Descriptive Categorization Research Articles

OnetoMap Meta-Data: Healthcare Analytics Through Research.

Big Data has revolutionized healthcare research through the three Vs: volume, veracity, and variety. This study introduces the OnetoMap meta-data repository, a centralized inventory developed in collaboration with the University of South Florida's Department of Surgery. The repository offers extensive details about each database, including its primary purpose, available variables, and examples of high-impact research utilizing these databases. It aims to create a centralized inventory, enabling researchers to locate and link relevant datasets efficiently. Each dataset is described using standardized criteria to ensure clarity and usability, such as data type, source, collection methods, and potential linkages to other datasets. Results: Currently, the OnetoMap repository contains descriptions of 49 datasets, with ongoing updates to include new datasets and additional data years. These datasets include a range of data types, including cross-sectional and longitudinal, gathered through claims, registries, electronic health records, and surveys. The repository is hosted on GitHub, enabling version control, collaboration, and open access. Effective search functionalities and descriptive categorization enhance the findability of datasets. The data repository includes comprehensive records of patient health statuses, socioeconomic profiles, hospital structures, and physician practices, enabling nuanced interventions and addressing complex healthcare needs. It also promotes interdisciplinary research and accelerates novel discoveries by providing a centralized source of diverse data and facilitating collaboration among research teams. The OnetoMap meta-data repository represents a significant advancement in healthcare research by providing a centralized, detailed, and easily accessible repository of clinical research databases. Future directions include implementing automatic annual updates of datasets, exploring automatic dataset linkage, providing monthly updates on published research, creating a user chat space for enhanced collaboration, and developing code applets for simplified data analysis. These efforts will ensure that the repository remains current, functional, and accessible, ultimately facilitating new discoveries and insights in healthcare outcomes research.

An Examination of Cognitive Heterogeneity in Parkinson Disease: The Dual-Syndrome Hypothesis.

Cognitive impairment is one of the most debilitating nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson disease (PD), and its presentation is heterogeneous. One proposed model to explain cognitive variability in PD is the dual-syndrome hypothesis. This hypothesis delineates two cognitive profiles, a "fronto-striatal" profile and a "posterior cortical" profile according to symptom presentation, associated motor phenotype, and risk for dementia. The current study examined the dual-syndrome hypothesis in individuals with idiopathic PD to evaluate the existence of these profiles, determine the association with the motor phenotype (tremor dominant vs. postural instability/gait disorder), and assess the relative risk for dementia. A retrospective examination was conducted using data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database at baseline (within 2 years of diagnosis) and 5 years after baseline. Descriptive categorizations, cluster analyses, generalized linear mixed models, and logistic regressions were used to address the research questions. There was emerging evidence of cognitive profiles; however, these were not fully supported by cluster analyses. Baseline cognitive profile was associated with later motor phenotype, and as predicted, dementia risk was greatest in persons with baseline posterior cortical impairments. The current results provide mixed support for the dual-syndrome hypothesis, with some evidence that the posterior cortical cognitive profile is associated with postural instability and gait disorder as well as greater dementia risk.

SELF-EFFICIENCY OF BIOLOGY EDUCATION STUDENTS CLASS OF 2018 IN PREPARING THESIS

This study aims to determine the level of self-efficacy of final semester students who are preparing a thesis. This type of research is descriptive quantitative. This research was carried out in September 2022. The subjects of this research were all 17 students of the Biology Education study program at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk class of 2018 as many as 17 people. Collecting data using a closed questionnaire technique with a Likert scale consisting of four answer choices, namely strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree. Questionnaires were given to students via google forms as many as 35 statements out of 10 indicators. The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive categorization by grouping data, tabulating data, presenting data and calculating research data. Categorization of self-efficacy consists of very high, high, medium, low and very low. Based on the results of data analysis, it was found that there were 8 students (47.1%) who had self-efficacy in the very high category, 8 students (47.1%) were in the high category, 1 student (5.8%) was in the medium category. This means that students of Biology Education study program at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk batch 2018 who are currently compiling their thesis mostly have self-efficacy in the high and very high categories.

