bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between diet quality and risk of stunting among school-aged children in Schistosoma mansoni endemic area of western Kenya: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kishino Madoka , Hida Azumi , Chadeka Evans A. , Inoue Manabu , Osada-Oka Mayuko , Matsumoto Sohkichi , Njenga Sammy M. , Hamano Shinjiro , Nagi Sachiyo
Published: January 2024

Background

Healthy eating habits are essential for improving nutritional status and strengthening immunity against infectious diseases. This study examined the relationship between diet quality and stunting in school-aged children in an infectious disease-endemic area of western Kenya.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 260 school-aged children (age 9–17 years) enrolled in primary schools in Mbita Sub-county, western Kenya. The nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. Dietary intake was measured using food frequency questionnaires and evaluated using the Food Pyramid (FP) score, which indicates adherence to the Kenyan food-based dietary guideline. Information on the children’s age, sex, maternal education, and household wealth index was collected using a household-based questionnaire. Infections with the predominant parasites, such as Schistosoma (S.) mansoni, were detected via microscopy. The trend associations of the FP score with food group intake were examined to characterize the dietary intake of this population. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between stunting and FP score tertiles, adjusted for sociodemographic and economic indicators and parasitic infection status.

Results

Among the studied schoolchildren, 15.0% exhibited stunting, while 76.2% were infected with S. mansoni. The mean FP score was 25.6 out of 50 points. A higher FP score was characterized by a high intake of roots and tubers, dairy products, pulses, and fruits and a low intake of cereals and animal-source foods. The analysis revealed a trend: a lower risk of stunting was evident in groups with elevated FP scores (p for trend = 0.065). However, these trend associations were observable among subjects with either negative or light S. mansoni infection (p for trend = 0.016).

Conclusions

A higher quality diet, as evaluated by FP scores, was associated with a low risk of stunting among school-aged children. Notably, this association seemed to weaken in the presence of a high burden of S. mansoni infection. It highlights the importance of enhancing dietary quality through the promotion of diverse nutrient-dense foods alongside effective S. mansoni infection control for improved growth. This study contributes fundamental knowledge for understanding the diet–malnutrition relationship in areas endemic for S. mansoni infection.
Value of computed tomography-based lipiodol retention pattern in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma complete response following conventional transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Sweed Enas M. , Moustafa Maha S. , Shafei Ashraf S. , Kamal Tamer A. , Abdlelatif Wessam M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) has emerged as a major treatment modality for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Efforts have recently been made to identify biomarkers of HCCs that can potentially predict the response of lesions to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy. The goal of these efforts is to simplify the decision-making process on whether a patient should choose cTACE or pursue other treatment options. Among these, computed tomography (CT) based lipiodol retention analysis has shown promise in providing valuable insights into post-TACE outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the value of CT-based lipiodol retention pattern in predicting recurrence after a state of complete response (CR) according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) guideline post-cTACE.

Methods

From January 2022 to June 2023, a cohort of 30 patients with 40 HCCs who received a primary cTACE session were identified. The study included patients who underwent 1st cTACE session with no more than three HCCs. Ten HCC lesions were eliminated owing to different reasons (illustrated in the flow chart). Tumor response was evaluated based on mRECIST on 1st follow-up CT with a particular focus on tumors demonstrating a complete response. Patterns of lipiodol retention within these tumors were categorized as complete lipiodol retention pattern (C-Lip), covering the whole tumor, or incomplete lipiodol retention pattern (I-Lip). Recurrence was defined when reappearance of enhancement on arterial-phase images of the treated lesion with subsequent washout on portal/delayed phase images occurred corresponding to findings of restricted diffusion on follow-ups DCE-MRI.

Results

A total of 30 HCCs with a CR were classified into 21 (70%) with C-Lip and 9 (30%) with I-Lip. After a median follow-up of 6.00 ± 2.27 months (3–9 months), 8/9 (88.9%) I-Lip and 5/21 (23.8%) C-Lip showed recurrence on follow-up (DCE-MRI), (p < 0.01), with no significant difference in the time of progression (mean 5.57 ± 2.69 for C-Lip vs. 6.00 ± 2.27 months for I-Lip, with (p < 0.5).

Conclusions

HCCs exhibit complete lipiodol retention alongside mRECIST CR possess a reduced susceptibility of recurrence, thereby potentially benefiting from MRI during subsequent evaluations. Conversely, the presence of incomplete lipiodol retention in conjunction with mRECIST CR is an indication of a high risk of recurrence and may require further treatment.
Expression of PD-L1 clones (22C3 and 28-8) in hepatocellular carcinoma: a tertiary cancer care hospital experience
Authors: Asghar Kashif , Bashir Shaarif , Hassan Muhammad , Farooq Asim , Bakar Muhammad Abu , Bilal Sundus , Hameed Maryam , Mehmood Shafqat , Loya Asif
Published: January 2024

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive and rapidly progressing form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Recent advances in the management of HCC focused on the novel immunotherapeutic modalities for patients with advanced disease. PD-L1 has emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic approach for HCC. The evaluation of PD-L1 expression aids in identifying patients who can derive maximum benefits from these therapies. This study aims to examine and compare the expression of PD-L1 using two clones (22C3 and 28-8) in HCC patients.

Methods

Forty-six patients with HCC were selected between 2005 and 2022 from the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) in Lahore, Pakistan. The patients' formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were retrieved from the department of pathology to conduct immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, the clinicopathological data of these patients were gathered from the hospital information system (HIS). To assess the relationship between variables, bivariate analysis was carried out using either the chi-square test or Fisher exact test when necessary.

Results

Among the 46 tissue specimens analyzed, the presence of clone 22C3 was detected in 20 HCC patients, with 10 patients showing high expression (21.7%) and another 10 patients showing low expression (21.7%). 22C3 expression was not observed in 26 patients (56.5%). On the other hand, clone 28-8 was expressed in 10 patients, all of whom exhibited low expression (21.7%), while no expression of clone 28-8 was observed in 36 patients (78.3%). An association was found between the expression of 22C3 and 28-8 PD-L1 clones (p-value 0.01). Furthermore, upon closer examination, it was revealed that 12 cases exhibited positive results for 22C3 but negative results for 28-8. Interestingly, two cases displayed positive results for 28-8 but negative results for 22C3.

