bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Designing strategy formulation in the midst of uncertainty in digital citizen engagement: A critical reflection of the application of Design Science Research augmented by Soft Systems Methodology to the design of strategy formulation
Authors: Osah Umeoniso Joshua , Pade‐Khene Caroline 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis manuscript details a critical reflection on how Design Science Research (DSR) was applied to the guided development and implementation of a strategy formulation process for a civic tech project called MobiSAM, which was executed in a marginalized local government context. It also demonstrates how the application of DSR is augmented by Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), to ensure that the unstructured properties typically present in multi‐stakeholder deliberation (required in civic tech project strategizing) are accounted for in the strategy formulation exercise. To underpin this critical reflection on the emergence and application of the civic tech project strategy framework (the artifact), pragmatist interpretivism is employed. This qualitative paradigm underpinning the critical reflection supports better understanding of strategy related challenges primarily through participant observation and interviews with actors in the civic tech context. The findings reveal that for an unstructured problem like civic tech project strategizing, SSM is particularly instrumental to the application of four DSR guidelines, namely—problem relevance, design evaluation, research contribution and communication of DSR.
Overexpression of miR‐383‐3p protects cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signal pathway
Authors: Zeng Huan , Li Ying , Liu Xinzong , Li Xinxin , Zhou Tian , Cao Shanshan , Wang Mingjuan , Ju Mingfei 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMicroRNAs are widely reported as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases. This study is aimed to expound on the regulatory responsibility of miR‐383‐3p in H/R‐induced injury of H9c2 cells. In this study, H9c2 cells were administrated with H/R. MiR‐383‐3p expression was measured using qRT‐PCR. ELISA was used to determine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected with 2,7‐Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate probe. 3‐(4,5)‐dimethylthiahiazo (‐z‐y1)‐3,5‐di‐ phenytetrazoliumromide, flow cytometry, and TUNEL experiments were conducted to measure cell viability and apoptosis. Cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐3, Bax, Bcl‐2, PTEN, PI3K, p‐PI3K, Akt, p‐AKT expression levels were examined by Western blot. Cleaved caspase‐3 expression was also measured by immunofluorescence staining. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to validate the binding sites in miR‐383‐3p and the 3′UTR of PTEN. We reported that, miR‐383‐3p expression in H9c2 cells treated with H/R was remarkably decreased. MiR‐383‐3p overexpression ameliorated oxidative stress and apoptosis and promoted cell viability in H9c2 cells treated with H/R, while miR‐383‐3p inhibitor showed the reverse effects. PTEN was identified as a target gene of miR‐383‐3p. Additionally, enhancement of PTEN expression abolished the influences of miR‐383‐3p on H9c2 cells. MiR‐383‐3p mimics could significantly decrease PTEN expression in H9c2 cells while increasing p‐PI3K expression and p‐AKT expression, while the miR‐383‐3p inhibitors showed the opposed effects. In conclusion, miR‐383‐3p protected H9c2 cells from H/R‐induced injury via regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signal pathway.
Aptamers: A prospective tool for infectious diseases diagnosis
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Zhou Jiahuan , Peng Yunchi , Xie Yafeng , Xiao Yongjian 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIt is well known that people's health is seriously threatened by various pathogens (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Treponema pallidum, Novel coronavirus, HIV, Mucor, etc.), which leads to heavy socioeconomic burdens. Therefore, early and accurate pathogen diagnosis is essential for timely and effective therapies. Up to now, diagnosing human contagious diseases at molecule and nano levels is remarkably difficult owing to insufficient valid probes when it comes to determining the biological markers of pathogens. Aptamers are a set of high‐specificity and high‐sensitivity plastic oligonucleotides screened in vitro via the selective expansion of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). With the advent of aptamer‐based technologies, their merits have aroused mounting academic interest. In recent years, as new detection and treatment tools, nucleic acid aptamers have been extensively utilized in the field of biomedicine, such as pathogen detection, new drug development, clinical diagnosis, nanotechnology, etc. However, the traditional SELEX method is cumbersome and has a long screening cycle, and it takes several months to screen out aptamers with high specificity. With the persistent development of SELEX‐based aptamer screening technologies, the application scenarios of aptamers have become more and more extensive. The present research briefly reviews the research progress of nucleic acid aptamers in the field of biomedicine, especially in the diagnosis of contagious diseases.
