bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of a persistent altered neural state in people with fibromyalgia syndrome during functional MRI studies and its relationship with pain and anxiety
Authors: Stroman Patrick W. , Staud Roland , Pukall Caroline F.
Published: January 2025

Altered neural signaling in fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) was investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We employed a novel fMRI network analysis method, Structural and Physiological Modeling (SAPM), which provides more detailed information than previous methods. The study involved brain fMRI data from participants with FM (N = 22) and a control group (HC, N = 18), acquired during a noxious stimulation paradigm. The analyses were supported by fMRI data from the brainstem and spinal cord in FM and HC, brain fMRI data from participants with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), and eye-tracking data from an fMRI study of FM. The results demonstrate differences in connectivity, and in blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) responses, between FM and HC. In the FM group, BOLD signals underwent a large increase during the first 40 seconds of each fMRI run, prior to the application of any stimuli, compared to much smaller increases in HC. This indicates a heightened state of neural activity in FM that is sustained during fMRI runs, and dissipates between runs. The exaggerated initial rise was not observed in PVD. Autonomic functioning differed between groups. Pupil sizes were larger in FM than in HC, and the groups exhibited pupil dilation to the same levels during noxious stimulation. The initial BOLD increase varied in relation to state and trait anxiety scores. The results indicate that people with FM enter a heightened state of neural activity associated with anxiety and autonomic functioning, during every fMRI run, concurrent with increased pupil sizes, and heightened pain sensitivity. These findings may relate to the well-known hypervigilance and global hypersensitivity of FM participants.
Carbon stock quantification and climate mitigation potential of a tropical moist forest in Ethiopia
Authors: Shembo Alemayehu K. , Soromessa Teshome , Demissew Sebsebe , Geremew Addisie , Ray Ram L. , Carson Laura
Published: January 2025

The significance of forests in absorbing and storing carbon plays a crucial role in international greenhouse gas policies outlined by the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCC). This study was conducted in a typical tropical moist forest of Ethiopia to assess its carbon stock, a critical issue in climate policy. The study domain was divided into six strata using elevation criteria. Ninety sample plots were used to gather relevant data from all carbon pools (above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, litter, herbs, lying dead woods, and soils) following the standard operating procedure. ANOVA, post hoc analysis and correlation tests were used to analyze the collected data. The finding revealed that carbon stock in Sele-Nono forest varies not only within its carbon pools but also across environmental factors. Moreover, the study indicated that soil, above-ground biomass, and lying dead woods store the majority of the carbon. The forest stored 284.81±107.81 tons of carbon per hectare, which is equivalent to absorbing 157.12 Megatons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This highlights the critical role of the forest in mitigating climate change on a global scale. The finding from this study encourages policymakers to rigorously focus on forest conservation as a strategy for sustainable climate mitigation. Moreover, conserving forests through strengthening UN initiatives like REDD+ is imperative to prevent potential emissions from land use changes, such as deforestation or degradation.
Occupational burnout during war: The role of stress, disruptions in routine, sleep, work-family conflict, and organizational support as a moderator
Authors: Kalfon Hakhmigari Maor , Diamant Irene
Published: January 2025

Background

Occupational burnout, resulting from long-term exposure to work-related stressors, is a significant risk factor for both physical and mental health of employees. Most research on burnout focuses on routine situations, with less attention given to its causes and manifestations during prolonged national crises such as war. According to the Conservation of Resources theory, wartime conditions are associated with a loss of resources, leading to accelerated burnout. This study aimed to examine burnout among employees during the war in Israel that broke out in October 2023, placing the population nationwide in a state of existential threat and functional crisis. The researchers hypothesized that Stress, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, sleep disruption, and routine disruption (H1-H5) would be positively associated with occupational burnout. In addition, the study examined whether organizational strategies, such as flexibility and volunteering, would be negatively associated with burnout (H6) and whether they would moderate the relationship between work-family conflict and burnout during wartime (H7).

Methods

The study involved 374 employees recruited through social networks via a snowball sampling method during the war. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing demographic details, burnout, stress, routine disruptions, work family conflict (work-to-family and family-to-work conflict), sleep disturbances, and organizational support measures. Hierarchical linear regression and Pearson correlation were utilized to model the outcome variable of occupational burnout and Process Model 1 was utilized for the moderation hypothesis.

Results

Findings revealed a notable level of burnout during wartime (M = 3.95, SD = 1.15). Routine disruptions, work-to-family conflict, and sleep disturbances significantly contributed to burnout beyond stress levels, thus hypotheses H1 to H5 were partly supported. Additionally, the organizational resource variable of offering volunteering opportunities was associated with lower burnout levels and moderated the relationship between work-to-family conflict and burnout, thus partially supporting hypotheses H6 and H7.

