bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attainment of World Health Organization physical activity recommendations by Ecuadorian children: Analysis of social and anthropometrics factors in two distinct populations
Authors: Molina-Cando María José , Chis Ster Irina , Escandón Samuel , Sanchez René-Vinicio , Rodriguez Alejandro , Chico Martha E. , Vaca Maritza , Owen Christopher G. , Van Dyck Delfien , Cooper Philip J. , Ochoa-Aviles Angelica
Published: December 2024

Daily adherence to WHO recommended physical activity guidelines has multiple health benefits in children and adolescents. Limited data from low and middle-income countries are available regarding adherence to WHO physical activity recommendations. This study aims to objectively measure physical activity intensities and explore associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors related to nonadherence to the WHO minimum physical activity recommendations. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted between 2014 and 2019 in two distinct populations of Ecuador in terms of poverty and residency (Cuenca: 66% live in urban areas, and 38.2% have unsatisfied basic needs; Quininde, 76.4% live in rural areas and 91% have unsatisfied basic needs). Waist-worn accelerometers were used to measure daily physical activity, standardized questionnaires were used to assess sociodemographic variables (age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status), and anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference) measurements were taken. Multivariable regression was used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric factors with physical activity in each study population. The study involved 650 participants in Cuenca, with a mean age of 9.1 years (SD 2.9), and 985 children and adolescents in Quinindé, with a mean age of 8.3 years (SD 0.4). In both settings, boys were more likely than girls (Cuenca: adj. OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.17–4.39; Quinindé adj. OR 5.63, 95% CI 4.03–7.85) to achieve the WHO physical activity guidelines. More affluent participants were much less likely to meet this recommendation than their poorer counterparts in both settings. In Cuenca, a higher waist circumference was inversely associated with meeting WHO daily physical activity recommendation (adj. OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98), whereas in Quinindé, adherence to WHO guidelines was more likely in non-Mestizo than Mestizo children (adj. OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.02–2.07). The findings suggest that anthropometric differences and sociodemographic disparities influence the attainment of WHO physical activity recommendations in Ecuadorian children.
Early detection of heart failure using in-patient longitudinal electronic health records
Authors: Drozdov Ignat , Szubert Benjamin , Murphy Clare , Brooksbank Katriona , Lowe David J.
Published: December 2024

Heart Failure (HF) is common, with worldwide prevalence of 1%-3% and a lifetime risk of 20% for individuals 40 years or older. Despite its considerable health economic burden, techniques for early detection of HF in the general population are sparse. In this work we tested the hypothesis that a simple Transformer neural network, trained on comprehensive collection of secondary care data across the general population, can be used to prospectively (three-year predictive window) identify patients at an increased risk of first hospitalisation due to HF (HHF). The model was trained using routinely-collected, secondary care health data, including patient demographics, A&E attendances, hospitalisations, outpatient data, medications, blood tests, and vital sign measurements obtained across five years of longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs). The training cohort consisted of n = 183,894 individuals (n = 161,658 age/sex-matched controls and n = 22,236 of first hospitalisation due to HF after a three-year predictive window). Model performance was validated in an independent testing set of n = 8,977 patients (n = 945 HHF patients). Testing set probabilities were well-calibrated and achieved good discriminatory power with Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC]) of 0.86, sensitivity of 36.4% (95% CI: 33.33%-39.56%), specificity of 98.26% (95% CI: 97.95%-98.53%), and PPV of 69.88% (95% CI: 65.86%-73.62%). At Probability of HHF ≥ 90% the model achieved 100% PPV (95% CI: 96.73%-100%) and sensitivity of 11.7% (95% CI: 9.72%-13.91%). Performance was not affected by patient sex or socioeconomic deprivation deciles. Performance was significantly better in Asian, Black, and Mixed ethnicities (AUROC 0.932–0.945) and in the 79–86 age group (AUROC 0.889). We present the first evidence that routinely collected secondary care health record data can be used in the general population to stratify patients at risk of first HHF.
Effects of structured exercise training on miRNA expression in previously sedentary individuals
Authors: Mayr Barbara , Neudorfer Michael , Wurhofer Daniela , Kilian Carolin , Strumegger Eva-Maria , Sareban Mahdi , Niebauer Josef
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNA) respond to acute bouts of vigorous exercise, such as maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET), by expressing an anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and hence probably ergogenic profile. However, the impact of long-term engagement in physical exercise on CPET-induced miRNA response in sedentary individuals, with subsequent increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, remains unclear.

