bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutical Potential of T3 as Adjuvant Therapy in Male Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Florido Neto Armando Ribeiro , Agostini Lucas , Silva Jr Luciano Pedro da , Nunes Maria Tereza
Published: June 2024

Alloxan-induced diabetic rats present with hypothyroidism. When treated with triiodothyronine (T3), glycemia and proinflammatory cytokine expression are downregulated, improving insulin sensitivity. The effectiveness of associating T3 with insulin (replacement dose [6 U] and [3 U]) in controlling glycemia was investigated in this experimental model. Male Wistar rats were made diabetic by alloxan injection and sorted into groups treated or not with insulin (3 or 6 U) associated or not with T3 (1.5 µg 100 g−1 BW) for 28 days. Nondiabetic rats constituted the control group. Fasting glycemia, glucose decay rate, and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured in the blood/serum of all animals. Immunoblotting was used to assess total GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscles and epididymal white adipose tissue. Cytokine and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression were measured in these tissues and liver. Diabetic rats presented with increased fasting glycemia, inflammatory cytokines, and NF-κB expression, TSH levels, and insulin resistance. In diabetic rats treated with T3 and/or insulin, these parameters were decreased, whereas GLUT4 and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression were increased. T3 combined with 3-U insulin restored the parameters to values of the control group and was more effective at controlling glycemia than 6-U insulin. Thus, a combination of T3 and insulin might represent a promising strategy for diabetes management since it reduces the insulin requirement by half and improves glycemic control of diabetic rats, which could postpone insulin resistance that develops with chronic insulin administration. These findings open a perspective for using thyroid analogues that provide tissue-specific effects, which might result in a potentially more effective treatment of diabetes.
The interplay between sleep and ecophysiology, behaviour and responses to environmental change in fish
Authors: Norman Helena , Munson Amelia , Cortese Daphne , Koeck Barbara , Killen Shaun S.
Published: June 2024

Evidence of behavioural sleep has been observed in every animal species studied to date, but current knowledge of the behaviour, neurophysiology and ecophysiology associated with sleep is concentrated on mammals and birds. Fish are a hugely diverse group that can offer novel insights into a variety of sleep-related behaviours across environments, but the ecophysiological relevance of sleep in fish has been largely overlooked. Here, we systematically reviewed the literature to assess the current breadth of knowledge on fish sleep, and surveyed the diverse physiological effects and behaviours associated with sleep. We also discuss possible ways in which unstudied external factors may alter sleep behaviours. For example, predation risk may alter sleep patterns, as has been shown in mammalian, avian and reptilian species. Other environmental factors – such as water temperature and oxygen availability – have the potential to alter sleep patterns in fish differently than for terrestrial endotherms. Understanding the ecological influences on sleep in fish is vital, as sleep deprivation has the potential to affect waking behaviour and fitness owing to cognitive and physiological impairments, possibly affecting ecological phenomena and sensitivity to environmental stressors in ways that have not been considered.
Αξιολόγηση της ετοιμότητας των Ελληνίδων Νηπιαγωγών να υλοποιήσουν προγράμματα STEM
Authors: Παπαγιαννοπούλου Θεανώ , Βαϊοπούλου Γιούλη
Published: June 2024

Η εκπαίδευση STEM (Επιστήμη, Τεχνολογία, Μηχανική και Μαθηματικά) είναι μια διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση μάθησης που στοχεύει στην ανάπτυξη δεξιοτήτων επίλυσης προβλημάτων της καθημερινής ζωής από τους μαθητές. Η παρούσα έρευνα μελετά τη στάση και την ετοιμότητα των Ελληνίδων Νηπιαγωγών να εφαρμόσουν τη νέα αυτή εκπαιδευτική πρακτική μέσα στην τάξη. Συμμετείχαν 56 Νηπιαγωγοί και ως εργαλείο συλλογής δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήθηκε προσαρμοσμένο ερωτηματολόγιο 9-βάθμιας κλίμακας, που αφορά 6 διαστάσεις και συγκεκριμένα: τη Γνωστική και Συναισθηματική Ετοιμότητα, την Αυτο-αποτελεσματικότητα, τη Δέσμευση, τη Στάση απέναντι στο STEM και τη διδασκαλία. Κατά την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων, εφαρμόστηκαν μέθοδοι επαγωγικής στατιστικής, ώστε να προσδιοριστεί η επίδραση των ατομικών διαφορών στις εξεταζόμενες διαστάσεις και παρατηρήθηκε στατιστικώς σημαντική επίδραση της επιμόρφωσης και των ετών προϋπηρεσίας στη συνολική ετοιμότητα των Νηπιαγωγών στο STEM. Τέλος, διαπιστώθηκε ότι η Στάση τους απέναντι στο STEM μπορεί να προβλεφθεί από τους παράγοντες γνωστικής και συναισθηματικής ετοιμότητας με τον δεύτερο παράγοντα να έχει την ισχυρότερη επίδραση.
Business Ecosystems as an Effective Form of Organizing Corporate Interactionsy
Authors: Kirillova V.
Published: June 2024

