bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of preschool teachers of the characteristics of gifted learners in Abu Dhabi: A qualitative study
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed , Elhoweris Hala
Published: November 2022

Considerable evidence supports that preschool education is a milestone stage for children. Nonetheless, systematic preschool gifted education programs rarely exist in public elementary schools. The current study explored the perceptions of 16 preschool teachers (general and special education teachers) from seven public schools in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding their views about various components of gifted education for preschool children. Qualitative analyses, using the inductive data analysis method, revealed several themes such as (a) the concept and identification of giftedness, (b) characteristics of gifted preschoolers, (c) preschoolers’ problem-solving skills, (d) the communication and social skills of gifted preschoolers, resources/services offered by the school to serve gifted preschoolers, (e) enrichment programs available for gifted preschoolers, (f) inclusive education for gifted preschoolers, (g) twice-exceptional preschoolers, and (h) governmental support. The results of this study may help advocate for infusing more services and programs related to the identification and education of gifted preschoolers in public schools. The findings identified the need to have an abundance of assessment tools and enrichment programs that can empower preschool teachers to cater for giftedness.
Health empowerment scripts: Simplifying social/green prescriptions
Authors: Lawson Justin T. , Wissing Ross , Henderson-Wilson Claire , Snell Tristan , Chambers Timothy P. , McNeil Dominic G. , Nuttman Sonia
Published: November 2022

Social prescriptions are one term commonly used to describe non-pharmaceutical approaches to healthcare and are gaining popularity in the community, with evidence highlighting psychological benefits of reduced anxiety, depression and improved mood and physiological benefits of reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced hypertension. The relationship between human health benefits and planetary health benefits is also noted. There are, however, numerous barriers, such as duration and frequencies to participate in activities, access, suitability, volition and a range of unpredictable variables (such as inclement weather, shifting interests and relocating home amongst others) impeding a comprehensive approach to their use on a wider scale. From a multidisciplinary perspective, this commentary incorporates a salutogenic and nature-based approach to health, we also provide a range of recommendations that can be undertaken at the patient level to assist in shifting the acknowledged systemic barriers currently occurring. These include using simple language to explain the purpose of health empowerment scripts, ensuing personal commitment to a minimum timeframe, enabling ease of access, co-designing a script program, providing ongoing motivational support and incorporating mindfulness to counter unexpected disruptions.
Environmental motivation or economic motivation? Explaining individuals’ intention to carry reusable bags for shopping in China
Authors: Li Yong , Wang Bairong
Published: November 2022

To achieve satisfying effects of plastic ban policies, it is important to promote people’s intention to use green bags. Many studies have examined the antecedents of reducing plastic bag usage, but research regarding the influential factors of reusable bag usage is limited. Based on a survey of 532 respondents in China, a multiple linear regression model is constructed in this study to examine the determinants of individuals’ intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results show that plastic ban awareness, social responsibility, environmental motivation, and economic motivation significantly and positively affect consumers’ intention to use reusable bags for shopping. Of the two motivation factors, environmental motivation has a greater impact. More importantly, economic motivation positively moderates the relationship between environmental motivation and the intention to use reusable bags. This finding suggests a motivation “crowding-in” effect in predicting consumers’ intention to carry reusable bags for shopping. Results of this study also indicate that female, older, and richer people are more inclined to carry reusable bags for shopping. Implications for plastic crisis management are discussed.
Examination of morphological traits of children's faces related to perceptions of cuteness using Gaussian process ordinal regression
Authors: Komori Masashi , Teraji Teppei , Shiroshita Keito , Nittono Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Konrad Lorenz, an ethologist, proposed that certain physical elements are perceived as cute and induce caretaking behavior in other individuals, with the evolutionary function of enhancing offspring survival. He called these features Kindchenschema, baby schema. According to his introspection, these include a large forehead, chubby round features, and chubby cheeks. Previous studies are limited to examining the effects of these facial features on perceived cuteness. However, other morphological factors may be related to perceived cuteness. This study uses Bayesian optimization, one of the global sequential optimization methods for estimating unknown functions, to search for facial morphological features that enhance the perceptions of facial cuteness. We applied Bayesian optimization incorporating Gaussian process ordinal regression (GPOR), which allows an estimation of the latent cuteness function based on evaluations using the Likert scale. A total of 96 preschool children provided the facial images used in this study. We summarized the facial shape variations using methodologies of geometric morphometrics and principal component analysis (PCA) up to the third principal component (PC), which we refer to as the face space. A total of 40 participants evaluated the images created by warping the average facial texture of the children's faces with randomly generated parameters in the face space. Facial traits related to perceived cuteness were estimated based on the averaged cuteness function. Perceived cuteness was linked to the relative lower position of facial components and narrower jawline but not to the forehead height.
The effect of incentives on intertemporal choice: Choice, confidence, and eye movements
Authors: Yang Xing-Lan , Chen Si-Tan , Liu Hong-Zhi
Published: November 2022

