bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Migration Studies: The Rise and Coming of Age of a Research Field
Authors: Scholten Peter , Pisarevskaya Asya , Levy Nathan
Published: June 2022

Migration studies has contributed significantly to our understanding of mobilities and migration-related diversities. It has developed a distinct body of knowledge on why people migrate, how migration takes place, and what the consequences are of migration in a broad sense, both for migrants themselves and for societies involved in migration. As a broadly-based research field, migration studies has evolved at the crossroads of a variety of disciplines. This includes disciplines such as sociology, political science, anthropology, geography, law and economics, but increasingly it expands to a broader pool of disciplines also including health studies, development studies, governance studies and many more, building on insights from these disciplines.
Lifestyle Migration
Authors: McGarrigle Jennifer
Published: June 2022

In the context of the growing global middle class, and the ageing of the baby boomer generation, an increasing number of migrants with accumulated wealth from advanced economies are relocating to economically less developed or more peripheral countries to improve their quality of life. Migration of the middle-classes and the relatively affluent is embedded in the same globalising processes and social transformations in production and processes of accumulation that have reshaped labour migration (Hayes, 2021; Castles, 2010). Privileged mobilities are part of wider migration systems, however, what distinguishes lifestyle migrants from other migrants, who are also in pursuit of a better quality of life, is the ease with which they can relocate due to relative privilege in terms of citizenship and financial or cultural capital.
Citizenship & Migration
Authors: Džankić Jelena , Vink Maarten
Published: June 2022

Historically, citizenship has been a gatekeeper to political and social rights within communities, as entitlements of membership were closely connected to gender, race, and class. Nowadays, citizenship is asymbol of equality within statesas much as amarker of inequality among states. It is (1) a defining feature of the international state system, which both reflects and reinforces inequalities of wealth and opportunity around the world, and (2) a tool for social closure, through which states determine who belongs to the group that can share common entitlements and who, by contrast, are excluded from them. These two characteristics of citizenship are central to understanding the citizenship-migration nexus: whereas the promise of equality represents a strong driver for migrants to acquire citizenship in their destination states, the different opportunities attached to citizenship of different countries encouragemigrationof individuals from less privileged parts of the world and enablemobilityfor those with a citizenship status in the more advantageous countries.
Migration Policy Indicators
Authors: Solano Giacomo , Huddleston Thomas
Published: June 2022

Over the last 20 years, researchers have undertaken systematic comparisons of migration policies—mainly at the national level—by creating indicators and indexes. These indicators and indexes have been used to analyse differences and trends in migration policy. Based on a review of previous projects and literature on the topic, this chapter provides an overview of the existing indexes and indicators, and compares the methodology employed as well as their temporal, geographical, and thematic coverage.
Qualitative Methods in Migration Research
Authors: Zapata-Barrero Ricard , Yalaz Evren
Published: June 2022

The unprecedented demographic transformations due to global human mobility and its multifaceted social, political, and economic consequences in both countries of reception and origin, have motivated an increase of interest in having reliable information and deeper knowledge about migratory patterns and the subsequent accommodation of diversity issues both by policymakers and scholars. This is especially true considering that there is a general consensus that this phenomenon is a long-term trend of our more recent history, and it is featured by being complex and unpredictable while giving rise to a permanent atmosphere of uncertainty. We need methodological tools for increasing the understanding of our basic questions on why people move, why they move to certain countries rather than others, what we can do about forced migrants’ vulnerable situations, and how we can link cohesion and diversity, human rights, and security, and a long list of issues and frameworks that shape migration studies today. To have a universal toolkit for producing knowledge is almost a naive request. What we have learned after several decades of research is that migration research needs to be sited and contextualised (King, 2018), and always placed within a given process (Zapata-Barrero, 2018). Most migration-related problems have to do with how people perceive them and behave accordingly, rather than having objective value-free understandings. In other words, migration research is mostly about interpretations rather than facts. Hence, there is an importance to digging into a methodological technique that has a particular role in producing knowledge by analysing how people, institutions, and governments interpret human mobility and diversity dynamics.
Migration Drivers: Why Do People Migrate?
Authors: Czaika Mathias , Reinprecht Constantin
Published: June 2022

Growing social and economic inequalities, and consequently, unfulfilled life aspirations trigger the migration intentions of millions, if not billions of people around the world. Surveys by Gallup World Poll suggest that more than 750 million adults would like to migrate if they had the chance to do so (Esipova et al., 2018). Hence, globally ‘only’ one in eight adults express a desire to migrate. This is a surprisingly small fraction given the fact that a much larger but unknown number of people would have good reasons to migrate in order to realise economic, professional, political, or social opportunities elsewhere. At the same time, only small fractions of those who aspire to migrate are actually able to realise it.
Migration Infrastructures: How Do People Migrate?
Authors: Düvell Franck , Preiss Carlotta
Published: June 2022

