bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with health insurance ownership among women of reproductive age: A multicountry study in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Shao Liming , Wang Yiting , Wang Xuhui , Ji Lu , Huang Rui
Published: April 2022

Background

Promoting the coverage and ownership of health insurance constitutes a key strategy to achieving universal healthcare, thereby meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.8) of safeguarding the vulnerable population from financial risk resulting from catastrophic health expenditures. In sub-Saharan Africa, accessing medical services is particularly challenging among women due to inadequate opportunities for socio-economic empowerment and meeting their unique healthcare needs. The present study aimed to explore the sociodemographic factors associated with health insurance ownership among women in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We extracted cross-sectional data on health insurance ownership and conceptually relevant sociodemographic variables on women aged 15–49 years from Demographic and Health Surveys on five selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa (n = 55,438), including Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Cameroon, Gabon and Kenya. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate regression analysis, and the associations were reported in terms of average marginal effects.

Results

Data revealed considerable cross-country variation in health insurance ownership: Gabon (57.9%), Kenya (6.1%), DR Congo (2.8%), Cameroon (1.1%), Burkina Faso (0.4%). In the multivariate regression analysis, women’s age, marital status, place of residency, educational level, household wealth status, employment, and media access were significant predictors of insurance ownership. The associations were generally similar across the five countries, with higher age, better educational level and wealth status showing a consistently positive relationship with insurance ownership.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed striking inequality in health insurance ownership among the studied countries, which should be given due attention to achieving universal healthcare-related goals. There also exist considerable sociodemographic disparities in health insurance ownership among women that should be addressed using context-specific programmatic interventions. Our findings revealed striking inequality in health insurance ownership among the studied countries, which should be given due attention to achieving universal healthcare-related goals. There also exist considerable sociodemographic disparities in health insurance ownership among women that should be addressed using context-specific programmatic interventions.
A pan-European art trade in the late middle ages: Isotopic evidence on the master of Rimini enigma
Authors: Kloppmann Wolfram , Leroux Lise , Bromblet Philippe , Le Pogam Pierre-Yves , Montech Anne Thérèse , Guerrot Catherine
Published: April 2022

The identity of artists and localisation of workshops are rarely known with certainty before the mid-15th century. We investigated the material used by one of the most prolific and enigmatic medieval sculptors, the Master of the Rimini Altarpiece or Master of Rimini, active around 1420–40. The isotope fingerprints (Sr, S and O) of a representative corpus of masterpieces but also minor artworks, attributed to the Master of Rimini and his workshop, are virtually identical, demonstrating the unity of the corpus and a material evidence behind the stylistic and iconographic ascriptions. The material used is exclusively Franconian (N-Bavarian) alabaster, 600 km distant from the supposed zone of activity of the Master of Rimini workshop according to recent literature. The same material was later used by the prominent Late Medieval German carver Tilman Riemenschneider, active in Würzburg after 1483, whose small corpus of alabaster sculptures we have been able to characterize almost entirely. Based on these findings, we propose here an alternative to the prevailing hypothesis of a Flemish or N-French workshop being founded on similarities of the Rimini sculpture with motives in Flemish and French painting. Our scenario, returning to the initial proposal of a German localisation of the Master of Rimini workshop, assumes the migration of an artist, perhaps trained in the Low Countries or strongly inspired by the Flemish art, to Southern Germany where he founded a highly productive export workshop, well situated on the crossroads of medieval trade, with a pan-European radiance. This study sheds a spotlight on the on the trade networks of luxury goods, the raw material used for their production, and the high-end art market in Europe as well as on international migration of artists and styles, at the eve of the Renaissance.
Fast and automated biomarker detection in breath samples with machine learning
Authors: Skarysz Angelika , Salman Dahlia , Eddleston Michael , Sykora Martin , Hunsicker Eugénie , Nailon William H. , Darnley Kareen , McLaren Duncan B. , Thomas C. L. Paul , Soltoggio Andrea
Published: April 2022

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human breath can reveal a large spectrum of health conditions and can be used for fast, accurate and non-invasive diagnostics. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to measure VOCs, but its application is limited by expert-driven data analysis that is time-consuming, subjective and may introduce errors. We propose a machine learning-based system to perform GC-MS data analysis that exploits deep learning pattern recognition ability to learn and automatically detect VOCs directly from raw data, thus bypassing expert-led processing. We evaluate this new approach on clinical samples and with four types of convolutional neural networks (CNNs): VGG16, VGG-like, densely connected and residual CNNs. The proposed machine learning methods showed to outperform the expert-led analysis by detecting a significantly higher number of VOCs in just a fraction of time while maintaining high specificity. These results suggest that the proposed novel approach can help the large-scale deployment of breath-based diagnosis by reducing time and cost, and increasing accuracy and consistency.
An efficient 3D column-only P300 speller paradigm utilizing few numbers of electrodes and flashings for practical BCI implementation
Authors: Korkmaz Onur Erdem , Aydemir Onder , Oral Emin Argun , Ozbek Ibrahim Yucel
Published: April 2022

