bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrospectives: Sadie T.M. Alexander: Black Women and a “Taste of Freedom in the Economic World”
Authors: Banks Nina
Published: November 2022

The employment history of African American women is notable because of their higher labor force participation rates compared to other women in the US. This essay discusses Sadie T.M. Alexander’s analysis of Black women and work based on her 1930s speeches and writings. Alexander assessed Black women workers’ contribution to Black American living standards and national output. A proponent of women’s gainful employment and economic independence, Alexander’s views on the benefits of industrial employment for women and family life stood in stark contrast to White social welfare reformers who discouraged maternal employment in favor of households with male breadwinners. Alexander criticized the unequal treatment of Black and White women under protective labor law, particularly with respect to domestic servants’ exclusion from New Deal minimum wage and maximum hour protections. The legacy of discriminatory policies continues to affect the economic status of African American women today through racial disparities in social welfare provisions and worker benefits.
The German Model of Industrial Relations: Balancing Flexibility and Collective Action
Authors: Jäger Simon , Noy Shakked , Schoefer Benjamin
Published: November 2022

We give an overview of the “German model” of industrial relations. We organize our review by focusing on the two pillars of the model: sectoral collective bargaining and firm-level codetermination. Relative to the United States, Germany outsources collective bargaining to the sectoral level, resulting in higher coverage and the avoidance of firm-level distributional conflict. Relative to other European countries, Germany makes it easy for employers to avoid coverage or use flexibility provisions to deviate downwards from collective agreements. The greater flexibility of the German system may reduce unemployment, but may also erode bargaining coverage and increase inequality. Meanwhile, firm-level codetermination through worker board representation and works councils creates cooperative dialogue between employers and workers. Board representation has few direct impacts owing to worker representatives’ minority vote share, but works councils, which hold a range of substantive powers, may be more impactful. Overall, the German model highlights tensions between efficiency-enhancing flexibility and equity-enhancing collective action.
Greater functional connectivity between the ventral frontal cortex and occipital cortex in herpes zoster patients than post-herpetic neuralgia patients
Authors: Li Jiahao , Gu Lili , Hong Shunda , Chen Yeyuan , Luo Qing , Wu Ying , Yang Jiaojiao , Xiong Jiaxin , Lv Huiting , Jiang Jian
Published: November 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to compare whole brain network between herpes zoster (HZ) patients and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients, as well as to investigate the associations between whole brain network changes and pain intensity and the accuracy of classifying between different types of pain.

Methods:

PHN patients (n = 50) and HZ patients (n = 50) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 50) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Functional connectivity and global and local graph theory metrics were calculated by using Dosenbach-160 atlas. The relationship between neuroimaging indicators and clinical scales was evaluated using correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated the feasibility of classifying PHN and HZ patients using specific neuroimaging indicators.

Results:

(1) 10 greater average connectivities were found in HZ group among the default mode, frontoparietal, cingulo-opercular, sensorimotor, occipital networks (ONs), and cerebellum (p < 0.001). (2) HZ patients exhibited higher global efficiency than those in the PHN and HCs (t = 2.178, p = 0.038). (3) Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that functional connectivity between the ventral frontal cortex in the cingulo-opercular network and the occipital gyrus in the ON influenced the visual analog score pain scores (β = 4.273; p = 0.004).

Conclusion:

The variation of functional connectivity between ventral frontal cortex in the cingulo-opercular network and occipital gyrus in the ON may be a robust neuroimaging marker of the transition from HZ to PHN patients.

Advances in knowledge:

Whole-brain network analysis may be effective in distinguishing HZ and PHN patients and predicting pain intensity.
Indonesia mixed contraception method skewness background 1997-2012: A mixed method study
Authors: Utari Dyah
Published: November 2022

Background: Indonesia's decentralization policy adopted in 1999 had implications for the programs of national ministries and agencies, including the family planning program. Since 1999, there has been a "relaxation in family planning program effort" since many districts have a low commitment to family planning. The trend of contraceptive mix in Indonesia leading to hormonal methods, especially injections, has occurred since 2007. This study aimed to describe the mixed conditions of contraception in Indonesia from 1997 to 2012 and explore the link between the availability of facilities and infrastructure with this plan. Methods: The quantitative research used was a cross-sectional design using secondary data from the Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS), and In-depth interviews were employed as the qualitative approach in this study. It was found based on the results of the quantitative analysis that the trend of contraceptive mix tilted to the injection method. Results: The qualitative study results indicate that the contraceptive mix is affected by infrastructure as the main factor. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a close relationship between the decentralization policy and the condition of the contraceptive mix. Thus, it is recommended that the central and local governments re-prioritize family planning programs and assure the availability of supporting facilities and infrastructure.
Systems Biology in ELIXIR: modelling in the spotlight
Authors: Martins dos Santos Vitor , Anton Mihail , Szomolay Barbara , Ostaszewski Marek , Arts Ilja , Benfeitas Rui , Dominguez Del Angel Victoria , Ferk Polonca , Fey Dirk , Goble Carole , Golebiewski Martin , Gruden Kristina , Heil Katharina F. , Hermjakob Henning , Kahlem Pascal , Klapa Maria I. , Koehorst Jasper , Kolodkin Alexey , Kutmon Martina , Leskošek Brane , Moretti Sébastien , Müller Wolfgang , Pagni Marco , Rezen Tadeja , Rocha Miguel , Rozman Damjana , Šafránek David , Sheriff Rahuman S. Malik , Suarez Diez Maria , Van Steen Kristel , Westerhoff Hans V , Wittig Ulrike , Wolstencroft Katherine , Zupanic Anze , Evelo Chris T. , Hancock John M.
Published: November 2022

