bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A realist review protocol on communications for community engagement in maternal and newborn health programmes in low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Dada Sara , De Brún Aoife , Banda Esther Namwaba , Bhattacharya Sanghita , Mutunga Zaccheous , Gilmore Brynne
Published: September 2022

Background

Community engagement (CE) has been increasingly implemented across health interventions, including for maternal and newborn health (MNH). This may take various forms, from participatory women’s groups and community health committees to public advocacy days. While research suggests a positive influence of CE on MNH outcomes, such as mortality or care-seeking behaviour, there is a need for further evidence on the processes of CE in different settings in order to inform the future development and implementation of CE across programmes. Communication is an integral component of CE serving as a link between the programme and community. The aim of the realist review described in this protocol is to understand how, why, to what extent, and for whom CE contributes to intended and unintended outcomes in MNH programming, focusing on the communication components of CE.

Methods

Realist review methodology will be used to provide a causal understanding of what communication for CE interventions in MNH programming work, for whom, to what extent, why, and how. This will be done by developing and refining programme theories on communications for CE in MNH through a systematic review of the literature and engaging key experts for input and feedback. By extrapolating context-mechanism-outcome configurations, this review seeks to understand how certain contexts trigger or inhibit specific mechanisms and what outcomes this interaction generates when communication in CE interventions is used in MNH programming.

Discussion

A realist philosophy is well-suited to address the aims of this study because of the complex nature of CE. The review findings will be used to inform a realist evaluation case study of CE for an MNH programme in order to ascertain transferable findings that can inform and guide engagement activities in various settings. Findings will also be shared with stakeholders and experts involved in the consultative processes of the review (through workshops or policy briefs) in order to ensure the relevance of these findings to policy and practice.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42022293564
Peer support for carers and patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review
Authors: Adriano Ada , Thompson Dean M. , McMullan Christel , Price Malcolm , Moore David , Booth Lesley , Mathers Jonathan
Published: September 2022

Background

The support provided by people with the same condition, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), has the potential to improve a range of psychosocial outcomes by allowing people with the disease to receive emotional support as well as to learn coping strategies from more experienced peers. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence on peer support interventions and their effectiveness on people with IBD.

Methods

Bibliographic databases, conference proceedings, grey literature, and clinical trial registers were searched from inception to November 2021. Comparative and single-arm studies that evaluated interventions that were solely or contained in part peer support, for people with IBD and/or their carers of any age and in any setting were included. Effectiveness was evaluated using outcomes relating to physical and psychosocial function, disease control and healthcare utilisation. Data for each outcome were tabulated and presented in a narrative synthesis. Study design specific tools were used to assess risk of bias. Study selection and risk of bias assessment were undertaken by two reviewers independently.

Results

Fourteen completed studies and five ongoing studies met the inclusion criteria. Substantial heterogeneity was observed in the studies in relation to the intervention type and peer support was usually part of a wider intervention. All but one study analysed the total effect of the intervention, so it was not possible to fully isolate the effect of the peer support alone. The appropriateness of outcomes and outcome measurement tools for the assessment of effects was a further key issue. As such, overall, no significant evidence of beneficial effects of peer support interventions on quality of life and other psychosocial outcomes was found.

Conclusions

New randomised controlled trials designed to isolate the effects of peer support are needed to evaluate the (net) effects of peer support only. Agreement on the outcomes to be targeted, and the choice of reliable and validated measurement tools for standalone peer support interventions would provide a focus for further intervention design and evaluation.

Systematic review registration

The protocol was accepted in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO CRD42020168817).
Weighted dynamic Hardy-type inequalities involving many functions on arbitrary time scales
Authors: El-Deeb Ahmed A. , Mohamed Karim A. , Baleanu Dumitru , Rezk Haytham M.
Published: September 2022

The objective of this paper is to prove some new dynamic inequalities of Hardy type on time scales which generalize and improve some recent results given in the literature. Further, we derive some new weighted Hardy dynamic inequalities involving many functions on time scales. As special cases, we get continuous and discrete inequalities.
Characterizing small spheres in a unit sphere by Fischer–Marsden equation
Authors: Bin Turki Nasser , Deshmukh Sharief , Vîlcu Gabriel-Eduard
Published: September 2022

We use a nontrivial concircular vector field u on the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

in studying geometry of its hypersurfaces. An orientable hypersurface M of the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

naturally inherits a vector field v and a smooth function ρ. We use the condition that the vector field v is an eigenvector of the de-Rham Laplace operator together with an inequality satisfied by the integral of the Ricci curvature in the direction of the vector field v to find a characterization of small spheres in the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

. We also use the condition that the function ρ is a nontrivial solution of the Fischer–Marsden equation together with an inequality satisfied by the integral of the Ricci curvature in the direction of the vector field v to find another characterization of small spheres in the unit sphere $\mathbf{S}^{n+1}$

S

n
+
1

.
Application of C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions to numerical solution of convection-diffusion equations
Authors: Sun Lanyin , Su Fangming
Published: September 2022

