Information Practices Research Articles

Personalized care in dilated cardiomyopathy: Rationale and study design of the activeDCM trial.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure, particularly in younger individuals. Low physical strength is a global risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, and physical activity and a healthy lifestyle have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with heart failure. However, inappropriate exercise may increase the risk of arrhythmias in certain individuals with DCM. The determinants for predicting individual risks in this setting are poorly understood, and clinicians are hesitant to recommend sports for cardiomyopathy patients. The activeDCM trial aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a personalized exercise and activity programme for individuals with DCM. The activeDCM trial is a prospective, randomized, interventional trial with a 12month follow-up. Three hundred patients, aged 18-75years with DCM, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)≤50% and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes I-III, will be enrolled. The intervention includes a personalized exercise and activity programme. The primary outcome is the increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO2max, mL/kg/min) from baseline to 12months. Secondary endpoints include adherence to personalized activity programmes, freedom from clinically relevant arrhythmia, unplanned hospitalization for heart failure and changes in NYHA class, quality of life scores, 6min walk distance, muscular strength, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) levels and cardiac function. Advanced research questions include high-density phenome and omics analysis combined with digital biomarkers derived from Apple Watch devices. The activeDCM trial will provide valuable insights into the safety and efficacy of personalized exercise training in DCM patients, inform clinical practice and contribute to the development of heart failure management programmes. The study will generate data on the impact of exercise on various aspects of cardiovascular disease, including genetic, metabolic, phenotypic and longitudinal aspects, facilitating the development of future digital tools and strategies, including the incorporation of smart wearable devices.

A Prototype Decision Support System for Tree Selection and Plantation with a Focus on Agroforestry and Ecosystem Services

This study presents the development and application of a prototype decision support system (DSS) for tree selection specifically for Punjab, India, a region facing challenges of low forest cover and an increasing demand for sustainable land use practices. The DSS developed using the R Shiny framework integrates ecological, social, and agro-commercial criteria to facilitate scientific knowledge decision making in tree plantation. The modules in this DSS include a tree selection tool based on comprehensive species attributes, a GIS-based tree suitability map module utilizing an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), and a silviculture practice information module sourced from authoritative databases. Combining sophisticated statistical and spatial analysis, such as NMDS and AHP-GIS, this DSS mitigates data redundancy in SDM while incorporating extensive bibliographic research in dataset processing. The study highlights the necessity of fundamental niche-based suitability in comparison to realized niche suitability. It emphasizes on the importance of addressing ecosystem services, agro-commercial aspects, and enhancing silvicultural knowledge. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of local stakeholder engagement in tree selection, particularly involving farmers and other growers, to ensure community involvement and support. The DSS supports agroforestry initiatives and finds applications in urban tree management and governmental programs, emphasizing the use of scientific literature at each step, in contrast to relying solely on local knowledge.

Atherosclerosis and HIV: Exploring Cardiovascular Risks and Management.

The advent of antiretroviral therapy has markedly improved the life expectancy of individuals with HIV, leading to a shift in clinical focus from managing opportunistic infections to addressing chronic conditions, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Emerging evidence highlights an elevated risk of ASCVD among people living with HIV, characterized by a higher incidence of acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and heart failure compared with the general population. This review examines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of ASCVD in the context of HIV. It explores the interplay between HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, underscoring the need for comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction strategies tailored to people living with HIV. Through synthesizing data from clinical trials, observational studies, and basic research, the review aims to enhance understanding of HIV-associated ASCVD and inform healthcare practices to improve the longevity and quality of life for this patient population.

