bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mask Detection and Categorization during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Dimililer Kamil , Kayali Devrim
Published: January 2024

With COVID-19 spreading all over the world and restricting our daily lives, the use of face masks has become very important, as it is an efficient way of slowing down the spread of the virus and an important piece to continue our daily tasks until vaccination is completed. People have been fighting this disease for a long time, and they are bored with the precautions, so they act carelessly. In this case, automatic detection systems are very important to keep the situation under control. In this research, deep learning models are trained with as little input data as possible in order to obtain an accurate face mask-wearing condition classification. These classes are mask-correct, mask wrong, and no mask, which refers to proper face mask use, improper face mask use, and no mask use, respectively. DenseNets, EfficientNets, InceptionResNetV2, InceptionV3, MobileNets, NasNets, ResNets, VGG16, VGG19, and Xception are the networks used in this study. The highest accuracy was obtained by the InceptionResNetV2 and Xception networks, with 99,6%. When other performance parameters are taken into consideration, the Xception network is a step forward. VGG16 and VGG19 also show an accuracy rate over 99%, with 99,1 and 99,4%, respectively. These two networks also had higher FPS and the two lowest initialization times during implementation. A comparison with recent studies was also carried out to evaluate the obtained accuracy. It was found that a higher accuracy can be obtained with the possible minimum input size.
Lean Six Sigma Tools for Efficient Milking Processes in Small-Scale Dairy Farms
Authors: Satolo Eduardo , Ussuna Guilherme A. , Mac-Lean Priscilla A. B.
Published: January 2024

This research paper aims to use lean six sigma tools to handle milk in small Brazilian dairy estates. The search for efficiency in this process preponderates in all productive sectors. However, it is still not exploited in the dairy chain, specifically by small-scale producers, although milking is the main income for many of them. In Brazil, small producers are the main suppliers of the chain, and maintaining their competitiveness requires specific actions. Therefore, through the action-research method, four small producers in the center-west of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were involved in identifying problems in their milking management process, investigating and implementing practical solutions. To this effect, lean tools such as flowcharts, Ishikawa diagrams, value stream mapping, and PDCA cycles were employed, and six feasible improvements were defined. The successful implementation of said improvements led to the acquisition of knowledge by small producers, who received financial returns, i.e., an increase in the amount paid per liter of milk. This research shows that, through interdisciplinarity, positive solutions to problems of different and complex natures, such as those in the dairy chain, can be obtained.
Conflictos y ordenamiento territorial: injusticia, sufrimiento y acción ambiental en Bogotá
Authors: Quimbayo Ruiz Germán Andrés
Published: January 2024

Este artículo examina conflictos ambientales que explican situaciones de injusticia y sufrimiento ambiental y su vínculo con prácticas de ordenamiento territorial en Bogotá-región, Colombia. A partir de diferentes fuentes cualitativas, se analizan casos de conflicto ambiental como el desarrollo urbanístico especulativo o con fines de lucro, actividades extractivas de materiales de construcción o el impacto de rellenos sanitarios en áreas de importancia social y ecológica. Se invita a repensar las prácticas de planificación y ordenamiento territorial como una tarea política colectiva que apunta a prácticas más democráticas, y no solo como un deber de planificadores. Asimismo, se avanza en comprender la dialéctica entre los conflictos y el ordenamiento territorial en un contexto de alta complejidad y biodiversidad. Aquí es clave recalibrar el cómo se entiende un conflicto ambiental y asumirlo como un proceso multiescalar, inscrito territorialmente y atravesado por desigualdades socioecológicas.
Territorio: reflexiones acerca de los aportes de Ratzel, Gottmann, Lacoste y Raffestin en el desarrollo conceptual de las geografías contemporáneas
Authors: Paulsen Bilbao Abraham
Published: January 2024

Se pasa revista a las ideas de Ratzel, reconociéndole como una especie de padre putativo del concepto de territorio en la geografía contemporánea. Desde este hito, se analizan los aportes de tres geógrafos: Jean Gottman, Yves Lacoste y Claude Raffestin, quienes sentaron las bases de una renovación de la geografía política prevaleciente entre los círculos intelectuales del siglo xx, originando lo que se podría denominar geografías políticas posvidalianas y posratzeleanas. Del análisis se concluye la imposibilidad de aceptar sin mayor discusión la separación del pensamiento geográfico contemporáneo y actual entre las escuelas anglosajonas y francófonas, por cuanto son más notables las variaciones y giros en las comprensiones de los conceptos, como es el caso del territorio, que ocurren al interior de cada una que entre ellas.
La representación socioespacial del territorio. Enfoques desde el saber ancestral de las comunidades indígenas wayuu de la Guajira colombiana
Authors: Daza Daza Alcides Rafael , Carabalí Angola Alexis
Published: January 2024

