Secondary Information Research Articles

Multivariate Poisson cokriging: A geostatistical model for health count data.

Multivariate disease mapping is important for public health research, as it provides insights into spatial patterns of health outcomes. Geostatistical methods that are widely used for mapping spatially correlated health data encounter challenges when dealing with spatial count data. These include heterogeneity, zero-inflated distributions and unreliable estimation, and lead to difficulties when estimating spatial dependence and poor predictions. Variability in population sizes further complicates risk estimation from the counts. This study introduces multivariate Poisson cokriging for predicting and filtering out disease risk. Pairwise correlations between the target variable and multiple ancillary variables are included. By means of a simulation experiment and an application to human immunodeficiency virus incidence and sexually transmitted diseases data in Pennsylvania, we demonstrate accurate disease risk estimation that captures fine-scale variation. This method is compared with ordinary Poisson kriging in prediction and smoothing. Results of the simulation study show a reduction in the mean square prediction error when utilizing auxiliary correlated variables, with mean square prediction error values decreasing by up to 50%. This gain is further evident in the real data analysis, where Poisson cokriging yields a 74% drop in mean square prediction error relative to Poisson kriging, underscoring the value of incorporating secondary information. The findings of this work stress on the potential of Poisson cokriging in disease mapping and surveillance, offering richer risk predictions, better representation of spatial interdependencies, and identification of high-risk and low-risk areas.

Pressure on water consumption by the expansion of fruit crops in Melipilla, Metropolitan Region of Chile

This study investigated the expansion of the surface of five fruit crop species between 2004 and 2020 and the magnitude of their water consumption, for three communes in the Province of Melipilla, Metropolitan Region of Chile. The statistical information about the crops was obtained from the fruit crop cadasters of the Region, and their spatial information was taken from the Rural Territorial Information System (SIT), while various sources of secondary information were used to approximate the water requirements of each species of interest. The results detail the cartography of expansion and increase in water consumption of the species on the dates of interest, which, in a context of mega-drought persisting since 2010, translates into a strong inverse correlation between consumption and water supply in the lower basin of the Maipo River. On the other hand, the magnitude of these water consumptions represents a significant proportion of water uses within the Maipo River basin, surpassing the combined uses of rural drinking water, forestry, livestock, and mining, and encompassing 22 % of urban drinking water consumption in the Metropolitan Region. As the relationship between availability and water deficit narrows, the absence of sustainable water management that could ensure water security within the country's most populous basin becomes palpable.

Advancing Muslim Modest Fashion Clothing

The rise of digital marketing involves leveraging fashion influencers, like bloggers and celebrities, to expand brand reach and drive sales, more notably in the post-pandemic era. In the realm of modest fashion, young female Muslim influencers have played a significant role, tapping into a vast market and positively impacting the global economy. Therefore, this study attempts to explore the impact of these influencers on female modest fashion consumers' decisions associated with their visible Muslim identity and to understand the fashion-faith landscape through the challenges for the influencers. Driven by the theory of two-step communication flow among fashion opinion leaders and fashion consumers, this study adopted a qualitative approach and a research design underlying hermeneutic phenomenology by using semi-structured interviews with modest fashion consumers and secondary source information about influencers. The findings offer valuable insights for consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to support the modest fashion trend and promote a dignified Muslim identity.

Planting one thousand seeds of entrepreneurs

Research methodology This case is based on secondary information and data about the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women initiative and youth entrepreneurship programs from press releases, news articles and websites. The protagonist has been disguised. This case has been classroom-tested in a core MBA course in both face-to-face and online delivery methods. Case overview/synopsis In March 2021, Goldman Sachs launched its One Million Black Women initiative which expanded its inclusive growth goals to support Black women entrepreneurs who were under-represented and under-resourced. This initiative is one of Goldman Sachs’s sponsored programs that aid existing entrepreneurs. This program would invest $10bn over the next decade to advance racial equity, promote entrepreneurial activity and increase and economic opportunities for these highly motivated and resilient Black women. With the buzz from this initiative, Johnnetta who was a Black female manager at a financial services competitor of Goldman Sachs conceived another approach to groom and grow future generations of women of color entrepreneurs. Her idea was to implement youth entrepreneurship programs in middle schools in states with high populations of students of color. Based on a psychological theory of entrepreneurship approach, these students would learn about entrepreneurship and gain hands-on experience with starting and operating a business. The program was called “Planting 1000 Seeds of Entrepreneurs” to develop a pipeline of savvy, well-prepared future women of color entrepreneurs. Johnnetta’s dilemma was whether to pitch this new youth entrepreneurship program as an employee at her employer as a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative or start this program as an entrepreneur of a nonprofit in which she would have sole autonomy to administer this program. This case will enable students to develop ideas into a compelling business pitch while sparking debate about approaches to foster DEI initiatives that will have impactful economic benefits for women of color entrepreneurs. Complexity academic level This case is best suited for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students taking business administration courses in management, entrepreneurship, women studies or other courses that cover topics or modules related to DEI initiatives involving women in business.

