bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Characterization for Optimal Bundling of Products with Nonadditive Values
Authors: Ghili Soheil
Published: August 2023

This paper studies the optimal bundling of products with nonadditive values. Under monotonic preferences and single-peaked profits, I show that a monopolist finds pure bundling optimal if and only if the optimal sales volume for the grand bundle is larger than the optimal sales volume for any smaller bundle. I then detail how my analysis relates to ratio monotonicity results on bundling and describe the implications for nonlinear pricing. (JEL D21, D42, L12, L25)
The oil content and fatty acid composition of Fagus orientalis Lipsky seeds from different populations in Turkiye
Authors: Özel Halil Barış , Ayan Sezgin , Onat Saadettin Murat
Published: August 2023

Knowledge of the nutrient content of edible seeds of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) as a food resource for rural people, is incomplete and there is a need for studies that will provide this information. The seeds of oriental beech collected from 12 different locations in a primary distribution area of Turkey were investigated for their oil content and fatty acid composition. The fatty acid contents of these 12 different populations were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of the fatty acids methyl esters (FAME). The seeds of the various tree populations were found to contain total oil amount ranging from 44.66% to 49.07%, which was primarily composed of oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and gadoleic acids. As the predominant unsaturated fatty acid, there was no difference among the populations in the percentage of oleic acid with the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. As the primary saturated fatty acid, the highest palmitic acid content was determined in the Ordu-Akkuş population (13.85%), where the species made the optimal development, while the lowest value was determined in the Kahramanmaraş-Andırın population (7.14%), which is an isolated population of the species. In the study of oriental beech populations, palmitic acid was found in the major saturated fatty acids, on the other hand oleic, linoleic, and gadoleic acids were found in major unsaturated fatty acids. This study highlights the potential of oriental beech seeds as a nutrient-rich food source due to their high total fat content.
Ανάπτυξη ανθρώπινου δυναμικού και διά βίου μάθηση στην Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση
Authors: Ντάικος Νικόλαος
Published: August 2023

Παρά τη μεγάλη έμφαση που δίνεται πλέον στη Διά Βίου Μάθηση και στις συνιστώσες της (εκπαίδευση ενηλίκων, ψηφιακή ένταξη ενηλίκων, εναλλακτικές προσεγγίσεις και στρατηγικές για την απόκτηση γνώσης κ.λπ.), λίγες είναι οι έρευνες (είτε θεωρητικές είτε εμπειρικές) που εστιάζουν στη σχέση της με την ανάπτυξη και διαχείριση των Ανθρώπινων Πόρων. Η βιβλιογραφία κατά τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες, αν και ανέδειξε διεξοδικά τα δύο αυτά πεδία, δεν κατόρθωσε να τα συσχετίσει αρκετά. Επίσης, λίγες δημόσιες υπηρεσίες δίνουν σημασία στην πραγματική ανάπτυξη του δυναμικού τους, και ακόμη λιγότερες έχουν συνειδητοποιήσει πώς εμπλέκεται η Διά Βίου Μάθηση σε κάθε πτυχή της διοικητικής διαδικασίας, ιδιαίτερα σε μια εποχή διαρκούς αλλαγής, μάθησης και προσαρμογής. Εξαιτίας αυτού του κενού στη βιβλιογραφία, η παρούσα πρόταση εστιάζει στον κομβικό ρόλο που δύναται και πρέπει να διαδραματίσει η Διά Βίου Μάθηση στην ανάπτυξη του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού της δημόσιας διοίκησης ─και συγκεκριμένα ενός οργανισμού της Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης. Η επιλογή ενός συγκεκριμένου Οργανισμού (Δήμος Αθηναίων) δεν υπήρξε τυχαία. Καταρχάς, ο ερευνητής υπηρετεί σε αυτόν επί αρκετά έτη ως διοικητικός υπάλληλος και αισθάνεται καθημερινά ως «διά βίου μαθητής», δηλαδή αισθάνεται την ανάγκη για μάθηση και συνεχή βελτίωση. Επιπλέον, πρόκειται για έναν μεγάλο οργανισμό που διαθέτει επιμέρους δομές και φορείς Διά Βίου Μάθησης, ως μέρος των παρεχόμενων υπηρεσιών του προς το κοινωνικό σύνολο αλλά και προς τους ίδιους τους υπαλλήλους του. Συνεπώς, η διερεύνηση του ως άνω θέματος στρέφεται όχι μόνο στο πώς επιδρά η Διά Βίου Μάθηση στους ίδιους τους εργαζομένους του οργανισμού αλλά και στο πώς συμβάλλει στην ανάπτυξη και αποτελεσματικότητα ολόκληρου του οργανισμού, ο οποίος (οφείλει να) φιλοδοξεί να αποτελέσει «Οργανισμό Μάθησης».
Assessing the impact of hospital marketing in attracting the patient for service consumption in tertiary care hospital in central India.
Authors: Sheikh Yohana , Kanyal Deepika
Published: August 2023

Background:  Hospital service is a field that is constantly changing, with the availability of creativity, opportunities motivating passion, and allowing experts to thrive. Healthcare marketing is a scientific discipline since it uses concepts, plans, and methods that are exclusive to both conventional and social marketing. The importance of this study is to build up the bridge and relationship between the hospital and the patient. To introduce the healthcare services to the patient to let them know what services the hospital provides and what advantages they will receive for their health betterment. With the help of this study, we can track the flow of the patient from which median they are coming, for example, traditional marketing or digital marketing. This study will promote and analyse where the marketing strategies are lacking and where they need to be improved with the help of recommendations of this study. The objectives of this study to bridge the gap by providing the corrective information and developing the relationship between patient and hospital, to create a leadership position and differentiate from competitors.