Para el wayuu, el territorio es el espacio de interacción entre lo terrenal y lo divino, es el lugar de sustento y desarrollo del ser, donde se presentan los acontecimientos y sucesos más importantes de la vida, es el recinto donde se confronta el principio y fin de la vida humana. El artículo se enfoca en analizar el pensamiento del ser wayuu sobre el territorio, la forma como este se relaciona con su entorno y las diferentes representaciones que se generan desde la cosmovisión y la mitología wayuu. Se fundamenta en la revisión de fuentes de información primarias y secundarias, tomando como base el análisis de un estudio de caso. En la cultura wayuu el desplazamiento de los animales de un lugar a otra restricción es símbolo de reciprocidad y muestra que en algunas circunstancias los límites comunitarios están marcados por valores que preservan el bienestar común entre las comunidades de una misma etnia. Se resalta la importancia de comprender la incidencia que tienen los valores, las normas, las costumbres y creencias sobre la ocupación y uso del territorio cultural.
Gestión integral de riesgo de desastres en República Dominicana: Pequeño Estado Insular en Desarrollo
Authors: Michel Pamela , Chaljub Hasbún Jeanette
Published: January 2024

El enfoque de manejo de riesgo de desastres ha ido evolucionando a través del tiempo. Este artículo de revisión pretende describir el proceso histórico y las bases legales de la Gestión Integral de Riesgo de Desastres (GIRD) en la República Dominicana como Pequeño Estado Insular en Desarrollo (PEID). Presenta los conceptos de riesgo medio ambiental y de los desastres ocasionados por este. Además, esboza la transición de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (GRD), con un enfoque meramente reactivo, hacia la Gestión Integral del Riesgo de Desastres (GIRD), que destaca la dimensión prospectiva e integral. Pone énfasis en la República Dominicana que enfrenta grandes retos y desafíos frente a amenazas de tipo hidrometeorológicas, por encontrarse en la ruta de los huracanes, dada su ubicación geográfica en la región del Caribe. La relevancia de este estudio gira en torno a la presentación de las bases legales de la GIRD estatuidas por el Estado dominicano como consecuencia de las lecciones aprendidas de desastres pasados presentando una idea del estatus actual de la GIRD en el país.
Caracterización del parque edificatorio residencial de los pisos térmicos frío y templado en Colombia
Authors: Jorge-Ortiz Andrea , Braulio-Gonzalo Marta , Bovea María D.
Published: January 2024

El crecimiento demográfico en los municipios de Colombia ha influido notablemente en la calidad de la vivienda. Este artículo tiene como objetivo proponer un método para caracterizar el parque edificatorio residencial de los municipios ubicados en los pisos térmicos frío y templado, estructurado en tres niveles de caracterización que arrojan diferentes resultados: (I) caracterización temporal, (II) caracterización de la vivienda y (III) caracterización de las soluciones constructivas. En el nivel I se obtienen cinco periodos temporales marcados por eventos históricos, sociales y normativos. Como resultado de los niveles I y II se obtiene la taxonomía edificatoria, que puede ser determinada en función de varios criterios: emplazamiento urbano (barrio o urbanización), tipología residencial (unifamiliar o multifamiliar), adyacencia (aislada, esquinera o entre medianeras) y número de plantas (1, 2/3, más de 3). En el nivel III se analizan las soluciones constructivas y se elabora un catálogo de soluciones típicas para cada uno de los periodos temporales y tipologías. Los resultados del estudio sirven como herramienta a los entes gubernamentales para sugerir el nivel de estratificación socioeconómica de las viviendas atendiendo a la tipología y calidad constructiva.
Correlación de variables geográficas y variación lingüística a partir de un modelo espacial del Atlas Lingüístico-Etnográfico de Colombia
Authors: Fernández Campos Javier Orlando , Bonilla Johnatan E. , Rocha Salamanca Luz Angela
Published: January 2024

La dialectología es una rama de la lingüística que analiza la variación geográfica y sociolingüística de las lenguas en el espacio. Ahora bien, tradicionalmente el componente espacial en la dialectología suele limitarse a la ubicación de la variación lingüística sin tener en cuenta otros aspectos geográficos que se pueden medir. Teniendo esto en cuenta, este artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación realizada para determinar la existencia de una relación cuantitativa relevante entre variables lingüísticas y variables geográficas mediante el diseño de un modelo espacial; en él se incorporan datos léxicos del Atlas Lingüístico-Etnográfico de Colombia (ALEC), metadatos recolectados durante la expedición del atlas e información de distintos fenómenos geográficos de los territorios explorados. Entre los resultados, la evaluación explicada por el Índice de Autocorrelación Espacial sugiere que las variables aptitud agroclimática, precipitación, distancia geográfica y vías de acceso muestran la mayor dependencia espacial bivariante en relación con la distancia lingüística. El tratamiento de esta interacción dentro del modelo geográfico mixto autorregresivo de regresión espacial ratifica dicha dependencia corroborando así la relación entre la variación lingüística y los fenómenos geográficos.
Ciclo estral de Alouatta palliata y Alouatta seniculus: una revisión
Authors: Contreras–Ibarra A. , Jiménez–Escobar C. , Tovio–Luna N. I. , Sepúlveda–Heredia J. , Urian–Ávila M. P.
Published: January 2024

