agrimensores y la mejor tecnología de la época.
Effects of Therapeutic Dosing through Enriched Environment on Gross Motor Function in Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Safa Saleem  , Samia Sarmad  , Mian Ali Raza  , Kamran Hanif  , Syed Asadullah
Published: April 2024

Background: Cerebral palsy differs in every child in terms of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions, so intervention should be designed in a way which is specific to every child and is constantly adjusted according to the needs of the child. Level appropriate selection of dosage (frequency, type, time, intensity) of treatment plays a vital role in treatment efficacy.
Objective: To investigate the effects of therapeutic dosing through age-appropriate enriched environment on gross motor function in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Methods:  In this RCT, 82 spastic cerebral palsy children were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A received level appropriate enriched environmental inputs consisting of motor and sensory enriched play environment with therapeutic dosing (20-25 minutes intermittently, 5 hours per day, 5 days a week for 24 weeks) along with Neurodevelopmental Technique. The goal was to promote participant’s self-generated movements, exploration of the environment and successful task completion. Group B received clinical based regular physical therapy consisting of NDT. Guidance was given to parents on how to carry out a home program. Data was collected at the end of 5 months on GMFM scale to check improvement in gross motor function.
Results: The data was analyzed using Mann Whitney U test. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups. Group A showed improvement in gross motor function (p value<0.05) whereas improvement in group B was not as significant (p-value>0.05).
Conclusion: This study concluded that optimal dosage of an intervention along with parent/caregiver education started at an early age resulted in significant functional improvements in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy children. These improvements were observed not only in body functions but also in active involvement and participation of the child.
Assessment of Liver Fibrosis Grading with Non Invasive Scoring Systems Among Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Patients
Authors: Shaikh Sabhita Shabir , Nafay Saba , Reshamwala Shirin Jalaluddin , Sidra Zaheer  , Sajid Madiha
Published: April 2024

Background: The evaluation of degree of liver fibrosis is an important prognostic factor in the management of NAFLD patients. Noninvasive risk stratification is needed to triage individuals with advanced fibrosis for optimal treatment and surveillance.
Objective: To find the frequency of fibrosis in NAFLD patients using multiple non-invasive tests and to match the performance of noninvasive tests in diagnosing liver fibrosis.
Methods: An observational study done in Out-patient Clinics of National Institute of Liver and GI diseases (NILGID), Dow University Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022. All consecutive NAFLD patients during the study period were enrolled. Liver fibrosis was assessed in each patient with non invasive scoring including APRI score (AST to platelet ratio index), AST/ALT ratio, NFS (NAFLD fibrosis scores) and FIB-4.
Results: 322 patients (mean age 44.84 ±10.94 years) were included. The mean values for ALT and AST levels were 40.67 ± 31.69IU/L and 31.85 ± 22.60 respectively. The best diagnostic accuracy was observed with FIB4 score having AUROC of 0.904. A robust correlation was observed between APRI index and FIB-4 score (r = 0.734, p-value < 0.01), and between FIB-4 score and NFS score (r = 0.700, p- value <0.01). Whereas correlation of APRI index with NFS score was moderate (r=0.394), and with AST/ALT ratio was weak (r = 0.201).
Conclusion: Noninvasive markers, FIB4 and NFS score demonstrate a dependable ability to diagnose and rule out liver fibrosis, which proves to be an economical approach in management of patients with NAFLD.
Burden and Outcomes of Respiratory Diseases in Hospitalized Neonates at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zafar Mavrah , Waheed Gulfreen , Khurshid Sehar , Zareen Aneela
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: Respiratory diseases constitute a significant contributor to health issues in neonates, leading to admissions to neonatal intensive care units (NICU), and many of these neonates never recover, resulting in high neonatal mortality rates with respiratory diseases.
Objective: To assess the burden of respiratory diseases in hospitalized neonates and determine their outcomes, including discharges and deaths, among those admitted to neonatal intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore.
Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 neonates admitted to a neonatology department of the tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Demographical data was collected by using a structured questionnaire. The analyses were conducted using R software. The chi-square test was employed to ascertain the associations between significant factors of respiratory diseases in neonates.
Results: Among the respiratory conditions requiring admission, pneumonia (n=92, 49.1%) stood out as the most frequently diagnosed respiratory disease in neonates, followed by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (n=53, 28.3%), transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) (n=18, 9.62%), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (n=24, 12.8%). In terms of mortality among these respiratory conditions, pneumonia had the highest frequency (40.5%), followed by RDS (39.2%), MAS (20.2%), in neonates.
Conclusion: Respiratory disorders proved to be a prevalent reason for neonatal admissions to the NICU, showcasing a significant association with neonatal mortality, especially in pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and meconium aspiration syndrome.
Reynolds number effect on the parameters of turbulent flows over open channels
Authors: Kumar Pritam , Sharma Anurag
Published: April 2024

