Geographical Location Research Articles

Global cervical cancer elimination: quantifying the status, progress, and gaps

BackgroundTo address the public health concern of cervical cancer (CC), 194 countries committed to eliminate it at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). We summarised quantitative results concerning CC elimination across these countries, including the progress in implementing three prevention levels (human papillomavirus [HPV] vaccination, CC screening, and treatment for patients with CC) and achievement of interim Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination targets.MethodsData were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, and country responses to the WHO National Capacity Survey on Non-Communicable Diseases. This retrospective analysis examined data from 194 countries and regions, stratified by national income (high-income countries (HICs) vs low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)) and geographic location (continents such as Europe, Asia, and North America). A quantitative assessment evaluated global progress in primary, secondary, and tertiary CC prevention.ResultsBy 2020, four countries had achieved Target 1 (90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15). A total of 115 countries (51 (44.35%) HICs and 64 (55.65%) LMICs)) included HPV vaccination in their national immunisation programs. As of 2021, 133 countries (50 (37.59%) HICs and 83 (62.41%) LMICs)) implemented CC screening programs. Most of these were in Europe (41, 30.83%), Asia (32, 24.06%), and North America (20, 15.04%). Additionally, 126 countries (44 (34.92%) HICs and 82 (65.08%) LMICs)) had published national guidelines on CC management. These countries were primarily in Asia (32, 25.40%) and Europe (32, 25.40%). Furthermore, 69 countries provided palliative care under both scenarios. The 10 countries with the highest annual opioid consumption (excluding methadone) for CC, in oral morphine equivalence per capita (2017), were all HICs.ConclusionsMajor inequalities persist in CC vaccination and screening across 194 countries, and access to these services is limited in most LMICs. Focusing on vulnerable populations with lower incomes and regions with stunted economic growth may help alleviate inequity and accelerate CC elimination. We also found that tertiary prevention was achieved in most LMICs, but the indicator-reported annual opioid consumption in oral morphine equivalents indirectly illustrates the under-utilisation of cancer treatment services.

Experiences of Families Affected by Imprisonment in Turkey: The Case of Ankara Province

ABSTRACT While interest in the impact of imprisonment on families has been increasing, there is still limited knowledge regarding the social, cultural, and relational aspects of the experiences of families of convicted individuals in the Turkish context. This study examines the experiences of families affected by imprisonment in Ankara. Focusing particularly on the effects of a parent’s incarceration on the family, the research employs a qualitative design, with in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 17 spouses of convicted individuals. The findings reveal that families of convicted individuals face significant psychosocial and economic challenges, experience hardships throughout the incarceration process, and receive insufficient social support during this period. The study highlights that women, in particular, endure greater difficulties due to cultural pressures stemming from gender roles and social stigmatization. These challenges make it difficult for women to make sense of their experiences and to seek support. Additionally, the geographical location of prisons, often distant from city centers, coupled with stringent security measures, hinders families from maintaining communication and emotional bonds with their incarcerated relatives. This research fills a gap in the literature on the experiences of families of convicted individuals in Turkey, addressing their experiences from a human rights and social justice perspective.

Establishing a Relationship Between Inequality in Education and Inequality in Income

In this paper the relationship between inequality in education and inequality in the rate of income is explored. Many people from all round the world do not have access to quality education, which is a huge component of the Human Development Index (HDI). HDI is a summary measure of success in several crucial dimensions such as, long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and the standard of living. Education, therefore, is a key component of the HDI as it is concerned with the standard of living as well as knowledge. Access to education is limited all around the world for a variety of reasons: gender inequality, income, lack of resources etc. Especially in the countries that are relatively poor (mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa) experience major obstacles in education inequality. In this sense, poverty status is correlated with the education gaps, especially when a country is facing severe problems in the distribution of income. In addition, residency in terms of rural or urban areas also does impact education inequality. Although many factors such as geographical location, education inequality, lack in research and development; the focus of the research is the correlation between education inequality and inequality in income distribution.

