bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Needles in a haystack: an intersectional analysis of the descriptive, constitutive and substantive representation of minoritised women
Authors: Siow Orly
Published: February 2023

Using a data set of 1.1 million speeches drawn from UK House of Commons debates during 1997–2017 and a combination of automated and manual content analysis, this study addresses three interrelated questions. First, to what extent are minoritised women constitutively represented in parliamentary debates? Second, which MPs do so? Third, how do MPs’ race and gender affect how they represent minoritised women? I find that minoritised women are mentioned exceptionally rarely in parliamentary debates. Furthermore, descriptive representatives are not only substantially more likely to mention minoritised women than other MPs, but they also improve the quality of representation by doing so in relation to a wider range of issues. Yet, paradoxically, white men’s descriptive over-representation means that they account for the vast majority of mentions of minoritised women. More broadly, I foreground the distinction between constitutive and substantive representation, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between speaking about and on behalf of.
Do communist gender regimes have a lasting effect on contemporary gender role attitudes in the post-communist region?
Authors: Beloshitzkaya Vera , Reilly Kathleen P.
Published: February 2023

Although studies have found a lasting negative impact of the communist legacy on political attitudes in the post-communist region, the effect of this legacy on gender attitudes is less well researched. While post-communist countries share a history of women-friendly policies under communism, their socio-political paths diverged after the transition. We ask: do communist gender regimes have a lasting effect on gender role attitudes? We answer this question by comparing the attitudes of cohorts socialised under communism with the attitudes of the post-transition generation using Life in Transition III survey data. We find a distinct legacy effect on attitudes. Non-European Union communist cohorts have more progressive attitudes than the post-transition cohort. In the European Union, the attitudinal gender egalitarianism of the post-transition cohort is indistinguishable from the attitudes of communist cohorts, likely due to this cohort also experiencing gender equality promotion during socialisation. The findings support the need to continue gender equality promotion.
Low radiation dose calibration and theoretical model of an optical fiber dosimeter for the International Space Station
Authors: Di Francesca Diego , Balcon Nicolas , Cheiney Pierrick , Chesta Enrico , Clement Florence , Girard Sylvain , Mekki Julien , Melin Gilles , Morana Adriana , Roche Martin , Ricci Daniel
Published: February 2023

The optical-fiber-based dosimeter of the LUMINA project was deployed in August 2021 in the International Space Station in the framework of the Alpha mission. The sensing elements of the dosimeter are P-doped optical fibers, which were proven to be excellent candidates for dosimetry applications. The twofold objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical model for the radiation response of the dosimeter and to report on the experimental work carried out at CERN for the qualification and calibration of the engineering model of the LUMINA dosimeter. Combining the theoretical response and experimental data, the calibration curve of the flight model is obtained. Finally, this study broadens the investigation of the room temperature radiation response of P-doped optical fibers in a range of dose rates 104 times lower than previously reported, from 21µGy(SiO2)/h to 145mGy(SiO2)/h.
Integrated thermo-optic micro-ring resonator in Z-cut lithium niobate thin film with isolation trenches
Authors: Lin Hong-Lin , Gao Yuan , Chen Guanyu , Danner Aaron J.
Published: February 2023

We propose and demonstrate a thermally tuned micro-ring resonator in a Z-cut lithium niobate on insulator platform. The ring cavity is heated by a thermal electrode placed above the waveguide. In addition, to improve the thermal insulation, we introduce trenches around the heating area. An excellent extinction ratio of 25 dB and a Q-factor of 12,000 are measured from the micro-ring resonator. The improvement associated with the trench structure is about 1.5-fold compared with the structure without trenches. The proposed isolation structure can be widely introduced to thermo-optic devices, significantly reducing fabrication difficulty.
Maximization of a frequency splitting on continuous exceptional points in asymmetric optical microdisks
Authors: Kim Hyundong , Gwak Sunjae , Yu Hyeon-Hye , Ryu Jinhyeok , Kim Chil-Min , Yi Chang-Hwan
Published: February 2023

We study a systematic formation of continuous exceptional points (EPs) in a fully-asymmetric optical microdisk. A parametric generation of chiral EP modes is investigated by analyzing asymmetricity-dependent coupling elements in an effective Hamiltonian. It is shown that given the external perturbation, the frequency splitting around EPs is scaled by the fundamental “strength” of EPs [J. Wiersig, Phys. Rev. Res. 4, 023121 (2022)10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.023121] multiplied by the extra responding strength of the newly added perturbation. Our finding demonstrates that the sensitivity of EP-based sensors can be maximized by carefully examining the continuous formation of EPs.
Path sampling and integration method to calculate speckle patterns
Authors: Song Chunyuan , Gao Jingjing , Gan Yu , Zhang Xuyu , Han Shensheng , Wang Lihong V. , Liu Honglin
Published: February 2023