Methods

Thirty-four sedentary participants underwent CPET before and after a four-month app-assisted exercise intervention, during which the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was increased to over 150 min/week. Capillary blood samples were collected before and after CPET at baseline and after the exercise intervention. Twenty target miRNAs previously reported to be responsive to exercise and exercise adaptive pathways, or linked to atherogenic properties as inflammation, or previously identified upregulated following exercise in subjects with coronary artery disease versus healthy subjects were analyzed via real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Physical activity increased from 64 ± 48 to 354 ± 332 min/week of MVPA (p<0.001, +553%), accompanied by an improvement in maximal power output during CPET (ΔWattmax: 19 ± 13, p<0.001, +9%). Eleven of the selected twenty miRNAs showed significant responses to CPETs at either the beginning or end of the study. We found a significant increase both times for miR-103a (glycolysis, %change base: +12%, post +17%), miR-146a (inflammation, %change base: +20%, post +21%), and miR-222 (cardiac remodeling, %change base: +10%, post +21%), while miR-30a (inflammation, %change base: -27%, post: -38%) decreased significantly (all p≤0.043).

Conclusion

Increased physical activity led to a significant CPET-induced change in three miRNAs from an atherogenic profile to a healthier one, indicating improved metabolic health and reduced inflammation.
Effective DDoS attack detection in software-defined vehicular networks using statistical flow analysis and machine learning
Authors: Babbar Himanshi , Rani Shalli , Driss Maha
Published: December 2024

Vehicular Networks (VN) utilizing Software Defined Networking (SDN) have garnered significant attention recently, paralleling the advancements in wireless networks. VN are deployed to optimize traffic flow, enhance the driving experience, and ensure road safety. However, VN are vulnerable to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, posing severe threats in the contemporary Internet landscape. With the surge in Internet traffic, this study proposes novel methodologies for effectively detecting DDoS attacks within Software-Defined Vehicular Networks (SDVN), wherein attackers commandeer compromised nodes to monopolize network resources, disrupting communication among vehicles and between vehicles and infrastructure. The proposed methodology aims to: (i) analyze statistical flow and compute entropy, and (ii) implement Machine Learning (ML) algorithms within SDN Intrusion Detection Systems for Internet of Things (IoT) environments. Additionally, the approach distinguishes between reconnaissance, Denial of Service (DoS), and DDoS traffic by addressing the challenges of imbalanced and overfitting dataset traces. One of the significant challenges in this integration is managing the computational load and ensuring real-time performance. The ML models, especially complex ones like Random Forest, require substantial processing power, which necessitates efficient data handling and possibly leveraging edge computing resources to reduce latency. Ensuring scalability and maintaining high detection accuracy as network traffic grows and evolves is another critical challenge. By leveraging a minimal subset of features from a given dataset, a comparative study is conducted to determine the optimal sample size for maximizing model accuracy. Further, the study evaluates the impact of various dataset attributes on performance thresholds. The K-nearest Neighbor, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression supervised ML classifiers are assessed using the BoT-IoT dataset. The results indicate that the Random Forest classifier achieves superior performance metrics, with Precision, F1-score, Accuracy, and Recall rates of 92%, 92%, 91%, and 90%, respectively, over five iterations.
The acceptability of intimate partner violence screening and response among refugee women accessing Australian resettlement services
Authors: Spence Nigel , Spangaro Jo , Man Nicola , Cameron Jacqui , Hegarty Kelsey , Koziol-McLain Jane , McMahon Tadgh , Perry-Indermaur Astrid , Toole-Anstey Chye , Walsh Jeannette , Zwi Anthony
Published: December 2024

