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Dynamic Structural Clustering Unleashed: Flexible Similarities, Versatile Updates and for All Parameters
No full textWe study structural clustering on graphs in dynamic scenarios, where graphs can be updated by arbitrary insertions or deletions of edges/vertices. Our goal is to efficiently compute structural clustering results under three conditions: 1) for any clustering parameters ϵ and μ provided on the fly, 2) for arbitrary graph update patterns, and 3) for all typical similarity measurements. To achieve this, we propose an algorithm named VD-STAR that is much simpler yet more efficient than state of the art. With a theoretical guarantee on clustering result's quality, VD-STAR can produce clustering results with up to 99.9% accuracy. Moreover, VD-STAR is easy to implement as it just needs to maintain sorted linked lists and hash tables, making it highly deployable in practice. Most importantly, VD-STAR improves the expected per-update time bound from state-of-the-art O(log2 n), which relies on specific assumption on update pattern, to O(log n) amortized in expectation without any assumption on update pattern. We further design two variants of VD-STAR to enhance its empirical performance. Experimental results show that our algorithms consistently outperform state-of-the-art competitors by up to 9,315 times in update time across nine real datasets, while maintaining similar update time and memory usage
Non-specific effects of routine vaccinations on child survival between 12-59 months of age in Jigawa, Nigeria: A secondary analysis of the INSPIRING Jigawa trial
No full textNigeria contributes a substantial number of under-5 deaths and 'zero dose' children (i.e. children with no routine vaccinations) to the global burden each year. Vaccines are a lifesaving intervention proven to reduce child mortality from specific diseases. Non-specific effects of vaccines may further affect all-cause child mortality. This analysis explores the association between vaccination status and child survival for children 12-59 months of age, using data from the INSPIRING trial in Jigawa, Nigeria (registration: ISRCTN39213655). Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used, with multivariate models adjusting for the study design and child age, sex, malnutrition, maternal education, maternal age, compound size and wealth quintile. Interaction effects for child sex were explored given evidence for non-specific effects of vaccines. We found all groups of vaccinated children to have reduced mortality compared to unvaccinated children. Children that completed the Nigerian vaccination schedule, i.e. received the second measles vaccine dose, had the lowest odds of death, with a 70 % reduction in mortality compared to an unvaccinated child (AOR: 0.30, CI: 0.18, 0.49, p-value <0.001). A child that had basic antigens and the 1st measles dose had 30 % lower odds of death than an unvaccinated child (AOR: 0.70, CI: 0.49, 0.98, p-value 0.038). This study supports evidence that vaccines have non-specific effects on all-cause child mortality. Unvaccinated children had the highest odds of death between 12 and 59 months of age and must be reached through vaccination to improve their chances of survival. In this setting, receiving a second measles vaccine was associated with a large reduction in child mortality, and may be an effective focus for outreach campaigns in Northern Nigeria
The role of non-medical providers in increasing access to cervical screening: A scoping review
No full textIntroduction Involving non-medical providers (NMPs) in cervical screening interventions could be a promising strategy to increase cervical screening participation among never or underscreened populations. We undertook a scoping review of published literature to explore the potential role of NMPs in increasing cervical screening participation. Methods We searched three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) to identify relevant scientific research articles published between 2016 and 2024 and extracted data using a standardised extraction tool. Results Our review identified 35 studies (randomised controlled trials (RCTs): n=12, non-RCTs: n=23) from a breadth of geographical and country-level income settings including Australia and New Zealand (n=3), Africa (n=7), Asia (n=4), Europe (n=3) and North (n=15) and South (n=3) America. NMPs in the included studies were community health workers, nurses and midwives; and their key roles involved identifying and recruiting target populations, delivering health education and raising awareness of cervical screening, facilitating self-sampling and providing navigation and follow-up assistance. Most studies included screening participants aged ≥30 years, who were underscreened, not pregnant, from ethnic minority populations, and living in rural or remote communities. NMP-facilitated cervical screening interventions were largely feasible and acceptable among target populations. Compared with the standard of care, which did not involve NMPs, NMP-facilitated interventions generally demonstrated an increased uptake of cervical screening in RCTs (n=11 out of 12) with relative increases ranging from 1.11 to 42.73. In four RCTs, where NMPs facilitated self-sampling, cervical screening uptake rates ranged from 32.0% to 81.0%. Most non-RCTs (n=18) involved NMPs in facilitating self-sampling, with screening uptake rates ranging from 9.0% to 100.0%. Key strategies identified were capacity-building of NMPs through training, and employing outreach strategies to reach underscreened women. Conclusion NMPs could play a wider and an important role in cervical screening, particularly in the context of self-sampling and have the potential to increase access and equity in cervical screening
