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International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2023The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic care, as well as the implementation of adequate improvements, are in question. A qualitative interview study was carried out in a...
The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic care, as well as the implementation of adequate improvements, are in question. A qualitative interview study was carried out in a cyclical research design with a comparative analysis on the basis of thematic coding using Grounded Theory Methodology. An overview of the design, sampling procedure, and data analysis is given. A variety of critical perspectives emerged concerning the state of psychotherapeutic care in Austria. Two perspectives are presented in this paper as interim results: a health care administration perspective states a general lack of knowledge and a possible unmet need, problematizes the underutilized benefit of psychotherapists and describes a shift in regard to the issue of effectiveness of care to the topic of access to psychotherapeutic care and to a problem with the care and work ethics of professionals. In this perspective, one solution may be to implement intermediary organizations, clearinghouses with multi-professional teams, comprehensive documentation and an indication-oriented approach. The health insurance perspective also claims the organization-specific action problem and the lack of rules for clearing in such intermediary organizations, as well as the relevance of regulated, limited access to psychotherapy.
Topics: Psychotherapy; Austria; Data Analysis; Documentation; Insurance, Health
PubMed: 37754598
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20186739 -
BMC Oral Health Aug 2023The timely and appropriate utilization of dental health care is essential to the prevention and accurate treatment of oral diseases. Therefore, it is crucial that... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The timely and appropriate utilization of dental health care is essential to the prevention and accurate treatment of oral diseases. Therefore, it is crucial that managers, health professionals and healthcare providers be fully aware of the predictors encouraging the utilization of dental services and reduce social inequalities. In this scoping review, we aimed to analyze the published articles and reports to find out the factors associated with dental services utilization and the comprehensiveness of the applied models among general adult populations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This scoping study was based on the 5-steps of Arksey and O'Malley framework. Keywords were selected under two main concepts: determinants of dental care utilization and the concept of the applied models. Searches were conducted in some electronic databses including PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus with variations, and a combination of the keywords under the two main afore-mentioned concepts. All the relevant articles reporting the utilization of dental care and its potential predictors among adult populations were chosen. No restrictions involving terms of study time, location or methodological aspects of oral health utilization were considered. Using tables and charts mapping, we tried to group the studies based on the year of their publication, geographic distribution, the range of included indices and the type of their measurement. Also, a directed content analysis method was used to investigate the comprehensiveness of the studies in regard to considering the determinant factors at different levels suggested by the Andesen model.
RESULTS
Fifty-two articles were included in the analysis. Thirty-six (69%) had been published between 2016 and 2020. The United States had conducted the most research in this scope. About 30% of studies had mentioned all three domains of demographics, social structure and beliefs, simultaneously. To evaluate the enabling factors, in 84.61% and 59.61% of studies, the income levels and insurance feature were assessed, respectively. 57.69% of the retrieved studies considered the perceived need features and 38.46% referred to the evaluated ones. The dental services utilization, in terms of the last visit during the "past 12 months", was assessed more commonly. Only 11.54% of studies did evaluate the contextual characteristics and about 71.15% of articles were relatively comprehensive.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it seems that in most of the studies, not all of the determinant factors at different levels of the Andersen model have been considered. In order to discover the conceptual linkages and feedback loops of the model, it is essential to conduct more comprehensive research in the future.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Awareness; Facilities and Services Utilization; Health Personnel; Dental Care
PubMed: 37635224
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03323-1 -
PloS One 2023Across the globe, student champions are building the social prescribing student movement. Given the numerous linkages between social prescribing and students, there is a...
Across the globe, student champions are building the social prescribing student movement. Given the numerous linkages between social prescribing and students, there is a need to understand the extent and type of evidence on social prescribing and students. Doing so will address an important gap in the literature, as there are no evidence reviews on this topic. Thus, this scoping review aims to understand the extent and type of evidence on social prescribing and students. This review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and will be reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished literature. No language or date restrictions will be placed on the search. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), AMED (Ovid), ASSIA (ProQuest), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), Global Health (Ovid), Web of Science (Clarivate), Epistemonikos, JBI EBP Database (Ovid), and Cochrane Library. Sources of gray literature to be searched include Google, Google Scholar, Social Care Online (Social Care Institute for Excellence), SIREN Evidence and Resource Library (Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network), and websites of social prescribing organizations and networks. Additionally, a request for evidence sources will be sent out to members of the Global Social Prescribing Student Council. Two independent reviewers will perform title and abstract screening, retrieval and assessment of full-text evidence sources, and data extraction. Data analysis will consist of basic descriptive analysis. Results will be presented in tabular and/or diagrammatic format alongside a narrative summary.
Topics: Humans; Academies and Institutes; Data Analysis; Databases, Factual; Gene Library; Review Literature as Topic; Students; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37590233
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289981 -
Molecular Autism Aug 2023Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic...
BACKGROUND
Differences in responding to sensory stimuli, including sensory hyperreactivity (HYPER), hyporeactivity (HYPO), and sensory seeking (SEEK) have been observed in autistic individuals across sensory modalities, but few studies have examined the structure of these "supra-modal" traits in the autistic population.
