Search

BackgroundAccurately predicting refractive error in children is crucial for detecting amblyopia, which can lead to permanent visual impairment, but is potentially curable if detected early. Various tools have been adopted to more easily screen a large number of patients for amblyopia risk. ObjectiveFor efficient screening, easy access to screening tools and an accurate prediction algorithm are the most important factors. In this study, we developed an automated deep learning–based system to predict the range of refractive error in children (mean age 4.32 years, SD 1.87 years) using 305 eccentric photorefraction images captured with a smartphone. MethodsPhotorefraction images were divided into seven classes according to their spherical values as measured by cycloplegic refraction. ResultsThe trained deep learning model had an overall accuracy of 81.6%, with the following accuracies for each refractive error class: 80.0% for ≤−5.0 diopters (D), 77.8% for >−5.0 D and ≤−3.0 D, 82.0% for >−3.0 D and ≤−0.5 D, 83.3% for >−0.5 D and

Background: Despite the considerable number of young adults with developmental disabilities experiencing sexual desire and exhibiting sexual behaviours as part of their natural biological growth and development, there is a lack of research on effective intervention. This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of professionals on the sexual behaviours of individuals with developmental disabilities. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with eight professionals specialising in developmental disabilities and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours were conducted, and their responses were analysed using a qualitative method. Results: Professionals' experiences were categorised into three based on the groups involved in intervention: people with developmental disabilities (desire, factors leading to lack of desire fulfilment), their family/parents (emotions and cognition/behaviours toward their child's disability and sexuality), and professionals (current intervention method, lack of human/material resources). Conclusion: Based on these findings, we suggest future directions for interventions to address sexual behaviours among individuals with developmental disabilities.

Although much has been written about it, innovation in China remains a conundrum. In particular, the existing literature provides limited understanding of the underlying, internal dynamics behind Chinese companies' innovations. To this end, this article investigates the role of female board representation – a factor increasingly viewed as important for various organisational outcomes. In addition, we explore several organisational variables through which female board representation may impact corporate innovation. We use data from listed companies in the Chinese stock market from 2003 to 2017. Our analyses show that female board representation overall has a negative effect on innovation in Chinese firms. However, upon deeper examination, much more intricate relationships emerge. Female board representation tends to promote innovation in smaller, younger, or less financially constrained firms. In contrast, it tends to be detrimental to firms' innovation when they are large, old, or financially constrained. Findings point to an urgent need for paying more attention to critical moderators that have often been overlooked in existing research on board gender diversity. Findings also imply that how board gender diversity manifests in corporate settings can vary in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of external perturbations can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, followed by stimulation of epithelial cells to produce an innate immune element, the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP). ER stress also increases production of the proapoptotic lipid ceramide and its antiapoptotic metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We demonstrate here that S1P mediates ER stress-induced CAMP generation. Cellular ceramide and S1P levels rose in parallel with CAMP levels following addition of either exogenous cell-permeating ceramide (C2Cer), which increases S1P production, or thapsigargin (an ER stressor), applied to cultured human skin keratinocytes or topically to mouse skin. Knockdown of S1P lyase, which catabolizes S1P, enhanced ER stress-induced CAMP production in cultured cells and mouse skin. These and additional inhibitor studies show that S1P is responsible for ER stress-induced upregulation of CAMP expression. Increased CAMP expression is likely mediated via S1P-dependent NF-κB-C/EBPα activation. Finally, lysates of both ER-stressed and S1P-stimulated cells blocked growth of virulent Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, and topical C2Cer and LL-37 inhibited invasion of Staphylococcus aureus into murine skin. These studies suggest that S1P generation resulting in increased CAMP production comprises a novel regulatory mechanism of epithelial innate immune responses to external perturbations, pointing to a new therapeutic approach to enhance antimicrobial defense.