Segment Of Population Research Articles

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Students in Public Institutions of Higher Education in Arkansas in 2021.

Disparities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage among college students are not well studied. We analyzed the extent of COVID-19 vaccination among all students at public institutions of higher education in Arkansas in spring and fall 2021 and examined factors associated with vaccination rates. We matched student enrollment data for the spring and fall 2021 semesters separately with immunization registry data to determine the COVID-19 vaccination status of students in each semester. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine variables associated with being fully vaccinated. Overall, by the end of the fall 2021 semester, 49.1% of students were fully vaccinated, compared with 52.3% of students at the end of the spring 2021 semester. However, we observed important differences between student groups. Students who were in rural areas (vs urban areas), freshman (vs all other class years), at a 2-year college (vs 4-year college), non-Hispanic Black (vs Hispanic or non-Hispanic White), or in a nonhealth major (vs health major) were less likely to be fully vaccinated. Given the disparities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage among college students, continued efforts are needed in this young, but important, population segment to address students' confidence in vaccines and to make vaccines more available and accessible on and near campuses. Novel approaches for tailored messaging and interventions to facilitate vaccine uptake may be needed for groups such as non-Hispanic Black students and students in rural areas who are less likely, compared with their counterparts, to accept COVID-19 vaccines.

Immigration and the “Welfare Magnet” hypothesis: An examination of municipality-level crime in Norway, 2007–2016

Large segments of populations in the industrialized West believe that immigrants cause crime. Some scholars suggest that it is generous welfare that attracts so-called “welfare magnets,” increasing the possibility that the worst kind of immigrant locates in strong welfare states. Empirical studies on crime, however, do not support the view that immigrants are more to blame for crime than natives, although some immigrant groups might be overrepresented in crime statistics. We address this question by examining if immigration increases crime within Norwegian municipalities, thereby, indirectly testing whether Norway, one of the most generous welfare states, acts as a magnet for “bad” immigrants. Our results do not support the view that a strong welfare state with a lenient penal system generates moral hazard, nor that welfare states systematically attract the “bad” immigrants. These results support a host of studies from other industrialized countries, particularly the US, showing higher immigrant populations associated with lower crime. The results from Norway, thus, while showing some support for the view that welfare potentially cushions the many pathologies associated with crime and victimization, mitigating the development of criminogenic environments, are also in line with an emerging academic consensus. This consensus suggests that immigration reduces crime, which is good news for progressive policy and for generating a more nuanced discourse on the subject.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Different Populations of Dogs from Aguascalientes, Mexico.

This work aimed to study the seroprevalence of natural infection by T. gondii in different population segments of dogs from Aguascalientes, Mexico as well as its possible association with some risk factors. The study included 210 clinically healthy dogs from three population segments: rural, stray and pet. A blood serum sample was collected on a single occasion and processed by indirect immunofluorescence considering a dilution of 1:16 as a positive reaction; the association between the presence of antibodies and the potential risk factors was estimated with logistic regression. The overall prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the studied population was 59% (123/210; CI 95% 51-65) being different between population segments, in rural dogs 74% (59/80; CI 95% 62-82), in stray dogs 60% (48/80; CI 95% 48-70) and in pet dogs 32% (16/50; CI 95% 19-46), the titers of the positive sera were in a range of 1:16-1:128. In rural dogs the seroprevalence according to the municipality was in a range of 55% to 100% finding positive dogs in all the studied municipalities. The zootechnical function of guarding the property in rural dogs was identified as a risk factor (OR 2.4), while in pet dogs it was living with cats (OR 7) as well as sharing the drinking water container (OR 4); in stray dogs it was not possible to identify any risk factor. This study documents the wide presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in the population groups examined, this being more important in rural dogs.

Prevalence and influential factors of adopting electric motorcycles: The case of students in Hanoi, Vietnam

The development of electric motorcycles depends on the motorcycle usage rate in each country, which is crucial in forming sustainable urban development. In this study, we investigated determinants of using e-motorcycles among students in Hanoi, Vietnam. Students are the research subject due to their critical role in shaping future travel patterns. The used data were collected by surveying 290 students from three universities. We found that the prevalence of adopting electric motorcycles among students is 11%. The results of binary logit regression show that female students in Hanoi living within distances between home and school from 3 to 5 km are more inclined to utilize electric motorcycles. The perception of usefulness and environmental concern are facilitators of the adoption. However, perceived ease of use is not a significant predictor. This study plays a role as an exploratory analysis of the actual use of electric motorcycles. However, in order to have a better understanding of the motives behind the choice of electric vehicles for students and other population segments, more research in different settings is needed.