Parent Perspectives on Communication Quality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Though prior literature has demonstrated that communication in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) needs to be improved, in-depth descriptions of parents' views of NICU communication are lacking. We sought (1) to explore parent perceptions of communication in the NICU and (2) to understand parents' communication needs and preferences. We conducted in-depth semi-structured cognitive interviews utilizing concurrent probes with parents of 10 patients in our urban level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over a period of 4 months (July 2021-October 2021). Interview questions were derived from the Quality of Communication scale. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts modeled after work by Braun and Clarke. Four overarching themes were identified: Strengths, Challenges, People, and Coping Strategies. Parents reported a range of communication quality in the NICU. Results revealed that the first 48hours of NICU hospitalization represent a period of vulnerability and uncertainty for parents. Parents value clear yet hopeful communication about a baby's clinical status and expected course. We hope that the concrete findings from this study can both inform practice in the NICU now and influence practice guidelines to include such components as emphasis on the first 48hours, desire for proactive information sharing, and the importance of including hope.

An exploration of frontline health professional's current understanding of non-fatal strangulation.

To explore frontline health professionals' current understanding of non-fatal strangulation and their need for and support for a comprehensive education and screening package to support health delivery. A descriptive mixed-method approach was chosen to analyse responses to an anonymous, online survey consisting of ten Likert scale, open-ended and five demographic questions. 103 frontline health professionals (nurses, doctors, paramedics, midwives) participated in this study. Content analysis of the Likert scale and open-ended questions describing the subjective experiences and perceptions of the participants was undertaken along with percentage and frequency counts of the rated Likert responses. The findings identified that 51.1% of health professionals do not ask about strangulation routinely and that 59% of health professionals reported receiving no formal education or professional development on NFS to enhance their knowledge or inform clinical practice. No health professionals identified mild traumatic brain injury as a consequence or sign of strangulation, nor did they identify an understanding that 50% of people may have no visible injuries after being strangled. Health professionals also do not routinely document the different agencies referred to or involved in supporting the person who experienced NFS. Findings suggest that frontline health professionals lack the confidence, skills and education needed to meet medical obligations to their patients and to fulfil their duty to 'do no harm'. Frontline health professionals would welcome a comprehensive education and screening package to guide recognition and response to non-fatal strangulation in their clinical settings. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: The purpose of the study was to understand and explore health professionals' knowledge about non-fatal strangulation so that improved education around better screening, and management of trauma-focused care to people who have been subjected to non-fatal strangulation could occur. This review contains no patient or public contribution since it examines health professionals' knowledge of identifying non-fatal strangulation and the screening and assessment tools used in clinical practice.

For queer lovers and friends: an exploration of queer connection by design in the Lex Mobile App

ABSTRACT What does it mean for a dating app to be queer by design? In this article, I examine the extent to which Lex, the queer dating and social app, diverges from algorithmically heteronormative interface paradigms to express queer temporalities and relationalities. To do so, I analyze Lex’s 2019–2022 interface using the walkthrough method, which involves critically engaging with an app’s features and functionality, vision, operating model, and governance, to uncover embedded cultural meanings and assumptions. With walkthroughs, I analyze Lex’s software components, terms of use, privacy policy, community guidelines, and branding discourse, while considering the platform’s original references to archival personal ads. From this analysis, I argue that Lex’s affordances queer dating app design by resisting compulsory data collection, countering binary sorting and categorical definitions of gender and sexuality, and disengaging from economies of visibility through text-based interaction, highlighting situated histories of queer information networks amidst normative frameworks. I extend this work to characterize how queer affordances in digital infrastructures can encourage fluid identities and pluralistic modes of connecting that draw upon rich histories of resistance in queer information practices, reinforcing calls for increased intersectionality in interface design.

Perceived Impact of Lecturers’ Digital Literacy Skills in Higher Education Institutions

This research investigates the impact of lecturers’ digital literacy skills on higher education institutions. It explores how technology integration influences teaching, learning, and research while proposing strategies to enhance educational outcomes. The central issue is how lecturers’ digital literacy skills directly affect higher education institutions’ teaching, learning, research, and overall educational experience. Many lecturers need to improve using technology tools, resources, and platforms, which can hinder tertiary institutions’ educational experience and academic outcomes. Employing a mixed-method approach and utilizing t-test analysis and two-way ANOVA, this study aligns with the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, emphasizing the integration of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge for effective technology use in education. The research highlights the importance of equipping lecturers with robust digital literacy skills, enabling them to integrate technology effectively into higher education. It underscores the significance of digital literacy in reshaping the educational landscape. This study contributes to advancing knowledge, information practices, and the sustainable evolution of higher education institutions in the digital age. The findings also have practical implications for tailored professional development and curriculum design. It is important to note that this study acknowledges limitations related to sample size and qualitative focus. Future longitudinal studies can enhance our understanding of the evolving landscape of digital literacy in higher education.

The effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on ophthalmologic practice from the egyptian population’s point of view

Aim The aim of this study is to understand the impact of COVID 19 on patients’ view of and willingness to seek ophthalmic services in Egypt. It analyzes if there were changes in their eye care habits and under which conditions they would seek advice or undergo elective procedures. Patients and methods It is a cross sectional observational study using a questionnaire that was sent online. The questionnaire included 29 questions. All questions were closed ended questions, provided with a list of optional answers (single answer or multiple answer options). Patients were divided according to age (below 60 years and 60 and above). A follow up survey was done 2 months later and included 13 questions to compare their answers with the initial questionnaire. Results This study included the responses of 596 participants, who answered our questionnaire fully and 198 participants answered the follow-up questionnaire. The vast majority of the participants claimed they would not visit an ophthalmologist during the pandemic, would not undergo any elective surgery and relied on social media for information. On follow- up, the participants were more willing to visit an eye doctor, continue routine follow-ups, took more safety precautions and relied more on medical sources for information. Conclusion Age, contact with vulnerable groups, presence of the chronic diseases and duration of the pandemic significantly affect the patients’ willingness to seek ophthalmic services. Changes in populations’ information and doctor practice are needed in this pandemic.

ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF CASSAVA FARMERS IN ABAK LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The study analyzed the technical efficiency of cassava farmers in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers; determine the technical efficiency of cassava farmers; estimate the determinants of technical efficiency among cassava farmers and examined the constraints militating against cassava production in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 120 respondents for the study. Primary data were obtained using structured questionnaire and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function. The result showed that the average age, household size, farming experience, and farm size of the sampled respondents were 39 years, 4 persons, 6 years and 1.9 hectares, respectively. The mean, maximum and minimum technical efficiency were 0.73, 0.95 and 0.38. The findings on the estimated stochastic production function and the determinants of technical inefficiency showed that farm size (p<0.01), cuttings (p<0.01) and labour (p<0.01) were found to be significant inputs in cassava production while household size (p<0.1), education (p<0.01), monthly income (p<0.01), membership of cooperative (p<0.01), access to credit (p<0.01) and access to extension services (p<0.1) were the determinants of technical inefficiency of cassava production in the study area. Also, the major constraints to cassava production were, high cost of fertilizer (13.7%), theft (13.7%), lack of access to credit (13.7%), inadequate access to land (13.7%), and poor road network (13.7%). The study recommends that training and capacity-building programs should be targeted to improve farmers' knowledge and skills in efficient cassava production techniques, with a focus on optimizing inputs such as farm size, cuttings, labour and extension services. Also outreach programs should be strengthened to provide farmers with timely information, technical support, and best practices for cassava production, thereby reducing technical inefficiencies.

The RICA-2 registry: design and baseline characteristics of the first 1,000 patients

