bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Service Quality Dimensions, Insurance System, and Sincerity on BPJS Patient Satisfaction, Trust, and Loyalty in Indonesian Hospitals
Authors: Pratisara Putri Nadiah Alysia , Pink Berlianto Margaretha
Published: January 2025

This study was conducted to determine the effect of service quality, insurance system, and sincerity of medical personnel on the level of satisfaction, trust, and loyalty of outpatients at XYZ Private Hospital. This study involved 450 outpatient BPJS patients. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires containing 45 questions with a Likert Scale of 1-5 based on the judgmental sampling method. Data were analyzed using the SEM PLS method. The results showed that empathy, insurance system, and sincerity had a significant positive effect on patient satisfaction. Reliability had a significant negative effect on patient satisfaction. Assurance and responsiveness did not affect patient satisfaction. In addition, patient satisfaction and trust had a positive and significant effect on patient loyalty. Patient satisfaction had a positive and significant effect on patient trust in XYZ Private Hospital, while tangible assets had a negative and significant effect on loyalty. Assurance, responsiveness and reliability are further evaluated to ensure that resources are not over-utilized on aspects that are considered less important by respondents. Future studies can take a larger population including other Private Hospitals as well as Government Hospitals and record the diagnosis of diseases experienced by participating patients.
The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS): Results from a CLPS-delivered Mass Spectrometer
Authors: Cohen Barbara A. , Barber Simeon J. , Gawronska Aleksandra J. , Abernethy Feargus A. J. , Curran Natalie M. , Driggers Phillip A. , Farrell William M. , Heather David J. , Howe Christopher , Landsberg Peter F. , López-Días Veneranda , Morse Andrew D. , Morse Thomas , Poston Michael J. , Prem Parvathy , Trautner Roland , Tucker Orenthal J. , Warren Tristram J. , Boccelli Stefano
Published: January 2025

The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) was a mass spectrometer designed to measure lunar gases. PITMS flew on the first flight of Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander via the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program in 2024 January. After launch, the lander suffered a propulsion system anomaly that prevented the mission from reaching the Moon, but PITMS collected 80 high-quality spectra while in cislunar space. PITMS observed abundant outgassing products from the Peregrine lander, including water, MON-25 oxidizer from the propulsion system leak, and traces of combustion products. PITMS data help constrain the nature of the propulsion system failure: oxidizer molecular ratios show that the leak released molecules rapidly enough for them to fully dissociate, and the high observed abundances imply that the oxidizer traveled within the lander surfaces rather than jetting into space. The amount of water offgassed by the spacecraft is substantially more than other planetary spacecraft, so the PITMS results suggest that instruments flying in the CLPS paradigm need to consider lander cleanliness. Though not successful in measuring the native lunar exosphere, the PITMS results showcase the capabilities of a mass spectrometer on board a lunar lander, along with lessons in pragmatism and flexibility that would enable such an instrument to ultimately be successful in the CLPS initiative.
Knowledge and attitude towards Herpes Simplex Virus-2 in Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ghazy Amany A , Albalawi Mohammed A , Alzarea Omar K , Alanazi Sultan D , Alruwaili Abdullah H , ALmandil Ahmad Y , Alfuhigi Abdullah M , Alsharari Areej K , Shatara Youssef A
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that causes genital ulcers. The prevalence of HSV-2 increases because of its asymptomatic shedding. This study aimed to evaluate community knowledge and attitude toward HSV-2 infection in Al-Jouf region.
Methodology: 410 participants were enrolled in the study and they filled out a questionnaire on HSV-2 and its complications.
Results: Of the 410 participants, 106 individuals were excluded from the study because they resided outside Al-Jouf. Of the remaining 304 participants, 56% were females, 44% were aged between 21–30 years, 84% were university graduates, 56% were single, and 40% were married. Only 58% of participants knew that HSV-2 is an STD, and less than 50% knew that HSV-2 infection can occur many times and can be transmitted from asymptomatic individuals. Regarding their attitude, only 32.5% participants agreed to use a condom if they had sores, 27% agreed to use the condom if they had more than one wife, and more than half of participants responded that they did not know.
Conclusions: A considerable proportion of the youth (21–30 years old) did not know that HSV-2 infection is an STD that can occur many times, may remain asymptomatic, and is transmitted from asymptomatic partners or from the mother to her fetus. They were also not aware how to protect themselves from this infectious disease. Thus, educational and health awareness campaigns are required to raise the level of knowledge on HSV-2 infection, including its prevention, and control.
Life habits and satisfaction with health services by the elderly in the Republic of North Macedonia
Authors: Bukovetz Jansun , Kjosevska Elena , Memeti Shaban , Velikj-Stefanovska Vesna , Gjoshev Stojan
Published: January 2025

