bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal IgG in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn-ABO incompatibility
Authors: Wibowo Heri , Nurrahmah Sheila , Gantini Ria Syafitri Evi
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is a type of anemia in the fetus or newborn, characterized by anemia, jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, and brain damage. IgG is the only antibody that can cross the placenta. The IgG subtypes have a different ability to destroy red blood cells (RBCs). IgG1 and IgG3 can bind to Fc-phagocyte cell receptors and cause hemolysis, while IgG3 has more ability than IgG1. This study aimed to identify the antibody IgG subtype contributing to clinical manifestation differences in HDFN.
METHODS This study used blood and umbilical cord blood samples from 30 pairs of mother-baby. The samples were grouped into control (not jaundice/normal bilirubin levels) and jaundice/hyperbilirubinemia groups. A self-developed IgG subtype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay protocol was performed on maternal samples, resulting in optical density. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 23.
RESULTS Blood type was associated with total bilirubin expression (p = 0.005). IgG1 anti-A, IgG3 anti-A, IgG4 anti-A, IgG1 anti-B, IgG3 anti-B, and IgG4 anti-B significantly affected hyperbilirubinemia in newborns (p = 0.041, 0.013, 0.017, 0.028, 0.001, and 0.007, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS IgG1 and IgG3 were more significant in causing clinical problems. IgG4 suppressed IgG activation, resulting in no destruction of the infant’s RBCs.
Influence of care partner presence on outcomes of people with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review
Authors: DeMarco Elisabeth Cecilia , Pruthi Saksham , Cotter Alexander , Davids Trent , Ravi Ananya , DeVeydt Amy , Subramaniam Divya S. , Spencer Angela , Park Seri , Hinyard Leslie
Published: June 2024

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often depend on informal care partners (CPs), but the effect of CP presence on outcomes for people with PD remains unexamined. A systematic review was conducted for English-language articles reporting quantitative outcomes for people with PD and noting CP presence or absence. Of 153 included articles, only five recorded data about those lacking a CP. Findings were mixed when comparing motor and nonmotor outcomes by CP presence. Few articles distinguish between people with PD with access to CPs and those without, which may mask the unique needs of those who lack informal care.
Aquí Entre Nos (Just Between Us): Engagement of Hotel Housekeepers During Sociopolitical and Environmental Change
Authors: Sabo Samantha , Jiménez Dulce J. , Longorio Alexandra Samarron , Gomez Omar , Liebert Melissa , Cuautle Miriam Adriana , Shuman Sara , de Zapien Jill Guernsey , Milczarek-Desai Shefali
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Background: Aquí Entre Nos (Between Us) is a community-based participatory research project to engage rural, ethno-racially diverse hotel housekeepers in a right to work state during a time of national anti-immigrant policy, wildfires and emergence of a global pandemic. Objectives: We aimed to (1) build trust and social support with the hotel housekeeping community, (2) learn about the occupational health, safety, and workers’ rights challenges, strategies, and solutions held by workers, and (3) develop a workforce-driven research and action agenda to improve labor and health conditions. Methods: Participatory mixed methods rooted in popular education are described to form an advisory board and engage the workforce. Lessons Learned: Trusted relationships built through community organizing around immigration, housing, and minimum wage were critical to engage and drive a worker centered research agenda. Conclusions: Despite challenges, housekeeper advisors defined a research agenda that addressed immediate-and long-term needs of the workforce.
Bridging Research, Accurate Information and Dialogue (BRAID): A Novel Strategy to Build Community Trust
Authors: Gutnick Damara N. , Stephenson-Hunter Cara , Spurrell-Huss Elizabeth , Byrne-Zaaloff Moria , Shuman Saskia , Rapkin Bruce
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Background: Efforts to promote COVID-19 vaccination uncovered the effects of longstanding structural racism and perpetuated the erosion of community trust in science and public health institutions. Rebuilding trust is a priority to overcome barriers to vaccine uptake. Bridging Research, Accurate Information and Dialogue (BRAID) is a model that combines several evidence-based approaches to nurture trusting relationships with community experts, leading to the dissemination of accurate, timely, and acceptable COVID-19 vaccine messages. Objective: To describe an innovative community-engaged participatory research model with the potential to build trust and spread accurate health information through social networks. Methods: BRAID provided safe spaces for a series of facilitated conversation circles involving trusted community experts and invited clinicians and scientists. Community experts were encouraged to share their experiences, raise concerns, and ask pandemic-related questions in an informal setting. Community experts were empowered to codesign and coproduce accurate health messages acceptable to their communities. To gain insight into the process of building trust, dialogues involving 22 community experts were transcribed and coded, and post survey data from 21 participants were analyzed. Conclusions: BRAID is a manualized community engagement model that aims to build the trust needed to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in historically marginalized communities. Through BRAID, participants developed increased trust in health systems and research. By empowering community experts to share information through their established social networks, BRAID has the potential to amplify the reach and impact of communications regarding health topics that are controversial and divisive, such as COVID-19 vaccination.
Evaluating a Novel Disability Education and Awareness Event for Health Professions Trainees
Authors: Casola Allison R. , Mass Joely A. , Rea Olivia K. , Hammell Chelsea , Stephens Mary M.
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Background: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at high risk for unmet health care needs and face barriers to equitable care, yet few health professions students receive adequate training to meet these needs. Objectives: An interactive panel discussion with Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes and staff was planned and implemented so that health professions students/trainees would gain knowledge of IDD, health barriers, SOPA resources, and volunteer opportunities. Methods: Panelists included two SOPA athletes and their mentors; questions solicited responses about personal health care experiences (Fall 2019). Attendees completed a mixed-methods post-event survey capturing event satisfaction, reflections, and interest in learning more about patients with IDD. Results: Sixty individuals attended, and 43 (72%) completed post-event evaluation. Attendees reported high satisfaction (88%), desire for future trainings (100%), and interest in learning about communicating (88%), providing care (88%), and addressing IDD health barriers (91%). Conclusions: Collaborative community panels could be effective in engaging health care students in discussion about caring for patients with IDD.
Interrogation, Negotiation, and Subversion of Power Differentials in Community-Based Participatory Research: A Scoping Review
Authors: Yan Catalina Tang , Jin Yichen , Chalfin Emily , Martinez Linda Sprague
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Objectives: To review empirical and peer-reviewed scholarly articles incorporating community-based participatory research approaches and examining discourses of how power differentials are interrogated, negotiated, and redressed within the partnerships using scoping review methodology following The Joanna Briggs Institute framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Data Sources: Articles were identified across five online databases: Embase, ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science. Review Methods: Keywords used in the search strategy were (“Community-Based Participatory Research” OR “Participa-tory Action Research”). Peer-reviewed scholarly articles discussing in-depth power differentials within the partnership published in English between 2010 and 2020 were included. Results: Findings indicate scholars use critical reflexive qualitative methodologies to recognize and raise relevant questions of power issues between researchers and community stakeholders. Examination of individual biases, assumptions, and exertion of hierarchical top–down power is identified extensively. There is limited analysis on institutional and interdependent power. As a result of raising questions regarding power issues, individual actions to address emerging tensions and conflicts were reported. However, discussions on researchers’ efforts to effect institutional and structural changes to redress power imbalances were limited. Conclusions: Building strong and equitable participatory action research collaborations between researchers and community stakeholders remains an arena of continuous struggle. This review offers some insights and relevant implications to better address power issues within participatory action research partnerships and inform the work of professionals engaged in the development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion initiatives and policies.
Subjectivité en crise et paysage du désert sahraoui : le film Achayef d’Abdessamad El Montassir
Authors: Leprince Camille
Published: June 2024