Background and objectiveHeart failure (HF) is a syndrome of epidemic proportions and one of the main reasons for hospital admission. Patient registries provide real-world clinical practice information which is complementary to clinical trials. RICA-2 is a registry of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. Its main goal is to know the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with HF treated in Internal Medicine Departments. The objective of this study is to present the design of the RICA-2, the baseline characteristics of the first 1000 patients included and their comparison with those of the historical cohort of the RICA registry. MethodsObservational, multicentre and prospective study of patients with HF with the following inclusion criteria: age equal to or greater than 18 years old, diagnosis of HF according to the European Guidelines, indistinct inclusion in decompensation or stable phase, of patients with de novo HF or chronic HF, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction, aetiology and comorbidities. ResultsRICA-2 patients have advanced age (83 years old) and 51% are women. The comorbidity burden is higher than in the RICA registry (5 points in the Charlson comorbidity index), with predominating chronic decompensated HF (74%), hypertensive aetiology (39%) and preserved ejection fraction (52%). Most patients are pre-frail or vulnerable and are at risk of malnutrition. ConclusionThe RICA-2 represents a contemporary cohort of patients that will provide us with clinical, epidemiological and prognostic information on patients with acute and chronic HF treated in Internal Medicine.

Effectively Communicating Practice Changes to Frontline Nurses.

Communication of practice changes to frontline nurses across an organization can be difficult. Frequent daily communication to all nursing staff can be ineffective and lead to email fatigue and information overload. The purpose of this article is to further describe the communication intervention developed to disseminate practice changes and the critical modifications made over time to ensure its continued success and sustainability. In 2019, this team from a multisite institution developed a monthly email correspondence, called the Evidence-Based Practice Update, sent to local leaders to disseminate important policy and practice updates and reminders to more than 3400 nurses. This strategy was initially successful in reaching the nurses yet lacked a method to ensure accountability that each nurse has read the content. A quick response code was added to track monthly readership, and clinical nurse specialists were leveraged to ensure practice changes reached, reviewed, and understood by nurses across the institution. Metrics were tracked for quick response code scans and demonstrated an increase in readership over time. By combining various alerts into the single correspondence, fewer daily notifications to staff were sent. The EBP Update email dissemination structure involving local leaders was well received. This article describes how a standardized communication strategy coupled with thoughtful leadership engagement improved uptake of important practice information by nurses across a vast institution.

Research and Professional Literature to Inform Practice, July/August, 2024.

Research and Professional Literature to Inform Practice, July/August, 2024.

War in #alleyesonrafah meme: Unraveling the Implications of the Palestine-Israel Conflict on Young-Children

The dissemination of Palestinian conflict issues on Instagram social media, goes beyond simply being a form of informative communication practice, it also describes the situation and latent dangers of the conflict’s implications for vulnerable groups. However, this context tends to be neglected in scientific discussions. This study also focuses on explaining and reflecting on the latent dangers of the implications of the Palestine-Israel conflict for children as a vulnerable group on Instagram. By using a qualitative descriptive case study approach, this study shows three important findings. First, the latent danger of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, aside from claiming the lives of many children who were victims, quite a few children also lost their relatives and friends who were in the conflict area. Second, the latent danger of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, aside depriving depriving children of their right to get a decent place to live, it has also destroyed the living environment in refugee camps for children in conflict areas. Third, the latent danger of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, aside from causing children to lose their fathers and mothers, also causes quite a few of children to lose their entire family members in conflict areas. This study also recommends the importance of discussing the issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict which are disseminated on Instagram by using more varied hashtags.

Sleep Duration and Sleep Hygiene Among Rural and Urban Residents in District Etawah of Uttar Pradesh: A Community Based Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Background: Sleep deprivation include physical effects (sleepiness, fatigue) cognitive impairment (deterioration of performance, attention and motivation) and mental health issues. Objectives: To assess and compare sleep duration and sleep hygiene with their associated factors among rural and urban residents of a district of Uttar Pradesh. Material and Methods: This cross?sectional study was conducted in Etawah district, UP, from January 2022 to June 2022. All residents of rural and urban areas were included using multistage sampling. Study tool included a questionnaire which collected sociodemographic information, sleep duration, and sleep hygienic practices using sleep hygiene index. Results: In this study, 240 participants each from the rural and urban areas were included. The mean duration of sleep among the participants in rural and urban areas was 7.40±1.22 and 8.18±1.30 h during the workdays whereas, 7.30±1.30 and 8.11±1.35 h during the weekends respectively. About 40% were having unhygienic sleep practices. Most of the study participants had the history of sleep duration less than 8 hr. among the comparison groups. Graduated participants had the more sleep problems. Conclusions: Particularly among the elderly, inadequate sleep duration and differences in sleep rhythm between weekdays and weekends were seen.

