bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel probabilistic generator for large-scale gene association networks
Authors: Grimes Tyler , Datta Somnath 
Published: November 2021

Motivation
Gene expression data provide an opportunity for reverse-engineering gene-gene associations using network inference methods. However, it is difficult to assess the performance of these methods because the true underlying network is unknown in real data. Current benchmarks address this problem by subsampling a known regulatory network to conduct simulations. But the topology of regulatory networks can vary greatly across organisms or tissues, and reference-based generators—such as GeneNetWeaver—are not designed to capture this heterogeneity. This means, for example, benchmark results from the E. coli regulatory network will not carry over to other organisms or tissues. In contrast, probabilistic generators do not require a reference network, and they have the potential to capture a rich distribution of topologies. This makes probabilistic generators an ideal approach for obtaining a robust benchmarking of network inference methods.

Results
We propose a novel probabilistic network generator that (1) provides an alternative to address the inherent limitation of reference-based generators and (2) is able to create realistic gene association networks, and (3) captures the heterogeneity found across gold-standard networks better than existing generators used in practice. Eight organism-specific and 12 human tissue-specific gold-standard association networks are considered. Several measures of global topology are used to determine the similarity of generated networks to the gold-standards. Along with demonstrating the variability of network structure across organisms and tissues, we show that the commonly used “scale-free” model is insufficient for replicating these structures.

Availability
This generator is implemented in the R package “SeqNet” and is available on CRAN (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/SeqNet/index.html).
Breastfeeding and weaning practices among mothers in Ghana: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Appiah Prince Kubi , Amu Hubert , Osei Eric , Konlan Kennedy Diema , Mumuni Iddris Hadiru , Verner Orish Ndudiri , Maalman Raymond Saa-Eru , Kim Eunji , Kim Siwoo , Bukari Mohammed , Jung Hajun , Kofie Philip , Ayanore Martin Amogre , Amenuvegbe Gregory Kofi , Adjuik Martin , Tarkang Elvis Enowbeyang , Alhassan Robert Kaba , Donkor Ernestina Safoa , Zotor Francis Bruno , Kweku Margaret , Amuna Paul , Gyapong John Owusu , Kim So Yoon 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundChildren need good nutrition to develop proper immune mechanisms and psychosocial maturity, but malnutrition can affect their ability to realize this. Apart from the national demographic and health survey, which is carried out every 5 years, there have not been enough documented studies on child breastfeeding and weaning practices of caregivers in the Volta Region. We, therefore, examined child breastfeeding and weaning practices of mothers in the Volta Region of Ghana.MethodsA sub-national survey method was adopted and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 396 mothers and their children. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, chi-square, and logistic regression were employed in analysing the data. We defined exclusive breastfeeding as given only breast milk to an infant from a mother or a wet nurse for six months of life except drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medicines on medical advice, and prolonged breastfeeding as breastfeeding up to 24 months of age.ResultsThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 43.7%. Mothers constituting 61.1% started breastfeeding within an hour of giving birth. In addition to breast milk, 5.1% gave fluids to their children on the first day of birth. About 66.4% started complementary feeding at 6 months, 22.0% breastfed for 24 months or beyond, while 40.4% fed their children on-demand. Child’s age (AOR: 0.23, 95% CI:0.12–0.43, p<0.0001), prolonged breastfeeding (AOR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.12–0.87, p = 0.001), mother’s religion (AOR: 3.92, 95%CI: 1.23–12.61, p = 0.021), feeding practices counselled on (AOR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.96–3.09, p = 0.023), mother ever heard about EBF (AOR: 0.43, 95%CI: 1.45–2.41,p= 0.039), child being fed from the bottle with a nipple (AOR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.94–2.48,p= 0.003), and age at which complementary feeding was started (AOR: 17.43, 95%CI: 3.47–87.55,p= 0.008) were statistically associated with EBF.ConclusionBreastfeeding education has been ongoing for decades, yet there are still gaps in the breastfeeding practices of mothers. To accelerate progress towards attainment of the sustainable development goal 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages by the year 2030, we recommend innovative policies that include extensive public education to improve upon the breastfeeding and weaning practices of mothers.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal and associated factors in an adult population in Saskatchewan, Canada: Evidence from predictive modelling
Authors: Muhajarine Nazeem , Adeyinka Daniel A. , McCutcheon Jessica , Green Kathryn L. , Fahlman Miles , Kallio Natalie 
Published: November 2021