Same same, but different: Explaining heterogeneity among potential photovoltaic adopters in Germany using milieu segmentation

Adoption of new technologies necessitates changes in behaviours, attitudes, and social norms that cannot be sufficiently explained by a single predictor or group of predictors, particularly in heterogeneous populations. Aiming to add a greater understanding of intention to adopt Rooftop Photovoltaic (PV), this paper utilised an established population segmentation tool, the Sinus-Milieus and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to account for population heterogeneity of the sample of German homeowners (n = 1800). By employing partial least squares structural equation modelling, we confirmed that attitudes, social norms, and financial evaluation significantly influence adoption intention at the population level. A multi-group analysis revealed noteworthy variations in the relative impact of attitudes and social norms on adoption intention across different milieugroups. Notably, even milieugroups sharing the same broad social status and/or values, as defined by the Sinus-Milieu tool, exhibited significant differences in the influence of attitudes and social norms on adoption intention. Moreover, a Kruskal–Wallis H-test indicated significant differences in the reported level of adoption intention among milieugroups, with the Leading milieus showing the highest intention and the Deprived the lowest. Differences were also observed for the determinants of social norms, attitudes, environmental concern, and novelty-seeking behaviour. Our findings confirm the relevance of considering potential adopters as a heterogeneous group in terms of overall lifestyle characteristics. Tailoring communication strategies to target the underlying motivations of specific milieus can lead to more effective interventions.

Patterns of Sun Protection Behaviours among Australian Adolescents and Adults over a Six-Year Period.

The major cause for skin cancer is the excessive and unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which can be prevented by engaging in sun protection behaviours. As longitudinal studies on both adolescents' and adults' performances of sun protection behaviours are limited, the current study aimed to investigate changes in sun protection in these population segments in Western Australia, a region with high annual UVR. During six summer seasons (2015/16 to 2020/21), cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 1806 adolescents (14 to 17 years old) and 1808 adults (18-45 years old), investigating the frequency of five sun protection behaviours (wearing clothing, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, wearing sunglasses, and seeking shade) and sun avoidance (staying indoors). Over the six-year period, staying indoors increased in both groups. Among adolescents, a decrease in wearing clothing and sunglasses and an increase in seeking shade was demonstrated, and hat and sunscreen use remained relatively stable. Among adults, an increase in sunscreen use was shown, whereas all other sun-related behaviours remained consistent over the six-year period. The results from this study can provide directions for health communications focusing on improving sun protection behaviours among both adolescent and adult populations.

Building the Business Case for an Inclusive Approach to Digital Health Measurement With a Web App (Market Opportunity Calculator): Instrument Development Study.

The use of digital health measurement tools has grown substantially in recent years. However, there are concerns that the promised benefits from these products will not be shared equitably. Underserved populations, such as those with lower education and income, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities, may find such tools poorly suited for their needs. Because underserved populations shoulder a disproportionate share of the US disease burden, they also represent a substantial share of digital health companies' target markets. Incorporating inclusive principles into the product development process can help ensure that the resulting tools are broadly accessible and effective. In this context, inclusivity not only maximizes societal benefit but also leads to greater commercial success. A critical element in fostering inclusive product development is building the business case for why it is worthwhile. The Digital Health Measurement Collaborative Community (DATAcc) Market Opportunity Calculator was developed as an open-access resource to enable digital health measurement product developers to build a business case for incorporating inclusive practices into their research and development processes. The DATAcc Market Opportunity Calculator combines data on population demographics and disease prevalence and health status from the US Census Bureau and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Together, these data are used to calculate the share of US adults with specific conditions (eg, diabetes) falling into various population segments along key "inclusion vectors" (eg, race and ethnicity). A free and open resource, the DATAcc Market Opportunity Calculator can be accessed from the DATAcc website. Users first select the target health condition addressed by their product, and then an inclusion vector to segment the patient population. The calculator displays each segment as a share of the overall US adult population and its share specifically among adults with the target condition, quantifying the importance of underserved patient segments to the target market. The calculator also estimates the value of improvements to product inclusivity by modeling the downstream impact on the accessible market size. For example, simplifying prompts on a hypertension-focused product to make it more accessible for adults with lower educational attainment is shown by the calculator to increase the target market by 2 million people and the total addressable market opportunity by US $200 million. Digital health measurement is still in its infancy. Now is the time to establish a precedent for inclusive product development to maximize societal benefit and build sustainable commercial returns. The Market Opportunity Calculator can help build the business case for "why"-showing how inclusivity can translate to financial opportunity. Once the decision has been made to pursue inclusive design, other components of the broader DATAcc toolkit for inclusive product development can support the "how."

