bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV Care Patterns among Inhabitants of Urban and Rural Areas at the Time of the 90-90-90 Goal Adoption in Gabon, Central Africa
Authors: C Manomba Boulingui , B Moutombi Ditombi , A Mongo Delis , J Lengongo , J Mihindou , M Essomeyo Ngue , M Ntsame Owono Michele , P Edou , N Mbondoukwe , J Ndong Ngomo , DP Mawili Mboumba , M Bouyou Akotet
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the prevention of opportunistic diseases are key factors in assessing the effectiveness of HIV control programs. This study assessed the level of ART and cotrimoxazole coverage, and associated factors in HIV-infected persons (PLHIV) in Gabon.

Methods: This was a retrospective study which included data from PLHIV aged over 15 years and attending their routine follow-up visits from February to June 2018 at three HIV care and treatment outpatient centers. The use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis, age, gender, the time from diagnosis to the last visit were recorded.

Results: Data of 927 PLHIV were analyzed. More than two-thirds were women. The median age was 43 [35-52] years, the median CD4+T cell count was 352 [177-533]/mm3 . ART and CTX chemoprophylaxis coverage were 83.9% and 39.2% respectively. Among the 778 PLHIV on ART, 68.8% had recent CD4+T cell measurements, whereas this proportion was higher (78.5%) in the absence of ART (p=0.01), and 19.2% (n=60/324) were eligible for ART. A higher proportion of PLHIV in the rural city received second-line treatment (p<0.01). Rural participants more frequently received CTX prophylaxis (49.7% vs. 37.1% in the urban city; p<0.01). Overall, 53.1% of patients with recent HIV diagnosis, 26.9% of those with an opportunistic infection and 16% of the immunosuppressed ones were not on ART nor under CTX chemoprophylaxis.

Conclusion: ART coverage is still under 90% and CTX chemoprophylaxis coverage is still low in Libreville. HIV testing and early ART initiation of should be promoted at outpatient center.
Niche Factors of Nondiphtherial Corynebacteria in Invasive Human Infections: Traitors Rather Than Friends
Authors: Xaplanteri Panagiota , Potsios Charalampos
Published: January 2025

Background: The genus Corynebacterium includes Nondiphtherial Corynebacterium species, mostly opportunistic human pathogens. Different virulence factors have been described for, like pili, microcapsule, cell wall structure, pathogenicity enzymes, and toxins. The aim of this article is to quote the major niche factors of Corynebacterium jeikeium, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, and Corynebacterium amycolatum strains isolated from invasive human infections.

Conclusions: Different components of nondiphtherial corynebacteria can act as potent virulence factors dependent on host-bacterium interactions. Their surface proteins lead to successful colonization of human host cells. Their ability to uptake genes that promote multidrug antibiotic resistance renders them a threat under specific milieu. Identification to species level is also crucial to monitor invasive human infections.
Multidrug-Resistant Corynebacterium Striatum Strains: The Villain with the Angelic Face
Authors: Xaplanteri Panagiota , Potsios Charalampos
Published: January 2025

Corynebacterium striatum is a gram-positive bacterium part of common flora of the human skin and mucous membranes. Plethora of data worldwide registers the pathogen a potent causative agent of invasive infection and nosocomial outbreaks in both immunocompromised and immuno-competent patients. Limited virulence factors of C. striatum have been reported in literature. C. striatum multidrug-resistant strains are here to stay. They provoke nosocomial invasive infections and outbreaks. The plasticity of the microorganism to acquire resistance via mobilizable resistance genes renders C. striatum a potent reservoir for naïve strains of other species. The ability to form biofilms is extra armor of the bacterium.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterisation of Rhamnolipids in Clinical, Animal and Environmental Potential Mutant LasR of P. aeruginosa
Authors: BENIE Comoé Koffi Donatien , ATTIEN Yao Paul , TRAORE Adjaratou , TUO Wako-Tianwa Alice , DADIE Adjehi , DOSSO Mireille
Published: January 2025

Background: Rhamnolipids (RL) are natural glycolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite their use in the agricultural, environmental, bioremediation, petroleum, pharmaceutical and food industries, these rhamnolipid biosurfactants have not been characterised in clinical, animal or environmental strains.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterise the rhamnolipids produced by P. aeruginosa strains of diverse origin.

Methodology: A total of 97 P. aeruginosa strains of clinical (30), environmental (32) and animal (35) origin were identified using bacteriological methods and PCR followed by sequencing. The sensitive, semi-quantitative blue agar test and detection of the RhlI and RhlR genes by PCR were used to characterise the phenotypic and molecular production of rhamnolipids, respectively. Potential LasR mutants were identified from iridescent and autolytic metallic colonies on the same agar.

Results: In order of decreasing importance, P. aeruginosa strains of clinical (83.3%), environmental (78.1%) and animal (62.9%) origin produced different levels of rhamnolipids. Rhamnolipid-producing strains showed patches of autolysis (63.9%), iridescence (51.4%) and autolytic iridescence (41.7%). The RhlI synthase and the RhlR regulator were mainly detected in environmental strains with an identical prevalence of 66.4%. The prevalence of RhlI (47.2%) and RhlR (47.2%) detected was also identical for clinical and animal strains.

