Survey on Sociodemographic Bias in Natural Language Processing

Deep neural networks often learn unintended biases during training, which might have harmful effects when deployed in real-world settings. This paper surveys 209 papers on bias in NLP models, most of which address sociodemographic bias. To better understand the distinction between bias and real-world harm, we turn to ideas from psychology and behavioral economics to propose a definition for sociodemographic bias. We identify three main categories of NLP bias research: types of bias, quantifying bias, and debiasing. We conclude that current approaches on quantifying bias face reliability issues, that many of the bias metrics do not relate to real-world biases, and that current debiasing techniques are superficial and hide bias rather than removing it. Finally, we provide recommendations for future work.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figur

Super-virial Hot Phase in Milky Way Circumgalactic Medium: Further Evidences

Recent discoveries of a super-virial hot phase of the Milky Way circumgalactic medium (CGM) has launched new questions regarding the multi-phase structure of the CGM around the Galaxy. We use 1.05 Ms of archival Chandra/HETG observations to characterize highly ionized metal absorption at z=0 along the line of sight of the quasar NGC 3783. We detect two distinct temperature phases with T$_1 = 5.83^{+0.15}_{-0.07}$ K, warm-hot virial temperature, and T$_2=6.61^{+0.12}_{-0.06}$ K, hot super-virial temperature. The super-virial hot phase coexisting with the warm-hot virial phase has been detected in absorption along only two other sightlines and in one stacking analysis. There is scatter in temperature of the hot as well as warm-hot gas. Similar to previous observations, we detect super-solar abundance ratios of metals in the hot phase, with a Ne/O ratio 2$\sigma$ above solar mixtures. These new detections continue the mystery of the mechanism behind the super-virial hot phase, but provide evidence that this is a true property of the CGM rather than an isolated observation. The super-virial CGM could hold the key to understanding the physical and chemical history of the Milky Way.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Medical education: its role in addressing health inequities in north Queensland

Since its establishment, the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD)at James Cook University (JCU) has sought to facilitate the development of a high quality medical workforce equipped and inclined to practise in underserved areas. As a foundation school of the Towards Health Equity Network (THEnet), the socially accountable mandate of the medical school has been recognised and the school seeks to continue engaging with external stakeholders to achieve health equity outcomes for underserved populations. With even greater numbers of medical students in the university system there is now a unique opportunity to redress longstanding workforce shortages in north Queensland. However, to maximize this opportunity, we must ensure that there is vertical integration of training (including between prevocational and vocational), increased training volume and appropriate breadth of specialist training options in the region. This paper will discuss undergraduate and postgraduate activities aimed at increasing the workforce in north Queensland, including: -A review of strategies employed by JCU SMD to encourage growth of a medical workforce which is responsive to the health needs of regional populations including: (a) selection processes which favour rural-origin and Indigenous students; (b) curricular emphasis on rural, remote, Indigenous and tropical health; and (c) lengthy, frequent exposure to practise in rural and remote areas. -A brief overview of the latest JCU graduate outcomes. -Development of the Northern Clinical Training Network (NCTN). The NCTN is a collaborative that spans sectors (university, public and private health services) and geographic regions across north Queensland. Priorities for the NCTN include supporting high quality medical training in the northern region and developing strong vertical integration throughout undergraduate, prevocational and specialist training. These training-based activities across the continuum demonstrate the commitment of various sectors in north Queensland to redressing workforce inadequacies and health inequities in the region

α-MSH inhibits induction of C/EBPβ-DNA binding activity and NOS2 gene transcription in macrophages