A stable speckle pattern is generated when a coherent beam illuminates a stationary scattering medium that contains numerous scatterers with fixed positions. To date, there has been no valid method to the best of our knowledge for calculating the speckle pattern of a macro medium with a large number of scatterers. Here, a new method based on possible path sampling with corresponding weights and coherent superposition is presented for the simulation of optical field propagation in a scattering medium and output speckle patterns. In this method, a photon is launched onto a medium with fixed scatterers. It propagates in one direction; upon collision with a scatterer, its direction is updated. The procedure is repeated until it exits the medium. A sampled path is obtained in this manner. By repeatedly launching photons, numerous independent optical paths can be sampled. A speckle pattern, corresponding to the probability density of the photon, is formed by the coherent superposition of sufficiently sampled path lengths ending on a receiving screen. This method can be used in sophisticated studies of the influences of medium parameters, motion of scatterers, sample distortions on speckle distributions, and morphological appearances. It can be used for micro-examination of optical fields in scattering media and may inspire new methods and techniques for non-invasive precision detection and diagnosis of scattering media.
Picosecond Pseudomorphic AlGaAs/InGaAs MODFET Large-Signal Switching Measured by Electro-Optic Sampling
Authors: Jackson M.K. , Frankel M.Y. , Whitaker J.F. , Mourou G.A. , Hulin D. , Antonetti A. , Van Hove M. , De Raedt W. , Crozat P. , Hafdallah H.
Published: February 2023

We present a study of the large-signal switching characteristics on a picosecond time scale of an AlGaAs/InGaAs modulation-doped field-effect transistor (MODFET) using electrooptic sampling. The MODFET has been of great interest for high-speed digital and analog applications since its demonstration. Recent progress in the fabrication of such devices has resulted in devices with extrinsic cutoff frequencies exceeding 250GHz, corresponding to response times on the order of a picosecond. The rapid increase in the speed of MODFET devices has outstripped the ability to measure their performance with all-electronic equipment. Devices are most often characterized at lower frequencies and then the results are extrapolated to much higher frequency. These difficulties can be avoided using very high bandwidth optoelectronic techniques based on ultrafast lasers, where it is routine to generate and detect electrical signals with subpicosecond rise and fall times. These optoelectronic techniques have been applied to small-signal characterization of passive coplanar striplines to 1THz and MOD-FET devices to 100GHz. In addition to the very high bandwidth of optoelectronic methods, the ability to generate large electrical signal amplitudes allows the study of switching of active devices. Large-signal characterization of active devices is important because of the wide range of high-speed large-signal device applications, including analog sampling circuits, oscillators, and all digital circuits. It is also important in understanding device operation since large-signal operation on very short time scales involves rapid changes of carrier distributions throughout the device. As the time scale of the signals at the device input and output approaches that required for re-equilibration of carrier distributions, it will become necessary to include these non quasi-static effects in nonlinear device models. Large-signal measurements on a very short time scale will allow the development and verification of nonlinear circuit models, and their comparison with existing models based on bias-dependent small-signal measurements.
Public opinion on climate change in China—Evidence from two national surveys
Authors: Liu John Chung-En
Published: February 2023

China’s ambitious initiatives to address climate change have attracted significant scholarly attention, yet much less focus was on how climate change is understood in Chinese society. This study analyzes the results from two surveys in 2009 and 2016 with nationally representative samples. The findings suggest that Chinese people have a fairly high awareness of the existence and anthropogenic causes of climate change. They consider climate change less urgent than air pollutions but more important than conservation. There is strong support for China to take leadership to address climate change. The respondents consider the government, especially the central government, as the entity most responsible for taking actions on climate change and generally approve its contributions. Policy measures such as carbon tax and cap and trade enjoy high support in China. Finally, the respondents also show a strong willingness to partake in individual actions.
Pharmacogenetic allele variant frequencies: An analysis of the VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) as a representation of the diversity in US population
Authors: Markianos Kyriacos , Dong Frederic , Gorman Bryan , Shi Yunling , Dochtermann Daniel , Saxena Uma , Devineni Poornima , Moser Jennifer , Muralidhar Sumitra , Ramoni Rachel , Tsao Philip , Pyarajan Saiju , Przygodzki Ronald ,   for the Million Veteran Program
Published: February 2023