Despite various studies examining intertemporal choice with hypothetical rewards due to problematic real reward delivery, there remains no substantial evidence on the effect of the incentives on the decision confidence and cognitive process in intertemporal choice and no comprehensive exploration on the loss domain. Hence, this study conducts an eye-tracking experiment to examine the effect of incentive approach and measure participants' decision confidence using a between-subject design in both gain and loss domains. Results replicated previous findings which show incentives do not affect intertemporal choice in the gain domain. In contrast, in the loss domain, participants in the incentivized group were more likely to choose the larger-later options than those in the non-incentivized group. Furthermore, the decision confidence and the mean fixation duration differed between the incentivized and non-incentivized groups in both gain and loss domains. These findings allow for a better understanding of the effect of incentives on intertemporal choice and provide valuable information for the design of incentives in future intertemporal experiments.
Optimizing foreign exchange reserves: Protection against external shocks in Ghana
Authors: Abdul-Rahaman Abdul-Rashid , Hongxing Yao , Alhassan Alolo Akeji Abdul-Rasheed , Ayamba Emmanuel Caesar , Bernard Pea-Assounga Jean Baptiste , Alhassan Mohammed Kamil
Published: November 2022

Using Least Square Residual Minimization techniques, this paper develops an optimal reserve model, known as the OPREM model, which is essential in optimizing the costs of reserve holding. The paper also sets-out to test and compare the relative predictions of economic trends of the OPREM model as well as the predictions of alternative models in literature. Establishing the predictive accuracy of economic trends of these models are crucial for the gradual and cost-effective accumulation of reserves. The research concludes that, the decision to optimize the cost of reserves under a stable currency environment is reliant on the gold impact factor and not on inflation or interest rates. We also found on further analysis of the OPREM that the OPREM model is better positioned to eliminate the procyclicality and perverse rush in reserve build-ups experienced in developing and emerging countries by effectively setting the reserve stock against economic trends. The research fixes the optimal reserves around a benchmark of 0.7–1.2 of previous year's optimal value. However, in the absence of past optimal values, a benchmark between 2 and 6 times of average inflows for short-term analysis or analysis with small data observations. However, for long-term analysis or analysis with large data frequency (i.e., exceeding 13 data observations), the reserve stock should be fixed on a benchmark of 2–9 times of the average inflows.
Acquisition of L2 English spatial deixes by Arabic-speaking children
Authors: Alothman Hissah Nasser , Alsager Haroon N.
Published: November 2022

Deictic words are considered the earliest words which children acquire at the stage of two-word-utterance. However, mastering them like adults may take more time. This paper investigates how L2 children comprehend and produce English spatial deixis ‘here’, ‘there’, ‘this’, and ‘that’ by observing and documenting their responses and reactions in hide-and-seek game. It also aims to find out the children’s obstacles in acquiring these words, such as proximity bias and egocentrism. The subjects are Arabic children of ages four, five, and six who acquire English as a second language in international schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They performed two types of tasks: comprehension task and production task. Both tasks contained two trials: same perspective and the different perspective. Based on the results, children did better in comprehending the spatial deixis than in producing them. Moreover, the results showed that there was no proximity bias happened with children in this study. In addition, the results of the two trials in both tasks illustrated that changing the deictic center improves with age. Although the study provides some significant results, there should be an increase in the number of the samples in order to make the results generalized.
Social media use and body image issues among adolescents in a vulnerable Louisiana community
Authors: Sagrera Caroline E. , Magner Johnette , Temple Jazzlynn , Lawrence Robert , Magner Timothy J. , Avila-Quintero Victor J. , McPherson Pamela , Alderman Laura Lane , Bhuiyan Mohammad Alfrad Nobel , Patterson James C. , Murnane Kevin S.
Published: November 2022

Widespread concern has been expressed regarding unrealistic body image and adolescent eating disorder promoting content on social media (SM) platforms. Numerous research studies have examined the impact of SM on body image as well as social vulnerability on negative mental health outcomes. Despite this, few previous studies have examined the impact of SM on body image specifically in vulnerable, underserved, or predominantly minority communities. This study examines the impact of SM on body image issues (BII) in adolescents in a public school system where greater than 50% of the students live in impoverished households. In late 2019, high school student leaders in Northwest Louisiana developed a survey alongside Step Forward, a collective impact initiative. Questions investigated adolescent SM use and mental health in Caddo Parish, namely BII. Teachers within Caddo Parish Public School System administered the survey. Out of the 11,248 total high school students in the school system, nearly 50% were sampled for a sample size of 5,070. Hypotheses included: (1) females were more likely to use SM than males, (2) increasing time spent on SM would correlate with females reporting BII, with males remaining largely unaffected, and (3) highly visual social media (HVSM) platforms would be associated with greater reports of BII than non-HVSM platforms. Results showed females were more likely to use SM (p < 0.001) and report BII (p < 0.001) compared to males, while both sexes reported BII with increasing time spent on SM (p < 0.001). A diversity of platforms were associated with increased BII among SM users compared to non-users (p < 0.001): Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. This conclusion is tempered by the omission of race as a variable in the study design, the use of self-report, and the use of an unvalidated instrument. These findings suggest that the harmful association between SM use and BII may transcend culture and socioeconomic status for a broadly deleterious effect on adolescent mental wellbeing.
Status of stigma on the health care workers related to COVID-19 at the first wave of the pandemic in Iran: A qualitative study
Authors: Badrfam Rahim , Qorbani Mostafa , Zandifar Atefeh
Published: November 2022