METHODS
Leveraging a combined sample of 3868 autistic youth drawn from 12 distinct data sources (ages 3-18 years and representing the full range of cognitive ability), the current study used modern psychometric and meta-analytic techniques to interrogate the latent structure and correlates of caregiver-reported HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK within and across sensory modalities. Bifactor statistical indices were used to both evaluate the strength of a "general response pattern" factor for each supra-modal construct and determine the added value of "modality-specific response pattern" scores (e.g., Visual HYPER). Bayesian random-effects integrative data analysis models were used to examine the clinical and demographic correlates of all interpretable HYPER, HYPO, and SEEK (sub)constructs.
RESULTS
All modality-specific HYPER subconstructs could be reliably and validly measured, whereas certain modality-specific HYPO and SEEK subconstructs were psychometrically inadequate when measured using existing items. Bifactor analyses supported the validity of a supra-modal HYPER construct (ω = .800) but not a supra-modal HYPO construct (ω = .653), and supra-modal SEEK models suggested a more limited version of the construct that excluded some sensory modalities (ω = .800; 4/7 modalities). Modality-specific subscales demonstrated significant added value for all response patterns. Meta-analytic correlations varied by construct, although sensory features tended to correlate most with other domains of core autism features and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms (with general HYPER and speech HYPO demonstrating the largest numbers of practically significant correlations).
LIMITATIONS
Conclusions may not be generalizable beyond the specific pool of items used in the current study, which was limited to caregiver report of observable behaviors and excluded multisensory items that reflect many "real-world" sensory experiences.
CONCLUSION
Of the three sensory response patterns, only HYPER demonstrated sufficient evidence for valid interpretation at the supra-modal level, whereas supra-modal HYPO/SEEK constructs demonstrated substantial psychometric limitations. For clinicians and researchers seeking to characterize sensory reactivity in autism, modality-specific response pattern scores may represent viable alternatives that overcome many of these limitations.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Autistic Disorder; Bayes Theorem; Cognition; Data Analysis; Phenotype
PubMed: 37635263
DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00563-4 -
Journal of Biomedical Optics Jan 2024Quantitative photoacoustic tomography (QPAT) exploits the photoacoustic effect with the aim of estimating images of clinically relevant quantities related to the... (Review)
Review
SIGNIFICANCE
Quantitative photoacoustic tomography (QPAT) exploits the photoacoustic effect with the aim of estimating images of clinically relevant quantities related to the tissue's optical absorption. The technique has two aspects: an acoustic part, where the initial acoustic pressure distribution is estimated from measured photoacoustic time-series, and an optical part, where the distributions of the optical parameters are estimated from the initial pressure.
AIM
Our study is focused on the optical part. In particular, computational modeling of light propagation (forward problem) and numerical solution methodologies of the image reconstruction (inverse problem) are discussed.
APPROACH
The commonly used mathematical models of how light and sound propagate in biological tissue are reviewed. A short overview of how the acoustic inverse problem is usually treated is given. The optical inverse problem and methods for its solution are reviewed. In addition, some limitations of real-life measurements and their effect on the inverse problems are discussed.
RESULTS
An overview of QPAT with a focus on the optical part was given. Computational modeling and inverse problems of QPAT were addressed, and some key challenges were discussed. Furthermore, the developments for tackling these problems were reviewed. Although modeling of light transport is well-understood and there is a well-developed framework of inverse mathematics for approaching the inverse problem of QPAT, there are still challenges in taking these methodologies to practice.
CONCLUSIONS
Modeling and inverse problems of QPAT together were discussed. The scope was limited to the optical part, and the acoustic aspects were discussed only to the extent that they relate to the optical aspect.
Topics: Algorithms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Models, Theoretical; Mathematics
PubMed: 38125717
DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.29.S1.S11509 -
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology Nov 2023Schoolchildren with better executive functioning skills achieve better mathematics results. It is less clear how inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory...
Schoolchildren with better executive functioning skills achieve better mathematics results. It is less clear how inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and working memory combine to predict mathematics achievement and difficulty throughout primary and secondary school. This study aimed to find the best combination of executive function measures for predicting mathematical achievement in Grades 2, 6, and 10 and to test whether this combination predicts the probability of having mathematical difficulties across school grades even when fluid intelligence and processing speed were included in the models. A total of 426 students-141 2nd graders (72 girls), 143 6th graders (72 girls), and 142 10th graders (79 girls)-were cross-sectionally assessed with 12 executive tasks, one standardized mathematical task, and a standardized test of intelligence. Bayesian regression analyses found various combinations of executive predictors of mathematical achievement for each school grade spanning Grade 2 to measures of cognitive inhibition (negative priming) and cognitive flexibility (verbal fluency); Grade 6 to measures of inhibition: resistance to distractor interference (receptive attention), cognitive flexibility (local-global), and working memory (counting span); and Grade 10 to measures of inhibition: resistance to distractor interference (receptive attention) and prepotent response inhibition (stop signal) and working memory (reading span). Logistic regression showed that the executive models derived from the Bayesian analyses had a similar ability to classify students with mathematical difficulty and their peers with typical achievement to broader cognitive models that included fluid intelligence and processing speed. Measures of processing speed, cognitive flexibility (local-global), and prepotent response inhibition (stop signal) were the main risk factors in Grades 2, 6, and 10, respectively. Cognitive flexibility (verbal fluency) in Grade 2 and fluid intelligence, which was more stable in all three grades, acted as protective factors against mathematical difficulty. These findings inform practical considerations for establishing preventive and intervention proposals.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child; Executive Function; Bayes Theorem; Memory, Short-Term; Mathematics; Schools
PubMed: 37307647
DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105715 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2024There is much excitement about the opportunity to harness the power of large language models (LLMs) when building problem-solving assistants. However, the standard...
