bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Code and Data Repository for Alkaid-SDVRP: An Efficient Open-Source Solver for the Vehicle Routing Problem with Split Deliveries
Authors: Lin Weibo , He Zhu , Jiang Shibiao , Ma Fuda , Su Zhouxing , Lü Zhipeng
Published: February 2025

We present Alkaid-SDVRP, an open-source C++ package for efficiently solving the Vehicle Routing Problem with Split Deliveries (SDVRP), a classical combinatorial optimization problem which is a variant of the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem where the same customer can be served by multiple vehicles. The core algorithm of Alkaid-SDVRP is designed based on the Iterated Local Search and Randomized Variable Neighborhood Descent frameworks which are highly configurable and extensible. Specifically, we implement a number of predefined neighborhoods including S w a p ( p , q ) , $Swap^{}$, $SD$-$Swap^{}$, C r o s s , E x c h a n g e , and R e i n s e r t i o n which can be arbitrarily enabled, disabled, and permuted. Moreover, it is easy to develop and integrate new neighborhoods into the current framework. The primary goal of this package is to provide an effective implementation and integration of the state-of-the-art techniques for the SDVRP. Tested on the 12th DIMACS Implementation Challenge, Alkaid-SDVRP took the first place in the SDVRP track, and has been shown beyond any doubt. In addition, we hope that the package can facilitate the research for vehicle routing-related problems by providing high-quality baselines and off-the-shelf implementations.
Gordofobia e o cuidado em saúde: um estudo sobre o estigma do peso em uma unidade de saúde da família no município de Santos
Authors: Monteiro da Luz Camargo Maria Laura , Alves Abdala Christiane
Published: February 2025

O papel que a sociedade desempenha no cuidado à saúde de pessoas com obesidade tem sido considerado ineficaz. Essa pesquisa foi realizada com profissionais de saúde de uma Unidade de Saúde da Família e teve como objetivo compreender como a internalização do estigma do peso influencia na prática clínica. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados o Teste de Associação Implícita e a realização de dois grupos focais. A abordagem metodológica da pesquisa foi qualiquantitativo. Em relação ao Teste de Associação Implícita, do total de 8 participantes, tivemos 3 resultados indicando preferência automática forte por pessoas magras comparadas a pessoas gordas, 2 resultados indicando preferência automática moderada por pessoas magras comparadas a pessoas gordas, 1 resultado indicando preferência automática leve por pessoas magras comparadas a pessoas gordas e 2 resultados com pouca ou nenhuma preferência por pessoas magras comparadas a pessoas gordas. A partir da análise de conteúdo, emergiram duas principais categorias: insatisfação corporal e gordofobia no cuidado em saúde. A discussão contemplou as ações que profissionais de saúde têm frente aos pacientes com obesidade e a pressão estética voltada ao público feminino.
Nomofobia entre estudantes universitários: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Silva Oliveira Ana Clara , Santos da Anunciação Fernanda , Silva Mascarenhas Virna , Da Silva Gomes Ana Samiry , Matos Santos Dantas Bruna , Cunha Nascimento Ohana , Santos Silva Caroline , De Bessa Júnior José
Published: February 2025

Objetivo: Identificar os sintomas de nomofobia e fatores associados entre estudantes universitários. Método: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa retrospectiva sobre sintomas de nomofobia entre estudantes universitários da área da saúde, entre o período de 2016 a 2023. Resultados: Foram selecionados 18 artigos, de uma base de 1.370, que abordaram uma relação positiva de associação entre sintomas de nomofobia e transtornos mentais como: ansiedade, depressão e estresse, desempenhos ruins nas atividades acadêmicas, falta de rede de apoio, problemas relacionados ao sono, mídias sociais e como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento dos sintomas, o sexo feminino possui uma maior prevalência. A prevalência média da nomofobia entre os artigos selecionados foi de 61,72%. Considerações finais: Recomenda-se novas pesquisas com outros desenhos de estudos epidemiológicos a fim de avaliar este cenário para entender melhor os fatores associados à nomofobia, bem como a realização de uma implementação ao nível institucional de políticas públicas para incentivar o uso consciente de smartphones entre estudantes universitários.
Análise do levantamento entomológico, em Sergipe, no primeiro semestre de 2024: tipos de criadouros e a distribuição de Aedes aegypti e Aedes albopictus
Authors: Júlio César Rabêlo Alves  , Prada Sanabria Clara Aleida , Emerson Gomes Garcia  , Liliane de Jesus Moura
Published: February 2025