El mono aullador rojo colombiano (A. seniculus) y mono aullador de manto (A. palliata) son representantes del género Alouatta en Colombia y, según análisis de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN), sus poblaciones tienden a decrecer por múltiples factores. Esto sugiere la necesidad de orientar acciones para su conservación, para ello se requiere conocimiento de sus dinámicas reproductivas como la identificación y caracterización del ciclo estral. Se examinaron documentos bajo los criterios Alouatta seniculus, Alouatta paliatta, Alouatta, ciclo estral y reproducción en Scielo, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, Science Direct y SpringerLink. Se encontraron quince artículos, cuatro libros, cuatro tesis de maestría y una monografía; en estos estudios se abordaban aspectos sobre comportamientos sexuales, cambios en los genitales y medición de hormonas. Los estudios han establecido una duración promedio del ciclo para A. seniculus de 17 y de 29,5 ±1,5 días, lo que muestra un rango amplio en comparación con lo hallado para A. palliata, donde los estudios evidencian una duración de 16,3; 15,52 ±4,88 y 16,08 ±4,27 días.Se concluye que algunos aspectos comunes entre las especies son la estacionalidad de los nacimientos durante la época seca, la relevancia del rango social del macho en las solicitudes de cópula por parte de las hembras en estro y algunos comportamientos como el olfateo y el lamido de genitales durante la receptividad sexual.
Tikuna Perceptions of Extreme Weather Events: A Case Study on an Indigenous Lands in the Upper Solimões River, Brazil
Authors: Lago Maiana Costa do , Rebelo George Henrique , Bruno Ana Carla , Henriques Luiza Magalli Pinto
Published: January 2024

The synergistic effects of extreme weather events and socioecological vulnerability are still poorly documented for Amazonian indigenous peoples. Herein, we investigated the impacts of recent extreme weather events on Tikuna villages. Tikuna are ancient people of the Amazon, with an estimated population of approximately 53 thousand people widely distributed along the upper Solimões River in the western Brazilian Amazon. The fieldwork was carried out between October 10 and December 10, 2018, using participatory research, including focus group interviews and free-listing exercises. Four extreme weather events were recalled, namely, the extreme floods of 2009, the subsequent extreme drought of 2010, and the extreme floods of 2012 and 2015. The results indicated that Tikuna from some villages are adopting migration from floodplain habitats to nonflooded lands as a coping strategy to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This process was characterized by famine periods, internal divisions, and increased vulnerability. The three villages have rich traditional knowledge and live on a large diversity of biological resources, base for a fishing economy and for an agroforestry system, the original indigenous subsistence agriculture with a high level of self-sufficiency in terms of food. Until our study, Tikunas had not received any information about the global climate emergency. Our findings can contribute to formulating public policies to provide support for adapting to climate change. These policies must ensure the participation of the Tikuna and other indigenous peoples in local and national discussions on climate change, strengthening their capacity to develop adaptation strategies based on their ancestral knowledge.
Weather types for the seasonal transitions in Central America
Authors: Sáenz S. Fernán , Alfaro Eric J. , Hidalgo Hugo G.
Published: January 2024

Unsupervised learning techniques are employed to study the relationship between atmospheric circulation and precipitation over Central America and its surrounding areas. Specifically, the clustering algorithm k-means++ is applied to three coarse-grained datasets from ERA-interim reanalysis that are the candidates for representing the atmospheric state vector, each candidate contains its full temporal variability. Datasets are composed of: a) wind fields at 925, 800 and 200 hPa, b) same as “a)” plus convective available potential energy and c) same as “a)” plus total column water vapor. Clustering metrics, namely the variance ratio criterion, the silhouette criterion and the mean squared error, are computed to quantify clustering quality. Clusters are interpreted as weather types, recurrent configurations of the atmospheric state vector associated with observable weather states. The correct number of clusters for each dataset is determined with a Monte Carlo test of normality, to assure cluster existence. The main objective is to obtain a set of weather types containing elements that characterize the transition from and to the rainy season over the Pacific side of Central America as well as other elements of the seasonal cycle of regional precipitation, such as the Mid-Summer Drought. Besides the statistical metrics, in order to select between candidate datasets and plausible number of clusters, focus is given to the temporal characteristics of the clusters. Existing literature does not provide a set of weather types suitable to analyze seasonal transitions and the differences in the mechanisms associated with rainfall maxima.
First record of Soybean Stem Fly Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner, 1901) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Uruguay confirmed by DNA barcoding
Authors: Cibils-Stewart Ximena , Stewart Silvina , Olivieri Virginia , Giambiasi Mario
Published: January 2024

Colloquially known as Soybean Stem Fly, Melanagromyza sojae (Zehntner, 1901) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) is an oligophagous pest of plants in the family Fabaceae, including Uruguay’s biggest commodity crop, Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). To our knowledge, this is the first scientific record of M. sojae in Uruguay, and we confirm its identity through using DNA barcoding. Characteristic damage to host plants and immature stages of M. sojae were confirmed in Dolores and Colonia, Uruguay.
The first New World record for Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller (Zoopagomycota, Entomophthorales) infecting Rhagonycha spp. (Coleoptera, Cantharidae)
Authors: Hajek Ann E. , Liebherr James K. , Keller Siegfried
Published: January 2024