Photovoltaic solar energy prediction using the seasonal-trend decomposition layer and ASOA optimized LSTM neural network model

As the global energy demand continues to produce, photovoltaic (PV) solar energy has emerged as a key Renewable Energy Source (RES) due to its sustainability and potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, accurate forecasting of Solar Energy (SE) output remains a significant challenge due to the inherent variability and intermittency of solar irradiance (SI), which is affected by factors such as weather conditions, geographic location, and seasonal patterns. Reliable prediction models are crucial for optimizing energy management, ensuring grid stability, and minimizing operational costs. To address these challenges, this research introduces an innovative method that integrates Robust Seasonal-Trend Decomposition (RSTL) with an Adaptive Seagull Optimisation Algorithm (ASOA)-optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. Using RSTL to differentiate between time series data into development, seasonal in nature, and residual factors, this methodology addresses SI’s unpredictable nature and intermittent operation and provides the basis for accurate predictions. ASOA improves LSTM features by constantly finding and exploiting resources and adopting motivation from seagulls’ collecting and migration behaviours. Parameter standardization employing ASOA, the RSTL decomposition approach, and the conceptual model of LSTM networks are all presented in this research work. The proposed method has been contrasted with conventional methods by applying a testing environment incorporating essential Meteorological Factors (MF) and historical SE datasets. The study of performance measurements (RMSE, MAE, and R2) demonstrates significant improvements in the accuracy of predictions. The research results highlight significant implications regarding subsequent studies and real-world uses in SE prediction, accentuating the positive impacts of incorporating accurate data decomposition and adaptive optimized performance.

The Self-Reported Human Health Impacts of Disaster on People in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Longitudinal Aging Study India.

The human health impacts of disaster are predicted to increase in frequency and severity due to the effects of climate change. This has impacts on all nations, but understanding disaster-related health impacts in highly populous nations, such as India, will help to inform risk preparedness and reduction measures for large proportions of the global population. Disaster-related human health impacts in India were examined via the use of survey data to inform risk reduction. A cross-sectional analysis of Wave 1 (2017-2018) data from the Longitudinal Aging Study India (LASI) was conducted to explore the impact of both natural and human-induced disasters on the self-reported health of people 45 years and above, as well as their partners (irrespective of age). Descriptive statistics, chi square tests of association, odds ratio, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data by socio-demographics, geographic location, and health concern type. Out of a total 72,250 respondents, 2,301 (3.5%) reported disaster-related health impacts, of which 90.1% were significant. Rural residents and those with no education were more likely to be affected. Droughts were most commonly responsible for affecting human health (41.7%), followed by floods (24.0%). Two-thirds of the sample reported psychological trauma and one-in-five experienced chronic illness. The LASI study presents an important first understanding of the self-reported human health impacts of disasters, both natural and human-induced in India. Findings indicate social determinants such as education level and rurality impact risk of disaster-related health impacts, while mental health concerns represent the biggest disaster-related health concern. Future waves of LASI should be examined to determine if human health impacts are increasing due to the effects of climate change, as well as the vulnerability of an aging cohort.

Identifying Spatial Distribution of Urban Vitality Using Self-Organizing Feature Map Neural Network

As a vital component of urban planning, urban vitality profoundly affects the sustainable development and well-being of cities. Existing evaluation methods struggle to effectively explain the spatial distribution between nonlinear indicators while simultaneously considering geographical location and spatial attributes. How do we propose a research framework to address this nonlinear spatial distribution? This question is crucial for the study of urban vitality. To bridge this research gap, this paper proposes an SOFM neural network utilizing multisource geospatial big data to explore the spatial distribution of urban vitality. Our results showed the following: (1) Urban vitality in the five dimensions of concentration, functional diversity, contact opportunity, accessibility, and distance from border vacuums decreased from the core area to the periphery, except for building diversity, which exhibited an opposite trend. (2) The urban vitality of Beijing’s central areas primarily showed a circled spatial structure and extended along the Beijing Central Axis and Chang’an Avenue. Additionally, a 15 km radius serves as a significant threshold, encompassing clusters 0, 1, and 2, which align with an important circle delineated by the Master Plan of Beijing (2016–2035). The findings of our research serve as valuable insights for enhancing urban vitality and urban planning.

