bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metatranscriptomic analysis uncovers prevalent viral ORFs compatible with mitochondrial translation
Authors: Begeman Adam , Babaian Artem , Lewis Samantha C.
Published: May 2023

RNA viruses are ubiquitous components of the global virosphere, yet relatively little is known about their genetic diversity or the cellular mechanisms by which they exploit the biology of their diverse eukaryotic hosts. A hallmark of (+)ssRNA (positive single-stranded RNA) viruses is the ability to remodel host endomembranes for their own replication. However, the subcellular interplay between RNA viruses and host organelles that harbor gene expression systems, such as mitochondria, is complex and poorly understood. Here we report the discovery of 763 new virus sequences belonging to the family
Mitoviridae
by metatranscriptomic analysis, the identification of previously uncharacterized mitovirus clades, and a putative new viral class. With this expanded understanding of the diversity of mitovirus and encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRps), we annotate mitovirus-specific protein motifs and identify hallmarks of mitochondrial translation, including mitochondrion-specific codons. This study expands the known diversity of mitochondrial viruses and provides additional evidence that they co-opt mitochondrial biology for their survival.

IMPORTANCE

Metatranscriptomic studies have rapidly expanded the cadre of known RNA viruses, yet our understanding of how these viruses navigate the cytoplasmic milieu of their hosts to survive remains poorly characterized. In this study, we identify and assemble 763 new viral sequences belonging to the
Mitoviridae
, a family of (+)ssRNA viruses thought to interact with and remodel host mitochondria. We exploit this genetic diversity to identify new clades of
Mitoviridae
, annotate clade-specific sequence motifs that distinguish the mitoviral RdRp, and reveal patterns of RdRp codon usage consistent with translation on host cell mitoribosomes. These results serve as a foundation for understanding how mitoviruses co-opt mitochondrial biology for their proliferation.
PP2Acα-B′/PR61 Holoenzyme of Toxoplasma gondii Is Required for the Amylopectin Metabolism and Proliferation of Tachyzoites
Authors: Zhao Mingxiu , Yang Yi , Shi Yue , Chen Xueqiu , Yang Yimin , Pan Lingtao , Du Zhendong , Sun Hongchao , Yao Chaoqun , Ma Guangxu , Du Aifang
Published: May 2023

Toxoplasma gondii
switches back and forth between acute and chronic infections, mainly in response to host immunologic status, which is characterized by flexible but specific energy metabolism. Polysaccharide granules are accumulated in the acute infection stage of
T. gondii
that have been exposed to a chemical inhibitor of the PP2A subfamily.
Hijacking of Host Plasminogen by
Mesomycoplasma
(
Mycoplasma
)
hyopneumoniae
via GAPDH: an Important Virulence Mechanism To Promote Adhesion and Extracellular Matrix Degradation
Authors: Wang Jiying , Li Shiyang , Chen Junhong , Gan Lanxi , Wang Jia , Xiong Qiyan , Feng Zhixin , Li Quan , Deng Zhibang , Yuan Xiaomin , Yu Yanfei
Published: May 2023

Mesomycoplasma hyopneumoniae
is a specific pathogen of pigs that is the etiological agent of mycoplasmal pneumonia of swine (MPS), which is responsible for substantial economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. The pathogenicity mechanism and possible particular virulence determinants of
M. hyopneumoniae
are not yet completely elucidated.
The Siderophore Ferricrocin Mediates Iron Acquisition in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Happacher Isidor , Aguiar Mario , Alilou Mostafa , Abt Beate , Baltussen Tim J. H. , Decristoforo Clemens , Melchers Willem J. G. , Haas Hubertus
Published: May 2023

Aspergillus fumigatus
is one of the most common airborne fungal pathogens for humans. Low-molecular-mass iron chelators, termed siderophores, have been shown to play a central role in iron homeostasis and, consequently, virulence of this mold.
Comparative Recovery of Serratia marcescens Using Bags versus Gloves as Described in ASTM E1174-21 Health Care Personnel Handwash Method
Authors: Moyer Elizabeth , Cole Gregory , Harding Eleanor , Jamieson-Popp Marilena , Fuls Janice L.
Published: May 2023

Antiseptic hand wash products are evaluated using the standard ASTM E1174-21 to demonstrate their antibacterial efficacy. Often products are tested at multiple labs, and the need to understand variables that may play a role in the outcome of the study is important.
Two Permeases Associated with the Multifunctional CtaP Cysteine Transport System in Listeria monocytogenes Play Distinct Roles in Pathogenesis
Authors: Vaval Taylor Diandra M. , Xayarath Bobbi , Freitag Nancy E.
Published: May 2023