Methods: A retrospective study approach will be adopted in the study. It includes a collection of data and information direct from the marketing department. Study will be conducted in the tertiary care hospital of central India. Secondary type of data will be collected from the Hospital Management Information system.

Expected Result: The expected result of the study will be to bridge the gap by providing the corrective information and developing the relationship between patient and hospital, to create a leadership position and differentiate from competitors to know where the institute is standing in the market.
Early age strength of ambient-cured geopolymer mortars from waste concrete and bricks with different alkaline activators.
Authors: Kogbara Reginald B. , Al-Zubi Abdelrahman , Masad Eyad A.
Published: August 2023

Background: The dataset in this work emanates from preliminary studies comparing early-age compressive strengths of geopolymer mortars produced from construction and demolition wastes (CDW) commonly found in Qatar using different alkaline activators. 

Methods: Waste concrete, waste bricks and steel slag - an industrial waste produced in large quantities in the country - were used as aluminosilicate sources. Waste concrete was used as fine aggregate (75 μm to 4 mm), while solid or hollow red clay bricks were used together with steel slag as aluminosilicate powders. Solid red clay brick (75 μm to 1.4 mm) was also used as fine aggregate in some mixes. Different alkaline activators including solid powder or ground pellet forms of Ca(OH)2, CaO, and Ca(OH)2-NaOH, NaOH-CaCO3 and Na2SiO3-Na2CO3-Ca(OH)2 mixtures were employed by just adding water. A few mixes included both solid powder Ca(OH)2 and viscous solutions of NaOH and NaOH-Na2SiO3 as alkaline activators. The geopolymer mortars also included small amounts of some other additives such as gypsum, microsilica and aluminium sulfate to enhance the geopolymerization and hydration process. Random proportions of the materials were considered in the range-finding experiments, and the mortars produced were tested for compressive strength.

Results: The data show the 7-day compressive strengths and densities of the 40 mixtures considered with mostly ambient temperature (20°C) curing. It also shows such data for mixtures in which variables such as curing at 40°C, mixing with hot water at 50 - 60°C temperature, grading of waste concrete aggregates, and collective grinding of the powdered materials were considered.

Conclusions: The dataset shows possible early-age compressive strengths of different geopolymer mortar mixture designs and the materials and mixture design methods that can be used to achieve desired early-age strengths from waste concrete and bricks.
Machine vision situations: Tracing distributed agency
Authors: Gunderson Marianne , Solberg Ragnhild , Kronman Linda , De Seta Gabriele , Rettberg Jill Walker
Published: August 2023

This article proposes a new method for tracing and examining agency in heterogeneous assemblages, focusing on the role of machine vision technologies in creative works. We introduce the concept of the “machine vision situation”, defined as the moment in which machine vision technologies come into play and make a difference to the course of events. By taking situations as the unit of analysis, we identify moments at which machine vision technologies take part in actions without reducing them to either tools or protagonists, instead allowing for more complex agential entanglements between human and non-human actors. Grounded on an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, this article demonstrates how an analytical unit such as the machine vision situation is a valuable method for tracing distributed agency. We illustrate this through three examples by applying the method to creative works – narratives, digital games, and artworks – revealing key aspects of distributed agency and calling attention to the excess, complications, and messy entanglements that might otherwise be overlooked in analyses of agential assemblages. The machine vision situation is shown to be a method-agnostic unit of analysis that can be productively incorporated in both quantitative and qualitative studies and applied to other contexts in which human and non-human actors interact.
Hepatic MR imaging using IDEAL-IQ sequence: Will Gd-EOB-DTPA interfere with reproductivity of fat fraction quantification?
Authors: Tian Yuan , Liu Peng-Fei , Li Jia-Yu , Li Ya-Nan , Sun Peng
Published: August 2023

Insulin, a small protein with 51 amino acids synthesized by pancreatic β-cells, is crucial to sustain glucose homeostasis at biochemical and molecular levels. Numerous metabolic dysfunctions are related to insulin-mediated altered glucose homeostasis. One of the significant pathophysiological conditions linked to the insulin associated disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM) (type 1, type 2, and gestational). Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the major underlying causes of metabolic disorders despite its association with several physiological conditions. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is another pathophysiological condition that is associated with IR, hypertension, and obesity. Further, several other pathophysiological disorders/diseases are associated with the insulin malfunctioning, which include polycystic ovary syndrome, neuronal disorders, and cancer. Insulinomas are an uncommon type of pancreatic β-cell-derived neuroendocrine tumor that makes up 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Literature revealed that different biochemical events, molecular signaling pathways, microRNAs, and microbiota act as connecting links between insulin disorder and associated pathophysiology such as DM, insuloma, neurological disorder, MS, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the insulin-related disorders and the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathophysiology.
Comparison Study for the Phytochemical Constituents of two Curcuma Species by GC-MS Technique
Authors: Warrier* Pravith P , Badole Madhavi R
Published: August 2023

