Advancing COVID-19 diagnosis with privacy-preserving collaboration in artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence provides a promising solution for streamlining COVID-19 diagnoses; however, concerns surrounding security and trustworthiness impede the collection of large-scale representative medical data, posing a considerable challenge for training a well-generalized model in clinical practices. To address this, we launch the Unified CT-COVID AI Diagnostic Initiative (UCADI), where the artificial intelligence (AI) model can be distributedly trained and independently executed at each host institution under a federated learning framework without data sharing. Here we show that our federated learning framework model considerably outperformed all of the local models (with a test sensitivity/specificity of 0.973/0.951 in China and 0.730/0.942 in the United Kingdom), achieving comparable performance with a panel of professional radiologists. We further evaluated the model on the hold-out (collected from another two hospitals without the federated learning framework) and heterogeneous (acquired with contrast materials) data, provided visual explanations for decisions made by the model, and analysed the trade-offs between the model performance and the communication costs in the federated training process. Our study is based on 9,573 chest computed tomography scans from 3,336 patients collected from 23 hospitals located in China and the United Kingdom. Collectively, our work advanced the prospects of utilizing federated learning for privacy-preserving AI in digital health.

Research of the internal environment of the military camp buildings

One of the key tasks of this research work is to assess the carbon dioxide (CO₂) pollution in the resting areas of military camps under the current deployment conditions and to assess its impact on soldiers. In the process, the environmental impacts that affect the CO₂ concentration were researched in different rooms in different ways. In addition to the rest areas of a military camp, enumerating the major camp facilities that affect the “welfare” feeling of soldiers on foreign mission, we arrived at the kitchen complex and the work environment of the kitchen staff. One of the key parts of the camp kitchen complex is the food storage, where the raw materials needed for the supply are stored. Storage is very important in a crisis situation, when you have to be prepared to stay away from the homeland, to prevent any supply or procurement problems. A particularly important task in providing food raw materials is the so-called "Fresh" storage. The aim of the paper is to examine the changes in the CO₂ concentration of the camp storage room, which is of key importance in food supply, in the vegetable (fruit) storage places. By modeling at a measurement site set up in the laboratory of the host institution, we measure the CO₂ composition of the indoor air in the warehouse by placing various vegetables and fruits. The change of CO₂ concentration is examined separately for certain types of vegetables and fruits stored in closed storage rooms, taking into account the degree of effective storage capacity and determine the required fresh air value to ensure proper storage conditions. Finally, a mathematical model to simulate changes in storage conditions will be created, which offer help to plan of the military camp.

Host Identity and Geographic Location Significantly Affect Gastrointestinal Microbial Richness and Diversity in Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) under Human Care

The last few decades have seen an outpouring of gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome studies across diverse host species. Studies have ranged from assessments of GI microbial richness and diversity to classification of novel microbial lineages. Assessments of the “normal” state of the GI microbiome composition across multiple host species has gained increasing importance for distinguishing healthy versus diseased states. This study aimed to determine baselines and trends over time to establish “typical” patterns of GI microbial richness and diversity, as well as inter-individual variation, in three populations of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) under human care at three zoological institutions in North America. Fecal samples were collected from 19 western lowland gorillas every two weeks for seven months (n = 248). Host identity and host institution significantly affected GI microbiome community composition (p < 0.05), although host identity had the most consistent and significant effect on richness (p = 0.03) and Shannon diversity (p = 0.004) across institutions. Significant changes in microbial abundance over time were observed only at Denver Zoo (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that individuality contributes to most of the observed GI microbiome variation in the study populations. Our results also showed no significant changes in any individual’s microbial richness or Shannon diversity during the 7-month study period. While some microbial taxa (Prevotella, Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae) were detected in all gorillas at varying levels, determining individual baselines for microbial composition comparisons may be the most useful diagnostic tool for optimizing non-human primate health under human care.

Doctoral Studies as part of an Innovative Training Network (ITN): Early Stage Researcher (ESR) experiences

Background: The Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions’ (MSCA) Innovative Training Network (ITN) is a doctoral training programme jointly implemented by academic institutions and industries from countries across Europe and beyond. To our knowledge no study has examined the experience of students participating in MSCA-ITNs. This study aims to evaluate and report MSCA-ITN Early Stage Researcher (ESR) experiences. Methods: The Innovative Training Network - Evaluation Questionnaire (ITN-EQ) was developed to assess supervision, training, collaborations and experiences of ESRs and forwarded to two tinnitus-related ITNs and seven ITNs of other disciplines. Results: Key advantages identified included better career prospects, multidisciplinary research opportunities/collaborations, international exposure, personal/professional development, plus generous salaries and research budgets. However, lack of a common EU framework resulted in the experience being largely dependent on the host institution, country and supervisor. Moreover, managing the dual requirements of ITNs and host institutions while completing a three-year PhD seemed challenging for most ESRs. ESR involvement in workshop and training school planning was desirable. More than 80% of ESRs rated the overall ITN experience favourably and 98.3% would recommend the same to prospective PhD students. Conclusions: This report could provide valuable insights in planning and management of future ITNs and could assist prospective students in their decision of joining an ITN for their PhD.