Conclusion

We obserevd that the PD-L1 clones, 22C3 and 28-8, are comparable. If PD-L1 expression using 22C3 is negative, considering the use of 28-8 for evaluating expression in HCC patients may be beneficial. However, further validation in a larger cohort is necessary.
Simple and Complex Wheel Running Effect on Depression, Memory, Neuroinflammation, and Neurogenesis in Alzheimer’s Rat Model
Authors: TALEBI VAHID , ALAMDARI KARIM AZALI , PATEL DARPAN I.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate 12 wk of simple and complex voluntary wheel running on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), associated biomarkers, and behaviors.

Methods

Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: healthy control (Con-Sed), AD only (AD-Sed), simple wheel control (SWC), complex wheel control (CWC), simple wheel AD (SWAD), and complex wheel AD (CWAD). Novelty-suppressed feeding test and the Morris water maze test were used to evaluate depression and memory, respectively. Ki67 was measured in the hippocampus, whereas interleukin (IL)-1β and neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2) were measured in both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test was performed.

Results

AD-Sed group had significantly lower spacial memory (P < 0.001) compared with Con-Sed. Simple and complex wheel running attenuated these deficits in the SWAD and CWAD groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Only the CWAD group had significantly improved novelty-suppressed feeding test time compared with AD-Sed (P < 0.001), equivalent to the healthy wheel running groups. AD-Sed has significantly higher hippocampal concentrations of Ki67 (P = 0.01) compared with the Con-Sed. Both SWAD and CWAD had significantly reduced Ki67 with similar concentrations compared with the SWC and CWC groups (P > 0.05). AD-Sed animals also presented with significantly higher hippocampal and prefrontal cortex concentrations of IL-1β compared with Con-Sed (P < 0.001). SWAD and CWAD had no effect in changing these concentrations. Complex wheel running significantly increased NG2 in the healthy control and AD models, whereas simple wheel running significantly increased NG2 in the AD model.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that complex wheel running might be more advantageous in promoting memory and neuroplasticity while reducing depression that is associated with AD.
A wean-wean situation
Authors: Γκανιάτσου Ελισσάβετ
Published: January 2024

Ο θηλασμός και ο απογαλακτισμός είναι ζωτικές διαδικασίες στην ανθρώπινη βιολογία και τον πολιτισμό, με σημαντικές επιπτώσεις για την εξέλιξη του ανθρώπου. Οι σύγχρονες μέθοδοι της Βιολογικής Ανθρωπολογίας επιτρέπουν την εκτίμηση της διάρκειας του απογαλακτισμού σε αρχαίες κοινωνίες μέσω της χημικής ανάλυσης σκελετικών καταλοίπων. Ωστόσο, γνωρίζουμε ελάχιστα για το πώς αυτές οι διαδικασίες έχουν διαμορφωθεί υπό την επίδραση κοινωνο-πολιτισμικών παραγόντων σε διαφορετικές ιστορικές περιόδους. Η διατριβή στοχεύει στην έρευνα του θηλασμού και του απογαλακτισμού σε συνδυασμό με τη διατροφή κατά την ενήλικη ζωή σε πληθυσμούς που έζησαν κατά την αρχαιότητα. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, αναλύθηκαν 281 σκελετοί ατόμων που έζησαν στην αρχαία Θεσσαλονίκη, μια αστική θέση με πολυπολιτισμική αίγλη και συνεχόμενη κατοίκηση για πάνω από 18 αιώνες. Η ανασύσταση της δίαιτας κατά την βρεφική, παιδική και ενήλικη ζωή πραγματοποιήθηκε μέσω της ανάλυσης σταθερών ισοτόπων σε κολλαγόνο οστών και δοντιών (ανάλυση οδοντίνης). Η χρονική διάρκεια του απογαλακτισμού εκτιμήθηκε με πρωτότυπη μαθηματική μέθοδο, που αναπτύχθηκε για αυτόν τον σκοπό. Το φυσιολογικό στρες (physiological stress) εξετάστηκε μέσω του αλγορίθμου μηχανικής μάθησης k-means. Τα συστατικά της διατροφής κατά τον απογαλακτισμό και την ενήλικη ζωή και η αναλογία τους υπολογίστηκαν μέσω Μπαγεσιανής μοντελοποίησης. Συνολικά, παράχθηκαν πάνω από 1800 δείγματα κολλαγόνου από άτομα, τα οποία χρονολογούνται από την ίδρυση της πόλης της Θεσσαλονίκης (315 π.Χ.) μέχρι τον 16ο αιώνα μ.Χ., κυρίως στη ρωμαϊκή περίοδο (168-324 μ.Χ.). Ο τελικός πληθυσμός μελέτης περιλαμβάνει 792 μετρήσεις αζώτου (δ15Ν) και άνθρακα (δ13C) από κολλαγόνο δοντιών που αντιστοιχούν στα πρώτα έξι-επτά χρόνια ζωής 68 ατόμων. Επιπλέον, ο πληθυσμός μελέτης περιλαμβάνει 151 μετρήσεις αζώτου (δ15Ν) και άνθρακα (δ13C) και 131 μετρήσεις θείου (δ34S) από κολλαγόνο οστών, που αντιστοιχούν στην διατροφή 151 και 131 ενηλίκων ατόμων, αντίστοιχα. Συνολικά, η διατριβή περιλαμβάνει ένα από τα πιο εκτεταμένα σύνολα ισοτοπικών δεδομένων στην Ελλάδα. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα, ο απογαλακτισμός στην αρχαία Θεσσαλονίκη ολοκληρωνόταν κατά μέσο όρο στα 2,0-2,5 έτη, ενώ εντοπίστηκαν και περιπτώσεις ατόμων με μικρότερη (>1 έτους) και μεγαλύτερη (<3,0 χρόνια) διάρκεια απογαλακτισμού. Περίπου το 1/3 του συνολικού πληθυσμού παρουσίασε ενδείξεις φυσιολογικού στρες. Το δεδομένο αυτό συμπίπτει με τα αποτελέσματα της μοντελοποίησης, που έδειξε ιδιαίτερα χαμηλά ποσοστά μητρικού γάλακτος κατά τη διάρκεια του απογαλακτισμού. Οι ενήλικες κατανάλωναν κυρίως φυτά C3, ψάρια και λιγότερη ζωική πρωτεΐνη. Η ανάλυση θείου έδειξε ότι τα ψάρια ήταν κυρίως γλυκού νερού, προσθέτοντας νέες πληροφορίες για την εκμετάλλευση των πόρων σε αρχαία αστικά κέντρα. Η διατριβή χρησιμοποιεί πρωτοποριακές υπολογιστικές μεθόδους και προσφέρει νέα δεδομένα σχετικά με τον θηλασμό και τον απογαλακτισμό σε αρχαίες κοινωνίες.
Αυτοματοποιημένη λήψη ατομικών αποφάσεων και κατάρτιση προφίλ υπό το πρίσμα του νέου Κανονισμού (ΕΕ) 2016/679
Authors: Παπαστεργίου Στεργιανή-Αθανασία
Published: January 2024