Migration research primarily studies who migrates and the processes after their arrival. Less attention is paid to the processes between departure and arrival and the infrastructures used during migratory journeys (see Crawley et al., 2018). This is further reinforced by the fact that most migration is wanted and regular, and that there is little social and political interest in the actual physical dimension of regular migration processes. Comparatively few studies are seeking to answer the question of howpeople migrate. The main exception is the research of unwanted and irregular migration with a focus on migrants and refugees traveling by boat and those actors facilitating unlawful practices, denoted as human smugglers or traffickers. In short, migration infrastructure is probably the least well defined, researched and published theme, whilst it is also heavily biased.
Family Migration
Authors: Kofman Eleonore , Buhr Franz , Fonseca Maria Lucinda
Published: June 2022

Family migration is the term used to categorise the international movement of people who migrate due to new or established family ties. People moving for family reasons constitute the largest group of migrants entering OECD countries, ahead of labour and humanitarian migration (OECD, 2017). The study of migrant families cuts across the available legal definitions of family and brings to light emerging forms of living together, gender roles, sexualities, kinship ties, and caregiving practices. This chapter selectively synthesises recent scholarship on family migration, providing insights on the institutionalisation of the field, outlining its approaches and methodologies, and highlighting emerging topics for future research. These include transnational families and how they stay in contact; separated families and deportation; the impact of family migration policies; marriage migration and multi-sited and longitudinal studies used in studying the transformation and diversification of family forms.
Assessing the Digital Transformation of Education Systems
Authors: Qayyum Adnan
Published: June 2022

The digital transformation of education has been underway for decades at differing paces across the world. In this chapter, an education digitization index is proposed in order to assess the extent of digital transformation in various countries. The education digitization index is composed for four variables: digital assets, digital use, digital labor, and digital outcomes. While a lot of research and practice in education has been on digital use – applying particular digital educational technologies – countries with substantial digital assets and a commitment to digital labor are able to transform education systems more readily. Digital assets and digital labor have become more important during the pandemic.
Wissen schafft Gesundheit: Das Programm „Fit in Gesundheitsfragen“ zur Stärkung der Gesundheitskompetenz von Schülerinnen und Schülern
Authors: Koller Ulrike , Siepmann Birgit , Braun Verena , Geulen Julia , Herold Karen , Greulich-Bode Karin , Hiller Birgit , Weg-Remers Susanne
Published: June 2022

In Deutschland weist mehr als die Hälfte der Bevölkerung eine geringe Gesundheitskompetenz auf. Diese Menschen haben Schwierigkeiten, gesundheitsrelevante Informationen zu finden, einzuordnen und anzuwenden. Unter ihnen sind auch viele junge Menschen, was den Stellenwert früher Interventionen zur Förderung der Gesundheitskompetenz verdeutlicht.

Das Programm „Fit in Gesundheitsfragen“ der Gesundheitsinformationsdienste vom Forschungszentrum Helmholtz Munich und dem Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum hat zum Ziel, einen Beitrag zur Förderung verschiedener Dimensionen von Gesundheitskompetenz bei Kindern und Jugendlichen zu leisten. Dazu werden innovative Fortbildungsformate für Lehrkräfte und Unterrichtsmaterialien für Lernende der Sekundarstufen I und II konzipiert und begleitend evaluiert. Am Modell der Volkskrankheiten Krebs und Diabetes mellitus wird Wissen zu deren Entstehung, Prävention, Behandlung und Erforschung vermittelt. Darüber hinaus werden Wissen über das Gesundheitssystem und Materialien zur Förderung der Gesundheitskompetenz bereitgestellt. Die Evaluation erhebt Indikatoren zu Reichweite und Akzeptanz der Maßnahmen.

Seit 2018 wurden 46 Unterrichtsmaterialien und 3 Informationsschriften mit Hintergrundwissen für Lehrende veröffentlicht. Ferner wurden 50 Lehrerfortbildungen durchgeführt, an denen bis Ende 2021 rund 1600 Lehrkräfte und Multiplikatoren in Präsenz oder online teilnahmen. Sie erteilten den jeweiligen Veranstaltungen zu über 90 % sehr gute und gute Noten. Rund 80 % der Teilnehmenden gaben an, die vermittelten Themen in ihrem Unterricht aufgreifen zu wollen. Ein weiterer Ausbau des Angebots ist vorgesehen. Die Testung ausgewählter Materialien im Hinblick auf die Förderung der Gesundheitskompetenz in einer Stichprobe von Lernenden ist in Planung.
Die Bedeutung schulischer Gesundheitsförderung für die Erhöhung gesundheitlicher Chancengleichheit
Authors: Moor Irene , Bieber Janis , Niederschuh Liska , Winter Kristina
Published: June 2022