Revealing large‐scale parasite ranges: An integrated spatiotemporal database and multisource analysis of the winter tick

AbstractConcerns that climate warming may drive the spread of ectoparasites into previously uninhabited areas have increased the need for baseline knowledge of their distributional history. For species of wildlife health concern, presence data are often lacking or outdated, thus limiting our ability to assess range changes and subsequent host impacts. We reconstructed the past and present distribution of the winter tick,Dermacentor albipictus, through the compilation of a spatiotemporal database to create the first full baseline map of its occurrence throughout its North American range. The ongoing impacts of winter tick epizootics in moose (Alces alces) and recent mortality events in elk (Cervus canadensis) and white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have led to a resurgence in interest in the future of this parasite in a warming climate. Over 3400 unique records of winter tick occurrence were compiled from multiple data sources, dating from 1869 to 2020 and spanning from 16.5 to 66.2° N latitude. Both conventional published sources and natural history records were included along with new records from previously unpublished datasets and citizen science observations, to make this a comprehensive occurrence dataset for this species. Along with standardized location information and year of observation, the dataset includes associated host species and descriptive categorization of the type and source of each record, providing new opportunities to examine host–parasite interactions in the winter tick system over time and space. In presenting these data, we discuss the potential sampling biases and lacunas in our integrated database records, particularly at the winter tick's northernmost range. We also document changes in the types and sources of winter tick information from past to present, highlighting potential issues that should be considered before using these data in further analyses and when collecting ongoing records. Our database demonstrates that the collation and synthesis of records beyond conventional sources can shed light on the distributional history of tick species and serve as a useful baseline for prioritizing future research and management decisions.

Deep Multimodal Emotion Recognition on Human Speech: A Review

This work reviews the state of the art in multimodal speech emotion recognition methodologies, focusing on audio, text and visual information. We provide a new, descriptive categorization of methods, based on the way they handle the inter-modality and intra-modality dynamics in the temporal dimension: (i) non-temporal architectures (NTA), which do not significantly model the temporal dimension in both unimodal and multimodal interaction; (ii) pseudo-temporal architectures (PTA), which also assume an oversimplification of the temporal dimension, although in one of the unimodal or multimodal interactions; and (iii) temporal architectures (TA), which try to capture both unimodal and cross-modal temporal dependencies. In addition, we review the basic feature representation methods for each modality, and we present aggregated evaluation results on the reported methodologies. Finally, we conclude this work with an in-depth analysis of the future challenges related to validation procedures, representation learning and method robustness.

Romantic Relationships in Transgender Adolescents: A Qualitative Study.

Identity formation and exploration of interpersonal relationships are important tasks that occur during adolescence. Transgender, gender diverse, and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals must face these developmental milestones in the context of their transgender identity. Our aim with this article is to describe adolescents' history and experiences with romantic partners. We conducted phenomenological, qualitative semistructured interviews with transgender adolescents. Questions were focused on romantic experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. All interviews were coded by 2 members of the research team, with disagreements resolved by discussion and, if needed, with a third member of the research team. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, as well as descriptive categorization. In total, 30 adolescents (18 transmasculine and 12 transfeminine) between the ages of 15 and 20 years were interviewed. Themes included (1) engagement in romantic relationships, (2) disclosure of gender identity and romantic relationships, (3) experience with abusive relationships, and (4) perceived impact of gender-affirming hormone care on romantic experiences. TGNC adolescents are engaged in romantic experiences before and during social and/or medical transitioning and are cultivating relationships through both proximal peers and online connections. There is perceived benefit of gender-affirming hormone care on romantic experiences. Risk of transphobia in romantic relationships impacts the approach that transgender adolescents take toward romance and influences decisions of identity disclosure. TGNC adolescents have experience with relationship abuse in different forms. Providers can incorporate these findings in their approach to counseling and screening when caring for TGNC youth.