Background

Stigma can be seen as a mark of disgrace that can lead to the separation of one person from another. In this qualitative study, we assess the status of stigma among in front-line health care workers (HCWs) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Subjects and methods

The participants were selected from frontline HCWs related to COVID-19 in Imam Ali and Imam Hossein referral hospitals in Alborz province, Iran. Study was conducted between May and June 2020. The 32-item checklist Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was used to report this qualitative study. Interview questions were prepared based on the grounded theory method. The thematic approach was used to analyze the data content. Data analysis was based on open and axial coding and after implementing the codes in MAXQDA software.

Results

The results of this study included 4 themes, 8 categories and 33 sub-categories. Themes included extrinsic and intrinsic elements of stigma, perplexity and stigma removal requirements. Extrinsic elements included “creating blame and shame” and “discrimination” categories. Intrinsic elements included “the desire to be avoidance,” “feeling depressed and frustrated” and “feeling anxious and scared” categories. Perplexity included “feeling loss” category. Stigma removal requirements included “factors causing stigma” and “protective agents against stigma” categories.

Conclusion

Low public awareness on COVID-19 and inadequate public care, limited personal protective equipment and inadequate facilities for HCWs along with lack of appreciation for their efforts, lack of proper psychiatric/psychological counseling to identify and treat symptoms associated with mental health and the limitations of training to maintain mental health skills are considered to be factors in the formation of stigma among HCWs related to COVID-19. Health policymakers should implement coherent strategies related to increasing public awareness and providing personal protection needs and counseling care for HCWs in relation to COVID-19.
Case report: Cases of narcolepsy misdiagnosed as other psychiatric disorders
Authors: Shen Zhongxia , Shuai Yibin , Mou Shaoqi , Shen Yue , Shen Xinhua , Yang Shengliang
Published: November 2022

Narcolepsy is characterized by uncontrollable excessive daytime sleepiness, paroxysmal cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. It is often misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia, resulting from the overlap in symptoms and a lack of understanding of narcolepsy. In the present study, three cases of narcolepsy misdiagnosed as depression, dissociative disorder, and schizophrenia are presented to emphasize the high occurrence of the misdiagnosis of narcolepsy in clinical practice. The main reasons for this dilemma are attributed to the lack of adequate sleep, medicine, education, as well as specialized professional technicians. A multi-disciplinary team composed of psychiatrists and sleep specialists should be established to deal with this problem.
Ultra-processed foods and allergic symptoms among children and adults in the United States: A population-based analysis of NHANES 2005–2006
Authors: Kong Weiliang , Xie Yilian , Zhong Jingjing , Cao Chao
Published: November 2022

Design

There is a strong correlation between dietary intake and allergic diseases. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are gradually becoming dominant worldwide and causing health problems for children and adults. We hope to determine whether links exist between UPFs and allergic symptoms.

Methods

We investigated data from 2,736 children (16–19 years) and 4,256 adults (≥20 years) from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006. The associations between the mean UPFs contribution to total energy intake and all allergic symptoms (IgE, current asthma, allergy, rash, sneeze, wheeze, eczema, and hay fever) were estimated by weighted multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed UFPs were negatively associated with IgE levels in children. Those with higher quartiles had a reduced risk from 16% (OR, 0.84, 95%CI, 0.55 to 1.28) to 34% (OR, 0.66, 95%CI, 0.49 to 0.89), p for trend = 0.006. UPFs were also positively related to current asthma in children with an increased risk of 11% (OR, 1.11, 95%CI, 0.79 to 1.56) to 76% (OR, 1.76, 95%CI, 1.10 to 2.82), p for trend = 0.0393. UPFs were also associated with eczema in girls. But there was no association observed between UPFs and allergic symptoms in adults.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that UPFs assessed by the NOVA system were associated with IgE, current asthma in children, and eczema in girls. These results further support the need to test the association of modern dietary patterns with allergic symptoms.
Climate change-related knowledge and attitudes among a sample of the general population in Egypt
Authors: Salem Marwa Rashad , Hegazy Nelly , Thabet Mohammed Anas Abdullnasser , Mahrous Hassan Esraa , Saad Abdou Mohamed Mohyeldin , Zein Marwa M.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Identifying the public awareness and risk perception regarding climate change, are fundamental preliminary steps in determining gaps and paving the way for awareness campaigns that address climate change causes and counteraction mitigation measures. However, few studies were conducted in Egypt; thus, the researchers conducted the current cross-sectional study among a sample of the Egyptian population to identify general knowledge and perception about climate change and its effects, as well as attitudes toward mitigation measures.

