bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient insights research exploring disease awareness, patient life experience, and current management of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Alves Fabiana , Ritmeijer Koert , den Boer Margriet , Forsyth Colin , Hughes Bethan , Zamble Clare , Carter Kirsten , Angyalosi Gerhild
Published: February 2025

Background

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania parasites and transmitted by sand fly bites, targeted for elimination in India. VL primarily affects rural, low-income populations with limited health care access. In South Asia, few studies have explored patients’ perspectives, diagnoses, and treatment experiences; particularly lacking an understanding about the patients’ life experiences outside of clinical research settings.

Methodology/principal findings

A qualitative study was conducted in Bihar, India, using moderator-facilitated, protocol-defined discussion. Eighteen adult patients and 12 caregivers of children diagnosed with and treated for VL within the last 12 months were identified by self-report. Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 13.8 days. Challenges of the early patient life experience included lack of urgency by health care professionals, delayed diagnosis, and no guarantee of treatment at the location of their VL diagnosis (63% had to switch to a different center for treatment, at times delaying treatment). Key barriers identified in previous studies that were re-confirmed in this study include out-of-pocket financial burden, absence from work/home duties, and long-distance travel to hospitals. Patients and caregivers (n = 29/30) expressed a preference for a potential oral treatment that could be taken close to home.

Conclusions/significance

This study reveals new insights about the patient life experience and reconfirms previous research indicating that access to care for patients with VL in the Bihar area remains a challenge. Although most patients with VL seek care early, diagnosis often requires multiple visits to a health care facility. Despite access to therapy in public hospitals, some patients reported a preference for private care. Even if diagnosis takes place in a government-funded public setting, some patients reported needing to move from the location of diagnosis to another center to receive therapy, creating an additional burden for patients. As a potential alternative to current parenteral treatment, adult patients and caregivers of pediatric patients expressed interest in a potential oral therapy because it may reduce barriers to access care.
Encourage or inhibit: A study on the impact of corporate digital transformation on management’s tone manipulation of information disclosure
Authors: Yang Lingyun , Zhang Zhihong , Wang Lulu , Liang Yikai
Published: February 2025

Digitalization is anticipated to substantially improve information transparency and enhance the capital market’s information environment. However, during the initial phase of digital transformation, companies face challenges in achieving high-quality information disclosure. This is because digital technology implementation and organizational adjustment are still at early stages. Concurrently, investors face difficulties in assessing the accuracy of disclosed information. This challenge provides management with the opportunity to overstate the benefits of digital transformation. This study investigates the impact of corporate digital transformation on management’s tone manipulation behavior, using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2021. Findings indicate that corporate digital transformation significantly fosters management’s tone manipulation during its exploration phase. Media slant positively moderates this relationship. Further analysis supports the paper’s hypothesis: companies with weaker financial flexibility and lower risk information disclosure levels show a stronger positive correlation between digital transformation and tone manipulation. Concurrently, mechanism analysis reveals that management overconfidence partially mediates the relationship. This suggests that digital transformation increases managerial overconfidence, thereby promoting tone manipulation. The conclusion offers new insights into enhancing management discussion and analysis information disclosure quality from a corporate strategic transformation perspective. It serves as a valuable reference for accurately identifying misleading management signals.
Structure-activity studies of bispyridinium antinicotinics to select candidates to treat soman intoxication as part of a combined therapy
Authors: Turner Simon R. , Timperley Christopher M. , Bird Mike , Green A. Christopher , Price Matthew E. , Rice Helen , Chad John E. , Tattersall John E. H.
Published: February 2025

The standard treatment of atropine and oximes is insufficiently effective against all organophosphorus nerve agents. Bispyridinium non-oxime nicotinic antagonists are promising components to add to treatments. One of these, MB327, improves the survival of guinea-pigs after intoxication with tabun, sarin or soman. We extend our previous study of unsubstituted bispyridinium non-oximes with C1 to C10 alkane linkers to analogues having 4-tert-butylpyridinium rings and the same linker range. We report their effects on nicotinic-mediated calcium responses in muscle-derived (CN21) cells where nicotinic responses were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. A clear structure-activity relationship resulted: the inhibitory potency increased as the linker lengthened. Previous data showed the inhibition of human acetylcholinesterase in vitro increased similarly and that in general the toxicity to mice increased accordingly. However, the shorter analogues MB327 (4-tert-butyl C3) and MB442 (unsubstituted C5) compared favourably in toxicity to some oximes used to treat nerve agent poisoning. Like MB327, the non-oxime MB442, selected by the process described, improved the survival of guinea-pigs intoxicated with soman when combined with hyoscine and physostigmine or atropine and avizafone. Our research has now afforded two compounds able to protect guinea-pigs against nerve agent toxicity through a mechanism not previously exploited deliberately for this purpose.
Fetal genetic factors in pregnancy loss: Insights from a meta-analysis and effectiveness of whole exome sequencing
Authors: Hadjipanteli Andrea , Theodosiou Athina , Papaevripidou Ioannis , Alexandrou Angelos , Salameh Nicole , Evangelidou Paola , Tomazou Marios , Mavrides Andreas , Fasouliotis Sozos , Anastasiou George , Stavroulis Andreas , Agathokleous Niki , Agathokleous Maria , Tsangarides Stelios , Kallikas Ioannis , Kakoullis Kyriakos , Frakala Sofia , Oxinou Christina , Marnerides Andreas , Athanasiou Emilia , Ourani Sofia , Anastasiadou Violetta C. , Tanteles George , Kousoulidou Ludmila , Sismani Carolina
Published: February 2025

