bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breast ironing: A Clandestine Variant of Gender-based Violence in Africa
Authors: Olofinbiyi Babatunde Ajayi , Enoch Opeyemi Oluwole , Olofinbiyi Rebecca Oluwafunke , Awoleke Jacob Olumuyiwa 
Published: July 2024

Breast ironing, a clandestine practice prevalent in several African countries, represents a covert form of gender-based violence (GBV) with profound implications for the physical, psychological, and social well-being of girls. The practice involves pressing or massaging a girl's developing breasts with heated objects like grinding stones and pestles to arrest breast development, thereby making the girl less attractive to men; and reducing the chances of her having sexual intercourse. This review article examines the phenomenon of breast ironing within the broader context of GBV in Africa, exploring its prevalence, sociocultural roots, health consequences and societal implications, prevention challenges and strategies for intervention. A key aspect emphasized is the need to recognize and address the potential medicalization of breast ironing, similar to efforts seen in combating female genital mutilation (FGM). Preventive strategies must include maintaining a high index of suspicion for medicalization, ensuring that healthcare providers are educated about the dangers of this practice and empowered to intervene effectively. Addressing breast ironing requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges its sociocultural complexities, prioritizes preventive measures and leverages the power of research. By integrating these elements into comprehensive prevention strategies, we can work towards ending the harmful practice of breast ironing and safeguarding the health and well-being of African girls. Political will and action are paramount in preventing breast ironing in Africa. Leaders must prioritize legislation, allocate resources, and collaborate with stakeholders to eradicate this harmful practice and protect vulnerable individuals.
Uterus Didelphys with Term Pregnancy Diagnosed in Labor as a Cause of Dystocia: Case Report
Authors: Gudu Wondimu , Barsenga Medina 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background: uterus didelphys is a rare mullerian anomally associated with fertility and obstetrical complications. Term pregnancy in uterus didelphys with fetal survival is seldom reported. We report here a rare case of intrapartum diagnosed uterine didelphys associated with dystocia that gave birth to a viable baby by cesarean section.
CasePresentation: a 30yrs old unbooked, primigravid woman presented with leakage of amniotic fluid of 28hrs and pushing down pain of 20hrs. She had history of 4 years of infertility. Intraparum evaluation for cervical arrest revealed longitudinal vaginal septum, two cervical orifices with the right cervix dilated to 3cm. ultrasound scanning revealed two distinct uteri with a 37 wks viable pregnancy in the right hemi-uterus. cesarean section was done to deliver an alive, active neonate weighing 2.8kg from the right hemi-uterus. Left hemi-uterus was enlarged having a separate isthmus. Both mother and neonate had smooth post operative course.
Conclusion: Uterus didelphys should be considered in the intraparum evaluation of women with suspected soft tissue dystocia. Early diagnosis and timely interventions are important to avert adverse obstetrical outcomes.
Key words: uterus didelphys, term pregnancy, labor, dystocia
SAFE INDUCED ABORTION: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG MEDICAL INTERNS OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
Authors: Lakew Kalkidan , Worku Dawit 
Published: July 2024

Background
Ethiopia has become one of the countries that have shown a significant reduction in maternal mortality in relation to unsafe abortion after the revision of the abortion law that resulted in the legalization of abortion in certain circumstances since 2005. Medical interns are the future physicians who will encounter many women in need of safe abortion in their careers. Their knowledge and attitude towards induced abortion will determine their practice.
Methods
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered questioner that was distributed among all 240 medical interns of Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine between September and October 2018.
Result
Two hundred and five medical interns have participated in the study with an 85.4% response rate. Females were 35.1% and male. The majority of the study participants, 63.1%, were followers of Orthodox Christian religion. Only 66% of the medical interns have the knowledge of all the indications for which the Ethiopia Abortion law permits safe abortion services. Ninety-six percent (96%) of the interns believe safe abortion is important but only 54% of them are willing to provide safe abortion services by themselves. The most common reason reported for not willing to provide a safe abortion service is religion.