The triangular relationship in platform gig work: Consumers, platform beneficence and worker vulnerability
No full textAbstract
Platform gig work is created and contested in dynamic, triangular relationships between platforms, workers, and consumers. Compared with the first two groups, however, evidence about the role of the third—consumers—is sparse. In this paper, we investigate consumers' changing perceptions of work in the platform gig economy and argue that their perspective warrants greater attention in sociological analyses. Using data from two Australian public opinion surveys conducted 5 years apart (2017 and 2022), we explore how consumers' views of platform gig work evolved during a period of rapid change that includes the first 2 years of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We find that while overall platform use increased markedly, many consumers felt conflicted about gig workers' conditions and key features of platforms' typical labour practices. There is a pronounced, enduring, and consequential tension in consumers' views of the merits and drawbacks of this work; between, on the one hand, an acceptance that platforms do benefit workers to some extent and, on the other hand, misgivings about workers' vulnerability to harm. In centring consumers, our paper empirically enriches current triangular conceptions of labour relations in the platform gig economy, by showing how consumers mediate the interests of platforms and workers, to shape how gig work manifests and who benefits from it. We also contribute useful new practical knowledge, by elucidating the prevailing concerns of consumers that could be developed into resonant themes for campaigns aimed at improving platform gig workers' rights
Long-term trajectories of mental health in Australia through COVID-19: Assessing distress and quality of life in priority populations
No full textPurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted mental health, particularly in individuals with pre-existing conditions and in younger people. However, long-term mental health trajectories beyond the acute phase remain unclear. This study examined distress levels and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with mental and/or physical health conditions, and across different age groups between 2020 and 2024.MethodsUsing data from the COLLATE project - a series of online mental health surveys of the Australian public - we conducted general linear models to assess demographic parameters and risk factors associated with distress and QoL in 2,134 participants.Major FindingsMental and physical health conditions were associated with higher distress and lower QoL throughout 2020 to 2024. Having both conditions had a compounding effect on QoL but not distress, which was primarily influenced by mental health conditions. Younger people reported higher distress across this period. Overall, QoL was lower in 2024 than 2020.ConclusionPoorer mental health in those with mental and physical health conditions, and younger age groups, persisted from 2020 to 2024. This is concerning considering extensive literature demonstrating disproportionately greater impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of priority populations and highlights groups that may require ongoing psychosocial support
Examining the Dose-Response Effects of Mindfulness Meditation Interventions on Well-Being: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
No full textBACKGROUND: Mindfulness meditation has demonstrated modest benefits for mental health and well-being, although the relationship between practice dose and outcomes is unclear. Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials have shown mixed results so far, although such results may stem from methodological issues rather than reflecting the absence of an underlying effect. Research outside structured programs suggests that long-term practice time is linked to positive outcomes, but bias due to self-selection over time may explain these results. OBJECTIVE: The proposed trial aims to test dose-response effects for an online mindfulness meditation course, examining outcomes and participant engagement across different practice doses. In this pragmatic randomized controlled trial, we hypothesize that larger doses of mindfulness training will yield significantly larger effects and different doses will be significantly associated with variation in participant engagement, with lower engagement evident for higher doses. METHODS: At least 688 healthy adults aged between 18 and 65 years will be randomized to join one of three 4-week online mindfulness courses with daily practices of varying lengths (ie, 10, 20, or 30 min) against a minimally active control condition (4 min). Psychological well-being will be measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale at the baseline, midintervention, and postintervention time points and at 1-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are psychological distress, anxiety, depression, social anxiety, nonattachment, trait mindfulness, decentering, equanimity, repetitive negative thoughts, emotion regulation, attention control, and emotional reactivity. Other outcomes will be collected weekly and daily during the intervention period. The primary analysis will be undertaken following the intention-to-treat approach. We will also conduct per-protocol secondary analyses on all outcomes (ie, primary and secondary). In addition, we will systematically monitor for possible adverse experiences. RESULTS: This study began screening and recruitment in May 2024. Recruitment was paused approximately 6 weeks later after a substantial number of participants were identified as being fraudulent and not meeting the eligibility criteria. Recruitment reopened in October 2024, and by the end of 2024, a total of 70 eligible participants were enrolled. Recruitment recommenced in early 2025 and will continue until the end of March 2025 or until the target sample is reached. We estimate that the results will be published by March 2026. CONCLUSIONS: This study will contribute to the evidence base for mindfulness meditation and the question of how much practice people need to engage in to improve well-being and other psychological outcomes. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/72786