The entomophthoralean fungus Zoophthora rhagonycharum (Bałazy) S. Keller, previously recorded in Europe from Poland and Switzerland, is now reported in North America from New York State, United States of America. On both continents, this obligate insect pathogen is known only from resting spores found within dead, adult native soldier beetles (Cantharidae) of the genus Rhagonycha Eschscholtz, 1830. Resting spores have undulating, light brown episporia. In New York, columnar rhizoids attach cadavers tightly to the undersides of leaves in the understory of hardwood forests in late June and early July.
Przemiany stereotypu Niemca wśród studentów kognitywistyki
Authors: Chrobak Małgorzata , Horyń Ewa
Published: January 2024

The following paper concentrates on demonstrating the evolution of one of national stereotypes – the stereotype of a German. For this purpose, surveys conducted among the academic community – students of cognitivistics at the Pedagogical University of Cracow – were investigated. On the basis of that research it was possible to indicate both positive and negative character traits of a typical German.
„Dziwny to zaiste kraj” – sycylijskimi ścieżkami polskich podróżników przełomu XIX i XX w.
Authors: Sadlik Magdalena
Published: January 2024

Since the romantic jurney novelist devoted to Italy, having an tremendous interest from literary historians and cultural scholars side, already have untold studies number, therefore this text concerns Polish travel prose from the later period: the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the next. The monographic approach to the topic would significantly exceed the size of the article, so I limited the analysis to three selected texts: Sicily. Sketches from a Journey (1896) by Michał Lityński, Letters from Sicily by Stanisław Bełza (1900), Zofia Sokołowska On the Ends of Italy (1901). An image of an island full of contrasts emerges from them – delightful with the sun of the south, exotic vegetation, attracting connoisseurs of art, lovers of ancient ruins, but whose times of glory are irrevocably gone.
Mission Statement – a Component of the Strategic Management of University (on The Example of German Universities)
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Hladchenko Myroslava
Published: January 2024

Mission statement is an element of the strategic management, the basis for the strategic development of university. Mission statement provides orientation and increases the motivation of the members of university. The results of the research prove that the mission statement of universities must be developed in an open discussion with the participation of the members of university. The most popular commitments of the mission statement are equal rights and opportunities for men and women, internationality, unity of research and teaching, quality assurance, interdisciplinarity. Analysis of the content of mission statements which were formulated during the last years shows that they propose a partnership relationship between the administration of university and its members.
Advantages of glucagon-like peptide agonists in the light of prevention of cardiovascular and renal complications
Authors: Demidova T. Yu. , Titova V. V. , Skuridina D. V.
Published: January 2024

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (arGPP-1) have proven their advantages in persistent reduction of glycemia and HbA1c and achieving targeted control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) as monotherapy or in combination with other medications. These drugs are also highly effective in reducing body weight for both patients with and without DM2.

The research results indicate the potential of arGPP-1 in reducing cardiovascular events, especially in patients with pre-existing atherosclerotic diseases. Although with a low risk of cardiovascular disease, such effects may be less obvious.

The presence of side effects, especially from the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), the high cost and low availability of drugs may be a limitation for their use. In addition, the advantages in relation to the possible prevention of late complications of DM2 within the group are heterogeneous, if the patient has risk factors, drugs with proven effects on cardiovascular and renal outcomes may have advantages. Thus, in some cases, patients may need to change the drug within this class. At the same time, it is important to make a smooth transition between drugs to optimize the treatment of diabetes mellitus and minimize side effects.
AutoPCF: A Novel Automatic Product Carbon Footprint Estimation Framework Based on Large Language Models
Authors: Luo Biao , Liu Jinjie , Deng Zhu , Yuan Can , Yang Qingrun , Xiao Lei , Xie Yucong , Zhou Fanke , Zhou Wenwen , Liu Zhu
Published: January 2024

Estimating the product carbon footprint (PCF) is crucial for sustainable consumption and supply chain decar-bonlization. The current life cycle assessment (LCA) methods frequently employed to evaluate PCFs often en-counter challenges, such as difficulties in determining the emission inventory and emission factors (EFs), as well as significant labor and time costs. To address these limitations, this paper presents AutoPCF, a novel auto-matic PCF estimation framework to conduct cradle-to-gate LCA for products. It utilizes deep learning models and large language models (LLMs) to automate and en-hance the estimation process. The framework comprises five stages: Emission Inventory Determination (EID), Activity Data Collection (ADC), Emission Factor Matching (EFM), Carbon Emission Estimation (CEE), and Estimation Verification and Evaluation (EVE). EID generates production processes and activity inventory, while ADC collects comprehensive activity data and EFM identifies accurate EFs. Emissions are then estimat-ed using the collected activity data and corresponding EFs. Experimental evaluations on steel, textile, and bat-tery products demonstrate the effectiveness of AutoPCF in improving the efficiency of PCF estimation. By auto-mating data collection and analysis, AutoPCF reduces re-liance on subjective decision-making and enhances the consistency and efficiency of carbon footprint assess-ments, advancing sustainable practices and supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
Augmenting Cognitive Architectures with Large Language Models
Authors: Joshi Himanshu , Ustun Volkan
Published: January 2024