Conclusion

The findings enhance the understanding of burnout during prolonged crises like war, highlighting the importance of maintaining routine as a key resource for order and control. They also emphasize the role of organizational volunteering in preventing burnout. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Automated mold defects classification in paintings: A comparison of machine learning and rule-based techniques
Authors: Nordin Hilman , Abdul Razak Bushroa , Mokhtar Norrima , Jamaludin Mohd Fadzil , Mehmood Adeel
Published: January 2025

Mold defects pose a significant risk to the preservation of valuable fine art paintings, typically arising from fungal growth in humid environments. This paper presents a novel approach for detecting and categorizing mold defects in fine art paintings. The technique leverages a feature extraction method called Derivative Level Thresholding to pinpoint suspicious regions within an image. Subsequently, these regions are classified as mold defects using either morphological filtering or machine learning models such as Classification and Regression Trees (CART) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The efficacy of these methods was evaluated using the Mold Features Dataset (MFD) and a separate set of test images. Results indicate that both methods improve the accuracy and precision of mold defect detection compared to no classifier. However, the CART algorithm exhibits superior performance, increasing precision by 32% to 53% while maintaining high accuracy (96%) even with an imbalanced dataset. This innovative method has the potential to transform the approach to managing mold defects in fine art paintings by offering a more precise and efficient means of identification. By enabling early detection of mold defects, this method can play a crucial role in safeguarding these invaluable artworks for future generations.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of cation-proton antiporter (CPA) gene family in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and their expression profiles in response to phytohormones
Authors: Islam Md. Shohel Ul , Akter Nasrin , Zohra Fatema Tuz , Rashid Shuraya Beente , Hasan Naimul , Rahman Shaikh Mizanur , Sarkar Md. Abdur Rauf
Published: January 2025

The cation-proton antiporter (CPA) superfamily plays pivotal roles in regulating cellular ion and pH homeostasis in plants. To date, the regulatory functions of CPA family members in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have not been elucidated. In this study, we use rice public data and information techniques, 29 OsCPA candidate genes were identified in the rice japonica variety (referred to as OsCPA) and phylogenetically categorized into K+ efflux antiporter (KEA), Na+/H+ exchanger (NHX), and cation/H+ exchanger (CHX) groups containing 4, 7, and 18 OsCPA genes. The OsCPA proteins were predominantly localized in the plasma membrane and unevenly scattered on 11 chromosomes. The structural analysis of OsCPA proteins revealed higher similarities within groups. Prediction of selection pressure, collinearity, and synteny analysis indicated that all duplicated OsCPA genes had undergone strong purifying selection throughout their evolution. The cis-acting regulatory elements (CAREs) analysis identified 56 CARE motifs responsive to light, tissue, hormones, and stresses. Additionally, 124 miRNA families were identified in the gene promoters, and OsNHX7 was targeted by the highest number of miRNAs (43 miRNAs). Gene Ontology analysis demonstrated the numerous functions of OsCPA genes associated with biological processes (57.14%), cellular components (7.94%), and molecular functions (34.92%). A total of 12 transcription factor families (TFFs), including 40 TFs were identified in gene promoters, with the highest numbers of TFFs (5TFFs) linked to OsCHX13, and OsCHX15. Protein-protein interaction analysis suggested maximum functional similarities between rice and Arabidopsis CPA proteins. Based on expression analysis, OsKEA1, OsKEA2, OsNHX3, and OsNHX7 were frequently expressed in rice tissues. Furthermore, OsNHX3, OsNHX4, OsNHX6, OsNHX7, OsCHX8, and OsCHX17 in abscisic acid, OsKEA1, OsNHX3, and OsCHX8 in gibberellic acid, OsKEA1, OsKEA3, OsNHX1, and OsNHX3 in indole-3-acetic acid treatment were demonstrated as potential candidates in response to hormone. These findings highlight potential candidates for further characterization of OsCPA genes, which may aid in the development of rice varieties.
Undergraduates’ lifestyle and Suboptimal Health Status (SHS): A cross-sectional study in the Ha’il region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaif Bandar , Asweto Collins Otieno , Hassan Sehar-un-Nisa , Alzain Mohamed Ali , Saeed Mohammed Elshiekh , Kassar Ahmed , Ali Kamal Elbssir Mohammed , Ghorbel Mouna , Zrieq Rafat , Wang Wei
Published: January 2025

Background

University students in Saudi Arabia are embracing some of the negative traits of the fast-paced modern lifestyle, typified by unhealthy eating, low physical activity, and poor sleep habits that may increase their risk for poor health. Health and holistic well-being at the population level are among the priorities of the 2030 vision of a vibrant society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The current study thus aims at determining the prevalence and predictive factors of Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) among university students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 9,026 undergraduate students between 31st May and 15th June 2023. The data was collected through an online questionnaire using the Arabic translation of the SHS (ASHSQ-25) and the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ). The chi-square test, Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), hierarchical multiple regression, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) were performed to analyze the data using IBM SPSS software (version 25.0) at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results

The findings showed that 33.7% (3038) of the students were classified as having SHS. The prevalence of SHS was statistically higher among younger and those studying social science discipline, overweight, had poor diets, engaged in low physical activity, and slept <6 hours (p<0.001). Canonical loadings of these factors were significant in predicting the five SHS dimensions range (0.52–0.97). Furthermore, the extracted significant variables from the multiple regression analysis indicated the final model (Model 3) was statistically significant, R2 = 0.646, F (6,9019), p <0.0001, suggesting that 64.6% of the variance in the SHS can be explained by the predictor variables in the model. These variables included age, college, academic level, diet, BMI, and sleeping duration.

