bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult Attachment, Racial-Ethnic Identity, Racial-Ethnic Socialization, and Subjective Wellbeing
Authors:   , Toyama Shiho
Published: December 2023

The current study aimed to explore the direct effect of insecure adult attachment on subjective wellbeing and its indirect effect via racial-ethnic identity. Additionally, the present study examined the extent to which racial-ethnic socialization practices may moderate adult attachment and racial-ethnic identity link. The final sample included 213 emerging adults (M = 20.94; SD = 2.96) with diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. PROCESS Model 4 and 1 were used to examine the direct and indirect effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via racial-ethnic identity variables and the interaction effect between insecure attachment and racial-ethnic socialization on racial-ethnic identity variables. Results indicated the direct effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing but did not support hypotheses for the indirect effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via the racial-ethnic identity variables. Additionally, results indicated that overt socialization buffered the negative impact of attachment avoidance on racial-ethnic identity exploration. Furthermore, racial-ethnic identity variables and subjective wellbeing significantly differed across racial-ethnic groups and socioeconomic statuses. Findings provide insight on the distinct concepts of attachment and racial-ethnic identity as they highlight inter- and intra-personal components, respectively. Mental health professionals may utilize overt socialization to help clients develop a sense of purpose and meaning related to their identity. Limitations, future research directions, and counseling implications are discussed.
Child-Centered Play Therapy and Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors:   , Chung Regine Ki Ki
Published: December 2023

The current study is the first repeated-measures design exploring the impact of child-centered play therapy (CCPT), an evidence-based child psychotherapy intervention, on autistic children's social-emotional assets, and emotional and behavioral problems across four times during intervention based on teacher reports. Participants consisted of 19 autistic children recruited from two Title-1 elementary schools in the southwest United States who were aged between 5 years and 8.25 years (M = 6.22, SD = .91), presented with varied levels of cognitive functioning and speech and language abilities. Over 60% of participants were identified by their parents as children of color. Results indicated participants' increased time in CCPT predicted statistically significant improvement in social-emotional assets measured by Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales-Teacher (SEARS-T) total score with a large effect size. Results also indicated participants' increased time in CCPT predicted a statistically significant reduction in emotional and behavioral problems of irritability, social withdrawal, and hyperactivity/ noncompliance, measured by Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Second Edition (ABC- 2), with large effect sizes. Findings of this study revealed substantive changes in social-emotional assets as early as 8 CCPT sessions, and reduction of emotional and behavioral concerns as early as 12 CCPT sessions. Clinical significance, implications for practice, and limitations of the study are discussed.
Cultural Elements in Disaster: A Case Study on the Sewol Ferry Tragedy in South Korea
Authors:   , Vu Julia PhuongNguyen H.
Published: December 2023

On April 16, 2014 the Sewol Ferry became one of the worst maritime disasters in South Korea with the loss of 304 passenger, the majority being high school students. South Korea is a collectivist culture, structured as a hierarchical system that teaches their students and children to always respect, listen, and trust authority figures especially in dangerous situations. This study explores how collectivist cultural elements impacted the response of the Sewol Ferry. By examining the timeline of the disaster through interviews, documentaries, news articles and media; this thesis offers insight into what happened that day by providing perspectives from the rescue crew, government officials, survivors, volunteers, and family members of those who died. The analysis showed that in collectivist culture, children and students are taught to trust and listen to authority figures when in dangerous situations, however because of the Sewol disasters, the culture of adhering to the hierarchical systems started to collapse. Students who survived stated that they no longer can trust and respect adults after the incident along with family members of the students who passed away and the public. Also, the government withheld information and failed to protect the children aboard the ferry, because they didn't want to show shame and wanted to save the face or honor of their department. The leadership failure within the Sewol Ferry tragedy can potentially make it difficult in the future for people to listen to orders or recommendations given by the disaster management or the government when a disaster event arises.
Linguistic Racism in the Marketplace
Authors:   , Malik Aaminah Zaman
Published: December 2023

Linguistic racism is faced by non-native customers due to their different language style when they go through the service exchange process. Despite its prevalence and importance, there is a dearth of research about linguistic racism in the marketing literature, especially from consumers' perspectives. This dissertation thus aims to address this gap by focusing on consumers' cognitive and affective responses as a result to their linguistic racism experiences when they interact with service employees (native speakers) from the host country. Toward this goal, first (Essay 1), a qualitative study is performed to anchor the dissertation in the customers' real-life experiences and to help identify key associated themes which are further empirically examined (Essay 2 & 3) in this three-essay format dissertation. Essay 2 empirically investigates if the identity assignment through ones' language style makes customers feel stigmatized and influence their psychological well-being. In addition, how these experiences subsequently influence their inclination to use technology-mediated interfaces. Similarly, the main objective of Essay 3 was to employ a sociological perspective to examine the impact of language-based chronic social exclusion on non-native customers' psychological and behavioral responses in the marketplace. Moreover, their intention to pay higher tip as a refocusing strategy when these customers experience language-based chronic social exclusion. Together these three essays extend our understanding of how language varieties and the associated stigma influence non-native customer's affective and cognitive responses and shape their consumer buying behavior.
Reinforcement Learning-Based Test Case Generation with Test Suite Prioritization for Android Application Testing
Authors:   , Khan Md Khorrom
Published: December 2023

