bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual dimorphism of the humerus bones in a French sample: comparison of several statistical models including machine learning models
Authors: Blanc Manon , Knecht Siam , Nguyen Kathy , Poulain Clément , Quatrehomme Gérald , Alunni Véronique , Nogueira Luísa
Published: January 2025

Sex estimation is an important part of skeletal analysis and forensic identification. Traditionally pelvic traits are utilized for accurate sex estimation. However, the long bones, especially humerus, have been proved to be as effective for determine the sex of the individual.

The aim of this study was to compare the predictive accuracy of seven statistical modelling techniques including classical statistical methods and machine learning algorithms, to assess the sexual dimorphism of humerus on a French sample based on a metric analysis of 26 measurements. A total of 98 humeral bones (divided in two samples) were measured. Seven statistical models were compared: Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Regularized Discriminant Analysis (RDA), Penalized Logistic Regression (PLR), Flexible Discriminant Analysis (FDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF).

With cross validation, classification accuracy was greater than 90% (ranges between 92% and 98%) for all models without variable selection methods. The simplification of the models has improved the accuracy between 98% and 100% and also a reduction of the number of variables to 6 or less. Penalized logistic regression (PLR), Random Forest (RF) and Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were the best accuracy models.

The measurements made at the proximal part of the humerus (WTT, CSD), at distal part (BEW, WT, MAW, THT) and of the entire bone (PLCT) stand out among the various models.

The present study suggests that the humerus is an interesting alternative for sex estimation and that non-classical statistical models can provide a new approach.
Personalising dietary advice for disease prevention: concepts and experiences
Authors: Daniel Hannelore
Published: January 2025

Personalised nutrition (PN) as a new endeavour emerged in the background of the human genome project with the ease to analyse genetic heterogeneity. First commercial offers with recommendations for diet and lifestyle changes, usually based on a few polymorphisms, entered markets soon after the presentation of the human genome blueprint. Although PN has seen many attempts, meanwhile, with the inclusion of other biomedical measures such as microbiome and/or continuous glucose monitoring, scientific assessments of such approaches in various settings revealed limited success. Although personalisation improved general compliance over generic advice, particular benefits in referring to biomedical measures and individual risks did, in most cases, not provide any significant advantage. Moreover, scholars criticised such approaches as of limited impact from a public health perspective by attracting mainly technology-open individuals of high social status and proper financial capabilities. Based on these experiences, new avenues for personalising dietary advice are developed, and those are going beyond pure biomedical data by assessing the entire food environment of the individual with its capabilities and constraints in the given life setting. Embedded into digital environments for data collection but also for bidirectional communication, new possibilities emerge. Artificial intelligence methods allow for the multitude of input data and highly complex decision trees to be derived to customize advice. And that can be delivered on the spot and in time in any language whenever decisions are made on what to buy or what to eat. But systems can also be employed to increase physical activity levels and for the adoption of a more healthy lifestyle in general.
Access to child-appropriate medicines: an exploratory survey of the use of paediatric use marketing authorisation products in the UK
Authors: Wan Mandy , Houshian Amin , Tomlin Stephen , Rashed Asia N.
Published: January 2025

The Paediatric Use Marketing Authorisation (PUMA) was introduced in the European Union to incentivise the development of off-patent medicines in children. However, there is limited data on the accessibility of PUMA products at the healthcare provider level. This study aimed to identify factors affecting real-world accessibility to PUMA products in the United Kingdom (UK). Inductive thematic analyses of the archives of the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group (NPPG) online forum were conducted. A web-based survey was also distributed to NPPG members in September 2022 regarding the availability of PUMA products in their organisations. Thematic analysis generated five themes: authorisation, availability, affordability, appropriateness and acceptability. Restricted scope of the product’s marketing authorisation, market access variation, higher cost of PUMA products, product appropriateness and patient acceptability were reasons for continued off-label use and use of unlicensed products in clinical practice. Conclusion: Despite targeted legislative efforts to bring off-label uses in children into authorised use, this study provides evidence that authorisation alone does not equate to market availability, which in turn does not guarantee patient access. The study findings also suggest that cost pressure drives local procurement decisions and overshadows the long-standing problems associated with off-label use and manipulation of medicines in children.

What is already known about this subject• The Paediatric Use Marketing Authorisation (PUMA) was introduced in the European Union (applied to the UK at the time) to incentivise the development of off-patient medicines exclusively for use in the paediatric population. • It is widely acknowledged that the PUMA concept has not achieved its intended goal, as evidenced by the few products authorised through this route.

