bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Diversity and Distribution of Sponges in Three Different Islands at the Makassar Strait, Indonesia
Authors: Sukri Nurul Magfirah , Priawandiputra Windra , Atmowidi Tri , Litaay Magdalena
Published: February 2025

Graphical Abstract

Highlight Research

Approximately 3978 sponge individuals were collected and grouped to 137 morphospecies, with 120 of these have been identified intothree classes, 17 orders, 40 families, and at least 70 genera.
Sponges in the Makassar Strait showed significant differences based on individual abundance data.
Pannikiang Island had the greatest abundance and diversity of sponges, and the lowest found in Gusung Toraja.
The sponge composition of the three islands indicated that neighboring islands do not guarantee high similarity.

Abstract
Sponges are an important and dominant component of marine benthos which are threatened due to global environmental degradation. To establish appropriate conservation policies, the diversity and distribution of sponge must be understood. Meanwhile, the availability of sponge diversity and distribution especially in the Makassar Strait, is still lacking. This study aimed to investigated the diversity and distribution of the sponges composition in coral reef ecosystems on three less-explored islands in the Makassar Strait (South and West Sulawesi provinces, Indonesia). Sponge assemblages were sampled at a depth of 5 m using Underwater Photo Transect method, with a total area of 15 m2 at each site. We recorded a total of 137 morphospecies of sponges (N = 3978 individuals), 59 of which were restricted to Barrang Caddi, 39 to Gusung Toraja, and 92 to Pannikiang. Only 12 species were shared among all islands. We found ten morphological types of sponge, with the dominant type in all islands was encrusting. Our results showed that Pannikiang island represents the  highest diversity and abundance of sponges, which had the largest area compared to the other islands and is surrounded by mangrove forests. There was a significant difference in species composition between Pannikiang and other islands.
Isolation of H2S-generating Bacterium (Desulfovibrio sp.) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus From Aquatic Farming and In Vitro Evaluation of the Ability of Bacteriophages as Biocontrol
Authors: Van Truong Thi Bich , Loan Anh Nguyen Thi , Huu Tri Nguyen , Tuan Chau Thanh
Published: February 2025

Graphical Abstract

Highlight Research

H2S-generating bacterium (Desulfovibrio) and Vibrio sp. Were idenfied and surveyed its charecteristics.
Bacteriophages, ɸTT1H, ɸTT2H, and ɸA2223, could reduce Desulfovibrio vulgaris and Vibrio parahaemolyticus colony sizes and change the bacterial shapes.
The bacteriophages could not reduce Desulfovibrio vulgaris and Vibrio parahaemolyticus colony quantity.
The bacteriophages affected neither the nucleotide sequence ToxR genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus nor the 16S rRNA of Desulfovibrio vulgaris.

Abstract
Shrimp farming is an important industry in many countries. However, the leftover feed in shrimp ponds can create harmful compounds like H2S and provide a breeding ground for Vibrio bacteria, which causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat this disease, but they can lead to bacterial resistance and environmental pollution. Therefore, using bacteriophages as a treatment option is a more sustainable approach. The present study aimed to isolate H2S-generating bacteria and bacteriophages capable of inhibiting Vibrio sp. and Desulfovibrio sp. from shrimp pond water. Bacteria were identified through biochemical and molecular biology tests. The study utilized plaque and spread methods to observe changes in bacterial number and colony morphology. The study successfully isolated the bacterial strain Desulfovibrio vulgaris (12D) from shrimp ponds. Three potential bacteriophage strains, ɸTT1H, ɸTT2H, and ɸA2223, were identified that have the ability to inhibit Desulfovibrio vulgaris and V. parahaemolyticus bacteria by altering the size, shape, and number of colonies in treatments supplemented with phages. Although they do not alter the nucleotide sequence of these two bacterial strains, they still have a significant effect on controlling the bacterial population. Among the three potential bacteriophage lineages, ɸTT2H was able to inhibit Desulfovibrio vulgaris, reducing the colony quantity by 2.9%. This research allowed researchers to apply bacteriophages to shrimp culture.
Framework for Sustainable Management of Shellfish Resources Based on Eco-Biology and Socio-Economic Conditions in Sedati, Sidoarjo, Indonesia
Authors: Pursetyo Kustiawan Tri , Idris Mohd Hanafi , Zein Alfian , Masithah Endang Dewi
Published: February 2025

Graphical Abstract

Highlight Research 

Sustainable Management: Developing strategies for the long-term sustainability of shellfish resources in Sedati, Sidoarjo.
Eco-Biological Considerations: Emphasizing the role of ecological and biological factors in managing shellfish populations.
Socio-Economic Integration: Balancing economic activities and community welfare with the preservation of shellfish resources.
Regional Focus: Tailoring management practices specifically to the unique environmental and social conditions of Sedati, Sidoarjo.