Convection-diffusion equation is widely used to describe many engineering and physical problems. The finite element method is one of the most common tools for computing numerical solution. In 2003, Wang et al. proposed C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions which are not only a generalization of classical Bernstein basis functions but also have a free shape parameter bringing a lot of flexibility to geometrical modeling. In this paper, we adopt C-Bézier and H-Bézier basis functions to construct test and trial function spaces of finite element method to get numerical solution of convection-diffusion equations. Compared with Lagrange basis functions, numerical accuracy is improved by $1-3$
1
−
3
order-of magnitudes which implies a much better approximation in simulating convection-diffusion problems. Several examples are presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our method.
Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Reinforced with Various Steel Fibers
Authors: Yang Keun-Hyeok , Kim Hak-Young , Lee Hye-Jin
Published: September 2022

The objective of the present study is to examine the effects of different types and content of steel fibers on the workability, mechanical properties, and ductility enhancement of lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Thirteen LWAC mixtures were prepared using different types of steel fibers including conventional hooked-end macro steel fibers (SF(H)), straight (CSF(S)), crimp-shaped (CSF(C)), and hooked-end (CSF(H)) copper-coated micro steel fibers at the designed compressive strength of 40 MPa. The fiber volume fraction varied from 0% to 1.5% at an interval of 0.5%. Test results showed that CSF(H) type possesses a better potential than the other types in enhancing the tensile resistance and toughness at the post-peak branch of the load–deflection curve of beams. The bond characteristics of fibers with cement matrix were one of critical parameters that needs to be considered in designing the fiber reinforced concrete. Thus, the splitting strength, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity of fiber reinforced LWAC were formulated as a function of volume fraction, aspect ratio, and bond strength of fibers from the regression analysis using the present test data.
Therapeutic activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Morelli Eugenio , Hunter Zachary R. , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Gullà Annamaria , Perrotta Ida Daniela , Zuccalà Valeria , Federico Cinzia , Juli Giada , Manzoni Martina , Ronchetti Domenica , Romeo Enrica , Gallo Cantafio Maria Eugenia , Soncini Debora , Maltese Lorenza , Rossi Marco , Roccaro Aldo M. , Cea Michele , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Neri Antonino , Treon Steven C. , Munshi Nikhil C. , Viglietto Giuseppe , Amodio Nicola
Published: September 2022

Activating G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is an attractive therapeutic strategy for treating a variety of human diseases including cancer. Here, we show that GPER1 is significantly upregulated in tumor cells from different cohorts of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM) patients compared to normal B cells. Using the clinically applicable GPER1-selective small-molecule agonist G-1 (also named Tespria), we found that pharmacological activation of GPER1 leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo in animal models, even in the context of the protective bone marrow milieu. Activation of GPER1 triggered the TP53 pathway, which remains actionable during WM progression. Thus, this study identifies a novel therapeutic target in WM and paves the way for the clinical development of the GPER1 agonist G-1.
Measuring exercise in eating disorder patients: a Delphi study to aggregate clinical and research knowledge
Authors: Harris Astrid , Aouad Phillip , Noetel Melissa , Hay Phillipa , Touyz Stephen
Published: September 2022

Background

Exercise is a prominent feature of most eating disorders, and has been shown to have a number of detrimental effects on treatment outcome. There is some disagreement in the literature regarding the construct of compulsive exercise, and assessment and treatment varies significantly. This study therefore aimed to aggregate expert clinicians’ and researchers’ views on how to define and measure compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. The expert panel was also asked about questionnaire design, and possible problems when measuring compulsive exercise.

Method

This study used the Delphi method to establish consensus amongst an expert panel. Three successive rounds of questionnaires were distributed to the panel over a period of six months. The first round consisted of four open-ended questions regarding the definition and measurement of compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients. For Round 2, 70 statements were derived from the answers, and panelists were asked to rate each item on a Likert-based scale. An 85% consensus level was chosen. In Round 3, 44 statements were re-rated by the panel.

Results

Seventeen of 24 participants completed all three rounds of the study. Consensus was achieved for 63% of the items, while 18.5% reached near consensus, and 18.5% did not reach consensus after Round 3. The panel agreed on a number of important aspects of compulsive exercise. Several suggestions regarding the format of a questionnaire assessing this behavior were also endorsed. The panel further identified common difficulties when assessing compulsive exercise in eating disorder patients, notably a lack of consensus still apparent in the literature.