Background
A high population level of vaccination is required to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but not all Canadians are convinced of the value and safety of vaccination. Understanding more about these individuals can aid in developing strategies to increase their acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. The objectives of this study were to describe COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and refusal rates and associated factors in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Methods
This is a cross-sequential study that consisted of pooled responses from weighted samples of 9,252 Saskatchewan adults (≥18 years) across nine rounds of data collection between May 4, 2020 and April 3, 2021. The outcome variable was vaccine intention: vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal. The independent variables were layered into socio-demographic factors, risk of exposure to coronavirus, mitigating behaviours, and perceptions of COVID-19. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression and a classification and regression tree.

Results
Seventy-six percent of the respondents indicated that they had been or were willing to be vaccinated, 13% had not yet decided, and the remaining 11% said they would not be vaccinated. Factors that increased the likelihood of vaccine refusal and hesitancy were lower education level, financial instability, Indigenous status, and not being concerned about spreading the coronavirus. Perceiving COVID-19 to be more of a threat to one’s community and believing that one had a higher risk of illness or death from COVID-19 decreased the likelihood of both vaccine refusal and hesitancy. Women and newcomers to Canada were more likely to be unsure about getting vaccinated. Respondents who did not plan to be vaccinated were less likely to wear face masks and practice physical distancing.

Conclusion
While many Canadians have voluntarily and eagerly become vaccinated already, reaching sufficient coverage of the population is likely to require targeted efforts to convince those who are resistant or unsure. Identifying and overcoming any barriers to vaccination that exist within the socio-demographic groups we found were least likely to be vaccinated is a crucial component.
Investigating the inflammation marker neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in Danish blood donors with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Dowsett Joseph , Didriksen Maria , Larsen Margit Hørup , Dinh Khoa Manh , Kaspersen Kathrine Agergård , Mikkelsen Susan , Thørner Lise Wegner , Sørensen Erik , Erikstrup Christian , Pedersen Ole Birger , Eugen-Olsen Jesper , Banasik Karina , Ostrowski Sisse Rye 
Published: November 2021

Background
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensorimotor disorder that occurs in the evening and night, thereby impacting quality of sleep in sufferers. The pathophysiology of RLS is poorly understood but inflammation has been proposed as possibly being involved. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as an inflammation marker but results from small studies have been inconclusive in determining whether NLR is associated with RLS. We aimed to assess whether an association between NLR and RLS exists in a large cohort of healthy individuals.

Methods
Neutrophils and lymphocytes were measured in blood samples of 13,055 individuals from the Danish Blood Donor Study, all of whom completed the validated Cambridge-Hopkins RLS-questionnaire for RLS assessment.

Results
In the sample, 661 individuals were determined as current RLS cases (5.1%). A higher proportion of individuals with RLS were females (62.5% vs 47.5%; P<0.001) and RLS cases were older than controls (P<0.001), but no differences in body mass index (BMI), smoking or alcohol consumption were found between the two groups. An increased NLR was observed in RLS cases compared to controls (median NLR: 1.80 vs 1.72; P = 0.033). In an unadjusted logistic regression model, increased NLR was associated with RLS (OR = 1.10 per NLR unit increase [95%CI:1.01–1.20]; P = 0.032); however, the association was not significant in multivariate models adjusting for sex and age (P = 0.094) or sex, age, alcohol consumption, smoking status and BMI (P = 0.107).

Conclusion
We found no association between RLS and NLR among Danish blood donors after adjusting for sex, age, alcohol consumption, smoking status and BMI. Further studies are needed to determine whether inflammation is a risk factor for RLS.
Early-stage macular telangiectasia type 2 vascular abnormalities are associated with interdigitation zone disruption
Authors: Ong Janice X. , Zandi Roya , Fawzi Amani A. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose
To investigate the relationship between disruption in different photoreceptor layers and deep capillary plexus (DCP) telangiectasias in eyes with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).