Abstract
Sedati is one of the subdistricts producing fishery products, namely milkfish, shrimp, and shellfish. Some of the products are further processed generate long-term income. Economic variables profoundly influence shellfish harvesting, as heightened catches immediately enhance fishermen's revenue. Nonetheless, increased income may lead to intensified fishing activities, potentially jeopardizing the viability of shellfish populations if not adequately regulated. This study develop to the framework for sustainable management of shellfish resources based on eco-biology and socio-economic conditions. This research used a survey research method with primary and secondary data. The samples collected from this study were spread across 224 respondents who are fishermen. The hauling process is carried out while catching shellfish 100-150 times. Shellfish fishing activities are carried out 20–26 days a month. This study found that catch factors having no significant effect on sustainable fisheries management, ecological factors and shellfish capture and sustainable fisheries and sustainable fisheries management social factors and the capture of shellfish. Biological factors and shellfish catchment and management economic factors influence the shellfish capture showed significant influence on the fisheries management. The development of this model can serve as a benchmark for shellfish fishing activity in this coastal water. Overfishing or activities in this area can be monitored using this model. The purpose is to control or monitor the stock and the inventory of the shellfish fisheries to preserve them for further use. Economic factors have a significant effect on shellfish caching because the more shellfish caught, the income of shellfish fishermen will directly increase, economic factors also have a significant influence on the sustainable management of shellfish. The greater the income of fishermen, the greater the availability of shellfish stocks will be because the fishing effort carried out by fishermen will be massive. This research in the future can provide information on how to balance ecological, economic, and social factors to ensure the long-term viability of shellfish populations and the ecosystem support.
The Relationship between General Anxiety Disorder(GAD-7) and Health-related quality of life(HINT-8) in the Elderly: 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors:   The Association of Korea Counseling Psychology Education Welfare, LEE Young-Shin
Published: February 2025

Using data from the 2021 the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey. The subjects of the study were 1415 the elderly aged 65 or older. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0. Result of the study, differences in HINT-8 index were confirmed according to gender, income, Subjective health perception level, and General anxiety disorder. By treating income as a covariate, a model for calculating the HINT-8 index was estimated with gender, subjective health, and general anxiety disorder as variables. It was confirmed that an improvement of HINT-8 index 0.1 unit improved the likelihood of not being a pan-anxiety disorder by 2.78 times. Interrelationships between general anxiety disorders and health-related life quality was confirmed. HINT-8 index levels could be referenced to diagnose general anxiety disorders. Improving health-related quality of life could lower the prevalence of general anxiety disorders.
Microchimie comparative des otolithes et des écailles de saumon Atlantique (Salmo salar)
Authors: VIGNON Matthias , BAREILLE Gilles , PEYCHERAN Christophe , TABOURET Hélène
Published: February 2025

Dans la perspective de mieux comprendre le rôle de la dispersion dans la conservation des populations de saumon atlantique (Salmo salar) face aux pressions environnementales et anthropiques qu’ils subissent, il est vital de quantifier la part relative des migrants au sein des différentes populations. Pour répondre à cet enjeu, la composition microchimique de certaines structures biominérales permet chez les poissons de déterminer l’origine spatiale (rivière natale) des individus. Les otolithes (structures calcifiées présentent dans l'oreille interne des poissons) sont généralement utilisés à cet effet mais leur extraction est létale. Ici, une évaluation du potentiel microchimique des écailles a été conduite sur la façade atlantique française, comme alternative non létale à l'utilisation des otolithes. La comparaison des données issues des otolithes et des écailles nous permet de conclure que la microchimie des écailles provenant d'individus anadromes possède de très faibles performances, sans comparaison possible avec celles obtenues à l'aide des otolithes. Cette différence de performance repose principalement sur l’altération des signatures chimiques de l’écaille lors du passage en mer, se traduisant par une très forte atténuation des signatures natales.
Evaluasi Rasio Profitabilitas Terhadap Harga Saham di PT Sumarecon Agung, Tbk.
Authors: Ismi Rizki Mulyani  , Kusumawati Rizqi Adhyka
Published: February 2025

Salah satu rasio profitabilitas adalah Return on Asset (ROA) dan Return on Equity (ROE) yang menjadi fokus dalam penelitian ini. Return on Asset merupakan kemampuan perusahaan dalam menghasilkan laba dari aset yang dimiliki perusahaan, sedangkan Return on Equity merupakan kemampuan perusahaan dalam menghasilkan laba dari pengelolaan ekuitas yang dimilikinya. Kinerja perusahaan dalam menghasilkan laba dapat mencerminkan kualitas perusahan tersebut, di mana semakin tinggi kemampuan perusahaan dalam menghasilkan keuntungan maka hal tersebut sejalan dengan harga saham yang tinggi sehingga akan menarik minat investor untuk berinvestasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskriptif kuantitatif. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ditunjukan bahwa selama tahun 2019 hingga 2023 di PT Summarecon Agung Tbk, nilai dari Return on Asset dan Return on Equity mengalami pergerakan yang fluktuatif. Semakin tinggi nilai dari Return on Asset dan Return on Equity maka semakin tinggi pula harga saham yang diterima investor.
Kata kunci: Evaluasi, Profitabilitas, Harga Saham
Analisis determinan kemiskinan di Provinsi Papua
Authors: Wijayanti Diana , Ramadhani Salsa Nova , Bintang SatrioWibowo
Published: February 2025