Os mosquitos do gênero Aedes são vetores primários de arboviroses como dengue, Zika e chikungunya, sendo Aedes aegypti a principal espécie transmissora no Brasil. Este estudo analisou os índices de infestação e tipos de criadouros no estado de Sergipe, no primeiro semestre 2024, utilizando dados do Levantamento Rápido de Índices para Aedes aegypti (LIRAa/LIA) e de ovitrampas. Os resultados mostraram um aumento no Índice de Infestação Predial (IIP) médio estadual de 1,6%, no início do ano, para 2,1%, no terceiro ciclo, indicando estado de alerta. Dez municípios foram classificados como de alto risco no terceiro bimestre, com destaque para Simão Dias, Itabaiana e Nossa Senhora da Glória, que apresentaram altos índices ao longo de todo o período. A análise revelou a predominância de criadouros classificados como A2 (depósitos ao nível do solo, como tambores e caixas d’água), representando cerca de 70% do total no segundo bimestre, o mais crítico em termos de quantidade de criadouros. Além disso, foi constatada a subnotificação ou não execução do LIRAa em alguns municípios durante o primeiro ciclo, o que pode comprometer a eficácia das estratégias de controle. Esses dados evidenciam a importância da vigilância entomológica para direcionar ações de controle, como na eliminação mecânica de criadouros e uso de inseticidas, reforçando a necessidade de intensificar esforços em municípios com índices elevados para reduzir os riscos de surtos de arboviroses.
De la ilusión a la decepción: el movimiento mapuche frente al rechazo constitucional y al primer año de gobierno de Boric
Authors: Tricot Victor , Bidegain German , Zepeda Rocío
Published: February 2025

Este artículo analiza el duro proceso político del año 2022 para el movimiento mapuche en Chile. Por una parte, se da cuenta del último año de la Convención Constitucional, del proceso de inclusión de demandas históricas en el borrador del proyecto y del duro revés que significó el fracaso en el plebiscito. Por otra parte, se estudian las principales promesas de campañas del gobierno de Gabriel Boric y las políticas impulsadas durante su primer año al frente del país. Se argumenta que tanto en lo referido al proyecto constitucional como a la nueva administración se pasó de una situación esperanzadora a un duro golpe en términos de los intereses del movimiento y pueblo mapuche, marcando un punto de inflexión en lo referido a la participación de representantes mapuche en espacios de política institucional. El artículo se basa en la acumulación previa de los autores, revisión bibliográfica, documental y artículos de prensa.
Geografías de la Protesta Mapuche durante el primer año del gobierno de Boric
Authors: Gálvez Diego , Pedemonte Rojas Nicolás
Published: February 2025

Este artículo presenta una continuación del análisis de los conflictos en territorio mapuche, ocurridos durante el año 2022, que forma parte del primer año del gobierno de izquierda del presidente Gabriel Boric. A partir de la revisión y estudio de diferentes periódicos en línea, se comprobó que la protesta antiforestal se ha expandido desde Arauco hacia Cautín, destacando principalmente Malleco, mientras que la protesta con énfasis anticolonial se propagó desde Cautín hacia el norte. Se puso atención en diferentes hechos coyunturales como la prisión preventiva del líder mapuche Héctor Llaitul, el plebiscito de la Nueva Constitución y las visitas de representantes del gobierno en territorio mapuche. Se alerta sobre la posible profundización de un modelo neoextractivista en un gobierno progresista, en el cual depositan altas expectativas para avanzar en la resolución del conflicto.
La nomenclatura del suplemento del DRAE 1780
Authors: Carriet Valiente Erica
Published: February 2025

Este artículo tiene el propósito fundamental de efectuar un análisis del lemario que pertenece al suplemento del DRAE 1780. El estudio se configura principalmente a partir de dos ejes: por un lado, se examinan las nuevas voces y los reingresos, mientras que, por otro, se observan los cambios producidos en el interior de las entradas ya registradas en el cuerpo principal del propio diccionario o en relación con Autoridades. Con todo ello, se pretende contribuir a la ampliación de estudio de esta primera edición y valorar el grado de integración del suplemento en la edición siguiente (DRAE 1783).
Oralidad y escrituralidad en la caracterización lingüística de las lenguas romances. Introducción
Authors: Del Rey Quesada Santiago
Published: February 2025

En el marco de la lingüística de variedades de filiación coseriana, el modelo del continuum entre oralidad y escrituralidad concepcional propuesto por los lingüistas alemanes Peter Koch y Wulf Oesterreicher por primera vez en 1985 (Koch y Oesterreicher 1985) ha gozado de gran aceptación en el ámbito de la romanística europea y latinoamericana (cf. López Serena 2023), especialmente entre los estudiosos que se dedican a la lingüística histórica, pero cada vez más también entre aquellos que analizan la lengua oral actual desde una perspectiva pragmalingüística.
Subordinación asindética en cartas privadas y otros textos como elemento de tradicionalidad discursiva
Authors: Fernández Alcaide Marta
Published: February 2025

En la bibliografía especializada existe una gran controversia en la consideración de la subordinación asindética y su empleo en cartas como rasgo elevado o llano, propio de la inmediatez o de la distancia comunicativas, prototípico de lo epistolar o de cualquier texto escrito. En este trabajo, se hace un repaso somero a los últimos análisis antes de ofrecer un estudio del verbo asegurar con complemento directo oracional, con o sin nexo, y los diferentes factores implicados en la elección de la variable, a partir de su búsqueda en tres corpus digitales diferentes.
Aspecte i estructura argumental de les passives resultatives: una aproximació nanosintàctica
Authors: Crespí Riutort Isabel
Published: February 2025

