bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-type Natriuretic Peptide–induced PKA Activation Promotes Endochondral Bone Formation in Hypertrophic Chondrocytes
Authors: Hirota Keisho , Hirashima Tsuyoshi , Horikawa Kazuki , Yasoda Akihiro , Matsuda Michiyuki
Published: January 2022

Longitudinal bone growth is achieved by a tightly controlled process termed endochondral bone formation. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) stimulates endochondral bone formation through binding to its specific receptor, guanylyl cyclase (GC)-B. However, CNP/GC-B signaling dynamics in different stages of endochondral bone formation have not been fully clarified, especially in terms of the interaction between the cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathways. Here, we demonstrated that CNP activates the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and that this activation contributed to the elongation of the hypertrophic zone in the growth plate. Cells of the chondrogenic line ATDC5 were transfected with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)–based cGMP and PKA biosensors. Dual-FRET imaging revealed that CNP increased intracellular cGMP levels and PKA activities in chondrocytes. Further, CNP-induced PKA activation was enhanced following differentiation of ATDC5 cells. Live imaging of the fetal growth plate of transgenic mice, expressing a FRET biosensor for PKA, PKAchu mice, showed that CNP predominantly activates the PKA in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. Additionally, histological analysis of the growth plate of PKAchu mice demonstrated that CNP increased the length of the growth plate, but coadministration of a PKA inhibitor, H89, inhibited the growth-promoting effect of CNP only in the hypertrophic zone. In summary, we revealed that CNP-induced cGMP elevation activated the cAMP/PKA pathway, and clarified that this PKA activation contributed to the bone growth–promoting effect of CNP in hypertrophic chondrocytes. These results provide insights regarding the cross-talk between cGMP and cAMP signaling in endochondral bone formation and in the physiological role of the CNP/GC-B system.
A Clinical Update on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sweeting Arianne , Wong Jencia , Murphy Helen R , Ross Glynis P
Published: January 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) traditionally refers to abnormal glucose tolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. GDM has long been associated with obstetric and neonatal complications primarily relating to higher infant birthweight and is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for future maternal and offspring cardiometabolic disease. The prevalence of GDM continues to rise internationally due to epidemiological factors including the increase in background rates of obesity in women of reproductive age and rising maternal age and the implementation of the revised International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups’ criteria and diagnostic procedures for GDM. The current lack of international consensus for the diagnosis of GDM reflects its complex historical evolution and pragmatic antenatal resource considerations given GDM is now 1 of the most common complications of pregnancy. Regardless, the contemporary clinical approach to GDM should be informed not only by its short-term complications but also by its longer term prognosis. Recent data demonstrate the effect of early in utero exposure to maternal hyperglycemia, with evidence for fetal overgrowth present prior to the traditional diagnosis of GDM from 24 weeks’ gestation, as well as the durable adverse impact of maternal hyperglycemia on child and adolescent metabolism. The major contribution of GDM to the global epidemic of intergenerational cardiometabolic disease highlights the importance of identifying GDM as an early risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, broadening the prevailing clinical approach to address longer term maternal and offspring complications following a diagnosis of GDM.
Modeling Age Patterns of Under-5 Mortality: Results From a Log-Quadratic Model Applied to High-Quality Vital Registration Data
Authors: Guillot Michel , Romero Prieto Julio , Verhulst Andrea , Gerland Patrick
Published: January 2022

Information about how the risk of death varies with age within the 0–5 age range represents critical evidence for guiding health policy. This study proposes a new model for summarizing regularities about how under-5 mortality is distributed by detailed age. The model is based on a newly compiled database that contains under-5 mortality information by detailed age in countries with high-quality vital registration systems, covering a wide array of mortality levels and patterns. It uses a log-quadratic approach in predicting a full mortality schedule between ages 0 and 5 on the basis of only one or two parameters. With its larger number of age-groups, the proposed model offers greater flexibility than existing models in terms of both entry parameters and model outcomes. We present applications of this model for evaluating and correcting under-5 mortality information by detailed age in countries with problematic mortality data.
Do Pregnancy Intentions Matter? A Research Note Revisiting Relationships Among Pregnancy, Birth, and Maternal Outcomes
Authors: Mark Nicholas D. E. , Cowan Sarah K.
Published: January 2022

The prevention of unplanned or unintended pregnancies continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. reproductive health policy, but the evidence that such pregnancies cause adverse maternal and child outcomes is limited. In this research note, we examine these relationships using recent large-scale data and inverse propensity weights estimated from generalized boosted models. We find that pregnancy timing is related to maternal experience during pregnancy, but not to infant outcomes at birth—both of which are consistent with prior research. In an addition to the literature, we show that pregnancy timing is relevant for a number of maternal outcomes, such as the onset of depression and intimate partner violence, changes in smoking behavior, and receipt of medical care. These findings suggest that policy intended to improve infant welfare by preventing unintended pregnancies has little empirical support, but that policy focused on increasing reproductive autonomy and maternal well-being has the potential to improve outcomes.
Understanding the Natural History of Postoperative Pain and Patient-Reported Opioid Consumption After Elective Spine and Nerve Surgeries With an Automated Text Messaging System
Authors: Punchak Maria A. , Agarwal Anish K. , Joshi Disha , Xiong Ruiying , Malhotra Neil R. , Marcotte Paul J. , Ozturk Ali , Petrov Dmitriy , Schuster James , Welch William , Delgado M. Kit , Ali Zarina
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND:

There is a gap in understanding how to ensure opioid stewardship while managing postoperative neurosurgical pain.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe self-reported opioid consumption and pain intensity after common neurosurgery procedures gathered using an automated text messaging system.

