bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to deliver person-centred care for people living with heart failure: A multi stakeholder interview study with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals in Thailand
Authors: Giusti Alessandra , Pukrittayakamee Panate , Wannarit Kamonporn , Thongchot Lakkana , Janwanishstaporn Satit , Nkhoma Kennedy , Venkatapuram Sridhar , Harding Richard
Published: September 2024

Context: Heart failure has high, growing global prevalence, morbidity and mortality, and is a leading cause of death with serious health-related suffering in low- and middle-income countries. Person-centred care (PCC) is a critical component of high-quality healthcare and is particularly vital in the context of a serious illness such as heart failure.However, there are limited data exploring PCC in this population in low- and middle-income settings.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how clinical services could respond to the PCC needs of individuals living with heart failure in Thailand, with potential for adaptation in other settings.
Methods: Cross-sectional qualitative study. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Thailand with heart failure patients (n=14), their caregivers (n=10) and healthcare professionals (n=12). Framework analysis was conducted with deductive coding to populate an a priori coding frame based on an existing model of PCC, with further inductive coding of novel findings to expand the frame.
Results: The findings reveal specific practice actions that deliver PCC for persons living with heart failure in Thailand, such as i) compassionate communication by healthcare professionals; ii) effective teamwork amongst multidisciplinary healthcare professionals; iii) proactive responses to physical, psychosocial, relational and information needs of patients and caregivers; iv) engaging patients and families in symptom management, v) providing opportunities for patients to be cared for in the community, and vi) responding to the social determinants of health, illness and healthcare access.
Conclusion: Person-centred healthcare systems must aim to address the social determinants of illness, and place focus on community- and home-based care. Heart failure patients and caregivers must be supported to self-manage, including how to recognise symptoms and take appropriate action. Delivering PCC in such a way has the potential to improve outcomes for patients, enhance patients’ sense of agency and experiences of care, improve health equity, and reduce hospital admissions, relieving pressure on the hospital system and reducing overall costs of care.
Use of noninvasive fibrosis calculators in an urban diabetes center suggests a large burden of undetected advanced liver disease
Authors: Ebeid Ahmed , Mokhtar Fatma , Martinez-Lebron Valeria , Park Susie , Degann Seta , Payano Jeremy , Vahora Zahid , Gray Stephen , Johnson Lynt , El-Maouche Diala , Abutaleb Ameer
Published: September 2024

Background
Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is prevalent in up to 60% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM accelerates the risk of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with MASLD. Our goal in this study was to identify patients with suspected MASLD and hepatic fibrosis in a large T2DM clinic by using noninvasive fibrosis scoring systems.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of patients with T2DM seen by our endocrinologists at the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) Diabetes Center in Washington, DC, from November 1, 2021, until November 1, 2022. We included all subjects who were over 18 years old with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 6.5 or higher. Patients with a history of significant alcohol consumption, decompensated cirrhosis, previous bariatric surgery, or prior chronic liver disease were excluded from the study. We identified patients at risk for hepatic fibrosis by using the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index, NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) and AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) when lab values were available.
Results
A total of 1,411 patients were evaluated for T2DM by an endocrinology provider during the one-year period. Out of these, 336 patients met one or more of the exclusion criteria, leaving a total of 1075 patients included in the analysis. The majority were African American (n = 582, 54%), 261 were Caucasian (24.3%), and 85 were Hispanic (7.9%). Most patients were females (n = 675, 62.7%). The mean HbA1c was 8.1 ± 2.3. 643 patients (59.8%) were insulin dependent. Based on FIB-4 scores, we found that 35 (3.9%) patients had a score of > 2.67 associated with advanced fibrosis and 257 (29%) patients with scores of 1.3–2.67 had moderate fibrosis. Using the NFS calculator, there were 281 (28%) patients with values of > 0.675 consistent with F3-F4 disease. 715 (71.8%) patients with values of < .675 consistent with F0-F2 fibrosis. A total of 6(< 1%) patients met criteria for advanced fibrosis by APRI scoring.
Conclusion
In our urban Diabetes Center, utilizing the NFS calculator may detect many patients with an advanced liver disease. Further research is needed to correlate these findings with transient elastography and other imaging evidence of fatty liver disease.
Relationship Between Training Time and Exercise Addiction, Flexibility, and Performance in Extreme Conditioning Program Practitioners.
Authors: Rocha Danilo Santos , Neto Antônio Ribeiro , Alves Rafael Rosano Gotti , Pires Kamila Araújo , Silva Grazielle Cristina Gomes , Bertolini Gladson Ricardo Flor , Bertoncello Dernival
Published: September 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between training time and exercise dependence among individuals participating in an extreme conditioning program, as well as the influence on flexibility and performance in practicing one of the exercises. This was a cross-sectional observational study with extreme conditioning program participants. Exercise dependence was assessed using the Exercise Addiction Inventory, flexibility was measured using the Wells Bench, and performance was evaluated using the Wall Ball exercise performed in the extreme conditioning program. The participants were divided into groups, according to training time, which were statistically compared (considering a significance level of p < 0.05). Training time in the extreme conditioning program showed a significant relationship with exercise dependence (p = 0.0309). However, it did not have significant effects on the flexibility (p = 0.4519) or performance (p = 0.3104) of the practitioners. Longer training time was associated with increased exercise dependence among practitioners of an extreme conditioning program.
Evaluation of the effects of four growth media on potato (Solanum tubérosum L.) plantlets production in Burkina Faso
Authors: ZERBO Afoussatou , SOME Koussao , TIAMA Djakaridja , SORO Monique , OUEDRAOGO Wendpang-yidé Idrissa Caleb , TRAORE Renan Ernest
Published: September 2024