En aquest article es descriuen les principals propietats sintàctiques i semàntiques de les construccions passives resultatives en català i es presenta una proposta formal per a analitzar-les en el marc de la nanosintaxi (Fábregas 2008, Ramchand 2008, Starke 2009, i.a.). Una passiva resultativa expressa sempre el resultat d’un esdeveniment previ, és a dir, expressa un estat resultatiu. Ara bé, hi ha dos tipus d’estats resultatius, reversibles i irreversibles (Kratzer 2000), i cadascun correspon a un procés de formació diferent. La proposta d’anàlisi sosté que la formació de la passiva resultativa implica dues operacions formals: reducció de l’estructura eventiva i argumental del predicat primigeni i estativització de l’estructura eventiva. La reducció de l’estructura eventiva i argumental implica l’exclusió del Sintagma Inici (Ramchand 2008) del procés de lexicalització. Si la passiva resultativa lexicalitza l’estructura eventiva fins a Sintagma Procés, es forma un estat irreversible; si lexicalitza únicament la projecció Sintagma Resultat, es forma un estat reversible. L’estativització de l’estructura eventiva es du a terme mitjançant la incorporació d’una preposició de coincidència central a l’estructura del verb, que converteix el predicat en un estat.
Testimonios de la mundanidad: una lectura posthumana de Voces de Chernóbil de Svetlana Alexiévich
Authors: Juárez Vázquez Gerardo
Published: February 2025

Voces de Chernóbil, el libro de testimonios de Svetlana Alexiévich publicado en 1997, recoge la experiencia de quienes fueron afectados por la explosión del reactor nuclear acaecida en 1986. Este artículo analiza el libro de Alexiévich desde la perspectiva del posthumanismo, que abre la potencia de un periodismo capaz de acercarse no sólo a lo humano sino a lo no humano. El análisis tiene por objetivo entender las dificultades mismas de esta nueva lógica de interacción, que va más allá de toda comprensión desde el humanismo. Mediante el trabajo de los testimonios recogidos oralmente, este trabajo rompe la concepción antropocéntrica del tiempo y recoge en palabras la dificultad misma de pensarnos fuera de la historia.
La Opinión Pública como jugador con veto informal
Authors: Fernández Javier , Campillay Valentina
Published: February 2025

El siguiente trabajo pretende ensayar una propuesta en torno a la teoría de jugadores con veto de George Tsebelis (2006), señalando que esta se limita únicamente a actores formales, postulando a la Opinión Pública como un actor informal en la confección de políticas públicas. Constatando los cambios sucedidos en torno a la Opinión Pública y su rol con los representantes políticos, postulamos que la importancia cada vez más central que se le otorga a las redes sociales y encuestas significan que esta se convierta en un actor fundamental en el establecimiento o cambio de la agenda pública. Una noción que la teoría en su formulación inicial no consideró y que hoy se convierte en insoslayable para el análisis politológico.
Periodismo Oscuro: Cómo los Algoritmos Han Invadido los Medios de Comunicación
Authors: Garde Cano Cristina , Gayà Morlà Catalina , Vidal Castell David
Published: February 2025

En un entorno dominado por la malla algorítmica de las plataformas digitales, el periodismo oscuro se caracteriza por el uso de herramientas algorítmicas para la producción y gestión de contenidos, con el fin de recopilar datos de usuarios para fines comerciales. A través de una metodología inspirada en la noción de pliegues de Deleuze (1989), se sistematizan las características del periodismo oscuro, permitiendo una comparación con el periodismo industrial. El estudio culmina en una tabla comparativa que resalta las diferencias y similitudes entre ambos modelos, contribuyendo así a investigaciones sobre la calidad y ética periodísticas.
Chatbot -assisted self-assessment (CASA): Co-designing an AI -powered behaviour change intervention for ethnic minorities
Authors: Nadarzynski Tom , Knights Nicky , Husbands Deborah , Graham Cynthia , Llewellyn Carrie D. , Buchanan Tom , Montgomery Ian , Rodriguez Alejandra Soruco , Ogueri Chimeremumma , Singh Nidhi , Rouse Evan , Oyebode Olabisi , Das Ankit , Paydon Grace , Lall Gurpreet , Bulukungu Anathoth , Yanyali Nur , Stefan Alexandra , Ridge Damien
Published: February 2025

Background

The digitalisation of healthcare has provided new ways to address disparities in sexual health outcomes that particularly affect ethnic and sexual minorities. Conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can provide personalised health education and refer users for appropriate medical consultations. We aimed to explore design principles of a chatbot-assisted culturally sensitive self-assessment intervention based on the disclosure of health-related information.

Methods

In 2022, an online survey was conducted among an ethnically diverse UK sample (N = 1,287) to identify the level and type of health-related information disclosure to sexual health chatbots, and reactions to chatbots’ risk appraisal. Follow-up interviews (N = 41) further explored perceptions of chatbot-led health assessment to identify aspects related to acceptability and utilisation. Datasets were analysed using one-way ANOVAs, linear regression, and thematic analysis.

Results

Participants had neutral-to-positive attitudes towards chatbots and were comfortable disclosing demographic and sensitive health information. Chatbot awareness, previous experience and positive attitudes towards chatbots predicted information disclosure. Qualitatively, four main themes were identified: “Chatbot as an artificial health advisor”, “Disclosing information to a chatbot”, “Ways to facilitate trust and disclosure”, and “Acting on self-assessment”.