Methods
35 eyes (21 patients) with MacTel imaged with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were included. Circumscribed areas of DCP telangiectasia were traced from OCTA slabs and the corresponding spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) slabs were used to visualize the photoreceptor layer interdigitation zone (IZ) and ellipsoid zone (EZ). IZ attenuation, IZ loss, and EZ loss were graded by reviewing en face SD-OCT slabs for hypo-reflective areas and confirming their status on cross-sectional views. Total area of photoreceptor disruption and overlap with DCP telangiectasia were evaluated with respect to OCT-based MacTel stage. Longitudinal changes were evaluated in a subset of patients with follow-up imaging.

Results
Overlap of DCP telangiectasia with IZ attenuation significantly decreased with MacTel severity, while overlap with IZ and EZ loss significantly increased. Overlap with IZ loss peaked in moderate MacTel (Stages 3–5). Longitudinal imaging showed that new EZ loss at 6 months was largely predicted by baseline IZ loss.

Conclusions
Worsening MacTel severity is characterized by greater overlap between DCP telangiectasia and zones of increasing severity of photoreceptor disruption, with EZ loss enlarging over time within areas of preexisting IZ disruption. We suggest that IZ disruption may indicate early photoreceptor dysfunction that eventually progresses to EZ loss, with IZ loss being a more reliable metric than IZ attenuation. Additional studies will be necessary to further explore long-term photoreceptor changes and evaluate their relationship with visual function in MacTel.
La aplicación de las ómicas para comprender la base molecular de la insuficiencia hepática aguda sobre crónica
Authors: Clària Joan 
Published: November 2021

Resumen
La insuficiencia hepática aguda sobre crónica (ACLF) es un síndrome complejo que desarrollan los pacientes con cirrosis aguda descompensada. En esta patología, un sistema inmune desequilibrado y la excesiva inflamación sistémica están estrechamente relacionados con el fallo orgánico y la mortalidad a corto plazo. En la presente revisión, describimos la contribución de las llamadas tecnologías “ómicas” a la caracterización del estado hiperinflamatorio en pacientes con cirrosis descompensada aguda que han desarrollado ACLF, centrándonos en el papel de la metabolómica, la lipidómica y la transcriptómica en la identificación de los factores desencadenantes (patógenos y patrones moleculares asociados al daño [PAMPs y DAMPs]), así como de las moléculas efectoras (citocinas, quimiocinas, factores de crecimiento y mediadores lipídicos bioactivos) que provocan la activación del sistema inmune innato. Esta revisión también describe el papel esencial que pueden desempeñar las ciencias “ómicas” a la hora de acelerar la identificación de nuevos biomarcadores, que podrían dar lugar a la implementación de nuevas terapias o intervenciones destinadas a proteger a estos pacientes de la excesiva inflamación sistémica, así como del fallo orgánico.
Multiple positive solutions for a class of Kirchhoff type equations with indefinite nonlinearities
Authors: Che Guofeng , Wu Tsung-fang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe study the following Kirchhoff type equation:−a+b∫RN|∇u|2dxΔu+u=k(x)|u|p−2u+m(x)|u|q−2u  in  RN,$$\begin{equation*}\begin{array}{ll} -\left(a+b\int\limits_{\mathbb{R}^{N}}|\nabla u|^{2}\mathrm{d}x\right)\Delta u+u =k(x)|u|^{p-2}u+m(x)|u|^{q-2}u~~\text{in}~~\mathbb{R}^{N}, \end{array} \end{equation*}$$whereN=3,a,b>0$ a,b \gt 0 $,1<q<2<p<min{4,2∗}$ 1 \lt q \lt 2 \lt p \lt \min\{4, 2^{*}\} $, 2≤=2N/(N − 2),k ∈ C(ℝN) is bounded andm ∈ Lp/(p−q)(ℝN). By imposing some suitable conditions on functionsk(x) andm(x), we firstly introduce some novel techniques to recover the compactness of the Sobolev embeddingH1(RN)↪Lr(RN)(2≤r<2∗)$ H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{N})\hookrightarrow L^{r}(\mathbb{R}^{N}) (2\leq r \lt 2^{*}) $; then the Ekeland variational principle and an innovative constraint method of the Nehari manifold are adopted to get three positive solutions for the above problem.
COVID-19 effective reproduction number determination: an application, and a review of issues and influential factors
Authors: Bautista Balbás Luis Alfredo , Gil Conesa Mario , Bautista Balbás Blanca , Rodríguez Caravaca Gil 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objectives
An essential indicator of COVID-19 transmission is the effective reproduction number (R

t
), the number of cases which an infected individual is expected to infect at a particular point in time; curves of the evolution of R

t
over time (transmission curves) reflect the impact of preventive measures and whether an epidemic is controlled.

