bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
El Sistema de Justicia Penal Internacional y la política de selección de persecusión
Authors: Ambos Kai 
Published: March 2023

La Corte Penal Internacional (CPI) es un tribunal que tiene como función procesar y juzgar los denominados core crimes. En ese sentido, el presente artículo expone la importancia de esta figura jurídica la cual tiene grandes desafíos en la selección y priorización de casos los cuales deben ser tratados de un modo racional, justo y transparente ya que son elementos clave para el funcionamiento y legitimidad de este sistema penal internacional. El autor compara el sistema penal real con un planteamiento ideal, diferenciando la justicia retributiva de la justicia distributiva.
Protocolo de Estambul
Authors: Ortiz Beltrán Pablo Gonzálo 
Published: March 2023

El Protocolo de Estambul es un documento que tradicionalmente ha sido referencia obligada para evaluar, investigar y documentar la tortura; no obstante que refleja una acusada debilidad en cuanto a su efectiva evaluación psicológica, cabe destacar que la acreditación jurídica de la tortura no puede depender, ni de una evaluación de corte clínico, y mucho menos de unos lineamientos técnicos “más difusos que básicos” como los que plasma y propone dicho Protocolo, esto conlleva per se, de una deficiente, —en el menor de los casos—, a una nula certificación a partir de él, en cuanto a lo que la evaluación psicológica de la tortura se refiere. Lo anterior por la clara influencia teoricista de corrientes positivistas clínicas que ignoran otras áreas de la psicología científica y la metodología propia de estas.
Cimbrando el modelo prohibicionista
Authors: Tarello Leal Cesar David 
Published: March 2023

Los amparos en revisión 237/2014, 1115/2017 y 623/2017 resueltos por la Primera Sala de la Suprema Corte de Justicia han abierto el debate respectivo a la legalización de la marihuana y también han cuestionado los dogmas impuestos por el modelo prohibicionista que el Estado mexicano ha sostenido desde finales del siglo XIX. Estas resoluciones se han decantado por el valor de la libertad y la dignidad humana, a la par que revelan una práctica constitucional progresista que colocan a la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación como un órgano de estados que supo entender cómo ampliar los derechos previstos de manera expresa en el texto constitucional. Es así como el presente artículo incide en la historia prohibicionista del uso y consumo del cannabis, a la par que realiza un análisis de cómo se ha cimbrado la ideología que sustentó la prohibición del consumo de la marihuana.
3 - Sociology of Knowledge in the Era of Academic Dependency in Africa: Issues and Prospects
Authors: Ajani Oludele Albert 
Published: March 2023

In recent years, sociology of knowledge – especially in terms of knowledge production, circulation and consumption – has been dominated by the global North, leaving the Third World, Africa included, in a dependent position. Many scholars have described this continued academic dependence as part of overall colonial and postcolonial relations between the centre and periphery, where the former is seen as the thinker, actor and speaker for the latter. There have been various critical agitations for the indigenisation of (social science) knowledge in order to liberate the Third World from the academic dependence that has been in force since the period of African colonisation. This critical review article summarises major contributions and different dimensions of the academic dependency paradigm within the social sciences. The relevance of social science on the continent of Africa, the nature and origin of academic dependence, as well as key areas that require adequate attention for the emancipation of social science knowledge in Africa are discussed. A reinvention of African scholarship is vitally important for epistemic freedom from intellectual dependence. African countries should not give up their exclusive local practices and norms, and must document and preserve them for the present and future generations. They must generate ideas, terminologies and research technologies that are amenable to African social realities.
1 - Enhancing the Digital Transformation of African Universities: Covid-19 as Accelerator
Authors: Zeleza Paul Tiyambe , Okanda Paul Mzee 
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on virtually every sector of the global economy and educational institutions have not been spared. This has inevitably led to the need for African think tanks to consider ways through which the continent’s unprecedented youth bulge could be the cog around which growth and competitiveness of the African economy could be achieved. The first section introduces the paper and highlights how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a key role to play towards ensuring the youth are adequately equipped with skills that are relevant to the twenty-first century’s digital transformation. The second section discusses the theories behind the mega trends of the twenty-first century by international agencies, consultancy firms, governments, academics, and pundits while the third section examines the digitalization of HEIs and cites various publications on higher education and its evolution in the digital era. The fourth section builds on the authors’ findings from previous sections to detail a twelve- point Digital Transformation Agenda for Africa. The fifth section highlights the technological infrastructure that is required to support Africa’s Digital Transformation Agenda and twenty-first century research and innovation before the authors draw conclusions.
Mediation between Linguistic Hegemony and Periphery Languages in the Nobel Prize for Literature
Authors: Nabea Wendo 
Published: March 2023