Conclusion

Chatbots were acceptable for health self-assessment among this sample of ethnically diverse individuals. Most users reported being comfortable disclosing sensitive and personal information, but user anonymity is key to engagement with chatbots. As this technology becomes more advanced and widely available, chatbots could potentially become supplementary tools for health education and screening eligibility assessment. Future research is needed to establish their impact on screening uptake and access to health services among minoritised communities.
Image captioning in Bengali language using visual attention
Authors: Masud Adiba , Hosen Md. Biplob , Habibullah Md. , Anannya Mehrin , Kaiser M. Shamim
Published: February 2025

Automatically generating image captions poses one of the most challenging applications within artificial intelligence due to its integration of computer vision and natural language processing algorithms. This task becomes notably more formidable when dealing with a language as intricate as Bengali and the overall scarcity of Bengali-captioned image databases. In this investigation, a meticulously human-annotated dataset of Bengali captions has been curated specifically for the encompassing collection of pictures. Simultaneously, an innovative end-to-end architecture has been introduced to craft pertinent image descriptions in the Bengali language, leveraging an attention-driven decoder. Initially, the amalgamation of images’ spatial and temporal attributes is facilitated by Gated Recurrent Units, constituting the input features. These features are subsequently fed into the attention layer alongside embedded caption features. The attention mechanism scrutinizes the interrelation between visual and linguistic representations, encompassing both categories of representations. Later, a comprehensive recursive unit comprising two layers employs the amalgamated attention traits to construct coherent sentences. Utilizing our furnished dataset, this model undergoes training, culminating in achievements of a 43% BLEU-4 score, a 39% METEOR score, and a 47% ROUGE score. Compared to all preceding endeavors in Bengali image captioning, these outcomes signify the pinnacle of current attainable standards.
Exploring the combined effect of optimally controlled chemo-stem cell therapy on a fractional-order cancer model
Authors: Dehingia Kaushik , Alharbi Sana Abdulkream , Jahman Alqarni Awatif , Areshi Mounirah , Alsulami Mona , Daher Alsemiry Reima , Allogmany Reem , Emadifar Homan , ur Rahman Mati
Published: February 2025

This study aims to investigate the effect of fractional order on a novel cancer treatment model in the Caputo sense with chemotherapy and stem cell therapy. The existence of positive solutions, equilibria, and linear stability of the model are examined. The Ulam-Hyers stability of the system is investigated. An optimal treatment schedule is developed to obtain the combined effect of chemotherapy and stem cell therapy on the model. The analytical results are verified through numerical examples. It has been observed that stem cell therapy and effector cells alone cannot eradicate tumor cells effectively. However, in the presence of optimally controlled chemotherapy, there is an effective reduction in the population of tumor cells, while the populations of normal and effector cells progressively grow over time.
Integrating transcriptome and metabolomics revealed the key metabolic pathway response of Amaranthus retroflexus L. to the resistance to fomesafen
Authors: Song Weifeng , Wei Qinghui , Shi Zhenghao , Pan Yaqing , Li Zhiyong , Wang Fangyuan
Published: February 2025

Background

Amaranthus retroflexus L. is one of the main broad-leaved weeds in soybean fields in Heilongjiang Province and is an important factor affecting soybean yield. It is becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides. However, studies on the transcriptome level and the molecular mechanism of secondary metabolite accumulation of resistant varieties of Amaranthus retroflexus L. have not been reported. Therefore, comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome is needed to determine the key metabolic pathways and key genes of Amaranthus retroflexus L.

Results

The biosynthetic pathway of resistance to Amaranthus retroflexus L. was studied by transcriptome and metabolome analysis. Transcriptome analysis showed that in the three comparison groups, compared with untreated (CK) group, there were 979 Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in resistant (RY) group and 15731 DEGs in sensitive (SY) group; The RY group had 13822 DEGs compared to the SY group. Fluorescent quantitative PCR detection found that two gene tables related to Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase (P450), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and other enzyme systems such as peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly reached. Using Venn analysis for metabolomics analysis (VIP>1 and P<0.05), 239 Differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were selected. There are 15 common DEMs in the three control groups, and 8 unique DEMs in the RY group. This study detected 76 cases of DEMs and 139 cases of DEMs in the CK, RY, and SY control groups, respectively. More metabolites were detected in the CK and SY control groups. This viewpoint provides evidence for the genetic and metabolic differences between resistance and sensitivity in Amaranthus retroflexus L.. The KEGG in the RY vs SY group is mainly enriched in cysteine and methlonine metabololism, glycine, serine and threonine metabololism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, biosynthesis of variant plant secondary metabololites, biosynthesis of amino acids, arginine and proline metabololism, biosynthesis of cofactors. Therefore, the resistance mechanism of Amaranthus retroflexus L. may be mainly generated by the metabolic pathway mechanism of amino acids.