In Burkina Faso, potato growers face difficulties in obtaining potato seeds. In general, most of the imported seed partially meet the quality requirements of potato production. Furthermore, these seeds are not accessible in terms of cost and are unavailable in time. Therefore, local seed production is necessary. In vitro culture can remedy this problem by providing quality seeds. Thus, the goal of our study was to identify appropriated growth medium suitable for in vitro plantlet micropropagation in the process of quality potato seed production in Burkina Faso. This study was conduction in the in vitro culture laboratory of the Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA) at Kamboinsé.in Burkina Faso. Explants from in vitro plantlets (1 cm) of the same generation were used as plant material and transplanted onto four different media. The media used were as follows: M0 = 4.4 g/l MS medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) + 7 g/l agar; M1 = M0 + 30 g/l table sugar; M2 = M0 + 0.5 mg/l AIB and M3 = M0 + 30 g/l sugar + 0.5 mg/l AIB. These media were prepared at pH 5.7 ± 0.1, divided into jars and autoclaved for 20 minutes at a pressure of 120 bars. Subculture in the jars was performed in a laminar flow hood. The plants were subsequently transferred to a growth room for 30 days. The results of this study indicated that M1 and M3 regenerated of the in vitro plantlets better than M0 and M2 did. Sugar likely had a positive effect on root length, stem diameter, number of nodes and number of opened leaves. These parameters strongly differentiated M1 from the other media. AIB had a positive effect on the root proliferation of in vitro regenerated plantlets in M2 medium. The combined effect of sugar and AIB had even greater effects on stem height, number of roots, number of leaves open and weight of in vitro plantlets, which strongly differentiated medium M3 from the other media. In conclusion, M3 proved to be the best media for in vitro plantlets production.
Association between the frequency of fruit intake and cognitive impairment, along with the joint impact of the frequency of fruit intake and the vision condition on cognitive impairment in Chinese seniors
Authors: Gao Jun , Zhang KeXin , Duan Jun , Chen Hanjie , Zhou Wanling , Gao Yun , Liu Yan
Published: September 2024

Objective: Studies that correlate the frequency of fruit intake with cognitive impairment in the senior population are lacking. In addition, the co-effects of the frequency of fruit intake and the vision condition on cognitive function remain unexplored. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the frequency of fruit intake and cognitive function, as well as the combined impact of the frequency of fruit intake and the vision condition on cognitive impairment.
Methods: The data of 7621 seniors included in the 2017-2018 China Longitudinal Healthy Lifespan Survey (CLHLS) were included. Trained investigators face-to-face survey to collect information on the frequency of fruit intake and the vision status of seniors. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze.
Results: Among chinese seniors, Low level of frequency of fruit intake had harmful effect on cognitive function(OR=1.958 95%CI=1.611-2.380). Low level of vision status had harmful effect on cognitive function(OR=9.493 95%CI=8.073-11.162). The frequency of fruit intake and the visual impairment were independently or jointly associated with cognitive function. Cognitive impairment is more likely in seniors with visual impairment when the frequency of fruit intake is rare(OR=12.855 95%CI=9.867-16.749). After stratified analysis by the vision condition, Among the senior population with visual impairment, Low level of frequency of fruit intake had harmful effect on cognitive function(OR=1.768 95%CI=1.245-2.511).
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the joint effect of the frequency of fruit intake and the vision status on cognitive ability. This study could provide a reference for the development of policies and the intervention of health promotion for seniors.
Mesenchymal stem cells govern immune cell maturation in the tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Eain Htoo Shwe , Soe Yamin , Kawai Hotaka , Sanou Sho , Min Zin Zin , Oo May Wathone , Takabatake Kiyofumi , Chang Anqi , Piao Tianyan , Nakano Keisuke , Iida Seiji , Nagatsuka Hitoshi
Published: September 2024