Purpose – This study aims to explain the influence of GRDP, Human Development Index (HDI), population and unemployment rate on poverty rates in Regencies/Cities in Papua ProvinceMethods – This study uses panel data regression analysis with a Fixed Effect model. This study uses four independent variables, namely GRDP, HDI, population and unemployment rate, while the dependent variable is the poverty rate.Findings – The results of the study explain that population and HDI have an impact on reducing poverty rates in Regencies/Cities in Papua Province. While GRDP and unemployment rate do not affect poverty rates.Implication – The implications of the results of this study are that they can contribute to the development of literature and provide appropriate policy recommendations for local governments in efforts to reduce poverty rates in Regencies/Cities in Papua Province.Originality – The results of this study contribute to providing insight and identifying specific factors that influence poverty rates, especially in Regencies/Cities in Papua Province.
AbstrakTujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan menjelaskan pengaruh PDRB, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia (IPM), jumlah populasi dan tingkat pengangguran terhadap tingkat kemisikinan di Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Papua.Metode – Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis regresi data panel dengan model Fixed Effect. Penelitian ini menggunakan empat variabel bebas yaitu PDRB, IPM, jumlah penduduk dan tingkat pengangguran, sedangkan variabel terikatnya adalah tingkat kemiskinan.Temuan – Hasil penelitian menjelaskan bahwa jumlah penduduk dan IPM berdampak pada penurunan tingkat kemiskinan di Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Papua. Sedangkan PDRB dan tingkat pengangguran tidak berpengaruh pada tingkat kemiskinan. Implikasi – Implikasi dari hasil penelitian ini adalah dapat memberikan kontribusi dalam pengembangan literatur dan memberikan rekomendasi kebijakan yang tepat bagi pemerintah daerah dalam upaya menurunkan tingkat kemiskinan di Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Papua.Orisinalitas – Hasil penelitian ini berkontribusi dalam memberikan wawasan dan mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor spesifik yang mempengaruhi tingkat kemiskinan, khususnya di wilayah Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Papua.
Analisis pengaruh kualitas institusi dan FDI terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di negara ASEAN
Authors: Prastowo Prastowo , Hanan Vaniandra
Published: February 2025

Purpose – This research aims to analyze the influence of institutional quality and FDI on economic growth in ASEAN countries.Methods – The method used in this research is panel data regression using economic growth research variables namely GDP per capita, FDI and institutional quality measured through 6 indicators based on world government indicators including Control of Corruption (CC), Voice and Accountability (VA), Government Effectiveness (GE), Rule of Law (ROL), Political Stability (PS), Regulatory Quality (RQ) are sourced from the World Bank.Findings – The research results show that Regulatory quality, Control of corruption, Voice and accountability, and Government effectiveness have a significant effect on economic growth in ASEAN countries. Apart from that, FDI also has a significant influence on economic growth in ASEAN countries.Implication – The government improves the quality of institutions and ease of investment to increase economic growth.Originality – This research contributes to economic development policies related to economic institutions and investment.
AbstrakTujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kualitas institusi dan FDI terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di negara ASEAN. Metode – Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah regresi panel data dengan menggunakan variabel penelitian pertumbuhan ekonomi yaitu GDP perkapita, FDI dan Kualitas institusi diukur melalui 6 indikator berdasarkan world government indicators meliputi Control of Corruption (CC), Voice and Accountability (VA), Government Effectiveness (GE), Rule of Law (ROL), Political Stability (PS), Regulatory Quality (RQ) bersumber dari World Bank.Temuan – Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Regulatory quality, Control of corruption, Voice and accountability, dan Government effectiveness berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di negara ASEAN. Selain itu, FDI juga berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di negara ASEAN.Implikasi – Pemerintah meningkatkan kualitas institusi dan kemudahan dalam investasi untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi.Orisinalitas – Penelitian ini berkontribusi terhadap kebijakan pembangunan ekonomi terkait kelembagaan ekonomi dan investasi.
Pengaruh tax amnesty terhadap penerimaan pajak di Indonesia
Authors: Suprianingtias Amelia , Suharto Suharto
Published: February 2025

Purpose – This study aims to determine how tax amnesty affects state tax revenues in Indonesia using supporting variables, namely gross domestic product (GDP), exports, and imports.Methods – This study uses a quantitative approach with secondary data sourced from the Central Statistics Agency, Ministry of Finance, and Directorate General of Taxes in 2008-2022. The analysis method uses multiple linear regression methods.Findings – The results of the study indicate that the tax amnesty and GDP variables have a positive effect on state tax revenues in Indonesia, while the export and import variables do not affect state tax revenues in Indonesia.Implication – The tax amnesty program has been proven to affect tax revenues. The government needs to design a more targeted program by considering the characteristics of taxpayers and the economic sectors that contribute most to increasing tax revenuesOriginality – This study has a novelty, namely seeing the direct effect of tax amnesty on tax revenues
AbstrakTujuan – Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana pengaruh tax amnesty terhadap penerimaan pajak negara di Indonesia dengan menggunakan variabel pendukung yaitu produk domestik bruto (PDB), ekspor, dan impor.Metode – Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan data sekunder yang bersumber dari Badan Pusat Statistik, Kementerian Keuangan, dan Direktorat Jendral Pajak pada tahun 2008-2022. Motede analisis menggunakan metode regresi linear berganda. Temuan – Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa variabel tax amnesty dan PDB berpengaruh positif terhadap penerimaan pajak negara di Indonesia, sedangkan variabel ekspor dan impor tidak berpengaruh terhadap penerimaan pajak negara di Indonesia.Implikasi – Program tax amnesty terbukti berpengaruh terhadap penerimaan pajak. Pemerintah perlu merancang program yang lebih terarah dengan mempertimbangkan karakteristik wajib pajak dan sektor-sektor ekonomi yang paling berkontribusi terhadap peningkatan penerimaan pajakOrisinalitas – Penelitian ini memiliki kebaruan yaitu melihat pengaruh secara langsung tax amnesty terhadap penerimaan pajak
A FRAMEWORK FOR SIMULATIONS AND GAMES BASED ON INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND FOLKLORE TO CREATE DISASTER AWARENESS: COMPARING FROM INDONESIA AND IMPLEMENTING IT IN JAPAN
Authors: Cahyanti Mega Mirasaputri , Ajar Seno Budhi
Published: February 2025