Conclusion

In this study, DEGs and DEMs were identified by de novo Transcriptome assembly and metabonomic analysis, and an important metabolic pathway of resistance was found. It was found that the resistance mechanism of Amaranthus retroflexus L. might be mainly produced by amino acid metabolic pathway. This discovery laid the foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism and functional characteristics of the resistance of Amaranthus retroflexus L..
A Nitrogen budget for Norway analysis of Nitrogen flows from societal and natural sources (1961–2020)
Authors: Hohmann-Marriott Martin F.
Published: February 2025

Nitrogen is a chemical element that is cycled through Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere, as well as a crucial component of the molecular machinery of life. Being an intrinsic part of the biosphere, the flow of nitrogen in a country can provide unique insights into the sustainability of a society. This study investigates how nitrogen is used in Norway between 1961 and 2020. Nitrogen inputs from atmospheric deposition, biological nitrogen fixation and from weathering, as well as from synthetic fertilizers are addressed. These sources of nitrogen are used by plants that form the basis of agriculture and forestry. Nitrogen, in the form of protein, is imported to sustain the Norwegian population and the production of animals in agriculture and fisheries. Agricultural livestock is used almost exclusively for domestic consumption, while fish captured and raised in aquaculture are the main sources of exported food. Even though petroleum and wood contain only a small proportion of nitrogen, due to the traded volume, a large amount of nitrogen contained in these goods is exported. Nitrogen is lost through sewage and manure leaching, as well as atmospheric emissions. These emissions are mostly in the form of nitrogen oxides and ammonia, which are released by burning fossil fuels and metabolizing animals, respectively.
Untargeted lipidomics reveals unique lipid signatures of extracellular vesicles from porcine colostrum and milk
Authors: Furioso Ferreira Rafaela , Ghaffari Morteza H. , Ceciliani Fabrizio , Fontana Manuela , Caruso Donatella , Audano Matteo , Savoini Giovanni , Agazzi Alessandro , Mrljak Vladimir , Sauerwein Helga
Published: February 2025

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are membranous vesicles considered as significant players in cell-to-cell communication. Milk provides adequate nutrition, transfers immunity, and promotes neonatal development, and milk EV are suggested to play a crucial role in these processes. Milk samples were obtained on days 0, 7, and 14 after parturition from sows receiving either a standard diet (ω-6:ω-3 = 13:1) or a test diet enriched in ω-3 (ω-6:ω-3 = 4:1). EV were isolated using ultracentrifugation coupled with size exclusion chromatography, and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and assessment of EV markers via Western blotting. The lipidome was determined following a liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry approach. Here, we show that different stages of lactation (colostrum vs mature milk) have a distinct extracellular vesicle lipidomic profile. The distinct lipid content can be further explored to understand and regulate milk EV functionalities and primordial for enabling their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Multi-step depth enhancement refine network with multi-view stereo
Authors: Ding Yuxuan , Li Kefeng , Zhang Guangyuan , Zhu Zhenfang , Wang Peng , Wang Zhenfei , Fu Chen , Li Guangchen , Pan Ke
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces an innovative multi-view stereo matching network—the Multi-Step Depth Enhancement Refine Network (MSDER-MVS), aimed at improving the accuracy and computational efficiency of high-resolution 3D reconstruction. The MSDER-MVS network leverages the potent capabilities of modern deep learning in conjunction with the geometric intuition of traditional 3D reconstruction techniques, with a particular focus on optimizing the quality of the depth map and the efficiency of the reconstruction process.Our key innovations include a dual-branch fusion structure and a Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) to effectively extract and integrate multi-scale features. With this approach, we construct depth maps progressively from coarse to fine, continuously improving depth prediction accuracy at each refinement stage. For cost volume construction, we employ a variance-based metric to integrate information from multiple perspectives, optimizing the consistency of the estimates. Moreover, we introduce a differentiable depth optimization process that iteratively enhances the quality of depth estimation using residuals and the Jacobian matrix, without the need for additional learnable parameters. This innovation significantly increases the network’s convergence rate and the fineness of depth prediction.Extensive experiments on the standard DTU dataset (Aanas H, 2016) show that MSDER-MVS surpasses current advanced methods in accuracy, completeness, and overall performance metrics. Particularly in scenarios rich in detail, our method more precisely recovers surface details and textures, demonstrating its effectiveness and superiority for practical applications.Overall, the MSDER-MVS network offers a robust solution for precise and efficient 3D scene reconstruction. Looking forward, we aim to extend this approach to more complex environments and larger-scale datasets, further enhancing the model’s generalization and real-time processing capabilities, and promoting the widespread deployment of multi-view stereo matching technology in practical applications.
Sex and age differences in cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle in patients recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study in Spanish primary health care
Authors: Vich-Pérez Pilar , Taulero-Escalera Belén , García-Espinosa Victoria , Villanova-Cuadra Laura , Regueiro-Toribio Paula , Sevilla-Machuca Ignacio , Timoner-Aguilera Julia , Martínez-Grandmontagne Mario , Abós-Pueyo Tania , Álvarez-Hernandez-Cañizares Cristina , Reviriego-Jaén Germán , Serrano-López-Hazas Alberto , Gala-Molina Inés , Sanz-Pascual Mar , Salinero-Fort Miguel Ángel ,   on behalf of the LADA-PC consortium
Published: February 2025

Aims

To describe the main characteristics of patients recently diagnosed with DM regarding cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related complications, compare possible differences according to sex and age group, and examine healthy lifestyle behaviors such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity and their associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study of 681 patients aged >30 years diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the previous 4 years was performed. The patients were treated in primary care centers in Madrid (Spain). The variables were obtained from their electronic medical records, physical examination, complete analysis, and lifestyle questionnaires.