Curcuma, a major Zingiberaceae genus, contains approximately 110 species throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The present work aimed to study the two Indian curcuma species, Curcuma caesia Roxb. and Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., whose rhizomes are extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with chloroform solvent. The extracts are subjected to phytochemical screening and analysed employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) procedures. UAE studies of these two Curcuma species' rhizomes using chloroform as a solvent have been conducted for the first time. The chloroform extracts of Curcuma caesia and Curcuma angustifolia contain twenty-six and thirty-two components, respectively. The component with the highest area percentage in both species was 2-cyclohexen-1-one, 4-ethynyl-4-hydroxy-3,5,5-trimethyl (2CEHT), a cyclic unsaturated ketone having anticancer effects. The GC-MS measurement data and phytochemical screening results provide an update on the physiologically active phytoconstituents detected in rhizome extracts, which may be used to standardise crude plant extracts and understand the species' chemical composition and medicinal potential.
Development and Application of Newly Synthesized Mango Seed Starch 6-Amino Hexanoic acid Resin for Elimination of Toxic Heavy Metal Ions from Industrial Effluents
Authors: Choudhary Ganesh Kumar , A Anju , Kumari Chandra Prakash, Sarita , Choudhary Mukesh , Chowdhary Vimla
Published: August 2023

Newly synthesized resins are used for sustainable development with an eco-friendly nature. Extensive study on productivity and application aspects of these resin has attracted the attention of the scientific community. With this aim, the present work reports the newly synthesized mango seeds-based resin. The developed resins are useful for elimination of toxic heavy metal ions. A newly synthesized mango seed starch 6-amino hexanoic acid (MSSAHA) resin has been studied and found to have potential for elimination of industrial effluents. The influence of pH on adsorption has been studied. The newly synthesized MSSAHA resin was further diagnosed by SEM, TGA and FTIR spectral analysis. Metal ion distribution coefficient (Kd values at pH 7) for Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ are 86.66, 60.95, 69.42, 49.44 and 45.65, respectively. Metal ions removal from waste water for Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ are 86.66%, 60.95%, 69.42% 49.44% and 45.65%, respectively. these Heavy metal ions have selectively separated by MSSAHA resin. The resin has been also examined for removal of Fe2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ in different solutions.
Terminal Velocity of Wheat Stem Nodes versus Internodes for Similar Particle Dimensions
Authors: Womac Alvin R. , Klasek Sarah E. , Yoder Daniel , Hayes Doug G.
Published: August 2023

Highlights

Terminal velocities were measured for wheat stem nodes and internodes for similar particle dimensions to investigate the feasibility of aerodynamic separation.

Mean measures of terminal velocities for wheat stem nodes and internodes were 4.91 and 3.35 m s-1, respectively, that coincided with values of 4.92 and 3.37 m s-1 calculated for spherical particles (Mohsenin, 1970).

Wheat stem particle mass ranged from 0.015 (internode) to 0.041 g (node) that significantly correlated with terminal velocity ranging from 3.13 to 5.14 m s-1, respectively.

Wheat stem particle density ranged from 112 to 297 kg m-3 that significantly correlated with terminal velocity ranging from 3.12 to 5.11 m s-1, respectively.

Abstract. Efficient separation of physiological plant components potentially improved the targeting of components to best uses. The terminal velocity property used an opposing air velocity to equilibrate particle weight with the sum of the drag and buoyancy forces. This study used particles of similar dimensions to ascertain the effect of particle mass and density on experimental measures of terminal velocity in a wind tunnel and as calculated by reliable equations. Similar particle diameters, lengths, and volumes of wheat stems ranged from 0.362 to 0.376 cm, 1.25 to 1.28 cm, and 0.131 to 0.141 cm3, respectively. Moisture content was 12% wet basis. Wheat stem internodes had individual particle mass and density ranging from 0.015 to 0.019 g and 113 to 144 kg m-3, respectively, and mean Terminal Velocity Wind Tunnel (TVWT) terminal velocities for wheat stem internodes that ranged from 3.13 to 3.58 m s-1. Nodes had individual particle mass and density ranging from 0.031 to 0.041 g and 236 to 297 kg m-3, respectively, and mean TVWT terminal velocities for wheat stem nodes that ranged from 4.62 to 5.14 m s-1. Thus, no overlap in values was observed for particle mass, particle density, and terminal velocity between wheat stem internode and wheat stem node. This observation supports the potential of using terminal velocity to separate node from internode for similar-sized wheat stems at a given moisture content. Keywords: Aerodynamic separation, Anatomical component, Biomass property, Physical experiment, Sorting, Terminal velocity, Vertical wind tunnel, Wheat stem particles.
THz time-domain spectroscopy modulated with semiconductor plasmonic perfect absorbers
Authors: Gonzalez-Posada Fernando , Coquillat Dominique , Najem Melissa , Cerutti Laurent , Taliercio Thierry
Published: August 2023