Sozioökonomisch bedingte Ungleichheiten in der Gesundheit sind ein wichtiges Public-Health-Handlungsfeld und deren Reduzierung eines ihrer wichtigsten Ziele. Bislang ist es jedoch kaum gelungen, gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten zu verringern, was zugleich auch auf ein großes Forschungsdefizit hinweist. Auch im Kindes- und Jugendalter lassen sich bereits Ungleichheiten in der Gesundheit und dem Gesundheitsverhalten feststellen, wobei jene mit einem niedrigen sozioökonomischen Status verglichen mit sozial privilegierteren Gleichaltrigen oftmals mehr Risikofaktoren und gleichzeitig weniger Ressourcen aufweisen. Obwohl Gesundheitsförderung auf gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit abzielt, berücksichtigen Interventionen nur selten den sozioökonomischen Status und können entsprechend wenig Evidenz über sozioökonomisch differenzierte Interventionseffekte liefern. Wie kann es daher gelingen, allen Heranwachsenden die gleichen Chancen auf ein gesundes Aufwachsen zu ermöglichen?

Um der Beantwortung dieser Frage näherzukommen, ist es zum einen das Ziel des Beitrags, einen Überblick über gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten im Kindes- und Jugendalter zu geben und die Rolle von Gesundheitsförderung sowie aktuelle Forschungsdefizite in diesem Zusammenhang aufzuzeigen. Zum anderen soll die Bedeutung der Schule und schulischer Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen bei der Verringerung gesundheitlicher Ungleichheiten und der Erhöhung gesundheitlicher Chancengleichheit herausgestellt werden. Die Schule ist nicht nur ein Ort, an dem Heranwachsende unabhängig von ihrer sozialen Herkunft stets erreicht werden können, sondern hat das Potenzial, gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten sowohl zu verschärfen als auch zu reduzieren.
Geophysical reconnaissance of the western basin of the Plaine du Nord aquifer, Haiti
Authors: Miner Wm. Javan , Adamson James K. , Hasbrouck James C. , Monforte Sergio Perez , Vera María Rodriguez
Published: June 2022

A geophysical reconnaissance was conducted to support aquifer characterization and evaluate groundwater potential in the western portion of the Plaine du Nord aquifer to provision the growing water demands of the city of Cap-Haitien in the Republic of Haiti. Hybrid-source audio-magnetotelluric (HSAMT) soundings and gravity measurements were collected to support the Government of Haiti in sourcing additional water supplies for the city. The Plaine du Nord aquifer is poorly characterized considering it is one of Haiti’s largest aquifers, few drilling logs are available, and only one borehole has investigated the deeper extents of the aquifer. HSAMT supports depth profiling of subsurface resistivity, which supports interpretations of geological strata and groundwater conditions. Gravity measurements allow for complementary mapping of Earth density anomalies and contrasts, which assist in interpreting aquifer thicknesses or depth to bedrock. Pairing HSAMT and gravity methods permitted both an estimation of aquifer thickness and relative changes in sediment characteristics. Gravity results allowed for the mapping of aquifer thickness across the study area, with interpreted thickness greater than 300 m in the coastal zone. HSAMT results cross correlated with available well records and enabled the delineation of zones with increased groundwater potential. The results of the combined methods indicate groundwater storage potential of freshwater in deeper alluvium and emphasize the importance of strengthening resource characterization, modelling and monitoring to guide sustainable resource development and management.
Characterizing geometric distortions of 3D sequences in clinical head MRI
Authors: Nousiainen Katri , Mäkelä Teemu , Peltonen Juha I.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Phantoms are often used to estimate the geometric accuracy in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the distortions may differ between anatomical and phantom images. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of a phantom-based and a test-subject-based method in evaluating geometric distortion present in clinical head-imaging sequences.

Materials and methods

We imaged a 3D-printed phantom and test subjects with two MRI scanners using two clinical head-imaging 3D sequences with varying patient-table positions and receiver bandwidths. The geometric distortions were evaluated through nonrigid registrations: the displaced acquisitions were compared against the ideal isocenter positioning, and the varied bandwidth volumes against the volume with the highest bandwidth. The phantom acquisitions were also registered to a computed tomography scan.

Results

Geometric distortion magnitudes increased with larger table displacements and were in good agreement between the phantom and test-subject acquisitions. The effect of increased distortions with decreasing receiver bandwidth was more prominent for test-subject acquisitions.