A particular fusion of generative models and cognitive architectures is discussed with the help of the Soar and Sigma cognitive architectures. After a brief introduction to cognitive architecture concepts and Large Language Models as exemplar generative AI models, one approach towards their fusion is discussed. This is then analyzed with a summary of potential benefits and extensions needed to existing cognitive architecture that is closest to the proposal.
Proposal for Cognitive Architecture and Transformer Integration: Online Learning from Agent Experience
Authors: Laird John E. , Wray Robert E. , Jones Steven , Kirk James R. , Lindes Peter
Published: January 2024

We explore the potential integration of Transformers, trained online in real-time using an agent's ongoing experiences, as a learning and memory component of a cognitive architecture such as Soar. We identify key challenges and potential capabilities enabled by such an integration.
Combining Minds and Machines: Investigating the Fusion of Cognitive Architectures and Generative Models for General Embodied Intelligence
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Liu Yuzhou , Shen Chao
Published: January 2024

Cognitive architectures and generative models are two very different approaches for developing general embodied intelligence. This paper investigates their initial motivation, implementation ways, and the complementary strengths and weaknesses, and targets to fuse them into a general embodied intelligence so as to leverage strengths and complement weaknesses. Firstly, with analyzing their different application scenarios and the difficulties in further research and development, the potential synergy and possible integration strategies are explored between them. Then, by combining the strengths of cognitive architectures, which model human-like cognitive processes, and generative models, which excel in generating novel content based on learned patterns, it achieves the goal of creating embodied agents with enhanced overall capabilities. Finally, a comprehensive framework demonstrating the integration of cognitive architectures, generative models, and other AI methods to achieve general embodied intelligence is presented accompanied by an illustrative example.
Classification of paroxysmal events and the four‐dimensional epilepsy classification system
Authors: Lüders Hans , Vaca Guadalupe Fernandez‐Baca , Akamatsu Naoki , Amina Shahram , Arzimanoglou Alexis , Baumgartner Christoph , Benbadis Selim R. , Bleasel Andrew , Bermeo‐Ovalle Adriana , Bozorgi Alireza , Carreño Mar , Devereaux Michael , Francione Stefano , Losarcos Naiara García , Hamer Hajo , Holthausen Hans , Jamal‐Omidi Shirin , Kalamangalam Giri , Kanner Andrés M. , Knake Susanne , Lacuey Nuria , Lhatoo Samden , Lim Shih Hui , Londoño Luisa V. , Mani Jayanti , Matsumoto Riki , Miller Jonathan P. , Noachtar Soheyl , Palmini André , Park Jun , Rosenow Felix , Shahid Asim , Schuele Stephan , Steinhoff Bernhard J. , Ákos Szabó Charles , Tandon Nitin , Terada Kiyohito , van Emde Boas Walter , Widdess‐Walsh Peter , Kahane Philippe
Published: January 2024

This educational review describes the classification of paroxysmal events and a four‐dimensional epilepsy classification system. Paroxysmal events are classified as epileptic and non‐epileptic paroxysmal events. Non‐epileptic events are, in turn, classified as psychogenic and organic paroxysmal events. The following four dimensions are used to classify epileptic paroxysmal events: ictal semiology, the epileptogenic zone, etiology, and comorbidities. Efforts are made to keep these four dimensions as independent as possible.

The review also includes 12 educational vignettes and three more detailed case reports classified using the 2017 classification of the ILAE and the four‐dimensional epilepsy classification. In addition, a case is described which is classified using the four‐dimensional epilepsy classification with different degrees of precision by an emergency department physician, a neurologist, and an epileptologist. [Published with video sequences on www.epilepticdisorders.com]
Focal visual status epilepticus
Authors: Stephani Caspar , Paulus Walter , Focke Niels K.
Published: January 2024

Epileptic visual auras are elementary to complex and sometimes occur as colourful visual phenomena located close to or within the central part of the contralateral hemi‐field. They typically last from seconds to a few minutes, which discriminates them from the usually longer‐lasting visual auras (5‐30 minutes) of patients suffering from migraine. We present an adult patient with occipital lobe epilepsy whose visual aura under epilepsy monitoring lasted for more than 30 minutes with almost no propagation, demonstrating a rare, but remarkable, sustained local epileptic network activity associated with resection of an occipital arterio‐venous malformation.
Ictal deafness in drug‐resistant MRI‐negative epilepsy
Authors: Ikegaya Naoki , Nakagawa Eiji , Sugai Kenji , Sasaki Masayuki , Saito Takashi , Sumitomo Noriko , Iijima Keiya , Kimura Yuiko , Kaneko Yuu , Iwasaki Masaki
Published: January 2024

Ictal clinical semiology indicates where the patient's seizure arises from and how it progresses. A patient's description of a focal sensory seizure may support a surgical decision even when MRI and PET abnormalities are absent. Ictal deafness is a focal auditory seizure characterized by suppression of hearing, presumably originating from the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe. However, the precise localization has not been confirmed with surgical cases. We present a case in which the region from where ictal deafness arose was confirmed by intracranial electroencephalography, with successful epilepsy surgery and review other published cases.
Colour vision in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Uygur Kucukseymen Elif , Genc Fatma , Dogan Berna , Koctekin Belkis , Erdal Abidin , Bicer Gomceli Yasemin
Published: January 2024

Aims. To determine the integrity of colour perception, related to photic sensitivity, in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Methods. Twenty‐four patients with photoparoxysmal response, 27 patients without photoparoxysmal response, and 32 healthy individuals were investigated using the Farnsworth Munsell‐100 Hue test to calculate error scores for total colour, blue/yellow, and red/green.

