Current Landscape Research Articles

FP7.20 - Peri-orbital burns: A 5-Year Review of the Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcomes at a Regional Burns Centre in the UK 2019 – 2023

Abstract Background Burn injuries are a major cause of global morbidity. Despite being infrequent, peri-orbital and ocular burns can have significant implications on a patient’s vision and overall quality of life. In Northern Ireland, the current epidemiological landscape of peri-orbital burns is not clear. This study aimed at assessing the incidence of peri-orbital and ocular burns and the management outcomes of patients admitted at the regional burns unit in Northern Ireland 2019-2023. Methods Patients admitted to the regional burns unit in Northern Ireland between January 2019 and September 2023 with periorbital burns were identified from the burns unit electronic records, the burns unit database and hospital image database. Results Over 5 years, 100 patients with facial burns were treated, including 60 patients with eyelid burns. 71% were males and 29% were females with a mean age of 47 years. The mean burn size was 14% total body surface area. The burn depth varied; 55% superficial partial thickness, 22% mixed, 17% full thickness and 6% deep dermal. Majority of burns were flame burns 64%. In total, 7 patients sustained corneal burns, one patient responded to steroids, one underwent amniotic membrane grafting, one lost complete vision in both eyes, one had physical debridement and topical antimicrobials and three patients required periorbital reconstruction to maintain eye closure. Conclusion 60% of Facial burns were associated with eyelid burns, the majority of which were caused by flame burns and were managed conservatively with wound cleaning, physical debridement, and application of topical antimicrobials. Despite being rare, complete loss of vision was associated with mortality among our patients.

Advances in liquid biopsy: Computational and artificial intelligence approaches in cancer research

Liquid biopsy analysis has emerged as a promising approach for non-invasive cancer monitoring and diagnosis. This review provides an overview of the current landscape and future potential of liquid biopsy in cancer research, with a particular focus on the computational methodologies and techniques utilized for liquid biopsy data analysis and interpretation. The challenges and opportunities in extracting meaningful insights from the vast array of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data are discussed, as well as the possibilities and current pitfalls of artificial intelligence approaches. In addition, the benefits and limitations of integrating multimodal cancer research data are covered, with a focus on advancing precision oncology and personalized medicine. By providing a critical assessment of the field, this review aims to foster knowledge about the available computational approaches and facilitate the choice of the most appropriate methodology for in silico investigation of liquid biopsy data, ultimately enhancing research endeavors and disease management strategies. Most of the works discussed in this review have emerged within the past 5 years, indicating a rapidly growing interest in this technique.

Dialogue agents 101: a beginner’s guide to critical ingredients for designing effective conversational systems

Abstract Sharing ideas through communication with peers is the primary mode of human interaction. Consequently, extensive research has been conducted in the area of conversational AI, leading to an increase in the availability and diversity of conversational tasks, datasets, and methods. However, with numerous tasks being explored simultaneously, the current landscape of conversational AI has become fragmented. Consequently, initiating a well-thought-out model for a dialogue agent can pose significant challenges for a practitioner. Toward highlighting the critical ingredients needed for a practitioner to design a dialogue agent from scratch, the current study provides a comprehensive overview of the primary characteristics of a dialogue agent, the supporting tasks, their corresponding open-domain datasets, and the methods used to benchmark these datasets. We observe that different methods have been used to tackle distinct dialogue tasks. However, building separate models for each task is costly and does not leverage the correlation among the several tasks of a dialogue agent. As a result, recent trends suggest a shift toward building unified foundation models. To this end, we propose Unit, a Unified dialogue dataset constructed from conversations of varying datasets for different dialogue tasks capturing the nuances for each of them. We then train a Unified dialogue foundation model, GPT-2 $^{\textrm{U}}$ and present a concise comparative performance of GPT-2 $^{\textrm{U}}$ against existing large language models. We also examine the evaluation strategies used to measure the performance of dialogue agents and highlight the scope for future research in the area of conversational AI with a thorough discussion of popular models such as ChatGPT.