Résumés: Dans un territoire conflictuel que le Maroc n’autorise pas à nommer Sahara occidental et que l’artiste Abdessamad El Montassir appelle prudemment « le Sahara au sud du Maroc », celui-ci effectue un retour au lieu qui l’a vu grandir à travers Achayef (2016–2018, 17’). Bien que non-explicitée dans ce documentaire de création, la crise qui se déroule depuis l’indépendance du territoire sahraoui il y a un demi-siècle agit comme toile de fond du récit. Pour l’appréhender, le réalisateur propose une plongée au coeur d’archives non-matérielles des violences de l’histoire. Il fait le choix esthétique d’une sorte d’expérimentation sur fond de mémoire botanique qui offre un champ d’exploration du désert fondée sur les sens, la psyché et l’oralité. El Montassir examine ainsi le rapport à la mémoire de l’humain et du non-humain et la dialectique entre les deux. Le paysage du désert sahraoui s’incarnerait alors à travers le végétal, qui pourrait représenter l’autre témoin d’une subjectivité politique en crise. Abstract: Artist Abdessamad El Montassir returns to the place where he grew up – a conflictridden territory that Morocco does not allow to be called Western Sahara, and which he cautiously calls “the Sahara south of Morocco” – through Achayef (2016–2018, 17’). Although it is not explored in this creative documentary, the crisis, which has been unfolding since the independence of the Saharan territory half a century ago, acts as a backdrop to the narrative. In order to better understand it, El Montassir proposes a deep dive into the heart of non-material archives of the history of many forms of violence. He makes the aesthetic choice to experiment against a backdrop of botanical memory, which invites an exploration of the desert through the senses, the psyche, and orality. El Montassir also examines the relationship between human and non-human memory, as well as the dialectic between the two. In this regard, the landscape of the Saharan desert is embodied in plants, which represent the other witness to a political subjectivity in crisis.
Home and Exile: A Trialogue between Three Africans
Authors: Cohen Robin
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT: This article is centered around three Africans who wrote on the themes of home and exile: Chinua Achebe, a celebrated Nigerian writer; Lewis Nkosi, an accomplished Black South African writer and journalist; and me, Robin Cohen, a White South African social scientist. Their views on home and exile are discussed in the form of a comparison and implicit conversation (a trialogue). The lives of these three protagonists barely touched, but there are some odd intersections that will serve to sharpen the differences between them. By shedding light on the ambiguities of what home and exile mean to different social actors, the virtuous and somewhat uniform assumptions that are frequently used to describe the exilic condition are questioned.
Refugeedom: Making Room in the Crowded Conceptual Terrain
Authors: Gatrell Peter
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT: Although a crowded conceptual terrain characterizes the study of refugees in the modern world, this article makes a case for adopting the concept of refugeedom. Translated from the Russian-language term that entered the lexicon during World War I, "refugeedom" encapsulates the magnitude of population displacement and its consequences for policymaking, but crucially also suggests the manifestation of a distinct new human condition. Whereas other, more widely used terms, in particular the "international refugee regime," capture important aspects of forced migration, "refugeedom" takes account of a much broader realm of sites, policies, and practices, and incorporates the experiences and perspectives of refugees as political actors in their own right.
Adaptive optics in an oblique plane microscope
Authors: Mcfadden Conor , Marin Zach , Chen Bingying , Daetwyler Stephan , Wang Xiaoding , Rajendran Divya , Dean Kevin M. , Fiolka Reto
Published: June 2024

