Electronic Collection Research Articles

Holding a mirror to society? The socio-demographic characteristics of students commencing health professional programmes, and all courses, at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago), 1994–2023

aim: To present selected key findings from a longitudinal analysis of the socio-demographic characteristics of students entering all courses at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago), all health professional programmes combined, and 11 individual health professional programmes between 1994 and 2023. method: Data sources: 1) university electronic collections of student data (programme details, demographics, schooling, home address), and 2) publicly available datasets (some socio-demographic variables). Analyses included counts and proportions of commencing students, disaggregated by time period and socio-demographic variables, and commencement rates per 100,000 population aged 18–29 years. results: During this 30-year period, there was a notable increase in the overall proportion of domestic health professional programme students who were Māori or Pacific, and an increase in enrolments of students from rural backgrounds. The socio-economic profile of incoming students remained unchanged, with students being highly skewed towards those from more socio-economically privileged backgrounds. The proportion of domestic health professional programme students who were female increased across all years, reaching nearly two-thirds by the study end. conclusion: While efforts to enhance health professional student diversity have had a positive impact, the university’s vision of a health workforce that represents Māori and the diverse contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand’s society will require long-term ongoing commitment.

Digital Governance and Electronic Waste Management at Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil

The Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) has the Information and Communication Technology Master Plan (PDTIC) to guide and monitor the performance of the Information Technology (IT) area within the institution. The IT area at UFMS has the Digital Governance Committee (CGD), responsible for drafting the Information Security Policy (PSI); the Information and Communication Technology Procurement Plan (PCTIC); the Open Data Plan (PDA); and the University's PDTIC. In addition to the Information and Communication Technology Agency (AGETIC), which is responsible for coordinating, guiding, supervising, executing, and controlling the organization's IT activities. This work aims to demonstrate that sustainability is part of both Digital Governance and the curriculum of UFMS students, focusing on the management of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) within the University. The UFMS Solid Waste and Health Services Management Plan (PGRS/PGRSS) outlines guidelines for the management of these materials, and annually, since 2017, the Faculty of Computing (FACOM) at UFMS organizes the Electronic Waste Collection Week, a project aimed at raising awareness among the academic community about disposal, reuse, and recycling, helping to conserve the environment. This action assists in the education of these students by making them protagonists in this initiative. In each edition hundreds of electronic devices have been reused by students and community, serving as an example of socio-environmental impact action. The methodology employed by UFMS to organize and advance electronic waste management efforts involved the establishment of digital governance regulations, along with sustainability management and governance practices, in order to structure and promote electronic waste management actions at UFMS.

Paediatric iGAS Morbidity and Mortality in Ireland 2022-2023 episodic upsurge

Abstract There was an unseasonal upsurge in invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) activity in Ireland during the 2022/2023 winter period. In particular, there was an increase in the proportion of paediatric infections and a rise in the age specific death rate for those under the age of 18, from 0.10 to 1.43 per 100,000. This review aimed to describe the demographic and clinical factors associated with paediatric iGAS infection during this upsurge. All iGAS cases under the age of 16 years, notified to Public Health between 1st October and 30th June 2023, were included. A review of hospital records for each case was conducted using a standardised electronic data collection proforma. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted using SPSS statistical package. There was a total of 183 cases of iGAS notified during this upsurge in Ireland. A hospital chart review was conducted for 169 of these cases, giving a response rate of 92.3%. The median age was 4 years (range 0-15,) with 44.4% (75) having a previous healthcare attendance during their illness. Varicella coinfection occurred in 27.8% (47) of cases. There was respiratory viral coinfection in 40.8% (69) of cases, and this was significantly associated with an increased risk of death RR 6.49 (95% CI 4.45 - 29.08) p < 0.05. A respiratory site of infection was also significantly associated with an increased risk of death RR 10.13 (95% CI 2.23 - 45.95) p < 0.001. However, both factors did not remain significant once adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation index. This national review demonstrated the significant burden of paediatric iGAS morbidity and mortality during this upsurge. A significant proportion of cases, 37.9% (64) were associated with vaccine preventable illness, with respiratory viral infections and a respiratory site of infection both being significantly associated with an increased risk of death. Key messages • A significant proportion of iGAS cases were associated with a vaccine preventable illness. • A respiratory site of iGAS infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of death in paediatric cases.

