bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of the impact of climate variability and human activities on grassland productivity of the Qilian Mountain National Park, China
Authors: Li Qiang , He Guoxing , Zhang Degang , Liu Xiaoni
Published: May 2024

To quantitatively analyze the impact of climate variability and human activities on grassland productivity of China’s Qilian Mountain National Park, this study used Carnegic-Ames-Stanford Approach model (CASA) and Integrated Vegetation model improved by the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS) to assess the trends of grassland NPP from 2000 to 2015, the residual trend analysis method was used to quantify the impact of human activities and climate change on the grassland based on the NPP changes. The actual grassland NPP accumulation mainly occurred in June, July and August (autumn); the actual NPP showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average increase of 2.2 g C·m-2 a-1, while the potential NPP increase of 1.6 g C·m-2 a-1 and human-induced NPP decreased of 0.5 g C·m-2 a-1. The annual temperature showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average increase of 0.1°C 10a-1, but annual precipitation showed a fluctuating upward trend with an average annual increase of 1.3 mm a-1 from 2000 to 2015. The area and NPP of grassland degradation caused by climate variability was significantly greater than that caused by human activities and mainly distributed in the northwest and central regions, but area and NPP of grassland restored caused by human activities was significantly greater than that caused by climate variability and mainly distributed in the southeast regions. In conclusion, grassland in Qilian Mountain National Park showed a trend of degradation based on distribution area, but showed a trend of restoration based on actual NPP. Climate variability was the main cause of grassland degradation in the northwestern region of study area, and restoration of grassland in the eastern region was the result of the combined effects of human activities and climate variability. Under global climate change, the establishment of Qilian Mountain National Park was of great significance to the grassland’s protection and the grasslands ecological restoration that have been affected by humans.
The self-reported driving and pedestrian behaviour of adults with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Shipley Isobel , Esselaar Maaike , Wood Samuel , Parr Johnny V. V. , Wright David J. , Wood Greg
Published: May 2024

Background

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects movement coordination, but little is known about how the condition impacts the behaviours of car drivers and pedestrians.

Aims

This study examined the self-reported driving and pedestrian behaviours of adults with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

Methods and procedures

One hundred and twenty-eight participants (62 adults with DCD vs. 66 TD adults) responded to an online survey asking them about their perceptions of confidence and self-reported driving and pedestrian behaviours in the real-world.

Outcomes and results

Results suggested that adults with DCD felt less confident and reported more lapses in attention (e.g., forgetting where their car was parked) and errors (e.g., failing to check their mirrors prior to a manoeuvre) when driving compared to typically developed (TD) adults. Adults with DCD also reported feeling less confident and reported less adherence to road traffic laws (e.g., not waiting for a green crossing signal before crossing the road) when walking as pedestrians.

Conclusions and implications

These results offer some much-needed insight into the behaviours of those with DCD outside of the laboratory environment and underline the need for research investigating the driving and pedestrian behaviours of individuals with DCD in ‘real-world’ contexts.
The potential of tailed amplicons for SARS-CoV-2 detection in Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Assays
Authors: Vindeirinho João M. , Oliveira Ricardo , Pinho Eva , Guiomar Raquel , Azevedo Nuno F. , Almeida Carina
Published: May 2024

Nucleic Acid Lateral Flow Assays (NALFAs) are a promising solution for the point-of-care detection of viruses like SARS-CoV-2. However, they show some drawbacks, such as the great dependency on the use of antibodies and the need for post-amplification protocols that enable the preparation of amplicons for effective readings, as well as low sensitivity. Here, we developed amplicons of a specific SARS-CoV-2 gene tailed with single-strand DNA (ssDNA) sequences to hybridize with DNA probes immobilized on the NALFA strips, thus overcoming the aforementioned problems. Results have shown that tailed primers have not compromised the amplification efficiency and allowed the correct detection of the amplicons in the lateral flow strip. This approach has presented a limit of detection (LOD) of 25 RNA copies /reaction mix (1 copy/μL) and the test of cross-reactivity with other related viruses has not shown any cross-reactivity. Twenty clinical samples were evaluated by NALFA and simultaneously compared with the gold standard RT-qPCR protocol, originating equal results. Although the number of clinical specimens tested being relatively small, this indicates a sensitivity and specificity both of 100%. In short, an alternative NALFA was successfully implemented, rendering an accurate route for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, compatible with low-resource settings.
Screening of aspiration pneumonia using the modified Mallampati classification tool in older adults
Authors: Liu Jianping , Fukuda Hironobu , Kondo Eiji , Sakai Yuki , Sakai Hironori , Kurita Hiroshi
Published: May 2024

Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. In the aging society, screening methods for predicting aspiration pneumonia are crucial for its prevention. Changes in the oropharyngeal morphology and hyoid bone position may increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia. This multicenter study aimed to investigate a simple and effective screening method for predicting dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. Overall, 191 older adults (aged 65 years or older) were randomly sampled using the simple random sampling technique. Oropharyngeal morphology was assessed using the modified Mallampati classification, which reflects the size of the tongue in the oropharyngeal cavity. The hyoid position was measured as the distance between the menton and laryngeal prominence to evaluate aging-related changes in the muscles of the laryngopharynx. Dysphagia was assessed using the repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST), which measures the number of swallowing movements in 30 seconds; dysphasia is defined as less than 3 swallowing movements in 30 seconds. The aspiration signs were assessed based on history of choking or coughing reflex during eating or drinking and medical history of pneumonia. The study findings revealed that the modified Mallampati classification was significantly correlated with a medical history of pneumonia. A higher incidence of pneumonia was evident in the lower Mallampati classification, which shows the smaller size of the tongue base in the oropharyngeal cavity. The results of this study suggest that the modified Mallampati classification may be a possible screening method to predict the occurrence of pneumonia.
Cost-effectiveness of avelumab first-line maintenance therapy for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma in France
Authors: Porte Fanny , Granghaud Anna , Chang Jane , Kearney Mairead , Morel Aya , Plessala Ingrid , Cawston Hélène , Roiz Julie , Xiao Ying , Solbes Marie-Noelle , Lambert Prisca , Ravaud Alain , Loriot Yohann , Thiery-Vuillemin Antoine , Lévy Pierre
Published: May 2024

Background

This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of avelumab first-line (1L) maintenance therapy plus best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC alone for adults with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC) that had not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy in France.

Methods

A three-state partitioned survival model was developed to assess the lifetime costs and effects of avelumab plus BSC versus BSC alone. Data from the phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432) were used to inform estimates of clinical and utility values considering a 10-year time horizon and a weekly cycle length. Cost data were estimated from a collective perspective and included treatment acquisition, administration, follow-up, adverse event–related hospitalization, transport, post-progression, and end-of-life costs. Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and life-years gained. Costs and clinical outcomes were discounted at 2.5% per annum. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were used to compare cost-effectiveness and willingness to pay in France. Uncertainty was assessed using a range of sensitivity analyses.

Results

Avelumab plus BSC was associated with a gain of 2.49 QALYs and total discounted costs of €136,917; BSC alone was associated with 1.82 QALYs and €39,751. Although avelumab plus BSC was associated with increased acquisition costs compared with BSC alone, offsets of −€20,424 and −€351 were observed for post-progression and end-of-life costs, respectively. The base case analysis ICER was €145,626/QALY. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the reference case and showed that efficacy parameters (overall survival, time to treatment discontinuation), post-progression time on immunotherapy, and post-progression costs had the largest impact on the ICER.

Conclusions

This analysis demonstrated that avelumab plus BSC is associated with a favorable cost-effectiveness profile for patients with la/mUC who are eligible for 1L maintenance therapy in France.
Long-term health conditions and UK labour market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Webb Edward J. D. , Conaghan Philip G. , Henderson Max , Hulme Claire , Kingsbury Sarah R. , Munyombwe Theresa , West Robert , Martin Adam
Published: May 2024

Background

Long-term health conditions can affect labour market outcomes. COVID-19 may have increased labour market inequalities, e.g. due to restricted opportunities for clinically vulnerable people. Evaluating COVID-19’s impact could help target support.

Aim

To quantify the effect of several long-term conditions on UK labour market outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them to pre-pandemic outcomes.

Methods

The Understanding Society COVID-19 survey collected responses from around 20,000 UK residents in nine waves from April 2020-September 2021. Participants employed in January/February 2020 with a variety of long-term conditions were matched with people without the condition but with similar baseline characteristics. Models estimated probability of employment, hours worked and earnings. We compared these results with results from a two-year pre-pandemic period. We also modelled probability of furlough and home-working frequency during COVID-19.

Results

Most conditions (asthma, arthritis, emotional/nervous/psychiatric problems, vascular/pulmonary/liver conditions, epilepsy) were associated with reduced employment probability and/or hours worked during COVID-19, but not pre-pandemic. Furlough was more likely for people with pulmonary conditions. People with arthritis and cancer were slower to return to in-person working. Few effects were seen for earnings.

Conclusion

COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on people with long-term conditions’ labour market outcomes.
Psychometric testing of the caregiver contribution to self-care of coronary heart disease inventory
Authors: Bolgeo Tatiana , Di Matteo Roberta , Simonelli Niccolò , Dal Molin Alberto , Bassola Barbara , Lusignani Maura , Maconi Antonio , Rasero Laura , Iovino Paolo , Vellone Ercole
Published: May 2024

Background

Caregivers are important contributors to the self-care of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Aims

The aims of this study are to describe the development and psychometric properties of the caregiver contribution to self-care of coronary heart disease inventory (CC-SC-CHDI).

Methods

The CC-SC-CHDI was developed from the patient version of the scale, the Self-care of Coronary Heart Disease Inventory (SC-CHDI) and translated into Italian using forward and backward translation. Baseline data from the HEARTS-IN-DYADS study were used. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess factorial validity; Cronbach’s alpha and the model-based internal consistency index were used to test internal consistency reliability, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test convergent validity, by investigating the association between the CC-SC-CHDI and the SC-CHDI scores.

