Software Analytics for Improving Program Comprehension

Title from PDF of title page viewed June 28, 2021Dissertation advisor: Yugyung LeeVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 122-143)Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Computing and Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2021Program comprehension is an essential part of software development and maintenance. Traditional methods of program comprehension, such as reviewing the codebase and documentation, are still challenging for understanding the software's overall structure and implementation. In recent years, software static analysis studies have emerged to facilitate program comprehensions, such as call graphs, which represent the system’s structure and its implementation as a directed graph. Furthermore, some studies focused on semantic enrichment of the software system problems using systematic learning analytics, including machine learning and NLP. While call graphs can enhance the program comprehension process, they still face three main challenges: (1) complex call graphs can become very difficult to understand making call graphs much harder to visualize and interpret by a developer and thus increases the overhead in program comprehension; (2) they are often limited to a single level of granularity, such as function calls; and (3) there is a lack of the interpretation semantics about the graphs. In this dissertation, we propose a novel framework, called CodEx, to facilitate and accelerate program comprehension. CodEx enables top-down and bottom-up analysis of the system's call graph and its execution paths for an enhanced program comprehension experience. Specifically, the proposed framework is designed to cope with the following techniques: multi-level graph abstraction using a coarsening technique, hierarchical clustering to represent the call graph into subgraphs (i.e., multi-levels of granularity), and interactive visual exploration of the graphs at different levels of abstraction. Moreover, we are also worked on building semantics of software systems using NLP and machine learning, including topic modeling, to interpret the meaning of the abstraction levels of the call graph.Introduction -- Multi-Level Call Graph for Program Comprehension -- Static Trace Clustering: Single-Level Approach -- Static Trace Clustering: Multi-Level Approach -- Topic Modeling for Cluster Analysis -- Visual Exploration of Software Clustered Traces -- Conclusion and Feature Work -- Appendi

Medical Residents of Family Medicine Management of Depression, Anxiety and Burnout Syndrome in KSA

This study aimed at analyzing the Medical Residents of family medicine management of depression, anxiety and burnout syndrome in Kingdom Saudi Arabia. This study also describes the relationship between wellness behaviors and measures of well-being at the start of family medicine residency in Kingdom Saudi Arabia. The researcher adopted the Methodology of descriptive statistics. And the study concluded that the innovative curriculum and activities that focus on wellness behaviors and healthy lifestyle choices for physicians in training are needed. The ACGME mandate on implementation of duty hours for residents may show a positive effect in future generations of physicians. Family medicine programs can lead in creating additional institutional methodologies to support a culture of wellness for residents, faculty, and staff, thus promoting a lifelong commitment to self-care and an emphasis on prevention and health promotion for our patients.

Role of Interventional Radiology in Management of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt and effective management. Interventional radiology has emerged as a valuable tool in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, offering minimally invasive techniques that can rapidly control bleeding and improve patient outcomes. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, including its various techniques and their efficacy. The review discusses the different interventional radiology procedures that can be used to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal bleeding. It also highlights the advantages of techniques used in evaluation and management, including their ability to localize and control bleeding, as well as their low complication rates and shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical approaches. Furthermore, the review addresses the specific indications for interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as the role of interventional radiology in the setting of underlying conditions. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of interventional radiology in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, highlighting its effectiveness and potential benefits for patients. It also emphasizes the need for further research and collaboration between interventional radiologists and gastroenterologists to optimize the use of these techniques in clinical practice

Role of L- glutamine and crizanlizumab in sickle cell anaemia painful crisis reduction

BackgroundPatients with sickle cell disease, frequently ‎ suffer from intense painful episodes. Till recently hydroxyurea was the only available medical therapy that approved for reduction of painful episodes.AimsTo summarize the available data from randomized controlled trials that aim to evaluate the efficacy of newly approved L-‎glutamine‎ (alters redox state of red blood cells ‎‎[RBCs]) ‎and ‎crizanlizumab (‎(anti-P-selectin)‎)‎ ‎on vaso-occlusive episodes in Sickle cell disease ‎ patients.Methods PubMed, ‎Google Scholar, and EBSCO ‎ databases were ‎‎systematically search for relevant articles. The terms ‎ ‎ ‎ L-glutamine, sickle cell disease, sickle cell ‎anaemia,‎ ‎‎crizanlizumab ‎and vaso-occlusive episodes‎ were used.Results Out of Four-hundred seventy-two records, only three fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two trials were aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L-glutamine therapy on the frequency of painful crises in sickle cell anaemia patients. Both studies showed that L-glutamine therapy significantly reduce the frequency of VOEs. Only one trial examined the ability of crizanlizumab on VOEs reduction, and showed crizanlizumab successful reduce the occurrence of VOEs.‎ConclusionNewer agent ‎with different mechanism of action, such as ‎L-glutamine, ‎and crizanlizumab may consider if ‎hydroxyurea not effective or not ‎tolerable

