Techniques for using VRChat to Replace On-site Experiments

In this paper, we present a technique to conduct on-site laboratory experiments using VRChat, a social Virtual Reality platform. COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges and restrictions on re-searchers in running experiments for Human-Computer Interaction research. Hence, universities and institutions set guidelines for social distancing and encourage people to work from home. Therefore, participants are harder to recruit for experiments that run in a physical laboratory. Our technique uses VRChat as a substitution for running on-site experiments despite social restrictions. We exploit features in VRChat to enable researchers to run experiments with domestically recruited participants. Furthermore, we propose a hassle-free method to retrieve study data. This paper also discusses and offers design considerations to run an on-site experiment using VRChat over a homemade system. © 2022 IEEE.

Introduction

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has gained traction in Asia very quickly in response to political calls for more experts who can lead economies out of the COVID-19 pandemic. What does this book have to offer to the STEM education fraternity? A lens into how Asian economies take on and fuel STEM education and research. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Tang Wee Teo, Aik-Ling Tan and Paul Teng;individual chapters, the contributors.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Services

Introduction: The hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) unit had to scale down the clinical workload and reallocate resources to combat COVID-19. We report local audit evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on the unit and its impact on cancer surgery. Method(s): We performed a comparative audit of the HPB team surgical workload for January-June 2019 (baseline) and 2020 (COVID-19). Elective and emergency cases performed under general anesthesia were audited. Elective cases included hernia surgeries, biliary surgeries (cholecystectomy and complex biliary resections), liver, and pancreatic resections. Emergency cases included cholecystectomies and laparotomies performed for general surgical indications. We excluded endoscopy and procedures done under local anaesthesia. Result(s): Elective surgical workload decreased by 42.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=200 (2019) vs. 347 (2020)). Hernia surgery decreased by 63.9% (n=155 (2019) vs. 56 (2020)) and cholecystectomy by 40.3% (n=144 (2019) vs. 86 (2020)). Liver and pancreatic resection volume increased by 16.7% (n=30 (2019) vs. 35 (2020)) and 111.1% (n=9 (J 2019) vs. 19 (2020)). The emergency surgical workload reduced by 40.9% (n=193 (2019) vs. 114 (2020)). Conclusion(s): Reallocation of resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not adversely impact elective HPB oncology work. With prudent measures in place, essential surgical services can be maintained during a pandemic. Copyright © 2022

A multi-centre national study of COVID-19 infection in cancer patients

Background & aims: COVID19 disproportionately affects the immunosuppressed, but its epidemiology over time is incompletely characterised. We describe Australian experiences of COVID19 in a national observational study of patients with malignancy. Methods: An ongoing multisite prospective cohort study of adult COVID19 patients with active cancer was conducted. Clinical and laboratory data over 28 months (1/3/20-22/7/22) was collated from 15 hospitals. Results: There were 491 patients included. Patients were a median of 63(IQR:50-71) years with majority male (254,52%). Solid organ malignancy was most common (296,60%), followed by haematological malignancy (180,37%), then both (15,4%). Most common solid tumour was breast cancer (74/296,25%);most common haematological cancer was lymphoma (102/180,57%). Majority (275,56%) were undergoing cancer treatment at COVID19 diagnosis. From 2020-2022, patients presented less with lower respiratory tract infections (57%,36%,5%) with increasing outpatient management (26%,50%,67%). Improved mortality was seen (27%,19%,11%). Median inpatient length of stay was 8(4-11) days. Intensive care admission was low (21,4%). For patients who had repeated respiratory PCR testing, median time from first to last positive test was 17(7-25, n = 123) days. Cancer treatment modification occurred in 18(4%) and delay in 74(15%). Conclusion: Despite improvements in outcomes, COVID19 still results in morbidity with impacts on cancer treatment. This preliminary data shows that cancer patients remain a vulnerable group and should be prioritised for public health interventions.

PAWG Pilot Study on Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibody - Part 1

Under the auspices of the Protein Analysis Working Group (PAWG) of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM) a pilot study, CCQM-P216, was coordinated by the Chinese National Institute of Metrology (NIM), National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). Eleven Metrology Institutes or Designated Institutes and the BIPM participated in the first phase of the pilot study (Part 1). The purpose of this pilot study was to develop measurement capabilities for larger proteins using a recombinant humanized IgG monoclonal antibody against Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 (Anti-S IgG mAb) in solution. The first phase of the study was designed to employ established methods that had been previously studies by the CCQM Protein Analysis Working Group, involving the digestion of protein down to the peptide or amino acid level.The global coronavirus pandemic has also led to increased focus on antibody quantitation methods. IgG are among the immunoglobulins produced by the immune system to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG can therefore be detected in samples from affected patients. Antibody tests can show whether a person has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2, and whether or not they potentially show lasting immunity to the disease. With the constant spread of the virus and the high pressure of re-opening economies, antibody testing plays a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 by helping healthcare professionals to identify individuals who have developed an immune response, either via vaccination or exposure to the virus. Many countries have launched large-scale antibody testing for COVID-19. The development of measurement standards for the antibody detection of SARS-CoV-2 is critically important to deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody is being used as a model system to build capacity in methods that can be used in antibody quantification. Amino acid reference values with corresponding expanded uncertainty of 36.10 ± 1.55 mg/kg, 38.75 ± 1.45 mg/kg, 18.46 ± 0.78 mg/kg, 16.20 ± 0.67 mg/kg and 30.61 ± 1.30 mg/kg have been established for leucine, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine and proline, respectively. Agreement between nearly all laboratories was achieved for the amino acid analysis within 2 to 2.5 %, with one participant achieving markedly higher results due to a technical issue found in their procedure;this result was thus excluded from the reference value calculations. The relatively good agreement within a laboratory between different amino acids was not dissimilar to previous results for peptides or small proteins, indicating that factors such as hydrolysis conditions and calibration procedures could be the largest sources of variability.Peptide reference values with corresponding expanded uncertainty of 4.99 ± 0.28 mg/kg and 6.83 ± 0.65 mg/kg have been established for ALPAPIEK and GPSVFPLAPSSK, respectively. Not surprisingly due to prior knowledge from previous studies on peptide quantitation, agreement between laboratories for the peptide-based analysis was slightly poorer at 3 to 5 %, with one laboratory's result excluded for the peptide GPSVFPLAPSSK. Again, this level of agreement was not significantly poorer than that achieved in previous studies with smaller or less complex proteins.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report.