The aging of the population in North Macedonia is a big challenge. Life habits and satisfaction with health services are essential indicators for the evaluation of the situation. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to analyze some lifestyle habits and satisfaction with health services by the elderly in North Macedonia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 urban areas. We received answers from 281 respondents over 65 years of age. The descriptive-statistical method was used for analyzing the results. Statistical analysis of data was done with the statistical software SPSS for Windows 26.0. The testing of the differences was done with the Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Fisher Freeman Halton test and Spearman Rank order correlations. Values of p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: There were 52 (18.05%) smokers, 22 (21.15%) were male and 30 (16.95%) female respondents. The average number of cigarettes smoked per day was 20.90±15.50 with no significant difference between genders and the three age categories. Most of the respondents had a visit to the family doctor for continuation of their therapy. No significant association was observed between respondents' gender/age category in terms of trust in the family doctor, adherence to the doctor's advice, and life satisfaction. Conclusion: The relevant authorities in our country should develop more comprehensive and social models of care for older adults, especially in rural areas such as prevention, long-term care, and palliative care.
Diabetes in the Republic of North Macedonia: epidemiology and economic burden, 2018-2021
Authors: Recica Vjosa , Naumovska Zorica
Published: January 2025

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease with hyperglycemia caused by defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, results in dysfunction and failure of various organs, reduced quality of life, increased medical costs, reduced productivity and premature mortality in diabetic patients. The main goal of the study is presentation of epidemiological data for diabetes, evaluation of complications associated with the disease and economic burden of diabetes in the Republic of North Macedonia. Materials and methods: A retrospective epidemiological study based on prevalence data from the Diabetes Registry in the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as data from primary and specialized healthcare centers was conducted. It combined population demographics in our country in 2021 with epidemiological data for diabetes, as well as healthcare costs associated with diabetes obtained from WHO, Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation and National Health Insurance Fund. Results: The incidence rate of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in the Republic of North Macedonia was presented with 1.21%ooo newly diagnosed in 2018 and 2.8%ooo in 2021 with is highest rate in the age group of youths from 10-14 (12.4%ooo) in 2021. In time period 2018-2021, the incidence rate of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) also enlarged from 323.3%ooo to 355.5%ooo, while the prevalence rate increased from 5554.4%ooo to 6549.3%ooo.  The highest prevalence rates for T2DM analyzed by age were observed in age groups between 55 and 79 years. The highest rate of diabetes-associated complications in North Macedonia are complication on peripheral circulation, followed by ketoacidosis, neurological complications, ophthalmic complication, diabetic coma and multiple complications. The percentage of prescriptions for blood glucose lowering drugs (excluding insulin) in our country rose form 7.3% in 2018 up to 7.6% in 2020, whereas the cost of provision of diabetes treatment supplies in 2021 for patients on insulin amounted to approximately 13,457,508,62 USD. The calculated burden of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications in the Republic of North Macedonia amounted to 42,806.59 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Conclusions: Diabetes rates are increasing worldwide and in the Republic of North Macedonia, too. This epidemiological study is a solid base for implementation of the national strategy for diabetes and will contribute in effective planning and evaluation of all aspects of diabetes control in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella enteritidis isolated in the period from 2020 to 2022 in the Shtip region
Authors: Sudiklieva Kristina , Boshevska Golubinka , Dimitrova Marija , Kochinski Dragan
Published: January 2025

Bacteria of the genus Salmonella are widely distributed in nature. They can colonize different hosts and are the most common causes of intestinal infections in humans and animals. The main route of Salmonella transmission to humans is by contaminated food, or undercooked eggs and meat. The aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella enteritidis, which was the most frequently isolated Salmonella in the Microbiological Laboratory of the Center of Public Health in Shtip. Materials and methods: A total of 1839 samples (12 rectal swabs and 1827 feces),   from persons suspect for salmonellosis in the region of Shtip were investigated for the period 2020 to 2022 year.  SS (Salmonella Shigella) agar, Rambach agar, and Selenit F media  were used for detection of Salmonella spp., and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolated bacteria is performed  with disk diffusion method according EUCAST.  Results: Salmonella enteritidis is detected in 62 samples (3.37%), isolated strains of Salmonella enteritidis demonstrate high resistance to ampicillin 2 μg (37.09%), and multi-resistant strains (6.45%) were also detected.  Conclusion: The appearance of ampicillin and multi-resistant strains of Salmonella enteritidis in the samples analyzed in our study is a sign of concern and an alarm to initiate a change in the algorithm for the treatment of Salmonella enteritidis infections, especially with the use of fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins (of the third generation). It is recommended to introduce a system for the rational use of antimicrobials in human and veterinary health.
Socioeconomic status and reproductive health of mothers from different ethnic groups in North Macedonia
Authors: Livrinova Vesna
Published: January 2025