Observational study of antibody levels after second and third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccinations in medical workers
Authors: Liu Qing , Zhou Wenyan , Jiang Wencan , Jia Xingwang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundCountries around the world are actively promoting vaccination against COVID‐19. We observed the changes in serum neutralizing antibody titers in medical workers vaccinated with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccine, in order to explore the necessity of a third dose of vaccination.MethodsA total of 62 medical workers in our hospital were observed. Novel coronavirus neutralizing antibody titers in serum were detected by ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunoassay). Neutralizing antibody tests followed in four batches according to the different time periods after three vaccinations. Sixty‐two observers participated in the first batch of testing for neutralizing antibody, and 18 of them participated in all four batches. Fasting venous blood was taken from all the participants in the morning to detect serum neutralizing antibody titers.ResultsSixty‐two medical workers were divided into age groups of 21–30, 31–40, and >40 years, and the antibody titer in the oldest group was significantly lower than that in youngest group (p = 0.0137). There was a gradual decrease in antibody titers over time at around 1, 3, and 6 months after the second dose of vaccine (p < 0.0001). The antibody positive rate also decreased gradually (p = 0.0003). The neutralizing antibody titer around 1 month after the third dose was significantly increased (p < 0.0001). Unexpectedly, three participants with negative neutralizing antibody after the first and second dose produced neutralizing antibody with a measurable titer after the third dose.ConclusionsThe neutralizing antibody titer in serum increased significantly after the third dose of vaccine. A third immunization even produced neutralizing antibody in previously negative individuals.
Predictors of college women's disclosure of sexual assault prior to and during college
Authors: Orchowski Lindsay M. , Bhuptani Prachi H. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTalking to others about experiences of sexual assault can facilitate recovery. The present study explored associations between assault characteristics, attitudes, coping strategies, social support, and the college women's disclosure of adolescent sexual victimization (N = 134), as well as sexual victimization over a 7‐month interim during college (N = 67). A sample of first‐year college women completed pencil and paper assessments of sexual victimization, assault characteristics, tendency to disclose, self‐concealment, attributions of blame, likelihood to report sexual victimization, social support., and coping strategies. A series of bivariate and multivariate analyses examined predictors of sexual assault disclosure. Whereas acknowledgment of the sexual assault as victimization predicted disclosure of adolescent sexual assault, less acquaintance with the perpetrator and strong social attachments predicted disclosure of sexual assault occurring during women's first year of college. Data suggest that the factors that influence disclosure of sexual assault may vary across periods of adolescent and young adult development.
A dual‐path psychosocial model of social determinants of health in the community: Results from the Cause Commune program
Authors: Lampropoulos Dimitrios , Spini Dario , Li Yang , Anex Emmanuelle 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe tested a dual‐path psychosocial framework of social vulnerability that considers the impact of socioeconomic resources and cognitive social capital on health, and whether they were mediated by an enabling psychosocial path (collective efficacy) and a disabling path (loneliness). A total of 1401 people (53.6% female, Mage = 48.7, SD = 18.1) from a community in Switzerland participated in the study. Structural equation models showed that psychosocial factors were related to both social determinants and health outcomes and partially mediated their interrelation. Our model showed an adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 1,377.56, df = 341, p = 0.000, comparative fit index = 0.93, root mean square error of approximation = 0.05, standardized root mean‐squared residual = 0.05). The findings highlight the role of psychosocial‐relational factors in the processes of social vulnerability and would be of interest to researchers working on social vulnerability in the community.
The World Health Organization's work and recommendations for improving the health of trans and gender diverse people
Authors: Macdonald Virginia , Verster Annette , Mello Maeve B. , Blondeel Karel , Amin Avni , Luhmann Niklas , Baggaley Rachel , Doherty Meg 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe World Health Organization (WHO) is guided by its global programme of work and the goal that a billion more people have universal health coverage (UHC). To achieve UHC, access for those most vulnerable must be guaranteed and prioritized. WHO is committed to developing evidence‐based guidance to work towards UHC for trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. This commentary describes WHO's work related to TGD people over the last decade.DiscussionIn 2011, WHO developed guidelines for the prevention and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men who have sex with men and TGD people. In 2013, the “HIV civil society reference group” called on WHO to provide specific guidance for TGD people. Values and preferences of TGD people were considered by WHO for the first time, which informed the development of the 2014 WHO Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment and Care for Key Populations. The 2014 Guidelines included a comprehensive package of HIV‐related health and enabling interventions with specific considerations for TGD people, as well as a specific policy brief in 2015. Regional WHO offices developed and/or supported the development of blueprints on transgender health and HIV in 2014 and 2016. A 2015 WHO report on sexual health, human rights and the law elucidated the harmful impacts of discriminatory laws on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2019, the 11th edition of the international classification of diseases saw the removal of “transsexualism” as a mental and behavioural disorder. WHO's first guideline on self‐care interventions, updated in 2021, included key considerations concerning TGD people. In 2022, WHO's updated key populations guidelines include a prioritized package of not just HIV, but also viral hepatitis and STI health interventions for TGD people. Still, a broader and more specific health approach and a greater focus on social issues are needed to better serve the health needs of TGD people.ConclusionsWHO's understanding and commitment to TGD people's health has evolved and improved over the past decade. Together with professional and community trans health organizations, WHO should now start developing evidence‐informed global guidance on TGD health as part of its remit to support UHC to all.