We present allele frequencies of pharmacogenomics relevant variants across multiple ancestry in a sample representative of the US population. We analyzed 658,582 individuals with genotype data and extracted pharmacogenomics relevant single nucleotide variant (SNV) alleles, human leukocyte antigens (HLA) 4-digit alleles and an important copy number variant (CNV), the full deletion/duplication of CYP2D6. We compiled distinct allele frequency tables for European, African American, Hispanic, and Asian ancestry individuals. In addition, we compiled allele frequencies based on local ancestry reconstruction in the African-American (2-way deconvolution) and Hispanic (3-way deconvolution) cohorts.
Hypobaric hypoxia induced renal injury in rats: Prophylactic amelioration by quercetin supplementation
Authors: Rathi Vaishnavi , Tiwari Isha , Kulshreshtha Ritu , S. K. Sagi Sarada
Published: February 2023

The present study aims at assessing the effect of hypobaric hypoxia induced renal damage and associated renal functions in male SD rats. Further, this study was extended to explore the protective efficacy of quercetin in ameliorating the functional impairment in kidneys of rats under hypobaric hypoxia. Rats were exposed to 7620m (25000 ft.) at 25°C ±2 in a simulated hypobaric hypoxia chamber for different time durations (0h,1h, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h) in order to optimize the time at which maximum renal damage would occur. The rats were exposed to hypoxia for 12h duration was considered as the optimum time, due to significant increase in oxidative stress (ROS, MDA) and renal metabolites (creatinine, BUN and uric acid) with remarkable reduction (p<0.001) in antioxidants (GSH) in plasma, as compared to other tested durations. Moreover, these findings were in support with the histopathology analysis of renal tissues. For optimum quercetin dose selection, the rats were administered with different doses of quercetin (25mg, 50mg, 100mg and 200mg/Kg BW) for 12h at 7620 m, 25°C ±2, 1h prior to hypoxia exposure. Quercetin 50mg/kg BW was considered as the optimum dose at which significant (p<0.001) reduction in oxidative stress levels followed by reduction in creatinine and BUN levels were obtained in plasma of the rats compared to hypoxia control rats. Quercetin prophylaxis (50mg/kg BW) stabilized the HIF-1α protein expression followed by reduced VEGF protein expression along with reduced levels of LDH (p<0.001) in the kidneys of rats compared to hypoxia control. Histopathological observations further substantiated these findings in reducing the renal tissue injury. The study findings revealed that, quercetin prophylaxis abrogates the possibility of hypobaric hypoxia induced renal injury by reducing the oxidative stress in rats.
How reliable is the asset score in measuring socioeconomic status? Comparing asset ownership reported by male and female heads of households
Authors: Khan M. Mahmud , Taylor Sebastian , Morry Chris , Sriram Shyamkumar , Demir Ibrahim , Siddiqi Mizan
Published: February 2023

Asset scores are widely used as the preferred method of measuring socioeconomic wellbeing of households in developing countries. We examine the degree of discrepancies in reporting asset ownership by male and female heads of the same household. Household asset scores were estimated separately for male and female responses, using Principal Component Analysis, the method widely used in the literature, and households were categorized into wealth quintiles. The results indicate that only half of the households belonged to the same quintile groups for both male and female response-based asset scores. In addition, the two estimates of asset scores within the same quintile deviate by more than 20% for 71% of households in the top three quintiles and for 18% in the poorest two quintiles. Inter-individual (male/female) variability in reporting the asset ownership was high enough to raise concerns about the validity and reliability of asset scores as a metric of household socioeconomic status. Although the study did not try to ascertain underlying reasons for differential reporting, possible explanations could be a lack of awareness among household members on asset ownership or differential propensity to demonstrate relatively better social status of the household by male and female respondents. To improve reliability of asset scores, methodology for collecting asset ownership information should define who in the household may or may not be used as a respondent. Visual verification of reported ownership of assets will reduce male-female discrepancies but the verification process is time-consuming and intrusive, thus negating the advantages of collecting asset data. Alternatives to asset-based scoring need to be considered and one approach could be to solicit subjective opinions from male and female heads on the location of households in the social hierarchy.
Exploring impaired self-awareness of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: Resting-state fMRI correlates and the connection to mindfulness
Authors: Buchwitz Timo Marcel , Ruppert-Junck Marina Christine , Greuel Andrea , Maier Franziska , Thieken Franziska , Jakobs Viktoria , Eggers Carsten
Published: February 2023

Objective

To further explore the phenomenon of impaired self-awareness of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s Disease by using an evaluated measurement approach applied in previous studies, while also examining its connection with dispositional mindfulness and possible correlates of functional connectivity.

Background

Recently, the phenomenon of impaired self-awareness has been studied more intensively by applying different measurement and imaging methods. Existing literature also points towards a possible connection with mindfulness, which has not been examined in a cross-sectional study. There is no data available concerning correlates of functional connectivity.