The division of main and subordinate discourse information in real-time comprehension

The study examines the role of discourse structure representation in real-time comprehension, with a focus on how main discourse and subordinate discourse information guides language processing. Using a web-based visual world eyetracking paradigm, we investigated pronoun resolution in two types of relative clauses: appositive relative clauses (ARCs) and restrictive relative clauses (RRCs). While ARCs were generally considered as secondary and side-commentary information, aligning with subordinate discourse, RRCs were usually construed as part of the main discourse. Making use of this distinction between ARCs and RRCs, the current study examined pronoun resolution with two possible antecedents. In one condition (RRC), the two antecedents were part of the same discourse whereas in the other (ARC), they were in distinct discourse units. We found stronger competition between the two possible antecedents in the former condition than the latter. Our findings can potentially be explained by an encoding interference, where linguistic entities encoded with similar discourse status information can lead to an interference effect.

Development of SERS Active Nanoprobe for Selective Adsorption and Detection of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers Based on Molecular Docking.

Development of SERS-based Raman nanoprobes can detect the misfolding of Amyloid beta (Aβ) 42 peptides, making them a viable diagnostic technique for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The detection and imaging of amyloid peptides and fibrils are expected to help in the early identification of AD. Here, we propose a fast, easy-to-use, and simple scheme based on the selective adsorption of Aβ42 molecules on SERS active gold nanoprobe (RB-AuNPs) of diameter 29 ± 3 nm for Detection of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers. Binding with the peptides results in a spectrum shift, which correlates with the target peptide. We also demonstrated the possibility of using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as precursors for the preparation of a SERS active nanoprobe with carbocyanine (CC) dye and AgNPs known as silver nanoprobe (CC-AgNPs) of diameter 25 ± 4 nm. RB-AuNPs probe binding with the peptides results in a spectrum shift, which correlates with the target peptide. Arginine peak appears after the conjugation confirms the binding of Aβ 42 with the nanoprobe. Tyrosine peaks appear after conjugated Aβ42 with CC-AgNPs providing binding of the peptide with the probe. The nanoprobe produced a strong, stable SERS signal. Further molecular docking was utilized to analyse the interaction and propose a structural hypothesis for the process of binding the nanoprobe to Aβ42 and Tau protein. This peptide-probe interaction provides a general enhancement factor and the molecular structure of the misfolded peptides. Secondary structural information may be obtained at the molecular level for specific residues owing to isotope shifts in the Raman spectra. Conjugation of the nanoprobe with Aβ42 selectively detected AD in bodily fluids. The proposed nanoprobes can be easily applied to the detection of Aβ plaques in blood, saliva, and sweat samples.

Challenging the Albanian E.U. Cybersecurity perspectives

Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern on a global scale, and Albania is no exception. This paper delves into Albania’s current cybersecurity challenges, shedding light on existing vulnerabilities and presenting recommendations to enhance the nation’s resilience against cyber threats, considering the country’s E.U. perspectives. The paper explores critical facets of cybersecurity, including the vulnerabilities within the country’s infrastructure, the regulatory framework, and the prevalent skills gap. By addressing these aspects, a comprehensive overview is provided, outlining Albania’s challenges in safeguarding its digital assets. The methodology used in this paper applies a theoretical approach based mainly on qualitative methods using secondary data and information, analyzing, comparing, and evaluating sources coming mainly from secondary sources, national and international ones. Through this method, the paper aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the cybersecurity landscape in Albania and its E.U. challenges regarding cybersecurity perspectives. In summary, this research concludes that by addressing cybersecurity challenges, Albania will be more effectively integrated into the E.U. and the global market economy, benefiting well-being and creating a more secure society.