Serum Microrna 362-3P as a Potential Biomarker to Predict the Extent of Drug-Induced Qt Interval Lengthening Among Heart Failure Patients

Background:The sensitivity to drug-induced QT prolongation is highly variable in heart failure (HF) patients. QT interval prolongation can lead to a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia known as torsade de Pointes (TdP), which can result in sudden cardiac death. Although QT prolongation is a surrogate marker for sudden cardiac death, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation, and thus TdP, is largely unpredictable. Therefore, developing a biomarker to predict patients’ sensitivity to drug-induced QTc prolongation could have a profound clinical impact. MicroRNA (miR) are recognized as important regulators of cardiovascular function as they shape the transcriptome by targeting mRNAs for repression of translation. Our multidisciplinary research group has demonstrated that miR-362-3p regulates a potassium channel (i.e., hERG) that is the most widely implicated in drug-induced QTc prolongation. The primary objects of this analysis focus on characterizing serum miR-362-3p expression in the circulation as a potential biomarker to predict subject’s susceptibility to ibutilide exposure induced QT-interval prolongation Methods:The dataset utilized to develop the PK-PD models were collected from a previous clinical study carried out by Tisdale et al. (Tisdale, et al. 2020). A total of 22 adult subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into three groups: a group of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n=10), a group of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n=2), and ten healthy subjects in the control group who were matched to subjects in the HFpEF group for age and sex. Following a baseline day of triplicate 12-lead ECGs, all subjects received ibutilide 0.003 mg/kg intravenously infused over 10 minutes. Serial collection of blood samples to determine serum Ibutilide concentrations (HPLC/MS), serum miR-362-3 expression (qPCR), with triplicate ECG readings were obtained pre-and-post ibutilide administration. To describe ibutilide serum concentration exposure and the relationship with Fridericia-corrected QT (QTF) intervals, a non-linear mixed effect modeling approach was used along with clinical and demographic data, and serum miR-362-3p expression was evaluated as potential covariates on the PK/PD model. Results:A three-compartment model best described the time course of ibutilide concentrations profile with a proportional residual error. The individual ibutilide concentrations time profile was then used in an indirect response model where ibutilide concentrations are indirectly driving the QT interval prolongation through inhibition of the output (Kout) parameters linked to an indirect response model with zero‐order input parameter best described the ibutilide concentrations QT interval lengthening relationship. The Individual PK/PD parameters using the base model for the Imax and IC50 were 11.4% (9.9% RES) and 0.36 (8.4% RES) ng/mL, respectively. Following stepwise forwarding inclusion steps, the final covariate analyses identified circulating miR-362- 3p expression associated with a history of myocardial infarction covariate influencing both the Imax and IC50 ( p\u3c0.05). Conclusions:An indirect response model has been developed to describe the effects of ibutilide concentrations on QT-intervals. Although the semi-mechanistic model could not be developed; serum miR-362-3p expression was identified as a significant predictor for ibutilide-induced QTinterval prolongation. Moreover, the upregulation of serum miR-362-3p expression enhanced IC50 seen after ibutilide administration. The potential use of miR-362-3p as a biomarker warrants further investigation to identify patients at the greatest risk of TdP

Current practice and beliefs of parents toward sunscreen use for their children: A cross-sectional study

Parents are generally influencing the sun protection behaviors of their children, including sunscreen use. In Saudi Arabia, sunscreen use was estimated in adults but not children. The objective was to estimate the prevalence and predictors of sunscreen use among parents and their children. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022. Parents who were visiting outpatient clinics at a university hospital in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia, were invited to complete an online questionnaire. A total of 266 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age of parents was 39.0 ± 8.9 years, and the mean age of children was 8.2 ± 3.2 years. The prevalence of sunscreen use was 38.7% in parents and 24.1% in their children. Females had higher sunscreen use than males in both parents (49.7% versus 7.2%, p < 0.001) and in children (31.9% versus 18.3%, p = 0.011). The most frequent sunburn protection measures practiced by children were wearing long-sleeved clothes (77.0%), sitting in the shade (70.6%), and wearing hats (39.2%). In multivariable analysis, predictors of sunscreen use in parents included female sex, history of sunburn, and sunscreen use by children. Independent predictors of sunscreen use in children included a history of sunburn, wearing hats, and practicing other sunburn protection measures on risky occasions, and sunscreen use in parents. Sunscreen use in parents and children in Saudi Arabia is still inadequate or limited. This calls for community/school intervention programs using educational activities and multimedia promotion. Further studies are needed

Effect of Asymmetric Fins on Thermal Performance of Phase Change Material-Based Thermal Energy Storage Unit

Phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage units (TESU) have very low thermal conductivity that compromise their charging and discharging rate. The present study focuses on an enhancement in charging rate as well as an increase in the uniformity of the melting rate. A rectangular cavity consisting of two horizontal partial fins is studied. The horizontal partial fins are placed symmetrically in a PCM-based TESU. In the current work, the melting rate of PCM was enhanced using asymmetric arrangement while keeping all other parameters the same, thus showing the positive effect of asymmetric configuration in such storage systems. The position and the pitch of each fin is optimized to improve heat transfer characteristics of the TESU. The numerical investigation of the problem is performed. TESU with asymmetrically placed fins show better performance in terms of higher charging rate as well as uniformity of the charging rate. The asymmetric placement of the fins suggested by present study increased the charging rate by 74.3% on average as compared to the symmetrically placed fins in the storage system. The charging rate uniformity is improved by 43.7%. The asymmetric fin’s placement conserved the convection strength for a longer melting duration and so increased the Nusselt number by 80.2% as compared to the symmetrically placed fins. Thus, it can be concluded that the performance of asymmetric fins is better in the charging of PCMs than the symmetrically placed fins in a PCM-based TESU

Dental Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes towards Antibiotic Prescribing Guidelines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: The use of antibiotics prophylactically and therapeutically in dentistry has become common practice. Inappropriate prescription may lead to adverse side effects and bacterial resistance. During clinical training, dental students in Saudi Arabia are authorized to prescribe antibiotics. Aim: To evaluate dental students&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic prescription in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on a validated questionnaire consisting of 34 questions focusing on antibiotic indications in dentistry, antibiotic regimens, and knowledge regarding resistance was distributed amongst dental students in five leading dental colleges in Riyadh. Results: A large proportion of students (71.7%) were familiar with the concept of antibiotic resistance. When comparing junior and senior dental students&rsquo; knowledge with regards to indications of antibiotic use in commonly encountered conditions, it was found that there was no significant difference in antibiotic prescription frequency between these groups. Most dental students choose to prescribe amoxicillin as their first-choice of antibiotic (88.4%), and most also chose to use it for a duration of 3&ndash;5 days (69.2%). Conclusions: This study concludes that dental students may prescribe antibiotics inappropriately to manage various conditions when not indicated. This may indicate a defect in education of students with regards to current antibiotic guidelines

Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis Post-COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review

New advancements in the medical community have rapidly occurred with the development of medical information across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several vaccine manufacturers were able to obtain clearance to administer vaccines in selected age groups and for those at high risk for COVID-19 complications. As vaccines became more readily available, there was a significant effort supported by scientific information to get people vaccinated to boost herd immunity. Acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune disease, causing demyelination in the brain and spinal cord, presenting as monophasic, acute-onset, and rapidly progressive multifocal neurological deficits. A wide variety of precipitating factors can trigger ADEM, and it has long been known to be a rare adverse event following some types of vaccinations including rabies, diphtheria–tetanus–polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines. Recently, ADEM has also been associated with COVID-19 infection and (very rarely) with COVID-19 vaccination. We have a 56-year-old female who was not known to have any medical issues. She voluntarily received her first COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca) ten days after immunization; she developed weakness of the lower limbs and slurred speech. She tested negative for COVID-19, and a brain MRI showed T2-weighted white-matter hyperintense lesions suggesting acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis. She was managed with pulse-dose steroids, which resulted in a marked improvement in her symptoms, and discharged in a stable condition. Physicians should be aware of this neurological disorder and the management options for better patient care and outcomes

Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Due to Human Rhinovirus—A Retrospective Study

Introduction. Human rhinovirus (HRV) can lead to a variety of respiratory illnesses; it is also an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We described the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for CAP due to HRV. Methods. We retrospectively studied consecutive adult patients admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City-Riyadh with CAP due to HRV between 2016 and 2019. The diagnosis was made by respiratory multiplex PCR within 48 hours of hospitalization. We compared patients requiring ICU admission to those who did not. Results. One-hundred-and-six patients were studied (peak hospitalization between November and January, median age 71.5 years, hypertension 59%, diabetes 50%, and chronic respiratory disease 44.3%); 16 (15.1%) patients required ICU admission. The median pneumonia severity index score (PSI) was 107, with no significant difference between ICU and nonICU patients. ICU patients had a higher prevalence of tachypnea (62.5% vs. 26.7%, p=0.005), hemoptysis (12.5% vs 0%, p=0.001), and lymphopenia (71.4% vs 26.3%, p=0.01). Chest X-ray on presentation showed bilateral infiltrates in 47/101 (46.5%) patients and unilateral infiltrates in 26/101 (25.7%) patients. Systemic corticosteroids were used in 54.7% of patients (the median initial dose was 120 mg of prednisone equivalent and was higher in nonICU patients). Most (69.2%) ICU patients received mechanical ventilation (median duration of 8 days). Bacterial coinfection (6.6%) and superinfection (3.8%) were rare. The overall hospital mortality was 9.4% (higher for ICU patients: 37.5% vs. 4.4%, p<0.001). Conclusions. Most patients with CAP due to HRV were elderly and had significant comorbidities. ICU admission was required in almost one in six patients and was associated with higher mortality