Methods

Non-demented patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease without severe depression were tested for impaired self-awareness for motor symptoms following a psychometrically evaluated approach. Mindfulness was measured by applying the German version of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. A subset of eligible patients underwent functional MRI scanning. Spearman correlation analyses were performed to examine clinical data. Whole-brain voxelwise regressions between seed-based connectivity and behavioral measures were calculated to identify functional connectivity correlates of impaired self-awareness scores.

Results

A total of 41 patients with Parkinson’s Disease were included. 15 patients successfully underwent resting-state fMRI scanning. Up to 88% of patients showed signs of impaired self-awareness. Awareness for hypokinetic movements correlated with total mindfulness values and three facets, while awareness for dyskinetic movements did not. Three significant clusters between scores of impaired self-awareness in general and for dyskinetic movements were identified linking behavioral measures with the functional connectivity of the inferior frontal gyrus, the right insular cortex, the supplementary motor area, and the precentral gyrus among others. Impaired self-awareness for hypokinetic movements did not have any neural correlate.

Conclusions

Clinical data is comparable with results from previous studies applying the same structured approach to measure impaired self-awareness in Parkinson’s Disease. Functional connectivity analyses were conducted for the first time to evaluate neural correlates thereof. This data does not support a connection between impaired self-awareness of motor symptoms and dispositional mindfulness.
Racial differences in time to blood pressure control of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: A single-institution study
Authors: Zhou Xiaofei , Bates Adam Hwan , Mahajan Uma V. , Desai Ansh , Butke Jeffrey , Shammassian Berje , Duan Yifei , Burant Christopher , Sarna Kaylee , Sajatovic Martha , Dani Dhimant , Hoffer S. Alan
Published: February 2023

Background and purpose

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs in approximately 30,000 patients annually in the United States. Uncontrolled blood pressure is a major risk factor for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Clinical guidelines recommend maintaining blood pressure control until definitive aneurysm securement occurs. It is unknown whether racial differences exist regarding blood pressure control and outcomes (HLOS, discharge disposition) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here, we aim to assess whether racial differences exist in 1) presentation, 2) clinical course, and 3) outcomes, including time to blood pressure stabilization, for aSAH patients at a large tertiary care medical center.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of adult aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage cases from 2013 to 2019 at a single large tertiary medical center. Data extracted from the medical record included sex, age, race, insurance status, aneurysm location, aneurysm treatment, initial systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Hunt Hess grade, modified Fisher score, time to blood pressure control (defined as time in minutes from first blood pressure measurement to the first of three consecutive systolic blood pressure measurements under 140mmHg), hospital length of stay, and final discharge disposition.

Results

194 patients met inclusion criteria; 140 (72%) White and 54 (28%) Black. While White patients were more likely than Black patients to be privately insured (62.1% versus 33.3%, p < 0.001), Black patients were more likely than White patients to have Medicaid (55.6% versus 15.0%, p < 0.001). Compared to White patients, Black patients presented with a higher median systolic (165 mmHg versus 148 mmHg, p = 0.004) and diastolic (93 mmHg versus 84 mmHg, p = 0.02) blood pressure. Black patients had a longer median time to blood pressure control than White patients (200 minutes versus 90 minutes, p = 0.001). Black patients had a shorter median hospital length of stay than White patients (15 days versus 18 days, p < 0.031). There was a small but statistically significant difference in modified Fisher score between black and white patients (3.48 versus 3.17, p = 0.04).There were no significant racial differences present in sex, Hunt Hess grade, discharge disposition, complications, or need for further interventions.

Conclusion

Black race was associated with higher blood pressure at presentation, longer time to blood pressure control, but shorter hospital length of stay. No racial differences were present in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage associated complications or interventions.
Annual molt period and seasonal color variation in the Eared Dove´s crown
Authors: Valdez Diego J. , Benitez-Vieyra Santiago M.
Published: February 2023

Molting is an important process in which old and worn feathers are exchanged for new ones. Plumage color is determined by pigments such as carotenes, melanin and by the ultrastructure of the feather. The importance of plumage coloration has been widely studied in different groups of birds, generally at a particular time of the year. However, plumage coloration is not static and few studies have addressed the change in plumage color over time and its relationship to reproductive tasks. The Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata, Des Murs, 1847) has a melanistic coloration with sexual dichromatism in different body regions. The Eared Dove´s crown is the most exposed body region during the bowing display. Our objective was therefore to accurately determine the molting period of the crown feathers and study the seasonal variation in their coloration in females and males. Our findings indicate a molting period of 6 months (January to June). The new feathers are undergoing changes in their coloration from July to December. During that period we apply an avian vision model then enabled us to reveal a seasonal variation in the coloration of the crown feathers in both sexes, as given by a change in the chromatic distances. The highest values in the chromatic distances towards the reproductive period are given by a change in the UV-violet component of the spectrum, indicating changes in the microstructure of the feather. This change in crown coloration towards the breeding season could be linked to reproductive behaviors.
Dynamic risk assessment of hospital oxygen supply system by HAZOP and intuitionistic fuzzy
Authors: Yousofnejad Yeganeh , Afsari Fatemeh , Es’haghi Mahboubeh
Published: February 2023

