bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rural patient and provider perceptions of telehealth implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Klee David , Pyne Derek , Kroll Joshua , James William , Hirko Kelly A. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Understanding perceptions of telehealth implementation from patients and providers can improve the utility and sustainability of these programs, particularly in under-resourced rural settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both patient and provider perceptions of telehealth visits in a large rural healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote sustainability of telehealth approaches, we also assessed whether the percentage of missed appointments differed between in-person and telehealth visits.

Methods
Using anonymous surveys, we evaluated patient preferences and satisfaction with telehealth visits from November 2020 -March 2021 and assessed perceptions of telehealth efficiency and value among rural providers from September–October 2020. We examined whether telehealth perceptions differed according to patients’ age, educational attainment, insurance status, and distance to clinical site and providers’ age and length of time practicing medicine using ANOVA test. We also examined whether the percentage of missed appointments differed between in-person and telehealth visits at a family practice clinic within the rural healthcare system from April to September 2020 using a Chi-square test.

Results
Over 73% of rural patients had favorable perceptions of telehealth visits, and satisfaction was generally higher among younger patients. Patients reported difficulty with scheduling follow-up appointments, lack of personal contact and technology challenges as common barriers. Over 80% of the 219 providers responding to the survey reported that telehealth added value to their practice, while 36.6% agreed that telehealth visits are more efficient than in-person visits. Perception of telehealth value and efficiency did not differ by provider age (p = 0.67 and p = 0.67, respectively) or time in practice (p = 0.53 and p = 0.44, respectively). Technology challenges for the patient (91.3%) and provider (45.1%) were commonly reported. The percentage of missed appointments was slightly higher for telehealth visits compared to in-person visits, but the difference was not statistically significant (8.7% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.39).

Conclusions
Telehealth perceptions were generally favorable among rural patients and providers, although satisfaction was lower among older patients and providers. Our findings suggest that telehealth approaches may add value and efficiency to rural clinical practice. However, technology issues for both patients and providers and gaps in care coordination need to be addressed to promote sustainability of telehealth approaches in rural practice.
Can self-assessment and augmented feedback improve performance and learning retention in manual therapy: results from an experimental study
Authors: Pasquier Mégane , Memari Sahel , Lardon Arnaud , Descarreaux Martin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to investigate how feedback and self-assessment strategies affect performance and retention of manual skills in a group of chiropractic students.

Methods
Seventy-five students participated in two spinal manipulation (SM) learning sessions using a force-sensing table. They were recruited between May and November 2022 during HVLA technical courses. Students were randomly assigned into three different groups: participants in group 1 received visual feedback, those in group 2 received visual feedback after self-assessment, and participants in group 3 (C) received no feedback. During the first session, participants started with one block of 3 familiarization trials, followed by two blocks of 6 SM HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) posterior-to-anterior thoracic SM trials, with 3 trials performed with a target force of 450 N and 3 others at 800 N. They received feedback according to their group during the first block, but no feedback was provided during the second block. All participants were invited to participate in a second session for the retention test and to perform a new set SM without any form of feedback.

Results
Results showed that visual feedback and visual feedback in addition to self-assessment did not improve short-term SM performance, nor did it improve performance at the one-week retention test. The group that received visual feedback and submitted to self-assessment increased the difference between the target force and the peak force applied, which can be considered a decrease in performance.

Conclusion
No learning effects between the three groups of students exposed to different feedback and self-assessment learning strategies were highlighted in the present study. However, future research on innovative motor learning strategies could explore the role of external focus of attention, self-motivation and autonomy in SM performance training.
Lipid metabolic reprogramming in tumor microenvironment: from mechanisms to therapeutics
Authors: Jin Hao-Ran , Wang Jin , Wang Zi-Jing , Xi Ming-Jia , Xia Bi-Han , Deng Kai , Yang Jin-Lin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLipid metabolic reprogramming is an emerging hallmark of cancer. In order to sustain uncontrolled proliferation and survive in unfavorable environments that lack oxygen and nutrients, tumor cells undergo metabolic transformations to exploit various ways of acquiring lipid and increasing lipid oxidation. In addition, stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment also undergo lipid metabolic reprogramming, which further affects tumor functional phenotypes and immune responses. Given that lipid metabolism plays a critical role in supporting cancer progression and remodeling the tumor microenvironment, targeting the lipid metabolism pathway could provide a novel approach to cancer treatment. This review seeks to: (1) clarify the overall landscape and mechanisms of lipid metabolic reprogramming in cancer, (2) summarize the lipid metabolic landscapes within stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, and clarify their roles in tumor progression, and (3) summarize potential therapeutic targets for lipid metabolism, and highlight the potential for combining such approaches with other anti-tumor therapies to provide new therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients.
Relationship between latent trigger points, lower limb asymmetry and muscle fatigue in elite short-track athletes
Authors: Konieczny Mariusz , Skorupska Elżbieta , Domaszewski Przemysław , Pakosz Paweł , Skulska Marta , Herrero Pablo 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Short-track speed skating movement involves asymmetric overloading of the lower left side of the body. The gluteus maximus fatigue limits the physical and mental athletic capacity to perform set tasks. A possible link between the presence of latent trigger points (LTrPs) and muscle fatigue development/persistence has been posited. The aim of the study was to determine whether elite short-track speed skating can result in the impairment of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limbs.