Conclusion

Presented results emphasize the sensitivity of the geometric accuracy to positioning and imaging parameters. Phantom limitations may become an issue with some sequence types, encouraging the use of anatomical images for evaluating the geometric accuracy.
The dual role of humanoid robots in education: As didactic tools and social actors
Authors: Ekström Sara , Pareto Lena
Published: June 2022

The idea of using social robots for teaching and learning has become increasingly prevalent and robots are assigned various roles in different educational settings. However, there are still few authentic studies conducted over time. Our study explores teachers' perceptions of a learning activity in which a child plays a digital mathematics game together with a humanoid robot. The activity is based on the idea of learning-by-teaching where the robot is designed to act as a tutee while the child is assigned the role of a tutor. The question is how teachers perceive and talk about the robot in this collaborative child-robot learning activity? The study is based on data produced during a 2-years long co-design process involving teachers and students. Initially, the teachers reflected on the general concept of the learning activity, later in the process they participated in authentic game-play sessions in a classroom. All teachers' statements were transcribed and thematically coded, then categorized into two different perspectives on the robot: as a social actor or didactic tool. Activity theory was used as an analytical lens to analyze these different views. Findings show that the teachers discussed the activity’s purpose, relation to curriculum, child-robot collaboration, and social norms. The study shows that teachers had, and frequently switched between, both robot-perspectives during all topics, and their perception changed during the process. The dual perspectives contribute to the understanding of social robots for teaching and learning, and to future development of educational robot design.
Viscosity and Interfacial Tension of Ternary Mixtures Consisting of Linear Alkanes, Alcohols, and/or Dissolved Gases Using Surface Light Scattering and Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Lenahan Frances D. , Zhai Ziwen , Kankanamge Chathura J. , Klein Tobias , Fröba Andreas P.
Published: June 2022

Ternary mixtures consisting of liquids and dissolved gases with either two solvents or solutes are characterized by determining their liquid dynamic viscosity ηL and interfacial tension σ using surface light scattering (SLS) and equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations in the temperature range between (298 and 573) K and for mole fractions of the dissolved gas up to 0.20. The four ternary mixtures of interest are n-hexadecane + n-octacosane + carbon dioxide (CO2), n-hexadecane + nitrogen (N2) + CO2, as well as 1-hexadecanol + n-octacosane with CO2 or water (H2O). With SLS, ηL and σ of the two ternary mixtures containing n-hexadecane are accessed with average relative expanded experimental uncertainties (coverage factor k = 2) of ur(ηL) = 0.021 and ur(σ) = 0.019. EMD simulations are performed for all four ternary mixtures and give access to ηL and σ with average relative expanded statistical uncertainties (k = 2) of ur(ηL) = 0.15 and ur(σ) = 0.061. The influence of the dissolved gases is investigated by comparing the thermophysical properties of the ternary mixtures to those of the pure solvent or the binary subsystems. The results for the ternary mixture consisting of n-hexadecane, n-octacosane, and CO2, which include a variation of the composition of the binary subsystem, i.e. the solvent mixture, have shown the reduction of both properties, due to dissolving CO2, to be independent of the solvent composition. For the ternary mixture consisting of n-hexadecane, N2, and CO2, the reduction in both properties can be estimated by adding up the reduction determined for the binary subsystems, i.e. n-hexadecane with dissolved N2 or CO2, which suggest that the presence of a further solute does not influence the impact of a dissolved gas.
Microalga Isochrysis galbana biorefinery: Obtaining fucoxanthin and biogas after supercritical fluid extraction
Authors: Ruiz-Domínguez Mari Carmen , Rincón Bárbara , de los Ángeles Martín Maria , del Carmen Gutiérrez María , Salinas Francisca , Medina Elena , Cerezal Pedro
Published: June 2022

Isochrysis galbana is a microalga that is a potential source of several ‘compounds of interest’ for food and nutraceutical industries. The procurement of these compounds of interest and the generation of bioenergy is a novel and interesting application of microalgae. The present study evaluated the valorization of the microalga I. galbana through the extraction of the carotenoid fucoxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The spent or extracted microalga I. galbana was valorized through anaerobic digestion (AD) to produce biogas through the integration of the concepts of biorefinery and the circular economy. The biochemical composition of the extracted microalga exhibited a marked decrease in the carbohydrates by approximately ninefold after the SFE, while the proteins and lipids were decreased only to nearly half of their initial contents. The methane (CH4) yields obtained for non-extracted I. galbana and supercritical fluid-extracted I. galbana were 104 ± 5 LSTP CH4 kg–1 VS and 90 ± 2 LSTP CH4 kg–1 VS (VS: volatile solids), respectively, indicating the methane yield loss of only 14.2% when using the extracted microalga. In order to increase methane production, different co-digestion mixtures of I. galbana and olive mill solid waste (OMSW) were evaluated. The methane yield increased to 134 ± 4 and 189 ± 5 mLSTP CH4 g–1 VS for the VS/TKN ratio (w/w) of 20 and 30, respectively (TKN: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen). These results were encouraging due to the positive synergism established between the co-substrates.
Primary teachers’ preferred fraction models and manipulatives for solving fraction tasks and for teaching
Authors: Wilkie Karina J. , Roche Anne
Published: June 2022