Events such as oxygen leakage in the oxygen generation systems can have severe consequences, such as fire and explosion. In addition, the disruption in the oxygenation systems can lead to a threat to patients’ lives. Thus, this study aimed to identify the significant deviations in the oxygen supply system as critical equipment at hospitals based on the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) method. Despite the advantages of risk assessment techniques, hazard identification techniques are still being utilized with deterministic and unreliable values and have a completely static nature. Therefore, using dynamic techniques to overcome intrinsic ambiguity in the risk assessment process through fuzzy sets has been recommended. Additionally, we proposed the HAZOP methodology to integrate with the intuitionistic fuzzy system for assessing the medical oxygen supply system using Pressure Swing Absorbance technology as a proactive approach. The results showed that the intuitionistic fuzzy approach, combined with the risk assessment method, is a suitable tool to eliminate uncertainty, improve decision-making, and result in more detailed and accurate findings. The approach adopted in this study can be used as a needs assessment tool to optimize maintenance programs and provide the necessary training for the staff, maintenance operators, and medical equipment managers.
Cemented vs Uncemented hemiarthroplasties for femoral neck fractures: An overlapping systematic review and evidence appraisal
Authors: Reddy Arjun K. , Scott Jared T. , Norris Grayson R. , Moore Chip , Checketts Jake X. , Hughes Griffin K. , Small Travis , Calder Mark M. , Norris Brent L.
Published: February 2023

Background

The purpose of our study is to assess the methodology of overlapping systematic reviews related to cemented vs uncemented hip hemiarthroplasties for the treatment of femoral neck fractures to find the study with the best evidence. Also, we assess the gaps in methodology and information to help with direction of future studies.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in September 2022 using Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Clinical outcome data and characteristics of each study were extracted to see which treatment had better favorability. The outcomes and characteristics extracted from each study includes, first author, search date, publication journal and date, number of studies included, databases, level of evidence, software used, subgroup analyses that were conducted, and heterogeneity with the use of I2 statistics Methodological quality information was extracted from each study using four different methodologic scores (Oxford Levels of Evidence; Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR); Quality of reporting of meta-analyses (QUROM); Oxman and Guyatt. After that, the Jadad decision algorithm was used to identify which studies in our sample contained the best available evidence. Finally, overlap of each systematic review was assessed using Corrected Covered Area (CCA) to look at redundancy and research waste among the systematic reviews published on the topic.

Results

After screening, 12 studies were included in our sample. For the Oxford Levels of Evidence, we found that all the studies were Level I evidence. For the QUORUM assessment, we had 1 study with the highest score of 18. Additionally, we did the Oxman and Guyatt assessment, where we found 4 studies with a maximum score of 6. Finally, we did an AMSTAR assessment and found 2 studies with a score of 9. After conducting the methodological scores; the authors determined that Li. L et al 2021 had the highest quality. In addition, it was found that the CCA found among the primary studies in each systematic review calculated to .22. Any CCA above .15 is considered “very high overlap”.

Conclusions

The best available evidence suggests that Cemented HAs are better at preventing Prosthesis-related complications. Conversely, the best evidence also suggests that Cemented HA also results in longer operative time and increased intraoperative blood loss. When conducting future systematic reviews related to the topic, we ask that authors restrict conducting another systematic review until new evidence emerges so as not to confuse the clinical decision-making of physicians.
Engaging men through HIV self-testing with differentiated care to improve ART initiation and viral suppression among men in Malawi (ENGAGE): A study protocol for a randomized control trial
Authors: Choko Augustine T. , Coates Thomas J. , Mphande Misheck , Balakasi Kelvin , Robson Isabella , Phiri Khumbo , Phiri Sam , Kulich Michal , Sweat Michael , Cornell Morna , Hoffman Risa M. , Dovel Kathryn
Published: February 2023

Background

Men experience twice the mortality of women while on ART in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) largely due to late HIV diagnosis and poor retention. Here we propose to conduct an individually randomized control trial (RCT) to investigate the impact of three-month home-based ART (hbART) on viral suppression among men who were not engaged in care.