This article explores the Nobel Prize for Literature as an embodiment of Western hegemony, despite its universal disposition. It demonstrates that the award is prestigious and canonises selected literary works as quintessential, as well as offering social and economic benefits to authors. However, the article contends that there are ideological and geopolitical considerations apart from quality that are addressed by the Swedish Academy to identify the winner every year, chief among them being the language of writing. The article demonstrates that literary works that are apt to win are generally those that are written in the dominant languages of the metropolis, especially English. It further cast doubts on the chances of winning for writers who use marginal languages, for example, African national languages, considering that even translations tend to misrepresent texts in the source language. The article avers that the Nobel Prize epitomises hegemony, language being a key component. Using postcolonial theory, the article further lays bare how writers use marginal languages to mediate with linguistic hegemony through appropriation, abrogation and evolution of argots. The article asserts that the Swedish Academy needs to rethink the question of language in awarding the Nobel Prize for Literature or else it can become displaced and parochialised as users of minor languages negotiate with it.
Researching Gender Relations in Africa: Directions and Landmarks in Feminist Research Methodology
Authors: Ahikire Josephine 
Published: March 2023

This article is a reflection on critical perspectives on researching gender relations. It is an overview of the landmarks in feminist methodology and the quest for greater inventiveness and sensibility in researching gender relations in Africa. Critical questions include: What milestones have been reached and why? What flaws do we need to correct and what will it take? The article was generated as part of feminist research methodology training at CODESRIA. It is designed to be a contribution to the ongoing African feminist conversation around the critical need for debunking colonial discourses and developmentalist buzzwords in researching gender relations, and the need for African realities to inform research and knowledge generation on gender relations on the continent.
Evaluating The Effectiveness of A Non-Locally Developed Commercial Phage Cocktail on Kenyan Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates
Authors: MUTAIL Ivy Jepkurui , GEORGES Martin , NYACHIEO Atunga , ODOYO Eric , NYAMACHE Anthony Kebira , NGALLA Jillani 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: The use of bacteriophages (phages) as an alternative treatment for multidrug-resistant bacteria has recently gained popularity. Phage cocktails have been proposed for broad-spectrum therapeutic effects against such resistant bacteria. However, the effectiveness of non-locally formulated phage cocktails for therapy on Kenyan isolates has yet to be evaluated and is a subject of investigation. This study aimed to determine the in vitro effectiveness of a non-locally made commercial pyophage cocktail on clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Kenya.
Methodology: Forty-nine P. aeruginosa isolates from Kenya were subjected to a pyophage cocktail for efficacy studies using direct spot test (DST) and efficiency of plating (EOP).
Results: The success rate of the cocktail was observed on 16.3% (8/49) isolates only and ineffective on 83.7% (41/49) isolates. Six of the eight isolates that showed cross-reactivity from DST had complete lysis with a faintly hazy background. Five of these six isolates resulted in successful and high phage progeny production in plaquing efficiency (EOP ≥ 0.5).
Conclusion: Non-locally made commercial pyophage cocktail was ineffective against the 83.7% endemic clinical strains of the Kenyan P. aeruginosa isolates, demonstrating the importance of locally derived phage cocktails against endemic and multidrug-resistant isolates. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 12(4):25-30.
Assessment of Quantity and Quality of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis DNA Extracts Stored at Different Temperatures
Authors: MAKAMURE Beauty 
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Globally, Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a public health concern. Rapid identification of MDR-TB using conventional or novel technologies is crucial for effective treatment. Here we assessed the quantity and quality of DNA extracted from MDR-TB isolates, allowing whole-genome sequencing (WGS).
Methods: This was a retrospective study on MDR-TB isolates from five studies conducted in Zimbabwe between 2011 and 2019. The isolates were stored under ambient 37 oC and -80 oC temperatures, respectively. These isolates were resuscitated and confirmed to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). DNA was extracted using the N-Cetyl-N-trimethylammonium-bromide standard protocol. The concentration (A260nm) and purity (A260/280) of the extracted DNA before WGS (concentration ≥20ng/ul) were compared among the different storage conditions on Stata v15.
Results: A total of 85 samples were successfully recovered from 106 retrieved. The overall recovery rate was 80.2%. We found a significant difference (p=0.005) in the concentration of the DNA samples by storage temperatures, with samples stored at -80 oC having the lowest concentration. Similarly, a significant difference (p=0.018) was found in the purity of the DNA (samples within the optimal range of 1.8 ± 0.2) by storage conditions, with 34/39 (87.2%) stored under ambient temperature, 18/20 (90.0%) stored in a 37 oC incubator and 1/4 (25.0%) stored at -80 oC.
Conclusions: The better concentration and purity obtained from samples stored at 37 oC and ambient temperatures provide an impetus that such storage conditions could be used in many resource-limited settings where power supplies are a limitation to long storage conditions. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 12(4):31-37.
Genus Schismatothele Karsch, 1879 (Araneae, Theraphosidae): taxonomic notes and seven new species description
Authors: Moeller Wolf , Weinmann Dirk , Guadanucci José Paulo Leite 
Published: March 2023