α-MSH inhibits induction of C/EBPβ-DNA binding activity and NOS2 gene transcription in macrophages.Backgroundα-Melanocyte–stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an endogenous tridecapeptide that exerts anti-inflammatory actions and abrogates postischemic renal injury in rodents. α-MSH inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced gene expression of several cytokines, chemokines, and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2), but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been clearly defined. To test the hypothesis that α-MSH inhibits the expression of inducible trans-activating factors involved in NOS2 regulation, we used RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to examine the effects of α-MSH on the activation of nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBPβ), trans-acting factors known to be involved in LPS + interferon (IFN)-γ induction of the NOS2 gene.MethodsGel shift assays were performed to identify NF-кB and C/EBP DNA binding activities in LPS + IFN-γ–treated RAW 264.7 cells in the presence and absence of α-MSH. NOS2 promoter assays were conducted to identify the effects of α-MSH on LPS + IFN-γ–mediated induction of NOS2 transcription.ResultsGel shift assays demonstrated LPS + IFN-γ induction of NF-кB and C/EBP family protein-DNA complexes in nuclei harvested from the cells. Supershift assays revealed that the C/EBP complexes were comprised of C/EBPβ, but not C/EBPα, C/EBPα, or C/EBPϵ. α-MSH (100 nmol/L) inhibited the LPS + IFN-γ–mediated induction of nuclear DNA binding activity of C/EBPβ, but not that of NF-кB (in contrast to reports in other cell types), as well as the activity of a murine NOS2 promoter-luciferase construct. In contrast, α-MSH (100 nmol/L) had no effect on the induction of NOS2 promoter-luciferase genes harboring deletion or mutation of the C/EBP box.ConclusionsThese data indicate that α-MSH inhibits the induction of C/EBPβ DNA binding activity and that this effect is a major mechanism by which α-MSH inhibits the transcription of the NOS2 gene. The inability of α-MSH to inhibit LPS + IFN-γ induction of NF-кB in murine macrophage cells, which contrasts with inhibitory effects of the neuropeptide in other cell types, suggests that cell-type–specific mechanisms are involved

Initial Colony Morphology-Based Selection for iPS Cells Derived from Adult Fibroblasts Is Substantially Improved by Temporary UTF1-Based Selection

Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Recently, selection of fully reprogrammed cells was achieved based on colony morphology reminiscent of embryonic stem (ES) cells. The maintenance of pluripotency was analysed.Clonal murine iPS cell line TiB7-4, which was derived from adult fibroblasts, was analysed for maintenance of pluripotency. Colony morphology, expression of pluripotency factors and stage specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA1) were analysed by real time PCR and flow cytometry. We found the iPS cell line TiB7-4 and its subclones to be rather diverse and exhibiting a tendency towards spontaneous differentiation and loss of pluripotency independent of their initial colony morphology. In contrast an undifferentiated transcription factor 1 (UTF1) promoter-driven G418 (Neo) resistance significantly improved the quality of these iPS cells. After selection with UTF-Neo for two weeks iPS subclones could be stably maintained for at least 40 passages in culture and differentiate into all three germ layers. As control, a construct expressing G418 resistance under the control of the ubiquitously active SV40 early promoter formed subclones with different colony morphology. Some of these subclones could be cultured for at least 12 passages without loosing their pluripotency, but loss of pluripotency eventually occured in an unpredictable manner and was independent of the subclones' initial morphology and SSEA1 expression. A UTF-Neo-based selection of a whole population of TiB7-4 without further subcloning resulted in the generation of cultures with up to 99% SSEA1 positive cells under stringent selection conditions.Our data indicate that temporary selection using a genetic UTF1-based system can generate homogenous pluripotent iPS cells that can be maintained without permanent selection pressure

Healthcare access dimensions and uterine cancer survival: a national cancer database study

ObjectiveDisparities exist throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survival for Black patients with uterine cancer. There is limited data on how several healthcare access (HCA) dimensions contribute to these disparities in patients with advanced stage uterine cancer.MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we identified patients aged 40-89 years with Stage III-IV uterine cancer between 2004-2015 who received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Race/ethnicity were classified as non-Hispanic (NH)-Black, Hispanic, and NH-White. Variables defined in the NCDB were used to assess HCA affordability, availability, and accessibility. Kaplan-Meier estimates, log-rank test, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze overall survival.ResultsOf 43,134 patients, 78.8% of the cohort identified as NH-White, 15.3% NH-Black, and 5.9% Hispanic. NH-Black patients were the most likely to have type II (75.6% vs. 53.9% and 55.4%) and stage IV (40.8% vs. 30.7% and 32.3%) disease compared to NH-White and Hispanic patients. NH-Black patients were more likely than NH-White and Hispanic patients to have government funded insurance (58.6% vs. 50.3% and 50.4%), live in low-income areas (46.4% vs. 14.2% and 29.9%), and receive only chemotherapy (53.5% vs. 43.1% and 46.2%). Having private insurance and receiving treatment at an academic facility were positive predictors of survival. NH-Black patients had worse survival than NH-White patients after adjusting for clinical characteristics and healthcare access dimensions (HR 1.29; 95% CI 1.24, 1.34).ConclusionWhile HCA affordability and availability predicted survival in patients with advanced stage uterine cancer, additional factors contribute to racial disparities. Compared to NH-White patients, NH-Black patients had more aggressive disease, received only chemotherapy rather than combined therapy, and had worse survival regardless of cancer subtype. Additional dimensions of healthcare access must be explored to remedy uterine cancer disparities

