Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Religious symbolism and politics: hijab and resistance in Palestine

ABSTRACT The covering of Muslim women has become a topic of contention on a global level. Relying on in-depth interviews in the Palestinian territories, our study illustrates the motivation to wear hijab under a colonial context and compares the justifications women give for wearing the hijab under two different types of political subjugation. Palestinian Muslim women in both the West Bank and East Jerusalem, frequently provided political justification for wearing the hijab. In the West Bank, where interactions with the occupier are limited to tense encounters with soldiers, they use the hijab as a defiant symbol against the Israeli occupation. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian women use the hijab as a visible representation of their identity and resilience, but at the same time they are more cautious and consider the way the hijab might be viewed by Jewish-Israeli civilians, whom they encounter on a daily basis.
Methods for the 2019 New Zealand family violence study- a study on the association between violence exposure, health and well-being

ABSTRACT Family violence, which includes child abuse, intimate partner violence and elder abuse, is a problem of national and global significance. Robust evidence about the scale and consequences of the problem is needed to inform policy and practice, including information on high-risk groups, and risk and protective factors. In this article, the methods utilised for collecting data for NZ’s 2019 Family Violence Survey are described, along with a summary of the characteristics of the population-based sample obtained. The 2019 NZ Family Violence Survey will provide prevalence estimates of violence exposure for women and men across a wide range of types of violence across the lifespan. This article provides a basis for understanding who was included in the study sample, and for enabling understanding and interpretation of future study findings.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Demand for Immunization in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for the Region and Beyond

Immunization is a global success story. It has saved millions of lives and prevented disease worldwide and millions more have been spared the permanent disabilities caused by diseases such as polio and the long-term morbidity caused by other diseases such as measles. Despite the compelling evidence of the public health and economic value of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy has become a growing concern globally. By calling into question the safety and efficacy of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy threatens the progress made in combating morbidity and mortality including efforts to introduce COVID-19 vaccines. This paper a) examines key factors that drive limited demand for vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, (b) highlights the role of demand promotion for immunization and of risk communication and community engagement to address those challenges, (c) discusses vaccine demand and hesitancy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and (d) makes recommendations for public health policy and programming for the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine and beyond. Recommendations include strengthen social listening and digital engagement to address the concerns of caregivers and healthcare professionals, improve the availability and use of social data for evidence-based programming, reinforce public trust in health institutions and service providers, mainstream demand for immunization, strengthen the communication competencies of health service providers, test and apply solutions based on behavioral insights to reinforce demand, engage regularly with local governments and local actors, and strengthen resilience and response capacities for diseases outbreaks and public health emergencies.
Chronic hepatitis B infection is causally associated with extrahepatic cancers: a Mendelian randomization study

Overwhelming evidence suggests that chronic hepatitis infection is associated with extrahepatic cancers. However, uncertainty persists about the causal role of chronic hepatitis infection on extrahepatic cancers, as much of the current evidence originates from observational studies which are prone to confounding. Herein we performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the causal associations between chronic hepatitis infection and extrahepatic cancers. Genetic variants associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were identified from a genome-wide association study and used as instrumental variables in our analysis. Summary level data for cancer of the biliary tract, cervix, colorectum, endometrium, esophagus, gastric, liver, lung, ovary and pancreas were obtained from the Biobank Japan. Using the inverse variance weighted methods, we found chronic HBV infection to be causally associated with gastric cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.19 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-1.25, P-value = 0.001) and lung cancer (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.14-1.28, P-value = 0.001). Moreover, chronic HBV infection (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.17-1.53, P-value = 0.007) and chronic HCV infection (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 2.21-3.42, P-value = 0.0008) were all causally associated with liver cancer, supporting a well-established association between chronic hepatitis infection and liver cancer. In conclusions, our MR findings revealed that chronic HBV infection is causally associated with extrahepatic cancers including gastric and lung cancers.
Aggregate delivery tour modeling through AVM data: experimental evidence for light goods vehicles

ABSTRACT Freight vehicle origin-destination (O-D) matrices play a key role within the assessment procedures of city logistics scenarios, and simulation of delivery tours allows such O-D flows to be obtained. Therefore, the paper revisits a modeling framework for simulating delivery tours using an aggregate approach proposed by the authors and presents the preliminary results of its implementation to a real test case using global position system (GPS) traces for extracting vehicle tours/trip chains which are available on a large scale for such uses as fleet management or vehicle insurance. The modeling framework was calibrated using a dataset of light goods vehicles operating in the Veneto region (Italy) for which automated vehicle monitoring (AVM) data were available. The results show that such an approach enables satisfactory results to be obtained in terms of freight distribution O-D matrices.
Regulating Polθ in Breast Cancer