Visualization of commuting areas and examination of jobs-housing balance with the adoption of excess commuting

Rapid urban growth extends the boundaries of urbanized areas and makes people spend extra travel cost on the journey to work. Scholars have examined commuting behaviors between residence and work places within a region, and suggested the conceptual theory of jobs-housing balance to evaluate if there are sufficient job opportunities for residents in the region. A quantitative measurement of excess commuting is proposed to reflect the degree of jobs-house balance. However, current studies focus on the evaluation of excess commuting and the causality of spatial restructuring between residence and workplace, the spatial extend of excess commuting in an urban region is not visually delineated. In addition, conventional studies acquire static data such as statistic data or other survey data to analyze impacts of commuting patterns on urban formation. Today the emergence of spatial big data sheds light on the causality of urban commuting from higher spatial and temporal resolutions. This study aims to examine the degree of jobs-housing balance through the calculation of excess commuting and represent the spatial extent of excess commuting of Taichung metropolitan area in Taiwan. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) data, the spatial big data which is publicly accessible in Taiwan, is introduced as the commuting data and to calculate three key parameters of excess commuting, Tmin, Tobs, and Tmax. The three parameters are used to visualize the extent of commuting zones and examine commuting patterns of Taichung metropolitan area and observe the spatial relationship between those patterns and land-use types. The evaluation of excess commuting indicates that the degree of jobs-housing imbalance in Taichung metropolitan area is similar to Los Angeles metropolis in US. The analytical results explain how ETC data can be successfully used for the calculation of excess commuting, and visualization of the extent of commuting regions. In addition, after the cluster analysis of residential areas, it is intuitive to observe spatial correlation between hot zones of residential areas and the spatial extent of theoretical maximum commuting, and shows that the scenarios of commuting can be considered as an indicator to explain the possibility of urban expansion in the future.

Enhancing Extraction and Suppressing Cooling of Hot Electrons in Lead Halide Perovskites by Dipolar Surface Passivation.

Slowing hot carrier (HC) cooling and improving HC extraction are considered two pivotal factors for enhancing power conversion efficiency in emerging HC photovoltaic applications of perovskites and other materials. Employing ab initio quantum dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the simultaneous slow cooling and efficient extraction of hot electrons at the C60/CsPbI3 interface through dipolar surface passivation with phenethylammonium and 4-fluorophenethylammonium ligands. The passivation effectively suppresses I-Pb lattice vibrations, weakens the hot electron-phonon interaction in CsPbI3, and thus slows down the HC cooling. At the same time, the dipolar surface passivation elevates the LUMO + 1 state in C60 and reduces the energy gap for HC extraction. Concurrently, higher-frequency vibrations of the dipolar layer enhance the coupling between C60 and CsPbI3, promoting efficient HC extraction further. These phenomena are intensified with increased polarity of the dipolar layer. Furthermore, we find that dipolar passivation has the opposite influence on cold electron collection at the band edge, underscoring the fact that the observed improvement in photovoltaic performance stems preferentially from the effective utilization of HCs rather than cold electrons. The work provides a new strategy for achieving high-performance HC perovskite solar cells.

ATUAÇÃO DA FISIOTERAPIA NA MELHORA DAMARCHA DOS PACIENTES ACOMETIDOS COM PARKINSON: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of idiopathic etiology, characterized by a progressive decline in dopamine levels in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. The motor circuitry occurs in the basal ganglia, which are responsible for voluntary movements.The kinematic analysis of gait of these individuals shows an asymmetry in gait pattern, where difficulties in regulating the temporal-spatial are observed, altering step and stride length, increasing the time spent in double support phase. Physical therapy assists in treating motor dysfunctions in these patients, reducing the impact that the disease causes on their lives, providing an improvement in their overall physical condition. OBJECTIVE: To analyze scientific studies that observe improvements in the gait cycle of individuals affected by Parkinson's disease, using physiotherapeutic approaches as treatment. METHODOLOGY: A literature review, using the database Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), CAPES Journal, ScienceDirect (Elservier), and collections in the Cruzeiro do Sul University library. RESULTS: Scientific articles were found in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, from the period between 2004 and 2024, which covered physiotherapeutic treatments related to gait and were available for free in the previously mentioned databases. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Scientific articles older than 20 years, physiotherapeutic treatments that do not include gait, paid databases, or those not included in the databases cited above. CONCLUSION: The main objective of the present study was to identify physiotherapeutic treatments that improve gait in patients affected by Parkinson's disease, ainming to reduce the impacts caused by progressive neurodegeneration of the neuromotor system. Despite of the studies presented in this work, further research is needed with a specific focus on the treatment of gait in individuals with the disease.