Spontaneous pregnancy loss commonly occurs during the first trimester and can be caused by various factors including chromosomal abnormalities and submicroscopic aberrations. After the first trimester, the etiology of most pregnancy losses remains undetermined. This study aims to fill this gap by an in-depth investigation of the fetal genome and its effect on pregnancy outcome.

Data from 1016 spontaneously aborted fetuses previously referred for genetic testing (2017–2023) were used for meta-analysis. Fetuses were categorized based on gestational age and genetic test result. Additionally, 35 second-third trimester fetuses, that were spontaneously aborted, terminated or died neonatally, with abnormal ultrasounds and unrevealing routine genetic testing were collected. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing was performed for identification of fetal variants that may have caused the pregnancy loss.

The meta-analysis revealed that 822 of 1016 fetuses (80.91%) were aborted during the first trimester, with 569 of 822 (69.22%) successfully diagnosed using conventional genetic testing. The remaining 194 fetuses (19.09%) were aborted during the second-third trimester. Of the 194 second-third trimester aborted fetuses, 163 (84.02%) lacked genetic diagnosis using conventional testing (karyotype and array-CGH). Aneuploidies were the leading cause of spontaneous pregnancy loss in both first and second-third trimester fetuses followed by polyploidies. Thus, the meta-analysis demonstrated that undiagnosed second-third trimester pregnancy losses are more likely to benefit from further genetic investigation.

Application of whole exome sequencing on second-third trimester pregnancy losses, revealed causative variants in 6 of 33 families (18.18%), in genes linked to Mendelian disorders associated with the phenotypes of interest. Pathogenic findings were identified in two additional families in heterozygosity in genes following autosomal recessive inheritance.

Accurate identification of variants in such genes creates new genotype-in utero phenotype associations, with the prospect of new additions in preconception/prenatal diagnostic panels. This study highlights the importance of whole exome sequencing in resolving undiagnosed pregnancy losses.
Factors affecting prognosis in traumatic cerebral contusions: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Chao , Su Zhaoyin , Deng Shulu , Zhang Binhao , Qin Junlong , Wu Kun , Zhao Yanzong , Liu Yao
Published: February 2025

Background

Traumatic cerebral contusion (CC) is a severe type of injury among traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Individuals with traumatic CC typically exhibit rapid deterioration in their condition, leading to increased mortality rates. Despite this, there is a gap in evidence-based research. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in patients with traumatic CC, with a particular focus on relevant biomarkers. Mortality will be the primary outcome, while the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score will be considered as a secondary outcome.

Methods and analysis

We intend to conduct a comprehensive search through multiple Chinese and English repositories, covering the duration from the establishment of these databases up to the current era, in order to pinpoint appropriate studies. Additionally, a manual search of the references within the included literature and other pertinent works will be undertaken. The primary endpoint of this study will be the survival status of patients with traumatic brain contusion. Meta-analysis will be executed using STATA 16.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). Article selection and data extraction will be performed independently by two reviewers. The assessment of bias risks will be conducted via the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Depending on the heterogeneity evaluation, either a fixed-effect model or a random-effects model will be applied. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be conducted as needed. The examination of publication bias will be carried out, and the quality of evidence for the primary outcomes will be graded.

Trial registration number: CRD42023389456
The relationship between social participation and cognitive function early after surgery of glioma patients
Authors: Xiao Yinglian , Tan Jing , Cheng Guo , Deng Yanhong
Published: February 2025

Objective

Social Participation (SP) is known to benefit cognitive function. However, whether this positive relationship holds across the people with glioma has not been studied. The present study aimed to investigate the current status of SP and cognitive function of patients early after surgery with glioma, and therefore, explore the associations between cognitive function and SP.

Methods

This study included 179 postoperative patients with gliomas within 6 months of surgery. Cognitive functioning was measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) including orientation, attention, learning and memory, executive functioning and verbal fluency. Social participation was obtained also by questionnaire survey with the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA). The Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relation between cognitive functioning and social participation, and the efficacy of social participation in predicting cognitive functioning was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC).

Results

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in early postoperative glioma patients was 77.65%. The mean level of social participation was 37.96 ± 26.85 points, with poorer scores in the autonomy participation of family role and outdoor engagement dimensions. Patients’ cognitive functioning was positively correlated with social participation (r = −0.64, P < 0.001). And The areas under the ROC curve for social participation predicting cognitive function were 0.884.

