bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Typology of Epistemologies for Democratising Knowledge and Policy Benefits for All Mainstreamed by Doctoral-Study
Authors: Taysum Alison , Hysa Ferit
Published: March 2023

Ursula von der Leyen identifies diverse classrooms have different knowledges and ‘epistemologies’. A typology of epistemologies for democratising knowledge ‘A Blueprint for Character Development for Evolution’ (ABCDE) is offered to mainstream policy benefits for all by Higher Education as hubs i) credentialing educational leaders by doctoral-study and ii) propelling networks of Professional Educators and Administrators Committees for Empowerment (PEACE) across professions credentialed by Higher Education and chaired by educational leaders. PEACE builds robust evidence bases to inform redesigning curriculums and culturally responsive pedagogies as policy benefits that empower students to use ABCDE with Assessment for Personal and Social Learning (APSL) to problem solve across the quadruple-helix. Education Outcomes include students’ self-management of personal and social understanding and wellbeing for resilience within sustainable circular, entrepreneurial, green and digitised economies with products and means of production regulated by professions credentialed by Higher Education. Impacts include communities developing responsible historical social consciousness to reinvigorate democratic governance, accountability, transparency, effectiveness and trustworthiness of rule-of-law based institutions and policies to expand active and inclusive citizenship empowered by safeguarding human rights. Further research, building on the powerful European Commission funded platform ‘DocEnhance’ is recommended to inform effective and efficient investment into high quality education and training.
Development and Validation of a Concept Inventory for Interpreting Kinematics Graphs in the Tanzanian Context
Authors: Mbwile Beni , Ntivuguruzwa Celestin , Mashood K. K.
Published: March 2023

This paper discusses the development and validation of a concept inventory for interpreting kinematics graphs in the Tanzanian context. The study involved 61 participants comprising physics pre-service teachers, secondary school teachers, diploma college tutors, and a university lecturer from Tanzania. We developed 25 multiple-choice questions for interpreting kinematics graphs. The different steps in the development process used are selecting the topic, setting objectives, constructing questions, validating questions, and reliability testing. We carried out descriptive and inferential statistical analysis by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 followed by item analysis for pre-and post-piloting. Findings revealed normal distribution scores with a mean and standard deviation of 39.28±10.893 for pre-piloting and 40.16±8.08 for post-piloting. It also revealed no significant difference between pre-and post-piloting results with a p-value of 0.414.  In addition, correlation coefficients for test re-test reliability were .783 and .878 for single and average measures respectively. Moreover, item analysis in terms of difficulty index, discrimination index, and distractor efficiency agreed with the published standards. Based on these findings, the study recommends the use of developed and validated kinematics graphs concept inventory by physics educators in both research and classroom instructions in the Tanzanian context.
MUKADDİMETÜ'L-EDEB'İN YOZGAT NÜSHASINDA KUŞ ADLARI
Authors: CİHAN Serkan
Published: March 2023

Mukaddimetü'l-Edeb, Harezm döneminde yazılmış en kapsamlı sözlük konumundadır. Eser, dönemin hükümdarı Harezmşah Atsız bin Muhammed bin Anuştigin'in isteği üzerine, Zemahşerî tarafından 12. yüzyılda kaleme alınmıştır ancak eserin orijinal nüshası henüz bulunamamıştır. Eser, Arapça pratik bir sözlük niteliğindedir. Çalışmaya konu olan Yozgat nüshası, isimler, fiiller ve harfler olmak üzere üç bölümden oluşmaktadır.

Yozgat nüshasının söz varlığı oldukça dikkat çekicidir. Nüsha; zaman kavramları, gökyüzü, yeryüzü, madenler, yollar ve yolculuklar, su ve suda yaşayan varlıklar, bitkiler, çiçekler, meslekler, soyut kavramlar, dinî terimler, yemekler, giyim kuşam, renkler, sayılar, akrabalık terimleri, mutfak araç gereçleri, hayvanlar, savaş aletleri gibi çok farklı alanlarda kelimeleri barındırır. Bu çalışmanın konusu, eserde geçen kuş adlarıdır. Orta Asya kültüründe kuşların önemli bir yeri vardır. Kuşlar, o dönemde yaşayan insanların kültürel ve sosyal hayatını yansıtmaları bakımından önemlidir. Bu nedenle kuş adları, birçok sosyal bilimci için çalışma konusu olmuştur. Söz konusu nüsha incelendiğinde hayvan adları içerisinde kuş adları, diğer nüshalar ve dönemin diğer eserleriyle kıyaslandığında oldukça fazladır. Yozgat nüshasında geçen 164 hayvan adının 49'unu kuş adları oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmada eserin Yozgat nüshasındaki kuş adları tespit edilecek ve incelenecektir.
Adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy of in vivo human retinal pigment epithelium: erratum
Authors: Tang Janet A. H. , Granger Charles E. , Kunala Karteek , Parkins Keith , Huynh Khang T. , Bowles-Johnson Kristen , Yang Qiang , Hunter Jennifer J.
Published: March 2023

