Programming Tools Research Articles

Application of fast batch obtaining cited frequency of web of science with VBA

Citation frequency is currently recognized as one of the evaluation indicators in the academic field. Therefore, research related to evaluation requires obtaining the citation frequency of literature, especially the citation frequency of Web of Science. Using programming languages like Java to batch obtain the citation frequency of Web of Science through the Web of Science API interface requires a certain programming foundation and specialized programming tools, which are generally difficult for researchers to master. This article explores a convenient and fast method to batch obtain the citation frequency of Web of Science using VBA. Using Web of Science's literature matching retrieval service, it is possible to obtain the citation frequency of literature in batches. The literature matching retrieval service is implemented in Excel using VBA code. Through testing and practice, it has been proven that batch and rapid retrieval of Web of Science citation frequency can be achieved using VBA in Excel. This article not only provides the entire runnable source code for easy expansion but also gives practical examples for reference.

A Resident Led Newsletter Is a Powerful Communication Tool.

Communication with stakeholders for a graduate medical education (GME) program depends on shared visual and written content. Residency training programs are embracing social media as a communication channel. However, curated information that may only be viewed by subscribers or followers is difficult to archive and may appear overwhelming to novice users. An electronic, printable newsletter may be a unique communication tool for training programs to share information among residents, faculty, and hospital administration. We published a monthly electronic newsletter sent to all residents, teaching faculty, and additional stakeholders in our internal medicine residency program. We conducted an electronic anonymous survey and sent it to all residents in February 2023 and January 2024. The survey consisted of 5 questions to assess the satisfaction level of the newsletter. Sixty of 232 (25.9%) residents completed the survey. Of those, 44 (73.3%) residents were very satisfied regarding overall satisfaction, 39 (65.0%) residents were very satisfied with the overall content, and 42 (70.0%) residents were very satisfied with the timeliness of the information presented. Thirty-six (60%) residents reported the importance of having a resident-led newsletter. We found an overall high satisfaction level in a resident-led newsletter based on a survey completed by residents within our program. Most survey respondents deemed resident leadership crucial for the newsletter. We also received strong positive feedback from key stakeholders ranging from hospital administration to residency applicants.

Examining cognitive behavioral therapy interventions for unaccompanied minors: a systematic review and qualitative research synthesis.

This systematic review examined the evidence on effectiveness and acceptability of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions in improving quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being of unaccompanied minors (UM). PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Open Dissertations databases were used to identify quantitative and qualitative studies. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools were used for quality assessment. Narrative synthesis and qualitative research synthesis were carried out to collate the findings. 18 studies were included. Two studies examined QoL, and five studies examined acceptability of interventions. Most quantitative studies (n = 10) were appraised as methodologically weak. Trauma-Focused CBT appears to have the most evidence demonstrating effectiveness in ameliorating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Promising findings (i.e., increased mindfulness and psychological flexibility) were observed for third wave interventions but further replication is required. The literature is tainted by under-powered studies, lacking blinding, and follow-up assessments. Female UM remain largely underrepresented. This review calls for a drastic augmentation of high quality quantitative and qualitative research focusing on augmenting QoL and examining acceptability rather than merely aiming for psychological symptom reduction in UM to enhance overall well-being and functionality. The research protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021293881).

Multi-model genome-wide association study on key organic naked barley agronomic, phenological, diseases, and grain quality traits