Indigenous disaster knowledge and folklore play a crucial role in fostering disaster awareness, yet traditional practices are increasingly being neglected in modern society. Simulation and Gaming (S&G) offers a promising solution to these challenges, particularly in raising unconscious understanding of evacuation procedures during earthquakes and tsunamis, especially for those in vulnerable regions. Despite its potential, no scientific research has yet applied this method in Japan. This study analyses the S&G approach used in Indonesia, inspired by the Smong folklore, which aims to increase awareness of tsunami risks. Building on this, the research proposes a framework for an S&G tailored to Japan, incorporating Namazu folklore and the ancient wisdom of tsunami tendenko. The framework was developed through interviews with key informants, including a game maker from Indonesia, a scholar, and a museum manager in Japan. The initial phase of the framework was created to develop a board game for raising disaster awareness among residence along the Tohoku coastline area. The integration of local folklore which is deeply rooted in local culture and making it more relatable and engaging for community members, offers its effectiveness in enhancing community resilience to tsunamis. The study concludes that this innovative approach will not only work in Japan but could also be adapted by other disaster-prone regions worldwide, offering a versatile tool for improving disaster preparedness and safeguarding vulnerable communities. 
Novas Abordagens no Tratamento da Obesidade
Authors:   Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Polo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Silva Ana Patrícia , Campos Maria João ,   Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Polo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Pena Angelina ,   Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Coimbra, Polo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Published: February 2025

A obesidade é uma doença crónica e prevalente caracterizada pelo excesso de tecido adiposo. Além das repercussões na qualidade de vida, aumenta o risco de agravamento e desenvolvimento de várias outras patologias. Assim, torna-se imprescindível a adoção de um tratamento eficaz com uma abordagem multifatorial. A primeira intervenção no tratamento da obesidade envolve medidas não farmacológicas. Porém, quando não são alcançados resultados satisfatórios é necessária a introdução da terapêutica farmacológica, avaliando o risco-benefício do fármaco em função do doente. O número de fármacos disponíveis atualmente para o tratamento desta patologia é escasso, mas começam a ser aprovadas algumas alternativas eficazes, não deixando de ser crucial a investigação e desenvolvimento de novas moléculas que promovam inovação nesta área terapêutica. O conhecimento da ação destes fármacos pelos profissionais de saúde não médicos, nomeadamente, pelos nutricionistas é fundamental para o sucesso da abordagem multidisciplinar ao doente, pelo que se apresenta uma revisão desses mesmos fármacos, os seus mecanismos e os cuidados a considerar sobre a forma de árvore de decisão.
Dieta de exclusão na indução e manutenção da remissão na doença de Crohn: uma revisão narrativa da literatura
Authors:   Escola Superior de Saúde de Leiria do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Campus 2 - Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal, José Beatriz Bento , Jorge Rui ,   Escola Superior de Saúde de Leiria do Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Campus 2 - Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal,   ciTechCare - Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology, Hub de Inovação de Saúde | Politécnico de Leiria, Campus 5, Rua das Olhalvas, 2414-016 Leiria, Portugal,   Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, Av. Dr. Mário Soares, n.º 110, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Published: February 2025

Vários estudos têm explorado o papel da dieta de exclusão na doença de Crohn, sendo esta dieta uma opção terapêutica, quer em crianças, adolescentes ou adultos. A presente revisão narrativa procura resumir a evidência disponível sobre a eficácia da Dieta de Exclusão na indução e manutenção da remissão em pessoas com doença de Crohn. A dieta de exclusão da doença de Crohn é uma estratégia de longo prazo, que aparentemente atua nos mecanismos que influenciam o aparecimento da inflamação, usando alimentos específicos e reduzindo a exposição alimentar a produtos que afetam negativamente a microbiota, induzindo e mantendo a remissão.
Association Between Surgeon Volume and Patient Outcomes After Elective Patellofemoral Arthroplasty
Authors: Vella-Baldacchino Martinique , Davies Andrew Rhys , Bottle Alex , Cobb Justin , Liddle Alex D.
Published: February 2025

Background:

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between surgical volume and patient outcome after arthroplasty of the patellofemoral joint, to improve patient outcomes and inform future resource planning.