The event related P300 potentials, positive waveforms in electroencephalography (EEG) signals, are often utilized in brain computer interfaces (BCI). Many studies have been carried out to improve the performance of P300 speller systems either by developing signal processing algorithms and classifiers with different architectures or by designing new paradigms. In this study, a new paradigm is proposed for this purpose. The proposed paradigm combines two remarkable properties of being a 3D animation and utilizing column-only flashings as opposed to classical paradigms which are based on row-column flashings in 2D manner. The new paradigm is utilized in a traditional two-layer artificial neural networks model with a single output neuron, and numerous experiments are conducted to evaluate and compare the performance of the proposed paradigm with that of the classical approach. The experimental results, including statistical significance tests, are presented for single and multiple EEG electrode usage combinations in 1, 3 and 15 flashing repetitions to detect P300 waves as well as to recognize target characters. Using the proposed paradigm, the best average classification accuracy rates on the test data are improved from 89.97% to 93.90% (an improvement of 4.36%) for 1 flashing, from 97.11% to 98.10% (an improvement of 1.01%) for 3 flashings and from 99.70% to 99.81% (an improvement of 0.11%) for 15 flashings when all electrodes, included in the study, are utilized. On the other hand, the accuracy rates are improved by 9.69% for 1 flashing, 4.72% for 3 flashings and 1.73% for 15 flashings when the proposed paradigm is utilized with a single EEG electrode (P8). It is observed that the proposed speller paradigm is especially useful in BCI systems designed for few EEG electrodes usage, and hence, it is more suitable for practical implementations. Moreover, all participants, given a subjective test, declared that the proposed paradigm is more user-friendly than classical ones.
Sera from women with different metabolic and menopause states differentially regulate cell viability and Akt activation in a breast cancer in-vitro model
Authors: Flores-García Laura C. , Ventura-Gallegos José L. , Romero-Córdoba Sandra L. , Hernández-Juárez Alfredo J. , Naranjo-Meneses María A. , García-García Eduardo , Méndez Juan Pablo , Cabrera-Quintero Alberto J. , Ramírez-Ruíz Antonio , Pedraza-Sánchez Sigifredo , Meraz-Cruz Noemi , Vadillo-Ortega Felipe , Zentella-Dehesa Alejandro
Published: April 2022

Obesity is associated with an increased incidence and aggressiveness of breast cancer and is estimated to increment the development of this tumor by 50 to 86%. These associations are driven, in part, by changes in the serum molecules. Epidemiological studies have reported that Metformin reduces the incidence of obesity-associated cancer, probably by regulating the metabolic state. In this study, we evaluated in a breast cancer in-vitro model the activation of the IR-β/Akt/p70S6K pathway by exposure to human sera with different metabolic and hormonal characteristics. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of brief Metformin treatment on sera of obese postmenopausal women and its impact on Akt and NF-κB activation. We demonstrated that MCF-7 cells represent a robust cellular model to differentiate Akt pathway activation influenced by the stimulation with sera from obese women, resulting in increased cell viability rates compared to cells stimulated with sera from normal-weight women. In particular, stimulation with sera from postmenopausal obese women showed an increase in the phosphorylation of IR-β and Akt proteins. These effects were reversed after exposure of MCF-7 cells to sera from postmenopausal obese women with insulin resistance with Metformin treatment. Whereas sera from women without insulin resistance affected NF-κB regulation. We further demonstrated that sera from post-Metformin obese women induced an increase in p38 phosphorylation, independent of insulin resistance. Our results suggest a possible mechanism in which obesity-mediated serum molecules could enhance the development of luminal A-breast cancer by increasing Akt activation. Further, we provided evidence that the phenomenon was reversed by Metformin treatment in a subgroup of women.
Efficacy of acupuncture in subpopulations with functional constipation: A protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Chao , Liu Jia , Liu Baoyan , Cao Xue , Liu Zhishun , Zhao Tianyi , Lv Xiaoying , Guo Shengnan , Li Yang , He Liyun , Ai Yanke
Published: April 2022

Background

Several systematic reviews have suggested that acupuncture is effective against functional constipation, but it is unknown whether variations in treatment effect across subgroups remain consistent. Our purpose of this study is to explore the heterogeneity of treatment effect of acupuncture on functional constipation across subgroups.

Methods

We will search eleven English and Chinese electronic databases and three clinical trial registries from inception to December 2021. Randomized controlled trials that evaluate acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture or no treatment for functional constipation will be eligible if they report at least one primary outcome. The primary outcomes will include the change in weekly complete spontaneous bowel movements or spontaneous bowel movements from baseline. Two authors will independently identify the relevant studies, assess the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and contact the primary researchers of the eligible trials for individual patient data. Individual patient data obtained from the original trial author will be standardized and all trial data will be combined into a single database. Generalized linear mixed effects model will be used to determine possible subgroup effects by adding an interaction term for predefined subgroup and treatment.

Systematic review registration

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Number: CRD42020188366).
Risk of atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma after initial diagnosis of non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia: A long-term follow-up study
Authors: Prip Clara M. , Stentebjerg Maria , Bennetsen Mary H. , Petersen Lone K. , Bor Pinar
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The strong association between atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma is well established, but data on the risk of atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in Danish women with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia are almost non-existent. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma diagnosed within 3 months of initial diagnosis (defined as concurrent disease) and the risk of atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma more than 3 months after initial diagnosis (classified as progressive disease) in Danish women initially diagnosed with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia.