Experimental investigations were conducted to analyze the effect of Reynolds numbers on turbulent flow properties in a nonuniform sand bed channel. Steady flow simulations were performed over the nonuniform sand bed channel, considering five Reynolds numbers within the range of 36500–53886. This article endeavors to delineate the influence of Reynolds number on turbulent flow properties through meticulous laboratory studies. Observations revealed that higher Reynolds numbers corresponded to increased longitudinal velocity. As the Reynolds number increases by 10 to 47%, various turbulent flow properties exhibit distinct trends. Specifically, the longitudinal velocity, longitudinal turbulent intensity, vertical turbulent intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, Reynolds shear stress, and Taylor scale show increases ranging from 5 to 30%, 15 to 25%, 15 to 20%, 25 to 60%, 20 to 40%, and 35 to 45%, respectively. Taylor scale analysis indicated higher magnitudes associated with higher Reynolds numbers. In-depth examinations of turbulent anisotropy, third-order moments of velocity fluctuations, kurtosis, turbulent kinetic energy production, and dissipation provided additional insights into flow behavior across different Reynolds numbers. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of flow dynamics in nonuniform sand bed channels under varying Reynolds number conditions, bridging the gap between laboratory studies and real-world scenarios.
Evaluation and projection of extreme precipitation using CMIP6 model simulations in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Xiao Heng , Zhuo Yue , Jiang Peng , Zhao Yan , Pang Kaiwen , Zhang Xiuyu
Published: April 2024

The capabilities of 23 global climate models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 were evaluated for six extreme precipitation indices from 1961 to 2010 using interannual variability and Taylor skill scores in the Yellow River Basin and its eight subregions. The temporal variations and spatial distributions of extreme precipitation indices were projected from 2021 to 2050 under the shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios (SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5). The results show that most GCMs perform well in simulating extreme values (1-day maximum precipitation (RX1day) and 5-day maximum precipitation (RX5day)), duration (consecutive dry days), and intensity index (simple daily intensity index (SDII)), and perform poor in simulating the threshold indices (precipitation on very wet days (R95p) and number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm)). The projected changes in extreme precipitation indicate that under the SSP2-4.5 scenario, future extreme precipitation will increase by 15.7% (RX1day), 15.8% (RX5day), 30.3% (R95p), 1d (R10mm), and 6.6% (SDII), respectively, decrease by 2.1d (CDD). The aforementioned changes are further enhanced under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Extreme precipitation changes widely in Hekou Town to Longmen, in the northeastern part of the region from Longmen to Sanmenxia, below Huayuankou, and in the interflow basin.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology Study of RC98: A
Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Monoclonal Antibody in Cynomolgus
Monkeys
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Qiaoning , Deng Chenglian , Liu Zhihao , Wang Fang , Li Shenjun , Dong Lihou , Jiang Jing
Published: April 2024

Introduction::

RC98 is the monoclonal antibody against Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1).
Relevant reports have confirmed that the influence of PD-L1 expressed by tumor cells on antitumor CD8+ T
cell responses is well characterized, but the impact of PD-L1 expressed by immune cells has not been well
defined.

Objective::

This study aimed to design a Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacology (PK/PD) study of RC98 in normal
cynomolgus monkeys to research the effect on the immune system.

Methods::

RC98 and vehicle were administered to cynomolgus monkeys at 15 mg/kg via intravenous infusion
once a week for 4 weeks to evaluate the relationship between PK and PD. The pharmacodynamic activity was
measured by the PD-L1 receptor occupancy (RO) in CD3+ T cells, A T-cell-dependent antibody response (TDAR),
and the concentration of soluble PD-L1.

Results::

The pharmacokinetic result showed that the exposure from the last administration was lower than that
of the first administration, probably due to immunogenicity production. There was a strong correlation between
systemic exposure and RO in CD3+ T cells but decreased RO levels after the last dose, which indirectly
reflected the activation of T cells. The keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-induced TDAR in the RC98 group
was higher than in the vehicle group. The concentration of soluble PD-L1 had increased feedback with RC98,
and the concentration of soluble PD-L1 was maintained at a higher level after multiple doses than before dosing.