Conclusion

The current findings constitute a further step towards a unified definition of compulsive exercise, and contribute important suggestions to the measurement of this behavior.
Optimization of deep reactive ion etching for microscale silicon hole arrays with high aspect ratio
Authors: Kim Taeyeong , Lee Jungchul
Published: September 2022

During deep reactive ion etching (DRIE), microscale etch masks with small opening such as trenches or holes suffer from limited aspect ratio because diffusion of reactive ions and free radicals become progressively difficult as the number of DRIE cycle increases. For this reason, high aspect ratio structures of microscale trenches or holes are not readily available with standard DRIE recipes and microscale holes are more problematic than trenches due to omnidirectional confinement. In this letter, we propose an optimization for fabrication of high aspect ratio microscale hole arrays with an improved cross-sectional etch profile. Bias voltage and inductively coupled plasma power are considered as optimization parameters to promote the bottom etching of the high aspect ratio hole array. In addition, flow rates of octafluorocyclobutane (C$$_{4}$$

4

F$$_{8}$$

8

) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF$$_{6}$$

6

) for passivation and depassivation steps, respectively, are considered as optimization parameters to reduce the etch undercut. As a result of optimization, the aspect ratio of 20 is achieved for 1.3 μm-diameter hole array and etch area reduction at the bottom relative to the top is improved to 21%.
Created era estimation of old Korean documents via deep neural network
Authors: Yoo Inseon , Kim Hyuntai
Published: September 2022

In general, the created era of a literary work is significant information for understanding the background and the literary interpretation of the work. However, in the case of literary works of old Korea, especially works created in Hangul, there are few works of which the era of creation are known. In this paper, the created era of old Korean documents was estimated based on artificial intelligence. Hangul, a Korean letter system where one syllable is one character, has more than 10,000 combinations of characters, so it is available to predict changes in the structure or grammar of Hangul by analyzing the frequency of characters. Accordingly, a deep neural network model was constructed based on the term frequency of each character in Hangul. Model training was performed based on 496 documents with known publication years, and the mean-absolute-error of the test set for the entire prediction range from 1447 to 1934 was 13.77 years for test sets and 15.8 years for validation sets, which is less than an error ratio of 3.25% compared to the total year range. In addition, the predicted results of works from which only the approximate creation time was inferred were also within the range, and the predicted creation years for other divisions of the identical novel were similar. These results show that the deep neural network model based on character term frequency predicted the creation era of old Korean documents properly. This study is expected to support the literary history of Korea within the period from 15C to 19C by predicting the period of creation or enjoyment of the work. In addition, the method and algorithm using syllable term frequency are believed to have the potential to apply in other language documents.
Broadband continuous supersymmetric transformation: a new paradigm for transformation optics
Authors: Yim Jieun , Chandra Nitish , Feng Xilin , Gao Zihe , Wu Shuang , Wu Tianwei , Zhao Haoqi , Litchinitser Natalia M. , Feng Liang
Published: September 2022

Transformation optics has formulated a versatile framework to mold the flow of light and tailor its spatial characteristics at will. Despite its huge success in bringing scientific fiction (such as invisibility cloaking) into reality, the coordinate transformation often yields extreme material parameters unfeasible even with metamaterials. Here, we demonstrate a new transformation paradigm based upon the invariance of the eigenspectra of the Hamiltonian of a physical system, enabled by supersymmetry. By creating a gradient-index metamaterial to control the local index variation in a family of isospectral optical potentials, we demonstrate broadband continuous supersymmetric transformation in optics, on a silicon chip, to simultaneously transform the transverse spatial characteristics of multiple optical states for arbitrary steering and switching of light flows. Through a novel synergy of symmetry physics and metamaterials, our work provides an adaptable strategy to conveniently tame the flow of light with full exploitation of its spatial degree of freedom.
Ambiguity in induced polarization time constants and the advantage of the Pelton model
Authors: Weller Andreas , Slater Lee
Published: September 2022

The perceived differences between two popular relaxation models (referred to here as the “Cole-Cole model” and the “Pelton model”), along with their corresponding time constants, have been a source of confusion in recent spectral induced polarization (SIP) literature. These differences complicate comparisons among experimental results recorded by different researchers. A circuit model approach is adopted to better understand the differences among these relaxation models. Either relaxation model can fit SIP data sets equally well, the sole difference corresponds to the relaxation time that varies for the impedance and admittance formulations of the circuit models. The reporting of time constants from a common relaxation model will advance petrophysical investigations of the controls on SIP measurements when exploring databases compiled from previously published data sets.
Pore structure and fractal characteristics of marine-continental transitional shales in the southern North China Basin
Authors: Han Shuangbiao , Huang Jie , Xiang Chaohan , Xie Linfeng , Tang Zhiyuan , Chen Chang , Zhang Jinchuan
Published: September 2022

