bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ιστοσελίδες Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης και προσέλκυση - επιλογή ανθρώπινου δυναμικού
Authors: Γαϊτανάρου Αφροδίτη
Published: July 2023

Η παρούσα διδακτορική έρευνα, εξετάζει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η τεχνολογία και ειδικότερα οι ιστοσελίδες κοινωνικής δικτύωσης (LinkedIn και Facebook), επιδρούν στη λήψη διοικητικών αποφάσεων στελέχωσης. Ο στόχος της έρευνας, είναι η μελέτη της επιρροής της διαδικτυακής συμπεριφοράς των υποψήφιων εργαζομένων, έτσι όπως εκφράζεται στα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης, στην αρχική διαδικτυακή αξιολόγησή τους για μια θέση εργασίας. Η πρακτική αυτή, περιγράφεται στη βιβλιογραφία ως “cybervetting” και είναι αρκετά διαδεδομένη, χωρίς ωστόσο να υπάρχει επαρκές ερευνητικό πλαίσιο το οποίο να εξετάζει διεξοδικά όλες τις προεκτάσεις της. Η εν λόγω έρευνα επομένως, εστιάζει κυρίως στο βαθμό επίδρασης της αρνητικής διαδικτυακής πληροφόρησης στην απόφαση πρόσληψης, εκφραζόμενης σε διαφορετικές διαστάσεις εργασιακού ενδιαφέροντος. Αρχικά, επιχειρείται η αποσαφήνιση της έννοιας της αρνητικής διαδικτυακής πληροφόρησης μέσω μιας ποιοτικής προκαταρκτικής έρευνας. Στη συνέχεια, μέσω μιας ποσοτικής έρευνας επισκόπησης, εξετάζεται η σημασία των επιμέρους διαστάσεων της ορισθείσας ως αρνητικής διαδικτυακής πληροφόρησης, στην απόφαση απόρριψης ενός υποψήφιου εργαζόμενου από τη διαδικασία επιλογής ανθρώπινου δυναμικού. Τέλος, μέσω ενός πειραματικού σχεδιασμού, ερευνάται η σχέση μεταξύ των επιλεχθέντων διαστάσεων αρνητικής διαδικτυακής πληροφόρησης και των αντιλήψεων των διοικητικών στελεχών, σχετικά με την επιλεξιμότητα ενός υποψηφίου για μια θέση εργασίας. Το μέσο κοινωνικής δικτύωσης (LinkedIn / Facebook), εξετάζεται ως ρυθμιστικός παράγοντας της παραπάνω σχέσης, με βασική έμφαση στα διαφορετικά στοιχεία πλαισίου του κάθε διαδικτυακού μέσου. Όλα τα παραπάνω, αξιολογούνται σύμφωνα με το συνδυαστικό θεωρητικό πλαίσιο της θεωρίας νοηματοδότησης (signaling theory), της θεωρίας περιορισμού της αβεβαιότητας (uncertainty reduction theory), της θεωρίας της ασύμμετρης επίδρασης των αρνητικών πληροφοριών (negativity effect theory) και της θεωρίας της εγγυητικής αξίας (warranting theory). Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας έρευνας, έχουν σημαντικές προεκτάσεις για τρεις βασικές ομάδες ενδιαφέροντος, αυτή των υποψηφίων εργαζομένων, αυτή των στελεχών επιλογής ανθρώπινου δυναμικού και αυτή των επιχειρήσεων.
Preliminary estimation of fouling organisms associated with the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in the natural habitat of the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea
Authors: ABDELSALAM KHALED M. , ELEBIARY NOHA H.
Published: July 2023

In the summer of 2021, marine fouling organisms associated with the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata in the natural habitat of Miyami area, Alexandria city, were surveyed, where samples were collected by scuba diving. Eighteen shells of variable sizes were collected to investigate the fouling community’s biodiversity that settled on each shell. A total of 1674 organisms representing 106 fouling taxa were identified, weighing a cumulative wet weight of 147.98 g. The community composition consists of 52  taxa of Polychaeta, 19 species of Arthropods, 18 species of Mollusks, 5 species of Bryozoans, 4 species of Chordata, 2 species of Rhodophytes, Anthozoans, and Echinoderms, and one species for Sponge, and Platyhelminth. Species diversity, abundance, and total wet weight were variable among the eighteen studied shells, with higher recorded values on larger shells. The two barnacles (Balanus trigonus and Perforatus perforatus) were the most dominant species, followed by the Syllidae polychaete Haplosyllis spongicola, then the alien mytilid bivalve Brachidontes pharaonis, and the Dorvilleidae alien polychaete (Dorvillea similis). A comparison with other similar studies in the Mediterranean Sea was conducted. Before performing manipulative studies on how biofouling communities might affect aquaculture productivity, it is first necessary to ascertain the composition of these organisms within the desired aquaculture locations.
Preliminary measurements of formaldehyde in seawater and edible tissues of farmed gilthead seabream after formalin immersion
Authors: KOTSIRI MADO , PANARA ANTHI , KOUPA ANASTASIA , GOURZIOTI EVGENIA , THOMAIDIS NIKOLAOS S. , RIGOS GEORGE
Published: July 2023