Conclusion::

These data indicate that the immune system was clearly activated. In addition, the non-clinical data
could provide a basis for its efficacy evaluation in clinical trials.
Zn[L-proline]2 as an Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Dihydro Pyrano Thiazole
Derivatives via Cycloaddition Reaction in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Abd El-Lateef Hany M. , Eskander Thomas Nady A. , Hussein Alzubi Mohammad Saleh , Khalaf Mai M. , El Aleem Ali Ali El-Remaily Mahmoud Abd
Published: April 2024

In the current study, a zinc-linked amino acid complex was successfully synthesized
as an efficient and recoverable catalyst for the synthesis of dihydro pyrano thiazole
derivatives via the reaction of an aromatic aldehyde with malononitrile and rhodanine in
one-pot, three-component reaction under green conditions. The structures of the new compounds
were elucidated by elemental and spectral analyses. Environmental friendliness, low
cost, operational simplicity, extensive reusability and applicability, and easy recovery of the
catalyst using simple methods are the critical features of this methodology. Moreover, a
series of dihydro pyrano thiazole derivatives were synthesized. This new procedure has
presented remarkable advantages in terms of safety, simplicity, stability, mild conditions,
short reaction time, excellent yields, and high purity without using any hazardous solvents.
Exploring the Constituents and Mechanisms of Polygonum multiflorum
Thunb. in Mitigating Ischemic Stroke: A Network Pharmacology and
Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Ruan Lingyu , Zheng Mengyun , Xia Xinru , Pang Chaofan , Wang Yating , Fan Zhiwei , Yang Jingtian , Qing Qing , Lin Hongyan , Tao Yuheng , Wang Junsong , Wang Liqun
Published: April 2024

Backgound::

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PMT) has shown promise in exerting
cerebrovascular protective effects, and its potential for treating ischemic stroke (IS) has garnered
attention. However, the lack of clarity regarding its chemical constituents and mechanisms has
significantly hindered its clinical application.

Methods::

In this study, we employed network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques
for the first time to elucidate the potential compounds and targets of PMT in treating IS. The databases
CTD, DrugBank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, PGKB, NCBI, TCMIP, CNKI,
PubMed, ZINC, STITCH, BATMAN, ETCM and Swiss provided information on targets related
to IS and components of PMT, along with their associated targets. We constructed “compoundtarget”
and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks sourced from the STRING database using
the Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis
were conducted using the DAVID database. Molecular docking between core targets and active
compounds was conducted using Autodock4 software. Experiments were performed in an oxygen-
glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) model to validate the anti-IS activity of compounds
isolated from PMT preliminarily. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 16 core
compounds, including resveratrol, polydatin, TSG, ω-hydroxyemodin, emodin anthrone, tricin,
moupinamide, and others, along with 11 high-degree targets, such as PTGS1, PTGS2, ADORA1,
ADORA2, CA1, EGFR, ESR1, ESR2, SRC, MMP3 and MMP9.

Results::

GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed the involvement of HIF-1, Akt signaling
pathway and energy metabolism-related signaling pathways. Molecular docking results emphasized
eight key compounds and confirmed their interactions with corresponding targets. In vitro
OGD/R model experiments identified TSG and tricin as the primary active substances within
PMT for its anti-stroke activity.

Conclusion::

This study contributes new insights into the potential development of PMT for
stroke prevention and treatment.
A Review of Traditional Use, Constituent Analysis, Bioactivity, and
Application of Volatile Oils from Elsholtzia
Authors: Dram Dul , Guo Jia-Zeng , Wei Rong-Rui , Ma Qin-Ge
Published: April 2024

Background:

Elsholtzia belongs to the Labiatae family, which consists of herbaceous
subshrubs and shrubs. Among them, volatile oils are an important chemical component in
Elsholtzia, which have various bioactive medicinal and developmental values

Methods:

The references about volatile oils of Elsholtzia in this review were obtained from
Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, Willy, Elsevier, SpringLink, ACS publications, Google
Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Scopus, and CNKI. The other information about Elsholtzia was obtained
from classical works or ancient books.

