What incentives encourage local communities to collect and upload mosquito sound data by using smartphones? A mixed methods study in Tanzania

BACKGROUND

To detect and identify mosquitoes using their characteristic high-pitched sound, we have developed a smartphone application, known as the 'HumBug sensor', that records the acoustic signature of this sound, along with the time and location. This data is then sent remotely to a server where algorithms identify the species according to their distinctive acoustic signature. Whilst this system works well, a key question that remains is what mechanisms will lead to effective uptake and use of this mosquito survey tool? We addressed this question by working with local communities in rural Tanzania and providing three alternative incentives: money only, short message service (SMS) reminders and money, and SMS reminders only. We also had a control group with no incentive.

METHODS

A multi-site, quantitative empirical study was conducted in four villages in Tanzania from April to August 2021. Consenting participants (n = 148) were recruited and placed into one of the three intervention arms: monetary incentives only; SMS reminders with monetary incentives; and SMS reminders only. There was also a control group (no intervention). To test effectiveness of the mechanisms, the number of audio uploads to the server of the four trial groups on their specific dates were compared. Qualitative focus group discussions and feedback surveys were also conducted to explore participants' perspectives on their participation in the study and to capture their experiences of using the HumBug sensor.

RESULTS

Qualitative data analysis revealed that for many participants (37 out of 81), the main motivation expressed was to learn more about the types of mosquitoes present in their houses. Results from the quantitative empirical study indicate that the participants in the 'control' group switched on their HumBug sensors more over the 14-week period (8 out of 14 weeks) when compared to those belonging to the 'SMS reminders and monetary incentives' trial group. These findings are statistically significant (p < 0.05 or p > 0.95 under a two-sided z-test), revealing that the provision of monetary incentives and sending SMS reminders did not appear to encourage greater number of audio uploads when compared to the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge on the presence of harmful mosquitoes was the strongest motive for local communities to collect and upload mosquito sound data via the HumBug sensor in rural Tanzania. This finding suggests that most efforts should be made to improve flow of real-time information back to the communities on types and risks associated with mosquitoes present in their houses.

Perceptions of gender equity and markers of achievement in a National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre: a qualitative study

Background

The need to improve gender equity (GE) in academic medicine is well documented. Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs), partnerships between leading National Health Service (NHS) organizations and universities in England, conduct world-class translational research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In 2011, eligibility for BRC funding was restricted to universities demonstrating sustained GE success recognized by the Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science Silver awards. Despite this structural change, GE research in BRC settings is underdeveloped, yet critical to the acceleration of women’s advancement and leadership. To explore both women’s and men’s perceptions of GE and current markers of achievement in a BRC setting.

Methods

Thematic analysis of data from two research projects: 53 GE survey respondents’ free-text comments (34 women, 16 men), and 16 semi-structured interviews with women affiliated to the NIHR Oxford BRC.

Results

Four major themes emerged from the analysis: perceptions of the Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science (GE policy); views on monitoring GE in BRCs; views on current markers of achievement in academia and GE; and recommendations for actions to improve GE in BRC settings. Monitoring of GE in BRCs was deemed to be important, but complex. Participants felt that current markers of achievement were not equitable to women, as they did not take contextual factors into account such as maternity leave and caring responsibilities. BRC-specific organizational policies and metrics are needed in order to monitor and catalyse GE.

Conclusions

Markers of achievement for monitoring GE in BRCs should consider contextual factors specific to BRCs and women’s career progression and professional advancement. GE markers of achievement should be complemented with broader aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion.