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a role in the recruitment and modulation of immune cells due to their strong immunomodulatory effects. Due to their immunomodulatory properties, it is undeniable that MSCs could also influence the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Our study traced bone marrow-derived cells using GFP+ bone marrow chimeric mice. Compared to the conventional bone marrow transplantation method (BMT), our improved enzyme-cleaved bone marrow harvestation method (cBMT) allows us to collect more bone marrow-derived MSCs than BMT. Using the difference in MSC population in BMT and cBMT, we study the influences of MSCs in the immune environment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumors. cBMT tumors, which have a higher population of MSCs, created tumors with a histological resemblance to wild-type mice tumors. Interestingly, recruited GFP-positive cells were higher in number in BMT tumors; however, CD45+ cells in cBMT tumors were higher. The immune cell landscape in cBMT tumors resembled more closely to that of tumors in normal wild mice. Upon detailed examination, we discovered that mature T and B cells were recruited more into cBMT tumors, while immature macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells invaded more into BMT tumors. Here, we provided insight into how MSCs control the immune landscape in the tumor microenvironment.
A multi-view multi-label learning with incomplete data and self-adaptive correlations
Authors: Zhu Changming , Han Liju
Published: September 2024

Multi-view multi-label (MVML) learning aims to process MVML data sets represented with multiple feature sets (i.e., views) and labeled with multiple class labels. While in current scenes, MVML data sets always encounter to two main phenomena. First, for MVML data, there exist some correlations among different features, instances, labels and these correlations usually have diverse representations including within-view, cross-view, and consensus-view representations. Due to there are usually some certain relationships between information exist, thus these correlations always be changed in a self-adaptive way. Second, for some unpredictable reasons, MVML data maybe incomplete and loss some information. To address these phenomena, we pay attention to the self-adaptive measurement of those correlations in different representations and the process of incomplete data, then a multi-view multi-label learning with incomplete data and self-adaptive correlations (MVML-IDSaC) is developed. Extensive experiments on 5 MVML data sets show the superiority of the developed algorithm and some conclusions are addressed. (1) MVML-IDSaC performs better than some related competitive algorithms in statistical over AUC and precision; (2) MVML-IDSaC can process incomplete MVML data much better; (3) considering comprehensive relationships about data and its inferring results with a feasible way, the performances of a multi-view multi-label algorithm is promoted further.
Development and application of active aging scale for rural older adults living alone
Authors: Liao Shufang , Li Shasha , Dong Liying , Bao Jianyi , Li Yue , Xi Yingxue , Song Xiaofang , Guo Guojing , Yang Xinyu , Chen Yaqian
Published: September 2024

Background
The issue of active aging among older adults living alone in rural areas is becoming increasingly complex worldwide, and China is no exception. However, more specialized assessment tools are needed to evaluate active aging in this population. This study aims to develop and validate an active aging scale for rural older adults living alone (AAS-ROALA) in China, providing a theoretical foundation for research in this area.
Methods
The scale was developed in three phases—a preliminary version, a test version, and a final refined version—a cross-sectional survey of 480 rural older adults living alone in two cities in China in April and May 2024. The scale was tested for item analysis, content validity, structural validity, and internal reliability via a cross-sectional survey design.
Results
The newly developed scale has thirty-two items across five dimensions: independent autonomy, self-regulation, active participation, economic security, and collaborative assistance. The I-CVI ranged from 0.813–1.000, and the S-CVI/Ave was 0.929. EFA identified five factors with a cumulative variance of 61.60%. The CFA showed a good model fit. The Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω, split-half coefficient, and retest reliability for the total scale were 0.928, 0.935, 0.815, and 0.874, respectively.
Conclusion
The findings show that the AAS-ROALA is a valid and appropriate instrument to inform in-depth studies of active aging among rural older adults living alone.
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Retinopathy and Serum Magnesium Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Aslan İsmail Sefa , Baspinar Melike Mercan , Ertan Elif , Basat Okcan
Published: September 2024