The article discusses the concept and types of ecosystems in economics: knowledge ecosystem, innovation ecosystem, examines their properties and differences, and makes an attempt to systematize the views of various scientists on the nature and essence of economic ecosystems. The emphasis in the study is on industrial business ecosystems from the point of view of organizing effective corporate interaction between participants in their structure.
Features of Taking into Account the Requirements of Environmental Safety by Industrial Enterprises in Innovation Activities
Authors: Yashin S. , Kulagova I. , Malova S.
Published: June 2024

This article notes that in modern conditions, the increase in the frequency of natural anomalies is directly related to the rapidly developing industry. The need to take into account the environmental component when implementing innovative projects. Managers should pay close attention to environmental safety in the innovative activities of industrial enterprises. When managing the implementation of innovative projects, it is also necessary to control environmental factors, taking into account the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation to reduce the harmful effects of activities on the environment.

It is noted that ensuring environmental safety of the environment is not only an important aspect of the development of favorable conditions for the life of society, but also a necessary measure for the successful development of the country's economy.
Inefficient Working Capital Management as the Main Limiting Factor for the Sustainable Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Spiridonov E.
Published: June 2024

The article is devoted to the main barriers to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The main measures of state support for small and medium-sized enterprises are considered. The paper describes the category of "Small and medium–sized enterprises", examines the main criteria for classifying small and medium-sized enterprises, considers the bankruptcy problem and its prerequisites in the course of business activities of small and mediumsized enterprises. Methodological tools of the research: analysis of statistical sources of information and legislative documentation. As the study showed, the sustainable development of an enterprise largely depends on its ability to effectively manage its working capital. It is concluded that an important task of the state is not only to provide support to SMEs in the form of benefits and preferences, but also to carry out its activities as a business partner.
Research on the level of awareness and consumption of energy drinks among students aged 18-25
Authors: Żurowska Klaudia , Dębik Marika , Szydłowski Łukasz , Sajdak Piotr , Krużel Aleksandra , Kłos Kamil , Stodolak Marcel , Ziajor Seweryn , Bednarski Artur , Tomasik Justyna
Published: June 2024

Introduction and purpose: The article focuses on the analysis of young people's awareness of the consumption of energy drinks, especially those containing caffeine. The aim of the study is to understand the level of knowledge about the awareness and consumption of energy drinks among students aged 18-25. This study was conducted using surveys and involving 202 participants.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted using online anonymous surveys, involving 202 participants. The participants were students aged 18-25 both women and men. The results were analyzed according to the age and gender. Moreover, based on the available literature examining aspects related to the consumption of energy drinks.Results: The study shows that the vast majority of respondents (94.06%) are aware of the impact of energy substances on the body. The charts also illustrate that caffeine, as the main ingredient in energy drinks, is well understood in terms of cardiovascular effects. Moreover, the student community is aware of the link between excessive sugar consumption and the risk of cancer development.
Discussion: The study shows that young people are aware of the negative impact of energy drinks on health. Nevertheless, not all areas of knowledge are clear to them. The continuous increase in the level of education can undoubtedly contribute to the introduction of healthy eating habits among students. Most respondents declare to drink energy drinks again, it should draw our special attention.Conclusions: It is worth noting the need for further education, especially in the field of metabolic syndrome. It also highlights the role of research and education in shaping public health awareness. Finally, the article suggests that further research and targeted educational programs are critical to improving public health, especially in the context of energy drink consumption.
La judicialización de los impactos ambientales por los cultivos de uso ilícito
Authors: Güiza-Suárez Leonardo , Salas-Pérez Yuliana
Published: June 2024

El presente capítulo tiene por objetivo plantear aspectos fácticos y teóricos relacionados con los operativos para el control del cultivo de coca en Colombia.
Indexical Rereading: Tracing the Digital Archive of Vito Acconci
Authors: Reber Jacob
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT: This article attempts to read the indexical traces between mediated formats in the archive of Vito Acconci. The use of markup as a protocol of indexing and presence of delay are two indexical techniques in his work to open toward the arrival of digital modes of processing information and glitches in transfer. As Acconci’s works are particularly concerned with various forms of reframing, modes of mediation, and transferring between platforms/mediums, it is necessary to address the various distortions and ruptures that occur in the transfers and the new forms of meaning that emerge through reading the zones of transcoding. While Acconci’s videos, texts, and performances were originally produced in the 1970s, the material conditions and interfaces in which these works exist have changed quite significantly through the digital archive. By considering these formats simultaneously, along with their technical underpinnings, new readings between the page and screen emerge.
Mundane Militarisms: War, Archives, and Everyday Life
Authors: Collaboratory Mundane
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT: This essay was co-written by the members of the graduate seminar War and Everyday Life. It uses the capstone project of the course as the basis for discussing the conceptualization and design of an archive of “mundane militarisms.” The digital publication-exhibition called Mundane Militarisms creates an aesthetic of mess to visualize the question of what makes something archivable. The essay takes this question of archivability as a guide for rethinking the historiography of imperial war and the politics of the digital form. In compiling everyday objects like canned meats, cardboard boxes, and contaminated plantains as archives of mundane militarisms, we stage messiness as a heuristic that disrupts definitions of war as a conclusive or exceptional event. We conclude with a reflection on how our class’s “collaboratory” process relates to the outward-facing mandate of the public humanities. Another version of the essay—a draft that we co-wrote as a final paper—can be found on the Mundane Militarisms website (mundane-militarisms.com). The website version puts into practice our own ethics of collaboration and the project’s central motif of quotidian mess.
From Queens to Rebel Girls? Biographies about Women within Italian Children’s Literature
Authors: Malpezzi Chiara
Published: June 2024