The study objective was to assess the potential benefits of using genomic tools in organic plant breeding programs to enhance selection efficiency. A diversity panel of 247 spring naked barley accessions was characterized under Irish organic conditions over 3 years. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed on 19 traits related to agronomy, phenology, diseases, and grain quality, using the information on 50 K Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP). Four models (EMMA, G model, BLINK, 3VMrMLM) were applied to 5 types of Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (BLUP): within-year, mean, aggregated within-year). 1653 Marker-Trait-Associations (MTA) were identified, with 259 discovered in at least two analyses. 3VMrMLM was the best-performing model with significant MTA together explaining the largest proportion of the additive variance for most traits and BLUP types (from 1.4 to 50%). This study proposed a methodology to prioritize main effect MTA from different models’ outputs, using multi-marker regression analyses with markers fitted as fixed or random factors. 36 QTL, considered major, explained more than 5% of the trait variance on each BLUP type. A candidate gene or known QTL was found for 18 of them, with 13 discovered with 3VMrMLM. Multi-model GWAS was useful for validating additional QTL, including 8 only discovered with BLINK or G model, thus allowing a broader understanding of the traits’ genetic architecture. In addition, results highlighted a correlation between the trait value and the number of favorable major QTL exhibited by accessions. We suggest inputting this number in a multi-trait index for a more efficient Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) of accessions best balancing multiple quantitative traits.

Making an Arduino Uno R3 Trainer as A Learning Support Tool in The Electronics Study Program

Making an Arduino Uno R3 Trainer as A Learning Support Tool in The Electronics Study Program

Pengaruh Debt To Equity Ratio (DER) dan Debt To Asset Ratio (DAR) Terhadap Return On Asset (ROA) pada PT. Mayora Indah Tbk

This research aims to determine the influence of the Debt To Equity Ratio and Debt To Asset Ratio (DAR) variables on Return On Assets (ROA) at PT. Mayora Indah Tbk. The population used in this research is all financial reports at PT. Mayora Indah Tbk has been listed on the Indonesian stock exchange since 1990, totaling 32 years for the period 1990-2022. The sample selection used a purposive sampling method based on certain criteria that were adjusted to the objectives of the research problem. The number of samples in this research was financial reports for 10 years at PT. Mayora Indah Tbk for the 2013-2022 period. The data analysis technique used in this research is Multiple Linear Regression Analysis using the SPSS version 26 program tool. The results of this research show that the Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) does not have a partially significant influence on Return On Assets (ROA) at PT Mayora Indah Tbk . Debt to Asset Ratio (DAR) does not have a partially significant influence on Return On Assets (ROA) at PT Mayora Indah Tbk.

GIS-based spatio-temporal analysis of rainfall trends under climate change in different agro-ecological zones of Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of climatic conditions within a region is paramount for informed rural planning and decision-making processes, particularly in light of the prevailing challenges posed by climate change and variability. This study undertook an assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall trends across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs) within Wolaita, utilizing data collected from ten strategically positioned rain gauge stations. The detection of trends and their magnitudes was facilitated through the application of the Mann–Kendall (MKs) test in conjunction with Sen's slope estimator. Spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall were further analyzed utilizing ArcGIS10.8 environment and XLSTAT with R programming tools. The outcomes derived from ordinary kriging analyses unveiled notable disparities in the coefficient of variability (CV) for mean annual rainfall across distinct AEZs. Specifically, observations indicated that lowland regions exhibit relatively warmer climates and lower precipitation levels compared to their highland counterparts. Within the lowland AEZs, the majority of stations showcased statistically non-significant positive trends (p > 0.05) in annual rainfall, whereas approximately two-thirds of midland AEZ stations depicted statistically non-significant negative trends. Conversely, over half of the stations situated within highland AEZs displayed statistically non-significant positive trends in annual rainfall. During the rainy season, highland AEZs experienced higher precipitation levels, while the south-central midland areas received a moderate amount of rainfall. In contrast, the northeast and southeast lowland AEZs consistently received diminished rainfall across all seasons compared to other regions. This study underscores the necessity for the climate resilient development and implementation of spatiotemporally informed interventions through implementing region-specific adaptation strategies, such as water conservation measures and crop diversification, to mitigate the potential impact of changing rainfall patterns on agricultural productivity in Wolaita.