Methods
Elite short-track athletes as the experimental group (EXP) = 9, 19.5 ± 1.8 years, and healthy subjects as the control group (CON) = 18, 20.8 ± 1.2 years, were tested for: (i) lower limb loading asymmetry using ground reaction force (GRF) measurements during quiet standing, (ii) gluteus maximus fatigue measured with surface electromyography (sEMG) during the Biering-Sorensen test, and (iii) LTrPs presence in the 14 examined muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower limbs.

Results
There were between-group differences in the number of LTrPs, with the EXP group (left lower limb (LLL) n = 18, right lower limb (RLL) n = 9) showing more LTrPs compared to the CON group (LLL n = 2, RLL n = 1), (p < 0.001), and within-group differences in the EXP group only (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in muscle fatigue for the left side (p < 0.001) both between the groups and within the EXP group (p ≤ 0.001). The vertical ground reaction force (GRF) measurement showed a loading rate of 2% (p = 0.013) in the athletes’ LLL exclusively.

Conclusions
The study confirmed an increased prevalence of LTrPs, increased muscle fatigue and left-sided limb load asymmetry in elite short-track athletes.

Trial registration
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Resolution No 110/22 of 10 March 2022). Trial registration: 20/07/2022, Trial Id: ACTRN12622001016729.
Octadecadienoate derivatives from Michelia champaca seed extract as potential larvicide and pupicide against Dengue vector Aedes albopictus
Authors: Dutta Manali , Chandra Goutam 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe present study was designed aiming at finding novel botanicals for controlling the vector population. Objective was to evaluate the larvicidal and pupicidal efficacies of crude and solvent extracts of Michelia champaca seed against the notorious dengue vector Aedes albopictus. 0.5% concentration of the crude extractive and 40 ppm concentration of ethyl acetate extractive were enough to execute 100% of larval mortality of all the instars after 72 h of exposure and the LC50 and LC90values (95% confidence level) of ethyl acetate extractive were 0.9880 ppm and 36.0491 ppm. In case of pupicidal bioassay, 100% mortality was observed at 200 ppm of ethyl acetate extract. Through TLC techniques, the bioactive compounds were isolated, which caused remarkable larval toxicity at 15 ppm concentration. Three-way factorial ANOVA analysis showed different concentrations, time intervals, and instars revealed a significant difference in larval death. FT-IR analysis revealed the presence several important functional groups. Presence of methyl 5,12-octadecadienoate and ethyl 9cis,11trans-octadecadienoate were ascertained by GC-MS analysis. The said bioactive compounds showed very low toxicity in non-target organisms such as damselfly (Ischnura sp.) and water bug (Diplonychus sp.) Thus, proclaiming the potentialities of Michelia champaca seed extracts as larvicidal and pupicidal agents against Ae. albopictus.
In vitro micropropagation of Aloe elegans Tod. using offshoot cuttings
Authors: Welehaweria Mebrahtom , Sbhatu Desta Berhe 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
Aloe elegans Tod. is an ecologically, environmentally, medicinally, and commercially useful aloe species in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Unfortunately, it is highly threatened due to industrial and urban expansion and traditional mining and agricultural activities. As a consequence, it is included in the IUCN List of Threatened Species since 2013. The plant is getting thinly populated in many parts of the Tigrai floristic region since it is being exploited for traditional and commercial purposes. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a reproducible, large-scale micropropagation protocol using offshoot cuttings in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media enriched with plant growth regulators (PGRs).