Design

This cohort study recruited 102 women diagnosed with non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia at Randers Regional Hospital in Randers, Denmark, between 2000 and 2015.

Methods

The endometrium was evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound examination and office mini-hysteroscopy with biopsies in all non-hysterectomized women. Data regarding subsequent hysterectomy or endometrial sampling were obtained from medical records and the Danish Pathology Registry (Patobank).

Results

A total of 15 women were diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma during follow-up. Concurrent atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma was seen in 2.9% (3/102), and among women who remained at risk for more than 3 months after initial diagnosis of non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia (n = 94), progression to atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma was seen in 13% (median follow-up 5.2 years, range 3.6 months to 15.1 years). Sixty-six percent of the women with progressive disease were diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma more than 1 year after initial diagnosis, but only two were diagnosed later than 5 years (5.2 and 9 years).

Conclusions

The risk of being diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial carcinoma more than 5 years after an initial diagnosis of non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia seems to be low in Danish women. Specialized follow-up more than 5 years after diagnosis of non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia may not be warranted.
Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related inhibition by AZD6738 enhances gemcitabine-induced cytotoxic effects in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Isono Makoto , Okubo Kazuki , Asano Takako , Sato Akinori
Published: April 2022

The ataxia telangiectasia and rad3-related-checkpoint kinase 1 (ATR-CHK1) pathway is involved in DNA damage responses in many cancer cells. ATR inhibitors have been used in clinical trials in combination with radiation or chemotherapeutics; however, their effects against bladder cancer remain unclear. Here, the efficacy of combining gemcitabine with the novel ATR inhibitor AZD6738 was investigated in vitro in three bladder cancer cell lines (J82, T24, and UM-UC-3 cells). The effects of gemcitabine and AZD6738 on cell viability, clonogenicity, cell cycle, and apoptosis were examined. The combined use of gemcitabine and AZD6738 inhibited the viability and colony formation of bladder cancer cells compared to either treatment alone. Gemcitabine (5 nM) and AZD6738 (1 μM) inhibited cell cycle progression, causing cell accumulation in the S phase. Moreover, combined treatment enhanced cleaved poly[ADP-ribose]-polymerase expression alongside the number of annexin V-positive cells, indicating apoptosis induction. Mechanistic investigations showed that AZD6738 treatment inhibited the repair of gemcitabine-induced double-strand breaks by interfering with CHK1. Combining AZD6738 with gemcitabine could therefore be useful for bladder cancer therapy.
SIRPα - CD47 axis regulates dendritic cell-T cell interactions and TCR activation during T cell priming in spleen
Authors: Autio Anu , Wang Huan , Velázquez Francisco , Newton Gail , Parkos Charles A. , Engel Pablo , Engelbertsen Daniel , Lichtman Andrew H. , Luscinskas Francis W.
Published: April 2022

The SIRPα-CD47 axis plays an important role in T cell recruitment to sites of immune reaction and inflammation but its role in T cell antigen priming is incompletely understood. Employing OTII TCR transgenic mice bred toCd47-/- (Cd47KO) or SKI mice, a knock-in transgenic animal expressing non-signaling cytoplasmic-truncated SIRPα, we investigated how the SIRPα-CD47 axis contributes to antigen priming. Here we show that adoptive transfer ofCd47KO or SKI Ova-specific CD4+T cells (OTII) intoCd47KO and SKI recipients, followed by Ova immunization, elicited reduced T cell division and proliferation indices, increased apoptosis, and reduced expansion compared to transfer into WT mice. We confirmed prior reports that splenic T cell zone, CD4+conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and CD4+T cell numbers were reduced inCd47KO and SKI mice. We report that in vitro derived DCs fromCd47KO and SKI mice exhibited impaired migration in vivo and exhibited reduced CD11c+DC proximity to OTII T cells in T cell zones after Ag immunization, which correlates with reduced TCR activation in transferred OTII T cells. These findings suggest that reduced numbers of CD4+cDCs and their impaired migration contributes to reduced T cell-DC proximity in splenic T cell zone and reduced T cell TCR activation, cell division and proliferation, and indirectly increased T cell apoptosis.
Low levels of soluble DPP4 among Saudis may have constituted a risk factor for MERS endemicity
Authors: Alkharsah Khaled R. , Aljaroodi Salma Ali , Rahman Jawad Ur , Alnafie Awatif N. , Al Dossary Reem , Aljindan Reem Y. , Alnimr Amani M. , Hussen Jamal
Published: April 2022

