bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Potassium Phosphite Solution as a Dual-Action Strategy Against Bean Anthracnose: Antifungal Activity and Defense Gene Priming
Authors: Saldarriaga-Gómez Catalina , Paéz-Monroy Paula Natalia , González-Almario Adriana
Published: February 2025

Anthracnose in bean is an important disease caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, which affects crop productivity and infects the plant in all growth stages, affecting the quality of the pod and grains. The most viable strategy to control this disease is using bean cultivars; however, fungal variability is a limitation. Among the strategy proposed is using phosphite-based compounds, which can act as fungicides or priming stimulators. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of phosphite base solution (potassium phosphite (H3PO3), potassium hydroxide, and potassium citrate, in a formulation of phosphorus (P2O5) 28% and potassium (K2O) 26%) on C. lindemuthianum under in vitro conditions. In addition, its effects as a defense inducer in Sutagao bean plants, assessing changes in disease severity and the expression of PR1, PR3, PR4, and POD defense-related genes in plants treated with the phosphite solution before infection with the fungus. The results showed the fungicidal effect of potassium phosphite solution on C. lindemuthianum by reducing 42% of the mycelial growth by 48% germination percentage with a dose of 5 mL L-1. The effect of foliar of application of phosphite base solution on anthracnose severity showed a 17% reduction associated with the high expression of PR1, PR3, PR4, and POD defense genes, which increased in plants that were subsequently infected with the pathogen, demonstrating a priming effect. In conclusion, a potassium phosphite solution can be included in a management program to control bean anthracnose.
Establishment of Warning Model for Epidemic Intensity of Norovirus Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis in Beijing Based on Synthetic Index Method
Authors: Han Taoli , Gao Yan , Zhang Shiyao , Jiao Yang , Zhao Jianhong , Zhao Jiaxin , Liu Yujie , Liu Kuankuan , Lu Pan , Fan Ru , Zhang Yuqi , Ren Xingmei , Wang Mengnan , Gao Zhiyong , Li Wenjing , Li Beibei , Su Tongyue , Sun Lingli
Published: February 2025

At present, there are no researches that classify the epidemic intensity of Norovirus GII AGE conbineed case and environmental surveillance data at the same time. With reference to the experience of epidemiological level classification of infectious disease and actual epidemiological status of Norovirus (NoV) AGE in Chaoyang District, the epidemic intensity of NoV GII was divided into five grades with increasing intensity from grade 1 to 5, which corresponds to non-epidemic risk, general risk, moderate risk, high risk and ultra-high risk respectively. If the synthetic index of 2 consecutive monitoring weeks in the epidemic season of 2023-2024 exceeds a certain threshold, an early warning for the corresponding epidemic intensity is issued and recommendations on corresponding control measures will be given. This study established and quantified the criteria for the epidemic intensity of Norovirus GII AGE based on case surveillance data and environmental surveillance data, it provides a reference for other methods to carry out relevant studies in the future. However, mathematical models can’t completely replace professional experience. Therefore, when making decisions with early warning models in practice, it is necessary to refer to the opinions of professional and experienced experts for avoidding the bias of the early warning model from affecting misjudgement strategy.
DeepSeek and GPT Fall Behind: Claude Leads in Zero-Shot Consumer Complaints Classification
Authors: Roumeliotis Konstantinos I. , Tselikas Nikolaos D. , Nasiopoulos Dimitrios K.
Published: February 2025

Large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in various natural language processing (NLP) tasks, but their effectiveness in real-world consumer complaint classification without fine-tuning remains uncertain. Zero-shot classification is particularly challenging in finance, where complaint categories often overlap, requiring a deep understanding of nuanced language. In this study, we evaluate the zero-shot classification performance of leading LLMs— DeepSeek-V3, OpenAI’s GPT-4o and GPT-4o mini, and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 3.5 Haiku—on consumer complaints submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). These models were tasked with categorizing complaints into five predefined financial classes based solely on complaint text. Performance was measured using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and heatmaps to identify classification patterns. While DeepSeek Chat and GPT-4o produced competitive results, Claude 3.5 Sonnet consistently outperformed all models, demonstrating superior classification accuracy and efficiency. These findings highlight the relative strengths and limitations of DeepSeek-V3 and other top-tier models in financial text processing, providing valuable insights into their practical applications.
Intrapartum Transperineal Ultrasound Parameters as Predictive Biomarkers for Delivery Mode and Labor Duration in Primiparas: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Fang Lijun , Song Haijing , Li Jinlu , Wang Xiaodi , Hu Huihui
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study evaluates the utility of intrapartum transperineal ultrasound parameters—angle of progression (AOP), head-perineum distance (HPD), and midline angle (MLA)—as predictors of delivery mode and labor duration in primiparas. Methods: A prospective cohort of 144 primiparas (gestational age: 38–40 weeks) undergoing trial of labor was stratified into vaginal delivery (n = 108) and cesarean section (n = 36) groups. Transperineal ultrasound assessed fetal orientation, cervical metrics, AOP, HPD, and MLA during the first stage of labor. Statistical analyses included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for delivery mode prediction, linear regression and Pearson correlations for labor duration. Results: Vaginal deliveries exhibited significantly higher AOP (136.59° ± 10.24° vs 116.24° ± 6.53°), lower HPD (21.06 ± 3.21 cm vs 24.39 ± 2.14 cm), lower and MLA (11.31° ± 1.33° vs 15.26° ± 2.45°) compared to cesarean deliveries. ROC analysis demonstrated strong predictive efficacy of delivery mode for combined parameters (AUC = 0.884). AOP and MLA negatively correlated with labor duration (r = −0.737, −0.761; p < 0.001), while HPD showed a positive correlation (r = 0.644, p < 0.001). Conclusion: AOP, HPD, and MLA are robust biomarkers for predicting delivery mode and labor progression. Integrating these parameters into clinical practice may enhance decision-making, reduce unnecessary interventions, and improve maternal-neonatal outcomes.
Geospatial Analysis in Machine Learning for CO2 Emissions Prediction Analysis in 2100: A Continent-Wise Analysis
Authors: Magadum Triveni , Garg Kartik , Murgod Sanjana , Yadav Vivek , Mittal Harshit , Kushwaha Omkar
Published: February 2025