This study was performed to measure the possible persistence of formaldehyde, the active substance of formalin solution, in seawater and edible gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) tissues after a formalin bath. The trial was carried out during the summer period as parasitic infestations are of a high frequency. Water samples were taken within or at a short distance from the treatment cages, during and following formalin immersion. Fish fillets were also sampled at the same sampling points. Chromatographic analysis of water and tissue samples was performed with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). Measured formaldehyde concentrations in gilthead seabream fillets clearly showed no increase due to the immersion or advent of time. Formaldehyde measurements in seawater revealed that after formalin treatments negligible amounts of the substance remain in the aquatic environment and these values seem to be relatively unaffected by depth in the vicinity of the fish cages. Further research is required to investigate the formalin degradation cycle under Mediterranean seawater conditions, including more farm sites and temperature ranges.
Exiled lives on the stage: Support networks and programs for artists at risk from Turkey in Germany
Authors: Verstraete Pieter
Published: July 2023

This article analyses the support and self-care strategies of artists from Turkey who have left their country from considerable risk regarding their country’s political and economic instability since 2013 and have relocated to Germany. It maps the support networks, programs and institutions as well as consider questions of sustainability and risk (self-) assessment. The study is based on interviews with Turkish and Kurdish artists in Germany and an analysis of the activities by the Maxim Gorki Theater, Apartment Projekt, bi’bak, Hafiza Merkezi Berlin, as well as support systems like artistic research fellowships, art residencies, artist networks and supportive theatres. The guiding questions of this study examine the longer-term orientation of the support of artists at risk.

The findings show three deficiencies. Despite the variety of available support systems, artists who left Turkey experience difficulties integrating in the artistic labour market. The output-oriented, meritocratic basis on which programs select candidates often fail to help artists in a holistic way. The intergenerational disparity in the migrant communities create the infrastructures, solidarity discourses and networks for newly arriving artists, but also creates ideological tensions which limits inter-communitarian solidarity. Specific self-organized programs extend the solidarity to artists from other affected regions, which limits chances to support artists at risk from Turkey. There are generational disadvantages of newcomers in an overburdened, professionalized independent art scene that has struggled to break free from the social work and socio-cultural stigmas. The latter masks artists with a non-German background from positive discrimination initiatives.

The study proposes improvement in support systems through a coordinated effort, encourages to relieve programs from a need for identity representation as an expectation or requirement, and advises a shift in support systems from output orientation towards enhancement of individuals through self-care, for greater autonomy and self-development in their art practices and new life.
“Conversations About the Important” and the Education of Younger Schoolchildren (Part 2)
Authors: Vinogradova Natalya
Published: July 2023

The article discusses the importance of the Federal information and educational classes "Conversations about the important" in the patriotic and civic education of elementary schoolchildren. The opinions of supporters and opponents of the idea of this new component of the educational activity of an educational organization are evaluated, the sensitivity of children of primary school age is emphasized, which determines this period of a child's development as the most favorable for the formation of higher moral feelings. The key positions of the content of the lessons "Conversations about the important" and the features of their organization are revealed.
Incidencia sobre los derechos de las trabajadoras de las recientes leyes españolas de igualdad (2022-2023).
Authors: Lousada Arochena José Fernando
Published: July 2023

Durante el 2022 y los primeros meses del 2023 hemos asistido en España a la publicación de hasta cuatro leyes sobre igualdad: la Ley de igualdad de trato y no discriminación; la Ley Orgánica de garantía integral de la libertad sexual; la Ley para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans y para la garantía de los derechos de las personas LGTBI; y la Ley Orgánica por la que se modifica la Ley Orgánica de salud sexual y reproductiva y de la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo. En el presente estudio se analiza de manera crítica la incidencia que dichas cuatro leyes han tenido sobre los derechos laborales y de Seguridad Social de las mujeres trabajadoras.
The Scope of Software Patent Protection in the Digital Age: Evidence from Alice
Authors: Lin Yu-Kai , Rai Arun
Published: July 2023

Previous studies on software patents using data from the 1990s and early 2000s found a positive association between strong patent rights and sales within the software industry. Our research expands on this work in three ways. First, we consider more recent data from 2010 to 2018, which better represent the advancements in digitalization. Second, we shift our focus to the breadth of software patent protection rather than the quantity of patents held by a firm. Third, we provide evidence showing increased open-source involvement and sales for software firms when software patent protection is more limited. Put simply, a more restricted scope of software patent protection could foster a beneficial situation for both software firms and society. Despite less reliance on formal patent protection, companies can still generate and profit from their innovations without excluding societal members from utilizing these advancements. This “less-is-more” approach may extend to a wider array of software-related innovations, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging digital technologies.
Mouth care: why it matters − highlighting a neglected care need
Authors: Hewson Victoria , Wood Cate
Published: July 2023