Seven new species of Schismatothele Karsch, 1879 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) are described, almost doubling the diversity of the genus: S. caeri sp. nov.; S. caiquetia sp. nov.; S. merida sp. nov.; S. moonenorum sp. nov.; S. quimbaya sp. nov.; S. timotocuica sp. nov. and S. wayana sp. nov. An identification key for all species of Schismatothele (except S. kastoni) is presented, as well as a complementary diagnosis for the genus. Also, a standardized nomenclature is proposed to describe the prolateral keels of male palpal bulbs of species of Schismatothele.
Transition of an estuarine benthic meiofauna assemblage 1.7 and 2.8 years after a mining disaster
Authors: Coppo Gabriel , Pais Fabiano S. , Ferreira Tiago O. , Halanych Ken M. , Donnelly Kyle , Mazzuco Ana Carolina , Bernardino Angelo F. 
Published: March 2023

Background
Estuaries are transitional coastal ecosystems that are threatened by multiple sources of human pollution. In 2015, mining tailings from an upstream dam failure caused massive metal contamination that impacted benthic assemblages on the Brazilian Rio Doce estuary.

Methods
In this study, we investigate and compare meiofaunal assemblages with eDNA metabarcoding 1.7 years (2017) and 2.8 years (2018) after the initial contamination by mine tailings in order to evaluate the continued impact of sediment mine tailing contaminants on the structure of benthic assemblages after the disaster.

Results
The community was dominated by Arthropoda and Nematoda 1.7 yr after the impacts (42 and 29% of meiofaunal sequence reads, respectively) but after 2.8 years Arthropoda (64.8% of meiofaunal sequence reads) and Rotifera (11.8%) were the most common taxa. This continued impact on meiofaunal assemblage revealed a lower phylogenetic diversity (7.8-fold) in 2018, despite overall decrease in metal concentration (Al, Ba, Cr, As, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Co) in sediments. Our data suggests that differences in benthic assemblages and loss of diversity may be influenced by contaminants in sediments of this estuary, and indicate that broad eDNA assessments are greatly useful to understand the full range of biodiversity changes in dynamic estuarine ecosystems.
The Study of Blood Conductivity and Viscosity in Malaria
Authors: Osman Zeinab K. , Khalifa Nodar O. , Mustafa Sara IB. 
Published: March 2023