DNA polymerase θ, a protein encoded by the POLQ gene, is the defining factor for the DNA double-strand break repair pathway known as theta-mediated end-joining (TMEJ). Some cancers depend on TMEJ for survival and tumor growth. TMEJ might be useful as a biomarker to guide patient treatment and is now an active target for drug development, making it critical to understand how it is regulated in cells. In a recent article, Prodhomme and colleagues provide the first identification of a transcription regulator of POLQ expression and TMEJ activity: the transcription factor, ZEB1. See related article by Prodhomme et al., p. 1595
Structural Differences Between Biogenic Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Phases Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy**

We compare the organization of the first coordination shells around the calcium ion in biogenic ACC phases from three different sources. The results show that although the three biogenic samples have the same chemical composition, which is referred to collectively under the name “amorphous calcium carbonate”, they are structurally different from one another. These differences may be attributed to the diverse modes of formation of such biogenic materials and may account for their known variations in stability.
Nonlinear transition mechanism on a blunt cone at Mach 6: oblique breakdown

Abstract Direct numerical simulations (DNS) were carried out to investigate laminar-turbulent transition for a blunt (right) cone ($7^\circ$ half-angle) at Mach 5.9 and zero angle of attack. First, (linear) stability calculations were carried out by employing a high-order Navier–Stokes solver and using very small disturbance amplitudes in order to capture the linear disturbance development. Contrary to standard linear stability theory (LST) results, these investigations revealed a strong ‘linear’ instability in the entropy-layer region for a very short downstream distance for oblique disturbance waves with spatial growth rates far exceeding those of second-mode disturbances. This linear instability behaviour was not captured with conventional LST and/or the parabolized stability equations (PSE). Secondly, a nonlinear breakdown simulation was performed using high-fidelity DNS. The DNS results showed that linearly unstable oblique disturbance waves, when excited with large enough amplitudes, lead to a rapid breakdown and complete laminar-turbulent transition in the entropy layer just upstream of the second-mode instability region.
Neuromodulation of Persistent Activity and Working Memory Circuitry in Primate Prefrontal Cortex by Muscarinic Receptors

Neuromodulation by acetylcholine plays a vital role in shaping the physiology and functions of cerebral cortex. Cholinergic neuromodulation influences brain-state transitions, controls the gating of cortical sensory stimulus responses, and has been shown to influence the generation and maintenance of persistent activity in prefrontal cortex. Here we review our current understanding of the role of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in primate prefrontal cortex during its engagement in the performance of working memory tasks. We summarize the localization of muscarinic receptors in prefrontal cortex, review the effects of muscarinic neuromodulation on arousal, working memory and cognitive control tasks, and describe the effects of muscarinic M1 receptor stimulation and blockade on the generation and maintenance of persistent activity of prefrontal neurons encoding working memory representations. Recent studies describing the pharmacological effects of M1 receptors on prefrontal persistent activity demonstrate the heterogeneity of muscarinic actions and delineate unexpected modulatory effects discovered in primate prefrontal cortex when compared with studies in rodents. Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which muscarinic receptors regulate prefrontal cognitive control circuitry will inform the search of muscarinic-based therapeutic targets in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Effector T Helper Cells Are Selectively Controlled During Pregnancy and Related to a Postpartum Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are protected from relapses during pregnancy and have an increased relapse risk after delivery. It is unknown how pregnancy controls disease-contributing CD4+ T helper (Th) cells and whether this differs in MS patients who experience a postpartum relapse. Here, we studied the effector phenotype of Th cells in relation to pregnancy and postpartum relapse occurrence in MS. Methods: Memory skewing and activation of effector Th subsets were analyzed in paired third trimester and postpartum blood of 19 MS patients with and without a postpartum relapse and 12 healthy controls. Ex vivo results were associated with circulating levels of pregnancy-induced hormones and mirrored in vitro by exposing proliferating Th cells to corresponding serum samples. Results: Based on HSNE-guided analyses, we found that effector memory proportions of Th cells were increased in postpartum vs. third trimester samples from MS patients without a postpartum relapse. This was not seen for relapsing patients or healthy controls. CXCR3 was upregulated on postpartum memory Th cells, except for relapsing patients. These changes were verified by adding sera from the same individuals to proliferating Th cells, but did not associate with third trimester cortisol, estradiol or progesterone levels. For relapsing patients, activated memory Th cells of both third trimester and postpartum samples produced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Effector Th cells are differentially regulated during pregnancy in MS patients, likely via serum-related factors beyond the studied hormones. The pro-inflammatory state of memory Th cells during pregnancy may predict a postpartum relapse.
Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Causes Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer

Although chemotherapy, targeted therapy and endocrine therapy decrease rate of disease recurrence in most breast cancer patients, many patients exhibit acquired resistance. Hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is associated with drug resistance and cancer progression. Currently, a number of drugs targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR are being investigated in clinical trials by combining them with standard therapies to overcome acquired resistance in breast cancer. In this review, we summarize the critical role of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in drug resistance, the development of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, and strategies to overcome acquired resistance to standard therapies in breast cancer.
Poor Birth Outcomes in Malaria in Pregnancy: Recent Insights Into Mechanisms and Prevention Approaches

Pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions are susceptible to malaria in pregnancy, which has adverse consequences on birth outcomes, including having small for gestational age and preterm babies. These babies are likely to have low birthweights, which predisposes to infant mortality and lifelong morbidities. During malaria in pregnancy, Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes express a unique variant surface antigen, VAR2CSA, that mediates sequestration in the placenta. This process may initiate a range of host responses that contribute to placental inflammation and dysregulated placental development, which affects placental vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and nutrient transport. Collectively, these result in the impairment of placental functions, affecting fetal development. In this review, we provide an overview of malaria in pregnancy and the different pathological pathways leading to malaria in pregnancy-associated low birthweight. We also discuss current prevention and management strategies for malaria in pregnancy, and some potential therapeutic interventions that may improve birth outcomes. Lastly, we outline some priorities for future research that could bring us one step closer to reducing this health burden.
Comparison of Postnatal Growth Charts of Singleton Preterm and Term Infants Using World Health Organization Standards at 40–160 Weeks Postmenstrual Age: A Chinese Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

There remains controversy regarding whether the growth charts constructed from data of term infants, such as those produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, can appropriately evaluate the postnatal growth of preterm infants. This retrospective cohort study, conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in Jinan China, aimed to compare the postnatal growth charts of singleton preterm and term infants using WHO standards at 40–160 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). A total of 5,459 and 15,185 sets of longitudinal measurements [length/height, weight, head circumference (HC), and body mass index (BMI)] from birth to 160 weeks PMA were used to construct growth charts for 559 singleton preterm (mean PMA at birth, 33.84 weeks) and 1,596 singleton term infants (born at 40 weeks PMA), respectively, using the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) method. Z-scores (prematurity corrected) were calculated using WHO Anthro software. Compared to WHO standards, all parameters of preterm infants were increased, especially in terms of length/height and weight; the gap between the two almost spanned two adjacent centile curves. Compared to term controls, the length/height, weight, and BMI of preterm infants were higher at 40 weeks PMA, surpassed by term infants at 52–64 weeks PMA, and quite consistent thereafter. The HC of preterm infants at 40–160 weeks PMA was quite consistent with both term controls and the WHO standards. The Z-scores for length/height, weight, and BMI of preterm infants relative to the WHO standards gradually decreased from 1.20, 1.13, and 0.74 at 40–44 weeks PMA to 0.67, 0.42, and 0.03 at 132–160 weeks PMA, respectively; Z-scores for HC of preterm infants rapidly decreased from 0.73 to 0.29 at 40–50 weeks PMA, and then fluctuated in the range of 0.08–0.23 at 50–160 weeks PMA. Preterm infants had higher growth trajectories than the WHO standards and similar but not identical trajectories to term infants during the first 2 years of life. These findings reemphasize the necessity of constructing local growth charts for Chinese singleton preterm infants.
Systemic Tissue and Cellular Disruption from SARS-CoV-2 Infection revealed in COVID-19 Autopsies and Spatial Omics Tissue Maps