Examination of Urban Transformation Implementation Legislation: Elazığ Example

In this study, it was aimed to examine and reveal the general results of the models applied in urban transformation works in Elazığ province after the 6.8 Mw Sivrice earthquake on January 24, 2020. The population of the research, Elazığ province sample, is Karşıyaka, Cumhuriyet, Abdullahpaşa, Mustafapaşa, Rüstempaşa, Sürsürü, Kızılay and Sivrice Country Gölbaşı Neighborhoods. The study is qualitative research in the form of a field study in terms of revealing the results of urban transformation implementation at the sample points. In this context, observation technique, interview technique, and documentary scanning technique were used in the descriptive analysis. General physical-structural characteristics of buildings in the observation technique; in the interview technique, 100 building owners and users' opinions about the buildings; In the documentary scanning technique, the reflections of literature information in practice are interpreted as a whole. In comparing the literature information, project technical documents obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Elazığ Municipality were used. As a result, the model to be chosen in the urban transformation process is an important parameter in the success of the application and reaching the desired goal. More qualified urban transformation applications will be achieved by reducing the problems that arise in public transformation projects, especially in determining the legislation, and by choosing the appropriate model for comprehensive transformation.

Biomarker Driven Antifungal Stewardship (BioDriveAFS) in acute leukaemia—a multi-centre randomised controlled trial to assess clinical and cost effectiveness: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAcute leukaemias (AL) are life-threatening blood cancers that can be potentially cured with treatment involving myelosuppressive, multiagent, intensive chemotherapy (IC). However, such treatment is associated with a risk of serious infection, in particular invasive fungal infection (IFI) associated with prolonged neutropenia. Current practice guidelines recommend primary antifungal (AF) prophylaxis to be administered to high-risk patients to reduce IFI incidence. AFs are also used empirically to manage prolonged neutropenic fever. Current strategies lead to substantial overuse of AFs. Galactomannan (GM) and β-D-glucan (BG) biomarkers are also used to diagnose IFI. Combining both biomarkers may enhance the predictability of IFI compared to administering each test alone. Currently, no large-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) has directly compared a biomarker-based diagnostic screening strategy without AF prophylaxis to AF prophylaxis (without systematic biomarker testing).MethodsBioDriveAFS is a multicentre, parallel, two-arm RCT of 404 participants from UK NHS Haematology departments. Participants will be allocated on a 1:1 basis to receive either a biomarker-based antifungal stewardship (AFS) strategy, or a prophylactic AF strategy, which includes existing standard of care (SoC).The co-primary outcomes will be AF exposure in the 12-month post randomisation and the patient-reported EQ-5D-5L measured at 12-month post randomisation. Secondary outcomes will include total AF exposure, probable/proven IFI, survival (all-cause mortality and IFI mortality), IFI treatment outcome, AF-associated adverse effects/events/complications, resource use, episodes of neutropenic fever requiring hospital admission or outpatient management, AF resistance in fungi (non-invasive and invasive) and a Desirability of Outcome Ranking.The trial will have an internal pilot phase during the first 9 months. A mixed methods process evaluation will be integrated in parallel to the internal pilot phase and full trial, aiming to robustly assess how the intervention is delivered. Cost-effectiveness analysis will also be performed.DiscussionThe BioDriveAFS trial aims to further the knowledge of strategies that will safely optimise AF use through comparison of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a biomarker-led diagnostic strategy versus prophylactic AF to prevent and manage IFI within acute leukaemia. The evidence generated from the study will help inform global clinical practice and approaches within antifungal stewardship.Trial registrationISRCTN11633399. Registered 24/06/2022.