Journal flipping to Open Access: The Perception of Spanish Journal Managers

There is a growing interest in determining the factors that influence a journal’s flipping to Open Access (OA). Using semi-structured interviews combined with bibliometric indicators, this paper uncovers the perception of Spanish managers related to OA and the decision to flip. The key research questions are twofold: How well do bibliometric measures reflect the changes in the status of the journal? How do journal managers perceive the flipping process? In order to answer these, twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with journal managers of Spanish Journals. The findings suggest the great majority of managers are aware of the indicators, but only two considered they reflect their reality. The results indicate as the main motivations to flip to OA: being imposed by the host institution, economic reasons, and increase visibility and internationalization. An increase in the number of submissions, visibility, or internationalization since the transition is perceived as a benefit while the loss of interchanges with other institutions is seen as the major drawback. Although flipping to OA is perceived by the managers to have many advantages, it raises some challenges too, especially the need for funding, lack of resources capacity for technical support, and the creation of alliances.

A remote self-directed psychological intervention for the public: The PAUSE programme protocol

Background: This protocol outlines procedures for the development and evaluation of a remotely accessible intervention tool known as the ‘Psychology And yoU: Self-Enhancement programme’ (i.e., PAUSE programme). The PAUSE programme aims to support and promote psychological well-being using positive psychological concepts and principles. The programme has been developed in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, where effective and evidence-based remote interventions are needed. The PAUSE programme will provide users with valuable tools and skills that they may choose to implement in their daily lives, in order to foster and support positive mental well-being. The programme includes six modules: Well-being and Happiness; Healthy Body and Mind; Being Grateful and Savouring Life; Thought and Action; Strengthening Relationships; and Overcoming Challenges. Methods: Participants will be recruited using media outlets, social media, and professional networking websites in Ireland. Those who choose to participate in this study will be asked to complete a set of measures at baseline, immediate follow-up, and six weeks post-intervention. This will allow for changes in subjective well-being scores to be analysed and interpreted over time. This study adopts a Groups x Time design, with participants being randomly assigned to either an intervention or wait-list control group. Ethical approval is currently under review at the host institution. Dissemination: The dissemination strategy will follow the Evidence-based model for the Transfer and Exchange of Research Knowledge (EMTReK) and study findings will be prepared in line with various formats (e.g. study newsletters, conferences/meetings) in order to meet the needs of different audiences. Targeted and timely dissemination activities are anticipated, and the team intends to disseminate research in an ongoing manner, throughout the lifetime of the project. Registration: This RCT protocol is pre-results and has been registered with an international database resulting in an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN14772616)

Navigating Through Uncertainty in the Era of COVID-19

With the spread of COVID-19 around the world, the lives of international students became affected by a sudden shift to online learning, sheltering in place, and travel restrictions. Drawing upon the stress and coping framework, this study explores the experiences and coping of international graduate students at a large Western research university in the United States. We employed a phenomenological inquiry of in-depth interviews with 20 participants. Findings reveal the increased levels of stress and anxiety among participants as they faced academic challenges, personal challenges, and immigration-related uncertainties. Over time, students developed emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies to minimize the impact of the pandemic on their lives. Participants’ concerns about the host country’s treatment of international students raise important questions about the future of international student mobility. Finally, this study demonstrates the need to develop emergency responding mechanisms of the host institution.

Risk Is Relative: Heterogeneous Responses to Institutional Risks for Foreign Investment

Are economic actors equally sensitive to institutional conditions? While existing research recognizes that institutions can have varying effects on actors’ interests, the implicit assumption is that actors are homogeneous in how sensitive they are to their institutional environment. We investigate this assumption in the context of foreign direct investment, arguing that actors from countries with weaker institutions will be less affected by information about host country institutional conditions—both good and bad. We test this argument using survey data from a diverse group of managers-in-training at an international business school. We find that when asked to evaluate a potential foreign investment location, respondents from developing countries are significantly less sensitive to information about the host country’s courts than their counterparts from developed economies. In contrast, we find that economic actors from both developed and developing countries respond similarly to information about the stability of economic policies. The findings suggest that sensitivity to the risks and safeguards of certain institutional conditions vary systematically across actors, depending on both the home environment to which economic actors have been exposed and the type of host institution.

Report of the 2018 annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network Vector Control Working Group: harnessing skills and knowledge for malaria elimination across the Asia Pacific

The 2018 Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network’s Vector Control Working Group (APMEN VCWG) annual meeting took place 3–5 September 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. It was designed to be a forum for entomology and public health specialists from APMEN country programmes (over 90 participants from 30 countries) to discuss current progress and challenges related to planning, implementing, and sustaining effective vector control (VC) strategies for malaria elimination across the region, and to suggest practical and applicable solutions to these moving forward. The meeting was organised as a joint collaboration between the VCWG host institution—Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand—and leading partner institutions within the VCWG: Malaria Consortium and the Malaria Elimination Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco, Global Health Group (UCSF Global Health Group), under the leadership of the APMEN Director and VCWG Co-Chairs from ministries of health in Malaysia and India. This report provides an introduction to the role and nature of the VCWG, highlights key themes and topics presented and discussed at the meeting, and outlines the future objectives and focal areas for the VCWG and APMEN at large.

Designing for Social Connectivity (Not Everyone Likes Webcams)

COVID-19 has forced vast numbers of educational institutions to shift their operations from being delivered face-to-face to being delivered online. As a result, academic institutions have had to scramble to find complex solutions that meet systems-wide online teaching and learning needs. The quality of interaction that occurs between the educator and the student is crucial to the success of delivering education via online technologies, and it is incumbent on the host institution to provide a usable, effective, and satisfying form of communication all participants may communicate with while maintaining a sense of social presence. It requires little effort to compile a list of potential benefits of using webcams in educational settings. It is more challenging to come up with a list of conditions as to when you may not require all learners to communicate using webcams. This article explores the benefits and challenges of incorporating webcams in teaching and learning in the online learning environment.