Abstract: The article explores Italian biography for young readers focusing on the representation of women’s lives that have been overshadowed in the history of the literary genre. The analysis addresses both pedagogical and literary aspects, investigating which female role models are portrayed and the evolution of biographical writing style. In tracing the development of biographies about women within Italian children’s literature and its pedagogical and cultural background, five historical shifts are outlined: (1) the persistence of women’s moralistic portrayals in the 1960s, (2) the conflicting impact of feminist movements on the biographies of the 1970s, (3) the emergence of biographical picturebooks and a psychologically nuanced writing style in the 1980s, (4) the emphasis on rediscovering marginalized female figures at the beginning of the new century, and (5) contemporary trends of celebrating diverse female role models and the critical debate around gender representation. The analysis points out today’s challenges for biographies as hybrid nonfiction— not only interweaving different role models and styles, but also questioning their anthropocentric perspective.
Diversity in Italian Picturebooks for Children: Themes, Limitations, and Provocations
Authors: Venzo Paul
Published: June 2024

Abstract: This article examines a selection of Italian picturebooks that feature representations of diversity, including Piccolo Blu e Piccolo Giallo (Lionni), as well as more contemporary works such as Piccolo Uovo: Maschio o Femmina? (Pardi and Altan) and Qual è il Segreto di Papà? (Pardi and Gucciardini). These titles form part of a corpus of texts focused on diversity, many of which are produced by the publishing houses Lo Stampatello and Settenove. This branch of Italian children’s literature has often come under public scrutiny for its content around themes of diversity, thereby intersecting with and contributing to contested ideas about national identity, belonging, and Otherness. Although their narrative and aesthetic representations may contain certain limitations in the degree to which they depict diversity, the examples discussed in this article provide alternative ways of thinking about nationality, family, gender, and sexuality in an era in which conservative ideologies around these topics are prevalent in contemporary Italian cultural discourse.
The Sound of Silence: Metaphors of Childhood, Disability, and Incommunicability in Italian Children’s Literature
Authors: Pacelli Silvia
Published: June 2024

Abstract: The article aims to highlight some recurring trends in disability representation in Italian contemporary children’s literature. In particular, after a brief excursus of the major changes that occurred in editorial production at the end of the twentieth century, the article focuses on the similarities between the condition of disability and childhood, both bearers of otherness in the conventional adult world and in a liminality position within society. Contemporary children’s authors seem to start from this assumption and repeatedly write stories on special encounters between characters with disabilities and children. In these delicate narratives, in a romantic projection, only the younger ones prove they are able to create deep relationships based on unconditional acceptance of diversity and the ability to bond beyond words—both elements that adults seem to lack. The topic of incommunicability returns, especially, in picture-books and is expressed through powerful iconographic and literary metaphors. Some of these are inspired by certain popular Italian expressions and recur very frequently, in different ways, within children’s literature, such as allusive references to the aquatic world, intended as the silent realm par excellence.
Peperini : A Comics Series for Young Readers by Diabolo Edizioni
Authors: van de Wiele Eva
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Italian comics are increasingly present in bookshops and newsstands alike. Evolving into a new, book-like format—with its associated legitimacy—this medium tries to appeal to young readers who are used to reading picturebooks. Among these newly emerging Italian comics is Diabolo Edizioni’s Peperini series—a prime example of formal and thematic innovation.
The Subject Vanishes: Jews, Heretics, and Martyrs after the Linguistic Turn
Authors: Fredriksen Paula
Published: June 2024

Abstract: The “linguistic turn” in early Christian studies, a signal contribution of the work of Elizabeth A. Clark, has raised scholarly awareness of the degree to which terms previously thought to describe social realia in fact function as discursive categories rhetorically deployed for various ends by ancient authors. With this new awareness, how then do we now move from—or work with—our texts’ rhetorical “Jews,” “heretics,” and “martyrs” to recover these ancient historical actors? How does thinking with ideas such as “religion” and “ethnicity,” or with terms such as “paganism,” “Judaism,” and “Christianity,” hinder or help our efforts? How do invocations of “persecution” throughout the first through fifth centuries serve as a dramatic medium for the internal construction of group identity? This essay explores these questions, while raising others about the lures of anachronism and the requirements of narrative for writing history—our own recreation of the past.
Half-pixel sliding window processing for fourfold resolution improvement on single-shot quantitative phase imaging with polarization cameras
Authors: Yao X Steve , Cui Shengwei , Lyu Gaofei , Liu Yao
Published: June 2024