This dissertation introduces a hybrid strategy for automated testing of Android applications that combines reinforcement learning and test suite prioritization. These approaches aim to improve the effectiveness of the testing process by employing reinforcement learning algorithms, namely Q-learning and SARSA (State-Action-Reward-State-Action), for automated test case generation. The studies provide compelling evidence that reinforcement learning techniques hold great potential in generating test cases that consistently achieve high code coverage; however, the generated test cases may not always be in the optimal order. In this study, novel test case prioritization methods are developed, leveraging pairwise event interactions coverage, application state coverage, and application activity coverage, so as to optimize the rates of code coverage specifically for SARSA-generated test cases. Additionally, test suite prioritization techniques are introduced based on UI element coverage, test case cost, and test case complexity to further enhance the ordering of SARSA-generated test cases. Empirical investigations demonstrate that applying the proposed test suite prioritization techniques to the test suites generated by the reinforcement learning algorithm SARSA improved the rates of code coverage over original orderings and random orderings of test cases.
Blockchain for AI: Smarter Contracts to Secure Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
Authors:   , Badruddoja Syed
Published: December 2023

In this dissertation, I investigate the existing smart contract problems that limit cognitive abilities. I use Taylor's serious expansion, polynomial equation, and fraction-based computations to overcome the limitations of calculations in smart contracts. To prove the hypothesis, I use these mathematical models to compute complex operations of naive Bayes, linear regression, decision trees, and neural network algorithms on Ethereum public test networks. The smart contracts achieve 95\% prediction accuracy compared to traditional programming language models, proving the soundness of the numerical derivations. Many non-real-time applications can use our solution for trusted and secure prediction services.
Unpacking Overconfident Behavior When Betting on Oneself
Authors: Abdellaoui Mohammed , Bleichrodt Han , Gutierrez Cédric
Published: December 2023

Overconfident behavior, the excessive willingness to bet on one’s performance, may be driven by optimistic beliefs and/or ambiguity attitudes. Separating these factors is key for understanding and correcting overconfident behavior, as they call for different corrective actions. We present a method to do so, which we implement in two incentivized experiments. The first experiment shows the importance of ambiguity attitudes for overconfident behavior. Optimistic ambiguity attitudes (ambiguity seeking) counterbalanced the effect of pessimistic beliefs, leading to neither over- nor underconfident behavior. The second experiment applies our method in contexts where overconfident behavior is expected to vary: easy versus hard tasks. Our results showed that task difficulty affected both beliefs and ambiguity attitudes. However, although beliefs were more optimistic for relative performance (rank) and more pessimistic for absolute performance (score) on easy tasks compared with hard tasks, ambiguity attitudes were always more optimistic on easy tasks for both absolute and relative performance. Our findings show the subtle interplay between beliefs and ambiguity attitudes: they can reinforce or offset each other, depending on the context, increasing or lowering overconfident behavior.

Yuval Rottenstreich, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Funding: This work was supported by HEC Paris research budget and Bocconi junior researchers’ grants.

Supplemental Material: The data and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.00165 .
Literary Politics, Partisanship, and Poe's Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque
Authors: Armiento Amy Branam
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT: This essay examines how Poe's Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque demonstrates the ways in which he accrued different types of capital in order to leverage his position within the US literary market. Transposing Leon Jackson's analysis of Thomas White's success as the proprietor of the Southern Literary Messenger to Poe's first book-length publication, I explain how the Advertisements section prefacing the second volume reflects his methodical strategy for soliciting and collecting positive reviews from influential literary figures for use at a later, favorable time.
True-color and super-resolution imaging using an optical axis shiftable liquid crystal lens
Authors: Zhou Bo , Liu Zhiqiang , Chen Xinci , Zhang Yalei , Feng Wenbin , Ye Mao
Published: December 2023