The Environmental and Economic Impacts of Shrimp Production in Ecuador End Esmeraldas

Objective: The aim of this work is to demonstrate how the intensive exploitation of the mangrove ecosystem through extensive shrimp farming for export has destroyed the livelihoods of the communities that are its historical users. Theoretical Framework: This section presents the main concepts and theories supporting the research. Shrimp farming production in Ecuador and its impacts are highlighted, providing a solid foundation for understanding the research context. Method: The methodology used in the development of the research consisted of the review of secondary information (statistics) and fieldwork in the communities. Results and Discussion: The most important results obtained are: a) shrimp farming is the third and sometimes the second largest foreign exchange earner for the country, b) this activity has had a severe impact on the ecosystem. From 1960 to 1999, its surface area decreased from 206,009.30 to 149,974 hectares. In Esmeraldas, it was reduced by 84.5% of its surface area, and 90% of the companies that were established did so illegally. The most important conclusion of the study is that the destruction of the mangrove ecosystem has deepened poverty due to Unmet Basic Needs in the communities, reaching 99.3% in Eloy Alfaro, 97.6% in Muisne, and 93.5% in San Lorenzo. Furthermore, the destruction of the mangrove ecosystem puts riparian communities at severe risk of flooding, especially now that we are approaching an El Niño climatic phenomenon. Implications of the Research: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing information on how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of economic and environmental impacts of shrimp production. These implications could encompass the communities or regions where shrimp are produced. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by determining the damage to the ecosystem caused by this economic activity. The relevance and value of this research are evident in explaining how the results can impact the area of study or professional practice.

Bronze Sculpture of Mara Vijaya of National Museum, Nepal: A Study of Iconographic Perspective

In Buddhism the images display the story and event of temptation of Mara to disturb and misguide devotion during the process of enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautam. The art which reflects this is called the icon of Mara Vijaya. The legend regarding the story of temptation of evil Mara over the good Sidhhartha Gautam can be found in several Buddhist texts. Due to the iconographic features and themes of the Buddha Jataka stories of temptation of Mara, the bronze sculpture of national museum is considered as an important specimen. The figures of Lord Buddha, demon Mara, his daughters, army troops, Ganesh and other animal’s figures have been sculptured in very attractive ways in this bronze relief. This paper explores the major iconographic features and to examine its importance as the bronze art heritage of Nepal. It employs qualitative approach and primary data and secondary information have been used. Required secondary information has been generated from journals, books and electronic versions of different sources while primary data have been collected by doing field study in national museum with in-depth observation of such relief.

Intronic RNA secondary structural information captured for the human MYC pre-mRNA

Abstract To address the lack of intronic reads in secondary structure probing data for the human MYC pre-mRNA, we developed a method that combines spliceosomal inhibition with RNA probing and sequencing. Here, the SIRP-seq method was applied to study the secondary structure of human MYC RNAs by chemically probing HeLa cells with dimethyl sulfate in the presence of the small molecule spliceosome inhibitor pladienolide B. Pladienolide B binds to the SF3B complex of the spliceosome to inhibit intron removal during splicing, resulting in retained intronic sequences. This method was used to increase the read coverage over intronic regions of MYC. The purpose for increasing coverage across introns was to generate complete reactivity profiles for intronic sequences via the DMS-MaPseq approach. Notably, depth was sufficient for analysis by the program DRACO, which was able to deduce distinct reactivity profiles and predict multiple secondary structural conformations as well as their suggested stoichiometric abundances. The results presented here provide a new method for intronic RNA secondary structural analyses, as well as specific structural insights relevant to MYC RNA splicing regulation and therapeutic targeting.

Factors Contributing to the Successful Promotion of Persons with Disabilities at Provincial Departments in South Africa

Persons with disability constitute about 15% of the world population, yet the official unemployment rate is at least twice that of persons without disabilities. The ILO reported that persons with disabilities are mostly underemployed in low-wage jobs with a lack of promotions and poor working conditions than their counterparts without disabilities in the workplace. Many studies conducted focus on the factors affecting the employment of persons with disabilities in general and very few on their successful promotion to higher positions. This paper aims to identify the factors contributing to the successful promotion of persons with disabilities at the selected Limpopo Provincial Department in South Africa. The study is exploratory and adopts a qualitative approach. It focuses on the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) where eighteen respondents were purposively sampled, nine persons with different disabilities and nine human resource officials. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide to allow respondents to disclose their thoughts and feelings about promotional experiences. Some interviews were conducted face-to-face and virtually due to time and financial constraints. Data was collected using secondary information such as government policies, reports, prescripts, and publications. Thematic analysis was used, and themes were induced from the interview data. Data was presented in the form of tables and percentages. The study recommends that provincial departments promote a culture of inclusion where persons with disabilities feel valued, respected, and supported in various ways.

