Parent Population Research Articles

A Stage-Specific Gene Expression Framework for Promoting Genetic Algorithm

Genetic algorithm (GA) has become very popular for tackling computationally expensive numerical optimization problems. To optimize their performance and convergence rate, we propose and demonstrate an embedded stage-specific gene expression framework (SGEF) with a two-tier coding scheme and a filter operator based on variational auto-encoder. For the first time, the structure of variational auto-encoder is used to map the parent population of a genetic algorithm from the uniformly distributed high dimensions to the Gaussian distributed low dimensions. The design of the filter operator which can maintain the trade-off balance between exploitation and exploration is also analyzed in detail. The experimental results demonstrated the good performance of the proposed SGEF in promoting both single-objective optimization genetic algorithms and multiple-objective optimization genetic algorithms.

Gambaran Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Perilaku Pencarian Pelayanan Kesehatan Orang Tua yang Memiliki Anak dengan TB pada Masa Pandemi COVID-19 di Wilayah Puskesmas Kabupaten Tegal

Situation of handling COVID-19 has an impact on child Tuberculosis (TB) services. Children are a vulnerable group for contracting Tuberculosis disease. Poor health care seeking behavior can lead to delays in Tuberculosis treatment in children. This research method is descriptive quantitative. The criteria are the population of parents who have children with Tuberculosis, are recorded in medical records for 2020-2022, are currently or have been taking Tuberculosis treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and live in Tegal Regency. The sampling technique is total sampling with 77 respondents. Data analysis used is descriptive analysis. The results showed that half of the respondents had good knowledge, the attitude of parents about the seriousness of Tuberculosis children, some respondents chose to be very serious, some others had reactions of fear, surprise, feeling sad and hopeless, respondents preferred to consult doctors and other health workers. Most the respondents denied that Tuberculosis consultation is quite expensive. The most the respondents prefer chose go to the health service immediately when child had symptoms of Tuberculosis, the other half did not go to the health service because of medical expensive. Health workers need to provide health education related to Tuberculosis and pressure for early detection so that Tuberculosis in children is treated immediately, bearing in mind that prevention of Tuberculosis transmission is still not good.

COVID-19-related anxiety trajectories in children, young people and adults with rheumatic diseases.

Uncertainty regarding the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its complications and the safety of immunosuppressive therapies may drive anxiety among adults and parents of children and young people (CYP) with rheumatic diseases. This study explored trajectories of COVID-related anxiety in adults and parents of CYP with rheumatic diseases. Adults and parents of CYP participating in the international COVID-19 European Patient Registry were included in the current study if they had enrolled in the 4 weeks following 24 March 2020. COVID-related anxiety scores (0-10) were collected weekly for up to 28 weeks.Group-based trajectory models explored COVID-related anxiety clusters in adult and parent populations, with optimal models chosen based on model fit, parsimony and clinical plausibility. Demographic, clinical and COVID-19 mitigation behaviours were compared between identified clusters using univariable statistics. In 498 parents of CYP and 2640 adults, four common trajectory groups of COVID-related anxiety were identified in each cohort: persistent extreme anxiety (32% and 17%), persistent high anxiety (43% and 41%), improving high anxiety (25% and 32%) and improving moderate anxiety (11% and 10%), respectively. Few characteristics distinguished the clusters in the parent cohort. Higher and more persistent anxiety clusters in the adult cohort were associated with higher levels of respiratory comorbidities, use of immunosuppressive therapies, older age and greater self-isolation. COVID-19-related anxiety in the rheumatic disease community was high and persistent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with four common patterns identified. In the adult cohort, higher COVID-related anxiety was related to perceived risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.

The Role of Career Parents In Developing Social-Emotional Early Childhood

Career women are women who play a role in the household as well as play a role outside the home. This study discusses the role of career parents in developing social-emotional early childhood at Tunas Muda Magetan Kindergarten. This research aims to; find out information about the extent of parenting parents who have a career in developing social-emotional early childhood. This type of research used a qualitative research approach in the nature of a case study with a population of parents of early childhood at Poncol Magetan. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. Spread over 3 Kindergartens in Poncol District with a sample of 75 parents in Poncol. Data collection was in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Based on data analysis, it shows that there is a role for career parents in developing children's social-emotional development. From the study, it was found that role for career parent has an influence on the development of children's social abilities. This parenting style has the effect of giving children the opportunity and freedom to choose sincere actions and approaches, fostering attitudes and habits such as cooperation, mutual respect, tolerance and responsibility, because it can develop social and emotional development. Feel loved, valued, safe, competent and optimize their abilities.