This study explores the utilization of a liquid crystal lens with a shiftable axis for true-color and super-resolution imaging. By maintaining the optical power and shifting the axis of the liquid crystal lens, precise sub-pixel level shifts are applied to the images formed on the sensor, enabling the construction of true-color and super-resolution images. A comparative analysis with the traditional interpolation-based demosaicing method reveals that true-color imaging not only enhances clarity and effective pixel count, but also significantly reduces occurrences of false color, edge aliasing, and color moiré artifacts.
Ultrahigh-speed imaging for high-impact concrete deformation analysis in pre- and post-cracking stages
Authors: Duran Vergara Laura Camila , Liebold Frank , Maas Hans-Gerd
Published: December 2023

The evaluation of high-speed camera image sequence analysis results in concrete material testing under high-impact loading necessitates the consideration of the effect of the image quality on the measurement accuracy and thus on the potential of the geometric measurements derived from the image sequences. In this contribution, we evaluate the application potential of three ultrahigh-speed cameras with frame rates up to 10 Mfps to analyze the deformation of concrete specimens before and after main crack formation in bending and compression tests. Specifically, we evaluate the Kirana 7M and Shimadzu HPV-X2 cameras with ISIS sensor architecture, and the Phantom TMX 7510 camera with BSI CMOS sensor technology. Three-point bending tests and split-Hopkinson pressure bar tests are performed on 160×40×40mm3 cuboids and on 80 mm long, 50 mm diameter cylinders. Prior to main crack formation, the displacement vector field represents the specimen deformation, with higher values indicating the position where main cracks will initiate and propagate. Deformations of 80 µm in 54 µs for a bending test and of 154 µm in 36.67 µs for a compression test could be measured. The main cracks are then detected using displacement vector field discontinuity analysis techniques, and their evolution is followed to estimate the crack propagation velocity. Average velocities in bending tests between 603 and 854 m/s have been determined over a time interval up to 40 µs. An investigation of the camera sensor operation of the three optical devices is presented to assess their suitability for deformation analysis. Laboratory tests and real experimental results show that the quality of the propagation vector field, the crack detection, and the crack tip tracking are obviously affected by the image quality, but more significantly by the spatial and temporal resolution due to the small relative step deformations.
Performance evaluation of a zoom iris recognition system using Q-type aspherical design
Authors: Wei Guimei , Zhang Kai , Xia Xiongping
Published: December 2023

Based on a Q-type aspheric surface, a wide working distance zoom iris recognition lens is designed. The lens has an aperture of 2.0 and a working distance of 200–1200 mm. The design results show that the modulation transfer function values of each field at the cutoff frequency are greater than 0.3 and the optical distortion is less than 1.1%. With the same structure and parameters, the performance of two optical systems using Q-type aspherical and even power series aspherical are analyzed. The Q-type non-spherical aberration correction is better.
Photonic generation and transmission for an X-band dual-chirp waveform with frequency multiplication and power-fading compensation
Authors: Gao Yiran , Huang Chaoqun , He Hongxia , Yang Shuna , Yang Bo , Chi Hao
Published: December 2023

The generation of an X-band dual-chirp waveform, which is capable of pulse compression, plays an important role in radar, electric warfare, and satellite communication systems. With the development of applications such as multi-static radar, transmission over long distances has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, a photonic system for X-band dual-chirp waveform generation and transmission based on frequency multiplication and power-fading compensation is put forward and experimentally carried out. Based on a compact dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPMZM), the dual-chirp waveforms of 8.6–9.6 GHz and 9.6–10.6 GHz are generated by an RF carrier of 4.8 GHz and transmitted through a 40 km single-mode fiber (SMF) spool. The dispersion-induced power fading of the chirp waveform is compensated for by about 13 dB. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the peak-to-sidelobe ratio (PSR) of the compressed pulses are 1 ns and 11.5 dB, respectively. Moreover, the compensation of power fading in the entire X-band is verified to demonstrate the applicability of our system. By flexibly adjusting the bias voltage of the built-in phase shifter, the system can be applied in more scenarios.
Measuring pulsatile cortical blood flow and volume during carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Zavriyev Alexander I. , Kaya Kutlu , Wu Kuan Cheng , Pierce Eric T. , Franceschini Maria Angela , Robinson Mitchell B.
Published: December 2023

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) involves removal of plaque in the carotid artery to reduce the risk of stroke and improve cerebral perfusion. This study aimed to investigate the utility of assessing pulsatile blood volume and flow during CEA. Using a combined near-infrared spectroscopy/diffuse correlation spectroscopy instrument, pulsatile hemodynamics were assessed in 12 patients undergoing CEA. Alterations to pulsatile amplitude, pulse transit time, and beat morphology were observed in measurements ipsilateral to the surgical side. The additional information provided through analysis of pulsatile hemodynamic signals has the potential to enable the discovery of non-invasive biomarkers related to cortical perfusion.
Research on focusing of a triangle-exponential function modulation spiral polarization cosh-Gaussian vortex beam
Authors: Li Shuo , Li Jinsong , Zhang Haoran
Published: December 2023

