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If the human nutrition community has learned anything from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is that many of our advances in preventing or understanding the double burden of malnutrition are far more tenuous than we ever imagined ([1]). Vitamin A labelled with a stable isotope allows for the assessment of total body stores of vitamin A both in individuals and within a given population across the entire spectrum of vitamin A status ([11], [12]). International Atomic Energy Agency and Nutrition Research Using Nuclear Applications The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports the use of nuclear techniques, including stable isotope techniques, in nutrition assessments to develop and evaluate interventions aimed at addressing malnutrition in all its forms ([14]). [Extracted from the article]

To determine the institutions, journals of choice and topics of investigation of the most prolific and highly cited Spanish optometrist researchers. As a primary search strategy, the Scopus database (Elsevier) was queried with the terms (optometr* OR "contact lens*" OR refracti* OR *ocular) and the affiliation country filter "Spain". The list of authors returned by the primary search was used in a secondary manual search based on co-authors and institutions. Authors were included in the analysis if they had an h-index > 10, were of Spanish nationality, were affiliated to Spanish institutions, and possessed an optometry degree. Authors were ranked by h-index, number of publications and number of citations. Topics of research interest and target journals were determined by analyzing the 10 most highly cited papers of each author. A total of 32 authors with an h-index > 10 were identified, of whom 14 (43.7%) were female. Only one author had an h-index > 40, and 7 (21.9%) authors had an h-index over 20. The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery was the first journal of choice (19.1% of highest cited papers), followed by Optometry and Vision Science (10.3%). The Universidad Complutense de Madrid hosted the largest percentage of authors (18.7%), followed by the Universitat de València (15.6%). Main topics of research interest were topography (6.5% of papers), cornea (6.2%) and contact lens (5.0%). Optometry in Spain is a fertile field of research, with an increasing number of highly cited authors publishing in high impact journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years, micro manufacturing technologies have become increasingly important. There are many components on the micrometer scale, both in high-level applications and in everyday use. This trend occurs in several areas such as in the field of industrial, mainly in automotive and aerospace, electronics components, medical devices, etc. Within the different micro manufacturing technologies, the paper focuses on micro forming technologies due to their great advantages over other micro manufacturing technologies. Metal forming processes are characterized by almost no material waste, excellent mechanical properties and are suitable for high volume production. In this paper shows a review of the main research related to micro forming technologies. The research carried out are given according to the four primary groups of a micro manufacturing system: material, process, tools, and equipment. The problems associated with miniaturisation in each primary group are shown. Finally, solutions adopted to implement micro forming technologies in the industrial field are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In academia, peer-review refers to a fundamental quality control process whereby external experts (reviewers) are invited to provide unbiased critique of a paper (or other submitted material) and advise on suitability for publication. The process must be robust and conducted with honor and integrity and to the highest professional standards. It is not only the responsibility of the authors but also the reviewers to assess the manuscript appropriately and help in improving the quality of the finished article. A good reviewer not only assists the editors and the journal but can also benefit the authors, the wider scientific community and the general readership. In this article, we discuss the salient features of the peer-review process and tips for undertaking peer-review on scientific papers in an effective and professional manner, including opportunities to develop reviewer skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whenever the policy challenges to address ask for a strong scientific background, decision makers depend on the underlying research activities. One of the fields in which research is able to affect the design and implementation of policies is given by the Circular Economy (CE). Our purpose in this paper is to understand how scholars carry out their research in the CE to realize whether a common pattern emerge and identify implications for policy. We provide a systematic investigation of the world's ten largest national research communities (NRCs) to highlight differences and similarities and understand the underlying patterns of research. We refer to eight key dimensions, which are mostly original ones and, therefore, represent elements of novelty of the paper: internationality, interdisciplinarity, specialization, relevance of local issues, policy implications, provision of case studies, research focus and research method. A dataset with 3027 CE-related research publications that range from 2001 to 2018 has been used for the elaborations. Results show some similarities and differences: everywhere, the empirical method prevails over the theoretical, and research is mostly focused on the micro-level of analysis (e.g., consumers and firms), while national research communities differ with respect to the openness to international collaborations, the degree with which some specific disciplines contribute to research in the field of CE, and the consideration of local issues provide. • A cross-country comparison of national research communities (NRCs) studying CE is offered. • NRCs are compared along eight key-dimensions using eleven indicators. • Empirical methods prevail over theory and research focus is on micro-level analyses. • Differences emerge with respect to interdisciplinarity and attention to local issues. • China, US, and European countries are moving along diverse research trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of variations in Research and Development Spending and Education Expenditure on GDP variations in Latin America during the period between 2000 and 2019 (20 years). The dependent variable for productivity and competitiveness is the Gross Domestic Product GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity. GDP per capita, the broadest measure of national productivity, is closely linked over time to a nation's standard of living. The econometric model proposed uses the Prais-Winsten methodology and corrected standard errors and first-order autocorrelation correction. We concluded that the variations in spending on education and research and development have a significant and direct effect on the competitiveness and productivity represented in the analyzed GDP. Therefore, the Latin American countries studied (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) are recommended to invest in education, research, and development, not only as a government effort but also as a policy of all sectors. This paper represents a methodological novelty and suggests directions for national systemic competitiveness policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a workshop in August 2021 to identify opportunities in pediatric and congenital cardiovascular research that would improve outcomes for individuals with congenital heart disease across the lifespan. A subsidiary goal was to provide feedback on and visions for the Pediatric Heart Network. This paper summarizes several key research opportunities identified in the areas of: data quality, access, and sharing; aligning cardiovascular research with patient priorities (eg, neurodevelopmental and psychological impacts); integrating research within clinical care and supporting implementation into practice; leveraging creative study designs; and proactively enriching diversity of investigators, participants, and perspectives throughout the research process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of integrated vascular surgery training programs was recently shown to be associated with an increase in women entering the field. However, whether this has precipitated a subsequent increase in the active participation of women in academic vascular societies remains unclear. We sought to examine the trends of academic inclusion of women vascular surgeons and surgical trainees over the past 15 years at the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS). Scientific programs for annual meetings of the SAVS, and program matriculation statistics from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, were reviewed for the period of 2006 to 2020. Yearly rates and 3-year averages of conference and society participation and vascular surgery training program matriculation rates were calculated and compared with proportion testing. Spearman correlation testing was used to compare trends, with ρ ≥0.600 defined as a strong correlation. Examining 3-year means, the average number of women authors per SAVS abstract increased from 0.78 to 1.42 over the course of the study period (P <.001), and the overall rate of women authors steadily increased from 12.8% to 21.5% (P <.001). Although this remains less than the proportion of women matriculating into vascular surgery programs in 2019 (29.3%; P =.007), the upward trend of women entering vascular surgery overall, and particularly vascular surgery fellowship, strongly correlates with the average number of women authors on abstracts at SAVS (ρ = 0.709 and ρ = 0.737, respectively). The percentage of women presenting authors increased from 9.7% to 28.4% (P =.004), but there was no increase in the percentage of women senior authors (10.1% to 9.6%; P =.92). In the 15-year period, only one abstract of 347 (0.3%) had full authorship by women vs 35.1% with full authorship by men (P <.001). Although the increase of women matriculating into vascular surgery programs over the study period did not correlate with the increase of women in senior leadership positions (ρ < 0.600), there was an increase in the number of women in committee chair positions (0.0% to 25.9%; P =.005), which correlated strongly with increasing society membership (ρ = 0.716). Additionally, there was an increase in women holding executive council positions from 0% to 10.0% (P =.08), although this was not statistically significant. Participation of women authoring and presenting papers at the SAVS has increased over the past 15 years at a rate that strongly correlates with the increasing rate of women entering vascular surgery training programs. It is important that society leadership opportunities continue to parallel this trend as we seek to further improve diversity in vascular surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine if high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad can assist with detecting an active miscarriage.Design: A prospective cohort study.Setting: Academic medical center.Patient(s): Five groups were evaluated: women with active miscarriage, pregnancy of unknown location, completed miscarriage or extrauterine pregnancy (EUP), ongoing pregnancy, and undergoing elective dilation and curettage (D&C).Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): For each patient, AFP level in the vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad was quantified.Result(s): The vaginal blood AFP median levels (and their ranges) were 3.7 IU/mL (0.5-739.2) and 4,542 IU/mL (15.6-100,000) in the active miscarriage (n = 16) and the elective D&C (n = 24) groups, respectively. Alpha-fetoprotein was detected in all elective D&C and active miscarriage cases except in 1 case. In the ongoing pregnancy group (n = 35), only 2 of 35 specimens showed detectable AFP levels. In the pregnancy of unknown location (n = 12) and the completed miscarriage or EUP (n = 10) groups, no AFP was detected. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated 93.7% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity for the detection of an active miscarriage (cutoff 0.61 IU/mL; area under the curve 0.96).Conclusion(s): Alpha-fetoprotein can be extracted from vaginal blood collected on sanitary pads. A high level of vaginal AFP can assist with the same-day detection of an active miscarriage. This novel test is useful in differentiating active miscarriages from ongoing pregnancies, completed miscarriages, and EUPs and, therefore, it reduces uncertainty, anxiety level, and number of repeat office visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an enormous and ever-growing body of environmental impact assessment (EIA) research, much of which is grounded in practice or seeks to advance it. In this paper we show how the impact of EIA research on policy and practice might be conceptualised and how to set about evidencing it. A framework is developed through literature review to account for impact in four areas pertaining to instrumental impact, conceptual impact, capacity building and knowledge brokerage and co-production. Methods for implementing the framework include citations within policy documents along with content analysis to determine influence and interviews or surveys with policy makers and practitioners; all subsequently presented as narratives. We provide examples and further discussion of each, drawn from recent analysis of the EIA research of one of the authors. Whilst proving impact of EIA research on policy and practice is challenging, we found the framework to be a useful way for structuring and guiding such an investigation. This approach to understanding the uptake and influence of EIA research on impact assessment practitioners and other stakeholders (i.e., government regulators/policy-makers, consultants, proponents or NGOs) could be applied by many professionals in the field to showcase positive impact on policy and practice locally, nationally and internationally. It may also usefully serve academic EIA researchers applying for new positions or for promotion within universities. • The impact of EIA research on policy and practice is investigated. • Interviews and content analysis are important methods for determining impact. • Citations of research in policy show direct impact. • Direct impact also arises from policy development, capacity building and co-produced research. • Indirect influence arises from conceptual impact and knowledge brokerage activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the existence of a relationship between recent research on the Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I or R&D) sector of Petrobras with the quantitative data available in the company's reports and the Brazilian regulatory agencies. For this, 44 articles were selected using two main criteria: addressing the RD&I subject and being published in indexed peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2022. There are three perspectives from which the company RD&I (state development, human resources, and innovation clusters), increase in patents and production, and cost reduction are directly related to the qualitative and quantitative variation of innovation networks, state policies, and the improvement of internal human resource policies. Additionally, it was discovered that short-term outcomes could not be correlated with the level of training or R&D spending. However, a long-term drop in investment could lead to hazards such a decline in researchers, technical advancement, oil reserves, and the rate of output growth. • Petrobas reduced investments in RD&I due to the devaluation of the Brazilian currency. • The concentration in exploration and production coincides with the divestment in RD&I and refining. • During the period, there was a cost reduction and an increase in Petrobras's patents in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research and publications have taken the driver's seat in the last decade, especially amongst the Orthopaedic surgeons of India (Vaishya and Lal, 2016 Oct-Dec)1. Doing research and publishing scientific papers is crucial to practice evidence-based medicine and keep updated on the latest developments. It is also a quick method to get recognized in your field by your peers and colleagues. Sometimes, publishing literature is vital to gain positions in the profession and achieve promotions (Patralekh et al., 2021)2. As a result, there is a sudden upsurge in printed literature that is inaccurate or up to the mark. It has become tough to believe the conclusions provided and alter one's clinical practice based on these facts. Hence, before reading a paper, one must learn to assess the journal's quality and its publications. In recent times, there is an upsurge in the number of predatory journals causing harm to the entire research world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the growing interest in health data science education, it is not embedded in undergraduate medical curricula and little is known about best teaching practices. This paper presents a highly innovative course in a UK university that introduces undergraduate medical students to data science. It also discusses a study on student perspectives on the learning and teaching of health data science.Methods: The pedagogical design elements of the Data Science in Medicine course are discussed, along with its syllabus, assessment methodology and flipped classroom delivery. The course has been offered to approximately 630 students over three years. Student perspectives were investigated through three focus groups with the participation of 19 students across different study years in medicine. An experiment was conducted regarding instructor-led vs. video-based modalities of online programming labs, with the participation of 8 students.Results: The course has led to improved data competency among medical students and