Methods:

All patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) records in the National Joint Registry from January 2003 to December 2021 were linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics database for England. The main outcome measure was revision surgery. Secondary outcome measures were serious adverse effects, patient selection characteristics, and implant designs used. Associations of early and late revision with surgical volume were examined based on surgical volume, and reasons for revision were explored.

Results:

Of the knee arthroplasty surgeons in the database, 858 (26%) performed ≥1 PFA during the study period; 14,615 PFA cases were available for analysis. The modal caseload was 2 per year. High-volume surgeons were defined as surgeons performing >5 PFAs per year. The hazard ratio (HR) for a high-volume surgeon was 0.98 per additional PFA per year, and the patients treated by these surgeons had a lower risk of revision than than those treated by low-volume surgeons irrespective of the patient’s age. High-volume surgeons were more likely to identify and treat patients with patellar disorders than low-volume surgeons (odds ratio [OR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 1.77; p < 0.05), and their patients were less likely to have serious adverse effects as these surgeons’ experience increased (OR per additional PFA per year, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 to 0.99; p = 0.02). Inlay implants had a higher risk of revision than onlay implants irrespective of surgical experience: for low-volume surgeons, inlays had an HR of 1.68 (95% CI, 1.23 to 2.30; p = 0.01), and for high-volume surgeons, inlays had an HR of 2.38 (95% CI, 1.83 to 3.11; p = 0.01). The most common reason for revision was progressive osteoarthritis. High-volume surgeons’ patients were less likely than low-volume surgeons’ patients to have an early revision (<2 years postoperatively) (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.93; p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

An association was found between surgeons performing >5 PFAs per year and a lower revision rate. This study should inform surgical planning services to improve the outcomes of PFA.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Risk of Fracture at External Fixator Pin Hole After Lateral Tibial Plateau Fracture Plating
Authors: Massey Patrick A. , Scalisi Wayne , Duval Chloe , Lowery Michael , Chauvin Brad , Solitro Giovanni F.
Published: February 2025

Background:

External fixation of tibial plateau fractures commonly provides temporary stabilization before definitive fixation with plate and screws. The purpose of this study was to determine if an external fixator pin hole distal to a tibial plate in a synthetic fracture model would increase the risk of fracture after fixation. Another objective was to determine the ideal configuration when placing tibial plate screws near an external fixator pin hole.

Methods:

Thirty synthetic tibiae were tested and evenly divided into 5 groups. Tibial plateau plates were placed with 4 different screw configurations for the distal-most screw near the external fixator pin hole. The 5 groups tested were control (fixation with no external fixator hole), unicortical (distal fixation with a unicortical locking screw), bicortical (distal fixation with a bicortical locking screw), oblique (distal fixation with an oblique cortical screw angled 30° proximally from the external fixator hole), and hole-bridging (hole-bridging fixation in which the plate was placed bridging the external fixator hole). The bone surrogates were potted and tested using an Instron 8874 Testing System.

Results:

There was a significant difference in failure load among the 5 groups (p = 0.005). The mean peak loads were 1,259 N (control), 835 N (unicortical), 831 N (bicortical), 943 N (oblique), and 993 N (hole-bridging). There was a higher failure load in the control group compared with the bicortical group (p = 0.007) and the unicortical group (p = 0.007). There was no difference in failure load between the control group and the hole-bridging group (p = 0.16) and the oblique group (p = 0.067).

Conclusions:

External fixator pin holes distal to a tibial plateau plate may increase the risk of tibial fracture through the pin hole. This risk may be mitigated by placing the distal screw oblique and angled proximally away from the external fixator pin hole or by placing the external fixator pin proximally with subsequent bridging of the external fixator pin hole with the plate.
Excellent mechanical properties obtained in Si3N4/Cu joint with a network structure via brazing with AgCuTi/porous Cu foam/AgCuTi sandwich composite filler
Authors: Wang Ying , Feng Wei , Zhang Ruizhi , Liu Ruxia , Xiao Yong , Luo Guoqiang , Shen Qiang , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2025

AgCuTi/porous Cu foam/AgCuTi sandwich composite filler was used as the interlayer to enhance the brazing strength of the Si3N4/Cu joints. The typical microstructure of the joint brazed with the sandwich composite filler at 880 ℃ was Si3N4/TiN/Ti5Si3 + CuTi/Ag(s,s) + Cu(s,s)/Cu, where the Ag(s,s) + Cu(s,s) layer is an interpenetrating network structure. And the thickness of the TiN reaction layer increased from 0.58 µm to 1.28 µm when the thickness of the porous Cu foam layer increased from 100 µm to 300 µm. The Si3N4/Cu joint obtained with 300 µm porous Cu foam owned the highest shear strength of 121.7 MPa, which improved by 281% than that with the use of AgCuTi filler alone. Further EBSD analysis and finite element simulation revealed that the reduction in residual stress and the increase in plastic deformation effect induced by the Ag(s,s) + Cu(s,s) interpenetrating network structure are the key factor for the enhancement of the mechanical properties of this Si3N4/Cu joint brazed with AgCuTi/porous Cu foam/AgCuTi sandwich composite filler.
Influence of powder preparation technique on microstructure, densification, mechanical and tribological properties of composites based on Al₂O₃ with addition of WC-Co hard metal
Authors: Azevêdo Heytor V.S.B. , Raimundo Rafael A. , Morais Luís M.F. , Lourenço Cleber S. , Câmara Nailton T. , Macedo Daniel A. , Cavalcante Danielle G.L. , Gomes Uílame U.
Published: February 2025