Methods and design

A programmatic, individually randomized non-blinded, non-inferiority-controlled trial design (ClinicalTrials.org NCT04858243). Through medical chart reviews we will identify “non-engaged” men living with HIV, ≥15years of age who are not currently engaged in ART care, including (1) men who have tested HIV-positive and have not initiated ART within 7 days; (2) men who have initiated ART but are at risk of immediate default; and (3) men who have defaulted from ART. With 1:1 computer block randomization to either hbART or facility-based ART (fbART) arms, we will recruit men from 10–15 high-burden health facilities in central and southern Malawi. The hbART intervention will consist of 3 home-visits in a 3-month period by a certified male study nurse ART provider. In the fbART arm, male participants will be offered counselling at male participant’s home, or a nearby location that is preferred by participants, followed with an escort to the local health facility and facility navigation. The primary outcome is the proportion of men who are virally suppressed at 6-months after ART initiation. Assuming primary outcome achievement of 24.0% and 33.6% in the two arms, 350 men per arm will provide 80% power to detect the stated difference.

Discussion

Identifying effective ART strategies that are convenient and accessible for men in SSA is a priority in the HIV world. Men may not (re-)engage in facility-based care due to a myriad of barriers. Two previous trials investigated the impact of hbART on viral suppression in the general population whereas this trial focuses on men. Additionally, this trial involves a longer duration of hbART i.e., three months compared to two weeks allowing men more time to overcome the initial psychological denial of taking ART.
An efficient approach to estimate the risk of coronary artery disease for people living with HIV using machine-learning-based retinal image analysis
Authors: Lui Grace , Leung Ho Sang , Lee Jack , Wong Chun Kwok , Li Xinxin , Ho Mary , Wong Vivian , Li Timothy , Ho Tracy , Chan Yin Yan , Lee Shui Shan , Lee Alex PW , Wong Ka Tak , Zee Benny
Published: February 2023

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) have increased risks of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Current HIV clinical management guidelines recommend regular cardiovascular risk screening, but the risk equation models are not specific for PLWH. Better tools are needed to assess cardiovascular risk among PLWH accurately.

Methods

We performed a prospective study to determine the performance of automatic retinal image analysis in assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) in PLWH. We enrolled PLWH with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor. All participants had computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram and digital fundus photographs. The primary outcome was coronary atherosclerosis; secondary outcomes included obstructive CAD. In addition, we compared the performances of three models (traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone; retinal characteristics alone; and both traditional and retinal characteristics) by comparing the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Among the 115 participants included in the analyses, with a mean age of 54 years, 89% were male, 95% had undetectable HIV RNA, 45% had hypertension, 40% had diabetes, 45% had dyslipidemia, and 55% had obesity, 71 (61.7%) had coronary atherosclerosis, and 23 (20.0%) had obstructive CAD. The machine-learning models, including retinal characteristics with and without traditional cardiovascular risk factors, had AUC of 0.987 and 0.979, respectively and had significantly better performance than the model including traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone (AUC 0.746) in assessing coronary artery disease atherosclerosis. The sensitivity and specificity for risk of coronary atherosclerosis in the combined model were 93.0% and 93.2%, respectively. For the assessment of obstructive CAD, models using retinal characteristics alone (AUC 0.986) or in combination with traditional risk factors (AUC 0.991) performed significantly better than traditional risk factors alone (AUC 0.777). The sensitivity and specificity for risk of obstructive CAD in the combined model were 95.7% and 97.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

In this cohort of Asian PLWH at risk of cardiovascular diseases, retinal characteristics, either alone or combined with traditional risk factors, had superior performance in assessing coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive CAD.

People living with HIV in an Asian cohort with risk factors for cardiovascular disease had a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). A machine-learning-based retinal image analysis could increase the accuracy in assessing the risk of coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive CAD.
Pediatric post-discharge mortality in resource-poor countries: A protocol for an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chaudhry Maryum , Knappett Martina , Nguyen Vuong , Trawin Jessica , Mugisha Nathan Kenya , Kabakyenga Jerome , Kumbakumba Elias , Jacob Shevin , Ansermino J. Mark , Kissoon Niranjan , Wiens Matthew O.
Published: February 2023

Background

More than 50 countries, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, are not on course to meet the neonatal and under-five mortality target set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2030. One important, yet neglected, aspect of child mortality rates is deaths occurring during the post-discharge period. For children living in resource-poor countries, the rate of post-discharge mortality within the first several months after discharge is often as high as the rates observed during the initial admission period. This has generally been observed within the context of acute illness and has been closely linked to underlying conditions such as malnutrition, HIV, and anemia. These post-discharge mortality rates tend to be underreported and present a major oversight in the efforts to reduce overall child mortality. This review will explore recurrent illness following discharge through determination of rates of, and risk factors for, pediatric post-discharge mortality in resource-poor settings.