Geospatial analysis plays a very crucial role in predicting environmental changes, especially in the context of CO2 emissions and climate forecasting. This study uses continent-wise geospatial analysis to assess the potential patterns and implications of CO2 emissions by 2100, using ML techniques. The objective of this research is to spatially integrate the data with ML models to predict the geographical distribution of CO2 emissions at regional levels, thereby ascertaining which factors are predominant in influencing rates of emissions. For this purpose, the world is stratified into continents so that fine-grained regional differences in trends of emissions may be understood, keeping in mind aspects such as population density, industrialization, energy consumption, and climate policies. These are regression, classification, and neural networks that the machine learning algorithms use on satellite data, demographic information, and economic indicators to predict future emissions. This helps explain those hotspots in the first place, regions of high vulnerability to impacts from emissions, and opportunities for targeted mitigation strategies. Ultimately, this study provides a basis for understanding the geographical dynamics of CO2 emissions and more effective strategies by policymakers and environmental researchers to achieve emission reduction and climate change mitigation in the following century.
Structural Design and Vibro-Mechanical Characterization Analysis of Variable Cross-sectional Metal Rubber Isolator
Authors: Liu Jianchao , Liu Xinzhe , Wang Hanbin , Ye Zixiong , Xue Xin
Published: February 2025

Satellites experience complex vibrational environments during launch and operation, potentially leading to structural failures and equipment damage. This work aimed to mitigate this issue by designing a variable cross-sectional metal rubber isolator (VCMRI), which was fully constructed from metal and featured a symmetric structure. Initially, a finite element model of VCMRI was developed, incorporating symmetric boundary conditions and employing the Bergström-Boyce model to define variable cross-sectional metal rubber (VCMR) parameters. Subsequently, sinusoidal sweep tests were performed to investigate how variations in VCMR density, spring stiffness, and excitation deflection angle affect the peak acceleration response and natural frequency of VCMRI. Finally, simulation analyses were conducted and insertion loss was derived from the results to assess the vibration isolation performance of VCMRI. The results indicate that the finite element model accurately captures the dynamic behavior of VCMRI with minimal error. In addition, VCMRI demonstrates robust vibration isolation performance by effectively integrating the influences of VCMR density, spring stiffness, and excitation angle, achieving insertion losses of up to 19.2 dB across a wide frequency range. It provides a robust theoretical support for the design and performance optimization of isolation systems, with potential positive impacts on relevant engineering applications.
Do Secondary School Graduates in Greece Recognise the Opportunities for Vocational Rehabilitation in Stem Education?
Authors: Golegou Eirini , Wallace Manolis , Pepas Kostas
Published: February 2025