This erratum corrects an error in Table 4 of our paper [Biomed. Opt. Express 13, 1737 (2022)10.1364/BOE.451628].
Charting a course to efficient difference frequency generation in molecular-engineered liquid-core fiber
Authors: Keyser Christian K. , Raab Micah E. , Hemmer Patrick , Lopez-Zelaya Cesar , Courtney Trevor L. , Timler John
Published: March 2023

Although χ(2) nonlinear optical processes, such as difference frequency generation (DFG), are often used in conjunction with fiber lasers for wavelength conversion and photon-pair generation, the monolithic fiber architecture is broken by the use of bulk crystals to access χ(2). We propose a novel solution by employing quasi-phase matching (QPM) in molecular-engineered hydrogen-free, polar-liquid core fiber (LCF). Hydrogen-free molecules offer attractive transmission in certain NIR-MIR regions and polar molecules tend to align with an externally applied electrostatic field creating a macroscopic χ
e
f
f
(2). To further increase χ
e
f
f
(2) we investigate charge transfer (CT) molecules in solution. Using numerical modeling we investigate two bromotrichloromethane based mixtures and show that the LCF has reasonably high NIR-MIR transmission and large QPM DFG electrode period. The inclusion of CT molecules has the potential to yield χ
e
f
f
(2) at least as large as has been measured in silica fiber core. Numerical modeling for the degenerate DFG case indicates that signal amplification and generation through QPM DFG can achieve nearly 90% efficiency.
Study of monolithically integrated 940 nm AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflectors on graded GaAsP/bulk Si substrates
Authors: Guo Jia , Zhao Yunlong , Feifel Markus , Cheng Hao-Tien , Yang Yun-Cheng , Chrostowski Lukas , Lackner David , Wu Chao-hsin , Xia Guangrui (Maggie)
Published: March 2023

We report the fabrication of monolithically integrated 940 nm AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) on graded GaAsP/Si substrates. Low-density surface bumps and cross-hatch patterns were observed on the DBR surfaces. Cross-sectional DBR layers are smooth and flat. The reflectance spectra of the GaAsP/Si DBRs have lower intensities than those of the GaAs DBRs and have double peaks. Transfer matrix method calculations, surface scratch and polishing tests were conducted, which suggest that the surface cross-hatch was the cause of the inferior DBR reflectance spectra.
Modelling Brillouin activated microcombs in multi-layered silicon nitride waveguides
Authors: Klaver Yvan , Ye Kaixuan , Botter Roel , Marpaung David
Published: March 2023

We investigate a numerical model to simulate the optical frequency comb generation in Kerr and Brillouin active resonators with gain parameters in the same order of magnitude. We show that either a backward or forward comb can be generated directly on a Brillouin laser or a cascaded Brillouin lasing mode respectively for a multi-layered silicon nitride waveguide structure.
Co-infection of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in ticks in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Liu Dan , Wulantuya  , Fan Hongxia , Li Xiaona , Li Fangchao , Gao Ting , Yin Xuhong , Zhang Zitong , Cao Minzhi , Kawabata Hiroki , Sato Kozue , Ohashi Norio , Ando Shuji , Gaowa
Published: March 2023

Tick-borne infectious diseases pose a serious health threat in certain regions of the world. Emerging infectious diseases caused by novel tick-borne pathogens have been reported that are causing particular concern. Several tick-borne diseases often coexist in the same foci, and a single vector tick can transmit two or more pathogens at the same time, which greatly increases the probability of co-infection in host animals and humans and can lead to an epidemic of tick-borne disease. The lack of epidemiological data and information on the specific clinical symptoms related to co-infection with tick-borne pathogens means that it is not currently possible to accurately and rapidly distinguish between a single pathogen infection and co-infection with multiple pathogens, which can have serious consequences. Inner Mongolia in the north of China is endemic for tick-borne infectious diseases, especially in the eastern forest region. Previous studies have found that more than 10% of co-infections were in host-seeking ticks. However, the lack of data on the specific types of co-infection with pathogens makes clinical treatment difficult. In our study, we present data on the co-infection types and the differences in co-infection among different ecological regions through genetic analysis of tick samples collected throughout Inner Mongolia. Our findings may aid clinicians in the diagnosis of concomitant tick-borne infectious diseases.
An analysis of crude oil prices in the last decade (2011-2020): With deep learning approach
Authors: Sen Abhibasu , Dutta Choudhury Karabi , Kumar Datta Tapan
Published: March 2023

Crude Oil is one of the most important commodities in this world. We have studied the effects of Crude Oil inventories on crude oil prices over the last ten years (2011 to 2020). We tried to figure out how the Crude Oil price variance responds to inventory announcements. We then introduced several other financial instruments to study the relation of these instruments with Crude Oil variation. To undertake this task, we took the help of several mathematical tools including machine learning tools such as Long Short Term Memory(LSTM) methods, etc. The previous researches in this area primarily focussed on statistical methods such as GARCH (1,1) etc. (Bu (2014)). Various researches on the price of crude oil have been undertaken with the help of LSTM. But the variation of crude oil price has not yet been studied. In this research, we studied the variance of crude oil prices with the help of LSTM. This research will be beneficial for the options traders who would like to get benefit from the variance of the underlying instrument.
An interdisciplinary approach to Iron Age Mediterranean chronology through combined archaeological and 14C-radiometric evidence from Sidon, Lebanon
Authors: Doumet-Serhal Claude , Gimatzidis Stefanos , Weninger Bernhard , von Rüden Constance , Kopetzky Karin
Published: March 2023