Real-world evaluation of vascular complications and comorbidities in Portuguese patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from the cMORE study

Introduction and objectivesType 2 diabetes poses a significant health challenge in Portugal, increasing the susceptibility to complications/comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular (CV) disease. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes-related vascular complications/comorbidities and their pharmacological management in Portugal. MethodscMORE was a non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted in 32 Portuguese primary healthcare units between October 2020 and 2022. Secondary data, including sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical information, cardiometabolic comorbidities, HbA1c levels, lipid parameters and medication, were collected from electronic medical records. ResultsSeven hundred and eighty adult patients with type 2 diabetes were included, predominantly male (55.5%), with an average age of 67.7 years and a mean disease duration of 10.5 years. Family history of type 2 diabetes (43.1%) and CV disease (32.1%) was prevalent. Mean HbA1c was 7.0%, progressively increasing with disease duration (p<0.001). Microvascular and macrovascular complications occurred in 38.1% and 19.6% of patients, respectively. The most prevalent comorbidities included overweight/obesity (85.5%), dyslipidemia (85.4%), and hypertension (82.6%). Multimorbidity burden was significant (99.3%) and positively correlated with older age, larger waist circumference, and overweight/obesity. Longer type 2 diabetes duration was associated with higher odds of diabetic retinopathy and CV disease/procedures, while dyslipidemia and hypertension were linked with older age, regardless of disease duration. Most patients received oral antidiabetic medications (94.6%), primarily biguanides (92.4%), followed by DPP-4 (39.1%) and SGLT2 inhibitors (34.2%). ConclusionsThe cMORE study reveals a substantial burden of vascular complications/comorbidities among Portuguese patients with type 2 diabetes. Despite the high multimorbidity rates, effective type 2 diabetes management is observed, emphasizing the country's commitment to personalized care.

Analisis Kinerja Keuangan Perusahaan Industri Sub-Sektor Farmasi yang Tercatat pada Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)

This research aims to evaluate end clarify variations in financial overall effectiveness prior to , all through and after COVID-19, in pharmacological commercial agencies indexed at the Indonesia Stock Change (IDX). Research used is quantitative studies. This studies method is comparative information. The population in this study was 288 populations. Providing secondary information with a sampling approach using purposive sampling with a sample size of 240 samples. This research technique is comparative statistics. Data testing was carried out only using the anova examination method which was calculated using the Statistical Bundle Social Sciences (SPSS) software program. The Result of this research show that there are not any good sized differences in liquidity ratios before, at some point of and after COVID-19. There are not any great differences in profitability ratios before, for the duration of and after COVID-19. The solvency ratio remains relatively consistent before, during, and after the impact of COVID-19, without any significant variations. There are good sized variations in interest ratios before, at some stage in and after COVID-19. So only the interest ratio is one of a kind earlier than, at some point of and after COVID-19. this is due to a lower overall asset turnover which isn't utilized optimally and does no longer make a contribution to earnings. aside from that, there are rules at some stage in COVID-19 which mean that companies cannot manage their property optimally and demand for purchasing strength has reduced.

Burden of Care among Relatives of Patients with Schizophrenia

Purpose: The purpose was to critically review the studies related to burden among relatives of patients with schizophrenic. Objective: The research is done to assess burden of care among relatives of patients with schizophrenia • To Assess the Degree of Caregiver Burden • To determine the factors contributing to burden Design/Methodology/Approach: A variety of secondary sources, such as journals, book chapters, conference proceedings, and other web pages, were used to compile the literature for this investigation. Every study has been thoroughly examined and summarized. It is also used to determine the gaps in the field and research objectives. Findings/Results: All recent study’s findings and constraints have been carefully considered. Each work's results have been closely scrutinized, and the reason for the gap has also been thoroughly investigated. Originality/Value: The goal of this manuscript is to review the pertinent research that has previously written. It also includes secondary information obtained from various online sources, such as websites, technical book chapters, conference papers, and research journals. The selected papers were all relevant to the intended work, up to date, and published by reliable publishers. A genuine attempt is made to select a research topic and carry out the investigation. Paper type: Review Paper.