Needs Assessment Tool for a Value-Added Beef Extension Program for Small Farmers

Needs Assessment Tool for a Value-Added Beef Extension Program for Small Farmers

Inline Visualization and Manipulation of Real-Time Hardware Log for Supporting Debugging of Embedded Programs

The advent of user-friendly embedded prototyping systems, exemplified by platforms like Arduino, has significantly democratized the creation of interactive devices that combine software programs with electronic hardware. This interconnection between hardware and software, however, makes the identification of bugs very difficult, as problems could be rooted in the program, in the circuit, or at their intersection. While there are tools to assist in identifying and resolving bugs, they typically require hardware instrumentation or visualizing logs in serial monitors. Based on the findings of a formative study, we designed Inline a programming tool that simplifies debugging of embedded systems by making explicit the internal state of the hardware and the program's execution flow using visualizations of the hardware logs directly within the user's code. The system's key characteristics are 1) an inline presentation of logs within the code, 2) real-time tracking of the execution flow, and 3) an expression language to manipulate and filter the logs. The paper presents the detailed implementation of the system and a study with twelve users, which demonstrates what features were adopted and how they were leveraged to complete debugging tasks.

Development of Models by Energy Expended and Age Classifications for Diet Recommendation System

People today are more conscious of their health and constantly looking for methods to improve their health status. Due to the unavailability and inaccessibility of dieticians to recommend diet, people do not know how to plan their diet well, thereby people’s health are compromised because of unbalanced diet and misappropriation of diet. There is need to develop models that recommend diet on various classifications on the basis of energy expended daily and age. The models are mathematically represented using arithmetic expressions on different classifications: Energy expended or job/activities, health status, family size and age. The models use the rule-based statements to proffer solution to diet problems. In employing the technology, the models were implemented using a programming tool like PhP etc The DRS can be deployed on the World Wide Web and be allowed to be used by the general public for a healthy diet. The Diet Recommendation System (DRS) creates and increases people's awareness and assist them in receiving appropriate counsel as to the quantity of food, food types, time to take food, the appropriate food for certain age group, the balanced diet for a family size, the kind of food type according to the activities a person engages in.

Educating Families on Urgent Maternal Warning Signs: Learning From a Pilot to Improve Training and Tools for Maternal and Child Home Visiting Programs.

Early recognition of the warning signs of pregnancy-related complications and provision of timely, quality care could prevent many maternal deaths. We piloted a maternal warning signs education intervention with five Maryland-based maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs serving populations disproportionately affected by adverse maternal outcomes. The intervention included a 1.5-hr online training for home visitors, monthly collaborative calls with program managers, and a client education toolkit with a 3-min video, illustrated handout of 15 urgent maternal warning signs, magnet with the same, and discussion guide for home visitor-client interactions. A mixed-methods formative evaluation assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and utilization of different components of the intervention. Home visiting program staff reported that the materials were highly acceptable and easily understood by diverse client populations. They valued the illustrations, simple language, and translation of materials in multiple languages. Program managers found implementation a relatively simple process, feasible for in-person and remote visits. Despite positive reception, not all components of the toolkit were used consistently. Program managers and staff also identified the need for more guidance and tools to help clients communicate with health care providers and advocate for their health care needs. Feedback from pilot sites was used to adapt the training and tools, including adding content on patient self-advocacy. Home visiting programs have a unique ability to engage families during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This pilot offers lessons learned on strategies and tools that home visiting programs can use to improve early recognition and care-seeking for urgent maternal warning signs.

The role of sonication in microbiology culture yield of the explanted infected implants post fracture fixation: A systematic review

Objective To evaluate the role of sonication in cases of postoperative infection following fracture fixation. Methods A systematic review of studies comparing peri-implant tissue culture (PTC) and sonication fluid culture (SFC) from implants removed due to fracture-related infection was conducted. The inclusion criteria were: published in English, human studies, implants from fracture-related infection, and tests comparing the culture of deep tissue and sonication fluid. The quality of studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skill Program (CASP) tool. The sensitivity, specificity, implant preservation mechanism to avoid contamination, cost, and duration of incubation for PTC and SFC were extracted and compared using descriptive statistics. Results Nine studies with a total of 1,144 participants were included. The overall mean sensitivity of SFC and PTC was 88.9% (95% CI: 84.6-92.4%) and 67.8% (95% CI: 60.9-74.2%), respectively. While the specificity of SFC and PTC was 96.2% (95% CI: 94.7-97.4%) and 98.5% (95% CI: 97.7-99.0%), respectively. However, the cost-effectiveness of sonication as a diagnostic method for sonication remains unclear, as only one study estimated the price of sonication to be $228.00 per test, similar to PTC. Conclusions Sonication fluid culture might improve sensitivity in diagnosing postoperative infection following fracture fixation. This technique can potentially enhance the microbiological output and provide valuable guidance to healthcare professionals in treating infection after fracture fixation. However, more high-quality trials are needed to establish its optimal use, especially cost-effectiveness. Registration The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022338190; 18 June 2022).