Considering that the development of STEM education in the Western world was due to the low interest of young people in working in one of the STEM fields , it is interesting to study the level of interest of Greek students in finding STEM related jobs forty years after the need to stimulate it was recognized in the USA, thirty years after the appearance of the term [2]and eighteen years after the introduction of the first STEM oriented study programmed . As has been noted, 21st century skills are necessary for a competitive workforce that will be able to contribute to national and global economic growth. And since the schools associated with STEM skills are the ones that can lead to the development of 21st century skills and that educate the future STEM professionals, it is deemed necessary to make a list of them. The article analyses the number of admissions to each higher education institution related to STEM fields and the vacancies recorded in these institutions after the introduction of the lower admissions threshold. The main conclusion of the research is that there are vacancies in science departments even in large urban centers. A fact that shows that candidates do not recognize them as STEM. There are also many vacancies in engineering departments even in smaller provincial towns.
VHDL-Based Low-Power Modem Design Using QPSK and IIR Filters on Xilinx FPGA
Authors: Giannakopoulos Georgios , Shaikh Khushbu Mehboob , Adegbenro Peter
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a low-power modem realized using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters on a Xilinx FPGA. The architecture, designed for low-power wireless communication in mobile handsets, IoT, and battery-powered applications, incorporates 16−bit fixed-point IIR filters with power consumption of 40 mW. Adaptive voltage scaling reduces energy by another 15%, and clock gating and Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) reduce total power consumption by up to 30%. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Bit Error Rate (BER) testing and in-situ power measurements confirm 98 mW total system power at 12 dB SNR, with a BER of 1.2 × 10−6. Compared to Finite Impulse Response (FIR)-based implementations, the new modem has 35% less latency and improved computational efficiency. The FPGA design is scalable and parallel-processing capable, making it easily implementable in real-time applications such as sensor networks, mobile communication, and SDR systems. The QPSK modulation is very efficient in terms of spectra, transmitting two bits per symbol and yet being extremely robust in noisy environments. The integration of the IIR filter also enhances signal quality by filtering out noise and optimizing the use of hardware resources. A comparative analysis explains the modem’s higher power efficiency, lower computational complexity, and superior performance over state-of-the-art designs. Future research efforts will consider adaptive modulation schemes, i.e., Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), for spectral efficiency enhancement, and machine learning-based dynamic power management and hardware acceleration for further optimization. The suggested design provides a power-saving solution for next generation wireless communication, especially in systems with constrained energy resources.
Lifestyle & Biochemical Parameters that May Hamper Immune Responses in Pediatric Patients After Immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Damianaki Anthie , Marmarinos Antonios , Avgeris Margaritis , Gourgiotis Dimitrios , Vlachopapadopoulou Elpis-Athina , Charakida Marietta , Tsolia Maria , Kossiva Lydia
Published: February 2025

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate whether increased Body Mass Index (BMI), biochemical and lifestyle parameters linked to obesity and smoke exposure disrupt immune responses of children and adolescents following vaccination with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Methods: Participants were assigned to receive two doses of the mRNA vaccine. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and neutralizing antibodies (abs) were measured before vaccination (T0) and 14 days after the second dose (T1). BMI and biochemical parameters were evaluated at T0. A questionnaire on lifestyle characteristics was filled in. Results: IgG Optical Density (OD) ratio at T1 was lower in the overweight-obese group regardless of COVID-19 disease positive history [p=0.028 for the seronegative group, p=0.032 for the seropositive group]. Neutralizing abs were lower in overweightobese participants in the seronegative group at T1 [p=0.008]. HDL, Fasting Glucose/insulin Ratio (FGIR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), HBA1c, uric acid and smoke exposure were significantly correlated with BMI [p=0.006, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.006, p=0.009, p<0.001, respectively]. The main biochemical parameters that were inversely correlated with IgG and neutralizing titers at T1 were uric acid [p=0.018, p=0.002], FGIR [p=0.001, p=0.008] and HBA1C [p=0.027, p=0.038], while smoke exposure negatively affected the humoral immune responses at T0 in the convalescent group [p=0.004, p=0.005]. Conclusions: Current data suggests that uric acid, Insulin Resistance (IR) and smoke exposure could adversely affect the immune responses in overweight-obese vaccinated children highlighting the need for actions needed for better protection of this specific subgroup.
Factors Affecting the Financial Sustainability of Start-Ups During the Valley of Death: An Empirical Study in an Innovative Ecosystem
Authors: Zapata Cesar , Villa* Mauricio Bedoya- , Gómez Johnatan Castro- , Giraldo-Giraldo Camilo , Rave-Gómez Elkin , Román Edith
Published: February 2025

