Cross-disciplinary Research Efforts Research Articles

Suicide risk detection using artificial intelligence: the promise of creating a benchmark dataset for research on the detection of suicide risk.

Suicide is a leading cause of death that demands cross-disciplinary research efforts to develop and deploy suicide risk screening tools. Such tools, partly informed by influential suicide theories, can help identify individuals at the greatest risk of suicide and should be able to predict the transition from suicidal thoughts to suicide attempts. Advances in artificial intelligence have revolutionized the development of suicide screening tools and suicide risk detection systems. Thus, various types of AI systems, including text-based systems, have been proposed to identify individuals at risk of suicide. Although these systems have shown acceptable performance, most of them have not incorporated suicide theories in their design. Furthermore, directly applying suicide theories may be difficult because of the diversity and complexity of these theories. To address these challenges, we propose an approach to develop speech- and language-based suicide risk detection systems. We highlight the promise of establishing a benchmark textual and vocal dataset using a standardized speech and language assessment procedure, and research designs that distinguish between the risk factors for suicide attempt above and beyond those for suicidal ideation alone. The benchmark dataset could be used to develop trustworthy machine learning or deep learning-based suicide risk detection systems, ultimately constructing a foundation for vocal and textual-based suicide risk detection systems.

Chapter 9 - The hypothalamus in anxiety disorders

Of all mental disorders, anxiety disorders are currently the strongest contributors to the global burden of disease, with 7.3% of the general population affected worldwide. The hypothalamus is crucial hub of a network of neural structures modulating fear conditioning and extinction and, as such, highly relevant to the pathophysiology of these conditions. Three hypothalamic systems have emerged as particularly relevant in this context. First, the oxytocin system is highly likely to be involved anxiety disorders and in particular in the cognitive and behavioral deficits pertaining to social anxiety disorder. Second, peripheral markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis appear altered in patients with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, which may denote aberrant functioning of their central corticotropin-releasing hormone system. Furthermore, cortisol seems to augment the effects of exposure therapy in patients with specific phobia. Third, the integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is likely compromised in panic disorder. Further, cross-disciplinary research efforts are required to shed more light on how, exactly, these hypothalamic systems interact with the neural structures involved in fear conditioning and extinction, which should ultimately open up new avenues for the prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders.

Electron kinetics in low-temperature plasmas

This article presents an overview of recent advances in the field of electron kinetics in low-temperature plasmas (LTPs). It also provides author's views on where the field is headed and suggests promising strategies for further development. The authors have selected several problems to illustrate multidisciplinary nature of the subject (space and laboratory plasma, collisionless and collisional plasmas, and low-pressure and high-pressure discharges) and to illustrate how cross-disciplinary research efforts could enable further progress. Nonlocal electron kinetics and nonlocal electrodynamics in low-pressure rf plasmas resemble collisionless effects in space plasma and hot plasma effects in fusion science, terahertz technology, and plasmonics. The formation of electron groups in dc and rf discharges has much in common with three groups of electrons (core, strahl, and halo) in solar wind. Runaway electrons in LTPs are responsible for a wide range of physical phenomena from nano- and picoscale breakdown of dielectrics to lightning initiation. Understanding electron kinetics of LTPs could promote scientific advances in a number of topics in plasma physics and accelerate modern plasma technologies.

Feature issue introduction: advanced computational nanophotonics: from materials to devices

Computational nanophotonics has already made a disruptive impact on the photonic and optoelectronic industries and has dramatically influenced the ways today’s optical engineers create, optimize, and use innovative materials and computer-aided services. This Feature Issue presents a set of eleven papers combined under the joint title of Advanced Computational Nanophotonics: From Materials to Devices. The science and art of computational photonics have a long established history, yet interest in new approaches to advanced multiphysics modeling at the nanoscale and hence to innovatory multi-objective optimization techniques for nanophotonics have been growing exponentially in the last decade, and are now the subject of intense cross-disciplinary research efforts. The papers selected for the Feature Issue present a diverse palette of topics that, for example, include a comprehensive review of new optimization techniques, a fundamental theoretical concept of photonic Dirac monopoles, along with new multiphysics approaches to full-wave material modeling in non-linear nanophotonics and, in particular, to innovative modeling of photonic neural networks. Applications of advanced computational methods are additionally showcased with space-time light control by dynamic metasurfaces, polarization control with structured color all-dielectric metafilms, and an optofluidic system driven by a thermoplasmonic element.

An Overview of Compounds Derived from the Shikimate and Phenylpropanoid Pathways and Their Medicinal Importance.