Bacterial peptide transport systems are important for nutrient uptake and may additionally function in a variety of other roles, including bacterial communication, signal transduction, and bacterial adherence to eukaryotic cells. Peptide transport systems often consist of a substrate-binding protein associated with a membrane-spanning permease.
Spike-Independent Infection of Human Coronavirus 229E in Bat Cells
Authors: Mah Marcus G. , Linster Martin , Low Dolyce H. W. , Zhuang Yan , Jayakumar Jayanthi , Samsudin Firdaus , Wong Foong Ying , Bond Peter J. , Mendenhall Ian H. , Su Yvonne C. F. , Smith Gavin J. D.
Published: May 2023

Many viruses, including coronaviruses, originated from bats. Yet, we know little about how these viruses switch between hosts and enter human populations.
Bureya−Jiamusi−Khanka superterrane linked to the Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen of East Gondwana and its drift toward Northeast Asia
Authors: Yang Hao , Xu Wen-Liang , Sorokin A.A. , Ovchinnikov R.O. , Wu Hao-Ran , Long Xin-Yu
Published: May 2023

There is general agreement that a series of East Asian blocks has always lain outboard of both India and Australia along the North Indo−Australie peripheral orogen. However, whether the East Asian blocks were involved in the interior orogens of East Gondwana remains equivocal. The geochronology and geochemistry of Neoproterozoic−Late Triassic rocks in the Russian Far East, together with existing paleontological and detrital zircon data, offer an opportunity to determine the tectonic origin and drift history of the Bureya−Jiamusi−Khanka superterrane. Biotite and amphibole 40Ar/39Ar dating results define a distinctive episode of Late Pan-African (ca. 550 Ma) metamorphism and a local Late Triassic (ca. 219−200 Ma) episode of deformation for the Bureya−Jiamusi−Khanka superterrane. Zircon U−Pb ages and whole-rock geochemical data indicate that the Early Ordovician (483 ± 3 Ma) highly fractionated I-type monzogranites were emplaced in a post-collisional setting linked to the collapse of a Late Pan-African orogen, while the Late Triassic (ca. 234−223 Ma) A-type quartz syenites and I-type granite aplite dikes were formed in a slab-pull−induced passive continental margin of the subducting Mudanjiang oceanic plate. These crucial archives, complemented by data from the literature, reveal that the Bureya−Jiamusi−Khanka superterrane made up the northernmost Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen during the final assembly of East Gondwana. As a result of Devonian rifting after Early Ordovician orogen collapse, the Bureya−Jiamusi−Khanka superterrane escaped from the Kuunga-Pinjarra interior orogen and subsequently migrated to Northeast Asia by the Late Triassic to Jurassic due to the subduction and closure of the Paleo-Tethys and Paleo-Pacific oceans.
20 Predicting treatment response to vancomycin using bacterial DNA load as a pharmacodynamic marker in premature and very low birth weight neonates: a population PKPD study
Authors: Samb Amadou , Dijkstra Koos , van de Dungen Frank , de Haan Timo , Mathôt Ron , van Weissenbruch Mirjam
Published: May 2023

Introduction

LOS has a high risk of morbidity and mortality among premature and VLBW newborns. Whilst positive blood cultures are the gold standard for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of sepsis, this is time-consuming and results in suboptimal antibiotic treatment regimens. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether treatment response to vancomycin could be quantified using BDL based on RT-qPCR.

Methods

VLWB and premature neonates with suspected late-onset sepsis were included in a single-centre, observational study. Serial blood samples were collected for measurement of BDL and vancomycin concentration (t=0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48h). BDL were measured with RT-qPCR, whereas vancomycin concentrations were measured using LC-MS. A population PKPD model was developed with NONMEM software.

Results

28 patients with LOS that were treated with vancomycin were included. A total of 94 vancomycin concentrations and 103 BDLs levels were available. A one- compartment model with PMA and serum creatinine was used to describe vancomycin PK. In 12 patients there was no decrease in BDL over time. Close inspection of the clinical records explained the underlying mechanism of the lack of effect. In 16 patients time profiles of BDL were described with a PD turnover model. The relationship between vancomycin concentration and the increase in first-order BDL elimination was described with a linear effect model. The slope of this model increased with rising PMA.

Conclusions

BDLs determined through RT-qPCR could be predicted with the population PKPD model. Our findings demonstrate that using RT-qPCR, treatment response to vancomycin may be evaluated as early as 4 hours after treatment initiation, allowing early assessment of efficacy of vancomycin in LOS.
28 Paediatric medication error prevention (PMEP) a tripartite alliance working together
Authors: Vallabhaneni Pramodh , Ahmad Aamina , Issac Rachel , Fitchett Nicola , Patel Bhavee
Published: May 2023

Prescribing and medication administration errors are common themes in Paediatrics. We observed an increasing trend of errors in our ward and assessment area. We undertook an audit to quantify errors within our department as per the EQUIP criteria suggested by the General medical council. A zero-tolerance approach was undertaken, and all errors from minor to severe were recorded. An alarming 90% of admissions within the audit period had minor to significant errors recorded in the initial audit. With the zero-tolerance approach, minor errors with no harm to life were also recorded.