Methods

An exploratory population-based electronic-open survey, was conducted among 527 members of the general population between January and April 2022, using a convenience sampling technique. A pre-tested 2-page (screen) electronic included three sections: sociodemographic characteristics, global warming/climate change-related knowledge, and attitude toward climate change mitigation.

Results

The average global warming knowledge score was 12 ± 3. More than 70% (71.1%) of the participants were knowledgeable (percentage score >70%). Approximately half of the enrolled participants (48.2%) agreed that everyone is vulnerable to the effects of global warming/climate change. More than three-quarters (78.3%) of the participants agreed that carbon emissions from vehicles and industrial methane emissions were the first factors that contributed to climate change, followed by the ozone holes (731%). Global warming/climate change-related knowledge was statistically higher in participants aged of >30 years, married participants, urban residents, highly educated individuals, and employed individuals (p-value ≤ 0.05). Approximately 80% of the participants agreed that responding to the questionnaire drew their attention to the topic of climate change and its effects. More than two-thirds of those polled agreed that increasing public transportation use could help mitigate the effects of climate change/global warming, followed by the materials used and the direction of construction.

Conclusion

More than two-thirds of the participants were knowledgeable regarding climate change. Social media and the internet were the main sources of information. However, participants need to get the information in a different way that could help in changing their attitude positively toward the issue of climate change mitigation. The current study recommends the need for various initiatives that work should be launched.
Quality of life among health care workers in Arab countries 2 years after COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ghazy Ramy Mohamed , Abubakar Fiidow Osman , Abdullah Fatimah Saed Alabd , Elbarazi Iffat , Ismail Ismail Ibrahim , Alqutub Sulafa Tarek , Bouraad Etwal , Hammouda Esraa Abdellatif , Tahoun Mohamed Mostafa , Mehdad Silmane , Ashmawy Rasha , Zamzam Abdulla , Elhassan Osama Mohamed , Al Jahdhami Qasim Mohamed , Bouguerra Hind , Kammoun Rebai Wafaa , Yasin Lina , Jaradat Esraa Mustafa , Elhadi Yasir Ahmed Mohammed , Sallam Malik
Published: November 2022

Background

Assessment of the quality of life (QoL) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is vital for better healthcare and is an essential indicator for competent health service delivery. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strike, the frontline position of HCWs subjected them to tremendous mental and psychological burden with a high risk of virus acquisition.

Aim

This study evaluated the QoL and its influencing factors among HCWs residing in the Arab countries.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire based on the World Health Organization QoL-BREF instrument with additional questions related to COVID-19. The study was conducted in three different languages (Arabic, English, and French) across 19 Arab countries between February 22 and March 24, 2022.

Results

A total of 3,170 HCWs were included in the survey. The majority were females (75.3%), aged 18–40 years (76.4%), urban residents (90.4%), married (54.5%), and were living in middle-income countries (72.0%). The mean scores of general health and general QoL were 3.7 ± 1.0 and 3.7 ± 0.9, respectively. Those who attained average physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL were 40.8, 15.4, 26.2, and 22.3%, respectively. The income per capita and country income affected the mean scores of all QoL domains. Previous COVID-19 infection, having relatives who died of COVID-19, and being vaccinated against COVID-19 significantly affected the mean scores of different domains.

Conclusion

A large proportion of the Arab HCWs evaluated in this study had an overall poor QoL. More attention should be directed to this vulnerable group to ensure their productivity and service provision.
Is ADHD a way of conceptualizing long-term emotional stress and social disadvantage?
Authors: Erlandsson Soly I. , Hornborg Christoffer , Sorbring Emma , Dauman Nicolas
Published: November 2022

Background

The prevalent, neuropsychiatric, deficit perspective on children and youth diagnosed with ADHD prohibits a multidimensional approach where socio-economic status, family stress and relationships within the families are relevant factors to examine. Assessments of ADHD through the use of rating scales and short-term interventions may lead not only to overdiagnosis but also to a reductionistic approach in the psychiatric field. This literature review aims to address research outside the prevailing discourse on ADHD as an organic brain dysfunction and broaden the perspectives on children's behavioral difficulties.