METHODS:

A prospective, observational study was performed at a large, urban academic health system in Pennsylvania. Adult patients (≥ 18 years), who underwent surgeries between October 2019 and May 2020, were consented. Data on postoperative pain intensity and patient-reported opioid consumption were collected prospectively for 3 months. We analyzed the association between the quantity of opioids prescribed and consumed.

RESULTS:

A total of 517 patients were enrolled. The median pain intensity at discharge was 5 out of a maximum of pain score of 10 and was highest after thoracolumbar fusion (median: 6, interquartile range [IQR]: 4-7). During the follow-up period, patients were prescribed a median of 40 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone equivalent pills (IQR: 28-40) and reported taking a median of 28 tablet equivalents (IQR: 17-40). Responders who were opioid-naive vs opioid-tolerant took a similar median number of opioid pills postoperatively (28 [IQR: 17-40] vs 27.5 [17.5-40], respectively). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the quantity of opioids prescribed and used during the 3-month follow-up (Pearson R = 0.85, 95% CI [0.80-0.89], P < .001). The correlation was stronger among patients who were discharged to a higher level of care.

CONCLUSION:

Using real-time, patient-centered pain assessment and opioid consumption data will allow for the development of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines after spinal and nerve surgery.
Clinical Relevance of the Tumor Location-Modified Laurén Classification System for Gastric Cancer in a Western Population
Authors: Moore J. L. , Davies A. R. , Santaolalla A. , Van Hemelrijck M. , Maisey N. , Lagergren J. , Gossage J. A. , Kelly M. , Baker C. R. ,   on behalf of the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Esophago-gastric Research Group, Jacques A. , Griffin N. , Goh V. , Ngan S. , Lumsden A. , Owczarczyk K. , Qureshi A. , Deere H. , Green M. , Chang F. , Mahadeva U. , Gill-Barman B. , George S. , Meenan J. , Hill M. , Waters J. , Cominos M. , Hynes O. , Tham G. , Bott R. K. , Dunn J. M. , Zeki S. S.
Published: January 2022

Background

The Tumor Location-Modified Laurén Classification (MLC) system combines Laurén histologic subtype and anatomic tumor location. It divides gastric tumors into proximal non-diffuse (PND), distal non-diffuse (DND), and diffuse (D) types. The optimum classification of patients with Laurén mixed tumors in this system is not clear due to its grouping with both diffuse and non-diffuse types in previous studies. The clinical relevance of the MLC in a Western population has not been examined.

Methods

A cohort study investigated 404 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2020. The classification of Laurén mixed tumors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics (chi-square). Survival analysis was performed using multivariable Cox regression.

Results

The ROC curve analysis demonstrated a slightly higher area under the curve value for predicting survival when Laurén mixed tumors were grouped with intestinal-type rather than diffuse-type tumors (0.58 vs 0.57). Survival, tumor recurrence, and resection margin positivity in mixed tumors also was more similar to intestinal type. Distal non-diffuse tumors had the best 5-year survival (DND 64.7 % vs PND 56.1 % vs diffuse 45.1 %; p = 0.006) and were least likely to have recurrence (DND 27.0 % vs PND 34.3 % vs diffuse 48.3 %; p = 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that MLC was an independent prognostic factor for survival (PND: hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.32 vs diffuse: HR, 2.20; 95 % CI, 1.56–3.09)

Conclusions

The MLC was an independent prognostic marker in this Western cohort of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. The patients with PND and D tumors had worse survival than those with DND tumors.
DIREITO CIVIL ALEMÃO NO BRASIL DO SÉCULO XIX: TEIXEIRA DE FREITAS E A ESCOLA HISTÓRICA ALEMÃ
Authors: Lombardi Gabriela Back , Covolan Fernanda Cristina
Published: January 2022