Value for solidarity: a proxy for community understanding and acceptance of the basic principles of community-based health insurance in rural Ethiopia

BackgroundSolidarity is an aspect of human association that gives emphasis to the cohesive social bond that holds a group together and is valued and understood by all members of the group. A lack of understanding of the solidarity principle is one of the main reasons for low population coverage in microhealth insurance schemes. This study aimed to examine the extent to which people value solidarity and the factors that explain the differences.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in two districts of northeast Ethiopia among 1232 randomly selected households which have ever been registered in a community-based health insurance scheme. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with household heads using a standardized questionnaire deployed to an electronic data collection platform. Solidarity was measured using three dimensions: income solidarity, risk solidarity, and cost coverage. Principal component analysis was used to construct composite variables, and the reliability of the tools was checked using Cronbach’s alpha. A multivariable analysis was performed using the partial proportional odds model to determine the associations between variables. The degree of association was assessed using the odds ratio, and statistical significance was determined at 95% confidence interval.ResultsThree-quarters (75%) of the respondents rated risk solidarity as high, while 70% and 63% rated income solidarity and cost coverage as high, respectively. Place of residence (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.94), wealth index (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.12), self-rated health status (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.40), trust in insurance schemes (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.30), perceived quality of care (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.33, 2.31) and frequency of outpatient visits (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.24) were significant predictors of value for solidarity.ConclusionsThe community placed greater value for solidarity, indicating community understanding and acceptance of the core principles of microhealth insurance. Administrators of the insurance scheme, health authorities, and other actors should strive to create a transparent management system and improve access to high-quality health care, which will facilitate community acceptance of the insurance scheme and its guiding principles.

A-145 Are EDTA and Citrate Collection Devices Interchangeable for Estimating Blood Platelets Values using Sysmex XN™Analyzers ?

Abstract Background In the Sentara Healthcare System patient blood platelets are estimated using Sysmex XN™ analyzers. The blood specimens are collected in devices with EDTA anticoagulant. In the Emergency Departments, upon the first assessment of a patient a number of collection devices, including one with Na citrate anticoagulant, are obtained in case repeated testing is required. To prevent the collection of an additional EDTA device we investigated whether devices with Na citrate anticoagulant could be used interchangeably with EDTA devices for platelets values estimation. Methods Instruments: Sixteen Sysmex XN analyzers (Siemens) located in several institutions. Specimens: Seven-hundred nighty-eight patient blood specimens were obtained with both EDTA and citrate BD™ collection devices. The specimens, platelets numbers between 5000 and 800,000 platelets/mcL, were assayed in parallel within two minutes, after receipt in the laboratory, and then at intervals to reach 20 hours. The data were transferred electronically to Minitab® (version 21, Minitab Inc) statistical software. The paired data were analyzed with orthogonal, ordinary least squares (OLS), weighted polynomial ordinary least squares (WPOLS) and locally weighted scatterplot smoother (lowess) regression models and their graphic representations. The CLIA’s total error criterion (target value ± 25%) was used for evaluating acceptable variability. Results The parallel box plot of the differences between specimens as obtained with EDTA and those as obtained with Na citrate, showed that the distribution of the differences was similar between instruments and within the allowable total error of ± 25%. The orthogonal and the OLS models showed similar regression lines (Orthogonal: Y=3.3+0.94X: OLS: Y=-1+0.93X) and increase in variance for increasing platelets values. Consequently, a WPOLS model was employed for additional analyses. The ANOVA table of the WPOLS showed that there were no probabilistically significant differences between regression lines for either platelet’s values (P = 0.5) or specimen age (P = 0.1). Tridimensional surface plots clearly illustrated that the differences were distributed within -12.5% and the zero lines. The aptness of the WPOLS model was demonstrated by the standardized residual (std. res.) analysis showing quasi-normal distribution, with a few outliers (std. res. > |3|) and two influential observations for (Hi > 0.5) which were for platelets values less than 10,000 platelets/mcL. Conclusions The differences between EDTA and citrated specimens were within zero and -12.5%, this represented half of the CLIA’s criterion. The weighted polynomial regression model was employed due to the heteroscedasticity of the variance, The simultaneous evaluation by platelets values and the age of the specimen did not detect probabilistically significant differences by either platelets values or age of the specimen. This limited study suggested that EDTA and citrate anticoagulated specimens may be used interchangeably for patient care for specimens with platelets values between 10,000 and 800,000/mcL and within twenty hours from collection. However, the limited number of patients precluded to evaluate whether the detected outliers represented group(s) of patients with a particular medical condition and or pharmacotherapeutic treatment. Finally, the electronic collection and transfer of specimens to statistical software, such as Minitab, was crucial for performing this study.

