Information Technology Department Research Articles

A New NDSA (Normalized Differential Spectral Attenuation) Measurement Campaign for Estimating Water Vapor Along a Radio Link

The Normalized Differential Spectral Attenuation (NDSA) technique was proposed years ago as an active method for measuring integrated water vapor (IWV) along a Ku/K-band radio link immersed (totally or partially) in the troposphere. The approach is of the active kind, as it relies on the transmission of a couple of sinusoidal signals, whose power is measured at the receiver, thus providing the differential attenuation measurements from which IWV estimates can be in turn derived. In 2018, a prototype instrument providing such differential attenuation measurements was completed and set up for a first measurement campaign aimed at demonstrating the NDSA method. By the end of June 2022, the instrument was profoundly modified and upgraded so that a second measurement campaign could be carried out from 1 August to 30 November 2022. The transmitter was placed on the top of Monte Gomito (44.1277°lat, 10.6434°lon, 1892 m a.s.l.) and the receiver on the roof of the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Florence (43.7985°lat, 11.2528°lon, 50 m a.s.l.). The resulting radio link length was 61.15 km. Four ground weather stations of the regional weather service were selected among those available. In this paper, we describe the upgraded instrument and present the outcomes of the new measurement campaign, whose purpose was mainly to compare the IWV estimates provided by the instrument with the ground sensor measurements of air temperature, air humidity, barometric pressure, and rainfall. In particular, we show that the temporal trends of the two IWV estimates are qualitatively consistent, and that the instrument is able to provide IWV estimates also in the presence of fog and rainfall. Conversely, a quantitative evaluation through comparison with IWV data from point weather station measurements appears challenging due to the significant spatial variability in temperature and relative humidity, even between couples of stations that are quite close to each other.

Effective Communication Strategies for Business Analysts to Bridge the Gap between IT and Finance

As organizations depend more on technology to stay ahead of the competition, their information technology (IT) and business departments must work together closely. However, cultural differences and understanding between the specialized fields often make it hard for them to work together effectively. If these issues are fixed, they could make it easier to finish projects, stick to budgets, and agree on the company's goals. Many companies use business analysts to help people talk to each other by acting as liaisons knowledgeable in technology and finances. However, there is limited information in the literature about how analysts can connect the tasks. This study fills that gap by looking into the problems when IT and finance work together and suggesting specific steps analysts can take to improve strategic alignment. Looking at past studies shows that common differences make it hard for people to work together. IT and finance use different vocabularies for technical terms and project-based versus financial terms, leading to misunderstandings. They also set other priorities. It emphasizes speed of innovation and technical practicality, while finance emphasizes reducing risk, accuracy, and returns. There are also differences in the amount of knowledge and skill that people in IT and finance have regarding technical solution details and financial effects. They also use different ways to make decisions. IT bases judgments on technological factors, while finance assesses business impact. Besides, cultural norms diverge between the flexible and creative IT culture and the rigorous and methodical finance culture. Business analysts should utilize several focused communication strategies to close these gaps. Creating a shared vocabulary helps terms from diverse fields fit. Regular mapping and stakeholder conversations help you grasp other perspectives. Actively listening, repeating, asking questions, and summarizing shows you comprehend. Educating on decision-making variables and expertise broadens perspectives. Discussing cultural meanings and making sure individuals understand questions improves discussion. Using shared goals like increasing sales or lowering costs is another way to unite people around similar goals. By using these specific methods, business experts can help IT and finance work together despite cultural differences. Mapping and teaching regularly help keep relationships strong even as needs and staff change. By focusing on active listening, aligning vocabulary, and highlighting shared interests, you can build good working relationships necessary to get strategic benefits from technology investments.

Crothall Healthcare Clinical Engineering Information Technology at the University of Cincinnati Health

This article highlights the critical role of Crothall Healthcare’s clinical engineering information technology (CEIT) department in ensuring cybersecurity and efficiency in healthcare facilities focusing on its partnership with UCHealth in Cincinnati, Ohio. It underscores the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare, outlines CEIT’s responsibilities, and addresses the multifaceted challenges they encounter. CEIT’s work is essential in safeguarding patient safety and healthcare data integrity in an increasingly technology-driven healthcare landscape.