The global burden of HIV/AIDS in Russia in terms of public health. Part 1

Objective. Evaluation of the global HIV burden in Russia, identification of progress made and outstanding problems for 1987–2021.Materials and methods. The analysis of national and foreign publications, data obtained from Rosstat, from forms of federal statistical observation and the FNM of the AIDS Center of Rospotrebnadzor was carried out. The study used information-analytical, epidemiological and statistical methods. Mathematical calculations were performed using the SPSS-26 program.Results and discussion. In Russia, the target indicators of the state program of HIV/AIDS response strategy is being provided in different directions: the greatest success has been achieved in conducting chemoprevention of mother to child HIV transmission, somewhat less in the coverage of the population with HIV testing, which amounted to 26.1% versus the target indicator of 30.0% in 2021, the number of newly detected cases of HIV infection is decreasing (from 73.7 to 71.0 thousand people in 2020–2021, versus the target indicators of 76.1 and 72.3 thousand people, respectively), there is decreasing the HIV incidence (40.4 per 100 thousand. in 2021 versus 68.5 in 2015). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage of patients registered in AIDS Centers went up from 12.4% to 78.9% in 2007–2021. Meanwhile, the determining factor in the HIV/AIDS epidemic progress in Russia is a heterosexual route (F=75.1, p<0.0001) leading to the penetration of infection into all population segments. In addition, despite the increase in the coverage of ART for people living with HIV (PLWH), the HIV mortality rate is remaining high (11.6 per 100 thousand population in 2021, versus 7.9 in 2007).Conclusion. In recent years, there has been a positive trend in the coverage of three-stage HIV chemoprophylaxis in pregnant women, women in labor and newborns. The number of HIV population based screening tests is increasing annually. There is an increase in the ART coverage of patients and a decrease in the number of newly diagnosed cases of the disease. However, along with the observed increase in the HIV spread through heterosexual contacts, it is necessary to strengthen information and preventive measures, especially among the reproductive age group. The high HIV mortality rate is continuing to remain, despite the increase in ART coverage of PLWH. The identified problems need to be solved comprehensively based on the results of large-scale sociological research conducted in various regions of Russia.

Ethical, Cultural, and Historical Leadership Implications of Conducting Public Health Research on Minority Populations

The study focuses on ethical and cultural research into the public health sector. The content analysis of research identifies disproportionate knowledge of implications affecting the misappropriated, disenfranchised, and institutionalized minority segments of the general population affected by COVID-19 cases. Historic mistreatment of minority individuals, inmates, and the military has left a lasting negative impression of clinical research on minority groups. In 1932, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) began a public health research study on the lethality of syphilis using African American men from Macon County, Alabama as research subjects. Referred to as the Tuskegee Syphilis Studies (or Tuskegee Experiments), researchers monitored 600 subjects, 399 of which were previously infected with the syphilis bacteria. This article looks at the historical contexts of the lack of bioethics during Tuskegee Experiments and how it currently influences African-Americans reluctance early on to get the COVID-19 vaccines and reluctance to participate in clinical trials research.

Predictors and effects of toxicity experienced by older adults with cancer receiving systemic therapy in a randomized clinical trial of geriatric assessment

