bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of UK Biobank in mental health research: a review and commentary
Authors: Davis Katrina A. S. , Mirza Luwaiza , Clark Scott R. , Coleman Jonathan Richard Iain , Kassam Aliyah S. , Mills Natalie , Zadow Amy J. , Mcintosh Andrew , Hotopf Matthew
Published: November 2024

Background: UK Biobank (UKB) is a large-scale, prospective resource including genetic and biological data, healthcare linkage, and mental health enhancements, offering significant opportunities for mental health research. However, challenges arise from incomplete linkage and selective enhancements occurring at different times post-baseline. This study aims to highlight these opportunities and mitigate challenges by describing the data, providing an overview of existing research, and offering considerations for successful use.Methods: We reviewed all papers published on UKB website up to 2022 and those citing any of three UKB mental health methods papers during 2022-23. We selected studies that utilized UKB data and covered mental health topics. Papers were classified by mental health aspect, additional topics, and the data used to define the mental health aspect.Results: We identified 481 papers within the broad domain of mental health, with 339 focusing on mental health disorders (depression and affective disorders, anxiety disorders and related, psychotic disorders, other/multiple disorders, and transdiagnostic topics), with the most commonly studied disorder being depression. The remaining papers addressed a wider range of mental health topics, including dementia. Among the 339 papers on mental disorders, common secondary aspects included brain imaging, gene-environment interaction, and the relationship with physical health – with cardiometabolic factors being the most common physical health topic. Genetic techniques were frequently employed to study the relationships between mental disorders and other factors.Commentary: We discuss the UKB's strengths as a powerful observational resource, such as its capacity for genetic techniques, and its weaknesses, including selection effects. We outline considerations for using some of the many data types in UKB and suggest additional resources. Tips for enhancing the accuracy, transparency, and replicability of analyses are provided.Conclusion: UKB has already proven to be a valuable resource for mental health research, with nearly 500 papers identified that investigated mental health disorders using both conventional epidemiological methods and supplementing these with genetic techniques. It continues to hold potential for yielding new insights and valuable replications in mental health research, especially with additional data on post-pandemic mental health recently becoming available.
Graph based process models as basis for efficient data driven surrogates -- Expediting the material development process
Authors: Gerritzen Johannes , Hornig Andreas , Gude Maik
Published: November 2024

Shorter development cycles, increasing complexity and cost pressure are driving the need for more efficient development processes. Especially in the field of material development, the long and costly experiments are a major bottleneck. To alleviate this, data driven models, supporting the decision making process, have recently gained popularity. However, such models require a structured representation of the development process to allow an efficient training. In this work, a formalism for deriving an efficient representation of material development processs (MDPs) is proposed, shown exemplary on the development of a high modulus steel (HMS). The formalism is based on the combination of graph based process models and the recently proposed concept of ”flowthings”. This allows to efficiently derive a directed acyclic graph (DAG) representation of the MDP with the acquired data. From this, a database for subsequent training of surrogate models is derived, on which several black box models for the MDP are trained. Best-in-class models are chosen based on the root mean squared error (RMSE) on the test set and substantially used for the inverse optimization of the MDP to maximize the specific modulus while meeting additional design constraints. This showcases the potential of the proposed formalism for expediting the MDP by enabling data driven modeling.
The Psychometric Properties of Probability and Quantile Forecasts
Authors: Zhu Sophie Ma , Budescu David , Petrov Nikolay , Karger Ezra , Himmelstein Mark
Published: November 2024

Forecasting tournaments are a well established method for assessing human forecasting skills. Most forecasting tournaments are based on a format where participants estimate the probabilities of discrete events. For predictions of continuous values, the possible range of outcome values is divided into mutually exclusive bins covering the entire outcome distribution so that probabilities for each bin can be elicited. An alternative approach involves directly eliciting forecasts about quantiles of the continuous quantity. Using both simulated data and data from 1,147 participants who completed five surveys focused on forecasting tasks in a longitudinal study, we compared the psychometric properties of quantile and probability elicitation methods. In the simulation, we demonstrated that items in the quantile format recovered parameters that defined forecasters’ latent forecasting skill in fewer items than the probability format, and identified several idiosyncrasies in accuracy scores for the probability format that drive these differences. In the empirical analyses, we elicited forecasts about a set of 36 forecasting questions in both formats: quantile forecasts at five fixed probability values (5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 95%) and probability forecasts for five pre-determined item-specific bins. Consistent with the simulated results, our findings revealed that forecasts in the quantile format showed considerably stronger internal consistency, achieving a suitable reliability level with fewer items. When cross-validating how well individual forecasters’ accuracy on in-sample questions predicted their performance in out-of-sample questions, the variability in the accuracy of quantile forecasts was more statistically explainable. Despite its desirable properties, errors and signs of comprehension difficulties were more frequently observed in the quantile format. Further research is needed to refine elicitations that optimize the effectiveness of quantile-based forecasting judgments.
The impact of school exclusion on mental health and behavioural outcomes: A counterfactual analysis using a large UK-representative study
Authors: Neaverson Aimee , Obsuth Ingrid , Madia Joan E. , Daniels Harry , Thompson Ian , Zhu Xinxin , Murray Aja Louise
Published: November 2024