Methods

The articles included in this applied, mixed-method, systematic review includes 26 peer-reviewed articles, both English and French, with a search focus on ADHD in children and youth related to Attachment styles and relationships.

Results

In the studies reported, researchers approached correlations between ADHD and attachment in different ways, and in most cases, there was a caution to address causality. The role of parents was found to be both buffering and aggravating for the appearance of ADHD. In the French case studies, the diagnosis was conceptualized as a relational phenomenon where the child's behavior was inseparable from family member's suffering.

Discussion

This review article illustrates how children's difficulties in terms of ADHD symptoms can be addressed through a paradigm where emotional and cognitive dysregulation is understood through psychosocial factors rather than as a neurological condition. In our view, to avoid an overly reductionistic and medicalized approach to children's behavioral difficulties, it is time to reiterate the value of the biopsychosocial perspective.

Conclusion

Professionals and researchers need to acknowledge that becoming diagnosed with ADHD has a strong connection to economic disadvantage, social status, and familial care. The academic discourse of addressing brain dysfunctions might serve the unintended purpose of masking emotional stress and social disadvantage that manifests across generations. A biopsychosocial approach to ADHD including family, emotional history, and socio-economic issues could imply a lesser focus on medical treatment as a first choice.
Comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, and determinants of health on COVID-19 fatalities in the United States
Authors: Gerken Jacob , Zapata Demi , Kuivinen Daniel , Zapata Isain
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have evaluated comorbidities and sociodemographic factors individually or by type but not comprehensively. This study aims to analyze the influence of a wide variety of factors in a single study to better understand the big picture of their effects on case-fatalities. This cross-sectional study used county-level comorbidities, social determinants of health such as income and race, measures of preventive healthcare, age, education level, average household size, population density, and political voting patterns were all evaluated on a national and regional basis. Analysis was performed through Generalized Additive Models and adjusted by the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index (CCVI). Effect estimates of COVID-19 fatality rates for risk factors such as comorbidities, sociodemographic factors and determinant of health. Factors associated with reducing COVID-19 fatality rates were mostly sociodemographic factors such as age, education and income, and preventive health measures. Obesity, minimal leisurely activity, binge drinking, and higher rates of individuals taking high blood pressure medication were associated with increased case fatality rate in a county. Political leaning influenced case case-fatality rates. Regional trends showed contrasting effects where larger household size was protective in the Midwest, yet harmful in Northeast. Notably, higher rates of respiratory comorbidities such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis were associated with reduced case-fatality rates in the Northeast. Increased rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) within counties were often the strongest predictor of increased case-fatality rates for several regions. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the full context when evaluating contributing factors to case-fatality rates. The spectrum of factors identified in this study must be analyzed in the context of one another and not in isolation.
MRI visibility and displacement of elective lymph nodes during radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Reinders Floris C. J. , Stijnman Peter R. S. , de Ridder Mischa , Doornaert Patricia A. H. , Raaijmakers Cornelis P. J. , Philippens Marielle E. P.
Published: November 2022

Background and purpose

To decrease the impact of radiotherapy to healthy tissues in the head and neck region, we propose to restrict the elective neck irradiation to elective lymph nodes at risk of containing micro metastases instead of the larger lymph node volumes. To assess whether this new concept is achievable in the clinic, we determined the number, volume changes and displacement of elective lymph nodes during the course of radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

MRI scans of 10 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients were acquired before radiotherapy and in week 2, 3, 4 and 5 during radiotherapy. The weekly delineations of elective lymph nodes inside the lymph node levels (Ib/II/III/IVa/V) were rigidly registered and analyzed regarding number and volume. The displacement of elective lymph nodes was determined by center of mass (COM) distances, vector-based analysis and the isotropic contour expansion of the lymph nodes of the pre-treatment scan or the scan of the previous week in order to geographically cover 95% of the lymph nodes in the scans of the other weeks.

Results

On average, 31 elective lymph nodes in levels Ib-V on each side of the neck were determined. This number remained constant throughout radiotherapy in most lymph node levels. The volume of the elective lymph nodes reduced significantly in all weeks, up to 50% in week 5, compared to the pre-treatment scan. The largest median COM displacements were seen in level V, for example 5.2 mm in week 5 compared to the pre-treatment scan. The displacement of elective lymph nodes was mainly in cranial direction. Geographical coverage was obtained when the lymph node volumes were expanded with 7 mm in case the pre-treatment scan was used and 6.5 mm in case the scan of the previous week was used.