Assessment of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Effects in High-Voltage AC OHLs Adjacent to Underground Pipelines

The interaction between high-voltage transmission lines and nearby buried metallic pipelines can create electromagnetic fields that induce potentially dangerous voltages, posing safety risks. This paper explores the impact of electromagnetic interference on underground water pipelines located near a high-voltage transmission line (up to 380 kV) in Riyadh, part of the Saudi national grid. The study found that certain sections of the pipelines did not experience voltages beyond the standard safety limits under normal operating conditions. However, during Line-to-Ground fault scenarios (such as short circuits), the induced voltages exceeded safe thresholds. To mitigate this risk, gradient control wires were implemented to reduce the induced voltage and maintain compliance with safety standards. The research showed that adjusting the wire resistance could effectively lower these voltages, with a 10mΩ resistance proving adequate for this specific line. The findings and recommendations may vary depending on the specific design of the overhead line and the local geography. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.1497

Beyond the Country of Origin and the Receiving Society: Differentiated Place Attachments and Homes Among Dominican Immigrants in the Netherlands

ABSTRACTThis study moves beyond traditional questions regarding immigrants' integration into various domains of their receiving societies to explore the meanings of places and the associated feelings of home. By examining how specific geographical locations relate to these feelings, the study illuminates post‐migration experiences and realities that are often overlooked in studies of immigrants. Specifically, it explores the significance of both the country of origin and the receiving society in shaping immigrants' feeling of home. Two key findings emerge from this ethnographic research. First, the study underscores the diversity within immigrant communities regarding the perceived location of home, with a particular emphasis on the influence of stepwise migration trajectories on these perceptions. Second, the findings demonstrate that the feeling of home is rooted in a variety of factors. By examining this feeling, this study offers a valuable lens via which to understand immigrants' attachments to both their countries of origin and receiving societies, enriching our understanding of their settlement experiences.

Product and Process Innovation: Evaluating Supplier Diversity and Geographic Proximity in Importing by Non‐MNEs

ABSTRACTThis work aims to clarify the role of intermediate imports on the innovation performance of non‐multinational enterprises (non‐MNEs) by examining the geographic proximity and diversity of international suppliers. Firstly, it has been argued that importing from nearby suppliers will contribute more to innovation performance than distant suppliers. Secondly, it is postulated that importing from several foreign suppliers will contribute more to innovation performance than importing from only one supplier. The analysis was conducted in the country of Spain, where, as in many other developed countries, intermediate imports have registered an upward trend in recent years. Using the ESEE (Spanish Survey on Business Strategies) database from the period 2006 to 2018, a joint analysis of product and process innovations was conducted. The empirical findings of 2000 Spanish non‐MNEs support the theoretical arguments. The results highlight the relevance of studying both product and process innovations and the importance of knowing their causes to improve innovation performance. Moreover, the results provide a basis for understanding the importance of geographic location when choosing foreign suppliers.

Mathematical Modeling of Host-Parasitoid Dynamics for Sustainable Pest Management

Aims: The management of agricultural pest populations represents a critical challenge in sustainable crop production, particularly for challenging species like the tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera. The research work aimed in developing and analysing a novel mathematical model describing the interaction between the tomato fruit borer and its egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. The main objective of this study to analyze the stability of the proposed system of differential equations. Model Formulation: The model incorporates stage-structured population dynamics and impulsive control measures, providing insights into biological pest control strategies. In this model the tomato borer is represented by the egg and larval stages, and the parasitoid is considered in terms of the parasitized eggs. This model assumes uniform spatial distribution of both host and parasitoid populations, constant environmental conditions affecting parameters like reproduction and mortality rates, and idealized parasitoid release conditions where the released amount p remains consistent across interventions. Methodology: We used existing secondary data from research articles' instead of conducting primary field experiments for parameter identification for this mathematical model. The use of secondary data from peer-reviewed literature not only provides validated parameter values that have been rigorously tested and verified by multiple researchers, but also allows for the incorporation of findings from diverse geographical locations and climatic conditions. Results: Stability analysis identified three equilibrium points: the trivial, host-only E0,coexistence equilibria E1, and E2. The coexistence equilibirium E2 found to be locally stable under optimal parasitoid release intervals and quantities. The equilibrium point E2= (9.14,0.02,5.71) represents a coexistence state in the host-parasitoid dynamics, where the tomato fruit borer's egg density stabilizes at 9.14, the density of parasitized eggs at 0.02, and the larval density stabilizes at 5.71. This equilibrium is analyzed through its associated eigenvalues. This stability provides a reliable basis for implementing successful biological pest control strategies in tomato cultivation, ensuring a resilient and sustainable ecosystem.