Conclusion
The study shows that most medical interns are aware of one or more of the indications to providing safe abortion under the current Ethiopian abortion law and that most have a positive attitude towards the importance of safe abortion services. There is a palpable knowledge gap regarding the abortion law and the technique of termination of pregnancy. Further integration of training on safe abortion methods and abortion law into the training of medical students can alleviate this knowledge gap.
Keywords: Medical interns, induced abortion, knowledge and attitude
Evaluating the Application of the SIR Model to a Localized Population
Authors: Close Alexandra 
Published: July 2024

Objective
Using data collected from the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Repository, I investigated the reliability of the SIR (Susceptible-Infected-Removed) model.

Summary of Background Data
Modern pandemic responses have evolved into effective defenses when implemented correctly but present issues in epidemiological modeling efforts. Intervention strategies such as quarantining and masking limit population size (N), which affects the accuracy of modeling population-based rate systems especially in highly transmissible diseases.

Methods
I begin by reviewing the SIR model retroactively to the initial SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain. I compared the parameters available in the published literature (N = 2,717,000, β = 2, γ = 1/14) to the best-fitting SIR-yielded values by minimizing the root mean squared error function. Subsequently, I evaluated its predictive capabilities on the Delta variant using early surge data, which was later compared against a retroactive analysis.

Results
Using a least-squares error best-fit analysis allowed me to retroactively define remarkably accurate model parameters for the Wuhan waves. Parameters including N = 730, β = 0.46, γ = 0.043 in the first wave and N = 11,200, β = 0.198, γ = 0.07 in the second reflected effective intervention strategies. I show it is an effective predictive tool regarding the Delta variant, yielding parameters N = 50,900, β = 0.87, γ = 1/3.7 that proved accurate when compared with parameters from a full retroactive analysis (N = 60,000, β = 0.94, γ = 1/3.6).

Conclusion
The similarity of the yielded parameters in my results supports the SIR model’s utility in epidemiological monitoring of high-transmissibility, low-mortality outbreaks vis-à-vis various containment measures.
Toward robust and consistent regional CO2 flux estimates from in situ and spaceborne measurements of atmospheric CO2
Authors: Chevallier Frédéric , Palmer Paul I. , Feng Liang , Boesch Hartmut , O'Dell Christopher W. , Bousquet Philippe 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe evaluate the robustness and consistency of global and regional posterior CO2 flux estimates for 2010 inferred from two versions of bias‐corrected CO2 column retrievals from the Japanese Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT). Six satellite‐based inversions, generated from three atmospheric transport models and two independent Bayesian inference algorithms, facilitate a rigorous investigation of the uncertainty of the inverted fluxes. This ensemble shows hemispheric and regional differences in posterior flux estimates that are beyond 1 sigma uncertainties and in some regions are unrealistic. We recognize the importance of these satellite data in further understanding the contemporary carbon cycle but we argue that more resources should be invested in characterizing the errors of the prior fluxes, the systematic errors of the retrievals, and the systematic errors of the transport models, to improve confidence in the resulting posterior fluxes.
Estimating the ETAS model from an early aftershock sequence
Authors: Omi Takahiro , Ogata Yosihiko , Hirata Yoshito , Aihara Kazuyuki 
Published: January 2014