Objective: Diabetic retinopathy, a severe complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, can lead to vision loss and blindness. Magnesium, a vital intracellular cation, plays a key role in insulin and glycaemic regulation. This study investigates the relationship between serum magnesium levels and diabetic retinopathy in T2DM patients.
Methods: A total of 118 patients who visited the Family Medicine Clinic of a tertiary hospital, were included in the study. Routine diabetes follow-up examinations and tests (blood pressure measurement, complete blood count, blood biochemistry, electrolytes, HbA1c, cholesterol panel, urinalysis, urine protein/creatinine ratio) were conducted. Retinopathy presence was determined through ophthalmologist consultations, identifying proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Results: The mean age of patients was 57.1 (10.3) years, with an average diabetes duration of 5.8 ( 4.2) years. Hypomagnesemia was observed in 19.49% of patients. Proliferative retinopathy was present in 7.63%, and non-proliferative retinopathy rate was 15.25%. Diabetes regulation status was well in 59.32%, moderate in 27.97%, and poor in 12.71% of cases. HbA1c values were significantly higher in those with hypomagnesemia (8.73±1.69) compared to those with normal magnesium levels (7.59±1.57) (p<0.05). There was a significant link between retinopathy and T2DM regulation status (p=0.009) and between hypomagnesemia and retinopathy (p<0.001). Retinopathy was found in 43.48% of patients with magnesium deficiency compared to 14.74% without it. Proliferative retinopathy risk increased 6.3 times, and non-proliferative retinopathy risk increased 5.8 times with hypomagnesemia.
Conclusion: The risk of developing retinopathy in patients with Type 2 DM increases with magnesium deficiency, and glycemic control is linked to both magnesium deficiency and retinopathy presence. It is concluded that magnesium supplementation may reduce the risk of retinopathy in DM patients with hypomagnesemia.
“This study has been presented as an oral abstract in 17th Family Medicine Autumn School, 20-24 September 2023, Concorde Congress Center, Bafra, Cyprus.”
Mito-TEMPO alleviates bleomycin-induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress of alveolar epithelial cell by blocking oxidative stress
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhu Minghui , Lin Chenglang , Gao Minghao , Liu Yuan , Cheng Zhenshun
Published: September 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease with poor prognosis. Mito-TEMPO is a superoxide dismutase mimetic with antioxidant and antifibrotic properties in renal fibrosis. However, the potential mechanism of Mito-TEMPO on IPF is still unclear. To assess the therapeutic effects of Mito-TEMPO in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, mice were treated with Mito-TEMPO daily for 2 weeks after BLM instillation. In addition, lung epithelial cells were incubated with BLM for 12h after Mito-TEMPO for 2 h pretreatment. And then the samples were collected. Results showed that Mito-TEMPO significantly alleviates the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the dense deposition of collagen in lungs tissues caused by BLM. At the same time, Mito-TEMPO markedly decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) ,and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) .Furthermore, Mito-TEMPO also effectively improved the endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis of the BLM-treated mouse lung epithelial cells by inhibiting the production of mitochondria reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our findings indicate that Mito-TEMPO could be a promising therapeutic drug for IPF treatment.
Critical Role of Precursor Flux in Modulating Nucleation Density in 2D Material Synthesis Revealed by Digital Twin
Authors: Singh Akshay , Sinha Abhinav , Verma Manvi , M Nandeesh K , Kumar Keerthana , Rajan Ananth Govind
Published: September 2024

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most widespread approach for two-dimensional (2D) material synthesis, yet control of nucleation density remains a major hurdle towards large-area growth. We find that precursor flux, a function of gas velocity and precursor concentration, is the critical parameter controlling nucleation. We observe that for a vertically aligned substrate, the presence of a cavity/slot in the substrate-supporting plate creates an enhanced growth zone for 2D-MoS2. The effect of this confined space on nucleation density is experimentally verified by electron microscopy. To understand this intriguing observation, we developed a hyper-realistic multiphysics computational fluid dynamics model, i.e., a digital-twin of our CVD reactor, which reveals that space confinement achieves nearly-zero gas velocities. Digital twin-informed calculations indicate significantly lower metal precursor flux at the confined space during initial stages of growth, while precursor concentration is uniform across the substrate. The digital twin also makes an important prediction regarding a large time-lag between the set temperature, reactor environmental temperature, and substrate temperature, with implications for nucleation and growth. We offer a framework for designing confined spaces to control nucleation via regulating precursor flux, and for simulating reactor parameters for rapid optimization via the digital-twin model.
Antibacterial properties and biological activity of 3D-printed titanium alloy implants with a near-infrared photoresponsive surface
Authors: Wang Ming-Kang , Xu Xu
Published: September 2024

Purpose
SLM 3D printing technology is one of the most widely used implant-making technologies. However, the surfaces of the implants are relatively rough and bacteria can easily adhere to them; this increases the risk of postoperative infection. Therefore, we prepared a near-infrared photoresponsive nano-TiO2 coating on the surface of an SLM 3D-printed titanium alloy sheet (Ti6Al4V) via a hydrothermal method to evaluate its antibacterial properties and biocompatibility.
Methods
Using SLM technology, titanium alloy sheets were 3D printed, and a nano-TiO2 coating was prepared on its surface via a hydrothermal method to obtain Ti6Al4V@TiO2. The surface morphology, physicochemical properties, and photothermal response of the samples were observed. The Ti6Al4V groups and Ti6Al4V@TiO2 groups were cocultured with S. aureus and E. coli and exposed to 808 nm NIR light (0.8 W/cm2) and viable plate count experiments and live/dead bacterial staining were used to assess their in vitro antibacterial properties.
Results
The hydrophilicity of the nano-TiO2 coating sample significantly improved and the sample exhibited an excellent photothermal response. The temperature reached 46.9°C after 15 min of irradiation with 808 nm NIR light (0.8 W/cm2). The Ti6Al4V group showed significant antibacterial properties after irradiation with 808 nm NIR light, and the Ti6Al4V@TiO2 group also had partial antibacterial ability without irradiation. After irradiation with 808 nm NIR light, the Ti6Al4V@TiO2 group showed the strongest antibacterial properties, reaching 90.11% and 90.60% against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively.
Conclusions
A nano-TiO2 coating prepared via a hydrothermal method produced synergistic antibacterial effects after NIR light irradiation.
Evidenced Paleodrainages in Desert Regions of Saudi Arabia: Satellite Images with Field-Based Study
Authors: Saud Mashael Al
Published: September 2024