Phase to polarization encoding (P2P) has emerged as a potent tool for quantitative phase imaging (QPI), offering on-axis single-shot QPI with high precision by using a polarization camera, in which four CMOS pixels with different polarizer orientations are combined to form a super-pixel for local polarization analysis, but unfortunately at the expense of a 4× resolution degradation of the underlining polarization imaging. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a novel methodology called half-pixel sliding window (HPSW) processing, which enables us to restore the spatial resolution of the P2P-QPI to the original CMOS-pixel size of the polarization camera and therefore achieve nearly fourfold resolution enhancement for analyzing dynamic biological samples with the P2P-QPIs. By seamlessly integrating this technique into existing data processing, we anticipate a significant advancement in the ability to capture intricate cellular dynamics and unveil finer details within biological specimens, which represents a pivotal step towards realizing the full potential of P2P-QPI in advancing the understanding of complex biological processes.
Relational community engagement within health interventions at varied outcome scales
Authors: Redvers Nicole , Odugleh-Kolev Asiya , Paula Cordero Joanna , Zerwas Felicia , Zitoun Natalie Mariam , Kamalabadi Yasaman Mohammadi , Stevens Amy , Nagasivam Ahimza , Cheh Paul , Callon Emma , Aparicio-Reyes Katthyana , Kubota Shogo
Published: June 2024

Relational community engagement may be a powerful approach with multiple health outcomes. Relational community engagement has the potential to promote health and involves collaborative efforts between multiple stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the centrality of community engagement in health crises. Challenges continue to persist, however, in genuinely engaging and empowering communities for better health outcomes. Understanding the multi-level and complex relational nature of community engagement is essential to comprehend its influence on health at micro, meso, and macro scales of influence. The purpose of this narrative review was to synthesize the literature on relational community engagement within varied health interventions at the three major system levels (micro, meso, and macro) to support the development of future research agendas. At the micro level, relational community engagement interventions demonstrated a range of positive outcomes including: increased sense of control, satisfaction, positive behavior, improved knowledge, behavior change, empowerment, and overall positive health and social outcomes. At the meso level, relational community engagement interventions resulted in increased trust between stakeholders and groups/teams, and increased community senses of ownership of interventions, decisions, structures. At the macro level, relational community engagement interventions influenced broader societal factors and had positive impacts on health policy and governance including collaboration between sectors and communities as well as increased access to services. The review highlights the potential versatility and effectiveness of interventions that prioritize relationships, health promotion, and social change while underscoring the significance of holistic and community-centered approaches in addressing diverse health and social challenges.
First evaluation and detection of ivermectin resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in South Darfur, Sudan
Authors: Mohammedsalih Khalid M. , Ibrahim Abdoelnaim I. Y. , Juma Fathel-Rahman , Abdalmalaik Abdalhakaim A. H. , Bashar Ahmed , Coles Gerald , von Samson-Himmelstjerna Georg , Krücken Jürgen
Published: June 2024

In Sudan, resistance to benzimidazoles has been reported recently in cattle and goats from South Darfur. Herein, ivermectin efficacy against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) was evaluated in sheep and goats in three study areas in South Darfur. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was used to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in sheep and goats naturally infected with GINs in the region of Bulbul (goats: n = 106), Kass (goats: n = 40) and Nyala (Domaia (sheep: n = 47, goats: n = 77) and the University farm (goats: n = 52)), using different treatment plans, and the efficacy was evaluated 12 days after treatment. Ivermectin efficacy was also evaluated in goats experimentally infected using local Haemonchus contortus isolates from Kass and Nyala. Nematodes surviving ivermectin treatment in goats in Bulbul and Nyala were harvested and larvae used to infect worm-free male sheep (n = 6, ≤6 months old). Infected sheep were dosed subcutaneously with ivermectin every eight days with increasing doses from 0.2 mg/kg to 1.6 mg/kg bodyweight (bw). Reduced ivermectin efficacy was identified in sheep and goats in the four study locations. Using a paired statistic, the efficacy of a therapeutic dose in sheep was 75.6% (90% upper credible limit (UCrL): 77.5%), while twice the recommended dose led to a reduction of 92.6% (90% UCrL: 93.3%). In goats, the FECRs of a therapeutic dose were 72.9–95.3% (90% UCrL range: 73.6–95.7%) in Bulbul, Nyala Domaia, Nyala University farm and Kass. Twice the dose recommended for goats in Bulbul revealed a 90% UCrL of 87.6%. All post-treatment faecal cultures contained only Haemonchus spp. larvae. The experimental infection trials in sheep and goats supported our findings from field trials and calculated upper 90% CrL of below 98.9%. For the first time highly ivermectin resistant H. contortus populations have been identified in sheep and goats in Sudan, and resistance was experimentally confirmed.
Predictors of mortality among low birth weight neonates after hospital discharge in a low-resource setting: A case study in Uganda
Authors: Nsubuga Ronald , Rujumba Joseph , Nyende Saleh , Kisaka Stevens , Idro Richard , Nankunda Jolly
Published: June 2024