Conclusion

Early post-operative cognitive impairment was more common in glioma patients, which was positively correlated with social participation. Social rehabilitation programs for glioma patients should be actively constructed to promote the social participation of patients early after surgery in order to protect their cognitive function.
Impact of β-defensin 103 (DEFB103) copy number variation on bull sperm parameters and post-insemination uterine gene expression
Authors: Sidekli Ozge , Hollox Edward J. , Fair Sean , Meade Kieran G.
Published: February 2025

Pregnancy rates for elite bulls used in artificial insemination (AI) can vary significantly and therefore the identification of molecular markers for fertility and targets to improve bull selection is important. β-defensin peptides have diverse regulatory roles in sperm function across multiple species but the role of copy number variation (CNV) on fertility parameters has not been previously evaluated. In this study, Holstein-Friesian bulls were screened based on reliable field fertility data to identify two groups (High and Low fertility (HF and LF, respectively)) of n = 10 bulls/group which were genotyped for β-defensin 103 (DEFB103) gene CNV by droplet digital PCR. Overall, low DEFB103 copy number (CN) was associated with increased sperm motility across all bulls (n = 20, p < 0.05). As genetic diversity of DEFB103 CN was only apparent in the LF group, three bulls per CNV class (low, intermediate and high CN) were chosen for more detailed comparative functional analysis. Sperm from low CN bulls exhibited higher binding to the oviductal epithelium, while high CN increased sperm membrane fluidity in vitro (p < 0.05). To investigate the functional effect of DEFB103 CNV on the uterine response in vivo, 18 heifers were inseminated with sperm from bulls with low, intermediate and high CN. Transcriptomic analysis on uterine tissue harvested 12 h post-insemination showed differential expression of 58 genes (FDR < 0.1) involved in sperm migration, immune signalling and chemotaxis. Although field fertility results from a complex number of interactive factors, these novel results suggest a contributory role for DEFB103 CN in both sperm function and the uterine response to bull sperm, thereby potentially contributing to pregnancy outcomes in cattle. Further analysis of the role of CNV in additional β-defensin genes in bull fertility is now warranted.
A systems analysis and improvement approach to optimizing syringe services programs’ delivery of HIV testing and referrals: Study protocol for a parallel-group randomized controlled trial (SAIA-SSP-HIV)
Authors: Bazzi Angela R. , Roth Alexis M. , Akiba Christopher F. , Huffaker Shelby L. , Patel Sheila V. , Smith Jessica , Laurano Rose , Orme Stephen , Zarkin Gary A. , Morgan-Lopez Antonio , Lambdin Barrot H.
Published: February 2025

With changing drug supplies and associated drug consumption behaviors, HIV transmission has increased among people who inject drugs in the United States. HIV testing and referrals to effective prevention and treatment services are critical for individual and population health, yet multilevel barriers limit access to HIV testing for this population, even within syringe services programs (SSPs). In this organizational-level interrupted time series randomized controlled trial, we will assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an implementation strategy, the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA), in optimizing HIV testing and referrals to appropriate clinical services among U.S. SSPs. From 01/12/2023 to 01/07/2025, we will recruit a diverse sample of 32 SSPs nationally that directly provide HIV testing to participants. SSPs will be randomized to the active implementation arm (i.e., SAIA-SSP-HIV) or an implementation-as-usual arm (n = 16 organizations per arm). SAIA-SSP-HIV is a flexible, data-driven implementation strategy designed to help optimize SSPs’ delivery of HIV testing and referrals to appropriate clinical services for HIV prevention (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis) and treatment. In the active implementation arm, trained SAIA specialists will guide SSPs through three cyclical steps over 12 months: (1) process mapping to identify organization-specific needs, (2) cascade analysis and prioritization of areas for improvement, and (3) testing solutions through continuous quality improvement. In both arms, we will collect outcome data over 21 months (3-month lead-in period, 12-month implementation period, 6-month sustainment period). We will assess the initial and sustained effectiveness of SAIA and calculate its cost and cost-effectiveness. This trial presents a novel opportunity to test the effectiveness of an organization-level implementation strategy for optimizing the delivery of HIV screening and referrals in community settings that are frequented by an at-risk population. If successful, SAIA-SSP-HIV could be adapted for other infectious or chronic disease care cascades within SSPs.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06025435.
Cardiology involvement and mortality in adult patients with advanced solid cancer complicated by atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sato Takeshi , Dai Zhehao , Hashimoto Jun , Ohde Sachiko , Komiyama Nobuyuki , Inomata Takayuki , Yamauchi Teruo
Published: February 2025

Background

The association between comorbid atrial fibrillation (AF) and survival in adult patients with advanced solid cancer, as well as the impact of cardiology involvement in such patients, remains unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients diagnosed with advanced solid cancers. We calculated prevalence of AF in different cancer types and compared all-cause mortality between patients with and without AF. We further examined the association between cardiology involvement and mortality in the subset of participants with AF.