In this white paper, we describe the founding of a new ELIXIR Community - the Systems Biology Community - and its proposed future contributions to both ELIXIR and the broader community of systems biologists in Europe and worldwide. The Community believes that the infrastructure aspects of systems biology - databases, (modelling) tools and standards development, as well as training and access to cloud infrastructure - are not only appropriate components of the ELIXIR infrastructure, but will prove key components of ELIXIR’s future support of advanced biological applications and personalised medicine.

By way of a series of meetings, the Community identified seven key areas for its future activities, reflecting both future needs and previous and current activities within ELIXIR Platforms and Communities. These are: overcoming barriers to the wider uptake of systems biology; linking new and existing data to systems biology models; interoperability of systems biology resources; further development and embedding of systems medicine; provisioning of modelling as a service; building and coordinating capacity building and training resources; and supporting industrial embedding of systems biology.

A set of objectives for the Community has been identified under four main headline areas: Standardisation and Interoperability, Technology, Capacity Building and Training, and Industrial Embedding. These are grouped into short-term (3-year), mid-term (6-year) and long-term (10-year) objectives.
Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on salivary gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome mice model
Authors: Susanto Agus Joko , Purwanto Bambang , Mudigdo Ambar , Wasita Brian
Published: November 2022

Background

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and inflammation of the exocrine glands, especially the lacrimal and salivary glands. Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant activity which is also shown when extracted with ethanol. This study aimed to probe the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-17 (IL-17), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and caspase-3 levels and salivary gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome mice model.

Methods

Thirty-two samples were divided into four treatment groups: 200 mg/kg BW MO-ethanol leaf extracts with 1.23 mg/kg BW dexamethasone group (T2), 1.23 mg/kg BW dexamethasone alone group (T1), normal control group/C- (without induction of Ro antigen (SSA) and extract of MO-ethanol), and negative group/C+ (with induction of Ro antigen (SSA) on day 42). MDA, IL-17, MMP-9, and caspase-3 levels and salivary gland epithelium damage (histopathological changes) were measured 14 days post-Ro antigen (SSA) induction. The method used to measure MDA level was Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) while IL-7 and MMP-9 were ELISA. Some of the salivary gland was used for histological preparations using the paraffin method withoud Harris Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining. Then for the examination of caspase-3, we used the standard procedure of immunohistochemically staining. The salivary gland epithelium damage examination used the HE staining of histological preparation.

Results

There were significant differences in MDA, IL-17, MMP-9, and caspase-3 levels in the group given a 200 mg/kg BW dose of MO-ethanol leaf extract compared to the control group. The administration of the extract also significantly reduced the degree of necrosis of the salivary gland epithelium.

Conclusions

Moringa oleifera leaf extract reduced MDA, IL-17, MMP9, and caspase-3 levels and salivary epithelial damage.
Performance Characteristics and Efficiency Enhancement Techniques of Solar PV System: A review
Authors: Shalwar Prashant Kumar , Gupta Bhupendra , Bhalavi Jyoti , Bisen Anand
Published: November 2022

In constant degradation of conventional sources and shifting fuel costs, has prompted research into alternate power generating options in recent years. A substantial study has been conducted in the literature to properly harvest power from green energy resources. This publication aims to provide a quick assessment of various PV Performance Characteristics on different factors (such as varying irradiation, temperature, parallel & series connection, tilt angle, shading, environment impact, and different type of PV modules), to bring all of the research activities in this field under one tent. This work resulted that the efficiency and performance of the PV system are greatly affected by module temperature, irradiation, shadow, and tilt angle. Hence, each of the characteristics of the solar PV module has been examined critically with reasons, remedies, and techniques applied. Finally, a concise review with enumerated data has been presented which lightened the pathway for new researchers working in Solar Photovoltaics.
Tax Incentives As a Method of Creating High-Tech Jobs
Authors: Sidorova E. , Shipkova O.
Published: November 2022