Previous research has suggested that good quality care depends upon different professions working together. We created a tripartite alliance involving nursing, pharmacy and medical teams. Our primary aim was to reduce medication prescription and administration errors by at least 10%. The small incremental change target was made in line with the quality improvement principles. We placed education at the heart of the change process, and the programme involved no costs apart from the time invested by the team.

As a result, medication errors have been substantially reduced over the last five years, and education has been at the heart of the change process. The group has achieved change that is sustainable and prudent in design. We aligned staff, method and delivery to minimise avoidable harm and promoted co-production with patient involvement in educating staff about the impact of such errors. Working together as a team involving all three disciplines has helped us understand and modify practices that have led to an overall reduction in medication errors. We would like to share our change model that has influenced consistent and reliable results over several audit cycles.
31 The impact of paediatric dose range checking software
Authors: Rybka Elena , Neame Matthew , Moss James , Saez Dominguez Jordi , Gill Andrea , Barnes Nik , Hawcutt Daniel
Published: May 2023

Dosing errors can cause significant harm in paediatric healthcare settings.

Our objective was to investigate the effects of paediatric dose range checking (DRC) clinical decision support (CDS) software on overdosing-related outcomes.

A before-after study and a semi-structured survey of prescribers was conducted across inpatient wards (excluding intensive care) in a regional children’s hospital. DRC CDS software linked to a paediatric drug formulary was integrated into an existing electronic prescribing system.

The main outcome measures were; the proportion of prescriptions with overdosing errors; overdosing-related clinical incidents; severity of clinical incidents; and acceptability of the intervention.

The prescription overdosing error rate did not change significantly following the introduction of DRC CDS software: in the pre-intervention period 12/847 (1.4%) prescriptions resulted in prescription errors and in the post-intervention period there were 9/684 (1.3%) prescription overdosing errors (n=21, Pearson χ2 value=0.028, p=0.868).

However, there was a significant trend towards a reduction in the severity of harm associated with reported overdosing incidents (n=60, Mann-Whitney U value=301.0, p=0.012).

Prescribers reported that the intervention was beneficial and they were also able to identify factors that may have contributed to the persistence of overdosing errors.

DRC CDS software did not reduce the incidence of prescription overdosing errors in a paediatric hospital setting but the level of harm associated with the overdosing errors may have been reduced. Use of the software seemed to be safe and it was perceived to be beneficial by prescribers.
33 Off-label use of drugs in paediatric (specialised) outpatient clinics – what has changed between 2009 and 2019?
Authors: Toni Irmgard , Hupfer Jutta , Neubert Antje
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Off-label use is still inevitable for paediatric drug treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse the licensing status of drug prescriptions in German paediatric (specialised) outpatient clinics and to determine changes over a 10-year time course.

Methods

Cross-sectional, retrospective, monocentric studies were conducted in 2009 and 2019 to assess drug prescriptions regarding their licensing status in 10 (one general and nine specialised) outpatient clinics in Germany. Prevalence and relative frequency of off-label prescriptions were calculated, reasons for off-label prescribing analysed and logistic regression performed to determine influencing factors.

Results

751 prescriptions of 296 patients in 2009 and 1438 prescriptions of 786 patients in 2019 were examined and classified according to their licensing status. Relative frequency of off-label prescriptions was around 45% without significant change over that decade. Prevalence of off-label prescriptions was 60.1% in 2009 and 53.1% in 2019 and therefore significantly higher in 2009 (p=0.037). The number of prescriptions per patient was significantly higher in 2009 (2.5 ± 2.3 vs. 1.8 ± 1.5, p<0.000), too. Comparison revealed the same high-ranking reasons in every study: off-label use due to indication, overdosing and missing paediatric information.

Conclusions

Off-label prescribing still plays an important role in clinical daily routine in paediatrics. Despite numerous regulatory efforts and incentives, no substantial reduction in off-label prescribing could be determined since 2009. Further efforts are needed to generate more evidence-based knowledge about paediatric pharmacotherapy and to treat children as best as possible.
35 What is known about the pharmacology of intramuscular therapeutics in duchenne muscular dystrophy? A systematic review
Authors: Roberts Eve , Yi Gan Jia , Hawcutt Daniel , Spinty Stefan
Published: May 2023

2Clinical Research Facility, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital

Introduction

In 2018 the Centers for Disease Control published updated Standards of Care for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – newly included was the recommendation for all patients with DMD who received steroids to receive prescriptions for intramuscular (IM) hydrocortisone for emergency administration at home.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the current understanding of the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of intramuscular therapies in patients affected by DMD.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted according to Cochrane methodology. Medline, EMBASE and PubMed databases were searched. Two independent reviewers reviewed the abstract of each identified paper. Where there was any discrepancy in the decision to include or exclude a paper, a third reviewer arbitrated.

Results

The search returned a total of 98 papers. 96 papers were excluded: 61 described animal or in-vitro studies, whilst the remaining studies did not study an intramuscular pharmacological intervention or were review articles.