Results:

Traditionally, the volatile oils from Elsholtzia were used in Chinese medicine to treat
cholera, abdominal pain, vomiting, and scattered edema. Relevant research revealed that
Elsholtzia contains many different types of volatile oils, and most of them display bioactivities,
including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, hypolipidemic, insecticidal, and antiinflammatory
activities, treating spleen and stomach. Furthermore, the applications of volatile
oils were summarized and analyzed in this paper.

Conclusion:

The contents of traditional use, constituent analysis, bioactivity, and application of
volatile oils from Elsholtzia were reviewed in this paper. This will provide important research
value and a scientific basis for the in-depth study of the plants of Elsholtzia in the future.
A Novel Approach of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Acrylic Acid Based Hydrogels for Controlled Delivery of Diclofenac Sodium
Authors: Suhail Muhammad , Badshah Syed Faisal , Chiu I-Hui , Ullah Arif , Khan Arshad , Ullah Hamid , Al-Sowayan Noorah Saleh , Tsai Ming-Jun , Wu Pao-Chu
Published: April 2024

Aim and Objective:

The aim of this study was to prepare polyvinyl alcohol/acrylic
acid (PVA/AA) hydrogels for the controlled release of diclofenac sodium as controlled release
carriers to overcome not only the side effects of diclofenac sodium but also sustain its release for
an extended period.

Background:

Diclofenac sodium is employed for relieving pain and fever. The half-life of diclofenac
sodium is very short (1-2 h). Hence, multiple intakes of diclofenac sodium are required to
maintain a constant pharmacological action. Multiple GI adverse effects are produced as a result
of diclofenac sodium intake

Methods:

A free radical polymerization technique was used for crosslinking PVA with AA in
the presence of APS. EGDMA was used as a cross-linker. FTIR and XRD confirmed the preparation
and loading of the drug by prepared hydrogels. An increase in the thermal stability of
PVA was shown by TGA and DSC analysis. Surface morphology was investigated by SEM.
Similarly, water penetration and drug loading were demonstrated by porosity and drug loading
studies. The pH-sensitive nature of PVA/AA hydrogels was investigated at different pH values
by swelling and drug release studies.

Results:

The development and drug loading of PVA/AA hydrogels were confirmed by FTIR and
XRD analysis. TGA and DSC indicated high thermal stability of prepared hydrogels as compared
to unreacted PVA. SEM indicated a hard and compact network of developed hydrogels.
The swelling and drug release studies indicated maximum swelling and drug release at high pH
as compared to low pH values, indicating the pH-sensitive nature of prepared hydrogels. Moreover,
we demonstrated that drug release was sustained for a prolonged time in a controlled pattern
by prepared hydrogels by comparing the drug release of the developed hydrogels with the commercial
product Cataflam.

Conclusion:

The results indicated that prepared PVA/AA hydrogels can be used as an alternative
approach for the controlled delivery of diclofenac sodium.
Anti-tumoral Immunity and Chemo-preventive Effectiveness of Herbal Extracts of
Curcumin, Ginger, Clove and Amygdaline in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma-Challenging
Mice
Authors: Gomaa Soha , Nassef Mohamed , El-Naggar Randa , Massoud Ahmed , El-Kholy Mona
Published: April 2024

Background::

Due to its systemic toxicity, traditional chemotherapy of tumors is being taken into consideration.
Herbal therapy, containing phytochemical polyphenol derivatives such as Curcumin (Cur), Ginger
(Gin), Cloves (Clov) and Amygdaline (Amyg), is one of the numerous complementary and alternative approaches
as an anti-cancer therapy and holds great promise for cancer chemo-prevention with fewer side effects.

Aim::

The current study was designated to assess anti-tumoral immunity and anti-cancer and chemo-preventive
effectiveness of herbal extracts of Cur, Ginger, Clov and Amyg in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC)-challenging
mice. Methods: Chemo-preventive efficacy of herbal extracts of Cur, Gin, Clov and Amyg were analyzed in vivo
by examination of the apoptosis rate of EAC tumor cells by flow cytometry. The total numbers of EAC cells,
splenocytes counts and leucocytes count with their differentials relative % in peripheral blood (PB) of EACchallenging
mice were investigated.

Results::

EAC-challenging mice treated with herbal extracts of Cur, Gin, Clov and Amyg showed a marked decline
in EAC tumor cell count and a noticeable increase in apoptosis rate of EAC tumor cells, a remarkable decrease
in serum level of cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) with an obvious increase in the number of splenocytes
comparing to that in EAC-challenging mice treated with PBS alone. Moreover, the data indicated an insignificant
change in the total leucocytes count and their differentials relative % of eosinophil, neutrophils, monocytes and
lymphocytes in EAC-challenging mice treated with Cur and Amyg, but these parameters were markedly increased
in EAC-challenging mice injected with Gin and Clov compared to that in EAC-challenging mice treated
with PBS alone.