Analysis of strengthening disaster risk financing within the framework of disaster management policy in Indonesia

This research analyzes disaster risk financing within the framework of the disaster management policy in Indonesia as the implementation of the Disaster Management Law, Number 24 of 2007, by examining recent issues, challenges, and opportunities in disaster financing. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the research systematically reviews various studies, reports, and existing regulations and policies to understand the current landscape comprehensively. Recent developments in disaster risk financing in Indonesia highlight the need for a nuanced exploration of the existing policy framework. Fiscal constraints, evolving risk landscapes, and the increasing frequency of disasters underscore the urgency of effective disaster risk financing strategies. Through a qualitative examination, this study identifies challenges while illuminating opportunities for innovation and improvement within the current policy framework. The contribution of this research extends to both theoretical and practical levels. Theoretically, it enriches the academic discourse on disaster risk financing by offering a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved. On a practical level, the findings derived from the examination provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners engaged in disaster management in Indonesia. The insights aim to inform the refinement of disaster management policies and practices, fostering resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving disaster scenarios.

Understanding mobile health literacy among the working-age population: A cross-sectional study in Thailand

Mobile health (mHealth) literacy refers to the ability of individuals to seek, find, understand, and evaluate health information accessed via mobile devices. In Thailand, an assessment of mobile health literacy among the working-age population (25-59 years old) across the country is still needed to gain a better understanding of the current landscape of this concept as well as to create strategies for improvement. As a result, this study aimed 1) to assess mHealth literacy among the Thai working-age population, 2) to investigate differences in mHealth literacy among the Thai working-age population classified by demographic variables, and 3) to identify the predictive factors affecting mHealth literacy among the Thai working-age population. Cross-sectional survey research was conducted in this study with samples consisting of 600 working-age individuals derived from six regions across the country. Respondents were randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Mean, SD, t-test, One-Way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis [MRA] were used for data analysis at a .05 level of significance. The results found that 1) the samples showed a high level of mHealth literacy (Mean = 4.32, SD = 0.58) 2), differences in mHealth literacy level were classified by gender, age, income, education, and region, and 3) perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and subjective norms were factors significantly affecting mHealth literacy. These findings can be used to plan and develop strategies for improving mHealth literacy among the Thai working-age population more effectively.

Exploring the promising role of chitosan delivery systems in breast cancer treatment: A comprehensive review

Breast cancer presents a significant global health challenge, driving the development of novel treatment strategies for therapeutic interventions. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising avenue for addressing this challenge, with Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles receiving prominence due to their unique characteristics and multitude of potential applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of Chitosan nanoparticles in breast cancer therapy. The review begins by emphasizing the prevalence and importance of breast cancer as a major health issue, underscoring the necessity for effective treatments. It then delves into the application of Chitosan nanoparticles in breast cancer therapy. One key aspect discussed is their role as carriers for anticancer drugs, enabling targeted delivery and improved cellular uptake. Furthermore, the review explores modified Chitosan nanoparticles and strategies for enhancing their efficacy and specificity in breast cancer treatment. It also examines Chitosan conjugates and hybrids, which offer innovative approaches for combination therapy. Additionally, metal and magnetic Chitosan nanoparticles are discussed spanning their capacity to assist in imaging, hyperthermia, as well as targeted drug delivery. In conclusion, the review summarizes the current research landscape regarding Chitosan nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy and offers insights into future directions. Overall, the review highlights the versatility, potential benefits, and future prospects of Chitosan nanoparticles in combating breast cancer.