Most of the cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were reported in Saudi Arabia. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was identified as the receptor for the virus. The level of soluble DPP4 (sDPP4) was found to be reduced in MERS-CoV infected patients while high levels of sDPP4 were suggested to be protective against MERS-CoV in animal models. We investigated whether the Saudi population has lower levels of sDPP4 which makes them more susceptible to MERS-CoV infection and, therefore, could explain the larger number of cases from the country. Blood samples were collected from 219 Saudi blood donors and 200 blood donors from other ethnic groups. The plasma level of sDPP4 was measured by ELISA and the following SNPs in the DPP4 gene; rs35128070, rs1861978, rs79700168, and rs17574, were genotyped by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. The average level of plasma sDDP4 was significantly lower in Saudis than other Arabs and non-Arabs (P value 0.0003 and 0.012, respectively). The genotypes AG of rs35128070 and GT of rs1861978 were significantly associated with lower sDPP4 among Saudis (P value 0.002 for each). While both genotypes AA and AG of rs79700168 and rs17574 were associated with significantly lower average sDPP4 level in Saudis compared to other ethnic groups (P value 0.031 and 0.032, and 0.027 and 0.014, respectively). Herein, we report that the Saudi population has lower levels of plasma sDPP4 than other ethnic groups, which is associated with genetic variants in the DPP4 gene. This may have contributed to increase the susceptibility of the Saudi population to MERS-CoV infection and could be a factor in the long-lasting persistence of the virus in the country.
Effects of Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Yamaguti, 1934) infection on the intestinal microbiota, growth and immune reactions of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Fu Pei P. , Xiong Fan , Wu Shan G. , Zou Hong , Li Ming , Wang Gui T. , Li Wen X.
Published: April 2022

Our understanding of interactions among intestinal helminths, gut microbiota and host is still in its infancy in fish. In this study, the effects ofSchyzocotyle acheilognathiinfection on the intestinal microbiota, growth and immune reactions of grass carp were explored under laboratory conditions. 16S rDNA amplification sequencing results showed thatS.acheilognathiinfection altered the composition of intestinal microbiota only at the genus level, with a significant increase in the relative abundance ofTuricibacterandRuminococcus(P< 0.05) and a significant decrease in the relative abundance ofGordonia,MycobacteriumandPseudocanthomonas(P< 0.05).Schyzocotyle acheilognathiinfection had no significant effect (P> 0.05) on the alpha diversity indices (including Chao1, ACE, Shannon, Simpson index) of intestinal microbiota in grass carp, but PERMANOVA analysis showed that microbial structure significantly (P< 0.01) differed between hindgut and foregut. PICRUST prediction showed that some metabolism-related pathways were significantly changed afterS.acheilognathiinfection. The relative abundance ofTuricibacterwas positively correlated with the fresh weight of tapeworm (foregut:r= 0.48,P= 0.044; hindgut:r= 0.63,P= 0.005). There was no significant difference in the body condition of grass carp between theS.acheilognathiinfected group and the uninfected group (P> 0.05). Intestinal tissue section with HE staining showed thatS.acheilognathiinfection severely damaged the intestinal villi, causing serious degeneration, necrosis and shedding of intestinal epithelial cells. The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results showed thatS.acheilognathiinfection upregulated the mRNA expression of the immune-related genes:Gal1−L2,TGF−β1andIgM.
Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of employees shows low transmission working in a cancer center
Authors: Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Yue Hong , Nowak Radosław P. , Brais Lauren , Ma Chao , Johnson Samantha , Harrod Joanna , Burman Shourya S. Roy , Hendrickson Lynn M. , Fischinger Stephanie , Alter Galit , Hahn William , Johnson Bruce E. , Fischer Eric S.
Published: April 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic led to emergency measures to continue patient care and research at a comprehensive cancer center while protecting both employees and patients. Determining exposure and infection rates with SARS-CoV-2 were important to adjust workplace policies over time.

Methods

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) has over 7,000 employees. Participation was voluntary. After consent, participants completed questionnaire of demographics, exposures and risk factors for COVID-19 illness at each time point (baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months) along with blood draws for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Primary measure was determination of titers of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG over time.

Results

In total, 745 employees enrolled from May 2020 to February 2021 (mean [SD] age, 40[14] years; 572[80%] women). From May to July 2020, 47 of 519 employees (9.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7–12.0%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies. Three months later, 40 of 428 employees had positive antibodies (8.5%, 95% CI 6.0–11.0%) with 17 newly positive. At month 6, 78.5% of participants reported having received at least one dose of vaccine and the positivity rate for those vaccinated was 98% (95% CI, 95–100%). Spike protein IgG titers for those vaccinated were 7.9 times higher than participants not vaccinated (median IgG titer = 0.28 for positive antibody but not vaccinated versus 2.2 for vaccinated) but demonstrate evidence of waning over time.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity remained less than 10% at a single comprehensive cancer center prior to vaccination and there is evidence of waning IgG titers over time after vaccination.
Community- and facility-based HIV testing interventions in northern Tanzania: Midterm results of Test & Treat Project
Authors: Martelli Giulia , Van Duffel Lukas , Kwezi Edith Cosmas , Cavallin Francesco , Salehe Idd Amiri , Torelli Giovanni F. , Putoto Giovanni , Hermans Sabine , Rinke de Wit Tobias F. , Pozniak Anton
Published: April 2022