Classification of illness attributions in patients with coronary artery disease

Objective To examine patient-reported causal attributions in patients with coronary artery disease and classify them according to attribution theory. Design Patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease (n = 459) were asked to report causal attributions by answering the respective open-ended item of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures Groups resulting from classifications were characterised with regard to sociodemographic and clinical variables, Quality of Life (SF-12), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and illness perception (BIPQ). Results Stress emerged as the single most important attribution followed by various behavioural factors and genetic predisposition. There was a remarkable mismatch between the presence of modifiable risk factors (smoking, obesity) and patient-reported illness attributions. Based on the results of the descriptive categorisation of illness attributions we developed a transparent, easily reproducible scheme for dimensional classification of the fifteen most common responses according to attribution theory. The classification resulted in four groups: Behaviour/Emotional State, Past Behaviour/Emotional State, Physical/Psychological Trait and External. Conclusion We found a pattern of illness attributions largely in line with previous trials. The dimensional classification resulted in four groups and highlighted potential entry points for physician-patient communication aimed at establishing beneficial disease self-management.

“One of Those” Characters in Middlemarch

Rebecca Ehrhardt, “‘One of Those’ Characters in Middlemarch” (pp. 318–345) This essay takes a robust critical conversation about character in realist fiction in a new direction through a reading of George Eliot’s Middlemarch (1871–72). While critics have traditionally theorized realism as a form whose ontology draws upon what already exists, as a character might be drawn from a preconceived type, I contend that George Eliot’s approach to character is productive of categories and, with them, new senses of the real. This essay tracks Middlemarch’s use of a device that I call “descriptive categorization”: a form of rendering character that works by referring to a category that it simultaneously defines in the act of description. By considering inquiries from the philosophy of language about reference and description, this essay explores how descriptive categorization construes an illusion of familiarity in readers. Descriptive categorization is a mode of articulating character, furthermore, that is not bound by the conventions of plot or character development; I contend that this quality is crucial to the ethics of George Eliot’s realism. Through descriptive categorization, Middlemarch models a way of understanding character that transcends the novel genre, cultivating categorical forms of sympathy and understanding in its readers.

Enriching TPACK in mathematics education: using digital interactive notebooks in synchronous online learning environments

Purpose In spring 2020, educators throughout the world abruptly shifted to emergency remote teaching in response to an emerging pandemic. The instructors of a graduate-level synchronous online geometry and measurement course for practicing school teachers redesigned their summative assessments. Their goals were to reduce outside-of-class work and to model the integration of content, pedagogy and technology. This paper aims to describe the development of a digital interactive notebook (dINB) assignment using online presentation software, dynamic geometry tools and mathematical learning trajectories. Broader implications for dINBs as assessments in effective distance learning are presented. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative analysis in this study consists of a sequence of first-cycle coding of mid-semester surveys and second-cycle thematic categorizations of mid-semester surveys and end-of-course reflections. Descriptive categorization counts along with select quotations from open-ended participant responses provided a window on evolving participant experiences with the dINB across the course. Findings Modifications to the dINB design based on teacher mid-semester feedback created a flexible assessment tool aligned with the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework. The teachers also constructed their own visions for adapting the dINB for student-centered instructional technology integration in their own virtual classrooms. Originality/value The development of the dINB enriched the TPACK understandings of the instructors in this study. It also positioned teachers to facilitate innovative synchronous and blended learning in their own school communities. Further analysis of dINB artifacts in future studies will test the hypothesis that practicing teachers’ experiences as learners increased their TPACK knowledge.

Individual birth planning as a teaching-learning strategy for good practices in obstetric care.

To verify students' knowledge about individual birth planning and learn their opinion about the use of this teaching-learning strategy for good obstetric practices. This is a descriptive study conducted with midwifery students who made primary health care internships. Data collection was performed digitally from 01/2017 to 05/2017 through the Google Forms®Platform. The analysis was performed by descriptive categorization statistics of statements. The study followed the required ethical standards. The form was sent to 97 students and answered by 40% of them. All respondents reported knowing the birth planning, and 87% applied it during prenatal care. The most frequent (45%) points about the birth plan were those that promoted women's empowerment and autonomy. The most cited methodological suggestions for its application were to focus on content (76%) and increase the number of meetings (50%). Individual birth planning was recognized by 79% of the participants as an important teaching strategy. In addition to knowing birth planning and applying it, the students consider it very relevant for teaching and learning good obstetrical practices.

