bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crisis Narratives and the African Paradox: African Informal Economies, COVID‐19 and the Decolonization of Social Policy
Authors: Meagher Kate
Published: December 2022

This article challenges the role of COVID‐19 crisis narratives in shaping social policy choices in Africa. The COVID‐19 pandemic has focused attention on Africa's vast informal economies, both as a symbol of the continent's intense vulnerability to the ravages of the pandemic, and as a puzzle in the face of the uneven and limited effects of COVID‐19 across the continent. Indeed, an examination of statistical and documentary evidence reveals an inverse relationship between COVID‐19 fatalities and the size of African informal economies, and a perverse relationship between best‐practice COVID social protection responses and levels of COVID‐19 mortality. Scrutinizing the evidence behind African COVID‐19 crisis narratives raises questions about the ability of donor‐led digitized social protection paradigms to address social needs in highly informalized, low‐resource environments. This article highlights the role of crisis narratives as an exercise of power geared to remastering, homogenizing and reimagining African informal economies in ways that facilitate particular types of development intervention, sidelining alternative, more socially grounded policy perspectives. Through a closer examination of historical and contemporary realities in Africa's vast and varied informal economies, the article highlights the need to decolonize social policy by privileging local needs and policy perspectives over global policy agendas in the interest of transformative rather than palliative policy responses.
Evaluating whole‐brain tissue‐property changes in MRI‐negative pharmacoresistant focal epilepsies using MR fingerprinting
Authors: Su Ting‐Yu , Tang Yingying , Choi Joon Yul , Hu Siyuan , Sakaie Ken , Murakami Hiroatsu , Jones Stephen , Blümcke Ingmar , Najm Imad , Ma Dan , Wang Zhong Irene
Published: December 2022

Objective

We aim to quantify whole‐brain tissue‐property changes in patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–negative pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy by three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF).

Methods

We included 30 patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy and negative MRI by official radiology report, as well as 40 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls (HCs). MRF scans were obtained with 1 mm3isotropic resolution. Quantitative T1 and T2 relaxometry maps were reconstructed from MRF and registered to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space. A two‐samplettest was performed in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain (FMRIB) Software Library (FSL) to evaluate significant abnormalities in patients comparing to HCs, with correction by the threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE) method. Subgroups analyses were performed for extra‐temporal epilepsy/temporal epilepsy (ETLE/TLE), and for those with/without subtle abnormalities detected by morphometric analysis program (MAP), to investigate each subgroup's pattern of MRF changes. Correlation analyses were performed between the mean MRF values in each significant cluster and seizure‐related clinical variables.

Results

Compared to HCs, patients exhibited significant group‐level T1 increase ipsilateral to the epileptic origin, in the mesial temporal gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM), temporal pole GM, orbitofrontal GM, hippocampus, and amygdala, with scattered clusters in the neocortical temporal and insular GM. No significant T2 changes were detected. The ETLE subgroup showed a T1‐increase pattern similar to the overall cohort, with additional involvement of the ipsilateral anterior cingulate GM. The subgroup of MAP+ patients also showed a T1‐increase pattern similar to the overall cohort, with additional cluster in the ipsilateral lateral orbitofrontal GM. Higher T1 was associated with younger seizure‐onset age, longer epilepsy duration, and higher seizure frequency.

Significance

MRF revealed group‐level T1 increase in limbic/paralimbic structures ipsilateral to the epileptic origin, in patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy and no apparent lesions on MRI, suggesting that these regions may be commonly affected by seizures in the epileptic brain. The significant association between T1 increase and higher seizure burden may reflect progressive tissue damage.
Do governmental policy interventions help urban economic recovery? Experimental evidence from China's provinces governance amid the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Jiang Dequan , Li Weiping , Yu Junli , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2022

By examining China's province‐level data, this paper uses governmental intervention theory to investigate the extent to which governmental policy interventions alleviate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on local economic growth. Results suggest that stronger government intervention during COVID‐19 pandemic boost the economic recovery, and the effectiveness of governmental policy interventions is contingent on pandemic severity and local economic endowment. Specifically, facilitating effect of government intervention on economic growth is effective in all provinces, and the impact of government intervention is more pronounced in the province with more diagnosed cases, a high level of marketization and fiscal income.
The effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on health outcomes of patients undergoing haemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chen Hui‐Chen , Zhu Lixia , Chan Wai‐Chi Sally , Cheng Kin Fong Karis , Vathsala A. , He Hong‐Gu
Published: December 2022

Aim

The aim of this work is to examine the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention on self‐efficacy (primary outcome), anxiety, depression, treatment adherence, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Methods

A two‐group randomized controlled trial of 124 patients (65 and 59 patients in the intervention and control groups, respectively) recruited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore was conducted. Data were collected from January 2015 to June 2016. Outcomes were measured at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. General linear model was used to analyse data.

