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Assessing ECG Interpretation Expertise in Medical Practitioners Through Eye Movement Data and Neuromorphic Models
Get PDFThis study introduces an innovative method for assessing ECG interpretation abilities in medical professionals via eye-tracking data. We examine eye movement patterns from five separate groups of cardiology practitioners utilizing a combination of neuromorphic computing models, including Spiking Neural Networks (SNN), Spiking Convolutional Neural Networks (SCNN), Recurrent Spiking Neural Networks (RSNN), and Spiking Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (SCLSTM). Utilizing eye movement data, we analyze the skill levels of practitioners in diverse medical positions, including consultants, nurses, and technicians, during ECG evaluations. Our proposed work combines spiking neuron activations with convolutional and recurrent architectures to analyze spatial and temporal gaze patterns that reflect clinical expertise. The suggested SNN, SCNN, RSNN, and SCLSTM models attained accuracies of 84.35%, 93.04%, 94.68%, 99.76% respectively, exceeding standard machine learning approaches in both precision and recall for identifying expertise levels based on visual attention patterns. This paradigm has the potential to construct skill evaluation tools in medical education, specifically for ECG interpretation training, thereby addressing prevalent difficulties related to inconsistent ECG diagnosis methods
Investigating the miRNA-mRNA interactome of human trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF-β1 provides insights into the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.
Get PDFPseudoexfoliation glaucoma is a severe form of secondary open angle glaucoma and is associated with activation of the TGF-β pathway by TGF-β1. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA species that are involved in regulation of mRNA expression and translation. To investigate what glaucomatous changes occur in the trabecular meshwork and how these changes may be regulated by miRNAs, we performed a bioinformatics analysis resulting in a miRNA-mRNA interactome. Primary human trabecular meshwork cells originating from normal donors were treated with TGF-β1 at 5 ng/mL for 24h; total RNA was extracted followed by RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq. For both mRNA and miRNA species, differential expression was determined using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts, edgeR (for miRNA) and DESeq2 (for mRNA). Putative mRNA-miRNA interactions between differentially expressed mRNA and miRNA species were determined using interaction databases miRWalk, miRTarBase, TarBase and TargetScan. To classify mRNA species by function and pathway, gene enrichment was performed using Enrichr. The resulting miRNA-mRNA interactome consisted of 1202 interactions. Some highly connected microRNAs were hsa-let-7e-5p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR-29c-3p. Most differentially expressed genes were indicated to be regulated by miRNAs. The sub-interactomes of genes involved in specific pseudoexfoliation glaucoma related enrichment terms such as oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, signal molecules and ECM remodelling were determined. This is the first study to present a genome-wide microRNA-mRNA regulatory network for human trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF-β1 and may serve to generate unbiased hypotheses about regulatory functions and mRNA targets of miRNAs in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and may help to develop miRNA-based therapeutics
Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Neuromuscular and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Get PDFAge-related declines in muscle mass, neuromuscular, and physical function can be mitigated by resistance training (RT). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFAs) supplementation has shown benefits in older adults. However, it remains unclear if combining Ω-3 PUFAs with RT is more effective than RT alone or with placebo. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Ω-3 PUFAs combined with RT compared to RT alone or placebo on muscle mass and function in healthy older adults (≥65 y). Databases such as PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched on 11 April 2024. No restriction on language or publication date was implemented. Mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals and pooled effects were calculated. Nine studies (n = 286, 54% men) met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis found no significant effect of Ω-3 PUFAs on muscle mass or neuromuscular function but a large effect on chair-rise performance. Potential impact of Ω-3 PUFAs dose, duration, or sex were not observed. Most studies had varying levels of bias, and none met recommended quality standards for investigating Ω-3 PUFAs, but findings suggest no clear advantage of combining Ω-3 PUFAs with RT
Non‐Indigenous Canadians’ Attitudes Toward Renaming or Removing Statues as a Reconciliation Strategy
Get PDFReconciliation with Indigenous Peoples has been a named priority for many post‐colonial societies. In this context, in August 2018, Victoria City Hall in Canada removed the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, from its grounds; similar events followed across Canada. Research on this issue is lacking but can offer useful insights to researchers and policymakers. To understand how non‐Indigenous Canadians respond to renaming or removing statues in the name of reconciliation, we qualitatively analysed online comments posted under news articles reporting the removal of Macdonald's statue (Study 1). Two narratives aimed at delegitimising renaming/removing emerged: depicting the actions as excessive ‘political correctness’ (PC) that represented the values of a powerful, but minority, outgroup of ‘liberal elites’; and depicting the actions as a symbolic threat to the ingroup through notions of ‘rewriting history’. In Study 2, with a Canadian community sample, we investigated anti‐PC attitudes and symbolic intergroup threat via rewriting history as predictors of support for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Given the central role of ideological beliefs in intergroup attitudes, we examined RWA and SDO as predictors of anti‐PC attitudes, symbolic threat in the form of rewriting history, and support for reconciliation. Path analysis results showed that RWA and SDO indirectly predicted lower support for renaming/removing via higher anti‐PC attitudes and higher symbolic threat. Collectively, this research provides evidence that anti‐PC and symbolic threat are important constructs in relation to responses to reconciliation proposals in Canada with potential implications for other post‐colonial societies