to a positive change in their opinions about data science. Motivating the course and showing relevance to clinical practice was one of the biggest challenges. Statistics was perceived by focus group participants as an essential data skill. Including data science in the medical curriculum was perceived as important by Year 1 students, while opinions varied between Year 4/5 participants. Video-based online labs were preferred over instructor-led online labs, and they were found to be more useful and enjoyable, without leading to any significant difference in academic performance.Conclusions: Teaching data science to undergraduate medicine students is highly desirable and feasible. We recommend including statistics in the curriculum and practical skill development through simple and clinically-relevant data science tasks, supported through video-based online labs. Further reporting on similar courses is needed, as well as larger-scale studies on student perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of current systems for automatic diagnosis considers the detection of a unique and previously known pathology. Considering specifically the diagnosis of lesions in the small bowel using endoscopic capsule images, very few consider the possible existence of more than one pathology and when they do, they are mainly detection based systems therefore unable to localize the suspected lesions. Such systems do not fully satisfy the medical community, that in fact needs a system that detects any pathology and eventually more than one, when they coexist. In addition, besides the diagnostic capability of these systems, localizing the lesions in the image has been of great interest to the medical community, mainly for training medical personnel purposes. So, nowadays, the inclusion of the lesion location in automatic diagnostic systems is practically mandatory. Multi-pathology detection can be seen as a multi-object detection task and as each frame can contain different instances of the same lesion, instance segmentation seems to be appropriate for the purpose. Consequently, we argue that a multi-pathology system benefits from using the instance segmentation approach, since classification and segmentation modules are both required complementing each other in lesion detection and localization. According to our best knowledge such a system does not yet exist for the detection of WCE pathologies. This paper proposes a multi-pathology system that can be applied to WCE images, which uses the Mask Improved RCNN (MI-RCNN), a new mask subnet scheme which has shown to significantly improve mask predictions of the high performing state-of-the-art Mask-RCNN and PANet systems. A novel training strategy based on the second momentum is also proposed for the first time for training Mask-RCNN and PANet based systems. These approaches were tested using the public database KID, and the included pathologies were bleeding, angioectasias, polyps and inflammatory lesions. Experimental results show significant improvements for the proposed versions, reaching increases of almost 7% over the PANet model when the new proposed training approach was employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (S-ICDs) are used for prevention of sudden cardiac death triggered by ventricular arrhythmias. T Wave Over Sensing (TWOS) is an inherent risk with S-ICDs which can lead to inappropriate shocks. A major predictor of TWOS is a high T:R ratio (the ratio between the amplitudes of the T and R waves). Currently, patients' Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are screened over 10 s to measure the T:R ratio to determine the patients' eligibility for S-ICD implantation. Due to temporal variations in the T:R ratio, 10 s is not a long enough window to reliably determine the normal values of a patient's T:R ratio. In this paper, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) based model utilising phase space reconstruction matrices to predict T:R ratios from 10-second ECG segments without explicitly locating the R or T waves, thus avoiding the issue of TWOS. This tool can be used to automatically screen patients over a much longer period and provide an in-depth description of the behavior of the T:R ratio over that period. The tool can also enable much more reliable and descriptive screenings to better assess patients' eligibility for S-ICD implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No comprehensive review of Bayesian networks (BNs) in healthcare has been published in the past, making it difficult to organize the research contributions in the present and identify challenges and neglected areas that need to be addressed in the future. This unique and novel scoping review of BNs in healthcare provides an analytical framework for comprehensively characterizing the domain and its current state. A literature search of health and health informatics literature databases using relevant keywords found 3810 articles that were reduced to 123. This was after screening out those presenting Bayesian statistics, meta-analysis or neural networks, as opposed to BNs and those describing the predictive performance of multiple machine learning algorithms, of which BNs were simply one type. Using the novel analytical framework, we show that: (1) BNs in healthcare are not used to their full potential; (2) a generic BN development process is lacking; (3) limitations exist in the way BNs in healthcare are presented in the literature, which impacts understanding, consensus towards systematic methodologies, practice and adoption; and (4) a gap exists between having an accurate BN and a useful BN that impacts clinical practice. This review highlights several neglected issues, such as restricted aims of BNs, ad hoc BN development methods, and the lack of BN adoption in practice and reveals to researchers and clinicians the need to address these problems. To map the way forward, the paper proposes future research directions and makes recommendations regarding BN development methods and adoption in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]