bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can machine understand public administration literature? Applying text mining for systematic review
Authors: Mao Hanjin , Li Huafang
Published: June 2022

Systematic reviews summarize the progress of studies and pave roads for future research in an academic field. However, conducting a systematic literature review can be burdensome and time-consuming. Computer-assisted methods such as text mining techniques have been increasingly applied to improve systematic reviews in public administration. To test the reliability of using text mining for systematic literature reviews, this study uses clustering, topic modeling, automatic multi-term extraction, and text network to systematically review articles published in Chinese Public Administration Review from 2002 to 2019. By comparing machine-produced topics with existing human-coded themes, findings show that applying text mining methods for systematic reviews can be reliable and effective with cautions. The study also offers practical suggestions for researchers to apply text mining methods for systematic literature reviews.
Low-Cost Genetic and Clinical Predictors of Response and Toxicity of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Spasic Jelena , Cavic Milena , Stanic Nemanja , Zaric Bojan , Kovacevic Tomi , Radosavljevic Davorin , Nagorni-Obradovic Ljudmila
Published: June 2022

Background

This study aimed to evaluate for the first time whether certain genetic and clinical factors could serve as minimally invasive predictors of survival and toxicity to platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

The study included 121 advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with platinum-based dublets until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Response was evaluated using standard radiological methods and toxicity graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Results

No significant influence of the examined polymorphisms on the occurrence of high-grade toxicity was detected. However, TP53 72Pro allele carriers were more prone to nausea (P = .037) and thrombocytopenia (P = .051). Anemia and neuropathy occurred more frequently in XRCC1 399Arg allele carriers (Pearson χ2 test, P = .025 and P = .004 respectively). RAD51 135CC carriers were significantly more prone to neutropenia (P = .027).

Conclusions

A set of easily determined genetic and clinical predictors of survival and specific toxicity profiles of platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma were determined in this study, which might be useful for the construction of population-specific, time- and cost-efficient prognostic and predictive algorithms.
Exploratory Visuals and Text in Qualitative Research Interviews: How Do We Respond?
Authors: Page Jude , Broady Timothy , Kumar Sujith , de Leeuw Evelyne
Published: June 2022

Visual stimuli are increasingly used in formal communications and as a qualitative research method, reported to generate a ‘different’ and ‘richer’ response than text or language alone. However, the parameters by which this occurs are underexplored. In our research we use images and text as interview stimuli in a project exploring personal wellbeing to compare differences in communication process and outcomes. A visual tool expressing concepts of human needs and aspirations and comparable text was presented on cards. Forty-five people participated in a sorting process and interview. Participants were presented with the text cards or images first in blocked order and asked to select cards relating to their wellbeing. The process was repeated with the alternate mode. A subsection of six participants were presented with text-image combination cards. Thematic analysis was used to find common themes in participant responses and their experiences of the two modalities. Image and text cards both facilitated communication and rapport but elicited different types of responses. Images more commonly provoked emotive responses, tacit knowledge and greater personal involvement leading to cognitive elaboration and richer narrative. We found that participants more easily selected visual themes and considered images more engaging and open to interpretation than text, which were considered fixed in meaning. When visuals were presented with text, the text dominated the meaning. This paper presents a novel form of researcher generated visual elicitation stimuli, to be called ‘exploratory visuals’; depicting abstract concepts and narrative scenes to aid communication and understanding of complex information. It proposes an analytical framework combining social semiotic, contextual and cognitive perspectives to understand perceptual differences between words and images and the range of responses elicited.
Prison reform and torture prevention under ‘compromised circumstances’
Authors: Jefferson Andrew M
Published: June 2022

In this article, drawing on two decades studying prisons and prison reform practices in (mostly) southern countries undergoing transition, I examine the challenges facing anti-torture professionals and prison reformers working in the global south and critically interrogate the assumptions of dominant models of reform. Rights and health-based entry points to the prevention of torture and inhumane treatment and prison reform are argued to be necessary but insufficient. I propose the concept ‘compromised circumstances’ to counter the structural biases that diminish and erase ordinary everyday experience. The ‘compromised circumstances’ of countries torn by conflict, inequality, poverty and mundane violence call for innovative interventions based on reflexive social scientific description and analysis. The inevitable sense of dizziness and uncertainty such circumstances induce must be embraced not denied. A dynamic, organic and relational entry point to reform is required.
Impaired Autoethnography
Authors: Tamas Sophie
Published: June 2022

In this piece I reflect on various forms of impairment and resistance and speculate on their generative potential.
Functional Resistance Training Differentially Alters Gait Kinetics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Washabaugh Edward P. , Brown Scott R. , Palmieri-Smith Riann M. , Krishnan Chandramouli
Published: June 2022

Background:

Quadriceps weakness is common after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and can alter gait mechanics. Functional resistance training (FRT) is a novel approach to retraining strength after injury, but it is unclear how it alters gait mechanics. Therefore, we tested how 3 different types of FRT devices: a knee brace resisting extension (unidirectional brace), a knee brace resisting extension and flexion (bidirectional brace), and an elastic band pulling backwards on the ankle (elastic band)–acutely alter gait kinetics in this population.