Использование нейромаркетинговых исследований для оценки цифрового сервиса медицинских услуг

The development of innovative research methods expands the possibilities for studying various types of services, including digital ones. Assessment of the quality and level of development of digital services and their compliance with the expectations of patients in medicine is an important aspect for the image component of medical institutions. One of the tools for evaluating a digital service is neuromarketing. Purpose of the research is to identify the possibilities, prospects and ways of applying neuromarketing research to evaluate the digital service of medical institutions. The research is the analysis of theoretical sources of foreign and domestic authors. Cabinet and field studies were used. Desk studies were conducted in the form of analysis of secondary information sources, mainly on theoretical sources. Field studies were conducted in the form of an expert assessment. Comparative analysis has shown that neuromarketing research has a number of advantages compared to classical marketing methods, such as the ability to determine the indirect reaction of consumers and the emotional message when testing a digital service. Special attention is also paid to the potential of using neuromarketing research in the areas of digital medicine. At the same time, based on the analysis, it is determined which methods of neuromarketing research can be effectively used for each digital service and what results we can get. Within the framework of the study, the directions of evaluation of digital service by medical institutions using neuromarketing were identified, which will allow us to understand how to improve the platforms and what adjustments can be made. Based on the expert assessment on the possibilities of using neuromarketing research in the service sector, an IFAS analysis was conducted, which is a generalized analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of internal factors in the application of neuromarketing.

Maintenance Inhalers for Asthma and COPD in Spain.

This study aimed to describe the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in Spanish subjects in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics in subjects with asthma or COPD on maintenance treatment with inhaled therapy. This was a retrospective, descriptive, national, multi-center, and observational study using a database with 1.8 million patients from hospitals and primary care centers as a secondary information source. The sample included 24,102 subjects with asthma on maintenance therapy (26.0% with pMDI, 55% with DPI, and 19.0% with a combination of DPI + pMDI inhalers) and 12,858 subjects with COPD on maintenance therapy (26% with pMDI; 39% with DPI; and 35% with a combination of pMDI + DPI inhalers, mostly extemporary triple therapy). In proportion, subjects ≥ 75 y old used more pMDI than DPI, while younger subjects (40-64 y old) used more DPI. An inhalation chamber was prescribed in 51.0% of subjects with asthma and 47.2% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI. The use of an inhalation chamber increases with the degree of air-flow limitation by disease and age. In subjects with comorbidities, pMDI inhaler use increased in those ≥ 75 y old for subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa was relatively common: 25% of subjects with asthma and 21.6% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI had switched from DPI in the previous year. On the contrary, 14.1% and 11.4% of subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD, respectively, treated with DPI had switched from pMDI the last year. The use of pMDI or DPI can vary according to age, both in asthma and COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa is relatively common. Despite the availability of dual- and triple-therapy inhalers on the market, a considerable number of subjects were treated with multiple devices.

Management of Equipment and Machinery Assets Owned by Regional Government

This research aims to analyze the management of equipment and machine assets belonging to local governments. This research is categorized as descriptive research, which seeks an overview and explanation of leadership strategies regarding effectiveness, performance, etc. The data is collected in report excerpts and not in numbers that provide an overview of the presentation and secondary data, namely data and information quoted from books, journals, print media, and articles related to regional asset management. Data collection was carried out through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results obtained by the West Sulawesi Provincial Government in OPD X have implemented asset management of its equipment and machinery. However, there are obstacles to its implementation. The West Sulawesi Provincial government at OPD carries out the inventory stage. Furthermore, it is still at the equipment and machine asset inventory stage, and the West Sulawesi Provincial government has not codified and labeled every equipment and machine asset it owns.

Detection research of insulating gloves wearing status based on improved YOLOv8s algorithm

The safety hazards may be caused by power grid operators not wearing insulating gloves according to regulations for live electrical working. Additionally, existing methods for detecting the wearing status of insulating gloves suffer from low recognition accuracy, slow detection speed, and large memory occupation by weight files. To address these issues, a Mixup-CA-Small-YOLOv8s (MCS-YOLOv8s) algorithm is proposed for detecting the wearing status of insulating gloves. Firstly, the mixup data augmentation technology using image mixing is introduced, increasing the data’s diversity and improving the model’s generalization ability. Secondly, the coordinate attention (CA) module is added to the original backbone network to strengthen the channel and positional information, suppressing the secondary feature information. Finally, a small target detection structure is designed by removing the last bottom feature detection layer in the original neck network and adding a shallow feature. The ability of small targets’ feature extraction is enhanced without increasing too much computation. The experimental results indicate that the mean average precision of the MCS-YOLOv8s algorithm on the test set is 0.912, the detection speed is 87 FPS, and the model’s weight memory occupies 15.7 MB. It is verified that the model has the advantages of high detection accuracy, fast speed, and small weight memory, which has great significance in ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power grid.