Malaria is the most widespread disease in Africa and developing countries which has a negative effect on everyday life and causes thousands death each year. To find new, more precise, and less expensive diagnostic methods, an increasing number of studies are needed. In order to replace the conventional method for detecting the presence of malaria parasites in human blood, the electrical conductivity and viscosity of the blood of falciparum malaria were measured. To investigate the effect of malaria on physical properties; a total of hundred blood samples were collected from Khartoum state teaching hospital, samples were subdivided into two groups, fifty from the malaria patient and other fifty from healthy people setting as control group. An Ostwald viscometer, a hematocrit centrifuge and conductivity equipment were used to measure the viscosity, hematocrit and electrical conductivity of blood respectively. In this study it was found that the mean value of hematocrit for healthy individuals was 45.7%. While in malaria patients was 27.7 %, in addition, the mean value of blood viscosity for healthy individuals was 4.4 cp, while 2.8 cp, for patients. The mean value for conductivity of whole blood in healthy individuals was 4.4 m. s, whereas it was 3.9 m.s in patients, but the mean value of serum conductivity was 4.3 in patients a m.s and 8.3 in healthy individuals.
Conclusion: The results obtained in this indicated significantly changed in viscosity, hematocrit and electrical conductivity of blood due malaria parasites. These physical changes caused by Plasmodium falciparum malaria can be used as new malaria diagnostic techniques.
Association of High Normal Body Weight in Youths With Risk of Hypertension
Authors: Koebnick Corinna , Sidell Margo A. , Li Xia , Woolford Susan J. , Kuizon Beatriz D. , Kunani Poornima 
Published: March 2023