Results

We included 131 caregivers (mean age 55 years, 81.2% females, 74% married) of patients affected by CHD (mean age 66 years, 80.2% males, 74% married). The CFA confirmed two factors in the caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance scale (“consulting behaviors” and “autonomous behaviors”), one factor for the CC to self-care monitoring scale, and two factors in the CC to self-care management scale (“consulting behaviors and problem-solving behaviors”). Reliability estimates were adequate for each scale (Cronbach’s alpha and model-based internal consistency indexes ranging from 0.73 to 0.90). Significant and positive correlations were observed between CC-SC-CHDI and SC-CHDI scales.

Conclusion

The CC-SC-CHDI has satisfactory validity and reliability and can be used confidently in clinical settings and research to assess caregiver contributions to CHD self-care.
Responsiveness of the cervical joint position error test to detect changes in neck proprioception following four weeks of home-based proprioceptive training
Authors: AlDahas Ahmad , Devecchi Valter , Deane Janet A. , Falla Deborah
Published: May 2024

Introduction

People with chronic neck pain (CNP) commonly exhibit a range of physical impairments including cervical proprioceptive deficits. Assessing proprioception using a head mounted laser to assess joint position error (JPE) is a reliable and valid measure. However, the responsiveness of this measure has not been assessed.

Objective

To assess the responsiveness of the measure of cervical JPE after a 4-week home-based neck proprioceptive training intervention in people with CNP.

Design

An observational study to assess the responsiveness of the measure of cervical JPE.

Methods

The JPE test was assessed in people with CNP before and after 4 weeks of neck proprioception training. JPE was assessed as participants performed neck joint position sense tests for flexion, extension, right rotation, and left rotation in sitting and standing which were performed in a random order. Both the absolute and constant JPE were assessed. The intervention consisted of neck repositioning exercises as well as movement sense exercises. Cohen’s d effect size was used to assess the internal responsiveness of the JPE test. The Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the change of scores of the laser pointer and measures from inertial measurement units (IMUs) (external responsiveness).

Results

After 4 weeks of proprioception training, JPE assessed in sitting reduced from 2.69◦-3.57◦ to 1.88◦-1.98◦ for flexion, extension, and right rotation with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d range: 1.25–2.00). For left rotation, JPE reduced from 3.23◦ to 1.9◦, and the effect size was close to being large (Cohen’s d: 0.79). When assessed in standing, JPE reduced from 3.49◦-4.52◦ to 1.5◦-2.33◦ with large effect sizes (Cohen’s d range: 0.89–1.25) for flexion, extension, right rotation, and left rotation. Large effect sizes were not observed for the constant JPE when assessed in either sitting or standing. The assessment of the external responsiveness revealed weak correlations between the change of scores obtained from the laser pointer and the IMUs for all movements, apart from the constant JPE in sitting for left rotation, which showed a strong correlation (r = 0.7).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the measure of the JPE has sufficient internal responsiveness, however, the external responsiveness was inadequate. Further research is advised.
SARS-CoV-2 clade dynamics and their associations with hospitalisations during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Päll Taavi , Abroi Aare , Avi Radko , Niglas Heiki , Shablinskaja Arina , Pauskar Merit , Jõgeda Ene-Ly , Soeorg Hiie , Kallas Eveli , Lahesaare Andrio , Truusalu Kai , Hoidmets Dagmar , Sadikova Olga , Ratnik Kaspar , Sepp Hanna , Dotsenko Liidia , Epštein Jevgenia , Suija Heleene , Kaarna Katrin , Smit Steven , Milani Lili , Metspalu Mait , Oopkaup Ott Eric , Koppel Ivar , Jaaniso Erik , Kuzmin Ivan , Inno Heleri , Raudvere Uku , Härma Mari-Anne , Naaber Paul , Reisberg Tuuli , Peterson Hedi , Talas Ulvi Gerst , Lutsar Irja , Huik Kristi
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic was characterised by rapid waves of disease, carried by the emergence of new and more infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus variants. How the pandemic unfolded in various locations during its first two years has yet to be sufficiently covered. To this end, here we are looking at the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, their diversity, and hospitalisation rates in Estonia in the period from March 2000 to March 2022.

Methods

We sequenced a total of 27,550 SARS-CoV-2 samples in Estonia between March 2020 and March 2022. High-quality sequences were genotyped and assigned to Nextstrain clades and Pango lineages. We used regression analysis to determine the dynamics of lineage diversity and the probability of clade-specific hospitalisation stratified by age and sex.

Results

We successfully sequenced a total of 25,375 SARS-CoV-2 genomes (or 92%), identifying 19 Nextstrain clades and 199 Pango lineages. In 2020 the most prevalent clades were 20B and 20A. The various subsequent waves of infection were driven by 20I (Alpha), 21J (Delta) and Omicron clades 21K and 21L. Lineage diversity via the Shannon index was at its highest during the Delta wave. About 3% of sequenced SARS-CoV-2 samples came from hospitalised individuals. Hospitalisation increased markedly with age in the over-forties, and was negligible in the under-forties. Vaccination decreased the odds of hospitalisation in over-forties. The effect of vaccination on hospitalisation rates was strongly dependent upon age but was clade-independent. People who were infected with Omicron clades had a lower hospitalisation likelihood in age groups of forty and over than was the case with pre-Omicron clades regardless of vaccination status.