A reproductive health framework would provide a broader programmatic focus that could bring needed attention to such issues as sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, abortion and women's empowerment generally. In order to analyze the elements of the reproductive health of our population, a one-year study was conducted that included 400 women in labor. Material and methods: Age, parity, number of pregnancies and deliveries antepartal controls, supplements intake, place of residence, etc. were analyzed. A descriptive analysis and statistical significance were made providing women's ethnicity. The results showed that the highest average age of women giving birth was registered among Macedonian women and it was 31.5 ± 5.4 years, and the lowest among Roma women 22.9 ± 5.4 years. The highest average number of deliveries among women in labor was observed in Roma and Bosnian women and it was 2.4±1.2 deliveries, and the lowest rate in Serbian women 1.3±0.6. The difference was statistically significant. It can be concluded that the emancipation of women, the level of education and the employment of women among all ethnic groups are the most important factors in the urban region. The traditions of religion and ethnicity are fundamental in family planning and have the main influence on women's reproductive life.
Bird diversity in different vegetation types in the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala
Authors: Aguilar-Jocol Sofia , Bustamante-Castillo Michelle , Tax Marco
Published: January 2025

Guatemala’s Pacific coastal plain, although largely dominated by agricultural land, still contains patches of diverse vegetation that could be vital for supporting bird diversity. Despite the country’s recognition for its rich avian biodiversity, updated data on species richness in this region are still lacking. Understanding the role of different vegetation types in maintaining bird diversity is essential for developing targeted conservation strategies that can both preserve and improve biodiversity in these fragmented landscapes. In this study, we compared species richness and the composition of bird communities across four distinct vegetation types along Guatemala’s Pacific coastal plain and analyzed species turnover and replacement to understand how these habitats contribute to maintaining overall bird diversity at the study site. The avian community consisted predominantly of species adapted to open habitats, with generalist bird species prevailing and only a limited representation of species typical of the understory in subtropical wet forests. Additionally, the observed species turnover value suggests a moderate level of species replacement among different vegetation types at the study site. The moderate nestedness, wherein species-poor communities are subsets of more diverse ones, further implies a decline in overall biodiversity. These findings suggest that the homogenization of the avian community indicates that our study focused on isolated areas that remain in this transformed environment. Our findings argue that protecting and restoring seminatural patches, even modestly sized patches, can be critical for safeguarding biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes and highlight the importance of landscape-level conservation, which enables connectivity between habitat patches to support species with different ecological requirements.
Article 1. Métascience : pour un discours général scientifique
Authors: Maurice François
Published: January 2025

L’humain produit des discours sur le monde : mythologies, religions, mysticismes, philosophies, science. La majorité de ses discours sont de nature transcendante. À la suite d’un clarification conceptuelle fondée sur les notions de réflexion et de discours général, la philosophie apparaît comme un discours général transcendant parmi d’autres ; d’où l’échec de celle-ci à rendre compte du monde et de la science ; d’où la nécessité de disposer d’un discours général non transcendant, un discours général proprement scientifique, une métascience. À la lumière des frontières ainsi redéfinies, il sera proposé de fonder la métascience sur une interprétation de l’œuvre de Mario Bunge. Cette interprétation se fonde sur un ensemble de postulats généraux auxquels Mario Bunge adhère et tenus pour acquis par les scientifiques. Il est proposé que soutenir un tel ensemble de postulats sans les problématiser à la manière des philosophes, fait en sorte que la pensée de Bunge ne relève plus de la philosophie.
Article 7. Mario Bunge : l’épistémologie est là pour de bon
Authors: Gómez Ricardo J.
Published: January 2025

Cette étude défend l’idée que, contrairement à l’opinion de Latour sur la nécessité de laisser de côté l’épistémologie pour traiter de tout ce qui a de la valeur pour la science, Mario Bunge a systématiquement construit une épistémologie détaillée et approfondie. La stratégie argumentative consistera à montrer (a) qu’il est faux que nous n’avons jamais été modernes (b) que l’épistémologie est là pour de bon et (c) que Mario Bunge soutient un réalisme scientifique fort, une version du matérialisme, du systémisme et de l’émergentisme, comportant une dimension morale (il existe des valeurs objectives comme la vérité, la paix et la justice qui méritent d’être étudiées). Ensuite, le réalisme de Bunge rejette la neutralité axiologique rendant les scientifiques responsables de leurs actions. Bunge a toujours été moderne et continue à enrichir ses propres positions.
Article 12. La réalité face à la théorie quantique
Authors: Marchildon Louis
Published: January 2025

Tous les chercheurs intéressés aux fondements de la théorie quantique s’entendent sur le fait que celle-ci a profondément modifié notre conception de la réalité. Là s’arrête, toutefois, le consensus. Le formalisme de la théorie, non problématique, donne lieu à plusieurs interprétations très différentes, qui ont chacune des conséquences sur la notion de réalité. Cet article analyse comment l’interprétation de Copenhague, l’effondrement du vecteur d’état de von Neumann, l’onde pilote de Bohm et de Broglie et les mondes multiples d’Everett modifient, chacun à sa manière, la conception classique de la réalité, dont le caractère local, en particulier, requiert une révision.
Le manager au cœur des jeux de rôles des activités physiques et sportives au travail
Authors: Vignal Bénédicte , Baup Yann , Bodet Guillaume
Published: January 2025