Conclusions: This study shows the need to study the factors controlling rhamnolipid production in P. aeruginosa.
Immune Restoration Syndrome and Cryptococcosis Associated with Kaposi's Disease at Brazzaville University Hospital, About A Case Plus Review of the Literature
Authors: T Adoua Doukaga Makouka , P Bendentt Lebaho , M Ekat , G Sekangue Obilo , E Angonga Pabota , P Bintsindou , BR Ossibi Ibara
Published: January 2025

Immune Restoration Syndrome (IRIS) is a frequent phenomenon in profoundly immunocompromised individuals who are late starters on highly active antiretroviral therapy. It is often under-notified due to a lack of available technical resources in resource-limited countries, where viral load and TCD4 lymphocyte cell assays are not always available. In tropical Africa, the active search for opportunistic infections prior to initiation of ART has not yet become part of the practice of some doctors, and some patients find their health situation exacerbated sometime after the start of treatment. Immune restoration pathologies include neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (CNM) and Kaposi's disease, which classify patients as WHO stage 4. Diagnosis of immune restoration is clinically suspected, while confirmation is immuno-virological, with a significant increase in TCD4 cell counts and a critical reduction in viral load at an early stage. The association of Cryptococcosis and Kaposi's disease testifies to advanced immunodepression in people who start antiretroviral treatment late, as was the case in the present study.
Examining the Impact of Fear of Failure, Impostor Phenomenon, Academic Motivation, and Self-Efficacy on the Decision to Major in Nursing
Authors: Nelson Krista L , Wilkerson Ali Hollingsworth , Wilson Deborah
Published: January 2025

This study examined specific variables that are impactful on the decision for college undergraduate students to choose to major within the field of nursing. Variables included in this investigation were academic motivation, self- efficacy, fear of failure, and the imposter Phenomenon. This research studied how these variables have impacted undergraduate nursing students during their academic career at a small public university in the southern United States. There were a total of 115 (N=115) students who participated in the study. There were 53 (46.1%) pre-nursing majors, who are identified as students who had not yet been accepted into the university nursing program. The remaining 62 (53.9%) participants were nursing majors, which are students already admitted into the university nursing program. Of the 115 participants, 101 (90.2%) were females and 11 (9.8%) were males. Data analysis found that pre-nursing majors experience fear of failure and the Imposter Phenomenon more frequently than do nursing majors. However, nursing majors have higher academic motivation than pre-nursing majors. There was no significant difference between the two majors when it came to the self-efficacy factor. Overall, these results assist in better understanding some of the reasons students choose to major within the field of nursing.
FARS KÖKENLİ İRANLILARIN YABANCI DİL OLARAK TÜRKÇE ÖĞRETİMİ B1 SEVİYESİNDE EDAT VE BAĞLAÇLARLA İLGİLİ SÖZDİZİMSEL YAZMA SORUNLARI
Authors: Bulut Serdar , Bulut Gamze , Dincel Ömür
Published: January 2025

Türkçeyi yabancı dil olarak öğrenen bireylerin, cümle düzeyinde karşılaştıkları ilk sorun Türk dilinin söz dizimidir. Bilindiği gibi dilimiz sonradan eklemeli diller kategorisinde olup söz dizimi ise “Özne, Nesne ve Yüklem” şeklindedir. Farklı yaşlardan ve farklı ülkelerden birçok öğrencilerin bir arada bulunduğu TÖMER’lerde ana dilleri ve cümle kuruluşları birbirinden farklı öğrenci grupları bir arada Türkçe öğrenmektedirler. Öğrencilerin en sık yaptığı hatalardan biri de Türkçe cümle yazarken kendi dillerinin söz dizim kurallarına göre düşünüp Türkçe cümle yazmaya çalışmalarıdır. Çalışmamızda yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğrenen B1 seviyesindeki ana dili Farsça olan İranlıların Türkçe yazma becerisinde edat ve bağlaçlarla ilgili karşılaştıkları sorunları ortaya çıkarmaktır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğrenen B1 seviyesindeki ana dili Farsça olan İranlıların yazma becerisinde edat ve bağlaçlarla ilgili karşılaştıkları sorunlar kendi içinde bölümlere ayrılıp ardından genel tespitlerde bulunmak amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmamız 2019-2020 ve 2020-2021 yıllarında Alanya’da özel kurslar ile Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi TÖMER’de B1 seviyesinde yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğrenen ana dili Farsça olan tüm İranlılar oluşturmaktadır. Nitel veri toplama tekniklerinden yararlanılarak oluşturulan bu çalışmada, Alanya’da ikamet eden, ana dili Farsça olan B1 seviyesindeki İranlı öğrenci ve kursiyerlerin yabancı dil olarak Türkçe öğrenirken yazma becerisinde yaşadıkları güncel problemler ele alındığı için çalışma, tarama modelli betimsel bir durum çalışmasıdır.
Aceptación y uso de la tecnología en el e-commerce: una revisión sistemática
Authors: Rimascca Marín Perla Iret , Rojas Tacanga Damariss Kristinna , Cruz-Tarrillo Joel , Díaz Saavedra Robin Alexander , De la cruz Reyes Uvencia
Published: January 2025

