bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Germany’s Never-Ending Guilt Trip
Authors: Abed-Rabbo Samir 
Published: March 2023

Nazi Germany and the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the future government of Israel and the official representative of the Zionist Organization (ZO), entered a contractual transactional relationship from 1933 to 1939. In 1952 the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the State of Israel, on behalf of all Jews, signed an agreement that paved the way for Germany’s unconditional support for Israel. No suggestion is being made here that Nazi Germany and the FRG are the same; the FRG assumed responsibilities for the crimes of the Holocaust.
However, both contractual transactional relationships between both countries from 1933 to the present have initiated policies and programs that contributed significantly to the deterioration of German Jewish living conditions in Germany, the transfer of thousands of German Jewish citizens and their assets out of Germany to colonize Palestine, the establishment of Israel in historic Palestine, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people, the allocation of a significant portion of German reparation money for the benefit of Israel instead of the victims of the Holocaust, the strengthening of the Israeli economy and industrial base, and providing Israel with German military technology and equipment to wage wars in the region.
In this article, I will examine and analyze the special, often secret, relationship between Germany and the Zionist mechanization to colonize Palestine, the establishment of Israel in 1948, and the arming of the state with modern weapon platforms that can carry and deliver nuclear weapons. This secret relationship is in clear violation of German law, made possible by creating a universal guilt feeling among Germans for the crime of the Holocaust, and associated with a deliberate lack of public debate and accountability.
Low-noise φ-OTDR employing nonlinear optical preamplification for distributed acoustic sensing
Authors: Rossi L. , Cheng L. K. , de Jong W. , Jansen R. , Bolognini G. 
Published: March 2023

A phase sensitive optical time domain reflectometry sensing scheme employing a
two-stage nonlinear optical preamplification system is proposed to
reduce the blind spot effect in Rayleigh scattering by improving the
optical power distribution and to enhance the resolution at locations
of low-backscatter intensity measurements, providing a higher
signal-to-noise ratio for distributed acoustic measurements; the
developed system has been tested in-laboratory and on in-field
monitoring of a survey well in Cottessen, The Netherlands. The
characterization shows strain noise levels below 1 nɛ for a
10 kHz sampling rate.
Security-enhanced electro-optic chaotic communication system based on the logistic map feedback and dynamic key
Authors: Lu Yuantong , Wang Hongxiang , Ji Yuefeng , Zhang Yu 
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a novel electro-optic chaotic system based on the logistic map feedback (EOLM) is proposed. The logistic map is used to introduce additional nonlinear effects into the electro-optic feedback loop. The simulation results show that, with the increase of logistic map iterations N, the bandwidth and permutation entropy of the chaotic output can be significantly increased, and the spectrum is flatter. The time-delay signature (TDS) of the system can be concealed within the appropriate range of values of parameters, which ensures the security of the key. Synchronization results show that the system is not only sensitive to time delay T but is also sensitive to the feedback intensity β, so β is also the key of the system. Utilizing the sensitivity to β, a dynamic EOLM communication system with changing key (DEOLM) is designed. Based on chaotic self-control, the chaotic optical signal is transformed nonlinearly to generate the control signal, which drives the gain coefficient of the amplifier to change dynamically, so as to realize the changing of β. Simulation of communication performance shows that the DEOLM system greatly raises the difficulty for the eavesdropper to crack the message and improves the confidentiality of communication.
Tuberculosis severity associates with variants and eQTLs related to vascular biology and infection-induced inflammation
Authors: McHenry Michael L. , Simmons Jason , Hong Hyejeong , Malone LaShaunda L. , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet , Bush William S. , Boom W. Henry , Hawn Thomas R. , Williams Scott M. , Stein Catherine M. 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health problem globally, even compared to COVID-19. Genome-wide studies have failed to discover genes that explain a large proportion of genetic risk for adult pulmonary TB, and even fewer have examined genetic factors underlying TB severity, an intermediate trait impacting disease experience, quality of life, and risk of mortality. No prior severity analyses used a genome-wide approach.Methods and findingsAs part of our ongoing household contact study in Kampala, Uganda, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of TB severity measured by TBScore, in two independent cohorts of culture-confirmed adult TB cases (n = 149 and n = 179). We identified 3 SNPs (P<1.0 x 10–7) including one on chromosome 5, rs1848553, that was GWAS significant (meta-analysis p = 2.97x10-8). All three SNPs are in introns of RGS7BP and have effect sizes corresponding to clinically meaningful reductions in disease severity. RGS7BP is highly expressed in blood vessels and plays a role in infectious disease pathogenesis. Other genes with suggestive associations defined gene sets involved in platelet homeostasis and transport of organic anions. To explore functional implications of the TB severity-associated variants, we conducted eQTL analyses using expression data from Mtb-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages. A single variant (rs2976562) associated with monocyte SLA expression (p = 0.03) and subsequent analyses indicated that SLA downregulation following MTB stimulation associated with increased TB severity. Src Like Adaptor (SLAP-1), encoded by SLA, is highly expressed in immune cells and negatively regulates T cell receptor signaling, providing a potential mechanistic link to TB severity.ConclusionsThese analyses reveal new insights into the genetics of TB severity with regulation of platelet homeostasis and vascular biology being central to consequences for active TB patients. This analysis also reveals genes that regulate inflammation can lead to differences in severity. Our findings provide an important step in improving TB patient outcomes.
The duplicated P450s CYP6P9a/b drive carbamates and pyrethroids cross-resistance in the major African malaria vector Anopheles funestus
Authors: Mugenzi Leon M. J. , A. Tekoh Theofelix , S. Ibrahim Sulaiman , Muhammad Abdullahi , Kouamo Mersimine , Wondji Murielle J. , Irving Helen , Hearn Jack , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: March 2023