Hypothesis:

The type of FRT device will affect ground-reaction forces (GRFs) during and after the training. Specifically, the uni- and bidirectional braces will increase GRFs when compared with the elastic band.

Study Design:

Crossover study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 2.

Methods:

A total of 15 individuals with ACL reconstruction received FRT with each device over 3 separate randomized sessions. During training, participants walked on a treadmill while performing a tracking task with visual feedback. Sessions contained 5 training trials (180 seconds each) with rest between. Vertical and anterior-posterior GRFs were assessed on the ACL-reconstructed leg before, during, and after training. Changes in GRFs were compared across devices using 1-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.

Results:

Resistance applied via bidirectional brace acutely increased gait kinetics during terminal stance/pre-swing (ie, push-off), while resistance applied via elastic band acutely increased gait kinetics during initial contact/loading (ie, braking). Both braces behaved similarly, but the unidirectional brace was less effective for increasing push-off GRFs.

Conclusion:

FRT after ACL reconstruction can acutely alter gait kinetics during training. Devices can be applied to selectively alter gait kinetics. However, the long-term effects of FRT after ACL reconstruction with these devices are still unknown.

Clinical Relevance:

FRT may be applied to alter gait kinetics of the involved limb after ACL reconstruction, depending on the device used.
The Impact of Statewide Limitations of Practice on High School Injury Incidence During the COVID-19 Season: An Ecological Study
Authors: Bullock Garrett , Prats-Uribe Albert , Thigpen Charles A. , Boyer Lisa , Varnado Kate , Pequette Jason , Shanley Ellen
Published: June 2022

Background:

Abrupt training stoppage can increase injury incidence and risk following return to sport. The rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the general population has resulted in the abrupt stoppage of high school education and sport. The objective of this study was to (1) compare injury incidence proportion (IP) and excess injury in high school athletes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) stratify by identified gender.

Hypothesis:

The COVID-19 academic year will demonstrate increased injury incidence, and injury incidence will be similar between genders.

Study Design:

Ecological.

Level of Evidence:

Level 2.

Methods:

High schools (6 states; 176 high schools) were matched between prepandemic and pandemic years. Injury IP with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Interrupted time series models with robust errors were performed to assess the IP ratio and excess injury incidence between prepandemic and pandemic academic calendar years.

Results:

A total of 98,487 athletes participated in high school sport in the prepandemic year and 72,521 athletes in the pandemic year; 15,477 injuries were reported in the prepandemic year compared with 14,057 injuries during the pandemic year. Injury IP (CI) was 15.7 (15.5-15.9) and 19.4 (19.1-19.7) for the prepandemic and pandemic years, respectively. Injury incidence ratio increased by 1.3 (1.2-1.5) between the prepandemic and pandemic years. Excess injuries were 1812 greater in the pandemic year compared with the prepandemic year. Female and male athlete incidence ratios were similar.

Conclusion:

Prolonged sport stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased injury incidence compared with the previous high school academic year.

Clinical Relevance:

High school sports stakeholders should consider longer periods of ramp up for training in lieu of future sport stoppages compared with usual preseason training. These data may also have more generalizable implications to other abrupt sport and physical activity stoppage scenarios such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
Experimental and theoretical validation of nano filters fabricated through green synthesized silver nanoparticles
Authors: Radha Kuravappullam V , Gopalakrishnan Veerasamy , Jayakumar Aarcha
Published: June 2022