El comercio electrónico ha transformado la economía mundial, alterando cómo las organizaciones se relacionan con sus clientes. Este estudio analiza los sectores económicos en los que se ha investigado el comercio electrónico, los factores de la teoría UTAUT que influyen en su aceptación y los modelos derivados de esta teoría. Utilizando la base de datos Scopus y la metodología PRISMA, se identificó que los sectores más investigados son la alimentación, la industria manufacturera y las finanzas, prestando menos atención a la tecnología, el transporte, el turismo y la industria farmacéutica. Entre los factores destacados, la ansiedad hacia la tecnología y la percepción de la novedad juegan un papel fundamental en la actitud de los consumidores, tanto jóvenes como mayores. El modelo UTAUT-2, derivado del UTAUT, incorpora variables críticas del comercio electrónico, añadiendo aspectos de seguridad, logística, interfaz y experiencia del usuario. En conclusión, el comercio electrónico ha revolucionado la economía, especialmente en los sectores alimentario, manufacturero y financiero, y las empresas deben centrarse en la novedad para atraer a los consumidores.
Simbología de la danza Chacareros "Flor de Sank’ayo” de las comunidades del distrito de Acora-Puno
Authors: Calderón Torres Alfredo , Apaza Ticona Jorge , Calderón Tumi Juan Alfredo , Alanoca Arocutipa Vicente , Mendoza Calcina Jenny Susana , Flores-Paredes Alcides
Published: January 2025

The Chacareros dance “Flor de Sank’ayo” represents agricultural activity and a good harvest. Its characteristics are associated with nature and are expressed through manifestations of joy, which reflect the feeling of harmonious living in the community. In this sense, the objective focuses on analyzing the symbolism of the Chacareros dance “Flor de Sank’ayo” in the Acora district, considering the symbolic aspects of clothing, music and rhythmic movements. In the methodology, descriptive-ethnographic research was used within the qualitative approach. The sample consisted of a total of 25 informants, including dancers and musicians. As a result, the clothing incorporates icons of flora, fauna, Andean worldview, space and time; In addition, it presents astral motifs associated with the phases of the moon and the chacana. As for music, melodies, songs and musical content with a diversity of meanings stand out. In all cases, the dance movements are dynamic and joyful, with choreographic figures related to agriculture and its context.
Desmitificando Neuromitos en la Educación: Revisión Sistemática sobre su Prevalencia y Consecuencias en América Latina
Authors: Molleapaza Poma Betzabe , Mamani Pampamallco Ruth Mery , Apaza Mamani Ricardo
Published: January 2025

Este estudio de revisión sistemática, realizado siguiendo la metodología PRISMA, examina la prevalencia de neuromitos en la formación docente de América Latina. Su objetivo es identificar el impacto de estos conceptos erróneos en la práctica educativa y evaluar la necesidad de programas de formación continua. Se llevó a cabo una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura, aplicando criterios de inclusión específicos para seleccionar artículos relevantes publicados en los últimos diez años en países latinoamericanos. Los resultados indican una alta prevalencia de neuromitos, especialmente en creencias erróneas como la dominancia hemisférica y la idea de que solo se utiliza el 10% del cerebro. Estos mitos pueden llevar a prácticas pedagógicas ineficaces, afectando negativamente el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. La investigación concluye que desmitificar estos neuromitos es esencial para mejorar la calidad educativa, subrayando la importancia de implementar programas que fomenten la alfabetización en neurociencia y promuevan la integración de conocimientos neurocientíficos en las prácticas pedagógicas. Además, se destaca que una formación adecuada en neurociencia puede ayudar a los docentes a discernir entre información científica y mitos, contribuyendo así a un entorno educativo más fundamentado y eficaz. Este enfoque no solo beneficia a los educadores, sino que también impacta positivamente en el aprendizaje y desarrollo integral de los estudiantes.
Impacto de herramientas digitales en el proceso metacognitivo musical de estudiantes de la maestría UNA, Puno
Authors: Valdivia Terrazas Renzo , Quispe Erich Feliciano Morales , Huahuachampi Huanca Omar Edwin
Published: January 2025

Este estudio aborda la metacognición, entendida como la conciencia y regulación de los propios procesos de conocimiento, integrando enfoques teóricos y empíricos en el contexto sobre el aprendizaje musical. Se investiga, cómo las herramientas digitales impactan en la reflexión y autorregulación de estudiantes de posgrado, mediante un diseño cualitativo de casos múltiples, por consiguiente, se evaluó el efecto de estas herramientas en el desarrollo de la metacognición musical. Utilizando un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple, se analizaron variables como el uso de herramientas digitales, estrategias de estudio y reflexión sobre el aprendizaje. Los resultados revelan que el uso de herramientas digitales tiene un efecto positivo significativo en la metacognición, con un coeficiente de 0.130, indicando que su mayor utilización, potencia la capacidad de autorregulación del aprendizaje. Asimismo, las estrategias de estudio y la reflexión mostraron efectos positivos, con coeficientes de 0.0558 y 0.0201, respectivamente. El modelo explicó el 92.9% de la variabilidad en el progreso de la metacognición musical, con un valor F significativo, lo que respalda la relevancia de las variables analizadas. Estos hallazgos enfatizan que la integración de herramientas digitales y la promoción de estrategias de estudio reflexivas pueden mejorar significativamente el rendimiento académico en música, facilitando un aprendizaje más autónomo y profundo entre los estudiantes.
Factors that facilitate or inhibit professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions
Authors: Tenya Anthony Webster
Published: January 2025