Background: Research suggests that experiencing school exclusion, including permanent exclusions and suspension is associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes for children; however, this association is vulnerable to confounding. Methods: Using a large UK-based longitudinal study, the Millennium Cohort Study (n=9551; 129 treated and 129 matched controls), and leveraging a wide range of matching variables we used counterfactual analyses to examine the effects of school exclusion at age 11 on emotional problems, conduct problems, ADHD symptoms, peer problems and prosociality at age 14, accounting for confounding. Results: We found that young people who experienced school exclusion had significantly worse scores at age 14 on all of these outcomes. The use of propensity score matching (including matching on prior behavioural problems) strengthens confidence in the idea that the effects are causal. Conclusions: Results point to the need for policies oriented towards reducing school exclusions and ensuring mitigating measures are in place to minimise its impact on those who experience it.
Repetition increases belief in implausible statements more than for plausible statements
Authors: Orchinik Reed , Rand David Gertler , Pennycook Gordon , Fazio Lisa
Published: November 2024

The finding that repetition causes increased belief – termed the illusory truth effect – has raised important concerns about the possibility of repetition leading to widespread belief in falsehoods. For this concern to be founded, the illusory truth effect must act meaningfully on statements that are initially thought to be implausible. Using a large (N=974) online experiment, we test the relationship between the illusory truth effect and prior belief in trivia statements. In contrast to previous work, we measure the prior belief that an individual assigns to a specific statement to allow for a precise estimation of this relationship. Concerningly, we find that not only does the illusory truth effect appear meaningful for statements where participants have low prior belief, the effect is also stronger for these initially implausible statements. Our findings suggest that repetition can be particularly harmful when statements are initially seen as implausible.
Long-Distance Exploration in Insightful Problem-Solving
Authors: Chao Zenas C , Hsieh Feng-Yang , Wu Chien-Te
Published: November 2024

Insight, often described by the “Aha” moment, represents a sudden and profound understanding, offering a new perspective that can illuminate the solution to a previously intractable problem. Although various theories have attempted to explain how this novel perspective emerges to facilitate the resolution of elusive problems, the dynamic search process leading to insight remains poorly understood, primarily due to the complex nature of creative problem-solving. In this study, we employ two versions of the Japanese remote associates test (RAT) (n= 349 and 105 participants, respectively), alongside a simulation model, allowing us to quantitatively manipulate the constraints imposed on the problem and to track the search process within the semantic space. Our findings indicate that the insight and the accompanying Aha moment are characterized by exploration that spans greater distances within the solution space, thereby increases the number of potential solutions available for evaluation.
Mathematical modeling of the cortisol stress response to develop indicators that are applicable across studies
Authors: de Nooij Laura , Posthuma Jonathan Francis , Miller Robert , Sep Milou S. C. , Quaedflieg Conny W.E.M. , Hernaus Dennis , Database Stress-EU , Vinkers Christiaan , Hermans Erno
Published: November 2024

Growing interest in interindividual differences in stress neuroendocrinology has created a need to combine data from multiple laboratory acute stress induction studies to allow large-scale individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses. However, established cortisol stress response indicators such as area under the curve (AUC) are inherently affected by sampling timing and duration, although to what extent remains unknown. Here, we leveraged a large, combined dataset (STRESS-EU; n=1,295) to develop novel model-based indicators that can accommodate variability in sampling schedules. These were based on modelled individual response curves that achieve full data inter- and extrapolation. We validated this method with simulated and independent data. Crucially, combined data simulations particularly showed higher accuracy for model-based versus conventional ‘observation-based’ AUC indicators with variability in sampling duration. In conclusion, our novel method harmonizes cortisol response indicator estimates for combined data, yielding opportunities for IPD meta-analyses of acute stress test studies that could greatly advance the field.
Religious Leaders' LGBQ Support: A National Survey Examining Psychosocial, Religious, and Congregational Factors
Authors: Kim Seungju , Xu Weiman
Published: November 2024

Public support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals in the United States has historically increased since 1996, yet religious leaders' perspectives remain understudied using large quantitative approaches. Using a nationally representative sample of religious leaders from the National Survey of Religious Leaders (N = 1,600), we tested preregistered hypotheses to examine psychosocial, religious, and spiritual correlates with LGBQ support, as well as potential congregational moderators. Results reveal relatively moderate LGBQ support among religious leaders (M = 2.61, range = 1.0–6.5), with psychosocial factors (e.g., identifying as White, woman, higher education, income) and religious/spiritual struggles associated with greater support, while literal Biblical interpretation and prayer practices associated with lower support. While congregation size did not moderate the relationship between literal interpretation and LGBQ support, the racial composition of congregations did. Together, these findings suggest that congregational dynamics may play a more significant role in shaping religious leaders' LGBQ support than previously recognized; we conclude by highlighting limitations and directions for future studies.
Temporal Binding in Preventive Voluntary Actions
Authors: Lotfi Ahmad , Hatami Javad
Published: November 2024