Research on marine-continental transitional shale in China is significant because this type of shale contains rich gas resources. The shale pore development, which is the key factor in determining the reservoir gas-bearing capacity, is complex. The organic matter (OM) content of the Shanxi and Taiyuan Formations shale in the southern North China Basin is medium to high, the mineral composition differs from that of other transitional shales, and the quartz content is higher than the clay content. The OM content and mineral composition exhibit a strong longitudinal heterogeneity. The pore types are mainly inorganic pores, and OM pores are less developed. The pore morphology is mainly parallel plate-like fissure pores, and there are a few ink-bottle-like pores composed of micro- and macropores. The specific surface area and total pore volume (TPV) of mesoporous-macropores are mainly controlled by mesoporous. The micropore volume is mainly controlled by micropores with sizes below 1.2 nm. Pore structure parameters and fractal dimension find that Shanxi and Taiyuan Formations shale has complex pore structure and rough pore surface. The fractal dimension D2 more accurately characterizes the roughness of the micropore surface. Compared with other shales, the micropore surface roughness of Shanxi and Taiyuan Formations shale is lower. The fractal dimensions and TPV do not correlate. The pore morphology and mineral characteristics of Shanxi and Taiyuan Formations shale leads to relatively low gas adsorption capacity and strong gas storage capacity, and is favorable for oil and gas migration. Due to the effects of compaction, macropores formed by quartz break and are filled with clay, resulting in a low daily gas production of the transitional shale in well MY1 after fracturing. The results provide references for the optimization of favorable reservoirs and the prediction of enrichment areas during transitional shale gas exploration.
Busulfan Plus Cyclophosphamide Versus Total Body Irradiation Plus Cyclophosphamide for Adults Acute B Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Open-Label, Multicenter, Phase III Trial
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Fan Zhiping , Huang Fen , Han Lijie , Xu Yajing , Xu Na , Deng Lan , Wang Shunqing , Lin Dongjun , Luo Xiaodan , Zhang Qing , Liu Xiaodan , Li Xudong , Liang Xinquan , Xie Shuangfeng , Qu Hong , Yu Sijian , Zhou Hongsheng , Shi Pengcheng , Xuan Li , Lin Ren , Liu Hui , Jin Hua , Sun Jing , Liu Qifa
Published: September 2022

PURPOSE

It remains controversial whether busulfan-based versus total body irradiation (TBI)–based regimens have comparable outcomes in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of busulfan plus cyclophosphamide (BuCy) and TBI plus cyclophosphamide (TBI-Cy) conditioning in allo-HSCT for adult standard-risk B-cell-ALL in first complete remission (CR1).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed an open-label, randomized phase III trial at 13 hospitals in China. Eligible patients (age 14-65 years) had standard-risk ALL in CR1. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to BuCy (0.8 mg/kg four times per day on days –7 to –4 and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg once daily on days –3 to –2) or TBI-Cy (4.5 Gy TBI on days –5 to –4 and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg once daily on days –3 to –2). The primary end point was 2-year overall survival. Analysis was per protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02670252 ) and is complete.

RESULTS

Between January 2016 and February 2020, 275 patients were assigned to receive BuCy (273 assessed) and 275 to TBI-Cy (272 assessed). The 2-year overall survival was 76.6% (95% CI, 71.7 to 81.8) and 79.4% (74.7 to 84.4; P = .457; difference 2.9%; 95% CI, –4.1 to 9.8; P = .022), indicating noninferiority of BuCy. The 2-year relapse was 20.2% (95% CI, 15.6 to 25.1) and 18.4% (14.0 to 23.2; P = .616), and the nonrelapse mortality was 11.0% (95% CI, 7.6 to 15.0) and 11.0% (7.7 to 15.1; P = .988) in the BuCy and TBI-Cy groups, respectively. There were no differences in regimen-related toxicity, graft-versus-host disease, or late effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The BuCy regimen has noninferior efficiency and safety as TBI-Cy (4.5 Gy × 2) for patients with adult standard-risk B cell-ALL in CR1 undergoing HLA-matched allo-HSCT.
Quantum search on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices
Authors: Zhang K. , Yu K. , Korepin V.
Published: September 2022

Quantum search algorithm (also known as Grover's algorithm) lays the foundation for many other quantum algorithms. Although it is very simple, its implementation is limited on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processors. Grover's algorithm was designed without considering the physical resources, such as depth, in the real implementations. Therefore, Grover's algorithm can be improved for NISQ devices. In this paper, we demonstrate how to implement quantum search algorithms better on NISQ devices. We present detailed benchmarks of the five-qubit quantum search algorithm on different quantum processors, including IBMQ, IonQ, and Honeywell quantum devices. We report the highest success probability of the five-qubit search algorithm compared to previous works. Our results show that designing the error-aware quantum search algorithms is possible, which can maximally harness the power of NISQ computers.
Subcritical jump probability and anomalous order parameter autocorrelations
Authors: Diakonos F. K. , Contoyiannis Y. F. , Potirakis S. M.
Published: September 2022

We study the magnetization dynamics in finite 2D and 3D Ising lattices of size N for temperatures T just below the pseudo-critical temperature T

pc
(N) when the free energy, as a function of the mean magnetization M, possesses doubly degenerate minima at

. We calculate the jump probability P

LR
between the microstate-subspaces with M < 0 (L) and M > 0 (R). We find a universal law for the decay of P

LR
as a function of

. We show that for a given simulation time

there is a temperature

below which the mean number of jumps becomes less than

. Below

the two microstate-subspaces become practically disconnected. We observe an anomalous enhancement of the magnetization autocorrelations for T approaching

which can be explained as a transition from type I (at

) to on-off (at

) intermittency in the magnetization effective dynamics. Possible phenomenological implications of this behaviour are briefly discussed.
Twin Study: Genetic and Epigenetic Factors Affecting Circulating Adiponectin Levels
Authors: Hasegawa Mika , Taniguchi Jumpei , Ueda Hiromichi , Watanabe Mikio
Published: September 2022

Context

Clarification of the association among phenotypes, genetic, and environmental factors with clinical laboratory traits can reveal the cause of diseases and assist in developing methods for the prediction and prevention of diseases. It is difficult to investigate the environmental effect on phenotypes using individual samples because their genetic and environmental factors differ, but we can easily investigate the influence of environmental factors using monozygotic (MZ) twins because they have the same genetic factors.