Results

The main comorbidities were: hypercholesterolemia (64.4%; 95% CI, 60.6–68.2), hypertension (55.2%; 95% CI, 51.3–59.1), obesity (58.9%; 95% CI, 55.2–62.6), metabolic syndrome (58.5%; 95% CI, 54.6–62.5); and hypertriglyceridemia (25.3%; 95% CI, 21.9–28.7). Despite being newly diagnosed, 7.6% (95% CI, 5.4–9.8) had microalbuminuria, and 10.3% (95% CI, 8.0–12.6) cardiovascular disease. The main unhealthy lifestyles were: low physical activity (52%; 95% CI, 48.1–55.9), alcohol consumption (47.7%; 95% CI, 44.0–51.5) and smoking (19.2%; 95% CI, 16.2–22.3). Compared with men, women had more morbid obesity (9.7% vs 4.6%, p = .014), worse lipid profile (total cholesterol: 184 (IQR, 158–207) vs. 165 (IQR, 144–192), p < .01), less treatment with metformin (74.8% vs. 84.4%, p < .01) and antiplatelet agents (8.1% vs.18.6%, p < .01), but women had fewer comorbidities. Patients with a high educational level (OR = 1.90, 95% CI, 1.28–2.81)) and those >60 years (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01–2.21) were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet, and the older ones did less intense exercise (OR = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.16–0.75). Normal blood pressure was associated with Mediterranean diet (OR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.05–2.21) and high physical activity (OR = 4.03; 95% CI, 1.69–9.61); and body mass index was inversely associated with physical activity (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85–0.99).

Conclusions

Patients newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus may also have crucial cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities at the onset of the disease. However, patients with a healthy lifestyle were more likely to have a normal blood pressure and a lower body mass index.
The effect of acupuncture on quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Jun , Lamichhane Narendra , Xu Zhifang , Wang Jiaqi , Quynh Vo Dai , Huang Jing , Gao Feifei , Zhao Meidan , Chen Zelin , Zhao Tianyi
Published: February 2025

Background

Acupuncture has been used to improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients in clinical settings. However, the effect of acupuncture on QoL in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the QoL of patients with IBS.

Method

PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Web of Science were screened from inception to September 2023. RCTs published in English comparing acupuncture with sham acupuncture, usual care, pharmacological interventions, or other therapies were analyzed for QoL in patients with IBS. The primary outcome was QoL and secondary outcomes were the IBS-symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and abdominal pain. The Cochrane Collaboration recommendations were used to assess the risk of bias.

Findings

Fourteen articles with 2,038 participants were included. The pooled result showed acupuncture can significantly improve the QoL of patients with IBS compared to the conventional treatment (MD = 6.62, 95% CI, 2.30 to 10.94, P<0.001, I2 = 72.45%). Additionally, acupuncture was superior to other interventions in relieving the symptoms’ severity of IBS (MD = -46.58, 95% CI, -91.49 to -1.68, P<0.001, I2 = 90.76%). Nevertheless, acupuncture was not associated with abdominal pain reduction (MD = -0.35, 95% CI, -0.91 to 0.20, P = 0.21, I2 = 0.00%). Lower adverse events were observed in the acupuncture group. Thus, the quality of this study was relatively high.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis showed that acupuncture improves QoL and symptom severity in patients with IBS and that the optimal parameters for acupuncture to improve QoL in patients with IBS are 30 minutes of acupuncture per session, less than or equal to five sessions per week, and a 4-week course of treatment. However, more high-quality clinical trials are needed to provide stronger evidence.
Occupational health safety in aquaculture: A case study on semi-intensive shrimp farmers of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mostafizur , Shohag Md. Khaladur Rahman , Islam Md. Ridwanul , Hasan Md Shamim , Nasrin Jinat Ara , Khatun Mst. Muslima , Debnath Sudip , Rahman Md. Moshiur , Alam Edris , Hattawi Khawla Saeed Al , Islam Md Kamrul , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul
Published: February 2025

The study examined health safety issues among semi-intensive shrimp farmers in southwestern Bangladesh. The study assessed semi-intensive shrimp farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on health and safety during their farm activities. The KAP model examined working circumstances, exposures, health complaints, diseases, current health status, and job satisfaction. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 158 semi-intensive shrimp farmers from Bangladesh’s Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts. Type-based data analysis was done. We used Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple linear regression. Only 35% of respondents said that they knew the health safety of chemicals and pesticides used in semi-intensive shrimp farms and that safety training is needed, and all farmers wanted to attend when available. At least 74% of farmers used masks when handling pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals. 40.50% of farmers used protective clothing, 91% cleansed their hands, legs, and face after each day’s work, and 94% felt that sanitization reduces pesticide, fertilizer, and chemical pollution. A significant positive correlation coefficient was established in KAP. Education significantly increased knowledge. Practices varied with health and safety training. Results suggest that attitudes determine practices, where knowledge is significantly associated with attitudes. A comprehensive health safety and hygiene training program for all shrimp farmers should be developed to raise awareness, reduce illness outbreaks, and preserve healthy living.
Experiences of rehabilitation one year after breast cancer diagnosis–A focus group study from the ReScreen randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olsson Ing-Marie , Dykes Charlotta , Rydén Lisa , Olsson-Möller Ulrika , Malmström Marlene
Published: February 2025

Background

Treatment for breast cancer poses major challenges and leads to a variety of side-effects and problems that affect life for a long time. Experiences and symptoms vary, and research indicates a lack of structures for ensuring individualized rehabilitation. This qualitative focus group study aims to explore the experience of women with BC after participating in a complex randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03434717) focusing on cancer rehabilitation from a comprehensive perspective.