Under the conditions of modern transformation of the external environment caused by the trends of neo-industrial development of the economy and digital transformation, the issue of creating new highly productive jobs becomes acute. The authors analyze the use of tax incentives by the state. Particular attention is paid to social issues arising in the light of the transformation of the labor market. The result of the analysis was a consolidated system of tax instruments to stimulate economic subjects to create high-tech jobs.
THE INFLUENCE OF ELEMENTS OF PROGRESSIVE TECHNOLOGY ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SPRING WHEAT GRAIN ON CHERNOZEM SOILS OF THE VOLGA REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Serzhanov Igor , Shaykhutdinov Farit , Serzhanova Al'bina , Garaev Razil , Zalyalov Ranis
Published: November 2022

The article presents the results of two-year experiments (2020-2021) conducted in the conditions of Volga region of the Republic of Tatarstan. The effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of the mass fraction of gluten and protein in wheat grain was studied. The productivity and grain quality of several wheat varieties included in the State Register for the 7th region were compared when using fertilizers at a dose of N10-14P24-26K16-37 and chemical plant protection products. It was found that from the application of fertilizers and the use of the plant protection unit, an increase in grain yield for the studied varieties was obtained from 0.32-0.92 t/ha compared with the control. The field experiment was conducted in LLC Avangard of Buinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. The soil is leached chernozem and has the following agrochemical characteristics: humus content – 7.0-8.5%, mobile forms of phosphorus – 182-255 mg/kg, potassium – 159-193 mg/ kg and salt pH – 5.5-5.8.

Agrochemical analyses of soils were performed in Federal State Budgetary Institution “Tatarskiy” by generally accepted methods: GOST 26213-91 (humus content), GOST 26484-85 (pHsol.), GOST 26207-91 (mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium).

Meteorological conditions in 2020 were characterized by sufficient soil moisture and a moderate temperature regime during the growing season of spring wheat (GTK-1.28) and had a positive impact on the value of the future harvest.

Meteorological indicators for the growing season of the research object in 2021 were extremely unfavorable for the formation of the crop. May and June were acutely arid, GTC-0.27. The precipitation in July (57% of the norm) did not have a significant impact on the formation of the spring wheat crop. From the application of fertilizers and the use of plant protection products, an increase in grain yield for the studied varieties from 0.32 to 0.92 t/ha was obtained compared to the variant without fertilizers and plant protection products. Improving the nutritional conditions of plants by applying mineral fertilizers led to an increase in the protein content of spring wheat grains and the protein content was 0.6 ... 0.8 higher, depending on the varietal characteristics of spring wheat, than on an unfertilized background. Under the conditions of chernozem soils of the Pre-Volga zone of the Republic of Tatarstan, the best results over the years of research were obtained in variants where the application of mineral fertilizers was combined with the use of plant protection products of such spring wheat varieties as Yoldyz, Burlak and Ekada 109. In the same variants, the highest protein content was noted in grain. The use of chemical protection against the background of mineral fertilizers in the varieties Yoldyz, Burlak, Ekada109 contributed to a significant increase in the gross collection of protein per unit area.
Features of service values of employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation
Authors: Sumina Ekaterina
Published: November 2022

Values represent people's highest priorities and are cognitive representations of basic motivations. Work values determine what is important for employees in their work and what they want to achieve in their work. The police profession is associated with high involvement in official activities and the risk of burnout. Many authors in the scientific literature have described the hierarchy of work values among employees of internal affairs bodies, but there are relatively few studies on how work or service values are related to compliance with official discipline and legality by employees of internal affairs bodies. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to study the relationship between service values and compliance by employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation with service discipline and legality. Compliance by employees of internal affairs bodies with official discipline and legality is one of the important bases for the performance of official activities aimed at fulfilling the functions and tasks assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The presented article analyzes the main service values of employees of internal affairs bodies in combination with compliance with those norms and rules that are embedded in the concepts of service discipline and legality.
Scientific school as a personal-developing educational project and hermeneutical approach to its formation and development
Authors: Khodyakova Nataliya , Serdyuk Natal'ya
Published: November 2022

The article in the context of the activities of scientific schools sets and discusses the problems of training a new generation of scientific personnel. Theoretically and empirically, the possibility and productivity of considering a scientific school as a personal-developing educational phenomenon that contributes to the accumulation of the young scientist's experience of scientific motivation and goal setting, the independent implementation of a dissertation study, analysis and assessment of the results obtained, the development and implementation in practice of his own scientific position is justified. The results of an expert survey of scientific leaders of adjuncts of the Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (2021-2022) are given and summarized, the results of the expert survey were compared with the results of studies on similar topics performed at the Southern Federal University (2017), the Higher School of Economics (2018) and the National Research Nizhny Novgorod State University named after N.I. Lobachevsky (2021). It has been shown that a scientific school as a pedagogical project is characterized by specific goals and tasks, content, forms and methods of scientific and educational activities. Conclusions were made about the advantages of training scientific personnel in the framework of scientific schools.
Systematic Review-Meta Analysis Study the Effect of Cadmium and Copper Exposure on Children’s Cognitive
Authors:   Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya-Indonesia., Samadhi Leonardo Ferryanto M. , . Irwanto ,   Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya-Indonesia., Mukono Indri Safitri ,   Department of Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya-Indonesia
Published: November 2022