Adaptive optics (AO) can restore diffraction-limited performance when imaging beyond superficial cell layers in vivo and in vitro, and as such, is of interest for advanced 3D microscopy methods such as light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM). In a typical LSFM system, the illumination and detection paths are separate and subject to different optical aberrations. To achieve optimal microscope performance, it is necessary to sense and correct these aberrations in both light paths, resulting in a complex microscope system. Here, we show that in an oblique plane microscope (OPM), a type of LSFM with a single primary objective lens, the same deformable mirror can correct both illumination and fluorescence detection. Besides reducing the complexity, we show that AO in OPM also restores the relative alignment of the light-sheet and focal plane, and that a projection imaging mode can stabilize and improve the wavefront correction in a sensorless AO format. We demonstrate OPM with AO on fluorescent nanospheres and by imaging the vasculature and cancer cells in zebrafish embryos embedded in a glass capillary, restoring diffraction limited resolution and improving the signal strength twofold.
Third-order smoothness metric to characterize progressive addition lenses
Authors: Barbero Sergio
Published: June 2024

Although second-order surface analyses, mainly mean power and cylinder maps, are commonly used to characterize the progressive addition lens (PAL) surface, recently it has been suggested that third-order variations may also have relevancy in PAL optical and visual performance. This paper proposes a third-order smoothness metric, and its associated Riemannian distance, to further characterize PAL’s surface optical performance. These metrics can provide a complementary scoring tool to those classical ones, particularly, to analyze the transition zones between far, near, intermediate, and blending zones. A method to compute these metrics is provided. This third-order smoothness metric also enables a formal definition of the PAL principal curve, namely, the curve embedded in the PAL surface, that minimizes the line path integral joining the far and near reference points weighted by the third-order smoothness metric. Finally, the paper describes a comprehensive methodology to compute such principal curves using a level-set geodesic procedure. All these ideas are put into practice with several real PAL surfaces.
Coating-assisted picosecond laser ablation for microstructure fabrication of SiC ceramics
Authors: Wu Si , Su Xiaohui , Qiao Yaqing , Liu Le , Yang ZiJing , Xiong Wei , Chen Qiaodan , Deng Leimin
Published: June 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics have emerged as critical materials in the production of high-precision components. Ultrafast laser processing is deemed the optimal technique for micro-nano manufacturing of SiC. However, the permanent deposition layer induced by laser ablation can critically impact the precision of the component. In this work, a coating-assisted picosecond laser ablation (CAPLA) method was proposed, in which sacrificial photoresist coating was utilized to improve surface quality without efficiency loss. The coating serves to prevent the uncooled plasma from contacting with the substrate, thereby preventing the formation of a permanent deposition layer. By comparing the CAPLA method with laser direct ablation, the influence of laser parameters and photoresist coating characteristics on the deposition layer was investigated systematically. A processed surface devoid of deposition layers can be achieved by CAPLA with low pulse energy and a high number of scans. The uniformity is critical to ensure the transmission of the laser beam, and a larger thickness can improve the processing efficiency by increasing the limit of pulse energy capacity. Pin arrays and vacuum grooves for SiC ceramic vacuum chucks were fabricated to demonstrate the superiority of the CAPLA method. These results suggest that this method can be a novel and promising approach for high-precision component manufacturing.
Generation of terahertz beam with longitudinally varied polarization state via coherent superposition based on metasurface
Authors: Luo Li , Liu Xiao , Peng Sui , Liu Bo , Wang Yuting , Wang Lingzhi , Zou Yuxin , Zhou Ling , Li Jie , Pan Yudong , He Jin , Yao Jianquan
Published: July 2024