Test & Treat Project offers universal HIV testing and access to antiretroviral treatment in Northern Tanzania. The current cross-sectional study provides midterm results on HIV testing and counseling activities through community outreaches and facility-based services. A total 255,329 HIV tests were performed: 198,451 (77.7%) during testing campaigns in the villages, 12,592 (4.9%) during special events outreach and 44,286 (17.4%) in the health facilities. Females represented 53.8% (23,809) among those tested in the health facilities, while males were the majority in the community (54.4%, 114,835). Over one third of tests (n = 104,605, 41%) were performed among first-time testers. The overall HIV positivity rate was 1.2%, ranging from 0.7% in the community to 3.8% in the health facilities and decreased over time. Using a multivariable analysis, a positive test result was associated with age ≥ 50 years (PR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.34), with female gender (PR 1.61, 95% CI 1.50 to 1.73), being tested in health facilities (PR 5.00, 95% CI 4.65 to 5.36) and for the first time (PR 1.86, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.00). The estimated proportion of PLHIV who knew their status of the project area increased by 28.6% (from 35.7% to 64.3%) and 11.1% (from 57.7% to 68.8%) in the project areas of Shinyanga and Simiyu regions respectively. Reaching the first UNAIDS 90 target by the end of this project seems possible. Future strategies should focus on improving PITC coverage, implementing more targeted testing modalities, together with current universal community-based approach.
Cardiac remodeling in ambitious endurance-trained amateur athletes older than 50 years–an observational study
Authors: Dalos Daniel , Dachs Theresa , Gatterer Constantin , Schneider Matthias , Binder Thomas , Bonderman Diana , Hengstenberg Christian , Panzer Simon , Aschauer Stefan
Published: April 2022

Background

Data on cardiac remodeling in veteran athletes are conflicting but of clinical importance.

Methods

Sixty-nine clinically stable and healthy individuals >50 years were identified (median 55 (IQR 52–64), 26% female). Echocardiographic features were identified in individuals, who have performed endurance sports at 70% of their maximum heart rate for at least 1 hour 3 times/ week over the previous 5 years.

Results

Median training time in all participants was 6 hours per week. Therefore, based on these 6 hours of weekly training, participants were grouped into 45 ambitious endurance-trained amateur athletes (EAA) and 24 recreationally active endurance-trained athletes (RAP) training ≥6 hours (6–10) and <6 hours (3.5–5), respectively. Left ventricular (LV) diameters were slightly larger in EAA than in RAP (27 mm/m2 (25–28) vs. 25 mm/m2 (24–27), p = 0.023) and EAA showed preserved diastolic function (p = 0.028) with lower E/E’ ratio (7 (6–9) vs. 9 (7–10), p = 0.039). Interventricular septal thickness and relative wall thickness ratio were similar. Global right ventricular and LV strain were similar, but left atrial (LA) reservoir strain was higher in EAA than in RAP (27% (22–34) vs. 20% (15–29), p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Endurance training in healthy athletes >50 years is not associated with chamber dilatation or LV hypertrophy. A weekly training duration of ≥6 hours seems beneficial to preserve diastolic function associated with an increased LA reservoir function.
A newly emerging alphasatellite affects banana bunchy top virus replication, transcription, siRNA production and transmission by aphids
Authors: Guyot Valentin , Rajeswaran Rajendran , Chu Huong Cam , Karthikeyan Chockalingam , Laboureau Nathalie , Galzi Serge , Mukwa Lyna F. T. , Krupovic Mart , Kumar P. Lava , Iskra-Caruana Marie-Line , Pooggin Mikhail M.
Published: April 2022

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is a six-component ssDNA virus (genus Babuvirus, family Nanoviridae) transmitted by aphids, infecting monocots (mainly species in the family Musaceae) and likely originating from South-East Asia where it is frequently associated with self-replicating alphasatellites. Illumina sequencing analysis of banana aphids and leaf samples from Africa revealed an alphasatellite that should be classified in a new genus, phylogenetically related to alphasatellites of nanoviruses infecting dicots. Alphasatellite DNA was encapsidated by BBTV coat protein and accumulated at high levels in plants and aphids, thereby reducing helper virus loads, altering relative abundance (formula) of viral genome components and interfering with virus transmission by aphids. BBTV and alphasatellite clones infected dicot Nicotiana benthamiana, followed by recovery and symptomless persistence of alphasatellite, and BBTV replication protein (Rep), but not alphasatellite Rep, induced leaf chlorosis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 21, 22 and 24 nucleotide small interfering (si)RNAs covering both strands of the entire viral genome, monodirectional Pol II transcription units of viral mRNAs and pervasive transcription of each component and alphasatellite in both directions, likely generating double-stranded precursors of viral siRNAs. Consistent with the latter hypothesis, viral DNA formulas with and without alphasatellite resembled viral siRNA formulas but not mRNA formulas. Alphasatellite decreased transcription efficiency of DNA-N encoding a putative aphid transmission factor and increased relative siRNA production rates from Rep- and movement protein-encoding components. Alphasatellite itself spawned the most abundant siRNAs and had the lowest mRNA transcription rate. Collectively, following African invasion, BBTV got associated with an alphasatellite likely originating from a dicot plant and interfering with BBTV replication and transmission. Molecular analysis of virus-infected banana plants revealed new features of viral DNA transcription and siRNA biogenesis, both affected by alphasatellite. Costs and benefits of alphasatellite association with helper viruses are discussed.
Between transgression and tokenism: The simultaneous inclusion and exclusion of trans and gender non-conforming bodies in fashion
Authors: Llamas Veronica G.
Published: April 2022

