Executive Summary This policy brief provides lessons learned from development of Botswana Christian Health & AIDS Intervention Program (BOCHAIP) 2022-2026 strategy. In this strategy development paper, we outline the process of strategy development in a community health service providing non-governmental organization, six months of strategy implementation and make recommendations for strategic planning. The findings from this community-based organisation’s strategic plan development process extends scholarship on non-governmental organization strategy planning and development scholarship The findings from this paper could be utilised by other civil society organisation that experience similar strategy development process realities while taking into consideration the uniqueness of each organisation.

A document by Qingyan Tong. Click on the document to view its contents.

In China, Astragalus bhotanensis Baker (AB) has been used for thousands of years and used to treat chronic pharyngitis (CP). In this study, the disk diffusion method was used to assess the antibacterial activities of AB on four bacterial strains. A rat model of CP induced by β-hemolytic streptococcus (HS) was used to evaluate the ability of AB against CP and its underlying mechanism. Mice were administrated AB at a dose of 20 g/kg, and the survival status, organ index and histopathology, blood routine and biochemistry were measured to evaluate the toxicity of AB. Our results show that AB inhibited the growth of HS, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. AB decreased serum levels of CRP, PEG2, TNF-α, COX-2, MCP-1, 5-HT, ICAM-1, IL-6, LTC4, and IL-1β. AB reduced infiltration and diffusion of pharyngeal inflammatory cells. AB also decreased the expression of phosphorylated p38 and NFкB, and TLR4 in the throat tissue. At a dose of 20 g/kg AB, routine blood levels and biochemistry were not significantly different. In addition, AB increased the spleen index of mice, but other organ indexes and histopathology were not pathological changes. Our data indicate that AB alleviated HS-induced CP by inhibiting inflammatory responses, which may be involved with regulation of TLR4/p38MAPK/NFкB pathway. A dose of 20 g/kg of AB did not exhibit toxicity in mice, except for the potential toxicity to spleen, and may be the maximum tolerance of mice. AB therefore offers a novel strategy to inhibit inflammatory responses to further alleviate CP.

Background: Longitudinal whole-population studies can explore new dimensions in drug allergy research. Excipient allergy testing remains a barrier to allergy evaluation in countries without legislations mandating ingredient disclosure in registered drugs. The Comprehensive Excipient and Drug Allergy Registry (CEDAR) was established to investigate Hong Kong’s drug allergy landscape and potential role of excipient registries. Methods: Drug allergy data from over 7,337,778 individuals between 2016-2021 was analyzed. Excipient lists were gathered from all formulations of the top 50 reported drug allergies and checked for the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Results: The absolute-prevalence and -incidence of reported drug allergy was 5.61% and 277/100,000 population in 2021, respectively. Annual incidence of newly reported drug allergy was stable between 2016-2019, until a significant drop in 2020 (-16.3%, p=0.037). The most common implicated drugs were anti-infectives (245,832 [44.5%]), NSAIDs (106,843 [19.3%]), and nervous system drugs (45,802 [8.3%]). There was significant higher incidence among individuals aged >40, contributing to the majority of newly reported allergies (377,004, 68.2%). Beta-lactams and nervous system drugs were the most common reported culprits of anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. CEDAR was unable to confirm presence or absence of PEG in any of the top reported culprits due to insufficient excipient information. Conclusion: We report the detailed drug allergy landscape of the Hong Kong population. Excipient registries are ineffective in countries without mandatory excipient listings . Contrary to traditional doagma, we identified a disproportionately higher incident drug allergy among middle-aged and older patients. Findings need to be confirmed by region-specific big data studies.

A Case report of atypical preeclampsia with severity criteria for hydatidiform complete mole.

A document by Prakash Sapkota. Click on the document to view its contents.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to investigate the Lithium Sulfur battery’s electrochemical dynamics. An equivalent circuit model was created using temperature and discharge depth data from EIS spectra. The mechanism of LiS batteries’ capacity depletion was then studied by tracking the change in impedance during cycling. According to the findings, the charge-transfer mechanism is responsible for the EIS spectrum’s semicircle at intermediate frequencies, whereas the high-frequency semicircle is linked to the interfacial electrical resistance. Additionally, the key significant contributor to the capacity fading of LiS batteries is the charge-transfer impedance, whereas electrolyte resistance and interphase contact resistance also fluctuate with cycle number, albeit in different ways.