Conclusion::

To conclude, the herbal extracts of Cur, Gin, Clov and Amyg may have anti-tumoral immunity and
anti-cancer potency and potential to reduce the resistance to cancer conventional chemotherapy and exert cancer
chemo-protective approaches with low adverse effects. Further research is necessary to determine the regimen's
toxicity on various tissues and organs and to connect the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used in the regimen's
biomedical use.
The Use of a Digital Well-Being App (Stay Strong App) With Indigenous People in Prison: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Perdacher Elke , Kavanagh David , Sheffield Jeanie , Dale Penny , Heffernan Edward
Published: April 2024

Background

Indigenous Australians in custody experience much greater rates of poor mental health and well-being than those of the general community, and these problems are not adequately addressed. Digital mental health strategies offer innovative opportunities to address the problems, but little is known about their feasibility in or impact on this population.

Objective

This study aims to conduct a pilot trial evaluating the impact of adding the Stay Strong app to mental health and well-being services for Indigenous women and men in custody. The trial compared immediate and 3-month delayed use of the app by the health service, assessing its effects on well-being, empowerment, and psychological distress at 3 and 6 months after the baseline.

Methods

Indigenous participants were recruited from 3 high-security Australian prisons from January 2017 to September 2019. The outcome measures assessed well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale), empowerment (Growth and Empowerment Measure [GEM]—giving total, 14-item Emotional Empowerment Scale, and 12 Scenarios scores), and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale). Intention-to-treat effects on these outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results

Substantial challenges in obtaining ethical and institutional approval for the trial were encountered, as were difficulties in timely recruitment and retention due to staff shortages and the release of participants from prison before follow-up assessments and an inability to follow up with participants after release. A total of 132 prisoners (age: mean 33, SD 8 y) were randomized into either an immediate (n=82) or a delayed treatment (n=52) group. However, only 56 (42.4%) could be assessed at 3 months and 37 (28%) at 6 months, raising questions concerning the representativeness of the results. Linear improvements over time were seen in all outcomes (GEM total: Cohen d=0.99; GEM 14-item Emotional Empowerment Scale: Cohen d=0.94; GEM 12 Scenarios: Cohen d=0.87; Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale: Cohen d=0.76; Kessler Psychological Distress Scale: Cohen d=0.49), but no differential effects for group or the addition of the Stay Strong app were found.

Conclusions

We believe this to be Australia’s first evaluation of a digital mental health app in prison and the first among Indigenous people in custody. While the study demonstrated that the use of a well-being app within a prison was feasible, staff shortages led to delayed recruitment and a consequent low retention, and significant beneficial effects of the app’s use within a forensic mental health service were not seen. Additional staff resources and a longer intervention may be needed to allow a demonstration of satisfactory retention and impact in future research.

Trial Registration

ANZCTR ACTRN12624001261505; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12624001261505.aspx
The Paradoxes of Digital Tools in Hospitals: Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Wosny Marie , Strasser Livia Maria , Hastings Janna
Published: April 2024

Background

Digital tools are progressively reshaping the daily work of health care professionals (HCPs) in hospitals. While this transformation holds substantial promise, it leads to frustrating experiences, raising concerns about negative impacts on clinicians’ well-being.

Objective

The goal of this study was to comprehensively explore the lived experiences of HCPs navigating digital tools throughout their daily routines.

Methods

Qualitative in-depth interviews with 52 HCPs representing 24 medical specialties across 14 hospitals in Switzerland were performed.

