Algorithmic Decision-Making Based on Machine Learning from Big Data: Can Transparency Restore Accountability?

Abstract

Decision-making assisted by algorithms developed by machine learning is increasingly determining our lives. Unfortunately, full opacity about the process is the norm. Would transparency contribute to restoring accountability for such systems as is often maintained? Several objections to full transparency are examined: the loss of privacy when datasets become public, the perverse effects of disclosure of the very algorithms themselves ("gaming the system" in particular), the potential loss of companies' competitive edge, and the limited gains in answerability to be expected since sophisticated algorithms usually are inherently opaque. It is concluded that, at least presently, full transparency for oversight bodies alone is the only feasible option; extending it to the public at large is normally not advisable. Moreover, it is argued that algorithmic decisions preferably should become more understandable; to that effect, the models of machine learning to be employed should either be interpreted ex post or be interpretable by design ex ante.

In vivo assessment of polydatin, a natural polyphenol compound, on arsenic-induced free radical overproduction, gene expression, and genotoxicity

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a well-known contaminant of global groundwater. Its exposure causes several hazardous effects on animals and human via oxidative stress. The present study examined the effect of polydatin (PD) on free radical overproduction in rats exposed to As. Thirty-five male rats randomly allocated into five equal groups. To the control group, physiological saline was given orally and to the second group only 100 mg/L As was given by drinking water for 60 days. The other groups were treated with As (100 mg/L) and PD orally at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively. Treatment with As enhanced malondialdehyde level but decreased glutathione level in blood, liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart of rats. Also, As decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of erythrocyte, liver, kidney, brain, lung, and heart in rats. Furthermore, As treatment gave rise to increased DNA damage and gene expressions of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB), p53, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the lung, brain, kidney, and liver. However, treatment of PD ameliorated As-exposed lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes activities, DNA damage, gene expressions, and histopathological changes in tissues. In conclusion, PD has a dose-dependent protective effect on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense mechanism in rats against As exposure.

Heavy metal distribution in Tiaoxi River’s sediment

Abstract

According to current study, seven surface sediments and three sediment cores were collected from three typical areas of Tiaoxi River, which were living area, agricultural area, and industrial area. The water quantity into the Lake Taihu from the Tiaoxi River accounted for almost one third of the total water quantity by all rivers into the Lake Taihu. To study geochemical features and pollution history of heavy metals in three typical areas of Tiaoxi River, total content and chemical fractionations of Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, As, and Hg were analyzed for surface and core sediments using the speciation extraction procedure, proposed by the Commission of the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR), together with grain size and organic carbon measurements. The results showed that the concentration of nine heavy metals and the variation characteristics of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Cr are different among five cores, which has shown that the river responses to natural and anthropogenic activities were dissimilar in various areas. BCR sequential extraction showed contents of Cr, Fe, and Cu were dominated in the remaining parts. Non-residual fractions for Zn and Mn contained major portions. Based on RAC (risk assessment core), the risk of Mn was high to very high in the three typical areas, and the risk of Zn was medium in the three typical areas.

Impact of on-site sanitation systems on groundwater sources in a coastal aquifer in Chennai, India

Abstract

On-site sanitation is the most preferred mode of sanitation due to expensive off-site sanitation. The increasing population especially in the peri-urban areas has led to increasing use of on-site sanitation systems in India. However, the habitations in the vicinity of these systems do not have centralised water supply and are dependent on groundwater sources. However, there is concern about leaching of faecal coliforms and nitrate from the septic tanks to the underlying aquifer. The present study is attempted at two sites in the coastal city of Chennai where on-site sanitation is prevailing. The sample locations (16 nos.) are selected in such a way that groundwater sources are situated in the vicinity of on-site sanitation systems. The groundwater sources are the bore wells installed by the private agencies. It is observed that parameters considered key parameters to study the impact of the on-site sanitation systems, namely Na2⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, faecal coliform and total dissolved solids, exceed the concentration limits recommended by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The piper diagram analysis identifies that the predominant cations and anions are respectively Na⁺, and Cl⁻, SO₄⁻ and HCO₃⁻.The Gibbs plot shows ground water quality is dominated by the evaporation process in both the seasons. The Cl/HCO₃ ratio in many samples confirms the seawater intrusion in the study area. Elevated concentrations of faecal coliforms in all the samples (16 nos.) confirm the significant amount of groundwater pollution from the on-site sanitation systems. It is desired that policy planners and implementation agencies should undertake detailed scientific and hydrogeological studies of the region in order to examine the feasibility of implementing on-site sanitation systems.