IntroductionOlder adults represent a large segment of the oncology population, however, they remain underrepresented in clinical research. Treatment of older adults is often extrapolated using data from younger and fitter patients, which may not be appropriate. Furthermore the implications of toxicity from treatment can be greater for this population. Predicting toxicity from treatment and its effect on quality of life and functional status for older adults therefore is important. Materials and MethodsWe analyzed data from a clinical trial of geriatric assessment and management for Canadian elders with cancer (5C study). We assessed whether the baseline Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) toxicity score, G8 score, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance predicted grade 3–5 toxicity using logistic regression and pattern mixture models. We also assessed the impact of toxicity on quality of life and functional decline. Patients were followed for six months. ResultsThree hundred sixteen patients were included. Mean age was 76 years old and 40% of patients were female. One hundred nineteen patients (38%) experienced at least one grade 3–5 toxicity. Neither the CARG toxicity score, G8, or ECOG were predictive of grade 3–5 toxicity. Patients who experienced grade 3–5 toxicity were more likely to have functional impairments over time (odds ratio 3.71, p = 0.03). However, they maintained their quality of life. DiscussionIn this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of geriatric assessment and management we did not find any predictors of grade 3–5 toxicity. Patients who did experience toxicity were more likely to report functional decline over time. Older adults who do experience treatment related toxicity may benefit from increased supports.Clinical trial information: NCT0315467.

People, Planet, and Profits: Comparing Media Treatment of Dubai Sustainable City

There is a growing acknowledgment by segments of the global population that it is becoming extremely difficult to ignore the negative production externalities of industrial processes. In this regard, the related concept of “sustainability” has been gaining traction, with use of the word rising considerably since the 1990s. The term itself has been defined in many different ways, however, the core components are becoming common knowledge: economic, environmental, and social—informally referred to as profits, planet, and people. As Borden has aptly noted: “Sustainability ideas are growing and maturing at many levels worldwide”. One way that people come to know about sustainable development and its importance is through media coverage of the movement via various projects and initiatives that have been proposed on a theoretical or conceptual basis, as well as those models which have already been concretely realized. One such project established in 2015 is Dubai’s “Sustainable City’, the emirate’s first net-zero energy working model, which received attention in the world press. This paper investigates and compares the coverage that the Sustainable City has received in the global and local media by utilizing a content analysis methodology guided by framing theory. The research joins the discussion on issues regarding how the media discuss aspects of “sustainability” and how it takes hold within a society, whether it be by grassroots or government policy.

DISTRIBUTION OF PARVALBUMIN-EXPRESSING NEURONAL POPULATIONS IN THE CAT CERVICAL AND LUMBAR SPINAL CORD GRAY MATTER

Parvalbumin is a classical marker of interneuronal populations in the central nervous system. Analyzing the cervical and lumbar spinal cord segments of cats (Felis catus), both individual cells and entire populations of neurons expressing parvalbumin were identified in most of the gray matter laminae. These populations have strict laminar and nuclear localization. Numerous neuronal clusters are located in the medial part of lamina V–VI and in laminae VII of cervical and lumbar enlargements. We believe that the first one located in segments C4–C8 and L4–L7 may participate in the modulatory mechanisms of locomotor activity via the convergence of cutaneous and proprioceptive afferentation from the limbs. Neuronal populations in lamina VII consist of Ia interneurons and Renshaw interneurons that participate in the motoneuron inhibition. Less numerous populations of parvalbumin-immunopositive cells found in laminae III possibly participated in the regulation of cutaneous sensitivity. Another population located in lamina VIII possibly forms commissural and propriospinal connections and participates in modulating the activity of motoneurons. Immunopositive interneurons also revealed in the precerebellar nuclei: central cervical nucleus and Clarke’s nucleus; unlike the general population of these nuclei, neurons revealed are interneurons. Scarce immunopositive cells are found in lamina I of L6–L7 segments, as well as in laminae II, IV, and X of all segments investigated.

A study on the use of sorrel seed flour (Hibiscus sabdariffa) for improving functionality of wheat flour bread