Innovative Approaches in Therapeutic Clinical Nutrition: Enhancing Quality of Care through Technology

Background: This systematic review explores a diverse range of international and indigenous healthcare research studies, spanning topics from diabetes management to cardiovascular care. The synthesis aims to identify overarching themes, sub-themes, and emerging trends in healthcare practices, emphasizing the integration of digital technologies and advancements in nutrition therapy. Aim: The primary objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of healthcare literature, combining international and indigenous perspectives, to uncover commonalities and distinctions in approaches to patient care, treatment modalities, and research methodologies. Method: A systematic and thorough review of 20 selected studies, encompassing international and Saudi Arabian research, was conducted. The studies, published between 2020 and 2024, were analyzed for their key themes, sub-themes, and trends, creating a detailed understanding of the current landscape of healthcare practices. Results: The synthesis revealed recurring themes, including the integration of digital technologies in diabetes care, advancements in medical nutrition therapy for obesity management, dynamic risk assessment in atrial fibrillation, and the potential of genetically modified food for nutritional security in Saudi Arabia. Sub-themes elucidated nuanced aspects of these overarching themes, offering a holistic perspective on contemporary healthcare strategies. Conclusion: International and indigenous research studies collectively underscore the importance of collaborative and context-specific approaches to healthcare. While global insights contribute to a broader understanding, indigenous studies emphasize the necessity of tailoring interventions to local needs. The synthesis not only highlights current achievements in healthcare but also identifies areas for further exploration and improvement.

Transforming Clinical Research: The Power of High-Throughput Omics Integration.

High-throughput omics technologies have dramatically changed biological research, providing unprecedented insights into the complexity of living systems. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the current landscape of high-throughput omics pipelines, covering key technologies, data integration techniques and their diverse applications. It looks at advances in next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry and microarray platforms and highlights their contribution to data volume and precision. In addition, this review looks at the critical role of bioinformatics tools and statistical methods in managing the large datasets generated by these technologies. By integrating multi-omics data, researchers can gain a holistic understanding of biological systems, leading to the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, particularly in complex diseases such as cancer. The review also looks at the integration of omics data into electronic health records (EHRs) and the potential for cloud computing and big data analytics to improve data storage, analysis and sharing. Despite significant advances, there are still challenges such as data complexity, technical limitations and ethical issues. Future directions include the development of more sophisticated computational tools and the application of advanced machine learning techniques, which are critical for addressing the complexity and heterogeneity of omics datasets. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, highlighting the transformative potential of high-throughput omics technologies in advancing personalized medicine and improving clinical outcomes.

The 15th National Information Day: Open Science, Open Data, Open Access, Bulgarian Open Science Cloud

The paper gives an overview on the current landscape and the activities on both national and institutional level regarding Open Science, Open Access to scientific information, Open Data, and the Bulgarian Open Science Cloud.

The POSE-2 Procedure for People with Obesity: A Safe and Effective Treatment Option

PurposeBesides lifestyle interventions, medication, and surgery, endoscopic options are becoming part of the current treatment landscape for people with obesity. With the POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery Endoscopic) procedure, endoluminal folds are created in the stomach with full-thickness sutures. Recently, the modified version, POSE-2, was introduced in clinical practice. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the POSE-2 procedure after one year in patients with obesity.Materials and MethodsAll patients treated with the POSE-2 procedure between March 2019 and November 2022 in the Zuyderland Medical Center and the Dutch Obesity Clinic were included in this retrospective data study. Inclusion criteria are as follows: age between 18 and 65 years and a BMI > 30 kg/m2. All patients with contraindications for the POSE-2 procedure were excluded.ResultsForty-nine patients were included of which 86% were female, with a mean age of 46 years and mean BMI of 34.6 kg/m2. Total weight loss was evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months and was 11.5%, 13.2%, and 14.8%, respectively. A median of 14 anchor sutures was used in a median procedure time of 50 min. All patients except one had same day discharge. Postprocedural complaints were mild and consisted of nausea and vomiting (36.7%) and pain (54.2%). No complications were recorded in this group. One week postprocedure, most patients (95.9%) reported feeling satisfied between meals.ConclusionThe POSE-2 procedure can be applied as a safe and effective treatment for people with obesity. This study presents a positive effect on weight reduction and no complications after 1 year of follow-up.Graphical

Cystic Fibrosis: A Journey through Time and Hope.