International approaches to rural generalist medicine: a scoping review

Background: Contemporary approaches to rural generalist medicine training and models of care are developing internationally as part of an integrated response to common challenges faced by rural and remote health services and policymakers (addressing health inequities, workforce shortages, service sustainability concerns). The aim of this study was to review the literature relevant to rural generalist medicine. Methods: A scoping review was undertaken to answer the broad question 'What is documented on rural generalist medicine?' Literature from January 1988 to April 2017 was searched and, after final eligibility filtering (according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria), 102 articles in English language were included for final analysis. Results: Included papers were analysed and categorised by geographic region, study design and subject themes. The majority of articles (80%) came from Australia/New Zealand and North America, reflecting the relative maturity of programmes supporting rural generalist medicine in those countries. The most common publication type was descriptive opinion pieces (37%), highlighting both a need and an opportunity to undertake and publish more systematic research in this area. Important themes emerging from the review were: - Definition - Existing pathways and programmes - Scope of practice and service models - Enablers and barriers to recruitment and retention - Reform recommendations There were some variations to, or criticisms of, the definition of rural generalist medicine as applied to this review, although this was only true of a small number of included articles. Across remaining themes, there were many similarities and consistent approaches to rural generalist medicine between countries, with some variations reflecting environmental context and programme maturity. This review identified recent literature from countries with emerging interest in rural generalist medicine in response to problematic rural health service delivery. Conclusions: Supported, coordinated rural generalist medicine programmes are being established or developed in a number of countries as part of an integrated response to rural health and workforce concerns. Findings of this review highlight an opportunity to better share the development and evaluation of best practice models in rural generalist medicine

Grounded theory - a lens to understanding clinical reasoning

Clinical reasoning is fundamental to medical education and clinical practice (Schmidt & Mamede, 2015). Despite its centrality, clinical reasoning is often regarded as difficult to conceptualise and teach (Charlin, 2012; Pinnock & Welch, 2014). The pivotal role of clinical reasoning constitutes a compelling case for better understanding, more efficient teaching and practice that is more systematic and evidence-based. Clinical reasoning has been regarded as an art rather than a science (Braude, 2012) and has attracted less research effort than befits its important function. The authors examined the suitability of grounded theory methodology to provide a more complete understanding of the clinical reasoning process. Grounded theory and clinical reasoning are processes which both qualitatively evaluate and analyse information from an interview subject as well as additional sources and arrive at a robust, defensible theory to explain their findings. Grounded theory offers considerable utility for (i) understanding and modelling clinical reasoning, (ii) researching clinical reasoning and (iii) as a heuristic for teaching clinical reasoning skills. This paper explores the parallels between grounded theory methodology and clinical reasoning, as well as the suitability of grounded theory as a framework for informing and transforming our understanding of clinical reasoning.

Evidence for multiple shocks from the γ\gamma-ray emission of RS Ophiuchi

In August of 2021, Fermi-LAT, H.E.S.S., and MAGIC detected GeV and TeV $\gamma$-ray emission from an outburst of recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi. This detection represents the first very high energy $\gamma$-rays observed from a nova, and opens a new window to study particle acceleration. Both H.E.S.S. and MAGIC described the observed $\gamma$-rays as arising from a single, external shock. In this paper, we perform detailed, multi-zone modeling of RS Ophiuchi's 2021 outburst including a self-consistent prescription for particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification. We demonstrate that, contrary to previous work, a single shock cannot simultaneously explain RS Ophiuchi's GeV and TeV emission, particularly the spectral shape and distinct light curve peaks. Instead, we put forward a model involving multiple shocks that reproduces the observed $\gamma$-ray spectrum and temporal evolution. The simultaneous appearance of multiple distinct velocity components in the nova optical spectrum over the first several days of the outburst supports the presence of distinct shocks, which may arise either from the strong latitudinal dependence of the density of the external circumbinary medium (e.g., in the binary equatorial plane versus the poles) or due to internal collisions within the white dwarf ejecta (as powers the $\gamma$-ray emission in classical novae).Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Ap