Η εκθετικά αυξανόμενη χρήση των αλγορίθμων και των προηγμένων μεθόδων τεχνητής νοημοσύνης στις διαδικασίες λήψης ατομικών αποφάσεων, πέραν των αναμφίβολων ωφελειών που προσφέρει στη σύγχρονη κοινωνία, δημιουργεί σοβαρές προκλήσεις και έντονες ανησυχίες για την προστασία των προσωπικών δεδομένων και των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και ελευθεριών των φυσικών προσώπων. Συχνά, τα αυτοματοποιημένα συστήματα λήψης αποφάσεων χαρακτηρίζονται από αδιαφανείς διαδικασίες και αδικαιολόγητες διακρίσεις, ανακρίβειες και διαιώνιση στερεοτύπων. Προκειμένου να αντιμετωπιστούν οι ολοένα αυξανόμενοι κίνδυνοι, ο Γενικός Κανονισμός Προστασίας Προσωπικών Δεδομένων ΕΕ 2016/679 εισήγαγε με συνεκτικό και άμεσο τρόπο κανονιστικές προβλέψεις που ρυθμίζουν την αυτοματοποιημένη λήψη ατομικών αποφάσεων, με στόχο τη διασφάλιση υψηλότερου επιπέδου προστασίας των φυσικών προσώπων. Η παρούσα διατριβή καταγράφει και αναλύει την έννομη προστασία των φυσικών προσώπων έναντι της αυτοματοποιημένης λήψης ατομικών αποφάσεων, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της κατάρτισης προφίλ, κυρίως υπό το πρίσμα του Γενικού Κανονισμού Προστασίας Δεδομένων. Συγκεκριμένα, εξετάζει το σύνολο του κανονιστικού πλέγματος προστασίας των ατόμων το οποίο διέπει την αυτοματοποιημένη λήψη αποφάσεων, εστιάζοντας τόσο στις ειδικές διατάξεις σχετικά με την ιδιαίτερη μορφή της αποκλειστικά αυτοματοποιημένης λήψης αποφάσεων κατ’ άρθρο 22 ΓΚΠΔ, όσο και στις γενικές προβλέψεις του Κανονισμού που τυγχάνουν εφαρμογής σε κάθε είδους αυτοματοποιημένη λήψη αποφάσεων. Στόχος της διατριβής είναι η διερεύνηση της αποτελεσματικότητας και επάρκειας της παρεχόμενης προστασίας και η ανάδειξη τυχόν ευπαθειών, ελλείψεων και αστοχιών των επίμαχων προβλέψεων του Κανονισμού που δύνανται να περιορίσουν την προστασία του ατόμου. Τέλος, η παρούσα καταλήγει σε συμπερασματικές σκέψεις αναφορικά με την ενίσχυση της προστασίας των ατόμων έναντι της ιδιάζουσας αυτής επεξεργασίας και φιλοδοξεί να αποτελέσει έναυσμα και απαρχή συζητήσεων για την αποτελεσματική αντιμετώπιση των κινδύνων που αυτή ελλοχεύει.
Application of machine learning and computational methods in the prediction of cardiovascular remodeling
Authors: Αγγελάκη Ελένη
Published: January 2024

Η μηχανική μάθηση (ΜΜ) είναι ένας γοργά αναπτυσσόμενος τομέας που πιθανόν να αλλάξει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο ασκούμε την καρδιολογική ιατρική, προσφέροντας νέα εργαλεία για την ερμηνεία των δεδομένων και τη λήψη αποφάσεων. Οι ψηφιακές εικόνες και τα βιοσήματα της καρδιάς δεν μπορουν να αναλυθούν με τις παραδοσιακές στατιστικές μεθόδους και χρειάζονται εφαρμογές της ΜΜ. Σε αυτήν την εργασία δείχνουμε ότι οι ταξινομητές ΜΜ που εκπαιδεύονται χρησιμοποιώντας ανθρωπομετρικά χαρακτηριστικά και χαρακτηριστικά που προέρχονται από το ηλεκτροκαρδιογράφημα (ΗΚΓ), μπορούν: (α) να ανιχνεύσουν την ανώμαλη γεωμετρίατης αριστερής κοιλίας, ακόμη και πριν την εμφάνιση υπερτροφίας της αριστερής κοιλίας, (β) να ανιχνεύσουν την υπέρταση σε πληθυσμούς χωρίς καρδιαγγειακή νόσο, χρησιμοποιώντας χαρακτηριστικά που προέρχονται από το ΗΚΓ 12 απαγωγών, και (γ) να ανιχνεύσουν την υπέρταση σε πληθυσμούς χωρίς καρδιαγγειακή νόσο, από το ΗΚΓ της μίας απαγωγής. Στην τελευταία περίπτωση, οι ταξινομητές θα μπορούσαν να είναι χρήσιμοι για την ευαισθητοποίηση ατόμων με αδιάγνωστη υπέρταση. Στη συνέχεια, παρουσιάζουμε μια υπολογιστική μέθοδο για την προσομοίωση της διάδοσης του δυναμικού ενέργειας χρησιμοποιώντας το μοντέλο Fenton- Karma σε καρδιακά κύτταρα με χωρικά ανισότροπο συντελεστή διάχυσης.
Particle acceleration using a high intensity laser facility and the role of gas dynamics
Authors: Ανδριανάκη Γεωργία
Published: January 2024