In Saudi Arabia, a number of linear features with uncertain origin have been observed from space, but they do not belong to any existed drainage networks. They are ancient watercourses carried water in the past during Mid-Late Quaternary (Pleistocene) and later on they were affected by global climate change and geological processes turning them into dry and buried channels filled by sediments, and then described as “Paleodrainages”. This study investigated these features primarily based on the integration of a variety of satellite images including SRTM DEM for generating detailed stream networks, ALOS-PALSAR which is capable to penetrate the surficial materials, and ASTER for detecting thermal differentiation. The novelty of this study includes the use of more than one satellite images (optical and microwave) with various spectral and optical characteristics, and the reliability of results were evidenced by field verification to investigate the lithological facies of stuffed materials into the detected paleodrainages and this has never been implemented in previous studies. Hydro-geomorphological-based categorization of these paleodrainages was carried out, indicating the presence of porous, unconsolidated sediments and rocks. From the hydrological point of view, these paleodrainages are potential for groundwater storage; and they can be also suitable sites for artificial groundwater recharge; be-sides they represent routs for saltwater intrusion on-land; and these science-based clues represent supportive element for better water resources management in Saudi Arabia.
MXene Templated Assembly of Hierarchical Al/CuO/V2C Nanothermite with Excellent Energy Release Efficiency and Highly Tunable Performance
Authors: Zhang kaili , TIAN Momang , MENG Ke-Juan , Li Yuxiang , Hussain Iftikhar
Published: September 2024

Nanothermite garners significant interest due to its higher energy release rate and reactivity. However, the agglomeration of nanoparticles has become the major hindrance to the energy release efficiency of nanothermite. Here, we proposed a bottom-up strategy and a facile preparation method to build a hierarchical Al/CuO/V2C nanocomposite triggered by ordered self-assembly of Al and CuO nanoparticles in ethanol suspension, using V2C MXene as a template. The unique structure is formed by the competition between the electrostatic force of Al and the covalent Cu-O-V bond to the V2C surface. The established structure as well as the high reactivity of V2C result in a complete oxidation of Al, and the heat of the reaction reaches 3156.2 J/g with a 10 wt% addition of V2C in air atmosphere, being sevenfold of the Al/CuO control group. The evolving concentration-dependent structure provides highly tunable energetic performance, which varies from a shortened 3-ms deflagration to a prolonged 16-ms combustion. The lower gas release improves the safety of Al/CuO/V2C while paving the way for promising application in microinitiators.
Ethnomedical knowledge of plants used in traditional medicine in Mampa village, Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Chiribagula Bashige Valentin , Salvius Bakari Amuri , Martin Biayi Benaja , Baptiste Lumbu Simbi Jean
Published: September 2024

Background
The inhabitants of the village of Mampa have developed a rich corpus of knowledge and practices for treating pathologies using plants that are worthy of preservation, perpetuation, and promotion. They draw on the region's rich biodiversity, particularly in the Miombo clear forest. However, to date, no documentation of their ethnomedicinal knowledge exists.
Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2022 and October 2023. It employed a direct, face-to-face interview with the Mampa village population and a guide questionnaire.
Results
A total of 400 respondents were included in the study (sex ratio M/F = 0.9; mean age: 48.0 ± 4.0 years; experience: 14.5 ± 2.0 years), and the majority (93.8%) reported that they learned about plants from their families. These individuals mainly use plants as a first-line treatment (100%) and provided information on 38 taxa. The most commonly cited species were Anisophyllea pomifera and Brachystesia boehmii with 46 citations, while the most commonly used taxon was Landolphia kirkii with six recorded uses. This is the first report of Entandrophragma delevoyi and Pterocarpus brenanii as medicinal plants. Most of these taxa are trees, comprising 29 from 23 genera belonging to 24 families, with a notable prevalence of Fabaceae (10 taxa). 81 pathologies are indicated for treatment, with a predominance of gastrointestinal disorders (8 recipes, 7 taxa, 152 citations). The root is the most used organ, with 21 recipes and 14 taxa, while decoction is the most common preparation method, with 41 recipes and 19 taxa.
Conclusions
This study's findings indicate that a significant number of medicinal plants are used in traditional Mampa medicine to treat various diseases. Some of these species are endemic to the biodiversity area, while others are shared with other cultures and regions. A series of pharmacological studies are currently underway to validate some of the reported plant indications.
AI-assisted diffuse correlation tomography for identifying breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Ruizhi , Lu Jianju , Di Wenqi , Gui Zhiguo , Chan Shun Wan , Yang Fengbao , Shang Yu
Published: September 2024