What this study adds• This study shows inequalities in children's access to PUMA products in the UK.• Determinants impeding patient access to child-appropriate paediatric medicines can be categorised into five dimensions: authorisation, availability, affordability, appropriateness, and acceptability.
Model and mesh selection from a mCRE functional in the context of parameter identification with full-field measurements
Authors: Nguyen Hai Nam , Chamoin Ludovic
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we propose a general deterministic framework to question the relevance, assess the quality, and ultimately choose the features (in terms of model class and discretization mesh) of the employed computational mechanics model when performing parameter identification. The goal is to exploit both modeling and data at best, with optimized model accuracy and computational cost governed by the richness of available experimental information. Using the modified Constitutive Relation Error concept based on reliability of information and the construction of optimal admissible fields, we define rigorous quantitative error indicators that point out individual sources of error contained in the identified computational model with regards to (noisy) observations. An associated adaptive strategy is then proposed to automatically select, among a hierarchical list with increasing complexity, some parameterized mathematical model and finite element mesh which are consistent with the content of experimental data. In addition, the approach is computationally enhanced by the complementary use of model reduction techniques and specific nonlinear solvers. We focus here on experimental information given by full-field kinematic measurements, e.g. obtained by means of digital image correlation techniques, even though the proposed strategy would also apply to sparser data. The performance of the approach is analyzed and validated on several numerical experiments dealing with anisotropic linear elasticity or nonlinear elastoplastic models, and using synthetic or real observations.
Electrochemical aptasensor for the selective detection of vancomycin based on nanostructured “in-lab” printed electrodes
Authors: Bibani Malek , Casian Magdolna , Feier Bogdan , Bogdan Diana , Hosu-Stancioiu Oana , Ktari Nadia , Kalfat Rafik , Cristea Cecilia
Published: January 2025

A label-free, flexible, and disposable aptasensor was designed for the rapid on-site detection of vancomycin (VAN) levels. The electrochemical sensor was based on lab-printed carbon electrodes (C-PE) enriched with cauliflower-shaped gold nanostructures (AuNSs), on which VAN-specific aptamers were immobilized as biorecognition elements and short-chain thiols as blocking agents. The AuNSs, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), enhanced the electrochemical properties of the platform and the aptamer immobilization active sites. The developed disposable aptasensor allowed label-free detection of VAN via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) across a wide range of concentrations (50–1000 nM), with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.721 nM. The aptasensor presented good selectivity against some commonly found interferences in human serum and milk and was successfully applied to the analysis of these samples.

Graphical Abstract
Non-invasive fundoscopy as a tool to estimate intracranial pressure: a large animal model
Authors: Eriksen Niclas Lynge , Poulsen Frantz Rom , Andersen Mikkel Schou , Nortvig Mathias Just
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is in most studies considered essential in avoiding secondary brain injury in patients with intracranial pathologies. Invasive monitoring of ICP is accurate but is unavailable in many clinical and prehospital settings. Non-invasive modalities have historically been difficult to implement clinically. The retinal arteriovenous ratio (A/V ratio) has shown promise through its relationship with ICP.

This study aimed to further elucidate the relationship between ICP, A/V ratio and the intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with non-invasive fundoscopy in a porcine model.

Methods

We achieved controlled values of ICP ranging from normal (5–15 mmHg) to elevated (> 20 mmHg) within the same animal subject. Six pigs were included. ICP and IOP was measured using an intraparenchymal pressure monitor and a tonometer, respectively. Fundoscopy was performed at baseline and at predefined ICP values.

Results

Mixed-effects linear regression revealed a significant inverse correlation between A/V ratio and ICP ≥ 20 mmHg (slope coefficient − 0.0026734 [95%-CI: −0.0039347 – (−0.0014121)], p < 0.001). For ICP < 20 mmHg there was no change in A/V ratio (p = 0.987). Similar results were seen for ICP > IOP with a mean IOP of 10 mmHg. A Wald test showed no significant difference between ICP > IOP and ICP ≥ 20 mmHg. ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC of 0.64 for ICP ≥ 20 mmHg and 0.71 for ICP > IOP.

Conclusion

The results support the hypothesis that an increase in ICP was associated with a decrease in A/V ratio. Although a slightly better fit, the model of ICP > IOP was deemed less clinically relevant than ICP ≥ 20 mmHg because of the subjects’ IOP.

Further research integrating multifactorial models and machine learning is needed to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of A/V ratio via fundoscopy, enabling it to serve as a cost-effective screening tool.
Evaluation of gingival phenotype: the role of gingival thickness measurements from different vertical gingival levels
Authors: Yildirim Bolat Sude , Lutfioglu Muge
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to accurately assess the gingival phenotype by comparing the mean gingival thickness (GT) measured at various levels with a single-point GT measurement.

Materials and methods

Fifty participants were divided into thin and thick gingival phenotype groups according to two different classifications. The first classification was based on the GT measured at the base of the gingival sulcus (GT1), whereas the second classification was based on the mean of the GT (GTm) measured at the base of the gingival sulcus (GT1 point) and 1 mm apical (GT2 point) and 2 mm apical to the base of the gingival sulcus (GT3 point). The GT was measured using the transgingival method from the buccal region of 1195 teeth, including the incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars, and was statistically analyzed.