Method

Nine semi-structured focus group interviews with women (n = 30) who participated in the Rescreen RCT were conducted. The women were interviewed divided into three RCT groups (intervention, control, or observation group). Data were initially analyzed inductively using conventional content analysis, followed by a deductive approach, guided by the result from the inductive analysis.

Results

The inductive analysis resulted in two categories and four sub-categories and showed a great variation in experiences and needs. Some women described a well-functioning process, while others described lack of individualized information, continuity with healthcare providers, and clear pathways for support. After the deductive analysis, a variation between the groups appeared. Women in the intervention group expressed that a proactive and individualized approach facilitated rehabilitation and they experienced a feeling of being recognized as a person, which they highlighted as important. On the contrary, women from the control group described feelings of being abandoned from healthcare, hindering rehabilitation. The observation group expressed that their needs had been fulfilled within the healthcare system.

Conclusions

This study adds important knowledge to the evaluation of the ReScreen model and contributes to existing research on how individualized rehabilitation after breast cancer can be applied in clinical practice. A proactive, person-centered approach in rehabilitation, aimed at those with extended needs, would potentially optimize rehabilitation and facilitate the recovery process after breast cancer treatment.
The composite governance mechanisms and sustainable economic performance of Pakistan’s textile industry
Authors: Saleem Asima , Sandhu Maqsood Ahmad , Hashmi Aijaz Mustafa , Jamil Aisha
Published: February 2025

This study examines the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on the sustainable economic performance of the textile industry in Pakistan. Performance is measured by using a global reporting initiative (GRI 201–1), an economic performance approach. The composite corporate governance mechanism index (CGMI) construction consists of five sub-indices: board of directors, disclosure and transparency, audit committee, shareholder rights, and remuneration committee. The empirical analysis demonstrated the consistency of the fixed effect model through the Hausman model specification test for data from textile firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2008 to 2023. However, the investigation has invoked the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation model to check its robustness. The findings indicated the positive empirical relationship between the composite CGMI and sustainable economic performance, supported by modified theoretical logics: agency theory, stewardship theory, stakeholder theory, resource-based theory, and transaction-cost theory. The findings support policymakers, regulators, and managers in executing appropriate governance mechanisms with reduced agency cost and transaction costs and improve sustainable performance.
Multifunctional molecular hybrid for targeted colorectal cancer cells: Integrating doxorubicin, AS1411 aptamer, and T9/U4 ASO
Authors: Jiramitmongkon Kanpitcha , Rotkrua Pichayanoot , Khanchaitit Paisan , Arunpanichlert Jiraporn , Soontornworajit Boonchoy
Published: February 2025

Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a global health challenge, with current treatments often harming both cancerous and normal cells. To improve efficacy, a multifunctional drug delivery platform has been developed, integrating bioactive materials, anticancer agents, and targeted recognition ligands into a single molecule. This study aimed to create a molecular hybrid (MH) containing doxorubicin, AS1411 aptamer, and T9/U4 ASO to regulate SW480 cell proliferation. The AS1411 aptamer targets nucleolin, overexpressed on cancer cell membranes, while T9/U4 ASO inhibits human telomerase RNA activity, further hindering cancer cell proliferation. AS-T9/U4_MH was synthesized via oligonucleotide hybridization, followed by doxorubicin loading and evaluation of its impact on cell proliferation. Binding capability of this MH was verified using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, demonstrating specific recognition of SW480 cells due to nucleolin availability on the cell surface. These findings were corroborated by both microscopy and flow cytometry. AS-T9/U4_MH exhibited anti-proliferative effects, with the doxorubicin-loaded system demonstrating encapsulation and reduced toxicity. Moreover, the presence of Dox within AS-T9/U4_MH led to a notable reduction in hTERT and vimentin expression in SW480 cells. Additionally, examination of apoptotic pathways unveiled a marked decrease in Bcl-2 expression and a simultaneous increase in Bax expression in SW480 cells treated with Dox-loaded AS-T9/U4_MH, indicating its impact on promoting apoptosis. This molecular hybrid shows promise as a platform for integrating chemotherapeutic drugs with bioactive materials for cancer therapy.
Optimising test intervals for individuals with type 2 diabetes: A machine learning approach
Authors: Pedersen Sasja Maria , Damslund Nicolai , Kjær Trine , Olsen Kim Rose
Published: February 2025

Background

Chronic disease monitoring programs often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach that does not consider variation in need, potentially leading to excessive or insufficient support for patients at different risk levels. Machine learning (ML) developments offer new opportunities for personalised medicine in clinical practice.

Objective

To demonstrate the potential of ML to guide resource allocation and tailored disease management, this study aims to predict the optimal testing interval for monitoring blood glucose (HbA1c) for patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). We examine fairness across income and education levels and evaluate the risk of false-positives and false-negatives.

Data

Danish administrative registers are linked with national clinical databases. Our population consists of all T2D patients from 2015-2018, a sample of more than 57,000. Data contains patient-level clinical measures, healthcare utilisation, medicine, and socio-demographics.