Oral health care is integral to general wellbeing, allowing people to eat, communicate verbally and socialise without discomfort or embarrassment. In relation to people being admitted to hospital, poor oral health care has been linked to longer hospital stays and increased care costs. It is also associated with an increase in hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia and can affect nutritional intake, which is vital in supporting recovery. Assistance and encouragement with effective and daily mouth care can prevent deterioration in a patient's oral health, and yet it remains a neglected and overlooked area of care provision. Initiatives have attempted to address this neglected area of care but the pandemic and other priorities have allowed it to be lower on the healthcare agenda. Nurses, healthcare assistants and student nurses form the largest group of the healthcare workforce, providing or supervising the personal care of patients in hospitals and the community. Therefore, oral healthcare assessment and practical skills should be embedded in education and be given a strong focus and leadership to ensure that good practice is consistently implemented across all health and care settings. Mouth care really matters and should be integral to all health and care encounters. Further research and investigation into the important but neglected area of mouth care is also required.
Implementation of the medical emergencies in eating disorders in adults guidance on non-specialist units
Authors: Turner Pete
Published: July 2023

The Royal College of Psychiatrists recently published data showing an 84% increase in UK hospital admissions for eating disorders over the past 5 years, highlighting the importance of the college's new Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) guidance. This includes a 79% increase among adults, many of whom are admitted to general medical wards that do not have input from expert eating disorders services. Consequently, the multidisciplinary nutrition support team, nutrition specialist nurses and dietitians have a potentially vital role in implementing MEED to ensure that the appropriate nutritional, fluid and electrolyte management is in place for safe refeeding and avoidance of the potentially harmful underfeeding syndrome. Furthermore, the guidance includes special recommendations for the use of nasogastric feeding in eating disorder patients, which requires input from experts in this field, including specialist nurses and dietitians. This article focuses on the implementation of MEED on hospital wards that do not have input from specialist eating disorders services.
Multiple Cantilever K-wiring Technique for Severely Comminuted Articular Fragments in Neglected Distal Humerus Fracture with Anterior Elbow Dislocation: A Case Report
Authors: Dhar Sanjay , Kale Sachin Yashwant , Singh Sushmit , Gunjotikar Aditya Rajendra , Koli Vaibhav , Sharma Suraj
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Anterior dislocation of the elbow is comparatively less frequent and is often associated with fractures of the distal humerus. Such injuries require surgical intervention at the earliest but with the surge of COVID-19 pandemic and different protocols being followed by surgeons, such cases are getting neglected. We present a 5-week-old neglected anterior dislocation of the right elbow joint with lateral condyle and medial epicondyle humerus fracture and a unique cantilever K-wiring technique used for its treatment. Case Presentation: A 30-year-old man presented with pain, deformity, and limited range of movement of his right elbow joint and a non-healing wound over the olecranon after he had a road traffic accident 5 weeks back. The patient had been initially treated in a local hospital where he tested positive for COVID-19 and was managed conservatively. Radiographs revealed lateral condyle and medial epicondyle humerus fracture and an unreduced anterior dislocation of the right elbow joint. Conclusion:Neglected fracture-dislocation of the elbow is challenging and is further complicated by comminuted fragments with loss of bone stock. A unique use of multiple Kirschner wires in a cantilever fashion provides a good fixation alternative for such cases. Keywords:Anterior elbow dislocation, neglected elbow injury, cantilever K-wiring.
A Case of Nonunion with Ballooning Deformity after Periprosthetic Humeral Fracture
Authors: Matsumiya Yutaka , Oe Keisuke , Fukui Tomoaki , Kawamoto Teruya , Kuroda Ryosuke , Niikura Takahiro
Published: July 2023

Introduction:We report a very rare case of nonunion with ballooning deformity of the humeral bone after a periprosthetic humeral fracture nonunion. Case Report: A 79-year-old woman underwent hemiarthroplasty 19 years ago for her proximal humerus fracture. She injured her right humeral diaphysis (stem distal end fracture) 6 years ago. She underwent revision hemiarthroplasty with long stem, but bony union was not obtained, and her right upper limb function was subsequently abolished due to extreme instability and pain in her right upper arm. She was then referred to our hospital for further treatment. X-ray showed nonunion in the humeral diaphysis and a severe ballooning deformity in the distal humeral bone fragment. Due to the advanced age and low activity of the patient, we chose total humerus replacement surgery instead of osteosynthesis. After the surgery, her upper arm pain and instability immediately improved. Three years after the last surgery, there have been no implant failures, and the upper arm is stable and painless. Conclusion:Although there are some reports of total humerus replacement as surgical treatment for humeral tumor and severe periprosthetic fracture, we found no reports of such ballooning deformity around the nonunion site. Total humerus replacement can be one of the treatment options in cases where nonunion surgery is extremely difficult, depending on the patient’s age and activities of daily living. Keywords:Ballooning deformity, nonunion, periprosthetic fracture, total humeral replacement.
Optical gratings fabricated using the capillary-assisted self-assembly of nanoparticles on a flexible substrate
Authors: Sutradhar Agnimitra , Sam Joel Cherian , Gupta Shilpi
Published: July 2023