Holistic Management Design for Adult

This study aims at collecting data on adults’ knowledge and behaviour on environmental degradation, government’s programs in resolving environmental degradation, and alternative solution to resolve the environmental degradation through holistic management design for adults.Qualitative research using interview guidelines as a reference for the interview was implemented in order to collect data on the adults’ knowledge; sample cases of environmental degradation completed with photos and interview guidelines were used to collect gather adults’ behaviour (response) toward environmental degradation; interview guidelines were used as a reference for FGD to collect data on government programs which were implemented to resolve environmental degradaion after coal mining The alternative solution to resolve environmental degradation was the outcome of research and development conducted by Hardoko et al. in 2016 in different districts; however, these disricts shared similar problem characteristics since they are located in the same province of East Kalimantan.The location of this research is Berau District, East Kalimantan Province. The research respondents were 10 adults who were above 40 years old and lived around the coal mining site. The respondents of government programs were 4 staff from Mining and Energy Agency and Environment Agency. It applied the descriptive analysis and categorisation in tables which was interpreted. The adults’ average knowledge on environmental degradation was in the category of good; while their behaviour on it was in the category of sufficient. The government programs which were implemented to resolve environmental degradation were in form of material assistance; however, there was not any non formal program to alter adults’ behaviour from destructive behaviour to protective behaviour.This study found that the government programs were not suitable to resolve the environmental degradation in which behaviour was the root cause for the problems.. Having found this, a solution was offered in form of the knowledge and behaviour management design based on holistic approach for adult learning program as an alternative solution for government in solving environment problems after coal mining activities. The design is holistic because it includes knowledge, attitude, and behaviour aspect with contextual environment media which is covered in three stages of learning activities.This research has never been conducted before; particularly on the topic of adults knowledge and behaviour after mining in Berau District, East Kalimantan Province. The three stages of learning in the holistic management design for adults in solving the environmental degradation were the outcomes of the developed research conducted by Hardoko et al. 2016.

Renal biopsy-driven molecular target identification in glomerular disease.

Chronic kidney disease has severe impacts on the patient and represents a major burden to the health care systems worldwide. Despite an increased knowledge of pathophysiological processes involved in kidney diseases, the progress in defining novel treatment strategies has been limited. One reason is the descriptive disease categorization used in nephrology based on clinical findings or histopathological categories irrespective of potential different molecular disease mechanisms. To accelerate progress toward a targeted treatment, a definition of human disease extending from phenotypic disease classification to mechanism-based disease definitions is needed. In recent years, we have witnessed a major transition in biomedical research from a single gene research to an information rich and collaborative science. Tissue-based analysis in renal disease allows to link structure to molecular function. In our review, we introduce the concept of precision medicine in nephrology, describe several large cohort studies established for molecular analysis of kidney diseases, and highlight examples of renal biopsy-driven target identification by integrative systems biology approaches. Furthermore, we give an outlook on how the new disease definitions can be used for patient stratification in clinical trial design. Finally, we introduce the concept of an informational commons of renal precision medicine for joint analyses of large-scale data sets in renal failure.

Cooperation in New Product Development

This study analyses the drivers and impact of cooperation with external partners in the new product development (NPD) of small technology-based firms (STBFs). The authors used a mixed-method research design, carrying out 49 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with STBFs in Germany. For data analysis, inter-coder agreement, content analysis, descriptive categorizations and contingency tables using Bayesian probabilities were applied. The authors found that STBFs predominantly cooperated with universities, non-university research institutions or laboratories, other enterprises and public agencies. Resource shortages in NPD were frequent among the STBFs in the study and, when faced with such shortages, STBFs had a higher propensity to cooperate with external partners. More specifically, qualification deficits were the most prominent cooperation driver. Furthermore, cooperation with external partners had a positive influence on the innovation success of STBFs. Several theoretical and practical implications are presented.