Assessing the Uses, Benefits, and Limitations of Digital Technologies Used by Health Professionals in Supporting Obesity and Mental Health Communication: Scoping Review
Get PDFBackground:Obesity and mental health issues present interconnected public health challenges that impair physical, social, and mental well-being. Digital technologies offer potential for enhancing health care communication between health professionals (HPs) and individuals living with obesity and mental health issues, but their effectiveness is not fully understood.Objective:This scoping review aims to identify and understand the different types of technologies used by HPs in supporting obesity and mental health communication.Methods:A comprehensive scoping review, which followed a validated methodology, analyzed studies published between 2013 and 2023 across 8 databases. The data extraction focused on HPs’ use of communication technologies, intervention types, biopsychosocial considerations, and perceptions of technology use. The review was guided by the following research question: “What are the uses, benefits, and limitations of digital technologies in supporting communication between HPs and persons living with obesity and mental health issues?”Results:In total, 8 studies—featuring web-based platforms, social media, synchronous video calls, telephone calls, automated SMS text messaging, and email—met the inclusion criteria. Technologies such as virtual learning collaborative dashboards and videoconferencing, supported by automated SMS text messaging and social media (Facebook and WhatsApp groups), were commonly used. Psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and health coaches used digital tools to facilitate virtual appointments, diet and mental health monitoring, and motivational and educational support through group therapy, 1-on-1 sessions, and hybrid models. Benefits included enhanced access to care and engagement, personalized digital cognitive behavioral therapy, perceived stigma reduction, privacy, and improved physical health outcomes in weight reduction. However, improvements in mental health outcomes were not statistically significant in studies reporting P values (P≥.05). The limitations included engagement difficulties due to conflicting personal family and work commitments; variable communication mode preferences, with some preferring in-person sessions; and misinterpretations of SMS text messaging prompts. Conflicts arose from cultural and individual differences, weight stigma, and confusion over HP roles in obesity and mental health care.Conclusions:Digital technologies have diversified the approaches HPs can take in delivering education, counseling, and motivation to individuals with obesity and mental health issues, facilitating private, stigma-reduced environments for personalized care. While the interventions were effective in obesity management, the review revealed a shortfall in addressing mental health needs. This highlights an urgent need for digital tools to serve as media for a deeper engagement with individuals’ complex biopsychosocial needs. The integration of data science and technological advancements offers promising avenues for tailored digital solutions. The findings advocate the importance of continued innovation and adaptation in digital health care communication strategies, with clearer HP roles and an interdisciplinary, empathetic approach focused on individual needs
Attitude change by facilitating choice: Experimentally evaluating a social identity‐based intervention to nativist populist rhetoric
Get PDFNativist populism is on the rise across many liberal democratic contexts, yet we know relatively less about how to challenge its negative impacts. This study investigates the effectiveness of a novel intervention designed to counter nativist populist rhetoric. We draw on a social identity mobilization approach, and across two randomized control experiments in the United Kingdom (n = 850), test whether showing people how social identities can be used for influence effectively challenges populist and anti‐immigrant attitudes. In study 1, we found significantly lower populist attitudes among participants who received the intervention versus control. However, we did not observe any significant differences in anti‐immigrant attitudes. In study 2, we developed the immigration materials and employed a more comprehensive assessment that considered pre‐existing attitudes. Results replicated the effects on populist attitudes but did not indicate impacts on anti‐immigration attitudes. Notably, the effects on populist attitudes were maintained after controlling for age, gender, education, political orientation, and political interest. Overall, our intervention represents a novel avenue to addressing challenges posed by nativist populist rhetoric. Furthermore, the paper highlights the potential of leveraging social identity mobilization research to challenge political rhetoric, contributing wider insights for future interventions
Methods Used to Assess Early Mathematical Skills in 2-Year-Olds:A Review of the Literature