Results

The mean GT was 0.95 ± 0.25 mm for GT1, 0.97 ± 0.3 mm for GT2, 0.81 ± 0.22 mm for GT3, and 0.91 ± 0.22 mm for the overall GTm. Good agreement was found between the GTm and GT1 and GT2 (k = 0.712; k = 0.758, p < 0.001for both), and moderate agreement was found between the GTm and GT3 (k = 0.534, p < 0.001). In both classifications, the effect of the dental arch location on the GT was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion

Standardized methods are required to minimize the differences in measurements from different vertical levels, which can influence gingival phenotype classification.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06369506.

Clinical relevance

Multiple gingival thickness measurements showed that gingival phenotype varied depending on the vertical level of the gingiva measurement point. Gingival phenotype assessment based on the mean of multiple gingival thickness measurements provided precise results, emphasizing the clinical importance of multiple measurements.
Evaluation of keratinized tissue augmentation using amnion/chorion allograft vs. autogenous connective tissue in implant therapy: a retrospective study
Authors: De Angelis Nicola , Pesce Paolo , Kassim Zethy Hanum , Yumang Catherine , Baldi Domenico , Menini Maria
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Successful implant therapy must also ensure the integration of the soft tissues around the crown/abutment emergence profile. The existing literature does not consistently agree on the necessity of a minimal amount of keratinized tissue (KT), though it appears advantageous for the long-term stability and aesthetics of implants. The purpose of this clinical retrospective study is to compare the effectiveness of amnion/chorion membrane and autogenous subepithelial connective tissue in increasing the keratinized mucosa and maintaining it over a 5-year follow-up.

Methods

Twenty patients who had previously undergone implant surgery were included in the study. Ten patients had received the allograft (Group 1) and ten had received autogenous connective tissue (Group 2).An independent examiner retrospectively analyzed the patient records at 7, 15, and 60 days, and five years post-procedure. Data from these observations were collected and analyzed using SPSS Statistics, version 25. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted.

Results

All patients exhibited an increase in KT. For Group 1, the mean KT width measurements were 1.27 ± 0.46 mm at the initial evaluation, increasing to 2.00 ± 0.38 mm, 2.80 ± 0.78 mm, 3.27 ± 0.80 mm, and 3.01 ± 0.68 mm at 7, 15, and 60 days post-surgery (with prosthesis delivery on day 60), and five years after prosthetic rehabilitation, respectively.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this retrospective clinical study, both amnion/chorion and connective tissue show significant potential for KT expansion when used in conjunction with implant surgery.

Clinical relevance

The use of allografts, due their low morbidity, and acceptable results should be considered as a viable option for soft tissues augmentations.
Genomic highlights of the phylogenetically unique halophilic purple nonsulfur bacterium, Rhodothalassium salexigens
Authors: Madigan Michael T. , Bender Kelly S. , Parenteau Mary N. , Kimura Yukihiro , Wang-Otomo Zheng-Yu , Sattley W. Matthew
Published: January 2025

Rhodothalassium (Rts.) salexigens is a halophilic purple nonsulfur bacterium and the sole species in the genus Rhodothalassium, which is itself the sole genus in the family Rhodothalassiaceae and sole family in the order Rhodothalassiales (class Alphaproteobacteria). The genome of this phylogenetically unique phototroph comprises 3.35 Mb and is highly chimeric, with nearly half of its genes originating from families other than the Rhodothalassiaceae, many of which lack phototrophic species. Photosynthesis genes in Rts. salexigens are not arranged in a typical photosynthesis gene cluster but are scattered across the genome, suggesting an origin from horizontal transfers. Despite an encoded RuBisCO, autotrophy has not been observed in Rts. salexigens, and enzymes that oxidize common inorganic electron donors are not encoded. Phospholipid biosynthesis in Rts. salexigens is restricted, and phosphoglycerolipids are the only phospholipids present in its intracytoplasmic membranes. Rts. salexigens fixes nitrogen using a Mo-containing nitrogenase and uses ammonia despite previous results that indicated it was a glutamate auxotroph. Glycine betaine is the sole osmolyte in Rts. salexigens, and enzymes are encoded that facilitate both its uptake and its biosynthesis from glycine. The genomic data also support chemotactic swimming motility, growth over a range of salinities, and the production of membrane-strengthening hopanoids.
Assessing the accuracy and usefulness of YouTube videos on small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery for patients and healthcare professionals
Authors: Ahmet Sibel , Balci Ali Safa , Atik Burcu Kemer , Topçu Hüsna , Kırgız Ahmet
Published: January 2025