Conclusions

COVID-19 disease waves in Estonia were driven by the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron clades. Omicron clades were associated with a substantially lower hospitalisation probability than pre-Omicron clades. The protective effect of vaccination in reducing hospitalisation likelihood was independent of the involved clade.
Feminism, boomers and Baphomet: Satanic satire and the Trump era culture wars in Satanic Panic (2019)
Authors: Gough Charlotte
Published: May 2024

Focusing on the Gothic comedy Satanic Panic, this article examines how the film uses satire as a liberal reaction to the patriarchal, theocratic agenda of Trumpism, following a notable tradition of Satan adopted as a symbol of countercultural, individualist revolution. I argue that the text’s youth-focus, as well as its representation of gender, national identity and economic class, negotiates feminism and competing ideologies of satanism to suitably reflect the opposing strands of the contemporary culture wars. Indeed, the post-truth, paranoiac United States under Trump has seen apocalyptic rhetoric and occult conspiracy-thinking flourish alongside left-wing satanic activism. A sociopolitical climate that draws distinct parallels with the 1980s and 1990s ‘Satanic Panic’ era and Y2K premillennialism. This work conceptualizes, through close analysis, how the film effectively articulates such postmodern retroactivity – at both a thematic and narrative level – to reflect the gendered, generational divide and troubling legacy of Reaganite neo-liberalism at the heart of the Trump era.
Gendered Defenders: Marvel’s Heroines in Transmedia Spaces, Bryan J. Carr and Meta G. Carstarphein (eds) (2022)
Authors: Enlow Myers
Published: May 2024

Review of: Gendered Defenders: Marvel’s Heroines in Transmedia Spaces, Bryan J. Carr and Meta G. Carstarphein (eds) (2022)

Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 214 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-81421-527-2, h/bk, $119.95
Remediation processes and reading protocols: A genealogy of digital comics
Authors: Busi Rizzi Giorgio , Di Paola Lorenzo
Published: May 2024

This article attempts to unpack the complexity of digital comics by quickly reconstructing their salient evolutionary lines, contextualizing them within the broader media landscape and discussing the directions they are prominently developing. It begins by tracing the many remediations that have marked the history of comics, foregrounding some tensions underlying the comics form: seriality and its implications; the dialectic between popular form and artwork; and the influence of orality, most evident in their early days and again, many years later, after the digital turn. In particular, we will highlight the close relationship between cinema and comics and, after the advent of digital, between the latter and video games. In underlining affinities and divergences between diverse media forms, the article focuses on two particularly significant examples: Lorenzo Ghetti and Carlo Trimarchi’s To Be Continued, a webcomic capable of experimenting with and enlivening many of the possibilities of digital comics; and Andrew Hussie’s Homestuck, probably the most successful compromise between the complexity of plot, storyworld breadth and formal features on the one hand, and expansive, participatory transmediality on the other. In doing so, this article aims to achieve a quick yet compelling overview of digital comics from the perspective of media archaeology, situating them both diachronically throughout their history, and synchronically, in relation to the other media that feed them and are in turn fed by them, cyclically, across media boundaries.
From digital display to printed page: An exploration of the use of digital comic adaptations and hybridizations in print comic formats
Authors: Goodbrey Daniel Merlin
Published: May 2024

This article identifies some of the adaptations and hybridizations that have come about through the digital mediation of the form of comics. It then presents the results of a practice-based inquiry into the integration of these digital adaptations and hybridizations into existing print comic formats. A reflective design process is employed during the creation of three prototype print comic narratives. These prototypes include print-based approaches to the infinite canvas, panel delivery and hypercomic formats. The inquiry aims to contrast different approaches to spatiality and the design unit of the page in digital and print comics. In doing so it provides an examination of the creative tensions that exist between the fixed, physical configurations of print and the more mutable nature of digital media.
Procedural fairness and political attitudes: unpacking the experiences of victims of intimate partner violence with the police
Authors: Rabello Kras Helen
Published: May 2024

What is the relationship between procedural fairness in encounters with the police and intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors’ attitudes? I argue that because of the emotional damage caused by victimization, survivors are especially attuned to the interpersonal treatment they receive when seeking help from specialized services (e. g., police). If this treatment is procedurally unfair, they might conclude that IPV laws are not effective and become less likely to report intentions to intervene by calling the police if they witness intimate partner violence. Relying on public opinion data from Brazil, I find that procedural fairness matters for survivors’ opinions about laws, but I found no relationship between procedural fairness and bystander intervention attitudes. I explore possible explanations for this non-finding with several additional analyses.
Feasibility of Community Based Tourism as Sustainable Development:
Authors: Bastidas Orlando José
Published: May 2024