(1) Background: The survival and growth of startups in their early stages is negatively impacted by the lack of financial sustainability and scarce resources that entrepreneurs face during the first 5 years. This is known as the Valley of Death. This study seeks to identify key factors that influence the financial sustainability of start-ups during the Valley of Death, which demands a significant amount of funding and government support. (2) Methods: A quantitative methodology was employed, based on a worldwide literature review that pointed out the variables of the object of study; the information collection process was conducted through a questionnaire applied to 352 entrepreneurs in an innovative ecosystem. This study empirically applies a structural equation model to determine the relationship between constructs. (3) Results: A comprehensive analysis of results indicates that indicators such as positive sales performance, sufficient financial solvency to meet short- and long-term commitments, accurate pricing policies, and access to government and banking support are the primary factors affecting the sustainability of start-ups in the early stages. (4) Originality: This study provides original and relevant insights into the indicators that affect the financial sustainability of start-ups during the Valley of Death and offers interesting insights for governments, institutions, and entrepreneurs to foster innovative ecosystems; it also contributes to the extant literature on early-stage entrepreneurial failures.
Clinical-Preclinical Connections Solidified the Foundation Supporting PRMT5 as a Reliable Lymphoma Prognosis Biomarker
Authors: Che Yuxuan , Liu Yi , Ziyaau Mohamed , Sun Xiuhua , Li Man
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To understand the clinical relationship between PRMT5 and cancer, and to explore an accurate prediction of a cancer patient’s survival and response to individualized treatment therapy. Methods: We analyzed clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) in comparison with previous preclinical studies on PRMT5. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was utilized to investigate the correlation between PRMT5 expression and clinicopathologic information in lymphoma. GSEA was used to detect the pathways in which genes are primarily enriched. LASSO-COX regression was used to evaluate if PRMT5 is a credible survival prediction index for lymphoma. Results: Our results showed that PRMT5 was upregulated in multiple cancers including diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) compared with normal tissues. And increased expression of PRMT5 in lymphomas was significantly associated with poor overall survival. Then we performed GSEA algorithm which inferred that high PRMT5 was correlated with cell cycle, ribosome, cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, autophagy regulation and olfactory transduction. Four types of immune cells, namely, macrophages M1 (R = 0.29, p = 0.0072), neutrophils (R = 0.29, p = 0.0077), macrophages M2 (R = 0.23, p = 0.034), and resting mast cells (R = 0.23, p = 0.037) in lymphoma showed correlation with PRMT5 expression. Conclusions: Our results have bridged the gap between preclinical and clinical data of PRMT5 and thus consolidated the knowledge supporting the role of PRMT5 in lymphoma prognosis prediction.
Psychometric Properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) in Ecuadorian Youth
Authors: Ramírez Andrés , Burgos-Benavides Luis , Quito-Calle Jessica Vanessa , Sinchi Hugo , Herrero Díez Javier , Rodríguez-Díaz Francisco Javier
Published: February 2025

Adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, are a risk factor for mental health and socio-emotional development in adulthood. Assessing these experiences in specific populations allows for the identification of patterns and the implementation of preventive interventions. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the abbreviated version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Form (ACE-ASF) in Ecuadorian youth, aiming to ensure the validity, reliability, and consistency of the instrument in accurately measuring abuse dimensions in this Ecuadorian population. Methodology: An instrumental study was conducted on the psychometric properties of the 8-item ACE-ASF, applying it to a sample of 840 university students (52.1% women and 47.9% men). The evaluation focused on analyzing the factorial structure and internal consistency of the instrument in this sample. Results: The two-factor model showed satisfactory fit across all levels of invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and strict), with acceptable fit indices (CFI, TLI, GFI, RMSEA and SRMR). Internal consistency was adequate, as assessed by the Omega and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed using the AVE and HTMT indices, ensuring proper differentiation between the dimensions assessed. Conclusion: The ACE-ASF proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing abuse experiences in Ecuadorian youth. Its two-factor structure reflects distinct yet related dimensions, providing a useful tool for identifying adverse childhood experiences in this population.
The Power Functions and Their Relations to the Unified Fractional Derivative
Authors: Ortigueira Manuel Duarte
Published: February 2025

The different forms of power functions will be studied in connection with the unified fractional derivative and their Fourier transform computed. In particular, one-sided, even, and odd powers will be studied.
Decoding Brain Signals in a Neuromorphic Framework for a Personalized Adaptive Control of Human Prosthetics
Authors: Rusev Georgi , Yordanov Svetlozar , Nedelcheva Simona , Banderov Alexander , Sauter-Starace Fabien , Koprinkova-Hristova Petia , Kasabov Nikola
Published: February 2025

Current technological solutions for Brain-machine Interfaces (BMI) achieve reasonable accuracy, but most systems are large in size, power consuming and not auto-adaptive. This work addresses the question whether current neuromorphic technologies could resolve these problems? The paper proposes a novel neuromorphic framework of a BMI system for prosthetics control via decoding Electro Cortico-Graphic (ECoG) brain signals. It includes a three-dimensional spike timing neural network (3D-SNN) for brain signals features extraction and an on-line trainable recurrent reservoir structure (Echo state network (ESN)) for Motor Control Decoding (MCD). A software system, written in Python using NEST Simulator SNN library is described. It is able to adapt continuously in real time in supervised or unsupervised mode. The proposed approach was tested on several experimental data sets acquired from a tetraplegic person. First simulation results are encouraging, showing also the need for a further improvement via multiple hyper-parameters tuning. Its future implementation on a neuromorphic hardware platform that is smaller in size and significantly less power consuming is discussed too.
An Overview and Evaluation of Pedagogical Methods for 21st Century STEM Education
Authors: Golegou Eirini , Wallace Manolis , Peppas Kostas
Published: February 2025

The period of time spent in secondary education is of great consequence, as the interests and skills acquired during this period can have a significant impact on the development of the individual as an active citizen and as a professional. In this study, methods centred on the learner and designed 3 to facilitate the acquisition of 21st-century skills were identified. Subsequently, a critical analysis of 4 these methods was conducted. This critical analysis was based on the findings of a survey of teachers’ views on the difficulties they face in implementing STEM education. In particular, the criteria under consideration are the time required for lesson preparation, the time needed for classroom activities, and the availability of digital resources. The results of the survey indicate that each teacher is at liberty to select the methodology that aligns with their pedagogical approach and the characteristics of their classroom.
The Neglected Impact Of The Livestock Sector On Climate Change: The Role Of Intergovernmental Organizations
Authors: Lima Melina Moreira Campos
Published: February 2025