Les activités physiques et sportives (APS) au travail font partie des nouveaux outils pensés comme favorables à la gestion des ressources humaines et capables de soutenir la cohésion des équipes, d’améliorer le bien-être et de protéger la santé des salariés. Malgré ces connotations positives pour le monde entrepreneurial, peu de salariés participent aux dispositifs d’APS en entreprise. Les contraintes organisationnelles et le manque d’engagement des managers pourraient être des éléments explicatifs. Cet article tente alors de comprendre les raisons de ce manque d’engagement des managers face aux APS en entreprise. 19 entretiens semi-directifs ont été menés auprès de managers (8 managers intermédiaires et 11 managers de proximité) afin de décrire et analyser leurs postures face aux APS en entreprise. Une analyse thématique du corpus des entretiens retranscrits a été réalisée afin de répondre à l’objectif de cet article. Les managers semblent vivre au quotidien des injonctions paradoxales qui les empêchent de s’impliquer dans la mise en œuvre des APS au travail et ainsi de favoriser cette démarche auprès des salariés. Consulter et impliquer davantage les managers dans la construction de ces dispositifs permettrait de réduire les conflits de rôles dont ils sont sujets et de davantage légitimer les APS au travail comme une pratique « intégrée » au monde entrepreneurial et constitutive de la vie au travail.
A Proposed Keyword Taxonomy for Operations Management Research
Authors: Marin-Garcia Juan A. , Maheut Julien , Vidal-Carreras Pilar I.
Published: January 2025

Purpose: To develop a controlled vocabulary of less than 30 terms that represents level 1 of a taxonomy for the field of operations management, integrating previous available work to improve efficiency in searching and retrieving scientific information in the area.Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of encyclopedias and glossaries in the field was conducted, mainly based on Hill (2012, 2019). The three authors employed an iterative process to define and validate the first-level terms, contrasting them with sources such as Gass & Fu (2013), Helms (2006), and the APICS thesaurus. Affinity diagrams were used to structure and relate the identified terms.Findings: 20 top-level terms covering the main areas of operations management were identified and defined. The resulting taxonomy is available online (https://taxom.blogs.upv.es/). It provides a hierarchical structure that integrates the main concepts of the field, differentiating itself from previous work by focusing on relevance to research, education, and professional practice contexts.Research limitations/implications: The thematic coverage of the proposed taxonomy requires further verification to ensure its comprehensiveness. Future research should focus on validating the taxonomy by applying it to a representative sample of articles within the field of operations management. This validation process will help confirm whether the first-level terms are robust and precise for effective categorisation and usability in academic and professional contexts.Practical implications: The taxonomy facilitates scientific editorial management by providing a standardised list for selecting keywords in manuscripts and identifying reviewers' fields of expertise. It also improves the efficiency of mapping science studies and systematic reviews and enhances the visibility and accessibility of published research in operations management.
Comment interroger la variation en français au 21e siècle ?
Authors: Bouard Bérengère , Glikman Julie , Benzitoun Christophe
Published: January 2025

Cet article ouvre et présente le numéro thématique « Interroger la variation en français au 21e siècle ». Nous commençons par revenir sur la définition de la notion même de variation et sur les questions qu’elle soulève, comme l’établissement des variantes (1.), avant de rappeler l’importance de la prise en compte des discours métalinguistiques (2.). L’observation de la variation peut se faire dans différents corpus (3.) et selon divers paramètres (4.). Cet article se termine avec une présentation de chacune des contributions du numéro (5.).
La variation syntaxique : à la recherche de la pertinence oppositive
Authors: Corminboeuf Gilles
Published: January 2025

L’article prend comme point de départ la présence – assez commune dans le système linguistique – de deux constructions concurrentes, a priori en variation libre (la montagne m’est tombée dessus / la montagne est tombée sur moi ; il joue contre un adversaire redoutable / il joue un adversaire redoutable, etc.). Cette concurrence est appréhendée de deux manières : considérer qu’une nuance sémantique subtile légitime leur coexistence dans le système, ou considérer que la pertinence oppositive se situe à un autre niveau de l’organisation linguistique et que ce sont les besoins communicatifs des locuteurs qui déterminent la sélection de la variante. Notre réflexion nous conduira à un questionnement sur les conséquences de la sous-spécification du système linguistique et sur la distinction entre variante et opposition sémantique.
Pratiques philosophiques et éducation relative à l'environnement : interroger les conditions d’un rapprochement
Authors: Bérard Marion , Coasne-Khawrin Marie , Delanoë Agathe , Dufourt Pénélope
Published: January 2025