Temporal binding, the perceived shortening of the interval between a voluntary action and its outcome, is often cited as an indicator of agency. This study investigates temporal binding within the context of preventive actions, where outcomes are avoided rather than produced. The experimental design was an adjusted form of intentional-binding paradigm, involved participants who were required to perform specific actions to prevent an aversive outcome cued by a neutral stimulus earlier. Results demonstrated that participants experienced a specific kind of temporal binding, “cue-binding”, as we named it. This suggests that temporal binding can occur not only in generative actions, but also in preventive actions aimed at avoiding undesirable effects. These findings expand our understanding of agency, highlighting that the sense of agency encompasses both actions that generate outcomes and those that prevent them.
Engineered Afterlife Preview “EAP”
Authors: Ohnemus Alexander Luke
Published: November 2024

As a disclaimer, no chapter, in this essay, is purely the discipline in its title. To exactly quantify the afterlife, first we must confirm, then chart, the probable multiverse through engineering. Then we must engineer a machine to find where one’s replicating individuality(clue to self) goes throughout the multiverse, after the individual’s death in this universe. This essay’s annotated bibliography quotes the abstract of each predecessor in Ohnemus’ works. And the bibliography also cites peer reviewed, more institutionally supported works. Beginning is a vigorous series of thought experiments, spanning from metaphysics, classics, epistemology, risk analysis, and finally skin-in-the-game engineering. Next is a more direct attempt to preview the afterlife, using artificial intelligence. Almost lastly, is attempted quantification of consciousness. The essay then plans to chart the multiverse. Finally is a blueprint then references. Of course, before this essay continues, founding technology will receive citations.
Insights from genesis stories of Tamu (Gurung) of Nepal and Naxi of Yunnan (China)
Authors: Gurung Tek Bahadur
Published: November 2024

The existence of myths or folktales about origins among various communities and societies are subjects of academic discourse. These stories are observable among people, as they offer believers explanation that fulfill their cultural and spiritual needs. Academically, they provide valuable insights for comparative analysis. This article examines the origin stories prevalent among the Tamu (the Gurungs) of Nepal and the Naxi ethnic minority in China's Yunnan province. The Tamu story postulates their origin can be traced back to the mythical Khe Ku (nine paternal ancestors) and Mhā Ngi (seven maternal ancestors). Similarly, the Naxi story features nine paternal and seven maternal progenitors despite the fact that these communities being located in different countries and speaking distinct languages. While further studies are needed, the genetic affinity between the Naxi community and the Tamu community (and other indigenous nationalities of Nepal) suggests that the inhabitants of this region embody contemporary manifestations of a shared prehistoric lineage or horde.
Pengaruh Kompetensi Wartawan dan Intervensi Perusahaan Pencemar Terhadap Keputusan Wartawan Media Online Menulis Berita Pencemaran Air di Riau: Dukungan Pemerintah sebagai Moderator
Authors: Nurmalia Denisa , Hanny Hafiar  , Siti Karlina
Published: November 2024

Banyaknya jumlah wartawan dan kasus pencemaran air di Provinsi Riau tidak berbanding lurus dengan jumlah pemberitaan pencemaran di media online tempat mereka bekerja. Banyak faktor dapat mempengaruhi keputusan wartawan menulis berita, diantaranya kompetensi wartawan dan intervensi perusahaan pencemar, baik secara langsung maupun melalui moderasi dukungan pemerintah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kompetensi wartawan dan intervensi perusahaan pencemar yang dimoderasi oleh dukungan pemerintah terhadap keputusan wartawan media online menulis berita pencemaran air di Riau. Data dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner tertutup yang disebarkan kepada 226 responden wartawan media online yang telah lulus ujian kompetensi wartawan. Analisis data menggunakan metode Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) dengan bantuan software computer SmartPLS 4.0. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor kompetensi wartawan, intervensi perusahaan pencemar, dan dukungan pemerintah memberi pengaruh sebesar 23,8% terhadap keputusan wartawan media online dalam menulis berita pencemaran air di Riau. Sedangkan 76,2% sisanya dipengaruhi faktor lain yang tidak ikut diteliti. Selanjutnya, kompetensi wartawan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap keputusan mereka menulis berita pencemaran perairan, sedangkan intervensi perusahaan pencemar berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan. Akan tetapi, dukungan pemerintah tidak berperan sebagai pemoderasi dalam pengaruh kompetensi wartawan dan intervensi perusahaan pencemar terhadap keputusan wartawan dalam menulis berita pencemaran perairan di Riau.
Military Commitment and Identity as Implicit Religion: A Key to Understanding the Loss of Profundity in the Transition from Military to Civilian Life
Authors: Grimell Jan
Published: November 2024

This article is based on a rare longitudinal interview study on the transition from military to civilian life in which participants shared their experiences over the course of ten years. The challenges of transition included disconnection from a collective life that had previously offered service members identity, community, camaraderie and purpose – experiences that can be understood as the partial loss of something profound. An abductive analysis was conducted which centred on the integrating foci of commitment and the creation of a military identity derived from implicit religion. When viewed through this lens, the significance or strength of implicit religion and belief, in the context of military commitment, can be described as paramount and sacred – worthy of dying for. The findings offer a novel understanding of the profound experiences related to military communal life, purpose, and identity during active service (that is, the conceptualization as implicit religion) as well as the loss of these implicit religious elements during the transition out of military life, and how the participants have thought about and dealt with this loss in various ways.
EXPECTATIVAS E INCERTIDUMBRE Y SUS RELACIONES CON INDICADORES DE SALUD MENTAL EN ADOLESCENTES DE LIMA METROPOLITANA
Authors: MATOS-RAMÍREZ Patricia , SÁNCHEZ-CARLESSI Héctor , REYES-ROMERO Carlos , PALACIOS-GIL Renzo
Published: November 2024