Methods

Eligible studies will be retrieved using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Only studies with a post-discharge observation period of more than 7 days following discharge will be eligible for inclusion. Secondary outcomes will include post-discharge mortality relative to in-hospital mortality, overall readmission rates, pooled estimates of risk factors (e.g. admission details vs discharge factors, clinical vs social factors), pooled post-discharge mortality Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and outcomes by disease subgroups (e.g. malnutrition, anemia, general admissions). A narrative description of the included studies will be synthesized to categorize commonly affected patient population categories and a random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted to quantify overall post-discharge mortality rates at the 6-month time point.

Discussion

Post-discharge mortality contributes to global child mortality rates with a greater burden of deaths occurring in resource-poor settings. Literature concentrated on child mortality published over the last decade has expanded to focus on the fatal outcomes of children post-discharge and associated risk factors. The results from this systematic review will inform current policy and interventions on the epidemiological burden of post-discharge mortality and morbidity following acute illness among children living in resource-poor settings.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO Registration ID:CRD42022350975.
Effects of foliage-applied exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid on seedling growth of two rice varieties under salt stress
Authors: Feng Di , Gao Qian , Sun Xiaoan , Ning Songrui , Qi Na , Hua Zetian , Tang Jingchun
Published: February 2023

Exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been used and regarded as a potential enhancer for plant resistance against various biotic or abiotic attackers in the crop production, especially as a promising alleviator against salt stress. In order to determine whether GABA is truly effective in promoting rice resistance under a certain level of salt stress or not and to evaluate its effect on the growth and some physiological responses of two Japonica rice varieties under salt stress. 3-leaf rice seedlings germinated from seeds were cultivated in a separate hydroponic cup with a nutrient solution that was salinized with 0, 25, 50, or 75 mmol K+ of NaCl. A 4 mmol L−1 GABA solution or water were sprayed onto leaves once a day for 8 days prior to an assessment of the seedling growth, the growth indices, root activities and three antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves were measured. Data analyses indicated that as the salt concentration increased, the plant height and the leaf area of both rice varieties decreased, while the dead leaf rate, weight ratio of the dry- and fresh-roots, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities increased. Under the same saline conditions, the root activities and the leaf ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity were enhanced at a low NaCl concentration but reduced when the salt concentration was high. A foliar application of GABA daily on both rice varieties for over a week under 3 different salinized treatments as compared with the corresponding treatments sprayed with water resulted in an enhanced effect on plant height increment by 1.7-32.4%, a reduction of dead leaf rate by 1.6-36.4%, a decline of root dry weight by 9.3-30.9% respectively, and an increment in root activities by 8.1-114.5%, and POD, SOD and APX enzyme activities increased by 5.0-33.3%, 4.1-18.5%, and 7.2-64.4% respectively. However, two rice varieties showed a significant difference in response to various salinized levels. Overall results of this study demonstrate that the application of exogenous GABA on the leaves of rice seedlings under salt stress has improved rice salt tolerance, which should provide a sufficient information for ultimately making it possible to grow rice in salinized soil.
Gender expectations, socioeconomic inequalities and definitions of career success: A qualitative study with university students
Authors: Fernández Daniela P. , Ryan Michelle K. , Begeny Christopher T.
Published: February 2023

Higher Education (HE) is seen as a tool to create job opportunities and enhance individuals’ quality of life. Research demonstrates that students’ expectations of career success in HE are an important predictor of their motivation and academic attainment. However, there is a lack of clarity about how career success is defined and whether individuals perceive that their experiences (e.g., gender) may be associated with these definitions. In online written interviews with 36 university students in the United Kingdom, we examine how students define career success and how they perceive their identity (gender, socioeconomic status) experiences underpinning these definitions. We analysed three main definitional themes: (a) career success as personal development, (b) career success as individual mobility, and (c) lack of clarity about what career success is. Findings suggest that gender and socioeconomic experiences had an important role in students’ understanding of career success, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Indeed, in the intersection of gender and socioeconomic status, inequalities persist: female students anticipated difficulties in terms of work-life balance and gender stereotypes that constrained their career success definitions. Moreover, family experiences were important to understand students’ definitions of career success, particularly for disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. The current research sheds light on an important paradox in HE organisations: while students tend to define career success in relatively individualistic ways, such as individual mobility, financial success, or personal development, it was clear that their social identities (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status) and related experiences played an important role in creating definitions of career success. This further implies that when universities encourage a perception of career success as individual mobility, for example, having better job opportunities, or by espousing the belief that higher education and/or professional sectors are truly meritocratic–this will not always align with, and may create tension for, students from disadvantaged groups.
Knowledge exchange in crisis settings: A scoping review
Authors: McGill Elizabeth , Halliday Emma , Egan Matthew , Popay Jennie
Published: February 2023