Screening and response for intimate partner violence (IPV) is recommended for women in priority populations and is implemented in health services across diverse jurisdictions. Most women experiencing IPV strongly support screening, however this is untested with refugee women in resettlement contexts. Around one third of refugee women in Australia experience IPV and face multiple post-migration challenges. SAHAR (Safety and Health after Arrival) tested IPV screening using the ACTS tool, brief intervention, and referral with women accessing four settlement support services. Women attending sites during the study period were invited to participate in a three month follow up survey with participation by 321/375 women recruited (86%). Acceptability of IPV screening was assessed against (i) levels of comfort with the IPV screening questions and (ii) strength of agreement/disagreement with settlement services asking women about being frightened, controlled or hurt by their partners. Of participants who recalled the screening, 93% reported being very or moderately comfortable with being asked the questions (89% who had experienced IPV; 94% of those with no IPV identified). For all participants, 84% strongly or somewhat agreed with services asking the questions, with no significant difference in agreement between disclosing and non-disclosing groups. Those with no recall of the questions had lower overall agreement and higher disagreement than those who recalled the questions (88% and 10%). Acceptability was not associated with age, country of origin, household composition, time since arrival or number of prior service visits. Participants identified ‘care shown by the worker’, ‘talking to someone in my own language’, ‘trust in the privacy of the service’, and ‘talking to a female worker’ as the factors most important for encouraging discussion of IPV. High acceptance of IPV screening by refugee women supports consideration of implementation across settlement services, a key access point for refugee women with diverse needs.
Current status of biological control of introduced Phragmites in Canada: Insights from initial years of post-release monitoring and a larval density release experiment
Authors: McTavish Michael J. , Jones Ian M. , Smith Sandy M. , Bourchier Robert S.
Published: December 2024

Introduced Phragmites (Phragmites australis australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud.) is one of the most invasive plants in North America. To supplement existing management tools, a classical biological control program began in Canada in 2019 using two host-specific stem-boring moths, Archanara neurica (Hübner) and Lenisa geminipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In this article, we summarize the first three years of monitoring data for L. geminipuncta and A. neurica as biological control agents for introduced Phragmites. First, we assess agent presence and activity in the initial years post-release based on feeding damage from long-term monitoring data across 30 release sites initiated between 2019 and 2023. Second, we investigate the within-site distribution of agent feeding damage to improve future monitoring and agent collection from nurse sites. Third, we report the results of an experiment to determine optimal release densities of A. neurica larvae. We found agent feeding damage at 92% of initial release sites in the first year and agent activity persisted at all of these sites into years two and three post-release. Patterns of agent feeding damage suggest that the agents disperse quickly through the patch following release, favouring the interior area over the edges of introduced Phragmites stands. Finally, releasing intermediate densities of 40 A. neurica larvae per release point was more efficient than releasing either units of 20 or 80 larvae. The results of the first three years of monitoring are highly encouraging for the introduced Phragmites biological control program. Insights from these early monitoring results will be used to refine optimal release strategies, improve our ability to locate egg-bearing stems at nurse sites to facilitate the collection and redistribution of agents to new release locations, and inform protocols for longer-term monitoring of impacts on the target weed once agents are established.
Decay experiments and microbial community analysis of water lily leaf biofilms: Sediment effects on leaf preservation potential
Authors: Palmer Brianne , Karačić Sabina , Low Shook Ling , Janssen Kathrin , Färber Harald , Liesegang Moritz , Bierbaum Gabriele , Gee Carole T.
Published: December 2024

Understanding the intricate dynamics of sediment-mediated microbial interactions and their impact on plant tissue preservation is crucial for unraveling the complexities of leaf decay and preservation processes. To elucidate the earliest stages of leaf preservation, a series of decay experiments was carried out for three months on Nymphaea water lily leaves in aquariums with pond water and one of three distinctly different, sterilized, fine-grained substrates—commercially purchased kaolinite clay or fine sand, or natural pond mud. One aquarium contained only pond water as a control. We use 16S and ITS rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to identify and characterize the complex composition of the bacterial and fungal communities on leaves. Our results reveal that the pond mud substrate produces a unique community composition in the biofilms compared to other substrates. The mud substrate significantly influences microbial communities, as shown by the correlation between high concentrations of minerals in the water and bacterial abundance. Furthermore, more biofilm formers are observed on the leaves exposed to mud after two months, contrasting with declines on other substrates. The mud substrate also enhanced leaf tissue preservation compared to the other sediment types, providing insight into the role of sediment and biofilms in fossilization processes. Notably, leaves on kaolinite clay have the fewest biofilm formers by the end of the experiment. We also identify key biofilm-forming microbes associated with each substrate. The organic-rich mud substrate emerges as a hotspot for biofilm formers, showing that it promotes biofilm formation on leaves and may increase the preservation potential of leaves better than other substrates. The mud’s chemical composition, rich in minerals such as silica, iron, aluminum, and phosphate, may slow or suspend decay and facilitate biomineralization, thus paving the way toward leaf preservation. Our study bridges the information gap between biofilms observed on modern leaves and the mineral encrustation on fossil leaves by analyzing the microbial response in biofilms to substrate types in which fossil leaves are commonly found.
Stroke survivor and caregiver experiences of virtual reality gaming to promote social participation: A qualitative study
Authors: Lo Suzanne Hoi Shan , Chau Janita Pak Chun , Choi Kai Chow , Butt Laveeza , Lau Alexander Yuk Lun , Lee Vivian Wing Yan , Kwok Eddie Chi Fai , Thompson David R.
Published: December 2024