AbstractForecasting aftershock probabilities, as early as possible after a main shock, is required to mitigate seismic risks in the disaster area. In general, aftershock activity can be complex, including secondary aftershocks or even triggering larger earthquakes. However, this early forecasting implementation has been difficult because numerous aftershocks are unobserved immediately after the main shock due to dense overlapping of seismic waves. Here we propose a method for estimating parameters of the epidemic type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model from incompletely observed aftershocks shortly after the main shock by modeling an empirical feature of data deficiency. Such an ETAS model can effectively forecast the following aftershock occurrences. For example, the ETAS model estimated from the first 24 h data after the main shock can well forecast secondary aftershocks after strong aftershocks. This method can be useful in early and unbiased assessment of the aftershock hazard.
Evaluation and improvement of a global land model against soil carbon data using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method
Authors: Hararuk Oleksandra , Xia Jianyang , Luo Yiqi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLong‐term land carbon (C) cycle feedback to climate change is largely determined by dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, most evaluation studies conducted so far indicate that global land models predict SOC poorly. This study was conducted to evaluate predictions of SOC by the Community Land Model with Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford Approach biogeochemistry submodel (CLM‐CASA'), investigate underlying causes of mismatches between model predictions and observations, and calibrate model parameters to improve the prediction of SOC. We compared modeled SOC to the SOC pools from a globally gridded observation data product and found that CLM‐CASA' on average underestimated SOC pools by 65% (r2= 0.28). We applied data assimilation to CLM‐CASA' to estimate SOC residence times, C partitioning coefficients among the pools, and temperature sensitivity of C decomposition. The model with calibrated parameters explained 41% of the global variability in the observed SOC, which was substantial improvement from the initial 27%. The SOC and litter C feedback to changing climate differed between models with original and calibrated parameters: after 95 years of climate change (2006–2100), soils released 48 Pg C less in the calibrated than in the noncalibrated model and litter released 6.5 Pg C less in the calibrated than the noncalibrated model. Thus, assimilating estimated soil carbon data into the model improved model performance and reduced the amount of C released under changing climate. To further reduce the uncertainty in the soil carbon prediction, we need to explore alternative model structures, improve representation of ecosystems, and develop additional global datasets for constraining model parameters.
A generalized global adaptive tracking control scheme for robot manipulators with bounded inputs
Authors: López‐Araujo Daniela J. , Zavala‐Río Arturo , Santibáñez Víctor , Reyes Fernando 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIn this work, a generalized adaptive scheme for the global motion control of robot manipulators with constrained inputs is proposed. It gives rise to various families of bounded adaptive controllers defined through a general class of saturation functions. Compared with adaptive tracking control algorithms previously developed in a bounded input context, the proposed adaptive approach guarantees the motion control objective for any initial condition, avoiding discontinuities throughout the scheme, preventing the inputs to reach their natural saturation bounds, and permitting innovation on the saturating structure through its generalized form, giving a wide range of possibilities for performance improvement. Experimental results corroborate the efficiency of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cutting Short the Asymmetric Synthesis of the Ramatroban Precursor by Employing ω‐Transaminases
Authors: Busto Eduardo , Simon Robert C. , Grischek Barbara , Gotor‐Fernández Vicente , Kroutil Wolfgang 
Published: January 2014