Objective

We aimed to examine the methylation level of CpG sites as an environmental factor affecting adiponectin levels on the basis of the same genetic background using MZ twins and to identify the epigenetic factors related to adiponectin levels and the genetic factors associated with sensitivity to acquired changes in adiponectin.

Methods

Using 2 groups built from each twin of 232 MZ twin pairs, we performed a replicated epigenome-wide association study to clarify the epigenetic factors affecting adiponectin levels adjusted by genetic risk score. Moreover, we divided twin pairs into concordant and discordant for adiponectin levels. We conducted a genome-wide association study to identify a genetic background specific for discordance.

Results

Methylation levels at 38 CpG sites were reproducibly associated with adjusted adiponectin levels, and some of these CpG sites were in genes related to adiponectin, including CDH13. Some genes related to adiponectin or insulin resistance were found to be genetic factors specific for discordance.

Conclusion

We clarified specific epigenetic factors affecting adiponectin levels and genetic factors associated with sensitivity to acquired changes in adiponectin.
Listen O King
Authors: Marrewa-Karwoski Christine
Published: September 2022

Scholars of the Hindavi Nath sampraday have placed particular importance on the two largest and most comprehensive works attributed to Guru Gorakhnath: the Sabadi and the Pada. Engaging with Allison Busch's research, this essay investigates the significance of the lesser-known texts of the Gorakhbani, often called granths, and examines how they were composed to address specific audiences and topics. In particular, Marrewa-Karwoski considers the Narvai Bodh (Instructions to the King) and explore how the Nath sampraday negotiates power and sovereignty in a text that specifically addresses ruling elites.
Remembering and Removing Aurangzeb
Authors: Pillai Sohini Sarah
Published: September 2022

Inspired by Allison Busch's pioneering scholarship on Bhasha (Old Hindi) literature associated with the Mughal court, this article explores the manuscript history of a seventeenth-century Bhasha text that repeatedly praises the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707). Sabalsingh Chauhan's seventeenth-century Mahabharat is a bhakti (devotional) retelling of the Mahabharata epic. In the prologue of the sixteenth book of his Mahabharat, Chauhan describes himself performing his poem in Delhi before Aurangzeb and a king named Mitrasen. He also praises Mitrasen in the prologue of the seventh book and extolls Aurangzeb in the prologues of the sixth, eighth, ninth, and seventeenth books. While these five separate references to Aurangzeb are found in the majority of the manuscripts of the Bhasha Mahabharat, these allusions to the Mughal emperor are noticeably absent in three manuscripts from 1758, 1836, and 1845. This article examines how the specific political, temporal, and geographical contexts in which each of these three manuscripts were produced could have resulted in their copyists excising Aurangzeb. This piece also builds on recent studies by Busch and other scholars that have begun to seriously complicate modern perceptions of Aurangzeb as a violent Muslim tyrant who persecuted Hindus.
Searching for Nyabongo
Authors: Monroe Caitlin C.
Published: September 2022

This article explores the unconventional life of Ugandan Akiki Nyabongo, an “intellectual misfit” whose career and legacy reveal some of the limitations of global intellectual history. Nyabongo led a remarkably global life: he lived and worked with George Padmore, collaborated with W. E. B. Du Bois, and introduced civil rights activist Eslanda Goode Robeson to Uganda during her trip to the African continent in 1936. He conducted research for his doctorate degree at Oxford University, and he pursued additional projects in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and numerous universities across the United States. Thus far, though, Nyabongo has remained at the margins of stories about pan-Africanism, Black internationalism, or African anti-colonialism. This article argues that conventional global frameworks—often determined by scholarly priorities and interests that originated outside the African continent—have confined Nyabongo's relevance and importance. This scholarly and international invisibility is worth correcting, in part because he remains an important figure in western Uganda. And, his importance there reveals the limitations of conventional scholarly categories and sheds light on how western Ugandans, using oral traditions and long-standing idioms of power and prestige, understood global mobility and international importance in the midst of an increasingly globally connected world.
Bound to Violence
Authors: Chigumadzi Panashe , Coovadia Imraan , Davari Arash , Kona Bongani , Zeleke Elleni Centime
Published: September 2022