Results. No significant differences were observed regarding blue/yellow, red/green or total error score between juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients with or without photoparoxysmal response. However, the data for all three scores were significantly higher in both patient groups compared to the healthy control group. In both patient groups, the blue/yellow error score was significantly higher than the red/green error score.

Conclusions. We were unable to identify a relationship between photoparoxysmal response and colour vision in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. We believe that the underlying reason why juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients had significantly higher blue/yellow, red/green, and total error score compared to the healthy control group may be due to GABA dysfunction, which is considered to play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease as well as the physiology of colour vision.
Pathophysiology of encephalopathy related to continuous spike and waves during sleep: the contribution of neuroimaging
Authors: Siniatchkin Michael , Van Bogaert Patrick
Published: January 2024

In the last three decades, studies on functional neuroimaging have helped us to understand pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for electro‐clinical patterns associated with epileptic encephalopathies with continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (ECSWS). MEG and EEG source reconstruction have revealed sources of pathological brain activity associated with epileptiform discharges in the perisylvian region pointing to the significance of this brain area for ECSWS. PET studies have revealed areas of focal hypermetabolism in perisylvian, superior temporal and inferior parietal regions as well as central cortices which were related to epileptic activity. The widespread hypometabolism in regions that belong to the default network (prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices, parahippocampal gyrus and precuneus) was interpreted as remote inhibition following epileptic activity, which could contribute to cognitive deficits in affected individuals. Note that the described metabolic changes were functional and disappeared after successful treatment and recovery of ECSWS and were found in both sleep and wakefulness which may account for cognitive deficits in patients during the day. EEG‐fMRI studies have revealed a functional fingerprint of epileptic encephalopathy: significant positive BOLD signal changes were identified in the perisylvian regions, prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate as well as thalamus and negative BOLD signal changes in the regions of the default mode network. The pattern of activation represents a propagation of epileptic activity specific to encephalopathy, which is independent of etiology and type of seizure associated with ECSWS. In summary, methods of neuroimaging have shed light on pathogenic mechanisms of ECSWS which may account for a number of clinical phenomena associated with this condition.
Selective deep brain stimulation in the substantia nigra reduces myoclonus in progressive myoclonic epilepsy: a novel observation and short review of the literature
Authors: di Giacopo Andrea , Baumann Christian R. , Kurthen Martin , Capecchi Francesco , Sürücü Oguzkan , Imbach Lukas L.
Published: January 2024

We report the case of a patient suffering from pharmacotherapy‐resistant bilateral progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) showing a beneficial response upon selective deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the substantia nigra pars reticulata. As an individual experimental therapeutic approach, we implanted DBS electrodes in the transitional zone between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). Electrode placement allowed for a selective stimulation of either the STN, SNr, or both targets. Postoperatively, we observed a moderate subjective and objective improvement in positive and negative myoclonus by high‐frequency DBS of the STN/SNr transitional zone. However, a systematic exploration of different stimulation settings revealed that monopolar stimulation of the substantia nigra alone was more effective than high‐frequency monopolar DBS of either the motor STN (monopolar) or stimulation of both targets (STN/SNr). This observation confirms earlier findings showing that patients with PME benefit from high‐frequency DBS. However, in contrast to previous reports stimulating the STN/SNr transitional zone, our patient showed the most significant effect upon selective stimulation of the SNr. We propose that in patients undergoing DBS for myoclonus, at least one electrode contact should be placed in the SNr allowing for selective monopolar stimulation of this target.
The varied semiology of seizures in the context of small anterior temporal encephaloceles
Authors: Fong Michael WK. , Sala‐Padro Jacint , Bartley Melissa , Dexter Mark AJ. , Bleasel Andrew F. , Wong Chong H.
Published: January 2024

Aims. Small encephaloceles of the anterior temporal pole have been increasingly recognised as an underlying epileptogenic substrate in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. The current report aims to expand on the current knowledge by emphasising that seizure semiology in such patients can vary significantly.

Methods. Patients were selected from an epilepsy surgery database between 2012 and 2017.

Results. Of the 143 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, six patients had a temporal encephalocele. Four of these patients had stereo‐EEG implantation. Of the four patients studied, each had a seizure semiology discordant with an ictal focus in the temporal lobe. Intracranial EEG assessment demonstrated, irrespective of this semiology, seizures originated from the anterior temporal pole. Seizures were observed to rapidly propagate to the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, temporo‐occipital junction, and posterior language regions. Engagement of the mesial temporal structures could occur early or late, however, a good surgical outcome was achieved following a focused lesionectomy in either situation.

Conclusion. The major finding was that seizures arising from anterior temporal encephaloceles can have an extra‐temporal semiology. The varied clinical semiology and the rapid propagation to seemingly distant cortical regions could be explained by the connectivity of the anterior temporal lobe.
Quality of EEG recordings in neurology clinics in Iran
Authors: Oroji Farideh , Hoseini Seyed Mohammad , Asadi‐Pooya Ali A.
Published: January 2024

Aims
. The aim of this study was to investigate the pitfalls in performing EEG in neurology centres in Iran, in order to identify any mistakes and provide appropriate advice for the neurology community.