Introduction: the efficiency, motivation, and involvement of human resources are critical factors in the effectiveness of organizations, particularly educational institutions. This paper explores these factors.
Objectives: the objectives were to identify the factors that facilitate professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions and to identify the factors that inhibit professional self-development motivation in employees of educational institutions.
Material and Methods: the study employed a scoping review method to identify factors influencing professional self-development motivation among educational institution employees. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, followed by a rigorous screening process to select 19 relevant studies. Data was organized and synthesized qualitatively, with findings validated by independent reviewers and experts in the field.
Results: the study identifies key facilitators of professional self-development motivation in educational institutions, including a personal growth mindset, organizational support, and access to digital resources. In contrast, inhibitors include a lack of self-awareness and organizational challenges like conflicting priorities. Effective leadership and professional development resources significantly enhance employee motivation and performance. Conversely, mismanagement and a lack of support can diminish motivation, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to individual employee needs.
Conclusion: The study's conclusion underscores the necessity for educational institutions to cultivate an environment that is conducive to professional development and motivation to achieve optimal performance.
Radyoterapinin Metastatik Meme Kanseri Hücrelerindeki Mitokondri İlişkili Yolaklar Üzerine Etkisi
Authors: Karadağ Gürel Aynur
Published: January 2025

AMAÇ: Radyoterapi, meme kanserinin tedavisinde önemli bir yöntemdir; ancak metastatik ve metastatik olmayan meme kanseri hücrelerinde mitokondri ilişkili yolaklar üzerindeki etkileri tam olarak anlaşılamamıştır. Bu çalışma, radyoterapinin mitokondri fonksiyonu ve ilişkili sinyal yolakları üzerindeki etkilerini, kanser hücrelerinin hayatta kalma, apoptoz ve metastatik ilerlemedeki rollerine odaklanarak incelemektedir.
GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: MCF-7 ve MDA-MB-231 metastatik meme kanseri hücre serileri kullanılan GEO veri tabanından meme kanseri verilerine ait GSE210306 erişim numarasına sahip ekspresyon verisi kullanılmıştır. Farklı şekilde ifade edilen genleri (DEG) bulmak için GEO2R ile analiz edildi. DEG’ler için GO ve KEGG zenginleştirme analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Cytoscape yazılımıyla bir protein-protein etkileşimi (PPI) ağı oluşturuldu ve radyo terapi sonrası etkilenen mitokondri ilişkili önemli genler belirlendi.
BULGULAR: GEO2R ile analiz sonucunda adjP-değeri
TAFSIR BARU SISTEM BARATA ATAU SIWOLE MBATOHU SEBAGAI FUNGSIPERTAHANAN, KEAMANAN, MILITER, DAN EKONOMIDI KERAJAAN KONAWE ABAD XVIII-XIX
Authors: Melamba Basrin , Sinapoy M. Sabaruddin
Published: January 2025

Konsep Siwole Mbatohu (barata) dibentuk karena alasan: 1). Konawe berada di tengah kepungan kerajaan besar (Luwu, Ternate, Gowa, Buton, dan Bone) sehingga perlu mengimbangi kekuatan luar agar dapat survive; 2). Konawe memiliki wilayah yang sangat luas, baik daratan maupun laut yang terbentang dari pesisir selatan hingga ke Konawe bagian utara; 3). Bentuk distribusi kekuasaan kepada keluarga Raja Tebawo guna terwujudnya stabilitas politik keamanan; dan 4). Guna menjaga keamanan wilayah dari berbagai arah. Sistem barata tersebut erat kaitannya dengan sistem pertahanan dan keamanan militer kerajaan Konawe pada abad ke 18-19 dengan empat penjuru mata angin. Lapis pertama, terdiri: 1). Tambo Losoano Oleo (pintu terbitnya matahari) atau pintu/gerbang pertahanan dan keamanan bagian Timur; 2). Tambo Tepuliano Oleo (pintu terbenamnya matahari) sistem pertahanan dan keamanan pintu (tambo) bagian Barat; 3). Barata i‘Hana (sayap kanan) pertahanan dan keamanan wilayah utara; dan 4). Barata i’Moeri (sayap kiri) sayap selatan. Keempat wilayah tersebut memiliki kedudukan sebagai pertahanan utama. Lapis kedua, penyangga dan penopang terdiri: Kapita Lau (Menteri Angkatan Laut), Kapita Anamolepo (Menteri Angkatan Darat), Tutuwi motaha (panglima pasukan penjaga keamanan raja) dari dalam. Lapis ketiga, pertahanan dan keamanan wilayah tobu, tugas menjaga keamanan dan mempertahankan wilayahnya serta bertanggung jawab langsung kepada penguasa barata. Semua lapisan di atas berada pada teritori pertahanan keamanan eksternal (luar). Lapis keempat & kelima disebut pertahanan dan keamanan dari dalam (internal), terdiri atas wilayah onapo (desa) dan anggalo (lembah). Semua lapis pertahanan dilengkapi dengan aparat Tamalaki (tentara) dan Otadu (prajurit). Barata berfungsi untuk menjaga dan mengawasi sumber ekonomi kerajaan untuk dikapitalisasi. Barata juga mempunyai wewenang memungut pajak atau obea serta menguasai dan mengontrol sungai dan laut.
Kata Kunci: Tafsir Baru, Siwole Mbatohu, Pertahanan Keamanan dan Ekonomi
Insulin Resistance and Treatment Nonresponse in Bipolar Depression
Authors: Gannon Jessica M. , Chengappa K.N. Roy , Calkin Cynthia V.
Published: January 2025