How and how well have older people been engaged in healthcare intervention design, development or delivery using co-methodologies: A scoping review with narrative summary

Co-methodological working is gaining increasing traction in healthcare, but studies with older people have been slower to develop. Our aim was to investigate how and how well older people have been engaged in healthcare intervention design, development or delivery using co-methodologies. We conducted a systematic search of four electronic databases to identify international literature published between 2009 and November 2019. We included peer-reviewed empirical research of any design. Three authors screened papers. Our review is reported in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute manual for scoping reviews, we have referred to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. We data extracted to a bespoke spreadsheet and used the Co:Create Co-production Matrix to guide quality appraisal. Included studies (n = 48) were diverse in nature of interventions, co-methodologies and reporting. We offer a narrative summary of included papers. Establishing how older people were engaged in co-methodological work was largely straightforward. How well this was done was more challenging, however we have identified gems of good practice and offered directions for future practice. The Co:Create Co-Production Matrix was the best fit for evaluating papers, however it is not intended as a measure per se. In essence we argue that notions of 'best' and 'scores' are an oxymoron in co-methodological working, what is important that: (a) researchers embrace these methods, (b) incremental change is the way forward, (c) researchers need to do what is right for people and purpose and (d) have time to consider and articulate why they are choosing this approach and how best this can be achieved for their particular situation. Future evaluation of participant's experience of the process would enable others to learn about what works for who and in what circumstances.

Gender parity in scientific authorship in a National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre: a bibliometric analysis

OBJECTIVE

Scientific authorship is a vital marker of achievement in academic careers and gender equity is a key performance metric in research. However, there is little understanding of gender equity in publications in biomedical research centres funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). This study assesses the gender parity in scientific authorship of biomedical research.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective bibliometric study.

SETTING

NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

DATA

Data comprised 2409 publications that were either accepted or published between April 2012 and March 2017. The publications were classified as basic science studies, clinical studies (both trial and non-trial studies) and other studies (comments, editorials, systematic reviews, reviews, opinions, book chapters, meeting reports, guidelines and protocols).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gender of authors, defined as a binary variable comprising either male or female categories, in six authorship categories: first author, joint first authors, first corresponding author, joint corresponding authors, last author and joint last authors.

RESULTS

Publications comprised 39% clinical research (n=939), 27% basic research (n=643) and 34% other types of research (n=827). The proportion of female authors as first author (41%), first corresponding authors (34%) and last author (23%) was statistically significantly lower than male authors in these authorship categories (p<0.001). Of total joint first authors (n=458), joint corresponding authors (n=169) and joint last authors (n=229), female only authors comprised statistically significant (p<0.001) smaller proportions, that is, 15% (n=69), 29% (n=49) and 10% (n=23) respectively, compared with male only authors in these joint authorship categories. There was a statistically significant association between gender of the last author with gender of the first author (p<0.001), first corresponding author (p<0.001) and joint last author (p<0.001). The mean journal impact factor (JIF) was statistically significantly higher when the first corresponding author was male compared with female (Mean JIF: 10.00 vs 8.77, p=0.020); however, the JIF was not statistically different when there were male and female authors as first authors and last authors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the proportion of female authors is significantly lower than the proportion of male authors in all six categories of authorship analysed, the proportions of male and female last authors are comparable to their respective proportions as principal investigators in the BRC. These findings suggest positive trends and the NIHR Oxford BRC doing very well in gender parity in the senior (last) authorship category. Male corresponding authors are more likely to publish articles in prestigious journals with high impact factor while both male and female authors at first and last authorship positions publish articles in equally prestigious journals.

Markers of achievement for assessing and monitoring gender equity in a UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre: A two-factor model

BACKGROUND

The underrepresentation of women in academic medicine at senior level and in leadership positions is well documented. Biomedical Research Centres (BRC), partnerships between leading National Health Service (NHS) organisations and universities, conduct world class translational research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in the UK. Since 2011 BRCs are required to demonstrate significant progress in gender equity (GE) to be eligible to apply for funding. However, the evidence base for monitoring GE specifically in BRC settings is underdeveloped. This is the first survey tool designed to rank and identify new GE markers specific to the NIHR BRCs.