Methods
We have created a Shiny/R web application (https://alfredob.shinyapps.io/estR0/) with user-selectable features: open data sources with daily COVID-19 incidences from all countries and many regions, customizable preprocessing options (smoothing, proportional increment, etc.), different MonteCarlo-Markov-Chain estimates of the generation time or serial interval distributions and state-of-the-art R

t
estimation frameworks (EpiEstim, R
0). This application could be used as a tool both to obtain transmission estimates and to perform interactive sensitivity analysis. We have analyzed the impact of these factors on transmission curves. We also have obtained curves at the national and sub-national level and analyzed the impact of epidemic control strategies, superspreading events, socioeconomic factors and outbreaks.

Results
Reproduction numbers showed earlier anticipation compared to active prevalence indicators (14-day cumulative incidence, overall infectivity). In the sensitivity analysis, the impact of different R

t
estimation methods was moderate/small, and the impact of different serial interval distributions was very small. We couldn’t find conclusive evidence regarding the impact of alleged superspreading events. As a limitation, dataset quality can limit the reliability of the estimates.

Conclusions
The thorough review of many examples of COVID-19 transmission curves support the usage of R

t
estimates as a robust transmission indicator.
In an Imperfect World Policy Rules Cannot be Perfect Either
Authors: Wagner Gert G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIt is striking that economists in particular firmly believe in the benefits of rule-binding, even though this belief runs counter to the standard assumption of economic theory that we humans are self-interested and therefore extremely resourceful when it comes to circumventing inconvenient government regulations, e.g. taxes. In Public Choice Theory, politicians are even assumed to have nothing but self-interest as their guiding motive for action. Why then, in this world of thought, should ultra-self-interested politicians of all people adhere to simple rules such as the debt brake instead of bypass them, if – as is also assumed in this model world all that matters to them is short-term electoral success, for which government debt can be helpful.
Between Form and Content: Narrative Typology, Metafiction and Ideology inThe Thousand and One Nights
Authors: Dolcerocca Özen Nergis 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith few exceptions, narrative theory does not ordinarily consider the self-reflexive capacity ofThe Thousand and One Nightsbeyond its canonical instance of framing, and Arabic literary scholarship does not ordinarily engage with its narratological aspects. This article proposes a narratological approach for a systematic breakdown of story cycles through abstraction, partly by making use of computer programming language, in order to demonstrate the narrative typology in theNights. It argues that repetitions, transpositions, substitutions, and reversals testify to tensions between the overt ideology of the text and the counter discourse that unsettles this logic, concealed in its poetics. The article thereby aims to bring some of the core concepts of narrative theory into dialogue with theNightsscholarship, and to contribute to a theoretical conversation about ideological critique in narrative analysis, particularly within the pre-modern storytelling tradition.
The local formula of representation of a solution for a functional differential equation with the mixed initial
condition considering perturbations of delays containing in the phase coordinates and in controls
Authors: Alkhazishvili Lela , Iordanishvili Medea 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
For the perturbed controlled nonlinear delay
functional differential equation with the mixed initial condition
a formula of the analytic representation of solution is proved in
the left neighborhood of the endpoint of main interval. In the
formula the effects of perturbations of the delay parameters
containing in the phase coordinates and controls, the initial
vector, the initial and control functions are detected.
Ketoacidosis in new-onset type 1 diabetes: did the severity increase during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Botelho Teresa A. , Santos Joana M. N. , Pinho Crisbety M. S. , Martins Ana Isabel B. R. , Formiga Adriana I. S. , Serra-Caetano Joana , Cardoso Rita C. F. , Dinis Isabel C. A. D. , Mirante Alice S. R. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a consistent decrease in the number of admissions to the emergency department, leading to a delay in the diagnosis of several pathologies. The time from onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is highly variable. This treatment delay can lead to the appearance of ketoacidosis.