Results

Our findings showed significant group effect on HRQoL (effects of kidney disease on daily life; p = 0.041), time effect on all outcomes (p < 0.05; except for treatment adherence behaviours and HRQoL [burden of kidney disease]), and group * time interaction effect on anxiety (p = 0.040) and depression (p = 0.003), with the intervention group reporting better outcomes.

Conclusions

The positive effects of our intervention on patients' self‐efficacy, psychological well‐being, treatment adherence attitudes, and HRQoL implied its potential use in dialysis/renal centres to improve patients' self‐care and health outcomes.
Periodontitis‐induced oral microbiome alterations provide clues on how periodontitis exacerbates colitis
Authors: Wang Xiaoxue , Luo Yilin , Huang Yanlan , Jin Zhiheng , Li Zhichao , Chen Junyu , Hu Fei , Zhang Xueyang , Rausch‐fan Xiaohui
Published: December 2022

Aim

To evaluate whether and how microbiota‐derived metabolites associated with periodontitis aggravate colitis in mice.

Materials and Methods

A mouse model of periodontitis and colitis was constructed. Unbiased transcriptomic analyses of the colon were performed to explore important pathways through which periodontitis exacerbated colitis. Oral and gut bacteria were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used to observe the alterations of oral and gut metabolites. Isolated intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. Inflammasome pathway was detected using qRT‐PCR, Western blotting or ELISA.

Results

Periodontitis activated the colonic inflammasome pathway and altered the gut microbial composition and metabolite profiles in mice with colitis. Notably, periodontitis induced increase of the faecal metabolite isoleucine (Ile) which was synthesized by microbiota and plants. Moreover, periodontitis upregulated the Ile levels in saliva, but not in serum, indicating that Ile might be an oral pathobiont‐synthesizing metabolite that transited from the oral cavity to the gut. Ile triggered the inflammasome pathway, upregulated the number of inflammatory IL‐1βhighMHCIIhighLy6Chigh monocytes in colonic lamina propria, and exacerbated colitis. Further studies found that the Ile metabolite acetyl‐coenzyme A positively regulated NLRP3 inflammasome by KAT5‐mediated acetylation of NLRP3.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that alteration in periodontitis‐induced microbial metabolites deteriorated colitis in a mouse model and that this was associated with Ile production.
Associations between emotion recognition and autistic and callous‐unemotional traits: differential effects of cueing to the eyes
Authors: Carter Leno Virginia , Pickard Hannah , Cybulska Liliana , Smith Tim , Munafo Marcus , Penton‐Voak Ian , Simonoff Emily , Pickles Andrew , Bedford Rachael
Published: December 2022

Background

Although autism and callous‐unemotional (CU) traits are distinct conditions, both are associated with difficulties in emotion recognition. However, it is unknown whether the emotion recognition difficulties characteristic of autism and CU traits are driven by comparable underpinning mechanisms.

Methods

We tested whether cueing to the eyes improved emotion recognition in relation to autistic and CU traits in a heterogeneous sample of children enhanced for social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Participants were 171 (n = 75 male) children aged 10–16 years with and without a diagnosis of autism (n = 99 autistic), who completed assessments of emotion recognition with and without cueing to the eyes. Parents completed the assessment of autistic and CU traits.

Results

Associations between autistic and CU traits and emotion recognition accuracy were dependent upon gaze cueing. CU traits were associated with an overall decrease in emotion recognition in the uncued condition, but better fear recognition when cued to the eyes. Conversely, autistic traits were associated with decreased emotion recognition in the cued condition only, and no interactions between autistic traits and emotion were found.

Conclusions

The differential effect of cueing to the eyes in autistic and CU traits suggests different mechanisms underpin emotion recognition abilities. Results suggest interventions designed to promote looking to the eyes may be beneficial for children with CU traits, but not for children with autistic characteristics. Future developmental studies of autism and CU characteristics are required to better understand how different pathways lead to overlapping socio‐cognitive profiles.
Executive compensation and corporate risk management
Authors: Yun Jiyeon , Carson James M. , Eckles David L.
Published: December 2022

We provide the first evidence on the effects of executive compensation on corporate risk management for insurers. Our unique data set allows the construction of a new, more complete measure of corporate risk management behavior. Specifically, we include hedging‐driven usage of not only derivatives but also insurance. To address potential endogeneity, we utilize a difference‐in‐differences approach, based on the implementation of FAS 123R that required firms to expense stock‐based compensation at fair value. We find that the decline in the convexity of executive compensation following FAS 123R led firms to significantly increase corporate risk management, primarily through increased demand for insurance.
The legal construction of geographical indications in Africa
Authors: Adebola Titilayo
Published: December 2022