Insulin resistance is common in bipolar disorders and may be a driver of both chronic depressive symptoms and treatment nonresponse. Research suggests that insulin resistance is associated with certain structural brain changes, including blood brain barrier leakage, and may lead to neuroprogression of the illness. Importantly, insulin resistance may not be detected through use of conventional laboratory tests, i.e., fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, but by measuring fasting insulin and glucose in the same blood draw. Reversal of insulin resistance by insulin sensitizers may provide a path out of treatment resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). In a proof-of-concept, pilot, randomized placebo-controlled trial with adjunctive metformin, significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and general functioning were evident. Early data suggest that reversal of insulin resistance in TRBD may also be associated with blood brain barrier repair. Use of metformin earlier, i.e., lower body mass index and lower insulin resistance levels appears to improve chances of conversion to insulin sensitivity. Further study is needed to determine if reversal of insulin resistance with other medications, dietary interventions, and/or lifestyle changes would also lead to improvements in bipolar depression and related symptoms.
Boundary objects as a starting point for reflective learning in vocational education and training classrooms
Authors: Øgård Monika
Published: January 2025

This article examines the use of thematic assignments developed by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in Norway that focus on students’ work practices. In the Norwegian VET system, students attend two years of upper secondary school, followed by two years of apprenticeship at the workplace. The aim of the article is to point out how their work practice experiences can be brought back into the classroom by using specific boundary objects called ‘thematic assignments’. The article examines the following research question: How does working with boundary objects in the classroom contribute to students’ understanding and elaboration of vocational concepts? The data sources consist of semi-structured observations in the classroom and diaries written by the students during their work placements. This study is based on the idea of boundary crossing, using reflection and writing tasks to support students’ elaboration of vocational concepts. The discussion argues that the classroom is an appropriate environment for the elaboration of technical terms, that is, the development of vocational concepts via a specific boundary object. This article also discusses writing diaries as a starting point for students’ reflections to support the development of naive vocational concepts into more elaborate ones through experiencing their use in the workplace.
Vad är väsentligt för att lyckas i arbetet som yrkeslärare? En studie av yrkeslärarstudenters berättelser
Authors: Salo Petri , Nylund Mattias , Henning Loeb Ingrid
Published: January 2025

This article explores VET teacher students’ understanding of success and failure in VET teachers work. A theory-driven analysis, employing the theory of practice architectures is used for analysis of empathy-based stories from VET teacher students in Sweden and Finland. This approach, with its focus on practices and practice architectures, complements earlier research. The focus on complex and inter-related practices reaches beyond research themes such as competence, identity, and structural factors, and offers a multifaceted understanding of VET teachers’ work. The theory of practice architectures focuses on interconnected actions undertaken in a practice and the material-economic, cultural-discursive, and social-political arrange-ments that prefigure and hold the practice in place. The results reveal that vocational teacher students focus on the teaching practice and that they emphasise, both in stories of success and failure, similar actions. Teaching practice rests on didactical and pedagogical doings that are closely intertwined with various aspects of relatings to students. The stories also show how successful vocational teacher practices are prefigured by an inclusive and permissive work environment. Favorable cultural-discursive arrangements are characterised by a culture of collaboration and support and a trustful and affirmative school leadership.
OA-MEN: a fusion deep learning approach for enhanced accuracy in knee osteoarthritis detection and classification using X-Ray imaging
Authors: Ren Xiaolu , Hou Lingxuan , Liu Shan , Wu Peng , Liang Siming , Fu Haitian , Li Chengquan , Li Ting , Cheng Yongjing
Published: January 2025

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) constitutes the prevailing manifestation of arthritis. Radiographs function as a common modality for primary screening; however, traditional X-ray evaluation of osteoarthritis confronts challenges such as reduced sensitivity, subjective interpretation, and heightened misdiagnosis rates. The objective of this investigation is to enhance the validation and optimization of accuracy and efficiency in KOA assessment by utilizing fusion deep learning techniques.

Methods

This study aims to develop a highly accurate and lightweight model for automatically predicting and classifying KOA through knee X-ray imaging. We propose a deep learning model named OA-MEN, which integrates a hybrid model combining ResNet and MobileNet feature extraction with multi-scale feature fusion. This approach ensures enhanced extraction of semantic information without losing the advantages of large feature maps provided by high image resolution in lower layers of the network. This effectively expands the model’s receptive field and strengthens its understanding capability. Additionally, we conducted unseen-data tests and compared our model with widely used baseline models to highlight its superiority over conventional approaches.