Background
Microvascular blood flow is more directly relevant to the proliferation of microvascular networks resulting from breast oncogenesis, when compared with the oxy- and deoxy- hemoglobin concentrations in breast tissue. Diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) is an emerging technique for noninvasive measurement of microvascular blood flow, whereas its capability to categorize the benign and malignant breast lesions were not extensively validated thus far, due to the difficulties in instrumentation, image reconstruction algorithms, as well as the appropriate approaches for imaging analyses.
Methods
In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) assisted DCT instrumentation was constructed based on unique source-detector array and image reconstruction algorithm, with capability for accurately visualizing and diagnosing tumor-induced hemodynamic abnormalities in the microcirculatory network. The DCT blood flow images of human breast were obtained from a total of sixty-one female participants, and AI models were utilized to classify breast lesions. During this process, the DCT blood flow images were either extracted as feature parameters or as the global inputs to the AI models.
Results
As the validations of DCT instrumentation, the blood flow images obtained from longitudinal monitoring of healthy subject demonstrated stability of DCT measurements on women breasts, with stable bilateral BFI contrast (1.01 ~ 1.12). For the patients with breast diseases, the comprehensive analyses yield an optimal AI-assisted classification for distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions, at accuracy rate of 86.4% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89.
Conclusions
These outcomes demonstrated the capability of AI-assisted DCT for identifying breast cancer. In contrast to the conventional morphological imaging modalities, the emerging DCT reflects the functional abnormalities that are associated with the cancellous-induced high metabolic demands, thus demonstrating the great potential for early diagnosis and timely therapeutic assessment of breast cancer, e.g., prior to the tumor formation or proliferation of microvascular networks.
O uso de ferramentas computacionais aplicadas ao ensino do Movimento Retilíneo e Uniforme, baseadas na Teoria dos Campos Conceituais de Gérard Vergnaud
Authors: Nascimento Lucas Roberto do Nascimento , Coêlho Junior Amarílio  Gonçalves
Published: September 2024

No ensino de Física, a aprendizagem dos alunos está principalmente ligada à conceituação de teorias, validadas muitas vezes através de experimentos (situações) que dão o real sentido àquela teoria, e posteriormente aplicadas em novas situações. Dessa forma para se obter uma maior fundamentação no processo de conceituação dentro da Física, se torna necessário apresentar aos alunos situações diversas que podem tornar os conceitos aprendidos mais sólidos. Tendo em vista essa premissa o produto educacional produzido, visa o fortalecimento dos conceitos do tópico Movimento Retilíneo Uniforme - MRU, e está estruturado a partir de uma sequência didática associada ao uso de vídeos e de ferramentas computacionais de simulação, e de animação. A aplicação do produto se deu em cinco encontros em que foram utilizados todos os recursos citados anteriormente. Como premissa para a aplicação do produto e criação do software-MRU levou-se em consideração a Teoria dos Campos Conceituais de Gérard Vergnaud, que define os aspectos importantes para o processo de conceituação. A partir da análise dos questionários aplicados, percebeu-se que houve uma melhoria no entendimento dos conceitos, além de que o procedimento utilizado tornou as aulas mais atrativas, ao ponto de tornar-se possíveis os resultados detalhados ao longo deste artigo.
A brief tutorial on information theory
Authors: Tohme Tarek , Bialek William
Published: September 2024

At the 2023 Les Houches Summer School on Theoretical Biological Physics, several students asked for some background on information theory, and so we added a tutorial to the scheduled lectures. This is largely a transcript of that tutorial, lightly edited. It covers basic definitions and context rather than detailed calculations. We hope to have maintained the informality of the presentation, including exchanges with the students, while still being useful.
COLLEGE EDUCATION AND THE 2030 AGENDA TARGET 4.3 IN MEXICO, GOAL 4 TARGET 4.3: TO GUARANTEE INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, AND QUALITYEDUCATION IN PUBLICCOLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Authors:   PhD in Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Juan Hernandez-Perea Jose , Alfonso Alvarez-Terrazas Jose ,   PhD in Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Emilio Mendez-Gonzalez Jose ,   PhD in Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Ramos-Ruelas Leonardo ,   Master of Business Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Griselda Morales Loya Irma ,   Bachelor of PoliticalScience Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Carlos Juarez-Chavira Luis ,   PhD in Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua., Roberto Velasco-Calvo Alfredo ,   PhD in Administration Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua.
Published: September 2024

Education, at any grade, is not an easy task to standardize at a global level derived from economic, legal, political and cultural differences. The objective of this research was to evaluate the differences in the possible implementation of the UN Agenda 2030 in the educational sector in Mexico which corresponds to Objective 4 goal 4.3. The study design was non-experimental and descriptive, using documentary analysis as a technique, with public and private documents as primary sources. As the main results, it was determined that it is not feasible to implement Objective 4 goal 4.3 of the 2030 Agenda at a global level because the economic, legal, political and cultural aspects are different in each country and would not allow compliance with the times established by the UN. In conclusion, it was found that it is not feasible for Mexico to comply with the commitment to implement Objective 4 goal 4.3, since the current government would not allow the implementation of educational programs that threaten the privatization of education and violate labor rightsof the academic staff of the countrys public universities.
SCHOOL CULTURAL PRACTICES AND LEARNERS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN RWANDA: A CASE OF GASABO DISTRICT
Authors: Aphrodis Nyandwi , Opiyo Andala PhD Hesbon
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the impact of positive cultural practices in schools on the academic performance of learners in public primary schools in Gasabo District, Rwanda. It focuses on three key objectives: identifying the cultural practices upheld by school leaders, assessing the correlation between these practices and learners academic outcomes, and determining the overall influence of these practices on academic achievement. The research adopts both descriptive and correlational research designs, with data collected from a sample of 168 respondents through questionnaires and interviews. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 24, employing descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses to address the research questions. The findings reveal that 48.6% of schools do not prioritize cultural practices as a mean to enhance academic performance. However, 78.8% of respondents indicated that academic outcomes, including promotion, graduation rates, repetition rates, and test scores, are significantly influenced by the daily operations of schools. Additionally, 56.3% of respondents agreed that school norms, vision, goals, teacher-learner relationships, and assessment methods play a crucial role in academic success. Regression analysis demonstrated that school cultural practices account for 79.3% of the variance in academic performance (R-square), with a strong positive correlation (Pearsons coefficient = 0.916, p-value < 0.01) between these practices and academic outcomes. The study concludes that the implementation of shared goals, school symbols, norms, and positive teacher-learner relationships can significantly enhance academic performance. It recommends that the Rwandan Ministry of Education and educational planners provide training on cultural practices to school leaders to further improve learner outcomes.
„Ahol ÉG és FÖLD összeér...” : Spiritual Workout
Authors: Kiss-Geosits Beatrix
Published: September 2024