The objective of the work was to promote a series of activities for sustainable tourism development, taking as support the physical-natural and cultural potential of the locality of San José de Tostós in the municipality of Boconó, Trujillo state, Venezuela. The methodological approach was based on the qualitative mode of participatory action research with field design. The results showed massive community participation in the actions of transformation, improvement and ornamentation of the most affected roads, creation of a community radio station, and elaboration of a tourist route with gastronomic flavors and job generation. Despite the achievements, there is still apathy to work as a team, and a lack of support from public policies to consolidate tourism enterprises to reduce the exodus. This is an alternative to empower the communities, promote their enterprises, and improve the processes of conservation of natural resources.
The Memorable Experience in Tourism: the case of the Beto Carrero World Theme Park (SC, Brazil)
Authors: Rocha Elisângela da Silva , Clavé Salvador Anton , Zucco Fabrícia Durieux
Published: May 2024

A memorable tourism experience corresponds to the memories retained in the tourist’s memory based on the individual experiences perceived during all the phases of a trip to a particular destination. Theme parks are tourist attractions designed with a thematic identity that allows visitors to escape from routine and are based on offering a different world with alternative experiences that can become unforgettable. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the influence of memorable tourism experiences from the Beto Carrero World theme park perspective in Penha-SC, Brazil. This research was conducted using data collected from 680 tourist visitors to the park, using a questionnaire comprising 27 variables that are part of the memorable tourism experience constructs: hedonism, novelty, renewal, meaning, involvement, knowledge, and social interaction. The data was analyzed based on sociodemographic characteristics and multivariate analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results made it possible to identify a new proposal for a conceptual model to evaluate the meaning of memorable experiences in theme parks and positively confirmed the influence between the memorable tourism experience and each firstorder construct, revealing that immersive hedonism and perceived meaning had the most significant impact on the memorable tourism experience in the theme park.
Active contour and deep learning methods for single-cell segmentation in microscopy images
Authors: Tasnádi Ervin
Published: May 2024

A munkában mikroszkópos képek egysejt szintű szegmentálásához fejlesztett módszereinket mutatjuk be, melyek aktív kontúr és deep learning módszereken alapulnak. Az első tézispont az általános level set módszerhez kidolgozott phase field alapú regularizációs technikát tárgyalja. A phase field funkcionál minimumpontja egy olyan mező, amely a level set által reprezentált kontúr környezetében egy sima átmenetet hoz létre. Ez az a fázisátmenet használható reinicializációs módszerként. A phase field funkcionál ugyanakkor a görbület alapján elmozdı́tja a kontúrt nem kı́vánt mellékhatásként. A kidolgozott módszer egy első és másodrendű simasági tag megfelelő kopmozı́ciójával azonban kiküszöböli ezt a nem kı́vánt mellékhatást. A második tézispont egy 3 dimenziós aktı́v kontúr alapú szegmentációs módszert mutat be. A kidolgozott 3D szelektı́v aktı́v kontúr alak és térfogat priorok segı́tségével az előre meghatározott paraméterü objektumot nyeri ki a képből. A 3D szelektı́v aktı́v kontúr módszert beépı́tettük egy orvosi képfeldolgozó alkalmazásba, amely segı́tségével 3 dimenziós mikroszkópfelvételeken lehet sejtmagokat félig automatizáltan szegmentálni. A módszer jelentősen gyorsı́tja a szegmentálási folyamatot a manuális kontúrrajzoláshoz képest. A harmadik tézispont két automatikus augmentálási eljárást mutat be sejtmatok 2D szegmentálásához. A nucleAIzer módszer maszkok parametrikus technikákkal való szimulálása után a style transfer módszerrel generál szintetikus mikroszkópos képeket. A módszer továbbfejlesztéseként bemutatunk egy olyan módszert, amely segı́tségével a maszkokat GAN-okkal reprezentáljuk. A bemutatt augmentációs módszerek segı́tségével létrehozott szintetikus képek növelik a szegmentáció teszt halmazon mért pontosságát.
Substancia y cuerpo: acerca de la unidad y la composición en la filosofía de Leibniz
Authors: Jabase Ana Leila
Published: May 2024

Nos ocupamos aquí de una cuestión de importancia para la filosofía moderna, y para la filosofía leibniziana en particular, como es el concepto de substancia. Veremos cómo, en Leibniz, la divisibilidad de la materia al infinito y la necesidad de un principio que dé razón de la unidad en la multiplicidad de los elementos que componen todo cuerpo, lo llevan a concebir unidades metafísicas que son su fundamento. Asimismo, la respuesta a esta cuestión alude al problema del cuerpo de una manera que presenta una singular complejidad, y exige seguir cierto itinerario de conceptos, con especial cuidado a las variaciones que el propio Leibniz realiza en su concepción de la substancia a lo largo de la evolución de su filosofía. Finalmente, nos ocupamos de las nociones de unidad y composición, vinculadas al llamado pluralismo substancial leibniziano.
El problema del mal en Baruch de Spinoza
Authors: Duperut Carelí
Published: May 2024