Results

The OA-MEN model demonstrated exceptional performance in tests. In the unseen-data test, our model achieved an average accuracy (ACC) of 84.88% and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 89.11%, marking improvements over the best-performing baseline models. These results showcase its improved capability in predicting KOA from X-ray images, making it a promising tool for assisting radiologists in diagnosis and treatment selection in clinical settings.

Conclusion

Leveraging deep learning for osteoarthritis classification guarantees heightened efficiency and accuracy. The future goal is to seamlessly integrate deep learning and advanced computational techniques with the expertise of medical professionals.
Disinfection of indoor air for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2: a review of the effectiveness of UV-C technology and gaps in research
Authors: Rada Elena Cristina , Vignali Chiara , Bellazzi Stefano , Carnevale Miino Marco , Abbà Alessandro , Szabó Márta , Torretta Vincenzo , Collivignarelli Maria Cristina
Published: January 2025

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In indoor environments, a structured strategy is needed to reduce the risk of infection. In addition to maintaining proper ventilation and wearing face masks, the development of effective technologies for limiting the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through infectious respiratory particles (IRPs) has been studied. UV-C devices have already proved effective against other types of microorganisms and have also been investigated for their potential in inactivating SARS-CoV-2. This work aims to review and discuss these findings while also presenting recommendations for future research. Based on the available data, UV-C proved to be effective in the inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 or its surrogates. The main gaps in this research have also been highlighted, and some outlooks for future studies have been suggested. In some studies, the use of surrogates with higher susceptibility to UV-C than airborne SARS-CoV-2 or the consideration of total bacterial counts alone may have led to misleading results. The question “how much variables affect the inactivation rate of airborne SARS-CoV-2 by UV-C in indoor environments?” is still unsolved, considering that the number of studies on the inactivation of this virus in real indoor environments is quite limited. The outcomes of this study can be useful for the scientific community, the technical stakeholders (e.g., managers in the healthcare and transport sectors), and the common people, providing important information about the performance of these technologies to improve the quality of air in indoor environments.
Establishment and characterization of a sigmoid colon cancer organoid with spinal metastasis
Authors: Chen Jingyao , Cheng Shumin , Gu Liang , Huang Zhangsen , Zhang Changhua , Sun Chunhui , Chen Songyao
Published: January 2025

Background

Sigmoid colon cancer with spinal metastases is rare in distant metastasis. In addition, the prognosis of colon cancer patients with spinal metastases is extremely poor. In order to find effective therapeutic agents, we need to know the biological characteristics of such patients from related models.

Methods

We collected sigmoid colon cancer tissue from a young female subject who was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with multiple spinal metastases. We successfully established a sigmoid colon cancer organoid using this tissue and investigated drug screening in the patient. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and DNA sequencing were utilized to compare the biological characteristics between the original tumor and the organoid. Furthermore, we investigated the drug screening of the sigmoid colon cancer organoid in vitro.

Results

A colon cancer organoid from sigmoid colon cancer with spinal metastases was successfully established. The organoid culture maintained the morphological features, histological features, and genomic landscape of the corresponding sigmoid colon cancer cells. Moreover, we performed drug screening tests to evaluate the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted drugs.

Conclusion

The sigmoid colon cancer organoid with spinal metastases was a favorable preclinical model to explore the clinicopathologic characteristics of colon cancer patients with spinal metastases.
Establishment of a rapid method for the detection of Brucella canis based on recombinase-mediated thermostable nucleic acid amplification technology
Authors: Song Shao-Zheng , Li Zi-Yuan , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Wu Ying-Chao , Yu Kang-Ying , He Zhengyi
Published: January 2025

Objective

To establish a rapid detection method for canine brucellosis using recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) technology.

Methods

The outer membrane protein 25 gene fragment (Omp25) of Brucella canis was targeted. Primers and fluorescent probes were designed and synthesized, and recombinant plasmids were constructed as standards. The RAA assay was optimized by screening primers and establishing a fluorescent reaction system. Sensitivity was analyzed using plasmid standards with varying copy numbers. Specificity was tested using genomes from Brucella canis, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus, Staphylococcus aureus, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Shigella spp., Proteus mirabilis, and Listeria monocytogenes. Reproducibility was evaluated using plasmid standards from the same and different batches.

Results

The optimized RAA system used primers bOmp25-F2/bOmp25-R2 and probe bOmp25-P, with a constant reaction temperature of 39°C for 15 minutes. The detection sensitivity was 1 copy/μL. No cross-reaction was observed with other Brucella species or pathogenic bacteria, indicating high specificity. Intra-batch variability was below 1.00%, and inter-batch variability was below 2.00%. The positive detection coincidence rate of RAA was significantly higher than that of commercial real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (100% VS 86.96%, P<0.05).