Of the two included articles, one compared the immunogenicity of intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of influenza vaccination, and the other studied ten patients with DMD who were injected with two different doses of plasmidic DNA. Neither study reported on the pharmacodynamics or kinetics of the interventions.

Conclusions

There is very limited evidence into the pharmaco-kinetics and -dynamics of IM therapies for children affected by muscular dystrophy. Given the recognised changes in the muscle structure and function, studies to explore if this causes clinically significant changes in boys with DMD are required.
37 Deprescribing long acting beta2 agonists in children and adolescents with stable asthma: a systematic review
Authors: Drozdz Wiktoria , Sinha Ian , Hawcutt Daniel
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Current guidelines recommend step-down of asthma drugs once stable asthma has been achieved but there is no guidance regarding deprescribing long acting beta2 agonists (LABAs) in the paediatric population.

Aim

To systematically review evidence regarding deprescribing methods of LABAs in the paediatric population.

Methods

Searches were undertaken in the following databases: EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and CINAHL regarding reports of deprescription or discontinuation of LABAs in children and adolescents with persistent asthma.

Results

The search returned 168 papers following deduplication. 4 papers met the eligibility criteria including 3 randomised control trials and 1 retrospective study. Overall, LABA step down was attempted in 365 children and young people (5–18 years old). The studies had variable follow up durations once deprescribing was undertaken, from 2 to 12 weeks. Effects of withdrawal were measured using parameters such as airway hyperresponsiveness tests (3 studies), asthma control test scores (3 studies), use of rescue medication (3 studies) and lung function tests (FeNO, FEV1, FEF25–75%, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR),% forced expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (%V50)) (all studies). Airway responsiveness was unchanged 2 weeks following LABA withdrawal, however decreases in%PEFR and%V50, FEV1 and asthma control test scores were observed. 2 studies assessed changes in LABA related adverse effects after deprescribing.

Conclusion

There is limited and short-term evidence regarding stepping down LABAs in paediatrics. To fully implement national and international guidelines, prospective studies in this area are required.
39 KiDSafe – improving medication safety for children and adolescents: implementation and evaluation of a new form of care
Authors: Toni Irmgard , Malonga Makosi Dorothée , König Jochem , Urschitz Michael S , Rascher Wolfgang , Neubert Antje
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Drug therapy in paediatrics is often associated with uncertainties due to the lack of data from clinical trials, and thus the need for off-label use, but also missing paediatric dosage forms.

The KiDSafe project aimed to significantly improve the existing shortfall by introducing a structured treatment procedure (PaedPharm).

Methods

PaedPharm consists of three modules: 1. a digital paediatric drug information system (PaedAMIS), 2. paediatric-pharmacological quality circles (PaedZirk) and 3. a system for reporting of ADRs/MEs in the paediatric population (PaedReport). By using a stepped-wedge design, PaedPharm was implemented in 12 territorial clusters, each involving a children’s hospital and surrounding outpatient paediatricians and psychiatrists. The primary aim of the study was to reduce the prevalence of drug-related hospital admissions by one third. In addition, qualitative and quantitative analysis concerning the quality of the implementation and acceptance of the intervention was performed.

Results

A total of 41829 patient cases were recorded in the participating hospitals, of which 5101 admissions could be assigned to the participating doctors (n=152). Under control conditions, a population-based mean of 4.14% of the admissions were due to an ADR or ME. Under intervention, however, it was 3.07% (OR 0.73 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.37), p>0.05). The PaedAMIS database was well accepted and PaedZirk achieved a particular high level of acceptance.

Conclusions

Structured, evidence-based drug information in combination with teaching may improve the quality of drug therapy in children.

The number of participating paediatricians as well as the COVID pandemic hampered the results of this study. Thus, further studies are needed to confirm our results.
5 The perceived barriers and facilitators for model-informed dosing in pregnancy: a qualitative stakeholder analysis
Authors: Koldeweij Charlotte , Kleuskens Mirèse , Scheepers Liesbeth , Dean Franklin Bryony , Litjens Carlijn , de Wildt Saskia
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The lack of evidence for drug dosing in pregnancy represents a large unmet need for pregnant women and their unborn child. This study examines Dutch stakeholders’ perceptions of model-informed dosing in pregnancy as part of an effort to build a model-informed pregnancy formulary (MIPF).

Methods

Online focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with health care practitioners (HCPs) from various specialties (gynecology, pharmacy, general medicine, midwifery and other medical specialties) and with currently or recently pregnant women. The perceived barriers and facilitators for implementing a MIPF were identified using a hybrid thematic analysis.

Results

30 HCPs and 10 pregnant women participated in nine focus groups and three interviews. The awareness of pharmacokinetic changes in pregnancy varied across focus group participants. While a majority of HCPs and pregnant women found a MIPF to be a relevant innovation, several participants across both groups indicated that the lack of information on fetal safety constituted another important gap to address. The information needs of HCPs in order to be willing to apply model-informed dosing recommendations varied. A majority of participants indicated that they preferred model predictions to be clinically verified for the concerned drug. HCPs expressed different preferences with regards to the most appropriate website for publishing model-informed dosing advice. Several pregnant women indicated that they wanted to be informed on the evidence behind model-informed dosing recommendations.