Objetivo: A partir da chave de compreensão proporcionada pelo conceito de tradução cultural, a proposta da presente investigação centrou-se em dimensionar a influência e circulação das ideias advindas da Escola Histórica Alemã e da Jurisprudência dos Conceitos no desenvolver intelectual do jurista Augusto Teixeira de Freitas, cujo trabalho deu forma ao direito pátrio em processo de modernização no século XIX.Metodologia: A pesquisa utilizou-se de método empírico e dedutivo, partindo da análise de fontes primárias consistentes em publicações do autor à época, aliada à revisão bibliográfica da historiografia jurídica sobre o século XIX no que pertinente.Resultados: As tendências teóricas germânicas foram absorvidas no Brasil a partir da circulação dos modelos jurídicos advindos da Europa. A análise da produção jurídica de Teixeira de Freitas leva à conclusão de que o autor se colocou, nesse contexto, entre a fidelidade à tradição jurídica da praxística portuguesa e as contribuições inovadoras do iluminismo. A influência exercida em sua obra e trajetória pela Escola Histórica Alemã e no posterior conceitualismo sistematizador, por sua vez, é inegável, de modo que o autor empregou a conjugação de diversas fontes teóricas em favor da modernização do direito brasileiro.Contribuições: Pensar a circulação das tendências teóricas num caráter transnacional, a partir do conceito de tradução cultural, possibilita que os processos de formação de normatividade sejam entendidos de forma nuançada e complexificada, considerando as ressignificações que surgem em contextos específicos. Demonstra-se, assim, a essencialidade do estudo histórico-jurídico para questionar de forma crítica os pressupostos inconscientes das disciplinas dogmáticas, revelando a historicidade por detrás das soluções propostas.
Frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic device
Authors: Asghar Saba , Khan Hurtamina , Parveen Saima , Rafi SM Tariq
Published: January 2022

Objective: To determine frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic devices like hands free, headphone etc. through Pure Tone Audiometry.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among students at JSMU from December 2019 till February 2020. Ethical approval was obtained against Ref: JSMU/IRB/2019/-215. Calculated sample size was 194. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed. Students were invited to ENT OPD JPMC, Karachi. After informed consent, sociodemographic and electroacoustic device usage history was recorded. PTA was performed at octave frequencies for air (0.25-8kHz) and bone conduction (0.5kHz-4kHz). WHO grading of hearing impairment was used. Statistical analyses carried through IBM SPSS. Chi square test, Fischer exact test and independent t test were applied at 95% CI and p value <0.05 as statistical significance.

Results: Out of 246 students, 221 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Male to female ratio was 1:3. Mean age was 21 years (S.D: ±0.927). 96.4% were regularly using electroacoustic devices. 47.9% reported their use over five years. Insert type earbuds (73.8%) were the most preferred. Smartphone being the most common source (90%). Upon PTA, one third of medical students demonstrated sensorineural hearing loss at 0.25kHz and 0.5kHz. 9.5% reported associated tinnitus. Daily listening duration exceeded one hour among 78.8% while 26.4% practiced high volume setting. Males’ average listening duration exceeded that of females (p=0.013). However, their mean audiometric thresholds did not vary significantly.

Conclusions: Mild sensorineural hearing loss was detected among one third of participants using personal listening devices. Precautions should be practiced while using these devices.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4927

How to cite this:Asghar S, Khan H, Parveen S, Rafi SMT. Frequency of hearing loss among medical students using electroacoustic device. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4927

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ContactJ: Lipid droplets-mitochondria contacts characterization through fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
Authors: Martín Gemma , Bosch Marta , Coll Elisenda , Parton Robert G. , Pol Albert , Calvo Maria
Published: January 2022

Lipid droplets (LDs) are the major lipid storage organelles of eukaryotic cells and together with mitochondria key regulators of cell bioenergetics. LDs communicate with mitochondria and other organelles forming “metabolic synapse” contacts to ensure that lipid supply occurs where and when necessary. Although transmission electron microscopy analysis allows an accurate and precise analysis of contacts, the characterization of a large number of cells and conditions can become a long-term process. In order to extend contact analysis to hundreds of cells and multiple conditions, we have combined confocal fluorescence microscopy with advanced image analysis methods. In this work, we have developed the ImageJ macro script ContactJ, a novel and straight image analysis method to identify and quantify contacts between LD and mitochondria in fluorescence microscopy images allowing the automatic analysis. This image analysis workflow combines colocalization and skeletonization methods, enabling the quantification of LD-mitochondria contacts together with a complete characterization of organelles and cellular parameters. The correlation and normalization of these parameters contribute to the complex description of cell behavior under different experimental energetic states. ContactJ is available here: https://github.com/UB-BioMedMicroscopy/ContactJ/tree/1.0
Fractionation of Averrhoa bilimbi hexane extract corresponding to brown adipocytes stimulation
Authors: Hamzah Mohamad Faiz , Amanah Azimah , Lau Wai Kwan
Published: January 2022

Averrhoa bilimbi is a fast-growing tree widely found in countries of tropical Asia. Due to easy accessibility and traditional knowledge, various parts of this plant are adopted as folk medicine and a natural health remedy. Recently, beneficial effects of bilimbi in combating obesity including its potential antihyperlipidemic and hypoglycemic activities have been discovered. This paper reports the successive extraction, partitioning and fractionation of bioactive compounds from the leaf of bilimbi that corresponds to brown adipocyte activation. In this study, the bilimbi crude ethanolic extract underwent bioassay-guided partitioning with increading polarity namely n-hexane (n-Hex), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH) and aqueous (H2O). The n-hexane partition extract exhibited highest brown adipogenesis potential via adipomyocytes differentiation. Further fractionation of this active partition extract yielded 10 fractions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS was used to analyse the chemical constituents of active fractions.
Measuring the motives of informal entrepreneurs
Authors: Othman Noor Shahaliza , Marthandan Govindan , Ab Aziz Kamarulzaman
Published: January 2022