Background

Virtual reality (VR) gaming is a promising technology that can be applied in stroke rehabilitation to increase survivors’ social engagement, though its optimal usage and effects on stroke recovery are not fully understood. This qualitative study aimed to investigate stroke survivors’ and caregivers’ perspectives of VR-based gaming rehabilitation modules for supporting post-stroke recovery and social participation.

Methods

Twenty-eight participants (18 stroke survivors and 10 caregivers) were recruited through purposive sampling from acute hospitals in Hong Kong. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were carried out, with the first round exploring participants’ previous knowledge of VR, views about its relevance to stroke rehabilitation, and expected benefits. The second round of interviews was conducted immediately post-intervention to investigate participants’ experience, satisfaction, and areas for improvement. Resulting data were thematically analysed.

Results

Most participants were female (75%) with secondary education or above (82%). For stroke survivors, the average duration since stroke was 9.39 (SD = 10.48) years and most were first-time survivors (89%). Main themes identified included (1) Shift in attitudes towards VR technology; (2) Perceptions of VR effectiveness; and (3) Practical drawbacks and design recommendations. Participants reported positive experiences with the VR-based gaming modules, including increased confidence in mobility and heightened awareness regarding outdoor safety and accessibility. Despite concerns regarding hygiene and discomfort with gaming equipment, participants found VR gaming to be engaging and conducive to their recovery.

Conclusion

The VR-based gaming modules were well-received by survivors and their caregivers and considered as an appealing and useful method of post-stroke rehabilitation. Improvements in survivors’ attitudes towards VR technology, and self-observed benefits to their physical and psychosocial health, were noted. Areas for optimisation included expansion of game length and contents, options for alternative gaming equipment, and enhanced design elements.
Investigation of electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics across various frequencies in porous media of goaf
Authors: Zhang Qingsong , Zhao Weikang , Zhuo Hui , Lin Long , Li Zuojian
Published: December 2024

The reliable long-distance transmission of electromagnetic wave signals within goaf is fundamental for the implementation of wireless monitoring and early warning systems for goaf-related disasters. This paper establishes an experimental platform for electromagnetic wave signal transmission within goaf and develops a propagation model for electromagnetic waves in the porous media of goaf. The transmission characteristics of electromagnetic waves at various frequencies within the porous media environment of goaf are investigated through experimental and numerical simulation approaches. The results indicate that the received signal intensity of electromagnetic waves across different frequency bands diminishes with increasing propagation distance in the lossy environment of the goaf. Initially, the decay follows a logarithmic pattern, whereas, at later stages, the attenuation exhibits a gradual and smooth decrease. As the frequency increases, the initial attenuation amplitude of electromagnetic wave intensity rises; however, subsequent attenuation is largely unaffected by frequency, with the later attenuation rate being proportional to porosity. Electromagnetic waves at a frequency of 700 MHz exhibit a low attenuation coefficient under both experimental and simulated conditions, demonstrating superior stability and reliability. This frequency significantly enhances the overall performance of the communication system and is suitable for use as the operational frequency band in wireless sensor networks.
Transcriptome analysis of two isolates of the tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum, uncovers genome-wide patterns of alternative splicing during a host infection cycle
Authors: Zaccaron Alex Z. , Chen Li-Hung , Stergiopoulos Ioannis
Published: December 2024