The present study focuses on fabrication of nanofibrous membrane to filter microbial aerosols using silver nanoparticles. Nanofibrous membrane was formed with silver nanoparticles (AgNp) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) using electro spinning technology. The optimized nanofibers were characterized for the effective formation, morphology, and thermal sensitivity using High Resolution Scanning Electron microscopy (HR-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Thermo gravimetric study (TGA). Chemical components present in the aqueous leaf extract that reduces the monovalent silver were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. HR-SEM analysis confirmed homogenous fiber diameter with smooth surface for the obtained AgNPs-PVB membranes. The PVB loaded AgNPs have shown up to 19% weight loss at 956°C which was ascertained through TGA. Microbial loading on the filter, microbial survival, filtration efficiency, and antimicrobial efficiency of the fabricated membrane were evaluated. The fabricated membrane exhibited both bacterial and fungal filtration efficiency to an extent of 98.81% and 98.85%, respectively. Experimental data were compared theoretically using predicted mathematical model that established best fitting and was highly compatible.
Telehealth: A new paradigm? Paediatric surgical subspecialty telemedicine survey in the COVID-19 Pandemic at a tertiary care centre
Authors: Shin Yu Jin , Mohanty Amrita , Kang Audry , Judge Clark E , Baroody Fuad M , Shogan Andrea , Rodriguez Sarah H , Reid Russell R , Frim David , Chokshi Nikunj K , Mak Grace , Slidell Mark B , Lee Thomas K , Kandel Jessica , Truehart Amber , Gundeti Mohan S
Published: June 2022

Background:

Although the technology has been available and several pilot studies have shown success, use of telemedicine has previously been limited in the United States, especially among surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the benefits and obstacles for successful implementation of telemedicine visits in paediatric surgical subspecialties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

We analysed survey data from telemedicine visits with paediatric surgical subspecialists from May 1 through June 30, 2020 at our paediatric surgery subspecialty clinics. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine associations in survey responses and various demographic factors.

Results:

There were 164 respondents to the survey. The most frequently cited barrier to care was ability to get time off work (46.3%). Overall satisfaction with the telemedicine visit was 93.8%, and 55.6% responded that they would choose video telemedicine rather than an in-person or telephone visit. Those living at least 25 miles from the hospital had increased odds of indicating interest in using telemedicine for future visits (OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.12–5.86, p = 0.026). The average respondent saved between 30 minutes and 1 hour, and 45 minutes using telemedicine.

Conclusions:

The implementation of telemedicine at our institution in the paediatric surgical subspecialties has proven to be effective and well-received. Given the benefits of time and money saved for families, paired with high satisfaction rates and continued interest, paediatric surgical subspecialists should work to incorporate virtual visits into regular patient care, even well after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV
Governing algorithmic decisions: The role of decision importance and governance on perceived legitimacy of algorithmic decisions
Authors: Waldman Ari , Martin Kirsten
Published: June 2022

The algorithmic accountability literature to date has primarily focused on procedural tools to govern automated decision-making systems. That prescriptive literature elides a fundamentally empirical question: whether and under what circumstances, if any, is the use of algorithmic systems to make public policy decisions perceived as legitimate? The present study begins to answer this question. Using factorial vignette survey methodology, we explore the relative importance of the type of decision, the procedural governance, the input data used, and outcome errors on perceptions of the legitimacy of algorithmic public policy decisions as compared to similar human decisions. Among other findings, we find that the type of decision—low importance versus high importance—impacts the perceived legitimacy of automated decisions. We find that human governance of algorithmic systems (aka human-in-the-loop) increases perceptions of the legitimacy of algorithmic decision-making systems, even when those decisions are likely to result in significant errors. Notably, we also find the penalty to perceived legitimacy is greater when human decision-makers make mistakes than when algorithmic systems make the same errors. The positive impact on perceived legitimacy from governance—such as human-in-the-loop—is greatest for highly pivotal decisions such as parole, policing, and healthcare. After discussing the study’s limitations, we outline avenues for future research.
On Black Queer Joy and the Digital
Authors: Persaud Christopher J. , Crawley Ashon
Published: June 2022

“When I’m talking about the digital and what the digital makes possible, it becomes another world not unique to itself, not hermetically sealed off from some other modality, but in deep relation. The digital is another world through which we can practice thought with one another. Learning happens in digital space; argumentation happens in digital space; and pushback happens in digital space. Lots and lots of joking happens in digital space and a lot of people get angry about the joking that happens in digital space. Digital space is a place where thought happens. We can resist being sort of undone, we can resist being moved, we can resist being altered by the things that we are engaging in this other world of the digital. Or we can open ourselves up. We can be vulnerable. We can practice a certain kind of letting be of relation that allows us to be transformed by the zeros and the ones that constitute our capacity to be in relation with people globally with a certain kind of immediacy. How can we use that to cultivate a more just, equitable, and joyful world?”—Ashon Crawley
Sexual infidelity among the married in China
Authors: Luo Weixiang , Yu Jia
Published: June 2022