Voluntary Selection; Bringing Evolution at the Service of Humanity

Human populations can be characterized by their corresponding phenotypic profiles which do not necessarily align. These differences are not our points of strength in building harmonious societies and establishing a sustainable world order; it is therefore desirable to seek a pathway to resolve them. This article reflects on genetics as the most profound source of our differences and introduces Voluntary Selection as a means of acquiring genetic qualities and resolving the imbalance in their possession by different populations. Voluntary Selection is a healthcare program allowing for voluntarily involving the reproductive cells of another individual than the parents to conceive a child at the discretion of a parent population. Genetic qualities in this context are desired phenotypes as perceived by each population. The article then presents a computational approach through which thoughtful decisions about the design of a program can be made. These methods are applied to a pedigree data set of adult heights and the results are used to demonstrate the influence of the program design and the significance of its outcomes.

Genetic Diversity and Differences among Three F1 Families and Two Wild Populations of Genus Scylla Using Microsatellite Markers

Genetic diversity is the determinant of the allocation of germplasm resources in the genetic improvement of aquaculture species. In this study, three F1 families, including a hybrid Scylla family (S. paramamosain ♂ × S. serrata ♀), a paternal family of S. paramamosain, a maternal family of S. serrata, and two wild populations, including a paternal population of S. paramamosain and a maternal population of S. serrata, were used to investigate the genetic diversity and genetic difference. The results indicated that 98 alleles of nine microsatellites loci were observed in five Scylla populations. The highest average value of Ho (observed heterozygosity), He (expected heterozygosity), and PIC (polymorphic information content) of the wild S. paramamosain population were 0.790, 0.799, and 0.771, respectively, suggesting the wild paternal population has high genetic diversity. The comparative analysis of PIC, Fst (fixation index), and HWE (Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium) indicated that the paternal S. paramamosain may be more suitable for artificial breeding than the maternal S. serrata from the perspective of allele frequency. Analysis of molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed that the total genetic variation mainly occurred within populations (73.28%), demonstrating that artificial breeding may induce genetic differentiation of the family groups of Scylla. The results of the analysis of Fst value, UPGMA (unweighted pair-group mean analysis) dendrogram, and genetic diversity indicated that the F1 hybrid offspring had a close genetic distance and high genetic identity with the paternal S. paramamosain populations. It indicated that the F1 hybrid offspring showed potential paternal genetic affinities and a similar potential for artificial breeding with S. paramamosain. The study will provide valuable information to evaluate the difference in the genetic diversity and population structure between hybrid offspring and distinct parental populations of Scylla.

Substrate stiffness regulates the recurrent glioblastoma cell morphology and aggressiveness

Recurrent glioblastoma is highly aggressive with currently no specific treatment regime. Therefore, to identify novel therapeutic targets for recurrent GBM, we used a cellular model developed in our lab from commercially available cell line U87MG and patient-derived cultures that allows the comparison between radiation naïve (Parent) and recurrent GBM cells generated after parent cells are exposed to lethal dose of radiation. Total RNA-seq of parent and recurrent population revealed significant upregulation of cell-ECM interactions pathway in the recurrent population. These results led us to hypothesize that the physical microenvironment contributes to the aggressiveness of recurrent GBM. To verify this, we cultured parent and recurrent GBM cells on collagen-coated polyacrylamide gels mimicking the stiffness of normal brain (Young's modulus E = 0.5kPa) or tumorigenic brain (E = 10kPa) and tissue culture plastic dishes (E ∼ 1 GPa). We found that compared to parent cells, recurrent cells showed higher proliferation, invasion, migration, and resistance to EGFR inhibitor. Using orthotopic GBM mouse model and resection model, we demonstrate that recurrent cells cultured on 0.5kPa had higher in vivo tumorigenicity and recurrent disease progression than parent cells, whereas these differences were insignificant when parent and recurrent cells were cultured on plastic substrates. Furthermore, recurrent cells on 0.5kPa showed high expression of ECM proteins like Collagen, MMP2 and MMP9. These proteins were also significantly upregulated in recurrent patient biopsies. Additionally, the brain of mice injected with recurrent cells grown on 0.5kPa showed higher Young's moduli suggesting the ability of these cells to make the surrounding ECM stiffer. Total RNA-seq of parent and recurrent cells grown on plastic and 0.5kpa identified PLEKHA7 significantly upregulated specifically in recurrent cells grown on 0.5 kPa substrate. PLEKHA7 was also found to be high in recurrent GBM patient biopsies. Accordingly, PLEKHA7 knockdown reduced invasion and survival of recurrent GBM cells. Together, these data provide an in vitro model system that captures the observed in vivo and clinical behavior of recurrent GBM by mimicking mechanical microenvironment and identifies PLEKHA7 as a novel potential target for recurrent GBM.