Conclusion

The RAA-based rapid detection method for Brucella canis is suitable for clinical rapid testing. It offers advantages such as quick detection, high sensitivity, strong specificity, and good reproducibility. This method provides new insights for the rapid detection of canine brucellosis and the precise diagnosis of other pet diseases, making it suitable for promotion and application.
Fungal chemical warfare: the role of aflatoxin and fumonisin in governing the interaction between the maize pathogens, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Satterlee Timothy R. , Hawkins Jaci A. , Mitchell Trevor R. , Wei Qijian , Lohmar Jessica M. , Glenn Anthony E. , Gold Scott E.
Published: January 2025

The mycotoxigenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides, commonly co-colonize maize in the field, yet their direct interactions at the chemical communication level have not been well characterized. Here, we examined if and how the two most infamous mycotoxins produced by these species, aflatoxin and fumonisin, respectively, govern interspecies growth and mycotoxin production. We showed that fumonisin producing strains of F. verticillioides suppressed the growth of A. flavus while non-producers did not. Additionally, while aflatoxin did not inhibit F. verticillioides growth, it did suppress fumonisin production. Fumonisin B1 concentration levels plummeted when challenged with a high dose of aflatoxin B1 or with an aflatoxin producing strain. With these findings, expression of the genetic regulators of secondary metabolism was investigated for both fungi. While no strong effect was seen on genes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster when exposed to fumonisin B1, the fumonisin repressor FvZBD1, which is adjacent to the cluster, was induced with expression proportionate to concentration when F. verticillioides was challenged with aflatoxin B1. We also assessed the expression of the global regulators of fungal secondary metabolism, veA and laeA, and found that their expression is altered in both A. flavus and F. verticillioides when exposed to their competitor’s mycotoxin. This work gives insight into the ecological roles of mycotoxins and why these fungi may produce them as weapons in the interspecies battle for resource acquisition.
Application prospect of speckle tracking echocardiography in pacemaker implantation
Authors: Xu Nan , Cheng Xiaoping , Ren Lei , Yuan Quan
Published: January 2025

More than 1 million permanent pacemakers are implanted worldwide each year, half of which are in patients with high-grade atrioventricular block. Pacemakers provide adequate frequency support in the initial stage, but traditional right ventricular (RV) pacing may lead to or aggravate left ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmia. Several potential risk factors for heart failure and arrhythmias after pacemaker surgery have been identified, but their occurrence remains difficult to predict clinically. Compared with RV pacing, His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) activate the intrinsic His–Purkinje conduction system and provide physiological activation, but whether HBP and LBBP also cause ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony remains uncertain. The implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardioverter defibrillator depends on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). LVEF This depends on volume changes and is less reproducible. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a technique that can accurately quantify the degree and duration of systolic deformation. STE detects changes in myocardial function more sensitively than traditional measures of diastolic and systolic function, including LVEF. Clinicians can evaluate myocardial strain and synchrony based on strain (percent change in segmental length from baseline) and strain rate (strain per unit time). This review and case series investigate the clinical use of speckle tracking echocardiography in pacemaker implantation.
Attitudes of nurses toward telenursing and influencing factors in resource-limited settings: Northwest Ethiopia 2022
Authors: Butta Fikadu Wake , Tilahun Biniyam Chaklu , Endehabtu Berhanu Fikadie , Shibabaw Adamu Ambachew , Chereka Alex Ayenew , Gebeyew Ayenew Sisay , Reda Mekides Molla , Kitil Gemeda Wakgari , Nimani Teshome Demis
Published: January 2025

Background

The worldwide scarcity of nurses is a pressing concern, with the World Health Organization predicting a deficit of 5.9 million nurses globally by 2025. Notably, 89% of this shortage is expected to impact low- and middle-income countries. To address the growing demand for nursing professionals, the concept of telenursing care is being considered. However, there is limited evidence regarding nurses' attitudes towards telenursing care in Ethiopia. This study aims to understand how nurses feel about telenursing care and the factors related to it at a specialized teaching referral hospital in northwest Ethiopia.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study at a specialized teaching referral hospital, employing a simple random sampling technique to gather information from 423 nurses. The study took place from July 28 to December 19, 2022/23. Descriptive statistics, including tables and bar graphs, were utilized. Additionally, a binary logistic regression analysis was conducted with 95% confidence intervals and a significance level of P < 0.05 to identify factors influencing nurses' attitudes toward telenursing.

Result

Out of the total 416 nurses who responded, representing a response rate of 98.35%, 39.7% exhibited favorable attitudes towards telenursing care. Factors associated with nurses' attitudes included awareness, source of information, social media use, knowledge, computer access, digital training, internet access, and computer training.

Conclusions

The findings indicate a low level of positive attitudes towards telenursing care among nurses. To enhance future acceptance, use, and implementation, policymakers, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders should collaborate to improve nurses' attitudes toward telenursing care, taking into consideration various factors and user preferences.
Empowering rural students through computational thinking and real-world STEM applications: insights from an innovative high school curriculum
Authors: Li Linlin , Huang Chun-Wei , Morgan Claire , Luttgen Kim , Chow Eunice , Yang Shuangting
Published: January 2025