The focus pattern of a triangle-exponential function modulation spiral polarized hyperbolic-cosine-Gaussian (cosh-Gaussian) vortex beam is examined according to the vector diffraction theory and the focus intensity with different parameters is disputed. By adjusting the polarization parameter C, the number of the focusing peaks can be changed: Specifically, as the absolute value of the polarization parameter C augments, so does the number of the focus peaks. When the beam parameter β is modified, the focus pattern is compressed and stretched in both the axial and radial directions, respectively, which helps to precisely adjust the shape of the focus pattern in the focus region. Meanwhile, the trigonometric modulation parameter l can change the axial component of the focus region. With a change in the trigonometric modulation parameter l, the focus pattern finally evolves into the light-like chain structure and the position of the focus peak in the axial direction also can be controlled. This shows that the correlation properties enrich our understanding of the cosh-Gaussian vortex beam. Therefore, cutting-edge optical applications including optical transmission, optical shaping, and multiple optical sensing could benefit from these results.
Design of compact and low-loss S-bends by CMA-ES
Authors: Miyatake Yuto , Toprasertpong Kasidit , Takagi Shinichi , Takenaka Mitsuru
Published: December 2023

We employ the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) algorithm to design compact and low-loss S-bends on the standard silicon-on-insulator platform. In line with the CMA-ES-based approach, we present experimental results demonstrating insertion losses of 0.041 dB, 0.025 dB, and 0.011 dB for S-bends with sizes of 3.5 µm, 4.5 µm, and 5.5 µm, respectively, which are the lowest insertion losses within the footprint range smaller than approximately 30 µm2. These outcomes underscore the remarkable performance and adaptability of the CMA-ES to design Si photonics devices tailored for high-density photonic integrated circuits.
Generation of a terahertz quasi-Pearcey beam and its investigation in ptychography
Authors: Shi Haifeng , Wang Kejia , Chen Weiliang , Yang Zhengang , Liu Jinsong
Published: December 2023

The terahertz structured beams played a significant role in imaging. We utilized the transmitter with 0.1 THz to generate the quasi-Pearcey beam. The beam is produced by combining the self-designed parabola-slit modulated plate and Fourier lens, showing stripe-shaped pattern and self-focusing property. Based on that, introducing it into the testing of ptychography, we discovered there are decent effects in field reconstruction of the probe and sample with this beam by comparisons both in the simulations and the experiments. The beam has good spatial coherence through the analysis of the spatial frequency spectrums. It suggests that the beam with such features can take advantage of rapid reconstruction in full-field imaging.
Optimized configuration for liquid crystal Stokes polarimeters in the presence of fast-axis orientation errors
Authors: Montes-Gonzalez Ivan , Avendaño-Alejo Maximino , Bruce Neil C. , Lizana Angel , Campos Juan
Published: December 2023

We present an optimal configuration for Stokes polarimeters based on liquid crystal variable retarders, with the minimum number of measurements. Due to the inherent variations of the director orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, we propose a configuration that minimizes the sensibility of the polarimeter to fast-axis variations. For the optimization we consider a scheme that maximizes the volume of a tetrahedron inscribed in the Poincare sphere, to address additive and Poisson noise, with one of the vertices invariant to changes in the axis positions. We provide numerical simulations, considering misalignment errors, to analyze the robustness of the configuration. The results show that the proposed configuration helps to maintain the volume enclosed by the tetrahedron with high tolerance to fast-axis orientation errors. The condition number will remain below 3.07 for common misalignment errors and below 1.88 for more controlled liquid crystals. This optimization will improve the performance of liquid crystals polarimeters, with a more robust configuration that also considers misalignment errors, beyond additive and Poisson noise.
Optical transmission of a moving Fabry–Perot interferometer
Authors: Pyvovar Nazar , Duan Lingze
Published: December 2023

Fabry–Perot interferometers have been widely studied and used for well over a century. However, they have always been treated as stationary devices in the past. In this Letter, we investigate the optical transmission of a longitudinally moving Fabry–Perot interferometer within the framework of relativity and establish a general relation between the transmission coefficient and the velocity for uniform motions. Several features of the transmission spectrum are analyzed, with special attentions given to the non-relativistic regime, where application prospects are evaluated. New, to the best of our knowledge, potential interferometric schemes, such as velocity-scanning interferometry and hybrid interferometers based on nested configurations, are proposed. Finally, a special case of non-uniform motion is also investigated.
Dual-mode spatial index modulation for MIMO-OWC
Authors: Zhong Xin , Chen Chen , Zhao Yinan , Liu Min , He Cuiwei , Haas Harald
Published: December 2023