CHARACTERIZING GENERATIONAL CAREGIVING USING DATA FROM THE BRFSS

Abstract As the proportion of family and friends in the U.S. providing informal care increases, it is important to understand how this may impact certain demographic groups. Millennials and older adults are two generational segments of caregivers of interest given the complexities associated with these groups. Millennials can be sandwiched between a growing older population of parents or grandparents while also raising young children, often providing care for both. Similarly, older adults frequently balance caring for spouses, themselves, and grandchildren. We characterized these two groups of caregivers using 2015-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from the Caregiver Optional Module administered in 44 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Among 246,223 Module respondents, 21.3% reported providing care for a family member or friend. Among caregivers, 12.4% were identified as Millennials (aged 18-38 years), and 19.7% were older adults (aged≥65 years). About one-in-three Millennial caregivers reported providing care to a parent and half to another relative, such as a child or grandparent. While less than 4% of Millennial caregivers reported providing care for a spouse, nearly one-in-five older adult caregivers did. Although their care recipients may differ, both groups reported high intensity of care, with 30% of caregivers in each group providing 20 hours of care or more weekly. Caregiving among older adults can be further complicated by their own health difficulties, with over half of older adult caregivers reporting having two or more chronic conditions and one-third reporting a disability. BRFSS data may inform planning efforts pertaining to these caregiving groups.

Implementation of seed collection programs for the recovery of Argopecten purpuratus populations in the La Rinconada marine reserve (Antofagasta, Chile)

Abstract ‘La Rinconada Marine’ Reserve (MR), Chile was created in 1997 to preserve the genetic stock of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus and eventually to supply seed to areas outside of the reserve and support aquaculture activities. Data from biological and fisheries monitoring of A. purpuratus as well as environmental conditions in the MR are available for the period from 1993 to 2009. The continuous extraction of A. purpuratus from La Rinconada MR in Chile, without a science‐based exploitation plan, has not only decreased the abundance and population structure of the species but has also significantly affected seed settlement in artificial collectors and population recruitment. Therefore, the goals of the MR have not been achieved. This review of biological and fishing studies of A. purpuratus in La Rinconada MR provides a basis for the implementation of a sustainable programme for the natural collection of A. purpuratus seed for population recovery. A. purpuratus recruitment varies substantially between years and is not strongly related to the size of the parental population. Larval collection and recruitment depend on environmental events (El Niño‐Southern Oscillation) and biological substrate availability (Rhodymenia red algae). These factors produce a bentho‐pelagic decoupling between parental abundance, larval production and subsequent recruitment of A. purpuratus that limits stock recovery in the MR. To address the poor population status of A. purpuratus in the MR, recovery of the adult population is needed. Therefore, an assisted collection and recruitment strategy is proposed to increase the population and enable the generation of surplus seed, fulfilling the initial aims of La Rinconada MR.

Sex, amitosis, and evolvability in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila.

Understanding the mechanisms that generate genetic variation, and thus contribute to the process of adaptation, is a major goal of evolutionary biology. Mutation and genetic exchange have been well studied as mechanisms to generate genetic variation. However, there are additional factors, such as genome architecture, that may also impact the amount of genetic variation in some populations, and the extent to which these variation generating mechanisms are themselves shaped by natural selection is still an open question. To test the effect of genome architecture on the generation of genetic variation, and hence evolvability, we studied Tetrahymena thermophila, a ciliate with an unusual genome structure and mechanism of nuclear division, called amitosis, whereby homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed to daughter cells. Amitosis leads to genetic variation among the asexual descendants of a newly produced sexual progeny because different progeny cells will contain different combinations of parental alleles. We hypothesize that amitosis thus increases the evolvability of newly produced sexual progeny relative to their unmated parents and species that undergo mitosis. To test this hypothesis, we used experimental evolution and simulations to compare the rate of adaptation in T. thermophila populations founded by a single sexual progeny to parental populations that had not had sex in many generations. The populations founded by a sexual progeny adapted more quickly than parental populations in both laboratory populations and simulated populations. This suggests that the additional genetic variation generated by amitosis of a heterozygote can increase the rate of adaptation following sex and may help explain the evolutionary success of the unusual genetic architecture of Tetrahymena and ciliates more generally.