Polarization is an important dimension in the research and applications of light waves. However, traditional polarization optics often only focus on the polarization characteristics in the transverse plane. Here, we demonstrate a new scheme for the generation of longitudinally varied polarization state in terahertz beam using all-silicon metasurface. We employ wavefront transformation designs with long-focal-depth for orthogonal circularly polarized terahertz waves, achieving varied amplitude and phase along the propagation direction in opposite spin states. Based on the principle of coherent superposition of polarized waves, different linear and elliptical polarization states are obtained in transverse planes along the propagation path, with variable ellipticity and azimuth angle. Simulation results show that a large-scale evolution of the elliptical polarization azimuth angle from 45° to -60° and ellipticity from 20° to -74° can be observed within a focal depth range of 0.45-0.8 mm. We also intuitively display the helical trajectory of the polarization state from left-hand elliptical ones to right-hand elliptical ones within the focal depth range, using the Poincaré sphere. This work expands the application of metasurface devices for multifunctional polarization devices and can be applied to polarization generation and transformation for optical imaging or terahertz communications.
Mid-infrared dielectric laser acceleration in a silicon dual pillar structure
Authors: Brückner Leon , Chlouba Tomáš , Morimoto Yuya , Schönenberger Norbert , Shibuya Tatsunori , Siefke Thomas , Zeitner Uwe D. , Hommelhoff Peter
Published: June 2024

Dielectric laser accelerators use near-infrared laser pulses to accelerate electrons at dielectric structures. Driving these devices with mid-infrared light should result in relaxed requirements on the electron beam, easier fabrication, higher damage threshold, and thus higher acceleration gradients. In this paper, we demonstrate dielectric laser acceleration of electrons driven with 10 μm light in a silicon dual pillar structure. We observe the acceleration of 27 keV electrons by 1.4 keV, corresponding to a 93 MeV/m acceleration gradient. The damage threshold of the structures of 3.3 ± 0.6 GV/m peak field is significantly higher than for near-infrared accelerators. The dual pillar acceleration structure itself even survived 5.2 ± 0.9 GV/m, the highest field strength we could achieve with the current system. This together with the larger structure acceptance bodes well for future dielectric laser accelerators driven with mid-infrared light.
Improving disseminated histoplasmosis diagnosis in HIV/AIDS patients in Suriname: The role of a urine lateral flow assay
Authors: Woittiez Lycke , Vestjens Stefan , Mawie Terrence , IJzerman Ed , Haas Pieter-Jan , Hagen Ferry , Roosblad Jimmy , Leopold Stije , van Schagen Maaike D. , van Vugt Michèle , Vreden Stephen
Published: June 2024

Histoplasmosis is a frequent cause of infections in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study introduces the application of a Histoplasma capsulatum urine antigen lateral flow assay (LFA) for diagnosing disseminated histoplasmosis in PLWHA in Suriname. The LFA’s diagnostic accuracy was compared with the current diagnostic approach, aiming to assess whether this test resulted in improved early detection and management. Additionally, the prevalence of histoplasmosis among advanced stage HIV patients without clinical suspicion of infection was evaluated using the same LFA. In total, 98 patients were included in the study, of which 58 were classified as “possible disseminated histoplasmosis (DH)” based on clinical criteria and 40 as “controls”. Of these possible DH cases, only 19 (32.7%) had a positive LFA. During the study, decisions for treatment were made without the treating physician being aware of the LFA result. Only 55% of the patients who started treatment for histoplasmosis based on clinical criteria had a positive LFA, and 21% of untreated patients had a positive LFA. This study shows that combining clinical signs with LFA results enhances diagnostic accuracy and is cost effective, resulting in better treatment decisions.
Characterizing medaka visual features using a high-throughput optomotor response assay
Authors: Suzuki Risa , Woo Jia Zheng , Thumberger Thomas , Hofmann Gero , Wittbrodt Joachim , Tavhelidse-Suck Tinatini
Published: June 2024

Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) is a powerful model to study genetics underlying the developmental and functional traits of the vertebrate visual system. We established a simple and high-throughput optomotor response (OMR) assay utilizing medaka larvae to study visual functions including visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Our assay presents multiple adjustable stripes in motion to individual fish in a linear arena. For that the OMR assay employs a tablet display and the Fish Stripes software to adjust speed, width, color, and contrast of the stripes. Our results demonstrated that optomotor responses were robustly induced by black and white stripes presented from below in the linear-pool-arena. We detected robust strain specific differences in the OMR when comparing long established medaka inbred strains. We observed an interesting training effect upon the initial exposure of larvae to thick stripes, which allowed them to better respond to narrower stripes. The OMR setup and protocol presented here provide an efficient tool for quantitative phenotype mapping, addressing visual acuity, trainability of cortical neurons, color sensitivity, locomotor response, retinal regeneration and others. Our open-source setup presented here provides a crucial prerequisite for ultimately addressing the genetic basis of those processes.
Moving in pain ‐ A preliminary study evaluating the immediate effects of experimental knee pain on locomotor biomechanics
Authors: Charlton Jesse M. , Chang Elyott , Hou Sabrina W. , Lo Ernest , McClure Emily , Plater Cole , Wong Samantha , Hunt Michael A.
Published: June 2024