Spike protein mediated membrane fusion during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Li Xinyu , Yuan Huijun , Li Xiaozhen , Wang Hongliang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has posed a serious threat to public health and has quickly become a global concern. The infection of SARS‐CoV‐2 begins with the binding of its spike protein to the receptor‐angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which, after a series of conformation changes, results in the fusion of viral‐cell membranes and the release of the viral RNA genome into the cytoplasm. In addition, infected host cells can express spike protein on their cell surface, which will interact with ACE2 on neighboring cells, leading to cell membrane fusion and the formation of multinucleated cells or syncytia. Both viral entry and syncytia formation are mediated by spike‐ACE2 interaction and share some common mechanisms of membrane fusion. Here in this review, we will summarize our current understanding of spike‐mediated membrane fusion, which may shed light on future broad‐spectrum antiviral development.
Application ofX‐parametermodel of gallium nitride device for a continuous broadband Doherty power amplifier design
Authors: Wu Meilin , Crupi Giovanni , Yu Chao , Cai Jialin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe design of a continuous broadband Doherty power amplifier (DPA) based on an X‐parameter model is presented in this work. The broadband load‐pull X‐parameter model is extracted at both the package plane and current generate plane of the device under test. The model cannot only predict the fundamental and harmonic nonlinear behavioral accurately, but also find the optimal output power and drain efficiency (DE) region of the Smith chart precisely, thereby assisting DPA design. A 10‐W gallium nitride packaged transistor from Wolfspeed is utilized in this design. The fabricated DPA reached a saturation output power of 44.3 dBm, with a saturation DE over 68% and a 6 dB output power back‐off efficiency over 51% in the frequency range of 1.1–1.8 GHz, verifying experimentally the effectiveness of the proposed design methodology.
High‐resolution reference evapotranspiration for arid Egypt: Comparative analysis and evaluation of empirical and artificial intelligence models
Authors: Sobh Mohamed Tarek , Nashwan Mohamed Salem , Amer Nabil 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAccurate estimation of evapotranspiration has crucial importance in arid regions like Egypt, which suffers from the scarcity of precipitation and water shortages. This study provides an investigation of the performance of 31 widely used empirical equations and 20 models developed using five artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ET0) to generate gridded high‐resolution daily ET0 estimates over Egypt. The AI algorithms include support vector machine‐radial basis function (SVM‐RBF), random forest (RF), group method of data handling neural network (GMDH‐NN), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and dynamic evolving neural fuzzy interference system (DENFIS). Daily observations records of 41 stations distributed over Egypt were used to calculate ET0 using FAO56 Penman–Monteith equation as a reference estimate. The multiparameter Kling‐Gupta efficiency (KGE) metric was used as an evaluation metric for its robustness in representing different statistical error/agreement characteristics in a single value. By category, the empirical equations based on radiation performed better in replicating FAO56‐PM followed by temperature‐ and mass‐transfer‐based ones. Ritchie equation was found to be the best overall in Egypt (median KGE 0.76) followed by Caprio (median KGE 0.64), and Penman (median KGE 0.52) equations based on station‐wise ranking. On the other hand, the RF model, having maximum and minimum temperatures, wind speed, and relative humidity as predictors, outperformed other AI algorithms. Overall, the RF model performed the best among all the AI models and empirical equations. The generated 0.10° × 0.10° daily estimates of ET0 enabled the detection of a significant increase of 0.12–0.16 mm·decade−1 in the agricultural‐dependent Nile Delta using the modified Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator.
Volcanic ash as multi‐nutrient mineral fertilizer: Science and early applications
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Scurria Antonino , Tizza Giuseppe , Pagliaro Mario 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVolcanic ash is a multi‐nutrient mineral fertilizer whose catalytic mechanism of action, replenishing trace metals are necessary for soil bacterial enzymes for the efficient biogeochemical cycling of key elements, such as N, C, P, and S, ensures use of relatively small amounts to fertilize large soil surfaces. Chiefly demonstrated in the course of the 2010 s in Russia's Kamchatka and in Indonesia, two world's areas hosting highly active volcanoes, these findings remain poorly known. Fulfilling the principles of the emerging circular economy, the large‐scale use of readily available and overabundant tephra as agricultural fertilizer is a significant economic opportunity for both farmers and populations living near active volcanoes, affording also important environmental advantages. Providing a unified picture, this study will hopefully accelerate such progress.