Sexual infidelity in China has undergone a rapid increase in recent decades. Despite much speculation, social forces that help to prompt such increase have yet to be identified. Drawing on data from the Chinese Private Life Survey, coupled with the perspectives of attitudinal and institutional changes, we examine social determinants of marital infidelity that may reveal potential mechanisms of its diffusion. We find that more liberal attitudes toward extramarital sex, greater sexual dissatisfaction, and lower marital satisfaction were all positively associated with the likelihood of marital infidelity. Results also show that institutional factors such as personal income, living apart from one's spouse, and urbanity influenced the practice of extramarital sex. Taken as a whole, both attitudinal changes toward sex, love and marriage, and institutional changes as a result of social transformation may play a role in determining the rise of sexual infidelity in China.
Technological Innovation Outcomes: Does the Internal Ecosystem Play a Key Role?
Authors: Odei Michael Amponsah , Novak Petr
Published: June 2022

This study empirically investigates the causal relationship that exist between innovators and internal ecosystem factors driving technological innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the European region using the linear equation model. Our analysis is based on firm-level panel data from the European Innovation Survey conducted by the European Union from 2011–2018 with 296 SMEs across Europe. The results show that, human resources, research systems, financial support, firm investments, linkages, and employment impact was positively related to technological innovation performance. However, the outcome of an innovation-free environment and sales impacts as contextual factors had an insignificant influence on SMEs’ innovation performance. The results imply that effective human resource approach coupled with good governmental policies are important factors that can increase SMEs’ innovation performance. Based on this study results, SMEs’ managers can provide effective and sustainable policies that would provide both direct and support roles on the main drivers of regional and economic development. The outcome of this research indicates that firms need to pay greater attention to external factors such as governmental policies governing SMEs, considering customers’ needs, product specification and ensuring that they deliver quality product to satisfy consumers.
Perceived severity of COVID-19, social support, and pandemic-related stress associated with lifestyle changes among undergraduate students in Indonesia
Authors: Khaira Fathiyyatul , Sari Liliyana
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

COVID-19 affects lifestyles, including those of undergraduate students who are one of the most vulnerable populations. This study aimed to describe changes in lifestyle-related behaviors and assess the correlation between the perceived risk of COVID-19, social support, perceived stress, and lifestyle changes among undergraduate students during the pandemic.

Design and methods:

A total of 547 students from 32 provinces in Indonesia completed online questionnaires comprising four measures: perceived risk of COVID-19, the Lifestyle-related Behavior Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Pandemic-related Perceived Stress Scale.

Results:

Undergraduate students who lived with their families had healthier lifestyles than students who lived alone ( p = 0.007). Furthermore, The Pearson’s correlation showed a significant correlation between lifestyle changes with perceived severity ( r = 0.107; p < 0.05), social support ( r = 0.237; p < 0.001and pandemic-related stress ( r = −0.304, p < 0.001). Higher perceived severity of COVID-19 and social support were associated with a healthier lifestyle, whereas increased stress correlated with a less healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion:

Psychological factors correlated with lifestyle changes of Indonesian undergraduate students during the pandemic. Therefore, psychological aspects should be more considered by relatives and institutions to ensure healthier lifestyles of students.
Relationship of heat stress with acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease: A literature review
Authors: Alayyannur Putri Ayuni , Ramdhan Doni Hikmat
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Heat stress is a physical hazard and a potential health risk which can result in various conditions ranging from discomfort, headaches, psychological disorders, heat stroke and even death in extreme cases. Factors which cause heat stress include high ambient temperature, limited air movement, strenuous physical work and direct exposure to the heat of the engine/ sun. Continuous heat stress, exacerbated by dehydration, can lead to kidney disease. This study is a literature review conducted to explore factors that influence heat stress and the relationship of heat stress with acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.

Methods:

Literature search was conducted in September 2021. Research sources were taken from several databases, namely Science Direct, ProQuest, PubMed, and Google Scholar. From the databases, 23,316 articles were from Science Direct, 140,319 articles were from ProQuest, 670 articles were from PubMed, and 288,000 articles were from Google Scholars. Out of the total database only 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. The variables in this study were heat stress, acute kidney disease, and chronic kidney disease.

Results:

This literature review shows that several factors which can affect heat stress are heat exposure, workload, rehydration, and rest period arrangements. Heat stress experienced by workers can cause decreased kidney function and chronic kidney disease. Heat stress conditions that are continuously experienced by workers can cause chronic kidney disease.

Conclusion:

Heat stress can be experienced by workers due to heat exposure, heavy workload, poor rehydration, and poor rest period arrangements. Heat stress can cause acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease.
Influence of Patellofemoral Anatomy on Outcomes of Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Instability
Authors: Pappa Nicholas , Flanigan David C. , Long Joseph , Dorweiler Matthew , Fowler Brian , Duerr Robert , Dibartola Alex C. , Kaeding Christopher K. , Magnussen Robert A.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Patella alta and elevated tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance can predispose patients to lateral patellar dislocations and recurrent instability. Their influence on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is less clear.

Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that neither moderately increased TT-TG distance nor patella alta would negatively affect PROs after isolated MPFL reconstruction in patients with relatively normal patellar tracking (no large J-sign).

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We identified patients who underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction at a single institution between 2008 and 2016. The decision to perform an isolated MPFL reconstruction was at the discretion of the operating surgeon but was not performed in the setting of a large J-sign. Patient characteristics and surgical details were collected, and patients completed the Norwich Patellar Instability Score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and Marx activity score. Patellar height (Caton-Deschamps Index [CDI]) was assessed on preoperative lateral radiographs, and TT-TG distance was measured on preoperative axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Patients were grouped based on CDI and TT-TG distance, and outcomes were compared. Linear regression modeling was performed to determine whether patella alta or elevated TT-TG distance was associated with poorer PRO scores.

Results:

Of 165 knees in 152 patients who underwent isolated MPFL reconstruction, 115 patients (125 knees; 76%) with minimum 1-year follow-up were contacted at a mean of 5.2 years after surgery. Recurrent dislocation occurred in 5 of 125 knees (4%). Preoperative radiographs were available in 111 knees (89%), and preoperative MRI scans were available in 89 knees (71%). Mean CDI was 1.13, and 35% had a CDI ≥1.20. Mean TT-TG distance was 17.5 mm, and 26% had a TT-TG distance >20 mm. After adjusting for patient age, sex, body mass index, and graft choice, we observed that neither patella alta nor elevated TT-TG distance were associated with poorer PROs.

Conclusion:

Isolated MPFL reconstruction in the setting of moderately elevated TT-TG distance or patella alta was not associated with worse PROs in this cohort with relatively normal patellar tracking (no large J-sign).
Kashmir and Ontological Security: Re-evaluating the Role of Self-identities in a Multi- layered Conflict
Authors: Shivamurthy Aditya Gowdara
Published: June 2022

The majority of the literature on causes and sustenance of the Kashmir conflict has disregarded a vital factor—that the conflict is multi-layered, meaning it is both internal and external in nature. Contemporary conflicts are often explained by the dominating theories of international relations or the new wars theories that deal with internal conflicts. The dominating theories of international Relations, that is, realism and liberalism, assign significance to state-centrism and external threats by overshadowing internal and domestic causal factors of the conflict. On the other hand, prominent new wars theories such as the greed and grievance theories focus on domestic and internal factors of the conflict while shelving the external causal factors. On their own, both theories fail to explain multi-layered conflicts. This article intends to provide a synchronous explanation of the external and domestic causes of the multi-layered conflict in Kashmir by using the theory of ontological security, that is, security of self-identity.
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Context of Religious Conversion
Authors: Awad Milind E.
Published: June 2022

It is evidently seen that the history of religion has gone through various historical trajectories, such as conflicts and appropriation, spread and conversion, individual change and social transformation. In the recent history of conversion, Dr Ambedkar’s mass conversion to Buddhism is one of the important cultural phenomena in India. In this article, I intend to discuss the social–cultural context of Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s historical public conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism in 1956 at Nagpur, Maharashtra. Further, I argue that Dr Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism was an attempt of replacement of the ‘common sense’ of historically humiliated and stigmatized ‘untouchable’ castes. It was an attempt of the restructuring and culturalization of the untouchable castes through rejecting the ‘coercion’ and ‘consent’ of the hegemonic structure of caste Hindu cultural authority, which was functional as a culture authority and social power. I argue that Dr Ambedkar’s religious conversion was an attempt to establish the epistemological separation and formulation of social ontology through the cultural imagination of ‘ex-communicated’ castes with the refusal of the ideology of ‘pure and impure’.
Bankrolling biodiversity: The politics of philanthropic conservation finance in Chile
Authors: Beer Clare M.
Published: June 2022