Conclusion

Findings show that modifiable predictors such as poor sleep quality, higher BMI scores, and poor dietary habits increase SHS risk among university students in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the findings of this study emphasize the necessity of early interventions that promote healthy lifestyles.
Mucosal leishmaniasis is associated with the Leishmania RNA virus and inappropriate cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment
Authors: Pazmiño Fredy A. , Parra-Muñoz Marcela , Saavedra Carlos H. , Muvdi-Arenas Sandra , Ovalle-Bracho Clemencia , Echeverry María C.
Published: January 2025

Background

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a severe clinical form of leishmaniasis that is characterized by the destruction of the nasal and/or the oral mucosae and appears as a late complication in 5% to 10% of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases produced by species belonging to Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus. Some strains of Leishmania spp. carry an RNA virus known as Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) that may contribute to the appearance of ML.

Methods

To examine the role of LRV type 1 (LRV1) as a risk factor associated with ML, a retrospective case-control study involving 103 patients was conducted. Cases were defined as patients with ML (n = 33), and controls corresponded to patients with CL and without mucosal lesions (n = 70). Clinical data were recorded from the patient’s medical records. Cryopreserved biopsies were used to detect LRV1 and identify Leishmania species.

Results

The frequency of LRV1 in the 103 patients was 16.5% (95% CI,10.4–25.12) being higher in samples from cases [33.33% (95% CI,18.89–51.76) than from controls [8.57% (95% CI, 3.82–18.10)]. L. (V.) braziliensis was identified in 63.6% of cases and 55.7% of the controls. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that infection with Leishmania spp. carrying LRV1 (OR = 6.30; 95% CI,1.52–26.10, p = 0.011) acts as risk factors for ML occurrence, while the completed treatment for the cutaneous event decreases the risk of ML (OR = 0.039; 95% CI, 0.01–0.12, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our data support the association between LRV1 and ML occurrence and emphasize the effect of completed treatment for CL in preventing ML.
A systematic review on malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) vaccine challenges in sub-Saharan African clinical trials
Authors: Hamisi Maonezi Abas , Asri Nur Ain Mohd , Yassim Aini Syahida Mat , Suppian Rapeah
Published: January 2025

Objective

For more than a century, developing novel and effective vaccines against malaria and Tuberculosis (TB) infections has been a challenge. This review sought to investigate the reasons for the slow progress of malaria and TB vaccine candidates in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.

Methods

The systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO on July 26, 2023 (CRD42023445166). The research articles related to the immunogenicity, efficacy, or safety of malaria or TB vaccines that were published between January 1, 2012, and August 31, 2023, were searched on three databases: Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

Results

A total of 2342 articles were obtained, 50 of which met the inclusion criteria. 28 (56%) articles reported on malaria vaccine attributes, while 22 (44%) articles reported on TB vaccines. In both cases, the major challenges in sub-Saharan African clinical trials were immunogenicity and efficacy, rather than safety.

Conclusion

Factors such as population characteristics, pathogen genetic diversity, vaccine nature, strategy, and formulation were associated with slow progress of the malaria and TB vaccine candidates in sub-Saharan African clinical trials.
Structural design and safety performance of a novel high-strength steel lightweight guardrail
Authors: Wei Hongliang , Wei Yongke , Dai Zhenhua , He Tingquan , Wu Changsong , Peng Dongmin , Zhang Feng
Published: January 2025

Highway guardrails are critical safety infrastructure along roadways, designed to redirect vehicles back into their lanes and facilitate a gradual deceleration to a complete stop. Traditional highway steel guardrails exhibit significant limitations, including inadequate energy absorption, susceptibility to corrosion, and an increased risk of vehicles leaving the roadway during severe collisions. Furthermore, the production and transportation of these guardrails contribute to substantial carbon emissions and environmental pollution. This study presents an optimization of the cross-sectional shape of the conventional corrugated beam guardrail, proposing a lightweight structure that incorporates high yield strength steel plate HR700F to enhance energy absorption capacity. The safety performance of the proposed guardrail is rigorously assessed through finite element numerical simulations and full-scale collision tests with real vehicles. Key performance indicators—such as the maximum dynamic lateral deflection of the guardrail, occupant impact velocity, and acceleration—are utilized to evaluate the energy absorption and protective efficacy of the structure. Results indicate that the optimized guardrail not only meets SB-level safety standards but also demonstrates superior anti-collision performance and effective energy absorption and buffering characteristics. The proposed design achieves a reduction in beam plate thickness by 1.3 mm, resulting in a lightweight structure with a weight reduction of up to 44%, thereby supporting the advancement of low-carbon, environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.
Associations between dialysis modality and adherence to immunosuppression after kidney transplantation—A single-center study
Authors: Ortiz Fernanda , Salonsalmi Aino , Helanterä Ilkka
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with end-stage kidney disease often prefer home-based dialysis due to higher self-efficacy, which relates to improved medical treatment adherence. Kidney transplantation (KT) success depends on adhering to immunosuppressive medication post-transplant.