The fashion industry materially and symbolically contributes to our understandings of the gender binary. Its configuration of what constitutes crossing gender boundaries has also shifted through the years, including proposals of androgyny, unisex and gender-neutral collections. More recently, some of these concepts have been repackaged under the language of gender identity, as brands realize that younger customers are more likely than ever to fall under the gender non-conforming umbrella. Conflating an aesthetic preference for ‘gender fluidity’ with the language of gender identity can seem like a form of commodification when examining the barriers encountered by trans and non-binary individuals who work in the fashion industry. While the discourse of diversity is on the rise, some of the LGBTIQ inclusion in the industry stops at a tokenistic image level that does not destabilize the problematic structures beneath. Nevertheless, some designers do centre LGBTIQ inclusion and gender fluidity in their practice; but without a careful examination of privilege and access to resources, they can still reproduce exclusive and exploitative practices ingrained in the industry. This article will explore the above issues through a discursive analytical approach of online articles of the magazines Dazed and i-D, published between 2015 and 2020.
Grenzgang: Wo hören Kunst- und Meinungsfreiheit auf und wo fängt Diskriminierung an?
Authors: Heinrich Ina , Momen Pour Tafreshi Maryam
Published: April 2022

Im Artikel "Grenzgang: Wo hören Kunst- und Meinungsfreiheit auf und wo fängt Diskriminierung an? Das Druckwellen-Publikum fragt nach" rekapitulieren die Autorinnen Ina Heinrich und Maryam Momen Pour Tafreshi die zentralen Themen der Veranstaltungsreihe Druckwellen. Fühlen und Denken in Anlehnung an die während der Veranstaltungen gestellten Publikumsfragen. So geht es um die fortwährenden Aushandlungsprozesse zwischen Meinungsfreiheit und Meinungsmache, Kunstfreiheit und Diskriminierung und um die Frage wie derlei politische Diskurse durch die Echokammern (sozialer) Medien verstärkt werden.
Bitchfresse
Authors: Teufel Robert
Published: April 2022

Robert Teufel denkt über die Druckwellen nach, die zur Inszenierung "Bitchfresse - Ich rappe also bin ich" geführt haben und darüber, welche dieser Abend ausgelöst hat. An diesem Beispiel wirft er ein Schlaglicht auf die Fabriziertheit des sozialen Bandes.
Gender Studies in Polen
Authors: Mrozik Agnieszka
Published: April 2022

Der Artikel fasst die 25-jährige Geschichte der Gender Studies in Polen als institutionalisierte Forschung zu soziokulturellen Geschlechteridentitäten zusammen und bewertet kritisch das Potenzial der polnischen Gender Studies als wissenschaftliche Disziplin. Dabei wird die These aufgestellt, dass diese v.áa. westliche Theorien vermitteln, sodass wenig Raum für die Ausarbeitung interpretativer Konzepte und Theorien bleibt, die es ermöglichen würden, die in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten zu beobachtenden Entwicklungen der Rechte geschlechtlicher und sexueller Minderheiten in Polen als Teil globaler Modernisierungsprozesse zu verstehen. Durch eine offene, gründliche Reflexion über die Volksrepublik Polen ließe sich diese akademische Sackgasse jedoch potentiell überwinden. Zudem könne solch eine Betrachtung den Ausgangspunkt dafür bieten, die Hegemonie westlicher Paradigmen in der Forschung zu Geschlechteridentitäten und Sexualitäten zu hinterfragen.
»Failed« Migratory Adventures?
Authors: Schultz Susanne U.
Published: April 2022

The effects of the intra-African and European deportation regimes brought about since the European Union's externalization of its migration and development policy by transferring it to countries of sub-Saharan Africa remain largely understudied - especially their effects on people's everyday life after forced returns. Based on extensive field research, Susanne U. Schultz's book analyses the supposedly "failed" migration of Malian men, the social situations in which they find themselves following deportation, and the implications of their "failure" for their social environment and broader society. This important ethnographic study creates empirical knowledge on key issues in migration research, policy, and practice in the context of a charged debate.
Method of calculating the distortion coefficient sinusoidality of the voltage curve created by three-phase straight lines
Authors: Osipov Vyacheslav S.
Published: April 2022