In this Letter, we propose and demonstrate a dual-mode spatial index modulation (DM-SIM) scheme for spectral efficiency enhancement of band-limited multiple-input multiple-output optical wireless communication (MIMO-OWC) systems. By performing dual-mode index modulation in the spatial domain, DM-SIM can transmit both spatial and constellation symbols. Since constellation design plays a vital role in the proposed DM-SIM scheme, we further propose three dual-mode constellation design approaches including phase rotation, amplitude scaling and joint phase rotation and amplitude scaling. Moreover, we also designed a differential log-likelihood ratio (LLR) detector for the proposed DM-SIM scheme. Experimental results show that the joint phase rotation and amplitude scaling approach can achieve a remarkable 3.2 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain compared with the phase rotation approach in a 2×2 MIMO-OWC system applying DM-SIM.
A 300 km fiber channel mapping using neural networks for Gb/s physical-layer key distribution
Authors: Huang Xinran , Peng Xinyong , Zhang Liuming , Hu Weisheng , Yang Xuelin
Published: December 2023

Physical-layer secure key distribution (PLSKD) generally acquires highly correlated entropy sources via bidirectional transmission to share the channel reciprocity. For long-haul fiber links, the non-negligible backscattering noise (BSN) and the challenge of bidirectional optical amplification degrade the key generation performances. Since the channel reciprocity can be precisely mapped using neural networks (NNs), unidirectional PLSKD provides a feasible PLSKD for longer fiber links. Here, a final error-free key generation rate (KGR) in unidirectional PLSKD of 3.07 Gb/s is demonstrated over a 300 km fiber link using NNs. Moreover, the channel mapping is analyzed in terms of fiber distance, chromatic dispersion, the nonlinearity of random source, and BSN.
Broadband multifunctional metasurfaces for concentric perfect vortex beam generation via trigonometric functions
Authors: Shafqat Muhammad Danial , Mahmood Nasir , Akbar Jehan , Zubair Muhammad , Massoud Yehia , Mehmood Muhammad Qasim
Published: December 2023

Metasurfaces are engineered structures that offer an unprecedented nanoscale solution for precisely manipulating light’s magnitude, phase, and polarization, exhibiting the potential to reduce the size of optical configurations significantly. However, these structures often encounter performance limitations and are typically operational for a single design wavelength. Integrating multiple optical functionalities into a single-layered structure and achieving a highly efficient broadband response is an active metasurface research topic. In this study, we showcased a single-cell driven broadband metasurface capable of generating concentric perfect vortex (PV) beams, where each PV beam is realized by multiplexing the phase profiles of multiple optical components and trigonometric phase features to achieve infinite topological charges. The proposed all-silicon metasurface demonstrates broadband functionality in “E” and “S” optical communication bands spanning from 1460 nm to 1565 nm, covering critical telecom wavelengths, and this characteristic facilitates seamless integration of our work with the existing ecosystem. Our multifunctional approach prioritizes simplicity that yields maximum polarization conversion efficiency and produces different outcomes for different handedness of incident light without introducing complexity. To prove the concept, we numerically simulated multiple metasurfaces for different trigonometric functions, with periods of axicon of 4 µm and 6 µm. The results indicate that this work will pave the way for diverse applications like optical trapping, particle manipulation, quantum processing, optical communication, and high-capacity information processing.
Large mode volume microresonator with gradient refractive index
Authors: Chen Tianci , Kang Zhaofeng , Zhang Jun , Huang Ziwen , Tang Di , Yang Bingbing , Yang Yu , Wang Keyi
Published: December 2023

Whispering gallery mode microcavities have been widely explored because of high Q factors and small mode volumes. Although small mode volumes are beneficial in sensors and nonlinear applications, recent studies suggest that large mode volumes are required for noise reduction in advanced applications. To enhance the mode volume, one possible method is to utilize the material inside the cavity. Herein, a gradient refractive index (GRIN) microresonator has an internal potential well and allows the mode field to shift inward. GRIN resonator is formed by changing the radial refractive index n(r), and can be produced by the mature ion-exchange process. By adjusting the process parameters, the internal potential well can be widened to generate large mode volumes. However, it takes a lot of time to optimize the process parameters of wide-potential-well resonators using commercial software. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a fast algorithm for GRIN microcavities. Using this algorithm, we optimize the diffusion and annealing times of the GRIN resonator to increase the mode volume to more than four times that of the WGM microcavity. COMSOL simulations also support the conclusion with no additional loss in the Q factor.
BERT based natural language processing for triage of adverse drug reaction reports shows close to human-level performance
Authors: Bergman Erik , Dürlich Luise , Arthurson Veronica , Sundström Anders , Larsson Maria , Bhuiyan Shamima , Jakobsson Andreas , Westman Gabriel
Published: December 2023