Alternative splicing (AS) is a key element of eukaryotic gene expression that increases transcript and proteome diversity in cells, thereby altering their responses to external stimuli and stresses. While AS has been intensively researched in plants and animals, its frequency, conservation, and putative impact on virulence, are relatively still understudied in plant pathogenic fungi. Here, we profiled the AS events occurring in genes of Cladosporium fulvum isolates Race 5 and Race 4, during nearly a complete compatible infection cycle on their tomato host. Our studies revealed extensive heterogeneity in the transcript isoforms assembled from different isolates, infections, and infection timepoints, as over 80% of the transcript isoforms were singletons that were detected in only a single sample. Despite that, nearly 40% of the protein-coding genes in each isolate were predicted to be recurrently AS across the disparate infection timepoints, infections, and the two isolates. Of these, 37.5% were common to both isolates and 59% resulted in multiple protein isoforms, thereby putatively increasing proteome diversity in the pathogen by 31% during infections. An enrichment analysis showed that AS mostly affected genes likely to be involved in the transport of nutrients, regulation of gene expression, and monooxygenase activity, suggesting a role for AS in finetuning adaptation of C. fulvum on its tomato host during infections. Tracing the location of the AS genes on the fungal chromosomes showed that they were mostly located in repeat-rich regions of the core chromosomes, indicating a causal connection between gene location on the genome and propensity to AS. Finally, multiple cases of differential isoform usage in AS genes of C. fulvum were identified, suggesting that modulation of AS at different infection stages may be another way by which pathogens refine infections on their hosts.
PROJETO DE VIDA NO NOVO ENSINO MÉDIO:
Authors: Paiva Alessandra , Wandercil Marco , Garcia Paulo Sérgio
Published: December 2024

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar como os professores do componente curricular Projeto de Vida, no contexto do Novo Ensino Médio, estruturam e conduzem suas atividades avaliativas. A investigação busca compreender a existência de critérios claros nesses processos, verificando a incorporação desses critérios tanto no material didático quanto na prática docente. Para isso, adota-se uma abordagem metodológica qualitativa, que recorre à pesquisa bibliográfica para conceituar o componente obrigatório e os critérios de avaliação da aprendizagem a partir da literatura acadêmico-científica, e à pesquisa documental para a análise de materiais didáticos e notas de quatro docentes, sendo dois da rede pública e dois da rede privada. Embora o Projeto de Vida possua características neoliberais, o estudo revelou que os professores não utilizam critérios claros para avaliar a complexidade e subjetividade deste componente curricular, destacando a necessidade de critérios mais transparentes para garantir uma avaliação justa e formativa.
Reimagining citizen science as inclusive praxis
Authors: Carr Jessica E. , Holliman Richard , Seale Jane , Scanlon Eileen , Shaw-Williams Ruth
Published: December 2024

The Banbury My Life My Choice Self-Advocacy Group, Jessica Carr and three supervisors worked together to research how people with learning disabilities do citizen science. As a research group, we made our own citizen science project exploring an issue of relevance and interest to us. Using creative research methods, we learnt about research skills together and found out what research we would like to do. We then used these skills to make our own citizen science project, and we worked together to create a project of relevance to our community. This article looks at how we worked together to do our research, explores some of the challenges we faced and shows how we solved them. Our aim is to share what we have learnt to provide researchers with examples of how to work with and support people with learning disabilities to do citizen science.
Stroke and transient ischemic attack mimickers
Authors: Kulesh A. A. , Demin D. A.
Published: December 2024

In 1.4–6.5% of patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected stroke, another condition is diagnosed (stroke mimicker, SM). Type of neurological event (stroke or SM) determines further patient management, both in terms of diagnostics and treatment. An error leads to a delay in the treatment of the underlying disease – stroke, epilepsy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, etc. At the same time, differential diagnosis remains primarily a clinical task, facilitated to some extent by instrumental research methods. This article presents approaches to the differentiation of stroke, transient ischemic attack and their mimickers: metabolic encephalopathies, migraine, epileptic seizures, peripheral vestibular diseases and functional neurological disorders.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, terminology and therapeutic issues: amended consensus opinion
Authors: Krasnov V. S. , Vlasov Yu. V. , Evdoshenko E. P. , Korobko D. S. , Matson M. D. , Nilov A. I. , Sokolova A. A. , Totolian N. A. , Khachanova N. V , Shumilina M. V. , Davydovskaya M. V.
Published: December 2024