A-331 Monitoring Operators Proficiency at Point of Care is Crucial for Reliable Patient Values. A Practical Example with Patient Blood Chloride, Potassium and Sodium Measurands Assayed with i-STAT®

Abstract Background While i-STAT® cartridges offer the Physician a spectrum of analytical methods at the point of care for prompt diagnosis and interventions, these methods have to be harmonized with the laboratory methods in order to reliably detect shifts and trends. With this practical example we illustrate the importance of a program of routine comparisons between the i-STAT® and laboratory methods to detect analytical differences exceeding the CLIA’s criterion and potentially having adverse clinical implications. Methods Patient blood chloride (Cl), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) values as obtained by nurses with i-STAT Chem 8 ™ cartridges (Abbott Laboratories) at the point of care, where daily compared with the values as obtained with the Laboratory method (two cobas 6000®, Roche Diagnostics) using green top BD® lithium heparin tubes (Becton Dickinson) collected within thirty minutes of the i-STAT assay. The data were electronically stored in RALS™ (RALS Informatics) and transferred to Minitab® (Version 21, Minitab Inc.) statistical software. The two analytical methods were compared using the orthogonal and the polynomial ordinary least squares (POLS) regression models and their graphic representations. The aptness of the methods was evaluated with the standardized residuals diagnostics for normality, independence, outliers (Standardized residual >|3|) and influential observations (Hi>0.5). For acceptance of the differences the CLIA’s total error criterion was employed. (CI: target value ± 5%; K: target value ± 0.5 mmol/L; Na: target value ± 4 mmol/L). Results In the first four months of the study the number of differences exceeding the CLIA’s criterion was not acceptable. [Cl: 10% (165/1564); K: 7% (109/1593); Na: 4% (66/1586)]. These differences were occurring throughout the analytical range (AMR). Consequently, the operator’s technique was suspected and the POCT senior technologists (CA, FA) adopted operator specific interventions. This strategy was effective in the following month and the improvements were maintained for seven consecutive months. Monthly differences exceeding the CLIA’s criterion decreased significantly [Cl:1.9% (52/2777): K:0.9% (25/2868): Na:0.5% (15/2896)]. This was clearly illustrated with the dot plot by date and the parallel box plots by month. Regression analysis showed that the orthogonal and the OLS models were equivalent. Cl: Orthogonal y=1.7+0.99x, OLS y=12+0.88x. K; Orthogonal y=0.2+1.2x, OLS y=0.1+0.96x. Na: orthogonal y=3+0.98x, OLS y=14+0.9x. Additionally, the POLS model showed a linear relationship within the AMR intervals with few outliers (Cl=11; K=7; Na=9), no influential observations (Hi<0.5) and equality of monthly regression lines (P>0.05). Conclusions The implementation of daily comparisons between patient values as obtained with the i-STAT method and those as obtained by the Laboratory method in the interval of thirty minutes, allowed the identification of individual operators requiring additional training. This strategy ensured reliable performance for eight consecutive months. This study clearly showed that the addition of continuous supervision and training of operators to quality control and quality assurance practices, ensured the interchangeability of patient values as obtained with i-STAT and those as obtained with the Laboratory method. Electronic collection of data and analysis with appropriate statistical software, such as Minitab, was crucial for the implementation of this program.