Results
Sterilized explants cultured in full-strength MS media enriched with 0.25 mg/L benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 0.10 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in 100% healthy and live (i.e., initiated) explants after four weeks of initiation study. Unsupplemented initiation media (control) yielded only 14.3% initiated explants. The initiated explants were tested for their shooting response to produce microshoots by incubating in different concentrations and combinations of BAP and NAA for four weeks. Fewer days to shooting (13.0 ± 1.0 days), higher mean shoot number (5.0 ± 1.0), and higher mean shoot length (9.20 ± 2.35 cm) were observed with 1.0/0.50, 1.0/0.25, and 1.0 /0.50 mg/L BAP/NAA combinations, respectively. The rooting responses of the microshoots toward producing plantlets were also tested by incubating them in half-strength MS media enriched with different concentrations of NAA and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for four weeks. Fewer mean days to rooting (12.0 ± 1.0 days), higher mean root number (8.0 ± 4.0), and higher mean root length (7.53 ± 3.03 cm) were observed in MS media enriched with 0.75, 0.75, and 1.25 mg/L IBA, respectively. The responses of A. elegans plantlets to primary (in greenhouse) and secondary (in nursery shade and direct sunlight) acclimatization in coco peat, composted soil, and manured soil media were high – with survival percentages of 87.5–97.8% in three to four weeks.
Some fixed-point theorems of convex orbital $(\alpha, \beta )$-contraction mappings in geodesic spaces
Authors: Shukla Rahul 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to broaden the applicability of convex orbital $(\alpha, \beta )$
(
α
,
β
)
-contraction mappings to geodesic spaces. This class of mappings is a natural extension of iterated contraction mappings. The paper derives fixed-point theorems both with and without assuming continuity. Furthermore, the paper investigates monotone convex orbital $(\alpha, \beta )$
(
α
,
β
)
-contraction mappings and establishes a fixed-point theorem for this class of mappings.
Entrepreneurship education 2-in-1: Helping young Bulgarians become more entrepreneurial in a 10-month parallel-group randomized trial
Authors: Vankov Daniel , Vankov Borislav 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEntrepreneurship education can help young people escape unemployment. It is often delivered through education programs or experiential learning. There is limited knowledge of the effect of those two approaches when applied as part of a single integrated innovative intervention. Our research aimed to address this gap in a parallel-group randomized trial. The Social Cognitive Theory underpinned our study method. The impact of our two-component program on 34 young participants aged 18 to 25, 16 intervention and 18 control, was assessed over a 10-month pilot. ANCOVA analyses were performed to examine separately for changes in the Intervention participants' entrepreneurial intention and self-efficacy (across six sub-dimensions) relative to the Control group. Our results showed a statistically significant impact on the male participants only. They were delivered by the experiential learning component of our intervention. Effects were observed on all measures except for two sub-dimensions, coping with unexpected challenges and developing critical human resources. Our article contributes to the discussions on entrepreneurship programs' effectiveness and the value of researching gender in that context, providing evidence in support of using experiential learning. It further underlines the importance of understanding the environment, where programs are delivered, particularly about external influences participants might be subjected to. At the same time, we acknowledge the challenges of generalizing our contribution due to our study being a trial with a limited number of participants. To further support our conclusions, we recommend replicating the study with larger samples and/or in different environments.
Perpetuation of household food insecurity during COVID-19 in South Africa
Authors: De Wet-Billings Nicole 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Perpetual food insecurity has long-term health and development effects on populations. The global pandemic created sub-populations that were newly food insecure, but there exists sub-populations were food insecure, and COVID-19 held that situation. This study seeks to identify the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the perpetually food insecure in South Africa in order to obtain specific evidence of populations to be prioritised in the post-pandemic era.

Methods
Secondary data from the South African National Income Dynamics CRAM Survey for rounds (Waves) 1 and 5 are analysed. The study population are those respondents who reported a household member not having enough food to eat in the early stages of the pandemic (1st round) and remained without sufficient food a year later (5th round). The study controls for the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the population but also changes to employment status, social grant access and willingness to be vaccinated. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests are used.

Results
A total of 26.15% of respondents were food insecure at the start of the pandemic. Of these, 41.09% remained food insecure a year later. The drivers of perpetual food insecurity during the pandemic include unemployment (OR = 2.09; CI 1.335293–3.265678), still being unemployed (OR = 1.86; CI 1.308032–2.636252), seven or more (≥ 7) household members (OR = 1.24; CI 1.1611329–1.610126), those with only a primary education (OR = 1.11; CI 1.5051066–2.434695), participants between the ages of 45 and 64 years old (ORs = 1.03 and 1.20; CIs 1.0171956–1.0171956 and 1.1733304–2.144875, respectively) and women (OR = 1.09; CI 1.0745444–1.406035).

Conclusions
South Africa needs to address socioeconomic challenges and inequalities to assist the perpetually food insecure and to ensure that, should there be a pandemic resurgence, or a new pandemic, individuals and households in the country are in a better financial situation and appropriately supported to avoid food insecurity at all costs.
Malaria rapid diagnostic tests in community pharmacies in Rwanda: availability, knowledge of community pharmacists, advantages, and disadvantages of licensing their use
Authors: Nsengimana Amon , Isimbi Joyce , Uwizeyimana Theogene , Biracyaza Emmanuel , Hategekimana Jean Claude , Uwambajimana Charles , Gwira Olivia , Kagisha Vedaste , Asingizwe Domina , Adedeji Ahmed , Nyandwi Jean Baptiste 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Presumptive treatment of malaria is often practiced in community pharmacies across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).To address this issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (m-RDTs) be used in these settings, as they are used in the public sector. However, their use remains unlicensed in the community pharmacies in Rwanda. This can lessen their availability and foster presumptive treatment. Therefore, this study investigated the availability of m-RDTs, knowledge of community pharmacists on the use of m-RDTs, and explored Pharmacists’ perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of licensing the use of m-RDTs in community pharmacies.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study among 200 licensed community pharmacists who were purposefully sampled nationwide from 11th February to 12th April 2022. Data was collected using an online data collection instrument composed of open-ended and closed-ended questions. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between the availability of m-RDTs and independent variables of interest. Content analysis was used for qualitative data.