This paper discusses how African organisations and countries construct their geographical indication (GI) systems. It makes three primary arguments. First, that the nascent GI agenda in Africa is driven by the European Union (EU) to principally promote European interests. Nonetheless, African countries can benefit from GI regimes by crafting laws that promote African interests. Second, that simply embracing the introduction of GI laws will not result in the EU's promised socioeconomic development in Africa. This is because multifarious factors including infrastructure, investment, branding, marketing and security are required to realise successful GI regimes. Third, that African countries must leverage contextually customised GI regimes to maximise the potentials they present. Contextually customised GI regimes can engender socioeconomic development. Beyond the EU's agenda‐setting technologies, international affiliations and treaty boundaries shape GI laws in Africa, which inform the marked variation in its GI systems. This variation reflects the dissonance in international treaties for GIs. While African countries align with demandeurs that espouse stronger GIs laws at the international level, the only regional instrument on GIs in Africa is its Continental Strategy for GIs. In examining examples from the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, this timely paper maintains that although GIs present promises of socioeconomic development, policymakers, lawmakers and relevant African stakeholders must caution against their often‐overlooked pitfalls. As ultimately, it is the responsibility of Africans, not foreigners, to guarantee the generation of thriving GI ecosystems for African products.
Modeling adaptive platoon and reservation‐based intersection control for connected and autonomous vehicles employing deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Li Duowei , Wu Jianping , Zhu Feng , Chen Tianyi , Wong Yiik Diew
Published: December 2022

As a cutting‐edge strategy to reduce travel delay and fuel consumption, platooning of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) at signal‐free intersections has become increasingly popular in academia. However, when determining optimal platoon size, few studies have attempted to comprehensively consider the relations between the size of a CAV platoon and traffic conditions around an intersection. To this end, this study develops an adaptive platoon‐based autonomous intersection control model, named INTEL‐PLT, which adopts deep reinforcement learning technique to realize the optimization of multiple dynamic objectives (e.g., efficiency, fairness, and energy saving). The framework of INTEL‐PLT has a two‐level structure: The first level employs a reservation‐based policy integrated with a nonconflicting lane selection mechanism to determine the lanes’ releasing priorities; and the second level uses a deep Q‐network algorithm to identify the optimal platoon size based on real‐time traffic conditions (e.g., traffic density, vehicle movement, etc.) of an intersection. The model is validated and examined on the simulator Simulation of Urban Mobility. It is found that the proposed model exhibits superior performances on both travel efficiency and fuel conservation as compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods in three typical traffic conditions. Moreover, several in‐depth insights learned from the simulations are provided in this paper, which could better explain the relation between platoon size and traffic condition.
Winds of change: How street‐level bureaucrats actively represent minority clients by influencing majority clients—The context of LGB Israeli teachers
Authors: Davidovitz Maayan
Published: December 2022

The literature dealing with representative bureaucracy emphasizes the role that minority street‐level bureaucrats may play when, directly and indirectly, they actively represent clients with whom they share a common identity. My study goes further, contributing to the implementation literature, by examining why and how these street‐level bureaucrats use their discretion to shape non‐minority clients' attitudes toward minorities. I explore this phenomenon empirically through interviews with 36 Israeli lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) teachers. I analyze the traditional methods they routinely adopt, such as exposing students to information about minorities, encouraging open discussions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) issues in the classroom, and entrepreneurially developing and introducing innovative learning programs. I illustrate how they respond to ad hoc cases (e.g., protecting LGBTQ+ clients or taking advantage of outside events to promote understanding of relevant issues) and the approach of leading by example.
Food allergen introduction patterns in the first year of life: A US nationwide survey
Authors: Venter Carina , Warren Christopher , Samady Waheeda , Nimmagadda Sai R , Vincent Eileen , Zaslavsky Justin , Bilaver Lucy , Gupta Ruchi
Published: December 2022

Background

Prevention guidelines have changed over the past decade and now recommend the earlier introduction of peanut and egg without delaying the introduction of other food allergens. This paper explored caregiver practices regarding the introduction of food allergens during infancy.

Methods

A survey was administered (2021) to a US population‐based sample of 3062 caregivers (children 7 months – 3.5 years). Demographics and feeding practices were collected. Weighted frequencies and proportions were calculated using the svyr package in R 4.1. Survey‐weighted chi‐square statistics and covariate‐adjusted, survey‐weighted logistic regression models were used for statistical inference.

Results

Cow's milk, wheat, and soy were the top three allergens introduced. Peanut and egg were introduced by 17.2% and 15.5% of caregivers before 7 months and 58.8% and 66.4% before 1 year, respectively. The age of peanut and egg introduction differed significantly by race/ethnicity (p < .001) and caregiver age (p < .001). Peanut and egg introduction before 7 months was significantly associated with the increased introduction of other allergenic foods before 1 year (p = <.001; peanut and p = < .001; egg). Caregivers who introduced peanut and egg before 7 months infant age fed an additional mean of 5.4 and 4.5 food allergens, respectively, before 1 year. Few caregivers (0.9%) reported feeding an “early food allergen introduction product” ≥ 3 times, which was significantly associated with parental food allergy (OR = 2.2) and previously seen an allergist (OR = 6.7).