The construction of the Iron Age Mediterranean chronology began in the Levant based on historical evidence and has been additionally supported in recent decades by means of radiocarbon analysis, although with variable precision and ratification. It is only in recent years that new evidence in the Aegean and the western Mediterranean has opened discussion towards its further acceptance as an authoritative i.e. highly reliable, and widely applicable historiographic network. Altogether, the Mediterranean Iron Age chronology has only undergone minor changes during the last hundred years. The Phoenician metropolis of Sidon in southern Lebanon now provides a new, large and robust dataset obtained through a combination of archaeological and14C-radiometric analysis of materials from stratified contexts that allow their statistical assessment. The appearance of substantial amounts of pottery of Greek, Cypriot and Egyptian origin together with Phoenician local wares in a long stratigraphy is a benefit for the synchronisation of regional pottery styles and allows wider geographic correlation of relative chronological systems. The close association of the archaeological data with a long series of AMS-14C-dates on short-lived samples provides new evidence for the absolute dating of many of the regional pottery styles that are represented in the stratigraphy of Sidon, and contributes towards a considerable improvement of the Mediterranean chronology.
Therapeutic potential of vitamin D against bisphenol A-induced spleen injury in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Al-Griw Mohamed A. , Balog Hanan N. , Shaibi Taher , Elmoaket Mohamed Fouzi , AbuGamja Iman Said Ali , AlBadawi Ahlam Bashir , Shamlan Ghalia , Alfarga Ammar , Eskandrani Areej A. , Alnajeebi Afnan M. , Babteen Nouf A. , Alansari Wafa S. , Alghazeer Rabia
Published: March 2023

Bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous plasticizer, is capable of producing oxidative splenic injury, and ultimately led to spleen pathology. Further, a link between VitD levels and oxidative stress was reported. Hence the role of VitD in BPA-induced oxidative splenic injury was investigated in this study. Sixty male and female Swiss albino mice (3.5 weeks old) were randomly divided into control and treated groups 12 mice in each (six males and six females). The control groups were further divided into sham (no treatment) and vehicle (sterile corn oil), whereas the treatment group was divided into VitD (2,195 IU/kg), BPA (50 μg/kg), and BPA+VitD (50 μg/kg + 2,195 IU/kg) groups. For six weeks, the animals were dosed intraperitoneally (i.p). One week later, at 10.5 weeks old, mice were sacrificed for biochemical and histological analyses. Findings showed BPA triggered neurobehavioral abnormalities and spleen injury with increased apoptotic indices (e.g. DNA fragmentation) in both sexes. A significant increase was found in lipid peroxidation marker, MDA in splenic tissue, and leukocytosis. Conversely, VitD treatment altered this scenario into motor performance preservation, reducing oxidative splenic injury with a decrease in the percent apoptotic index. This protection was significantly correlated with preserving leukocyte counts and reduced MDA levels in both genders. It can be concluded from the above findings that VitD treatment has an ameliorative effect on oxidative splenic injury induced by BPA, highlighting the continuous crosstalk between oxidative stress and the VitD signaling pathway.
Factors associated with common mental disorders among breastfeeding mothers in tertiary hospital nurseries in Nigeria
Authors: Alao Michael Abel , Ibrahim Olayinka Rasheed , Iloh Kenechukwu Kosisochukwu , Ayuk Adaeze C. , Diala Udochukwu Michael , Briggs Datonye Christopher , Imam Zainab Oluwatosin , Yekini Sakiru Abiodun , Sotimehin Sikirat Adetoun , Musa Aishatu Zaidu , Famutimi Esther Oluwatoyin , Idris Adedeji Abiodun , Odimegwu Chioma Laura , Imam Zainab Kikelomo , Medupin Patricia F. , Adeyemi Ayomide Toluwanimi , Nnamani Kenechi Ogbodo , Tongo Olukemi Oluwatoyin
Published: March 2023

Background

Several studies have shown that the impact of maternal mental health disorders on newborns’ well-being in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are underreported, multi-dimensional and varies over time and differs from what is reported in high-income countries. We present the prevalence and risk factors associated with common mental disorders (CMDs) among breastfeeding mothers whose infants were admitted to Nigerian tertiary care facilities.

Methods

This was a national cross-sectional study involving mothers of hospitalised babies from eleven Nigerian tertiary hospitals. We used the WHO self-reporting Questionnaire 20 and an adapted WHO/UNICEF ten-step breastfeeding support package to assess mothers’ mental health and breastfeeding support.

Results

Only 895 of the 1,120 mothers recruited from eleven tertiary healthcare nurseries in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria had complete datasets for analysis. The participants’ mean age was 29.9 ± 6.2 years. One in four had CMDs; 24.0% (95% CI: 21.235, 26.937%). The ages of mothers, parity, gestational age at delivery, and length of hospital stay were comparable between mothers with and those without CMDs. Antenatal care at primary healthcare facilities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR:13], primary education [aOR:3.255] living in the south-southern region of the country [aOR 2.207], poor breastfeeding support [aOR:1.467], polygamous family settings [aOR:2.182], and a previous history of mental health disorders [aOR:4.684] were significantly associated with CMDs. In contrast, those from the middle and lower socioeconomic classes were less likely to develop CMDs, with [aOR:0.532] and [aOR:0.493], respectively.