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) at room temperature and standard atmosphere pressure remains so far the backbone of THz photonics in numerous applications for civil and defense levels. Plasmonic microstructures and metasurfaces are particularly promising for improving THz spectroscopy techniques and developing biomedical and environmental sensors. Highly doped semiconductors are suitable for replacing the traditional plasmonic noble metals in the THz range. We present a perfect absorber structure based on semiconductor III-Sb epitaxial layers. The insulator layer is GaSb while the metal-like layers are Si doped InAsSb (∼ 5·1019 cm-3). The doping is optically measured in the IR with polaritonic effects at the Brewster angle mode. Theoretically, the surface can be engineered in frequency selective absorption array areas of an extensive THz region from 1.0 to 6.0 THz. The technological process is based on a single resist layer used as hard mask in dry etching defined by electron beam lithography. A wide 1350 GHz cumulative bandwidth experimental absorption is measured in THz-TDS between 1.0 and 2.5 THz, only limited by the air-exposed reflectance configuration. These results pave the way to implement finely tuned selective surfaces based on semiconductors to enhance light-matter interaction in the THz region.
AutoFocus: AI-driven alignment of nanofocusing X-ray mirror systems
Authors: Rebuffi Luca , Kandel Saugat , Shi Xianbo , Zhang Runyu , Harder Ross , Cha Wonsuk , Highland Matthew , Frith Matthew , Assoufid Lahsen , Cherukara Mathew
Published: August 2023

We describe the application of aan AI-driven system to autonomously align and focus complex x-ray mirror systems . The system has been developed and studied on a digital twin of nanofocusing X-ray beamlines, built using advanced optical simulation tools calibrated with wavefront sensing data collected at the beamline.We experimentally demonstrated that the system is systematically capable of positioning a focused beam on the sample, both by simulating the life cycle of the beamline with random perturbations due to typical variations in the light source and optical elements over time, and by conducting similar tests on an actual focusing system.
Pay-it-forward influenza vaccination among older adults and children: A cost-effectiveness analysis in China
Authors: Tang Fanny Fong-Yi , Kosana Priya , Jit Mark , Terris-Prestholt Fern , Wu Dan , Ong Jason J. , Tucker Joseph D.
Published: August 2023

A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a pay-it-forward strategy for increasing influenza vaccination among children and older adults compared to a self-paid vaccination strategy in China. Pay-it-forward is an innovative community-engaged intervention in which participants receive a free influenza vaccination and are then asked if they would like to donate or create a message to support subsequent vaccinations. This economic evaluation used a decision-tree model to compare pay-it-forward to a standard of care arm in which patients had to pay for their own influenza vaccine. The analysis was performed from the healthcare provider perspective and costs were calculated with 2020 United States dollars. The time horizon was one year. In the base case analysis, pay-it-forward was more effective (111 vs 55 people vaccinated) but more costly than standard-of-care ($4477 vs $2725). Pay-it-forward spurred 96.4% (107/111) of individuals to voluntarily donate to support influenza vaccination for high-risk groups in China. Further costing and implementation research is needed to inform scale up.
Effect of preparation conditions on the properties of nano ZnO powders during ultrasonic assisted direct precipitation process
Authors: Wang Jingfeng , Ji Haiyang
Published: August 2023

Transparent conductive thin films (TCO) are widely used for their excellent photoelectric properties. To prepare high-quality ZnO targets, starting with the original ZnO powder is necessary. This paper aims to explore the basic technology and method of ultrasonic-assisted direct precipitation for mass production of ZnO powder and to analyze the effects of factors such as precipitating agent, surfactant, calcination temperature, and solvent on the powder’s morphology, particle size, and crystallinity. The study found that the type and amount of precipitants and surfactants affect the powder’s morphology and dispersibility, while calcination temperature mainly affects the powder’s morphology and crystallinity. The ethanol content in the solvent mainly affects the grain size. After testing different variables, the optimal conditions for preparing spherical ZnO powder were found to be using (NH4)2·CO3 as the precipitant, adding 3% wt of PEG-400 and 3% wt of TEA at a calcination temperature of 320°C and a 60% ethanol solvent. This resulted in a smooth surface, uniform particle size distribution, good dispersibility, high crystallinity, and particle sizes between 26-32nm.
Protocol for secondary data analysis of 4 UK cohorts examining youth adversity and mental health in the context of intersectionality
Authors: Hosang Georgina Mayling , Havers Laura , Shuai Ruichong , Fonagy Peter , Fazel Mina , Morgan Craig , Karamanos Alexis , Fancourt Daisy , McCrone Paul , Smuk Melanie , Bhui Kamaldeep , Shakoor Sania
Published: August 2023

Background

Youth adversity (e.g., abuse and bullying victimisation) is robust risk factor for later mental health problems (e.g., depression and anxiety). Research shows the prevalence of youth adversity and rates of mental health problems vary by individual characteristics, identity or social groups (e.g., gender and ethnicity). However, little is known about whether the impact of youth adversity on mental health problems differ across the intersections of these characteristics (e.g., white females). This paper reports on a component of the ATTUNE research programme (work package 2) which aims to investigate the impact and mechanisms of youth adversity on depressive and anxiety symptoms in young people by intersectionality profiles.