We demonstrate a cost-effective and high-throughput fabrication technique to deposit colloidal nanoparticles on a patterned polymer substrate using a capillary-assisted self-assembly method over a large area. In particular, we fabricate optical gratings using gold nanoparticles and a polymer substrate. We show the versatility of the technique over different nanoparticle diameters and grating periodicities. Through both experiments and simulations, we show enhanced transmission in the first-order diffraction of the gold-polymer grating as compared to the air-polymer grating. Our fabrication technique also enables the transfer of the nanoparticle pattern from the polymer substrate to any desired surface. Here we demonstrate the transfer of the nanoparticle grating structure to the tip of optical fibers.
Microwave photonic dispersion immune self-interference cancellation scheme for a radio over fiber based in-band full duplex communication link
Authors: Li He , Zhu Zihang , Gao Congrui , Wang Guodong , Zhou Tao , Li Xuan , Meng Qingqing , Zhou Yixiao , Zhao Shanghong
Published: July 2023

A microwave photonic scheme for multi-functional radio over fiber based in-band full duplex communication links to realize deep self-interference cancellation, long range transmission, and efficient signal recovery is proposed. In the proposed scheme, double sideband modulation helps avoid applying electrical couplers or optical filters and is beneficial to improve the frequency conversion efficiency. By virtue of the intermediate frequency signal amplitude regulation mechanism induced by fiber dispersion, the conditions of dispersion induced power fading compensation, amplitude matching, and phase reversion between self-interference and reference signals can be satisfied through joint DC bias tuning. The high precision delay matching in the optical domain is advantageous to the deep self-interference cancellation performance in a wide frequency range compared to its electrical counterparts. Furthermore, the deterioration of signal quality and self-interference cancellation performance caused by fiber dispersion is avoided. Experimental analyses show that a single tone signal in a wide frequency range of 2–20 GHz can be cancelled over 60 dB. A broadband signal with bandwidth of 50 MHz in the C-band, X-band, and K-band can be cancelled over 35 dB. Furthermore, the recovery performance of the signal of interest with different modulation formats and different signal to interference ratios is investigated, showing high quality signal transmission and efficient signal recovery. The capability of dispersion induced power fading compensation is also verified, and the spurious-free dynamic range is measured to be 88.47dB⋅Hz2/3.
Multifrequency on–off modulation and slow light characterization of the patterned black phosphorus metamaterial based on dual plasmon-induced transparency
Authors: Chang Xia , Li Hongjian , Liu Chao , Zhang Zhenbing , Li Min , Ruan Bianxian , Gao Enduo
Published: July 2023

We present a monolayer patterned black phosphorus (BP) metamaterial for generating a tunable dual plasmon-induced transparency (PIT). We have derived the expression for the theoretical transmittance by introducing the coupled mode theory (CMT), and the calculated results of the expression highly overlap with the simulation results. The quarterly frequency synchronous switch with two different operating bands is designed by the carrier density and scattering rate on the dual PIT modulation effect. Two parameters were selected as important markers to show the performance of the optical switch: the modulation depth (MD) and the insertion loss (IL). The theoretical analysis of this structure shows that the higher modulation depth (5.45dB<MD<12.06dB) and lower insertion loss (0.60dB<IL<0.22dB) of these switches are of good application. In addition, we found the slow light properties of the structure were excellent with a group index of up to 219. This work provides a theoretical basis to prepare multifrequency optical switch and optical buffer devices.
Multiple-scattering model for the effective refractive index of dense suspensions of forward-scattering particles
Authors: Nahmad-Rohen Alexander , García-Valenzuela Augusto
Published: July 2023

We present a multiple-scattering model for the effective refractive index of an arbitrarily dense suspension of forward-scattering particles. The model provides a very simple formula for the effective refractive index of such a suspension and reproduces with high accuracy available experimental results. Furthermore, the derivation we present herein is mathematically transparent and enables us to obtain information on the underlying physical processes rather than obscuring them. We also provide insight into the extent of the model’s validity and a simple way to determine whether or not it will be valid for an arbitrary suspension. Due to its simplicity, analytical closedness, and wide range of applicability, we believe the model can be used as a diagnostic tool for complex materials of vastly different natures.
Optical “fingerprints” of dielectric resonators
Authors: Chetverikova A. P. , Bochkarev M. E. , Solodovchenko N. S. , Samusev K. B. , Limonov M. F.
Published: July 2023

The complete picture of the optical properties of resonant structures, along with the frequency, quality factor, and line shape in scattering spectra, is determined by the electromagnetic field distribution patterns, which are a kind of “fingerprint” of each resonant eigenmode. In this paper, we simultaneously analyze the changes in the spectra and the transformation of the field pattern during topological transitions from a thin disk to a ring with a gradually increasing thickness and further to a split ring. In addition, we demonstrate characteristic optical fingerprints for well-known interference effects such as bound states in the continuum and Fano resonances.
Dynamic correction of optical aberrations for height-independent selective laser induced etching processing strategies
Authors: Kratz Martin , Rückle Lukas , Kalupka Christian , Reininghaus Martin , Haefner Constantin L.
Published: July 2023