Abstract Background: Minocycline is frequently utilized for multiple drug- and extensively drug- resistant bacteria (XDR), but is associated with many side effects. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is one such effect resulting from the precipitation of raised intracranial pressure (ICP), manifesting as headaches, diplopia or even vision loss. The aim of this study is to present a case of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) with XDR Escherichia. coli (E. coli) treated with minocycline. This resulted in elevated ICP with associated symptoms which were initially thought to be due to central nervous system (CNS) involvement by primary disease. Case presentation: A 14-year-old girl was given minocycline therapy for XDR E. coli, which was cultured from her blood, for two weeks. Patient develop complaints of nausea, vomiting, headache blurring and doubling of vision one week into therapy. Lumbar puncture and brain imaging were performed to rule out CNS involvement with Ph+ ALL, which were reported as negative for malignancy. Minocycline was suspected to have precipitated the event and was discontinued. The patient recovered within one week after cessation of therapy. Conclusion: Minocycline can be associated with symptomatic elevation of intracranial pressure, which can easily be mistaken for CNS involvement in patients with neoplastic disease, and can reverse upon discontinuation of the drug.

A document by Floro Cubelo. Click on the document to view its contents.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) is a polymorphic species with a complex of subspecies. A migration stopover site on the intertidal mudflats of Jiangsu Province, China, has a pivotal role in the migratory connectivity of dunlin along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). However, to date, the dunlin subspecies that visit the coast of China during migration remains uncertain. To determine the subspecies, an integrated approach based on mitochondrial DNA, ring recoveries, and morphological traits was used to analyze dunlins sampled at the Jiangsu stopover site. Alaskan and Beringian lineages were the two dominant lineages that migrated through Jiangsu, and the number of dunlins from the Alaskan lineage greatly exceeded that from other lineages. According to genetic analysis, the proportion of identified lineages was greater than 70%. At least four subspecies were detected in eastern Jiangsu Province, including C. a. actites, C. a. kistchinski, C. a. sakhalina, and C. a. arcticola. There were significant differences in morphological characters between years, suggesting that proportions of subspecies at the stopover varied over time and that different subspecies adopted different migratory strategies and timings. The findings of this study highlight the need to further consider how subspecies contribute to the composition of populations and migratory connectivity of dunlin.

Blaž Mesec, PhD, assoc. prof., emeritus, Faculty of Social Work, University of LjubljanaSummaryAn explorative test of the suitability of the language model of artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT for the qualitative analysis is presented. The data fed into the programe is a response from a social work student to an interview question about her study practice. ChatGPT was asked questions about identifying basic themes, concepts, typologies, and evaluations. The robot provided surprisingly appropriate answers, but it rejected self-critically the request for professional conceptualization. The conclusion of the informal experiment is that ChatGPT is a useful tool in qualitative analysis, provided that the researcher can ask appropriate questions (prompts). However, the output of the robot must be evaluated and supplemented by a human researcher before final report and publication. The issue of authorship and responsibility is raised.

Highly toxici and reactive chlorinated VOCs (Cl-VOCs) is urgent for purification by the most favoured catalytic oxidation, however, the formation of polycholoriated byproducts is hugely obstacle. Here, monoclinic and 3D urchin-like CePO4 was synthesized and used as the support of highly active but lowly selective Co3O4 for catalytic oxidation of Cl-VOCs. The prepared Co3O4/CePO4 using ascorbic acid as a chelating agent presented a high activity and low selectivity of vinyl chloride (VC) for catalytic oxidation of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) due to the high dispersion of Co3O4, some possible polychlorinated byproducts were completely inhibited in the presence of CePO4. The co-introduction of RuO2 further suppressed the formation of VC owing to the enhanced redox ability and migration of surface lattice oxygen. Moreover, RuCoOx/CePO4 also revealed the superior versatility, durability and thermal stability as well as the outstanding resistance to CO2, H2O and sulfur.