To evaluate the quality, usefulness, and reliability of videos about Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) surgery on the YouTube platform. On January 19, 2022, a search was performed on YouTube (www.youtube.com) with the keywords ‘small incision lenticule extraction’, ‘SMILE refractive surgery’, and ‘ReLex SMILE Surgery’. The default search option was “sort videos by relevance”. The duration of videos (seconds), the number of views, the source of videos (surgeons/medical organizations-health channels/patients-others), the number of subscribers, the number of likes and dislikes, like ratio (like × 100/[like + dislike]), the number of comments, the time since upload date (days), the video content (surgery/theoretical information), the content of surgical videos (real surgery/animation), mode of expression (verbal narration/subtitle), and the presence of a conflict of interest (yes/no) were recorded. The videos were blindly evaluated by two refractive surgeons (SA and AK) using DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the Global Quality Score (GQS). A total of 101 videos were analyzed, 38 (37.6%) of which were uploaded by surgeons. The mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS were 37.73 ± 7.49; 1.90 ± 0.57; and 2.20 ± 0.73, respectively. The JAMA score, GQS, and video duration were all significantly correlated with the DISCERN score. The GQS was significantly correlated with all parameters except the JAMA score. Overall, SMILE surgery videos on the YouTube platform may provide cursory information to non-ophthalmologists; however, when the videos are evaluated using tools such as DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS, they are of low quality in terms of refractive surgery education for ophthalmologists. Experts should evaluate and review content uploaded to websites such as YouTube.
rs762855 single nucleotide polymorphism modulates the risk for diffuse-type gastric cancer in females: a genome-wide association study in the Korean population
Authors: Park Kyungtaek , Shin Cheol Min , Kim Nayoung , Won Sungho , Song Chin-Hee , Ohn Jung Hun , Lee Sejoon , Park Ji Hyun , Yie Ga-Eun , Kang Seung Joo , Kim Joo Sung , Lee Dong Ho
Published: January 2025

Background

Intestinal-type gastric cancer (IGC) and diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) exhibit different prevalence rates between sexes. While environmental factors like Helicobacter pylori infection and alcohol consumption contribute to these differences, they do not fully account for them, suggesting a role for host genetic factors.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis to explore associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of IGC or DGC. The analysis included the SNUBH cohort (998 participants: 159 DGCs, 303 IGCs, 4,962,361 variants) and the GC_HC cohort (6,233 participants: 389 DGCs, 405 IGCs, 4,541,617 variants). Significant variants were validated in the SNUBH2_AA cohort (5,511 participants: 40 DGCs, 49 IGCs, 3,668,632 variants).

Results

The meta-analysis identified that rs762855 (chr4:3,074,795; hg19) is significantly associated with DGC risk in females (OR [95% CI]: 1.758 [1.438–2.150], P = 3.91 × 10–8), a finding replicated in the SNUBH2_AA datasets (OR [95% CI]: 3.356 [1.031–10.92], P = 4.43 × 10–2). Gene-set and transcriptomic analyses revealed that the Myb/SANT DNA Binding Domain Containing 1 (MSANTD1) gene is significantly linked to DGC susceptibility in females. In addition, Mendelian randomization analyses suggested that increased serum total protein and non-albumin protein (NAP) levels elevate DGC risk in females (P < 0.05), but not in males.

Conclusion

The rs762855 SNP, MSANTD1, and serum NAP levels are associated with DGC risk in Korean females.
New Luminescence and Radiocarbon Dates for Kanem-Borno Fired-Brick Elite Sites in Kanem, Chad: Bayesian Chronological Modelling of Settlement Construction
Authors: Magnavita Carlos , Lindauer Susanne , Adjbane Adoum Casimir
Published: January 2025

Five fired-brick sites, tentatively attributed to the Kanem-Borno State, were test-excavated, and samples of fired bricks and wood charcoal were dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Although OSL yielded larger standard deviations compared to radiocarbon dating, both methods produced chronologically significant results. In addition to confirming that the sites were constructed during Kanem-Borno’s rule over Kanem, the new dates support earlier suggestions of multi-phase construction of similar nearby locations. To systematically analyze the growing body of chronometric data from Kanem, we employed Bayesian chronological modelling. This method not only identifies potential stratigraphic and chronological outliers but also provides probabilistic evidence for the multi-phase development of these sites.
Deep learning techniques for atmospheric turbulence removal: a review
Authors: Hill Paul , Anantrasirichai Nantheera , Achim Alin , Bull David
Published: January 2025

Atmospheric turbulence significantly complicates the interpretation and analysis of images by distorting them, making it hard to classify and track objects within a scene using traditional methods. This distortion arises from unpredictable, spatially varying disturbances, challenging the effectiveness of standard model-based techniques. These methods often become impractical due to their complexity and high memory demands, further complicating the task of restoring scenes affected by atmospheric turbulence. Deep learning approaches offer faster operation and are capable of implementation on small devices. This paper reviews the characteristics of atmospheric turbulence and its impact on acquired imagery. It compares performances of a range of state-of-the-art deep neural networks, including Transformers, SWIN and MAMBA, when used to mitigate spatio-temporal image distortions. Furthermore, this review presents: a list of available datasets; applicable metrics for evaluation of mitigation methods; an exhaustive list of state-of-the-art and historical mitigation methods. Finally, a critical statistical analysis of a range of example models is included. This review provides a roadmap of how datasets and metrics together with currently used and newly developed deep learning methods could be used to develop the next generation of turbulence mitigation techniques.
A comprehensive review of deep learning-based hyperspectral image reconstruction for agri-food quality appraisal
Authors: Ahmed Md. Toukir , Monjur Ocean , Khaliduzzaman Alin , Kamruzzaman Mohammed
Published: January 2025