Climate change represents the major challenge facing humanity in the modern era. While countries and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) have made some progress in addressing the climate crisis, there remains a flagrant blind spot in the global response: the significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with livestock and animal-based food consumption. This Article critically explores how selected IGOs working directly or indirectly on climate change address the livestock industry and its GHG emissions. It employs a qualitative documentary and bibliographical methodology. More specifically, we analyze the following institutions: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the European Union. One of the conclusions is that three of the four IGOs have neglected the real impact of livestock on climate change. Even though the cultural, psychological, political, and economic obstacles to including the livestock sector in climate mitigation efforts are significant, IGOs could help overcome them if they fulfill their potential role in promoting the necessary global dietary shift.
Identification of Eye Diseases Through Deep Learning
Authors: Acevedo Elena , Orantes Sandra Dinora , Acevedo-Mosqueda Marco-Antonio , Carreño Ricardo
Published: February 2025

Background: Ocular diseases have been a severe problem worldwide, specifically in underdeveloped countries that do not have enough technology or economy to treat them. It would be beneficial to have software with low installation complexity and ease of use, allowing allowing the high efficacy in diagnosing eye diseases. This study aims to design and implement an algorithm based on Deep Learning to classify ocular diseases with high precision; (2) Methods: This work de-scribes digital image processing techniques for easier handling of eye images; in particular, Blur filters were used. The Canny filter was also applied to obtain the edges that allow the difference between the analyzed diseases. Once the images were pre-processed, a Convolutional Neural Network of our own design was applied to perform the classification task. The validation algorithm used in this work was the Hold-Out (80-20). The metrics used to evaluate our proposal were the confusion matrix, accuracy, recall precision, and F1-score; (3) Results: The dataset has five classes: Normal, Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and other Retina diseases. The network ar-chitecture consists of 11 layers, including three Convolutional layers, three Max Pooling layers, one Batch Normalization layer, one Flattening layer, two Hidden layers, and one output layer. This model resulted in 97% efficiency across all metrics; Conclusions: With the individual analysis of each metric, it can be observed that the proposed algorithm is capable of differentiating, first, normal images from diseased ones, and second, adequately classifying eye diseases.
Neural Information Organizing and Processing Principles
Authors: Petrila Iosif Iulian
Published: February 2025

The neural information organizing and processing principles are presented in a general transdisciplinary axiomatic form, highlighting the fundamental neural informational characteristics and processes as a guiding informational synthesis useful in various fields from neurosciences to neural processing units design and artificial intelligent software implementations. The proposed neural information organizing and processing principles highlights the fundamental characteristics of neural information: function, memorization, nondeterminism, fragmentation, aggregation, nonlinearization, geometrization, parallelization, adaptation, and objectivation. The presented principles are formulated in order to facilitate transdisciplinary utility even if were synthesized through neural specific informational organization in computing implementations and approaches as generalization, abstraction and in correlation with biological neuronal systems, especially viewed from an informational perspective.
Investment Risk Management: The Forensic Audit Perspective
Authors: GALINDO MAYURI CECIBELL , YEPES ISABEL CRISTINA , ROA JORGE ANTONIO
Published: February 2025

The risk of investing is the uncertainty involved in investing money in activities, ventures or other ventures, since it is not certain that the desired return will be obtained. It is essential to recognize and evaluate potential risks to manage investment risk and have an appropriate investment strategy, for this a tool used is forensic auditing, which is essential to detect and stop fraud activities and at the same time promote ethics and transparency in companies. With the current complexity of markets and companies to address financial risks, forensic auditing is an instrument that seeks to guarantee the protection of investors' assets and the detection of financial fraud. Methods: A qualitative approach was used with the use of documentary review, where case studies are presented on how forensic auditing allowed the identification of irregularities and financial frauds in companies; Results: In its Annual Report on the Nation, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners [ACFE] identifies three types of fraud: financial statement fraud, improper disposition of assets, and corruption. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia are the most representative countries in this study, since the 2022 report analyzes 95 cases from 23 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region, highlighting the cases of Efecty, Pecsanova, Interbolsa, Air conditioning companies in Guangzhou among others, whose results show financial fraud and irregularities in documents; (4) Conclusions: The cases studied show that with the application of forensic auditing, financial delinquents and the requirements to implement internal controls in organizations were identified to improve data-based investment decision-making.
It from Bit: A Concrete Attempt
Authors: Furtado Neto Alexandre
Published: February 2025