Conclusion

In Nigeria, the prevalence of CMDs is relatively high among breastfeeding mothers with infants admitted to a tertiary care facility. Prior history of mental illness, polygamous households, mothers living in the southern region and low or no educational attainment have a greater risk of developing CMDs. This study provides evidence for assessing and tailoring interventions to CMDs among breastfeeding mothers in neonatal nurseries in LMIC.
Wayfinding and path integration deficits detected using a virtual reality mobile app in patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Seton Caroline , Coutrot Antoine , Hornberger Michael , Spiers Hugo J. , Knight Rebecca , Whyatt Caroline
Published: March 2023

The ability to navigate is supported by a wide network of brain areas which are particularly vulnerable to disruption brain injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). Wayfinding and the ability to orient back to the direction you have recently come (path integration) may likely be impacted in daily life but have so far not been tested with patients with TBI. Here, we assessed spatial navigation in thirty–eight participants, fifteen of whom had a history of TBI, and twenty–three control participants. Self-estimated spatial navigation ability was assessed using the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction (SBSOD) scale. No significant difference between TBI patients and a control group was identified. Rather, results indicated that both participant groups demonstrated ‘good’ self–inferred spatial navigational ability on the SBSOD scale. Objective navigation ability was tested via the virtual mobile app test Sea Hero Quest (SHQ), which has been shown to predict real–world navigation difficulties and assesses (a) wayfinding across several environments and (b) path integration. Compared to a sub-sample of 13 control participants, a matched subsample of 10 TBI patients demonstrated generally poorer performance on all wayfinding environments tested. Further analysis revealed that TBI participants consistently spent a shorter duration viewing a map prior to navigating to goals. Patients showed mixed performance on the path integration task, with poor performance evident when proximal cues were absent. Our results provide preliminary evidence that TBI impacts both wayfinding and, to some extent, path integration. The findings suggest long–lasting clinical difficulties experienced in TBI patients affect both wayfinding and to some degree path integration ability.
Interprofessional sense-making in the emergency department: A SenseMaker study
Authors: Cunningham Charmaine , Vosloo Marietjie , Wallis Lee A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Emergency Departments serve as a main entry point for patients into hospitals, and the team, the core of which is formed by doctors and nurses needs to make sense of and respond to the constant flux of information. This requires sense-making, communication, and collaborative operational decision-making. The study’s main aim was to explore how collective, interprofessional sense-making occurs in the emergency department. Collective sense-making is deemed a precursor for adaptive capability, which, in turn, promotes coping in a dynamically changing environment.

Method

Doctors and nurses working in five large state emergency departments in Cape Town, South Africa, were invited to participate. Using the SenseMaker® tool, a total of 84 stories were captured over eight weeks between June and August 2018. Doctors and nurses were equally represented. Once participants shared their stories, they self-analysed these stories within a specially designed framework. The stories and self-codified data were analysed separately. Each self-codified data point was plotted in R-studio and inspected for patterns, after which the patterns were further explored. The stories were analysed using content analysis. The SenseMaker® software allows switching between quantitative (signifier) and qualitative (descriptive story) data during interpretation, enabling more deeply nuanced analyses.

Results

The results focused on four aspects of sense-making, namely views on the availability of information, the consequences of decisions (actions), assumptions regarding appropriate action, and preferred communication methods. There was a noticeable difference in what doctors and nurses felt would constitute appropriate action. The nurses were more likely to act according to rules and policies, whereas the doctors were more likely to act according to the situation. More than half of the doctors indicated that they found it best to communicate informally, whereas the nurses indicated that formal communication worked best for them.

Conclusion

This study was the first to explore the ED’s interprofessional team’s adaptive capability to respond to situations from a sense-making perspective. We found an operational disconnect between doctors and nurses caused by asymmetric information, disjointed decision-making approaches, differences in habitual communication styles, and a lack of shared feedback loops. By cultivating their varied sense-making experiences into one integrated operational foundation with stronger feedback loops, interprofessional teams’ adaptive capability and operational effectiveness in Cape Town EDs can be improved.
Elevated levels of several chemokines in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage are associated with worse clinical outcome
Authors: Vlachogiannis Pavlos , Hillered Lars , Enblad Per , Ronne-Engström Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Background

Chemokines are small cytokines that exert chemotactic actions on immune cells and are involved in many inflammatory processes. The present study aims to provide insight in the role of this relatively unexplored family of proteins in the inflammatory pathophysiology of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Materials and methods