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has infected over 115 million people and caused over 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations of COVID-19, as well as what distinguishes them from common seasonal influenza virus and other lung injury states such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), remains poorly understood. To address these challenges, we combined transcriptional profiling of 646 clinical nasopharyngeal swabs and 39 patient autopsy tissues, matched with spatial protein and expression profiling (GeoMx) across 357 tissue sections. These results define both body-wide and tissue-specific (heart, liver, lung, kidney, and lymph nodes) damage wrought by the SARS-CoV-2 infection, evident as a function of varying viral load (high vs. low) during the course of infection and specific, transcriptional dysregulation in splicing isoforms, T cell receptor expression, and cellular expression states. In particular, cardiac and lung tissues revealed the largest degree of splicing isoform switching and cell expression state loss. Overall, these findings reveal a systemic disruption of cellular and transcriptional pathways from COVID-19 across all tissues, which can inform subsequent studies to combat the mortality of COVID-19, as well to better understand the molecular dynamics of lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection and other viruses.
Two different cell-cycle processes determine the timing of cell division in Escherichia coli

Cells must control the cell cycle to ensure that key processes are brought to completion. In Escherichia coli, it is controversial whether cell division is tied to chromosome replication or to a replication-independent inter-division process. A recent model suggests instead that both processes may limit cell division with comparable odds in single cells. Here, we tested this possibility experimentally by monitoring single-cell division and replication over multiple generations at slow growth. We then perturbed cell width, causing an increase of the time between replication termination and division. As a consequence, replication became decreasingly limiting for cell division, while correlations between birth and division and between subsequent replication-initiation events were maintained. Our experiments support the hypothesis that both chromosome replication and a replication-independent inter-division process can limit cell division: the two processes have balanced contributions in non-perturbed cells, while our width perturbations increase the odds of the replication-independent process being limiting.
The Protozoan Inhibitor Atovaquone Affects Mitochondrial Respiration and Shows In Vitro Efficacy Against Glucocorticoid-Resistant Cells in Childhood B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (cALL) accounts for about one third of all paediatric malignancies making it the most common cancer in children. Alterations in tumour cell metabolism were first described nearly a century ago and have been acknowledged as one of the key characteristics of cancers including cALL. Two of the backbone chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of this disease, Glucocorticoids and L-asparaginase, are exerting their anti-leukaemic effects through targeting cell metabolism. Even though risk stratification and treatment regimens have improved cure rates to nearly 90%, prognosis for relapsed children remains poor. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are urgently required. Atovaquone is a well-tolerated drug used in the clinic mainly against malaria. Being a ubiquinone analogue, this drug inhibits co-enzyme Q10 of the electron transport chain (ETC) affecting oxidative phosphorylation and cell metabolism. In this study we tested the effect of Atovaquone on cALL cells in vitro. Pharmacologically relevant concentrations of the inhibitor could effectively target mitochondrial respiration in both cALL cell lines (REH and Sup-B15) and primary patient samples. We found that Atovaquone leads to a marked decrease in basal respiration and ATP levels, as well as reduced proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis. Importantly, we observed an enhanced anti-leukaemic effect when Atovaquone was combined with the standard chemotherapeutic Idarubicin, or with Prednisolone in an in vitro model of Glucocorticoid resistance. Repurposing of this clinically approved inhibitor renders further investigations, but also presents opportunities for fast-track trials as a single agent or in combination with standard chemotherapeutics.
Brain Development From Newborn to Adolescence: Evaluation by Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging

Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) is a diffusion model specifically designed for brain magnetic resonance imaging. Despite recent studies suggesting that NODDI modeling might be more sensitive to brain development than diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), these studies were limited to a relatively small age range and mainly based on the manually operated region of interest analysis. Therefore, this study applied NODDI to investigate brain development in a large sample size of 214 subjects ranging in ages from 0 to 14. The whole brain was automatically segmented into 122 regions. The maturation trajectory of each region was characterized by the time course of diffusion metrics and further quantified using nonlinear regression. The NODDI-derived metrics, neurite density index (NDI) and orientation dispersion index (ODI), increased with age. And these two metrics were superior to the DTI-derived metrics in SVM regression models of age. The NDI in white matter exhibited a more rapid growth than that in gray matter (including the cortex and deep nucleus). These diffusion indicators experienced conspicuous increases during early childhood and the growth speed slowed down in adolescence. Region-specific maturation patterns were described throughout the brain, including white matter, cortical and deep gray matter. These development patterns were evaluated and discussed on the basis of NODDI’s model assumptions. To summarize, this study verified the high sensitivity of NODDI to age over a crucial developmental period from newborn to adolescence. Moreover, the existing knowledge of brain development has been complemented, suggesting that NODDI has a potential capability in the investigation of brain development.