Abstract Childhood neurodevelopment could be affected by various factors, such as heavy metal cadmium and copper. The aim of this study was to analyze the scientific evidence published to date on the potential effects on cognitive development in children exposed to cadmium and copper by pooling the results of the different studies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of original articles published from January 2012 until December 2020 in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane which evaluate the effects on cognitive development due to pre or post-natal exposure to cadmium and copper in children. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 and linear regression techniques were used to estimate the effect size. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg’s and Egger’s tests. Our search resulted in 6 articles that evaluated the effects of cadmium and copper on cognitive development met the inclusion criteria: 4 cadmium, 2 copper, and 1 both. Most studies evaluating cadmium exposure (4 of 5) reported a significant negative effect on cognitive development. Only two studies that evaluated exposure to copper found an association with neurodevelopment. The meta-analysis showed an increase of cadmium levels in urine would be associated with a 1.4 decrease in the full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) (P =0.008) and a 1.03 decrease in verbal scale IQ of children (P =0.006). There were no enough studies of copper exposure to conduct a meta-analysis. Current evidence supports the finding that cadmium exposure has a detrimental effect on cognitive development in children but there is little information on copper. Keywords: Cadmium, Child, Cognitive, Copper, Neurodevelopment
Joint multiscale cloud detection algorithm for ground-based lidar
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Zhang Yucheng , Mao Feiyue , Hu Pengfei , Wang Yang , Gong Wei
Published: November 2022

A ground-based lidar is a powerful tool for studying the vertical structure and optical properties of clouds. A layer detection algorithm is important to determine the presence and spatial position of clouds from vast lidar signals. However, current detection algorithms for ground-based lidar still involve substantial missing and false detections for tenuous layers and layer edges. Here, a joint multiscale cloud layer detection algorithm is proposed. The algorithm can effectively capture the tenuous layers and layer edges by using joint multiscale detection methods based on a trend function and the Bernoulli distribution assumption. Results show that the proposed algorithm detects 10.45% more cloud layers than the official cloud product of Micro Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET) does. Specifically, 7.93% and 12.57% more cloud layers are detected at daytime and nighttime, respectively. The evaluation based on depolarization properties proves that the additional cloud layers detected by the joint multiscale algorithm are reliable. These additional detected clouds have important implications for cloud climatology and climate change research. The new algorithm remarkably enhances the cloud detection capability of ground-based lidar and potentially be widely used by the community.
Cu2+-imprinted optical fiber SPR sensor for intelligent recognition
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Yang Wenlong , Zhang Chi , Pan Rui , Chen Qiaoling , Zhang Liuyang
Published: November 2022

An optical fiber surface plasma resonance (SPR) sensor with MMF-TCF-MMF structure was designed to realize intelligent recognition of copper ions (Cu2+), and the selective adsorption sensitization was achieved by plating a layer of Cu2+-imprinted film on the surface of gold film excitation layer. Combining the principle of optical fiber interference and SPR, the proposed sensor realized the detection of the copper ions concentration through measuring the refractive index changes caused by ions adsorption on imprinted film. The Cu2+-imprinted optical fiber SPR sensor can realize the intelligent recognition and detection of copper ions in the complex environment and exhibits a detection sensitivity of -10.05 pm/ppm. The proposed sensor has tremendous development potential in practical application, and provides new ideas for the field of metal ions detection.
Strain modulated luminescence in green InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells with microwire array by piezo-phototronic effect
Authors: Chen Renfeng , Yin Yu , Wang Lulu , Gao Yaqi , He Rui , Ran Junxue , Wang Junxi , Li Jinmin , Wei Tongbo
Published: November 2022

We have demonstrated piezo-phototronic enhanced modulation in green InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a microwire array (MWA) structure. It is found that an a-axis oriented MWA structure induces more c-axis compressive strain than a flat structure when a convex bending strain is applied. Moreover, the photoluminescence (PL) intensity exhibits a tendency to increase first and then decrease under the enhanced compressive strain. Specifically, light intensity reaches a maximum of about 123% accompanied by 1.1-nm blueshift, and the carrier lifetime comes to the minimum simultaneously. The enhanced luminescence characteristics are attributed to strain-induced interface polarized charges, which modulate the built-in field in InGaN/GaN MQWs and could promote the radiative recombination of carriers. This work opens a pathway to drastically improve InGaN-based long-wavelength micro-LEDs with highly efficient piezo-phototronic modulation.
Polarization and longitudinal modes of Möbius fiber ring lasers
Authors: Li Sha , Zeng Xin , Zhou Jiaqi , Cheng Zhi , Feng Yan
Published: November 2022