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has recently emerged as a promising tool for various agricultural applications. However, high equipment cost, instrumentation complexity, and data-intensive nature have limited its widespread adoption. To overcome these challenges, reconstructing hyperspectral data from simple, cost-effective color or RGB (red-green-blue) images using advanced deep learning algorithms offers a practically attractive solution for a wide range of applications in food quality control and assurance. Through advanced deep learning algorithms, it is possible to capture and reconstruct spectral information from simple, cost-effective RGB imaging to create a reliable, efficient, and scalable system with accuracy comparable to dedicated, expensive HSI systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in deep learning techniques for HSI reconstruction and highlights the transformative impact of deep learning-based hyperspectral image reconstruction on agricultural and food products and anticipates a future where these innovations will lead to more advanced and widespread applications in the agri-food industry.
An experimental survey of imbalanced learning algorithms for bankruptcy prediction
Authors: Gnip Peter , Kanász Róbert , Zoričak Martin , Drotár Peter
Published: January 2025

Information about imminent bankruptcy is crucial for financial institutions, decision-making managers, and state agencies. Since bankruptcy prediction is a prevalent research topic, many new methods have been continuously proposed. Bankruptcy prediction is frequently approached as a binary classification task. Since bankruptcy datasets are inherently imbalanced, bankruptcy classification is usually performed using class imbalance learning methods. The nature of these methods is very diverse, but they can usually be categorized as ensemble, cost-sensitive, sampling, and hybrid methods. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive experimental comparison of 45 methods. These methods were selected because they cover the approaches and algorithms frequently employed for bankruptcy prediction and imbalanced learning. Extensive experiments on 15 publicly available datasets with different imbalance ratios showed that the methods based on a combination of ensemble learning and undersampling are able to handle data imbalance and achieve the best results for bankruptcy classification.
Ability of dynamic chest radiography to identify left ventricular systolic dysfunction in heart failure
Authors: Hiraiwa Hiroaki , Nagai Shin , Ito Ryota , Kondo Kiyota , Kazama Shingo , Kondo Toru , Adachi Shiro , Furusawa Kenji , Tanaka Akihito , Morimoto Ryota , Okumura Takahiro , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: January 2025

Dynamic chest radiography (DCR) can estimate haemodynamic parameters in heart failure (HF). However, no studies have evaluated its ability to determine cardiac systolic function in HF. This experimental study investigates the correlation between left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and DCR image parameters in HF. Ninety-one patients with acute HF (median age, 58 years; males, 75%) (cardiologist diagnosis using the Framingham criteria) underwent DCR and transthoracic echocardiography after treatment for the uncompensated phase of HF. The LV apex pixel value (PV) change was measured by DCR. Correlations between the PV change and LVEF, as well as sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of DCR, were evaluated. LVEF and LV apex PV change were correlated in all patients (R = 0.428, P < 0.001) and in patients with LVEF < 50% (n = 38; R = 0.355, P = 0.029), < 40% (n = 31; R = 0.343, P = 0.059), and < 30% (n = 23; R = 0.321, P = 0.135). There was no significant correlation for patients with LVEF ≥ 50% (n = 53; R = − 0.004, P = 0.980). The LV apex PV change rate cutoff values for identifying LVEF < 50%, < 40%, and < 30% were 9.3% (AUC: 0.761, sensitivity: 0.698, specificity: 0.789, P < 0.001), 5.5% (AUC: 0.765, sensitivity: 0.883, specificity: 0.645, P < 0.001), and 5.5% (AUC: 0.767, sensitivity: 0.838, specificity: 0.696, P < 0.001), respectively. DCR may be useful to identify LV systolic dysfunction based on LVEF in acute HF.

Graphical abstract
An Effective Investments System in the Optimal Portfolio Selection Intelligence (OPSI)
Authors: Loukeris Nikolaos , Eleftheriadis Iordanis , Livanis Efstratios
Published: January 2025

The optimal portfolio selection problem is investigated in fundamentals of higher order moments. The returns behavior frequently skewed and in excess kurtosis, along with investors’ preferences set new grounds of discussion. Higher order moments, than the kurtosis, will offer further information on investors. A more complex problem arises, of higher flexibility, non-convexity, in unlimited scale fitted to portfolio optimization. The principal problem of Free Will is thus answered, with emphasis on investors. We discuss the OPSI model introducing three hybrid neuro-genetic models of numerous topologies and one regression. Firstly the Radial Basis Function Networks-RBF are in 40 hybrid forms and 10 RBF Neural Nets whilst the results are compared to 50 Time-Lag Recurrent Network-TLRN Hybrids topologies, 10 on the MultiLayer Perceptron-MLP Neural Nets, and the Bayesian Logistic Regression-BLR, to define the most competitive methods in asset allocation and corporate evaluation. New solutions are offered under specific hybrids whilst portfolio efficiency is either evolutionary or intelligent. Introducing the parameters of financial health, we propose the advanced expected utility function filtering noise. The problem of wealth maximisation is transformed to a preferential combination on gain and loss. The TLRN hybrid networks are a very efficient and reliable model on portfolio selection. The OPSI model offers a competitive approach in efficient portfolio selection, protecting the investor from systematic exposure. In the investors Free Will problem, the answer is that Logic is dynamic linearly but adjusting to the environment overrides new challenges of superior potentials than the linear series of events. It is consistent to the maximisation of utility and investors’ welfare.
The use of ICT in classrooms: The effect of the pandemic
Authors: Pérez Echeverría María del Puy , Cabellos Beatriz , Pozo Juan-Ignacio
Published: January 2025