Effectiveness of Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council in the new normal

This study was anchored on the Republic Act No. 10844, the Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2015, assessing the effectiveness of the Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council in the new normal. The respondents of the study were members of the Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council from the different sectors such as academe, provincial government of Aklan employees, national government agencies, private business owners and stakeholders. The descriptive research design was employed using a researcher-formulated questionnaire-checklist. The study found that the Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council, characterized by a young, educated workforce, demonstrates positive consensus on program effectiveness and initiatives but faces challenges such as power issues and organizational shortcomings, as indicated by demographic analysis, project evaluation, and statistical correlation. This study was conducted from August 2023 to December 2023, and was limited only to the items in the instrument, giving emphasis on demographic profile of respondents in the effectiveness of Aklan ICT Council in the new normal, extent of the effectiveness of Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council in the new normal and problems encountered by Aklan Information and Communications Technology Council in the new normal. The study results recommend that the council should refine its strategies, focusing on resolving specific problems such as power rate concerns and organizational structure issues. Sustaining efforts such as the Visayas ICT Cluster Organization Conference and support for entrepreneurship will further strengthen the council's impact in addressing the challenges in the ICT sector.

HPV Vaccination Coverage in Brazil's State of Paraná: Spatial Distribution and Advances in Public Health.

Background/Objectives: To analyze the spatial distribution of HPV vaccination coverage in relation to sociodemographic variables in a state of Southern Brazil. Methods: This was an ecological, retrospective study with secondary data from the Department of Information Technology of the Unified Health System/Ministry of Health from 2015 to 2022. The cohort method was used to calculate vaccination coverage. Geographically weighted regression was used for the independent variables. Results: There was a 22.04% reduction in vaccination between the first and second doses. Coverage with the first dose of the vaccine reached 95.17% for the female population, 64.67% for the male population, and 79.57% for both sexes. In 50.62% of cities, coverage exceeded 90% for both sexes. In 80.45% of cities, the recommended coverage for females was achieved. The variable municipal performance was positively significant for the increase in vaccination coverage in 45.45% of the regions for girls, 18.18% for boys, and 36.36% for both sexes. The family health strategy variable was significant in 9.09% of the regions for girls and both sexes. The education variable showed an inverse significance for girls in 40.90%, for boys in 18.18%, and for both sexes in 36.36% of the regions. Conclusions: HPV vaccination declined between the first and second doses, with high first-dose coverage among females and moderate coverage among males. Municipal performance notably impacted coverage, particularly for girls. The family health strategy was relevant in specific regions, while educational factors had a variable effect. Addressing these variables may enhance vaccination coverage and minimize the gap between doses.

It Takes a Village

The introduction of Large Language Models (LLM) to the chatbot landscape has opened intriguing possibilities for academic libraries to offer more responsive and institutionally contextualized support to users, especially outside of regular service hours. While a few academic libraries currently employ AI-based chatbots on their websites, this service has not yet become the norm and there are no best practices in place for how academic libraries should launch, train, and assess the usefulness of a chatbot. In summer 2023, staff from the University of Delaware’s Morris Library information technology (IT) and reference departments came together in a unique partnership to pilot a low-cost AI-powered chatbot called UDStax. The goals of the pilot were to learn more about the campus community’s interest in engaging with this tool and to better understand the labor required on the staff side to maintain the bot. After researching six different options, the team selected Chatbase, a subscription-model product based on ChatGPT 3.5 that provides user-friendly training methods for an AI model using website URLs and uploaded source material. Chatbase removed the need to utilize the OpenAI API directly to code processes for submitting information to the AI engine to train the model, cutting down the amount of work for library information technology and making it possible to leverage the expertise of reference librarians and other public-facing staff, including student workers, to distribute the work of developing, refining, and reviewing training materials. This article will discuss the development of prompts, leveraging of existing data sources for training materials, and workflows involved in the pilot. It will argue that, when implementing AI-based tools in the academic library, involving staff from across the organization is essential to ensure buy-in and success. Although chatbots are designed to hide the effort of the people behind them, that labor is substantial and needs to be recognized.

Research on the Motivational Factors of Information Technologies Department Employees in the Context of Abraham Harold Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

The objective of this study is to evaluate the degree to which information technology department employees meet the stages of needs outlined in Abraham Harold Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory. The researchers identified eight variables and formulated eight hypotheses related to these variables. To test these hypotheses, data from an online survey completed by 401 active information technology employees in Turkey, representing the study population, was utilized. The convenience sampling method, which is one of the non-probabilistic sampling methods due to time and budget constraints, was utilized. The statistical analysis revealed a noteworthy correlation between the variables, particularly in terms of income status and motivation, across all sub-dimensions of Abraham Harold Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory. While variations in the perceived level of deprivation by sub-dimensions were identified in other hypotheses, these variances did not reach statistical significance across all sub-dimensions.