Screening a newly developed common bean germplasm with improved resistance to ashy stem blight in multiple environments.

Ashy stem blight (ASB) caused by the necrotrophic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goidanich is an important disease in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Americas and worldwide. Low to intermediate levels of ASB resistance exist in cultivated and landrace genotypes of the common bean and the tertiary gene pool. However, cultivars with higher levels of resistance are not yet available. Our objectives were to 1) pyramid higher levels of resistance from multiple parent populations within the primary gene pool and 2) compare the response of the newly developed breeding lines (BL) with known sources of resistance. The BL UPR-Mp-22, UPR-Mp-34, UPR-Mp-42, and UPR-Mp-48, known sources of resistance, and susceptible checks were inoculated twice per plant with the PRI21 M. phaseolina isolate in the greenhouse and field trials conducted in Isabela and Lajas, Puerto Rico. None of the genotypes tested were resistant (mean scores 1-3). However, the new black UPR-Mp-42 and white UPR-Mp-48 BL had an intermediate response (mean scores 4-6) compared to white common bean genotypes 'Bella,' NY6020-4, and 'Verano' and black bean TARS-MST1 that were susceptible (scores ≥7) in all environments. Andean genotypes A 195, PRA154, PRA155, and UPR-Mp-22 were intermediate in the greenhouse. In contrast, UPR-Mp-34 had significantly lower scores than BAT 477 that had a susceptible reaction in the greenhouse in Isabela and in the field in Lajas and SEA 5 that was susceptible in all environments. These new BL possess an enhanced ASB resistance and may be used to improve common bean cultivars or germplasms of different market classes.

Numerical analysis onto thermal balance behaviors of motorized spindle unit

Generally, the accuracy stability of a precision motorized spindle unit is influenced by its structural thermal balance behaviors (power matching degree of spindle structural heat generation–dissipations). For the accurate analysis of this spindle heat transfer behaviors based on temperature detections, this paper describes a method constructed with the numerical simulation technology and a proposed genetic algorithm-extreme learning machine (GA-ELM) algorithm. Firstly, the heat–fluid–solid coupling FE transient model is established to simulate spindle thermal behaviors, determinations of its thermal loads/boundary conditions are initially based on empirical calculations. Secondly, according to spindle temperature detections, these initial values are applied to thermal simulations and corrected by GA to make simulated spindle temperatures gradually approach detections. Specially, ELM is adopted to estimate the functional relationships from the parent population to the child population generated by genetic operators with increasing fitness values, and the trained ELM model is utilized to ensure the GA faster convergence. Eventually, based on the corrected thermal load/boundary condition values and simulation results, the time-varying power matching conditions of spindle structural heat generation–dissipation are analyzed. This study provides a theoretical basis for the optimization and promotion of spindle structural design and coolant control strategy.

Health and social care of home-dwelling frail older adults in Switzerland: a mixed methods study

BackgroundHome-dwelling frail older adults are often faced with multimorbidity and complex care needs, requiring health and social care systems that support frail older adults to age in place. The objective of this paper was to investigate the types of formal health and social care as well as informal care and social support used by home-dwelling frail older adults; whether they perceive their support as sufficient; and their experience with and preferences for care and support.MethodsUsing an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, we first conducted a secondary analysis of a subset of cross-sectional data from the ImplemeNtation of a community-baSed care Program for home dwelling senIoR citizEns (INSPIRE) population survey using descriptive analysis. Subsequently, we analyzed existing data from interviews in the parent study to help explain the survey results using applied thematic analysis. Results were organized according to adapted domains and concepts of the SELFIE framework and integrated via a joint display table.ResultsOf the parent population survey respondents, 2314 older adults indicating frailty were included in the quantitative arm of this study. Interview data was included from 7 older adults who indicated frailty. Support from health and social, formal and informal caregivers is diverse and anticipated to increase (e.g., for ‘care and assistance at home’ and ‘meal services’). Informal caregivers fulfilled various roles and while some older adults strongly relied on them for support, others feared burdening them. Most participants (93.5%) perceived their overall support to meet their needs; however, findings suggest areas (e.g., assessment of overall needs) which merit attention to optimize future care.ConclusionsGiven the anticipated demand for future care and support, we recommend efforts to prevent fragmentation between health and social as well as formal and informal care.