Although various studies advocate for the integration of information and communication technologies in education, the forced digitization caused by the pandemic has yielded contradictory results on student learning. Conversely, research has shown that when students manage ICT, they achieve better learning outcomes but when teacher-centered approaches are employed, their effects on learning tend to be negative. Has the pandemic crisis served to promote or hinder the integration of ICT in classrooms? Have the uses of ICT changed? This article focuses on whether changes after the mandatory use of ICT in classrooms during the pandemic have favored the integration of digital technologies in classrooms. The analysis of these results has not only practical implications but also theoretical, since they allow us to test the influence of different variables on the change in teaching conceptions and practices. 731 primary and secondary Spanish teachers responded to a questionnaire investigating the frequency with which they used ICT in their classrooms, the type of use they made, and the learning outcomes they promoted. The results showed that teachers reported a higher use of ICT than in previous periods. Also, similar to studies before and during the pandemic, these results indicated a higher frequency of teacher-centered activities, mainly oriented towards the transmission of verbal content. However, this effect seems to have been moderated after the pandemic. There were, however, different teacher profiles reflecting different styles in the educational use of ICT. A critical variable for making student-centered use of ICT seems to be the frequency of use. Those teachers more familiar with ICT tended to make more complex and varied uses, suggesting that their inclusion in teacher training should be an essential step to promote the integration of ICT in classrooms.
Personalization capabilities of current technology chatbots in a learning environment: An analysis of student-tutor bot interactions
Authors: Looi Chee-Kit , Jia Fenglin
Published: January 2025

Since the advent of chatbots enabled by Generative AI such as ChatGPT, their application in the domain of education has been linked to promises of personalizing learning (PL). Through a study of conversational interactions of graduate students with such chatbots, this paper provides an empirical study of how current ChatGPT technologies can enable PL. We introduce a framework of levels of PL affordances enabled by the current state of ChatGPT technology. The case study uses multi-methods to analyze graduate student interactions with a ChatGPT tutor bot in discussions about the topic of educational reforms. Tutoring conversations of 51 students with the tutor bot are collected, and then analyzed to probe whether and how ChatGPT creates an individualized growth area for students, tailoring interactions to individual needs and supporting students to have a deeper understanding of the topic. This study contributes to the limited body of research on the evidence-based application of Generative AI to PL.
Assessing the speed of individual bacteria dispersing on mycelial networks
Authors: Buffi Matteo , Kuhn Thierry , Gonzalez Diego , Bindschedler Saskia , Chain Patrick S. , Richter Xiang-Yi Li , Junier Pilar
Published: January 2025

The movement of bacteria on the hyphae of fungi and other mycelial-forming organisms is an important process that determines their ability to actively disperse in water-unsaturated habitats. However, direct observation and characterization of bacterial cell movement on mycelial networks have been difficult to achieve. In this study, we developed a new method that uses high-speed video recording to track the dispersal of individual fluorescently tagged cells of two closely related strains of Pseudomonas putida (UWC1 and KT2440) over the mycelial network of the oomycete Pythium ultimum. We found high intra-population heterogeneity and between-population differences in dispersal speeds for the two bacterial strains. The fitting of the speed distribution functions led to the separation of speeds into two ranges (fast/slow) at an intersection of the fitted curves. In the lower speed range, the UWC1 strain dispersed faster, while the KT2440 strain moved faster in the higher speed range. This finding helps explain conflicting competition outcomes revealed in previous studies and suggests that population mean speed alone does not capture key aspects of bacterial dispersal in mycelial networks. Our new method opens the possibility of studying bacterial dispersal, competition, and other social interactions in spatially heterogeneous environments, such as soils.
Feature selection for high-dimensional data using a multivariate search space reduction strategy based scatter search
Authors: Garcia-Torres Miguel
Published: January 2025