Conclusions

Stakeholders’ views on the barriers and facilitators for relying on model-informed dosing in pregnancy will be further investigated through an online survey and will inform the design of a MIPF.
9 The flood of study feasibilities and the value of a centralised approach
Authors: Degraeuwe Eva , Persijn Laura , Nuytinck Lieve , Raes Ann , Turner Mark , Vande Walle Johan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Due to an increase in multicentric paediatric clinical trials after 2007 following the EU Paediatric Regulation, there has been a substantial increase in the number of feasibility questionnaires (FQ). Paediatric clinical trial conduct has made unique advances through the conect4children (c4c) pan-European network, funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2). We examined the role of a national, centralized coordination center in Belgium to pre-fill feasibility questionnaires and quality control responses from sites.

Methods

This report describes the 4-year learnings of prefilling and performing quality control for FQ by the Belgian Network representative. Additional information has been included from a broad survey sent to sites in the Belgian Network, of which 13 of the 15 sites have responded.

Results

PIs are confronted by between 10 to 50 FQ requests per year, each taking at average 60 minutes. The number of redundant questions asked by sponsors is on average 43% of the FQ. Of the 112 completed feasibilities, approximately 82% required quality control adjustments by our national coordinating center. Inconsistencies were primarily found in PIs’ report of experience, number of paediatric studies conducted, recruitment estimates and site qualifications. With a centralized and repetitive collection of FQ, a prefill of 65% of the requested information and potential corrections can be performed. A time reduction of 10 to 46% is estimated when a FQ is facilitated through the national representative.

Conclusions

The increase in paediatric clinical trials has substantially burdened sites within Belgium. Quality control and adjustments by a national central organization could be beneficial to increase feasibility quality and efficiency.
Effect of multicomponent rehabilitation on independence and functioning in elderly patients with common age-associated diseases: protocol for a scoping review (REHOLD)
Authors: Baritello Omar , Stein Hanna , Wolff Lara Luisa , Hamann Maria , Völler Heinz , Salzwedel Annett
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Elderly patients after hospitalisation for acute events on account of age-related diseases (eg, joint or heart valve replacement surgery) are often characterised by a remarkably reduced functional health. Multicomponent rehabilitation (MR) is considered an appropriate approach to restore the functioning of these patients. However, its efficacy in improving functioning-related outcomes such as care dependency, activities of daily living (ADL), physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQL) remains unclarified. We outline the research framework of a scoping review designed to map the available evidence of the effects of MR on the independence and functional capacity of elderly patients hospitalised for age-related diseases in four main medical specialties beyond geriatrics.

Methods and analysis

The biomedical databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, ICTRP Search Platform, ClinicalTrials) and additionally Google Scholar will be systematically searched for studies comparing centre-based MR with usual care in patients ≥75 years of age, hospitalised for common acute events due to age-related diseases (eg, joint replacement, stroke) in one of the specialties of orthopaedics, oncology, cardiology or neurology. MR is defined as exercise training and at least one additional component (eg, nutritional counselling), starting within 3 months after hospital discharge. Randomised controlled trials as well as prospective and retrospective controlled cohort studies will be included from inception and without language restriction. Studies investigating patients <75 years, other specialties (eg, geriatrics), rehabilitation definition or differently designed will be excluded. Care dependency after at least a 6-month follow-up is set as the primary outcome. Physical function, HRQL, ADL, rehospitalisation and mortality will be additionally considered. Data for each outcome will be summarised, stratified by specialty, study design and type of assessment. Furthermore, quality assessment of the included studies will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and/or international congresses.

Trial registration number

https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GFK5C.
Predictors of suicidal ideation, attempts among adults living with HIV attending ART follow-ups at Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tesera Kendie Mikiyas , Worku Lelisa , Abebaw Ermias , Solomon Damtew , Ogeto Luke Amana , Hayilu Sisay , Bogale Eyob Ketema
Published: May 2023

Objective

To assess the magnitude of suicidal ideation, attempts and associated factors among adults living with HIV attending antiretroviral therapy follow-ups at Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital, Addis Ababa.

Design

Hospital-based observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted.

Setting

A study was conducted in Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital, Addis Ababa from 8 February 2022 to 10 July 2022.

Participants

Two hundred and thirty-seven HIV-positive youth were recruited for interviews, using the systematic random sampling technique. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess suicide. Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Oslo social support and HIV perceived stigma scale instruments were used to assess the factors. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were computed to assess factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. Statistical significance was declared at p value <0.05.