Linking interannual variability of turbidity fronts in the Eastern China Seas to local processes and ocean warming

The turbidity front is susceptible to rapid changes in ocean hydrodynamics. Understanding its variability is crucial for elucidating material transport on continental shelves in light of evolving land-ocean interactions. However, the long-term frontal variability and its controlling mechanism over the shelf sea scale still need further study. Using a decade of satellite observations, this study assesses the interannual variability of turbidity fronts in the Eastern China Seas and their responses to local processes and rapid ocean warming. A gradient-based front detection algorithm and frontal probability are used to identify the geographical locations of turbidity fronts and their variability at the interannual scale, respectively. Regional heterogeneities in interannual variations and controlling mechanisms of frontal activity are observed. Specifically, the significant (p<0.05) and strongest correlations show that wind wave, horizontal temperature gradient, and mixed layer depth are identified as the most important drivers of interannual variations in frontal activity in the Bohai, Yellow, and East China Seas, respectively. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation influences frontal anomalies through a delayed wind-response mechanism (>=4 months). Notably, the recent increase in frontal probability (+0.07%/year) in offshore areas of the Yellow and East China Seas is primarily attributed to an intensified horizontal temperature (density) gradient (+0.0005 °C/km/year) resulting from ocean warming. As ocean warming continues, the offshore transport of terrigenous materials is expected to increase, potentially enhancing ocean primary productivity and carbon sequestration, and altering ecosystem function and fisheries.

Employers’ Perspectives of Important Skills for Employees With Disabilities: The Entry-Level Employability Skills and Behaviors Scale

Achieving successful employment outcomes is critical for individuals with disabilities (IWD). Employers’ perspectives toward employability skills for entry-level employees with disabilities is an important factor in employment rates. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Entry-Level Employability Skills and Behaviors (EL-ESB) Scale, a measure of the most important employability skills for entry-level employees with disabilities according to employers. Analyses explored and confirmed the scale’s factor structure, measured internal consistency, and examined group differences based on geographic location and business size. Results indicated evidence of a five-factor structure and acceptable internal consistency. Implications for research and practice are discussed, including the need for further replication research and the scale’s potential utility in informing transition programs of the most important skills to teach students with disabilities.

Infestation and damage status assessment of white mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis) insect at boloso sore and boloso bombe districts of Wolaita Zone South Ethiopia

This fruit devastating pest of white mango scale (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead; Hempitera: Diaspididae) insect is an economically important pest and damages the mango fruit by sucking the sap through its piercing-sucking mouth part from mango leaves and fruits. Since the 2010 outbreak in Ethiopia due to a poor internal quarantine system this insect pest was distributed and invaded the whole mango-producing region in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the infestation and severity status of WMS insects to get evidence for upcoming management investigations. The survey was carried out at Boloso Bombe and Boloso Sore districts in South Ethiopia Wolaita Zone in 2023. Among mango-producing farmers by using a semi-structural questionnaire 45 farmers were intervened through random selection. Geographic location and ten samples of mango leaf were collected from four cardinal directions per tree of each stop for examining the infestation and severity status of WMS. The occurrence of this pest at study locations was in 2016 as interviewed farmers respond. Since then, due to a lack of attention by farmers currently, it was distributed and covered the whole study area. As confirmed by this study the infestation ranged from 60 to 100% and damage or severity rated from moderate to very high. Among surveyed locations, 29% of mango farms were very highly, 52% highly and 20% moderately damaged. From the total study area, almost 31% of mango farms reduced 100% yield and the reduction of yield ranged from 50% to 100%. Before the outbreak of this invasive insect pest, the study area farmers were harvesting nearly 272 kg of mango fruit per tree and at normal times yield reduction was almost 43 kg per tree. After the prevalence of WMS insect per tree yield was almost 44 kg and the reduction of yield was alarmingly increased to 228 kg per tree as shown by this study data. Even though this insect pest is a devastating pest of mango fruit, however, it can be controlled through different management practices. Therefore, the management practice of this pest is categorized into three such as cultural, biological and biochemical. Culturally managed by Mango tree pruning, planting resistant materials, using proper spacing, cleaning or sanitation, burying infected residues and fruits, smoking different repellents of dry grass, animal dung, mango leaves and lemon bark or lemon mixed organic materials in one smoking can/pot and hanging inside mango tree. Foliar Spraying of various botanical extracts such as Neem seed extract (Azadirachta indica). Several concoctions made from ash, soap and goat urine were mixed and sprayed on infested mango fruit leaves and twigs. Various predators and parasitoids are used as Biological control. Soil drenching of systemic chemical insecticides also can control this insect pest. The way to control this serious damage and hinder the expansion of this invasive insect pest, integrated experimental investigation using the above-explained mechanisms will be advisable to enhance mango fruit yield. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 14(2): 28-37, December 2024