Conclusion

More than half of the caregivers are not introducing peanut by age of one year and one‐third are not introducing egg, though an observed shift toward earlier peanut and egg introduction was seen in the past 5 years. Peanut and egg introduction seem to co‐occur and are associated with increased intake of other food allergens.
Estimating the link between trade uncertainty, pandemic uncertainty and food price stability in Togo: New evidence for an asymmetric analysis
Authors: Sodji Kuamvi
Published: December 2022

Globally, the outbreak of COVID‐19 and the associated containment measures adopted by governments are causing disruptions that sow uncertainty in several sectors of the economy. In this study, we explore the asymmetric impact of pandemic uncertainty and global trade policy on food prices in Togo. The study uses a nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) framework and causality tests for the period 2000 M1–2021 M5. The results show that the different types of uncertainty affect food price stability in the short and long run, but the shock is more pronounced in the case of pandemic uncertainty, as they are sudden and disrupt food price stability. The main findings remain significant when we use various alternative methods and estimation techniques. However, our results suggest that the Togolese food market is facing pandemic uncertainty and trade policy, which should lead policymakers and stakeholders to take corrective measures to control losses.
Viability of circle and sphere theorems in potential theory and hydrodynamics via Maxwell's conjecture
Authors: Alexander Jordan M. , Palaniappan D.
Published: December 2022

InA Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, Maxwell determines the angles of intersection for which one may use Kelvin's inversion method to obtain the perturbed electric potential upon placing intersecting spherical conductors into a region with a known potential. There are numerous modern applications utilizing this geometric construction in potential theory and hydrodynamics, and generalized circle and sphere theorems play a foundational role in this area of mathematical physics. In his work, Maxwell gives an intuitive argument for obtaining the perturbed potential based on intersecting planar conductors and a spherical inversion, and in this paper we extend his ideas to a full proof using rotational transformations and reflections. In the process, we disprove results in [Proc Lond Math Soc., 1966:3(16)] and [Stud Appl Math., 2001:106(4);Z. Angew. Math. Mech., 2001:81(8)] on boundary value problems in hydrodynamics involving intersecting circles and spheres, and we detail the angles of intersection for which these theorems are viable. Moreover, our proof recovers a special case overlooked by Maxwell for which Kelvin's inversion method may be utilized to obtain full solutions.
The role of honour in interpersonal, intrapersonal and intergroup processes
Authors: Uskul Ayse K. , Cross Susan E. , Günsoy Ceren
Published: December 2022

In this article, we review research in psychology and other related social science fields that has adopted an honor framework to examine intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup processes taking a culture‐comparative or individual differences approach. In the sections below, we will first review research on the role of honor in interpersonal processes focusing primarily on interpersonal aggression including in close relationships, non‐aggressive ways of responding to threats (e.g., forgiveness), and reciprocity. Next, we move onto reviewing research on the role of honor in intrapersonal processes, specifically in the domains of emotional responses to honor‐threatening situations, mental, and physical health. Finally, we review research emerging from social and political psychology and political science that have utilized the honor framework to understand and explain group processes and intergroup relations at different level of analyses (e.g., social groups, nations). Given the limited space, our goal was to emphasize major and emerging areas of research on honor and provide food for thought for future research.
The enactment of public participation in rulemaking: A comparative analysis
Authors: De Francesco Fabrizio , Tosun Jale
Published: December 2022

This study analyzes the enactment of public participation in rulemaking within the European Union and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development countries. It relies on an original dataset of administrative procedural acts and administrative laws concerning the making of delegated legislation. As 12 out of 39 countries enacted a procedure of notification, publication, and consultation between 1995 and 2015, the study focuses on courts while controlling for other domestic institutional determinants of legislative adoption and countries’ interdependence. The empirical findings show that countries with a highly independent judiciary system are less likely to enact a comprehensive provision for public participation in rulemaking. This finding highlights a paradox, namely that political systems are more likely to adopt rulemaking to enhance democratic legitimacy if they are characterized by a judicial system that does not actively pursue the legality of rulemaking.
Clinical effectiveness and safety of intraarticular administration of a117mTin radiocolloid (Synovetin OATM) for treatment of early and intermediate grade osteoarthritis of the elbow in a dose finding study conducted in 44 dogs
Authors: Lattimer Jimmy , Fabiani Michelle , Gaschen Lori , Aulakh Karanvir , Selting Kimberly
Published: December 2022