Performance Evaluation of Determine HBsAg 2 Rapid Card Test for the Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Clinical Samples.

Hepatitis B virus is one of the leading underlying causes of chronic liver disease. Rapid diagnostic tests with improved sensitivity and specificity for detecting hepatitis B infection could aid in large-scale community screening in resource-limited settings. This study was designed to assess the clinical performance of a rapid card test to detect HBsAg. In this study, archived once-thawed serum samples were tested on the Determine HBsAg 2 card and their performance was evaluated in reference to a chemiluminescence-based assay (HBsAg qualitative assay, Abbott Diagnostics, US). A total of 120 patient samples (46 confirmed HBsAg-positive and 74 confirmed HBsAg-negative) were used in this study. The overall median age of the study population was 44 years (IQR: 36-51 years), with a male gender predominance (90%). A specificity of 100% (74/74) and sensitivity of 84.7% (39/46) was observed for the Determine HBsAg 2 assay compared with the reference assay. The samples that showed false-negative results (n = 7) by the card test had HBsAg levels below the limit-of-detection of the card assay. The Determine HBsAg 2 assay gives rapid results in 15 minutes with good sensitivity and specificity. This makes it a good, affordable tool for large-scale screening and public health surveillance programs. Accurate and cost-effective rapid card tests for early detection of Hepatitis B infection would enable quick isolation of infected cases, thus reducing transmission in the community. Samal J, Soni A, Pandey A, et al. Performance Evaluation of Determine HBsAg 2 Rapid Card Test for the Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Clinical Samples. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(1):9-11.

Development of an Electronic Health Record Self-Referral Tool for Lung Cancer Screening: One-Group Posttest Study.

Approximately 14 million individuals in the United States are eligible for lung cancer screening (LCS), but only 5.8% completed screening in 2021. Given the low uptake despite the potential great health benefit of LCS, interventions aimed at increasing uptake are warranted. The use of a patient-facing electronic health record (EHR) patient portal direct messaging tool offers a new opportunity to both engage eligible patients in preventative screening and provide a unique referral pathway for tobacco treatment. This study sought to develop and pilot an EHR patient-facing self-referral tool for an established LCS program in an academic medical center. Guided by constructs of the Health Belief Model associated with LCS uptake (eg, knowledge and self-efficacy), formative development of an EHR-delivered engagement message, infographic, and self-referring survey was conducted. The survey submits eligible self-reported patient information to a scheduler for the LCS program. The materials were pretested using an interviewer-administered mixed methods survey captured through venue-day-time sampling in 5 network-affiliated pulmonology clinics. Materials were then integrated into the secure patient messaging feature in the EHR system. Next, a one-group posttest quality improvement pilot test was conducted. A total of 17 individuals presenting for lung screening shared-decision visits completed the pretest survey. More than half were newly referred for LCS (n=10, 60%), and the remaining were returning patients. When asked if they would use a self-referring tool through their EHR messaging portal, 94% (n=16) reported yes. In it, 15 participants provided oral feedback that led to refinement in the tool and infographic prior to pilot-testing. When the initial application of the tool was sent to a convenience sample of 150 random patients, 13% (n=20) opened the self-referring survey. Of the 20 who completed the pilot survey, 45% (n=9) were eligible for LCS based on self-reported smoking data. A total of 3 self-referring individuals scheduled an LCS. Pretest and initial application data suggest this tool is a positive stimulus to trigger the decision-making process to engage in a self-referral process to LCS among eligible patients. This self-referral tool may increase the number of patients engaging in LCS and could also be used to aid in self-referral to other preventative health screenings. This tool has implications for clinical practice. Tobacco treatment clinical services or health care systems should consider using EHR messaging for LCS self-referral. This approach may be cost-effective to improve LCS engagement and uptake. Additional referral pathways could be built into this EHR tool to not only refer patients who currently smoke to LCS but also simultaneously trigger a referral to clinical tobacco treatment.