AbstractStarting from an adequate ketone precursor previous reports required three steps for the preparation of (R)‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazol‐3‐amine, a key intermediate for the synthesis of the antiallergic drug ramatroban. A single biocatalytic step was sufficient to prepare the target amine with >97% ee (HPLC) via reductive amination of the corresponding ketone using an ω‐transaminase as biocatalyst. Since the ketone was barely soluble under the reaction conditions employed, it was provided as a solid and still the reaction went to completion within 4 h at 50 mM substrate concentration. Although 2‐propylamine is regarded as an ideal amine donor, it turned out to be detrimental for the specific ketone precursor leading to the formation of various side products. These could be avoided by using (R)‐1‐phenylethylamine as the best suited amine donor. An alternative work‐up was developed via freeze‐drying of the reaction mixture, enabling the isolation of the desired (R)‐amine in excellent yield (96%) and enantiopure form on a preparative scale (500 mg). No purification steps (e.g., column chromatography, crystallisation) were required.magnified image
Zwitterionische Polymere mit antimikrobiellen und Nonfouling‐Eigenschaften
Authors: Mi Luo , Jiang Shaoyi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractZwitterionische Polymere werden im Allgemeinen als eine neue Klasse von abweisenden “Nonfouling”‐Materialien angesehen. Sie verfügen über eine breitere chemische Diversität als entsprechende Polyethylenglycole (PEG) und eine größere Freiheit hinsichtlich des Moleküldesigns. Dieser Kurzaufsatz stellt neueste mikrobiologische Anwendungen zwitterionischer Polymere und ihrer Derivate in den Mittelpunkt, wobei verschiedene molekulare Strategien hervorgehoben werden, die antimikrobielle und Nonfouling‐Eigenschaften integrieren. Ferner werden Erkenntnisse über die Bakterienbewuchshemmung durch zwitterionische Polymere sowie ein Beispiel für die technische Verwendung zwitterionischer Polymerderivate als antimikrobielle Wundauflagen diskutiert.
Chinone als Dienophile in der Diels‐Alder‐Reaktion – historische Entwicklung und Anwendungen in der Totalsynthese
Authors: Nawrat Christopher C. , Moody Christopher J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIm Repertoire an Reaktionen, das dem Organiker in der Totalsynthese zur Verfügung steht, gehört die Diels‐Alder‐Reaktion zu den wirksamsten und am besten verstandenen. Ihre Fähigkeit, komplexe Molekülstrukturen rasch durch die gleichzeitige Bildung von zwei Kohlenstoff‐Kohlenstoff‐Bindungen aufzubauen, ist nahezu unerreicht. Das spiegelt sich in der Vielzahl von Anwendungen der Reaktion wider, die in der Literatur beschrieben wurden. Im historischen Zusammenhang ist die Verwendung von Chinonen als Dienophile von großer Bedeutung, da sie das allererste Beispiel bildeten, das von Diels und Alder untersucht wurde. Dieser Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über die Anwendung der Diels‐Alder‐Reaktion von Chinonen in der Totalsynthese von Naturstoffen. Die behandelten Beispiele stammen aus einem Zeitraum von etwa 60 Jahren: von den bahnbrechenden Synthesen von Morphin 1952 durch Gates und von Reserpin 1956 durch Woodward bis hin zu aktuellen Beispielen wie den Tetracyclinen.
One‐Pot Semisynthesis of Exon 1 of the Huntingtin Protein: New Tools for Elucidating the Role of Posttranslational Modifications in the Pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Ansaloni Annalisa , Wang Zhe‐Ming , Jeong Jae Sun , Ruggeri Francesco Simone , Dietler Giovanni , Lashuel Hilal A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe natural enzymes involved in regulating many of the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) within the first 17 residues (Nt17) of Huntingtin exon 1 (Httex1) remain unknown. A semisynthetic strategy that allows the site‐specific introduction of PTMs within Nt17 by using expressed protein ligation (EPL) was developed. This strategy was used to produce untagged wild‐type (wt) and T3‐phosphorylated (pT3) Httex1 containing 23 glutamine residues (Httex1‐23Q). Our studies show that pT3 significantly slows the oligomerization and fibrillization of Httex1‐23Q and that Httex1 variants containing polyQ repeats below the pathogenic threshold readily aggregate and form fibrils in vitro. These findings suggest that crossing the polyQ pathogenic threshold is not essential for Httex1 aggregation. The ability to produce wt or site‐specifically modified tag‐free Httex1 should facilitate determining its structure and the role of N‐terminal PTMs in regulating the functions of Htt in health and disease.
Single‐Layered Ultrasmall Nanoplates of MoS2 Embedded in Carbon Nanofibers with Excellent Electrochemical Performance for Lithium and Sodium Storage
Authors: Zhu Changbao , Mu Xiaoke , van Aken Peter A. , Yu Yan , Maier Joachim 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe preparation and electrochemical storage behavior of MoS2 nanodots—more precisely single‐layered ultrasmall nanoplates—embedded in carbon nanowires has been studied. The preparation is achieved by an electrospinning process that can be easily scaled up. The rate performance and cycling stability of both lithium and sodium storage were found to be outstanding. The storage behavior is, moreover, highly exciting from a fundamental point of view, as the differences between the usual storage modes—insertion, conversion, interfacial storage—are beneficially blurred. The restriction to ultrasmall reaction domains allows for an almost diffusion‐less and nucleation‐free “conversion”, thereby resulting in a high capacity and a remarkable cycling performance.
Multifunctional Core–Shell Silica Nanoparticles for Highly Sensitive 19F Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Matsushita Hisashi , Mizukami Shin , Sugihara Fuminori , Nakanishi Yosuke , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Kikuchi Kazuya 
Published: January 2014