Osteoarthritis of the elbow joint secondary to elbow dysplasia is common in dogs. Intraarticular radionuclide injection is thought to suppress both synovitis and inflammatory pain mediators in the joint which are not directly addressed by current treatments. This dose‐finding investigation was a longitudinal, prospective, experimental parallel group, post‐test study with repeated measures. Forty‐four dogs, with low to intermediate‐grade osteoarthritis, received a single injection into their most clinically affected elbow joint and were randomized into three treatment cohorts; 37 MBq, 64.75 MBq, or 92.5 MBq (normalized to the body surface area of a 22 kg dog) of117mSn radiocolloid. Dogs were assessed monthly by owners, using the canine Brief Pain Inventory (cBPI), and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months intervals by investigators. Positive responses to treatment were observed by both owners and clinicians in all dose groups with the medium dose group having the highest and most durable response rate based on cBPI scores. The results of this study support the use of117mSn radiocolloid as a primary treatment of osteoarthritis in low to intermediate‐grade osteoarthritis of the canine elbow.
Cut-and-pasting ligands: The structure/function relationships of a thermally robust Mo(VI) precursor
Authors: Land Michael A. , Dimova Dexter A. , Robertson Katherine N. , Barry Seán T.
Published: December 2022

The bis(tert-butylimido)-molybdenum(VI) framework has previously been used for the successful atomic layer deposition (ALD) and chemical vapor deposition of many molybdenum-containing thin films. Here, we have prepared and fully characterized a new thermally robust bis(tert-butylimido)molybdenum(VI) complex, bis(tert-butylimido)-bis(N-2-(tert-butyliminomethyl)pyrrolato)-molybdenum(VI), (tBuN)2Mo(PyrIm)2 (1), that incorporates two N,N’-κ2-monoanionic ligands. The volatility and thermal stability of 1 were measured using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, where it was found to achieve a vapor pressure of 1 Torr at 212 °C and had an onset of thermal decomposition at 273 °C. A comparison of its thermal properties with those of the known ALD precursor (tBuN)2Mo(dpamd)2 (dpamd = N,N’-diisopropyl-acetamidinato) showed that 1 had similar volatility but a 78 °C improvement in thermal stability. Preliminary deposition experiments indicated that 1 should be a good ALD precursor; it exhibited self-limiting adsorption and did not decompose on the surface until at least 500 °C, features that will enable its use in the development of new high-temperature ALD processes.
Emergence and Potential Extinction of Genetic Lineages of Human Metapneumovirus between 2005 and 2021
Authors: Groen Kevin , van Nieuwkoop Stefan , Meijer Adam , van der Veer Bas , van Kampen Jeroen J. A. , Fraaij Pieter L. , Fouchier Ron A. M. , van den Hoogen Bernadette G.
Published: December 2022

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is one of the major causative agents of human respiratory tract infections. Monitoring of virus evolution could aid toward the development of new antiviral treatments or vaccine designs.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa FpvB Is a High-Affinity Transporter for Xenosiderophores Ferrichrome and Ferrioxamine B
Authors: Chan Derek C. K. , Burrows Lori L.
Published: December 2022

Gram-negative bacteria express a variety of outer membrane transporters to import critical nutrients such as iron. Due to its insolubility, iron is taken up while bound to small-molecule chelators called siderophores.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
takes up its own siderophores pyoverdine and pyochelin but can also steal siderophores produced by other bacteria and fungi, giving it a competitive advantage in iron-limited environments.
Antituberculosis Macozinone Extended-Release Tablets To Enhance Bioavailability: a Pilot Pharmacokinetic Study in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Koryakova Angela , Shcherbakova Victoria , Riabova Olga , Kazaishvili Yurii , Bolgarin Roman , Makarov Vadim
Published: December 2022

Macozinone (MCZ) is the newest first-in-class clinical-stage benzothiazinone-based drug candidate for the treatment of tuberculosis. Yet, the extremely low oral bioavailability of MCZ, a major problem in clinical trials, needed to be addressed, and we are pleased to present our attempts to solve this issue.
Respiratory Quinone Switches from Menaquinone to Polyketide Quinone during the Development Cycle inStreptomycessp. Strain MNU77
Authors: Mehdiratta Kritee , Nain Sonam , Sharma Meenakshi , Singh Shubham , Srivastava Sonali , Dhamale Bhushan Dilip , Mohanty Debasisa , Kamat Siddhesh S. , Natarajan Vivek T. , Sharma Rakesh , Gokhale Rajesh S.
Published: December 2022

The complex developmental life cycle ofStreptomycessp. mandates efficient cellular respiratory reconfiguration for a smooth transition from aerated nutrient-rich vegetative hyphal growth to the hypoxic-dormant sporulation stage. Polyketide quinones (PkQs) have recently been identified as a class of alternate electron carriers from a related member of theActinobacteria,Mycobacteria, that facilitates maintenance of membrane potential in oxygen-deficient niches.
Validation of a Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Lower Respiratory Pathogen Detection
Authors: Diao Zhenli , Lai Huiying , Han Dongsheng , Yang Bin , Zhang Rui , Li Jinming
Published: December 2022