Results

Inductive thematic analysis revealed 4 main themes: digital tool use, workflow and processes, HCPs’ experience of care delivery, and digital transformation and management of change. Within these themes, 6 intriguing paradoxes emerged, and we hypothesized that these paradoxes might partly explain the persistence of the challenges facing hospital digitalization: the promise of efficiency and the reality of inefficiency, the shift from face to face to interface, juggling frustration and dedication, the illusion of information access and trust, the complexity and intersection of workflows and care paths, and the opportunities and challenges of shadow IT.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the central importance of acknowledging and considering the experiences of HCPs to support the transformation of health care technology and to avoid or mitigate any potential negative experiences that might arise from digitalization. The viewpoints of HCPs add relevant insights into long-standing informatics problems in health care and may suggest new strategies to follow when tackling future challenges.
Evaluating GPT-4’s Cognitive Functions Through the Bloom Taxonomy: Insights and Clarifications (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Kuan-Ju
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED
Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making: Predicting Readmission Risk in Heart Failure Patients with Machine Learning (Preprint)
Authors: Jiang Xiangkui , Wang Bingquan
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Heart failure sufferers frequently face the likelihood of rehospitalization following an initial stay. Although several risk assessment tools have been developed to aid in clinical decision-making, clinicians and patients' families continue to encounter significant challenges in determining shared decision-making regarding maintenance versus hospice transition. To address these challenges, it is crucial to devise more precise predictive tools, which can assist medical professionals and relatives in the care management of individuals with heart failure. Currently, effective predictive models for the Chinese heart failure patient population are still insufficient, which limits our ability to accurately assess patient prognosis and implement personalized treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE

The present study has formulated a predictive model for assessing the likelihood of readmission among patients diagnosed with heart failure.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed data from 1,948 heart failure patients in a hospital in Sichuan Province between 2016 and 2019. By applying three variable selection strategies, 29 relevant variables were identified. Subsequently, we constructed six predictive models using different algorithms: logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosting machine (GBM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and graph convolutional network (GCN).

RESULTS

The graph convolutional network model showed the highest prediction accuracy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.866, accuracy of 77.6%, sensitivity of 58.54%, and specificity of 90.42%.

CONCLUSIONS

The model crafted in this study proves its effectiveness in forecasting the likelihood of readmission among heart failure patients, thus serving as a crucial reference for clinical decision-making.
Self-Control Belief and Gaming Disorder: A Reciprocal Model and Gender Differences (Preprint)
Authors: Zhu Shimin , Qi Di
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Children and adolescents are often at the crossroads of leisure gaming and excessive gaming. The lay theories of self-control (i.e., the belief about whether self-control can be improved, also called self-control mindset) may interplay with self-control and gaming disorder.

OBJECTIVE

This is a pioneer study to examine the longitudinal associations between self-control mindset and the severity of gaming disorder symptoms with a one-year, two-wave, school-based longitudinal survey.

METHODS

A total of 3,264 students (338 in Grades 4-5 and 2,926 in Grades 7-10) from 15 schools in Hong Kong participated in the classroom surveys. We employed cross-lagged panel models to examine the direction of the longitudinal association between self-control mindsets and gaming disorder.

RESULTS

A bidirectional relationship was found between self-control mindsets and gaming disorder symptom severity. Subgroup analyses of boy and girl participants revealed that growth mindsets regarding self-control predicted less severe gaming disorder symptoms in girls but not in boys, while more severe gaming disorder symptoms predicted a more fixed mindset of self-control in both boys and girls after one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated the negative impact of gaming disorder on one’s self-control belief and also implied that promoting a growth mindset regarding self-control is a promising strategy for gaming disorder prevention and early intervention, especially for girls.
Co-designing a weight-neutral health intervention in Denmark: a protocol paper (Preprint)
Authors: Meyer Lene , Køster-Rasmussen Rasmus , Christiansen Ann-Kathrin Lindahl , Heitmann Berit Lilienthal , Vesterlund Gitte Kingo , Larsen Sofus Christian , Specht Ina Olmer , Þorsteinsdóttir Fanney , Steinbo Emma Katrine Frøhlke , Appel Clara Lundmark , Reventlow Susanne , Waldorff Frans Boch , Sandholdt Catharina Thiel
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

Introduction
Lifestyle interventions for weight loss do not result in long term weight reductions and may contribute to weight stigma. Weight neutral health has emerged as an alternative strategy to obtain physical, social, and mental health without any aim of weight loss. This protocol paper outlines the design and procedures for the co-creation of a weight-neutral health intervention, engaging stakeholders from all around Denmark, and establishing a health programme that can be implemented within Danish municipalities.
Methods and analysis
The co-design development process will be organised in a participative manner, employing the MRC framework for complex interventions, the INVOLVE framework for patient engagement, and the Human-Centered Design tradition framework with four iterative design phases: Discover, Define, Design, and Validate. The study population are end-user representatives, including health professionals with experience from weight-neutral health programmes, people with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 who have participated in an existing weight-neutral health programme, and stakeholders in the municipalities.