Objectives

To investigate whether adherence post-kidney transplantation (KT) and patients’ attitudes toward immunosuppression were influenced by their prior dialysis type modality. Additionally, the study examined if adherence and patient’s attitudes towards immunosuppression are associated with kidney graft survival.

Methods

This cross-sectional single-center study included 201 KT patients. Adherence was assessed using BAASIS and the coefficient of variation of calcineurin inhibitors (COV-CNI). Patient attitudes towards medication were evaluated using the Q-method. Pill burden, comorbidity score and HRQoL and medication complexity, were scored. Cox regression was applied to determine KT survival outcomes over a 14-year follow-up period (until Dec 2021).

Results

Prior dialysis modality was not associated with adherence to immunosuppression post-KT evaluated by BAASIS on average 4.7 years post-KT. Previous in-center hemodialysis patients had a higher CNI-COV (p = 0.011). The Q-sort analysis identified fully adherent patients linked to profile 1 (organized, resilient) whereas profile 2 patients were more careless. Patients linked to profile 3 (challenging, nervous) had higher education, a higher pill burden, and experienced more immunosuppression side effects. Death-censored graft loss increased by 7.6% with each additional pill, quadrupled if one dose of immunosuppression was missed, and increased by 2.9% for each point of COV-CNI rise.

Conclusions

Adherence to immunosuppression post-KT using BAASIS was not associated with prior dialysis type, despite in-center hemodialysis patients showing the highest COV-CNI. Taking COV-CNI into account, managing missed doses of immunosuppressants, and exploring patient attitudes could potentially enhance adherence and consequently improve KT survival.
Preliminary screening of new biomarkers for sepsis using bioinformatics and experimental validation
Authors: Wang Hao , Xiong Wei , Zhong Wu , Hu Yingchun
Published: January 2025

Background

The morbidity and mortality of sepsis remain high, and so far specific diagnostic and therapeutic means are lacking.

Objective

To screen novel biomarkers for sepsis.

Methods

Raw sepsis data were downloaded from the Chinese National Genebank (CNGBdb) and screened for differentially expressed RNAs. Key genes with predictive value were identified through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and meta-analysis and survival analysis using multiple public databases. Core genes were analyzed for functional enrichment using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA). The core genes were localized using single-cell sequencing. qPCR was used to validate the core genes.

Results

Differential analysis yielded a total of 5125 mRNA. WGCNA identified 5 modules and screened 3 core genes (S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2). The prognosis of sepsis patients was strongly linked to S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 based on meta-analysis and survival analysis(P < 0.05).GSEA analysis showed that S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 were significantly enriched in ribosome-related pathways. S100A11 and QPCT were widely distributed in all immune cells, and QPCT was mainly localized in the macrophage cell lineage. In the sepsis group, the qPCR results showed that S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 expression levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group(P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study, S100A11, QPCT, and IFITM2 were screened as new potential biomarkers for sepsis. Validated by bioinformatics analysis and qPCR, these genes are closely associated with the prognosis of sepsis patients and have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Validation of the brief physical activity assessment tool: Comparison of telephone and in-person administration
Authors: Vilarinho Rui , Amorim Liliana , Gomes Diana , Teixeira Pedro , Alves da Silva Ana , Santos Janete , Bernardo Filipa , Correia de Sousa Jaime , Almeida Fonseca João , Jácome Cristina
Published: January 2025

We examined the reliability and validity of the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT) when administered by telephone interview compared to in-person administration. We analyzed data from the Epi-asthma study. Adult participants registered in the participating Portuguese primary health care centres (PCC) completed the BPAAT via telephone. After ~3 days (range 0–5 days), they had a face-to-face visit at their PCC and completed BPAAT using a tablet. The BPAAT classify individuals as "insufficiently active" (score 0–3) or "sufficiently active" (score 4–8). 355 subjects (60.8% female, 54[IQR 42–66] years) were included. The median BPAAT score was 2[0–4] for both methods, with a significant correlation (rho = 0.58, p<0.001). Test-retest reliability was moderate (ICC = 0.56, 95%CI 0.49–0.63). Agreement in physical activity classification was fair (71.5%, kappa = 0.31, 95%CI 0.21–0.41), with telephone administration classifying more individuals as "sufficiently active" (37.2%) than in-person (15.5%). Telephone administration of the BPAAT is a valid and reliable approach for monitoring of physical activity in the general population. However, it may slightly overestimate activity levels compared to face-to-face administration, particularly among subjects aged 65 years and older.
Examining driving stability and traffic capacity: A simulation study on appropriate speed limits in expressway work zones
Authors: Guo Qingwen , Guo Baohua , Zhao Ziyan
Published: January 2025