Results

The finding of the study revealed magnitude of suicide ideation and suicide attempt was 22.8% and 13.5%, respectively. Disclosure status (adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=3.60, 95% CI 1.44 to 9.01), history of using substances (AOR)=2.86, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.61), living alone (AOR=6.47, 95% CI 2.31 to 18.10) and having comorbidity or other opportunistic infection (AOR=3.74, 95% CI 1.32 to 10.52) are factors associated with suicide ideation while disclosure status (AOR=5.02, 95% CI 1.95 to 12.94), living arrangement (AOR=3.82, 95% CI 1.29 to 11.31) and depression history is a factor associated with suicide attempts (AOR=3.37, 95% CI 1.09 to 10.40).

Conclusion

The finding of the study indicated the magnitude of suicide ideation and attempt is high among the subjects included in this study. Disclosure status, history of using substances, living alone and having comorbidity or other opportunistic infection are factors associated with suicide ideation while disclosure status, living arrangement and depression history are factors associated with a suicide attempt.
Horizon scanning, rapid reviews and living evidence to support decision-making: lessons from the work of the Critical Intelligence Unit in New South Wales, Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Williamson Laura , McArthur Erin , Dolan Hankiz , Levesque Jean-Frederic , Sutherland Kim
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in rapidly disseminated scientific evidence and highlighted that traditional evidence synthesis methods, such as time and resource intensive systematic reviews, may not be successful in responding to rapidly evolving policy and practice needs. In New South Wales (NSW) Australia, the Critical Intelligence Unit (CIU) was established early in the pandemic and acted as an intermediary organisation. It brought together clinical, analytical, research, organisational and policy experts to provide timely and considered advice to decision-makers. This paper provides an overview of the functions, challenges and future implications of the CIU, particularly the Evidence Integration Team. Outputs from the Evidence Integration Team included a daily evidence digest, rapid evidence checks and living evidence tables. These products have been widely disseminated and used to inform policy decisions in NSW, making valuable impacts. Changes and innovations to evidence generation, synthesis and dissemination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provide an opportunity to shift the way evidence is used in future. The experience and methods of the CIU have potential to be adapted and applied to the broader health system nationally and internationally.
Half-metallicity from CrCoSi and MnCoSi half-Heusler alloys to their derivative double half-Heusler CrMnCo2Si2
Authors: Elarabi Hiba , Khelfaoui Friha , Boudia Keltouma , Labani Fatima , Hamlat Mama , Sadouki Ouafaa , Belkharroubi Fadila , Faid Fares , Bouhemadou Abdelmadjid , Deghfel Bahri
Published: May 2023

The structural, elastic, electronic, and magnetic properties of the CrCoSi, MnCoSi parent half-Heusler (HH) alloys, and their CrMnCo2Si2 derivative double half-Heusler (DHH) compound are studied, utilizing the augmented plane wave method, which is based on density functional theory and implemented in the WIEN2k code. The stability of HH structure of the CrCoSi and MnCoSi alloys has been checked for their non-magnetic and ferromagnetic phases, leading to that the latter phase of the type I arrangement is the most stable. The CrMnCo2Si2 DHH alloy, derivative from the found structural and magnetic ground states of CrCoSi and MnCoSi HH alloys, is constructed and investigated. This DDH as well as its CrCoSi parent HH are found to be resistant to deformation and can be classified as ductile materials, whereas the MnCoSi compound is brittle. By the gradient generalized approximation (GGA), the electronic structures of CrCoSi, MnCoSi, and CrMnCo2Si2compounds exhibit a metallic behavior in the spin-up channel and a semiconducting behavior in the spin-dn channel, with band gaps (half-metallic gaps) of 0.851(0.020), 0.852(0.021), and 0.531(0.002) eV, respectively. The half-metallicity of CrMnCo2Si2 DHH is retained with smaller (larger) band gap (half-metallic gap) of 0.38(0.106) eV than that of GGA, using GGA + U approximation. In addition, the total magnetic moments are found to be 1, 2, and 3 µB for CrCoSi, MnCoSi, and CrMnCo2Si2, respectively. Therefore, these alloys can be good candidates for spinitronic applications due to their half-metallicity.
Cosmic neutrons at ground: new spectral measurements at 3480 m a.s.l. and benchmarking of the cascade component as a function of the elevation at around 45° geomagnetic latitude
Authors: Bedogni R. , Fontanilla A. , Calamida A. , Campoy A. I. Castro , Russo L. , Monti V. , Mafucci E. , Vigorito C. , Vernetto S. , Pietropaolo A.
Published: May 2023

Within the INFN-based project SAMADHA, environment neutron spectrum measurements were performed at 3480 m a.s.l. on the Italian western Alps. An extended range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer was used, that was especially designed to operate unattended and to discriminate genuine neutron events from spurious ones. In addition to the measurements of neutron fluence rate, its energy distribution and the related ambient dose equivalent, as well as the arrival time distribution of the events were also studied. The high-energy component of the neutron fluence rate was compared to literature data measured with the same technique at similar latitudes as a function of the elevation, in turn being fitted with an exponential curve and compared to the results from EXPACS code. As the cascade component is not influenced by the materials surrounding the measurement site, this curve can be regarded as “universal” at the studied latitudes.
DEEP JOINT RP-NET-BASED SEGMENTATION ALGORITHM AND OPTIMIZED DEEP LEARNING FOR SEVERITY PREDICTION OF BRAIN TUMOR
Authors: RAMESH KUMAR R. , NALINIPRIYA GANAPATHI , VIDYADHARI CH , ELWIN J. GRANTY REGINA
Published: May 2023