In feature selection, the increasing of the dimensionality and the complexity of feature interactions make the problem challenging. Furthermore, searching for an optimal subset of features from a high-dimensional feature space is known to be an

$$\mathcal{N}\mathcal{P}$$

N
P

-hard problem. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the search algorithm, feature grouping has emerged as a way to reduce the search space by clustering features according to a measure. In this work we propose to reduce the search space by applying a greedy algorithm, called Multivariate Greedy Predominant Groups Generator (MGPGG). MGPGG extends the idea of the Greedy Predominant Groups Generator (GPGG) algorithm by taking into account feature interaction among three or more features. For this purpose, MGPGG uses the Multivariate Symmetrical Uncertainty (MSU) to group features that share information about the class label. We also propose a Scatter Search strategy that integrates MGPGG to find small subsets of features with high predictive power. The proposed algorithm, called Multivariate Predominant Group-based Scatter Search (MPGSS), is tested on high-dimensional data from biomedical and text-mining fields. The proposal is compared with state-of-the-art feature selection strategies. Results show that MPGSS is competitive since it is capable of finding small subsets of features while keeping high predictive classification models.
Left atrial shunting devices: why, what, how, and… when?
Authors: De Lorenzo Leila Anna , Baratto Claudia , Sala Davide , Perego Giovanni Battista , Caravita Sergio
Published: January 2025

Left atrial (LA) hypertension is central in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) in general and of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in particular. Despite approved treatments, a number of HF patients continue experiencing disabling symptoms due to LA hypertension, causing pulmonary congestion, pulmonary hypertension, and right heart dysfunction, at rest and/or during exercise. LA decompression therapies, i.e., left atrial shunting through a specifically designed device (either implant-based or implant-free), are being studied in various forms of HF to alleviate LA hypertension and patients’ symptoms. Despite a solid background and favorable signals from initial non-randomized clinical trials, the quest for the optimal HF candidate for interatrial shunt devices is still an area of active research that at the same time is helping to better elucidate the intricate pathophysiology of HF(pEF).
“When People Reach Out that is When They’re Desperate”: Understanding Informal and Formal Help-Seeking Practices for Gambling among Aboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Gupta Himanshu , Tari-Keresztes Noemi , Aanundsen David , Smith James A.
Published: January 2025

This study provides an in-depth qualitative exploration of Aboriginal peoples’ experiences with seeking help for gambling-related issues in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Through semi-structured interviews with 29 participants, including regular and occasional gamblers as well as those affected by others’ gambling, the research highlights key barriers to seeking formal help. These barriers included the normalisation of gambling within Aboriginal communities, denial of gambling problems, feelings of shame, privacy concerns, and a lack of trust in mainstream services. Additionally, past negative experiences with services, fear of judgment, and logistical challenges, such as long waiting times and transportation difficulties in remote areas, contributed to the low uptake of professional services. Instead, informal support from family and friends was occasionally sought, reflecting the collectivist nature of Aboriginal cultures. Participants also reported employing self-help strategies and offered practical suggestions for minimising gambling harm. This research underscores the complexity of gambling behaviours within Aboriginal communities and the cultural, social, and systemic factors that deter access to formal support services. It calls for the integration of Indigenous knowledge and practices into gambling prevention and intervention programs, which may improve the relevance and effectiveness of these strategies. By addressing both cultural norms and access barriers, such targeted approaches may reduce the need for reactive interventions and better support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people affected by gambling in the NT. To improve relevant policies and practices, we also consider these findings to contribute to the broader Indigenous-specific gambling prevention evidence-base contexts nationally and globally.
Development of Attention-based Prediction Models for All-cause Mortality, Home Care Need, and Nursing Home Admission in Ageing Adults in Spain Using Longitudinal Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Carrasco-Ribelles Lucía A. , Cabrera-Bean Margarita , Khalid Sara , Roso-Llorach Albert , Violán Concepción
Published: January 2025

Predicting health-related outcomes can help with proactive healthcare planning and resource management. This is especially important on the older population, an age group growing in the coming decades. Considering longitudinal rather than cross-sectional information from primary care electronic health records (EHRs) can contribute to more informed predictions. In this work, we developed prediction models using longitudinal EHRs to inform resource allocation. In this study, we developed deep-learning-based prognostic models to predict 1-year and 5-year all-cause mortality, nursing home admission, and home care need in people over 65 years old using all the longitudinal information from EHRs. The models included attention mechanisms to increase their transparency. EHRs were drawn from SIDIAP (primary care, Catalonia (Spain)) from 2010-2019. Performance on the test set was compared to that from baseline models using cross-sectional one-year history only. Data from 1,456,052 individuals over 65 years old were considered. Cohen’s kappa obtained using longitudinal data was 3.4-fold (1-year all-cause mortality), 10.3-fold (5-year all-cause mortality), 1.1-fold (5-year nursing home admission), and 1.2-fold (5-year home care need) higher than that obtained by the one-year history baseline models. Our models performed better than those not considering longitudinal data, especially when predicting further into the future. However, nursing home admission and home care need in the long term were harder to predict, suggesting their dependence on more abrupt changes. The attention maps helped to understand the predictions, enhancing model transparency. These prediction models can contribute to improve resource allocation in the general population of aging adults.
High-Level Moving Excursions for Spatiotemporal Gaussian Random Fields with Long Range Dependence
Authors: Leonenko Nikolai , Ruiz-Medina M. Dolores
Published: January 2025