Η επιτάχυνση σωματιδίων με τη χρήση ενός υπερ-ισχυρού λέιζερ εξετάζεται σε αυτή τη διατριβή. Όταν ένα υπέρ-ισχυρό λέιζερ, με πολύ μικρή διάρκεια παλμού εστιάζεται σε συνθήκες κενού σε ένα πίδακα αερίου, τότε ο μηχανισμός Laser WakeField Acceleration (LWFA) λαμβάνει χώρα και ηλεκτρόνια επιταχύνονται στην κατεύθυνση διάδοσης του λέιζερ, φτάνοντας ενέργειες εκατοντάδων MeV. Ταυτόχρονα, καθώς τα ηλεκτρόνια ταλαντώνονται, εκπέμπουν φωτόνια στην περιοχή ακτίνων-χ, μια ακτινοβολία γνωστή ως Βήτατρον. Ο ρόλος του αερίου στους 2 παραπάνω μηχανισμούς είναι σημαντικός. Στα πλαίσια αυτής της διατριβής σχεδιάστηκαν και κατασκευάστηκαν ακροφύσια για να διαμορφώσουν τη ροή του αερίου κατά τη διεξαγωγή του πειράματος. Ο σχεδιασμός έγινε με βάση υδροδυναμικές προσομοιώσεις. Τα ακροφύσια κατασκευάστηκαν με τη μέθοδο 3διάστατης εκτύπωσης και αξιολογήθηκαν με τη μέθοδο της συμβολομετρίας. Στη συνέχεια κάποια από αυτά χρησιμοποιήθηκαν σε πειράματα για την επιτάχυνση σωματιδίων.
Seismic event relocation
Authors: Πίκουλης Ερίον
Published: January 2024

Ο επαναπροσδιορισμός των υποκεντρικών παραμέτρων σεισμικών γεγονότων εκμεταλλεύεται τις ιδιαιτερότητες των όμοιων (δηλαδή, κοντινών) σεισμικών γεγονότων ώστε να ελαχιστοποιήσει την επίδραση των σφαλμάτων του μοντέλου ταχυτήτων στην εκτίμηση των υποκεντρικών παραμέτρων. Η αβεβαιότητα των εκτιμήσεων που λαμβάνονται από τη διαδικασία επανεντοπισμού είναι τυπικά τάξεις μεγέθους μικρότερη από την αβεβαιότητα που έχουν οι εκτιμήσεις των συμβατικών τεχνικών εντοπισμού. Ο επαναπροσδιορισμός των υποκεντρικών παραμέτρων είναι μια σύνθετη διαδικασία που μπορεί να αναλυθεί σε τρία βασικά βήματα. Το πρώτο βήμα αφορά στην εξέταση του διαθέσιμου συνόλου σεισμικών καταγραφών για την αναγνώριση των ομάδων από όμοια γεγονότα. Αυτό το βήμα αναλύεται περαιτέρω σε υπο-εργασίες που αφορούν την ανίχνευση σεισμικών γεγονότων από τις συνεχείς καταγραφές, την ποσοτικοποίηση της ομοιότητας για κάθε ζεύγος γεγονότων, και τη συσταδοποίηση των όμοιων γεγονότων. Το δεύτερο βήμα της διαδικασίας επαναπροσδιορισμου ασχολείται με την εκτίμηση των διαφορών στους χρόνους διάδοσης των κυμάτων ανάμεσα σε ζεύγη γεγονότων της ίδιας συστάδας. Τέλος, στο τρίτο βήμα περιέχει την επίλυση του προβλήματος αντιστροφής για την εκτίμηση των σχετικών θέσεων που ανταποκρίνονται καλύτερα στις χρονικές διαφορές που εκτιμήθηκαν στο δεύτερο βήμα. Οι κύριες συνεισφορές της παρούσας διατριβής συνοψίζονται ως εξής: Ανίχνευση γεγονότος και εκτίμηση χρόνου άφιξης. Στην παρούσα διατριβή αντιμετωπίζουμε το πρόβλημα ανίχνευσης ως πρόβλημα κατάτμησης της καταγραφής, εκμεταλλευόμενοι την ιδιαίτερη φύση των σεισμικών σημάτων, καθώς και ορισμένες πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες ιδιότητες των εναλλάξιμων τυχαίων μεταβλητών. Ακολουθώντας αυτήν την προσέγγιση επιτυγχάνουμε όχι μόνο την ανίχνευση ενός γεγονότος, αλλά και την αναγνώριση ολόκληρου του διαστήματος που καταλαμβάνει το ανιχνευόμενο σήμα, ενώ ταυτόχρονα ελαχιστοποιούμε το πλήθος των απαιτούμενων παραμέτρων. Επιπλέον, προτείνουμε μια ελεγχοσυνάρτηση βασισμένη σε λόγο για την ανάδειξη των στιγμών αλλαγής στην είσοδό της. Εκμετάλλευση της ομοιότητας για τη βελτίωση του σήματος. Προτείνουμε μια νέα τεχνική βελτίωσης σήματος που βασίζεται στην έμφυτη ομοιότητα που απαντάται στα σήματα διάφορων συνόλων σεισμικών δεδομένων. Η βελτίωση του σήματος προκύπτει από την επίλυση ενός καλώς-ορισμένου προβλήματος βελτιστοποίησης. Η χρήση των βελτιωμένων εκδόσεων των αρχικών σημάτων, μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε σημαντική βελτίωση των αποτελεσμάτων που λαμβάνονται σε διάφορες σεισμολογικές εφαρμογές, όπως η εκτίμηση του χρόνου άφιξης ή η τεχνική της οπισθοπροβολής. Συσταδοποίηση δεδομένων. Προτείνουμε μια επαναληπτική τεχνική συσταδοποίησης, βασισμένη σε γράφους. Η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος παρουσιάζει τρία σημαντικά πλεονεκτήματα σε σύγκριση με άλλες συμβατικές τεχνικές. Καταρχήν, δεν ζητείται εκ των προτέρων γνώση για το πλήθος των συστάδων. Επιπλέον, η απόδοσή της είναι ανεξάρτητη της κατανομής μεγεθών των συστάδων. Τέλος, η επιθυμητή συσταδοποίηση επιτυγχάνεται χωρίς τη χρήση κατωφλίου.
The mind online: Can digital technologies affect how we think?
Authors: Roussos Petros
Published: January 2024