Möbius optical cavities have attracted great interest for their unique topological properties. Here, the polarization and longitudinal modes of two types of Möbius fiber ring lasers are investigated. A theoretical model is established with Jones matrix to solve the polarization eigenmodes and longitudinal modes of a twisted polarization-maintaining fiber ring cavity. It is found that twisting the fiber axis causes polarization hybridization and a geometry-dependent phase, which induces a frequency shift to the longitudinal modes. The Möbius cases (180° and 90° splicing) are analyzed in detail, in which the 90° case leads to peculiar polarization and longitudinal mode properties. We believe the presented fiber ring laser provides a convenient platform to study lasers with a Möbius structure, and could enable further fiber laser applications.
Datenmarktplätze für Künstliche Intelligenz im Gesundheitswesen: Potenziale, Herausforderungen und Strategien zur Bewältigung
Authors: Guse Richard , Thiebes Scott , Hennel Phil , Rosenkranz Christoph , Sunyaev Ali
Published: November 2022

Das Training von Künstliche Intelligenz (KI)-Modellen, die auf maschinellem Lernen (ML) beruhen, erfordert eine große Menge qualitativ hochwertiger Daten. Besonders im Gesundheitswesen mit seinen hochsensiblen Daten und hohen Anforderungen an den Datenschutz besitzen einzelne Akteur:innen oft jedoch nicht ausreichend hochwertige Daten. Datenmarktplätze für KI zielen darauf ab, dieses Problem zu lösen, indem sie Datenanbieter und Datenkonsumenten miteinander verbinden und den Handel von Daten ermöglichen. Allerdings haben sich Datenmarktplätze im Gesundheitswesen, trotz erster technischer Konzepte und einiger Pilotprojekte, bisher noch nicht erfolgreich durchsetzen können. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wurden daher Interviews mit einer Reihe von relevanten Expert:innen und Akteur:innen durchgeführt, um Potenziale, Herausforderungen und mögliche Strategien zur Bewältigung der Herausforderungen zu identifizieren. Die Ergebnisse der Studie verdeutlichen anhand der drei Dimensionen des Technology-Organization-Environment-Frameworks spezifische Potenziale von Datenmarktplätzen für KI im Gesundheitswesen, aber gleichzeitig auch eine Reihe von Herausforderungen, die es zu adressieren gilt. Die erarbeiteten Bewältigungsstrategien liefern hierbei erste Ansätze zur Beseitigung der identifizierten Herausforderungen, zeigen jedoch auch die Notwendigkeit der weiteren Forschung auf diesem Gebiet auf.
Autotoxin-mediated latecomer killing in yeast communities
Authors: Oda Arisa H. , Tamura Miki , Kaneko Kunihiko , Ohta Kunihiro , Hatakeyama Tetsuhiro S.
Published: November 2022

Cellular adaptation to stressful environments such as starvation is essential to the survival of microbial communities, but the uniform response of the cell community may lead to entire cell death or severe damage to their fitness. Here, we demonstrate an elaborate response of the yeast community against glucose depletion, in which the first adapted cells kill the latecomer cells. During glucose depletion, yeast cells release autotoxins, such as leucic acid and L-2keto-3methylvalerate, which can even kill the clonal cells of the ones producing them. Although these autotoxins were likely to induce mass suicide, some cells differentiated to adapt to the autotoxins without genetic changes. If nondifferentiated latecomers tried to invade the habitat, autotoxins damaged or killed the latecomers, but the differentiated cells could selectively survive. Phylogenetically distant fission and budding yeast shared this behavior using the same autotoxins, suggesting that latecomer killing may be the universal system of intercellular communication, which may be relevant to the evolutional transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms.
Abnormal left-right organizer and laterality defects in Xenopus embryos after formin inhibitor SMIFH2 treatment
Authors: Petri Natalia , Nordbrink Rhea , Tsikolia Nikoloz , Kremnyov Stanislav
Published: November 2022

Left-right symmetry breaking in most studied vertebrates makes use of so-called leftward flow, a mechanism which was studied in detail especially in mouse andXenopus laevisembryos and is based on rotation of monocilia on specialized epithelial surface designated as left-right organizer or laterality coordinator. However, it has been argued that prior to emergence of leftward flow an additional mechanism operates during early cleavage stages inXenopusembryo which is based on cytoskeletal processes. Evidence in favour of this early mechanism was supported by left-right abnormalities after chemical inhibition of cytoskeletal protein formin. Here we analyzed temporal dimension of this effect in detail and found that reported abnormalities arise only after treatment at gastrula-neurula stages, i.e. just prior to and during the operation of left-right organizer. Moreover, molecular and morphological analysis of the left-right organizer reveals its abnormal development. Our results strongly indicate that left-right abnormalities reported after formin inhibition cannot serve as support of models based on early symmetry breaking event inXenopusembryo.
Trends in ambulance dispatches related to heat illness from 2010 to 2019: An ecological study
Authors: Nakamura Daisuke , Kinoshita Hiroki , Asada Kazuo , Arimitsu Takuma , Yasumatsu Mikinobu , Ishiwata Takayuki
Published: November 2022