Exploring dynamics of student course feedback in higher education

This article delves into student course feedback using publicly available data from the University of North Texas. It examines factors influencing elevated student course evaluation ratings in the Information Technology and Decision Sciences department. The study reveals a positive relationship between higher response rates and better evaluation scores. The challenge index, individual course engagement, and difficulty are linked to higher scores. Course level impacts scores, with higher-level courses receiving higher ratings. This prompts further investigation into why full professors may not outperform associates in student ratings, advocating for broader research into characteristics influencing course evaluation performance. The study contributes valuable insights into academia and fostering discussions on business faculty assessment.

ASPECTOS SOCIOECONÔMICOS E GESTACIONAIS RELACIONADOS A OCORRÊNCIA DE BAIXO PESO AO NASCER

The objective of this article is to estimate the prevalence and factors related to the risk of Low Birth Weight (LBW), and its impact on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. A cross-sectional, analytical study was used, based on data available in the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), more specifically, in the Live Birth Information System (SINASC). For data analysis, the EPI-INFO 7.0 program was used, where bivariate analysis was used with the Chi-square test considering the Mantel-Haenszel method to identify which factors are associated with LBW. 49,481 live births were examined in the State of Mato Grosso, 8.78% of which were affected by LBW. In the bivariate analysis, LBW was mostly recorded in children of pregnant women who were in the risk age group, marital status in which they lived alone/separated, indigenous race or skin color, black or mixed race, and lived in a region with low HDI . Furthermore, there are other factors related to pregnancy that had a strong influence on LBW, including: number of prenatal consultations and type of pregnancy. Regarding the characteristics of newborns, LBW presented a majority in female babies and those born prematurely and/or with malformations or congenital anomalies. The results found in the present study justify the need to improve actions capable of serving the maternal and child population so that economic and demographic factors have less impact on the occurrence of LBW.

Designing a Website to Support a Multisite, International Clinical Trial.

Safe and reliable implementation of complex study protocols in multisite clinical trials requires that all study personnel have 24/7 access to up-to-date study materials. Study websites can serve as an electronic manual of operations (eMOO) to support trial conduct. We describe the development, organization, and maintenance of a study website and eMOO to facilitate quick and efficient communication during conduct of a complex, multisite, international clinical trial. We worked closely with our information technology (IT) department to develop and maintain our study website, which includes a public home page, a section for parents and families, and three password-protected portals that serve as an eMOO for (a) study sites, (b) study site investigators, and (c) the operations team (e.g., clinical coordination center, data coordination center). The public home page is helpful for families contemplating study participation and for nonparticipating sites considering joining our trial. The patient and family education section supports family participation in the study. The study site portal contains all information needed for local study teams to safely manage a study patient. The investigator portal provides access to research-specific materials needed to lead the study at each site. The operations team portal supports overall study management. For other scientists considering use of a study website for their multisite research, we recommend close collaboration with IT for development and maintenance, limited and clearly defined roles for version control, and use of unmodifiable file formats to prevent unapproved alterations of study materials. While investment in development and maintenance has been significant, we have appreciated marked value to our operations team and study sites. Our study website development process is relevant to other scientists conducting multisite clinical research.

Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation: Challenges and Barriers

The goal of this study is to ascertain how Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) adoption software is affected in small and medium-sized businesses in Jordan by the problems and barriers represented by (low knowledge of ERP, misperception, lack of resources, financial worries, and employee resistance). The following titles of employees in Jordanian small and medium-sized businesses' departments of information technology made up the study population: (Department Manager, Assistant Department Manager, Head of Department, and Software Officer). To accomplish the goals of the study, the investigator employed a basic random sample of the study population, wherein (160) questionnaires were distributed and (152) were retrieved. The descriptiveanalytic approach was employed in conjunction with various statistical techniques, the most notable of which was the "T" test for one sample (One SampleT–test), and the statistical package program was utilized for statistical analysis and testing of hypotheses. Use SPSS. The study's conclusions include the existence of a statistically significant relationship between Jordanian SMEs' software implementation and their lack of resources, financial concerns, and inadequate ERP understanding. On the other hand, misperception and employee resistance had no statistically significant effect on the implementation of software in Jordanian SMEs. In light of this, the study made several recommendations, the most significant of which is the establishment of an independent committee of senior management experts in information systems and information technology to monitor a variety of data regarding the readiness and effectiveness of the software. As well as involving the user in the ERP implementation from the beginning, because operations management may clearly and effectively benefit from the end-user's assistance in formulating operations that accurately and firmly fulfil daily work needs

Basic medical sciences are pre-clinical subjects, not non-clinical subjects: Say 'No' to the prefix 'Non-'.