Pain changes how we move, but it is often confounded by other factors due to disease or injury. Experimental pain offers an opportunity to isolate the independent effect of pain on movement. We used cutaneous electrical stimulation to induce experimental knee pain during locomotion to study the short-term motor adaptions to pain. While other models of experimental pain have been used in locomotion, they lack the ability to modulate pain in real-time. Twelve healthy adults completed the single data collection session where they experienced six pain intensity conditions (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 out of 10) and two pain delivery modes (tonic and phasic). Electrodes were placed over the lateral infrapatellar fat pad and medial tibial condyle to deliver the 10 Hz pure sinusoid via a constant current electrical stimulator. Pain intensity was calibrated prior to each walking bout based on the target intensity and was recorded using an 11-point numerical rating scale. Knee joint angles and moments were recorded over the walking bouts and summarized in waveform and discrete outcomes to be compared with baseline walking. Knee joint angles changed during the swing phase of gait, with higher pain intensities resulting in greater knee flexion angles. Minimal changes in joint moments were observed but there was a consistent pattern of decreasing joint stiffness with increasing pain intensity. Habituation was limited across the 30–90 second walking bouts and the electrical current needed to deliver the target pain intensities showed a positive linear relationship. Experimental knee pain shows subtle biomechanical changes and favourable habituation patterns over short walking bouts. Further exploration of this model is needed in real-world walking conditions and over longer timeframes to quantify motor adaptations.
Research on the evaluation and impact trends of China’s skill talent ecosystem in the digital era – An analysis based on neural network models and PVAR models
Authors: Liang Gaoyang , Xing Minqiang
Published: June 2024

This study develops a "Skill Talent Ecological Evaluation Model" across cultivation, potential energy, kinetic energy, innovation, and service and support ecologies. AHP-entropy determines indicator weights, Hopfield neural network assesses talent ecology levels, and the PVAR model analyzes digital transformation effects. Findings reveal: Cultivation ecology rates A, potential ecology rates B+, kinetic ecology rates B-, service and support ecology rates B-, and innovation ecology rates C. Digital transformation spurs skill demand, impacting talent and economic contributions. Kinetic ecology sees increased demand, potentially impacting traditional industries positively. Innovation ecology necessitates continuous skill learning. Service and support ecology witnesses growth in digital entrepreneurship, requiring policy incentives and incubation center support.
Symptom response and episodic disability of long COVID in people with spinal cord injury: A case-control study
Authors: Kabir Md. Feroz , Nyein Yin Khin , Htwe Ohnmar , Saffree Jeffree Mohammad , Binti Ahmedy Fatimah , Faizal Zainudin Muhamad , Jahan Sharmila , Hossain Md. Zahid , Hossain K. M. Amran , Islam Md. Waliul , Hossain Tofajjal
Published: June 2024

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a consequence of significant disability and health issues globally, and long COVID represents the symptoms of neuro-musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the symptom responses and disease burden of long COVID in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted on patients with SCI residing at a specialised rehabilitation centre in Bangladesh. Forty patients with SCI with and without long COVID symptoms (LCS) were enrolled in this study at a 1:1 ratio according to WHO criteria.

Result

Twelve LCS were observed in patients with SCI, including fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, memory loss, headache, respiratory problems, anxiety, depression, insomnia, problem in ADL

problem in work, palpitation, and weakness. The predictors of developing long COVID include increasing age (p<0.002), increasing BMI (p<0.03), and longer duration of spinal cord injury (p<0.004). A significant difference (p<0.01) in overall years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD) for non-long COVID cases was 2.04±0.596 compared to long COVID (LC) cases 1.22±2.09 was observed.