Results

Among the 1,349 adult patients with advanced solid cancer, 122 (9.0%) had AF. The risk of AF was the highest in lung and mediastinal cancer (15.6%). AF was associated with higher all-cause mortality, which became neutral after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, cancer types and cancer treatments (crude hazard ratio [HR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–1.75, p =  0.004; adjusted HR 1.08, 95%CI 0.84–1.39, p =  0.552). In those with AF, cardiology involvement was independently associated with lower all-cause mortality (age, sex, comorbidities, cancer types and cancer treatments-adjusted HR 0.50 [95%CI 0.28–0.88], p =  0.017), though the cumulative incidence of neither cardiovascular nor non-cardiovascular death differed significantly between patients who received cardiology care and those who did not.

Conclusions

In adult patients with advanced solid cancer, AF per se was not independently associated with increased mortality. Cardiology involvement in patients with advanced solid cancer and AF was linked to a better overall survival, but with low certainty that this finding is not attributable to unmeasured confounding.
Exploring language use in apology strategies of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Fraidan Abdullah , Alhulaybi Abdulaziz A.
Published: February 2025

This research explores the apology strategies employed by international tourists visiting Saudi Arabia, particularly in the context of the Kingdom’s rapid tourism expansion under Vision 2030. With the introduction of new tourism policies, the country has opened itself to a wide range of international visitors, increasing the likelihood of cultural missteps. The study investigates how tourists navigate Saudi Arabia’s conservative social norms, focusing on factors such as language use, cultural awareness, and the perceived severity of offenses. Data were collected through qualitative focus group interviews with international tourists, analyzing how apology strategies are influenced by social dynamics, gender norms, and power structures. The findings suggest that tourists who demonstrate cultural sensitivity, particularly by using Arabic, are more likely to have their apologies accepted. The study highlights the importance of cross-cultural competence in managing tourist-local interactions and provides insights for tourism operators and policymakers on improving the tourist experience in Saudi Arabia. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of cross-cultural communication in the context of a rapidly growing tourism industry.
Identifying unmet palliative care needs of nursing home residents: A scoping review
Authors: Crowley Patrice , Saab Mohamad M. , Ronan Isabel , Tabirca Sabin , Murphy David , Cornally Nicola
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Many nursing home residents do not receive timely palliative care despite their need and eligibility for such care. Screening tools as well as other methods and guidelines can facilitate early identification of nursing home residents unmet palliative care needs.

Aim

To map and summarise the evidence on identifying unmet palliative care needs of nursing home residents.

Methods

Any paper reporting on nursing home residents’ unmet palliative care needs were eligible for inclusion. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and APA PsycArticles and grey literature were systematically searched over two months, February and March 2024. Data were extracted using data extraction forms. Data were synthesised using descriptive analysis and basic content analysis.

Results

Forty six records were included in this review. Nineteen methods, five screening tools, and four guidelines related to identifying residents unmet palliative care needs were identified. Most methods such as the Minimum Data Set and Palliative Care Needs Rounds were implemented as part of an intervention. Limited evidence was identified on what methods healthcare professionals use in daily practice. In total, 117 non-disease specific indicators for identifying residents unmet palliative care needs were identified, with physical indicators such as pain and weight loss being the most represented.

Conclusion

While developments have been made related to the concept of ‘unmet palliative care needs’, a clear definition is required. Evidence-based standardisation of methods for identifying unmet palliative care needs would ensure timely and equitable access to palliative care for nursing home residents worldwide. Achieving this goal requires incorporating screening for unmet palliative care needs into routine care.
Synthesis and characterizations of poly hydroxybenzyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide based hydrogel as drug delivery system
Authors: Assal Fatima Hekmat , Hadi Mohammed Ameen
Published: February 2025

The aromatic/hydrophilic monomer, hydroxybenzyl methacrylate (HBM), was synthesized by reaction of 4-hydroxy benzyl alcohol with acrylic acid and then copolymerized with acrylamide (AAM) in various proportions. Potassium persulfate (PPS) was used as the initiator. The copolymer (3HBM/1AAM), selected based on the swelling results in water, was crosslinked using different concentrations of ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate (EGDMA). The chemical structure of the monomer and copolymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and proton magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The effect of the crosslinker concentration on the swelling, mechanical and thermal properties of the copolymers was investigated. The equilibrium water content (EWC) increased with the increase in the amount of crosslinker. The mechanical and thermal properties were also improved. The ability of the obtained copolymers to incorporate and release the drug (ciprofloxacin) was investigated based on swelling in the drug solution. A higher proportion of HBM in the copolymer resulted in a higher efficiency of the copolymer as a drug carrier.
Physical properties and microstructure of bitumen highly-modified with ground tire rubber
Authors: Zienkiewicz Julia , Szydłowski Cezary , Wang Shifeng , Formela Krzysztof
Published: February 2025

In this work, ground tire rubber was thermo-mechanically devulcanized in planetary extruder and subsequently was used for preparation of bitumen highly-modified with ground tire rubber. The physical and processing properties of prepared materials were characterized based on penetration, softening point and melt flow rate measurements. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and volatile organic compounds' emission level were used for assessment of interfacial interaction between GTR and bitumen.
Effect of enzymatic-bacterial bioproduct on PLA biodegradation under industrial composting conditions
Authors: Lisewska Daria , Mazuryk Alicja , Szymańska Lauren , Krasinska Oksana , Janczak Katarzyna , Żarski Arkadiusz
Published: February 2025