Background

Most neonatal deaths occur among low birth weight infants. However, in resource-limited settings, these infants are commonly discharged early which further exposes them to mortality. Previous studies on morbidity and mortality among low birth weight infants after early discharge mainly focused on very low birth weight infants, and none described post-discharge neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine the proportion and predictors of mortality among low birth weight neonates discharged from the Special Care Baby Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of 220 low birth weight neonates discharged from the Special Care Baby Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital. These were followed up to 28 completed days of life, or death, whichever occurred first. Proportions were used to express mortality. To determine the predictors of mortality, Cox hazards regression was performed.

Results

Of the 220 enrolled participants, 216 (98.1%) completed the follow-up. The mean gestational age of study participants was 34 ±3 weeks. The median weight at discharge was 1,650g (IQR: 1,315g -1,922g) and 46.1% were small for gestational age. During follow-up, 14/216 (6.5%) of neonates died. Mortality was highest (7/34, 20.6%) among neonates with discharge weights less than 1,200g. The causes of death included presumed neonatal sepsis (10/14, 71.4%), suspected aspiration pneumonia (2/14, 14.3%), and suspected cot death (2/14, 14.3%). The median time to death after discharge was 11 days (range 3–16 days). The predictors of mortality were a discharge weight of less than 1,200g (adj HR: 23.47, p <0.001), a 5-minute Apgar score of less than 7 (adj HR: 4.25, p = 0.016), and a diagnosis of neonatal sepsis during admission (adj HR: 7.93, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Post-discharge mortality among low birth weight neonates at Mulago National Referral Hospital is high. A discharge weight of less than 1,200g may be considered unsafe among neonates. Caregiver education about neonatal danger signs, and measures to prevent sepsis, aspiration, and cot death should be emphasized before discharge and during follow-up visits.
Alternative method to visualize receptor dynamics in cell membranes
Authors: Cosetta Ravelli , Michela Corsini , Anna Ventura , Mattia Domenichini , Elisabetta Grillo , Stefania Mitola
Published: June 2024

There is a close relation between membrane receptor dynamics and their behavior. Several microscopy techniques have been developed to study protein dynamics in live cells such as the Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) or the Single Particle Tracking (SPT). These methodologies require expensive instruments, are time consuming, allow the analysis of small portion of the cell or an extremely small number of receptors at a time. Here we propose a time-saving approach that allows to visualize the entire receptor pool and its localization in time. This protocol requires an epifluorescence microscope equipped for structured illuminated sectioning and for live cell imaging. It can be applied to characterize membrane receptor and multi protein complex and their response to activators or inhibitors. Image acquisition and analysis can be performed in two days, while cells and substratum preparation require a few minutes a day for three days.
Determinants of effective interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, and care to address inequitable HIV outcomes among Black Women of African Descent (BWAD) in High-Income Countries: Systematic review protocol
Authors: Gebremeskel Akalewold Tadesse , Jacques Amoy , Diorgu Faith , Etowa Josephine
Published: June 2024

Background

In High-Income Countries (HICs) HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionally affect Black Women of African Descent (BWAD) and other racialized groups and is now a major public health concern. Despite the multiple efforts, evidence is limited on the effectiveness of HIV interventions to address the HIV outcomes inequalities among BWAD. This protocol outlines the methodological process of a systematic review that will gather quantitative and qualitative data to examine existing determinants of effective HIV prevention, treatment, and care interventions to address the HIV outcomes disparities and inequities among BWAD in HICs.

Methods

A systematic review of eligible articles will be conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of the literature will be made in MEDLINE(R) ALL (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO Host), and Global Health (Ovid). Peer-reviewed studies involving the experience of BWAD in HICs; different HIV prevention, treatment, and care interventions both in the community and in a clinical setting; studies that report on the experience of BWAD on HIV intervention/ service including different levels of barriers and facilitators; reports of original research and peer-reviewed articles based on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed study designs published in English from 1980 onwards in HICs will be included. A narrative synthesis, thematic synthesis, and descriptive quantitative analysis of both extracted qualitative and quantitative data will be undertaken.