Ethics and dissemination
This study will be conducted in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. The study was registered and approved by the University of Copenhagen (UCPH ethics approval 504-0435/23-5000). The study will adhere to GDPR data and information standards.
The project will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, presentations in relevant professional forums such as municipalities and general practitioners, weight-neutral educational events, academic conferences, and popular dissemination platforms such as podcasts and social media posts. The resulting weight-neutral health intervention will be tested in a feasibility study.
Role of Synchronous, Moderated, and Anonymous Peer Support Chats on Reducing Momentary Loneliness in Older Adults: Retrospective Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dana Zara , Nagra Harpreet , Kilby Kimberly
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Older adults have a high rate of loneliness, which contributes to increased psychosocial risk, medical morbidity, and mortality. Digital emotional support interventions provide a convenient and rapid avenue for additional support. Digital peer support interventions for emotional struggles contrast the usual provider-based clinical care models because they offer more accessible, direct support for empowerment, highlighting the users’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine a novel anonymous and synchronous peer-to-peer digital chat service facilitated by trained human moderators. The experience of a cohort of 699 adults aged ≥65 years was analyzed to determine (1) if participation, alone, led to measurable aggregate change in momentary loneliness and optimism and (2) the impact of peers on momentary loneliness and optimism.

METHODS

Participants were each prompted with a single question: “What’s your struggle?” Using a proprietary artificial intelligence model, the free-text response automatched the respondent based on their self-expressed emotional struggle to peers and a chat moderator. Exchanged messages were analyzed to quantitatively measure the change in momentary loneliness and optimism using a third-party, public, natural language processing model (GPT-4 [OpenAI]). The sentiment change analysis was initially performed at the individual level and then averaged across all users with similar emotion types to produce a statistically significant (P<.05) collective trend per emotion. To evaluate the peer impact on momentary loneliness and optimism, we performed propensity matching to align the moderator+single user and moderator+small group chat cohorts and then compare the emotion trends between the matched cohorts.

RESULTS

Loneliness and optimism trends significantly improved after 8 (P=.02) to 9 minutes (P=.03) into the chat. We observed a significant improvement in the momentary loneliness and optimism trends between the moderator+small group compared to the moderator+single user chat cohort after 19 (P=.049) and 21 minutes (P=.04) for optimism and loneliness, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Chat-based peer support may be a viable intervention to help address momentary loneliness in older adults and present an alternative to traditional care. The promising results support the need for further study to expand the evidence for such cost-effective options.
Challenges and Strategies Adopted for Remote Teaching of Biochemistry During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Iembo Tatiane , Cristóvão Helena Landim Gonçalves , Santos Emerson Roberto dos , Cristóvão André Bavaresco Gonçalves , Cristóvão Nathália Bavaresco Gonçalves , Martins Cíntia Canato , Castro Natália Almeida de Arnaldo Silva Rodrigues , Facio Júnior Fernando Nestor , Oliani Antônio Hélio , Lima Alba Regina de Abreu , Brienze Vânia Maria Sabadoto , Souza Doroteia Rossi Silva , André Júlio César
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

In March 2020, the global landscape witnessed widespread upheavals in both socioeconomic and educational spheres due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With measures imposed to control the virus’s spread, educational institutions around the world embraced digital learning, introducing challenges in the adaptation to virtual education. This shift proved especially daunting in resource-limited nations with limited digital infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to explore the experiences of biochemistry educators during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on successful pedagogical strategies used to overcome challenges in remote teaching. The goal is to compile valuable information applicable to health-related undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

METHODS

This review considers studies and experiences related to the transition to remote biochemistry education during the pandemic. It encompasses a variety of pedagogical approaches, including online teaching tools, interactive methods, and alternatives to practical laboratory classes. The search spans databases such as MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Evidence Synthesis, with a focus on identifying systematic or scoping reviews; however, none were identified in the preliminary search.

RESULTS

Starting in February 2022, the scoping review protocol was scheduled for completion by July 2024. From an initial pool of 1171 results, 85 articles were selected, with duplicate verification pending for the subsequent phase of the project. The findings from this review on biochemistry teaching strategies will be communicated using a combination of descriptive narrative, graphical, and tabular formats, emphasizing diverse pedagogical approaches pertinent to the subject. Dissemination will occur through regional and national scientific conference presentations, alongside publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSIONS

This review aims to generate innovative pedagogical approaches and pinpoint learning activities, materials, and tools that support social and collaborative learning across various subjects, including biochemistry. Moreover, it will offer perspectives from students and educators on the implemented activities, with the intention of integrating them as supplementary methods to boost student participation, and thereby, improve learning outcomes and skill development.