The effect of the new bioproduct in the form of granulate and liquid concentrate on PLA biodegradation during industrial composting was investigated. The analysis included compost parameters, PLA mass loss, structural changes (SEM) and chemical properties (FTIR-ATR, O/C ratio). The effectiveness of the bioproduct, especially in liquid form, in accelerating PLA degradation and improvingcompost properties was confirmed what matters for sustainable waste management.
Palność i wybrane właściwości kompozytów PVC z dodatkiem boehmitu
Authors: Dawidek Katarzyna , Gryzińska Aneta , Dziuba Kamil , Puszka Andrzej
Published: February 2025

W niniejszej pracy zbadano wpływ mineralnych napełniaczy nieorganicznych, tj. dwóch rodzajów boehmitu (Catapal B i Pural SB) na wybrane właściwości miękkich kompozytów poli(chlorku winylu). Zbadano palność, twardość w skali Shore'a oraz właściwości przy rozciąganiu otrzymanych materiałów. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono, że rodzaj i ilość dodatku uniepalniającego znacząco wpływają na właściwości otrzymanych kompozytów.
REGIMES DE VERDADE E VISUALIDADE QUE EDUCAM SUJEITOS SOBRE SER NO ESPAÇO POR MEIO DE MAPAS
Authors: Schroeder Daniel Felipe , Darsie Camilo
Published: February 2025

Mapas resultam de disputas discursivas que ocorrem em diferentes localidades e períodos, agindo sobre a constituição das sociedades e dos modos de vida. Eles não são isentos de intencionalidades e efeitos educativos, pois suas informações e formatos subjetivam pessoas em determinados sentidos e não outros. Diante disso, neste texto, artefatos cartográficos são problematizados enquanto pontos de força que se articulam entre si e aos regimes de verdade e visualidade dominantes, moldando espacialidades e, consequentemente, transformando o espaço. Intenta-se compreender como agem pedagogicamente, para além dos ambientes escolares. Para tanto, opera-se desde uma perspectiva pós-estruturalista, apoiada por ferramentas foucaultianas, como as noções de relações de poder e produção de verdades. Observa-se, partindo disso, que no decorrer da história, os mapas instituem modos de ser no espaço, agindo sobre as populações, a partir de processos educativos que distinguem qualitativamente parcelas espaciais. Ainda, atualmente, devido aos recursos tecnológicos disponíveis, novas práticas emergem em combinação com as do passado, educando sujeitos sobre comportamentos individuais e coletivos, a partir de aplicativos que tornam a vida visível. Por meio deles, e dos mapeadores, discursos foram e são fortalecidos, fazendo com que determinadas verdades se estabeleçam acerca de ser no espaço.
INFLUÊNCIA DAS PERTURBAÇÕES ANTRÓPICAS EM UNIDADES DE CONSERVAÇÃO URBANAS DE MATA ATLÂNTICA
Authors: Lima Ricardo Cordeiro de , Silva Maria Alinny Cruz da , Lima Gabriela Cordeiro de , Barros Grasiele de Lima , Ferreira Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo , Lima Neto Everaldo Marques de
Published: February 2025

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a influência de variáveis de perturbação antrópica em duas Reservas de Floresta Urbana (FURB) de Pernambuco, com o intuito de compreender como essas variáveis influenciam a diversidade e estrutura da comunidade arbórea de fragmentos com diferentes tamanhos. O estudo foi realizado na Região Metropolitana de Recife, nas FURB Mata do Passarinho e FURB Mata de Dois Unidos. A estrutura do componente arbóreo foi estudada por meio dos parâmetros fitossociológicos. Também foi estimada a diversidade de Shannon e de Simpson e equabilidade de Pielou. Foi empregado o Coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e uma Análise de Componentes Principais entre as variáveis. Verificou-se que, à medida que aumenta a distância entre a borda e o interior do fragmento, as interferências humanas diminuem, havendo maior pressão de atividades nas áreas mais próximas à borda dos fragmentos. Assim, as interferências antrópicas reduzem a abundância e diversidade das espécies florestais e influenciam na mortalidade de espécies arbóreas, causando diferenças entre as reservas de floresta urbana em virtude, principalmente, do tamanho do fragmento, apontando que a Mata do Passarinho, por ser menor, mostra-se mais afetada pelo meio urbano.
Platelet-rich plasma as a promising bioscaffold for enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration: An experimental study in a rat sciatic nerve model
Authors: Pejkova Sofija , Stojkovski Velimir , Georgieva Gordana , Aleksovski Boris , Tusheva Sofija , Srbov Blagoja , Rafailovska Elena , Azmanova Mladenovska Stefania , Jovanovska Katerina , Nikolovska Bisera , Ilievski Boro , Dzonov Boro , Ristoski Trpe , Petrushevska Anita , Gjorgoski Icko
Published: February 2025