The role of philanthropic capital in biodiversity conservation is rapidly changing. Philanthropists increasingly seek to bankroll solutions to the biodiversity crisis, scaling up the size of their ambitions and gifts to help close what scientists and policymakers call the “biodiversity financing gap.” This paper interrogates the rising prominence of philanthropic capital in conservation governance, focusing on a class of actors I call “philanthro-environmentalists.” Unlike big, international NGOs and philanthrocapitalists, philanthro-environmentalists do not engage market-based, for-profit approaches to finance conservation. Rather, they engage a “dollars for policy” approach that leverages the power of their philanthropy to improve public conservation outcomes. Taking Chile as a case, I trace how a transnational network of philanthro-environmentalists is using a novel mechanism known as Project Finance for Permanence to exact substantial political and fiscal commitments from the state in exchange for substantive philanthropic support for a mega conservation initiative in Chilean Patagonia. I argue that Project Finance for Permanence targets policymaking as the primary site of philanthropic intervention, affording philanthro-environmentalists greater control over state conservation governance. Yet, I also argue that this case raises serious questions about the limits and implications of leveraging philanthropic capital to solve public environmental problems. Bridging literatures on conservation governance and conservation finance, the paper contributes new conceptual insights into the evolving dynamics of philanthropy-state relations in an age of biodiversity crisis.
The new green apartheid? Race, capital and logics of enclosure in South Africa’s wildlife economy
Authors: Koot Stasja , Büscher Bram , Thakholi Lerato
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we explore relations between race, capital and wildlife conservation in the town of Hoedspruit and its surroundings, which has developed into one of the main centres of the lucrative and rapidly growing ‘wildlife economy’ in South Africa. Behind its image as a shining ‘green’ example of wildlife-based development is a highly unequal and racialised state of affairs that is deeply unsustainable. At the core of these dynamics are private wildlife reserves, high-end nature-based tourism and gated ‘wildlife estates’, which have further consolidated land into private, mostly white, ownership. In addition to contestations about the building of a shopping mall and land claims, Hoedspruit’s wildlife economy is dependent upon black labourers who commute daily from former homeland areas. Municipal efforts to mediate this situation by building affordable housing, have been thwarted by several wealthy inhabitants and property developers. We build on Mbembe’s ‘logic of enclosure’ to argue that the wildlife economy and its ‘green’ image perpetuate and reinvent older forms of colonial and apartheid geographies of segregation, in effect creating a form of ‘new green apartheid’. While physical-geographical enclosures are at the centre of the wildlife economy, we show that they are reinforced by class and racial enclosures and ideological enclosures, the latter consisting of both the belief in the market as a natural solution for social and environmental causes and apartheid as an historical era that has now ended. We conclude that Hoedspruit serves as an important example of the regressive and unsustainable forms of development that the wildlife economy in South Africa can create.
Characteristics of Cyber Sextortion in India: Content Analysis of Online Newspapers Published in 2019–2021
Authors: Mondal Himel , Sahoo Manas Ranjan , Mondal Shaikat
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Smartphones and Internet connection help people to stay connected to virtual social media where predators may disguise and obtain intimate text, audio, photographs, and video from the victim. These are then used to extort money, sexual act, or any other favors.

Aim:

We aimed to observe the characteristics of cyber sextortion in India in recent years (2019–2021).

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in February 2022. The cases of cyber sextortion reported in newspapers between 2019 and 2021 were considered for qualitative analysis. The cases were thematically analyzed by 2 authors individually and a consensus was reached for the finalization of the finding.

Results:

Social media and dating applications are used to lure the victims to exchange sexual text, intimate photo, or video. The contents are saved and used as a tool to extort money, sexual acts, or other favors. The males are commonly extorted for money but females are extorted for money and sexual acts. The victim may be called for a sexual act in a place and a group of extortionists may appear in the scene. Exchange of text messages or audio calls are also recorded for extortion. Personal intimate contents obtained from remote access of device or access through a third person or morphing videos are also used for sextortion.

Conclusion:

Social media engagement and a desire of exploring sexual relations with unknown persons expose the victims for sextortion. Storing and sharing intimate content should be avoided even when in trusted relations to minimize the risk.
Greater Perceptions of Economic Deprivation in Childhood Are Associated With More Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adulthood via Younger Age of Sexual Initiation
Authors: Hammett Julia F. , Davis Kelly Cue
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Sexual risk behaviors are a public health concern. Although sexual risk behaviors are overrepresented among economically disadvantaged individuals, the mechanisms underlying the link from economic deprivation to sexual risk behaviors are not well understood.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether one of the earliest indicators of sexual risk, age of sexual initiation, mediates the link between young men’s perceptions of economic deprivation while growing up and sexual risk behaviors in adulthood.

Method:

Six-hundred twenty-four men provided data on background variables and risk. Path analyses were conducted in Mplus Version 8.