In the present work, the influence of the powder preparation technique on the sintering behavior of 80 wt.% Al2O3-18 wt.% WC-2 wt.% Co composites was investigated. The powders were mixed with a mechanical stirrer for 10 min (MM) and by high-energy milling (HEM) for 50 h. They were then compacted at 200 MPa and sintered in a resistive dilatometric furnace for 1 h under argon atmosphere at a heating rate of 10°C/min for two sintering temperatures (1300°C and 1550°C). The powders prepared by MM and HEM were further characterized by XRD, SEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS), while the sintering kinetics was evaluated by dilatometry. The powders processed by HEM presented better dispersion and homogenization than those obtained by mechanical mixing (MM). The HEM approach enhances the sintering of immiscible systems that present low sinterability, as well as improves dispersion, phase refining and produces composite particles with greater interaction of the milled elements. In addition, HEM decreases the particle/crystallite size and increases the microstrain. The results showed that composites prepared by HEM and sintered at 1550 ºC presented better densification, Vickers microhardness and tribological behavior.
Rhizobium rhizogenes -elicited hairy root cultures of Sida acuta Burm.f.: extracts attenuate streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic effects in Wistar rats
Authors: Jena Somanatha , Rout Kedar K. , Mishra Sagar K. , Chand Pradeep Kumar
Published: February 2025

Genetically transformed root (TR) clones (rhizoclones) were developed of an ethno-medicinal plant species, Sida acuta mediated by Rhizobium rhizogenes. Various key factors (bacterium × plant × culture environment) were optimized for the transformation event per se and hairy root growth. RT-PCR amplification demonstrated transcription activity of opine biosynthetic genes and opine production was confirmed in rhizoclones. Anti-hyperglycemic activity of the methanolic/aqueous extracts of a selected rolB ORF-positive fast-proliferating TR clone was investigated vis-á-vis natural roots (NR) employing streptozotocin-induced Wistar diabetic rats. Compared to root extracts of naturally occurring donor plants, aqueous extract of the TR clone caused a more pronounced reducing effect on fasting blood glucose level and normalization of biochemical indices (serum and urine) as hepatic/renal functional markers, Metabolic attenuation was evident in respect of insulin and hepatic glycogen content as well as biochemical levels of blood serum, liver-specific enzymes and urine-specific biochemicals. Aqueous TR extracts, and the purified β-sitosterol isolate from such extracts, at optimal levels, demonstrated anti-hyperglycemic activity, to a considerable extent, which was comparable with that of the commercial drug glibenclamide towards restitution of biochemical homeostasis in the diabetic rats. Our finding on fast-renewable transformed root culture extract, capable of a noteworthy glycemic control in diabetic rats, ushers a possibility of designing and developing potent bioactive anti-diabetic drug(s) to be implicated in human healthcare.
Insights Into Foreign Body Aspiration In Pediatrics: Complications And Predictors At Felege Hiwot And Debre Markos Compressive Specialized Hospitals North West Ethiopia 2024
Authors: Temesgen Abathun , Yeshiwas Almaw Genet , Yenew Chalachew , Gebeyehu Asaye Alamneh , Anteneh Rahel Mulatie , Tsega Tilahun Degu , Bayeh Gashaw Melkie , Ahmed Ahmed Fentaw
Published: February 2025

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a major source of morbidity in pediatric patients and can result in serious complications if not addressed quickly. Prompt intervention is essential to avoid life-threatening consequences. This study sought to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of complications in pediatric patients with aerodigestive foreign bodies at FHCSH and DMCSH, North West Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using patient records of children aged 0-14 years diagnosed with aerodigestive foreign bodies. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants associated with airway and esophageal complications. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and t-tests) were applied, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Result: 411 pediatric patients were included in this study, with a response rate of 98.3%. The overall proportion of patients who developed complication was 46.7%. Patients who did not maintain oxygen saturation through atmospheric air (AOR=2.138, 95% CI: 1.334, 3.425), those requiring more than 48 hour for bronchoscopy procedure (AOR=2.786, 95% CI: 1.399, 3.786), needs mechanical ventilation (AOR= 2.618, 95% CI: 1.379, 4.968), Presenting beyond 24 hour after infection (AOR=2.547, CI: 1.457, 4.451), having preoperativeinfection (AOR=5.381, 95% CI: 3.103, 9.332). In addition, with sharp object, teeth and bones asforeign bodies (AOR= 4.944, 95% CI: 1.840, 13.282), were significantly associated with the level of postoperative sore throat.
Conclusion: This study indicates a significant complication rate among pediatric patients, identifying factors such as preoperative infections, oxygen saturation issues, mechanical ventilation, and ingestion of high-risk foreign bodies, prolonged bronchoscopy procedures, and delays in seeking medical care.
Recommendation: Enhancing monitoring, ensuring prompt medical intervention and conducting detailed preoperative assessments are crucial for minimizing complications and improving outcomes in pediatric procedures.
Paleoclimate Transition Recorded by Palynological and Clay Mineral Evidence in the Santanghu Basin during the Middle Jurassic
Authors: Yang Bing , Zhang Di , Zhang Xinzhi , Sun Siyuan , Li Weitong
Published: February 2025