Few medical institutions in India, such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), use the term pre-clinical in their websites and brochures, but many institutions still use the word 'non-clinical'. In my opinion, the non-clinical departments should be renamed pre-clinical departments. In western countries, the curriculum is divided into pre-clinical and clinical. For example, in Oxford University, the initial instruction in courses such as Anatomy and Physiology is regarded as pre-clinical instruction. Non-clinical departments in western countries are the departments of human resource, accounts and information technology (IT).

Automatic notes based on video records of online meetings using the latent Dirichlet allocation method

Meeting minutes can also be used as a benchmark for whether the meeting objectives have been achieved or not. Minutes are taken during the meeting until the end of the meeting, which contain essential points from the meeting. Minutes in online meetings are currently still done manually, and generally, every meeting is recorded as documentation that requires more human resources to change the recording of the meeting file. Based on the problems above, a solution to this problem is needed by creating an automatic note-taking system that can assist the note-takers in concluding the meeting, especially in the Information Technology Department. This study uses the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) method to determine text summarization and topic modeling. Based on this research, the system calculation using the LDA method produces a pretty good accuracy value for text summarization of 57.91% and topic modeling with a coherence score of 64.56%. Based on this research, the implementation of the latent Dirichlet allocation method for text summarization and topic modeling provides a fairly good level of similarity accuracy when compared to the minutes that are written manually and can be implemented in the Information Technology Department.

Enhancing Students’ Performance in Integrated Project Course through Collaborative Learning and Open Artificial Intelligence Chatbot

Numerous students faced challenges related to specific concepts, deeming it essential to seek supplementary guidance for the successful completion of their mandatory final semester projects within the Integrated Project Course. This need arose early in the project development phase, and these individuals consistently encountered difficulties in bringing their projects to fruition. The challenges stemmed from the intricate nature of the course material and the inadequacy of suitable guidance. As a result, some students occasionally delivered incomplete and below-par project outcomes. Consequently, this research endeavors to enhance students' final semester project performance by employing collaborative learning methods and integrating an Open Artificial Intelligence Chatbot as interventions. The study was conducted during the session II 2022/2023 in the Department of Information and Communication Technology at Polytechnic Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, involving 12 students enrolled in the Integrated Project Course and receive score mark below five during their Demonstration One presentation session. Data collection included rubric scores and reflective journals, which were analyzed based on rubric percentages before and after the intervention. The findings of the study indicated an improvement in rubric scores before and after the intervention, signifying an enhancement in students' project-related performance. Additionally, the reflective journal provided insights into the students' learning experiences with both interventions. This research contributes to educators' comprehension of effective methods for elevating students' performance in Integrated Project Course by leveraging contemporary technologies and approaches. Future research initiatives could further diversify teaching and learning methods in Integrated Project through the organization of workshops specifically addressing current technology and knowledge pertinent to the development of final semester projects.

Securing industry 4.0: Assessing cybersecurity challenges and proposing strategies for manufacturing management

Industry 4.0 represents the foundation of the fourth industrial revolution, characterised by the integration of innovative technology into the manufacturing process. This integration enhances automation, diagnostics, data analysis, and autonomous decision-making through the networking of equipment and machinery. However, the increased reliance on technology raises concerns about the implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity. This paper aims to address cybersecurity challenges in the manufacturing industry and suggest strategies to reduce risks. In particular, it examines the level of awareness and understanding of cybersecurity issues among manufacturing employees, establishes accountability for cyberattacks, and evaluates the effectiveness of existing industry practices. The current cybersecurity landscape in the manufacturing industry was thoroughly analysed. Data were gathered through surveys, interviews, and case studies to measure awareness, identify knowledge gaps, and assess existing practices. The research findings indicate a significant knowledge gap regarding cybersecurity among manufacturing employees. This vulnerability can be attributed to the lack of funding and training, especially compared to the resources provided to information technology departments and corporate employees. The study emphasises the importance of redirecting cybersecurity resources and protocols towards the manufacturing industry. This paper puts forward a series of recommendations to mitigate risks and safeguard the manufacturing industry.