Background - Handling non-observed activities pose major challenges to the governments and other stakeholders. Non-observed activities refer to underground activities, illegal activities, informal sector and any other activities that result in goods or services consumed by the household. The impact of these non-observed activities shows that the volume of people involved in the informal sector will rapidly increase. Informal economic activities are technically illegal yet are not intended as antisocial,   thereby remaining acceptable to many individuals within the society. This research aimed to identify the factors that lead to entrepreneurial necessity and opportunity.  

Methods – The data of 51 respondents who were employed as informal entrepreneurs in Klang Valley areas in Malaysia was collected with the use of a questionnaire and convenient and proportionate sampling techniques. The data were analysed using SPSS software.  

Results – The two primary drivers of informal entrepreneurial activity were necessity and opportunity. The inability to find a formal job was an example of being driven by necessity. Meanwhile, individuals that are driven by opportunity chose to work independently in these informal sectors. Between necessity and engagement, refinement acted as a mediator. Often, necessity and opportunity do not automatically translate into successful entrepreneurship; further refinement is required in terms of market potential, technology usage, location preferences, and capital requirements. Improved refinement results in increased entrepreneurial engagement. 

Conclusions - The role and contribution of the informal sector entrepreneurship in economic development need to be evaluated and not just observed as an opportunity for individuals who choose this type of career. Therefore, further research is required in a wider variety of contexts to evaluate whether the same remains true in different populations. The results of this study can be useful for the government to set policies to encourage the transition of informal to formal entrepreneurships in Malaysia.
ProSGPV: an R package for variable selection with second-generation p-values
Authors: Zuo Yi , Stewart Thomas G. , Blume Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2022

We introduce the ProSGPV R package, which implements a variable selection algorithm based on second-generation p-values (SGPV) instead of traditional p-values. Most variable selection algorithms shrink point estimates to arrive at a sparse solution. In contrast, the ProSGPV algorithm accounts for the estimation uncertainty – via confidence intervals – in the selection process. This additional information leads to better inference and prediction performance in finite sample sizes. ProSGPV maintains good performance even in the high dimensional case where $p>n$, or when explanatory variables are highly correlated. Moreover, ProSGPV is a unifying algorithm that works with continuous, binary, count, and time-to-event outcomes. No cross-validation or iterative processes are needed and thus ProSGPV is very fast to compute. Visualization tools are available in this package for assessing the variable selection process. Here we present simulation studies and a real-world example to demonstrate ProSGPV’s inference and prediction performance in relation to the current standards in variable selection procedures.
BASiCS workflow: a step-by-step analysis of expression variability using single cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: O'Callaghan Alan , Eling Nils , Marioni John C. , Vallejos Catalina A.
Published: January 2022

Cell-to-cell gene expression variability is an inherent feature of complex biological systems, such as immunity and development. Single-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool to quantify this heterogeneity, but it is prone to strong technical noise. In this article, we describe a step-by-step computational workflow that uses the BASiCS Bioconductor package to robustly quantify expression variability within and between known groups of cells (such as experimental conditions or cell types). BASiCS uses an integrated framework for data normalisation, technical noise quantification and downstream analyses, propagating statistical uncertainty across these steps. Within a single seemingly homogeneous cell population, BASiCS can identify highly variable genes that exhibit strong heterogeneity as well as lowly variable genes with stable expression. BASiCS also uses a probabilistic decision rule to identify changes in expression variability between cell populations, whilst avoiding confounding effects related to differences in technical noise or in overall abundance. Using a publicly available dataset, we guide users through a complete pipeline that includes preliminary steps for quality control, as well as data exploration using the scater and scran Bioconductor packages. The workflow is accompanied by a Docker image that ensures the reproducibility of our results.
Ethnic differences in names in China: A comparison between Chinese Mongolian and Han Chinese cultures in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Ogihara Yuji
Published: January 2022

I propose two suggestions on Stojcic et al.’s (2020) Study 3, which examined ethnic differences in individualism between Chinese Mongolian and Han Chinese cultures in China. The authors analyzed the names of all residents in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China and found that the percentages of common names among Chinese Mongolians were smaller than those among Han Chinese. The authors concluded that Chinese Mongolians are more independent than Han Chinese. However, two questions remain unanswered. First, although the authors analyzed the names of people in all age groups together and did not analyze the names by birth year, how was the effect of time controlled? Second, although the authors treated name indices, which have been used as group-level indicators in previous research, as individual-level indicators, how did the authors confirm whether name indices can be used as individual-level indicators? Addressing these two questions would contribute to a better understanding of ethnic differences in individualism in China.
Enhancing the implementation of the Making Every Contact Count brief behavioural intervention programme in Ireland: protocol for the Making MECC Work research programme
Authors: Meade Oonagh , O'Brien Maria , Mc Sharry Jenny , Lawless Agatha , Coughlan Sandra , Hart Jo , Hayes Catherine , Keyworth Chris , Lavoie Kim L , Murphy Andrew W , Murphy Patrick , Noone Chris , O'Reilly Orlaith ,   Health Psychology Public Advisory Panel, Byrne Molly
Published: January 2022