To our knowledge, this study is the first to comprehensively validate the mNGS assay for the diagnosis of LRIs from BALF. This study exhibited a ready-made example for clinical laboratories to prepare reference materials and develop comprehensive validation schemes for their in-house mNGS assays, which would accelerate the standardization of mNGS testing.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: an uncommon primary presenting feature of fibromuscular dysplasia
Authors: Pelan David Gerard
Published: December 2022

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare but increasingly recognised cause of acute coronary syndrome particularly in young women, accounting for up to 25% of acute coronary syndrome cases in women under 50. It is, however, an uncommon primary presenting pathology of underlying fibromuscular dysplasia. We present the case of a woman in her 40s, with no significant medical history, presenting with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction, identified as spontaneous coronary artery dissection on invasive coronary angiogram with an underlying aetiology, and subsequent diagnosis, of fibromuscular dysplasia being established on MR angiography.
Vaccine equity in COVID-19: a meta-narrative review
Authors: Borowicz Julia , Zhang Zheting , Day Giskin , Pinto da Costa Mariana
Published: December 2022

The topic of inequitable vaccine distribution has been widely discussed by academics, journalists and policy-makers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research into perceptions of vaccine equity has been particularly neglected, resulting in a lack of universal understanding of vaccine equity. To address this, we conducted a meta-narrative review on COVID-19 vaccine equity according to the Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) publication standard. The review included articles published between January 2020 and September 2021. It aims to (1) identify research traditions that have considered this topic and investigate how it has been conceptualised; (2) explore any potential differences in understandings of the concept of vaccine equity adopted by distinct research groups; and (3) investigate the angles from which authors based their recommendations on how vaccine equity can be achieved. Five meta-narratives from the literature across various research traditions are identified, contextualised and discussed: frameworks and mechanisms for vaccine allocation, global health law, vaccine nationalism, ethics and morality, and reparative justice. Our findings indicate the need for a comparative review of existing global COVID-19 allocation frameworks, with a focus on explicating understandings of vaccine equity. COVID-19 will not be the last health crisis the world confronts. Heterogeneity in the academic literature is part of the way concepts are debated and legitimised, but in the interests of global public health policy-making, it is desirable to reach a consensus on what constitutes progress on equitable development, production, distribution and research.
Effects of an integrated mobile health lifestyle intervention among overweight and obese women planning for pregnancy in Singapore: protocol for the single-arm healthy early life moments in Singapore (HELMS) study
Authors: Chan Jerry Kok Yen , Ku Chee Wai , Loy See Ling , Godfrey Keith M , Fan Yiping , Chua Mei Chien , Yap Fabian
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Changes in social and lifestyle factors have led to increasing rates of metabolic and mental health problems. We hypothesise that a transformation of the current maternal and child health system is required to deliver interventions that effectively promote a good start to life in populations at risk of metabolic and mental health problems. We describe a single-arm implementation study ‘Healthy Early Life Moments in Singapore’, which aims to examine whether an integrated lifestyle intervention initiated at preconception and continuing throughout pregnancy and postpartum periods can improve the metabolic and mental health of overweight and obese women, and improve early child growth.

Methods and analysis

This single-centre implementation trial is conducted at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore. The trial aims to recruit 500 women, aged 21–40 years with a body mass index of 25–40 kg/m2who plan to get pregnant, with interventions delivered before conception, until 18 months postdelivery. Primary outcomes comprise pregnancy rate, maternal metabolic and mental health status. Secondary outcomes include maternal reproductive health, pregnancy outcomes and offspring growth. The intervention will be delivered using a mobile health application, to provide anticipatory guidance, raise awareness and guide goal-setting on lifestyle behaviours that include diet, physical activity, mental wellness and sleep hygiene from preconception to postpartum. Women who conceive within 1 year of recruitment will be followed through pregnancy and studied with their infants at six-time points during the first 18 months of life. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and multiple biosamples will be collected at each visit.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Centralised Institutional Review Board of SingHealth (2021/2247). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to national and international policy makers.

Trial registration number

NCT05207059.
Closed-loop oxygen control for patients with hypoxaemia during hospitalisation: a living systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Mol Caroline Gomes , Vieira Aléxia Gabriela da Silva , Garcia Bianca Maria Schneider Pereira , Pereira Emanuel dos Santos , Eid Raquel Afonso Caserta , Pinto Ana Carolina Pereira Nunes , Nawa Ricardo Kenji
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Oxygen is the most common drug used in critical care patients to correct episodes of hypoxaemia. The adoption of new technologies in clinical practice, such as closed-loop systems for an automatic oxygen titration, may improve outcomes and reduce the healthcare professionals’ workload at the bedside; however, certainty of the evidence regarding the safety and benefits still remains low. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness, efficacy and safety of the closed-loop oxygen control for patients with hypoxaemia during the hospitalisation period by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods and analysis

MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL and LOVE evidence databases will be searched. Randomised controlled trials and cross-over studies investigating the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome) framework will be included. The primary outcomes will be the time in the peripheral oxygen saturation target. Secondary outcomes will include time for oxygen weaning time; length of stay; costs; adverse events; mortality; healthcare professionals’ workload, and percentage of time with hypoxia and hyperoxia. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data and perform quality assessment of included studies. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess risk of bias. The RevMan V.5.4 software will be used for statistical analysis. Heterogeneity will be analysed using I2statistics. Mean difference or standardised mean difference with 95% CI and p value will be used to calculate treatment effect for outcome variables.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because this systematic review and meta-analysis is based on previously published data. Final results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences and events.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022306033.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on expectant and new parents’ experience of pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, parental responsiveness and sensitivity, and bonding and attunement in high-income countries: a systematic review of the evidence
Authors: Adesanya Adenike Motunrayo , Barrett Simon , Moffat Malcolm , Aquino Maria Raisa Jessica , Nicholson Wendy , Turner Gillian , Cook Emma , Tyndall Sarah , Rankin Judith
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To review the evidence on how pregnancy, birth experience, breast feeding, parental responsiveness and sensitivity, and bonding and attunement were impacted by COVID-19.

Methods

We searched eight literature databases and websites of relevant UK-based organisations. The review focused on evidence during pregnancy and the early years (0–5 years). Studies of any study design published in English from 1 March 2020 to 15 March 2021 and conducted in high-income countries were included. Screening and data extraction were undertaken in duplicate. Evidence was synthesised using a narrative approach. Study quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

The search yielded 9776 publications, of which 26 met our inclusion criteria. Significant knowledge gaps on how COVID-19 affected pregnancy and breast feeding limited healthcare providers’ ability to provide consistent evidence-based information and care at the start of the pandemic. There was an enduring sense of loss about loved ones being restricted from taking part in key moments. Parents were concerned about the limitations of virtual healthcare provision. Some parents reported more opportunities for responsive breast feeding and improved parent–infant bonding due to reduced social and work pressures. Women from minoritised ethnic groups were less likely to continue breast feeding and attributed this to a lack of face-to-face support.

Conclusions

The evidence suggests that new and expectant families have been both negatively and positively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions. The impacts on parents’ opportunities to bond with their young children and to be attuned to their needs were felt unequally. It is important that emergency response policies consider the mother and the partner as a family unit when making changes to the delivery of maternal and child health and care services, so as to mitigate the impact on the family and existing health inequalities.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021236769.
Extensive theoretical studies of the highly excited electronic states with the experimental parameters calculation for the laser cooling of CaI molecule
Authors: Kassem Sahar , Zeid Israa , Korek Mahmoud
Published: December 2022

By using the multireference configuration interaction method followed by Davidson correction, the electronic structure of the molecule CaI has been investigated. The potential energy curves, the permanent and transition dipole moment curves, and the spectroscopic parameters of 18 electronic states are investigated for these states, along with 111 vibrational levels of the four lowest electronic states. The Franck–Condon factors and the radiative lifetime are calculated for the X2Σ+–(1)2Π transition. For this transition, the vibrational branching ratio, the slowing distance L, and the number of cycles ( N) for photon absorption/emission are calculated along with the Doppler and the recoil temperatures. A pre-cooling temperature in a helium buffer gas is studied and a laser cooling scheme is presented. The calculation of these different experimental parameters is crucial to exploring the optimal conditions under which the laser cooling experiment of CaI molecule will be performed.
Results and plans for nuclear spectroscopy of superheavy nuclei: the Lund perspective
Authors: Rudolph D.
Published: December 2022

A survey of nuclear structure results obtained along$$\alpha $$α-decay chains stemming from isotopes of element 114, Fl, and element 115, Mc, is presented. Measures taken to ensure a reliable hand-over of nuclear spectroscopy output to nuclear structure theory are outlined. Possible links between decay chains starting from element 117, Ts, and element 115, Mc, are commented on. The experiments were conducted with the TASISpec set-up placed in the focal plane of the TASCA separator at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH in Darmstadt, Germany. Plans to improve the decay-spectroscopy set-up towards future superheavy endeavours are described.
Analysis of Death Toll from COVID-19 in China with Uncertain Time Series and Uncertain Regression Analysis
Authors: Yang Lu
Published: December 2022