Mathematical modeling of the thermal regime in solar photovoltaic thermal panel

Design of a combined solar photovoltaic thermal panel (PV/T) for the simultaneous generation of electrical and thermal energy was proposed in this study. The basis of the new design is a traditional solar panel with poly-Si solar cells. A flat channel with a heat transfer fluid is added to the front size of such a panel. This channel is bounded by cover glass. A non-stationary mathematical model was developed for determination of temperature regime in the PV/T panel. This model consists to the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equa-tions, which describes mutual influence of external and internal heat flows and temperatures. A Math-software was created based on the developed mathematical model. The numerical studies were conducted in in real-time mode for selected geographical location of the PV/T panel. Heat flux density from the Sun, wind speed and ambient temperature were determined based on data from open worldwide climate databases. As result of computer modeling, the typical temperature distributions in each layer of the PV/T panel during daylight hours were founded. It was determined that the heat transfer fluid moving in a transparent channel from the front side of the solar panel does not cool the solar cell. This heat transfer fluid ensures only their thermal stability at the corresponding value of the specific mass flow rate. With an increase of the specific mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid, the growth of solar cells tem-perature is observed under unchanged environmental conditions. An the same time, the pro-posed design of the PV/T panel ensures a significant increase of the heat transfer fluid tem-perature. This makes it possible to use it in low-potential heat generation systems. This leads to an increase in the economic efficiency of solar panels, economy of occupied areas, optimi-zation of system of production, consumption and storge of thermal and electrical energy.

Trauma Outcomes Based on Remoteness of Injury in Australia: A Systemic Review.

Research suggests a significant disparity between rural and urban trauma patient outcomes, causing substantial social, economic and emotional costs, impacting health-related quality of life and functionality, and straining our healthcare system. There has not been a systematic examination of contributing factors in Australia. This study aims to systematically describe the nature of research on trauma outcomes by geographical location and (where possible) describe factors found to increase or decrease the likelihood and severity of injury in rural Australia. Five databases (EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL) and reference lists were searched. Eligible studies compared injury outcomes by geographic location in Australia, using a quantitative study design. No restrictions were placed on publication year or outcomes explored. The results were synthesised narratively. We found 14 papers. Mortality, the most studied outcome (n = 11), was overall positively related to traumatic incidents in more rural locations. Other data outcomes included hospital admissions and length of stay, admission to ICU, 28-day hospital readmission, rehabilitation, and patient-reported quality of life. Study findings show different mechanisms of injury (e.g., falls) and limited accounts of pre-hospital experiences. Geographical location of trauma may impact the likelihood of injury mortality but is potentially confounded by the different mechanisms and severity of injury. There is insufficient evidence to make conclusions on other non-mortality and longer-term outcomes, and a greater understanding of prehospital outcomes is also needed. This relationship is considered weak due to the limited geographic representation across Australia and the general paucity of recent literature.

Evaluation of the prevalence of the dog erythrocyte antigen 1 blood type in dogs of Sydney.