Conclusion

Bangladeshi patients of SCI presented 12 long COVID symptoms and have a significant disease burden compared to non long COVID cases.
Compositionally aware estimation of cross-correlations for microbiome data
Authors: Jensen Ib Thorsgaard , Janss Luc , Radutoiu Simona , Waagepetersen Rasmus
Published: June 2024

In the field of microbiome studies, it is of interest to infer correlations between abundances of different microbes (here referred to as operational taxonomic units, OTUs). Several methods taking the compositional nature of the sequencing data into account exist. However, these methods cannot infer correlations between OTU abundances and other variables. In this paper we introduce the novel methods SparCEV (Sparse Correlations with External Variables) and SparXCC (Sparse Cross-Correlations between Compositional data) for quantifying correlations between OTU abundances and either continuous phenotypic variables or components of other compositional datasets, such as transcriptomic data. SparCEV and SparXCC both assume that the average correlation in the dataset is zero. Iterative versions of SparCEV and SparXCC are proposed to alleviate bias resulting from deviations from this assumption. We compare these new methods to empirical Pearson cross-correlations after applying naive transformations of the data (log and log-TSS). Additionally, we test the centered log ratio transformation (CLR) and the variance stabilising transformation (VST). We find that CLR and VST outperform naive transformations, except when the correlation matrix is dense. SparCEV and SparXCC outperform CLR and VST when the number of OTUs is small and perform similarly to CLR and VST for large numbers of OTUs. Adding the iterative procedure increases accuracy for SparCEV and SparXCC for all cases, except when the average correlation in the dataset is close to zero or the correlation matrix is dense. These results are consistent with our theoretical considerations.
HOTSPOT: An ad hoc teamwork platform for mixed human-robot teams
Authors: Ribeiro João G. , Henriques Luis Müller , Colcher Sérgio , Duarte Julio Cesar , Melo Francisco S. , Milidiú Ruy Luiz , Sardinha Alberto
Published: June 2024

Ad hoc teamwork is a research topic in multi-agent systems whereby an agent (the “ad hoc agent”) must successfully collaborate with a set of unknown agents (the “teammates”) without any prior coordination or communication protocol. However, research in ad hoc teamwork is predominantly focused on agent-only teams, but not on agent-human teams, which we believe is an exciting research avenue and has enormous application potential in human-robot teams. This paper will tap into this potential by proposing HOTSPOT, the first framework for ad hoc teamwork in human-robot teams. Our framework comprises two main modules, addressing the two key challenges in the interaction between a robot acting as the ad hoc agent and human teammates. First, a decision-theoretic module that is responsible for all task-related decision-making (task identification, teammate identification, and planning). Second, a communication module that uses natural language processing to parse all communication between the robot and the human. To evaluate our framework, we use a task where a mobile robot and a human cooperatively collect objects in an open space, illustrating the main features of our framework in a real-world task.
Efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa: A systematic review
Authors: Raji Tajudeen , Fallah Mosoka Papa , Dereje Nebiyu , Kakooza Francis , Ndembi Nicaise , Abdulaziz Mohammed , Aragaw Merawi , Kaseya Jean , Ngongo Alain Ngashi
Published: June 2024

Background

Data on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness to support regional vaccine policy and practice are limited in Africa. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Africa.

Methods

We systematically searched peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies that reported on VE in Africa. We carried out a risk of bias assessment, and the findings of this review were synthesized and presented in a narrative form, including tables and figures. The synthesis was focused on COVID-19 VE against various levels of the disease condition and outcomes (infection, hospitalization or critical, and death), time points, and variants of concern.

Results

A total of 13 studies, with a total sample size of 913,285 participants, were included in this review. The majority (8/13) of studies were from South Africa and 38.5% (5/13) were randomized clinical trials. The studies reported that a full dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had a VE of 100% against COVID-19 infection by Beta (B.1.351) and Delta variants and 96.7% against hospitalization by Delta variant. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine had VE ranging from 38.1%-62.0% against hospitalization and 51.9%- 86% against critical disease by Beta (B 1.351) variant. The Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine had a VE of 89.4% against hospitalization by the Omicron variant but was not effective against the B.1.351 variant (10.4%). The Sinopharm vaccine had a VE of 67% against infection and 46% against hospitalization by Delta variant.

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccines administered in Africa were effective in preventing infections, hospitalization, and death. These review findings underscore the need for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to enhance the access and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce public awareness to reach the high-risk, unvaccinated group of the African population.
Characterization of small-scale net fisheries off the coast of Guyana
Authors: Lakenarine Rovindra , Chhetri Netra , Chhetri Neha , Senko Jesse
Published: June 2024

Fish stocks have declined rapidly over the past half-century due to the increased demand for seafood and unsustainable fishing practices. The incidental capture of non-target species (bycatch) is a pervasive issue in fisheries management and has led to population declines in non-target species worldwide. The fisheries sector in Guyana currently supports the livelihoods of over 10,000 Guyanese and contributes approximately 2% to the country’s GDP. Bycatch is believed to be a major threat to Guyana’s marine fisheries, especially the small-scale sector, due to a lack of management infrastructure and limited data and monitoring. Here, we assessed bycatch in Guyana’s artisanal gillnet and Chinese seine fisheries through vessel observations and semi-structured interviews with local fishers. Most of the discarded species documented had no commercial importance to the fisheries in Guyana. Although no statistical difference was observed among the bycatch rates in the gillnet and Chinese seine fisheries, the latter generally had more discarded individuals, most of which were juveniles. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index showed a greater diversity of bycatch species in the gillnet fisheries compared to the Chinese seine. Jaccard’s similarity index indicated a low similarity among the gear types. Even though most fishers were aware of bycatch, they did not view it as a major issue and were not interested in reducing their discards. We recommend a collaborative approach in exploring solutions to ensure the ecological and socioeconomic sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Plasmodium vivax serological exposure markers: PvMSP1-42-induced humoral and memory B-cell response generates long-lived antibodies
Authors: Lu Feng , Xu Jiahui , Liu Yaobao , Ren Zhenyu , Chen Junhu , Gong Weijuan , Yin Yi , Li Yinyue , Qian Li , He Xinlong , Han Xiu , Lin Zhijie , Lu Jingyuan , Zhang Wenwen , Liu Jiali , Menard Didier , Han Eun-Taek , Cao Jun
Published: June 2024