Results
Although 59% were consulted by clients requesting to purchase m-RDTs, only 27% of the participants had m-RDTs in stock, 66.5% had no training on the use of m-RDTs, and 18.5% were not at all familiar with using the m-RDTs. Most of the participants (91.5%) agreed that licensing the use of m-RDTs in community pharmacies could promote the rational use of antimalarials. The chi-square test indicated that being requested to sell m-RDTs (x2 = 6.95, p = 0.008), being requested to perform m-RDTs (x2 = 5.39, p  = 0.02),familiarity using m-RDTs (x2 = 17.24, p = 0.002), availability of a nurse in the Pharmacy (x2 = 11.68, p < 0.001), and location of the pharmacy (x2 = 9.13, p = 0.048) were all significantly associated with the availability of m-RDTs in the pharmacy.

Conclusions
The availability of m-RDTs remains low in community pharmacies in Rwanda, and less training is provided to community pharmacists regarding the use of m-RDTs. Nevertheless, community pharmacists had positive perceptions of the advantages of licensing the use of m-RDTs. Thus, licensing the use of m-RDTs is believed to be the first step toward promoting the rational use of antimalarial medicines in Rwanda.
P300 event-related potentials in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kaddoori Hussein Ghani 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common and disabling symptom during the disease even in the earliest “preclinical” phase of patients with MS (pwMS). This study aims to assess cognitive function by measuring P300 event-related potential (ERP) and to look into the relationship between P300 abnormalities with the severity of the physical disability, education level, and disease duration.

Methods
Fifty pwMS (28 females and 22 males) aged 20–54 years and fifty healthy subjects comprised of 21 females and 29 males aged 18–50 years serves as the control group was studied. All participants underwent medical history, neurological examination, cognitive functions using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA) and the P300 ERP.

Results
In this study, 48% of pwMS had CI. They had a longer P300 latency and a lower amplitude. Those with impaired cognition had a longer duration of illness and higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), whereas those with intact cognition had a higher education level. P300 latency was correlated positively with EDSS and disease duration, but negatively with education level. P300 amplitude was found to be negatively correlated with EDSS, and disease duration but positively to the education level.

Conclusions
P300, as a non-invasive test, would support the presence of CI in pwMS patients and could be used for screening in daily practice. P300 has a strong relationship with illness duration, disease subtypes, EDSS, and education level.
Preparation, morphology and thermoelectric performance of PEDOT/CuI nanocomposites
Authors: Alam Joherul , Su Xiao , Kuan Hsu-Chiang , Afshar Vahid Shahraam , Zuber Kamil , Meng Qingshi , Meng Fanzhe , Losic Dusan , Ma Jun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIncorporating inorganic nanomaterials into a polymer matrix is one of the most effective ways to create thermoelectric performance for applications where physical flexibility is essential. In this study, flexible thermoelectric nanocomposite films were synthesized by incorporating inorganic copper iodide (CuI) nanosheets as the filler into poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS). The process involved the preparation of bulk CuI from precursors and, subsequently, the nanosheet synthesis by dissolving the bulk CuI in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The morphology of the nanosheets and the nanocomposite films was thoroughly examined, and the film’s thermoelectric performance was evaluated using a standard thermoelectric measurement system, ZEM-3. The morphological observation revealed a triangular nanosheet geometry for CuI, with an average lateral dimension of ~33 nm. The PEDOT/CuI nanocomposite films were prepared by mixing CuI nanosheets with PEDOT: PSS through ultrasonication and filtration on a PVDF membrane. The film with 6.9 vol% of CuI nanosheets exhibited an electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of 852.07 S·cm-1 and 14.95 µV·K-1, respectively. This resulted in an enhanced power factor of 19.04 µW·m-1·K-2, much higher than the individual composite components. It demonstrated a trend of increasing power factor with the nanosheets up to 6.9 vol% due to improved electrical conductivity. The increase in electrical conductivity can be attributed to the screening effect induced by DMSO, which leads to a conformational change in the PEDOT chains. Furthermore, an optimal fraction of CuI nanosheets also contributes to this conformational change, further enhancing the electrical conductivity.
Graphical Abstract