This work presents a toy universe grounded in classical logic, elementary natural arithmetic, and a touch of topology. The universe’s space is modeled as a finite, closed, discrete 3-torus with an additional non-spatial dimension of a carefully selected size. Each point within this space contains a fixed-size string of two-state elements, each possessing an ontological character. A few recurring patterns are observed across these layers: one based on the Euclidean distance from a central point, the second following a sinusoidal bit mask relative to the same point, the third is a unique ray marking a privileged direction, and the fourth is a spiral path. These patterns are dynamic, relocating after interactions, but keeping most data the same, displaced relative to the other layers. Time in this universe is discrete. Electric charge is represented by a single bit, weak charge by two bits, and color charge by three bits. The linear motion dynamics of the universe are dictated by a radial line of bits, while the rotational one, by an orthogonal spiral of bits. Gravity is interpreted as an extension of the static electromagnetic force, where a certain charge combination acts as a graviton, resulting in a super deterministic model reliant on a few input parameters. The unit of energy is the layer itself, which groups as particles, either localized or similar to photons, using a fundamental collapse mechanism. Particles leave behind a trace of their momentum onto the lattice. This allows for interactions with subsequent waves, leading to patterns that resemble quantum self-interference and opening a door for falsifiability of the model. This constructive approach establishes a universal cellular automaton framework. Foundationally, this work is in line with 't Hooft's cellular automaton interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.
Changes in Contraceptive Services During Utah’s Family Planning Elevated Contraceptive Access Initiative: A Prospective Assessment of Intervention and Control Sites
Authors: Simmons Rebecca G. , Gero Alexandra , Carter Gentry , Sanders Jessica N. , Quade Caitlin , Baayd Jami , Mullholand Madeline , Elliott Sarah , Myers Kyl , Torres Erica , Smith Justin D. , Turok David K.
Published: February 2025

Objectives. To assess contraceptive service changes during the Family Planning Elevated (FPE) Contraceptive Access Program in Utah clinics from 2018 to 2023.

Methods. We assessed de-identified electronic health record data on female clients aged 18 to 50 years from intervention and matched control sites. We used comparative interrupted time series analyses comparing total number of contraceptive services and their proportion relative to visits between intervention and control sites before, during, and after FPE.

Results. Intervention sites provided on average 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17, 2.66) times as many contraceptive services per month as controls during the 24-month intervention period, with no significant decreases in services noted in the postintervention period. The proportions of total visits related to family planning decreased by a factor of 0.70 (95% CI = 0.52, 0.94) during the intervention period. However, this effect was mitigated at intervention sites where proportions of contraceptive services were 1.44 (95% CI = 0.97, 2.14) times greater than control sites and did not significantly decrease after the intervention.

Conclusions. Contraceptive access initiatives have capacity to make meaningful change in communities where they are employed, even after they end. ( Am J Public Health. 2025;115(3):387–396. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307917 )
Predictors of Persistent COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Among Previously Infected Patients in Nebraska
Authors: Bai He (Julia) , Brett-Major David , Du Yi , Paritala Sai , Peters Edward S. , Ratnapradipa Kendra L. , Maloney Patrick
Published: February 2025

Objectives. To identify factors associated with persistent COVID-19 vaccine refusal among Nebraska residents 6 months after an initial COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods. Using case investigation surveillance data and vaccination records from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, a cohort of 16 344 unvaccinated, COVID-19‒confirmed individuals (May 2021‒February 2023) were asked for their reason for nonvaccination (RNV), then followed for 6 months to assess subsequent vaccination status. We used a modified Poisson regression to estimate risk of unvaccinated status at follow-up against predictors, including RNV, demographic characteristics, adherence to mitigation measures, hospitalization, and rurality.

Results. Compared with those whose RNV was missed opportunity/lack of convenience, individuals who cited religious exemption (adjusted incidence risk ratio [AIRR = 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31, 1.41), philosophical objection (AIRR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.24, 1.34), or institutional confidence/complacency concerns (AIRR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.19, 1.33) showed greatest risk of nonvaccination. Older age, nonadherence to mitigation measures, and higher rurality are positively associated with nonvaccination. Minority status and hospitalization were correlated with vaccination.

Conclusions. Ideology-centered objections held significant weight among previously infected individuals who displayed sustained reluctance toward COVID-19 vaccination. Distinguishing sources of misinformation among ideologically similar communities could instigate reconsideration for vaccination. ( Am J Public Health. 2025;115(3):414–424. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307921 )
Osteotomies of the Knee for Valgus Malalignment
Authors: Bertha Nicholas , Manfre Miranda G. , Chin Garwin , Peszek Adam , Batiste Alexis J. , Maak Travis G. , Frank Rachel M.
Published: February 2025

» Osteotomy is an effective treatment strategy for young, active patients with symptomatic valgus malalignment of the knee that has been unresponsive to conservative management.

» Osteotomies are also indicated to support joint preservation procedures, such as lateral meniscus allograft transplantation and/or cartilage restoration to the lateral compartment, in the valgus malaligned patient, even if the malalignment is subtle.

» Techniques to correct valgus include lateral opening wedge distal femoral osteotomy (LOWDFO), medial closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy (MCWDFO), lateral opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (LOWHTO), or medial closing wedge high tibial osteotomy (MCWHTO). The specific technique chosen depends on surgeon preference, concomitant procedures, and deformity location (femoral, tibial, or both).