Abstract19F magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) is useful for monitoring particular signals from biological samples, cells, and target tissues, because background signals are missing in animal bodies. Therefore, highly sensitive 19F MRI contrast agents are in great demand for their practical applications. However, we have faced the following challenges: 1) increasing the number of fluorine atoms decreases the solubility of the molecular probes, and 2) the restriction of the molecular mobility attenuates the 19F MRI signals. Herein, we developed novel multifunctional core–shell nanoparticles to solve these issues. They are composed of a core micelle filled with liquid perfluorocarbon and a robust silica shell. These core–shell nanoparticles have superior properties such as high sensitivity, modifiability of the surface, biocompatibility, and sufficient in vivo stability. By the adequate surface modifications, gene expression in living cells and tumor tissue in living mice were successfully detected by 19F MRI.
Identification of Living Legionella pneumophila Using Species‐Specific Metabolic Lipopolysaccharide Labeling
Authors: Mas Pons Jordi , Dumont Audrey , Sautejeau Grégory , Fugier Emilie , Baron Aurélie , Dukan Sam , Vauzeilles Boris 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLegionella pneumophila is a pathogenic bacterium involved in regular outbreaks characterized by a relatively high fatality rate and an important societal impact. Frequent monitoring of the presence of this bacterium in environmental water samples is necessary to prevent these epidemic events, but the traditional culture‐based detection and identification method requires up to 10 days. Reported herein is a method allowing identification of Legionella pneumophila by metabolic lipopolysaccharide labeling which targets, for the first time, a precursor to monosaccharides that are specifically present within the O‐antigen of the bacterium. This new approach allows easy detection of living Legionella pneumophila, while other Legionella species are not labeled.
Atom‐Economic, Regiodivergent, and Stereoselective Coupling of Imidazole Derivatives with Terminal Allenes
Authors: Xu Kun , Thieme Niels , Breit Bernhard 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNew Rh‐ and Pd‐catalyzed regiodivergent and stereoselective intermolecular coupling reactions of imidazole derivatives with mono‐substituted allenes are herein reported. Using a RhI/Josiphos system, perfect regioselectivities and high enantiomeric excess were obtained, while a PdII/dppf system gave linear products with high regioselectivities and high E/Z selectivities. This method permits the atom economic synthesis of valuable branched and linear allylic imidazole derivatives.
Photoresponsive Hybrid Raspberry‐Like Colloids Based on Cucurbit[8]uril Host–Guest Interactions
Authors: Lan Yang , Wu Yuchao , Fox Athan , Scherman Oren A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHybrid raspberry‐like colloids (HRCs) were prepared by employing cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) as a supramolecular linker to assemble functional polymeric nanoparticles onto a silica core. The formed HRCs are photoresponsive and can be reversibly disassembled upon light irradiation. This facile supramolecular approach provides a platform for the synthesis of colloids with sophisticated structures and properties.
Flavoenzyme‐Catalyzed Formation of Disulfide Bonds in Natural Products
Authors: Scharf Daniel H. , Groll Michael , Habel Andreas , Heinekamp Thorsten , Hertweck Christian , Brakhage Axel A. , Huber Eva M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNature provides a rich source of compounds with diverse chemical structures and biological activities, among them, sulfur‐containing metabolites from bacteria and fungi. Some of these compounds bear a disulfide moiety that is indispensable for their bioactivity. Specialized oxidoreductases such as GliT, HlmI, and DepH catalyze the formation of this disulfide bridge in the virulence factor gliotoxin, the antibiotic holomycin, and the anticancer drug romidepsin, respectively. We have examined all three enzymes by X‐ray crystallography and activity assays. Despite their differently sized substrate binding clefts and hence, their diverse substrate preferences, a unifying reaction mechanism is proposed based on the obtained crystal structures and further supported by mutagenesis experiments.