Enhancing cell-based therapies with synthetic gene circuits responsive to molecular stimuli.

Synthetic biology aims to contribute to the development of next-generation patient-specific cell-based therapies for chronic diseases especially through the construction of sophisticated synthetic gene switches to enhance the safety and spatiotemporal controllability of engineered cells. Indeed, switches that sense and process specific cues, which may be either externally administered triggers or endogenous disease-associated molecules, have emerged as powerful tools for programming and fine-tuning therapeutic outputs. Living engineered cells, often referred to as designer cells, incorporating such switches are delivered to patients either as encapsulated cell implants or by infusion, as in the case of the clinically approved CAR-T cell therapies. Here, we review recent developments in synthetic gene switches responsive to molecular stimuli, spanning regulatory mechanisms acting at the transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational levels. We also discuss current challenges facing clinical translation of cell-based therapies employing these devices.

Analyzing Test Performance of BSIT Students and Question Quality: A Study on Item Difficulty Index and Item Discrimination Index for Test Question Improvement

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the test performance of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students in the System Integration and Architecture (SIA) course, coupled with a meticulous examination of the quality of test questions, aiming to lay the groundwork for enhancing the assessment tool. Employing a cross-sectional research design, the study involved 200 fourth-year students enrolled in the course. The results illuminated a significant discrepancy in scores between upper and lower student cohorts, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions, curriculum enhancements, and assessment refinements, particularly for those in the lower-performing group. Further examination of the item difficulty index of the assessment tool unveiled the need to fine-tune certain items to better suit a broader spectrum of students. Nevertheless, the majority of items were deemed adequately aligned with their respective difficulty levels. Additionally, an analysis of the item discrimination index identified 25 items suitable for retention, while 27 items warranted revision, and 3 items were suitable for removal, as per the analysis outcomes. These insights provide a valuable foundation for improving the assessment tool, thereby optimizing its capacity to evaluate students' acquired knowledge effectively. The study's novel contribution lies in its integration of both student performance assessment and evaluation of assessment tool quality within the BSIT program, offering actionable insights for improving educational outcomes. By identifying challenges faced by BSIT students and proposing targeted interventions, curriculum enhancements, and assessment refinements, the research advances our understanding of effective assessment practices. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of item difficulty and discrimination indices offers practical guidance for enhancing the reliability and validity of assessment tools in the BSIT program. Overall, this research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence and actionable recommendations tailored to the needs of BSIT students, promoting educational quality and student success in Information Technology.

Characteristic of Video Clips of Preservice Mathematics Teachers’ Ability to Notice

Noticing is the teacher's ability to pay attention to critical moments during learning. The noticing ability of preservice mathematics teachers can be trained by watching video recordings of teaching practices. However, there are limited video clips that can be used as teaching materials to develop the noticing abilities of preservice mathematics teachers. Therefore, this study aims to identify the characteristic of preservice mathematics teacher’s ability to notice. Video clips consist of a series of significant moments to observe. This research used a survey of moments in video recordings of preservice mathematics teachers when noticing their students' thinking in the learning process. The data analysis was based on learning video clips, containing the complexity of noticing problems related to the preservice mathematics teacher’s ability. The results indicated that the identified video clips, recordings of classroom interactions, featured teacher activities such as asking, guiding, responding, and assisting students. However, the preservice teachers demonstrated a low ability to notice, particularly in the interpreting and shaping aspects. These video clips, specifically those that highlight these teacher activities, can be utilized as learning tools in teacher development programs to enhance preservice teachers' noticing skills, especially in interpreting and shaping aspects.