There has been a massive increase in the number of reports about the medicinal benefits of the consumption of phenylpropanoids derived from the plastidic shikimate pathway. These benefits include anti-retroviral, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and insulin-sensitizing activities, the reduction of the risk of a range of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis as well as inhibition of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) oxidation. In addition, chorismate-derived salicylate which was originally isolated from plants, albeit now under chemical production, is massively used for pain relief in the form of acetylsalycilic acid, namely aspirin. Chorismate also acts as precursor in the biosynthesis of folate and phylloquinone, i.e., vitamins B9 and K1, respectively. Cumulative evidence suggests that deficiencies of either of these vitamins in the diet can result in a wide range of diseases. In parallel to our enhanced comprehension of the dietary importance of shikimate-derived compounds, the advent of metabolomics and the development of next-generation sequencing technologies have dramatically accelerated advances in our understanding of the biosynthetic, decorative and degradation pathways underlying their metabolism. Furthermore, forward and reverse genetic approaches have begun to facilitate the metabolic engineering of plants for biofortification of these compounds. Here we review data about the bioactivities of these compounds and provide an overview of our current understanding of biosynthesis, molecular function and their in planta occurrence. Finally we discuss the future perspectives and the importance of further development of cross-disciplinary research efforts in this rapidly expanding research field.

A coordinated cross-disciplinary research initiative to address an increased incidence of narcolepsy following the 2009-2010 Pandemrix vaccination programme in Sweden.

In response to the 2009-2010 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, a mass vaccination programme with the AS03-adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1) vaccine Pandemrix was initiated in Sweden. Unexpectedly, there were a number of narcolepsy cases amongst vaccinated children and adolescents reported. In this review, we summarize the results of a joint cross-disciplinary national research effort to investigate the adverse reaction signal from the spontaneous reporting system and to better understand possible causative mechanisms. A three- to fourfold increased risk of narcolepsy in vaccinated children and adolescents was verified by epidemiological studies. Of importance, no risk increase was observed for the other neurological and autoimmune diseases studied. Genetic studies confirmed the association with the allele HLA-DQB1*06:02, which is known to be related to sporadic narcolepsy. Furthermore, a number of studies using cellular and molecular experimental models investigated possible links between influenza vaccination and narcolepsy. Serum analysis, using a peptide microarray platform, showed that individuals who received Pandemrix exhibited a different epitope reactivity pattern to neuraminidase and haemagglutinin, as compared to individuals who were infected with H1N1. Patients with narcolepsy were also found to have increased levels of interferon-gamma production in response to streptococcus-associated antigens. The chain of patient-related events and the study results emerging over time were subjected to intense nationwide media attention. The importance of transparent communication and collaboration with patient representatives to maintain public trust in vaccination programmes is also discussed in the review. Organizational challenges due to this unexpected event delayed the initiation of some of the research projects, still the main objectives of this joint, cross-disciplinary research effort were reached, and important insights were acquired for future, similar situations in which a fast and effective task force may be required to evaluate vaccination-related adverse events.

Integrating Molecular Genetics Analyses Into Clinical Research

The integration of molecular genetics approaches into the study of complex health phenomena is an increasingly important and available strategy for researchers across the health science disciplines. Pain sensation and response to painful stimuli are examples of complex health phenomena that are particularly amenable to molecular genetics approaches. Both human and animal model research suggests that differences in these responses may be related, in part, to variation in the genes that modulate sensation and behavior. The authors are currently managing a large cross-disciplinary research effort to identify child characteristics, including genotypes, that predict the degree of distress displayed by children following a painful medical procedure (i.e., IV insertion). The purpose of this article is to describe the strategies used to integrate molecular genetics methods into this project. The authors discuss the steps needed to complete this process, including (a) establishing a collaboration with genetics researchers and laboratory facilities, (b) developing and implementing a plan to manage biologic samples, and (c) incorporating genetics into the informed consent process.

The Environment and Internal Organization of Multinational Enterprises

Multiple sources of external authority and multiple denominations of value are two distinguishing aspects of the environment faced by multinational enterprises (MNEs). After defining the MNE as an organizational form, we examine the research implications of these two environmental influences on four aspects of MNE internal organization: modes of entry abroad, configuration of activities, coordination and control, and competitive strategy. We present general propositions to guide future research and argue that multiple sources of authority and multiple denominations of value require cross-disciplinary research efforts in order to fully understand the MNE as an organizational form.

Emergence of the Study of Global Ecology: Is Terrestrial Ecology an Impediment to Progress?

The emergence of the study of how the earth system operates and is responding to global change has seen the development of large-scale cross-disciplinary research efforts in addition to progress in traditional single-discipline, single-investigator approaches. Although terrestrial (I use this word in the broad sense to include continental systems encompassing terrestrial, wetland, lake, and river ecosystems) ecology is a central area of research for understanding earth system functioning, this field has not engaged in, nor has it the mechanisms for, strategic research planning, and thus it has not provided the momentum apparent in the allied earth sciences. The development and execution of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program provides one forum for more integrated research planning by ecologists, as well as research opportunities along the entire spectrum of concern of this discipline. However, there needs to be a national focal point for continuing strategic planning for research in terrestrial ecology.