Methods

We classify HbA1c test intervals into four categories (3, 6, 9, and 12 months) using three classification algorithms: logistic regression, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Feature importance is assessed with SHAP model explanations on the best-performing model, which was XGBoost. A training set comprising 80% of the data is used to predict optimal test intervals, with 20% reserved for testing. Cross-validation is employed to enhance the model’s reliability and reduce overfitting. Model performance is evaluated using ROC-AUC, and optimal intervals are determined based on a “time-to-next-positive-test” concept, with different durations associated with specific intervals.

Results

The model exhibits varying predictive accuracy, with AUC scores ranging from 0.53 to 0.89 across different test intervals. We find significant potential to free resources by prolonging the test interval for well-controlled patients. The fairness metric suggests models perform well in terms of equality. There is a sizeable risk of false negatives (predicting longer intervals than optimal), which requires attention.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the potential to use ML in personalised diabetes management by assisting physicians in categorising patients by testing frequencies. Clinical validation on diverse patient populations is needed to assess the model’s performance in real-world settings.
Underwater target depth estimation: A shallow-water broadband acoustic source depth estimation method based on corrected warping transformation
Authors: Siqi Du , Dong Han , Cong Liu , Sidi Li
Published: February 2025

A broadband sound source depth estimation method based on the BDRM model is proposed for the shallow sea to address the problem that the traditional Warping transform is limited by the ideal waveguide and cannot handle the real marine environment localization of structures with variable sound speed profiles. The modified Warping transform operator compensates for the propagation and reflection phases of the received signals in double phase, compresses the modes of the received signals under different sound speed profiles to approximate a single frequency, and projects the modified signals using time-frequency analysis (TFR). As a result, the modes of the received signals are clearly separated in the time-frequency domain. Then, the corresponding bandpass filters are designed considering the different marine environments. After that, the modal energies are extracted, and the depth estimation function is constructed based on the matched modal energies to achieve the depth estimation of the pulsed signal target under the non-ideal waveguide conditions with a variable speed of sound profile. Compared to the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and the dispersion-dissipation transform (DDT), the modified Warping transform (MWT) achieves a clearer separation of the modes of the target received signal under the variable sound speed profile of the non-ideal waveguide. The depth estimation method proposed in this study effectively resolves the issues of passive source depth estimation under variable sound speed profiles, which typically result in a significant decrease in estimation accuracy. Simulation results indicate that under the conditions of the Pekeris waveguide, negative sound speed gradient waveguide, and Qingdao shallow sea waveguide, the success rate of the method for target depth estimation reaches more than 95% under a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 dB. This demonstrates both high accuracy and stability. In Qingdao, the target depth can be estimated accurately when the signal-to-noise ratio is above 5 dB. In real sea area experiments, the method effectively separates the first four orders of the normal modes and achieves the estimation of the depth of the airgun pulse source. Compared to the traditional Warping transform, the method proposed in this study provides a wider application range and greater practical value in engineering.
Liberalizmus, humanitarianizmus és nemzeti önrendelkezés a brit Balkán Bizottság tevékenységében
Authors: Balatoni Balázs
Published: February 2025

A disszertáció célja az, hogy bemutassa a brit Balkán Bizottság tevékenységeit az 1903 és 1919 közötti időszakban. Ennek a szervezetnek a története, amelyet humanitáriusnak, politikai lobbistának, és nem utolsósorban szakértői csoportnak is jellemezhetünk, gyakorlatilag ismeretlen a magyar historiográfiában. A disszertáció néhány olyan aspektusát is tárgyalja a Bizottság történetének, ami az amúgy igen tömör nemzetközi irodalomban is hiánypótlónak bizonyul. A dolgozat arra vállalkozik, hogy megvilágítson olyan részleteket és összefüggéseket, amelyek eddig homályban maradtak a Balkán Bizottság történetét illetően. A disszertáció gerincét a Noel Buxton levéltári hagyaték (Lord Noel-Buxton Papers) képezi, amely a McGill Egyetem Rare Books and Special Collections gyűjteményében található Montrealban. A levéltári források kiterjedt felhasználása mellett nagy mennyiségű kortárs sajtó és egyéb publikált forrást is bevontam vizsgálatomba. A bevezető fejezetet követően a disszertáció öt fő fejezetben vizsgálja a Balkán Bizottság történetét. Minden részegység más szemszögből közelíti meg a szervezetet annak érdekében, hogy kidomborítsa tevékenységének sokoldalú jellegét és hatását. Alapvetően arra törekedtem, hogy megválaszoljam a következő kutatási kérdéseket: milyen szerepet játszott a Bizottság a brit Balkán-kép kialakításában, és milyen kulturális hagyományok formálták annak diskurzusát, reprezentációs stratégiáit? Milyen csatornákat használtak az általuk gyűjtött információk terjesztésére? Ezek az alapvető kérdések jelennek meg a disszertáció későbbi fejezeteiben, ahol az adott eseményekkel kapcsolatban vizsgálom, hogy milyen szerepet játszott a Bizottság azok formálásában, milyen válaszokat kínált rájuk, és milyen kapcsolatot alakított ki a brit politikai intézményekkel és társadalommal.