Just over thirty years is the span of a generation. It is also the time that has passed since the discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis. Today, it is safe to say that this discovery has revolutionized our understanding, research perspectives, and management of this disease, which was, thirty years ago, a pediatric condition with a grim prognosis. The aim of this review is to present the advances that science and medicine have brought to our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and its management, which in many ways, epitomizes modern molecular genetic research. Since the discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in 1989, modeling the CFTR protein, deciphering its function as an ion channel, and identifying its molecular partners have led to numerous therapeutic advances. The most significant advancement in this field has been the discovery of protein modulators that can target its membrane localization and chloride channel activity. However, further progress is needed to ensure that all patients can benefit from a therapy tailored to their mutations, with the primary challenge being the development of treatments for mutations leading to a complete absence of the protein. The present review delves into the history of the multifaceted world of CF, covering main historical facts, current landscape, clinical management, emerging therapies, patient perspectives, and the importance of ongoing research, bridging science and medicine in the fight against the disease.

Assessing support for substance use policies among the general public and policy influencers in two Canadian provinces

BackgroundExamining support for substance use policies, including those for harm reduction, among the general public and policy influencers is a fundamental step to map the current policy landscape and leverage policy opportunities. Yet, this is a knowledge gap in Canada. Our paper identifies the level of support for substance use policies in two provinces in Canada and describes how the level of support is associated with intrusiveness and sociodemographic variables.MethodsData came from the 2019 Chronic Disease Prevention Survey. The representative sample included members of the general public (Alberta n = 1648, Manitoba n = 1770) as well as policy influencers (Alberta n = 204, Manitoba n = 98). We measured the level of support for 22 public policies concerning substance use through a 4-point Likert-scale. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics Intervention Ladder framework was applied to assess intrusiveness. We used cumulative link models to run ordinal regressions for identification of explanatory sociodemographic variables.ResultsOverall, there was generally strong support for the policies assessed. The general public in Manitoba was significantly more supportive of policies than its Alberta counterpart. Some differences were found between provinces and samples. For certain substance use policies, there was stronger support among women than men and among those with higher education than those with less education.ConclusionsThe results highlight areas where efforts are needed to increase support from both policy influencers and general public for adoption, implementation, and scaling of substance use policies. Socio-demographic variables related to support for substance use policies may be useful in informing strategies such as knowledge mobilization to advance the policy landscape in Western Canada.

The rise of pathogen genomics in Africa.

The routine genomic surveillance of pathogens in diverse geographical settings and equitable data sharing are critical to inform effective infection control and therapeutic development. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the importance of routine genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to detect emerging variants of concern. However, the majority of high-income countries sequenced >0.5% of their COVID-19 cases, unlike low- and middle-income countries. By the end of 2022, many countries around the world had managed to establish capacity for pathogen genomic surveillance. Notably, Beta and Omicron; 2 of the 5 current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern were first discovered in Africa through an aggressive sequencing campaign led by African scientists. To sustain such infrastructure and expertise beyond this pandemic, other endemic pathogens should leverage this investment. Therefore, countries are establishing multi-pathogen genomic surveillance strategies. Here we provide a catalog of the current landscape of sequenced and publicly shared pathogens in different countries in Africa. Drawing upon our collective knowledge and expertise, we review the ever-evolving challenges and propose innovative recommendations.

ColocZStats: a z-stack signal colocalization extension tool for 3D slicer.

Confocal microscopy has evolved to be a widely adopted imaging technique in molecular biology and is frequently utilized to achieve accurate subcellular localization of proteins. Applying colocalization analysis on image z-stacks obtained from confocal fluorescence microscopes is a dependable method of revealing the relationship between different molecules. In addition, despite the established advantages and growing adoption of 3D visualization software in various microscopy research domains, there have been few systems that can support colocalization analysis within a user-specified region of interest (ROI). In this context, several broadly employed biological image visualization platforms are meticulously explored in this study to understand the current landscape. It has been observed that while these applications can generate three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions for z-stacks, and in some cases transfer them into an immersive virtual reality (VR) scene, there is still little support for performing quantitative colocalization analysis on such images based on a user-defined ROI and thresholding levels. To address these issues, an extension called ColocZStats (pronounced Coloc-Zee-Stats) has been developed for 3D Slicer, a widely used free and open-source software package for image analysis and scientific visualization. With a custom-designed user-friendly interface, ColocZStats allows investigators to conduct intensity thresholding and ROI selection on imported 3D image stacks. It can deliver several essential colocalization metrics for structures of interest and produce reports in the form of diagrams and spreadsheets.