Distinctive accumulation patterns of heavy metals in Sardinella aurita (Clupeidae) and Mugil cephalus (Mugilidae) tissues

Abstract

The present study assessed the impact of metal pollution on two widely consumed types of wild fish Sardinella aurita and Mugil cephalus captured from the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) which is currently experiencing acute environmental problems. A study of the Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb levels present in the studied site and vital in fish tissues (gills, liver, gonad, and muscle) was undertaken. As expected, muscle, liver, and gonad tissues contained the highest concentrations of all metals except for Zn. The metal levels showed a significant variation of accumulation between species with overall effects of the tested tissues. In addition, the results address the significant effects of the species/tissue interaction. Liver sections showed structural alterations consisting mainly of a significant desquamation of the tissue, a fibroblast proliferation, and a lipid droplet accumulation in both species. Additionally, the presence of skeletal abnormalities affecting the vertebral column was observed in the M. cephalus specimens. As a whole, our data provide the first evidence of distinctive metal accumulation patterns in vital fish tissues as well as the interspecific difference that can be correlated with the biological habits of the two selected models, S. aurita and M. cephalus, known respectively as pelagic and benthopelagic species.

Granuloma Annulare Possibly Secondary to Oral Treatment With Topiramate

Publication date: Available online 11 November 2017
Source:Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas (English Edition)
Author(s): S. Heras-González, T. Piqueres-Zubiaurre, A. Martínez de Salinas-Quintana, R. González-Pérez

Microscopy in addition to chemical analyses and ecotoxicological assays for the environmental hazard assessment of coal tar-polluted soils

Abstract

Chemical analysis of soils contaminated with coal tar indicated that most organic compounds, and particularly PAHs, were contained in coarser particles (> 200 μm). Microscopic observations of this fraction, carried out on polished sections, reported the presence of organic particles in addition to mineral particles. Some organic particles had a very low porosity, and their microstructure did not evolve during biotreatment. Alternatively, other organic particles had a large porosity composed of an interconnected pore network that was open to coal tar surface and thus in contact with soil water. Interconnected porosity seemed to increase during biotreatment in relation to a decrease in the amount of organic compounds. The amount of open porosity in contact with soil water was expected to increase the desorption rate of PAHs. Consequently, the environmental hazard could depend on the amount of open porosity in addition to chemical properties of organic particles, such as their concentration in PAHs. Thus, microscopy can be complementary to chemical analysis and ecotoxicological assays to assess the best strategy for remediation but also to follow the advancement of a biotreatment.

Malathion-induced spermatozoal oxidative damage and alterations in sperm quality of endangered trout Salmo coruhensis

Abstract

The use of pesticides has been increased along with increasing the farming activities and has caused environmental impacts deleteriously. In particular, non-target organisms including fish can be affected by toxic effects of pesticides. Therefore, the impacts of malathion (MTN) on oxidative stress and sperm quality were investigated in vitro. The MTN concentrations used on this study were 0 (control), 75, 100, and 125 μg/L. Lipid peroxidation (MDA), non-enzymatic (GSH), and enzymatic (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) activities in spermatozoa were examined for determination of oxidative stress status. Our findings showed that motility rate and period of sperm cells significantly decreased with exposure to MTN. Biochemical assays revealed that CAT activity and levels of MDA, GSH increased in spermatozoa based on concentration while activity of GSH-Px and SOD decreased. Consequently, spermatozoa were highly sensitive to MTN exposure. MTN has disruptive effects on sperm quality and caused to oxidative stress in spermatozoa.