Heatstroke is a serious heat-related illness that can even cause death. Heat alert systems play an important role in reducing the number of patients experiencing heat illness, as they encourage preventive actions such as the use of air conditioning, hydration, or other strategies. However, to date, the Japanese hazard classification has not considered seasonal and regional variations, despite clear differences in meteorological conditions across different regions in Japan. Moreover, several studies have reported a difference in thermoregulation between older and younger adults, implying that the hazard classification should also consider age differences. This study examined the relationship between the number of ambulance dispatches related to heat illness (ADRHI) and the Japanese heat hazard classification from 2010 to 2019, focusing on monthly and regional differences. Data from 47 prefectures during the 10-year period were collected and analyzed. ADRHI and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) data were collected from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of the Environment Heat Illness Prevention Information website, respectively. The findings showed a significant relationship between ADRHI and WBGTmax (p < 0.05, r = 0.74). ADRHI per 100,000 people showed significant differences across months. The post hoc test detected the first steep increase in ADRHI at a WBGTmax of 23°C than at 22°C in June, and at a WBGTmax of 26°C, 27°C, and 25°C in July, August, and September, respectively. Moreover, the first significant increase in ADRHI per 100,000 people at WBGTmax differed across each region, at a WBGTmax of 24°C in Hokkaido-Tohoku, 25°C in Kanto, Kansai, and Chugoku, 26°C in Chubu, 27°C in Shikoku, and 28°C in Kyushu-Okinawa. Further, Poisson regression analysis revealed that the relative risks differed across each region and month. These results imply that the hazard classification should be adjusted according to region and month in Japan.
Drosophila CG17003/leaky (lky) is required for microtubule acetylation in early germ cells in Drosophila ovary
Authors: Antel Matthew , Simao Taylor , Bener Muhammed Burak , Inaba Mayu
Published: November 2022

Microtubule acetylation is found in populations of stable, long-lived microtubules, occurring on the conserved lysine 40 (K40) residue of α-tubulin by α-tubulin acetyltransferases (αTATs). α-tubulin K40 acetylation has been shown to stabilize microtubules via enhancing microtubule resilience against mechanical stress. Here we show that a previously uncharacterized αTAT,Drosophila CG17003/leaky(lky), is required for α-tubulin K40 acetylation in early germ cells inDrosophilaovary. We found that loss oflkyresulted in a progressive egg chamber fusion phenotype accompanied with mislocalization of germline-specific Vasa protein in somatic follicle cells. The same phenotype was observed upon replacement of endogenous α-tubulin84B with non-acetylatable α-tubulin84BK40A, suggesting α-tubulin K40 acetylation is responsible for the phenotype. Chemical disturbance of microtubules by Colcemid treatment resulted in a mislocalization of Vasa in follicle cells within a short period of time (~30 min), suggesting that the observed mislocalization is likely caused by direct leakage of cellular contents between germline and follicle cells. Taken together, this study provides a new function of α-tubulin acetylation in maintaining the cellular identity possibly by preventing the leakage of tissue-specific gene products between juxtaposing distinct cell types.
Validation of SARS-CoV-2 pooled testing for surveillance using the Panther Fusion® system: Impact of pool size, automation, and assay chemistry
Authors: Park Rudolph , Chandrasekaran Prabha , Hernandez Heather , Lakhal-Naouar Ines , Peachman Kristina K. , Hack Holly R. , Coleman Dante , Ouellette Jason , Darden Janice M. , M’hamdi Oussama , Sugiharto Victor A. , Chen Hua-Wei , Schilling Megan A. , Simons Mark P. , Collins Natalie D. , Johnson Yuliya S. , Jagodzinski Linda L. , Peel Sheila A.
Published: November 2022

Combining diagnostic specimens into pools has been considered as a strategy to augment throughput, decrease turnaround time, and leverage resources. This study utilized a multi-parametric approach to assess optimum pool size, impact of automation, and effect of nucleic acid amplification chemistries on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in pooled samples for surveillance testing on the Hologic Panther Fusion® System. Dorfman pooled testing was conducted with previously tested SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal samples using Hologic’s Aptima® and Panther Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 Emergency Use Authorization assays. A manual workflow was used to generate pool sizes of 5:1 (five samples: one positive, four negative) and 10:1. An automated workflow was used to generate pool sizes of 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 8:1 and 10:1. The impact of pool size, pooling method, and assay chemistry on sensitivity, specificity, and lower limit of detection (LLOD) was evaluated. Both the Hologic Aptima® and Panther Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 assays demonstrated >85% positive percent agreement between neat testing and pool sizes ≤5:1, satisfying FDA recommendation. Discordant results between neat and pooled testing were more frequent for positive samples with CT>35. Fusion® CT (cycle threshold) values for pooled samples increased as expected for pool sizes of 5:1 (CT increase of 1.92–2.41) and 10:1 (CT increase of 3.03–3.29). The Fusion® assay demonstrated lower LLOD than the Aptima® assay for pooled testing (956 vs 1503 cp/mL, pool size of 5:1). Lowering the cut-off threshold of the Aptima® assay from 560 kRLU (manufacturer’s setting) to 350 kRLU improved the assay sensitivity to that of the Fusion® assay for pooled testing. Both Hologic’s SARS-CoV-2 assays met the FDA recommended guidelines for percent positive agreement (>85%) for pool sizes ≤5:1. Automated pooling increased test throughput and enabled automated sample tracking while requiring less labor. The Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 assay, which demonstrated a lower LLOD, may be more appropriate for surveillance testing.
Knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia in older German adults A population-based survey on risk and protective factors for dementia and internet-based brain health interventions
Authors: Zülke Andrea E. , Luppa Melanie , Köhler Sebastian , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: November 2022