En el presente artículo investigamos acerca de las reflexiones del filósofo judío Baruch de Spinoza en torno a la noción de mal (de enorme peso tanto para la religión como para el ámbito político). Nos focalizamos, por una parte, en el singular intercambio epistolar que mantiene con Guillermo de Blyenbergh, quien plantea el tema de manera específica, dando lugar a una disputa que exige a Spinoza dar cuenta de las consecuencias éticas de su ontología. Y, por otra parte, profundizamos en la sistematización de sus planteamientos sobre la cuestión a través de un análisis de la Ética. Con este texto, en primer lugar, ahondamos en la filosofía de un autor de gran influencia para la tarea filosófica actual; en segundo lugar, demostramos cómo el problema del mal y su resolución resultan un foco neurálgico que articula las tesis más importantes de la ontología absoluta; en tercer lugar, analizamos cómo la pregunta por mal patentiza el abandono, por parte del filósofo, de una lógica de la sustancia por una lógica de las relaciones modales; y, por último, explicitamos el criterio ético objetivo de la ética spinozista.
Marxismo y tradición en A. MacIntyre
Authors: Saiz Mauro Javier
Published: May 2024

En el presente trabajo se analiza la conexión existente entre la etapa marxista de juventud y la neoaristotélica de madurez en el pensamiento de Alasdair MacIntyre, enfatizando el problema que representa para él la posibilidad de criticar y justificar racionalmente una teoría moral. A través de una lectura comparativa de obras de ambos períodos se muestra cómo la incapacidad para dar una respuesta satisfactoria a esta preocupación temprana es una de las razones que llevan al abandono de la tradición marxista, y cómo su formulación aristotélica madura busca superar esta dificultad, manteniendo constantes otros presupuestos y compromisos teóricos previos.
Voces con propósito : manual de estrategias de comunicación para el desarrollo y el cambio social : módulo conceptual
Authors: Vega Casanova Jair , Obregón Gálvez Rafael , Nieto Sánchez Claudia , Vargas Rosero Elizabeth , Pérez Quintero Camilo , Gathigi George W.
Published: May 2024

Voces con propósito: Manual de estrategias de Comunicación para el Desarrollo y el Cambio Social, aparte de ofrecer una ruta práctica de gran utilidad para las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, pone sobre la mesa una serie de temas que han dinamizado intensos debates en América Latina desde hace bastante tiempo, mismos que continúan como espacios abiertos en el siempre controversial proceso de construcción de una vida con dignidad, justicia y equilibrio para las sociedades de la región.
Oxidative Stress Assessment in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Qadir Vyan A. , Abdoulrahman Kamaran K.
Published: May 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC), a global health challenge, exhibits rising incidence in low-income nations due to lifestyle changes. Oxidative stress, indicated by reactive oxygen species imbalance and Malondialdehyde (MDA), is linked to CRC. This study investigates oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, genetic markers, cellular regulation markers, and Vitamin E in CRC patients in Erbil. Ninety CRC patients and 30 healthy controls provided blood samples, processed and stored at –20°C. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits quantified oxidative stress, antioxidant markers, and Vitamin E. Oxidative stress markers showed significant differences, with elevated MDA and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine levels in patients. Nitrotyrosine exhibited lower expression in patients. Antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were enhanced in patients, while glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase and catalase levels were significantly lower in patients. The genetic marker KRAS showed a substantial decrease in patients (<0.0001) but both adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and CRC antigen (CCA) were higher. Serum vitamin E levels were significantly lower in patients (71.78 ± 6.368) compared to controls (142.3 ± 4.828, p < 0.0001). Elevated oxidative stress, altered enzymatic activity, significantly lower expression of KRAS, and higher expression of APC and CCA in the patient group. Furthermore, reduced Vitamin E levels were observed in the patient group, highlighting potential challenges in antioxidant defense.
Preparing Triple-Compound Heterozygous Control Material for Molecular Diagnostics of TPMT Allelic Variants
Authors: Beránek Martin , Drastíková M. , Bureš J. , Palička V.
Published: May 2024

The aim of the study is to present a novel approach for preparing triple-compound heterozygous reference material (TCH-RM) for thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) genotyping by using the gene synthesis technology. The polynucleotide chain we prepared consisted of three wild-type and three mutant segments corresponding to the TPMT 238G>C, 460G>A, and 719A>G polymorphic sites. TCH-RM characteristics were assessed via four methods: reverse hybridization, real-time PCR with hydrolysis probes, real-time PCR followed by subsequent melting temperature analysis, and DNA sequencing. Consequently, we investigated the TPMT genotype of 371 patients suffering from autoimmune diseases requiring immunosuppressive therapy with thiopurine drugs, mostly inflammatory bowel disease. All methods confirmed the triple heterozygous character and commutability of TCH-RM. In evaluating its stability we obtained very comparable data before and after six months of storage at -80 °C. The determined genotypes were as follows: 352 wild-type subjects (94.8 %), 17 TPMT*3A heterozygotes (460G>A and 719A>G, 4.6 %), one patient heterozygous for the TPMT*2 allele (238G>C, 0.3 %), and one TPMT*3C heterozygote (719A>G, 0.3 %). The frequencies of TPMT*1, *3A, *3C, and *2 in the patients were 97.5 %, 2.3 %, 0.1 %, and 0.1 %, respectively. Assembling segments of synthetic DNA into long polynucleotide chains is a universal way of obtaining compound heterozygous material for performing any simultaneous analysis of polymorphic sites in the human genome. The batches are manufactured with a perfect concentration match of wildtype and mutant fragments, and can be made in large quantities for most diagnostic techniques.
Adventitious root culture dyeing and optimisation of dyeing parameters using roots of Gynochthodes umbellata (L.) Razafim and B. Bremer
Authors: AS Vidhya , V R Sumitha , Gangaprasad Gangaprasad
Published: May 2024