Methods
. In this cross‐sectional study, all patients who referred to the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from April through to June 2018, were asked to provide any EEGs they had from other neurology centres. We reviewed the following information from their EEGs: number of channels, the design of the montages, and the setting of the filters.

Results
. Eighty EEGs from different neurology centres were studied. With respect to the number of channels, 27 centres (34%) recorded 16 or more channels. With regards to the montage design, 34 centres (43%) had an appropriate design(s). With respect to high‐frequency filter, three centres (4%) recorded their EEGs with 70‐Hz high filter. With regards to the low‐frequency filter, 43 centres (54%) recorded their EEGs with 1‐Hz or lower filter. Just one centre performed EEGs in a standard fashion considering all variables.

Conclusion
. In this study, we observed that most neurology centres in Iran did not record EEGs in a standard and acceptable fashion. Provision of a well‐designed educational programme that ensures neurology residents are competent in the fundamentals of EEG recording and interpretation is of paramount significance.
Brain connectivity changes during ictal coughing
Authors: Roux Alexandra , Lagarde Stanislas , McGonigal Aileen , Bartolomei Fabrice
Published: January 2024

Coughing is a reflex phenomenon that is protective for the upper airways, involving both a reflex arc in the brainstem and cortical control. Ictal coughing has been prominently reported in temporal lobe seizures, but precise anatomo‐electrical correlations are lacking. We report a patient who presented with persistent coughing at seizure onset. We studied intracerebrally recorded seizures (using stereo‐electroencephalography) in order to describe the anatomo‐functional correlations associated with this sign. Coughing followed seizure onset in the medial temporal lobe. A functional connectivity study (h
2
estimation of interdependencies) showed that during coughing, a network of cortical and subcortical regions was involved, particularly the perisylvian cortices and the caudate nucleus.
Deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus in a patient with super‐refractory convulsive status epilepticus
Authors: Yuan Liu , Zhang Shaohui , Liang Shuangshuang , Liu Na , Yu Xiaoman , Liang Shuli
Published: January 2024

We report the first patient to die from refractory convulsive status epilepticus (SE) after the removal of a stimulator. The removal occurred after a two‐year period of successful control of super‐refractory convulsive SE with deep brain stimulation of the bilateral anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT‐DBS). The female patient, born in 1990, suffered from high fever and seizures, and was diagnosed with viral encephalitis in 2005. After four weeks of medical treatment, she recovered with no neurological disabilities, but suffered from monthly seizures. Ten years later, the patient presented with convulsive SE, while four months pregnant in February of 2015. Her SE remained super‐refractory to drugs despite the termination of pregnancy. Therefore, ANT‐DBS was performed in March of 2015. The patient became SE‐free following activation of an ANT‐DBS stimulator. However, the stimulation treatment was terminated according to the family's request when a tremor developed two years after the treatment had begun. Subsequently, four SE episodes occurred and the tremor did not improve. The stimulator and electrodes were removed in August of 2017. The patient died of an uncontrolled SE two months later. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of ANT‐DBS for emergency super‐refractory convulsive SE with both positive and negative outcomes.
Clinical presentation of epilepsy in six villages in an onchocerciasis endemic area in Mahenge, Tanzania
Authors: Bhwana Dan , Mmbando Bruno P. , Dekker Marieke CJ. , Mnacho Mohamed , Kakorozya Advocatus , Matuja William , Makunde Williams H. , Weckhuysen Sarah , Colebunders Robert
Published: January 2024

Aims. To describe the clinical manifestations of epilepsy and access to antiseizure treatment in Mahenge in Central Tanzania, an onchocerciasis endemic area with a high prevalence of epilepsy.

Methods. A door‐to‐door epilepsy prevalence survey was conducted in four rural and two sub‐urban villages. Trained community workers used five screening questions to identify persons suspected to have epilepsy. Such individuals were interviewed and examined by a neurologist or a medical doctor with additional training in epilepsy, and were tested for Onchocerca volvulus antibodies.

Results. A total of 221 out of 8,062 (2.74%) surveyed individuals were confirmed to have epilepsy. The median age at seizure onset was 12 years (interquartile range: 7–16). Seventy‐nine persons with epilepsy (PWE) (36.1%) had a family member with epilepsy, which was a sibling in 52.1%. Tonic‐clonic seizures (142 individuals; 64.2%) were the most common seizure type. Nodding seizures were reported in 12.7% of PWE; the majority of them living in rural villages. Persons with nodding seizures reported more frequent seizures, presented with more psychiatric symptoms, and more often had onchocerciasis antibodies than those with other seizure types. The high rate of individuals with a seizure onset at between seven and 16 years is characteristic of onchocerciasis‐associated epilepsy (OAE). Of the PWE, 77.9% met the criteria for the clinical case definition of OAE. Eighty‐three PWE (37.6%) were not taking any antiepileptic medication. Phenobarbital was the antiepileptic drug most commonly prescribed in 76.1% of treated PWE.