In order to obtain proper speed limits in expressway work zones, CarSim and TruckSim software were used to determine the critical car and truck safe speeds and then VISSIM software was used to determine the traffic capacities and their corresponding speed limits under different upstream transition area lengths and road adhesion coefficients. The results show that critical car and truck safe speeds increase exponentially while traffic capacity and its corresponding speed limit increase logarithmically with rising road adhesion coefficient under a constant upstream transition area length, and critical car and truck safe speeds increase as a power function while traffic capacity and its corresponding speed limit increase exponentially with rising upstream transition area length under a constant road adhesion coefficient. Because Road Traffic Signs and Markings- Part 4: Work Zone (RTSM, GB 5768.4–2017) only gave the relationship between speed limit and upstream transition area length without considering road adhesion coefficient, the obtained determination method of optimal speed limit in expressway work zone in this paper has better reference value.
Physiological growth of ocular axial length among Chinese children and teenagers: A 6-year cohort study
Authors: Chen Yanxian , Ding Xiaohu , Xiong Ruilin , Zhang Jian , Song Fan , Zhao Ziwei , Lai Mengying , Zeng Yangfa , He Mingguang
Published: January 2025

To investigate the pattern and threshold of physiological growth, defining as axial length (AL) elongation that results in little refraction progression, among Chinese children and teenagers, a total of 916 children aged between 7 and 18 years from a 6-year longitudinal cohort study were included for analysis. Ocular biometry, cycloplegic refraction and demographic data were obtained annually. Physiological growth was calculated based on myopic progression and Gullstrand eye model, respectively. The annual change in AL was found to be significantly smaller in the persistent emmetropia (PE) group compared to the incident myopia (IM) and persistent myopia (PM) group at all ages (all P < 0.05). In children with non-progressive myopia, there was observed axial elongation ranging from 0.17 to 0.23 mm/year between the ages of 9 and 12. This growth rate persisted at approximately 0.10 mm/year beyond the age of 12. While the compensated AL growth calculated using Gullstrand model was only 0.02 to 0.15 mm/year at age of 9–12, and decreased to around 0 mm/year after age of 12. For children aged 7–9 years, the cutoff point for AL growth to distinguish between progressive myopia and non-progressive myopia was 0.19 mm/year. These findings indicate a notable disparity between the thresholds of physiological growth calculated using myopic progression and Gullstrand eye model. This observation suggests that when formulating effective myopia control strategies, consideration should be given to different calculation methods when applying physiological AL growth as a starting point or target.
Efficacy of different routes of triamcinolone acetonide administration on macular edema: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Kexin , Yi Jinyang , Xu Juan , Zhong Li , Su Na
Published: January 2025

There is different administration routes of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration for macular edema, but the efficacy ranking remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of different administration routes of TA employed in macular edema. PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched for published articles comparing macular edema in patients with triamcinolone acetonide in different administration. The sparse network was evaluated using a random-effects model and consistency model within the Bayesian framework, utilizing the multinma package in R. The evidence was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations. Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. A total of 1138 citations were identified by our search, of which 20 RCTs enrolled 892 eyes. The network showed that intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) was associated with a statistically significant better best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 12th week compared to placebo (MD: − 0.15, 95% CI: − 0.30 to − 0.01, P < 0.05), which was moderate-quality evidence. IVTA and suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (SCTA) were both associated with a statistically significant reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) at the 12th week, which was moderate evidence. The probabilities of rankings and SUCRA demonstrated that sub-Tenon’s infusion of triamcinolone acetonide (STiTA) might be the worst. SCTA and IVTA were proven to be the best administration routes for improving BCVA and reducing CMT. In addition, STiTA was less advisable than other administration routes of triamcinolone acetonide according to the rankings and SUCRA.
Modelling sensory attenuation as Bayesian causal inference across two datasets
Authors: Eckert Anna-Lena , Fuehrer Elena , Schmitter Christina , Straube Benjamin , Fiehler Katja , Endres Dominik
Published: January 2025

Introduction

To interact with the environment, it is crucial to distinguish between sensory information that is externally generated and inputs that are self-generated. The sensory consequences of one’s own movements tend to induce attenuated behavioral- and neural responses compared to externally generated inputs. We propose a computational model of sensory attenuation (SA) based on Bayesian Causal Inference, where SA occurs when an internal cause for sensory information is inferred.

Methods

Experiment 1investigates sensory attenuation during a stroking movement. Tactile stimuli on the stroking finger were suppressed, especially when they were predictable. Experiment 2 showed impaired delay detection between an arm movement and a video of the movement when participants were moving vs. when their arm was moved passively. We reconsider these results from the perspective of Bayesian Causal Inference (BCI). Using a hierarchical Markov Model (HMM) and variational message passing, we first qualitatively capture patterns of task behavior and sensory attenuation in simulations. Next, we identify participant-specific model parameters for both experiments using optimization.

Results

A sequential BCI model is well equipped to capture empirical patterns of SA across both datasets. Using participant-specific optimized model parameters, we find a good agreement between data and model predictions, with the model capturing both tactile detections in Experiment 1 and delay detections in Experiment 2.