Le projet de mobiliser les pratiques philosophiques pour l’éducation relative à l’environnement (ERE), loin d’être évident, soulève plusieurs questions. Les pratiques philosophiques sont-elles réellement adaptées aux objectifs de l’ERE et notamment, à l’urgence de l’action, étant donné leur dimension intellectuelle ? Poursuivre un objectif d’ERE ne risque-t-il pas de mener à une instrumentalisation des pratiques philosophiques ? La pratique du dialogue philosophique telle qu’initiée par Matthew Lipman et Ann Margaret Sharp nous semble fournir des réponses à ces questions en ce qu’elle propose des ressources précieuses pour l’ERE : elle est à même de prendre en charge les questions épistémologiques, existentielles et éthiques liées à ces questions socialement vives, en les pensant de manière critique, attentive et réfléchie et en rendant justice à leur dimension d’incertitude. Toutefois, des tensions possibles relatives à un tel rapprochement demeurent eu égard aux institutions dans lesquelles ces pratiques éducatives pourraient avoir lieu.
Tão longe, tão perto
Authors: Chamusca Tess
Published: January 2025

Este artigo discute como as abordagens teóricas e metodológicas de dois autores, Jesús Martín-Barbero e Stig Hjarvard, contribuem para o desenvolvimento de análises comunicacionais que contemplem os múltiplos elementos que constituem os processos comunicativos: produtores, obras, consumidores e seus respectivos contextos. Para além do debate constante a respeito das distinções entre os conceitos com os quais trabalham (mediação e midiatização), eles compartilham premissas e utilizam recursos de análises que se mostram bem próximos. Dessa forma, entende-se que o diálogo entre suas ideias apresentado neste trabalho traz pistas que podem atribuir mais complexidade e cuidado metodológico ao estudo dos produtos e processos comunicacionais e da sua inserção na cultura e na sociedade.
Cartografia, comunicação e juventudes
Authors: Rocha Victor
Published: January 2025

Compartilhamos aqui uma análise de percurso metodológico a partir do registro de experiências pela cartografia cognitiva nos estudos sobre Comunicação e juventudes, em uma pesquisa-intervenção que segue em atividade. Este estudo faz parte de um projeto maior que busca compreender que tipo de mídias são mais efetivas ao público jovem contemporâneo, considerando consumo, credibilidade, informação e afetação. Os primeiros passos da pesquisa incluíram o recrutamento de cinco informantes entre 16 e 18 anos, o acompanhamento de suas redes sociais digitais e entrevistas abertas em profundidade. A partir das verificações iniciais, nossa hipótese é de que a relação dos jovens com as mídias informativas vem se transformando de modo que a compreensão do que é notícia e das formas de acesso à informação tornam-se mais personalistas e integradas no fluxo midiatizado cotidiano. Já a abordagem cartográfica tem se provado útil no acompanhamento e interpretação destes processos que seguem em mutação.
Mapa como meio
Authors: Amorim Aragão Thaís
Published: January 2025

Um dos mais antigos meios de comunicação criados pelos humanos, o mapa tem sua relevância reafirmada na era da digitalização, fenômeno perceptível nos intensos e variados usos de mapas em dispositivos móveis difundidos no cotidiano. Este trabalho oferece uma visão geral sobre vertentes de pensamento que tratam os mapas como meios, desde abordagens com influências da teoria matemática da comunicação ou do pós-estruturalismo, até uma perspectiva integradora trazida pela filosofia dos meios.
Flexible and Efficient Multi-Authorization Data Sharing Scheme With Enhanced Privacy Protection
Authors: Zhong Chen , Yue Qiuling
Published: January 2025

The advancement of the digital economy relies on secure data sharing. However, most existing methods face challenges like single-points-of-failure, insufficient privacy protection, and low efficiency. To address these issues, this manuscript proposes a multi-authorization ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption scheme to eliminate single-points-of-failure. The scheme achieves policy hiding using boolean sharing and pseudo-random functions, enhancing privacy protection. It also supports efficient user revocation and policy updates. Considering the constraints of practical environments, this manuscript employs an outsourcing computation and secure ciphertext de-duplication to reduce overhead. The scheme's adaptive security is proven under the standard model, and its performance is validated through simulations. The results demonstrate that this manuscript's scheme outperforms traditional multi-authorization ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption in security and efficiency, making it ideal for resource-constrained data sharing scenarios.
Clinician’s guide to the management of azoospermia induced by exogenous testosterone or anabolic–androgenic steroids
Authors: Al Hashimi Manaf , Pinggera Germar-Michael , Shah Rupin , Agarwal Ashok
Published: January 2025