Results:

Perceptions of economic deprivation while growing up were related to younger age of sexual initiation, which in turn was related to higher risk for sex earlier in a relationship, condomless sex, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, and condom use resistance.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight important avenues for sexual health and health equity promotion.
Hyb4mC: a hybrid DNA2vec-based model for DNA N4-methylcytosine sites prediction
Authors: Liang Ying , Wu Yanan , Zhang Zequn , Liu Niannian , Peng Jun , Tang Jianjun
Published: June 2022

Background

DNA N4-methylcytosine is part of the restrictive modification system, which works by regulating some biological processes, for example, the initiation of DNA replication, mismatch repair and inactivation of transposon. However, using experimental methods to detect 4mC sites is time-consuming and expensive. Besides, considering the huge differences in the number of 4mC samples among different species, it is challenging to achieve a robust multi-species 4mC site prediction performance. Hence, it is of great significance to develop effective computational tools to identify 4mC sites.

Results

This work proposes a flexible deep learning-based framework to predict 4mC sites, called Hyb4mC. Hyb4mC adopts the DNA2vec method for sequence embedding, which captures more efficient and comprehensive information compared with the sequence-based feature method. Then, two different subnets are used for further analysis: Hyb_Caps and Hyb_Conv. Hyb_Caps is composed of a capsule neural network and can generalize from fewer samples. Hyb_Conv combines the attention mechanism with a text convolutional neural network for further feature learning.

Conclusions

Extensive benchmark tests have shown that Hyb4mC can significantly enhance the performance of predicting 4mC sites compared with the recently proposed methods.
Multi-probe attention neural network for COVID-19 semantic indexing
Authors: Gu Jinghang , Xiang Rong , Wang Xing , Li Jing , Li Wenjie , Qian Longhua , Zhou Guodong , Huang Chu-Ren
Published: June 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has increasingly accelerated the publication pace of scientific literature. How to efficiently curate and index this large amount of biomedical literature under the current crisis is of great importance. Previous literature indexing is mainly performed by human experts using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, to alleviate the expensive time consumption and monetary cost, there is an urgent need for automatic semantic indexing technologies for the emerging COVID-19 domain.

Results

In this research, to investigate the semantic indexing problem for COVID-19, we first construct the new COVID-19 Semantic Indexing dataset, which consists of more than 80 thousand biomedical articles. We then propose a novel semantic indexing framework based on the multi-probe attention neural network (MPANN) to address the COVID-19 semantic indexing problem. Specifically, we employ a k-nearest neighbour based MeSH masking approach to generate candidate topic terms for each input article. We encode and feed the selected candidate terms as well as other contextual information as probes into the downstream attention-based neural network. Each semantic probe carries specific aspects of biomedical knowledge and provides informatively discriminative features for the input article. After extracting the semantic features at both term-level and document-level through the attention-based neural network, MPANN adopts a linear multi-view classifier to conduct the final topic prediction for COVID-19 semantic indexing.

Conclusion

The experimental results suggest that MPANN promises to represent the semantic features of biomedical texts and is effective in predicting semantic topics for COVID-19 related biomedical articles.
In silico characterization, molecular phylogeny, and expression profiling of genes encoding legume lectin-like proteins under various abiotic stresses in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Biswas Subhankar , Mondal Raju , Srivastava Akanksha , Trivedi Maitri , Singh Sunil Kumar , Mishra Yogesh
Published: June 2022

Background

Lectin receptor-like kinases (Lec-RLKs), a subfamily of RLKs, have been demonstrated to play an important role in signal transduction from cell wall to the plasma membrane during biotic stresses. Lec-RLKs include legume lectin-like proteins (LLPs), an important group of apoplastic proteins that are expressed in regenerating cell walls and play a role in immune-related responses. However, it is unclear whether LLPs have a function in abiotic stress mitigation and related signaling pathways. Therefore, in this study, we examined the possible role of LLPs in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtLLPs) under various abiotic stresses.

Results

The study was initiated by analyzing the chromosomal localization, gene structure, protein motif, peptide sequence, phylogeny, evolutionary divergence, and sub-cellular localization of AtLLPs. Furthermore, the expression profiling of these AtLLPs was performed using publicly accessible microarray datasets under various abiotic stresses, which indicated that all AtLLPs were differently expressed in both root and shoot tissues in response to abiotic stresses. The cis-regulatory elements (CREs) analysis in 500 bp promoter sequences of AtLLPs suggested the presence of multiple important CREs implicated for regulating abiotic stress responses, which was further supported by expressional correlation analysis between AtLLPs and their CREs cognate transcription factors (TFs). qRT-PCR analysis of these AtLLPs after 2, 6, and 12 h of cold, high light, oxidative (MV), UV-B, wound, and ozone stress revealed that all AtLLPs displayed differential expression patterns in most of the tested stresses, supporting their roles in abiotic stress response and signaling again. Out of these AtLLPs, AT1g53070 and AT5g03350 appeared to be important players. Furthermore, the mutant line of AT5g03350 exhibited higher levels of ROS than wild type plants till 12 h of exposure to high light, MV, UV-B, and wound, whereas its overexpression line exhibited comparatively lower levels of ROS, indicating a positive role of this gene in abiotic stress response in A. thaliana.