Discussion

BCI is an appropriate framework to model sensory attenuation in humans. Computational models of sensory attenuation may help to bridge the gap across different sensory modalities and experimental paradigms and may contribute towards an improved description and understanding of deficits in specific patient groups (e.g. schizophrenia).
A novel feature extraction method based on dynamic handwriting for Parkinson’s disease detection
Authors: Lu Huimin , Qi Guolian , Wu Dalong , Lin Chenglin , Ma Songzhe , Shi Yingqi , Xue Han
Published: January 2025

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common disease of the elderly. Given the easy accessibility of handwriting samples, many researchers have proposed handwriting-based detection methods for Parkinson’s disease. Extracting more discriminative features from handwriting is an important step. Although many features have been proposed in previous researches, the insight analysis of the combination of handwriting’s kinematic, pressure, and angle dynamic features is lacking. Moreover, most existing feature is incompletely represented, with feature information lost. Therefore, to solve the above problems, a new feature extraction approach for PD detection is proposed using handwriting. First, built on the kinematic, pressure, and angle dynamic features, we propose a moment feature by composed these three types of features, an overall representation of these three types of features information. Then, we proposed a feature extraction method to extract time-frequency-based statistical (TF-ST) features from dynamic handwriting features in terms of their temporal and frequency characteristics. Finally, we proposed an escape Coati Optimization Algorithm (eCOA) for global optimization to enhance classification performance. Self-constructed and public datasets are used to verify the proposed method’s effectiveness respectively. The experimental results showed an accuracy of 97.95% and 98.67%, a sensitivity of 98.15% (average) and 97.78%, a specificity of 99.17% (average) and 100%, and an AUC of 98.66% (average) and 98.89%. The code is available at https://github.com/dreamhcy/MLforPD.
Assembly and application of a low-cost high-resolution imaging device for hyphae in soil
Authors: Schaefer Holger
Published: January 2025

Soil imaging in the field and laboratory has greatly advanced our understanding of plant root systems. Soil fungi function as important plant symbionts and decomposers of complex organic material in soil environments. For fungal hyphae, however, the application of soil imaging remains scarce, limiting our understanding of hyphal systems in soil. This scarce application is partly due to the challenging development of a soil imaging device for hyphae: technical requirements to resolve fine hyphae (2–5 μm in diameter) are high, while the device cost must be low to facilitate sufficient deployment that can capture the high spatial heterogeneity of hyphal dynamics in soil. This protocol describes the do-it-yourself assembly and application of a low-cost high-resolution imaging device for observing hyphae in soil. The assembly of the open-source imaging device relies on many 3D-printed parts, reducing material costs to ca. 930 USD. The application of the imaging device yields soil profile images with a resolution of up to 0.52 μm px-1 (49000 dpi) within an observable volume of 70 × 210 × 1.5 mm. By repeatedly imaging a soil profile using the presented techniques, changes in the amount, distribution, and morphology of hyphae in soil can be observed and quantified.
Italian Gothic: An Edinburgh Companion, Marco Malvestio and Stefano Serafini (eds) (2023)
Authors: Saggini Francesca
Published: January 2025

Review of: Italian Gothic: An Edinburgh Companion, Marco Malvestio and Stefano Serafini (eds) (2023)

Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 255 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47449-016-0, h/bk, £90

ISBN 978-1-47449-018-4, e-book, £24.99
Hacer camino
Authors: Teira Muñiz Ismael
Published: January 2025

Se propone el acto de caminar y hacer camino como herramienta artística y pedagógica, una metodología particular que fomenta la creatividad, la percepción espacial y la observación del entorno en el caso concreto de los ‘caminos del deseo’. Para aproximarnos a dicho fenómeno se parte del trabajo de algunos artistas como Richard Long, Olafur Eliasson o Esther Ferrer que han utilizado el caminar como un medio para cuestionar el productivismo y explorar la relación entre el cuerpo y el espacio. El texto subraya la importancia de investigar estos caminos en contextos como campus universitarios, donde se reflejan patrones de movimiento reiterados. En el ámbito docente, caminar se convierte en una experiencia creativa que une la investigación y la creación, dejando improntas tanto físicas como conceptuales en la noción estética de paisaje y en la sociedad.
Práctica docente y aprendizaje
Authors: Macareno Ramos Jon
Published: January 2025

A través del texto se abordarán problemáticas fundamentales que se dan alrededor de la enseñanza y transmisión del saber escultórico y su experiencia en el contexto universitario (UPV/EHU). Se plantea la importancia de superar y adaptar las condiciones propias de la formación reglada a un contexto capaz de propiciar una experiencia in situ, real, que atraviese las distintas fases del aprendizaje del alumnado. Así mismo, se reflexiona acerca de nociones como estructura, los límites del discurso, la práctica, el proceso o el levantamiento material y su forma.
Jólét vagy jóllét?
Authors: Roszik Dóra
Published: January 2025