This study offers a new source of natural dye. Taguchi's design of experiments was used to statistically and optimize the dyeing parameters of different fabrics. The results varied with different fabrics and the optimum conditions for cotton were found to be ultrasonication for 5 min, a material-to-liquor ratio of 10 mL dye to 100 mL water, a temperature of 60 ºC, and a pH of 8. For linen, the optimum values were ultra-sonication for 15 min, 15 mL dye to 100 mL water, pH of 8, and temperature of 80 ºC. Optimum combinations for silk were a temperature of 80 ºC, the material-to-liquor ratio of 20 mL of dye extract to 100 mL water, pH of 8, and ultrasonication for 15 min. The results indicated the commercial viability of dyeing fabrics using this procedure.
In vitro microrhizome induction in Acorus calamus L., a commercially important aromatic medicinal plant
Authors: Felix P Shibin , Anand A Aswathy , Decruse S. William , R K Radha
Published: May 2024

Acorus calamus L., is a leading aromatic medicinal plant that produces pungent aromatic rhizomes that are valued worldwide as an important herbal medicine and is one of the main ingredients in several polyherbal formulations used for neurological and metabolic disorders. The present investigation aims to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro microrhizome induction in A. calamus for the large-scale production of disease-free planting material for commercial purposes. In vitro derived shoots were initiated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of sucrose alone (3–10 %) and different concentrations of sucrose (6 % and 7 %) with varying concentrations of BAP alone (0.5–2 mg/L) and combinations with IAA (0.5 and 1 mg/L) and NAA (0.5 and 1 mg/L) were carried out for the microrhizome induction experiments. In different concentrations of sucrose used, healthy and disease-free microshoots of A. calamus were obtained in MS media supplemented with 7 % sucrose followed by 6 % sucrose. The highest shoot length (24.79 ± 0.03 cm) and microrhizome size (4.98 ± 0.03 cm length and 399.60 ± 0.37 mg fresh weight) were obtained in MS solid medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA with 7 % sucrose followed by the same hormone concentration with 6 % sucrose (shoot length-23.68 ± 0.03 cm, microrhizome length- 4.68 ± 0.03 cm and fresh weight of microrhizome-376.60 ± 0.57 mg). The developed protocol can be used for large-scale production of disease-free propagules without rooting and acclimatization and enhance the production of true-to-type planting material.
The influence of undetected hemolysis on POCT potassium results in the emergency department
Authors: Tintu Andrei N. , Buño Soto Antonio , Van Hoof Viviane , Bench Suzanne , Malpass Anthony , Schilling Ulf Martin , Rooney Kevin , Oliver Sáez Paloma , Relker Lasse , Luppa Peter
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate discrepancies in potassium measurements between point-of-care testing (POCT) and central laboratory (CL) methods, focusing on the impact of hemolysis on these measurements and its impact in the clinical practice in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from three European university hospitals: Technische Universitat München (Germany), Hospital Universitario La Paz (Spain), and Erasmus University Medical Center (The Netherlands). The study compared POCT potassium measurements in EDs with CL measurements. Data normalization was performed in categories for potassium levels (kalemia) and hemolysis. The severity of discrepancies between POCT and CL potassium measurements was assessed using the reference change value (RCV).

Results

The study identified significant discrepancies in potassium between POCT and CL methods. In comparing POCT normo- and mild hypokalemia against CL results, differences of −4.20 % and +4.88 % were noted respectively. The largest variance in the CL was a +4.14 % difference in the mild hyperkalemia category. Additionally, the RCV was calculated to quantify the severity of discrepancies between paired potassium measurements from POCT and CL methods. The overall hemolysis characteristics, as defined by the hemolysis gradient, showed considerable variation between the testing sites, significantly affecting the reliability of potassium measurements in POCT.

Conclusions

The study highlighted the challenges in achieving consistent potassium measurement results between POCT and CL methods, particularly in the presence of hemolysis. It emphasised the need for integrated hemolysis detection systems in future blood gas analysis devices to minimise discrepancies and ensure accurate POCT results.
The Impact of Job Satisfaction on Teacher Mental Health: A Call to Action for Educational Policymakers
Authors: Singh Yogendra Kumar , Gautam Dev Nath Singh
Published: May 2024

Job satisfaction significantly impacts teachers’ overall well-being and mental health. Research reveals a strong connection between employment status and mental health, with teaching being a particularly stressful profession. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, with the shift to online education and limited support causing heightened stress, anxiety, and depression. This study analyses scientific literature exploring the link between job satisfaction and mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety) in teachers. By examining relevant articles in major databases like Web of Science, PSYNDEX, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, the research identifies numerous sociodemographic and institutional factors contributing to teachers’ mental health struggles, including workload, teaching experience, job satisfaction, gender, and the nature of online education. The findings highlight the urgent need for educational policymakers to develop policies prioritizing teacher well-being, especially during times of crisis. This involves addressing factors affecting job satisfaction and implementing strategies to promote mental health support for educators.
Incorporating GO in PI matrix to advance nanocomposite coating: An enhancing strategy to prevent corrosion
Authors: Bhutta Muhammad Shoaib , Chen Yuanhua , Ahmed Muneeb , Mahmood Atif , Albaqami Munirah D. , Mohammad Saikh , Kang Jee-Hyun , Zoubi Wail Al , Choi Dongwhi
Published: May 2024