Methods
Retrospective study of inaugural Type 1 diabetes cases, from March 2016 to March 2021. The pandemic group was considered between March 2020 to March 2021, and the remaining period was considered as pre-pandemic. Clinical variables were analysed: duration of symptoms, weight loss and value of ketonemia and glycated haemoglobin on admission. The mean differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results
103 inaugural episodes of Type 1 diabetes were registered. The pandemic group had a lower mean age when compared to pre-pandemic group, and 51.7% of the episodes had ketoacidosis with a higher relative risk of ketoacidosis and severe ketoacidosis, when compared the pandemic with pre-pandemic group, there was a longer symptom evolution time (34 vs. 20 days), greater weight loss occurred (9.5% vs. 6.3%), the pH and HCO3
− values were lower (7.30 vs. 7.36 and 16.43 vs. 20.71 mmol/L respectively) and ketonemia was higher (5.9 vs. 2.3 mmol/L).

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay in the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, greater length of disease, greater weight loss, higher ketonemia and lower pH and HCO3
−. There was greater ketoacidosis relative risk in pandemic group when compared to pre-pandemic group.
#StopAsianHate: Understanding the Global Rise of Anti-Asian Racism from a Transcultural Communication Perspective
Authors: Chen Sibo , Wu Cary 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe rise of anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a global phenomenon. This article aims to develop a transcultural communication perspective to examine the global rise in anti-Asian violence. It discusses the intersection of global and local factors underlying the rise of anti-Asian racism in Canada, namely (1) the historical and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism (2) the flaws of Canadian multiculturalism, and (3) the insider/outsider dichotomy adopted by mass media’s framing of the pandemic. By explicating these structural factors from a transcultural communication perspective, this article argues that politicized transcultural discussions on white supremacy are urgently needed for initiating constructive conversations over anti-Asian racism worldwide.
European Film Commissions as Transcultural Promoters and Mediators
Authors: Cucco Marco , Richeri Giuseppe 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This article investigates transcultural communication taking film commissions as case study. Film commissions are non-profit organisations looking to attract audiovisual productions to their areas and supply these audiovisual productions with services free of charge. Although relatively recent and little studied, film commissions are spreading fast worldwide. Combining the political economy approach with the most recent production studies, the article contends that film commissions can stimulate transcultural phenomena on three levels. First, they act as intermediaries between the audiovisual production and the host area. Second, they encourage collaboration between different production cultures. Third, they incentivise brand-new collaboration between the audiovisual production and the tourist sector.
»Die Waffe Mensch«
Authors: Nübel Christoph 
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung
Der Artikel vertritt die These, dass Sport die Ausbildung im deutschen Heer vor und während des Ersten Weltkrieges wesentlich ergänzte. Aus militärischer Sicht sprachen drei Gründe dafür. Erstens eignete sich Sport dazu, Charakter und Körper zu trainieren. Zweitens war er Instrument der militärischen Breiten‑ und der Spezialausbildung. Drittens schließlich galt er als Mittel, Mannschaftssoldaten zur Selbstständigkeit auf dem Gefechtsfeld zu erziehen. Argumentiert wird, dass der Militärsport in zeitgenössischer Auffassung die hohen Anforderungen des modernen Krieges in sich aufhob. Als mit Leistungsanreizen und freiheitlich-spielerischen Elementen operierendes System erweiterte er das bislang primär mit Anleitung, Kontrolle und Disziplin operierende Arsenal der Ausbildung um das Element der Selbstständigkeit. Indem die Ausbildung um Techniken militärischer Selbstführung ergänzt wurde, veränderte sich das Bild des Mannschaftssoldaten. Seit 1900 wurde er im Rahmen einer auf das Individuum zielenden normativen militärischen Subjektkultur mit biopolitischen Zügen verhandelt, die als Leitbild auch Rückwirkungen auf den Dienstalltag hatte. Ihr Ideal war der selbstständig handelnde und zugleich gehorsame Mannschaftssoldat, der die militärische Ordnung als Leitbild und Handlungsrahmen begriff.