Cerebrospinal fluid of 29 patients (17 female; mean age 57 years) was collected at days 1, 4 and 10 after SAH, centrifuged and frozen at -70°C. Analysis of 92 inflammation-related proteins was performed using Target 96 Inflammation ® assay (Olink Proteomics, Uppsala, Sweden) based on Proximity Extension Assay technology. The panel included 20 chemokines (CCL2 (or MCP-1), CCL3, CCL4, CCL7 (or MCP-3), CCL8 (or MCP-2), CCL11 (or Eotaxin), CCL13 (or MCP-4), CCL19, CCL20, CCL23, CCL25, CCL28, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL8 (or IL-8), CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11 and CX3CL1 (or Fractalkine)) that were analyzed for their temporal patterns of expression and compared in dichotomized clinical groups based on World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) admission score and amount of blood on admission CT based on Fisher scale; presence of delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI)/delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND); and clinical outcome based on Glasgow Outcome Scale. Protein expression levels were provided in output unit Normalized Protein Expression (NPX). ANOVA models were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Four temporal patterns of expression were observed (i.e., early, middle, late peak and no peak). Significantly higher day 10 mean NPX values were observed in patients with poor outcome (GOS 1–3) for chemokines CCL2, CCL4, CCL7, CCL11, CCL13, CCL19, CCL20, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL6 and CXCL8. In the WFNS 4–5 group, CCL11 showed significantly higher day 4 and day 10 mean NPX values and CCL25 significantly higher day 4 values. In patients with SAH Fisher 4, CCL11 showed significantly higher mean NPX values on days 1, 4 and 10. Finally, patients with DCI/DIND had significantly higher day 4 mean NPX values of CXCL5.

Conclusion

Higher levels of multiple chemokines at the late stage of SAH seemed to correlate with worse clinical outcome. A few chemokines correlated with WFNS score, Fisher score and occurrence of DCI/DIND. Chemokines may be useful as biomarkers for describing the pathophysiology and prognosis of SAH. Further studies are needed to better understand their exact mechanism of action in the inflammatory cascade.
Adding pattern and process to eco-evo theory and applications
Authors: White Jennifer M. , Schumaker Nathan H. , Chock Rachel Y. , Watkins Sydney M.
Published: March 2023

Eco-evolutionary dynamics result when interacting biological forces simultaneously produce demographic and genetic population responses. Eco-evolutionary simulators traditionally manage complexity by minimizing the influence of spatial pattern on process. However, such simplifications can limit their utility in real-world applications. We present a novel simulation modeling approach for investigating eco-evolutionary dynamics, centered on the driving role of landscape pattern. Our spatially-explicit, individual-based mechanistic simulation approach overcomes existing methodological challenges, generates new insights, and paves the way for future investigations in four focal disciplines: Landscape Genetics, Population Genetics, Conservation Biology, and Evolutionary Ecology. We developed a simple individual-based model to illustrate how spatial structure drives eco-evo dynamics. By making minor changes to our landscape’s structure, we simulated continuous, isolated, and semi-connected landscapes, and simultaneously tested several classical assumptions of the focal disciplines. Our results exhibit expected patterns of isolation, drift, and extinction. By imposing landscape change on otherwise functionally-static eco-evolutionary models, we altered key emergent properties such as gene-flow and adaptive selection. We observed demo-genetic responses to these landscape manipulations, including changes in population size, probability of extinction, and allele frequencies. Our model also demonstrated how demo-genetic traits, including generation time and migration rate, can arise from a mechanistic model, rather than being specified a priori. We identify simplifying assumptions common to four focal disciplines, and illustrate how new insights might be developed in eco-evolutionary theory and applications by better linking biological processes to landscape patterns that we know influence them, but that have understandably been left out of many past modeling studies.
Hypothalamic TrkB.FL overexpression improves metabolic outcomes in the BTBR mouse model of autism
Authors: Anderson Jacqueline M. , Boardman Amber A. , Bates Rhiannon , Zou Xunchang , Huang Wei , Cao Lei
Published: March 2023

BTBRT+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are used as a model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), displaying similar behavioral and physiological deficits observed in patients with ASD. Our recent study found that implementation of an enriched environment (EE) in BTBR mice improved metabolic and behavioral outcomes. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) and its receptor tropomyosin kinase receptor B (Ntrk2) were upregulated in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala by implementing EE in BTBR mice, suggesting that BDNF-TrkB signaling plays a role in the EE-BTBR phenotype. Here, we used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to overexpress the TrkB full-length (TrkB.FL) BDNF receptor in the BTBR mouse hypothalamus in order to assess whether hypothalamic BDNF-TrkB signaling is responsible for the improved metabolic and behavioral phenotypes associated with EE. Normal chow diet (NCD)-fed and high fat diet (HFD)-fed BTBR mice were randomized to receive either bilateral injections of AAV-TrkB.FL or AAV-YFP as control, and were subjected to metabolic and behavioral assessments up to 24 weeks post-injection. Both NCD and HFD TrkB.FL overexpressing mice displayed improved metabolic outcomes, characterized as reduced percent weight gain and increased energy expenditure. NCD TrkB.FL mice showed improved glycemic control, reduced adiposity, and increased lean mass. In NCD mice, TrkB.FL overexpression altered the ratio of TrkB.FL/TrkB.T1 protein expression and increased phosphorylation of PLCγ in the hypothalamus. TrkB.FL overexpression also upregulated expression of hypothalamic genes involved in energy regulation and altered expression of genes involved in thermogenesis, lipolysis, and energy expenditure in white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. In HFD mice, TrkB.FL overexpression increased phosphorylation of PLCγ. TrkB.FL overexpression in the hypothalamus did not improve behavioral deficits in either NCD or HFD mice. Together, these results suggest that enhancing hypothalamic TrkB.FL signaling improves metabolic health in BTBR mice.
Implementation of unassisted and community-based HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) during the COVID-19 pandemic among Men-who-have-sex-with-Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (TGW): A demonstration study in Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Rosadiño John Danvic T. , Pagtakhan Ronivin G. , Briñes Matthew T. , Dinglasan Jeanno Lorenz G. , Cruz Denis P. , Corciega John Oliver L. , Pagtakhan Aeronne B. , Regencia Zypher Jude G. , Baja Emmanuel S.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of an unassisted and community-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution model and to evaluate its acceptability among men-having-sex-with-men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW).