METHODS

An online survey distributed to senior leadership, clinical and non-clinical researchers, trainees, administrative and other professionals affiliated to the NIHR Oxford BRC (N = 683). Participants ranked 13 markers of GE on a five point Likert scale by importance. Data were summarised using frequencies and descriptive statistics. Interrelationships between markers and underlying latent dimensions (factors) were determined by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS

The response rate was 36% (243 respondents). Respondents were more frequently female (55%, n = 133), aged 41-50 years (33%, n = 81), investigators (33%, n = 81) affiliated to the BRC for 2-7 years (39.5%, n = 96). Overall participants ranked 'BRC senior leadership roles' and 'organisational policies on gender equity', to be the most important markers of GE. 58% (n = 141) and 57% (n = 139) respectively. Female participants ranked 'organisational policies' (64.7%, n = 86/133) and 'recruitment and retention' (60.9%, n = 81/133) most highly, whereas male participants ranked 'leadership development' (52.1%, n = 50/96) and 'BRC senior leadership roles' (50%, n = 48/96) as most important. Factor analyses identified two distinct latent dimensions: "organisational markers" and "individual markers" of GE in BRCs.

CONCLUSIONS

A two-factor model of markers of achievement for GE with "organisational" and "individual" dimensions was identified. Implementation and sustainability of gender equity requires commitment at senior leadership and organisational policy level.

Engaging parents using web-based feedback on child growth to reduce childhood obesity: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

To measure trends in child growth and combat rising levels of obesity, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Manchester have developed Children's Health and Monitoring Programme (CHAMP). CHAMP collects an annual measurement for primary school children (aged 4 to 11) in Manchester, England, and offers feedback of Body Mass Index (BMI) results to parents via a secure website. No similar digital tool exists that both provides high resolution data on the trajectory of child growth and acts as a feedback and monitoring system. This study investigates how effectively this intervention engaged with parents and supported the reduction of childhood obesity.

METHODS

Anonymised CHAMP registration and BMI data (UK1990) were collected between September 2013 and March 2017 from a total of 63,337 children. BMI change over time was compared in matched cohorts of 24,551 children, whose parents had and had not registered with the CHAMP website. Qualitative focus groups and interviews were used to explore perspectives among 29 key informants (parents, school and healthcare professionals) from six schools in Manchester.

RESULTS

Overweight children whose parents had not registered with the CHAMP website gained a median of 0.14 BMI centile between measurements, whilst children of CHAMP-registered parents reduced their BMI by a median of 0.4 centile per year (P = 0.02). Normal weight children of registered parents decreased their BMI by 0.3 centile each year, whilst those not registered increased their BMI by 0.8 centile per year (P = 0.001). There was no significant association between registration and BMI centile change in children already classified as obese (P = 0.34). A qualitative, thematic analysis revealed that the annual measurement programme was widely supported by parents and staff. A range of psychological and behavioural impacts on families were reported as a result of the monitoring and feedback processes, in some cases prompting reflection and monitoring of health and lifestyle choices.

CONCLUSION

These early findings indicate that CHAMP, as both a monitoring system and a digital intervention, could encourage positive lifestyle change and support healthier child growth trajectories.

Chronic and intra-amygdala administrations of the ACTH(4-9) analog ORG 2766 modulate behavioral changes after manipulation of NMDA-receptor activity

Microinjection of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA, 300 ng/3 microliters) into the left lateral ventricle causes a substantial increase in locomotor activity which can be significantly reduced by a chronic pretreatment with the ACTH(4-9) analogue ORG 2766(1 microgram/0.5 ml saline, subcutaneous (s.c.) every day for 7 days, last injection 24 h before the NMDA-injection). A single dose of ORG 2766 (1 ng/1 microliter) injected into the left central amygdaloid nucleus 30 min before the NMDA-injection was equally effective in reducing the increase in locomotion. Furthermore it counteracted the predominance of contralateral turning induced by the NMDA-injection. The data give support for the idea that ORG 2766 excerts its effects on behavior and neural recovery by modulating NMDA receptor activity in the brain.