Background: Brief behavioural interventions offered by healthcare professionals to target health behavioural risk factors (e.g. physical activity, diet, smoking and drug and alcohol use) can positively impact patient health outcomes. The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Programme supports healthcare professionals to offer patients brief opportunistic behavioural interventions during routine consultations. The potential for MECC to impact public health depends on its uptake and implementation.  

Aim: This protocol outlines the ‘Making MECC Work’ research programme, a HSE/Health Behaviour Change Research Group collaboration to develop an implementation strategy to optimise uptake of MECC in Ireland. The programme will answer three research questions:

(1) What determines delivery of MECC brief interventions by healthcare professionals at individual and organisational levels?

(2) What are patient attitudes towards, and experiences of, receiving MECC interventions from healthcare professionals?

(3) What evidence-informed implementation strategy options can be consensually developed with key stakeholders to optimise MECC implementation?

Methods: In Work Package 1, we will examine determinants of MECC delivery by healthcare professionals using a multi-methods approach, including: (WP1.1) a national survey of healthcare professionals who have participated in MECC eLearning training and (WP1.2) a qualitative interview study with relevant healthcare professionals and HSE staff. In Work Package 2, we will examine patient attitudes towards, and experiences of, MECC using qualitative interviews. Work Package 3 will combine findings from Work Packages 1 and 2 using the Behaviour Change Wheel to identify and develop testable implementation strategy options (WP 3.1). Strategies will be refined and prioritised using a key stakeholder consensus process to develop a collaborative implementation blueprint to optimise and scale-up MECC (WP3.2).

Discussion: Research programme outputs are expected to positively support the integration of MECC brief behaviour change interventions into the Irish healthcare system and inform the scale-up of behaviour change interventions internationally.
What is the level of nutrition care provided to older adults attending emergency departments? A scoping review protocol.
Authors: Griffin Anne , Ryan Lorna , Conneely Mairéad , Bowers Sheila , Dore Liz , Galvin Rose
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Nutrition status among older adults is an important factor in health and clinical outcomes but malnutrition goes unrecognised in routine health care.  Older adults often present to emergency departments (ED) and are subsequently discharged without hospital admission.  Discharge is a transitionary time of care when nutritional vulnerability could be mitigated with the instigation of targeted nutrition care pathways. This protocol outlines a scoping review to identify the level of nutrition care provided to older adults attending emergency departments.

Methods: This scoping review will be conducted using the framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to guide the reporting. Two researchers will search electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL Complete, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Scopus), grey literature sources (DART-Europe E-theses portal, Open Grey, and Trip Medical database) and website searches (Google, Google Scholar, Pubmed, NICE and LENUS) to identify appropriate data for inclusion within the last 10 years. Key information will be categorised and classified to generate a table charting the level of nutrition and dietetic care initiated for older adults in the ED according to the Nutrition Care Process Model. A narrative synthesis will be conducted.

Conclusions: This scoping review will be used to inform a foundational concept of nutrition care in an ED setting and allow the future examination of nutrition care pathways, practice, policy, and research within models of integrated care for older persons.
A Dynamic Model of Player Level-Progression Decisions in Online Gaming
Authors: Zhao Yi , Yang Sha , Shum Matthew , Dutta Shantanu
Published: January 2022

A key feature of online gaming, which serves as an important measure of consumer engagement with a game, is level progression, wherein players make play-or-quit decisions at each level of the game. Understanding users’ level-progression behavior is, therefore, fundamental to game designers. In this paper, we propose a dynamic model of consumer level-progression decisions to shed light on the underlying motivational drivers. We cast the individual play-or-quit decisions in a dynamic framework with forward-looking players and consumer learning about the evolution patterns of their operation efficiencies (defined as the average score earned per operation for passing a level). We develop a boundedly rational approach to model how individuals form predictions of their own operation efficiency and playing utility. This new approach allows researchers to flexibly capture players’ over/unbiased/underestimation tendencies and risk-averse/-neutral/-seeking preferences—two features that are particularly relevant when modeling game-playing behavior. We develop an algorithm for estimating such a dynamic model and apply our model to level-progression data from individual players with one online game. We find that players in the sample tend to overestimate their operation efficiency as their predicted values are significantly higher than the mean estimates inferred from their playing history with their completed levels. Furthermore, players are found to be risk-seeking with a moderate amount of uncertainty. We uncover two segments of players labeled as “experiencers” versus “achievers”—the former tend to derive a higher utility from the playing process, and the latter are more goal-oriented and derive a higher benefit from completing the entire game. Two counterfactual simulations demonstrate that the proposed model can help adjust the uncertainty level and configure a more effective level-progression point schedule to better engage players and improve the game developer’s revenue.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, marketing.
Exposure to Workplace Sexual Harassment among Women and Men Farmworkers in the U.S. and Mexico
Authors: Prado Kimberly Y. , Rivera-Heredia Maria Elena , McCurdy Stephen A.
Published: January 2022

Highlights

Women and men farmworkers reported workplace sexual harassment (WSH).