The internet and its applications have changed how we seek, process and share information. The paper addresses the question of how the digital expansion of the mind can affect cognition and has two key aims: The first is to explore whether and how our cognitive processes differ when we are online and when offline. The second is to focus on the impact of digital technologies on human attention, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. We attempt to explain and discuss phenomena, such as multitasking and task switching, use of the internet to support and extend our memory, the development and use of a variety of heuristic-based strategies to search for information online, and making judgements about the credibility of information, among others.
Helicobacter pylori prevalence in Indonesia: Higher infection risk in Eastern region population
Authors: Maulahela Hasan , Doohan Dalla , Rezkhita Yudith Annisa Ayu , Syam Ari Fahrial , Waskito Langgeng Agung , Savitri Camilia Metadea Aji , Richardo Marselino , Rahman Abdul , Namara Yoma Sari , Shatri Hamzah , Sanityoso Andri , Siregar Gontar Alamsyah , Sudarmo Eko , Uchida Tomohisa , Vilaichone Ratha-korn , Yamaoka Yoshio , Miftahussurur Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection status in Indonesia might be higher than the actual prevalence. A comprehensive epidemiologic study is necessary to explore infection susceptibility by demographic characteristics, especially between Indonesia’s Eastern and Western regions. Methods We included our recent survey and data from our previous studies with 1,172 endoscopic examinations from 19 cities throughout Indonesia from January 2014 to March 2017. H. pylori infection was diagnosed based on a combination of four different tests. Using a criterion of one positive result between four tests, we found that 190 subjects (190/1,158; 16.4%) were H. pylori positive. A total of 939 subjects who has complete data were analyzed for risk factors of H. pylori infection. Results Prevalence was slightly higher in the Eastern region compared with the Western region of Indonesia (79/277; 59.4% vs. 54/529; 40.6%). Living in the Eastern region imposes a higher risk of infection (OR 5.33, 95%CI 1.17–24.26). Timor ethnicity had the highest prevalence (15/28; 53.6%), followed by Buginese ethnicity (21/74; 28.4%), and Papuan ethnicity (18/64; 28.1%) in the Eastern region. As an ethnicity with a high prevalence (37/109; 33.9%), Batak was an outlier among the low prevalence areas in the Western region. In general, age, living in the Eastern region, Batak ethnicity, Protestant, Catholic, and alcohol drinking were independent risk factors associated with H. pylori infection in Indonesia (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02–1.05; OR 5.33, 95%CI 1.17–24.26; OR 5.89, 95%CI 1.58–21.94; OR 5.47, 95%CI 2.16–13.86; OR 5.05, 95%CI 1.43–17.80; OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.14–4.61, respectively). Conclusions Several ethnicities and habits were concluded to increase the risk of infection as the interaction of host, agent, and environment is inseparable in affecting disease susceptibility.
Academic publisher guidelines on AI usage: A ChatGPT supported thematic analysis
Authors: Perkins Mike , Roe Jasper
Published: January 2024

Background As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI (GenAI) have become more common in academic settings, it is necessary to examine how these tools interact with issues of authorship, academic integrity, and research methodologies. The current landscape lacks cohesive policies and guidelines for regulating AI’s role in academic research which has prompted discussions among publishers, authors, and institutions. Methods This study employs inductive thematic analysis to explore publisher policies regarding AI-assisted authorship and academic work. Our methods involved a two-fold analysis using both AI-assisted and traditional unassisted techniques to examine the available policies from leading academic publishers and other publishing or academic entities. The framework was designed to offer multiple perspectives, harnessing the strengths of AI for pattern recognition while leveraging human expertise for nuanced interpretation. The results of these two analyses are combined to form the final themes. Results Our findings indicate six overall themes, three of which were independently identified in both the AI-assisted and unassisted, manual analysis using common software tools. A broad consensus appears among publishers that human authorship remains paramount and that the use of GenAI tools is permissible but must be disclosed. However, GenAI tools are increasingly acknowledged for their supportive roles, including text generation and data analysis. The study also discusses the inherent limitations and biases of AI-assisted analysis, necessitating rigorous scrutiny by authors, reviewers, and editors. Conclusions There is a growing recognition of AI’s role as a valuable auxiliary tool in academic research, but one that comes with caveats pertaining to integrity, accountability, and interpretive limitations. This study used a novel analysis supported by GenAI tools to identify themes emerging in the policy landscape, underscoring the need for an informed, flexible approach to policy formulation that can adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technologies.
Variants of plasma lipoprotein profile in persons with maladaptation
Authors: Barylyak Liliya , Tsymbryla Volodymyr , Zukow Walery , Popovych Igor
Published: January 2024