Mobility of aniline, benzoic acid, and toluene in four soils and correlation with soil properties

Soil properties and retention mechanisms affecting the relative mobility of aniline, benzoic acid, and toluene in Cecil sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludults), Holdredge silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Typic Argiustolls), Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudolls), and Valentine fine sand (mixed, mesic Typic Ustipsamments) were delineated in laboratory studies. The effect of the synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) was also determined on effective organic campounds (SOCs) was also determined on effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of the soils. Benzoic acid was most mobile of the SOCs but was retained in the Cecil soil by hydrogen bonds to Fe oxides. Toluene was least mobile and probably was hydrophobically sorbed to all soils. Aniline was electrostatically retained in protonated form to organic and inorganic exchange sites of the soils and reduced the ECEC of aniline-treated Holdredge and Sharpsburg soils.

Avian alcohol dehydrogenase. Characterization of the quail enzyme, functional interpretations, and relationships to the different classes of mammalian alcohol dehydrogenase

The primary structure of the major quail liver alcohol dehydrogenase was determined. It is a long-chain, zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase of the type occurring also in mammals and hence allows judgement of the gene duplications giving rise to the classes of the human alcohol dehydrogenase system. The avian form is most closely related to the class I mammalian enzyme (72-75% residue identity), least related to class II (60% identity), and intermediately related to class III (64-65% identity). This pattern distinguishes the mammalian enzyme classes and separates classes I and II in particular. In addition to the generally larger similarities with class I, the avian enzyme exhibits certain residue patterns otherwise typical of the other classes, including an extra Trp residue, present in both class II and III but not in class I, with a corresponding increase in the UV absorbance. The avian enzyme further shows that a Gly residue at position 260 previously considered strictly conserved in alcohol dehydrogenases can be exchanged with Lys. However, zinc-binding residues, coenzyme-binding residues, and to a large extent substrate-binding residues are unchanged in the avian enzyme, suggesting its functional properties to be related to those of the class I mammalian alcohol dehydrogenases. In contrast, the areas of subunit interactions in the dimers differ substantially. These results show that (a) the vertebrate enzyme classes are of distant origin, (b) the submammalian enzyme exhibits partly mixed properties in relation to the classes, and (c) the three mammalian enzyme classes are not as equidistantly related as initially apparent but suggest origins from two sublevels.

Characterization of Coturnix quail liver alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes

Livers from male or female Coturnix quail possess up to four electrophoretically distinct bands of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. Three pyrazole-sensitive bands of enzymatic activity, designated ADH-1, ADH-2, and ADH-3, are cathodic at pH 8.2, and the fourth, ADH-An, is neutral to slightly anodic and insensitive to pyrazole. ADH-2 and ADH-3, and occasionally ADH-1, are present in livers from immature females. The predominant enzyme in immature male livers is ADH-3. At sexual maturity all three pyrazole-sensitive enzymes are present in livers from male birds, and livers from females possess predominantly ADH-3. ADH-2 and ADH-3, purified from female livers, are dimers of 80,000 daltons possessing 4 mol of Zn2+/mol of native protein. Both ADH-2 and ADH-3 were inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole with KI values of 430 and 335 nM, respectively. These values are similar to those of human class I isoenzymes. Neither enzyme oxidized methanol or ethylene glycol, which distinguished them from mammalian pyrazole-sensitive ADH isoenzymes. Both ADH-2 and ADH-3 showed specificity toward hydrophobic primary alcohols and were most active toward benzyl alcohol and n-octanol.