WSH occurred as frequently as daily.

Both coworkers and leadership were perpetrators of WSH.

Abstract. This study explores experiences relevant to workplace sexual harassment (WSH) in agriculture among men and women farmworkers in California (U.S.) and Michoacán (Mexico). Anecdotal evidence documents women farmworkers having to endure behavioral, verbal, and physical WSH including sexual ogling, degrading language, groping, and requests for sex in exchange for work. We include survey comparisons between men and women in California and Michoacan on WSH among farmworkers. We conducted 197 farmworker surveys (38 men and 59 women in California; 40 men and 60 women in Michoacán). Community advisory boards contributed expertise and input for study strategies, materials, and dissemination. Survey participant ages ranged from 23 to 54 years old. Half worked in Mexico, 68% were married, 80% had children, and 47% had less than 7 years of education. Most farmworkers spoke Spanish and Purhépecha, an indigenous language spoken by the Purhépecha people in Michoacán. We used two strategies to measure WSH exposure in the previous year: (1) direct inquiry-based survey items (asking “Have you ever been the victim of or bystander to workplace sexual harassment?”) documenting WSH among women (49%) and men (21%) in California and among women (7%) and men (13%) in Michoacán, and (2) behavior-based WSH items (using explicit examples of WSH behaviors perpetrated against the participant or witnessed by the participant as a bystander) documenting WSH among women (as high as 53%) and men (as high as 45%) in California and among women (as high as 65%) and men (as high as 68%) in Michoacán. Women farmworkers in California reported WSH experiences exceeding those of men. Reported WSH experiences in Michoacán were similar for men and women. Farmworkers identified WSH perpetrators as coworkers more than leadership. The frequency of exposure ranged from daily, weekly, monthly, and up to multiple times a year. Of 46 direct inquiry-based WSH incidents, only one perpetrator was punished, and at least half of all victims said they were forced to change their jobs. The findings of this study inform the development of WSH prevention efforts, such as education tools, support for efforts to facilitate reporting, protections against retaliation for workers, and promoting accountability for perpetrators. This information supports the promotion of policy recommendations and preventive approaches for WSH. Keywords: Agricultural worker, Community-based participatory research, Indigenous, Latino, Sexual harassment, Workplace violence.
Advocacy and participation: young people with autism spectrum disorder and their experiences with statutory casework
Authors: Moesby-Jensen Cecilie K.
Published: January 2022

This chapter addresses how a group of young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experienced their contact with statutory caseworkers from Danish social services departments, drawing upon insights from social phenomenology and focusing on their lived experiences. The point of departure is a study that aimed to investigate how these vulnerable youths viewed the possibility of influencing their life situations. This is ultimately a question of participation: do young people with ASD feel properly understood, included and involved in the decision-making processes regarding important life issues? In this chapter, advocacy is seen as a necessary condition to ensure the participation and the rights of these young people. The chapter shows that violations of their guaranteed participation and rights are quite common, and this calls for stronger advocacy to be exercised by statutory caseworkers, as well as by other types of advocates.
Young people seeking asylum: voice and activism in a ‘hostile environment’
Authors: McMahon Gráinne , Moran Rhetta
Published: January 2022

This chapter sets out the grassroots activism of a group of four young people aged 24 to 29 who were seeking asylum in the UK during the hostile environment. Moving away from normative definitions of political participation as the formal activities of citizens, the work drew upon second wave feminist and Classical Marxist understandings of collective action. The chapter argues that by ‘speaking bitterness’ and creating ‘language from below’ in order to craft a play to dramaturgically depict their lived realities, the young people formed collective action and did politics ‘differently’. They engaged in biographically-meaningful, ‘personal-political’ and ‘political-personal’ activism that focused on the particular needs of their wider group. They also made ‘democracy anew’ by practicing democracy informally and in alternative, co-equal, meaningful and purposeful ways, within a hostile environment that ‘others’ them and alienates them from political and social participation.
Revisiting young people’s participation and looking ahead: concluding remarks
Authors: Kay E. , Tisdall M. , Pitti Ilaria , Bruselius-Jensen Maria
Published: January 2022