Methods

The data are from 4 UK adolescent cohorts: HeadStart Cornwall, Oxwell, REACH, and DASH. These cohorts were assembled for adolescents living in distinct geographical locations representing coastal, suburban and urban places in the UK. Youth adversity was assessed using a series of self-report questionnaires and official records. Validated self-report instruments measured depressive and anxiety symptoms. A range of different variables were classified as possible social and cognitive mechanisms.

Results and analysis

Structural equation modelling (e.g., multiple group models, latent growth models) and multilevel modelling will be used, with adaptation of methods to suit the specific available data, in accord with statistical and epidemiological conventions.

Discussion

The results from this research programme will broaden our understanding of the association between youth adversity and mental health, including new information about intersectionality and related mechanisms in young people in the UK. The findings will inform future research, clinical guidance, and policy to protect and promote the mental health of those most vulnerable to the negative consequences of youth adversity.
Methyl vinyl ketone impairs spatial memory and activates hippocampal glial cells in mice
Authors: Sato Ren Y. , Kotake Koki , Zhang Yumin , Onishi Hiraku , Matsui Futaba , Norimoto Hiroaki , Zhou Zhiwen
Published: August 2023

Memory is a fundamental brain function that can be affected by a variety of external factors including environmental pollutants. One of these pollutants is methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), a hazardous substance found in cigarettes, industrial wastes, and car exhaust. Humans can be exposed to MVK under many circumstances; however, it is unclear whether MVK affects higher-order brain functions such as memory. Here, we examined the memory performances of mice receiving systemic MVK administration. We found that 1 mg/kg of MVK impaired spatial memory. We also showed that 1 mg/kg MVK activated glial cells and altered glial functions in several subregions of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory. These results suggest that MVK induces memory deficits and activates glial cells in hippocampal subregions.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of super soft kernel texture in soft white spring wheat
Authors: Aoun Meriem , Orenday-Ortiz Jose M. , Brown Kitty , Broeckling Corey , Morris Craig F. , Kiszonas Alecia M.
Published: August 2023

Super soft kernel texture is associated with superior milling and baking performance in soft wheat. To understand the mechanism underlying super soft kernel texture, we studied proteomic changes between a normal soft and a super soft during kernel development. The cultivar ‘Alpowa’, a soft white spring wheat, was crossed to a closely related super soft spring wheat line ‘BC2SS163’ to produce F6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Four normal soft RILs and four super soft RILs along with the parents were selected for proteomic analysis. Alpowa and the normal soft RILs showed hardness indices of 20 to 30, whereas BC2SS163 and the super soft RILs showed hardness indices of -2 to -6. Kernels were collected from normal soft and super soft genotypes at 7 days post anthesis (dpa), 14 dpa, 28 dpa, and maturity and were subject to quantitative proteomic analysis. Throughout kernel development, 175 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified. Most DAPs were observed at 7 dpa, 14 dpa, and 28 dpa. Of the 175 DAPs, 32 had higher abundance in normal soft wheat, whereas 143 DAPs had higher abundance in super soft wheat. A total of 18 DAPs were associated with carbohydrate metabolism and five DAPs were associated with lipids. The gene TraesCS4B02G091100.1 on chromosome arm 4BS, which encodes for sucrose-phosphate synthase, was identified as a candidate gene for super soft kernel texture in BC2SS163. This study enhanced our understanding of the mechanism underlying super soft kernel texture in soft white spring wheat.
Practices and motives behind antibiotics provision in drug outlets in Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Ndaki Pendo M. , Mwanga Joseph R. , Mushi Martha F. , Konje Eveline T. , Fredricks Kathryn Jean , Kesby Mike , Sandeman Alison , Mugassa Stella , Manyiri Msilikale W. , Loza Olga , Keenan Katherine , Mwita Stanley M. , Holden Matthew T. G. , Mshana Stephen E.
Published: August 2023