Barriers and facilitators to the uptake of electronic collection and use of patient-reported measures in routine care of older adults: a systematic review with qualitative evidence synthesis.

The aims of this systematic review were to (1) synthesize the available qualitative evidence on the barriers and facilitators influencing implementation of the electronic collection and use of patient-reported measures (PRMs) in older adults' care from various stakeholder perspectives and (2) map these factors to the digital technology implementation framework Non-adoption, Abandonment, challenges to the Scale-up, Spread, Sustainability (NASSS) and behavior change framework Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B). A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science databases from 1 January 2001 to 27 October 2021 was conducted and included English language qualitative studies exploring stakeholder perspectives on the electronic collection and use of PRMs in older adults' care. Two authors independently screened studies, conducted data extraction, quality appraisal using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP), data coding, assessed confidence in review findings using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE CERQual), and mapped the findings to NASSS and COM-B. An inductive approach was used to synthesize findings describing the stakeholder perspectives of barriers and facilitators. Twenty-two studies were included from the 3368 records identified. Studies explored older adult, caregiver, healthcare professional, and administrative staff perspectives. Twenty nine of 34 review findings (85%) were graded as having high or moderate confidence. Key factors salient to older adults related to clinical conditions and socio-cultural factors, digital literacy, access to digital technology, and user interface. Factors salient to healthcare professionals related to resource availability to collect and use PRMs, and value of PRMs collection and use. Future efforts to implement electronic collection and use of PRMs in older adults' care should consider addressing the barriers, facilitators, and key theoretical domains identified in this review. Older adults are more likely to adopt electronic completion of PRMs when barriers associated with digital technology access, digital literacy, and user interface are addressed. Future research should explore the perspectives of other stakeholders, including those of organizational leaders, digital technology developers and implementation specialists, in various healthcare settings and explore factors influencing implementation of PREMs. CRD42022295894.

E-portfolio in Learning and Assessment of Community Medicine for Medical Undergraduate Students

Background: A portfolio is a specific collection of student work and achievements in various areas. E-portfolio is an electronic collection that serves the purpose of storage and showcase with the ease of access for both students and evaluators. The knowledge and skills regarding immunization in medical students are of utmost importance for the successful implementation and conduction of the Universal Immunization Program in the country. Hence, this study proposed to use e-portfolio for learning and assessment of immunization in medical undergraduates. Aim and Objectives: The aims of this study were as follows: to develop an e-portfolio for learning and assessment in community medicine, to improve the knowledge of immunization schedules of undergraduates using e-portfolio, to improve the vaccination and counseling skills of undergraduates using e-portfolio, and to obtain feedback regarding the e-portfolio from students and faculty. Methodology: This interventional educational study was conducted at a tertiary care medical college including 48 students of Phase III MBBS after informed consent was signed. Prevalidated questionnaire and checklist were used for data collection. Students wrote reflections and uploaded their videos of immunization skills and counseling on the e-portfolio and 5 faculty members assessed the students and provided feedback to students. Feedback on the e-portfolio was taken at the end, and descriptive and qualitative analysis was done. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Results: The e-portfolio was found to be effective in showcasing the progress and learning of the students. E-portfolio improved knowledge, skills, self-directed learning, and reflective writing. The competency of immunization improved after the use of e-portfolio (P < 0.001). Faculty and students had high satisfaction with the e-portfolio and found the e-portfolio to be innovative, convenient to use, and easily accessible. Conclusions: E-portfolio is user-friendly and effective in imparting and assessing immunization competency. The use of this intervention for other topics is recommended.