The book set out to revisit, how, under what conditions and for what purpose young people – in different contexts – participate in making decisions and foster changes on issues that concern them and their communities. Based on research predominantly from Scandinavia and the UK, but also from the particular experiences of youth movements in Italy, digital participation in Estonia, and cross-national research this chapter explores learning from across the book and consider the changing landscapes of young people’s participation both in practice and conceptually.
Sensitive detection of radio-frequency field phase with interacting dark states in Rydberg atoms
Authors: Lin Lidan , He Yuan , Yin Zheng , Li Dehua , Jia Zhengmao , Zhao Yuefeng , Chen Bing , Peng Yandong
Published: January 2022

An efficient scheme of phase measurement of a radio-frequency (RF) field is proposed by interacting dark states. Under the condition of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), the four-level Rydberg atom exhibits two windows. Compared with the transmission spectrum on resonance, the linewidths of absorption peaks off resonance are very narrow due to the interaction of double dark states. It is interesting to find that the distance of absorption peaks shifts approximately linearly with the phase of an RF field, which can be used to measure the RF field phase. Simulation results show that the linewidth of an absorption peak can be narrowed by more than one order of magnitude, and a narrow linewidth improves the detectable minimum phase difference by more than six times. It helps to reduce analyzation complexity and increase sensing resilience. The dependence of phase measurement on the control field and RF field is also investigated.
Mode-division and spatial-division optical fiber sensors
Authors: Caucheteur Christophe , Villatoro Joel , Liu Fu , Loyez Médéric , Guo Tuan , Albert Jacques
Published: January 2022

The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of
mode-division and spatial-division optical fiber sensors, mainly
encompassing interferometers and advanced fiber gratings. Compared
with their single-mode counterparts, which have a very mature field
with many highly successful commercial applications, multimodal
configurations have developed more recently with advances in fiber
device fabrication and novel mode control devices. Multimodal fiber
sensors considerably widen the range of possible sensing modalities
and provide opportunities for increased accuracy and performance in
conventional fiber sensing applications. Recent progress in these
areas is attested by sharp increases in the number of publications and
a rise in technology readiness level. In this paper, we first review
the fundamental operating principles of such multimodal optical fiber
sensors. We then report on the theoretical formalism and simulation
procedures that allow for the prediction of the spectral changes and
sensing response of these sensors. Finally, we discuss some recent
cutting-edge applications, mainly in the physical and (bio)chemical
fields. This paper provides both a step-by-step guide relevant for
non-specialists entering in the field and a comprehensive review of
advanced techniques for more skilled practitioners.
Optics in Action: An Overview of the Advancements in Information Display Education
Authors: Kam Kevin A. , Dumitriu Alexa , Kymissis Ioannis
Published: January 2022

Information displays are a common application of optical devices, utilizing different types of materials and fabrication technologies. This work is a showcase of the various curricula that have been developed throughout academia and industry to best educate a future generation of display engineering students.
The PBL Projects Webinars: A Pandemic Creates New Opportunities
Authors: Massa Nicholas , Donnally Judy , Lim Eric
Published: January 2022

When the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic prevented an in-person problem-based learning (PBL) workshop in 2020, the authors developed and presented a series of virtual photonics workshops hosted by the Optical Society (OSA).
Remote Laboratory Activities for Color Science Education
Authors: Durmus Dorukalp
Published: January 2022

Remote tutorials were designed and performed to demonstrate color appearance phenomena to students. Results suggest that remote lab demonstrations can provide an alternative to in-person lab sessions with caveats and offer additional benefits.
A neural network to explore the Fresnel diffraction of a sharp opaque semi-infinite screen
Authors: Finot Christophe
Published: January 2022

We describe the use of a neural network to investigate a very well-known problem of wave optics, i.e. the diffraction of an opaque semi-infinite screen. The inverse problem is also discussed.
Computer-Assisted Training Tool for Evaluating Operator's Delivery Skills during Laser Skin Treatment
Authors: Tawfik Abeer Attia , Ahmed Mahmoud M.A. , Hamdy Omnia , Elnaby Salah Hassab
Published: January 2022

We present a simple computerized tool for training on practicing common laser skin treatments. The device is proposed to enhance operator’s technical skills and increase his proficiency via detecting overlap percentage of the laser spots.
Learning Optics with a DIY Polarization-based 3D display
Authors: Alonso Julia R. , Flores Jorge L. , Fernández Ariel
Published: January 2022

Common devices for digital imaging can be used as reliable instruments to design and perform light polarization experiments. In particular, a simple modification of the front polarizer of a LCD monitor provides an exciting opportunity for students to get hands-on experience into stereoscopy and 3D perception, polarization and complementary colors.
Demonstration tools for changes in visible colors of transmitting light beams to be caused by optical rotation in syrup as optical active material and their predictions
Authors: Tokumitsu Seika , Hasegawa Makoto
Published: January 2022

Demonstration tools were prepared for color changes in polarized visible light beams transmitting in commercially-purchased syrup as optical active material. Predictions of such color changes were successfully realized and satisfactory color matching became possible.
Discovering light: an alternative approach to the teaching of optics & photonics in primary and secondary school
Authors: Puerto D. , García-Lechuga M. , Gallazzi F. , Pérez-Merino P. , Vinas-Pena M.
Published: January 2022