ImportanceAmple evidence links obesity to hypertension in youths. However, the association of high normal body mass index (BMI) with obesity and the interaction with different weight trajectories are not well understood.ObjectiveTo examine the hypertension risk associated with high normal BMI for age and different weight trajectories in youths.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study assessed 801 019 youths aged 3 to 17 years in an integrated health care system in Southern California from January 1, 2008, to February 28, 2015, with a maximum follow-up of 5 years from January 1, 2008, to February 28, 2020. Data analysis was performed from 2018 to 2022.ExposuresYouths were compared by first available (baseline) sex-specific BMI for age and change in the distance to the median BMI for age during the 5-year follow-up.Main Outcomes and MeasuresCox proportional hazards regression models with age as a time scale to assess hypertension risk (based on 2017 Blood Pressure Guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics from 3 consecutive independent visits), adjusted for sex, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, baseline year, and birth year.ResultsA total of 801 019 youths (mean [SD] age, 9.4 [4.6] years; 409 167 [51.1%] female]; 59 399 [7.4%] Asian and Pacific Islanders, 65 712 [8.2%] Black, and 427 492 [53.4%] Hispanic) were studied. Compared with youths with a baseline BMI for age in the 40th to 59th percentiles, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for hypertension within a maximum of 5 years was 1.26 (95% CI, 1.20-1.33) for youths between the 60th and 84th percentiles if they maintained their BMI for age. With every 1-unit annual increase in the distance to the median BMI for age, the aHR increased by 1.04 (95% CI, 1.04-1.05). The aHR was 4.94 (95% CI, 4.72-5.18) in youths with a baseline BMI for age in the 97th percentile or higher who maintained their body weight. Weight gain increased the risk associated with baseline BMI for age in the 97th percentile or higher with an aHR of 1.04 (95% CI, 1.04-1.05) per 1-unit annual increase in the distance to the median BMI for age. The risk associated with weight change was higher in youths living with low to high normal weight and overweight than in youths living with severe obesity.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of youths, high normal body weight above the 60th percentile of BMI for age was associated with increased risk of hypertension. Weight gain was associated with further increases in hypertension risk. Further research is needed to evaluate the wide range of body weight considered normal in youths and the health risks associated with high normal weight.
3D Printed Template‐Assisted Casting of Biocompatible Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Based Soft Microswimmers with Tunable Stability
Authors: Sanchis‐Gual Roger , Ye Hao , Ueno Towa , Landers Fabian C. , Hertle Lukas , Deng Siyu , Veciana Andrea , Xia Yanming , Franco Carlos , Choi Hongsoo , Puigmartí‐Luis Josep , Nelson Bradley J. , Chen Xiang‐Zhong , Pané Salvador 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe past decade has seen an upsurge in the development of small‐scale magnetic robots for various biomedical applications. However, many of the reported designs comprise components with biocompatibility concerns. Strategies for fabricating biocompatible and degradable microrobots are required. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based magnetic hydrogel microrobots with different morphologies and tunable stability are developed by combining a 3D printed template‐assisted casting with a salting‐out process. 3D sacrificial micromolds are prepared via direct laser writing to shape PVA‐magnetic nanoparticle composite hydrogel microrobots with high architectural complexity. By adjusting the PVA composition and salting‐out parameters, the hydrogel dissolubility can be customized. Due to their high mobility, tunable stability, and high biocompatibility, these PVA‐based magnetic microrobots are suitable platforms for targeted drug and cell delivery.
Mimicking the Graded Wavy Structure of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Camarero‐Espinosa Sandra , Yuan Huipin , Emans Pieter J. , Moroni Lorenzo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the connective tissue providing mechanical stability to the knee joint. ACL reconstruction upon rupture remains a clinical challenge due to the high mechanical properties required for proper functioning. ACL owes its outstanding mechanical properties to the arrangement of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to the cells with distinct phenotypes present along the length of the tissue. Tissue regeneration appears as an ideal alternative. In this study, a tri‐phasic fibrous scaffold that mimics the structure of collagen in the native ECM is developed, presenting a wavy intermediate zone and two aligned uncurled extremes. The mechanical properties of the wavy scaffolds present a toe region, characteristic of the native ACL, and an extended yield and ultimate strain compared to aligned scaffolds. The presentation of a wavy fiber arrangement affects cell organization and the deposition of a specific ECM characteristic of fibrocartilage. Cells cultured in wavy scaffolds grow in aggregates, deposit an abundant ECM rich in fibronectin and collagen II, and express higher amounts of collagen II, X, and tenomodulin as compared to aligned scaffolds. In vivo implantation in rabbits shows a high cellular infiltration and the formation of an oriented ECM compared to aligned scaffolds.
Bioinspired Adaptable Indwelling Microneedles for Treatment of Diabetic Ulcers
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Gan Jingjing , Fan Lu , Luo Zhiqiang , Zhao Yuanjin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMicroneedles provide an effective strategy for transdermal drug delivery. Many endeavors have been devoted to developing smart microneedles that can respond to and interact with pathophysiological environments. Here, novel bioinspired adaptable indwelling microneedles with therapeutic exosome encapsulation are presented for diabetic wound healing by a combined fabrication strategy of template replication and 3D transfer printing. Such microneedles are composed of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐exosomes‐encapsulated adjustable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel needle tips and detachable 3M medical tape supporting substrate. As the mechanical strength of the PVA hydrogel is ionically responsive due to Hofmeister effects, the hardness of the resultant microneedle tips can be upregulated by sulfate ions to ensure skin penetration and be softened by nitrate ions after tip–substrate detachment to adapt to the surrounding tissue and release exosomes. Because the MSC‐exosomes can effectively activate fibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells, and macrophages, the indwelling microneedles are demonstrated with the function of promoting tissue regeneration and diabetic wound healing in full‐thickness cutaneous wounds of diabetic rat models. These features indicate that the bioinspired adaptable indwelling microneedles are with practical values and clinical prospects in tissue and wound regeneration.