Plasmodium vivax serological exposure markers (SEMs) have emerged as promising tools for the actionable surveillance and implementation of targeted interventions to accelerate malaria elimination. To determine the dynamic profiles of SEMs in current and past P. vivax infections, we screened and selected 11 P. vivax proteins from 210 putative proteins using protein arrays, with a set of serum samples obtained from patients with acute P. vivax and documented past P. vivax infections. Then we used a murine protein immune model to initially investigate the humoral and memory B cell response involved in the generation of long-lived antibodies. We show that of the 11 proteins, especially C-terminal 42-kDa region of P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1-42) induced longer-lasting long-lived antibodies, as these antibodies were detected in individuals infected with P. vivax in the 1960-1970s who were not re-infected until 2012. In addition, we provide a potential mechanism for the maintenance of long-lived antibodies after the induction of PvMSP1-42. The results indicate that PvMSP1-42 induces more CD73+CD80+ memory B cells (MBCs) compared to P. vivax GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (PvGAMA), allowing IgG anti-PvMSP1-42 antibodies to be maintained for a long time.
Dancing Indigenous Worlds: Choreographies of Relation, Jacqueline Shea Murphy (2023)
Authors: Aros-Mitchell Sam
Published: June 2024

Review of: Dancing Indigenous Worlds: Choreographies of Relation, Jacqueline Shea Murphy (2023)

Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 408 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-51791-268-7, p/bk, $35.00

ISBN 978-1-51791-268-0, e-book, $35.00

ISBN 978-1-51791-267-3, h/bk, $140.00
Radiomics and machine learning analysis of liver magnetic resonance imaging for prediction and early detection of tumor response in colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Yoon Sungjin , Kim Young Jae , Jeon Ji Soo , Ahn Su Joa , Choi Seung Joon
Published: July 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a machine learning-based radiomics model for distinguishing tumor response and overall survival in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) treated with targeted biological therapy.Methods: We prospectively recruited 17 patients with unresectable liver metastases of colorectal cancer, who had been given targeted biological therapy as the first line of treatment. All patients underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three times up until 8 weeks after chemotherapy. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of machine learning-based radiomics model in tumor response of liver MRI compared with the guidelines for the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Overall survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared to the Cox proportional hazard ratios following univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Performance measurement of the trained model through metrics showed the accuracy of the machine learning model to be 76.5%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.857 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.605–0.976; P < 0.001). For the patients classified as non-progressing or progressing by the radiomics model, the median overall survival was 17.5 months (95% CI, 12.8–22.2), and 14.8 months (95% CI, 14.2–15.4), respectively (P = 0.431, log-rank test).Conclusion: Machine learning-based radiomics models could have the potential to predict tumor response in patients with unresectable CRLM treated with biologic therapy.
Clinical course of pancreas cancer diagnosed after spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with borderline lesion: two case reports
Authors: Noh Byeong Gwan , Seo Hyung Il , Park Young Mok
Published: July 2024

Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy is considered the standard operation for pancreas tail and body cancer. However, splenectomy may be option for benign or low-grade malignant tumors including mucinous cystadenoma and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. If spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) with borderline lesion is performed and pancreas cancer is diagnosed on postoperative pathologic finding, if it is R0 resection, the necessity of additional splenectomy remains questionable. The authors would like report two clinical cases diagnosed as pancreatic cancer on postoperative pathology after SPDP and under observation without additional splenectomy.
Heteroclinic solutions in singularly perturbed discontinuous differential equations: a non-generic case
Authors: Battelli Flaviano , Fečkan Michal , Wang JinRong
Published: June 2024

We derive Melnikov type conditions for the persistence of heteroclinic solutions in perturbed slowly varying discontinuous differential equations. Opposite to [J. Differential Equations 400(2024), 314–375] we assume that the unperturbed (frozen) equation has a parametric system of heteroclinic solutions and extend a result in [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 18(1987), 612–629] and [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 19(1988), 1254–1255] to higher dimensional non-Hamiltonian discontinuous singularly perturbed differential equations.
Comparison of Digitally Delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Program With an Active Control for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Anderson Ellen J. , Peters Simone L. , Gibson Peter R. , Halmos Emma P.
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its accessibility is limited. This problem may be overcome by digital delivery. The aim of this study was to perform a randomized control trial comparing the efficacy of a digitally delivered program with and without GDH in IBS.