We present a different approach to the teaching of optics in primary and secondary school which focuses on the development of hands-on experiments, enabling young students to have a closer look to optics and photonics.
Scalable Laboratory Experimentation using iLabs - the Digital Twins for Experiments
Authors: Neustock Lars Thorben , Zaman Mohammad Asif , Herring George K. , Garcia Clemente Felix J. , Hesselink Lambertus
Published: January 2022

We propose using “iLabs,” which relies on the digitalization of an experiment and a virtual display with photographs, as a solution to overcome the lack of scalability of realistic online experimentation and facilitate educational conversations.
Digital Teaching in Photonics – new possibilities for Labwork Training Programs
Authors: Kaiser Thomas , Lin Tzu-Huan , Kretzschmar Johannes , Soika Falko , Michel Joerg , Helgert Christian , Geiss Reinhard , Pertsch Thomas , Tünnermann Andreas
Published: January 2022

New technologies rapidly lead to many new possibilities for digital teaching concepts of labwork training programs, which might be on-site or remotely. Mixed Reality is a promising candidate to meet the learning goals.
TP3.0: HOW CAN VIRTUAL REALITY ENRICH PRACTICAL TEACHING?
Authors: Caussarieu Aude , Bribet Julien , Delagne Jean-Christophe , Dutertre Laurent , Fabre Baptiste , Lescieux Ludovic , Mrabet Rania , Cormier Eric
Published: January 2022

In recent years, virtual reality headsets have become more accessible thanks to developments in technology. Educational applications for training in physics, and in particular in optics, can be found on the market today. We fully understand that these digital tools will never replace real world teaching, but they offer legitimate opportunities for learning by doing. In this presentation we will provide an overview of the opportunities offered by virtual reality in optics tuition at university and in continuing education.
A Very Low-Cost Assembly for Studying Interference and Diffraction in Remote Laboratories
Authors: Potts John J. , Huang Ming-Tie , Keen Benjamin J. , Nakamura Christopher M. , Senanayake Kavindya , Shih Marian P. , Vannette Matthew D.
Published: January 2022

We present a modular, 3D printed assembly used with a laser pointer for very low-cost (<$10) study of interference and diffraction in introductory physics. The apparatus was designed for at-home laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pros and cons of a self-paced introductory optics laboratory during the pandemic
Authors: Vargas Stacia K.
Published: January 2022

Teaching laboratory courses, under pandemic restrictions, required new methodologies. In an introductory optics lab, a self-paced approach was implemented. Students completed experiments independently on flexible weekly schedule. Pros and cons of the method are presented.
Coherent Beam Combining as a Multidisciplinary Education and Training Environment
Authors: Zhou Pu , Ma Pengfei , Su Rongtao , Wu Jian , Ma Yanxing
Published: January 2022

We will show that investigation of coherent beam combining provide good multidisciplinary education and training environment for graduate students. Knowledge including optics and photonics, electronics engineering, computer science, and so on, can be learned and mastered.
Optics professionals, get involved in fundamental physics, both in teaching and in research
Authors: Roychoudhuri Chandrasekhar
Published: January 2022

Physics has been strongly guided by optical science and engineering since ancient times. However, modern physics is ignoring the reality of parameters, permittivity and permeability of vacuum, which define light velocity, refractive index, dispersion, etc.
Multidisciplinary knowledge in teaching electrodynamics for undergraduate major in optics and photonics
Authors: Liu Jing , Peng Siyu
Published: January 2022

Typical examples of multidisciplinary knowledge in teaching electrodynamics for undergraduate major in optics and photonics is introduced, which could help to inspire the interest for active learning and related disciplinary, and stimulate the consciousness of innovation.
Creating Effective Virtual Reality Learning Experiences: Lessons Learned
Authors: Chaudhry Marryam
Published: January 2022

VR is an effective tool that can be used to augment skill-based learning by fully immersing the user in the virtual environment with a hands-on experience. However, there are certain aspects to consider when using VR for training.
Outreaching Optics During the COVID-19 Pandemic: From Face-to-Face to Social Networks
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Carlos Damián , Carnero Bastían , Canabal Mónica , Ínsua-Costa Damían , Doval Alejandro , Muñoz-Ramos Alicia , Sánchez-Cruz Raúl , Liñares Rocío , González-Iglesias Xóan , Flores-Arias M.T.
Published: January 2022

In this contribution we show how, in times of pandemic, outreach activities driven by social networks can be a successful alternative to face-to-face events. Designing each activity to properly suit the host platform ensures success.
Teaching the Scouts BSA Engineering Merit Badge with an Optics and Photonics Emphasis
Authors: Scheffelin Thomas
Published: January 2022

Scouts BSA offers scouts, both boys and girls, the opportunity to earn merit badges. Teaching scouts the Engineering Merit Badge with an optics and photonics emphasis can expose many scouts to a potential optics/photonics career.