Dispensing antibiotics without prescription is among the major factors leading to antimicrobial resistance. Dispensing of antibiotics without prescription has negative impact at the individual and societal level leading to poor patient outcomes, and increased risks of resistant bacteria facilitated by inappropriate choice of antibiotics doses/courses. Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat which is projected to cause 10 million deaths by 2050 if no significant actions are taken to address this problem This study explored the practices and motives behind dispensing of antibiotics without prescription among community drug outlets in Tanzania. Finding of this study provides more strategies to antibiotics stewardship intervention. In-depth interviews with 28 drug dispensers were conducted for three months consecutively between November 2019 and January 2020 in 12 community pharmacies and 16 Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) in the Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya regions of Tanzania. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using NVivo12 software. Majority of dispensers admitted to providing antibiotics without prescriptions, selling incomplete courses of antibiotics and not giving detailed instructions to customers on how to use the drugs. These practices were motivated by several factors including customers’ pressure/customers’ demands, business orientation-financial gain of drug dispensers, and low purchasing power of patients/customers. It is important to address the motives behind the unauthorized dispensing antibiotics. On top of the existing regulation and enforcement, we recommend the government to empower customers with education and purchasing power of drugs which can enhance the dispensers adherence to the dispensing regulations. Furthermore, we recommend ethnographic research to inform antibiotic stewardship interventions going beyond awareness raising, education and advocacy campaigns. This will address structural drivers of AMR such as poverty and inadequate government health services, and the disconnect between public messaging and/or policy and the public itself.
Western Australian medical students’ attitudes towards artificial intelligence in healthcare
Authors: Stewart Jonathon , Lu Juan , Gahungu Nestor , Goudie Adrian , Fegan P. Gerry , Bennamoun Mohammed , Sprivulis Peter , Dwivedi Girish
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Surveys conducted internationally have found widespread interest in artificial intelligence (AI) amongst medical students. No similar surveys have been conducted in Western Australia (WA) and it is not known how medical students in WA feel about the use of AI in healthcare or their understanding of AI. We aim to assess WA medical students’ attitudes towards AI in general, AI in healthcare, and the inclusion of AI education in the medical curriculum.

Methods

A digital survey instrument was developed based on a review of available literature and consultation with subject matter experts. The survey was piloted with a group of medical students and refined based on their feedback. We then sent this anonymous digital survey to all medical students in WA (approximately 1539 students). Responses were open from the 7th of September 2021 to the 7th of November 2021. Students’ categorical responses were qualitatively analysed, and free text comments from the survey were qualitatively analysed using open coding techniques.

Results

Overall, 134 students answered one or more questions (8.9% response rate). The majority of students (82.0%) were 20–29 years old, studying medicine as a postgraduate degree (77.6%), and had started clinical rotations (62.7%). Students were interested in AI (82.6%), self-reported having a basic understanding of AI (84.8%), but few agreed that they had an understanding of the basic computational principles of AI (33.3%) or the limitations of AI (46.2%). Most students (87.5%) had not received teaching in AI. The majority of students (58.6%) agreed that AI should be part of medical training and most (72.7%) wanted more teaching focusing on AI in medicine. Medical students appeared optimistic regarding the role of AI in medicine, with most (74.4%) agreeing with the statement that AI will improve medicine in general. The majority (56.6%) of medical students were not concerned about the impact of AI on their job security as a doctor. Students selected radiology (72.6%), pathology (58.2%), and medical administration (44.8%) as the specialties most likely to be impacted by AI, and psychiatry (61.2%), palliative care (48.5%), and obstetrics and gynaecology (41.0%) as the specialties least likely to be impacted by AI. Qualitative analysis of free text comments identified the use of AI as a tool, and that doctors will not be replaced as common themes.

Conclusion

Medical students in WA appear to be interested in AI. However, they have not received education about AI and do not feel they understand its basic computational principles or limitations. AI appears to be a current deficit in the medical curriculum in WA, and most students surveyed were supportive of its introduction. These results are consistent with previous surveys conducted internationally.
Factors influencing the utilization of doctoral research findings at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Views of academic leaders
Authors: Damba Florence Upenyu , Mtshali Ntombifikile Gloria , Chimbari Moses John
Published: August 2023

Background

Translation of health research findings into policy remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Factors influencing health research utilization are poorly described in literature. Therefore, identifying factors that influence the utilization of research findings for policy formulation is essential to facilitate implementation of evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of academic leaders as to why doctoral research is not adequately used in policymaking.

Methods

In-depth interviews were held with purposively selected key informants from the College of Health Sciences. An open-ended interview guide aimed at exploring college leadership views on factors influencing utilization of PhD generated knowledge into policy was used. Data was analysed thematically using NVivo 12 software. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes around the factors influencing utilization of doctoral research into policy.

Results

Factors such as inaccessibility of research results, lack of funding, poor quality of research, lack of continuity in translating research into policy, lack of timeliness of research results and lack of collaboration between researchers and policymakers hindered the utilization of PhD generated knowledge. Participants recommended engagement with the Department of Health/policymakers, collaboration with Department of Health/policymakers, increasing enrolment of South African citizens into PhD program, making final research products available to Department of Health/policymakers, and provision of funding for dissemination of research results.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that final doctoral research results are mainly disseminated through journal articles and theses. Participants cited inaccessibility of research findings, lack of funding and poor-quality research as the most common factors hindering utilization of doctoral research findings. The study also recommended availing adequate funding for dissemination of research results, collaboration between researchers and policymakers, facilitation of policymaker-researcher engagement to find best ways of using research findings to influence policy and making final research products accessible to policymakers. Further research to gain the perspective of policymakers as to why doctoral research is not adequately used in policy formulation is recommended.
Global sensitivity analysis of parameters based on sPCE: The case study of a concrete face rockfill dam in northwest China
Authors: Ran Li , Yang Jie , Ma Chunhui , Cheng Lin , Zhou Mingjuan
Published: August 2023