» Each approach comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. LOWDFO offers easier correction for larger deformities but has a higher risk of nonunion, while MCWDFO facilitates faster time to union but is more technically demanding. For those with a tibial-based deformity, LOWHTO carries a higher risk of nonunion, MCWHTO may lead to medial collateral ligament laxity or patella baja, and both may cause alterations of the tibial slope and may be limited as an isolated procedure in severe deformity correction.

» Irrespective of the surgical approach, the outcomes of these procedures are generally favorable, improving patient-reported outcomes and potentially delaying the need for total knee arthroplasty. However, it is crucial to carefully select the appropriate procedure based on the patient's anatomy and the specificities of their valgus deformity to ensure the best possible results.
Effectiveness of reminiscence in older adults with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.
Authors: Villasán Rueda Alba , Castillo Riedel Eduardo , Wobbeking Marina
Published: February 2025

The worrying increase in the incidence of cases of dementia such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has led society to a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions in the management of these pathologies that allow promoting the maintenance and optimization of mental capacities that are are diminished or appeased by the evolution of the disease. The appearance of new interventions, such as reminiscence, has made a great contribution to cognitive intervention teams and could lead to a restructuring of the processes carried out for cognitive rehabilitation with AD. With this type of intervention, the autobiographical memory of patients is stimulated using various themes. These sessions can be carried out individually or in groups and allow experiences to be shared, experiences, as well as interaction between people with dementia when it is carried out in a group. To verify the effectiveness of this type of intervention, a total of 160 articles were analyzed after a duplication process and passing different quality tools, a total of 8 articles remained. The results found indicate that interventions with reminiscence help reduce some symptoms associated with the disease, such as anxiety and depression, and encourage the importance of combining them with traditional therapies.
Indicadores de Posición Socioeconómica y Salud Mental en Adolescentes Chilenos
Authors: Marín-Gutiérrez Mauricio , Avalos-Tejeda Marcelo , Caqueo-Urízar Alejandra
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impact of various socioeconomic position (SEP) indicators on positive mental health (PMH) and negative mental health (NMH) among Chilean adolescents, using the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) models and the dual-factor model of mental health. The research adopted a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational-explanatory design. The sample consisted of 425 adolescents from northern Chile. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Family Affluence Scale II (FAS-II) were used to measure SEP indicators, and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) to measure PMH and NMH, respectively. The results showed that family affluence and gender significantly impact PMH and NMH. Additionally, being a migrant adolescent correlates with better PMH and lower NMH. The educational levels of parents and ethnicity showed no significant effects. These findings contribute to the understanding of adolescent mental health in Chile from the perspective of social determinants and suggest the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to develop effective policies and interventions that improve the mental health of this population.
Consumidor millennial y su relación con la sostenibilidad empresarial en el distrito de Miraflores, Lima – Perú 2023
Authors:   , Valle Estupiñan Angie Brunella , Luna Siancas Carla Dessiree
Published: February 2025

En los últimos años, el enfoque en la sostenibilidad empresarial ha cobrado relevancia, impulsado significativamente por la generación millennial, que se caracteriza por ser más consciente e informada sobre el tema. Por esta razón, la presente investigación busca analizar las relaciones entre los factores culturales, personales, psicológicos y sociales del comportamiento del consumidor millennial del distrito de Miraflores y la sostenibilidad empresarial. Para este estudio, se realizó una encuesta virtual a una muestra de 365 consumidores millennials nacidos entre 1980 y 1995, incluyendo tanto hombres como mujeres del distrito de Miraflores pertenecientes al sector socioeconómico A/B. Las correlaciones se obtuvieron a través del modelo planteado de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados demuestran una relación positiva pero débil entre las variables del comportamiento del consumidor, sus dimensiones y la sostenibilidad empresarial. Este estudio concluye que el consumidor millennial se relaciona más profundamente con la sostenibilidad en las empresas en comparación con otros grupos generacionales predecesores; sin embargo, el vínculo no es lo suficiente fuerte por lo que se brinda una serie de recomendaciones a implementar, ofreciendo una contribución valiosa para las empresas y emprendimientos que buscan incorporar la sostenibilidad en sus estrategias, fundamentándose en los factores del consumidor millennial.
Acknowledgement of Country
Authors: TESOL in Context Journal Coordinator
Published: February 2025

This includes the front cover of the special edition, Acknowledgement of Country, ACTA Statement, and TESOL in Context editorial team details for the current issue 2025 Volume 33 Number 02 Special Issue.
Reporting Complete Chloroplast Genome of Endangered Red Mulberry Useful for Understanding Hybridization and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: Adhikari Bibek , Parajuli Sanam , Nepal Madhav P.
Published: February 2025