The asymptotic behavior of an extended family of integral geometric random functionals, including spatiotemporal Minkowski functionals under moving levels, is analyzed in this paper. Specifically, sojourn measures of spatiotemporal long-range dependence (LRD) Gaussian random fields are considered in this analysis. The limit results derived provide general reduction principles under increasing domain asymptotics in space and time. The case of time-varying thresholds is also studied. Thus, the family of morphological measures considered allows the statistical and geometrical analysis of random physical systems displaying structural changes over time. Motivated by cosmological applications, the derived results are applied to the context of sojourn measures of spatiotemporal spherical Gaussian random fields. The results are illustrated for some families of spatiotemporal Gaussian random fields displaying complex spatiotemporal dependence structures.
Plasticity and neoplasticity in Malabou's the future of Hegel: addressing the concept’s ambiguity
Authors: Quiñonez Omar
Published: January 2025

The influence of Catherine Malabou’s concept of plasticity has grown considerably. However, recent commentaries increasingly trace disagreements in the literature to Malabou’s own ambiguous uses of the concept. This paper weaves together these criticisms and places them in the Hegelian context out of which Malabou developed her views. Plasticity is Malabou’s argument for reimagining Hegel’s Aufhebung as a non-teleological view of change in which the “suppleness” of material plays an important role. As presented in The Future of Hegel, Malabou lays out her view of plasticity through the very Hegelian process of aufheben she is actively rethinking. Original lessons about change drawn from examples of material transformation are developed into an ontology of “becoming.” I argue that the charge of ambiguity in the literature stems from the lack of appreciation of this move from limited examples to novel ontology, something Malabou later acknowledged. I suggest distinguishing between plasticity and what I call “neoplasticity.” The former refers to concrete examples of material change, inspired by the plastic arts, in which the role of material suppleness is explicit. The latter refers to cases of transformation in which the role of malleability in the process of change is implicit and requires being considered in light of her ontology of non-teleological change.
Restoration and reactivation approaches in computer music and time-based media art
Authors: Russo Alessandro , Fiordelmondo Alessandro , Franceschini Andrea , Canazza Sergio
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the work carried out by the Centro di Sonologia Computazionale (CSC) of the University of Padua, regarding the reactivation and preservation of time-based media artworks, including computer music, live electronics, performances, and multimedia art installations. During the last few years, the CSC has been developing a specific approach for archiving, documenting, and reactivating time-based media artworks, which led to the definition of the Multilevel Dynamic Preservation (MDP) model. Through in-depth analysis, various approaches are examined in the reactivation of several case studies, including digitisation, restoration, migration, and virtualisation of the artworks. The selected case studies involve various forms of art expression, such as video art, computer music, expanded cinema, and interactive performance. This contribution offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges encountered in the process of reactivating and preserving multimedia art, investigating the possible solutions offered by new technologies in preserving, digitising and virtualizing some of its forms, such as multimedia installations, expanded cinema, and video art performances.
Induced Orthogonality in Semilattices with 0 and in Pseudocomplemented Lattices and Posets
Authors: Chajda Ivan , Kolařík Miroslav , Länger Helmut
Published: January 2025

On an arbitrary meet-semilattice

$$\textbf{S}=(S,\wedge ,0)$$

S
=
(
S
,
∧
,
0
)

with 0 we define an orthogonality relation and investigate the lattice

$${{\,\mathrm{{\textbf {Cl}}}\,}}({\textbf {S}})$$

Cl

(
S
)

of all subsets of S closed under this orthogonality. We show that if

$$\textbf{S}$$

S

is atomic then

$${{\,\mathrm{{\textbf {Cl}}}\,}}(\textbf{S})$$

Cl

(
S
)

is a complete atomic Boolean algebra. If

$$\textbf{S}$$

S

is a pseudocomplemented lattice, this orthogonality relation can be defined by means of the pseudocomplementation. Finally, we show that if

$$\textbf{S}$$

S

is a complete pseudocomplemented lattice then

$${{\,\mathrm{{\textbf {Cl}}}\,}}(\textbf{S})$$

Cl

(
S
)

is a complete Boolean algebra. For pseudocomplemented posets a similar result holds if the subset of pseudocomplements forms a complete lattice satisfying a certain compatibility condition.
Sheehan syndrome: a current approach to a dormant disease
Authors: Karaca Zuleyha , Kelestimur Fahrettin
Published: January 2025

Sheehan syndrome (SS) is postpartum pituitary necrosis leading to severe hypopituitarism. Severe bleeding during delivery and postpartum period results in ischemic necrosis of the enlarged pituitary gland during pregnancy. The improved obstetrical care decreased the incidence of SS significantly, however SS should always be kept in mind in the etiologies of hypopitutarism in women which can be easily recognized by medical history of the patient. The nonspecific signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism result in significant delay in diagnosis and treatment. The diagnostic delay makes the patients to expose hypopituitarism without essential replacement therapies leading to increased morbidity and mortality of the patients. Awareness of physicians about SS is critical for the diagnosis of the disease. In this review, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and treatment of SS are discussed in the light of recent studies.