Post-marketing reports of suspected adverse drug reactions are important for establishing the safety profile of a medicinal product. However, a high influx of reports poses a challenge for regulatory authorities as a delay in identification of previously unknown adverse drug reactions can potentially be harmful to patients. In this study, we use natural language processing (NLP) to predict whether a report is of serious nature based solely on the free-text fields and adverse event terms in the report, potentially allowing reports mislabelled at time of reporting to be detected and prioritized for assessment. We consider four different NLP models at various levels of complexity, bootstrap their train-validation data split to eliminate random effects in the performance estimates and conduct prospective testing to avoid the risk of data leakage. Using a Swedish BERT based language model, continued language pre-training and final classification training, we achieve close to human-level performance in this task. Model architectures based on less complex technical foundation such as bag-of-words approaches and LSTM neural networks trained with random initiation of weights appear to perform less well, likely due to the lack of robustness that a base of general language training provides.
Application of diagnostic network optimization in Kenya and Nepal to design integrated, sustainable and efficient bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance surveillance networks
Authors: Brunetti Marie , Singh Amit , Chebore Sheilla , Gyenwali Deepak , Malou Nada , Ferreyra Cecilia , Gompo Tulsi Ram , Chapagain Sharmila , Githii Susan , Wesangula Evelyn , Albert Heidi
Published: December 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which experience the highest burden of AMR. Critical to combatting AMR is ensuring there are effective, accessible diagnostic networks in place to diagnose, monitor and prevent AMR, but many low- and middle-income countries lack such networks. Consequently, there is substantial need for approaches that can inform the design of efficient AMR laboratory networks and sample referral systems in lower-resource countries. Diagnostic network optimization (DNO) is a geospatial network analytics approach to plan diagnostic networks and ensure greatest access to and coverage of services, while maximizing the overall efficiency of the system. In this intervention, DNO was applied to strengthen bacteriology and AMR surveillance network design in Kenya and Nepal for human and animal health, by informing linkages between health facilities and bacteriology testing services and sample referral routes between farms, health facilities and laboratories. Data collected from the target settings in each country were entered into the open-access DNO tool OptiDx, to generate baseline scenarios, which depicted the current state of AMR laboratory networks and sample referral systems in the countries. Subsequently, baselines were adjusted to evaluate changing factors such as samples flows, transport frequency, transport costs, and service distances. Country stakeholders then compared resulting future scenarios to identify the most feasible solution for their context. The DNO analyses enabled a wealth of insights that will facilitate strengthening of AMR laboratory and surveillance networks in both countries. Overall, the project highlights the benefits of using a data-driven approach for designing efficient diagnostic networks, to ensure better health resource allocation while maximizing the impact and equity of health interventions. Given the critical need to strengthen AMR laboratory and surveillance capacity, DNO should be considered an integral part of diagnostic strategic planning in the future.
Re-examination of the risk of dementia after dengue virus infection: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Chien Yu-Wen , Shih Hsin-I , Wang Yu-Ping , Chi Chia-Yu
Published: December 2023

Dengue infection can affect the central nervous system and cause various neurological complications. Previous studies also suggest dengue was associated with a significantly increased long-term risk of dementia. A population-based cohort study was conducted using national health databases in Taiwan and included 37,928 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients aged ≥ 45 years between 2002 and 2015, along with 151,712 matched nondengue individuals. Subdistribution hazard regression models showed a slightly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and unspecified dementia, non-vascular dementia, and overall dementia in dengue patients than the nondengue group, adjusted for age, sex, area of residence, urbanization level, income, comorbidities, and all-cause clinical visits within one year before the index date. After considering multiple comparisons using Bonferroni correction, only overall dementia and non-vascular dementia remained statistically significant (adjusted SHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.21, p = 0.0009; E-value 1.51, 95% CI 1.28-NA). Sensitivity analyses in which dementia cases occurring in the first three or five years after the index dates were excluded revealed no association between dengue and dementia. In conclusion, this study found dengue patients had a slightly increased risk of non-vascular dementia and total dementia than those without dengue. However, the small corresponding E-values and sensitivity analyses suggest the association between dengue and dementia may not be causal.
Mexico: Determinants of the real exchange rate, 2001.01–2022.12
Authors: Loría Eduardo , Nalin Lorenzo
Published: December 2023