Conclusion

Elective lymph nodes of HNC patients remained visible on MRI and decreased in size during radiotherapy. The displacement of elective lymph nodes differ per lymph node level and were mainly directed cranially. Weekly adaptation does not seem to improve coverage of elective lymph nodes. Based on our findings we expect elective lymph node irradiation is achievable in the clinic.
An autoencoder-based deep learning method for genotype imputation
Authors: Song Meng , Greenbaum Jonathan , Luttrell Joseph , Zhou Weihua , Wu Chong , Luo Zhe , Qiu Chuan , Zhao Lan Juan , Su Kuan-Jui , Tian Qing , Shen Hui , Hong Huixiao , Gong Ping , Shi Xinghua , Deng Hong-Wen , Zhang Chaoyang
Published: November 2022

Genotype imputation has a wide range of applications in genome-wide association study (GWAS), including increasing the statistical power of association tests, discovering trait-associated loci in meta-analyses, and prioritizing causal variants with fine-mapping. In recent years, deep learning (DL) based methods, such as sparse convolutional denoising autoencoder (SCDA), have been developed for genotype imputation. However, it remains a challenging task to optimize the learning process in DL-based methods to achieve high imputation accuracy. To address this challenge, we have developed a convolutional autoencoder (AE) model for genotype imputation and implemented a customized training loop by modifying the training process with a single batch loss rather than the average loss over batches. This modified AE imputation model was evaluated using a yeast dataset, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) data from the 1,000 Genomes Project (1KGP), and our in-house genotype data from the Louisiana Osteoporosis Study (LOS). Our modified AE imputation model has achieved comparable or better performance than the existing SCDA model in terms of evaluation metrics such as the concordance rate (CR), the Hellinger score, the scaled Euclidean norm (SEN) score, and the imputation quality score (IQS) in all three datasets. Taking the imputation results from the HLA data as an example, the AE model achieved an average CR of 0.9468 and 0.9459, Hellinger score of 0.9765 and 0.9518, SEN score of 0.9977 and 0.9953, and IQS of 0.9515 and 0.9044 at missing ratios of 10% and 20%, respectively. As for the results of LOS data, it achieved an average CR of 0.9005, Hellinger score of 0.9384, SEN score of 0.9940, and IQS of 0.8681 at the missing ratio of 20%. In summary, our proposed method for genotype imputation has a great potential to increase the statistical power of GWAS and improve downstream post-GWAS analyses.
The Big Compost Experiment: Using citizen science to assess the impact and effectiveness of biodegradable and compostable plastics in UK home composting
Authors: Purkiss Danielle , Allison Ayşe Lisa , Lorencatto Fabiana , Michie Susan , Miodownik Mark
Published: November 2022

Compostable and biodegradable plastics are growing in popularity but their environmental credentials need to be more fully assessed to determine how they can be a part of the solution to the plastic waste crisis. We present results and analysis on home compostable packaging. This type of packaging requires the citizen to be able to correctly identify the packaging as “home compostable,” to have composting facilities at home, and to successfully compost the plastic. Using a citizen science approach, we engaged with 9,701 UK citizens geographically spread across the UK to examine their capability, opportunity, and motivation to do this. Of this cohort 1,648 citizens performed home compost experiments to test the environmental performance of compostable plastics. We report on the type of plastics they tested and their disintegration under real home composting conditions. The results show that the public are confused about the meaning of the labels of compostable and biodegradable plastics. 14% of sampled plastic packaging items tested were certified “industrial compostable” only and 46% had no compostable certification. Of the biodegradable and compostable plastics tested under different home composting conditions, the majority did not fully disintegrate, including 60% of those that were certified “home compostable.” We conclude that for both of these reasons, home composting is not an effective or environmentally beneficial waste processing method for biodegradable or compostable packaging in the UK.
Pandemic policies and breastfeeding: A cross-sectional study during the onset of COVID-19 in the United States
Authors: Palmquist Aunchalee E. L. , Tomori Cecília , Tumlinson Katherine , Fox Carolyn , Chung Stephanie , Quinn E. A.
Published: November 2022

The United States is one of the few countries, and the only high-income country, that does not federally mandate protection of postpartum employment through paid postpartum maternity and family leave policies. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., stay-at-home orders were implemented nationally, creating a natural experiment in which to document the effects of de facto paid leave on infant feeding practices in the first postpartum year. The purpose of this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was to describe infant and young child feeding intentions, practices, decision-making, and experiences during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected March 27–May 31, 2020 via online survey among a convenience sample of respondents, ages 18 years and older, who were currently feeding a child 2 years of age or younger, yielding 1,437 eligible responses. Nearly all (97%) respondents indicated an intention to feed their infant exclusively with human milk in the first 6 months. A majority of respondents who were breastfeeding (66%) reported no change in breastfeeding frequency after the implementation of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. However, thirty-one percent indicated that they breastfed more frequently due to stay-at-home orders and delayed plans to wean their infant or young child. Key themes drawn from the qualitative data were: emerging knowledge and perceptions of the relationship between COVID-19 and breastfeeding, perceptions of immune factors in human milk, and the social construction of COVID-19 and infant and young child feeding perceptions and knowledge. There were immediate positive effects of stay-at-home policies on human milk feeding practices, even during a time of considerable uncertainty about the safety of breastfeeding and the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 via human milk, constrained access to health care services and COVID-19 testing, and no effective COVID-19 vaccines. Federally mandated paid postpartum and family leave are essential to achieving more equitable lactation outcomes.
Understanding the properties, wave drivers, and impacts of electron microburst precipitation: Current understanding and critical knowledge gaps
Authors: Elliott Sadie S. , Breneman Aaron , Colpitts Christopher , Bortnik Jacob , Jaynes Allison , Halford Alexa , Shumko Mykhaylo , Blum Lauren , Chen Lunjin , Greeley Ashley , Turner Drew
Published: November 2022