When teaching fractions, teachers make instructional decisions about if, when, and how to use the many different types of fraction models and manipulatives. In this study, we sought insights into their pedagogical reasoning with fraction representations via their preferences, both for solving tasks themselves and for teaching (in general and for specific fraction concepts and operations). Nearly 200 practising Australian primary teachers participated in an online survey and we drew on a Fraction Schemes theorisation to analyse quantitative and qualitative data. A majority of teachers indicated a personal preference for the set model for four out of five schemes; for one scheme most teachers preferred the circle model. Their reasons suggested that the nature of each task in a scheme and the specific fractions involved, played a role in influencing their preferences. With respect to teaching fractions, the teachers also indicated a high level of preference for teaching with the set model in general, and secondly for the rectangle model. Their preferences, except for number lines, were not found to be associated with the teachers’ nominated year level. We found that a high personal preference for a set model was associated with a preference for teaching with the same model in general, but not for teaching with the matching manipulative (counters or chips). The teachers indicated a high level of preference for teaching with the fraction bars manipulative for several fraction concepts, but this was not associated with a personal preference for linear models. Implications for further research are discussed.
Correction to: Brezis pseudomonotone bifunctions and quasi equilibrium problems via penalization
Authors: Bianchi M. , Kassay G. , Pini R.
Published: June 2022

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10898-021-01088-x
Interactions in dopamine and indole loaded thermosensitive hydrogels seen by high sensitivity microDSC. Implications for drug delivery
Authors: Bulátkó Anna , Domján Attila , Madarász János , László Krisztina
Published: June 2022

Controlled and targeted drug delivery systems consist of a carrier matrix and one or more active ingredients. One of the roles of the matrix is to regulate the release of the drug. Uptake, release, differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to reveal the interactions governing the release of dopamine and indole from a thermoresponsive model polymer gel. The dopamine can be completely recovered from the loaded polymer matrix. The self-assembling affinity of the dopamine molecules reduces their interaction with the polymer, and the water molecules can form a uniform protecting water sheath. Thus neither the kinetics nor the temperature of the phase transition of the carrier matrix are influenced by the dopamine. The DSC results imply the formation of polymer and dopamine-rich domains above the phase transition. Indole, on the other hand, readily substitutes for the water molecules through the interaction between the C=O sites of the polymer and the NH groups of the drug. The loss of the protecting hydrophobic water and the decelerated fluctuation of the indole decorated polymer chains result in a much slower phase transition and a depleted phase transition temperature. The interaction between the carrier matrix and the indole results in a uniform distribution of the drug and after drying the indole is found in amorphous form. Dopamine, on the contrary, forms crystalline regions.
Agriculturally intensified landscapes are associated with reduced body condition of lady beetles
Authors: Tiede Julia , Iuliano Benjamin , Gratton Claudio
Published: June 2022

Context

Agricultural intensification is contributing to a global species decline. Underlying mechanisms include toxic effects of pesticides on non-target organisms and reductions in habitat and food availability. However, the effects of agricultural intensification on body condition, particularly of ecosystem service-providing arthropods, are poorly understood.

Objectives

Here, we investigated whether variations in the body condition of common lady beetle species (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) can be explained by the composition and configuration of the surrounding landscape. Assuming strong seasonal variation in food availability in intensively farmed regions, we included the entire period of lady beetle activity in our study.

Methods

Lady beetles were collected from April to September 2011 in 30 landscapes in southern Wisconsin, USA. We examined how body size, body density, and lipid content of the beetles responded to the percentage of intensive cropland, habitat diversity, and edge density in the surrounding landscape.

Results

The strongest predictor of body condition was the percentage of intensive cropland. For every 10% increase in cropland, body density decreased by about 3.9% and lipid content by 6.4%. Landscape diversity and edge density correlated with body condition of individual species.

Conclusions

In agriculturally intensified landscapes, lady beetles with reduced body condition may produce fewer offspring, have lower survival rates, and exert less effective pest control. Thus, our results suggest a mechanistic link between landscape patterns and observed declines in lady beetle populations. Our results also show that the expansion of monocultures affects even common cropland-associated species such as Harmonia axyridis, suggesting a long-term decline in biocontrol services in simplified agricultural landscapes.
Clinical decision support models for oropharyngeal cancer treatment: design and evaluation of a multi-stage knowledge abstraction and formalization process
Authors: Gaebel Jan , Mehlhorn Stefanie , Oeser Alexander , Dietz Andreas , Neumuth Thomas , Stoehr Matthaeus
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Treatment decisions in oncology are demanding and affect survival, general health, and quality of life. Expert systems can handle the complexity of the oncological field. We propose the application of a hybrid modeling approach for decision support models consisting of expert-based implementation of a decision model structure and machine-learning (ML) based parameter generation. We demonstrate our approach for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods

We created a clinical decision model based on Bayesian Networks and iteratively optimized its characteristics using structured knowledge engineering approaches. We combined manual adaptation of individual concepts with automatic learning of parameters and causalities. Using data from 94 patient records, we targeted the needed objectivity and clinical significance.