Cross-resistance to insecticides in multiple resistant malaria vectors is hampering resistance management. Understanding its underlying molecular basis is critical to implementation of suitable insecticide-based interventions. Here, we established that the tandemly duplicated cytochrome P450s, CYP6P9a/b are driving carbamate and pyrethroid cross-resistance in Southern African populations of the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus.
Transcriptome sequencing revealed that cytochrome P450s are the most over-expressed genes in bendiocarb and permethrin-resistant An. funestus. The CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b genes are overexpressed in resistant An. funestus from Southern Africa (Malawi) versus susceptible An. funestus (Fold change (FC) is 53.4 and 17 respectively), while the CYP6P4a and CYP6P4b genes are overexpressed in resistant An. funestus in Ghana, West Africa, (FC is 41.1 and 17.2 respectively). Other up-regulated genes in resistant An. funestus include several additional cytochrome P450s (e.g. CYP9J5, CYP6P2, CYP6P5), glutathione-S transferases, ATP-binding cassette transporters, digestive enzymes, microRNA and transcription factors (FC<7). Targeted enrichment sequencing strongly linked a known major pyrethroid resistance locus (rp1) to carbamate resistance centering around CYP6P9a/b. In bendiocarb resistant An. funestus, this locus exhibits a reduced nucleotide diversity, significant p-values when comparing allele frequencies, and the most non-synonymous substitutions. Recombinant enzyme metabolism assays showed that both CYP6P9a/b metabolize carbamates. Transgenic expression of CYP6P9a/b in Drosophila melanogaster revealed that flies expressing both genes were significantly more resistant to carbamates than controls. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between carbamate resistance and CYP6P9a genotypes with homozygote resistant An. funestus (CYP6P9a and the 6.5kb enhancer structural variant) exhibiting a greater ability to withstand bendiocarb/propoxur exposure than homozygote CYP6P9a_susceptible (e.g Odds ratio = 20.8, P<0.0001 for bendiocarb) and heterozygotes (OR = 9.7, P<0.0001). Double homozygote resistant genotype (RR/RR) were even more able to survive than any other genotype combination showing an additive effect.
This study highlights the risk that pyrethroid resistance escalation poses to the efficacy of other classes of insecticides. Available metabolic resistance DNA-based diagnostic assays should be used by control programs to monitor cross-resistance between insecticides before implementing new interventions.
Effect of postural threat on motor control in people with and without low back pain
Authors: Wildenbeest Meta H. , Kiers Henri , Tuijt Matthijs , van Dieën Jaap H. 
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Negative pain-related cognitions are associated with persistence of low-back pain (LBP), but the mechanism underlying this association is not well understood. We propose that negative pain-related cognitions determine how threatening a motor task will be perceived, which in turn will affect how lumbar movements are performed, possibly with negative long-term effects on pain.

Objective
To assess the effect of postural threat on lumbar movement patterns in people with and without LBP, and to investigate whether this effect is associated with task-specific pain-related cognitions.

Methods
30 back-healthy participants and 30 participants with LBP performed consecutive two trials of a seated repetitive reaching movement (45 times). During the first trial participants were threatened with mechanical perturbations, during the second trial participants were informed that the trial would be unperturbed. Movement patterns were characterized by temporal variability (CyclSD), local dynamic stability (LDE) and spatial variability (meanSD) of the relative lumbar Euler angles. Pain-related cognition was assessed with the task-specific ‘Expected Back Strain’-scale (EBS). A three-way mixed Manova was used to assess the effect of Threat, Group (LBP vs control) and EBS (above vs below median) on lumbar movement patterns.