Microbursts are impulsive (<1s) injections of very energetic to relativistic electrons (energies from a few keV to MeV) into Earth’s atmosphere. They are important because they may represent a major loss process for the outer radiation belt (Ripoll and Claudepierre and Ukhorskiy and Colpitts and Li and Fennell and Crabtree, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 2020, 125–e2019JA026735). Understanding and quantifying the underlying causes and consequences plus relative importance of microburst precipitation represent outstanding questions in radiation belt physics and may have significant implications ranging from space weather to atmospheric chemistry. Chorus waves are the likely dominant cause of microburst precipitation, but important questions remain regarding the exact nature of the resonance generating the microbursts and the overall importance of the precipitation. These important questions are limited by lack of systematic coordination of simultaneous observations of causative waves in the magnetosphere and resulting precipitating particles at low altitudes. Multi-spacecraft missions dedicated to answering these questions, themselves required to make progress in radiation belt physics, are critical.
Coordination processes in partnerships between German governmental organizations and German sports federations in jointly implemented SDP projects
Authors: Schreiner Laura , Kastrup Valerie , Mayer Jochen
Published: November 2022

Sports and physical activity are increasingly used as instruments of development policy. Within this field of sport for development and peace (SDP), one can observe a large number of partnerships between national governmental organizations and national sport federations. These are particularly important although these organizations pursue different core objectives with their SDP engagement. The aim of this qualitative study is to analyze how German governmental organizations and sports federations coordinate jointly managed SDP projects. Against the backdrop of systems theory, we conducted interviews with participants from relevant organizations. The qualitative content analysis revealed that inter-organizational coordination takes place partly in hierarchical and partly in network-based structures. The results show complex patterns between the participating organizations which gain varying degrees of influence on the SDP projects and seek to get specific resources through the cooperations. These should be taken into consideration when designing SDP projects to build stable cooperations that bring all the participating organizations an added value.
Ex-post consequences of participatory foresight processes in agriculture. How to help dairy farmers to face outcomes of collective decisions planning?
Authors: Dernat Sylvain , Etienne Rebecca , Hostiou Nathalie , Pailleux Jean-Yves , Rigolot Cyrille
Published: November 2022

The analysis of the consequences of participatory foresight in agriculture over the long term is little studied in the scientific literature. In particular, it questions how farmers deal with the proposed scenarios afterwards and the modalities of their implementation. This article aims to overcome this by proposing an ex-post analysis of a foresight process with New World Kirkpatrick's Model (NWKM) carried out in mid-2018 in the Fourme de Montbrison cheese Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) area in the Massif Central (France). A set of 24 semi-structured interviews was conducted in spring and summer 2020 with the dairy farmers involved. Moreover, collective organization has been investigated through participatory observation and an analysis of project's progress reports until March 2021. The results show that while the engagement of farmers in the collective dynamic remains, it needs to be continuously rebuilt over time, particularly in order to overcome the effects of social risk-taking and insecurity that farmers must face. In addition, the place of stakeholders needs to be clarified. The article proposes a series of guidelines based on the project's experience and the “Monitor and Adjust” approach of the NWKM. It demonstrates the importance of establishing long-term follow-ups to foresight approaches to encourage farmers into action.
Colorectal infiltrating deep endometriosis: Laparoscopic treatment. A case report
Authors: Di Buono Giuseppe , Micheli Matilde , Russo Gaia , Vella Roberta , Amato Giuseppe , Geraci Girolamo , Agrusa Antonino
Published: November 2022

Endometriosis is a disease affecting approximately 10% of women of fertile age. A particular presentation is deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectosigmoid colon with symptoms that can mimic an intestinal obstruction or neoplasm. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle and significant anemia who presented an ectopic endometrial tissue in correspondence of the rectum. Because of the thickness of the lesion the patient underwent a segmental laparoscopic colorectal resection with end-to-end anastomosis.
Data curation to support toxicity assessments using the Integrated Chemical Environment
Authors: Daniel Amber B. , Choksi Neepa , Abedini Jaleh , Bell Shannon , Ceger Patricia , Cook Bethany , Karmaus Agnes L. , Rooney John , To Kimberly T. , Allen David , Kleinstreuer Nicole
Published: November 2022