Results

In three iteration steps, we assessed the model with cross-validations. The initial aggregated accuracy of 0.529 could be increased to 0.883 in the final version. The predictive rates of the target nodes range from 0.557 to 0.960.

Conclusion

Combining different methodological approaches requires balancing the complexity of the clinical subject matter with the amount of information available in the dataset for ML application. Our method showed promising results because flaws of one approach can be overcome by the other approach. However, technical integrability as well as clinical acceptance must always be ensured.
Perceived Access to Contraception via Telemedicine Among Young Adults: Inequities by Food and Housing Insecurity
Authors: Yarger Jennifer , Hopkins Kristine , Elmes Sarah , Rossetto Irene , De La Melena Stephanie , McCulloch Charles E. , White Kari , Harper Cynthia C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Telemedicine expanded rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, including for contraceptive services. Data are needed to understand whether young people can access telemedicine for contraception, especially in underserved populations.

Objective

To compare young people’s perceived access to telemedicine visits for contraception during the COVID-19 pandemic by food and housing insecurity.

Design

Supplementary study to a cluster randomized controlled trial in 25 community colleges in California and Texas. Online surveys were administered May 2020 to April 2021. Mixed-effects logistic regression models with random effects for site were used to examine differences in access to contraception through telemedicine by food and housing insecurity status, controlling for key sociodemographic characteristics, including race/ethnicity, non-English primary language, health insurance status, and state of residence, and contraceptive method used.

Participants

1,414 individuals assigned female at birth aged 18–28.

Main Measures

Survey measures were used to capture how difficult it would be for a participant to have a telemedicine visit (phone or video) for contraception.

Key Results

Twenty-nine percent of participants were food insecure, and 15% were housing insecure. Nearly a quarter (24%) stated that it would be difficult to have a phone or video visit for contraception. After accounting for sociodemographic factors and type of method used, food insecure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62–2.91) and housing insecure (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.13–2.33) participants were significantly more likely to report that it would be difficult to use telemedicine for contraception during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Underserved patients are those who could benefit most from the expansion of telemedicine services, yet our findings show that young people experiencing basic needs insecurity perceive the greatest difficulty accessing these services for essential reproductive care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03519685
Photosynthetic and water-related physiological characteristics of Periploca sepium in response to changing soil water conditions in a shell sand habitat
Authors: Wang Xiao , Xia Jiangbao , Zhao Ximei , Dong Mingming , Xing Xianshuang , Fang Ying , Fu Qinqin , Lu Zhaohua
Published: June 2022

This study was performed to observe the effects of water on photosynthesis and water-related physiology in dominant shrubs in shell sand habitats. Four-year-old Periploca sepium seedlings were used as model species. A gradient of 12 water levels was established by artificially supplying the shell sand with water up to saturation and then allowing natural evapotranspiration to occur. The photosynthetic, chlorophyll fluorescence and stem sap flow parameters of P. sepium were measured under a range of water conditions. The different soil water conditions were classified according to the responses of these parameters. (1) With the increase in the relative water content (RWC) of the shell sand, the parameters of leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and water-related physiology in P. sepium showed significant critical responses. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE), potential water use efficiency (WUEi), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII) and daily accumulation of stem sap flow all increased first and then decreased with increasing RWC, but the corresponding water conditions associated with their maximum values were not the same. An RWC of 69.40% was determined to be the optimal water condition for photosynthesis and water-related physiological activity in P. sepium. At an RWC of 36.61%, the mechanism of photosynthetic inhibition in P. sepium changed from stomatal limitation to nonstomatal limitation; this was also the minimum water requirement for maintaining normal photosynthetic processes. An RWC of 50.27% resulted in the highest WUE in P. sepium, indicating that moderate drought stress increased WUE. (2) Based on the quantitative relationship between the photosynthetic parameters of P. sepium and the shell sand water gradient, the soil water availability was classified into 6 water grades. The RWC range for maintaining strong photosynthesis and high WUE in P. sepium was 63.22–69.98%. (3) Gas exchange in P. sepium was inhibited under drought and waterlogging stresses. Under these conditions, the photosynthetic electron transport chain was blocked, and the dissipation of light energy as heat increased, which ultimately led to a decline in photosynthetic productivity; moreover, transpiration and dissipation were aggravated, and water transmission and utilization processes in P. sepium were hindered. A significant negative feedback regulation mechanism in the photosynthetic and water-related physiological processes of P. sepium was observed; this mechanism allowed P. sepium growing in shell sand to be highly adaptable to water stress.
Molecular Analysis of Trypanosome Infections in Algerian Camels
Authors: Boushaki Djamila , Wallis Julie , Van den Broeck Frederik , Schnaufer Achim
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Surra is an economically important livestock disease in many low- and middle-income countries, including those of Northern Africa. The disease is caused by the biting fly-transmitted subspecies Trypanosoma brucei evansi, which is very closely related to the tsetse-transmitted subspecies T. b. brucei and the sexually transmitted subspecies T. b. equiperdum. At least two phylogenetically distinct groups of T. b. evansi can be distinguished, called type A and type B. These evolved from T. b. brucei independently. The close relationships between the T. brucei subspecies and the multiple evolutionary origins of T. b. evansi pose diagnostic challenges.