Conclusion

Substantial changes including tailored interventions are needed to address the inequities in HIV outcomes that disproportionally impact BWAD in HICs. Understanding the determinants of the effectiveness of BWAD-focused HIV interventions is critical to stemming the HIV epidemic and reducing the burden of the disease and poor health outcomes experienced by BWAD in HICs Our study finding will inform the multi level and multisectoral stakeholder including public health, community-based organizations and nongovernmental civil society organization engaged in BWAD HIV and health policy and practice in HICs. Findings from this review will be used to guide effective response to HIV/AIDS using an equity-driven policy and practice framework.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023458938.
The subjective value of genuine smiles guides real-world social behaviour
Authors: Heerey Erin A. , Clerke Alexa S. , Johnson Nathaniel J. , Patenaude Joshua
Published: June 2024

The mechanisms that underpin human social behaviour are poorly understood, in part because natural social behaviour is challenging to study. The task of linking the mechanisms thought to drive social behaviour to specific social behaviours in a manner that maintains ecological validity poses an even greater challenge. Here we report evidence that the subjective value people assign to genuine smiles, as measured in the laboratory, determines their responsiveness to genuine smiles encountered in a naturalistic social interaction. Specifically, participants (university undergraduates; age 17 to 36) who valued genuine smiles to a greater degree also showed stronger attention capture effects to neutral faces that were previously associated with genuine smiles and faster reciprocity of a social partner’s smiles in a real social interaction. Additionally, the faster participants responded to the partner’s genuine smiles the higher the partner’s ratings of interaction quality were after the interaction. These data suggest that individual differences in subjective value of genuine smiles, measured in the lab, is one element that underpins responsiveness to natural genuine smiles and subsequent social outcomes.
Semantic aware-based instruction embedding for binary code similarity detection
Authors: Jia Yuhao , Yu Zhicheng , Hong Zhen
Published: June 2024

Binary code similarity detection plays a crucial role in various applications within binary security, including vulnerability detection, malicious software analysis, etc. However, existing methods suffer from limited differentiation in binary embedding representations across different compilation environments, lacking dynamic high-level semantics. Moreover, current approaches often neglect multi-level semantic feature extraction, thereby failing to acquire precise semantic information about the binary code. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel detection solution called BinBcla. This method employs an enhanced pre-training model to generate instruction embeddings with dynamic semantics for binary functions. Subsequently, multi-feature fusion technique is utilized to extract local semantic information and long-distance global features from the code, respectively, employing self-attention to comprehend the structure information of the code. Finally, an improved cosine similarity method is employed to learn relationships among all elements of the distance vectors, thereby enhancing the model’s robustness to new sample functions. Experiments are conducted across different architectures, compilers, and optimization levels. The results indicate that BinBcla achieves higher accuracy, precision and F1 score compared to existing methods.
Continuous co-prescription of rebamipide prevents upper gastrointestinal bleeding in NSAID use for orthopaedic conditions: A nested case-control study using the LIFE Study database
Authors: Yamate Satoshi , Ishiguro Chieko , Fukuda Haruhisa , Hamai Satoshi , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: June 2024

Background

Rebamipide has been widely co-prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Japan for decades. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rebamipide in preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in new users of NSAIDs without risk factors of NSAID-induced ulcers other than age.

Methods

A nested case-control study was conducted using medical claims data of 1.66 million inhabitants of 17 municipalities participating in Japan’s Longevity Improvement & Fair Evidence study. The cohort entry (t0) corresponded to a new user of NSAIDs for osteoarthritis or low back pain. Patients with risk factors of NSAID-induced ulcers other than age were excluded. Cases were defined as patients who underwent gastroscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (occurrence date was defined as index date). A maximum of 10 controls were selected from non-cases at the index date of each case by matching sex, age, follow-up time, and type and dosage of NSAIDs. Exposure to rebamipide was defined as prescription status from t0 to index date: Non-user (rebamipide was not co-prescribed during the follow-up period), Continuous-user (rebamipide was co-prescribed from t0 with the same number of tablets as NSAIDs), and Irregular-user (neither Non-user nor Continuous-user). Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate each category’s odds ratio compared to non-users.

Findings

Of 67,561 individuals who met the inclusion criteria, 215 cases and 1,516 controls were selected. Compared with that of Non-users, the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were 0.65 (0.44–0.96) for Continuous-users and 2.57 (1.73–3.81) for Irregular-users.

Conclusions

Continuous co-prescription of rebamipide significantly reduced the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in an Asian cohort of new users of NSAIDs with osteoarthritis or low back pain without risk factors other than age.
All-trans retinoic acid downregulates HBx levels via E6-associated protein-mediated proteasomal degradation to suppress hepatitis B virus replication
Authors: Han Jiwoo , Jang Kyung Lib
Published: June 2024