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar de que manera los niveles de expectativas e incertidumbre están relacionados con los principales indicadores de salud mental en adolescentes de Lima; como instrumentos de recogida de datos se utilizó una escala de Expectativas, una escala de Incertidumbre y los indicadores de estrés, ansiedad, y depresióndel Inventario de Desajuste del Comportamiento Psicosocial (INDACPS, 2021). El estudio descriptivo logró identificar un nivel alto para la escala de expectativas y un nivel moderado para las escalas de incertidumbre, estrés, ansiedad y estrés. Por otro lado, las correlaciones se evaluaron mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, hallándose una relación significativa e inversa en un grado bajo entre la escala de expectativas con los niveles de estrés, ansiedad y depresión y con la escala de incertidumbre, correlacionó en un nivel alto con las escalas de estrés, ansiedad y depresión,  corroborándose en gran parte las hipótesis planteadas.
VIVENCIAS DE SERVIDORES PÚBLICOS FRENTE A LA MUERTE POR COVID19
Authors: NAVARRO-NAVARRO Ysabel
Published: November 2024

Una situación sin precedentes sumergió al mundo en una crisis sanitaria, pero también social, la muerte pasó de ser un evento esporádico o excepcional, a tener presencia cotidiana, se presentó de forma súbita, inesperada y masiva,nos referimos a la pandemia de la COVID 19.En efecto, las pérdidas de personas cercanas por la COVID-19 se dieron en un contexto inesperado, no obstante, los servicios del Ministerio de laMujer y Poblaciones Vulnerables (MIMP), siguieron operando, pues atiendenproblemáticas de prioritario interés público, en ese sentido, se consideraimportante conocer las vivencias de sus profesionales frente a la muerte defamiliares y colegas a causa de la pandemia, durante los años 2020 y 2021. Se realizó un avance de un estudio cualitativo mayor, la muestra estuvo constituida por 5 profesionales, a quienes se realizó una entrevista semiestructurada.Los resultados señalan que el personal del MIMP atravesó un momento de desconcierto y temor, ante la llegada de la COVID19, no obstante, los servicios, a favor de las poblaciones vulnerables y las mujeres afectadas por la violencia,siguieron funcionando, con un alto nivel de compromiso y capacidad de respuesta frente a una situación sin precedentes; las pérdidas más significativas se relacionan con familiares, pero también se relatan muertes de colegas que compartieron los momentos de crisis y afronte en la cotidianeidad del servicio público, finalmente, se concluye la necesidad de implementar desde la institución espacios de acompañamiento, apoyo terapeútico, ya seadirectamente o en alianzas con entidades, puesto que resulta importante y urgente preservar la salud mental de sus trabajadores/as.
CENTROS DE SALUD MENTAL COMUNITARIOS, ADOLESCENTES DESPROTEGIDOS Y CUIDADORES, NECESIDAD Y REALIDAD
Authors: VILLAFANE-ALVA José
Published: November 2024

Con el advenimiento del nuevo modelo de atención a la salud mental de enfoque comunitario iniciado en 2012, se pasó a centrar la atención a las necesidades de los individuos en su entorno social, recuperando de la enfermedad, así como promoviendo la salud. De esta manera los Centros de Salud Mental Comunitarios (CSMC) se constituyen en el eje articulador de los servicios de salud mental en su jurisdicción. En dicho contexto una población con alta vulnerabilidad social y riesgo de desarrollar trastornos mentales es aquella de adolescentes albergados en Centros de Acogida Residencial (CAR) donde la investigación que ligue los sistemas de salud y de protección a poblaciones vulnerables es escasa. El presente estudio toma los testimonios de primera mano del personal de salud de los CSMC de regiones representativas a nivel nacional para dar cuenta del trabajo que vienen realizando con los CAR. Se exponen las dificultades que encuentran en el trabajo con esta población y la carencia de programas de intervención específicos a pesar de contar con normativa que establece dichas intervenciones. Finalmente se examina la opinión de los propios albergados y sus cuidadores sobre las expectativas que tienen en relación a las atenciones sobre su salud mental.
LA ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN RELACIÓN AL ÍNDICE DE MASA CORPORAL Y EL ESTILO DE VIDA EN LOS ESTUDIANTES DE LA UNMSM
Authors: DAMIÁN-NÚÑEZ Edgar , GILES-ABARCA Carlos , ALARCÓN-DÍAZ Mitchell , REYES-CABRERA Neptali , VILLACORTA-HUAPAYA José
Published: November 2024