Rural students often face challenges receiving high-quality education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). However, without meaningful STEM educational opportunities, rural students might not develop the knowledge and skills needed to compete in a technology-driven workforce. Learning by Making (LbyM), an innovative intervention funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Investing in Innovation and Education Innovation and Research Funds, addresses gaps in STEM learning in rural settings at the early high school level by supporting teaching and learning around computational thinking and real-world STEM applications. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which students were randomly assigned to the treatment (received intervention) or control group (business as usual) explored the fidelity and impact of the implementation of LbyM with 9th-grade students in three rural and three high-needs high schools in California. While the quantitative analysis did not find a significant impact on student achievement, possibly due to the small sample size and the challenges of program implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic, qualitative findings highlighted several considerations for improved rural and high-needs STEM equity. For example, the LbyM’s focus on place-built students’ ability to make sense of local phenomena by applying computational thinking and coding skills and by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to develop solutions to problems related to their lives. Teachers reported that the focus on real-world applications increased student engagement and self-efficacy. At the same time, LbyM built teacher self-efficacy through professional learning and sharing; teachers developed computational thinking, modeling, experiment, research, and coding skills alongside their students and increased their confidence in delivering NGSS content.
Fast-track microwave-assisted synthesis of CdMoO4 and CdWO4 nanoparticles for hybrid rGO/NPs electrodes in high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Vivas Leonardo , Manquian Carolina , Pacheco-Catalán Daniella Esperanza , Márquez Paulina , Singh Dinesh Pratap
Published: January 2025

Fast and facile synthesis of nanomaterials is always a challenge for industrial applications in various sectors. In this work, CdMoO₄ and CdWO₄ nanoparticles are synthesized by using a fast and cost-effective microwave-assisted method. The synthesized nanoparticles are mixed with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), to form active electrode materials for supercapacitor and their electrochemical performances were studied in detail. The electrodes were prepared by simple mixtures of rGO/CdMoO₄ and rGO/CdWO₄, and electrochemical performance were measured in both, two- and three-electrode configurations. In general, both rGO/CdMoO₄ and rGO/CdWO₄ mixtures exhibit an increased specific capacitance (Cp) compared to pure rGO. Notably, the rGO/CdMoO₄ mixture shows a Cp exceeding 543 Fg⁻1 at a scan rate of 5 mVs⁻1, which represents a significant improvement over rGO alone (Cp = 225 Fg⁻1). This increase in Cp can be attributed to the higher surface area of the rGO/CdMoO₄ electrode material due to smaller size of CdMoO₄ nanoparticles and their intercalation between the rGO layers in comparison to the rGO/CdWO₄ electrode material. Furthermore, the rGO/CdMoO₄ mixture demonstrated 77% capacitance retention over 5,000 charge/discharge cycles in the two-electrode configuration. The promising electrochemical performance and rapid, low-cost synthesis suggest that these materials have great potential for further use in high efficiency energy-storage devices.
Framing impacts on citizen science data collection and participant outcomes
Authors: Sorensen Amanda E. , Jordan Rebecca C.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

There has been little work investigating the effect of framing in citizen science and the subsequent effects on data quality and participant outcomes (e.g., science literacy, trust in science, motivations to contribute).

Methods

To establish the impact of framing in citizen science on data quality and participant outcomes, an experimental web-based citizen science program was created where participants were engaged in tree phenology research. Participants were randomized to one of two differently framed conditions where they were engaged in the same exact data collection task, but the rhetoric around participant contribution was framed differently. In this, participants were either referred to as a “Citizen Scientist” or “Volunteer.” Participants took a pre and post survey that measured science literacy, trust in science, and motivations to contribute to citizen science.

Results

There were significant differences in participant outcomes and data quality between the two conditions post-participation. Individuals in the “Citizen Scientist” condition completed the project and submitted higher quality data significantly more than those individuals in the “Volunteer” condition. Additionally, individuals in the two conditions begin to diverge in their responses to questions within each of the measured areas post-participation.

Discussion

This research suggests that being called a citizen scientist may elicit internally held expectations of contribution, informed by normative and culturally informed experiences. Therefore, participants might view their contributions as citizen scientists are more consequential than when as volunteers. Research of this nature can help guide practitioners using citizen science in thinking about framing as a part of their project development and stimulate further research on best practices in citizen science project design.
Novel disctete grey Bernoulli seasonal model with a time powter term for predicting monthly carbon dioxide emissions in the United States
Authors: Jiang Jianming , Ban Yandong , Nong Sheng
Published: January 2025

This study proposes a more efficient discrete grey prediction model to describe the seasonalvariation trends of carbon dioxide emissions. The setting of the bernoulli parameter and the time powerterm parameter in the new model ensures that the model can capture the trend of nonlinear changesin the sequence. At the same time, the inclusion of dummy variables allows for the direct simulationof seasonal fluctuations in carbon dioxide emissions without the need for additional treatment of theseasonality in the sequence. The optimal search for the model’s hyperparameters is achieved using the MPA algorithm. The constructed model is applied to the monthly U.S. carbon dioxide emissions datafrom January 2003 to December 2022, a total of 240 months. The model is trained on 216 months of datafrom January 2003 to December 2020, and the monthly data from January 2021 to December 2022 is usedfor prediction, which is then compared with the actual values. The results show that the proposed modelexhibits higher forecasting performance compared to SARIMA and other models. Therefore, this methodcan effectively simulate the seasonal variation trends in carbon dioxide emissions, providing valuablereference information for relevant departments to formulate more effective policies.