We estimate the determinants (terms of trade, tradable to non-tradable price differentials, interest rate differentials, forward exchange rate and risk premium) of the Mexican bilateral real exchange rate (q) for the short and long run by using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag model (ARDL, Pesaran and Shin et al. (2001)) for Mexico (2001.01–2022.12). The inclusion of commercial and financial variables and finding empirical evidence of cointegration only for 2009.01–2022.12 are the main contributions. Our results indicate no cointegrating relationship either for the entire sample, or for 2001.01–2008.12. This finding has to do with the increasing international financialization process, after the 2008–2009Great Financial Crisis. Using a double log model we find that: a) there is a strong short-run autoregressive effect ofqof up to 4 lags (0.75), b) that theBalassa-Samuelson Effectis the largest in the model (-0.27 and -1.11 for short and long terms), c) the next most important factor is the terms of trade (-0.126 and -0.51, respectively), d) there are considerable, although lesser, effects of financial variables: forward exchange rate (0.0155 and 0.063, respectively) and risk-premium (0.009 and 0.036, respectively), e) there is a clear long-term trend of real depreciation expressed by the trend of 0.0020, which suggests that the PPP hypothesis applies.
Social influences on delayed gratification in New Caledonian crows and Eurasian jays
Authors: Miller Rachael , Davies James R. , Schiestl Martina , Garcia-Pelegrin Elias , Gray Russell D. , Taylor Alex H. , Clayton Nicola S.
Published: December 2023

Self-control underlies goal-directed behaviour in humans and other animals. Delayed gratification ‐ a measure of self-control ‐ requires the ability to tolerate delays and/or invest more effort to obtain a reward of higher value over one of lower value, such as food or mates. Social context, in particular, the presence of competitors, may influence delayed gratification. We adapted the ‘rotating-tray’ paradigm, where subjects need to forgo an immediate, lower-quality (i.e. less preferred) reward for a delayed, higher-quality (i.e. more preferred) one, to test social influences on delayed gratification in two corvid species: New Caledonian crows and Eurasian jays. We compared choices for immediate vs. delayed rewards while alone, in the presence of a competitive conspecific and in the presence of a non-competitive conspecific. We predicted that, given the increased risk of losing a reward with a competitor present, both species would similarly, flexibly alter their choices in the presence of a conspecific compared to when alone. We found that species differed: jays were more likely to select the immediate, less preferred reward than the crows. We also found that jays were more likely to select the immediate, less preferred reward when a competitor or non-competitor was present than when alone, or when a competitor was present compared to a non-competitor, while the crows selected the delayed, highly preferred reward irrespective of social presence. We discuss our findings in relation to species differences in socio-ecological factors related to adult sociality and food-caching (storing). New Caledonian crows are more socially tolerant and moderate cachers, while Eurasian jays are highly territorial and intense cachers that may have evolved under the social context of cache pilfering and cache protection strategies. Therefore, flexibility (or inflexibility) in delay of gratification under different social contexts may relate to the species’ social tolerance and related risk of competition.
The implementation, use and impact of patient reported outcome measures in value-based healthcare programmes: A scoping review
Authors: Silveira Bianchim Mayara , Crane Ellie , Jones Anwen , Neukirchinger Barbara , Roberts Gareth , Mclaughlin Leah , Noyes Jane
Published: December 2023

Background

Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC) focuses on the value of patient outcomes and is achieved by ensuring resources already available are managed to realise the best possible individual and population health outcomes. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) measure the impact of illnesses from the patient perspective. We conducted a scoping review to understand how PROMs were implemented and used, and their impact in the context of VBHC.

Methods

Arksey and O’Malley’s overarching framework supplemented by principles from mixed-methods Framework Synthesis were used. CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar and reference lists were searched. An a priori data extraction framework was created using the review question and objectives as key domains against which to extract data. Mixed-methods data were organised, integrated and preserved in original format and reported for each domain.

Results

Forty-three studies were included with 60,200 participants. Few studies reported a well-developed programme theory and we found little robust evidence of effect. PROMs were universally considered to have the potential to increase patient satisfaction with treatment and services, enhance patient awareness of symptoms and self-management, and improve health outcomes such as quality of life and global health status. Evidence is currently limited on how PROMs work and how best to optimally implement PROMs to achieve the target outcome. Implementation challenges commonly prevented the realisation of optimal outcomes and patients generally needed better and clearer communication about why PROMs were being given and how they could optimally be used to support their own self-management.