El estudio tiene la finalidad de determinar el impacto que producen la actividad física, el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y el estilo de vida en los estudiantes de la escuela Profesional de Educación Física UNMSM, en el contexto de pandemia COVID-19. La población, 570 estudiantes; muestra aleatoria por saturación 230, como instrumento el cuestionario de hábitos de vida, actividad física y calidad de vida, para el IMC ficha de datos, el estudio se desarrolló en un enfoque cuantitativo, tipo aplicada, con diseño descriptivo causal, transaccional. Para evidenciar el impacto se utilizó el coeficiente de regresión lineal concluyendo no existe impacto sobre la calidad de vida de parte del IMC, de la actividad física, pero si existe un impacto de la vida saludable sobre la calidad de vida, con una predictibilidad de 38.9%.
GESTIÓN DEL TALENTO HUMANO Y COMPETENCIA DIGITAL DOCENTE, SEGÚN PERCEPCIÓN DE ESTUDIANTES DEL QUINTO DE SECUNDARIA EN INSTITUCIONES EDUCATIVAS DE LA RED 11-CALLAO
Authors: GORDILLO-TORRES Rosaura
Published: November 2024

El estudio en mención propuso como meta determinar la correlación entre “gestión del talento humano” y “competencia digital” docente, es una investigación de tipo cuantitativo, correlacional, se trabajó con una muestra de 300 participantes, aplicando el método deductivo. En los resultados se evidenció lo siguiente. Se encontró deficiencias en el manejo de las fortalezas que poseen los trabajadores de las instituciones intervenidas, en primer término, repercutieron en sus formas de organizarse, las valoraciones, la motivación, el trato y la estimulación para su desempeño. Con resultados poco alentadores, referido a la organización de las Instituciones Educativasy el trabajo colaborativo, igualmente en el tema de la búsqueda de la calidad educativa, la capacitación docente y la forma de evaluar mediante las herramientas digitales
SCOPE ON BIM AS A TOOL FOR DESIGNING ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS. CASE OF ALGERIA
Authors: Khalid Zaouia  , Said Mazouz
Published: November 2024

Building Information Modeling, often known as BIM, is considered an indispensable component of the design and construction process in many nations throughout the world. In order to analyze the practitioners' perceptions of BIM's influence on construction in connection to the many tools and software, surveys were carried out and analyzed with the sphinx tool. The surveys were also carried out to determine the architects' and engineers' capacities to integrate BIM into their design processes. Despite having limited understanding about BIM as a new method of work, the results indicated that both architects and engineers are concerned about improving design processes in order to provide a higher level of quality to the projects they are working on in Algerian context.
Análisis de facilitadores y barreras para el uso de los resultados del Diagnóstico Integral de Aprendizajes en los procesos de mejora en la educación básica
Authors: Montecinos Carmen , De la Vega Luis Felipe
Published: November 2024

El objetivo general de la investigación que se informa en este artículo fue conocer las percepciones y prácticas de la jefatura de la Unidad Técnico Pedagógica, del director(a) y de los docentes del primer ciclo de educación básica, asociadas al uso del Diagnóstico Integral de Aprendizajes (DIA) en el área académica. Utilizando un diseño mixto explicativo secuencial, primero se aplicó una encuesta en 20 centros escolares, con la participación de 80 docentes enseñando en el primer ciclo y 40 docentes directivos. En la segunda etapa se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad y observaciones en tres centros escolares seleccionados sobre la base de los resultados de la fase cuantitativa. Los principales resultados muestran un alto nivel de aplicación de las pruebas DIA en el área académica y una alta valoración de la información que estas entregan. Esta prueba se usa para identificar a los y las estudiantes que requieren más apoyo y para planificar el currículo. Aun cuando se observa alto nivel de heterogeneidad en cómo se aborda el trabajo con el DIA, un aspecto generalizado es la ausencia de protocolos para el uso reflexivo de datos. Un factor facilitador del uso de los resultados del DIA es el trabajo colaborativo entre docentes del ciclo y con docentes del Programa de Integración Escolar (PIE), junto a lineamientos que entrega la dirección del establecimiento. El profesorado mayoritariamente señala que no cuenta con suficientes recursos para atender a los y las estudiantes que requieren apoyo adicional, con tiempo para el análisis reflexivo de datos, tampoco se ofrece una formación en alfabetización para el uso de datos. Aunque el tamaño de la muestra es reducido, los resultados entregan pistas sobre posibles modificaciones al DIA para un mejor alineamiento entre las pruebas y el currículo enseñado. Además, se detecta la necesidad de generar oportunidades de aprendizaje profesional para fortalecer la alfabetización para el uso reflexivo de datos.
Second record of Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1866) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) for Misiones province, Argentina
Authors: Sanchez Mariano S. , Suarez Pablo
Published: November 2024

Cynomops planirostris tiene una distribución discreta en la región norte de Argentina, registrándose principalmente en la Selva de Las Yungas, con unas pocas localidades en las ecorregiones del Chaco Seco y Húmedo, Delta e Islas del Río Paraná y Campos y Malezales. Aquí presentamos una nueva localidad para el país. El ejemplar fue obtenido mediante una colecta ocasional, lo que representa el segundo registro para la provincia de Misiones y el primero para la Selva Paranaense de Argentina, extendiendo su distribución aproximadamente 230 km al noreste del país. Este registro evidencia nuestro desconocimiento de la fauna de murciélagos y resalta la necesidad de incluir métodos de muestreo alternativos para detectar estas especies.
Preoperative predictors of biochemical remission in somatotroph adenoma resections: a single-institution retrospective review
Authors: Osorio Robert C. , Kabir Aymen , Haddad Alexander F. , Badani Aarav , Khela Harmon , Saha Atul , Juncker Ryan , Peeran Zain , Theodosopoulos Philip , Kunwar Sandeep , Gurrola Jose , El-Sayed Ivan H. , Blevins Lewis , Aghi Manish K.
Published: November 2024