This research endeavors to advance the anti-corrosive characteristics, mainly the physico-mechanical properties, by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) into a polyimide (PI) matrix. So, a nanocomposite coating is fabricated for an aluminum alloy substrate. Results reveal that the coating was uniformly dispersed across the surface signifying that the inclusion of GO increased the PI dispersion. The π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings of PI and GO contribute to their stability and improved anticorrosive properties. The incorporation of GO to PI films significantly enhances hydrophobicity, as evidenced by the increased contact angles. Assessing the corrosion resistance of the coating in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentio-dynamic polarization establishes a prominent correlation between the percentage of GO and the anticorrosion efficiency of the composite coating. Precisely, the nanocomposite coating containing 5 wt% GO exhibits an impressive impedance modulus value of 107, and the corrosion current density (I
cor) is drastically reduced by over three orders of magnitude, reaching 4.8 × 10−9 A cm−2, as indicated by the polarization curve. Also, prolonged immersion tests confirm the exceptional protective ability of the S5 coating (5 wt% GO), effectively shielding the metal for up to 100 h. After conducting diagnostic measurements, the hybrid nanocomposites of GO/PI examined in this study showcased their effectiveness as inhibitors in anticorrosive coatings. These composites played a vital role to hinder the oxidation of underlying aluminum alloy when exposed to oxidizing chemicals, water, or air, thereby extending the protective duration.
Generalizing the Enhanced-Deep-Super-Resolution Neural Network to Brain MR Images: A Retrospective Study on the Cam-CAN Dataset
Authors: Fiscone Cristiana , Curti Nico , Ceccarelli Mattia , Remondini Daniel , Testa Claudia , Lodi Raffaele , Tonon Caterina , Manners David Neil , Castellani Gastone
Published: May 2024

The Enhanced-Deep-Super-Resolution (EDSR) model is a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network suitable for improving image spatial resolution. It was previously trained with general-purpose pictures and then, in this work, tested on biomedical magnetic resonance (MR) images, comparing the network outcomes with traditional up-sampling techniques. We explored possible changes in the model response when different MR sequences were analyzed. T1w and T2w MR brain images of 70 human healthy subjects (F:M, 40:30) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) repository were down-sampled and then up-sampled using EDSR model and BiCubic (BC) interpolation. Several reference metrics were used to quantitatively assess the performance of up-sampling operations (RMSE, pSNR, SSIM, and HFEN). Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstructions were evaluated. Different brain tissues were analyzed individually. The EDSR model was superior to BC interpolation on the selected metrics, both for two- and three- dimensional reconstructions. The reference metrics showed higher quality of EDSR over BC reconstructions for all the analyzed images, with a significant difference of all the criteria in T1w images and of the perception-based SSIM and HFEN in T2w images. The analysis per tissue highlights differences in EDSR performance related to the gray-level values, showing a relative lack of outperformance in reconstructing hyperintense areas. The EDSR model, trained on general-purpose images, better reconstructs MR T1w and T2w images than BC, without any retraining or fine-tuning. These results highlight the excellent generalization ability of the network and lead to possible applications on other MR measurements.
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation over Frontal Eye Fields Mimics Attentional Modulation of Visual Processing
Authors: Misselhorn Jonas , Fiene Marina , Radecke Jan-Ole , Engel Andreas K. , Schneider Till R.
Published: May 2024

Attentional control over sensory processing has been linked to neural alpha oscillations and related inhibition of cerebral cortex. Despite the wide consensus on the functional relevance of alpha oscillations for attention, precise neural mechanisms of how alpha oscillations shape perception and how this top-down modulation is implemented in cortical networks remain unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that alpha oscillations in frontal eye fields (FEFs) are causally involved in the top-down regulation of visual processing in humans (male and female). We applied sham-controlled, intermittent transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over bilateral FEF at either 10 Hz (alpha) or 40 Hz (gamma) to manipulate attentional preparation in a visual discrimination task. Under each stimulation condition, we measured psychometric functions for contrast perception and introduced a novel linear mixed modeling approach for statistical control of neurosensory side effects of the electric stimulation. tACS at alpha frequency reduced the slope of the psychometric function, resulting in improved subthreshold and impaired superthreshold contrast perception. Side effects on the psychometric functions were complex and showed large interindividual variability. Controlling for the impact of side effects on the psychometric parameters by using covariates in the linear mixed model analysis reduced this variability and strengthened the perceptual effect. We propose that alpha tACS over FEF mimicked a state of endogenous attention by strengthening a fronto-occipitoparietal network in the alpha band. We speculate that this network modulation enhanced phasic gating in occipitoparietal cortex leading to increased variability of single-trial psychometric thresholds, measurable as a reduction of psychometric slope.