Quantifying households' vulnerability, regional environmental indicators, and climate change mitigation by using a combination of vulnerability frameworks
Authors: Fahad Shah , Su Fang , Wei Kailei 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMany susceptible regions face significant climatic threats. This study proposes an extended framework by linking the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Vulnerability Framework and Sustainable Livelihood Framework to assess the impacts of ecological indicators, household vulnerability, and climate change mitigation. A major ecological region of northwestern Pakistan with diverse geographical and climatic conditions was selected. In total, 24 adjacent rural communes were randomly selected, and 300 farm households were face‐to‐face interviewed based on a pretested questionnaire. The study findings reveal that the Charsadda District is more vulnerable to climate change, having the highest exposure level compared to the Mardan District and the district of Nowshera. Our findings also show that there are small differences in adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and adaptation measures, and sensitivity sources are relatively distinctive among these three districts, which directly and indirectly influence the perception of farmers. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the sensitivity of the Mardan District is the highest in terms of crop and livestock diseases, while the highest sensitivity in terms of water is assumed in the Charsadda District. In terms of adaptive capacity, the advantages and disadvantages varied greatly between the three targeted study districts; specifically, Nowshera had equitable adaptive capacity, Mardan leaned entirely on capital sources, and Charsadda depended solely on advantages in education level. Diverse efforts to address the risks of climate change should be proposed aptly by considering the climatic, socioeconomic, and geographical characteristics of each district.
Integrated analyses of brain and platelet omics reveal their common altered and driven molecules in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Yu Haitao , Li Mengzhu , Pan Qihang , Liu Yanchao , Zhang Yao , He Ting , Yang Huisheng , Xiao Yue , Weng Ying , Gao Yang , Ke Dan , Chai Gaoshang , Wang Jian‐Zhi 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPlatelets may serve as a perfect peripheral source for exploring diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the molecular linkage between platelet and the brain is missing. To find the common altered and driving molecules in both brain and the platelet, we performed an integrated analysis of our platelet omics and brain omics reported in the literature, and analyzed their correlations with AD‐specific pathology and cognitive impairment. By integrating the gene and protein expression profiles from 269 AD patients, we deduced 239 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) appeared in both brain and the platelet, and 70.3% of them had consistent changes. Further analysis demonstrated that the altered brain and peripheral regulations were pinpointed into 10 imbalanced pathways. We also found that 117 DEPs, including ADAM10, were closely associated to the AD‐specific β‐amyloid and tau pathologies; and the changes of IDH3B and RTN1 had a potential diagnostic value for cognitive impairment analyzed by machine learning. Finally, we identified that HMOX2 and SERPINA3 could serve as driving molecules in neurodegeneration, and they were increased and decreased in AD patients, respectively. Together, this integrated brain and platelet omics provides a valuable resource for establishing efficient peripheral diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for AD.
Scalable detection of technically challenging variants through modified next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Rojahn Susan , Hambuch Tina , Adrian Jessika , Gafni Erik , Gileta Alex , Hatchell Hannah , Johnson Britt , Kallman Ben , Karfilis Kate , Kautzer Curtis , Kennemer Michael , Kirk Lloyd , Kvitek Daniel , Lettes Jessica , Macrae Fenner , Mendez Fernando , Paul Joshua , Pellegrino Maurizio , Preciado Ronny , Risinger Jan , Schultz Matthew , Spurka Lindsay , Swamy Sajani , Truty Rebecca , Usem Nathan , Velenich Andrea , Aradhya Swaroop 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundSome clinically important genetic variants are not easily evaluated with next‐generation sequencing (NGS) methods due to technical challenges arising from high‐ similarity copies (e.g., PMS2, SMN1/SMN2, GBA1, HBA1/HBA2, CYP21A2), repetitive short sequences (e.g., ARX polyalanine repeats, FMR1 AGG interruptions in CGG repeats, CFTR poly‐T/TG repeats), and other complexities (e.g., MSH2 Boland inversions).MethodsWe customized our NGS processes to detect the technically challenging variants mentioned above with adaptations including target enrichment and bioinformatic masking of similar sequences. Adaptations were validated with samples of known genotypes.ResultsOur adaptations provided high‐sensitivity and high‐specificity detection for most of the variants and provided a high‐sensitivity primary assay to be followed with orthogonal disambiguation for the others. The sensitivity of the NGS adaptations was 100% for all of the technically challenging variants. Specificity was 100% for those in PMS2, GBA1, SMN1/SMN2, and HBA1/HBA2, and for the MSH2 Boland inversion; 97.8%–100% for CYP21A2 variants; and 85.7% for ARX polyalanine repeats.ConclusionsNGS assays can detect technically challenging variants when chemistries and bioinformatics are jointly refined. The adaptations described support a scalable, cost‐effective path to identifying all clinically relevant variants within a single sample.