Background: Despite advancements in surgical treatments, impairments persist after peripheral nerve injuries, prompting a shift in research toward the microenvironment of injured axons. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), rich in growth factors and derived from autologous blood, emerges as a potential candidate to accelerate nerve healing. Objective: This study investigated the role of PRP in enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve model (n = 8) in female Wistar rats. Methods: A transected sciatic nerve model was created, with both hindlimbs repaired through end-to-end neurorrhaphy. PRP, prepared from the blood of a healthy Wistar rat, was applied to one hindlimb. Functional recovery was assessed using sciatic indices. At the 20-week time point, histological evaluations were performed to compare PRP-treated hindlimbs with control ones. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the results between the two groups using three different calculations for specific parameters. Results: Walking track-based sciatic functional index (SFI) showed an improvement of 66.0%, 47.8%, and 71.6% (p < 0.05). Video analysis-based SFI revealed a 36.7% and 27.3% improvement (p < 0.05). Static sciatic index calculations indicated an improvement of 19.4% for vertical standing and 26.7% for standing on all four limbs (p < 0.001). Histopathological analysis showed a reduction in inflammation, a decrease in fibrosis, and the absence of macrophages in the sciatic nerves of the experimental group. Muscle specimens from the PRP-treated group exhibited fewer macrophages and significantly less fibrosis (p < 0.05). Overall, PRP treatment significantly improved all functional indices. Conclusion: This study demonstrated PRP’s utility in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, highlighting its potential for both fundamental research and clinical applications.
PROBLEMS OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR DUSTINESS IN SAMARKAND
Authors:   Sаmаrkаnd state Institute оf Аrсhitесturе and Соnstruсtiоn, Sаmаrkаnd, Uzbekistan, Shukurov I.S. , Shukurova L.I. ,   Tashkent Institute of Аrсhitесturе and Civil Engineering, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Published: February 2025

. This article reveals the problems of the dustiness of Samarkand, and the need to take into account local climatic features in urban planning. It shows the factors of dust formation and the features of the relief of the city. In order to study the dustiness of Samarkand, theoretical and field observations were carried out on the coastal territories of the Zerfshan River. The results demonstrate that the dustiness in residential buildings located on the coast depends on its density and the nature of the relief. The current domestic regulatory materials are of little use for assessing the dustiness of atmospheric air for the conditions of Samarkand. As the aerodynamic modeling shows, the conditions of dust dispersion can vary significantly within Samarkand.
O desbunde como poética do jogo pós-tropicalista de Maria Gladys
Authors: De Oliveira Sandro
Published: February 2025

No conturbado contexto político e social dos “anos de chumbo” no Brasil (1968–75), o trabalho atoral de Maria Gladys apresentou consonâncias com os primados pós-tropicalistas do “desbunde”: epíteto guarda-chuva cujas linhas de força estética e comportamental apresentavam certo niilismo e vazio existencial. O “desbunde” pregava certa exibição desinibida do corpo insubmisso em figurações que se distanciavam de modelos tradicionais e hegemônicos do jogo do ator. Com as técnicas atorais e as práticas comportamentais fiduciárias do “desbunde”, Maria Gladys se posicionou no epicentro da resistência contra a ditadura militar brasileira em filmes do movimento posteriormente denominado de Cinema Marginal Brasileiro.
O sexo e a política no texto estelar de Sônia Braga
Authors: Guimarães Pedro Maciel
Published: February 2025

Partindo do filme Aquarius (Kléber Mendonça Filho, 2016), almeja-se estudar como se construiu a imagem pública de Sônia Braga aliando preceitos de liberação feminina e posicionamentos políticos. Pretende-se investigar como o “texto estelar” (Butler 1991) ligado à atriz fornece elementos para a construção e recepção de algumas das suas personagens, tipos esses associados a comportamentos engajados em diferentes fases da História do Brasil e do cinema brasileiro. A personagem de Aquarius atualiza a persona da atriz, fazendo dos demais personagens de Braga o manancial que instrui a construção do corpo, do estilo de atuação e do discurso fílmico em torno da atriz. Sônia Braga seria assim o resumo do “comportamento transgressor e libertário na época da abertura política” (Shaw e Dennison 2007) e seus papeis parecem alimentados pela expressão do desejo feminino como efeito político poucas vezes visto com tanta intensidade no cinema brasileiro.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of the SnRK2 gene family in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) reveals potential stress-responsive roles
Authors: Rajesh S , Kavya S , Navinraj S , Radhamani T , Anitha T , Ramesh S V
Published: February 2025