Indonesia’s ambivalence in the Russia-Ukraine war: Balancing equal sovereignty norms with a familial approach

ABSTRACT This article examines Indonesia’s position during the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the tension between its traditional foreign policy principles and pragmatic approach to international conflicts. Indonesia’s support for UN resolutions condemning Russia, compared with its avoidance of directly naming Russia as the aggressor, reveals an ambivalence rooted in the paradox of upholding equal sovereignty norms while promoting a ‘familial’ approach to conflict resolution. This paradox is evident in Indonesia’s simultaneous support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity while calling for peace negotiations, which equates the aggressor with the victim. The study explores the historical context of Indonesia’s foreign policy, emphasizing sovereign equality and non-alignment, and how these principles are challenged by the current geopolitical landscape. Through qualitative content analysis of official statements, public opinion and media narratives, the article argues that Indonesia’s ambivalence in the Russia-Ukraine war reflects a tension between its normative commitments to sovereignty and pragmatic needs to peacefully end conflict.

Mapping Non-Performing Assets: Figures from Dimension AI database

The issue of non-performing assets (NPAs) or non-performing loans (NPLs) presents a significant challenge in the financial sector, affecting the stability and profitability of financial institutions globally. Conducting a bibliometric analysis of NPLs aims to understand the current research landscape and identify opportunities for future study, ultimately contributing to the development of effective strategies to manage and mitigate the impact of NPLs. Systematic review analyzes articles in Banking, Finance, and Investment, focusing on Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) or Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) published between 2020 and 2024. 33 documents were selected based on relevance to the topic. Through rigorous filtering and review, key insights, methodologies, and findings were extracted from the selected articles. Articles related to Non-Performing Assets/Loans, the Malaysian Management Journal emerged as the most cited publication, with five citations. The research conducted by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and Vidyasagar University also garnered considerable attention. Among the individual papers, those authored by Maity and Tarak Nath received five citations each. The findings of the study highlighted key themes including Efficiency Decline, NPL Impact on Performance, Capital Adequacy Influence, Credit Risk Moderation, Persistent NPA Challenges, and Complex Factors Contributing to NPLs. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of NPAs and NPLs, emphasizing their significant impact on the banking and finance sector. Study underlines landscape of NPAs/NPLs, identifying key themes, influential publications, and authors, thus guiding future research directions and strategic interventions for managing NPAs/NPLs in the financial sector. bibliometric analysis of NPAs/NPLs in Banking, Finance, and Investment fields from 2020 to 2024.

Understanding author choices in the current conservation publishing landscape.

Conservation literature addresses a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary questions and benefits. Conservation science benefits most when a diverse range of authors are represented, particularly those from countries where much conservation work is focused. In other disciplines, it is well known that barriers and biases exist in the academic publishing sphere, which can affect research dissemination and an author's career development. We used a discrete choice experiment to determine how 7 journal attributes affect authors' choices of where to publish in conservation. We targeted authors directly by contacting authors published in 18 target journals and indirectly via communication channels for conservation organizations. We only included respondents who had previously published in a conservation-related journal. We used a multinomial logit model and a latent class model to investigate preferences for all respondents and distinct subpopulations. We identified 3 demographic groups across 1038 respondents (older authors from predominantly middle-income countries, younger authors from predominantly middle-income countries, and younger authors from high-income countries) who had published in conservation journals. Each group exhibited different publishing preferences. Only 2 attributes showed a consistent response across groups: cost to publish negatively affected journal choice, including authors in high-income countries, and authors had a consistent preference for double-blind review. Authors from middle-income countries were willing to pay more for society-owned journals, unlike authors from high-income countries. Journals with a broad geographical scope that were open access and that had relatively high impact factors were preferred by 2 of the 3 demographic groups. However, journal scope and open access were more important in dictating journal choice than impact factor. Overall, different demographics had different preferences for journals and were limited in their selection based on attributes such as open access policy. However, the scarcity of respondents from low-income countries (2% of respondents) highlights the pervasive barriers to representation in conservation research. We recommend journals offer double-blind review, reduce or remove open access fees, investigate options for free editorial support, and better acknowledge the value of local-scale single-species studies. Academic societies in particular must reflect on how their journals support conservation and conservation professionals.