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), recognized as the principal and most biologically potent metabolite of vitamin A, has been identified for its inhibitory effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The present study reveals that ATRA induces E6-associated protein (E6AP)-mediated proteasomal degradation of HBx to suppress HBV replication in human hepatoma cells in a p53-dependent pathway. For this effect, ATRA induced promoter hypomethylation of E6AP in the presence of HBx, which resulted in the upregulation of E6AP levels in HepG2 but not in Hep3B cells, emphasizing the p53-dependent nature of this effect. As a consequence, ATRA augmented the interaction between E6AP and HBx, resulting in substantial ubiquitination of HBx and consequent reduction in HBx protein levels in both the HBx overexpression system and the in vitro HBV replication model. Additionally, the knockdown of E6AP under ATRA treatment reduced the interaction between HBx and E6AP and decreased the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of HBx, which prompted a recovery of HBV replication in the presence of ATRA, as confirmed by increased levels of intracellular HBV proteins and secreted HBV levels. This study not only contributes to the understanding of the complex interactions between ATRA, p53, E6AP, and HBx but also provides an academic basis for the clinical employment of ATRA in the treatment of HBV infection.
Systems genetics uncover new loci containing functional gene candidates in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected Diversity Outbred mice
Authors: Gatti Daniel M. , Tyler Anna L. , Mahoney J Matthew , Churchill Gary A. , Yener Bulent , Koyuncu Deniz , Gurcan Metin N. , Niazi MK Khalid , Tavolara Thomas , Gower Adam , Dayao Denise , McGlone Emily , Ginese Melanie L. , Specht Aubrey , Alsharaydeh Anas , Tessier Philipe A. , Kurtz Sherry L. , Elkins Karen L. , Kramnik Igor , Beamer Gillian
Published: June 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects two billion people across the globe, and results in 8–9 million new tuberculosis (TB) cases and 1–1.5 million deaths each year. Most patients have no known genetic basis that predisposes them to disease. Here, we investigate the complex genetic basis of pulmonary TB by modelling human genetic diversity with the Diversity Outbred mouse population. When infected with M. tuberculosis, one-third develop early onset, rapidly progressive, necrotizing granulomas and succumb within 60 days. The remaining develop non-necrotizing granulomas and survive longer than 60 days. Genetic mapping using immune and inflammatory mediators; and clinical, microbiological, and granuloma correlates of disease identified five new loci on mouse chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 16; and three known loci on chromosomes 3 and 17. Further, multiple positively correlated traits shared loci on chromosomes 1, 16, and 17 and had similar patterns of allele effects, suggesting these loci contain critical genetic regulators of inflammatory responses to M. tuberculosis. To narrow the list of candidate genes, we used a machine learning strategy that integrated gene expression signatures from lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected Diversity Outbred mice with gene interaction networks to generate scores representing functional relationships. The scores were used to rank candidates for each mapped trait, resulting in 11 candidate genes: Ncf2, Fam20b, S100a8, S100a9, Itgb5, Fstl1, Zbtb20, Ddr1, Ier3, Vegfa, and Zfp318. Although all candidates have roles in infection, inflammation, cell migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, or intracellular signaling, and all contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), SNPs in only four genes (S100a8, Itgb5, Fstl1, Zfp318) are predicted to have deleterious effects on protein functions. We performed methodological and candidate validations to (i) assess biological relevance of predicted allele effects by showing that Diversity Outbred mice carrying PWK/PhJ alleles at the H-2 locus on chromosome 17 QTL have shorter survival; (ii) confirm accuracy of predicted allele effects by quantifying S100A8 protein in inbred founder strains; and (iii) infection of C57BL/6 mice deficient for the S100a8 gene. Overall, this body of work demonstrates that systems genetics using Diversity Outbred mice can identify new (and known) QTLs and functionally relevant gene candidates that may be major regulators of complex host-pathogens interactions contributing to granuloma necrosis and acute inflammation in pulmonary TB.
Natural variation in infection specificity of Caenorhabditis briggsae isolates by two RNA viruses
Authors: Alkan Cigdem , Brésard Gautier , Frézal Lise , Richaud Aurélien , Ruaud Albane , Zhang Gaotian , Félix Marie-Anne
Published: June 2024

Antagonistic relationships such as host-virus interactions potentially lead to rapid evolution and specificity in interactions. The Orsay virus is so far the only horizontal virus naturally infecting the nematode C. elegans. In contrast, several related RNA viruses infect its congener C. briggsae, including Santeuil (SANTV) and Le Blanc (LEBV) viruses. Here we focus on the host’s intraspecific variation in sensitivity to these two intestinal viruses. Many temperate-origin C. briggsae strains, including JU1264 and JU1498, are sensitive to both, while many tropical strains, such as AF16, are resistant to both. Interestingly, some C. briggsae strains exhibit a specific resistance, such as the HK104 strain, specifically resistant to LEBV. The viral sensitivity pattern matches the strains’ geographic and genomic relationships. The heavily infected strains mount a seemingly normal small RNA response that is insufficient to suppress viral infection, while the resistant strains show no small RNA response, suggesting an early block in viral entry or replication. We use a genetic approach from the host side to map genomic regions participating in viral resistance polymorphisms. Using Advanced Intercrossed Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) between virus-resistant AF16 and SANTV-sensitive HK104, we detect Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) on chromosomes IV and III. Building RILs between virus-sensitive JU1498 and LEBV-resistant HK104 followed by bulk segregant analysis, we identify a chromosome II QTL. In both cases, further introgressions of the regions confirmed the QTLs. This diversity provides an avenue for studying virus entry, replication, and exit mechanisms, as well as host-virus specificity and the host response to a specific virus infection.
Climate change, seasonality and household water security in rural Gambia: A qualitative exploration of the complex relationship between weather and water
Authors: Bose Indira , Dreibelbis Robert , Green Rosemary , Murray Kris A. , Ceesay Omar , Kovats Sari
Published: June 2024