To effectively identify the key material parameters of different zones of concrete face rockfill dams and improve the efficiency of parameter optimization, a global sensitivity analysis method of parameters based on sparse polynomial chaotic expansion (sPCE) is proposed in this paper. The latin hypercube sampling method is used to select multiple groups of material parameters, and then finite element method is used to calculate the displacement of dam characteristic nodes in dam body. On this basis, the displacement is expanded by sPCE, and the polynomial basis function is reconstructed by orthogonal matching pursuit to improve the construction and analysis efficiency of the proxy model. According to the chaos coefficients, Sobol’ indices are calculated to evaluate the influence of the material parameters and their interaction on different displacements of the dam. The results show that the sPCE model can accurately simulate dam displacement and its statistical characteristics with a relatively small sample size. The sensitivity of the same parameter has spatial variability, and under the influence of parameter levels and spatial distribution of different materials, the parameter sensitivity ranking of different zones has certain differences. The proposed method provides a new reference to sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis for practical engineering.
Defaunation is known to have pervasive, negative effects on tropical forests, but this is not the whole story
Authors: Boiten Gust , Dekegel Steffi , Tagg Nikki , Willie Jacob
Published: August 2023

Ecosystem functioning and integrity are affected by the loss of large-bodied animals, and comprehending when and how ecosystems are affected is an important goal of defaunation ecology. Despite considerable investigation, our understanding is incomplete. Previous research is biased towards the study of seed dispersal in the Neotropics. This study examined whether and how defaunation affects stem density, species diversity, species composition, spatial distribution, and dispersal mode composition of young understorey plants in an Afrotropical setting. Rectangular plots along transects and wedge-shaped plots under focal trees of five mammal-dispersed species were used to compare three sites representing a defaunation gradient in the Dja faunal reserve in Cameroon. Results showed no change in stem density. Woody plant diversity was highest in the most defaunated site, and compositional differences were noted. Under focal trees, the overall abundance of both seedlings and juveniles was similar. The most defaunated site had the highest number of seedlings far from parent trees. More juvenile stems occurred near parent trees in the least defaunated site. This surprising trend might result from fruit dispersal by small, surviving animals and humans more easily collecting fruits, for food or medicinal purposes, in defaunated, more accessible sites. Negligible or no differences in the abundance of animal-dispersed species and other dispersal modes emerged. This study highlights the roles of extant taxa as surrogate providers of ecological services in defaunated Afrotropical forests. Hence, functional compensation is a serious possibility. Additionally, conceptual models of defaunation consequences that exclude the role of humans may not reflect real-world situations. Overall, these investigations suggest that tropical forests, especially those where ecological niches are less partitioned, may be more resilient to defaunation pressures than is often assumed. Effectively conserving extant, and perhaps less iconic, animal species provides hope for defaunated forests.
Probiotics: Can it modulate fracture healing?
Authors: Wang Yufa , Agenor Aouod , Clement Allison , Hopfgartner Adam , Whyne Cari , Nam Diane
Published: August 2023

Objective

Fractures remain a huge burden and their management adversely affects individuals’ function and productivity during the lengthy healing period. Gut microbiota exerts a systemic influence on diverse aspects of host physiology, including bone. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate if oral probiotic treatment before or after a fracture in a mouse model could increase cytokines and biomarkers essential for bone healing with subsequent improvement in the biomechanical properties of the healed callus.

Methods

Femoral osteotomy and intramedullary pinning were performed on C57BL/6 mice. Group 1 received either control PBS or probiotic via oral gavage for 5 weeks before fracture (pre-fracture). Group 2 received equivalent treatments for 4 weeks only after fracture (post-fracture). Fracture calluses were harvested on day 3 and 7 for RT-qPCR to quantify osteogenic-related inflammatory cytokines and bone biomarkers. Fractured femurs were evaluated day 28 post-osteotomy via microstructural analysis (μCT) and biomechanical testing (torsion).

Results

Mice treated with probiotics pre-fracture (group 1) showed significantly increased gene expression on day 3 of cytokines TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-17F and a corresponding increase in gene expression on day 7 for Col1 and Runx2. Significant improvement was also seen in bone volume fraction, bone mineral density, tissue mineral density, maximum yield torque, stiffness and strain energy.

Mice treated with probiotics post-fracture (group 2), demonstrated no changes in cytokine or bone marker gene expression with no significant changes on microstructural analysis. However, significant increases were seen in twist angle at failure and strain energy, with a corresponding reduction in torsional stiffness.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that oral probiotic administration, before or after a fracture, may sufficiently alter the gut flora microenvironment leading to improved bone healing biomechanical properties. The use of probiotics may provide a cost-effective and low-risk adjunctive therapy to improve fracture healing.
ChatGPT- versus human-generated answers to frequently asked questions about diabetes: A Turing test-inspired survey among employees of a Danish diabetes center
Authors: Hulman Adam , Dollerup Ole Lindgård , Mortensen Jesper Friis , Fenech Matthew E. , Norman Kasper , Støvring Henrik , Hansen Troels Krarup
Published: August 2023