Introduction and aim. Atherogenic lipoprotein profile of plasma is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. It is characterized by high ratio of logarithm of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Ch) called as “atherogenic index of plasma” (AIP). AIP reflect the actual composition of the lipoprotein spectrum and thus predict both the cardiovascular risk and effectiveness of therapy. This article initiates the project "Relationships between plasma lipoprotein profile and neuroendocrine-immune complex parameters and the influence on them of the factors of the Truskavets’ spa". The first goal is the formation of homogeneous cluster groups.
Material and methods. The object of observation were 41 volunteers: 20 women aged 30-76 years and 21 men aged 24-69 years without clinical diagnose but with dysfunction of neuroendocrine-immune complex and metabolism, characteristic for maladaptation. We estimated lipoprotein profile of plasma: total cholesterol level and its content in composition of HDL, VLDL and LDL. Based on them, two AIPs were calculated: TG/HDL-Ch named as Dobiásová&Frohlich as well as previously widely used Klimov’s AIP as ratio (VLDLCh + LDLCh)/HDLCh.
Results. Using the method of cluster analysis, the sample was divided into 5 homogeneous groups, different from each other. It was found that 11 members of the V cluster, the oldest in the sample, exclusively women, had the maximum for sampling increased total Cholesterol, HDL-Ch and Triglycerides levels. At the opposite pole localized 11 members of I cluster, the youngest in the sample, in whom the levels of listed variables as well as LDLCh and Dobiásová&Frohlich AIP was decreased and gender representation was almost the same. The intermediate positions of the members of the other three clusters reflect, as a rule, the intermediate levels of the listed variables. A characteristic feature of 7 members of IV cluster was the maximally increased levels of both Dobiásová&Frohlich’s and Klimov’s AIP. The age and sex together determines Dobiásová&Frohlich’s AIP on 34%. Overall classification accuracy by 6 discriminant variables is 96,3%.
Conclusion. The plasma lipoprotein profile of persons with maladaptation is characterized by a wide range of values, from increased to decreased. This should be kept in mind during the next study of its connections with the parameters of the neuroendocrine-immune complex.
Immanuel Kant's philosophy and the reconstruction of Polish philosophy at the turn of the 20th century
Authors: Kuliniak Radosław
Published: January 2024

The revival of Polish philosophy, after more than a century of partitions, took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. At that time, thanks to Wincenty Lutosławski, a correspondent at Kant-Studien, a stimulus was given to the fossilised and dispersed Polish philosophical community. The necessary reforms were spearheaded by Henryk Struve, Władysław Weryho, and Kazimierz Twarddowski. They became animators of philosophical life, establishing Przegląd Filozoficzny, the Polish Philosophical Society in Lviv and prompting the first Polish translations of Kant’s works. Through them, the reforms initiated deepened throughout the period up to the restoration of independence and later in free Poland. Kant’s philosophy became one of the pillars of these reforms. Thanks to them, a new kind of philosophical thinking took shape in Poland, marked by Kantian criticism.
Dziedzictwo: Jerzy Leszek Batko
Authors: Huzarska-Szumiec Magda
Published: January 2024

Stary, murowany dom we wsi Ochojno jest otoczony przez ogród z wypielęgnowanymi rabatami, rzucającymi cień drzewami i alejkami, które prowadzą do sielskiego oczka wodnego. Wkomponowany w piękny pejzaż budynek robi wrażenie nie tylko z zewnątrz. Do środka przyciąga ciepło gospodarzy, zapach szarlotki i ciasta z powidłami, a także wystrój pokoi, pamiętających niegdysiejsze czasy. Zawieszone na ścianach obrazy i fotografie przedstawiające przodków komponują się z twórczością współczesnych malarzy, którzy wystawiają swoje dzieła w mieszczącej się w przyziemiu galerii sztuki. Ten dom stoi na bardzo mocnych fundamentach. Jerzy Leszek Batko ma szczęście czerpać z nich siłę od urodzenia. Rodzina, wiara, tradycja – to wartości, które dawały mu wolę walki o wolną Polskę i nie pozwalały poddać się, kiedy komuniści najpierw zamknęli go w wojskowych koszarach, a później internowali. Nawet w więzieniu nie dał się złamać, zawsze opowiadając się po stronie „Solidarności”. Choć bardziej tej chłopskiej niż robotniczej, gdyż nigdy nie odciął się od swoich wiejskich korzeni, pielęgnując z czułością odziedziczone po przodkach gospodarstwo.
Bi-Temporal Analysis of Vegetation Index on Land Surface Temperature in Kottayam, Kerala
Authors: Anitha Vijayakumar , Devi Marimuthu Prashanthi , Prabha Duraisamy
Published: January 2024

The impact of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) on the LST (Land Surface Temperature) as well as on the genesis of surface heat islands in urban areas during two different time periods was assessed in Kottayam district, Kerala, India. Landsat TM, Landsat OLI and TIRS imagery from the years 1988 and 2020 were employed to scrutinize the relationship between NDVI and LST. The area covered under different NDVI classes were quantified. The finding indicated that NDVI of the research region decreased from 0.77 in 1988 to 0.59 in 2020, resulting in an increase in LSTmax from 34.46 °C in 1988 to 40.63 °C in 2020. Decrease in NDVI resulted in an increase in the high UHI class from 20.83 km2 in 1988 to 660.59 km2 and from 7.26 km2 to 181.35km2 in the very high UHI class. An inverse relationship was observed between NDVI and LST, with Pearson coefficients of 0.5737 and 0.5199 for 1988 and 2020, respectively, which indicates that NDVI could serve as a crucial metric for evaluating LST and UHI effects. Future research will explore the effect of seasonal variability in LULCC on LST, day and night time UHI and their impacts on human health and energy consumption.
Drainage Morphometric analysis of Yagachi watershed area, Karnataka State, India
Authors: M Sowndarya , H Annapoorna , M R Janardhana
Published: January 2024