OBJECTIVE

There is persistent debate in the literature surrounding the true predictors of biochemical remission after resection of somatotroph adenoma. A multimodal analysis of a large number of patients is needed to better understand which patients may be at higher or lower risk for remission failure after surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on patients undergoing somatotroph adenoma resection. Biochemical remission was defined as age- and sex-adjusted normalization of serum insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels at least 6 months after surgery. Patient case characteristics and clinicopathologic variables were tested for statistical associations with remission and were included in a random forest machine learning model to assess for their importance in determining remission status. Preoperative variables found to be significant remission predictors on statistical testing and important in the random forest model were subsequently assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine numeric thresholds that optimally predicted preoperative likelihood of remission success or failure.

RESULTS

Eighty patients were identified with somatotroph adenoma who underwent transsphenoidal resection, with 60 patients (75%) achieving biochemical remission. Statistical testing found that patients with failed remission were more likely to have larger tumors (1.9 vs 1.6 cm by the largest axis, p = 0.014; and 3.61 vs 2.66 cm3 by 3D volume, p = 0.013) that invaded the cavernous sinus more frequently (70% vs 22% of patients, p < 0.001) and have higher preoperative IGF-1 level (860 vs 660 ng/ml, p = 0.044). An optimized random forest machine learning model with 10,000 iterations found that tumor size, preoperative growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, and cavernous sinus invasion were important preoperative predictors of remission status. ROC analysis revealed that 96% of patients with preoperative 3D tumor volume less than 1.51 cm3 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.691, p = 0.003) and 100% with nonadjusted preoperative IGF-1 level less than 718.5 ng/ml (AUC 0.736, p = 0.002) achieved remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Important preoperative predictors of postoperative remission for somatotroph adenoma resection include serum IGF-1 level, cavernous sinus invasion, and tumor size. Ninety-five percent of patients who achieved postoperative remission had preoperative 3D tumor volume less than 1.51 cm3.
Upper instrumented vertebra pedicle screw loosening following adult spinal deformity surgery: incidence and outcome analysis
Authors: Arena John D. , Ghenbot Yohannes , Wathen Connor A. , Santangelo Gabrielle , Dagli Mert Marcel , Golubovsky Joshua L. , Gu Ben J. , Macaluso Dominick , Malhotra Neil R. , Ali Zarina S. , Yoon Jang W. , Welch William C. , Arlet Vincent , Ozturk Ali K.
Published: November 2024

OBJECTIVE

Surgical correction of adult spinal deformity (ASD) is associated with a high rate of hardware complication that can be challenging to predict. Hardware integrity and alignment after surgery are typically followed with standing radiography, where pedicle screw loosening may be incidentally identified but the clinical significance of which is often unclear. This study aimed to identify the incidence and implications of pedicle screw loosening at the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) after surgical correction of ASD.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 217 patients who underwent long-segment fusion with pelvic fixation for correction of ASD between September 2013 and November 2021. Cases with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. UIV pedicle screws were graded on radiographs for evidence of loosening with a 0- to 3-point scale: 0, no loosening; 1, lucency within screw threads; 2, lucency around screw threads; and 3, screw dislodgment/backout. Need for hardware revision surgery was assessed as the primary outcome. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMIS and Oswestry Disability Index scores) were assessed as secondary outcomes among the patients with available scores.

RESULTS

Low-grade UIV screw loosening (grade 1) was identified in 37 patients (17.1%), and high-grade UIV loosening (grade 2 or 3) was identified in 23 patients (10.6%). Low-grade UIV loosening was not associated with eventual need for hardware revision (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.17–1.61, p = 0.258); however, high-grade loosening was associated with increased odds of hardware revision (OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.74–15.36, p = 0.003), including specifically surgery for correction of proximal junctional kyphosis (OR 5.73, 95% CI 1.27–25.95, p = 0.024). Among patients with PROMIS T-scores, those requiring hardware revision reported worse Pain Interference (65.0 ± 5.1 vs 59.6 ± 7.7, p = 0.001) and Physical Function (33.3 ± 5.6 vs 37.4 ± 7.4; p = 0.011). Patients with high-grade UIV loosening reported higher Oswestry Disability Index scores than those without high-grade loosening (grade 0 or 1), although this failed to reach statistical significance (44.0 ± 8.5 vs 33.7 ± 18.5, p = 0.101).