Methods

Our demonstration study focused on implementing the HIVST distribution model in Metro Manila, Philippines. Convenience sampling was done with the following inclusion criteria: MSM or TGW, at least 18 years old, and had no previous HIV diagnosis. Individuals taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, on antiretroviral therapy, or female sex at birth were excluded. The implementation of the study was done online using a virtual assistant and a delivery system via courier due to COVID-19-related lockdowns. Feasibility was measured by the number of HIVST kits successfully delivered and utilized and the HIV point prevalence. Moreover, acceptability was evaluated by a 10-item system usability scale (SUS). HIV prevalence was estimated with linkage to care prioritized for reactive participants.

Results

Out of 1,690 kits distributed, only 953 (56.4%) participants reported their results. Overall, HIV point prevalence was 9.8%, with 56 (60.2%) reactive participants linked to further testing. Furthermore, 261 (27.4%) of respondents self-reported, and 35 (13.4%) of the reactive participants were first-time testers. The HIVST service had an overall median and interquartile range (IQR) SUS score of 82.5 (IQR: 75.0, 90.0), rendering the HIVST kits very acceptable.

Conclusions

Our study suggests the acceptability and feasibility of HIVST among the MSM and TGW in Metro Manila, Philippines, regardless of their age or HIV testing experience. In addition, other platforms of information dissemination and service delivery of HIVST should be explored, including access to online instructional videos and printed materials, which may facilitate easier use and interpretation of results. Furthermore, due to our study’s limited number of TGW respondents, a more targeted implementation strategy to reach the TGW population is warranted to increase their access and uptake of HIVST.
Assessment of 2021/22 influenza epidemic scenarios in Italy during SARS-CoV-2 outbreak
Authors: Chironna Maria , Dipierro Giovanni , Franzini Jean Marie , Icardi Giancarlo , Loconsole Daniela , Pariani Elena , Pastore Stefano , Volpe Marco
Published: March 2023

Global mitigation strategies to tackle the threat posed by SARS-CoV-2 have produced a significant decrease of the severity of 2020/21 seasonal influenza, which might result in a reduced population natural immunity for the upcoming 2021/22 influenza season. To predict the spread of influenza virus in Italy and the impact of prevention and control measures, we present an age-structured Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed (SEIR) model including the role of social mixing patterns and the impact of age-stratified vaccination strategies and Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) such as school closures, partial lockdown, as well as the adoption of personal protective equipment and the practice of hand hygiene. We find that vaccination campaigns with standard coverage would produce a remarkable mitigation of the spread of the disease in moderate influenza seasons, making the adoption of NPIs unnecessary. However, in case of severe seasonal epidemics, a standard vaccination coverage would not be sufficiently effective in fighting the epidemic, thus implying that a combination with the adoption of NPIs is necessary to contain the disease. Alternatively, our results show that the enhancement of the vaccination coverage would reduce the need to adopt NPIs, thus limiting the economic and social impacts that NPIs might produce. Our results highlight the need to respond to the influenza epidemic by strengthening the vaccination coverage.
Learning from health system actor and caregiver experiences in Ghana and Nepal to strengthen growth monitoring and promotion
Authors: Singh Akriti , Torres Kelsey A. , Maharjan Nashna , Shrestha Jyoti , Agbozo Faith , Abubakari Abdulai , Abdul-Rahman Lutuf , Mukuria-Ashe Altrena
Published: March 2023

Background

Globally, growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) of infants and young children is a fundamental component of routine preventive child health care; however, programs have experienced varying degrees of quality and success with enduring challenges. The objective of this study was to describe implementation of GMP (growth monitoring, growth promotion, data use, and implementation challenges) in two countries, Ghana and Nepal, to identify key actions to strengthen GMP programs.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured key informant interviews with national and sub-national government officials (n = 24), health workers and volunteers (n = 40), and caregivers (n = 34). We conducted direct structured observations at health facilities (n = 10) and outreach clinics (n = 10) to complement information from interviews. We coded and analyzed interview notes for themes related to GMP implementation.

Results

Health workers in Ghana (e.g., community health nurses) and Nepal (e.g., auxiliary nurse midwives) had the knowledge and skills to assess and analyze growth based on weight measurement. However, health workers in Ghana centered growth promotion on the growth trend (weight-for-age over time), whereas health workers in Nepal based growth promotion on measurement from one point in time to determine whether a child was underweight. Overlapping challenges included health worker time and workload. Both countries tracked growth-monitoring data systematically; however, there was variation in growth monitoring data use.