Large language models have received enormous attention recently with some studies demonstrating their potential clinical value, despite not being trained specifically for this domain. We aimed to investigate whether ChatGPT, a language model optimized for dialogue, can answer frequently asked questions about diabetes. We conducted a closed e-survey among employees of a large Danish diabetes center. The study design was inspired by the Turing test and non-inferiority trials. Our survey included ten questions with two answers each. One of these was written by a human expert, while the other was generated by ChatGPT. Participants had the task to identify the ChatGPT-generated answer. Data was analyzed at the question-level using logistic regression with robust variance estimation with clustering at participant level. In secondary analyses, we investigated the effect of participant characteristics on the outcome. A 55% non-inferiority margin was pre-defined based on precision simulations and had been published as part of the study protocol before data collection began. Among 311 invited individuals, 183 participated in the survey (59% response rate). 64% had heard of ChatGPT before, and 19% had tried it. Overall, participants could identify ChatGPT-generated answers 59.5% (95% CI: 57.0, 62.0) of the time, which was outside of the non-inferiority zone. Among participant characteristics, previous ChatGPT use had the strongest association with the outcome (odds ratio: 1.52 (1.16, 2.00), p = 0.003). Previous users answered 67.4% (61.7, 72.7) of the questions correctly, versus non-users’ 57.6% (54.9, 60.3). Participants could distinguish between ChatGPT-generated and human-written answers somewhat better than flipping a fair coin, which was against our initial hypothesis. Rigorously planned studies are needed to elucidate the risks and benefits of integrating such technologies in routine clinical practice.
Identification of people with low prevalence diseases in administrative healthcare records: A case study of HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Emerson Scott D. , McLinden Taylor , Sereda Paul , Lima Viviane D. , Hogg Robert S. , Kooij Katherine W. , Yonkman Amanda M. , Salters Kate A. , Moore David , Toy Junine , Wong Jason , Consolacion Theodora , Montaner Julio S. G. , Barrios Rolando
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Case-finding algorithms can be applied to administrative healthcare records to identify people with diseases, including people with HIV (PWH). When supplementing an existing registry of a low prevalence disease, near-perfect specificity helps minimize impacts of adding in algorithm-identified false positive cases. We evaluated the performance of algorithms applied to healthcare records to supplement an HIV registry in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

We applied algorithms based on HIV-related diagnostic codes to healthcare practitioner and hospitalization records. We evaluated 28 algorithms in a validation sub-sample of 7,124 persons with positive HIV tests (2,817 with a prior negative test) from the STOP HIV/AIDS data linkage–a linkage of healthcare, clinical, and HIV test records for PWH in BC, resembling a disease registry (1996–2020). Algorithms were primarily assessed based on their specificity–derived from this validation sub-sample–and their impact on the estimate of the total number of PWH in BC as of 2020.

Results

In the validation sub-sample, median age at positive HIV test was 37 years (Q1: 30, Q3: 46), 80.1% were men, and 48.9% resided in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. For all algorithms, specificity exceeded 97% and sensitivity ranged from 81% to 95%. To supplement the HIV registry, we selected an algorithm with 99.89% (95% CI: 99.76% - 100.00%) specificity and 82.21% (95% CI: 81.26% - 83.16%) sensitivity, requiring five HIV-related healthcare practitioner encounters or two HIV-related hospitalizations within a 12-month window, or one hospitalization with HIV as the most responsible diagnosis. Upon adding PWH identified by this highly-specific algorithm to the registry, 8,774 PWH were present in BC as of March 2020, of whom 333 (3.8%) were algorithm-identified.

Discussion

In the context of an existing low prevalence disease registry, the results of our validation study demonstrate the value of highly-specific case-finding algorithms applied to administrative healthcare records to enhance our ability to estimate the number of PWH living in BC.
Monitoring rural-urban transformation in the coastal region of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Morocco
Authors: Loulad Safia , Nguyen Thanh Thi , Simou Mohamed Rabii , Rhinane Hassan , Buerkert Andreas
Published: August 2023

Worldwide urbanization drives rural-urban transformation (RUT) which has major consequences in many countries of the Global South where there is an urgent need to better understand and manage the underlying processes and consequences for ecosystem services. To fill existing knowledge gaps on the extent and time course of RUT in Morocco, this study focused on (i) analyzing the spatial patterns of rural-urban transformation in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (RSK) region from 1972 to 2020, (ii) identifying key mechanisms of change, and (iii) defining the main driving forces behind the spatial transformation patterns. To this end, we processed data of the Landsat free archive, historical grayscale Corona images, and nighttime lights datasets on Google Earth Engine (GEE) using machine learning classifiers and LandTrendr spectral-temporal segmentation algorithms. With an overall accuracy (OA) ranging from 88–95%, the results revealed that during the study period the RSK region experienced a 473% growth of horizontal built-up reflected in an area increase from 63.4 km2to 299.9 km2. The main changes occurred along the Kenitra-Rabat-Temara axis and in central cities connected to the main road network. The horizontal expansion of large and medium-sized cities led to the formation of a Rural-Urban Interface (RUI) on the outskirts. The urban sprawl of some cities has affected the surrounding rural lands within the RUI. Environmental, social, economic, and political forces have interacted in shaping the changes in rural-urban landscapes.