Optical aberrations are a critical issue for tight focusing and high precision manufacturing with ultrashort pulsed laser radiation in transparent media. Controlling the wave front of ultrashort laser pulses enable the correction of low order phase front distortion and significantly enhances the simplification of laser-based manufacturing of 3D-parts in glass. The influence of system-inherent, dominating aberrations such as spherical and astigmatic aberrations affect the focal area, the beam caustic and therefore the focus intensity distribution. We correct these aberrations by means of a spatial light modulator (SLM) for various processing depths in glass thickness of up to 12 mm. This flexible aberration correction significantly simplifies the process control and scanning strategies for the selective laser induced etching process. The influence on the selectivity is investigated by comparing the three different focus conditions of the intrinsic microscope objective aberration corrected, the aberrated and the SLM aberration corrected beam profile. The previously necessary pulse energy adjustment for different z positions in the glass volume is compensated via SLM aberration correction in the end. Furthermore, the spatial extend of the modified and etched area is investigated. In consequence, a simplified scan strategy and depth-independent processing parameters can be achieved for the selective laser induced etching process.
OFDR analysis of Si photonics FMCW LiDAR chip
Authors: Kamata Mikiya , Baba Toshihiko
Published: July 2023

We experimentally analyzed the internal reflection and loss of each component in a Si photonics frequency-modulated continuous-wave light detection and ranging (FMCW LiDAR) device using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) with a spatial resolution of better than 2.5 µm. Sweeping the incident laser wavelength by 120 nm, the reflections and losses of wire waveguides, widened waveguides, and optical switches on the chip were individually revealed. The slow-light grating (SLG) beam scanner, which has a limited working wavelength range, was evaluated with a spatial resolution of >10 µm by narrowing the wavelength sweep range. Consequently, a strong reflection was observed at the transition between the wire waveguide and the SLG, which can be a noise source in the FMCW LiDAR. Additionally, this study showed that the OFDR can be an important analysis tool for Si photonics integrated circuits. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration, showing that the OFDR can be an important analysis tool for Si photonic integrated circuits.
Soliton-like surface plasmon polaritons generated on the surface of a silver nanowire embedded in a Kerr nonlinear medium
Authors: Gao Yunpeng , Pei Yanbo , Yao Fengfeng , Hou Chunfeng
Published: July 2023

The behavior of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) generated on the surface of a silver nanowire by coaxial Gaussian beams in Kerr nonlinear mediums is studied numerically. Enhancement of the propagation of the SPPs is realized due to the introduction of the nonlinear effect. Further adjusting the nonlinearity or the beam’s intensity results in a soliton-like propagation of SPPs. This can be explained by the nonlinear self-focusing effect transferring more light into SPP modes and counteracting the attenuation caused by the absorption of metal. This result may contribute to SPP-based applications where an enhanced propagation length is needed.
OAM-resolved polarization in random light beams
Authors: Pokharel Sushil , Raveh David , Korotkova Olga
Published: July 2023

We establish the properties of the cross-spectral density orbital angular momentum (CSD-OAM) matrix of a stationary optical beam-like field and use them to introduce the OAM-resolved polarization properties. It is shown that sufficiently general random fields contain two types of polarization, one relating to a single OAM mode and the other to a pair of modes.
Three-core photonic crystal fiber for the in-line measurement of full-polarization states by multi-core polarization interference theory
Authors: Zhao Yifei , Gu Jiexuan , Li Boyao , Zhou Guiyao
Published: July 2023

In this Letter, we demonstrate and experimentally verify the application of three-core photonic crystal fiber (3C-PCF) for the in-line detection of fully polarized states. We prove the response of 3C-PCF to full-polarization states under multi-core polarization interference through experiments. The sensitivity at 1472 nm is 0.0273 nm/rad, and the linear response is better than 98.9% (the optimal operating wavelength can be designed in the range of 1470 to 1570 nm). With the advantages of an all-fiber integrated system, robustness, and wide wavelength coverage, our design holds great promise for facilitating fiber-optic-integrated polarization meters for optical fiber communication and biomedical diagnostic applications.
Ten quick tips for avoiding pitfalls in multi-omics data integration analyses
Authors: Chicco Davide , Cumbo Fabio , Angione Claudio
Published: July 2023

Data are the most important elements of bioinformatics: Computational analysis of bioinformatics data, in fact, can help researchers infer new knowledge about biology, chemistry, biophysics, and sometimes even medicine, influencing treatments and therapies for patients. Bioinformatics and high-throughput biological data coming from different sources can even be more helpful, because each of these different data chunks can provide alternative, complementary information about a specific biological phenomenon, similar to multiple photos of the same subject taken from different angles. In this context, the integration of bioinformatics and high-throughput biological data gets a pivotal role in running a successful bioinformatics study. In the last decades, data originating from proteomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, phenomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics have been labelled -omics data, as a unique name to refer to them, and the integration of these omics data has gained importance in all biological areas. Even if this omics data integration is useful and relevant, due to its heterogeneity, it is not uncommon to make mistakes during the integration phases. We therefore decided to present these ten quick tips to perform an omics data integration correctly, avoiding common mistakes we experienced or noticed in published studies in the past. Even if we designed our ten guidelines for beginners, by using a simple language that (we hope) can be understood by anyone, we believe our ten recommendations should be taken into account by all the bioinformaticians performing omics data integration, including experts.
EEG classification of traumatic brain injury and stroke from a nonspecific population using neural networks
Authors: Caiola Michael , Babu Avaneesh , Ye Meijun
Published: July 2023