Azoospermia, defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, is a well-documented consequence of exogenous testosterone (ET) and anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) use. These agents suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to reduced intratesticular testosterone levels and impaired spermatogenesis. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying azoospermia and outlines therapeutic strategies for recovery. Azoospermia is categorized into pretesticular, testicular, and post-testicular types, with a focus on personalized treatment approaches based on the degree of HPG axis suppression and baseline testicular function. Key strategies include discontinuing ET and monitoring for spontaneous recovery, particularly in patients with shorter durations of ET use. For cases of persistent azoospermia, gonadotropins (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as clomiphene citrate, are recommended, either alone or in combination. The global increase in exogenous testosterone use, including testosterone replacement therapy and AAS, underscores the need for improved management of associated azoospermia, which can be temporary or permanent depending on individual factors and the type of testosterone used. Additionally, the manuscript discusses preventive strategies, such as transitioning to short-acting testosterone formulations or incorporating low-dose hCG to preserve fertility during ET therapy. While guidelines for managing testosterone-related azoospermia remain limited, emerging research indicates the potential efficacy of hormonal stimulation therapies. However, there is a notable lack of well-structured, controlled, and long-term studies addressing the management of azoospermia related to exogenous testosterone use, highlighting the need for such studies to inform evidence-based recommendations.
Awareness of prostate cancer and its screening tests in men in the Middle East: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mohamed Nawaf S.A. , Asfari Joud M.O. , Sambawa Samar M.A. , Aljurf Rima M.D. , Alsaygh Kholoud A.A. , Arafah Assad M.
Published: January 2025

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant health issue characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland primarily affecting men 50 years old or older. The aim of this research was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of men in the Middle East towards PCa. A comprehensive search strategy in major databases from the date of first publication on this topic to April 2024 was conducted of cross-sectional studies assessing the knowledge and attitudes of adult men in the Middle East toward PCa. Data on the study’s methodology, participant characteristics, and outcomes related to the knowledge of PCa and attitudes towards PCa were extracted and analyzed using the comprehensive meta-analysis software. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. The meta-analysis of 26 studies revealed significant heterogeneity among studies, with an overall rate of previous education on PCa at 76.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 61.2%– 86.8%), but a much lower rate of education on PCa screening at 20.5% (95% CI: 7.2%–46.2%). Knowledge of PCa, its screening tools, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments, as well as attitudes towards PCa screening, varied widely, with knowledge rates of 50.5% for PCa, 32.3% for screening tools, 45.5% for symptoms, 49.4% for risk factors, and 58.4% for treatments. The rate of favorable attitude towards PCa screening was reported at 50.0% (95% CI: 36.7%–63.3%). The Middle East has some understanding of PCa but there is little knowledge of screening techniques, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. To improve early detection and patient outcomes, comprehensive education and culturally sensitive communication strategies are necessary.
A macro-transection model of brain trauma for neuromaterial testing with functional electrophysiological readouts
Authors: Wiseman Jessica , Basit Raja Haseeb , Suto Akihiro , Middya Sagnik , Kabiri Bushra , Evans Michael , George Vinoj , Adams Christopher , Malliaras George , Chari Divya Maitreyi
Published: January 2025

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202512000-00024/figure1/v/2025-01-31T122243Z/r/image-tiff

Functional recovery in penetrating neurological injury is hampered by a lack of clinical regenerative therapies. Biomaterial therapies show promise as medical materials for neural repair through immunomodulation, structural support, and delivery of therapeutic biomolecules. However, a lack of facile and pathology-mimetic models for therapeutic testing is a bottleneck in neural tissue engineering research. We have deployed a two-dimensional, high-density multicellular cortical brain sheet to develop a facile model of injury (macrotransection/scratch wound) in vitro. The model encompasses the major neural cell types involved in pathological responses post-injury. Critically, we observed hallmark pathological responses in injury foci including cell scarring, immune cell infiltration, precursor cell migration, and short-range axonal sprouting. Delivering test magnetic particles to evaluate the potential of the model for biomaterial screening shows a high uptake of introduced magnetic particles by injury-activated immune cells, mimicking in vivo findings. Finally, we proved it is feasible to create reproducible traumatic injuries in the brain sheet (in multielectrode array devices in situ) characterized by focal loss of electrical spiking in injury sites, offering the potential for longer term, electrophysiology plus histology assays. To our knowledge, this is the first in vitro simulation of transecting injury in a two-dimensional multicellular cortical brain cell sheet, that allows for combined histological and electrophysiological readouts of damage/repair. The patho-mimicry and adaptability of this simplified model of brain injury could benefit the testing of biomaterial therapeutics in regenerative neurology, with the option for functional electrophysiological readouts.
Voltage-dependent anion channel 1 oligomerization regulates PANoptosis in retinal ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Wan Hao , Ban Xiaoxia , He Ye , Yang Yandi , Hu Ximin , Shang Lei , Wan Xinxing , Zhang Qi , Xiong Kun
Published: January 2025

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a common pathophysiological mechanism in retinal degeneration. PANoptosis is a newly defined integral form of regulated cell death that combines the key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Oligomerization of mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel 1 is an important pathological event in regulating cell death in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, its role in PANoptosis remains largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that voltage-dependent anion channel 1 oligomerization-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with PANoptosis in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Inhibition of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 oligomerization suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction and PANoptosis in retinal cells subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Mechanistically, mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species played a central role in the voltage-dependent anion channel 1-mediated regulation of PANoptosis by promoting PANoptosome assembly. Moreover, inhibiting voltage-dependent anion channel 1 oligomerization protected against PANoptosis in the retinas of rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overall, our findings reveal the critical role of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 oligomerization in regulating PANoptosis in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, highlighting voltage-dependent anion channel 1 as a promising therapeutic target.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote uterine healing by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway and modulating inflammation in rat models
Authors: Yang Jing , Yuan Jun , Wen Yan-Qing , Wu Li , Liao Jiu-Jiang , Qi Hong-Bo
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Uterine injury can cause uterine scarring, leading to a series of complications that threaten women’s health. Uterine healing is a complex process, and there are currently no effective treatments. Although our previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) promote uterine damage repair, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. However, exploring the specific regulatory roles of BMSCs in uterine injury treatment is crucial for further understanding their functions and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