Enhancing Informatics Engineering students' speaking skills at Asahan university using picture media in present tense

The ability to speak English with good and right pronunciation, accuracy, fluency, and intonation is a test for university students of the Informatics Engineering Department at the University of Asahan to achieve new knowledge. There are still many university students who are not good at speaking skills in English. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the implementation of image media techniques to students' speaking skills in the present tense. This research is descriptive qualitative research. This research was conducted in three cycles, each consisting of two learning cycles or face-to-face. The research subjects were 20 education participants. The methods used to collect data are observation, interviews, and tests. The instrument used to obtain data is a test question. The data analysis technique used is descriptive qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results showed that university students in cycles I, II, and III had an average score which indicated that image media techniques could enhance English speaking skills in the present tense. It was summarized that the implementation of image media could effectively enhance the ability to speak English. Picture media can help university students understand English. This finding can also be used as a reference for lecturers to enhance the speaking-learning process Keywords: picture; media; speaking; EFL.

Panorama da mortalidade por cardiopatia reumática crônica entre 2017 e 2021, no Rio Grande do Sul

Introduction: Chronic rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever (RF), a disease that results from pharyngotonsillitis, causing acquired heart disease in young people and can lead to valvular sequelae and death. The objective of the study is to evaluate mortality from rheumatic heart disease in Rio Grande do Sul, with emphasis on voluntary involvement, and to analyze a possible association between age group and sex. Material and Methods: This research consists of a cross-sectional study using the database of the Department of Information Technology’s Unified Health System (DataSUS). Deaths from rheumatic heart diseases were included, divided by sex and age, during the period from 2017 to 2021 in Rio Grande do Sul. For statistical analysis, the Chi-Square test (χ²) was used, using the software SPSS. Results: 321 deaths from rheumatic valve disease were found between 2017 and 2021, the majority of which were caused by mitral valve disease. Women had a higher number of deaths from mitral valve disease and men from other heart diseases. Regarding the age group, deaths due to mitral valve disease were more prevalent among those aged 40 to 49 years, while in tricuspid valve disease, there was a greater association with individuals aged 80 years or older. In other diseases, no association was demonstrated. Conclusion: From this, an association was established between sex and age group in the incidence of rheumatic heart disease among the studied population. Therefore, a more comprehensive therapeutic approach is needed, associated with the development of campaigns that publicize the importance of correct treatment in order to reduce mortality rates.

Asthma in the Brazilian Unified Health Care System: an epidemiological analysis from 2008 to 2021.

To analyze the number of hospitalizations, the length of hospital stay, and mortality due to asthma, as well as the costs to the Unified Health Care System in Brazil between 2008 and 2021. This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study using data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health Care System. Proportional hospitalization and death rates were estimated per 100,000 population by age, microregion, and year. The number of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma decreased from 2008 to 2021 (205,392 vs. 55,009 and 822 vs. 327, respectively). In addition, a between-sex difference was observed in asthma-related hospitalizations in 2008, and more men were hospitalized in 2021 (51.8%). Asthma mortality rates were similar for both sexes (50.0% each) in 2008, and a slight increase was observed in women's deaths in 2021 (52.9%). Even so, approximately one death/day and more than 55,000 hospitalizations were observed yearly, with a mean length of hospital stay of three days. Additionally, the Southeast region allocated more financial resources to asthma-related hospitalizations. Our results showed that the number of deaths and hospitalizations due to asthma substantially declined during the study period.

SiPinjam as an Information System for Lending Goods in the Department of Information Technology and Computers

SiPinjam as an Information System for Lending Goods in the Department of Information Technology and Computers

Repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer actions in a Brazilian state.

To analyze whether the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in women up to 50 years of age in the state of Pará. Retrospective, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, using data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health System. (DATASUS). The number of exams carried out in the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) period was analyzed based on the percentage variation, application of the chi-square test and G test for the time of exams and start time of treatment. During the pandemic period, there was a greater number of screening mammograms (+3.68%), cytological (+23.68%), histological (+10.7%) and a lower number of diagnostic mammograms (-38.7%). The time interval for carrying out the exams was up to 30 days for screening and diagnostic exams and more than 60 days to start treatment during the pandemic period. Although the results indicate an increase in the number of screening and diagnostic procedures for breast cancer during the pandemic period, with the exception of diagnostic mammography, when considering probability values, the study points out that statistically the COVID-19 pandemic did not interfere with actions of breast cancer, in women over 50 years of age, in the state of Pará. Considering the autonomy of nursing and its role in public health, it is up to the professionals who are in charge of primary care programs to implement contingency plans in periods of crisis so that the population is not left unassisted.