Bread presents one of the easiest opportunities as a food vehicle for delivery of nutritional and health-promoting benefits to large segments of the world population. However, its low nutritional status due to lack of balance of essential amino acids and inadequate macro- and micronutrients has necessitated recent interest in the development of high-protein hybrid breads (HPHB). Sorrel seed, an underutilized, neglected protein-rich seed holds promising nutritional and antioxidant potentials as source of good quality protein, dietary fibre and bioactive compounds. Furthermore, germination of plant seeds increases the bioavailability of these nutritional and bioactive compounds. Hence, this study has investigated the influence of germination time on nutritional, and functional properties of sorrel seed flour. Further, the amino acid profile, dietary fibre and rheological functionality of wheat-germinated defatted sorrel seed bread were assessed. The sorrel seed was germinated for 24–48 h and defatted. Thereafter, the germinated defatted sorrel seed flours were used to partially replace wheat flour using a linear replacement (w/w) of 95-80% wheat (W) and 5–20% germinated defatted sorrel seed (GS) flours to obtain W95:GS5; W90:GS10, W85:GS15 and W80:GS20. These composite flours and 100% wheat flour (control) were used to produce breads using standard recipe and methods. Results showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in crude protein, dietary fibre and mineral contents after 24 and 48 h germination of sorrel seed. While 24 h germination significantly (P < 0.05) increased WAC from 93.75% to 103.13%, further germination (48 h) caused a reduction of 26.67% (from 93.75 to 68.75%). In vitro protein digestibility of wheat flour decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as supplementation of germinated defatted sorrel seed flour increased. Supplementation of wheat flour with germinated defatted sorrel seed flour in bread production resulted in 51.84–121.42% significant (p < 0.05) increase in the protein content of wheat bread. Similarly, total essential amino acids, dietary fibre, mineral, and ash contents followed the same increasing trend. The in-vivo biological value which ranged from 82.10 to 89.40% was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than 58.30% obtained for the control (100% wheat bread) Thus, inclusion of germinated defatted sorrel seed flour in bread production may serve as a low-cost nutritional supplement for enhancing the nutritional profile and functional benefits of wheat bread.

Editors’ Note

After the collapse of the state socialist regime in 1989, the de-industrialization and privatisation of the economy was accompanied by processes of impoverishment across significant segments of the working-class population (Chivu et al., 2017), as well as large-scale emigration of Romanian workers to Western European countries and North America (Sandu, 2006). During the following three decades, Romania experienced growing social inequalities (UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur, 2016), unequal access to social protection (Adăscăliţei, Raţ, &amp; Spătari, 2020), and struggles over labour rights (Guga, 2014; Varga, &amp; Freyberg-Inan, 2015). Today, the country has the fifth largest and the fastest growing diaspora in the world relative to its population, with approximately 3.6 million people living outside the country (OECD, 2019, 13).

Community-Based Approaches to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Demand: Lessons Learned from Four UNICEF-Supported Interventions.

Vaccination is critical to minimize serious illness and death from COVID-19. Yet uptake of COVID-19 vaccines remains highly variable, particularly among marginalized communities. This article shares lessons learned from four UNICEF interventions that supported Governments to generate acceptance and demand for COVID-19 vaccines in Zambia, Iraq, Ghana, and India. In Zambia, community rapid assessment provided invaluable real-time insights around COVID-19 vaccination and allowed the identification of population segments that share beliefs and motivations regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Findings were subsequently used to develop recommendations tailored to the different personas. In Iraq, a new outreach approach (3iS: Intensification of Integrated Immunization) utilized direct community engagement to deliver health messages and encourage service uptake, resulting in over 4.4 million doses of COVID-19 and routine immunization vaccines delivered in just 8 months. In Ghana, a human-centered design initiative was applied to co-develop community-informed strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates. In India, a risk communication and community engagement initiative reached half a million people over six months, translating into a 25% increase in vaccination rates. These shared approaches can be leveraged to improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage and close gaps in routine immunization across diverse and marginalized communities.

A National Study of Marital Status Differences in Early Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine among Older Americans.

We provide one of the first nationally representative studies to examine COVID-19 vaccine uptake differences by marital status within the first year after the vaccine was recommended among older Americans. Data were drawn from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2021). The study sample included 3180 participants aged 65 and older with 1846 women and 1334 men. Results from logistic regression models suggest that divorced/separated older adults were less likely to receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 than their married counterparts, especially among women and individuals with higher education. Widowed and never married respondents were generally not significantly different from married respondents in COVID-19 vaccination status, with only one exception: less-educated never-married respondents were more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination than their less-educated married counterparts. Our study highlights divorce/separation as a significant social factor associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among older adults in the U.S. These findings suggest that divorced/separated older adults are the most vulnerable population segment at risk of low COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Future efforts to improve vaccine equity and uptake should target this group specifically, with tailored interventions to increase their access and uptake of the vaccine.

A scoping review of the clinical application of machine learning in data-driven population segmentation analysis.