CLINICALTRIAL

Open Science Framework VZSA7; https://osf.io/VZSA7/

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/59552
Potential of Compost Enriched with Bacillus velezensis B-27 and Bacillus cereus RC76 for the Management of Twisted Disease on Shallots
Authors: Putri Novi Hervianti , Wibowo Arif , Joko Tri
Published: April 2024

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum.) is a horticultural plant that is widely consumed in the world. However, the productivity of shallots in Indonesia is still relatively low, if compared to the actual optimum production potential of shallot. Shallot cultivation in Indonesia often experiences many problems. One of the problems is twisted diseases caused by Fusarium sp. This research aimed to study the effect of the application of organic material enriched with Bacillus in suppressing the development of twisted disease of shallot. This study was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 treatments namely (A) compost + Bacillus velezensis isolate B-27, (B) compost + Bacillus cereus isolate RC76, (C) B. velezensis isolate B-27+B. cereus isolate RC76+compost, (D) compost + Trichoderma asperellum and (E) control (compost 1 ton/ha) with 5 replications on glasshouse treatment and 3 replications on field treatment. The results showed that the combination of B. velezensis in compost effectively reduced the incidence of twisted disease, the number of Fusarium spp. colonies, and the number of infected bulbs by Fusarium sp. Besides, the combination of compost with microbial agents showed better results than compost single treatment.
Las familias en el movimiento de la sociedad contemporánea costarricense (1880-2015): una síntesis explicativa de sus particularidades a través del lente analítico del Trabajo Social
Authors: Brenes Rodríguez Milton Ariel
Published: April 2024

El presente artículo representa una sintésis sobre las particularidades del movimiento de las familias en la realidad de la sociedad contemporánea costarricense. A través de tal propósito, el documento ofrece una base para las y los profesionales en Trabajo Social que deseen acer-carse de manera analítica al tema de las familias en Costa Rica durante el periodo de 1880 a 2015.
Mediación comunitaria: bonding y bridging
Authors: Munuera Gómez Pilar , Minguela Recover Maria Ángeles
Published: April 2024

Se presenta las ventajas que tiene la utilización de la mediación comunitaria en la resolución de los conflictos sociales que viven los ciudadanos. Esta técnica ha demostrado su capacidad para obtener mejores formas de relación entre las personas implicadas al restablecer la confianza, el compromiso y la participación activa de la ciudadanía en la toma de decisiones. La utilización de la mediación promueve el desarrollo económico y social de las comunidades. Es una técnica que aumenta el capital social de la comunidad que es capaz de resolver sus conflictos, al establecer conexiones bonding y bridging por ella misma.Este tipo de intervención multiplica el capital social existente al aumentar el grado de solidaridad.La intervención del mediador está dirigida a la gestión positiva de los conflictos existentes en la comunidad y su resolución, para ello debe diagnosticar el conflicto y encontrar el interés común de sus participantes en la resolución de sus problemas. Las estrategias de diálogo utilizadas durante el proceso permitirán el empoderamiento de los involucrados, para lograr el cambioen sus relaciones. Este cambio permite establecer las condiciones necesarias en la satisfacción de las necesidades de la población.
La estrategia de intervención en Trabajo Social. Andamiaje conceptual y procedimental
Authors: Cruz Martín del Campo Luz María
Published: April 2024

Mi interés en la participación social ha sido una constante a lo largo de mi vida escolar y profesional. El estudio sobre el tema se concretó en el libro Participación ciudadana de los jóvenes universitarios (Trillas, 2012), pero hacía falta la creación de una estrategia de intervención del Trabajo Social, una propuesta teórico-metodológica para prevenir, atender o reconstituir lo social.Estrategia que al ser replicable podría constituirse en un modelo, cuyos resultados serían similares en distintos casos. Pero la replicabilidad y la similitud de resultados de un modelo no lo exime de una característica que podría llamarse artesanal. Cada estrategia debe ser un guante a la medida para una determinada situación-problema. En las páginas siguientes presento una estrategia de intervención en el Trabajo Social, relacionada con la participación ciudadana de los jóvenes  universitarios –actividad que forma parte del rubro construcción de ciudadanía–, siguiendo paso a paso la propuesta de Nelia Tello.