The existing calculation methods in various sources represent rectifier installations as sources of higher harmonics. In this case, the current value of the primary winding of the transformer in the form of rectangles is decomposed into a Fourier series and harmonic components of the current are obtained, except for the main harmonic higher 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19 The amplitudes of the current of the higher harmonics are multiplied by the inductive resistances of the supply network corresponding to the frequencies, the results are squared and summed up. Obviously, all terms are of equal magnitude, since with an increase in the harmonic number, its amplitude decreases by n times compared to the first harmonic, while the frequency and inductive resistance increase by the same number of times. The non-sinusoidal coefficient Ku is defined as the ratio of the square root of the sum to the magnitude of the phase voltage. The disadvantage of determining Ku is some arbitrariness in the number of harmonics taken into account. If we take, for example, 9 harmonics, we get Ku = 7.22%, if 4 harmonics, then Ku = 4.81%. When the current of the primary winding of the transformer flows, the voltage amplitude on the substation tires decreases by only 1.9 V. At the same time, the coefficient of non-sinusoidality cannot be equal to 7.22%. In all literature sources, when calculating current harmonics, there are no recommendations for which harmonic numbers should be installed at the substation resonant filters. It is no coincidence that in the new GOST-2013, the value of the distortion coefficient of the sinusoidal voltage curve K(U is calculated as a percentage as a result of the i-th observation according to the formula, (that is, no calculation is made by current harmonics). In this paper, another approach is made to determine the distortion coefficient of the sinusoidal voltage curve. Rectifier installations are not sources of harmonics, but are electrical receivers with a nonlinear characteristic of electric current consumption, while the shape of the sinusoid curve of the supply voltage is distorted. This distorted sine wave is the source of the higher harmonics, which in this paper is decomposed into a Fourier series, while the calculation of the integral functions of the coefficients of the Fourier series is performed in the Mathcad program. The solution is made for three rectifier circuits. Harmonics for the installation of resonant filters are determined. As a result, a developed method is proposed for calculating the higher voltage harmonics and determining the distortion coefficient of the sinusoidal voltage curve based on the Fourier series expansion of the distorted voltage sine curve during operation of three-phase uncontrolled rectifiers.
Notes on some Caryophyllaceae for the Flora of Argentina
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: April 2022

As part of the ongoing study of some genera of Caryophyllaceae and the preparation of their treatments for the new edition of the Flora of Argentina, notes about some members of this family are presented. Two species (Petrorhagia prolifera and Scleranthus polycarpos) are reported for the first time for the Flora of Argentina. Sixteen names are here lectotypified: Arenaria achalensis, A. alsinoides, A. andicola, A. bisculca, A. lanuginosa var. diffusa, A. lanuginosa var. ensifolia, A. lanuginosa var. megalantha, A. palustris, A. patagonica, A. serpens var. robusta, A. serpens var. humilior, Philippiella patagonica, Sagina apetala var. melanopotamica, S. apetala var. paludosa, Spergula humifusa, and Spergulastrum lanuginosum; one neotype is also designated for Saponaria hispanica. One nomenclatural change (Arenaria serpens var. humilior comb. nov.) is proposed.
MODERATING EFFECT OF COMPANY SIZE ON AUDIT COMMITTEE AND INTELECTUAL CAPITAL TOWARD CORPORATE VALUE
Authors: Simandjuntak JBP , Murwaningsari Etty
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT

In this study, to analyze the effect of Audit Committee, and Intelectual Capital toward Company values. And also analyzes the impact of Company Size as a moderating variable that strengthens or weakens the relationship between the effects of Audit Committee, Intecetual capital toward Company values. The researcher collects empirical study data from the companies using secondary data taken from the annual reports of companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). This study used a purposive sampling technique and obtained as many as 53 companies in accordance with predetermined criteria. Then analyzes them using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A total of 265 units of data analysis that meet the criteria and can be used as samples in this study. This study only takes secondary data from the annual reports of company’s in the Indonesia stock exchange. Company Size as a moderator between Audit Committee and Intellectual Capital toward Corporate Value in companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange is still little researched. So this research will not only fill in the current gaps in the literature but also spark new academic debates, but this study will also contribute to the practice of Corporate Value. This study reveals that Audit Commitee and Intellectual Capital have a positive and significant effect on Corporate Value. Meanwhile, the role of the Company Size as a moderating variable have strengthens the influence between Audit Commitee and Corporate Value from before being moderated by the Company Size.
European Lifelong learning policies. The case of Lifelong Learning Centre of University of Macedonia in Greece
Authors: Kavasakalis Aggelos , Papadimitriou Maria
Published: April 2022

The paper focuses on the implementation of lifelong learning policies (LLL) in Greek universities concerning the establishment and operation of lifelong learning centres (LLLCs) in universities. The research will focus on the characteristics of the active curricula in the academic year 2020-21 of one lifelong learning centre, the centre of the University of Macedonia.Specifically, the first section makes a reference to knowledge society and its characteristics and provides the basic definitions of the concepts that will be dealt with in the article. The 2nd section highlights the main developments in lifelong learning policies, initially at a European level and subsequently at a national level. The 3rd section presents the research methodology concerning the characteristics and central choices of the lifelong learning centre of the University of Macedonia. The 4th section presents the analysis of the survey findings and our conclusions.
Shanfara the Tramp Between the Truth and Myth
Authors: Mohd. Shamsuddin Salahuddin
Published: April 2022