This dialogue, recorded in 2021, explores the sound and feel of South-South political theory from the perspective of Southern Africa. The interlocutors discuss the question of violence and nonviolence in revolutionary change across generational divides. It centers the enduring place of spirit and ancestral voices in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Reflections on Reconciliation and Revolution
Authors: Osanloo Arzoo
Published: September 2022

The essay reflects on the politics and politicization of pardons in post-conflict, post-revolutionary contexts. Drawing from immediate post-revolutionary moments in 1979 Iran and 2021 Afghanistan, Osanloo explores how pardons can be mobilized both to assert and legitimize power. As the same time, in a post-conflict setting, pardons can provide some recourse to justice for parties that have experienced loss and offer a possible path to broad societal reconciliation. The use of pardons, even in post-conflict dispute resolutions, however, may highlight power imbalances. In such contexts, the refusal to request a pardon by seemingly weaker parties may itself be a show of force, a righteous resolve to resist power and refuse legitimation.
Interictal Connectivity Revealed by Granger Analysis of Stereoelectroencephalography: Association With Ictal Onset Zone, Resection, and Outcome
Authors: Stone Scellig S. D. , Park Eun-Hyoung , Bolton Jeffrey , Harini Chellamani , Libenson Mark H. , Rotenberg Alexander , Takeoka Masanori , Tsuboyama Melissa , Pearl Phillip L. , Madsen Joseph R.
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) facilitates electrical sampling and evaluation of complex deep-seated, dispersed, and multifocal locations. Granger causality (GC), previously used to study seizure networks using interictal data from subdural grids, may help identify the seizure-onset zone from interictal sEEG recordings.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether statistical analysis of interictal sEEG helps identify surgical target sites and whether surgical resection of highly ranked nodes correspond to favorable outcomes.

METHODS:

Ten minutes of extraoperative recordings from sequential patients who underwent sEEG evaluation were analyzed (n = 20). GC maps were compared with clinically defined surgical targets using rank order statistics. Outcomes of patients with focal resection/ablation with median follow-up of 3.6 years were classified as favorable (Engel 1, 2) or poor (Engel 3, 4) to assess their relationship with the removal of highly ranked nodes using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS:

In 12 of 20 cases, the rankings of contacts (based on the sum of outward connection weights) mapped to the seizure-onset zone showed higher causal node connectivity than predicted by chance (P ≤ .02). A very low aggregate probability (P < 10−18, n = 20) suggests that causal node connectivity predicts seizure networks. In 8 of 16 with outcome data, causal connectivity in the resection was significantly greater than in the remaining contacts (P ≤ .05). We found a significant association between favorable outcome and the presence of highly ranked nodes in the resection (P < .05).

CONCLUSION:

Granger analysis can identify seizure foci from interictal sEEG and correlates highly ranked nodes with favorable outcome, potentially informing surgical decision-making without reliance on ictal recordings.
Risk Factors for Fracture Nonunion and Transverse Atlantal Ligament Injury After Isolated Atlas Fractures: A Case Series of 97 Patients
Authors: Cloney Michael Brendan , Kim Hyun Su , Dahdaleh Nader S.
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

The management of atlas fractures is controversial and hinges on the integrity of transverse atlantal ligament (TAL).

OBJECTIVE:

To identify risk factors for atlas fracture nonunion, with and without TAL injury.

METHODS:

All isolated, traumatic atlas fractures treated at our institution between 1999 and 2016 were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with TAL injury confirmed on MRI, occult TAL injury seen on MRI but not suspected on computed tomography (CT), and with fracture nonunion on follow-up CT at 12 weeks.

RESULTS:

Lateral mass displacement (LMD) ≥ 7 mm had a 48.2% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity, and 82.6% accuracy for identifying TAL injury. MRI-confirmed TAL injury was independently associated with LMD > 7 mm (P = .004) and atlanto-dental interval (P = .039), and occult TAL injury was associated with atlanto-dental interval (P = .019). Halo immobilization was associated with having a Gehweiler type 3 fracture (P = .020), a high-risk injury mechanism (P = .023), and an 18.1% complication rate. Thirteen patients with TAL injury on MRI and/or LMD ≥ 7 mm were treated with a cervical collar only, and 11 patients (84.6%) healed at 12 weeks. Nonunion rates at 12 weeks were equivalent between halo (11.1%) and cervical collar (12.5%). Only age independently predicted nonunion at 12 weeks (P = .026).