Methods

Here we use previously established and newly developed PCR assays based on nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers to type the causative agent of recent trypanosome infections of camels in Southern Algeria.

Results/conclusion

We confirm that these infections have been caused by T. b. evansi type A. We also report a newly designed PCR assay specific for T. b. evansi type A that we expect will be of diagnostic use for the community.
Towards a Governance Framework for Brain Data
Authors: Ienca Marcello , Fins Joseph J. , Jox Ralf J. , Jotterand Fabrice , Voeneky Silja , Andorno Roberto , Ball Tonio , Castelluccia Claude , Chavarriaga Ricardo , Chneiweiss Hervé , Ferretti Agata , Friedrich Orsolya , Hurst Samia , Merkel Grischa , Molnár-Gábor Fruzsina , Rickli Jean-Marc , Scheibner James , Vayena Effy , Yuste Rafael , Kellmeyer Philipp
Published: June 2022

The increasing availability of brain data within and outside the biomedical field, combined with the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to brain data analysis, poses a challenge for ethics and governance. We identify distinctive ethical implications of brain data acquisition and processing, and outline a multi-level governance framework. This framework is aimed at maximizing the benefits of facilitated brain data collection and further processing for science and medicine whilst minimizing risks and preventing harmful use. The framework consists of four primary areas of regulatory intervention: binding regulation, ethics and soft law, responsible innovation, and human rights.
Towards Culture-Aware Co-Speech Gestures for Social Robots
Authors: Gjaci Ariel , Recchiuto Carmine Tommaso , Sgorbissa Antonio
Published: June 2022

Embedding social robots with the capability of accompanying their sentences with natural gestures may be the key to increasing their acceptability and their usage in real contexts. However, the definition of natural communicative gestures may not be trivial, since it strictly depends on the culture of the person interacting with the robot. The proposed work investigates the possibility of generating culture-dependent communicative gestures, by proposing an integrated approach based on a custom dataset composed exclusively of persons belonging to the same culture, an adversarial generation module based on speech audio features, a voice conversion module to manage the multi-person dataset, and a 2D-to-3D mapping module for generating three-dimensional gestures. The approach has eventually been implemented and tested with the humanoid robot Pepper. Preliminary results, obtained through a statistical analysis of the evaluations made by human participants identifying themselves as belonging to different cultures, are discussed.
Mechanical, Material and Morphological Adaptations of Healthy Lower Limb Tendons to Mechanical Loading: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lazarczuk Stephanie L. , Maniar Nirav , Opar David A. , Duhig Steven J. , Shield Anthony , Barrett Rod S. , Bourne Matthew N.
Published: June 2022

Background

Exposure to increased mechanical loading during physical training can lead to increased tendon stiffness. However, the loading regimen that maximises tendon adaptation and the extent to which adaptation is driven by changes in tendon material properties or tendon geometry is not fully understood.

Objective

To determine (1) the effect of mechanical loading on tendon stiffness, modulus and cross-sectional area (CSA); (2) whether adaptations in stiffness are driven primarily by changes in CSA or modulus; (3) the effect of training type and associated loading parameters (relative intensity; localised strain, load duration, load volume and contraction mode) on stiffness, modulus or CSA; and (4) whether the magnitude of adaptation in tendon properties differs between age groups.

Methods

Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE) were searched for studies detailing load-induced adaptations in tendon morphological, material or mechanical properties. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and data were pooled using a random effects model to estimate variance. Meta regression was used to examine the moderating effects of changes in tendon CSA and modulus on tendon stiffness.

Results

Sixty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants in the included studies was 763. The Achilles tendon (33 studies) and the patella tendon (24 studies) were the most commonly studied regions. Resistance training was the main type of intervention (49 studies). Mechanical loading produced moderate increases in stiffness (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62–0.86), large increases in modulus (SMD 0.82; 95% CI 0.58–1.07), and small increases in CSA (SMD 0.22; 95% CI 0.12–0.33). Meta-regression revealed that the main moderator of increased stiffness was modulus. Resistance training interventions induced greater increases in modulus than other training types (SMD 0.90; 95% CI 0.65–1.15) and higher strain resistance training protocols induced greater increases in modulus (SMD 0.82; 95% CI 0.44–1.20; p = 0.009) and stiffness (SMD 1.04; 95% CI 0.65–1.43; p = 0.007) than low-strain protocols. The magnitude of stiffness and modulus differences were greater in adult participants.