Data-driven population segmentation is commonly used in clinical settings to separate the heterogeneous population into multiple relatively homogenous groups with similar healthcare features. In recent years, machine learning (ML) based segmentation algorithms have garnered interest for their potential to speed up and improve algorithm development across many phenotypes and healthcare situations. This study evaluates ML-based segmentation with respect to (1) the populations applied, (2) the segmentation details, and (3) the outcome evaluations. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were used following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. Peer-reviewed studies in the English language that used data-driven population segmentation analysis on structured data from January 2000 to October 2022 were included. We identified 6077 articles and included 79 for the final analysis. Data-driven population segmentation analysis was employed in various clinical settings. K-means clustering is the most prevalent unsupervised ML paradigm. The most common settings were healthcare institutions. The most common targeted population was the general population. Although all the studies did internal validation, only 11 papers (13.9%) did external validation, and 23 papers (29.1%) conducted methods comparison. The existing papers discussed little validating the robustness of ML modeling. Existing ML applications on population segmentation need more evaluations regarding giving tailored, efficient integrated healthcare solutions compared to traditional segmentation analysis. Future ML applications in the field should emphasize methods' comparisons and external validation and investigate approaches to evaluate individual consistency using different methods.

Overwintering and breeding patterns of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in coastal plain habitats of the southeastern USA

Understanding variability in species’ traits can inform our understanding of their ecology and aid in the development of management and conservation strategies. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are native to the western hemisphere and are well-known for their long-distance migrations but have experienced significant population declines in recent decades. Here we use a 5-year capture-mark-recapture dataset to compare monarch distributions, mating activity, and larval host plant use between two coastal plain habitats in South Carolina, USA. We observed seasonally specific habitat use, with maritime habitats serving as overwintering areas while nearby inland swamps support significant breeding in spring, summer, and fall seasons due to an abundance of aquatic milkweed (Asclepias perennis). We also observed mating activity by fall migrating monarchs and their use of swallow-wort (Pattalias palustre) in the spring as an important larval host plant in maritime habitats. This phenology and habitat use of monarchs diverges from established paradigms and suggest that a distinct population segment of monarchs may exist, with significance for understanding the conservation status of monarch butterflies and associated habitats in eastern North America. Further research should explore how monarchs along the Atlantic coast of North America relate to other eastern monarch populations.

4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the assessment of aortic valve repair with ozaki technique

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Aortic valve neocuspidalization (Av-Neo) aims to replace the three aortic cusps with autologous pericardium pre-treated with glutaraldehyde and is becoming a valid alternative to traditional aortic valve replacement (AVR). 4D-flow cardiac magnetic resonance (4D-CMR) imaging of patients allows the derivation of shear stress on the aortic wall (WSS). Different studies support the presence of a link between increased WSS at 4D-CMR and the presence of histological alterations of the aortic wall. Purpose To compare the WSS of the ascending aorta in patients who underwent Av-Neo vs AVR with biological prostheses. Methods We performed 4D-flow CMR on 20 patients who underwent AV-Neo (Group A) or AVR (Group B), 10 patients for each group. Results The WSS in the Ozaki group was significantly lower in the proximal and distal aortic outer curvature compared to AVR patients (p 0.0179 and 0.0412, respectively, Figure 1 and 2). WSS levels remained significantly lower at the proximal aorta’s outer curvature segment in the Av-Neo population, also after adjusting the WSS for the ejection fraction and the LVOT-Aorta angle (p 0.02). Conclusions Av-neo hemodynamical features showed to be non-inferior to the ones provided by the commercially available bioprosthetic valves. Av-Neo procedures may be considered in patients affected by collagenopathy and other predisposing risk factors for the development of ascending aortic aneurism and aortic dissection other than classical AVR.

INVESTIGATION OF CUSTOMER PREFERENCE CHANGES FOLLOWING COVID-19 MARKET DISRUPTION USING ONLINE REVIEW ANALYSIS

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic has continued to pose a challenge to the society for almost three years, adversely affecting all segments of population in a scale unseen in the recent decades. Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, many people have lost their jobs and income. These social and economic impacts have disrupted the market, potentially altering people's attitudes towards different product features. Therefore, this paper investigates the changes in customer preferences on various features of different products, before and after COVID-19 pandemic, using online review analysis. The proposed framework consists of four stages. Firstly, product review data is collected and preprocessed. Secondly, customer interest in product features is explored using latent Dirichlet allocation. Thirdly, customer sentiment for these features is analyzed with Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner. Finally, the importance of each feature is calculated based on interpretable machine learning. The proposed method is tested on two real-world datasets – smartphone and laptop reviews. The result reveals the changes in customer sentiments and preferences for product features, thus helping companies quickly establish strategies in rapidly changing market environments.