CONCLUSION:

LMD > 7 mm on CT is not sensitive for TAL injury. Some atlas fractures with TAL injury can be managed with a cervical collar. Nonunion rates are not different between halo immobilization and cervical collar, but a strong selection bias precludes directly comparing the efficacy of these modalities. Age independently predicts nonunion.
Hemocytes are essential for Drosophila melanogaster post-embryonic development, independent of control of the microbiota
Authors: Stephenson Holly N. , Streeck Robert , Grüblinger Florian , Goosmann Christian , Herzig Alf
Published: September 2022

Proven roles for hemocytes (blood cells) have expanded beyond the control of infections in Drosophila. Despite this, the crucial role of hemocytes in post-embryonic development has long thought to be limited to control of microorganisms during metamorphosis. This has previously been shown by rescue of adult development in hemocyte-ablation models under germ-free conditions. Here, we show that hemocytes have an essential role in post-embryonic development beyond their ability to control the microbiota. Using a newly generated strong hemocyte-specific driver line for the GAL4/UAS system, we show that specific ablation of hemocytes is early pupal lethal, even under axenic conditions. Genetic rescue experiments prove that this is a hemocyte-specific phenomenon. RNA-seq data suggests that dysregulation of the midgut is a prominent consequence of hemocyte ablation in larval stages, resulting in reduced gut lengths. Dissection suggests that multiple processes may be affected during metamorphosis. We believe this previously unreported role for hemocytes during metamorphosis is a major finding for the field.
The actin cytoskeleton-MRTF/SRF cascade transduces cellular physical niche cues to entrain the circadian clock
Authors: Xiong Xuekai , Li Weini , Nam Jin , Qu Meng , Kay Steve A. , Ma Ke
Published: September 2022

The circadian clock is entrained to daily environmental cues. Integrin-linked signaling via actin cytoskeleton dynamics transduces physical niche cues from the extracellular matrix to myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)/serum response factor (SRF)-mediated transcription. The actin cytoskeleton organization and SRF-MRTF activity display diurnal oscillations. By interrogating disparate upstream events in the actin cytoskeleton-MRTF-A/SRF signaling cascade, we show that this pathway transduces extracellular niche cues to modulate circadian clock function. Pharmacological inhibition of MRTF-A/SRF by disrupting actin polymerization or blocking the ROCK kinase induced period lengthening with augmented clock amplitude, and genetic loss of function of Srf or Mrtfa mimicked the effects of treatment with actin-depolymerizing agents. In contrast, actin polymerization shortened circadian clock period and attenuated clock amplitude. Moreover, interfering with the cell–matrix interaction through blockade of integrin, inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK, encoded by Ptk2) or attenuating matrix rigidity reduced the period length while enhancing amplitude. Mechanistically, we identified that the core clock repressors Per2, Nr1d1 and Nfil3 are direct transcriptional targets of MRTF-A/SRF in mediating actin dynamics-induced clock response. Collectively, our findings defined an integrin-actin cytoskeleton-MRTF/SRF pathway in linking clock entrainment with extracellular cues that might facilitate cellular adaptation to the physical niche environment.
Prevalence and characteristics of referred pain in patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alketbi Nawal , Talaat Wael
Published: September 2022

Background: Referred pain often complicates and delays the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Elaborating the prevalence and characteristics of TMD-associated referred pain as well as the distribution of referred pain in different TMD classes will significantly improve the diagnostic process. The objectives of the present study were to assess the prevalence and to evaluate the characteristics of referred pain associated with TMD diagnosed according to the DC/TMD.

Methods: A total of 252 patients were evaluated using the DC/TMD Axes-I and –II assessment tools. Different modalities were used to treat the diagnosed TMD. Referred pain was diagnosed when the location of the perceived pain in response to palpation extended beyond the boundary of the structure that was examined. For pain locations that were perceived as deep, patients were asked to locate the surface of the area of pain. The result of the assessment was identified as positive if the patient described his perceived pain during the clinical examination as being familiar pain that was experienced in the same location in the last 30 days. 

Results: TMD-associated referred pain was recorded in 153 patients (60.7%). The most common referred pain location was the temporal area (45.2%), followed by the ear (42.1%). The referred pain was recorded in disc displacement with reduction with intermittent locking and myofascial pain with referral in all patients (100%). The proportion of patients with referred pain was significantly different between the different TMD diagnostic subgroups (P < 0.001).  The recorded percentage of improvement in the referred pain following the treatment was 50.41% after 3 months and 56.65% after 6 months.

Conclusions: Referred pain is a prominent feature of TMD. The prevalence of referred pain associated with TMD was 60.7%.  A strong strength association between the different diagnostic subgroups and the presence of referred pain existed.
ACE2 expression in saliva of patients with COVID-19 and its association with Candida albicans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Bachtiar Endang W , Bachtiar Boy M , Kusumaningrum Ardiana , Sunarto Hari , Soeroso Yuniarti , Sulijaya Benso , Apriyanti Efa , Theodorea Citra Fragrantia , Pratomo Irandi Putra , . Yudhistira , Efendi Defi , Razak Fathilah Abdul
Published: September 2022

Background: A relationship between oral microbiota and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection has been extensively studied. However, the relationship between oral commensal flora and expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) remains to be established. In this observational study, we collected saliva from patients with COVID-19 and evaluated the relationship between ACE2 expression and Candida albicans as well as with selected gram-negative bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Veillonella parvula). We investigated how this may be directly or indirectly involved in oral dysbiosis in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We included 23 hospitalized patients admitted to Universitas Indonesia Hospital with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, with six healthy participants serving as controls. Saliva and tongue surface swabs were collected from patients with diabetes (DG) and without diabetes (NDG) and subject controls. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR) we assessed the mRNA expression of ACE2, the abundance of C. albicans, and the transcription levels of its biofilm-associated genes, agglutinin-like protein 3 (ALS3), hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1), and yeast-form wall protein 1 (YWP1). We also counted the relative proportion of the three selected gram-negative oral bacteria in saliva. All analyses were performed to determine the relationship between ACE2 expression and C. albicans and gram-negative bacteria.