CONCLUSIONS

Grade 1 UIV pedicle screw loosening may represent a benign incidental finding, whereas high-grade loosening is associated with significantly increased odds of hardware revision surgery. High-grade loosening may also be associated with worse patient-reported disability. The authors’ findings suggest that while low-grade UIV loosening may often be managed expectantly, identification of high-grade UIV pedicle screw loosening on follow-up imaging warrants increased attention and continued surveillance.
Vitamin D Status of Children Attending the Well Child Clinic of a Private Hospital in Yangon
Authors: Win Phyu Phyu , Thwe Aung Myat Moe , Aung Thuza
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Vitamin D is essential for the healthy development and maintenance of bones, particularly in childhood and adolescence. We aimed to figure out the vitamin D concentrations among children who were 4 to 15 years and came to health check-up clinics of a private hospital in Yangon. Methods: This is a retrospective record review study over 1 year which included a total of 99 well children aged 4 to15 years. We collected demographic and clinical details as well as blood samples including (25 (OH) D and alkaline phosphatase. For statistical analysis, we applied IBM SPSS 25.0. Results: Among 99 participants, 43 (43.4%) were found to have vitamin D deficiency. The average serum 25 (OH) D level among all subjects was 21.77±7.03 ng/mL, while those with deficiency had an average level of 15.53±3.32 ng/mL. Notably, a higher percentage of obese children, 10 out of 16 (62.5%) were affected with vitamin D deficiency. There was a statistically significant age difference between the vitamin D deficient group (mean age 10.07±3.16 years) and their sufficient counterparts (mean age 7.70±2.71 years). Conclusions: A significant incidence of vitamin D deficiency was detected among healthy children. It appears to escalate with age, implying an inverse relationship between age and vitamin D levels. The association between low serum 25 (OH) D and obesity in children underscores the significance of dietary pattern, lifestyle modification, and sunlight exposure in attaining optimal vitamin D levels. These measures may lessen the risk of multiple disease states related to low vitamin D.
Механізми та маркери метастазування при карциномах щитоподібної залози. Огляд літератури та власних даних (частина 1)
Authors: Kobrynska N.Ya. , Pushkarev V.M. , Levchuk N.I. , Kovzun O.I. , Komisarenko І.І. , Tronko M.D.
Published: November 2024

Резюме. Огляд літератури присвячено маркерам та механізмам утворення метастазів. Акцент робиться на відносно маловивчених процесах – ролі жорсткості пухлини та її оточення, участі в цих процесах асоційованих із пухлиною фібробластів; формування преметастатичних ніш, переходу дисемінованих клітин у сплячий стан та, особливо, механізмам, які провокують вихід метастазів із цього стану, що має суттєве практичне значення. Встановлено, що сайти майбутніх метастазів не є пасивними приймачами ракових клітин, а вибірково й активно модифікуються первинною пухлиною ще до того, як відбулося метастатичне поширення. Пухлини індукують формування мікрооточення у віддалених органах, яке буде сприяти виживанню та росту пухлинних клітин після їх засіву в метастатичні сайти. Підкреслюється важливість визначення факторів, які сприяють формуванню преметастатичних ніш при карциномах щитоподібної залози (ЩЗ). Іноді, замість утворення преметастатичних ніш, які підвищують ефективність метастазування, можуть виникати спеціалізовані мікросередовища, в яких пухлинні клітини виживають у стані спокою. Зараз з’ясовуються клітинні та молекулярні складові ніш, які сприяють спокою дисемінованих клітин. Наведені фактори, які можуть спровокувати вихід дисемінованих пухлинних клітин зі стану спокою. Головна увага приділяється маркерам метастазування ЩЗ – трансформуючому фактору росту бета (transforming growth factor beta, TGF-β), матриксним металопротеазам (matrix metalloproteinases, ММРs), фактору росту фібробластів 19 (fibroblast growth factors 19, FGF19), індукованому гіпоксією фактору 1α (hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1α), судинному ендотеліальному фактору росту (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), фібронектину, інтегринам, альфа-актину гладких м’язів (α-smooth muscle actin, α-SMA), синдеканам, кіназам сімейства Src, осі CXCL12/CXCR4, маркерам ракових стовбурових клітин та ін. Особливий інтерес викликають маркери, які можна виявити в плазмі крові та методом тонкоголкової біопсії в доопераційний період.
The Summit of Safe Horror
Authors: Cummings-Coughlin Cara Rei
Published: November 2024

Many people regularly watch horror films. While it seems clear that sporadically watching horror films will not make us bad people, if it is the main type of media that we consume, then are we still safe? I will defend most horror films from Di Muzio (2006), who worries that we are harming our moral character by watching them. Most horror films (e.g., Candyman, Get Out, and Scream) fall into what I call the summit of safe horror (SoSH), the inverse of the uncanny valley effect, wherein almost-but-not-quite-human robots elicit discomfort from viewers rather than empathy. In the SoSH, violence elicits excitement rather than pity for the victims because the violence is mitigated by, among other things, comic relief and foolish choices by the characters. These narrative features allow most horror films to be intense enough to cause excitement and terror yet not so intense as to cause a negative moral attitude to form in our soul, because we feel what Aristotle would consider the appropriate amount of fear. Torture porn, a subset of horror films lacking plot and focusing solely on gore (e.g., the Saw sequels), falls outside of the SoSH because it lacks these narrative features, making the violence depicted too intense to be entertaining. These films outside the SoSH will not necessarily cause an inappropriate amount of fear but are simply the only ones that could possibly do so. Caution: spoilers ahead!
The mercury and low molecular-weight antioxidants levels in ungulates of the Republic of Karelia
Authors: Kalinina S. N. , Ilyukha V. A. , Komov V. T. , Zaitseva I. A. , Baishnikova I. V. , Panchenko D. V. , Antonova E. P.
Published: November 2024