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and stroke are devastating neurological conditions that affect hundreds of people daily. Unfortunately, detecting TBI and stroke without specific imaging techniques or access to a hospital often proves difficult. Our prior research used machine learning on electroencephalograms (EEGs) to select important features and to classify between normal, TBI, and stroke on an independent dataset from a public repository with an accuracy of 0.71. In this study, we expanded to explore whether featureless and deep learning models can provide better performance in distinguishing between TBI, stroke and normal EEGs by including more comprehensive data extraction tools to drastically increase the size of the training dataset. We compared the performance of models built upon selected features with Linear Discriminative Analysis and ReliefF with several featureless deep learning models. We achieved 0.85 area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) using feature-based models, and 0.84 AUC with featureless models. In addition, we demonstrated that Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) can provide insight into patient-specific EEG classification by highlighting problematic EEG segments during clinical review. Overall, our study suggests that machine learning and deep learning of EEG or its precomputed features can be a useful tool for TBI and stroke detection and classification. Although not surpassing the performance of feature-based models, featureless models reached similar levels without prior computation of a large feature set allowing for faster and cost-efficient deployment, analysis, and classification.
Good practices for clinical data warehouse implementation: A case study in France
Authors: Doutreligne Matthieu , Degremont Adeline , Jachiet Pierre-Alain , Lamer Antoine , Tannier Xavier
Published: July 2023

Real-world data (RWD) bears great promises to improve the quality of care. However, specific infrastructures and methodologies are required to derive robust knowledge and brings innovations to the patient. Drawing upon the national case study of the 32 French regional and university hospitals governance, we highlight key aspects of modern clinical data warehouses (CDWs): governance, transparency, types of data, data reuse, technical tools, documentation, and data quality control processes. Semi-structured interviews as well as a review of reported studies on French CDWs were conducted in a semi-structured manner from March to November 2022. Out of 32 regional and university hospitals in France, 14 have a CDW in production, 5 are experimenting, 5 have a prospective CDW project, 8 did not have any CDW project at the time of writing. The implementation of CDW in France dates from 2011 and accelerated in the late 2020. From this case study, we draw some general guidelines for CDWs. The actual orientation of CDWs towards research requires efforts in governance stabilization, standardization of data schema, and development in data quality and data documentation. Particular attention must be paid to the sustainability of the warehouse teams and to the multilevel governance. The transparency of the studies and the tools of transformation of the data must improve to allow successful multicentric data reuses as well as innovations in routine care.
Mortality rate and associated factors among patients co-infected with drug resistant tuberculosis/HIV at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda, a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bayowa Joan Rokani , Kalyango Joan N. , Baluku Joseph Baruch , Katuramu Richard , Ssendikwanawa Emmanuel , Zalwango Jane Frances , Akunzirwe Rebecca , Nanyonga Stella Maris , Amutuhaire Judith Ssemasazi , Muganga Ronald Kivumbi , Cherop Adolphus
Published: July 2023

Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB)/HIV co-infection remains a growing threat to public health and threatens global TB and HIV prevention and care programs. HIV is likely to worsen the outcomes of DR-TB and DR-TB is likely to worsen the outcomes of HIV despite the scale up of TB and HIV services and advances in treatment and diagnosis. This study determined the mortality rate and factors associated with mortality among persons on treatment co-infected with drug resistant TB and HIV at Mulago National Referral Hospital. We retrospectively reviewed data of 390 persons on treatment that had a DR-TB/HIV co-infection in Mulago National Referral Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019.Modified poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to determine relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable (mortality) at bivariate and multivariate analysis. Of the 390 participants enrolled, 201(53.9%) were males with a mean age of 34.6 (±10.6) and 129 (33.2%,95% CI = 28.7–38.1%) died. Antiretroviral therapy(ART) initiation (aIRR 0.74, 95% CI = 0.69–0.79), having a body mass index (BMI)≥18.5Kg/m2 (aIRR 1.01, 95% CI = 1.03–1.17), having a documented client phone contact (aIRR 0.85, 95% CI = 0.76–0.97), having a mid-upper arm circumference,(MUAC) ≥18.5cm (aIRR 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82–0.99), being on first and second line ART regimen (aIRR 0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.89),having a known viral load (aIRR 1.09, 95% CI = 1.00–1.21) and having an adverse event during the course of treatment (aIRR 0.88, 95% CI = 0.83–0.93) were protective against mortality. There was a significantly high mortality rate due to DR-TB/HIV co-infection. These results suggest that initiation of all persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with DR-TB on ART and frequent monitoring of adverse drug events highly reduces mortality.
Adolescent girls’ descriptions of dysmenorrhea and barriers to dysmenorrhea management in Moshi, Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Cherenack Emily M. , Rubli Jennifer , Melara Abraham , Ezaldein Nada , King Aisha , Alcaide Maria L. , Raccamarich Patricia , Fein Lydia A. , Sikkema Kathleen J.
Published: July 2023

Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) is common among adolescent girls globally, but many girls in Sub-Saharan Africa do not receive effective treatment. Qualitative interviews were used to describe adolescent girls’ experiences of dysmenorrhea and identify sociocultural barriers to dysmenorrhea management in Moshi, Tanzania. From August to November 2018, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 adolescent girls and 10 adult experts (e.g., teachers, medical providers) who have experience working with girls in Tanzania. Thematic content analysis identified themes related to dysmenorrhea, including descriptions of dysmenorrhea and the impact of dysmenorrhea on well-being, as well as factors influencing the use of pharmacological and behavioral pain management strategies. Potential barriers to dysmenorrhea management were identified. Dysmenorrhea negatively impacted the physical and psychological well-being of girls and hindered girls’ ability to participate in school, work, and social events. The most common pain management strategies were resting, drinking hot water, engaging in physical activity, and taking paracetamol. Barriers to dysmenorrhea management included beliefs that medications are harmful to the body or can hinder fertility, limited knowledge about the benefits of hormonal contraceptives to manage menstruation, little continuing education for healthcare providers, and a lack of consistent access to effective medications, medical care, or other supplies necessary for pain management. Medication hesitancy and inconsistent access to effective medication and other menstrual supplies must be addressed to improve girls’ ability to manage dysmenorrhea in Tanzania.
Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic characterisation of rabies virus strains from Moldova and north-eastern Romania
Authors: Dascalu Mihaela Anca , Picard-Meyer Evelyne , Robardet Emmanuelle , Servat Alexandre , Arseniev Serghei , Groza Oxana , Starciuc Nicolae , Vuta Vlad , Barbuceanu Florica , Tanase Oana Irina , Daraban Bocaneti Florentina , Quenault Helene , Hirchaud Edouard , Blanchard Yannick , Velescu Elena , Cliquet Florence
Published: July 2023

Background

Rabies is the oldest fatal zoonotic disease recognised as a neglected tropical disease and is caused by an RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae.

Methodology/Principal findings

A deep molecular analysis was conducted on full-length nucleoprotein (N) gene and whole genome sequences of rabies virus from 37 animal brain samples collected between 2012 and 2017 to study the circulation of rabies virus (RABV) variants. The overall aim was to better understand their distribution in Moldova and north-eastern Romania. Both Sanger and high throughput sequencing on Ion Torrent and Illumina platforms were performed. Phylogenetic analysis of the RABV sequences from both Moldova and Romania revealed that all the samples (irrespective of the year of isolation and the species) belonged to a single phylogenetic group: north-eastern Europe (NEE), clustering into three assigned lineages: RO#5, RO#6 and RO#7.

Conclusions/Significance

High throughput sequencing of RABV samples from domestic and wild animals was performed for the first time for both countries, providing new insights into virus evolution and epidemiology in this less studied region, expanding our understanding of the disease.
Verbal autopsy analysis of childhood deaths in rural Gambia
Authors: Wutor Baleng Mahama , Osei Isaac , Babila Galega Lobga , Ezeani Esu , Adefila Williams , Hossain Ilias , Sarwar Golam , Mackenzie Grant
Published: July 2023

Background

In low-resource settings, it is challenging to ascertain the burden and causes of under-5 mortality as many deaths occur outside health facilities. We aimed to determine the causes of childhood deaths in rural Gambia using verbal autopsies (VA).

Methodology

We used WHO VA questionnaires to conduct VAs for deaths under-5 years of age in the Basse and Fuladu West Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) in rural Gambia between September 01, 2019, and December 31, 2021. Using a standardized cause of death list, two physicians assigned causes of death and discordant diagnoses were resolved by consensus.

Results

VAs were conducted for 89% (647/727) of deaths. Of these deaths, 49.5% (n = 319) occurred at home, 50.1% (n = 324) in females, and 32.3% (n = 209) in neonates. Acute respiratory infection including pneumonia (ARIP) (33.7%, n = 137) and diarrhoeal diseases (23.3%, n = 95) were the commonest primary causes of death in the post-neonatal period. In the neonatal period, unspecified perinatal causes of death (34.0%, n = 71) and deaths due to birth asphyxia (27.3%, n = 57) were the commonest causes of death. Severe malnutrition (28.6%, n = 185) was the commonest underlying cause of death. In the neonatal period, deaths due to birth asphyxia (p-value<0.001) and severe anaemia (p-value = 0.03) were more likely to occur at hospitals while unspecified perinatal deaths (p-value = 0.01) were more likely to occur at home. In the post-neonatal period, deaths due to ARIP (p-value = 0.04) and diarrhoeal disease (p-value = 0.001) were more likely to occur among children aged 1–11 months and 12–23 months respectively.