The analysis of tourist accommodation bookings provides valid information for the management of these establishments. The objective of this work is to analyze the performance of different Machine Learning techniques for the prediction of booking cancellations, as well as to analyze possible patterns in the study data. For this purpose, the following supervised learning methods are used: Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network, Radial Basis Function Neural Network, Decision Tree, Random Forest, AdaBoost and XgBoost, analyzing the performance of these techniques. The dataset used corresponds to the bookings of a resort hotel and a city hotel located in Portugal. As a result, the study compares the classification methods applied and identifies those with better performance, proving that Machine Learning techniques generate reliable forecasts for the management of the tourism industry.

Smart Policing is the need of the hour as exponentially increase in crime rates is observed across the country, to intelligently deploying forces / rescue resources in preventing comes from happening and to minimize the effect of crimes. A crime is defined as a deliberate act that results in bodily or psychological harm as well as property damage or loss. Law enforcing agencies strive to come up with efficient prevention measures since the amount and variety of criminal acts are growing at an alarming rate. As technology scales up, the criminal activities are absolutely alarming, leaving the conventional criminal identification techniques incompetent. Today, the Police personnel across each country immensely reliant on digital information such as images, emails, video and etc. of crime scenes to accelerate investigation. It is urgent to devise technologies to achieve better system modelling that use machine learning algorithms in order to assist for easy and quick prediction of crimes. This article proposes a model that has convolutional neural networks, Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Multiplicative Attention. Simulation results of the proposed idea exhibit impressive prediction when conventional models such as Deep Learning for Real-Time Crime Forecasting (DLRTCF), Linear Regression (LR), Additive Regression (AR) and Decision Stump (DS) respectively. The prediction occurs at an average processing time between 1150ms and 2118ms which is highly significant.

Eye gaze is a crucial nonverbal cue that plays an important role in modulating social interaction. Despite its importance, research on the effect of gaze direction on the processing of social exclusion is restricted. The current study aimed to address this gap by investigating the effect of gaze direction using a Cyberball game that stimulates social exclusion. In addition to self-reports provided in a standardized questionnaire, the processing of exclusionary signals was monitored by recording ERPs. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one received direct gazes from their co-players, while the other received averted gazes toward their avatar. Our results showed that participants who received averted gazes reported stronger negative feelings of exclusion and had a smaller P300 effect in response to the transition from inclusion-to-exclusion, The P300 effect supports the idea that social exclusion is a violation of the subjective expectations of participation, and that direct eye gaze leads to an increased sensitivity to this process. The self-report, on the other hand, reflects the supportive role of eye gaze in modulating affective evaluation. These findings highlight the impact of gaze direction on the processing of social exclusion and underscore the importance of considering both cognitive and affective responses.

Hi everyone. We’re The Economist’s data team. We gather, analyse and visualise data for The Economist and produce data-driven journalism. Over the past year we’ve created many coronavirus trackers, a risk estimator and most recently an excess-mortality model, and we’ve seen the interest in our work skyrocket. We can answer questions about anything relating to data journalism at The Economist. All of our work can be found on the website here or you can follow us on Twitter for updates. For more exclusive insights, sign up for our free weekly newsletter. Proof: https://twitter.com/ECONdailycharts/status/1394666569599438851?s=20

A document by Christopher Rackauckas. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Christopher Rackauckas. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Christopher Rackauckas. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Christopher Rackauckas. Click on the document to view its contents.

Hi Reddit, I’m Tom Smith, MD for the UK’s Data Science Campus as part of the Office for National Statistics. I have 20 years’ experience using data and analysis to improve public services and am a life-long data addict. I have a PhD in computational neuroscience and robotics, an MSc in knowledge-based systems and an MA in theoretical physics. I’m currently Chair of the Advisory Board to the United Nations Global Platform for big data & official statistics, Member of Council for the UK Royal Statistical Society, and previously chair of the Environment Agency Data Advisory Group, vice-chair of the Royal Statistical Society Official Statistics section, and a member of the Open Data User Group ministerial advisory group to Cabinet Office. Since the Campus was founded in 2017 we have been working on a huge range of projects including: - using tax returns, ship tracking data and road traffic sensor data to allow early identification of large economic changes; - exploring what internet traffic peaks and troughs can tell us about our lives; - using satellite imagery to detect surface water and assess changes over time, for rapid detection of emerging issues; - launching a hub focused on data science and AI for International Development, located at the Department for International Development (DfID), near Glasgow. - supporting ONS, government and public sector organisations to increase their data science capability. We’re aiming to have 500 trained data science practitioners for UK government by 2021. I’ll be here to talk about statistics, data and making the world a better place from 3-5pm GMT today. Proof: https://twitter.com/ONSfocus/status/1237060713140625416 Ask me anything!