A vallásgyakorlásról az elképzelésünk, hogy a lélekben, az elmében az ég felé nyitott transzcendentális térben történik. A lelkigyakorlat fogalmához ülő testhelyzetet, szent könyvek olvasását, beszélgetést, elmélkedést és imádságot társítunk. Nagyon kevesen, és nagyon kevés alkalommal jutunk el odáig, hogy a vallásgyakorlás az a fizikai aktivitás által is kiteljesedik, elmélyül. A mozgást a keleti vallásokhoz, filozófiákhoz kötjük. A kereszténységet elválasztva kezeljük a testgyakorlástól, a mozgástól és a sporttól. Jelen cikk igyekszik bemutatni a keresztény vallás történeti gyökereit, melyek a mozgással, sporttal kötik össze. Olvashat az érdeklődő olyan lelki gyakorlatról, mely a XXI. századi ember számára a mentális- és fizikális- és transzcendentális rekreálódást biztosítja. Amelyben központi szerepet kap a meditáció, szerzetesekkel való imádság és a testen végzett fizikai munka fitness instruktorok segítségével. Mindezt Pannonhalmán az Apátság ódon falai között tehetjük meg. Találó jelmondattal várnak a bencés szerzetesek minden hívőt, keresőt, nőt, férfit, fiatalt és időset is egész évben a programjaikra: Pannonhalmi Főapátság - ami ezer éve kortárs.
Janteloven in Denmark and Norway — To be or not to be?
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Gurova Elena , Taratonkina Irina ,   St. Petersburg State University, Avakova Yulia ,   MGIMO University
Published: September 2024

The paper focuses on the concept of the Jante law (janteloven), formulated by A. Sandemose in 1933 in his novel En flyktning krysser sitt spor. Fortelling om en morders barndom (A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks. A story about a murderer’s childhood), which later became an element of the cultural code of Denmark and Norway. In this study we follow C. Levisen in his distinguishing between the “literary Jante law”, described by A. Sandemose in his novel, and the “linguistic” Jante law, which is a collocation in the Danish and Norwegian languages. This lexicalization of the concept has been brought about by the specific Scandinavian mentality, conditioned by a number of reasons (the agrarian Scandinavian culture, the Lutheran ethos). In the modern Danish and Norwegian languages the concept of janteloven is negative and is used in specific types of discourse (sports, popular culture, business, politics, psychology, schooling, immigration problems, feminism). Besides, there are numerous reformulated Jante laws (den positive jantelov, den omvendte jantelov, antijantelov, jenteloven, Danskerloven), which proves the precedence of the notion in the Danish and Norwegian cultures. The dominating American individualistic culture influences the development of a new system of values (ambition, self-concern, pushiness are no longer viewed as negative qualities), which results in a conflict between the traditional and the new in the Danish and Norwegian cultures: the Jante law comes into conflict with the so-called achievement culture (præstationskulturen). As a social construct and a secret regulator of public relations the janteloven has found its place between the number of other concepts (hygge, trivsel and so on), yet the janteloven has been specifically reflected in political practices, both in its formal expression (development of various “canons”) and in the methods of countering the imposition of certain phenomena on the part of government authorities.
Folklore сomponents of Finnish Rock Poetry
Authors:   Institute for Language, Literature and History of Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Soini Helena
Published: September 2024