Comparing the effectiveness of active and reactive mattresses in pressure injury healing: a pilot study.

A feasibility study to test the proposed methodology for a larger randomised control trial was conducted, investigating the comparative effectiveness of the two types of pressure management support surfaces with regards to healing pressure injuries (PI). A secondary objective was to provide insights into the user acceptability of the two types of pressure management support surfaces. A randomised control feasibility study was conducted in a community health setting in Canberra, Australia. Patients aged ≥65 years with an existing Stage 2 PI who slept in a bed were eligible. Participants were randomised to either the active mattress group or the reactive mattress group for use on their bed. All participants received standard wound care by community nursing staff and were provided an air-flotation cushion for use when not in bed. Photographs were taken and used for blind assessment of wound healing. Secondary information was gathered through a survey regarding user acceptability of the support surfaces and changes in habits regarding PI prevention strategies. In total, five patients were recruited, with one passing away prior to mattress allocation. Results were inconclusive with regards to comparative effectiveness and user acceptability due to the small sample size; however, secondary data indicated an increasing implementation of PI prevention strategies. This study confirmed the need for further high quality research comparing reactive and active pressure mattresses. Trends indicate the importance of including education on PI prevention strategies to promote changes in behaviour. Changes to the proposed methodology will be made to increase recruitment in the primary study.

The Prevalence of Internet Use as a Source of Information Among Patients With Hypertension.

Background and objective The incidence of hypertension is growing at an alarming rate globally. In the United States, nearly half of the adult population suffers from hypertension, a diseasepotentially associated with long-term dire consequences and comorbidities. While Internet access has proliferated, and free Internet-based education resources for healthy lifestyles have exponentially increased over the past two decades, little is known about whether Internet-based information can be or is used as a self-learning tool for hypertension management in a community setting. With almost no published data, if and to what degree Internet-based, self-directed learning tools are used for hypertension management needs to be assessed. In light of this, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Internet use as asource of information in patients with known diagnoses of hypertension who presented to our Internal Medicine clinic at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso. Materials and methods We conducted a single-center, cohort-based observational study at our teaching hospital's internal medicine clinic. A survey questionnaire was distributed to all adults aged more than 18 yearswith a known diagnosis of hypertension. Consent for participation was obtained from all participants. Of the total studied population, 93.6% (190/203) were of Hispanic descent. Moreover, 67.5% (137/203) identified as female. Of note, 22.7% (46/203) reported using the Internet to learn about hypertension. Internet users were younger, with a mean age of 61.4 years compared to 68.7 (p=0.02) years for non-Internet users, attended institutions of a higher grade of education, and mostly received information regarding hypertension from their families (91.3% vs 2.5%, p<0.001). While most patients used the Internet for making treatment decisions and were satisfied with their choices, more than a quarter felt confused and anxious after using Internet-based resources. Results Most patients in the study were found to not use the Internet as a resource tool for hypertension management (157/203; 77.3%). Among the 22.7% of patients who used the Internet for hypertension management, the most commonly utilized resource was Google.com, as an initial step to hypertension research (26/46, 58.6%, p<0.001), followed bymultiple resources within a predetermined list on the provided survey (14/46, 30.4%). The survey also assessed the reasons for using Internet-based resources, with the primary reason being evaluating treatment options (19/46, 41.5%), followed by developing coping skills (13/46, 28.2%), and lastly aiding in decision-making (10/46, 21.5%). Conclusions Internet-based educational tools are mushrooming as the Internet is becoming more pervasive. This study shows that within this predominant Hispanic population, nearly one-quarter of patients with hypertension are using Internet-based, self-learning tools. This highlights a slow shift in medical education which providers have to be prepared for as patients will be using these tools as secondary information sources for medical decision-making more frequently going forward. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the current and longitudinal impact of these new information sources.