Ocean noise: Lose it or use it

Ocean noise, natural or man-made, has typically been treated as unwanted interference in the context of detecting signals. However, more recently noise has itself also become a signal of interest in which, for example, ocean or geophysical properties are embedded in the noise field. There is now significant ongoing research in trying to extract information from noise. Much of the latter has utilized either own-ship noise, surface generated noise, biological noise, and/or distant shipping noise. Here we review the evolution of research in ocean noise as it progressed from basic descriptive categorization to attempts to minimize its impact on signal detection, and finally, to its utilization as an environmental descriptor.

Instituições de suporte, serviços e desempenho: um estudo em aglomeração turística de Santa Catarina

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as instituições de suporte à atividade turística em destinos turísticos na região do litoral norte de Santa Catarina. A partir de uma discussão sobre as aglomerações territoriais, os recursos competitivos e o papel das instituições de suporte, foi realizada uma pesquisa com instituições de sete cidades da chamada Costa Verde e Mar naquele estado, que, além da localização próxima, têm em comum possuir o turismo de sol e praia entre suas principais atividades econômicas. A escolha por essa atividade econômica se deu pelo fato de que as empresas turísticas, de modo geral, aglomeram-se em torno dos atrativos turísticos. Desta forma, propiciam o surgimento de instituições de suporte à sua atividade, sobretudo pela facilidade de escala desses serviços. Os dados primários foram coletados por meio de um questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas, aplicado aos dirigentes das instituições pesquisadas. Os dados secundários, relacionados ao desempenho turístico das cidades, foram retirados de uma página oficial do órgão de turismo estadual. O tratamento se deu por estatística descritiva inferencial e categorização. Os resultados apontam que há diversidade de instituições na região, mas que isso não se reflete em diversidade de serviços que se concentram nas assessorias.

Characteristics of sick-listing cases that physicians consider problematic – analyses of written case reports

Objective. The aim was to discern common characteristics in the sick-listing cases that physicians in general practice and occupational health services find problematic. Design. Descriptive categorization within a narrative theoretical framework. Setting. Sickness-insurance course for physicians in general practice and occupational health services. Subjects. A total of 195 case reports written by 195 physicians. Main outcome measures. Categories of features regarding medical, work, and social situation as well as medical interventions. Results. Beside age and sex, the following information was often provided: family situation, stressful life events, occupation, problem at work, considerations concerning diagnoses, medical investigations, treatments, and vocational rehabilitation measures. Two-thirds of the patients had been sickness absent for more than a year. The most common type of case reports concerned women, employed in non-qualified nursing occupations, and sick listed due to mental disorders. The most common measures taken by the physicians were referrals to psychotherapy and/or physiotherapy, and prescribing antidepressants (SSRI). Facts about alcohol habits were rarely provided in the cases. Conclusions. Some of the circumstances, such as prolonged sick-listing, are likely to be more or less inevitable in problematic sick-listing cases. Other circumstances, such as stress-full life events, more closely reflect what the reporting physicians find problematic. The categories identified can be regarded as markers of problematic sick-listing cases in general practice and occupational health service.

Using Identity‐Related Visit Motivations as a Tool for Understanding Adult Zoo and Aquarium Visitors' Meaning‐Making

Abstract Considerable time and effort have been invested in understanding the motivations of museum visitors. Many investigators have sought to describe why people visit museums, resulting in a range of descriptive categorizations. Recently, investigators have begun to document the connections between visitors' entering motivations and their exiting learning. Doering and Pekarik have proposed starting with the idea that visitors are likely to enter a museum with an “entry narrative” (1996; see also Pekarik, Doering and Karns 1999). Doering and Pekarik argue that these entry narratives are likely to be self‐reinforcing, directing both learning and behavior, since visitors' perceptions of satisfaction will be directly related to experiences that resonate with their entering narrative. Falk took these ideas one step further and proposed that—although people have diverse reasons for choosing to visit museums—these diverse reasons tended to cluster around a relatively small number of motivational categories (2006). These categories appeared to be related to visitors' desires to use the museum for fulfilling identity‐related needs. Each of us assumes many identities over the course of our life. Some of our identities are enduring and long‐lasting; others are more ephemeral and situation‐specific; all help us navigate through the complexities of life.