Developing an evaluation model for urban tourism competitiveness: combining community construction and community service to foster sustainable development of cities.

This study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation model for urban tourism competitiveness in China. Given China's transition into a mature tourist destination, there is a pressing need for a framework that can assess the effectiveness of its urban tourism strategies. The model presented in this study is designed to provide a holistic understanding of the factors influencing urban tourism competitiveness in the Chinese context. The methodology employed in this study combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A modified version of Porter's Diamond Model serves as the primary framework, augmented by the IMD World Competitiveness Center: International Institute for Management Development (IMD) framework to incorporate social governance and environmental dimensions. To derive comprehensive scores for sustainable development, a linear weighted evaluation method was used, incorporating the coefficient of variation entropy weight method. This approach allows for a quantitative assessment of urban tourism competitiveness from 2008 to 2019. The key findings of the study reveal significant challenges within the current urban tourism landscape in China. These challenges include homogeneous competition, a lack of strategic management, and insufficient service quality. Furthermore, the study identifies the need for greater emphasis on sustainable tourism development, balancing economic benefits with the preservation of cultural and natural assets. Based on the findings, the study proposes several solutions to address the identified challenges. These solutions include creating boutique inland tourism routes, developing unique urban tourism brands, and enhancing regional cooperation and management practices. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of integrating community development and services into the evaluation model to foster sustainable tourism development. The proposed solutions offer actionable insights for policymakers and planners seeking to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of urban tourism in China.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN KARNATAKA: INSIGHTS INTO CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

This study examines Karnataka's energy consumption patterns and projections to provide a comprehensive understanding of its current and future energy landscape. Karnataka, a rapidly developing state in India, has experienced significant changes in energy demand driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. The analysis reveals a complex energy mix for 2023-24, with coal remaining the dominant source of power, while substantial investments are being made in renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The study also highlights fluctuations in per capita power availability and overall power availability, reflecting challenges in sustaining long-term growth in power supply. Projections for energy consumption and peak demand up to 2031-32 indicate a steady increase, necessitating strategic planning and industrialization. development to accommodate rising demands. The review of literature underscores the importance of energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and policy frameworks in shaping Karnataka's energy future. This study aims to provide insights into both current trends and future directions, emphasizing the need for balanced energy strategies to support the state's ongoing growth and development. KEYWORDS: consumption, demand, industrialization., industrialization., growth and development.

Innovation in prevention of poison oak contact dermatitis.

Poison oak-induced contact dermatitis poses a significant challenge due to its urushiol oil-induced allergic reactions. Conventional preventive measures like avoidance and post-exposure cleansing are often impractical, necessitating innovative strategies. This comprehensive review explores emerging technologies and formulations for preventing poison oak dermatitis. Literature search via PubMed and Covidence identified 13 relevant studies, with six discussing preventive measures. Barrier methods, including occlusive creams and protective clothing, showed promise in reducing dermatitis risk. Immunotherapy, although investigated, requires further development. Complete avoidance, while effective, is often impractical. The complexity of poison oak management underscores the need for ongoing research to develop more effective preventive measures. This review highlights the current landscape, identifies gaps in knowledge, and emphasizes the importance of continued research for improved prevention and management of poison oak-induced dermatitis.