Results: ACE2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in tongue swab samples than in saliva. However, no significant difference was observed between the patient groups. Conversely, DG patients had a significantly higher abundance of C. albicans in saliva compared to NDG patients and control group patients. The correlation and sensitivity/specificity relationship between ACE2 expression and C. albicans or the selected oral bacteria were also observed.

Conclusions: The data show that ACE2 expression can be detected in saliva of patients with COVID-19 and its association with C. albicans and gram-negative oral bacteria might contribute toward developing an oral dysbiosis based predictor for prognosis of COVID-19 severity.
Detection of mecA gene and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from milk and risk factors from farms in Probolinggo, Indonesia
Authors: Rafif Khairullah Aswin , Rehman Saifur , Agus Sudjarwo Sri , Helmi Effendi Mustofa , Chasyer Ramandinianto Sancaka , Aega Gololodo Maria , Widodo Agus , Hendriana Priscilia Riwu Katty , Ayu Kurniawati Dyah
Published: September 2022

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is commonly found in dairy cows and is a source of contamination in milk. S. aureus that are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (especially cefoxitin) are referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).  The spread of MRSA cannot be separated from sanitation management during milking; it can originate from milk collected from the udder or from the hands of farmers during the milking process. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of MRSA contamination in dairy cow's milk and farmer's hand.

Methods: A total of 109 samples of dairy cow’s milk and 41 samples of farmer’s hand swabs were collected at a dairy farm in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia. Samples were cultured and purified using mannitol salt agar (MSA). The profile of S. aureus resistance was established by disk diffusion test using a disk of beta-lactam antibiotics, namely oxacillin and cefoxitin.

Results: The S. aureus isolates that were resistant to oxacillin and cefoxitin antibiotics were then tested for oxacillin resistance screening agar base (ORSAB) as a confirmation test for MRSA identity. S. aureus isolates suspected to be MRSA were then tested genotypically by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect the presence of the mecA gene. The results of the isolation and identification found 80 isolates (53.33%) of S. aureus. The results of the resistance test found that 42 isolates (15%) of S. aureus were resistant to oxacillin and 10 isolates (12.5%) were resistant to cefoxitin. The ORSAB test found as many as 20 isolates (47.62%) were positive for MRSA. In PCR testing to detect the presence of the mecA gene, three isolates (30%) were positive for the mecA gene.

Conclusions: This study shows that several S. aureus isolates were MRSA and had the gene encoding mecA in dairy farms.
Female Models in AI and the Fight Against COVID-19
Authors: Guerrero Claudia , Mazuelas Santiago
Published: September 2022

Gender imbalance has persisted over time and is well documented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and singularly in artificial intelligence (AI). In this article we emphasize the importance of increasing the visibility and recognition of women researchers to attract and retain women in the AI field. We review the ratio of women in STEM and AI, its evolution through time, and the differences among disciplines. Then, we discuss the main sources of this gender imbalance highlighting the lack of female role models and the problems which may arise; such as the so called Marie Curie complex, suvivorship bias, and impostor syndrome. We also emphasize the importance of active participation of women researchers in conferences, providing statistics corresponding with the leading conferences. Finally, to support these views, we give examples of several prestigious female researchers in the field and we review their research work related to COVID-19 displayed in the workshop “Artificial Intelligence for the Fight Against COVID-19” (AI4FA COVID-19), which is an example of a more balanced participation between genders.
BOSC 2022: the first hybrid and 23rd annual Bioinformatics Open Source Conference
Authors: Harris Nomi L. , Hokamp Karsten , Ménager Hervé , Munoz-Torres Monica , Unni Deepak , Vasilevsky Nicole , Williams Jason
Published: September 2022

The 23rd annual Bioinformatics Open Source Conference (BOSC 2022) was part of this year’s conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB). Launched in 2000 and held every year since, BOSC is the premier meeting covering open source bioinformatics and open science. ISMB 2022 was, for the first time, a hybrid conference, with the in-person component hosted in Madison, Wisconsin (USA). About 1000 people attended ISMB 2022 in person, with another 800 online. Approximately 200 people participated in BOSC sessions, which included 28 talks chosen from submitted abstracts, 46 posters, and a panel discussion, “Building and Sustaining Inclusive Open Science Communities”. BOSC 2022 included joint keynotes with two other COSIs. Jason Williams gave a BOSC / Education COSI keynote entitled "Riding the bicycle: Including all scientists on a path to excellence". A joint session with Bio-Ontologies featured a keynote by Melissa Haendel, “The open data highway: turbo-boosting translational traffic with ontologies.”