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dog erythrocyte antigen 1 (DEA 1) blood type in Sydney and to identify any associations between its prevalence and breed, sex and geographic location of these dogs. This was a retrospective study of 225 dogs that underwent DEA 1 blood typing while donating or receiving blood products at a single institution between 2020 and 2024. Dogs were DEA 1 positive or negative and blood donors or recipients. Logistic regression was used to evaluate differences in the prevalence of DEA 1 positive results between sex, breed and geographic location. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Reasons for blood transfusion, blood product administered and age were documented. Of the dogs that were blood typed (n = 225), 48% (108/225) were DEA 1 positive and 52% (117/225) DEA 1 negative, 105 (46.7%) were donors and 120 (53.3%) recipients. The highest prevalence of DEA 1 type positivity was observed in the Golden Retriever (8/9, 88.9%). Recipients presented primarily for haemorrhage (57/120, 47.5%), most frequently receiving whole blood (89/120, 74.2%) with minimal adverse reactions (3/120, 2.5%). No significant differences were identified in prevalence of DEA 1 positive dogs between breed groups, six most common breeds, sex, geographical location or DEA 1 negative blood types. The prevalence of the DEA 1 blood type in this cohort of dogs in Sydney is comparable to other countries.

Revealing the process and mechanism of non-grain production of cropland in rapidly urbanized Deqing County of China.

Non-grain production of cropland (NGPCL) is a common consequence of rapid urbanization, but excessive NGPCL threatens food security and sustainable cropland use. However, the evolutionary processes and mechanisms of different NGPCL types remain largely unknown, compromising the scientific basis for NGPCL management. Thus, taking rapidly urbanized Deqing as the study area, this research constructed an NGPCL theoretical framework from the perspective of agricultural location, classified NGPCL types using Landsat images, random forest algorithm and Google Earth Engine, and revealed their spatiotemporal changes and different influencing factors through the Multinomial Logit Regression model, and provided targeted zoning and categorized policy suggestions. Our constructed theoretical framework modeled NGPCL by the complex interactions among geographical location, natural conditions, socioeconomic levels, and policy forces. From 2000 to 2022, NGPCL in Deqing County had a high degree and significantly increased from 68.65% to 89.19%. Pond farming and horticultural crops increased by 4046.46ha (38.0%) and 1307ha (27.1%), while tree planting slightly decreased by 54ha (-2.5%). However, these NGPCL expansions resulted in a drastic decrease of 5299ha (-65.5%) in grain crops plantation. Different NGPCL types showed varied spatial distribution characteristics and differentiated driving mechanism. Horticultural crops depended on geographical location and socioeconomic factors and were widely planted near towns and roads with high population density and economic strength. Pond farming mainly extended along the eastern flat rivers and relied on resource endowment. Tree planting was closely related to the natural condition and was concentrated in the sparsely populated mountainous areas. The NGPCL is the result of balancing various factors, and under conditions of extremely scarce cropland resources, the Chinese government needs to strike a reasonable threshold for non-grain production and propose targeted policies of zoning classification to prevent excessive NGPCL from threatening grain yield security.

Provider perspectives on non-medical barriers to GI cancer care at a regional cancer center.

807 Background: Disparities in care for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are well-documented, but solutions remain elusive. Understanding the barriers faced by healthcare providers is essential to improving care equity. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare providers at a regional academic health system regarding barriers to care for GI cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare providers, including physicians, advanced care providers (APPs), nurses, dietitians, social workers, care coordinators, and physical/occupational therapists who directly care for patients with GI malignancies. Survey items assessed specific barriers encountered in clinical practice and suggestions for improving care. Descriptive statistical analysis evaluated the quantitative data from the closed-ended questions across professional roles. A thematic analysis was performed on open-response items and assessed to further identify key barriers to care based on respondents' clinical roles and experiences. Results: Seventy-nine healthcare providers responded to the survey. Initial treatment planning was consistently identified as the phase with the most significant barriers across all disciplines. Health literacy was cited as the most critical barrier to diagnosis, while insurance coverage, financial constraints, geographic location, lack of transportation, and social support were the primary obstacles to treatment. The importance of these barriers varied by profession: physicians noted geographic and transportation limitations, while nurses and social workers emphasized gaps in health literacy, insurance, and social support. Systemic issues such as limited access to specialized care and healthcare personnel shortages were also noted. Notably, 55% of physicians spent 10-30% of their time addressing non-medical barriers to treatment, while 38% of nurses spent 30-50%. Care coordination across disciplines was commonly cited as a challenge, with many calling for improved communication and establishing multidisciplinary clinics. Food insecurity, housing stability, and language/cultural barriers were less prominent concerns at this institution. Conclusions: Oncology providers at a large regional cancer center spend significant time addressing non-medical barriers to treatment for GI cancer patients, particularly during initial treatment planning. The most common challenges reported were insurance, transportation, health literacy, and social support. We will use these findings to guide in-depth provider and patient interviews and develop a team-based, equity-focused intervention. These efforts aim to improve care delivery at our institution and serve as a model enhancing GI cancer care in broader healthcare settings.