We’re Jessica Holzberg and Ashley Amaya, both survey research methodologists based in Washington, D.C. Questions abound regarding the value and reliability of survey research, including federal data, and we want to share how we work to uncover insights that impact the lives of everyday Americans. Public opinion research is essential to a healthy democracy and provides information that is crucial to informed policymaking. This research gives voice to the nation’s beliefs, attitudes and desires. Ask us how! We believe in transparency and in ethical survey practices. We also believe some practices are not at all above board. You can ask us about those, too. I’m Jessica, and I am the associate communications chair for the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). I use both qualitative and quantitative research methods such as cognitive interviewing, focus groups, web probing and experiments to reduce survey measurement error and improve the clarity of communication around surveys. I particularly like talking about the burden of surveys for respondents, measurement of sexual orientation and gender identity, and issues surrounding privacy and confidentiality. I’m Ashley, and I am a senior research survey methodologist at RTI International. I am also the Editor-in-chief of Survey Practice, an assistant research professor at University of Maryland and University of Mannheim, and a member of AAPOR’s Standards Definitions and Policy Impact Award Committees. I focus on the big picture of any design to make sure that all components (e.g., sampling, data collection modes, questionnaires, analysis) form a cohesive design. I also like talking about alternative sources of data (e.g., administrative records, digital trace data) that can enhance or replace survey data. Proof: https://i.redd.it/2flepy2kfhz31.jpg https://i.redd.it/e98oburlfhz31.jpg Ask us Anything!

Hi reddit! We’re a group of scientists and advocates who believe that the traditional genetics research model is outdated. We think that people who participate in genetic studies should be involved in decision-making, that research projects should collaborate, that samples should be diverse, and that studies should use real world data. We need these changes to improve our ability to discover treatments and cures for diseases. But at the same time, researchers also need to ensure participant privacy, data security, and give participants the chance to weigh in on and directly benefit from research- medically, informationally, and financially. Let’s discuss! With us today are an array of researchers and leaders from a variety of genetics backgrounds working with a company, LunaPBC, on these questions. Dawn Barry (u/Dawn_Barry): I’m the President and Co-founder at LunaPBC, Board Chair at Alzheimer’s Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter, and former VP Applied Genomics at Illumina. The twelve years I spent at Illumina, Inc., I led pioneering teams in preemptive health screening, nutrition security, and transplant diagnostics. I was also the co-founder of the Illumina Understand Your Genome symposium, which is now owned by Genome Medical. Bob Kain (u/Bob_Kain): I’m the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at LunaPBC, 2019 World Economic Forum’s Tech Pioneer, and former Chief Engineering Officer at Illumina. During my 15-year tenure, Illumina grew from a research start up of 30 employees to a global genomics leader of 3,000 employees with $1.5 billion in revenue. My team helped reduce the cost of genome sequencing from a million dollars in 2006 to $1,000 in 2015. The products developed enabled new applications for DNA sequencing in agriculture, pathogen identification and precision medicine. Today, I’m building a talented, ethical team with unifying visions to create a world-changing solution and improve the quality of life for all at LunaPBC. Scott Kahn, Ph.D (u/Scott_Kahn): I’m the Chief Information Officer at LunaPBC, Board of Directors at Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, and former Chief Information Officer and Vice President Commercial, Enterprise Informatics at Illumina. I’m integrating data privacy and security provisions that comply with GDPR and HIPAA at the world’s first community-owned health database that offer shares of ownership to health data contributors. Kirby Bloom (u/Kirby_Bloom): I’m the Chief Architect at LunaPBC, former Head of Software for Applied Genomics at Illumina, and MIDS candidate at the University of California, Berkeley. I’m helping bridge the gap between research scientists and large scale data analytics by building the tools needed to produce better insights for health discovery. Sharon Terry (u/Sharon-Terry): I’m the President and CEO of the Genetic Alliance, a network transforming health by promoting openness and is founding CEO of PXE International, a research advocacy organization for the genetic condition pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). My memberships and advisories include the International Rare Disease Research Consortium and the Institute of Medicine Science and Policy Board. I was instrumental in the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. Among other awards I received was the Clinical Research Forum, Foundation’s Annual Award for Leadership in Public Advocacy in 2011, and PMWC 2019 Luminary Award Recipient. Yaniv Erlich, Ph.D (u/Yaniv-Erlich): I’m the creator of DNA.Land, Chief Science Officer of MyHeritage.com, and until recently, an Associate Professor of Computer Science and Computational Biology at Columbia University. I’m a TEDMED speaker (2018), the recipient of DARPA’s Young Faculty Award (2017), the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award (2013) and the Harold M. Weintraub award (2010). Aristides Patrinos, Ph.D (u/Aristides_Patrinos): I am the Chief Scientist and Director for Research of the NOVIM Group, Former Lead at the Human Genome Project, LunaDNA Advisor, and leading authority on structural biology, genomics, global environmental change, and nuclear medicine. I’m dedicated to the development of synthetic biology and in the development of clean and renewable fuels and chemicals, sustainable food products, and novel medical applications. EDIT: Thank you to everyone who participated in this important discussion about the future of health discovery. We believe the fastest, most impactful change can only happen at the level of community. Your voice matters. Please feel free to continue the conversation at lunadna.com and @LunaDNA_ on Twitter. Until then, it was our pleasure chatting with you!