The Yagachi River watershed in Karnataka State has been chosen for a thorough analysis to recognize the drainage system, morphometric features, and vulnerability of the watershed area to erosion. As a prerequisite to the analysis of morphometric features utilizing ArcGIS software, the stream networks and sub-watersheds (viz., SW01, SW02, SW03 and SW04) were delineated by making use of topographic sheets and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Yagachi watershed covers an area of 551.45 sq. km and observed predominant drainage patterns are sub-parallel and dendritic with sixth-order drainage. Higher stream orders (U=6), implying greater surface runoff and sediment load, and low mean stream length values in the upper reaches, signifying youthful morphological development and strong erosion potential, are characteristics of streams in the watershed. Drainage density values (1.262 to 1.930 km/km2), particularly at upper reaches in the NW part of the watershed, fine to very fine drainage texture values (7.572 and 8.337), moderate to high values of length of overland flow (Lg) and constant of channel maintenance (CCM) indicate steep to moderate slopes, fairly significant surface runoff, and high erosive power of the streams and greater sediment load. The elongated form of the watershed is shown by the computed lower form factor (Ff) and elongation ratio (Re) values. Relief characteristics of the watershed area, although suggest that the study area is vulnerable to erosion and in youth stage, in reality, the area is characterised more by the features of the late mature stage of landform development. The observed anomaly is attributed to the mountain-plain environment as the steeply sloped hill ranges of Bababudan formations are located in the northwestern parts of the Yagachi watershed area. However, the sub-watershed SW03 with high stream length, drainage density and relief value with fine drainage texture is relatively more susceptible to erosion.
El sello de calidad FECYT, un reconocimiento y un estímulo para Archivos
Authors: Vega Francisco , Agudelo Suárez Andrés A. , Brocal Francisco , Delclós Jordi , García González Guillermo , García Vega , Ramada José María , Serra Laura , Vargas-Prada Sergio , Utzet Mireia , Serra Consol
Published: January 2024

Un año más, mediante esta nota editorial, damos cuenta de las estadísticas y los principales avances de nuestra revista.

En cuanto a las estadísticas editoriales, que se detallan en los apartados posteriores, podemos afirmar que son las de una revista consolidada: flujo nutrido y constante de trabajos recibidos/publicados, tasas de aceptación y rechazo proporcionadas, tiempos de gestión razonables y diversidad en las autorías.

El logro más destacable del 2023 fue superar con éxito el proceso de evaluación de la Octava edición de Evaluación de la calidad editorial y científica de las revistas científicas españolas, comúnmente conocido como ‘Sello FECYT’…
Assessment of undergraduate medical students' understanding and application of ethics: must do better
Authors: Trimble Michael , Deans Zuzana , Moorlock Greg
Published: January 2024

Current methods used to assess newly qualified doctors have limited ability to assess reasoning about complex issues. This editorial looks at the points this raises in relation to the new medical licensing assessment.
Fit To Switch to Our All-IP Future?
Authors: Pateman Chris
Published: January 2024

A little known change on the horizon for manufacturers is the switch off of the UK’s national copper broadband network. Comms Business consultant editor and Fit To Switch co-founder Chris Pateman explains more
A Psychometric Validation of the Sociomathematical Norm Scale for Senior High School Students in Mathematics Learning
Authors: Maarif Samsul , Soebagyo Joko , Pradipta Trisna Roy , Widodo Sri Adi
Published: January 2024

Students in mathematics classes do not understand the importance of sociomathematical norms in learning mathematics. This causes sociomathematical norms not to be teachers' focus when learning mathematics. Besides, there is no standardized instrument for assessing this norm, so developing this instrument is necessary to measure socio-mathematical norms in learning mathematics. This study aims to create and verify the psychometric validity of the sociomathematical norm scale. This research used a survey method with 505 senior high school students from Jakarta and West Java as respondents. The results showed that 25 items had convergent validity, with a loading factor value of > 0.700, meaning they could be declared valid. Concurrent validity indicates that each sociomathematical norms indicator is valid as a whole. Discriminant validity shows that the average variance extracted value on the diagonal is higher than the other values, so each item is declared valid. It was concluded that each item of the sociomathematical norms instrument has accuracy in its measurement function. The reliability test shows that each sociomathematical norms item is declared reliable. The reliability value of the sociomathematical norm item is .99, and the person's reliability is .86. Thus, the instruments developed can measure sociomathematical norms in learning mathematics.
Building Research Capacity and Promoting Collaboration Through Grant Writing: Lessons From Ukrainian Universities
Authors: Shykhnenko Kateryna , Sbruieva Alina
Published: January 2024

This study examines the state of grant writing practices in Ukrainian universities and proposes recommendations to enhance their capacity to secure external funding for research and development. Through a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and semi-structured interviews, data was gathered from researchers and faculty members. The study identifies challenges faced by Ukrainian universities in obtaining external funding and highlights important themes for improving grant-writing practices. These themes include promoting collaboration, providing resources and infrastructure, implementing language support policies, raising awareness of funding opportunities, offering institutional support, fostering a research culture, establishing internal grant review processes, leveraging international collaborations, and emphasising evaluation and learning. By addressing these themes, Ukrainian universities can improve their grant-writing practices, increase proposal competitiveness, and enhance success rates in securing external funding. This study provides valuable insights, complements existing literature, and offers practical recommendations for grant writing in Ukrainian universities.
Vientos de cambio: El año en Colombia / Winds of Change: The Year in Colombia
Authors: Murillo-Arango Gabriel Jaime
Published: January 2024

Abstract: On August 7, 2022, Gustavo Petro Urrego became the first left-wing president of the Republic of Colombia. In the days leading up to the election process, the autobiographical profile Una vida, muchas vidas (One life, many lives) sent waves through Colombia's publishing market. It depicts a dominant, charismatic leader, reminiscent of the caudillismo (authoritarian leadership) that runs through Latin American history, but one with a markedly different political agenda: social equality, democratic participation, and an end to environmental destruction for economic gain—in short, the voice of the Global South.
Deep learning enabled inverse design of bound states in the continuum with ultrahigh Q factor
Authors: Wang Lanfei , Wang Wenqi , Dong Qiao , Wang Lianhui , Gao Li
Published: January 2024