Racial disparities and insurance status: an epidemiologic analysis of Ohio melanoma patients

Determining the impact of intraoperative smoke evacuation on the patient experience during outpatient surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Pityrosporum Folliculitis: A Retrospective Review of 110 Cases

Pityrosporum folliculitis has clinical and pathophysiologic similarities to acne vulgaris, and may be underrecognized.Pruritic, fine monomorphic papules and pustules on the face and back in patients previously treated with antibiotics suggest a diagnosis of Pityrosporum folliculitis.Pityrosporum folliculitis responds to treatment with topical or oral azole antifungal agents.

The diagnostic value and histologic correlate of distinct patterns of shiny white streaks for the diagnosis of melanoma: a retrospective, case-control study

Shiny white streaks (SWS) are visible on polarized dermoscopy in melanoma and Spitz nevi but are infrequent in dysplastic nevi. They correlate histopathologically with dermal fibrosis.When observed in melanocytic lesions, SWS are highly specific and predictive for melanoma.Polarized dermoscopy to identify shiny white streaks is integral to the evaluation of melanocyticlesions.

Topical Calcipotriol Prior to Ablative Fractional Laser-Assisted Photodynamic Therapy Enhances Treatment Outcomes for Actinic Keratosis in Fitzpatrick grades III-V skin: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Is the DLQI appropriate for medical decision-making in psoriasis patients?

Abstract

Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most commonly applied measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in psoriasis patients. It is among defining criteria of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and present in treatment guidelines. Our objective was to estimate preference-based HRQoL values (i.e., utilities) for hypothetical health states described by the 10 items of the DLQI in psoriasis patients. Moreover, we compare results to findings of a similar study previously conducted among the general public. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 238 psoriasis patients. Seven hypothetical DLQI-defined health states with total scores of 6, 11, and 16 (3–3 and 1 states, respectively) were evaluated by time trade-off method. The difference in DLQI scores between hypothetical health states was set at 5 points, as it exceeds the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Utility scores were found to be homogenous across the seven hypothetical health states (range of means for the 6-point states 0.85–0.91, range of means for the 11-point states 0.83–0.85, and mean of 0.84 for the 16-point state). Overall, mean utilities assessed by psoriasis patients were higher for all seven states compared with the general public (mean difference 0.16–0.28; p < 0.001). In 11 out of the 15 comparisons between health states with DLQI scores differing larger than the MCID, there was no statistically significant difference in utility. Thus, in clinical settings, patients with DLQI scores differing more than the MCID may have identical HRQoL. Improving the definition of moderate-to-severe disease and reconsideration of the DLQI in clinical assessment of psoriasis patients are suggested.

Employing Community Voices: Informing Practice and Programming through Camden Healthy Start Focus Groups

Abstract

Objectives Women living in communities with low-socioeconomic status, substandard healthcare, and ongoing exposure to social disparities encounter barriers to healthcare, often making it difficult to access health services. Barriers may stem from provider interactions with clients, conditions of the healthcare facility, or even language barriers. This prompts a call for providers to be keenly aware of the obstacles women encounter when attempting to access services. Methods In an effort to facilitate better access to services, Camden Healthy Start conducted six focus groups. Thirty-nine women between the ages of 22–56 participated. A total of 39 questions were posed to participants about health behavior, health services, pregnancy, reproductive health, and barriers to accessing services. Each 2 h session was audio recorded, translated and transcribed. Following the format of the Women's Health: Attitudes and Practices in North Carolina Focus Group Research, responses were analyzed and themes emerged. Results This article discusses characteristics of healthcare services and cultural insensitivity that impact women's access and act as barriers to care. The results signal the need for Healthy Start to apply a more relational engagement when providing services. Consideration for Practice Relational engagement includes getting to know the client as a person first, respecting their rights to autonomy in the decision making process, and demonstrating an understanding of the client's culture and inclusion of their voices in the conversation.