Introgressive hybridization of the North American native red mulberry (Morus rubra) with its invasive congener white mulberry (Morus alba) has severely threatened the genetic integrity of M. rubra, which is primarily found in pristine riparian forests. The major objectives of the present study were 1) to sequence, assemble, and annotate the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of M. rubra, and 2) to perform phylogenomic analyses of Morus species to assess their evolutionary history and hybridization events within the genus. We sampled 45 mulberry trees representing populations from eight US states for cp genome sequencing. We found that the cp genome of M. rubra ranged from 159,396 to 159,423 bp and contained 128 genes coding for eight rRNAs, 37 tRNAs, and 83 proteins. The cp genome of M. rubra was at least 103 bp larger than that of M. alba. The cpDNA sequence polymorphism analysis of M. rubra showed the presence of 12 haplotypes. The cp genome analysis across 12 Morus species identified trnK-UUU-rps16, psbI-trnG-UCC, psbC-psbZ, psbZ-trnM-CAU, rps4-trnT-UGU, trnT-UGU-trnL-UAA, ndhC-trnV-UAC, psbE-petL, clpP1, ndhF-rpl32, rpl32-trnL-UAG, and ccsA-ndhDas having higher DNA polymorphism (Pi > 0.01), making them candidate species-specific markers. Phylogenomic analysis of the 12 Morus species revealed distinct clades for Asian, North American, South American, and African Morus, supporting the monophyly of the genus. Divergence time analysis showed the most common ancestor of the genus Morus diverged 38.67 million years ago (MYA), separating the African clade of M. mesozygia and M. insignis from the others, while the American and Asian clades diverged 28.63 MYA. The results from this study provide insights into the cp genome structure of M. rubra, offering foundational data for addressing complex taxonomic complexities within the genus and for developing molecular markers to study population genetics, including introgressive hybridization.
The dramatic transition of the extreme Red Supergiant WOH G64 to a Yellow Hypergiant
Authors: Munoz-Sanchez Gonzalo , Kalitsounaki Maria , de Wit Stephan , Antoniadis Kostantinos , Bonanos Alceste , Zapartas Emmanouil , Boutsia Konstantina , Christodoulou Evangelia , Maravelias Grigoris , Soszyński Igor , Udalski Andrzej
Published: February 2025

Red Supergiants (RSGs) are cool, evolved massive stars in their final evolutionary stage before exploding as a supernova [1, 2]. However, the evolution and fate of the most luminous RSGs is uncertain. Observational evidence for luminous warm, post-RSG objects [3] and the lack of luminous RSGs as supernova progenitors [4] suggest a blueward evolution. Since the 1980s, WOH G64 has been considered the most extreme RSG in the Large Magellanic Cloud given its outstanding size, luminosity, and mass-loss rate [5–7]. Here we report a sudden, yet smooth change in its nature. Time-series photometry and subsequent spectroscopy revealed the most extreme transition ever seen in the optical spectral features of a RSG. We discovered that WOH G64 is a rare, massive symbiotic system formed by a RSG, which transitioned to a Yellow Hypergiant, and a B-star companion. The dramatic transition can be explained by: a) binary interactions partially stripping the envelope, b) the return of WOH G64 to a quiescent state after an outstanding eruption exceeding 30 years, and c) the expulsion of its outer layers due to a pre-supernova superwind phase, indicating its imminent explosion. WOH G64 offers a unique opportunity to witness stellar evolution in real-time, providing crucial clues for the final phases of massive stars and their resulting supernovae.
Impact of the WHO's QualityRights Training on Promoting Knowledge of Human Rights for People with Mental Disorders among Brazilian Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Mion Ana Beatriz Zanardo , de Brito Emanuele Seicenti , Reis Igor de Oliveira , Ventura Carla Aparecida Arena
Published: February 2025

Background: Studies conducted worldwide have employed QualityRights training modules, which have shown promising results in improving the understanding of the human rights of people with mental disorders. This study aims to investigate the impact of QualityRights core training on promoting healthcare professionals' knowledge of the human rights of individuals with mental disorders and to assess whether the training can reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders among these professionals.
Methods: A quasiexperimental study was conducted with 26 healthcare professionals from the Family Health Strategy in Brazil, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers. The participants completed questionnaires before and after the training to assess changes in their knowledge and attitudes via a Likert scale. The results were statistically analyzed via paired t tests and multiple linear regression with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.
Results: Statistically significant reductions were observed in five items of the QualityRights scale (Pre 2.92 × Post 1.71, p=0.006; Pre 3.21 × Post 2.49, p=0.042; Pre 3.07 × Post 2.28, p=0.016; Pre 2.93 × Post 2.21, p=0.026; Pre 3.50 × Post 2.64, p=0.028). The overall scale score decreased from 27.3 to 21.3 (p=0.022). A longer duration of training (more years of education) was correlated with a greater reduction in the scale score (p=0.015).
Conclusions: WHO QualityRights training had a positive effect on the knowledge and practices of Brazilian healthcare professionals, successfully improving their understanding of human rights in mental health and reducing stigma. Further research, including long-term follow-up, is necessary to ensure sustained improvements and expand training to different healthcare contexts.