Plants, owing to their sessile nature, have evolved mechanisms to adapt and overcome various abiotic stresses by activating different signaling pathways triggering accumulation of stress-associate proteins. A key regulator in Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2), is a plant-specific serine/threonine kinase family involved in osmotic stress responses. While members of this protein family have been analyzed in some plant species, their characterization in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), a tropical food grain legume cultivated in Africa and Southeast Asia, remains unexplored. Drought stress significantly hampers the growth and productivity of cowpea, highlighting the need for functional studies of stress-related genes. The genes encoding SnRK2 in cowpea and their detailed characterization remain unexplored. The present study attempts to identify and characterize SnRK2 gene families in cowpea using bioinformatics tools. Analysis of the draft genome of Vigna unguiculata in NCBI and Phytozome databases revealed sixteen SnRK2 genes. In silico analysis were conducted to determine gene structure, transcript length and chromosomal mapping of the genes to Vigna unguiculata genome. Domain architectures of the SnRK2 proteins were predicted. Physico-chemical characterization revealed these proteins in sizes ranging 53 to 112 kDa with pI values of 4.99 to 9.59. All identified cowpea SnRK2 proteins are hydrophilic in nature. Analysis of the evolutionary relationship of SnRK2 with other related families showed three clusters based on the relatedness to Arabidopsis thaliana and thirteen other crops. Findings of this study provide valuable insights into cowpea SnRK2 gene family and its possible implications in plant stress tolerance.
Bovarism’s Neurotic Reflections Across Cultures: A Comparative Literary Case Study in Light of Karen Horney’s Neurosis Theory
Authors: Keflioğlu Engin
Published: February 2025

This study applies Karen Horney’s theory of neurosis as a heuristic framework for analyzing bovarist characters in the literature, offering a comparative literary analysis that integrates psychoanalytic theory with cross-cultural textual examination. By exploring the characters of Emma Bovary in Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and Ayşen in Refik Halit Karay’s Bugünün Saraylısı, the article illustrates how Horney’s conceptualization of neurosis – specifically, the formation of an idealized self-image, the neurotic need for affection, ambition, and the ultimate descent into hopelessness – can be operationalized to understand the psychological underpinnings of bovarist figures. By situating the neurotic processes of Emma and Ayşen within Horney’s framework, the analysis demonstrates how their psychological conflicts, rooted in early childhood experiences and exacerbated by socio-cultural factors, manifest in self-alienation, external validation-seeking, and ultimately, existential despair. Through a close reading of textual evidence and theoretical integration, the study argues that bovarism exemplifies a literary articulation of neurosis, revealing the intricate relationship between psychological distress and narrative construction. The findings suggest that this interdisciplinary approach can serve as a model for future literary analyses, offering a nuanced perspective on the intersection of psychoanalytic theory and literary studies across different cultural and historical contexts.
Precipitation of terephthalic acid from post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate waste fractions
Authors: Müller Clemens , Franke-Hameke Dirk Wilhelm , Brepohl Esther Laura , Biermann Lars , Eichert Carsten , Scholl Stephan
Published: February 2025

Achieving circularity for post-consumer polymers requires to address and overcome significant challenges and limitations such as the efficient removal of additives, colourants, contamination from usage and undesired chain scission. A very effective approach is offered by back-to-monomer recycling processes that break up the polymer matrix, release contaminants and yield virgin-like monomers as starting material for polymer production. This study used post-consumer and post-production polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which were depolymerized by revolPET® technology. As a reaction intermediate disodium terephthalate is obtained, from which the monomer terephthalic acid (TA) can be recovered through acidic precipitation. In this present study, precipitation with acetic acid and sulfuric acid is assessed regarding the impact on recycled terephthalic acid properties and the purification potential at temperatures up to 90°C. Precipitation at elevated temperatures reduces the yellow discolouration of TA, with acetic acid being more effective. With regard to isophthalic acid (IA), a common co-monomer in PET manufacturing, an increase in temperature could reduce the IA content in TA to 90% of the original content using sulfuric acid. Precipitation with acetic acid reduced IA content to less than 20%. The results of this study deliver a novel approach to integrate the purification into the TA formation step.
Long time behavior of the field–road diffusion model: an entropy method and a finite volume scheme
Authors: Alfaro Matthieu , Chainais-Hillairet Claire
Published: February 2025

We consider the so-called field–road diffusion model in a bounded domain, consisting of two parabolic PDEs posed on sets of different dimensions (a field and a road in a population dynamics context) and coupled through exchange terms on the road, which makes its analysis quite involved. We propose a two-point flux approximation (TPFA) finite volume scheme. In both the continuous and the discrete settings, we prove the dissipation of a quadratic entropy, with some entropy dissipation-entropy relation, leading to the exponential decay in time of the solution towards the stationary state selected by the total mass of the initial data. To deal with the problem of different dimensions in the proof of the entropy dissipation-entropy relation, we artificially “thicken” the road and adapt the proof of the Poincaré–Wirtinger inequality. Numerical simulations confirm and complete the analysis, and raise new issues.
A modified predictor–corrector scheme with graded mesh for numerical solutions of nonlinear Ψ-caputo fractional-order systems
Authors: Songsanga Danuruj , Sa Ngiamsunthorn Parinya
Published: February 2025

The aim of this article is to develop a modified predictor–corrector scheme for solving the system of nonlinear