Unlocking Peer Review: Elevating Scholarly Writing and Research Competence in Urology Residency.

It is incumbent upon training programs to set the foundation for evidence-based practices and to create opportunities for trainees to develop into academic leaders. As dedicated resident research time and funding have declined in recent years, residency programs and the field at large will need to create new ways to incorporate scholarly activity into residency curricula. Literature across specialties demonstrates barriers to resident involvement including lack of time, cost, and absent scholarly mentorship. Peer review stands as a ready-made solution that can be formalized into a collaborative relationship with journals. A formal relationship between professional societies, academic journals, and residencies can facilitate the use of peer review as a teaching tool for residency programs.

The Real Experience of Lay Responders Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence.

To synthesize qualitative evidence on the experience of lay responders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Qualitative evidence synthesis was performed using the Thomas and Harden method. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, OVID Medline, Embase, CINAHL, CNKI, and WanFang databases were systematically searched. The quality of the research was assessed by the Critical Assessment Skills Program Tool (CASP). A total of 5,610 studies were identified, and 9 studies were included in the analysis. Four analytical themes were generated: emotional ambivalence before CPR, psychological tolerance during CPR, perceived experience after CPR, and enhancing psychological resilience. Lay responders face complicated psychological experience during CPR, which may be susceptible to psychological effects such as "loss aversion," "bystander effects" and "knowledge curse." In addition to the timely retraining of CPR, lay responders should be instructed to manage psychological distress and improve psychological resilience. More importantly, the psychological sequelae may be long-lasting, requiring ongoing psychological intervention and follow-up based on valuing transdisciplinarity across endeavours.

Adverse effects of Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the Adult Intensive Care Unit - A Literature Review

Introduction Mechanical ventilation via an artificial airway can impede cough, predisposing the critically ill patient to retained secretions and an increased risk of respiratory complications. Physiotherapeutic techniques aimed at mobilising secretions and optimising airway clearance are often relied upon in this cohort. Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation (MI-E) is a cough augmentation device that utilises positive pressure, followed by a rapid switch to negative pressure, to simulate a cough and aid sputum clearance from proximal airways. To date, MI-E has been widely researched in the neuromuscular population, with emerging use in the critically ill. However, adverse effects associated with MI-E in intubated populations remains unknown. The aim of this review was to report on the incidence of adverse events associated with MI-E in acutely invasively ventilated critically ill patients. Methods An electronic search of online databases was conducted using AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscuss and Web of Science. Additionally, the reference lists of relevant articles were hand searched for eligible studies. Studies including adult subjects (>18 years) who were invasively ventilated and receiving MI-E were deemed eligible for inclusion. The outcome of interest was adverse events. Studies were excluded if they were in a paediatric population, not written in English language and were editorials or conference papers. Quality was assessed using the Critical Skills Appraisal Programme tool. Results A total 77 citations were identified, five of which met the inclusion criteria: three randomised crossover studies, one randomised parallel-group open label trial and one case series (278 participants in total). All studies applied MI-E followed by endotracheal or tracheal suction. Insufflation and exsufflation pressures ranged from +30 to +50cmH2O and -30 to -50cmH2O across studies. Only two studies pre-defined an adverse event. Common reported measures included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and oxygen saturations. Two studies reported the occurrence of an adverse event (oxygen saturations, blood pressure and heart rate changes) but noted that changes were transient and not clinically significant. Overall, all studies concluded that MI-E was a safe intervention in this patient cohort. Conclusion Overall, the use of MI-E in the acutely intubated patient does not result in adverse events that are clinically significant. However, limitations to the evidence base should be acknowledged and include a lack of definition and variation in outcome measures used and small sample sizes across studies. Larger clinical trials are needed, to further evaluate the safety of MI-E on clinically important parameters that are more clearly defined.