Get PDFWhen children are aged around 2 years many of the early foundations of mathematical skills are developing. Understanding this is important to shed light on theories of mathematical development. Nevertheless, little research has investigated 2-year-olds’ early mathematical abilities, with most research focussing on either infants (aged 0-1 years) or pre-schoolers (aged 3-5 years). One possible reason for this lack of research may be the challenges associated with the methods used with this age group. Here, we review the methods used to assess 2-year-olds’ basic mathematical skills and identify the gaps and issues with those methods. Our findings indicate several issues, both with individual methods used to test specific skills but also some common challenges applicable across all measures and skills. We discuss the identified issues and highlight a need for more appropriate approaches and for alternative methods of administration to better evaluate 2-year-olds’ mathematical skills
The Effects of Anthropic Structures on Coastline Morphology: A Case Study from the Málaga Coast (Spain)
Get PDFThe Málaga coast, in the south of Spain, is a densely populated tourist destination where ports, marinas and coastal protection structures of various typologies (e.g., groins, breakwaters, revetments) and shapes (e.g., “Y”, “L”, etc., shaped groins) have been emplaced. Such structures have modified the long- and cross-shore sediment transport and produced changes in beach morphology and the evolution of nearby areas. To characterize the changes related to shore-normal structures, beach erosion/accretion areas close to coastal anthropic structures were measured using a sequence of aerial orthophotos between 1956 and 2019, and the potential littoral sediment transport for the two main littoral transport directions was determined by means of the CMS (Coastal Modeling System). Available data on wave propagation and coastal sediment transport reflect the complex dynamics of the study area, often characterized by the coexistence of opposing longshore transport directions. Accretion was observed on both sides of ports in all studied periods and groins and groups of groins presented mixed results that reflect the heterogeneity of the study area; in certain sectors where the wave regime is bidirectional, changes in the shoreline trend were observed during the study period. The study cases described in this paper emphasize the difficulties in finding clear spatial and temporal trends in the artificially induced erosion/accretion patterns recorded along a heavily modified shoreline
Marginal marine spring carbonates defining an emergent rocky shoreline at Cape Freycinet, Western Australia
Get PDFModern and Holocene tufa microbialites have been documented globally on groundwater spring-fed supratidal rock coasts. Here, we document the first emergent facies assemblage and demonstrate its utility as a palaeo-shoreline (and sea-level) indicator. At Cape Freycinet, Western Australia, discrete palaeo-spring-associated deposits comprise five distinct facies that collectively define a Quaternary shoreline on a granitic rock coast similar to the contemporary coast. A palaeosol facies, passes laterally seaward into tufa microbialite on sub-horizontal bedrock, associated with oncoids. The most seaward facies is a microbially-cemented sand representing deposition in the upper-intertidal to supratidal zone of a sandy embayed beach, flanked by prominent headlands. A tufa-lithoclast breccia indicates occasional high-energy events. Facies distributions are controlled by bedrock topography in relation to palaeo-sea-level and the distinct suite of marginal marine, springline-associated facies define a Quaternary palaeo-shoreline at ca. +13 m above sea-level. The approach demonstrates the utility of marginal marine microbialite and related carbonate deposits as indicators of Quaternary sea-level on rock coasts
Unmasking Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with COPD at Primary Care Settings: The Critical Role of Age, Sex, and Smoking
Get PDFBackground: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition frequently associated with cardiovascular comorbidities, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF). These conditions significantly impact patient outcomes, yet their prevalence and risk factors remain underexplored in primary care settings. This study investigates the role of age, sex, and smoking status in the prevalence of IHD, HF, and AF among patients with COPD managed in general practice settings. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using de-identified electronic health records from eleven general practitioner (GP) practices in Northern Ireland. Patients with COPD were identified through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) register, and the presence of IHD, HF, and AF was recorded. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent t-tests to examine associations between cardiovascular comorbidities and patient demographics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among the total registered population of 77,797, there were 1575 patients with COPD, of whom 335 had IHD, 211 had AF, and 116 had HF. Patients with COPD had a significantly higher prevalence of IHD, AF, and HF compared to those without COPD. Age was a strong determinant, with older age groups, particularly those over 75 years, showing a markedly higher prevalence of all three conditions. Sex analysis revealed that male patients with COPD were significantly more likely to have IHD, AF, and HF than females. However, the association between smoking status and the presence of HF, IHD, or AF was not significantly different between current/ex-smokers and non-smokers. Conclusions: The findings highlight the high burden of cardiovascular comorbidities among patients with COPD in primary care and emphasise the need for routine cardiovascular screening. Given the strong influence of age and sex, targeted risk assessment and management strategies should be prioritised for older and male patients with COPD. The lack of association between smoking and cardiovascular comorbidities suggests that additional risk factors should be considered in cardiovascular risk assessment. A more integrated approach to managing COPD and cardiovascular conditions within general practice settings is essential to improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on evaluating interventions that enhance early detection and multidisciplinary management of cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with COPD