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Information Science Professional's Engagement in Developing Data Documentation Frameworks for Machine Learning
Get PDFAs machine learning continues to expand across domains, the robust data documentation frameworks and practices have become increasingly important to facilitate transparency. While the development of metadata frameworks is a longstanding focus in the field of information science, little is known about how information science professionals contribute to data documentation framework in machine learning contexts. This study explores the current engagement of information science professionals in developing data documentation frameworks for ML models. We conducted a literature search in a systematic way with the assistance of a generative AI tool and analyzed the authors’ professional backgrounds. Preliminary findings indicate that information science professionals play limited leadership roles in developing data documentation, more often contributing to supporting roles
Chitterling Mentality: Plantation Politics and Organizational Challenges for Black Women Nonprofit Leaders
Get PDFWhile scholars have addressed the challenges Black women face in various workplace environments, less is known about the psychological and social experiences of Black women leaders in the nonprofit sector. In the present qualitative study, we draw from plantation politics and intersectional leadership frameworks to explore the perspectives of Black women Executive Directors. Specifically, we examine how they navigate structural and interpersonal challenges while building and growing nonprofit organizations that serve Black girls. Furthermore, we consider the extent to which the racialized logics of plantation politics inform their well-being and social justice missions as organizational leaders. Using consensual qualitative research methods, we analyzed semi-structured interviews from 16 Black women Executive Directors of 501(c)3 nonprofits across America (33–62 years old, M = 44.6, SD = 9.7 years). We identified the following themes: (1) unsupportive and hostile nonprofit landscape, (2) subpar access to opportunities and organizational infrastructure, and (3) attrition and burnout. Our findings demonstrate a connection between structural racism—manifested as plantation politics—and the chronic underinvestment in Black women’s leadership, which ultimately undermines their well-being
Impact of El Nino Southern Oscillation and Climate Change on Infectious Diseases with Ophthalmic Manifestations
Get PDFClimate change and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events have been increasingly linked to infectious disease outbreaks. While growing evidence has connected climate variability with systemic illnesses, the ocular implications remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the relationships between ENSO-driven climate events and infectious diseases with ophthalmic consequences. A narrative review of 255 articles was conducted, focusing on infectious diseases influenced by ENSO and their associated ocular findings. 39 articles met criteria for full review, covering diseases such as dengue, zika, chikungunya, malaria, leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, and Rift Valley fever. Warmer temperatures, increased rainfall, and humidity associated with ENSO events were found to enhance vector activity and disease transmission. Ocular complications included uveitis, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy, but the specific disease findings varied by infectious disease syndrome. The climactic variable changes in response to ENSO events differed across diseases and regions and were influenced by geography, local infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. ENSO event-related climate shifts significantly impact the spread of infectious diseases with ocular symptoms. These findings highlight the need for region-specific surveillance and predictive models that may provide insight related to the risk of ophthalmic disease during ENSO events. Further research is needed to clarify long-term ENSO effects and develop integrated strategies for systemic and eye disease detection, prevention, and management
A practical approach to measuring MPDSR implementation: findings from a cross-sectional assessment in regional referral hospitals in Uganda
Get PDFBackground Uganda adopted maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) in 2017 and has put concerted effort into scaling up and using data on MPDSR to avert preventable deaths. However, formal analysis of MPDSR implementation processes among health facilities in Uganda has been limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of MPDSR processes in referral hospitals in Uganda, using a tested measurement approach. Methods From November to December 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted to assess MPDSR implementation processes in Uganda’s referral hospitals. The tool, adapted from previous studies, uses a 30-point scoring guide to measure progress markers across six stages of implementation. Data collectors visited 15 regional and national referral hospitals and conducted interviews with two members of the MPDSR committee per facility. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize scores by construct and total scores for the facilities. A content analysis from open-ended questions provided contextual insights. Results The average score for MPDSR implementation among referral hospitals in the study was 20.2 out of 30 (range 16 – 27) possible points, which falls in a category showing evidence of routine practice and integration. Progress markers which had particularly low scores included: written staff agreements about MPDSR and orientation of new staff to death reviews. No hospital reported having a budget to support death review meetings. Almost all committee members listed specific ways that MPDSR led to positive changes in quality of care. Conclusion The overall score of 20.2 was somewhat higher when compared to other countries who have applied this measurement approach (in four countries, average 18.98). Only four of the surveyed hospitals demonstrated sustained practice of MPDSR, suggesting that there is still much work to be done to institutionalize MPDSR in Uganda’s referral hospitals. Specific action areas can be pinpointed using the findings on progress markers. The scored MPDSR implementation assessment tool was easy to use and well accepted. We recommend annually updating the tool to reflect new directions and developments in MPDSR implementation, and routine use to self- or externally assess hospitals’ implementation of MPDSR
Parsing the Rwandan urban question: Toward ‘minor histories’ of urban space
Get PDFIt is an honor to be in conversation with this incredible set of reviewers, each with their own exceptional work on African studies, Rwanda studies, and the urban within the African context. I feel spoiled by the wealth of insights and critiques they provide in these reviews, and thank them for their time and profound engagement with my work. Not only do each of these reviews make a part of my monograph more visible, engaging with my book (Hudani, 2024) in different ways, but they also make clear that transferring vision between parts of the city in Rwanda renders it perceptible in a thought-provoking and prismatic manner
Implementing a multilevel, multicomponent intervention to engage fathers in complementary feeding in Northern Nigeria: Perceptions of deliverers and recipients
Get PDFThe Alive & Thrive multilevel, multicomponent intervention to engage fathers in complementary feeding in Kaduna State, Nigeria previously showed significant increases in complementary feeding practices for children. This analysis explores the perceptions of intervention deliverers and recipients to inform future spread. The intervention components included counseling cards, home visits, feeding bowls, texts/prerecorded messages, posters, leaflets, sermon guides, talking points, radio and television spots. In-depth interviews (24) were conducted with intervention deliverers (community health extension workers, community and religious leaders) and focus group discussions (16) with recipients (parents of children 6-23 months) from 6 rural and urban wards. Participants were purposively sampled; parents were not selected as couples. Eligibility for CHEWs and CRLs included being ≥ 18 years and having participated in intervention implementation. Eligibility for parents included being ≥18 years (or married mothers 15-17 years), having a biological child 6-23 months, and receiving the intervention. Transcripts were coded descriptively in Atlas.ti and the results were mapped to the domains and constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0. For the innovation domain, intervention deliverers and recipients reported high acceptability and appropriateness of the intervention components. For the outer domain, the intervention was perceived to be influenced by values and beliefs (fathers' roles as providers), systemic conditions (economic hardships), and critical incidents (COVID-19). The intervention was also influenced by relational connections, compatibility, intervention deliverers and recipients, teaming, tailoring strategies and engaging for the domains of inner setting, individuals, and implementation process, respectively. For implementation strategies, intervention deliverers liked the training and monthly meetings where they shared experiences and problem solved. The Alive & Thrive intervention in Kaduna State, Nigeria was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for intervention deliverers and recipients
Targeted pathogen profiling of ancient feces reveals common enteric infections in the Rio Zape Valley, 725–920 CE
Get PDFDNA analysis of ancient, desiccated feces - termed paleofeces - can unlock insights into the lives of ancient peoples, including through examination of the gut microbiome and identification of specific pathogens and parasites. We collected desiccated feces from the Cave of the Dead Children (La Cueva de Los Muertos Chiquitos) in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico dated to 725-920 CE, for targeted pathogen analysis. First, we extracted DNA with methods previously optimized for paleofeces. Then, we applied highly sensitive modern molecular tools (i.e., PCR pre-amplification followed by multi-parallel qPCR) to assess the presence of 30 enteric pathogens and gut microbes. We detected ≥1 pathogen or gut microbe associated gene in each of the ten samples and a mean of 3.9 targets per sample. The targets detected included Blastocystis spp. (n = 7), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (n = 7), Enterobius vermicularis (n = 6), Entamoeba spp. (n = 5), enterotoxigenic E. coli (n = 5), Shigella spp./enteroinvasive E. coli (n = 3), Giardia spp. (n = 2), and E. coli O157:H7 (n = 1). The protozoan pathogens we detected (i.e., Giardia spp. and Entamoeba spp.) have been previously detected in paleofeces via enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), but not via PCR. This work represents the first detection of Blastocystis spp. atypical enteropathogenic E. coli, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Shigella spp./enteroinvasive E. coli, and E. coli O157:H7 in paleofeces. These results suggest that enteric infection may have been common among the Loma San Gabriel people, who lived in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico during this period