Background

Evidence on potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia is accumulating rapidly, including e.g. physical inactivity, hypertension, or diabetes. It is unclear to what extent these risk factors are known among the general population in Germany. We investigated knowledge on risk and protective factors for dementia and openness to eHealth interventions for brain health in the older general population in Germany.

Methods

A population-based telephone survey among randomly selected community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years was conducted. We assessed sociodemographic factors, knowledge on risk and protective factors for dementia, openness towards eHealth and psychosocial outcomes (health literacy, resilience). Factors associated with interest in information on brain health and openness towards eHealth interventions were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of n = 500 respondents (mean age: 74.8 years, % female: 62.8), 67.9% believed that dementia risk is modifiable. Participants mostly endorsed physical and cognitive activity as protective factors and social isolation as a risk factor. Knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors was low to moderate. 38.0% were interested in information on dementia risk reduction. Better knowledge of risk factors for dementia and higher age were linked to interest in information on brain health. Being widowed and higher levels of health literacy were associated with lower interest in information. Openness to eHealth interventions was moderate (46.2%). Younger age, better knowledge of risk and protective factors were linked to openness towards eHealth tools, as was knowing someone with dementia and interest in information on brain health.

Conclusion

Belief in preventability of dementia was higher in our sample than previously reported. However, knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors for disease was insufficient and more information and intervention approaches targeted at older adults are needed. Interest in information on dementia risk reduction and eHealth approaches was moderate, and further studies are warranted to assess needs and concerns of older adults regarding dementia prevention.
Relationship of loudness-dependent auditory evoked potentials with change-related cortical responses
Authors: Fujita Kohei , Takeuchi Nobuyuki , Sugiyama Shunsuke , Inui Koji , Fujita Yuki , Yamaba Ami , Kamiya Taeko , Kanemoto Kousuke , Nishihara Makoto
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have suggested that change-related cortical responses are phenomena similar to the onset response and could be applied to the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) paradigm. In the present study, we examined the relationship between LDAEP and the change-related response using electroencephalography findings in 50 healthy subjects. There were five conditions (55, 65, 75, 85, and 95 dB) for LDAEP and five similar conditions (abrupt sound pressure increase from 70 to 75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 dB) for the change-related response. Both the onset and abrupt sound pressure increase evoked a triphasic response with peaks at approximately 50 (P50), 100 (N100), and 200 (P200) ms. We calculated the peak-to-peak amplitudes for P50/N100 and N100/P200. Medians and slopes for P50/N100 and N100/P200 amplitudes were calculated and compared between the two measures. Results revealed a significant correlation for both the slope and median for P50/N100 (r = 0.36, 0.37, p = 1.0 × 10−2, 7.9 × 10−3), N100/P200 (r = 0.40, 0.34, p = 4.0 × 10−3, 1.6 × 10−2), and P50/N100/P200 (r = 0.36, 0.35, p = 1.0 × 10−2, 1.3 × 10−2). These results suggested that the change-related response and LDAEP shared generation mechanisms at least partially.
Health-seeking behaviours of young women with sexually transmitted infections: Analysis of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Abuosi Aaron Asibi , Ackon Solomon Kwesi , Anaba Emmanuel Anongeba
Published: November 2022

Background

Young people are at a disproportionately higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to biological factors, low awareness and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Untreated STIs can lead to major complications, including HIV, congenital infections, infertility, permanent disability and mortality. This study aimed to identify the salient factors associated with health-seeking behaviours of young women with a history of STIs in Ghana.

Methods

We analysed data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. In all, we analysed data from a weighted sample of 742 young women with a history of STIs. At the univariate level, frequencies and percentages were computed, while Chi-square analysis was computed at the bivariate level. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios were computed at the multivariable level using binary logistic regression.