Androgen receptor antagonist flutamide modulates estrogen receptor alpha expression in distinct regions of the hypospadiac rat penis
No full textIntroduction: Intrauterine exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly anti-androgens, has been implicated in hypospadias by disrupting fetal masculinization of the genital tubercle (GT). Other pathways, including estrogen signaling, may also contribute but remain poorly characterized, especially in rats – a key model in chemical toxicity testing. Estrogen signaling has also been linked to hypospadias in mice, raising questions about androgen-estrogen interactions in guiding GT differentiation. Methods: We induced hypospadias in male rat offspring via intrauterine exposure to the antiandrogenic drug flutamide and characterized androgen and estrogen receptor expression. Results: We observed key structural and transcriptional changes in the developing penis, including altered estrogen receptor a (ERa, Esr1) expression. Notably, beyond this established androgen-estrogen relationship in hormone-sensitive tissues, anti-androgenic exposure also induced spatial changes in Esr1 expression in specific regions of the GT. Discussion: Future toxicological testing using new approach methodologies (NAMs) should consider androgen-estrogen balance and crosstalk in reproductive tissues as a mechanism of action
Proteomic analysis of brain and spinal cord tissue reveals distinct immune and mitochondrial processes between human and mouse ALS models
No full textAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease resulting in the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spine. More than 95% of cases are pathologically characterized by the cytoplasmic accumulation of hyperphosphorylated and ubiquitinated transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Multiple mouse models with TDP-43 accumulation have been developed, however, whether they recapitulate molecular features of ALS pathology is unclear. Given the lack of curative treatment for ALS, there is an urgent need to identify the precise biological processes contributing to disease pathogenesis for the development of effective therapeutic treatments. Thus, in this study we employed label-based untargeted proteomics to characterize the ALS proteome and related biological processes in the spinal cord and brain of TDP-43Q331K mice, a transgenic mouse model of ALS and the motor cortex and the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal cord regions from humans. In humans, we observed highly overlapping responses across the four tissues examined, primarily related to the upregulation of immune processes and the downregulation of mitochondrial function. In contrast, TDP-43Q331K mice demonstrate a lack of enrichment for immune activation and the opposite regulation of mitochondrial processes. A meta-analysis of previously published mouse datasets identified the Ubqln2 knock-out mouse model as showing stronger parallels with our late-stage human ALS. Overall, this study provides in-depth analysis of the site-specific dysregulated proteomes and their associated functional processes across species. Thereby, identifying potential therapeutic targets while emphasizing the limitations of specific mouse models at certain timepoints in recapitulating ALS-related processes for future model development.10.1038/s41598-025-11466-
Artificial Intelligence-Derived Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Assessment Predicts Perineal Wound Complications Following Abdominoperineal Resection
No full textBACKGROUND: Perineal wound complications following abdominoperineal resection (APR) significantly impacts patient morbidity. Despite various closure techniques, no method has proven superior. Body composition is a key factor influencing postoperative outcomes. AI-assisted CT scan analysis is an accurate and efficient approach to assessing body composition. This study aimed to evaluate whether body composition characteristics can predict perineal wound complications following APR. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of APR patients from 2012 to 2024 was conducted, comparing primary closure and inferior gluteal artery myocutaneous (IGAM) flap closure outcomes. Preoperative CT scans were analyzed using a validated AI model to measure lumbosacral skeletal muscle (SM), intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue. RESULTS: Greater IMAT volume correlated with increased wound dehiscence in males undergoing IGAM closure (40% vs. 4.8% and p = 0.027). Lower SM-to-IMAT volume ratio was associated with higher wound infection rates (60% vs. 19% and p = 0.04). Closure technique did not significantly impact wound infection or dehiscence rates. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to use AI derived 3D body composition analysis to assess perineal wound complications after APR. IMAT volume significantly influences wound healing in male patients having IGAM reconstruction