BASS. XXXIII. Swift-BAT Blazars and Their Jets through Cosmic Time

We derive the most up-to-date Swift-Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) blazar luminosity function in the 14–195 keV range, making use of a clean sample of 118 blazars detected in the BAT 105 month survey catalog, with newly obtained redshifts from the BAT Active Galatic Nucleus Spectroscopic Survey. We determine the best-fit X-ray luminosity function for the whole blazar population, as well as for flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) alone. The main results are: (1) at any redshift, BAT detects the most luminous blazars, above any possible break in their luminosity distribution, which means we cannot differentiate between density and luminosity evolution; (2) the whole blazar population, dominated by FSRQs, evolves positively up to redshift z ∼ 4.3, confirming earlier results and implying lower number densities of blazars at higher redshifts than previously estimated. The contribution of this source class to the cosmic X-ray background at 14–195 keV can range from 5%–18%, while possibly accounting for 100% of the MeV background. We also derived the average 14 keV–10 GeV spectral energy distribution for BAT blazars, which allows us to predict the number counts of sources in the MeV range, as well as the expected number of high-energy (>100 TeV) neutrinos. A mission like COSI will detect 40 MeV blazars, of which two may have coincident neutrino detections. Finally, taking into account beaming selection effects, the distribution and properties of the parent population of these extragalactic jets are derived. We find that the distribution of viewing angles is quite narrow, with most sources aligned within <5° of the line of sight. Moreover, the average Lorentz factor, 〈Γ〉 = 8–12, is lower than previously suggested for these powerful sources.

Reconstructing AGN X-ray spectral parameter distributions with Bayesian methods

We present a new Bayesian method for reconstructing the parent distributions of X-ray spectral parameters of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in large surveys. The method uses the probability distribution function (PDF) of posteriors obtained by fitting a consistent physical model to each object with a Bayesian method. The PDFs are often broadly distributed and may present systematic biases, such that naive point estimators or even some standard parametric modeling are not sufficient to reconstruct the parent population without obvious bias. Our method uses a transfer function computed from a large realistic simulation with the same selection as in the actual sample to redistribute the stacked PDF and then forward-fit a nonparametric model to it in a Bayesian way, so that the biases in the PDFs are properly taken into account. In this way, we are able to accurately reconstruct the parent distributions. We apply our spectral fitting and population inference methods to the XMM-COSMOS survey as a pilot study. For the 819 AGN detected in the COSMOS field, 663 (81%) of which have spectroscopic redshifts (spec-z) and the others high-quality photometric redshifts (photo-z), we find prominent bi-modality with widely separated peaks in the distribution of the absorbing hydrogen column density (NH) and an indication that absorbed AGN have harder photon indices. A clear decreasing trend of the absorbed AGN fraction versus the intrinsic 2–10 keV luminosity is observed, but there is no clear evolution in the absorbed fraction with redshift. Our method is designed to be readily applicable to large AGN samples such as the XXL survey, and eventually eROSITA.

Identifying C. elegans lifespan mutants by screening for early-onset protein aggregation

Genetic screens are widely used to identify genes that control specific biological functions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, forward genetic screens rely on the isolation of reproductively active mutants that can self-propagate clonal populations. Screens that target post-reproductive phenotypes, such as lifespan, are thus challenging. We combine microfluidic technologies and image processing to perform high-throughput automated screening for short-lived mutants using protein aggregation as a marker for aging. We take advantage of microfluidics for maintaining a reproductively active adult mutagenized population and for performing serial high-throughput analysis and sorting of animals with increased protein aggregation, using fluorescently-labeled PAB-1 as a readout. We demonstrate that lifespan mutants can be identified by screening for accelerated protein aggregation through quantitative analysis of fluorescently labeled aggregates while avoiding conditional sterilization or manual separation of parental and progeny populations. We also show that aged wildtypes and premature aggregation mutants differ in aggregate morphology, suggesting aggregate growth is time-dependent.

