The Belonging Barometer The State of Belonging in America

Belonging is a fundamental human need, and one that is linked to many of the most complex challenges of our time.Without a sense of belonging, individuals and communities suffer; with it, they thrive. Yet, because belonging is notoriously difficult to measure, it is often ignored in efforts to address the deep fractures in our societies.One purpose of this report is to call attention to belonging as a factor that matters deeply for leaders and stakeholders across diverse sectors. We make the case for including belonging in the design and implementation of programs and policies across all areas of life in the United States. A second purpose is to propose a nuanced new tool for measuring belonging—the Belonging Barometer—that is robust, accessible, and readily deployable in the service of efforts to advance the common good. As with any new tool, it is our hope that the Belonging Barometer can and should be refined and improved upon over time. We offer it up to changemakers across the world and welcome feedback and collaboration.In this report, we review the concept of belonging and introduce a new measure, the Belonging Barometer. We then describe initial findings based on a nationally representative survey regarding the relationship between the Belonging Barometer and health, democracy, and intergroup dynamics in the US. Next, we report on the state of belonging across five life settings: family, friends, workplace, local community, and the nation. Lastly, we briefly discuss emerging themes and considerations for designing belonging interventions

Sacred values in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict: resistance to social influence, temporal discounting, and exit strategies

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106804/1/nyas12275.pd

In silico elucidation of potential drug target sites of the Thumb Index Fold Protein, Wnt-8b

Purpose: The involvement of Wnt-8b in Wnt signaling pathway leads to various  cancers. The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic compounds from the available library by targeting Wnt-8b using molecular docking analyses.Methods: Threading and comparative modeling approaches were employed to predict the 3D structure of Wnt-8b. Sixty-eight models were evaluated using molprobity, ERRAT and rampage evaluation tools and the model having 82.456 % overall quality value was selected for further analyses. The acyl group was added to the suitable model to satisfy the hydrophobic nature of the Wnt-8b. Literature-derivedcompounds were selected for comparative molecular docking studies using GOLD, AutoDock and AutoDock Vina. Furthermore, docked complexes were analyzed and visualized using Chimera and Ligplot.Results: The compound ZINC04029462 exhibited high binding potential with Wnt-8b and palmitoleic acid and was found common among top 20 compounds of each tool. His-183, Val-185, Ser-186, Gly-187, Ser-188 and Thr-190 residues commonly interacted with compounds and palmitoleic acid and considered as potential interacting residues.Conclusion: Common interacting residues from top 20 compounds of each tool suggest that these compounds may be utilized to inhibit aberrant expression of Wnt-8b. The common inhibitor ZINC04029462 may act as a lead compound for further drug designing against Wnt family.Keywords: Wnt-8b, Cancer, Homology modeling, Molecular docking, AutoDoc

Outcome of Endoscopic Discectomy in Patients with Lumbar Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc

Objective: To determine the outcome of endoscopic discectomyin patients with lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc in terms of back pain and leg pain using the visual analogue scale.Material and Methods: Descriptive case series, was conducted at, PINS, LGH Lahore for 6 months. 15 patients were included through non probability consecutive sampling that fulfilled inclusion criteria. All patients’ low back pain and leg pain was documented using visual analogue scale before and after 2 months of surgery.On the basis of VAS we calculated % age improvement of low back pain and leg pain after endoscopic discectomy, while ≥ 5 scale improvement was considered clinically significant.Results: Patients mean age was 44.46 years. Among them, 9 (60%) were males and 6(40%) were females. On average, the basal metabolic index (Kg/m2) was 29.29 However, the BMI of females was 31.76 and male was 27.65 Kg/m2. On average, the duration of symptoms was 8.05 months. On average, the Straight Leg Raise was 24.7o at the time of treatment. A decreased sensation was observed in L5 of 3 (20%) and in S1 of 4 (26.67%) participants. Whereas Absent sensation was observed in L5 of 3(20%) and in S1 of 5 (33.33%). Mean preoperative back pain and as well as leg pain was 7.05 that improved to 0.41 and 0.86 4 weeks post operatively.Conclusion: Endoscopic discectomy is equally effective in alleviating the symptoms without notable difference in surgical outcome

Factors influencing pain and functional impairment in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Introduction: Arthritic pain and impairment are all too prevalent with osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of the illness. Numeric scoring systems can be used to assess knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients' levels of pain. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the possible factors that increase pain and functional impairment in knee OA leading to increased VAS and WOMAC score.Patients and Methods: On 58 osteoarthritis patients, at Zagazig University Hospitals' Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, we conducted this cross-sectional trial. An extensive physical examination, a set of lab tests, and a series of X-rays were all performed on each patient. We utilized the WOMAC index from the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities as well as Visual Analogue Scale (VAS "0-10 cm") to assess functions and pain. For determining the severity, we utilized grading scale of Kellgren and Lawrence.Results: BMI, deformity, ESR, radiological grading are indicators of functional impairment and pain index among cases who had knee osteoarthritis.Conclusion: Presence of knee deformities and advanced X-ray grading were associated with higher pain score and more functional impairment, so we should prevent their progression. BMI is a main risk factor for higher pain scores and functional impairments