Az iskolai és a tanulói jóllét fogalmának terjedése a XXI.
század elejére vezethető vissza, bár a hazai és nemzetközi
szakirodalomban mindkét meghatározás használata széles körben
elterjedt, mégsem mindig egyértelműek a jelentésbéli különbségek,
megkülönböztetésüket nehezíti, hogy ezek a kifejezések gyakran
váltakozva jelennek meg, sőt, akár egy tanulmányon belül is
szinonimákként azonos értelmet hordoznak (Nagy, 2015). Az iskola
központi szerepet tölt be a serdülők fejlődésében, hiszen fő
munkahelyként szolgál ezen korosztály számára, amelyet olyan, a
felnőttekéhez hasonló elvárások jellemeznek, mint a
monotonitástűrés, a határidők betartásának fontossága, valamint az
egyéni felelősség vállalásának hangsúlyozása (Samdal, Dür és
Freeman, 2004). A felnőttekhez hasonlóan a serdülők is olyan
benyomásokkal, kihívásokkal szembesülnek, amelyek akár szorongást
vagy stresszt okozhatnak számukra, és ennek következtében
befolyásolják iskolai jóllétüket, többnyire negatív irányban. Az
iskolai jóllét nemcsak a jelenlegi és jövőbeli jóllétben és
egészségi állapotban játszik fontos szerepet (Bond, Butler,
Thomas, Carlin, Glover és Bowes, 2007; Samdal, Dür és Freeman,
2004), hanem a későbbi tanulmányi eredményekben is meghatározó
szerepet tölt majd be (Upadyaya és Salmela-Aro, 2013).
Az iskolai agresszió és zaklatás jelenségvilága, megjelenési formái
Authors: Horcsák-Szabó Kitti , Újvári Nóra , Kovács-Berta Renáta
Published: January 2025

A mai társadalomban a különböző oktatási-nevelési intézményekben megfigyelhető agresszió és erőszak egyaránt próbára teszi a pedagógusok, az iskolavezetés és a szülők türelmét, konfliktuskezelési és cselekvőképességét. A probléma érzékenysége nemcsak a diák-diák kapcsolatokat, hanem a tanár-diák, illetve tanár-szülő kölcsönös bizalmi viszonyt is megnehezíti. A közösségi média egyre nagyobb szerepet tölt be a kapcsolattartásban, így az iskolai konfliktusok már nem csupán a fizikai térben nyilvánulhatnak meg, hanem a virtuális közegben is. Amíg az iskolai zaklatás után az áldozat az otthonában biztonságra lelt, addig az elektronikus zaklatásnak nincsenek térbeli, időbeli korlátai, így az áldozat még szorongóbbá válhat. A zaklatási esetek kihatnak az áldozat személyiségére, iskolai teljesítményére, ugyanakkor kortárskapcsolataiban is elszigetelődhet. Az iskolai zaklatás a passzív szemlélőkre is negatív hatással van, mind inter-, mind intraperszonális szempontból, a tehetetlenség érzése és bűntudat kísérti az esetek szemtanúit. Kutatási eredmények rámutatnak, hogy a zaklatás kapcsolatban áll az osztályklímával, a diákok közérzetével, tehát az iskolai agresszió nem egyéni, hanem osztály- még inkább iskolaszintű probléma. Az iskolai környezet önmagában növelheti vagy csökkentheti a zaklatásos esetek előfordulását. Az intervenció és prevenció szempontjából nem lehet figyelmen kívül hagyni azt a tényt, hogy a zaklatás összetett jelenség, ezért szükséges az egyéni, családi és iskolai együttműködés kialakítása és olyan program létrehozása, mely hatékony megoldás lehet a zaklatás minden résztvevője számára.
construção de uma ecovila como processo educador
Authors: Benetton Lorena Gebara , Sorrentino Marcos , Bacci Denise de La Corte , Peres Isabela Kojin
Published: January 2025

Com objetivo de colaborar com a produção de conhecimentos vivenciados na construção de uma ecovila, analisou-se como as práticas ecopedagógicas podem desenvolver uma comunidade que busca ser sustentável em um município em área de preservação de mananciais e remanescentes da Mata Atlântica. A abordagem qualitativa da pesquisa-ação, permitiu que a metodologia participativa fosse parte do processo de reflexão, análise e intervenção coletiva na busca de soluções para problemas reais. A partir do olhar sistêmico das ecopedagogias, identificou-se três categorias analíticas pós-interpretativas: o pertencimento, a coletividade e a participação. Os dados, resultantes do estudo de caso em triangulação com a revisão bibliográfica, discutiram caminhos participativos, emancipatórios e contínuos na promoção de espaços educadores como catalisadores de novos modelos de desenvolvimento sustentável local, em articulação com movimentos globais para a transição em direção a sociedades sustentáveis.
Plano de Ação para Prevenção e Controle do Desmatamento na Amazônia Legal (PPCDAm): Uma Revisão de Escopo sobre Institucionalização, Eficácia e Desmantelamento
Authors: Dos Reis Guilherme Dourado , Corazza Rosana Icassatti
Published: January 2025