This paper employs uncertain time series and uncertain regression analysis to model the evolution of the cumulative death toll from COVID-19 in China. Then parameter estimation, residual analysis, forecast and confidence interval are investigated. Uncertain hypothesis test is proposed to determine whether the estimated uncertain statistical models are appropriate. By analyzing the characteristics of the residual plot, the reason of using uncertain statistics instead of probabilistic statistics is explained.
Complex dynamics and bifurcation analysis for a Beverton–Holt population model with Allee effect
Authors: Mokni Karima , Ch-Chaoui Mohamed
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we have derived a discrete evolutionary Beverton–Holt population model. The model is built using evolutionary game theory methodology and takes into consideration the strong Allee effect related to predation saturation. We have discussed the existence of the positive fixed point and examined its asymptotic stability. Analytically, we demonstrated that the derived model exhibits Neimark–Sacker bifurcation when the maximal predator intensity is at lower values. All chaotic behaviors are justified numerically. Finally, to avoid these chaotic features and achieve asymptotic stability, we implement two chaos control methods.
Eternal-thing 2.0: Analog-Trojan-resilient Ripple-less Solar Harvesting System for Sustainable IoT
Authors: Ram Saswat Kumar , Sahoo Sauvagya Ranjan , Das Banee Bandana , Mahapatra Kamalakanta , Mohanty Saraju P.
Published: December 2022

Recently, harvesting natural energy is gaining more attention than other conventional approaches for sustainable IoT. System on chip power requirement for the internet of things (IoT) and generating higher voltages on chip is a massive challenge for on-chip peripherals and systems. In this article, an on-chip reliable energy-harvesting system (EHS) is designed for IoT with an inductor-free methodology. The control section monitors the computational load and the recharging of the battery/super-capacitor. An efficient maximum power point tracking algorithm is also used to avoid quiescent power consumption. The reliability of the proposed EHS is improved by using an aging tolerant ring oscillator. The effect of Trojan on the performance of energy-harvesting system is analyzed, and proper detection and mitigation mechanism is proposed. Finally, the proposed ripple mitigation techniques further improves the performance of the aging sensor. The proposed EHS is designed and simulated in CMOS 90-nm technology. The output voltage is in the range of 3–3.55 V with an input 1–1.5 V with a power throughput of 0–22 μW. The EHS consumes power under the ultra-low-power requirements of IoT smart nodes.
Uncertainty-Aware Robustness Assessment of Industrial Elevator Systems
Authors: Han Liping , Ali Shaukat , Yue Tao , Arrieta Aitor , Arratibel Maite
Published: December 2022

Industrial elevator systems are commonly used software systems in our daily lives, which operate in uncertain environments such as unpredictable passenger traffic, uncertain passenger attributes and behaviors, and hardware delays. Understanding and assessing the robustness of such systems under various uncertainties enable system designers to reason about uncertainties, especially those leading to low system robustness, and consequently improve their designs and implementations in terms of handling uncertainties. To this end, we present a comprehensive empirical study conducted with industrial elevator systems provided by our industrial partner Orona, which focuses on assessing the robustness of a dispatcher—that is, a software component responsible for elevators’ optimal scheduling. In total, we studied 90 industrial dispatchers in our empirical study. Based on the experience gained from the study, we derived an uncertainty-aware robustness assessment method (named
UncerRobua
) comprising a set of guidelines on how to conduct the robustness assessment and a newly proposed ranking algorithm, for supporting the robustness assessment of industrial elevator systems against uncertainties.
Authoritarian Power Sharing: Concepts, Mechanisms, and Strategies
Authors: Meng Anne , Paine Jack , Powell Robert
Published: December 2022

We provide a unified language for studying power sharing in authoritarian regimes. Power-sharing deals entail not only sharing spoils between a ruler and challenger, but also establishing an enforcement mechanism. An arrangement does not truly share power without reallocating power to make it costly for the ruler to renege. Institutional concessions, such as delegating agenda control over policy decisions or empowering third-party enforcers, can reallocate power. However, weak institutions create a Catch-22 that inhibits credible commitment. When institutions are weak, self-enforcing power sharing is still possible if challengers have coercive means to defend their spoils. However, challengers can leverage their coercive capabilities to overthrow the ruler. This double-edged sword implies that a strategic dictator shares power only under specific conditions: challengers can credibly punish an autocratic ruler; if the ruler shares power, the challenger must willingly forgo taking harmful actions; and the ruler willingly acquiesces to diminished power and rents.
Electrochemical Performance of ZIF-8 Coated Zn Anode in a Solid-State Zn Air Battery
Authors: Namaeighasemi Arash , Daramola Damilola , Staser John A.
Published: December 2022

The growing research on the application of flexible electronics, namely, flexible metal-air batteries has been evident throughout the recent decade. In this study, Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a metal-organic framework was used as a masking agent to inhibit the zincate ions at the negative electrode’s vicinity. Polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid gel copolymer was used as the solid-state electrolyte and a commercial Pt-coated gas diffusion layer (GDL) as the cathode compartment with ZIF-8 coated zinc nanoparticles being the negative electrode. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to study the shape deformation of the anode. The electrochemical performance of the battery was evaluated using a galvanostatic charge/discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This research resulted in a capacity of 117.71 mAh at discharge rate of 5 mA cm−2 and 13 successful charge/discharge cycles at the rate of 50 mA cm−2. In addition, the Na-PAA/PAM copolymer solid-state electrolyte was reported to have ionic conductivity of 300 mS cm−1.