AIM

To investigate the underlying mechanism by which BMSCs promote the process of uterine healing.

METHODS

In in vivo experiments, we established a model of full-thickness uterine injury and injected BMSCs into the uterine wound. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to determine the enrichment of differentially expressed genes at the wound site. In in vitro experiments, we isolated rat uterine smooth muscle cells (USMCs) and cocultured them with BMSCs to observe the interaction between BMSCs and USMCs in the microenvironment.

RESULTS

We found that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to cell growth, tissue repair, and angiogenesis, while the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway was highly enriched. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to validate differentially expressed genes, and the results demonstrated that BMSCs can upregulate genes related to regeneration and downregulate genes related to inflammation. Coculturing BMSCs promoted the migration and proliferation of USMCs, and the USMC microenvironment promoted the myogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Finally, we validated the PI3K/AKT pathway in tissues and cells and showed that BMSCs activate the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote the regeneration of uterine smooth muscle both in vivo and in vitro .

CONCLUSION

BMSCs upregulated uterine wound regeneration and anti-inflammatory factors and enhanced uterine smooth muscle proliferation through the PI3K/AKT pathway both in vivo and in vitro .
Afectación al Derecho a Vivir en un Ambiente Sano y la Explotación Carbonera - Salaverry 2022
Authors: Acosta Navarro Jonathan
Published: January 2025

El propósito de la presente investigación fue analizar la afectación al derecho a vivir en un ambiente sano y equilibrado de los pobladores del sector Villa Marina, distrito de Salaverry, ciudad de Trujillo a causa de las partículas de polvo de carbón que liberan las empresas carboneras del grupo SESUVECA y que se encuentran situadas en dicho sector. Utilizando el enfoque cuantitativo para el procesamiento y análisis de datos obtenidos con la ayuda de la aplicación de un cuestionario cerrado cuya aplicación recayó en los pobladores del Sector Villa Marina, se pudo concluir que las más de ochocientas familias que viven en dicho sector no están gozando de un ambiente sano y equilibrado debido a que las empresas carboneras de dicho sector no implementan las medidas ambientales requeridas para reducir y evitar en lo posible la contaminación atmosférica producida por la proliferación de polvo de carbón en el aire.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Air Quality Issues Caused by the Granite Quarrying and Stone Processing Industry in Ramanagara District, Karnataka State, India
Authors: Nagaraja V. , Rakesh C. J. , Sindhu H. N. , Harishnaika N.
Published: January 2025

The environmental impacts of mining, quarrying, and the stone processing industry are significant, affecting air quality, health, and the socioeconomic status of communities worldwide. Key contributors to air pollution include the waste of raw materials from quarrying, non-compliance with scientific protocols, and the extraction of natural mineral resources. The rapid increase in pollution sources, such as dust, water, and noise, has led to the release of various pollutants into the atmosphere, degrading local air quality. This study conducted sampling at twelve sites, adhering to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) monitoring guidelines. Twelve metrics, including PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx, CO, O3, Pb, NH3, C6H6, C2OH12, As, and Ni, were measured twice a week over a three-month period (January 2024 to March 2024) by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in the research area. The results indicated that while SO2 and NOx levels were within permissible limits at all monitored locations, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) levels were high at every station. The average baseline levels of PM10 (37.17 μg/m³ to 70.52 μg/m³), PM2.5 (16.98 μg/m³ to 39.85 μg/m³), SO2 (5.29 μg/m³ to 13.91 μg/m³), NOx (9.8 μg/m³ to 29.71 μg/m³), CO (0.15 mg/m³ to 0.32 mg/m³), O3 (6.9 μg/m³ to 15.37 μg/m³), and NH3, Pb, Ni, As, C2OH12, and C6H6 were below the detection levels (BDL) and limits of quantification (LOQ), all within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for commercial, industrial, and residential areas during the study period. This research highlights the urgent need for effective pollution control measures to mitigate the adverse environmental and health impacts of these industries.
Appraising the Degrees of Sprawl, Freedom and Goodness of Urban Growth Detection Using Geoinformatics Approach - A Study of Tumkur City in Karnataka State, India
Authors: Kumar A. Kishor , . Govindaraju , Rakesh C. J. , Lokanath S.
Published: January 2025