Evaluating phone call follow-ups in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground Healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face significant challenges, including limited resources, understaffing, and geographical barriers, which hinder effective healthcare delivery. Phone call follow-ups have emerged as a promising strategy to improve participant retention, enhance data accuracy, and optimize health outcomes in resource-constrained settings. Despite their growing adoption, there is limited synthesized evidence of their effectiveness across various public health contexts in SSA. Methodology This systematic review and meta-analysis included 32 studies published between 2000 and 2024, conducted in 11 SSA countries. Studies employing phone call follow-ups in community and facility-based health interventions were evaluated. Participant retention rates, reasons for loss to follow-up, and health outcomes were analyzed. Risk of bias and quality were assessed using validated tools tailored to study designs, including the Hoy et al. checklist for observational studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for experimental studies. Statistical analysis employed a random-effects model to calculate pooled estimates and sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the robustness of findings. Although the primary focus was on phone call follow-up interventions, a few included studies also utilized text messaging alongside phone calls. Results The pooled retention rate across studies was 89% (95% CI: 85–91), with substantial variability among countries. Retention rates were highest in Kenya (96%) and Nigeria (87%). In contrast, countries like Cameroon reported a high participant loss rate of 42%. Frequent and consistent follow-up calls were associated with improved retention rates; studies that contacted participants 4–5 times reported retention rates as high as 98%. Barriers to follow-up included network issues, outdated contact information, and participant relocations. Risk of bias assessments showed that 81% of observational studies were rated as low risk. Additionally, 69% of experimental studies were assessed as high quality. Funnel plots assessing publication bias indicated some asymmetry in studies reporting lost rates, suggesting potential bias. Conclusion Phone call follow-ups have enhanced participant retention and improved SSA health outcomes in regions with robust health infrastructure. However, variability in retention rates underscores the need for tailored strategies to address barriers like network challenges and participant mobility. Integrating innovative platforms like WhatsApp and leveraging consistent follow-up methods can enhance their scalability and impact. Policymakers should consider incorporating phone call follow-ups into routine care to optimize healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings
Genome-wide maps of UV damage repair and mutation suppression by CPD photolyase
Get PDFUltraviolet (UV) light causes cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and other DNA lesions that must be efficiently repaired to prevent cell death and mutagenesis. While mammals utilize the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway to repair CPDs, many species primarily utilize photolyase enzymes to repair UV damage. Our understanding of how different genomic and chromatin features impact photolyase repair across a eukaryotic genome is limited. Here, we map repair of CPDs by photolyase across the yeast genome at single-nucleotide resolution. Our data indicate that yeast photolyase repairs CPDs more rapidly than NER, but photolyase activity is inhibited at certain classes of transcription factor binding sites and in nucleosomes. Repair in nucleosomes is particularly inhibited when CPDs are located along the 3' side of the nucleosomal DNA or at minor-in rotational settings. Our data indicate that photolyase efficiently repairs the non-transcribed strand of yeast genes, but repair of the transcribed strand (TS) is inhibited. Genome-wide analysis of UV-induced mutations in NER-deficient photoreactivated yeast reveals a striking enrichment of mutations along the TS of yeast genes. These data indicate that inhibition of photolyase repair along the TS, likely due to occlusion of CPDs by RNA polymerase II stalling, promotes UV mutagenesis
Methylglyoxal mutagenizes single-stranded DNA via Rev1-associated slippage and mispairing
Get PDFMethylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive aldehyde that is produced endogenously during metabolism, and from exogenous sources like sugary food and cigarette smoke. Unless detoxified by glyoxalases, MG can readily react with DNA and proteins, generating characteristic glycation-derived lesions. As a result, MG exposure has been linked to a variety of human diseases, including cancers. Prior studies show that MG preferentially makes adducts on guanine residues, causing DNA damage. However, in vivo, how such events impact genome-wide MG mutagenicity is poorly understood. Such information is essential to comprehend the true contribution of MG to genome instability and global mutational burden. In the present study, we show that MG can robustly mutagenize single-stranded DNA in the yeast genome, within a guanine-centered mutable motif. We demonstrate that genome-wide MG mutagenesis is greatly elevated in the absence of the glyoxalase Glo1, and abrogated in the presence of the aldehyde quencher aminoguanidine. Importantly, we uncovered strand slippage and mispairing as the predominant mechanism for generation of all MG-associated mutations, and demonstrate that the translesion polymerase Rev1 is a key player in this pathway. Finally, we find that the primary MG-associated mutation is enriched in a variety of sequenced tumor datasets