Conclusion

This study shows that GMP programs may not always focus on the growth trend for early detection of growth faltering and preventive actions. Several factors contribute to this deviation from the intended goal of GMP. To overcome them, countries need to invest in both service delivery (e.g., decision-making algorithm) and demand generation efforts (e.g., integrate with responsive care and early learning).
Correlations between parameters of glycaemic variability and foetal growth, neonatal hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinemia in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Blasi Immacolata , Daolio Jessica , Pugni Valeria , Comitini Giuseppina , Morciano Marcello , Grassi Giorgio , Todros Tullia , Gargano Giancarlo , Aguzzoli Lorenzo
Published: March 2023

The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is important to prevent maternal and neonatal complications. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of parameters of glycaemic variability to predict neonatal complications in women with GDM. A retrospective study was conducted on pregnant women tested positive at the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during 16–18 or 24–28 weeks of gestation. Glycaemic measures were extracted from patients’ glucometers and expanded to obtain parameters of glycaemic variability. Data on pregnancy outcomes were obtained from clinical folders. Descriptive group-level analysis was used to assess trends in glycaemic measures and foetal outcomes. Twelve patients were included and analysed, accounting for 111 weeks of observations. The analysis of trends in parameters of glycaemic variability showed spikes of glycaemic mean, high blood glucose index and J-index at 30–31 weeks of gestation for cases with foetal macrosomia, defined as foetal growth >90° percentile, neonatal hypoglycaemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Specific trends in parameters of glycaemic variability observed at third trimester correlate with foetal outcomes. Further research is awaited to provide evidence that monitoring of glycaemic variability trends could be more clinically informative and useful than standard glycaemic checks to manage women with GDM at delivery.
Számítás automatizálása Shapiro-Wilk próbához Royston algoritmusa szerint Excel számolótáblával
Authors: Fabulya Zoltán
Published: March 2023

A tanulmány célja az automatizált szoftvertesztelés elméleti és gyakorlati hatékonyságának vizsgálata. Ehhez felmérjük, milyen szempontok szerint érdemes automatizált tesztelői szoftvert választani, valamint rávilágítunk, milyen esetekben hatékonyabb az automatizált tesztelés a manuális teszteléssel szemben. Előbb elméleti síkon vetjük össze a két tesztelési módszertant, majd egy valós üzleti esettanulmányon keresztül mutatjuk be a tesztelői szoftver kiválasztását és végzünk el egy gyakorlati összehasonlító elemzést. Öt automata tesztrendszer összehasonlítása alapján kiderül, hogy az alapvető technológiai és gazdasági követelményeken felül a rugalmasság és a megbízhatóság is kiemelkedő szempont a kiválasztási folyamatban. A tanulmányból kiderül az is, hogy az automatizálás csak ismétlődő tesztelések esetén lehet hatékony. Egy legalább tíz ügyféllel rendelkező szoftvergyártónak azonban megéri az automatizált tesztelés irányába mozdulni.
Traditional Knowledge of Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Delgado Cesar , Mejía Kember , Rasmussen Claus , Romero Rosa
Published: March 2023

This paper describes the traditional knowledge on the management of stingless bee colonies and the use of honey by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of the department of Loreto, in the Peruvian Amazon. Semi-structured interviews and collection of voucher bees were carried out from June to August 2016 and from November to December 2017. The informants were selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling (snowball sampling). During the study, 21 communities were visited, of which some of the community members in thirteen communities kept stingless bees. A total of 17 species of stingless bees are reported as used in the communities for either rearing or harvesting of honey from the forest with Melipona eburnea being the most common species. The way communities classify, manage, and use bees depends on how they perceive these insects, informed by knowledge processed and incorporated from other communities. In these communities, they use honey and pollen, with honey being the main product. Fourteen health conditions are treated with honey, with the most treated conditions being related to respiratory ailments, fertility, and reproduction. The study provides a basis for incorporating stingless bees into conservation and sustainable production policies.
Ultrasonographic and Functional Features of Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease
Authors: Maconi Giovanni , Dell'Era Alessandra , Flor Nicola , De Silvestri Annalisa , Lavazza Alessandra , Ardizzone Sandro , Bassotti Gabrio
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCTION:

To evaluate the ability of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in discriminating symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) among patients with abdominal symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODS:

This observational, prospective study included consecutive patients classified into the following categories: (i) SUDD; (ii) IBS; (iii) unclassifiable abdominal symptoms; and (iv) controls, including asymptomatic healthy subjects and diverticulosis. The IUS evaluation of the sigmoid: assessed the presence of diverticula, thickness of the muscularis propria, and IUS-evoked pain, namely the intensity of pain evoked by compression with the ultrasound probe on sigmoid colon compared with an area of the left lower abdominal quadrant without underlying sigmoid colon.