Conclusion. The high prevalence of epilepsy in rural villages in Mahenge most likely is related to the high prevalence of OAE. To prevent children developing OAE, strengthening the onchocerciasis elimination programme in Mahenge is urgently needed. Moreover, a decentralised epilepsy treatment programme is also needed to provide uninterrupted access to affordable antiepileptic drugs for the many PWE living in rural villages in the Mahenge area.
Electrical stimulation of the cingulate elicits involuntary singing
Authors: Bujarski Krzysztof , Martin Cathy , Jobst Barbara , Roberts David , Connolly Andy
Published: January 2024

Human neural networks important for singing have not been clearly elucidated. Here, we present a case of electrical brain stimulation of the right non‐language dominant cingulate gyrus during brain surgery for epilepsy which resulted in involuntary singing of spoken language. We postulate that the current observation provides the strongest evidence as of yet that the cingulate gyrus is directly involved in voluntary motor control of singing. [Published with video sequence].
Widespread frontal lobe cortical dysplasia or partial hemimegalencephaly: a continuum of the spectrum
Authors: Cvetkovska Emilija , Kuzmanovski Igor , Boskovski Bojan , Babunovska Marija , Trencevska Kiteva Gordana
Published: January 2024

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II and hemimegalencephaly (HME) are currently considered as a continuum of pathology, the most important distinction being the extent or the size/volume of the lesion. While partial HME involving the posterior cortex has been well described, we present an unusual case with a dysplastic lesion of the whole frontal lobe. A 17‐year‐old boy had focal seizures from the age of nine years. Apart from diminished right‐hand dexterity, his neurological and cognitive status were unremarkable. The course of his epilepsy exhibited a relapsing‐remitting pattern, with prolonged periods of remission. Imaging showed dysplastic left frontal lobe (including paracentral lobule) thickened cortex with an abnormal gyration pattern resembling polymicrogyria, as well as dystrophic calcifications and hypodensity scattered throughout the white matter. This patient represents an intermediate case within the FCD type II/HME spectrum. Localization of the lesion in the frontal lobe as well as clinical characteristics (childhood onset, relapsing‐remitting epilepsy, without hemiparesis and overt cognitive impairment) are more consistent with FCD type II, while a range of MRI features is shared between HME and FCD type II.
Comparison of energy system contributions in lower body Wingate tests between sexes
Authors: Tortu Erkan , Deliceoglu Gökhan
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study was to compare energy system contributions and examine the relationship between mechanical variables and energy system variables in lower body Wingate tests, with a focus on gender differences. A total of thirty martial artists participated in the study. Participants performed 30-second lower body Wingate tests. Mathematical methods were used to estimate the contributions of the oxidative, glycolytic and ATP-PCr pathways based on lactate levels and oxygen consumption kinetics during rest, exercise and recovery. The main results showed that in men the relative contributions of the oxidative, glycolytic and ATP-PCr pathways were 16%, 37% and 47% respectively. In women the relative contributions for the same pathways were 16%, 38% and 46% respectively. In men the total energy expenditure and the absolute contributions of the oxidative, glycolytic and ATP-PCr pathways were 132 kJ, 22 kJ, 49 kJ and 61 kJ, respectively. In women these values were 106 kJ, 17 kJ, 41 kJ and 49 kJ. Although the relative energy contributions were similar, men had higher total energy expenditure and absolute energy contributions than women. In addition, men had higher absolute and relative power outputs than women, while showing similarities in fatigue index, lactate levels, heart rate and perceived exertion ratings. The ATP-PCr pathway was able to explain the variation in mechanical variables in both male and female participants. The results suggest that the contribution of energy systems, physiological responses and performance variables varies according to gender.
Rudolph Brilloff, the Olympic Games, and Salto Mortale in Circus Performances in the Grand Duchy of Posen
Authors: Rozmiarek Mateusz
Published: January 2024

Introduction: In 1839 the Gazeta Wielkiego Xięstwa Poznańskiego (Gazette of the Grand Duchy of Posen) announced the holding of the Olympic Games in the city of Posen by Rudolph Brilloff’s circus troupe. The aim of this study is to examine the role of Rudolph Brilloff in the history of nineteenth-century circus and to ascertain whether he consciously advocated for the organization of Olympic Games in circus format as part of the legacy of the Olympic tradition. Moreover, it aims to explore the distinctive characteristics of his circus performances within the realm of the Grand Duchy of Posen. Materials and Methods: The study used the historical methodology of the humanities of physical culture. Books, newspapers and other documents from archives and library collections in Poznan, Berlin and Potsdam were consulted. Findings: The research results show that although Rudolph Brilloff is considered the father of the German circus, little biographical information about him has survived. As a talented circus entrepreneur, who performed with his troupe under the name of the Olympic Games, he probably had little awareness or knowledge of the Olympic idea and therefore did not intend to promote it. However, Brilloff’s circus staged unique performances in the form of pantomimes or feats rarely seen in Poland before due to their dangerous nature, e.g. the salto mortale, also known as the leap of death. Summary: Rudolph Brilloff can be regarded as the forgotten father of German circus and should not be directly associated with the question of the Olympic legacy. However, Brilloff’s work had a real impact on nineteenth-century society and certainly contributed to other circuses expanding their repertoires with new elements based on various physical activities, ultimately leading to the development of modern circus art.