Hi reddit! This month the UN is holding its Climate Action Summit, it is New York City’s Climate Week next week, today is the Global Climate Strike, earlier this month was the Asia Pacific Climate Week, and there are many more local events happening. Since climate change is in the news a lot let’s talk about it! We’re a panel of experts who study and communicate about climate change’s causes, impacts, and solutions, and we’re here to answer your questions about it! Is there something about the science of climate change you never felt you fully understood? Questions about a claim you saw online or on the news? Want to better understand why you should care and how it will impact you? Or do you just need tips for talking to your family about climate change at Thanksgiving this year? We can help! Here are some general resources for you to explore and learn about the climate: AAAS just released a report with case studies and videos of how communities and companies (and individuals) in the US are working with scientists to respond to climate change called “How We Respond.” NASA: Vital Signs of the Planet National Academies of Sciences: Climate Change Evidence and Causes National Geographic: Seven things to know about Climate Change Today’s guests are: Emily Cloyd (u/BotanyAndDragons): I’m the director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology, where I oversee programs including How We Respond: Community Responses to Climate Change (just released!), the Leshner Leadership Institute, and the AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadors, and study best practices for science communication and policy engagement. Prior to joining AAAS, I led engagement and outreach for the Third National Climate Assessment, served as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and studied the use of ecological models in Great Lakes management. I hold a Master’s in Conservation Biology (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) and a Bachelor’s in Plant Biology (University of Michigan), am always up for a paddle (especially if it is in a dragon boat), and last year hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc. Jeff Dukes (u/Jeff_Dukes): My research generally examines how plants and ecosystems respond to a changing environment, focusing on topics from invasive species to climate change. Much of my experimental work seeks to inform and improve climate models. The center I direct has been leading the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment (INCCIA); that’s available at IndianaClimate.org. You can find more information about me at https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~jsdukes/lab/index.html, and more information about the Purdue Climate Change Research Center at http://purdue.edu/climate. Hussein R. Sayani (u/Hussein_Sayani): I’m a climate scientist at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Science at Georgia Institute of Technology. I develop records of past ocean temperature, salinity, and wind variability in the tropical Pacific by measuring changes in the chemistry of fossil corals. These past climate records allow us to understand past climate changes in the tropical Pacific, a region that profoundly influences temperature and rainfall patterns around the planet, so that we can improve future predictions of global and regional climate change.  Jessica Moerman (u/Jessica_Moerman): Hi reddit! My name is Jessica Moerman and I study how climate changed in the past - before we had weather stations. How you might ask? I study the chemical fingerprints of geologic archives like cave stalagmites, lake sediments, and ancient soil deposits to discover how temperature and rainfall varied over the last several ice age cycles. I have a Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology and have conducted research at Johns Hopkins University, University of Michigan, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. I am now a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow working on climate and environmental issues.  Our guests will be joining us throughout the day (primarily in the afternoon Eastern Time) to answer your questions and discuss!