Negative Effects of Mass Media and the Dominance of Foreign Culture in the City of Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore is heavily populated city of Pakistan and well known of its gardens and colleges. With the advancement in technology and enhancement in media activities, a study is conducted to find out the negative effects of mass media and dominance of foreign culture in the city of Lahore.  To find out the reasons a small questionnaire with some interconnected questions is being used, respondent’s ages lie between eighteen to twenty four years. By the descriptive analysis and averages method the results were very clear, the youth has an urge of adopting new fashions and trends, which has made very easy for the dominating media monopolies to obsess the minds and make them to follow the media policies

Torque Ripple Reduction in Brushless Wound Rotor Vernier Machine Using Third-Harmonic Multi-Layer Winding

This article aims to realize the brushless operation of a wound rotor vernier machine (WRVM) by a third-harmonic field produced through stator auxiliary winding (X). In the conventional model, a third-harmonic current is generated by connecting a 4-pole armature and 12-pole excitation windings serially with a three-phase diode rectifier to develop a pulsating field in the airgap of a machine. However, in the proposed model, the ABC winding is supplied by a three-phase current source inverter, whereas the auxiliary winding (X) carries no current due to an open circuit. The fundamental MMF component developed in the machine airgap creates a four-pole stator field, while the third-harmonic MMF induces the harmonic current in the specialized rotor harmonic winding. The rotor on the other side contains the harmonic and the field windings connected through a full-bridge rectifier. The electromagnetic interaction of the stator and rotor fields generates torque. Due to the open-circuited winding pattern, the proposed machine results in a low torque ripple. A 2D model is designed using JMAG-Designer, and 2D field element analysis (FEA) is carried out to determine the output torque and machine’s efficiency. A comparative performance analysis of both the conventional and proposed topologies is discussed graphically. The quantitative analysis of the proposed topology shows better performance as compared to the recently developed third-harmonic-based brushless WRVM topology in terms of output torque and torque ripples.Peer reviewe

Comparative efficacy of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and synthetic phosphate fertilizers on the growth of wheat

Wheat is recognized as one of the most important dietary elements due to its high nutritious content and thus, has become greatest food option all over the world. Phosphorus (P) being major plant food nutrient plays a vital role multiple functions of plant growth and development. The current study was carried out to compare the performance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as bio-fertilizer with commercially available phosphate fertilizers on wheat crop. The trial was designed in randomized complete block (RCB) replicated thrice. 6 different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Di-ammonium phosphate as DAP, Nitrophos as NP, Single super phosphate as SSP, Restore as PSB, Marathon as PSB, Nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria as PSB) followed by control were evaluated for agronomic, physiological and quality attributes of wheat. The results showed that most of the qualitative traits were significantly influenced by different treatments. However, application of N2 fixing bacteria was more significant in all treatments. Highest total viable count of colony-forming units (14.63×106 at 3-WAS & 17.70×106 after harvest CFU g-1), maximum tillers’ count (337 m-2), grains’ count (45.57 spike-1), grain yield (2714.3 kg ha-1), LAI (0.67 & 1.16 at 56 & 112 DAS), CGR (13.59 g day-1 m-2), photosynthesis rate (26.13 µ mol m-2 sec-1) and flag leaf sugar content (0.24%) were recorded on account of using N2-fixing bacteria applied as PSB. Moreover, NPK content in shoot, grain as well as uptake of NPK by grain were also received as highest in the same treatment. Based on research findings, it is concluded that application of N2-fixing bacteria as PSB (7.5 kg ha-1) might be increasing wheat production in Dera Ismail Khan and other areas of similar environment in Pakistan

PHYLOGENETIC AND DRUG- AND VACCINE-RESISTANCE PROFILES OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS AMONG CHILDREN WITH HIV CO-INFECTION IN PAKISTAN

Introduction: HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) share common routes of transmission and therefore co-infection is common. In 2019, an HIV-1 outbreak that resulted in >1000 children being infected, predominantly through nosocomial transmission, occurred in Sindh, Pakistan. We conducted a phylogenetic and drug resistance analysis of the HBV Reverse Transcriptase (RT) gene in children with HIV-1 and HBV co-infection. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 321 children with HIV who were recruited as part of a study to investigate the HIV-1 outbreak. All samples were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) using an ELISA assay, and positive samples were used to amplify and sequence the HBV RT gene. The phylogenetic relationship between sequences was analyzed, and drug- and vaccine- resistance mutations in the RT gene were explored. Results: Of 321 samples, 23% (n = 75) were positive for HBsAg on ELISA. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed that 63.5% of HBV sequences were sub-genotype D1, while the rest were sub-genotype D2. Cluster analysis revealed grouping of sub-genotype D1 sequences exclusively with Pakistani sequences, while clustering of sub-genotypes D2 predominantly with global sequences. The 236Y mutation associated with resistance to tenofovir was observed in 2.8% of HBV sequences. Additionally, seven vaccine escape mutations were observed, the most common being 128 V. Conclusion: Our study suggests ongoing transmission of HBV D1 and D2 sub-genotypes in the HIV-1 co-infected population, likely nosocomially, given common routes of HVB and HIV-1 transmission. The prevalence of major HBV drug- and vaccine-resistant mutations remains low. Surveillance for further transmissions and the possible emergence of major drug- or vaccine-resistant variants is required