Results
We found a main effect of threat on lumbar movement patterns. In the threat-condition, participants showed increased variability (MeanSDflexion-extension, p<0.000, η2 = 0.26; CyclSD, p = 0.003, η2 = 0.14) and decreased stability (LDE, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.14), indicating large effects of postural threat.

Conclusion
Postural threat increased variability and decreased stability of lumbar movements, regardless of group or EBS. These results suggest that perceived postural threat may underlie changes in motor behavior in patients with LBP. Since LBP is likely to impose such a threat, this could be a driver of changes in motor behavior in patients with LBP, as also supported by the higher spatial variability in the group with LBP and higher EBS in the reference condition.
Correlation between reading time and characteristics of eye fixations and progressive lens design
Authors: Concepcion-Grande Pablo , Chamorro Eva , Cleva Jose Miguel , Alonso Jose , Gómez-Pedrero Jose Antonio 
Published: March 2023

Objective
The purpose of this study is to evaluate reading time and characteristics of fixations at different distances when looking through different areas of progressive power lenses (PPL) with different power distributions by means of eye-tracking technology.

Method
A wearable eye tracker system (Tobii-Pro Glasses 3) was used to record the pupil position of 28 PPL subjects when reading at near and distance vision while using 3 different PPL designs: a PPL optimized for distance vision (PPL-Distance), a PPL optimized for near vision (PPL-Near) and one of them balanced for a general use (PPL-Balance). Subjects were asked to read out loud a text displayed on a digital screen located at 5.25m and 0.37m when they were looking through the central and peripheral regions of each PPL. Reading time, total duration of fixations, and the number of fixations were analyzed for each reading condition and PPL. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statgraphics Centurion XVII.II Software.

Results
The analysis of eye movements at distance-reading vision showed a statistically significant lower reading time (p = 0.004) and lower total duration of fixations (p = 0.01) for PPL-Distance. At near-reading vision, PPL-Near provided statistically significant lower reading time (p<0.001), lower total duration of fixations (p = 0.02), and less fixation count(p<0.001) in comparison with PPL-Balance and PPL-Distance.

Conclusions
Reading time and fixations characteristics are affected by the power distribution of a PPL. A PPL design with a wider distance region provides better distance-reading performance while a PPL with a wider near area performs better at a near-reading task. The power distribution of PPLs influences the user performance at vision-based tasks. Thus, to provide the user with the best visual experience, PPL selection must consider user needs.
Value of the clinical pharmacist interventions in the application of the American College of Cardiology (ACC/AHA) 2018 guideline for cholesterol management
Authors: AlAhmad Mohammad M. , ZainAlAbdin Sham , AlAhmad Khozama , AlAhmad Iqbal , AbuRuz Salah 
Published: March 2023

Objectives
The study aims to examine the extent to which the updated ACC/AHA management of blood cholesterol guideline (2018) is implemented in practice and to assess the value of the clinical pharmacist interventions in improving physicians’ adherence the guidelines recommendations.

Methods
We utilized in this study an interventional before-after design. The study was conducted on 272 adult patients who visited the study site internal medicine clinics and were candidates for statin therapy based on the 2018 ACC/AHA guidelines for cholesterol management. Adherence to guideline recommendations was measured before and after clinical pharmacists’ interventions by calculating the percentage of patients receiving statin therapy as per guideline recommendation, the type and intensity (moderate or high intensity) of statin therapy used, and the need for additional non-statin therapy.

Results
Adherence with guideline recommendations was significantly improved from 60.3% to 92.6% (X2 = 79.1, p = 0.0001) after clinical pharmacist interventions. Among patients who were on statin therapy, the percentage of those who were on proper statin intensity increased significantly from 47.6% to 94.4% (X2 = 72.5, p = 0.0001). The combination of statins with non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors increased from 8.5% to 30.6% (X2 = 95, p<0.0001) and from 0.0% to 1.6% (X2 = 6, p = 0.014), respectively. The use of other lipid-lowering agents was diminished from 14.6% to 3.2% (X2 = 19.2, p<0.0001).

Conclusion
Collaboration between physicians and clinical pharmacists is a crucial strategy to improve patients’ treatment and hence, achieve better health outcomes among patients suffering from dyslipidemia.
Psychosocial health of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a nationwide survey in Bangladesh
Authors: Koly Kamrun Nahar , Islam Md. Saiful , Potenza Marc N. , Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Islam Md. Shefatul , Uddin Md. Salim , Sarwar Md. Afzal Hossain , Begum Farzana , Reidpath Daniel D. 
Published: March 2023

Background
Common psychosocial health problems (PHPs) have become more prevalent among adolescents globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the psychosocial health of school-going adolescents has remained unexplored in Bangladesh due to limited research during the pandemic. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PHPs (i.e., depression and anxiety) and assess associated lifestyle and behavioral factors among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,571 school-going adolescents (male: 57.4%, mean age: 14.9±1.8 years; age range: 10–19 years) covering all divisions, including 63 districts in Bangladesh. A semi-structured e-questionnaire, including informed consent and questions related to socio-demographics, lifestyle, academics, pandemic and PHPs, was used to collect data between May and July 2021.