The urban expansion analysis plays a significant role in the physical, social, and environmental dimensions of the cities. The research was conducted to monitor the urban growth and urban sprawl analysis of Tumkur city from 2000 to 2020 using multispectral satellite data (Landsat-5, Landsat-7, Resourcesat-1, Landsat-8, Sentinel-2A). Various methods like urban-related indices (AUER, UEII, and NDBI), and statistical methods (Degree of Freedom, Shannon Entropy, and Degree of Goodness) were used in the present research work. The AUER (Annual Urban Expansion Rate) and UEII (Urban Expansion Intensity Index) study of urban indices reveal that the urban area has expanded from 24.94 km2 to 60.59 km2 due to the development of commercial buildings, single-use zones, and low-density areas. The analysis of NDBI (Normalised Difference Built-up Index) indicates that the expansion of urban infrastructure, industrial growth, and population increase cause significant damage to vegetation in the city center compared to other areas. The study of the Degree of Freedom and Shannon entropy indicates that high compactness appeared in the core, whereas other regions are experiencing significant expansion. The method of freedom of goodness (2000 = - 0.093 to 2020 = - 0.159) demonstrates that the currently unfavorable conditions of urban growth have appeared in Tumkur city and it leads to numerous adverse effects on present and future generations. This study will help urban planners and decision-makers maintain the proper land use planning to reduce urban sprawl and its associated consequences, allowing for sustainable urban development.
Estimation of Hydraulic Conductivity Using Geoelectrical and Infiltrometer Observations
Authors: Anggita Novia , Marthanty Dwinanti Rika , Hamdany Abdul Halim
Published: January 2025

Hydraulic conductivity (K) as a parameter in surface and subsurface water interaction is an important study to research. Field observations using geoelectrics with the Schlumberger configuration and using infiltrometers with double ring were chosen as methods to estimate the (K) which aims to recognize the characteristics of the relationship between (K) obtained from different observation results. The estimated (K) obtained from infiltrometer observations are quite significant compared to geoelectric observations which range from 2.715 × 10-7 m/s to 6.132 × 10-7 m/s, while geoelectrical values range from 1.965 × 10-8 m/s to 3.896 × 10-9 m/s. In this study, the soil conditions in geoelectric observations were carried out in an unsaturated state and infiltrometer observations were in a saturated state. This soil condition is used as one of the reasons for interpreting the research results in this study, that the hydraulic conductivity in unsaturated soil conditions decreases compared to saturated soil.
Optimization and Validation of the Preconcentration Technique with SBSE Coupled HPLC-UV/DAD for the Identification of Atrazine and Two of its Metabolites, 2-Hydroxyatrazine (2-HA) and Desethylatrazine (DEA) in Aqueous Samples
Authors: García-Villanueva L. A. , Martínez-Castro J. R. , Fernandez-Villagomez G. , Andraca-Ayala G. L. , Yáñez-Campuzano J. M. , Zamora Martínez O.
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this work is to address an environmental problem in Mexico, which uses significant amounts of water for agricultural activities, where atrazine is frequently used as a pesticide for weed control. Currently, there is no law prohibiting its use, even though it is considered an endocrine disruptor in some mammals and harmful to health. Due to the difficulty in the direct quantification of several herbicides, which present a low concentration in water, the present work aims to develop the optimization and validation of the preconcentration with magnetic stir bars (SBSE) in aqueous samples for the quantification of atrazine and two of its metabolites: 2-hydroxyatrazine (2-HA) and desethylatrazine (DEA), coupled to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-UV/DAD). For the optimization of the preconcentration technique, the nature and quantity of the solvents used in each step, contact time for retention and quantitative extraction of the analyte, as well as the effect of the concentration of the analyte on its retention on the bar were considered. Finally, it was determined that the presence of the metabolites 2-HA and DEA does not affect the sorption of atrazine on the sorption bar used. The analytical methodology can be considered as an efficient method of atrazine preconcentration for subsequent quantification via HPLC-UV/DAD in the range of 0.03 to 0.25 mg/L and in the absence of matrix interferences; its limits of detection and quantification are respectively 0.0014 mg/L and 0.0016 mg/L.
Formalización y la evasión tributaria en la ciudad de Lima Metropolitana, 2023
Authors: Cruz Conde Daniel
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between formalization and tax evasion in the city of Metropolitan Lima, 2022. The study was situated within the framework of the mixed approach, which is an approach that integrates both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to obtain a more holistic perspective of the phenomena studied. The present research was explanatory in nature since it serves as a basis for research and formulates hypotheses.  The research design was non-experimental, since a series of symbols were used that have a denotation that is important to know in order to read them comprehensively. The population was 1,000 businessmen in the city of Metropolitan Lima and the sample was 278 businessmen. In conclusion, a significant relationship was identified between formalization and tax evasion in the city of Metropolitan Lima, 2023. This finding is supported by the Spearman correlation coefficient, which reached a value of 0.415, and the bilateral sigma of 0.000. These results suggest that formalization plays an important role in tax evasion in this specific context.