Construction of homogeneous electron collection center at buried interface based on triazine-based graphdiyne for efficient perovskite solar cells

The properties of the buried interface between electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite is critical factors to influence the performance of conventional perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, functionalized triazine-based graphdiyne (Tz-GDY) nanospheres are prepared and employed to build up electron collection center and optimize the SnO2/perovskite interface. The pyrazine ring with homogeneous N element distribution and alkyne bond of Tz-GDY can passivate the undercoordinated Sn to remodel the electron density distribution around the Sn atoms and thus effectively eliminate the trap defects and inhibit the recombination loss significantly. In addition, the as-prepared Tz-GDY based nanospheres uniformly distribute at the SnO2/perovskite interface and a larger grain and more uniform perovskite film is obtained due to the increased contact angle. Moreover, Tz-GDY nanospheres can reduce the fermi energy level to facilitate the electron injection. Consequently, the Tz-GDY modified PSCs exhibits a champion power conversion efficiency of 24.83 % with effectively suppressed hysteresis. Our strategy proposes a more efficient electron collection method in buried interface, providing a guidance for constructing efficient PSCs.

Virtual Clinical Trials: Reducing Barriers to Participation

Through technology, virtual clinical trials are redefining the field of clinical research by removing long-standing obstacles to participant enrolment and retention. By enabling remote participation through digital telemedicine, mobile applications, and electronic data collecting, these trials have the potential to increase the scope and diversity of clinical research. This study compares virtual clinical trials with traditional trials to analyse the advantages and difficulties of the former. Essential characteristics and possible benefits of virtual trials like lessened travel expenses and burdens as well as their drawbacks and methods for raising participant involvement are covered. Virtual trials aim to improve the accessibility and efficiency of clinical research by tackling these variables; nevertheless, they also encounter obstacles with participant involvement and technological uptake. Keywords: Virtual Clinical Trials, Electronic Data Collection, Telemedicine, Participant Engagement.

Enhancement of Electron Transport Characteristics Using MXene-MnFeO3 Nanocomposite Integration with Fullerene Derivatives for the Perovskite-Based Solar Cells and Detectors.

In this study, we prepared a hybrid film incorporating the MnFeO3-decorated conducting two-dimensional (2D) MXene sheet-suspended [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) electron transfer layer (ETL) for the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and detectors. The incorporation of MXene-MnFeO3 with the PCBM ETL could drive exceptional conducting features for the PSCs. Moreover, the presence of MXene-MnFeO3 facilitated superior charge transfer pathways, thereby enhancing the electron extraction and collection processes. This enhancement was directed to improve the electron mobility within the device, resulting in high photocurrents. The designed interface engineering with the MXene-MnFeO3 nanocomposite-tuned PCBM ETL has produced a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 17.79% ± 0.27. Moreover, X-ray detectors employing PCBM modulated with the MXene-MnFeO3 ETL achieved notable performance metrics including 18.47 μA/cm2 CCD-DCD, 5.53 mA/Gy·cm2 sensitivity, 7.64 × 10-4 cm2/V·s electron mobility, and 1.51 × 1015 cm2/V·s trap density.

Field enhancement induced by surface defects in two-dimensional ReSe2 field emitters.

The field emission properties of rhenium diselenide (ReSe2) nanosheets on Si/SiO2 substrates, obtained through mechanical exfoliation, have been investigated. The n-type conduction was confirmed by using nano-manipulated tungsten probes inside a scanning electrode microscope to directly contact the ReSe2 flake in back-gated field effect transistor configuration, avoiding any lithographic process. By performing a finite element electrostatic simulation of the electric field, it is demonstrated that the use of a tungsten probe as anode, at a controlled distance from the ReSe2 emitter surface, allows the collection of emitted electrons from a reduced area that furtherly decreases by reducing the tip-sample distance, i.e. allowing a local characterization of the field emission properties. Experimentally, it is shown that the turn-on voltage can be linearly reduced by reducing the cathode-anode separation distance. By comparing the measured current-voltage characteristics with the numerical simulations, it is also shown that the effective field enhancement on the emitter surface is larger than expected because of surface defects. Finally, it is confirmed that ReSe2 nanosheets are suitable field emitters with high time stability and low current fluctuations.