There is much excitement about the opportunity to harness the power of large language models (LLMs) when building problem-solving assistants. However, the standard methodology of evaluating LLMs relies on static pairs of inputs and outputs; this is insufficient for making an informed decision about which LLMs are best to use in an interactive setting, and how that varies by setting. Static assessment therefore limits how we understand language model capabilities. We introduce CheckMate, an adaptable prototype platform for humans to interact with and evaluate LLMs. We conduct a study with CheckMate to evaluate three language models (InstructGPT, ChatGPT, and GPT-4) as assistants in proving undergraduate-level mathematics, with a mixed cohort of participants from undergraduate students to professors of mathematics. We release the resulting interaction and rating dataset, MathConverse. By analyzing MathConverse, we derive a taxonomy of human query behaviors and uncover that despite a generally positive correlation, there are notable instances of divergence between correctness and perceived helpfulness in LLM generations, among other findings. Further, we garner a more granular understanding of GPT-4 mathematical problem-solving through a series of case studies, contributed by experienced mathematicians. We conclude with actionable takeaways for ML practitioners and mathematicians: models that communicate uncertainty, respond well to user corrections, and can provide a concise rationale for their recommendations, may constitute better assistants. Humans should inspect LLM output carefully given their current shortcomings and potential for surprising fallibility.
Topics: Humans; Mathematics; Language; Problem Solving; Students
PubMed: 38830100
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318124121 -
Nature Communications Sep 2023Flow cytometry (FCM) can investigate dozens of parameters from millions of cells and hundreds of specimens in a short time and at a reasonable cost, but the amount of...
Flow cytometry (FCM) can investigate dozens of parameters from millions of cells and hundreds of specimens in a short time and at a reasonable cost, but the amount of data that is generated is considerable. Computational approaches are useful to identify novel subpopulations and molecular biomarkers, but generally require deep expertize in bioinformatics and the use of different platforms. To overcome these limitations, we introduce CRUSTY, an interactive, user-friendly webtool incorporating the most popular algorithms for FCM data analysis, and capable of visualizing graphical and tabular results and automatically generating publication-quality figures within minutes. CRUSTY also hosts an interactive interface for the exploration of results in real time. Thus, CRUSTY enables a large number of users to mine complex datasets and reduce the time required for data exploration and interpretation. CRUSTY is accessible at https://crusty.humanitas.it/ .
Topics: Flow Cytometry; Algorithms; Computational Biology; Data Analysis
PubMed: 37666818
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40790-0 -
Briefings in Bioinformatics Sep 2023The three-dimensional organization of chromatin plays a crucial role in gene regulation and cellular processes like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transcription,... (Review)
Review
The three-dimensional organization of chromatin plays a crucial role in gene regulation and cellular processes like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transcription, replication and repair. Hi-C and related techniques provide detailed views of spatial proximities within the nucleus. However, data analysis is challenging partially due to a lack of well-defined, underpinning mathematical frameworks. Recently, recognizing and analyzing geometric patterns in Hi-C data has emerged as a powerful approach. This review provides a summary of algorithms for automatic recognition and analysis of geometric patterns in Hi-C data and their correspondence with chromatin structure. We classify existing algorithms on the basis of the data representation and pattern recognition paradigm they make use of. Finally, we outline some of the challenges ahead and promising future directions.
Topics: Chromatin; Algorithms; Data Analysis
PubMed: 37646128
DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad302 -
Current Opinion in Neurobiology Feb 2024The importance of understanding the nonlinear dynamics of neural systems, and the relation to cognitive systems more generally, has been recognised for a long time.... (Review)
Review
The importance of understanding the nonlinear dynamics of neural systems, and the relation to cognitive systems more generally, has been recognised for a long time. Approaches that analyse neural systems in terms of attractors of autonomous networks can be successful in explaining system behaviours in the input-free case. Nonetheless, a computational system usually needs inputs from its environment to effectively solve problems, and this necessitates a non-autonomous framework where typically the effects of a changing environment can be studied. In this review, we highlight a variety of network attractors that can exist in autonomous systems and can be used to aid interpretation of the dynamics in the presence of inputs. Such network attractors (that consist of heteroclinic or excitable connections between invariant sets) lend themselves to modelling discrete-state computations with continuous inputs, and can sometimes be thought of as a hybrid model between classical discrete computation and continuous-time dynamical systems. Bibliographic info here.
Topics: Nonlinear Dynamics; Neural Networks, Computer; Neurons; Nerve Net
PubMed: 38070404
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102818