As principais fontes geradoras de Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE) no Brasil correspondem às atividades associadas à mudança de uso do solo e florestas, especialmente decorrentes da supressão da vegetação nativa. O setor agropecuário é o segundo maior emissor. Geograficamente, a Amazônia concentra essas emissões; o avanço crescente do desmatamento na região levou, em 2004, à criação do Plano de Ação para Prevenção e Controle do Desmatamento na Amazônia Legal (PPCDAm). Este artigo apresenta resultados de um mapeamento da literatura dedicada ao PPCDAm, tendo como questões norteadoras o entendimento, do ponto de vista da literatura especializada, do processo de institucionalização do plano, sua eficácia e seu recente período de desmantelamento. A metodologia empregada segue os padrões do Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) para Scoping Review (ScR). Essa revisão permitiu descrever e analisar as quatro fases do PPCDAm, que se desdobram entre 2004 e 2019, com destaque para a efetividade das fases iniciais do plano (2004-2012) com redução de cerca de 84% do desmatamento em 2012 quando comparado a 2004. O mapeamento da literatura permitiu identificar uma lacuna nos estudos acadêmicos no que tange à análise da quarta fase (2016-2019) e o desmantelamento do plano. Essa fase é contextualizada pelo foco na mitigação das mudanças climáticas com o objetivo de cumprir as metas do Plano Nacional de Mudanças Climáticas para o ano de 2020, pela assinatura pelo Brasil do Acordo de Paris, comprometendo-se em alcançar o desmatamento ilegal zero até 2030, com a gestão Temer e o início da gestão Bolsonaro, no início da qual o PPCDAM foi interrompido.
Sobre el valor ético de la compasión: Kant y Schopenhauer en diálogo
Authors: Pessis Begoña
Published: January 2025

El artículo tiene como propósito establecer un diálogo entre las posturas de Kant y Schopenhauer respecto al posible valor ético de la compasión. En síntesis, mi propuesta es que la compasión es una condición necesaria de la ética, pero no suficiente. Una consideración detenida de los argumentos de ambos autores y el examen de dos problemas que surgen de su confrontación permitirá concluir, al menos de modo verosímil, que prescindir de la compasión en la ética es tan desacertado como hacer de ella el único móvil moral.
¿Es posible complementar la noción de trasfondo («Background») de Charles Taylor con el «Mitsein» heideggeriano?
Authors: Loyola Cortés Rudyard Mauricio
Published: January 2025

La pregunta por la posible complementariedad entre la noción de trasfondo (Background) de Charles Taylor y el Mitsein (coestar) heideggeriano busca indagar no solo sobre la posibilidad de una coherencia entre dos nociones de autoría diversa, sino constatar si la noción de trasfondo de Taylor contiene en sí misma una dimensión ontológica hacia el otro que le pertenece en propiedad. Se persigue mostrar cómo el mundo heideggeriano es, para Taylor, perfectamente coherente con el trasfondo heideggeriano y cómo el Mitsein se encuentra en una forma no explícita en la filosofía del canadiense.
Foucault y el poder: una cronología de su producción
Authors: Chamorro Emmanuel
Published: January 2025

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo reconstruir y ordenar aquella parte de la obra de Michel Foucault dedicada a la cuestión del poder y desarrollada fundamentalmente alrededor de la década de 1970. Partiendo de un análisis exhaustivo de las fuentes, se presenta un estudio bibliográfico que no solo cataloga las principales aportaciones de Foucault a este debate, sino que las organiza cronológicamente con minuciosidad. De este modo, acudiendo a los originales, así como a los diferentes estudios que han tratado de ordenar su producción, se ofrece un catálogo detallado de sus textos fundamentales para comprender tanto el alcance como las inflexiones del trabajo desarrollado en el marco de ese «momento político» de su obra.
Význam společenské odpovědnosti podniku pro efektivní správu společností
Authors: Putnová Anna , Seknička Pavel , Uhlář Pavel
Published: January 2025

From the global perspective, modern Corporate Governance is a tool designed for interdisciplinary use. Currently, the role of economy in developing corporate governance is the primary focus. It is back in the first half of the l 990's that the concept of corporate governance emerged based on a belief that the non-formal social norms are no less important than the formal ones. In modem times, it is mostly the principles of social responsibility that have an increasing impact on the performance of corporations at least as much as the formal, that is, the legal norms. In the 2000's, informal norms help make the institutional structure more flexible and sensitive both to sailent and more hidden interests, resulting in improved business activities such as resource allocation. They can also be used to meet the global social and environmental challenges. This paper uses the methodology of a fuzzy expert system to track the key CSR parameters, as a management focus viewed by corporate governance. This is an original deployment of artificial intelligence to model CSR parameters.
Evropský zatýkací rozkaz
Authors: Herczeg Jiří
Published: January 2025

According to the Conclusions of the Tampere European Council of 15 and 16 October 1999, and in particular point 35 thereof, the formal extradition procedure should be abolished among the Member States in respect of persons who are fleeing from justice after having been finally sentenced and extradition procedures should be speeded up in respect of person suspected of having committed an offence.
The European arrest warrant provided for in this Framework Decision is the first concrete measure in the field of criminal law implementing the principle of mutual recognition which the European Council referred to as the cornerstone of judicial cooperation.
The European arrest warrant is a judicial decision issued by a Member State with a view to the arrest and surrender by another Member State of a requested person, for the purposes of conducting a criminal prosecution or executing a custodial sentence or detention order. Member States shall execute any European arrest warrant on the basis of the principle of mutual recognition and in accordance with the provisions of this Framework Decision.