Bound states in the continuum (BIC) can be easily engineered to obtain ultrahigh quality (Q) resonances that can greatly enhance sensing and lasing performance, thereby gaining significant attention in the field of nanophotonics. However, the design of high Q BIC resonances that operates at desired wavelengths always demands significant computational time and resources to scan structural parameters. On the other hand, the deep learning enabled approach is well demonstrated for its revolutionary capability in direct nanophotonic inverse design. Developing a fast and accurate design tool for BIC resonating structures can expediate the design process while maximizing the device performance. However, it is generally challenging to train high Q resonances in a deep neural network due to their intrinsic non-linearity and complexity. Here, we adopt a simple and classical tandem deep neural network and prove its efficiency in inverse designing BIC resonances at arbitrary wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1200 nm, with Q factors ranging from a few hundreds to hundreds of thousands. Our approach provides another solid example of applying deep learning tools for designing high performance nanophotonic device for sensing applications.
Joint intra and inter-channel nonlinear compensation scheme based on improved learned digital back propagation for WDM systems
Authors: Chi Xinyu , Bai Chenglin , Yang Fan , Qi Qi , Zhang Ruohui , Xu Hengying , Yang Lishan , Bi Wanxiang , Chen Tianchi , Bai Shunchang
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we improve the learned digital back propagation (LDBP) and propose a novel joint intra and inter-channel nonlinearity compensation scheme for polarization division multiplexing wavelength-division multiplexed (PDM-WDM) systems. From the perspective of interpretable neural network, the scheme realizes the alternating compensation of chromatic dispersion (CD) and nonlinearity based on physical models. The chromatic dispersion compensation (CDC) adopts one-dimensional convolution operation in the time domain. Moreover, the pulse-broadening effect is introduced into the overlap-and-save method. For nonlinear compensation, the improved joint model is applied, and the impact of the intra-channel pulse broadening and the walk-off effect between different channels caused by CD on the nonlinear effect is considered. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, we construct an 11-channel simulation system of 36 GBaud PDM uniform 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (PDM-16QAM) 1600 km and 64 GBaud PDM-64QAM 400 km, as well as a 5-channel experimental system of 28 GBaud PDM-16QAM 806.4 km. The simulation results show that the performance of PDM-16QAM with 0.5 steps per span and PDM-64QAM with 2 steps per span improve the Q-factor by approximately 0.75 dB and 0.54 dB at the optimal launch power, compared with the linear compensation scheme. The transmission performance of PDM-16QAM is higher than that of digital back propagation with 5 steps per span (DBP-5StPS), and the complexity is only 31.36% of that of DBP-5StPS. The performance of PDM-64QAM is higher than that of DBP-10StPS, with a complexity of 62.72%. The experimental results show that the performance of PDM-16QAM with 0.5 steps per span is improved with 0.86 dB Q-factor improvement compared with the linear compensation scheme at the optimal launch power, and the performance of the proposed scheme is higher than that of DBP-5StPS with a complexity of only 23.68%.
Phase retrieval based on deep learning with bandpass filtering in holographic data storage
Authors: Fan Rongquan , Hao Jianying , Chen Ruixian , Wang Jinyu , Lin Yongkun , Jin Junchao , Yang Rupeng , Zheng Xiaoqing , Wang Kun , Lin Dakui , Lin Xiao , Tan Xiaodi
Published: January 2024

A phase retrieval method based on deep learning with bandpass filtering in holographic data storage is proposed. The relationship between the known encoded data pages and their near-field diffraction intensity patterns is established by an end-to-end convolutional neural network, which is used to predict the unknown phase data page. We found the training efficiency of phase retrieval by deep learning is mainly determined by the edge details of the adjacent phase codes, which are the high-frequency components of the phase code. Therefore, we can attenuate the low-frequency components to reduce material consumption. Besides, we also filter out the high-order frequency over twice Nyquist size, which is redundant information with poor anti-noise performance. Compared with full-frequency recording, the consumption of storage media is reduced by 2.94 times, thus improving the storage density.
Measurements of particle extinction coefficients at 1064 nm with lidar: temperature dependence of rotational Raman channels
Authors: Wang Anzhou , Yin Zhenping , Mao Song , Wang Longlong , Yi Yang , Chen Qianyuan , MÜller Detlef , Wang Xuan
Published: January 2024

Aerosol intensive optical properties, including lidar ratio and particle depolarization ratio, are of vital importance for aerosol typing. However, aerosol intensive optical properties at near-infrared wavelength are less exploited by atmospheric lidar measurements, because of the comparably small backscatter cross section of Raman-scattering and a low efficiency of signal detection compared to what is commonly available at 355 nm and 532 nm. To obtain accurate optical properties of aerosols at near-infrared wavelength, we considered three factors: Raman-spectra selection, detector selection, and interference-filter optimization. Rotational Raman scattering has been chosen for Raman signal detection, because of the higher cross-section compared to vibrational Raman scattering. The optimization of the properties of the interference filter are based on a comprehensive consideration of both signal-to-noise ratio and temperature dependence of the simulated lidar signals. The interference filter that has eventually been chosen uses the central wavelength at 1056 nm and a filter bandwidth (full-width-at-half-maximum) of 6 nm. We built a 3-channel 1064-nm rotational Raman lidar. In this paper two methods are proposed to test the temperature dependence of the signal-detection unit and to evaluate the quality of the Raman signals. We performed two measurements to test the quality of the detection channel: cirrus clouds in the free troposphere and aerosols in the planetary boundary layer. Our analysis of the measured Raman signals shows a negligible temperature dependence of the Raman signals in our system. For cirrus measurements, the Raman signal profile did not show crosstalk even for the case of strong elastic backscatter from clouds, which was about 100 times larger than Rayleigh scattering in the case considered here. The cirrus-mean extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) was 27.8 ± 10.0 sr (1064 nm) at a height of 10.5-11.5 km above ground. For the aerosols in the planetary boundary layer, we found the mean lidar ratio of 38.9 ± 7.0 sr at a height of 1.0-3.0 km above ground.