Conclusion

According to VA analysis of deaths identified within two HDSS in rural Gambia, half of deaths amongst children under-5 in rural Gambia occur at home. ARIP and diarrhoea, and the underlying cause of severe malnutrition remain the predominant causes of child mortality. Improved health care and health-seeking behaviour may reduce childhood deaths in rural Gambia.
Motives and attitudes of parents toward HPV vaccination: Results from the initial period of HPV vaccine rollout in Serbia
Authors: Štrbac Mirjana , Vuković Vladimir , Pustahija Tatjana , Nikolić Nataša , Rajčević Smiljana , Ilić Svetlana , Dugandžija Tihomir , Patić Aleksandra , Ristić Mioljub , Petrović Vladimir
Published: July 2023

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common viral infections in sexually active population worldwide, and is the main cause of cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer among women. Serbia ranks third in incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Europe. We conducted a cross-sectional study considering parents’ motivation for the HPV vaccination of their children. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. We found that the strongest motive was “Recommendation from paediatrician” (20.2%), followed by the attitude that HPV vaccine protects against cancers in different localization (15.4%), the motive “It is better to vaccinate a child than expose them to potential risk of HPV infection” (13.3%) and “Feeling anxiety due to a possible infection and cancer in the child” (13.1%). For those parents that vaccinated their child for some other strongest motive, reasons like “Vaccine is free of charge”, “Recommendation from friends and family” and motive „My child received all obligatory vaccines, so I want to receive this one as well“, were significantly more frequently selected. In the group where paediatricians’ recommendation was not a motive for accepting the HPV vaccine, the largest percentage of parents (89.6%) selected motive “HPV vaccine protects against cancers in different localization” and the motive “It is better to vaccinate a child than expose them to potential risk of HPV infection” (78.1%). Paediatrician’s recommendation is very important for parents’ decision to vaccinate, however, other motives also influenced and had significance in making the parents’ decision to vaccinate their children against HPV. Encouraging trust in public health authorities in Serbia, highlighting the advantages of the HPV vaccine and further encouraging healthcare workers to give stronger recommendations can increase the HPV vaccine uptake. Finally, we provided the basis to create more targeted messages that will empower parents to vaccinate their children.
A framework model for current land condition in Iceland
Authors: Arnalds Ólafur , Marteinsdóttir Bryndís , Brink Sigmundur Helgi , Þórsson Jóhann
Published: July 2023

Iceland border the Arctic with cold maritime climate and a large proportion of the land placed at highland plateaus. About 1100 years of human disturbance, such as grazing and wood harvesting, has left much of the island’s ecosystems in a poor state, ranging from barren deserts to areas with altered vegetative composition and degraded soils. We constructed a novel resilience-based model (RBC-model) for current land condition in Iceland to test which and how factors, including elevation, slope characteristics, drainage, and proximity to volcanic activity, influence the resilience and stability of ecosystems to human disturbances. We tested the model by randomly placing 500 sample areas (250 x 250 m) all over the country and obtaining values for each factor and current land conditions for each area from existing databases and satellite images. Elevation and drainage explained the largest portions of variability in land condition in Iceland, while both proximity to volcanic activity and the presence of scree slopes also yielded significant relationships. Overall, the model explained about 65% of the variability. The model was improved (R2 from 0.65 to 0.68) when the country was divided into four broadly defined regions. Land condition at the colder northern peninsulas was poorer at lower elevations compared to inland positions. This novel RBC model was successful in explaining differences in present land condition in Iceland. The results have implication for current land use management, especially grazing, suggesting that management should consider elevation, drainage, slopes and location within the country in addition to current land condition.
Internal incentives for carbon emission reduction in a capital-constrained supply chain: A financial perspective
Authors: Huang Xiaohui , He Juan , Li Zhengbo
Published: July 2023

Capital constraints hinder enterprises’ carbon reduction efforts and affect the sustainability of the supply chain. To alleviate this limitation, the core enterprise considers offering two financial-based carbon reduction incentive mechanisms: cost-sharing mechanism (CS) and preferential financing mechanism (PF). In a supply chain with the dual sensitivity of market demand to price and carbon reduction, we model each incentive mechanism, discussing their impact, value, and selection strategies. The results show that neither party under CS pursues an excessively high share ratio. Only a below-threshold sharing ratio can promote the supplier’s carbon reduction behavior and improve efficiency for both parties. Conversely, PF has a stable incentive effect on the supplier’s carbon reduction behavior and can effectively increase the retailer’s profits. However, a reasonable carbon reduction standard is needed to attract the supplier. In addition, as market demand becomes more sensitive to carbon reduction, the feasible range of CS narrows and that of PF expands. We compare players’ preferences of PF and CS and find a Pareto region in which all players prefer PF to CS. Finally, we test the robustness of our findings by an extending model. Our study provides guidance for supply chain decisions facing dual pressures of financial constraints and carbon reduction.