Background

Public health practice and efforts to improve the social determinants of health operate within a climate characterised by multiple and intersecting crises. This includes the Covid-19 pandemic as well as more protracted crises such as climate change and persistent social inequalities that impact health. We sought to understand and compare how knowledge exchange (KE) processes occur across different crises, and how knowledge on improving social determinants of health can be utilised at times of crisis to reduce health inequalities and strengthen public systems.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review to understand how KE on improving social determinants of health can occur across different types of crises (e.g. environmental, pandemics, humanitarian). Relevant studies were identified through electronic searching of Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Results

We identified 86 studies for inclusion in the review. Most studies concerned pandemic or environmental crises. Fewer studies explored KE during technical (e.g. nuclear), terror-related or humanitarian crises. This may reflect a limitation of the searches. Few studies assessed KE as part of longer-term responses to social and economic impacts of crises, with studies more likely to focus on immediate response or early recovery stages. Exchange of research evidence or data with policy or practice contextual knowledge was common but there was variation in the extent that lay (public) knowledge was included as part of KE processes.

Conclusion

As ongoing crises continue with significant public health implications, KE processes should appropriately reflect the complexity inherent in crises and foreground health inequalities. Doing so could include the utilisation of systems or complexity-informed methods to support planning and evaluation of KE, a greater focus on KE to support action to address social determinants of health, and the inclusion of a plurality of knowledge–including lived experience–in planning and responding to crises.
Analysis of the role of the QseBC two-component sensory system in epinephrine-induced motility and intracellular replication of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Meethai Chatruthai , Vanaporn Muthita , Intarak Narin , Lerdsittikul Varintip , Withatanung Patoo , Janesomboon Sujintana , Vattanaviboon Paiboon , Chareonsudjai Sorujsiri , Wilkinson Toby , Stevens Mark P. , Stevens Joanne M. , Korbsrisate Sunee
Published: February 2023

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes melioidosis, a severe invasive disease of humans. We previously reported that the stress-related catecholamine hormone epinephrine enhances motility of B. pseudomallei, transcription of flagellar genes and the production of flagellin. It has been reported that the QseBC two-component sensory system regulates motility and virulence-associated genes in other Gram-negative bacteria in response to stress-related catecholamines, albeit disparities between studies exist. We constructed and whole-genome sequenced a mutant of B. pseudomallei with a deletion spanning the predicted qseBC homologues (bpsl0806 and bpsl0807). The ΔqseBC mutant exhibited significantly reduced swimming and swarming motility and reduced transcription of fliC. It also exhibited a defect in biofilm formation and net intracellular survival in J774A.1 murine macrophage-like cells. While epinephrine enhanced bacterial motility and fliC transcription, no further reduction in these phenotypes was observed with the ΔqseBC mutant in the presence of epinephrine. Plasmid-mediated expression of qseBC suppressed bacterial growth, complicating attempts to trans-complement mutant phenotypes. Our data support a role for QseBC in motility, biofilm formation and net intracellular survival of B. pseudomallei, but indicate that it is not essential for epinephrine-induced motility per se.
Validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form) in adults with asthma
Authors: Oliveira Joice Mara , Spositon Thamyres , Rugila Diery Fernandes , Pitta Fabio , Furlanetto Karina Couto
Published: February 2023

Background

The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is widely used to assess PA and has already been used in adults with asthma; however, its validity has not been yet studied in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the convergent and discriminative validity of the IPAQ short form in adults with asthma.

Methods

Fifty-three adults with asthma (36 females; 48±15 years; 29±6 kg/m²) wore the triaxial activity monitor Actigraph for eight days to objectively measure steps/day, time in light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and sedentary behaviour. Participants filled out the IPAQ matching with the same week they wore the Actigraph, with measures of: time of MVPA and total PA/week; categorization of low, moderate or high PA level; time in seated position.

Results

IPAQ self-reported total time of PA/week was weakly correlated with steps/day. The IPAQ categorization correlated moderately with time in light, MVPA and steps/day. Self-reported time in seated position on weekdays was moderately correlated with objective percentage/day of time in sedentary behaviour in the same period. IPAQ categorization in PA levels was able to differentiate between low to moderate and low to high PA levels.

Conclusions

These results cannot confidently infer the convergent validity of the IPAQ to quantify number of steps/day and time spent in PA of adults with asthma. However, this instrument may be useful to categorize patients into three levels of PA.