The arid event that began in the Middle Jurassic Bathonian stage marks the second major drought event in northern China during the Jurassic period and had a profound impact on the development of modern terrestrial ecosystems. This study reconstructs the paleoclimate and paleoecosystem of the Middle Jurassic Santanghu Basin by analyzing palynological assemblages and clay minerals from the Xishanyao and Toutunhe formations. Two distinct palynological assemblages were identified: the Cyathidites-Deltoidospora-Osmundacidites-Cycadopites(CDOC) assemblage (Aalenian–Bajocian) and the Cyathidites-Classopollis-Quadraeculina(CCQ) assemblage (Bathonian). In terms of vegetation types, during the Aalenian–Bajocian stage, the Santanghu Basin was dominated by ground cover vegetation primarily consisting of ferns, with a midstory composed mainly of cycads/ginkgophytes, and a sparse canopy dominated by conifers. By the Bathonian stage, this shifted to a vegetation structure dominated by coniferous canopy vegetation, a subordinate midstory of cycads/ginkgophytes, and a severely degraded ground cover dominated by ferns. Sporomorph EcoGroup (SEG) analysis indicates that the CDOC assemblage is characterized by high Lowland SEG wetter/drier and warmer/cooler ratios, reflecting a warm and humid climate. In contrast, the CCQ assemblage also shows high Lowland SEG wetter/drier and warmer/cooler ratios but indicates a warm and arid climate. Clay mineral data reveal that the kaolinite content in the CCQ assemblage is significantly lower than in the CDOC assemblage. Evidence from both palynology and clay minerals suggests that the Santanghu Basin experienced a transition from a humid to a semi-arid climate near the Bajocian–Bathonian boundary in the Middle Jurassic.
Smallholder farmers'vulnerability and risk behaviour to climate-induced stresses in the CSVs of Nyando Basin:Effects towards designing household and village level approaches
Authors: Karuku George , Busienei John , Gathiaka John , Njogu Josephine
Published: February 2025

Many African countries have low adaptive capacities of technologies and high dependence on rain-fed agriculture, which makes them more vulnerable to climate change and variability. Climate smart village (CSV) approach not only includes Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions, but also solutions to improve livelihoods among smallholder farmers. The study objective was to determine to what extent smallholders are exposed to climate-induced stresses, and factors determining behaviour choice for resilience in Nyando basin, Kenya. Data collection used a multi-stage sampling procedure to identify 90 CSA adopters and 32 non-adopters. The results showed that soil degradation, droughts, pests and diseases, including floods were major climate related constraints in Nyando basin. Households’ vulnerability to climate unpredictability showed 8% and 17% of CSA adopters and non-adopters respectively were most vulnerable. Crop diversification had a major contribution to respondents’ adaptive capability suggesting a reduction in vulnerability associated to climatic risks such as droughts and floods. Majority of households exhibited extreme exposure to climate variations with low adaptive capacity. Determinants on use of CSA practices and technologies by farmers included; women increased use of fertilizers, improved seeds and varieties on crop management and conservation agriculture (CA). The influence of cooperative/ joint crop management integrated with CA revealed a vital revolution in household gender equity in relation to crop management. The study recommends application of technologies and practices plus incorporating gender equity in trainings and sharing of information. Also, access to safety nets by the highly exposed vulnerable communities to reduce their sensitivity to climate induced stresses.
Stroke prevalence and associated factors among older patients with hypertension attending public healthcare facilities in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda
Authors: Tamale Bridget Nagawa , Muhumuza Christine , Nalugya Aisha , Isunju John Bosco , Mugambe Richard K , Nakalembe Doreen , Lusabe Asadi , Mbalinda Scovia Nalugo , Kaddumukasa Martin N , Ssekamatte Tonny , Kayemba Christine Nalwadda
Published: February 2025

Background
Globally, stroke is one of the top three leading causes of death and disability. Although several stroke risk factors are modifiable, including hypertension, factors associated with stroke among older patients with hypertension in Uganda remain underexplored. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with stroke among older patients with hypertension in public healthcare facilities in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 older patients with hypertension. Systematic sampling was used to recruit study participants, and STATA 15.0 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present continuous variables, while frequencies and proportions were used to present categorical data. Bivariate analyses identified associations between independent variables and stroke. Multivariable analyses controlled for confounders. A modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors estimated prevalence ratios.
Results
Of the 383 respondents, 71.0% (272/383) were aged 60–69 years (mean age 66.8 ± 7.1), 80.9% (310/383) were female, and 42.8% (164/383) had a primary education level (1–7 years). About 31.9% (122/383) exercised regularly, 94.8% (363/383) consumed carbohydrates frequently, 5.2% (20/383) had ever smoked, and 42.0% (151/383) had ever consumed alcohol. The prevalence of stroke was 18.3% (70/383). The factors associated with stroke included being aged 80 years and above (APR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.59–4.51), having 8–13 years of formal education (secondary education)(APR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14–0.98), possessing health insurance (APR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.19–9.37), having high knowledge of stroke (APR = 24.72, 95% CI: 6.20-98.55), and receiving stroke-related health information (APR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05–3.02).
Conclusion and recommendation:
This study demonstrated a high prevalence of stroke among older patients with hypertension. Public health education and community outreach should be expanded to underserved populations, while age-specific hypertension management and affordable healthcare services are essential. Engaging men and leveraging stroke survivors as peer educators can further strengthen prevention efforts. Future research should explore barriers to prevention and develop tailored interventions for diverse populations
Generalist Large Language Models in a Specialized World: Evidence from the Italian National Medical Education Pathway
Authors: Buonocore Tommaso Mario , Russo Antonio , Mingarelli Dario , Parimbelli Enea
Published: February 2025