Conclusions

Mechanical loading leads to positive adaptation in lower limb tendon stiffness, modulus and CSA. Studies to date indicate that the main mechanism of increased tendon stiffness due to physical training is increased tendon modulus, and that resistance training performed at high compared to low localised tendon strains is associated with the greatest positive tendon adaptation.

PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42019141299.
A Collection of Results Relating the Geometry of Plane Domains and the Exit Time of Planar Brownian Motion
Authors: Boudabra Maher , Buttigieg Andrew , Markowsky Greg
Published: June 2022

We prove a number of results relating exit times of planar Brownian motion with the geometric properties of the domains in question. Included are proofs of the conformal invariance of moduli of rectangles and annuli using Brownian motion; similarly probabilistic proofs of some recent results of Karafyllia on harmonic measure on starlike domains; examples of domains and their complements which are simultaneously large when measured by the moments of exit time of Brownian motion, and examples of domains and their complements which are simultaneously small; and proofs of several identities involving the Cauchy distribution using the optional stopping theorem.
Chikungunya Encephalitis: an Inconsistently Reported Headache and Cause of Death in Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions
Authors: Hopkins Hannah K. , Traverse Elizabeth M. , Barr Kelli L.
Published: June 2022

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus of the family Togaviridae with outbreaks occurring across Africa, Asia, parts of Europe, and South and Central America. There are three main lineages of CHIKV, including the West African lineage, the East Central South African (ECSA) lineage, and the Asian lineage. While CHIKV infection usually results in a self-limited febrile illness, there have been reports of concerning neurological manifestations, including encephalitis. Herein we discuss findings of over 700 cases of CHIKV encephalitis and risk factors for death. Additionally, we examined the genotypes of CHIKV associated with encephalitis and found that both the Asian and ECSA lineages were responsible for encephalitis but not the West African lineage. Protein analysis of consensus sequences of CHIKV strains associated with encephalitis identified mutations in the nsP1, nsP2, and nsP3 proteins. Reports and manuscripts of CHIKV encephalitis were inconsistent in reporting viral, demographic, and clinical features which complicated the delineation of risk factors associated with the disease and viral evolution. As climate change contributes to the range expansion of natural vectors, it is important for researchers and clinicians to consistently report patient and viral data to facilitate research and countermeasures for the ecology and epidemiology of CHIKV due to the lack of a targeted treatment or vaccine.
Mapping Sensitive Vegetation Communities in Mining Eco-space using UAV-LiDAR
Authors: Banerjee Bikram Pratap , Raval Simit
Published: June 2022

Near earth sensing from uncrewed aerial vehicles or UAVs has emerged as a potential approach for fine-scale environmental monitoring. These systems provide a cost-effective and repeatable means to acquire remotely sensed images in unprecedented spatial detail and a high signal-to-noise ratio. It is increasingly possible to obtain both physiochemical and structural insights into the environment using state-of-art light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors integrated onto UAVs. Monitoring sensitive environments, such as swamp vegetation in longwall mining areas, is essential yet challenging due to their inherent complexities. Current practices for monitoring these remote and challenging environments are primarily ground-based. This is partly due to an absent framework and challenges of using UAV-based sensor systems in monitoring such sensitive environments. This research addresses the related challenges in developing a LiDAR system, including a workflow for mapping and potentially monitoring highly heterogeneous and complex environments. This involves amalgamating several design components, including hardware integration, calibration of sensors, mission planning, and developing a processing chain to generate usable datasets. It also includes the creation of new methodologies and processing routines to establish a pipeline for efficient data retrieval and generation of usable products. The designed systems and methods were applied to a peat swamp environment to obtain an accurate geo-spatialised LiDAR point cloud. Performance of the LiDAR data was tested against ground-based measurements on various aspects, including visual assessment for generation LiDAR metrices maps, canopy height model, and fine-scale mapping.
Optimizing lifetime of a wireless sensor network covering moving targets
Authors: Dione Déthié , Mbainaissem Teubé Cyrille , Ndekou Paul Python
Published: June 2022

In this article, the problems studied are to optimize the life of the network of sensors covering mobile targets by minimizing the energy consumption of the network. Indeed, wireless sensor networks have received particular attention in recent years, as their applications are common today, such as vehicle tracking or battlefield monitoring. In a wireless sensor network, the sensor battery plays an important role. The function of the sensor depends on the battery life. Replacement of batteries becomes impossible once deployed in a remote or unattended location. A set of randomly placed sensors monitors targets moving in an area. Each sensor has a limited lifetime and two states: Active or Inactive. An active sensor can monitor targets in its monitoring sub-area at a necessary energy consumption cost. To model these problems, we use a mathematical model based on linear programming with mixed integer variables. AMPL is used to formulate the model and MINOS for its resolution and the numerical results allowed to obtain an adequate activation scheduling of the sensors by improving their lifetime.