This article explores the folklore components of Finnish rock poetry in Finnish and Swedish. It highlights how Finnish rock culture has revived an ancient tradition where poetry and music were intertwined. While musicians of Amorphis reference “Kalevala” mythology in the songs like “Tuonela”, “Sampo” and “Kantele”, they do not explicitly mention the names of “Kalevala” heroes in their adaptations of runes. The themes of their lyrics seem to take on a universal quality and are set in modern times. The influence of folklore traditions on Finnish authors is evident even in their English-language works. Ville Sorvali of Moonsorrow interprets the runes, trying to understand the intention of their creators, believing that these lyrics resonate with people worldwide. Similarly, Jan Jämsen (Katla), a Swedish-speaking Finn, infuses his native Swedish lyrics for Finntroll with imagery of fantastical creatures and incorporates Sámi folk chants joik to emphasize their uniqueness. Modern Finnish rock poetry stands out for its multilingualism and references to mythological themes from Finnish and Scandinavian folk poetry. However, the resurgence of metrics and imagery from the “Kalevala” and “Kanteletar” in rock poetry was unexpected. Authors use figurative symbolism that may require a deep understanding of Finnish culture to fully appreciate, even in Englishlanguage works. Finnish rock poetry is a diverse and vibrant art form that resonates with universal themes and emotions.
Neo-romantic hero: Vital characters in Holger Drachmann’s short stories
Authors:   A. M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Korovin Andrey
Published: September 2024

The article focuses on the specific type of literary hero that is common in the short stories of Holger Drachmann, who was considered the most prominent Danish writer in the early 20th century. His first books, “Poems” and a collection of short stories, “With Charcoal and Chalk”, were published in 1872. At the time, Drachmann belonged to the modernist movement and was one of Georg Brandes’ students, but later he changed his political and aesthetic preferences and moved away from the group of Brandes’ followers. Drachman’s artistic style is very special because it has features of Naturalism, Romanticism, Impressionism and Symbolism. But it is possible to conclude that his artistic manner can be called “neo-romantic” according to the contemporary terminology. The characters in his early collections of short stories are vivid, honest, and strong, and they represent the common type of neo-romantic hero that is inherent in other texts related to Neo-Romanticism. Very often Neo-Romanticism is seen as a “reaction” to Naturalism and a return to the principles of Romanticism, but it seems that Neo-Romanticism is much more like Naturalism than Romanticism. The type of neo-romantic hero is closer to naturalistic characters than to romantic characters, because it is a courageous and extraordinary person, an outsider and a rebel, his life is full of desire, risk and adventure, and it looks like a romantic hero, but a neo-romantic hero is a physically and mentally healthy person, and this character is determined by nature and genesis, which is the main feature of Naturalism. Drachman creates a new type of hero in Danish literature: the vital, strong character who struggles with nature and circumstances. His characters have the healthy genetics of ordinary people. Neo-Romanticism in Danish literature was strongly influenced by Naturalism and was the original phenomenon of national literature.
Compliment Response in Chinese Speech Behavior
Authors:   Far Eastern Federal University, Sboev Aleksandr N.
Published: September 2024

Compliment response is one of the most studied speech strategies in modern pragmatics research. Scientists conduct comparative studies of compliment tactics and responses between representatives of different languages, cultures and nationalities. Early work on the speech behavior of the Chinese found that Chinese speakers in most cases reject the compliment. Researchers believe that this is due to the norm of modesty and respect for other people, as well as self-deprecation. The last years of work on the study of the speech behavior of the Chinese do not lose their relevance, especially since they give different results, demonstrating that rejection does not always remain the dominant tactic of compliment response. Among the reasons of the change, researchers cite China’s socio-economic development, growing contacts with the outside world, the influence of Western cultural values, as well as the rejection of the “one family — one child” policy. As part of this study, we conducted a semi-closed survey with the participation of 300 Chinese students aged 18 to 25, where eight communication situations and variants of speech behavior in them were modeled for the respondents. The results showed that instead of choosing the tactic of rejecting the compliment, most respondents accepted compliments. Thus, Chinese speakers accept compliments in the same way as speakers of many Western languages, such as English and German.
Interior Vowels in Complete [ATR] Systems of the Macro-Sudan Belt
Authors:   Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Makeeva Nadezhda V.
Published: September 2024

The paper presents a typological overview of interior vowels in complete [ATR] systems of the Macro-Sudan Belt. Interior vowels are defined as vowel qualities within the interior regions of the vowel space and include front rounded vowels, all non-low central vowels and unrounded non-low back vowels. Complete [ATR] systems are defined as those systems where there is a cross-height contrast for the feature [ATR] (advanced tongue root) for non-low peripheral vowels and cross-height harmony both in static patterns (vowel co-occurence restrictions within morphemes) and dynamic patterns (restrictions within phonological domains comprising several morphemes). The study based on the sample of 35 languages of the Macro-Sudan Belt revealed three main types of interiority — allophonic, phonemic and epenthetic. These types are not sporadically distributed in terms of genetic affiliation and areal spreading of the languages. At least three clusters may be identified in the sample: (1) the Eastern Kru languages spoken in the Ivory Coast with numerous phonemic interior vowels specified for [ATR], (2) the Talodi languages of Sudan with one neutral interior vowel and (3) the North Guang languages with centralised allophones of front vowels appearing in inter-consonantal position. The territory of Ghana and Togo occupied by North Guang languages also includes a number of languages from the sample which belong to other families and exhibit different types of interiority. This region appears to be particularly rich both in languages showing the co-occurrence of complete [ATR] systems with interior vowels and in interiority types.