The uncontrolled growth of cells in a particular area is referred to as a tumor. The premature and precise identification of the tumor and its level have a straight impression on the patient’s survival, treatment process, and tumor progression computation. However, in the medical field, picture segmentation and classification are more important and difficult processes. Typically, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) modality can detect malignancy. Segmenting tumor images with respect to Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Grey Matter (GM), and White Matter is the most important task in MRI identification or classification (WM). The introduction of medical image analysis based on radiology pictures is a result of the significant contributions of engineering, data sciences, and medicine. The precise and automatic segmentation of tumors affords excessive support to doctors in the medicinal area, speed detection in the treatment process, computer-aided operation, radiation treatment and so on. Thus, Remora Aquila optimization (RAO)-enabled deep learning is devised for tumor classification and its severity classification. The deep learning approach is utilized for categorizing tumors as normal or abnormal as well as their severity grades. The RAO-aided deep learning system achieved improved performance with prediction error, specificity, sensitivity and testing accuracy of 0.072, 0.905, 0.925, and 0.917, respectively.
Identifying and Evaluating Factors Affecting User Privacy in the Smart City Using the Meta-Synthesis Method and the Fuzzy Dematel Technique
Authors: Bagheri Ruhollah , Nezhad Mahmoud Zahedian , Rizi Mohammad Hosein Panahi , Sadri Mosayeb
Published: May 2023

Smart cities are becoming increasingly popular today due to various digital technologies in their infrastructure. One of the most critical challenges in the proper implementation and establishment of these cities is the violation of the security and privacy of users, which leads to citizens’ distrust and pessimism about smart city services. Many factors can affect the protection of users’ privacy. Identifying these factors helps developers understand what dimensions and aspects affect users’ privacy, through which they can provide appropriate solutions to protect the privacy of the user. Therefore, this study identifies and evaluates these dimensions. The authors proposed a novel methodology for identifying factors influencing user privacy in smart cities using the meta-synthesis method and the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). As a result of the meta-synthesis application, the authors identified seven dimensions of interest, specifically, Awareness and understanding, Trust, Self-control and personalization, Transparency, Reference standards frameworks and rules, Data management, and Security requirements. Moreover, using the DEMATEL technique and expert-based reviews, those seven dimensions were classified as cause and effect. As a result, the authors discovered that security requirements (D7) are the only cause dimension. As effect dimensions, “awareness and understanding (D1),” “data management (D6),” “trust (D2),” “frameworks and standards (D5),” “personalization and self-control (D3),” and “transparency (D4)” have been identified. Furthermore, the authors discovered that transparency is the most effective dimension in terms of affecting user privacy in smart cities. These findings may serve as guidelines for implementing the smart cities initiatives and protecting users’ privacy. This study also provides a discussion and insights for smart city developers.
Deflection angle analysis under the influence of non-plasma medium and plasma medium for regular black hole with cosmic string
Authors: He Xiaoling , Zhu Suhang , Yu Yun , Karamat Anosha , Babar Rimsha , Ali Riasat
Published: May 2023

By applying the Keeton and Petters technique, we find the deflection angle as a series expansion with a specific factor of mass. We investigate the shadow structure of a regular black hole with cosmic string with a non-magnetized, pressure-free plasma around it. In order to separate the Hamilton equation and locate the photon areas, certain plasma distributions are taken into consideration. Moreover, by utilizing a new ray-tracing technique, we analyze the photon’s path around a regular black hole with cosmic string in the presence of plasma whose density depends on the radius coordinate. We also analyze the plasma effects on the shadow of black hole. We obtain an analytical formula that describes the boundary curve of the shadow for such a black hole in an expanding universe for an observer at any finite location outside the horizon. In the presence and absence of plasma, we detect deviations that are further investigated by analyzing the geometry of shadow angle at a particular value of plasma frequency.
The Cyclical Behavior of Credit and Liquidity Risks on Bank Stability in MENA Countries with a Dual Banking System
Authors: Lachaab Mohamed
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether credit and liquidity risks individually and/or jointly impact bank stability in the context of the dual banking system in the MENA region, and to check whether Islamic banks have different patterns in terms of the effect of the two risk categories on bank stability. Towards these goals, we estimate a dynamic panel model on a sample of 30 conventional banks and 14 Islamic banks from 9 countries covering the period 2004-2020, which is characterized by economic and political fluctuations and instability and includes the global financial crisis in 2008, the Arab Spring in 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We found that the credit and liquidity risks impact individually and jointly bank stability. Our results also show that as banks are subject to more credit risk, they raise their risk-taking more during booms than during recessions, and as banks are subject to more liquidity risk, they take more risk during good economic times than bad ones. Additionally, controlling for Islamic banks, we find evidence that the negative effects of credit risk and liquidity risk on bank stability seem to be more pronounced for these types of banks.