Knowledge about metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease among the medical professionals from countries in the MENA region

Introduction and ObjectivesGiven the substantial burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), there is an urgent need to assess knowledge and awareness levels among physicians. We assessed MASLD knowledge among healthcare providers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye. Materials and MethodsTwo global surveys containing 54–59 items assessed awareness and knowledge of MASLD/NAFLD- one was for hepatologists and gastroenterologists, and the second was for non-specialists (e.g. endocrinologists, primary care providers [PCPs], and other healthcare professionals). Data were collected using an electronic data collection form. Knowledge scores and variables associated with higher knowledge scores were compared across all specialties. ResultsA total of 584 physicians completed the survey (126 hepatologists, 178 gastroenterologists (GEs), 38 endocrinologists, 242 PCPs/others). Practice guidelines were the primary source for knowledge across all specialties (43–51%), then conferences (24–31%) except PCPs/others who selected the internet as the second common source (25%). Adherence to societal guidelines varied by specialty (81–84% of specialists vs 38–51% of non-specialists). Hepatologists and GEs showed similar mean knowledge scores (51–72% correct answers across three knowledge domains, p > 0.05); endocrinologists outperformed PCPs/others in knowledge scores in all knowledge domains, including Epidemiology/Pathogenesis (72% vs. 60%), Diagnostics (73% vs. 67%), and Treatment (78% vs. 67%) (all p < 0.01). Hospital-based practice and seeing a greater number of patients with MASLD/NAFLD were identified as independent predictors of higher knowledge scores among specialists (both p < 0.05). ConclusionsA knowledge gap in the identification, diagnosis, and management of MASLD/NAFLD was found despite the growing burden of MASLD/NAFLD in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye. Education to increase awareness is needed.

Transforming and Modernizing Population and Housing Censuses in Africa: Experiences from the 2020 Round (2015-2024)

The objective of our organization is to assist African National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to transition from manual to digital systems, use better methods and new technologies, and increase the reliability and accessibility of their statistics. Innovative approaches adopted to support the transformation to digital censuses include: Use of hand-held devices at the enumeration and dissemination stages to improve data collection and usability respectively. Use of GIS, GPS and digital remote-sensing to enable census-mapping. Provisioning of tablets – sourcing and sharing. Electronic operations dashboards to enable real-time monitoring of progress and quality of enumeration. Automatic data linkage algorithms for census to post-enumeration survey matching. Capacity building initiatives for NSO staff. As a result, to date 29 censuses have been carried out in the 2020 Round, with another 19 planned for 2024/25. Delays have been caused by economic, security and political constraints, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. The implications of adopting new technologies are clear. Electronic data collection improves quality, reduces processing time and enabled enumeration during the pandemic by minimizing face-to-face contact. We will support documentation of experiences and lessons learnt in the current census round to contribute to the 2030 round. In conclusion, the challenge of working during the pandemic gives NSOs an opportunity to ‘build back better’ and transition to full digital systems. There is a need to focus on the types of results that make the most difference e.g., on disaggregation, small area statistics, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting, Agenda 2063 reporting, and monitoring of national development plans.

STATISTICALLY STABLE VERBAL-NOMINAL COMBINATIONS WITH THE COMPONENT ЖИЗНЬ IN THE ANCIENT RUSSIAN CHRONICLES

The article describes statistically stable verbal-nominal combinations with the component ‘жизнь’, functioning in the Old Russian language. The material for the study is an electronic collection of three ancient Russian Chronicles, published on the portal “Manuscript: Slavic Written Heritage” (URL: http://manuscripts.ru/). The study presents a statistical analysis of bigrams, which made it possible to identify statistically significant verbal-nominal combinations with the component ‘жизнь’ and qualify them as expressions that claim stable status. Analysis of the obtained statistical information makes it possible to identify connections between various linguistic elements, determine patterns in the development of certain phenomena, describe the functioning of complex processes in language and clarify the mechanisms of interaction of units in it. This study is carried out using special statistical indicators that allow us to determine the degree of stability of expressions, thereby avoiding subjectivity in assessing a particular construction from the point of view of ideomaticity. To identify collocations in the corpus of the oldest Russian Chronicles, the tools of the Manuscript IAS are used, in particular the n-gram module, which allows you to obtain text combinations with a different number of components. As a measure of association, the T-score measure is used, which allows us to determine how non-random the strength of connection between words in a phrase is. The selected bigrams and their statistical data demonstrate the presence in the Old Russian period of combinations that cannot be called phraseological units in the modern sense, but it is necessary to note their statistical stability in the text, which allows them to be qualified as stable combinations / collocations / statistically stable expressions.