5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-3 beta-ol-15-one, a potent regulator of cholesterol metabolism: occurrence in rat skin

5 alpha-Cholest-8(14)-en-3 beta-ol-15-one is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis which has significant hypocholesterolemic activity upon oral administration to animals. Described herein are the results of experiments that indicate the presence of the 15-ketosterol in rat skin. The 15-ketosterol was, after purification by medium pressure liquid chromatography on Lichroprep RP-8 columns, thin-layer chromatography on silica gel G, and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, characterized by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the form of its trimethylsilyl ether derivative. The use of an internal standard containing both tritium and deuterium permitted the determination of the levels of the 15-ketosterol by mass fragmentography. The results of five separate analyses of portions of the skin of a male Sprague Dawley rat showed a mean value of 84.5 +/- 4.1 (SEM) ng per g. Analyses of hair samples of ten male Sprague Dawley rats indicated a mean level of 143 +/- 19 (SEM) ng per g of hair. Most (approximately 72%) of the 15-ketosterol in hair was esterified. This report constitutes the first isolation of the 15-ketosterol from animal tissues.

Ion exchange separation of the antitumor component(s) of yogurt dialyzate

The active antitumor component of yogurt obtained by dialysis was further fractionated by ion exchange chromatography into acidic, basic, and neutral fractions, which were analyzed for activity by in vitro agar diffusion, cell culture, and in vivo mouse assay. Neither dialysate nor fractions showed any antitumor activity when tested by agar diffusion or cell culture techniques. When tested by in vivo mouse assay, the dialyzate as well as the anionic fraction showed significant inhibitory activity. The cationic fraction showed no activity. There was no direct relationship between stage of purification and antitumor activity. Moreover, the response of the dialyzate or anionic fraction was not linear with concentration. The antitumor activity of the yogurt fraction(s) may be related to a host-mediated immunological reaction or "activation" of the "inactive" component(s).

Antitumor component(s) of yogurt: fractionation

Two methods of fractionation were employed to separate antitumor component(s) from yogurt. First, yogurt was separated by dialysis. Although feeding of the dialyzate fraction to mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells resulted in 32.9% inhibition of tumor cell counts and 23.5 to 26.3% reduction of deoxynucleic acid content of ascitic fluid, feeding of the yogurt retentate did not reduce tumor proliferation. Second, an aqueous fraction of yogurt was prepared by removal of the ether soluble matter. Administration of aqueous fraction at 2 mg/mouse intravenously resulted in 25.1 to 32.3% less cell growth whereas intraperitoneal inoculation resulted in only 15.0 to 15.9% reduced tumor proliferation. Antitumor activity may be due to a component(s) with a molecular weight less than or equal to 14,000, and it presumably is not bound chemically to any larger compound because it could be separated by dialysis.

Effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid on cholesterol metabolism in female Japanese quail

The compounds 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) and HMG diethylester were administered to laying Coturnix hens to evaluate their potential in reducing yolk cholesterol concentrations. The administration of HMG did not produce consistent differences from controls in tissue levels of either cholesterol or triglycerides. The administration of HMG diethylester appeared to increase the de novo synthesis of cholesterol and the mobilization of cholesterol from liver to serum, as assayed by the uptake and conversion of [1-14C]acetate into 14C-cholesterol. Neither HMG diethylester nor HMG significantly decreased the amount of cholesterol deposited in egg yolk.

Effects of diazacholesterol, triparanol, and beta-sitosterol on egg cholesterol deposition in coturnix quail

Studies were undertaken to determine the effect of inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis on deposition of cholesterol in eggs of Japanese quail. Results indicate that this bird responds similarly to the laying hen, making it a useful screening device for these types of compounds. Administration of either triparanol or 20,25 diazacholesterol resulted in a decreased cholesterol content of the yolk. Concomitant with this decrease was an increase in desmosterol deposition. Beta sitosterol (2%) fed either alone or with lecithin (2%) did not result in a decrease in egg yolk cholesterol. No beta-sitosterol was found in the egg yolk. Diazacholesterol fed either with sitosterol, or sitosterol plus lecithin, was not effective in reducing the total sterol content of egg.