Our empirical results have valuable recommendations to risk managers and regulators. Firstly, the risk management unit of the banks should not only focus on illiquid or credit risky banks with the potential problem of instability, but also pay more attention to both risks jointly. Second, special attention should be paid to the risk management of Islamic banks since the effect of the two risk categories on their stability is more pronounced. Third, Islamic banks should launch research and development (RnD) programs to develop Islamic financial markets for better risk management. Fourth, the monetary policy authorities should consider both the quality of borrowers and bank liquidity in the formulation of monetary policy as channels through which they can conduct an effective monetary policyto attain the macroeconomic objectives of the policy. Finally, policymakers should consider the improvement of institutional structure, a well-functioning Islamic money market, and sound regulatory framework as prerequisites to make the banks more stable.
MaDiH (): A Transnational Approach to Building Digital Cultural Heritage Capacity
Authors: Smithies James , Flohr Pascal , Bala'awi Fadi , Idwan Sahar , Palmer Carol , Esposito Alessandra , Mubaideen Shatha , Rababeh Shaher
Published: May 2023

Approaches used to design, build, and maintain digital cultural heritage communities and infrastructure in Europe, North America, and Australasia need to be tailored to regional contexts such as the Middle East and North Africa. Cultural and political differences, inherited issues with technical infrastructure and funding, and the need to build trusting and healthy working relationships across national boundaries makes this challenging. The framework and roadmap used during the MaDiH (

): Mapping Digital Cultural Heritage in Jordan project (2019–2021) provides one of several possible models for such work, as well as highlighting its myriad challenges and opportunities.
PACMHCI V7, ETRA, May 2023 Editorial
Authors: Duchowski Andrew T. , Krejtz Krzysztof , Bylinskii Zoya , Gellersen Hans
Published: May 2023

In 2022, ETRA moved its publication of full papers to a journal-based model, and we are delighted to present the second issue of the Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction to focus on contributions from the Eye Tracking Research and Applications (ETRA) community. ETRA is the premier eye-tracking conference that brings together researchers from across disciplines to present advances and innovations in oculomotor research, eye tracking systems, eye movement data analysis, eye tracking applications, and gaze-based interaction. This issue presents 13 full papers accepted for presentation at ETRA 2023 (May 30 - June 2, 2023, in Tübingen, Germany) selected from 37 submissions (35% acceptance rate). We are grateful to all authors for the exciting contributions they have produced and to the Editorial Board and external reviewers for their effort during the entire rigorous reviewing process which resulted in high-quality and insightful reviews for all submitted articles.
Exploring the Effects of Scanpath Feature Engineering for Supervised Image Classification Models
Authors: Byrne Sean Anthony , Maquiling Virmarie , Reynolds Adam Peter Frederick , Polonio Luca , Castner Nora , Kasneci Enkelejda
Published: May 2023

Image classification models are becoming a popular method of analysis for scanpath classification. To implement these models, gaze data must first be reconfigured into a 2D image. However, this step gets relatively little attention in the literature as focus is mostly placed on model configuration. As standard model architectures have become more accessible to the wider eye-tracking community, we highlight the importance of carefully choosing feature representations within scanpath images as they may heavily affect classification accuracy. To illustrate this point, we create thirteen sets of scanpath designs incorporating different eye-tracking feature representations from data recorded during a task-based viewing experiment. We evaluate each scanpath design by passing the sets of images through a standard pre-trained deep learning model as well as a SVM image classifier. Results from our primary experiment show an average accuracy improvement of 25 percentage points between the best-performing set and one baseline set.
Citizen-centric Design of Consumable Services for Smart Cities
Authors: Voelz Alexander , Muck Christian , Amlashi Danial M. , Karagiannis Dimitris
Published: May 2023

The ongoing growth of city populations has brought new challenges and increased complexity to everyday city life. In response, numerous cities are making efforts to adopt new information technologies to become more efficient and transform themselves into smart cities. A large body of research has underlined that the success of these smart city initiatives depends on putting citizens at the center of the design process. In contrast to the techno-centric view applied in the past, citizen-centric approaches focus on prioritizing the needs of citizens over technology and aim at involving them directly in the development of smart city services. In this article, we describe this involvement as citizen development by introducing a model-based architecture that enables citizens to develop smart city services in a low-code fashion. Consequently, we focus on citizen developers, a group of citizens engaged with the technological development of services. Furthermore, the conceptualization of a citizen development architecture is discussed, as well as the ways citizens can interact with it. An important pillar in this approach are citizen workshops, which aim at stimulating innovative ideas and collaboration among stakeholders by using design thinking methodology. Our approach empowers citizens to become active producers within the smart city ecosystem, leading to more inclusive and citizen-centric smart cities.