Infant Mortality Lessons Learned from a Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program

Abstract

Objective To review fetal and infant deaths from women enrolled in Indianapolis Healthy Start using the National Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) methods to provide strategies for prevention. Methods: Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) FIMR staff identified and reviewed 22 fetal and infant deaths to Indianapolis Healthy Start program participants between 2005 and 2012. Trained FIMR nurses completed 13 of 20 maternal interviews and compiled case summaries of all deaths from the MCPHD FIMR database.. Results Case review teams identified a total of 349 family strengths, 219 contributing factors, and made 220 recommendations for future pregnancies. FIMR deliberation values for Healthy Start program participant deaths were similar to other infant deaths in Marion County during the same time period. Common themes that emerged from the reviews included lack of social support, absence of paternal involvement, substance abuse, non-compliance, and poor health behaviors leading to chronic health conditions that complicated many pregnancies. Conclusions A number of the infant deaths in this review could have been prevented with preconception and inter-conception education and by improving the quality and content of prenatal care.

Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 quality of life patterns in patients presenting with nasal septal perforation

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the impact of nasal septal perforation on quality of life.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Rhinology clinics from two hospitals in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Participants

Patients diagnosed with nasal septal perforation (NSP).

Main outcome measures

Patients (n=26) diagnosed with NSP completed the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22). The collated data was compared with SNOT-22 scores from a cohort of healthy volunteers (n=34) and a cohort of patients (n=30) diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Results

The mean total SNOT-22 score of NSP and CRS cohorts were higher than that observed in healthy volunteers. The mean total SNOT-22 score in the CRS cohort (57.2, standard deviation SD 10.3) was the higher than NSP (50.2, SD 23.5), although this difference did not achieve statistical significance. The mean score for the rhinologic-specific domains (rhinologic symptoms, extra-nasal rhinologic symptoms), ear/facial symptoms and psychological dysfunction domain were higher in the CRS cohort compared to NSP, although statistical significance was only observed in the extranasal rhinologic symptoms domain (11.2, SD 2.4 vs. 6.4, SD 4.1). Conversely, the mean sleep dysfunction domain score for NSP (12.7, SD 7.5) was higher than CRS (10.0, SD 4.9 respectively) although this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The present study has assessed the clinimetric and psychometric properties of patients suffering with symptomatic NSP. Future reports should consider inclusion of SNOT-22 data but with the addition of perforation-specific symptoms (nasal crusting, epistaxis, whistling noise).

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Creation of a 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II and investigation of its functional activity

Publication date: Available online 11 November 2017
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Author(s): B.К. Semin, L.N. Davletshina, M. Seibert, A.B. Rubin
Extraction of Mn cations from the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Ca-depleted PSII membranes (PSII[-Ca,4Mn]) by reductants like hydroquinone (H2Q) occurs with lower efficiency at acidic pH (2Mn/reaction center [RC] are extracted at pH5.7) than at neutral pH (3Mn/RC are extracted at pH6.5) [Semin et al. Photosynth. Res. 125 (2015) 95]. Fe(II) also extracts Mn cations from PSII(-Ca,4Mn), but only 2Mn/RC at pH6.5, forming a heteronuclear 2Mn/2Fe cluster [Semin and Seibert, J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 48 (2016) 227]. Here we investigated the efficiency of Mn extraction by Fe(II) at acidic pH and found that Fe(II) cations can extract only 1Mn/RC from PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes at pH 5.7, forming a 3Mn/1Fe cluster. Also we found that the presence of Fe cations in a heteronuclear cluster (2Mn/2Fe) increases the resistance of the remaining Mn cations to H2Q action, since H2Q can extract Mn cations from homonuclear Mn clusters of PSII(-Ca,4Mn) and PSII(-Ca,2Mn) membranes but not from the heteronuclear cluster in PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) membranes. H2Q also cannot extract Mn from PSII membranes obtained by incubation of PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes with Fe(II) cations at pH5.7, which suggests the formation of a heteronuclear 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the OEC. Functional activity of PSII with a 3Mn/1Fe cluster was investigated. PSII preparations with a 3Mn/1Fe cluster in the OEC are able to photoreduce the exogenous electron acceptor 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, possibly due to incomplete oxidation of water molecules as is the case with PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) samples. However, in the contrast to PSII(-Ca,2Mn,2Fe) samples PSII(-Ca,3Mn,1Fe) membranes can evolve O2 at a low rate in the presence of exogenous Ca²⁺ (at about 27% of the rate of O2 evolution in native PSII membranes). The explanation for this phenomenon (either water splitting and production of molecular O2 by the 3Mn/1Fe cluster or apparent O2 evolution due to minor contamination of PSII(3Mn,1Fe) samples with PSII(-Ca,4Mn) membranes) is discussed.