We chose this topic because the stories told about Shanfara do not always agree with his poems, but are closer to being a picture of the popular legends that abounded about the heroes of the pre-Islamic era than being some true news, but there are several narrations that shed light on this fact that Shanfara grew up outside his people, as he moved or was transferred as a young boy to the other people, namely Banu Shabana b. Fahm, then he moved or transferred from them to Banu Salāmān b. Mufarrij, who were from the tribe of ʼAzd, and that his life in this mobility was not the life of pride that was enjoyed by the sons of the tribe and clan, but rather the life of intruders on the people, so he declared his revolution against the tribe and left them to the other people who were more honorable than them, the people who were not human, but were the beasts that he found to them what he lacked among his people. Hence, he chose the direction to the tramp, and cutting off the road. The aim of this study is to defend the existence of pre-Islamic poetry and respond to those who doubt the validity of the ratio of pre-Islamic poetry before Islam. The method used in this study is the historical descriptive method, which depends on the narrations of the narrators and the interpretation of heretical literary texts, which is always being useful in studying such topics.
Complexity, Uncertainty and Ambiguity in Korean Military Leadership
Authors: OH LEE JONG
Published: April 2022

In South Korea, being the only divided country in the world and thus being under extreme tension, the weight and the importance that the Korean military carries is surely different from those of other militaries. Under this exceptional circumstance, it is not an overstatement to say that the Korean military faces a more complex and difficult challenge than any other organization and requires a higher state of leadership. The sinking of the Cheonan navy vessel and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island on the west coast of South Korea in 2010 were opportunities to look back upon the present state of the leadership of the Korean military. Internally, the Korean military is making efforts to justify its existence, and within the military, it is trying to develop its organizational leadership that can contribute to meeting its objectives. The discussion across society centered on national defense reforms supports this notion, which tells us that reflecting on the organizational leadership to perform the roles of the military is the central task in order to shift the organizational paradigm that meets the changes of security environments surrounding south Korea and far eastern Asia. Under these circumstances, it is imperative and timely to discuss a few phenomena that hinder the development of the military leadership and to look for alternatives.
Śródlądowe punkty tankowania LNG w polityce energetycznej Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Skarżyński Mirosław
Published: April 2022

Zaplecze importowe skroplonego gazu ziemnego w portach morskich państw członkowskich UE jest dobrze rozwinięte. Dostawy LNG zwiększają bezpieczeństwo energetyczne. Gaz ziemny podczas spalania powoduje mniejsze zanieczyszczenie powietrza atmosferycznego niż ropopochodne paliwa płynne. Rozszerzenie stosowania LNG poprawi bezpieczeństwo ekologiczne, dlatego rozważania skupiono na śródlądowej infrastrukturze skroplonego gazu ziemnego. Postawiono dwa pytania badawcze: czy UE dąży do wdrożenia LNG jako paliwa silnikowego w żegludze śródlądowej, czy buduje się punkty tankowania LNG w portach śródlądowych? Do rozwiązania problemów badawczych zastosowano metodę analizy oraz syntezy. W artykule określono determinanty rozwoju unijnej infrastruktury paliw alternatywnych. Zwrócono uwagę na konsekwencje środowiskowe intensywnego wykorzystywania transportu w różnych działach gospodarki. Wykazano konieczność zastąpienia wysokoemisyjnych środków przewozowych niskoemisyjnymi, któremu musi towarzyszyć tworzenie sieci punktów tankowania LNG. Scharakteryzowano strukturę punktu tankowania i system dystrybucji skroplonego gazu ziemnego. Przybliżono obecne wymagania konstrukcyjne siłowni statków żeglugi śródlądowej oraz bunkrowania LNG w portach rzecznych. Przestudiowano przypadek implementacji ciekłego gazu ziemnego do transportu śródlądowego na Renie i Dunaju. W podsumowaniu wnioskowano o przyspieszenie procesu tworzenia unijnej infrastruktury LNG warunkującej rozwój niskoemisyjnej żeglugi śródlądowej.
Rower publiczny 1. generacji w XXI w. – studium przypadku Krotoszyna
Authors: Kwiatkowski Michał Adam , Biegańska Jadwiga
Published: April 2022

Systemy roweru publicznego rozwijają się jako środek transportu w miastach, stanowiąc zrównoważoną alternatywę dla transportu zmotoryzowanego. Rozwiązanie to ewoluowało na przestrzeni lat, przechodząc od lat 60. XX w. do współczesności przez różne etapy rozwoju. Poszczególne generacje systemów roweru publicznego odpowiadały na potrzeby oraz możliwości techniczne swoich czasów – od niezabezpieczonych, udostępnianych mieszkańcom na zasadzie zaufania społecznego, rowerów 1. generacji, do wyposażonych w zabezpieczenia i zaawansowane rozwiązania mobilne rowerów 4. generacji. Systemy roweru publicznego, niezależnie od generacji, wpisują się także w założenia gospodarki współdzielenia (sharing economy), zakładającej możliwość wspólnego korzystania z tych samych dóbr przez wielu użytkowników.

W artykule przedstawiono przykład wdrożenia w 2017 r. systemu roweru publicznego w Krotoszynie (województwo wielkopolskie) opartego na zasadach 1. generacji, znanych z lat 60. XX w. Dokonano ponadto oceny, czy wprowadzenie systemu roweru publicznego opartego na zaufaniu wobec mieszkańców może zakończyć się powodzeniem. Jak wykazano, rozwiązania te oparte są na kilku istotnych filarach, w tym doświadczeniu samorządu lokalnego, racjonalnej kalkulacji i planowaniu oraz edukacji społeczeństwa.