Psychopathology factors in first-episode affective and non-affective psychotic disorders

Background Since the onset, prevalence, and course of specific psychopathological features rarely have been analyzed simultaneously from the start of dissimilar psychotic illnesses, we compared symptom-clusters in first-episode DSM-IV affective and non-affective psychotic disorders. Methods Subjects ( N = 377) from the McLean–Harvard First Episode Project hospitalized for first-lifetime primary psychotic illnesses were followed prospectively for 2 years to verify stable DSM-IV diagnoses. We ascertained initial symptoms from baseline SCID and clinical assessments, applying AMDP and Bonn psychopathology schemes systematically to describe a broad range of features. Final consensus diagnoses were based on intake and follow-up SCID assessments, family interviews, and medical records. Factor-analytic methods defined first-episode symptom-clusters (Factors), and multiple-regression modeling related identified factors to initial DSM-IV diagnoses and to later categories ( affective, non-affective, or schizoaffective disorders). Results Psychopathological features were accommodated by four factors: I represented mania with psychosis; II a mixed depressive-agitated state; III an excited-hallucinatory-delusional state; IV a disorganized-catatonic-autistic state. Each factor was associated with characteristic prodromal symptoms. Factors I and III associated with DSM-IV mania, II with major depression or bipolar mixed-state, III negatively with delusional disorder, IV with major depression and negatively with mania. Factors I and II predicted later affective diagnoses; absence of Factor I features predicted non-affective diagnoses, and no Factor predicted later schizoaffective diagnoses. Conclusion The findings contribute to descriptive categorizations of psychopathology from onset of dissimilar psychotic illnesses. This approach was effective in identifying and subtyping affective psychotic disorders early in their clinical evolution, but non-affective and schizoaffective conditions appear to be more complex and unstable.

Sr and Pb isotopes as environmental indicators in environmental studies

An environmental indicator is a numerical or a descriptive categorization of environmental data with the primary purpose of assessing the affected environment. In these studies, two characteristic isotopes, namely Sr and Pb, were assessed of their ability to describe the affected environment in environmental studies by detecting trends of pollution over short as well as long time periods and by identifying sources of contamination. The ability of environmental indicators to serve as elements in summarizing the situation of the affected environment is discussed. An illustrative example is presented where lead isotopes are used to understand the source of pollution in Kozani, a small rural area in Greece. Conclusions are derived in terms of the source of the pollution in the specific area.

Coastal dunes of Wales; vulnerability and protection

The coastal dune systems of Wales fall under a range of conservation designations from Sites of Special Scientific Interest to National Parks. A checklist system has been applied to selected major systems (>50 ha) to assess the vulnerability of individual sites and to measure of the level of protection introduced at these locations and to compare this with their conservation status. 26 systems were surveyed and analysis consisted of structured use of a rating scheme to assess the environmental condition and range of protection measures existing at each site. This included the following categories of information: Site and beach morphology, Beach condition, Surface character of the seaward 200 m of the dune system, Pressure of use and Recent protection measures. The percentage of the maximum possible rating for each category of information was calculated and summation of the above information gives a Vulnerability Index (VI) which ranged from 23.8% to 65.1%. A Protection Measure Index (PM) was also calculated and this ranged from 13.6% to 68.2%. It should be noted however, that low PM scores do notnecessarily mean inappropriate management strategies. A VI/PM ratio was calculated and systems with a ratio in the range of 0.8–1.3 are regarded as having an equilibrium relationship between vulnerability and protection; sites with values 1.3 are out of equilibrium because they are under protected. An alternative, descriptive categorization of the vulnerability relationship was also derived from the data and dune systems were categorised as 1. Low vulnerability—Low response, 2. High vulnerability—High response, 3. Low vulnerability—High response or 4. High vulnerability—Low response.