Creating language-specific and domain-specific large language models presents substantial challenges, including computational demands and limited data availability. While it is commonly believed that the benefits of specialized models justify these challenges, we dispute this notion with a comparative evaluation in a low-resourced language and medical-specific domain. In our study, we analyze the performance of various LLMs applied to the Italian healthcare domain using novel unpublished datasets, consisting of five-choice questions from national pre-university and post-university medical exams, covering clinical and preclinical fields. As part of this work, we release these datasets to the research community. We evaluated multilingual and Italian-specific models, along with general-purpose and healthcare-specific models, spanning both open-source and proprietary architectures of varying sizes. Our results demonstrate that multilingual, general-purpose large models consistently exceed the pass threshold across all tests, with the best models achieving over 90% accuracy on postgraduate-level exams. Model size emerged as the most critical factor influencing performance, whereas domain specialization and single-language localization offered no measurable advantage. These findings challenge the traditional pretrain-then-finetune paradigm for domain and language localization in language models, suggesting that advancements in generic-purpose multilingual models may render domain-specific pretraining unnecessary in many specialized cases.
Utilizing Machine Learning Models for Predicting Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis: Development and Validation in Three Retrospective Cohorts
Authors: Gu Kaier , Liu Yang
Published: February 2025

Background
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute abdominal disorder with diverse severity and prognosis. Machine learning (ML) technology has been increasingly integrated into the advancement of medical care, and the risk prediction models developed with ML show excellent predictive capabilities, thus manifesting considerable potential for application. This research aims to develop and validate an individualized predictive model to identify the short-term and long-term prognosis of AP patients utilizing machine learning models and dynamic measurement indicators.
Methods
The data of AP patients was sourced from the MIMIC database, which served as the training set and internal validation set. Meanwhile, external validation sets were obtained from eICU database and Wenzhou Hospital in China. Experimental indicator variables repeatedly measured during hospitalization were collected, including their maximum, average, and minimum values. In the training set, key variables were screened using univariate logistic regression and the LASSO method. ML models built include K-Nearest Neighbor, light gradient boosting machine, logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine, and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGB). This study had six clinical endpoints, including in-hospital mortality, readmission within 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days after discharge, and mortality within 180 and 365 days after discharge. Validation was conducted in the validation sets, and the efficacy of the prediction models was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and decision curve analysis (DCA), where AUC was the principal indicator for the assessment of model performance.
Results
A total of 2,559 AP patients were included. There were 12–26 clinical features selected for model training. Among the six ML prediction models under assessment, the AUCs of the LR, RF, and XGB models manifested superior performance. DCA further disclosed that these ML models displayed elevated predictive accuracy with respect to in-hospital mortality of AP patients admitted to the ICU. In the external validation sets, the XGB model has the best AUC, recorded as 0.930 and 0.827, showing its good versatility.
Conclusions
The XGB model is conducive to identifying the short-term and long-term prognoses of AP patients and facilitating the decision-making of clinicians.
A Novel Biometric-Centric Encryption Framework for Secure Online Payments and Cloud Storage
Authors: S Vijayanand , S Nithya N. , P Shanmugasundaram , Natesan Thillaigovindan
Published: February 2025

The rapid expansion of digital payment systems and cloud-based storage has created an urgent need for advanced security measures to protect sensitive information. Conventional authentication techniques, such as passwords and one-time passcodes (OTPs), are increasingly vulnerable to modern cyber threats. This study introduces an innovative biometric-centric encryption framework that incorporates fingerprint authentication and multi-level encryption to strengthen the security of online payment platforms and cloud storage. The framework employs a three-tier authentication mechanism comprising user credentials, OTPs, and fingerprint verification to ensure robust identity validation. Upon authentication, data is encrypted using advanced algorithms before being transmitted or stored in the cloud, mitigating risks of unauthorized access. A decision-complementary approach enhances the matching accuracy of biometric systems, ensuring superior performance in user verification. Rigorous testing reveals the framework’s resilience against prevalent cyber threats, such as data breaches and hacking attempts, while maintaining seamless usability for end-users. This biometric-driven encryption model addresses critical security challenges in digital finance and cloud computing, delivering a scalable, efficient, and highly secure solution. The results emphasize the transformative potential of biometric-based systems in redefining security paradigms for future digital ecosystems.