Calculation and error analysis of virtual cathode caused by a thermionic cathode

The relative errors of virtual cathodes calculated by using the one-dimensional virtual cathode theory are analyzed and discussed. The studies of the error analysis show that the cathode temperature is the major factor affecting the calculated results of virtual cathodes, especially for calculations of the virtual cathode width. The smaller the virtual cathode produced by a hot cathode, the more significant the relative error of the virtual cathode caused by the uncertainties of electron emission parameters. Using the accurate cathode temperature, the potential barrier and the spatial width of virtual cathodes generated by a tungsten filament are calculated with experimental and theoretical electron emission parameters. The calculated results show that there is a strong linear correlation between the potential barrier of the virtual cathode and the heating current of the tungsten filament, which is independent of the electron collection current. With the increase in the heating current, the variation of the virtual cathode width is very sensitive to the relation between the electron collection current and the heating current.

Improving effective coverage of medical-oxygen services for neonates and children in health facilities in Uganda: a before–after intervention study

Medical oxygen services are essential for the care of acutely unwell patients. We aimed to assess the effects of a multilevel, multicomponent health-system intervention on hypoxaemia detection, oxygen therapy, and mortality among neonates and children attending level IV health centres and hospitals in Uganda. For this before-after intervention study, we included children who attended paediatric or neonatal wards of 24 level IV health centres and seven general or regional referral hospitals in the Busoga and North Buganda regions of Uganda between June 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022. All neonates younger than 1 month and children aged 1 month to 14 years were eligible for inclusion. We excluded neonates who were not sick but stayed in the maternity ward for routine postnatal care. The intervention involved clinical training, mentorship, and supportive supervision; provision of pulse oximeters and cylinder-based oxygen sources; biomedical-capacity support; and support to develop and disseminate oxygen supply strategies, oxygen therapy guidelines, and lists of essential oxygen supplies. Trained research assistants extracted individual patient data from case notes using a standardised electronic data collection form. Data were collected on health-facility details, age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms, admission diagnoses, pulse oximetry readings, oxygen therapy details, and final patient outcome. The primary outcome was the proportion of admitted neonates and children with a pulse oximetry oxygen saturation reading documented in their patient case notes on day 1 of health-facility admission (ie, pulse oximetry coverage). We used mixed-effects logistic regression to evaluate the effect of the intervention. We obtained data on 71 997 eligible neonates and children admitted to 31 participating health facilities; the primary analysis included 10 001 patients in the pre-intervention period (ie, June 1 to Oct 30, 2020) and 51 329 patients in the post-intervention period (ie, March 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022). Because 1356 patients had missing data for sex, 4365 (46·7%) of 9347 in the pre-intervention group and 22 831 (46·2%) of 49 410 in the post-intervention group were female; 4982 (53·3%) in the pre-intervention group and 26 579 (53·8%) in the post-intervention group were male. The proportion of neonates and children with pulse oximetry at admission increased from 2365 (23·7%) of 10 001 in the pre-intervention period to 45 029 (87·7%) of 51 328 in the post-intervention period. Adjusted analysis indicated greater likelihood of a patient receiving pulse oximetry during the post-intervention period compared with the pre-intervention period (adjusted odds ratio 40·10, 95% CI 37·38-42·93; p<0·0001). Large-scale improvements in hospital oxygen services are achievable and have the potential to improve clinical outcomes. Governments should be encouraged to develop national oxygen plans and focus investment on interventions that have been shown to be effective, including the introduction of pulse oximetry into routine hospital care and clinical and biomedical mentoring and support. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ELMA Philanthropies. For the Luganda and Lusoga translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.