Microwave-assisted photocatalysis of neurotoxin compounds using metal oxides quantum dots/nanosheets composites: Photocorrosion inhibition, reusability and antibacterial activity studies

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 178
Author(s): Ali Fakhri, Mona Azad, Leila Fatolahi, Shiva Tahami
Water pollution caused by different pollutants is one of the challenging tasks for the scientific community. We have prepared and characterized a material for removal of pollutant compounds. ZnO quantum dots decorated CuO nanosheets and TiO2 quantum dots decorated WO3 nanosheets composites have been prepared using a hydrothermal method. The as synthesized catalysts were characterized by various techniques. The crystallite sizes of CuO NSs and WO3 NSs were to be obtained 12.5 and 13.25nm and when dopped with ZnO and TiO2 size reduces to 3.2 and 3.9nm, respectively. The energy band gap of the CuO NSs, WO3 NSs, ZnO QDs/CuO NSs and TiO2 QDs/WO3 NSs composite are calculated to be 2.01, 2.61, 1.86 and 2.32eV, respectively. The prepared catalysts are efficiently utilized for the photocatalytic degradation of two neurotoxin compounds under UV and UV coupled with microwave irradiation. The prepared catalyst composites reveal excellent photocatalytic degradation of neurotoxin compound by degrading it up to 75% under UV and UV/microwave irradiation. The photocalysis efficiency in UV/microwave system is higher than UV system. The result shows that the ZnO QDs/CuO NSs and TiO2 QDs/WO3 NSs composites have excellent photocorrosion inhibition and reusability properties. Thus, prepared samples with positive surface potential upon interaction with negative surface potential of Enterococcus faecalis and Micrococcus luteus.

Non-thermal near-infrared exposure photobiomodulates cellular responses to ionizing radiation in human full thickness skin models

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, Volume 178
Author(s): Anke König, Nadja Zöller, Stefan Kippenberger, August Bernd, Roland Kaufmann, Paul G. Layer, Anja Heselich
Ionizing and near-infrared radiation are both part of the therapeutic spectrum in cancer treatment. During cancer therapy ionizing radiation is typically used for non-invasive reduction of malignant tissue, while near-infrared photobiomodulation is utilized in palliative medical approaches, e.g. for pain reduction or impairment of wound healing. Furthermore, near-infrared is part of the solar wavelength spectrum. A combined exposure of these two irradiation qualities – either intentionally during medical treatment or unintentionally due to solar exposure – is therefore presumable for cancer patients. Several studies in different model organisms and cell cultures show a strong impact of near-infrared pretreatment on ionizing radiation-induced stress response. To investigate the risks of non-thermal near-infrared (NIR) pretreatment in patients, a human in vitro full thickness skin models (FTSM) was evaluated for radiation research. FTSM were pretreated with therapy-relevant doses of NIR followed by X-radiation, and then examined for DNA-double-strand break (DSB) repair, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Double-treated FTSM revealed a clear influence of NIR on X-radiation-induced stress responses in cells in their typical tissue environment. Furthermore, over a 24h time period, double-treated FTSM presented a significant persistence of DSBs, as compared to samples exclusively irradiated by X-rays. In addition, NIR pretreatment inhibited apoptosis induction of integrated fibroblasts, and counteracted the radiation-induced proliferation inhibition of basal keratinocytes. Our work suggests that cancer patients treated with X-rays should be prevented from uncontrolled NIR irradiation. On the other hand, controlled double-treatment could provide an alternative therapy approach, exposing the patient to less radiation.