Results
The prevalence of moderate to severe depression and anxiety were 37.3% and 21.7%, respectively, ranging from 24.7% in the Sylhet Division to 47.5% in the Rajshahi Division for depression, and from 13.4% in the Sylhet Division to 30.3% in the Rajshahi Division for anxiety. Depression and anxiety were associated with older age, reports of poor teacher cooperation in online classes, worries due to academic delays, parental comparison of academic performance with other classmates, difficulties coping with quarantine situations, changes in eating habits, weight gain, physical inactivity and having experienced cyberbullying. Moreover, being female was associated with higher odds of depression.

Conclusions
Adolescent psychosocial problems represent a public health problem. The findings suggest a need for generating improved empirically supported school-based psychosocial support programs involving parents and teachers to ensure the well-being of adolescents in Bangladesh. School-based prevention of psychosocial problems that promote environmental and policy changes related to lifestyle practices and active living should be developed, tested, and implemented.
Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Discriminates Between Decompensated Alcohol-Associated Cirrhosis and Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis
Authors: McLean Diaz Paige , Vannier Augustin , Joshi Amit D. , Mahle Rachael E. , Przybyszewski Eric M. , Corey Kathleen , Chung Raymond T. , Luther Jay , Goodman Russell P. , Schaefer Esperance A.K. 
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCTION:
We hypothesized that fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) would be highly expressed in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and could be a novel and biologically relevant predictive biomarker to reliably distinguish severe AH and decompensated alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC).

METHODS:
We identified a discovery cohort of 88 subjects with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) of varying disease severity from our ALD repository. Our validation cohort consisted of 37 patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of AH, AC, or absence of ALD with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores ≥10. Serum from both groups during index hospitalization was assayed for FGF-21 by ELISA. We performed receiver operating characteristic analysis and prediction modeling in both cohorts to discriminate between AH and AC in high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (≥20) patients.

RESULTS:
In both cohorts, FGF-21 concentrations were highest in subjects with moderate to severe AH compared with those having alcohol use disorder or AC (mean: 2,609 pg/mL, P < 0.0001). The discovery cohort area under the curve of FGF-21 between AH and AC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.65–0.98, P < 0.01). In the validation cohort, FGF-21 levels were higher in severe AH compared with AC (3,052 vs 1,235 pg/mL, P = 0.03), and the area under the curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.96, P < 0.03). A survival analysis showed that patients with FGF-21 serum levels in the second interquartile had the highest survival compared with all other quartiles.

DISCUSSION:
FGF-21 performs well as a predictive biomarker to distinguish severe AH from AC and may be helpful in the management and clinical investigation of patients with severe alcohol-associated liver diseases.
Nutrient composition and microbial food safety of a locally-processed fish product in Cambodia
Authors: Wang Qijin , Byrd Kendra A. , Navin Chea , Thilsted Shakuntala H. , Try Vanvuth , Kim Miratori , Lejeune Manigandan , Worobo Randy , Than So , Fiorella Kathryn J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPrahoc is a traditional, fermented fish product in Cambodian diets. Fermented products like Prahoc may play a range of beneficial roles nutritionally, culturally, and financially. However, the use of freshwater fish and long-term storage may also pose food safety risks of parasites and microorganisms. We conducted a mixed-methods study of Prahoc to describe the complex risks and benefits of this food that included semi-structured interviews (prahoc-producing households, n = 22; small and medium enterprises n = 6), production observation, sample collection and analysis of nutrient composition and food safety parameters. Nutrient composition analysis showed that while Prahoc contributes small amounts of zinc, iron, and other key minerals to the diet, it is also very high in sodium (∼101,621 mg kg-1). Food safety analyses showed that while further tests are needed to resolve Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio risks, all samples were in compliance with the Cambodia Standards for Prahoc, and there was no evidence of parasites. Participants described Prahoc as playing an essential dietary and cultural role, and also making important contributions to household welfare, particularly within households and businesses that sold Prahoc. Despite the potential risks of microbial food safety and high sodium intake, Prahoc production offers benefits by adding value to fresh fish, reducing loss and waste, and preserving the harvest. However, Prahoc production depends on fish availability and is limited by declining access and high prices. Thus, freshwater fisheries management should take into account Prahoc production activities, an important value chain activity that contributes to the livelihoods of rural Cambodian communities.