A indexação da informação jurídica: mapeamento sistemático na área de Ciência da Informação

This paper addresses the information processing, more precisely, the theme of the indexing of legal information. Its objective is to analyze the scientific production on the theme in the area of Information Science, aiming at the elaboration of a systematic mapping of literature and identification of an overview of these publications. This is a theoretical, exploratory and descriptive research, with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The bibliographic databases searched were BRAPCI, LISTA, Redalyc, SciELO, Scopus and CAPES Periodicals Portal. The works analyzed point to the librarian’s need for specialized knowledge about the indexing of legal information. All articles dealt with the scarcity of works and discussions about the theme, and the need for further research in order to minimize noise at the time of searching. The conclusion is that the production of scientific knowledge disseminated by scientific journals on the theme, in the period from 2002 to 2022, includes ten articles by Brazilian authors associated mainly with universities. The articles bring important contributions to the research and practice of indexing legal information, but the problem of scarcity of works persists.

Akbulut, A. ve Şenay, B. A. (Editörler). (2023). Güncel Bilgi ve Belge Yönetimi Araştırmaları ve Uygulamaları. Hiperyayın. ISBN: 978-625-6482-70-8

This study aims to review the book titled “Current Information and Document Management Research and Practices” edited by Dr. Ayşenur Akbulut and Dr. Burcu Aydemir Şenay. The book includes 9 studies covering current research and practices in the field of Information and Documents Management.

Queer media in the age of streaming video

This article contributes to an emerging field of research on the classification and organisation of film and television on streaming video platforms. While scholarship has begun to grapple with the complexities of the streaming video landscape, critical frameworks have yet to be established for examining issues of LGBTIQA+ inclusion in this context. This article explores questions about what queer media is in the streaming video era and how is this shaped by the information practices of streaming video services. Classification and organisation of titles is a significant factor in the discoverability of content on streaming video platforms. In the context of queer media, classification practices also impact the visibility of marginalised LGBTIQA+ identities, communities, and cultures. Beyond this, the categorisation practices of streaming video providers play a significant role in shaping and communicating cultural values about queer media. From an Australian vantage point, this article maps the contours of queer media in the streaming video environment, focusing on Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) and Broadcast Video on Demand (BVOD) services. By investigating the categories that streaming video providers use to organise and highlight LGBTIQA+ film and television, this article identifies how queer media is defined as a cultural category through use of labels such as ‘pride’, the categories and subcategories that approach queer media as a constellation of niche interests, and an underlying emphasis on ‘good’ characters and positive LGBTIQA+ narratives.

Investigation of small-scale farming status of Tire track eel (Mastacembelus favus) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Tire track eel (Mastacembelus favus) is an economically important freshwater fish in the Mekong Delta. However, there is a lack of academic information about the current farming status, feed, and feeding related to this species in the region. Therefore, a field survey of small scale farming of tire track eel was conducted in An Giang, Dong Thap, Hau Giang and Kien Giang provinces of Vietnam. The objective of the survey was to determine the current farming practices information on households, especially the feed and feeding status of tire track eel in order to improve and develop a suitable feed for this fish in the future. The results showed that most of the small-scale farmers cultured fish in earthen ponds with or without plastic liners. Tire track eels were fed with feeds of other species and typically fed 3 - 5 times/d during the fingerling stage, and twice per day during the grow-out period. In terms of feed ingredients, crude protein contents in the feeds were 39.5 - 45.5% while crude lipid contents were 7.7 - 12.7%. Feed conversion ratios of tire track eels were 2 - 5. The farming periods of fish were 11.8 - 14 months when the fish reached the harvesting sizes of 318.2 - 421.4 g/fish, with the survival rates of 40 - 80%. It took 2.5 months to cultivate the fingerling stage (around 3 g/fish) from the fry with the survival rate of 55.7%. It was reported that this species was raised with a simple technique and got less illness compared to other fish species. However, the main reason of fish deaths during farming period related to management factors such as poor water quality due to decomposition of uneaten feed in water or lacks of dissolved oxygen due to high stocking density or power supply failures.