METHODS:

Adults with IBS were randomized to a 42-session daily digital program with the GDH Program (Nerva) or without (Active Control). Questionnaires were completed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms through IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), quality of life, and psychological symptoms (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21) at regular intervals during the program and 6 months following the conclusion on the intervention. The primary end point was the proportion of participants with ≥50-point decrease in IBS-SSS between the interventions at the end of the program.

RESULTS:

Of 240/244 randomized participants, 121 received GDH Program—the median age 38 (range 20–65) years, 90% female, IBS-SSS 321 (interquartile range 273–367)—and 119 Active Control—36 (21–65), 91% female, IBS-SSS 303 (255–360). At program completion, 81% met the primary end point with GDH Program vs 63% Active Control (P = 0.002). IBS-SSS was median 208 (interquartile range 154–265) with GDH and 244 (190–308) with control (P = 0.004), 30% reduction in pain was reported by 71% compared with 35% (P < 0.001), and IBS quality of life improved by 14 (6–25) compared with 7 (1–15), respectively (P < 0.001). Psychological status improved similarly in both groups.

DISCUSSION:

A digitally delivered GDH Program provided to patients with IBS was superior to the active control, with greater improvement in both gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life and provides an equitable alternative to face-to-face behavioral strategies.
Do the competencies of tax accounting students meet the skills required in the Industry 4.0 era?
Authors: Sumual Frida Magda , Karundeng Frandy Efraim Fritz
Published: June 2024

In this Industry 4.0 era, many college graduates are unemployed because they do not have the competencies that suit the company’s needs. In addition, companies in the Industry 4.0 era also require workers to master the internet and technology because in this era all company business operations are automated. The accounting profession, including the tax accounting profession, has also adapted to developments in technology and the internet in carrying out its duties. Accounting students are required to be able to adapt their taxation capabilities and digital skills to the needs of companies in the Industry 4.0 era. This research is descriptive qualitative research with secondary data sourced from various literature, especially job vacancy advertisements, and primary data in the form of interviews with accounting students. The results of the analysis show that companies in the Industry 4.0 era require students to master basic skills in taxation, especially those related to Income Tax, digital tax applications issued by the Directorate General of Taxes, and data processing applications, such as Ms. Excel, and accounting applications, for example Accurate and Odoo. In general, the accounting study program curriculum is in line with company needs, but there needs to be more training programs for tax practices and accounting computer applications.
Unexplored potential in accounting research
Authors: Suhardianto Novrys , Mahati Dirgahayu Almi , Harymawan Iman , Agustia Dian
Published: June 2024

This study aims to find new ideas within the trends of accounting research. Using a literature review approach, this study maps the composition of accredited accounting research publications at SINTA 2 from 2020 to 2022 and specifically focuses on topics, methods, journals, authors and universities. The results of this study show that there is an increase in the number of published accounting articles, but it is not commensurate with the number of citations used, indicating that there is a decline in the quality of publication. Research topics are dominated by financial aspects, with the least attention given to AIS (Accounting Information Systems). The majority of research methods employ archival approaches, with experimental methods being the least utilized. This study notes that accounting research trends continue to be centralized on the island of Java, indicating the inequality in the distribution of resources and educational infrastructure across Indonesia. In addition, the results also show that undergraduate students still dominate research authors. This analysis provides an overview of the urgency of educational development in Indonesia.
The effect of financial pressure and corporate social responsibility on tax aggressiveness: The moderating effect of the audit committee
Authors: Safitri Devi , Zirman Zirman , Supriono Supriono
Published: June 2024

This research aims to examine the effect of financial pressure and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on tax aggressiveness. In addition, this research also investigates whether audit committee can moderate the effect of financial pressure and CSR on tax aggressiveness. In this research, the financial pressures include financial targets and external pressures. This quantitative research uses secondary data with the population of all manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange period 2019-2021. Sampling is conducted using purposive sampling technique involving 216 companies obtained during three years of observation. Data analysis is conducted using Smart PLS 3.0 with SEM-PLS application to test the direct and moderating effect. The results of this research show that financial target has a negative effect on tax aggressiveness, while external pressure has a positive effect on tax aggressiveness. CSR has no effect on tax aggressiveness. Audit committee cannot moderate the effect of financial target, external pressure, and CSR on tax aggressiveness. This research contributes to the development of accounting literacy, especially in the study of financial pressure, CSR, audit committee and tax aggressiveness. Measuring tax aggressiveness can be done using CETR by adding the CSR variable as an independent variable with GRI standards. In addition, this research also uses financial pressure variable from the fraud triangle theory which is related to tax aggressiveness.