Results

The findings showed that the majority (72%) of the participants sought treatment for STIs. Among the participants who sought treatment for STIs (n = 532), 26% sought treatment at a public hospital/polyclinic, 34% sought treatment at a chemical/drug store and 10% self-medicated. Seeking treatment for STIs was significantly associated with older age (20-24yrs), and higher socioeconomic and educational status.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that majority of the young women sought treatment for STIs. Seeking treatment for STIs was influenced by socio-demographic factors. These findings have implications for sexual and reproductive health policies and interventions in Ghana.
The OPRM1 gene and interactions with the 5-HT1a gene regulate conditioned pain modulation in fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls
Authors: Tour Jeanette , Sandström Angelica , Kadetoff Diana , Schalling Martin , Kosek Eva
Published: November 2022

Fibromyalgia (FM) patients have dysfunctional endogenous pain modulation, where opioid and serotonergic signaling is implicated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variants in the genes coding for major structures in the opioid and serotonergic systems can affect pain modulation in FM patients and healthy controls (HC). Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), evaluating the effects of ischemic pain on pressure pain sensitivity, was performed in 82 FM patients and 43 HC. All subjects were genotyped for relevant functional polymorphisms in the genes coding for the μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1,rs1799971), the serotonin transporter (5-HTT,5-HTTLPR/rs25531) and the serotonin 1a receptor (5-HT1a,rs6295). Results showed the OPRM1 G-allele was associated with decreased CPM. A significant gene-to-gene interaction was found between the OPRM1 and the 5-HT1a gene. Reduced CPM scores were seen particularly in individuals with the OPRM1 G*/5-HT1a CC genotype, indicating that the 5-HT1a CC genotype seems to have an inhibiting effect on CPM if an individual has the OPRM1 G-genotype. Thus, regardless of pain phenotype, the OPRM1 G-allele independently as well as with an interaction with the 5-HT1a gene influenced pain modulation. FM patients had lower CPM than HC but no group differences were found regarding the genetic effects on CPM, indicating that the results reflect more general mechanisms influencing pain modulatory processes rather than underlying the dysfunction of CPM in FM. In conclusion, a genetic variant known to alter the expression of, and binding to, the my-opioid receptor reduced a subject’s ability to activate descending pain inhibition. Also, the results suggest a genetically inferred gene-to-gene interaction between the main opioid receptor and a serotonergic structure essential for 5-HT transmission to modulate pain inhibition. The results in this study highlight the importance of studying joint synergistic and antagonistic effects of neurotransmittor systems in regard to pain modulation.
The ‘5 Ps’ and their interplay: Does it still make sense to talk about ‘public’?
Authors: Ferrigni Nicola , Pietropaoli Matteo , Spalletta Marica
Published: November 2022

This article faces the wide argument of communication, dissent and competing voices in today’s post-truth world, with an interdisciplinary analysis which blends different approaches coming from the fields of media sociology, political sociology and social philosophy, focusing on the theme of ‘public’, individuals and democracy. The work does that with the lecture of five different phenomena as trail sign – the ‘5 Ps’ quoted in the title, that is: post-truth, populism, polarization, political communication and post-modern era – which, both singularly considered and looking at their mutual interplays, could allow us to answer the main question of this research: it still makes sense to talk about ‘public’ and, if not, in which way it affects people’s relationships, society and democracy?
The kind of problem a smart city is
Authors: Hestdalen Austin
Published: November 2022

Digital technologies not only alter the material fabric of cities, but condition and constrain the complex networks of trust that emerge among neighbours and strangers as they engage one another in shared civic spaces. In this sense, a media ecology of the city would borrow from studies of urban sociology, political economy and cybernetics to reconsider what ethical implications smart technologies would have when sown into the fabric of an urban environment. This article introduces Jane Jacobs’s urban theory as a complexity approach to media ecology that provides insight into how urban environments, as media of communication and commerce, cultivate the ethical character of social relations among neighbours and strangers. It is argued that Jacobs’s urban theory provides sufficient ground for figuring the ethical implications of highly integrated and ubiquitous digital technologies within the organized complexity of urban environments and offers an alternative way of cultivating urban ecologies of communication.
Conspiracy theories, misinformation, disinformation and the coronavirus: A burgeoning of post-truth in the social media
Authors: Oji Majority
Published: November 2022

This article examines the coronavirus pandemic against a burgeoning culture of post-truth in social media. The theoretical narrative reviews the social media cum post-truth epoch and identifies network fluidity of the medium, absence of gatekeepers, tempering of human thinking with machine thinking, and supremacy of alternative facts over truth as basic ingredients that oil-free reign of manipulative and propulsive forces of coronavirus’ conspiracy theories, forged news, tricky data, and disinformation. The article asserts that as the bubbles of post-truth swear up in the online media, conned objectivity and rationality are conjured to stimulate strong sentiments capable of making individuals uphold wrong beliefs about coronavirus. The study suggests the use of human actions in managing coronavirus information rather than surrendering it to machine-based computational procedures. It recommends the teaching of media literacy in African schools to moderate the consumption of information in a world suffused with infodemics.