Using supervised machine learning algorithms to predict bovine leukemia virus seropositivity in dairy cattle in Florida: A 10-year retrospective study

Supervised machine-learning (SML) algorithms are potentially powerful tools that may be used for screening cows for infectious diseases such as bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection. Here, we compared six different SML algorithms to identify the most important risk factors for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle in Florida. We used a dataset of 1,279 dairy blood sample records from the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that were submitted for BLV antibody testing from 2012 to 2022. The SML algorithms that we used were logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), gradient boosting (GB), random forest (RF), neural network (NN), and support vector machine (SVM). A total of 312 serum samples were positive for BLV with corrected seroprevalence of 26.0%. Subject to limitations of the analyzed retrospective data, the RF model was the best model for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle indicated by the highest Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistic of 0.75, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.93, gain of 2.6; and lowest misclassification rate of 0.10. The LR model was the worst. The RF model showed that the best predictors for BLV seropositivity were age (dairy cows of age ≥ 5 years) and geographic location (southern Florida). We concluded that the RF and other SML algorithms hold promise for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle and that dairy cattle 5 years of age or older raised in southern Florida have a higher likelihood of testing positive for BLV. This study makes an important methodological contribution to the needed development of predictive tools for effective screening for BLV infection and emphasizes the importance of collecting and using representative data in such predictive models.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implant for refractory glaucoma in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Ahmed glaucoma valve in pediatric patients with refractory glaucoma. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple major databases, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Science Direct, China's National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Wanfang database. We retrieved studies published before December 2022 that met the inclusion criteria, including clinical controlled trials (randomized controlled trials) and clinical noncontrolled trials (non-randomized controlled trials) on the use of Ahmed glaucoma valve in pediatric patients with refractory glaucoma. We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review. The efficacy measures included intraocular pressure, number of anti-glaucoma medications, visual acuity, and success rate. The safety measures were complications. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. We identified 46 eligible studies: Compared with geographic location and study type, the Ahmed glaucoma valve showed a decrease in postoperative intraocular pressure and number of anti-glaucoma medications compared to preoperative levels in children with refractory glaucoma (P < 0.001). Compared with etiological, the Ahmed glaucoma valve showed a decrease in intraocular pressure after surgery compared to preoperative levels in children with refractory glaucoma (SMD: 14.57, 95% CI: 14.05-15.08, P < 0.00 1), and a decrease in postoperative number of anti-glaucoma medications compared to preoperative number of anti-glaucoma medications (SMD: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.37-1.54, P < 0.001). Compared with trabeculectomy revision surgery, there was no significant difference in the complete success rate between the two groups (SMD: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.52-1.39; P = 0.37).Overall, the postoperative intraocular pressure at the time of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation was lower than that at the time of trabeculectomy revision surgery (SMD: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.71-1.31, I2 = 99%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses based on whether mitomycin C was use d or not. There was a statistically significant difference in intraocular pressure between Ahmed's glaucoma valve surgery and preoperative (SMD: 14.13, 95% CI: 13.47-14.80, P = 0.007). Comparison of cumulative complete success rates of Ahmed S2, S3, and Ahmed FP7, FP8 in Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery (SMD: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.38-1.45, I2 = 85%, P = 0.38). There is no statistical difference between the two groups. Choroidal effusion and anterior chamber hemorrhage are the two most common adverse events after Ahmed's glaucoma valve surgery. The Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation has some effectiveness in reducing intraocular pressure in children with refractory glaucoma, but there are still many complications. Valve model may not be the key factor affecting the postoperative effectiveness and adverse reactions of refractory glaucoma in children.