Humans are exposed to large numbers of chemicals during their daily activities. To assess and understand potential health impacts of chemical exposure, investigators and regulators need access to reliable toxicity data. In particular, reliable toxicity data for a wide range of chemistries are needed to support development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) such as computational models, which offer increased throughput relative to traditional approaches and reduce or replace animal use. NAMs development and evaluation require chemically diverse data sets that are typically constructed by incorporating results from multiple studies into a single, integrated view; however, integrating data is not always a straightforward task. Primary study sources often vary in the way data are organized and reported. Metadata and information needed to support interoperability and provide context are often lacking, which necessitates literature research on the assay prior to attempting data integration. The Integrated Chemical Environment (ICE) was developed to support the development, evaluation, and application of NAMs. ICE provides curated toxicity data and computational tools to integrate and explore available information, thus facilitating knowledge discovery and interoperability. This paper describes the data curation workflow for integrating data into ICE. Data destined for ICE undergo rigorous harmonization, standardization, and formatting processes using both automated and manual expert-driven approaches. These processes improve the utility of the data for diverse analyses and facilitate application within ICE or a user’s external workflow while preserving data integrity and context. ICE data curation provides the structure, reliability, and accessibility needed for data to support chemical assessments.
A genome-wide integrated analysis of lncRNA-mRNA in melanocytes from white and brown skin hair boer goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)
Authors: Kai-yuan Ji , Yi-Wei Zhao , Ru-jun Wen , Khan Ibrar Muhammad , Yun-hai Zhang
Published: November 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many biological processes and have been extensively researched. Nonetheless, literature focusing on the roles of lncRNA in melanocytes is limited. Melanocytes are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and determine the color of an animal's skin and hair by producing melanin. The mechanisms of melanogenesis remain unclear. Here, melanocytes from Boer goat skins were successfully isolated and verified using morphological observation, dopamine staining, silver ammonia staining, and immunohistochemical staining in vitro. Phenotypic testing revealed that melanocytes isolated from goat skins with white and brown hairs showed significant differences in proliferation, migration, and melanogenesis (**P < 0.01). RNA sequencing was performed with the isolated melanocytes, and through bioinformatic analysis, several candidate lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in stage-specific melanogenesis were identified. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that miRNA precursors and cis-regulatory effects of lncRNAs were deeply dissected using the function prediction software. Multiple lncRNA–mRNA networks were presumed to be involved in melanocyte migration, proliferation, and melanogenesis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation. This research provided novel bioinformatic insights into the roles of lncRNAs in mammalian pigmentation.
Nigerian indigenous hens show more discomfort-related behavior with visual separation than physical separation from their chicks: An exploratory study
Authors: Iyasere Oluwaseun S. , Olajumoke Olawale P. , Durosaro Samuel O. , Oke O. E. , Famosaya Oluwabukunmi O. , Oliyide Kolade M. , Oyeniran Victor J.
Published: November 2022

The Nigerian indigenous hens exhibit their full natural behavior repertoires, including maternal care. The strong maternal bond between the hen and her chicks is established prior to hatching. Maternal care of chickens is essential for both exotic and indigenous chickens. This study compared the behaviors of six hen-chick pairs in a physical (PHY) and visual (VIS) separation test for 10 min. All the six hen-chick pairs were subjected to PHY separation on the 8thday of post-hatch and a VIS separation on the 12thday of post-hatch. The PHY separation involved the use of a wire mesh to separate the hen from her chicks, while the VIS separation involved the use of a trampoline to separate the hen from her chicks. The hen's behavior was recorded during the 10-min separation period. Behaviors recorded included sitting, body shaking, pecking, movements toward the chicks, jumping, pacing, defecation, movements away from the chicks, and preening. We further grouped these nine behaviors into two categories: discomfort-related (pacing, movement toward chicks, body shaking, defecation, and jumping) and comfort-related (sitting, pecking, preening, and movement away from the chicks) behaviors. Before and after each separation, the hens were gently restrained, and a drop of blood was sampled from the wing vein to determine the blood glucose level. Their heart rate and eye temperature were also measured. A two-related samples test (Wilcoxon) was used to compare the behavior of the hens when subjected to the PHY and VIS separation. Eight out of the nine behaviors monitored did not differ between the separation types. However, the frequency of pacing by the hens was greater (z = −2.201,P= 0.028) in the VIS separation than in the PHY separation. Also, discomfort-related behavior was greater (t(5)= −2.717,P= 0.042) during the VIS separation than the PHY separation. Comfort-related behavior did not differ between the separation types. The change in eye temperature, heart rate, and blood glucose was similar in the two separation types. In conclusion, Nigerian indigenous hens displayed more discomfort-related behavior to the VIS separation from their chicks, but this was not associated with physiological responses indicative of stress.