Climate change could pose a threat to water security for many communities, particularly in settings where rainfall patterns are becoming more varied and there is higher frequency of extreme events, such as heavy rainfall and droughts. Understanding how rainfall affects water security—including water access, water quality and water use behaviours—can inform investment in more climate-resilient infrastructure and safeguard against future health risks. This study aims to explore how households in rural Gambia experienced water security in relation to seasonal rainfall patterns and extreme weather events. Data collection focused on two communities (Kiang West and Basse) with differing access to water infrastructure, within which some villages had greater access to groundwater sources, such as solar-powered boreholes, and others primarily used uncovered wells. 46 participants were interviewed in Spring 2022 using multiple qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and transect walks. We found that people’s experience of water security and rainfall (including seasonal rainfall, drought and heavy rainfall) was complex and varied according to the primary household water source. Both dry and rainy season posed challenges to household water security in terms of quality and quantity. Households with access to more resilient infrastructure, such as solar-powered boreholes, discussed a shift in the relationship between weather and water security, where they were less vulnerable to water shortages during dry conditions compared to those using wells. However, these sources did not fully resolve water security issues, as they experienced water shortages during cloudy conditions. Extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, heightened perceived water issues, as these events sometimes damaged water infrastructure and contaminated water sources. Seasonal workloads, that were higher in the rainy season, also jeopardised water security, as this limited time for water collection. Increased investment in infrastructure, maintenance, water-treatment and behavioural change is required to mitigate the risks.
Addressing water, sanitation and hygiene inequalities: A review of evidence, gaps, and recommendations for disability-inclusive WASH by 2030
Authors: Wilbur Jane , Dreibelbis Robert , Mactaggart Islay
Published: June 2024

One in six people worldwide experiences significant disability. Many of these people living in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, a fundamental necessity for health and well-being. This review aimed to examine the existing evidence on disability and WASH in LMICs, identify gaps and make recommendations to strengthen disability-inclusive WASH research, policies and practices to make significant progress by 2030. While evidence of WASH challenges faced by people with disabilities has grown in the last decade, revealing significant inequalities, there is a lack of controlled studies to assess the impact of disability-inclusive WASH interventions. This research gap makes it difficult to prioritise investments for scalable solutions. This review proposes three key recommendations: 1) Further expand research on WASH challenges faced by people with disabilities, prioritising climate risks, health impacts, and educational inequalities. 2) Design and test evidence-based disability-inclusive WASH interventions. 3) Rigorously evaluate these interventions to determine what successfully reduces WASH disparities for people with disabilities and their caregivers cost-effectively. This review is the first to synthesise available evidence across disability and WASH and offer a roadmap for future efforts to drive improvements in disability-inclusive WASH by 2030.
Unpacking the discursive assemblages of anthropocentrism and ecocentrism: Articulations of space, place and time in the documentary film Gállok
Authors: Doudaki Vaia , Carpentier Nico
Published: June 2024

This article analyses, through a case study approach, the environmental documentary film Gállok, which narrates the struggles over the proposal to operate an iron ore mine in Gállok (Sámi) or Kallak (Swedish), in Northern Sweden. The analysis is transdisciplinary, anchored in the environmental studies work on anthropocentrism and ecocentrism, combined with discourse theory, geography and the scholarly work on space, place and time. These different disciplines and fields are activated to examine how space, place and time become articulated in the discursive assemblages of anthropocentrism and ecocentrism that feed the discursive – material struggles around the operation of the Gállok mine. As the analysis shows, the anthropocentric view favours an instrumentalist and geo-reductionist approach to space and the use of land that promotes presentism, space–place and space–time dualism. Ecocentrism, on the other hand, articulates holism and geo-pluralism, supporting ideas of deep time, space–place and space–time.
Another kind of opportunity: film-making education in the context of displacement
Authors: Durrett Jenn
Published: June 2024

Art group Another Kind of Girl Collective offers a case study of what teaching practical film-making outside formal education settings can look like, by offering film-making and photography workshops to young women around the world, including to young Syrian women living as refugees in Jordan. Another Kind of Girl Collective’s approach prioritises flexibility, mentorship and building trust between students and tutors. Rather than focus exclusively on the technical skills of film-making, the collective’s workshops are as much about mentorship and developing self-expression as they are about imparting the technical expertise required to operate a camera; this dual focus allows the technical to become a vehicle for the socioemotional. This article analyses Another Kind of Girl Collective’s approach to informal practical film-making education, contextualising it in how it differs from more formal, institution-based approaches, as well as how this approach compares to similar international development-focused programmes that prioritise product over process. Another Kind of Girl Collective presents a model of practical film education that not only educates a new generation of innovative film-makers, but also speaks to the socioemotional needs of students living as refugees.