RESULTS:

We enrolled 40 patients with SUDD, 20 patients with IBS, 28 patients with unclassifiable abdominal symptoms, 10 healthy controls, and 20 patients with diverticulosis. Patients with SUDD displayed significantly (P < 0.001) greater muscle thickness (2.25 ± 0.73 mm) compared with patients with IBS (1.66 ± 0.32 mm), patients with unclassifiable abdominal pain, and healthy subjects, but comparable with that of patients with diverticulosis (2.35 ± 0.71 mm). Patients with SUDD showed a greater (not significant) differential pain score than other patients. There was a significant correlation between the thickness of the muscularis propria and the differential pain score only for patients with SUDD (r = 0.460; P: 0.01). Sigmoid diverticula were detected by colonoscopy in 40 patients (42.4%) and by IUS with a sensitivity of 96.0% and a specificity of 98.5%.

DISCUSSION:

IUS could represent a useful diagnostic tool for SUDD, potentially useful in characterizing the disease and appropriately address the therapeutic approach.
Depression and associated psychosocial factors following a legal abortion in Mexico
Authors:   Department of Epidemiologic and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, Ramos-Lira Luciana , Flores Celis Karla ,   Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, Moreno López Midiam ,   Department of Epidemiologic and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, Saltijeral María Teresa ,   Department of Epidemiologic and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico, Wagner Fernando ,   School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Scientific evidence from the United States and European countries shows that women who have had an induced abortion are not more likely to become depressed and several factors may confound this outcome. In contrast, in the case of Latin America, there are practically no studies in this regard due to restrictive legislation prevailing in the region. This paper aims to determine the prevalence of a probable major depressive episode (PMDE) in women who have legally terminated a pregnancy by way of public service in Mexico City and whether there are any psychosocial factors reported by the international literature associated with this outcome. Method: In a cross-sectional study, 274 women aged 15 years or older were interviewed two weeks after undergoing a medical abortion between November 2018 and November 2019. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale 35-item version (CESD-R35) was used to measure the PMDE in a structured interview. Results: The prevalence of a PMDE was 15.8%. Multivariate logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis. Perceived abortion stigma (OR = 6.74, 95% CI = 3.29-13.82), child sexual abuse (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.01-4.93), and previous childless pregnancies (OR = 6.07, 95% CI = 1.52-24.21) were associated with PMDE. Conclusions: The prevalence of PMDE is similar to or lower than that reported in studies with women who continued a pregnancy; post-abortion counseling and clinical considerations should include the impact that stigma and gender-based violence have on women’s mental health.
Recommendations for the measurement of sexual steroids in clinical practice. A position statement of SEQCML/SEEN/SEEP
Authors: Casals Gregori , Costa Roser Ferrer , Rull Eulàlia Urgell , Escobar-Morreale Héctor F. , Argente Jesús , Sesmilo Gemma , Biagetti Betina
Published: March 2023

The proper clinical approach to a wide range of disorders relies on the availability of accurate, reproducible laboratory results for sexual steroids measured using methods with a high specificity and sensitivity. The chemiluminescent immunoassays currently available have analytical limitations with significant clinical implications. This position statement reviews the current limitations of laboratory techniques for the measurement of estradiol and testosterone and their impact on diverse clinical scenarios. A set of recommendations are provided to incorporate steroid hormone analysis by mass spectrometry in national health systems. International societies have recommended this methodology for a decade.
Sweden’s online nation branding in times of refugee movement: A multimodal analysis of “Portraits of migration”
Authors: Rucka Weronika , De Cock Rozane
Published: March 2023

Textual and visual analyses of nation-branding campaigns are rare but highly needed (Bolin and Ståhlberg, 2010; Hao, Paul, Trott, Guo, and Wu, 2019) as online media have become a popular tool for states to shape people’s perception (Volcic and Andrejevic, 2011). In Anholt’s much applied nation brand hexagon (2007), immigration and investment, society, governance, and culture and heritage are, along with tourism and export, the core aspects that build a country’s reputation. As the 2015 refugee peak situation resulted in a more restrictive approach of the Swedish government towards asylum applicants, the country’s brand was put under pressure. How could Sweden’s values related to openness be highlighted while policymakers chose a deterrent road? In this study, we bridge streams of research on nation branding, framing, and migration studies by presenting a multimodal analysis of the “Portraits of migration” campaign as a strategic response to the refugee situation.
‘Citizen Science’ aus editionswissenschaftlicher Perspektive – Voraussetzungen, Chancen und Risiken
Authors: Heinrich Tobias , Strobel Jochen
Published: March 2023

Citizen science, understood as research that includes both specialists and interested laypeople in its work, has, in recent years, become a key concept in debates about the future of scholarly practice. The essay attempts to transfer this approach to the requirements and processes of scholarly editing, especially under the heading of professionalism. It not only analyses the strategies of projects that have succeeded in editing larger amounts of text using crowdsourcing methods, but also explores where the involvement of volunteers or the outsourcing of editorial activities reaches its limit.
Forschungsdaten und Edition: Herausforderungen und Chancen
Authors: Kamzelak Roland S.
Published: March 2023

Research data (RD) is the new catchword for humanist research with digital means. Defining, what exactly is meant by RD, is still on the task list. Especially in scholarly editions thought has to be put into the boon and bane of the new notion if the field wants to progress, as it has always done, with new media possibilities.