Comparative proteome analysis reveals possible heterosis for growth, immunity and antioxidation mechanisms in Macrobrachium nipponense hybrid offspring and parent populations

Macrobrachium nipponense, an important economic aquaculture species in China, is experiencing degradation of shrimp germplasm resources. Hybridization is a means of genetic improvement and can contribute to overcoming this serious problem. However, the molecular mechanisms of heterosis resulting from hybridization is unknown. In this study, LC–MS/MS combined with TMT tags were used for comparative proteomics analyses of the broodstock populations (Dianshan, DS) and hybrid offspring (DS ♀ × CD [Changjiang, CJ ♂ × Dongting, DT ♀], SCD) in M. nipponense. A total of 57 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, of which 35 proteins were up-regulated and 22 proteins were down-regulated. The results showed that the 57 differential proteins correspond to three functional types, including 431 biological processes, 458 cellular components and 762 molecular functions. KEGG pathway analyses identified growth- and immunity-related pathways, including alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism (ko00250), arginine biosynthesis (ko00220), arginine and proline metabolism (ko00330), hippo (ko04390), apoptosis (ko04215), p53 (ko04115) and complement system (ko04610). The expression of genes encoding the differentially expressed proteins were verified using real-time quantitative PCR, and the results showed that the hybrid population was superior to the parent population in terms of growth and immunity. This study provided important data for genetic and breeding research of Macrobrachium nipponense.

An opportunity to increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates: Change the guidelines

ABSTRACT Given the low rates of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiation and timely series completion in 11- and 12-year old children, we sought to assess potential opportunities for initiating routine vaccination at a younger age. A cross-sectional study of Latino parents of HPV vaccine-eligible 9- or 10-year–old children in New York City assessed whether there were opportunities to discuss the HPV vaccine during their most recent primary care provider (PCP) visit. Parents were approached between November, 2016 and January, 2018. Of 86 parents who participated, 97% reported having visited the child’s PCP in the previous year for an annual checkup and 85% reported that they had neither discussed the HPV vaccine nor received a recommendation for the vaccine during that visit. In a population of Latino parents, predominantly Mexican immigrants with less than a high school education and limited English proficiency, most 9- to 10-year–old children followed the recommendation for an annual PCP visit. Lowering the recommended age for routine vaccination with the HPV vaccine to 9 − 10 years of age should be considered as an important strategy to increase HPV vaccination rates in this and other populations.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the uptake of routine maternal and infant vaccines globally: A systematic review.

Maintaining routine vaccination coverage is essential to avoid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. We aimed to understand the international impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine vaccination in pregnant women and children aged 0-5-years-old. A systematic review of quantitative and mixed methods studies exploring changes in vaccination coverage, vaccination services, and vaccine confidence since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic was conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, World Health Organisation, UK Government Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (including EU and US equivalents), and SAGE Journals were searched between 15-17th June 2021. Selected studies included pregnant women, health professionals, and/or infants aged 0-5-years-old including their parents (population); reported on the Covid-19 pandemic (exposure); presented comparisons with pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (comparator) and reported changes in routine maternal and infant vaccination coverage, services, and confidence (outcomes). Sources published only in non-English language were excluded. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality and risk of bias (ROB), and a narrative synthesis was undertaken. This review has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021262449). 30 studies were included in the review; data from 20 high-income countries (HICs), seven low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and three regional studies (groups of countries). 18 studies had a low ROB, 12 had a higher risk, however both low and high ROB studies showed similar results. Two studies meeting the inclusion criteria discussed changes in routine vaccinations for pregnant women while 29 studies discussed infants. Both groups experienced declines in vaccination coverage (up to -79%) with larger disruptions in the accessibility and delivery of vaccination services reported within LMICs compared to HICs. Changes in vaccine confidence remained unclear. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased vaccine coverage and reduced routine vaccination services for pregnant women and infants, impacts on vaccine confidence requires more research.

Stability of principal components under normal and non-normal parent populations and different covariance structures scenarios

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is one of the most used multivariate techniques for dimension reduction assuming nowadays a particular relevance due to the increasingly common large datasets. Being mainly used as a descriptive/exploratory tool it does not require any explicit a priori assumption. However, regardless the parent population miss/unknown characterization, sample principal components are often used to characterize the parent population structure, as these are frequently targeted to visualize multivariate datasets on a 2D graphical display or to infer the first two latent dimensions. In this context, although the main goal might not be inferential, sample principal components may fail to provide a valid solution as principal components may vary considerably, depending on the extracted sample. The stability of the PCA solution is here studied considering normal and non-normal parent populations and three covariance structures scenarios. In addition, the effects of the covariance parameter, the dimension and the size of the sample are also investigated via Monte Carlo simulations. This study aims to understand how stability varies with the population and sample features, characterize the conditions under which PCA results are expected to be stable, and study a sample criterion for PCA stability.