Ψ

\Psi

-Caputo fractional differential equations with order

0
<
α
<
1

0\lt \alpha \lt 1

. By using the graded mesh and considering the predictor–corrector scheme for

Ψ

\Psi

-Caputo fractional derivative, the numerical solutions of nonlinear

Ψ

\Psi

-Caputo fractional-order systems are derived. Moreover, the error estimations of predictor–corrector scheme with graded mesh are also investigated. Particularly, the accuracy of numerical solutions depended on the function

Ψ

\Psi

and the partition size on graded mesh. Numerical examples for linear and nonlinear fractional differential systems with various kernels and meshes are considered to explain the value and effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Partitions into two Lehmer numbers in ℤq
Authors: Wang Jiankang , Xu Zhefeng
Published: February 2025

Let ℤq be a complete residue system modulo an odd integer q ≥ 3. The main purpose of this paper is to give an asymptotic formula for the number of representations of an element n ∈ ℤ
q
as sum of two classical Lehmer numbers in ℤq. In addition, we make explicit the known expression for the number of the classical Lehmer numbers.
On nonoscillation of fractional order functional differential equations with forcing term and distributed delays
Authors: Viji James , Alzabut Jehad , Muthulakshmi Velu , Özbekler Abdulah
Published: February 2025

The paper deals with the nonoscillatory solutions of arbitrary noninteger-order neutral equations with distributed delays. Through the use of the LFD (Liouville Fractional Derivative) of order α ≥ 0 on the half-axis and BCP (Banach Contraction Principle), we are able to get the nonoscillation criteria. The obtained results are emphasized with some appropriate examples.
Improvements on the Leighton oscillation theorem for second-order dynamic equations
Authors: Zafer Aǧacik , Akgöl Sibel Doǧru
Published: February 2025

The time scales version of the Leighton oscillation theorem states that if

(*)

∫

t
0

∞

1

a
(
t
)

Δ

t
=

∫

t
0

∞

p
(
t
)

Δ

t
=
∞
,

$$
\int\limits_{t_0}^\infty \frac{1}{a(t)}\,{\Delta}t=\int\limits_{t_0}^\infty {p(t)}\,{\Delta}t=\infty,$$

where a and p are rd-continuous with a(t) > 0 for t ≥ t
0, then every solution of the second-order self-adjoint dynamic equation

(
a
(
t
)

x
Δ

)
Δ

+
p
(
t
)

x
σ

=
0

$$
(a(t)x^\Delta)^\Delta+p(t)x^\sigma=0$$

is oscillatory. The theorem turns into the famous Leighton oscillation theorem when the time scale is taken as the set of real numbers, and its discrete version when the time scale is taken as the set of integers. The divergence of the first improper integral in (∗) means that the dynamic equation is in canonical form. The equation is called noncanonical when the integral is convergent. In this study, we establish an improved version of the Leighton oscillation theorem on time scales that can be applied to both canonical and noncanonical types of dynamic equations. Furthermore, we allow the second improper integral in (∗) to be convergent. In the special case, we derive completely new Leighton-type oscillation theorems for second-order self-adjoint difference equations

Δ

(

a
k

Δ

x
k

)
+

p
k

x

k
+
1

=
0
,

$$
{\Delta}(a_k\Delta x_k)+p_kx_{k+1}=0,$$

where Δ is the forward difference operator, defined by Δxk
= xk

+1
− xk
(the derivative). Examples are given to illustrate the significance of these theorems.
An elementary proof of the generalized Itô formula
Authors: Ondreját Martin , Seidler Jan
Published: February 2025

For one-dimensional semimartingales, the Itô formula can be extended from C
2-functions to C
1-functions with a locally absolutely continuous derivative. We propose a new, different proof of this result, which is simple, straightforward and quite elementary, avoiding in particular the extensive theory of local times for semimartingales.
Asymptotic normality for kernel-based test of conditional mean independence in Hilbert space
Authors: Djonguet Terence Kevin Manfoumbi , Nkiet Guy Martial
Published: February 2025

We propose an estimator of the kernel-based conditional mean dependence measure obtained from an appropriate modification of a naive estimator based on usual empirical estimators. We then get asymptotic normality of this estimator both under conditional mean independence hypothesis and under the alternative hypothesis. A new test for conditional mean independence of random variables valued into Hilbert spaces is then introduced.
Analysis of the sports action recognition model based on the LSTM recurrent neural network
Authors: Chen Ping , Peng Jiangui
Published: February 2025

With the rapid growth of motion data, the traditional motion recognition algorithm is faced with the problem of insufficient processing ability. To solve this problem, a method based on gradient descent optimization (GDO)–long short-term memory (LSTM) is proposed to meet the needs of sports action recognition. Based on the experiment of sports data set of students in Hainan University, the experiments of skipping rope, swimming, skating, and shotput were carried out extensively. The total number of experiments were 77, 94, 72, and 85. The experimental results show that the accuracies of GDO-LSTM in sports action recognition were 98.7, 100, 100, and 94.1%, respectively, which was superior to that of the three-axis gyroscope (80.5, 40.4, 23.6, and 100%). These results show that the algorithm can effectively improve the accuracy of sports action recognition and has wide application potential.