The high toxicity of mercury (Hg) poses a danger to the environment and humans, but studies of the concentration of this metal in organisms of terrestrial ecosystems are few. Ecotoxicologists also pay little attention to studying the role of antioxidant vitamins in protecting cells from toxic metals. The Republic of Karelia is one of the northwestern regions of Russia, the biogeochemical features of which can contribute to an increase in the mobility and bioavailability of Hg in food chains. The purpose of the work was to determine the concentration of Hg in the liver, kidneys, muscle and hair of ungulate mammals of the Republic of Karelia (wild boar Sus scrofa L. and moose Alces alces L.) and to analyze the relationship between the level of this toxic metal and the content of low molecular-weight antioxidants – reduced glutathione, retinol and α-tocopherol. Species and tissue-specific of the studied parameters in wild boars and moose are noted. The observations discovered by other researchers that omnivorous species accumulate more Hg in their tissues compared to herbivores, and also that this toxic metal is predominantly accumulated in the kidneys, while muscles contain a minimal amount, have been confirmed. Hg concentrations in most samples of liver and kidney of wild boars and in all samples of these same organs of moose were within the limits recorded for domestic pigs and deer, respectively. The levels of Hg we recorded in the tissues and hair of wild boars and moose were generally comparable to or lower than the levels of this metal noted in animals from other regions of Russia and other countries of the world. In wild boars and moose of Karelia, no statistically significant relationships were found between the Hg level and the content of the studied antioxidants in the internal organs. Moose were characterized by a higher content of α-tocopherol in the body than wild boars, which is a feature of this type of herbivorous ungulate mammal. The results of the study indicate a relatively low level of mercury pollution in terrestrial ecosystems in Karelia.
Effect of hypernatremia on protein reabsorption in renal proximal tubules of the lake frog Pelophylax ridibundus
Authors: Prutskova N. P. , Seliverstova E. V.
Published: November 2024

Protein reabsorption in the kidney proximal tubules occurs simultaneously with the transport of ions and water, but little is known about the dependence of receptor-mediated protein endocytosis on water-salt balance changes. The aim of the study was to investigate tubular reabsorption and intracellular vesicular transport of various proteins in a model of hypernatremia in lake frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus). Frogs were injected with hypertonic sodium chloride solution (0.75 M NaCl) 1 hour before injection of green or yellow fluorescent proteins (GFP or YFP), as well as lysozyme. The method of fluorescent immunohistochemistry was used for detection of lysozyme and endocytic receptor megalin in kidney sections. Specimens were investigated using laser scanning confocal microscopy. The intensity of fluorescent signals of proteins and megalin in proximal tubular cells was determined on the images obtained. To study the dynamics of endocytosis, an automated method for quantifying colocalized protein and megalin signals was used. A statistically significant decrease in the reabsorption of GFP, YFP and lysozyme in the proximal tubules after 0.75 M of NaCl injection was found. The accumulation of proteins in the early endocytic compartment and decrease in their entry into late endosomes and lysosomes are shown, that is considered as evidence of a delay in intracellular vesicular transport in hypernatremia. The data obtained were analyzed in connection with changes in blood parameters and kidney activity during osmoregulation, and also with the role of chloride channels in receptor-mediated protein endocytosis. It can be assumed that increased ion transport in the proximal tubules cells in hypernatremia leads to decreased reabsorption capacity of epitheliocytes and delayed intracellular transport of proteins.
SPECTRAL METHODS FOR SOLVING DIFFERENTIAL AND FUNCTIONAL EQUATIONS
Authors: Varin V. P
Published: November 2024

The operator approach previously developed for the spectral method using Legendre polynomials is generalized here to any systems of basis functions (not necessarily orthogonal) that satisfy two conditions: the result of the operation of multiplication by x or differentiation with respect to x is expressed in the same functions. All systems of classical orthogonal polynomials meet these conditions. In particular, a spectral method utilizing Chebyshev polynomials is constructed, which is most efficient for numerical calculations. This method is applied for the numerical solution of linear functional equations that arise in generalized series summation problems, aswell as in problems of analytic continuation of discrete mappings. It is also shown how these methods solve nonstandard and nonlinear boundary value problems for which conventional algorithms are not applicable.
ASYMPTOTICS OF THE SOLUTION TO A BISINGULAR PROBLEM OF OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTED CONTROL IN A CONVEX DOMAIN WITH A SMALL PARAMETER IN ONE OF THE HIGHER DERIVATIVES
Authors: Danilin A. R.
Published: November 2024

The paper considers the problem of optimal distributed control in a strictly convex planar domain with a smooth boundary and a small parameter in one of the higher derivatives of the elliptic operator. In this problem, a zero Dirichlet boundary condition is imposed, and the control enters additively into the inhomogeneity. The set of admissible controls is the unit ball in the corresponding space of square-integrable functions. The solutions to the resulting boundary value problems are treated in the generalized sense as elements of a certain Hilbert space. The optimality criterion is the sum of the square of the norm of the state deviation from a given state and the square of the norm of the control, with a weighting coefficient. This structure of the optimality criterion allows either the first or the second term to be emphasized, depending on the need. In the first case, achieving the desired state is prioritized, while in the second case, minimizing resource costs becomes more important. The asymptotics of the problem are studied in detail, arising from a second-order differential operator with a small coefficient in one of the higher derivatives, to which a zero-order differential operator is added.