Conclusion

PROMSs have yet to demonstrate their full potential in a VBHC context. Optimal PROMs implementation is poorly understood by clinicians and patients. Future studies should explore different models of PROM implementation and use within VBHC programmes to understand what works best and why for each specific context, condition, and population.
New Y-SNPs in QM3 indigenous populations of Colombia
Authors: Espitia Fajardo Marisol , Rivera Franco Nelson , Braga Yamid , Barreto Guillermo
Published: December 2023

In evolutionary studies of human populations based on the Y chromosome, the majority of Native Americans belong to the QM3 lineage. Therefore, to study the history of groups inhabiting northern South America, it is necessary to have a higher resolution of the tree. The objective of this work was to identify new SNPs of the QM3 lineage that would allow the evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships between Andean and Amazonian populations of Colombia. Sequences previously obtained from two Y chromosomes of Amazonian populations were used, from which 13 potential SNPs were selected and typed in 171 Amazonian samples from the Vaupés region and in 60 samples from the Pasto, Nasa, Embera, Arhuaco and Kogüi ethnic groups of the Andean region. In addition, the main SNPs/markers (L56, L54, M346, M848, Z780, CTS11780) defining autochthonous Q lineages were typed, along with others defined by different SNPs/markers as reported in the literature (CTS11357, SA05, Z19319, Z5915, and Z19384). It was found that all the new SNPs are present in the Amazonian samples and only 2 of them are shared with the Embera, Nasa and Pasto, but none with the Kogüi and Arhuaco from the northern Andes, in the Colombian Caribbean. Combining the 13 variants of the present study with 14 previously reported and using TMRCA, a new QM3 tree proposal is generated. This method makes it possible to increase the number of sublineages of QM3 with a higher resolution and to detect differences between the different populations of Vaupés in the Amazon, as in the case of the Kubeos and Pisamiras, the latter of which is in grave danger of extinction. These new sublineages are useful for microevolutionary studies of the Amerindian populations of South America.
Association between smartphone usage and health outcomes of adolescents: A propensity analysis using the Korea youth risk behavior survey
Authors: Cha Jong Ho , Choi Young-Jin , Ryu Soorack , Moon Jin-Hwa
Published: December 2023

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the association between smartphone use and adverse behavioral health outcomes using nationwide Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey data for 2017 and 2020.

Methods

The 2020 data (N = 54,809) were used to analyze the relationships between daily smartphone usage time (non-user, 0–2 h [hour], 2–4 h, 4–6 h, 6–8 h, and > 8 h), and adverse health outcomes (stress, sleep, depression, suicide, substance use, and smartphone overdependence). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for confounding variables.

Results

A total of 40,998 adolescents with < 4 h/day and > 4 h/day of usage were included. Adolescents’ mean smartphone usage time in 2020 increased compared to that in 2017 (weighted % of > 2 h/day; 64.3% vs. 85.7%). The curvilinear relationships between smartphone usage time and adverse health outcomes were prominent after > 4 h/day. Adolescents using smartphones 2–4 h/day showed no increased adverse health outcomes compared to non-users, except for smartphone overdependence. Using a smartphone > 4 h/day was significantly associated with stress perception (1.16; 1.11–1.22), suicidal ideation (1.22; 1.13–1.31), and substance use (alcohol, 1.66; 1.57–1.75) after PSM.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the curvilinear relationship between smartphone usage time and adverse health outcomes in adolescents. Our findings can help establish smartphone usage guidelines for adolescents.
Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in nonagenarians: Associations with self-reported physical activity, anthropometric, sociodemographic, health and cognitive characteristics
Authors: Aaltonen Sari , Urjansson Mia , Varjonen Anni , Vähä-Ypyä Henri , Iso-Markku Paula , Kaartinen Sara , Vasankari Tommi , Kujala Urho M. , Silventoinen Karri , Kaprio Jaakko , Vuoksimaa Eero
Published: December 2023

Background

Research on device-based physical activity in the oldest-old adults is scarce. We examined accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in nonagenarians. We also investigated how the accelerometer characteristics associate with nonagenarians’ self-reported physical activity, anthropometric, sociodemographic, health and cognitive characteristics.

Methods

Nonagenarians from a population-based cohort study (N = 38, mean age 91.2) used accelerometers during the waking hours for seven days. They also participated in a health survey and cognitive telephone interview. The Wald test and Pearson and polyserial correlations were used to analyze the data.

Results

The participants’ average day consisted of 2931 steps, 11 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and 13.6 hours of sedentary time. Physical activity bouts less than 3 minutes per day and sedentary time bouts of 20–60 minutes per day were the most common. No sex differences were found. Many accelerometer-measured and self-reported physical activity characteristics correlated positively (correlations ≥0.34, p-values <0.05). The low levels of many accelerometer-measured physical activity characteristics associated with low education (correlations ≥0.25, p-values <0.05), dizziness (correlations ≤-0.42, p-values <0.01) and fear of falling (correlations ≤-0.45, p-values <0.01). Fear of falling was also associated with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior characteristics (correlations -0.42 or ≥0.43).

Conclusions

Nonagenarians were mostly sedentary and low in physical activity, but individual variability existed. Accelerometer-measured and self-reported physical activity had a good consistency. Education, dizziness and fear of falling were consistently related to accelerometer-measured characteristics in nonagenarians.