Conclusions

This study provides basic insights in the involvement of two important representative AtLLPs, AT1g53070 and AT5g03350, in abiotic stress response. However, further research is needed to determine the specific molecular mechanism of these AtLLPs in abiotic stress mitigation and related signaling pathways in A. thaliana.
Acute hepatitis B virus infection despite vaccination in a patient treated by infliximab: a case report
Authors: Besombes Juliette , Souala Faouzi , Bouguen Guillaume , Guyader Dominique , Grolhier Claire , Thibault Vincent , Pronier Charlotte
Published: June 2022

Background

Despite an effective vaccine, hepatitis B remains a major global health problem due to its significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccination in immunosuppressed patients such as those treated for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be less effective. This case describes an uncommon original diagnosis of an acute hepatitis B infection occurring in a vaccinated but immunocompromised IBD patient under long-term infliximab treatment. A low anti-HBs titer and the presence of HBsAg escape mutations are possible hypotheses to explain this unexpected infection.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old Caucasian male, regularly followed-up for a Crohn’s disease treated by infliximab, was regularly screened for sexually transmissible infections because of at-risk behaviors. Despite a correct immunization scheme against hepatitis B virus (HBV), an active HBV infection was diagnosed during one of those screenings. Retrospective testing of a sample collected 6 months earlier was in favor of an evolution from an acute hepatitis B toward a chronic hepatitis B. The patient has always had a low anti-HBs antibody levels (near the threshold of 10 IU/L) possibly explaining his infection. In addition, HBV sequencing revealed a genotype A2 HBV strain, carrying the sD144A substitution on the S protein, known as a potential immune escape variant. Dual therapy combining tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine, active against HBV but also efficient as an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, was initiated. Ten months after treatment initiation, all surrogate biochemical and virological endpoints for HBV functional cure were achieved. Treatment and periodical monitoring are being maintained.

Conclusion

Emphasis should be placed on HBV screening, vaccination and regular monitoring of patients under long-term immunosuppressive therapy, particularly those with at-risk behaviors.
Survival-related indicators ALOX12B and SPRR1A are associated with DNA damage repair and tumor microenvironment status in HPV 16-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Li Jing , Tang Ling-Long , Ma Jun
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To investigate prognostic-related gene signature based on DNA damage repair and tumor microenvironment statue in human papillomavirus 16 negative (HPV16-) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

For the RNA-sequence matrix in HPV16- HNSCC in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, the DNA damage response (DDR) and tumor microenvironment (TM) status of each patient sample was estimated by using the ssGSEA algorithm. Through bioinformatics analysis in DDR_high/TM_high (n = 311) and DDR_high/TM_low (n = 53) groups, a survival-related gene signature was selected in the TCGA cohort. Two independent external validation cohorts (GSE65858 (n = 210) and GSE41613 (n = 97)) with HPV16- HNSCC patients validated the gene signature. Correlations among the clinical-related hub differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and infiltrated immunocytes were explored with the TIMER2.0 server. Drug screening based on hub DEGs was performed using the CellMiner and GSCALite databases. The loss-of-function studies were used to evaluate the effect of screened survival-related gene on the motility of HPV- HNSCC cells in vitro.

Results

A high DDR level (P = 0.025) and low TM score (P = 0.012) were independent risk factors for HPV16- HNSCC. Downregulated expression of ALOX12B or SPRR1A was associated with poor survival rate and advanced cancer stages. The pathway enrichment analysis showed the DDR_high/TM_low samples were enriched in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-lacto and neolacto series, glutathione metabolism, platinum drug resistance, and ferroptosis pathways, while the DDR_high/TM_low samples were enriched in Th17 cell differentiation, Neutrophil extracellular trap formation, PD − L1 expression and PD − 1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. Notably, the expression of ALOX12B and SPRR1A were negatively correlated with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) infiltration and CAFs downstream effectors. Sensitivity to specific chemotherapy regimens can be derived from gene expressions. In addition, ALOX12B and SPRR1A expression was associated with the mRNA expression of insulin like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1) in HPV negative HNSCC. Down-regulation of ALOX12B promoted HPV- HNSCC cells migration and invasion in vitro.

Conclusions

ALOX12B and SPRR1A served as a gene signature for overall survival in HPV16- HNSCC patients, and correlated with the amount of infiltrated CAFs. The specific drug pattern was determined by the gene signature.