In Russian Federation in 2022, the Expert Council adopted the main definitions and terms for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and proposed a treatment algorithm for patients with NMOSD with antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG). The publication is intended to present the results of the work of the Russian Expert Council in September 2024. The experts agreed on clarifications of previously published terminology, new definitions, current issues in the therapy of NMOSD, proposed profiles of patients with NMOSD for ravulizumab and a monitoring plan during treatment with this drug, and agreed on an updated algorithm for prescribing medications that prevent exacerbations in patients with NMOSD with AQP4-IgG aged 18 years and older.
Pain and cognitive functions – the battle for cognitive reserve
Authors: Akhmedzhanova L. T. , Tabeeva G. R. , Mandra E. V.
Published: December 2024

Back pain and headache are the most common pain syndromes and have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. In the process of pain chronification emotional-affective, cognitive and motivational components can be distinguished. Cognitive impairments (CI), such as attention deficits, memory loss, reduced learning and decision-making abilities, are observed in almost one third of patients with chronic pain. The spectrum of CI in patients with chronic back pain is age-dependent. Primary headaches are also associated with the development of CI. An important measure to prevent CI in chronic pain is effective pain relief. Lornoxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that acts at different levels of pain formation. The mutual influence of back pain and headache on cognitive function and the maintenance of cognitive potential in the complex treatment of patients are discussed.
Building Resilient Financial Performance: a Case Study of Indonesian Islamic Banks in The Perspective of SDGs
Authors: Asy-syihab Moch. Nauval , Rafiuddin Muhammad , Ashari Nesha Rizky , S. Kau Najwa Nainawa
Published: December 2024

Research Aims: This study examines the impact of financial indicators—Non-Performing Financing (NPF), Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR), Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), and Operating Expenses to Operating Income (BOPO)—on the Return on Assets (ROA) of Indonesian Islamic banks, aiming to contribute to SDG 8 by enhancing understanding of financial performance factors.
Methodology: A quantitative approach is applied using secondary data from Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) covering 2018–2022. Multiple linear regression analysis identifies significant factors influencing ROA.
Research Findings: The study finds that NPF, FDR, CAR, and BOPO all significantly affect ROA. Specifically, while NPF has a positive but insignificant impact, FDR, CAR, and BOPO exhibit negative and significant effects on ROA, suggesting that Islamic banks should focus on credit quality, capital adequacy, and operational efficiency.
Theoretical Contribution: This research provides novel insights by exploring the financial ratios' influence on ROA within Indonesian Islamic banks, contributing to the limited literature in this specific area and offering implications for the sector's sustainability in line with SDG 8.
Research limitation and implication: The study is limited to secondary data from nine banks over five years. Future research could expand to more banks or explore other performance measures. The findings offer practical implications for improving the financial stability and growth strategies of Islamic banks.
The Fathom for Good and Evil: Decoding Religious Meaning System in Antonio Campos’ The Devil All the Time (2020)
Authors: ‘Izzah Lina Mawaddatul , Pratama Rifka
Published: December 2024

Religion and humans are like salt and pepper, they are inseparable. The former becomes an integral part to define the lives of the latter. In some cases, religion is perceived as a tool to construct system of meaning. Utilizing Silberman’s paradigm, this article tries to uncover the manifestation of religion as a groundwork of meaning system in human life within The Devil All the Time (2020) by Antonio Campos. A qualitative method is adopted, with data sourced from library research encompassing both written materials such as books and academic journals and visual media specifically the movie itself. The findings reveal that religion incarnates as meaning system through various elements – self and world belief, contingencies, expectations, goals, actions, and emotions. The concept of religious meaning system is exemplified by several characters who are directly tangent to the religious practices.
Co-cultivation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Trichoderma harzianum: Synergistic effects on plant growth and biocontrol of jasmine collar rot
Authors: Arshath Khan A , Yesuraja I , Revathy N , Chandramani P , Merina PKS
Published: December 2024

Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a valuable and culturally significant flowering crop in India. Still, its cultivation is greatly impacted by collar rot disease, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., resulting in yield losses of up to 50%. This study explores co-culture technology, utilizing Trichoderma harzianum TR(D)-4 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2, as an integrated single-product solution for the biological control of this pathogen. Field surveys conducted across major jasmine-growing districts in Tamil Nadu revealed a range of disease severity (20% - 52%) and incidence (29% - 64%). The collar rot pathogen, and biocontrol agents were isolated from surveyed locations and identified through morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis based on ITS and 16S rDNA sequences. In vitro assays using dual-plate and paired-plate methods demonstrated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2 achieved inhibition rates of 71.34% and 78.27%, respectively, while Trichoderma harzianum TR(D)-4 exhibited inhibition rates of 86.27% and 75.43% against Sclerotium rolfsii SR(D)-5. Co-culturing these antagonistic strains synergistically improved antifungal effectiveness, achieving an 87% inhibition rate against S. rolfsii compared to their separate cultures. The synergistic interaction in co-culture promoted the production of novel compounds, including alpha-bisabolol (AB), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and harziandione, which enhanced plant growth and inhibited S. rolfsii. Further planta studies confirmed that the co-culture significantly reduced disease incidence and enhanced plant growth in both pre-and post-inoculation strategies. This research highlights the potential of co-culturing T. harzianum TR(D)-4 and B. amyloliquefaciens BC(M)-2 as an effective and sustainable approach for managing collar rot disease in jasmine.
Application of sensing methods in agricultural sector for the detection of pesticide residues: An overview
Authors: Dixit Aishwarya , Kumar Nishant , Upadhyay Ashutosh , Bajpai Vivek K , Cho Youngjin , Yang Yu-jeong , Huh Yun Suk , Shukla Shruti
Published: December 2024

Pesticides negatively affect the environment and human health, primarily through bioaccumulation in the food system. The detection of pesticides in the agriculture system is needed to reduce their negative impacts. Furthermore, there are several conventional methods such as chromatography, etc. available to detect and quantify the different types of pesticides, but these methods have limitations including higher cost, requirement of complex methodology, expertise and specialized gear and are inappropriate for real-time field screening. To overcome the challenges posed by conventional methods, nanotechnological approaches are gaining huge popularity in agriculture sector as nano-sensing strategies played an important role for remediation, detection and pollution control in the environment. Nano-sensors have potential advantages such as low cost, selectivity, sensitivity, robustness and real-time monitoring of the pesticides present in the food system and helps in improving the crop productivity management. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the importance and role of nanotechnology approaches in the agriculture sector for real time detection of pesticides. This review also describes the different types of biosensors such as optical, enzymatic, colorimetric, electro-chemical, potentiometric and immune sensors while highlighting their mechanism and nanoparticle interactions in the agriculture sector for pesticide detection. The recent study on the development of low-cost nanoparticle based nano sensors for pesticide detection is focused on gathering detailed information using databases such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science, etc.
Earthquakes and Intertemporal Preferences: A Field Study in Italy
Authors: Attanasi Giuseppe , Nese Annamaria , Sbriglia Patrizia , Senatore Luigi
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we report data drawn from a field study in an Italian region (Campania), where a disastrous earthquake took place in 1980. We rely on subjects’ responses to a questionnaire and on experimental measures. We compare the time preferences in two different samples, the first one constituted by subjects who directly experienced the earthquake and its aftermath effects, and the second one constituted by subjects who lived far away from the earthquake epicentre, but in urban areas with comparable socioeconomic features. Our aim is to test whether there are long run effects of environmental disasters on time preferences. We find significant differences, since individuals living close to the epicentre are more patient than subjects in the alternative sample, also controlling for risk aversion.
Distribution and dispersal of adult spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in organically grown strawberries in Florida
Authors: Rhodes Elena M. , Chase Carlene A. , Liburd Oscar E.
Published: December 2024

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a vinegar fruit fly that infests ripening and ripe berries and other thin-skinned fruits in Europe and the Americas. Previous studies have identified numerous wild hosts and have documented movement into crops from these wild hosts. Other studies have documented higher numbers of D. suzukii in crops adjacent to wild hosts. We studied D. suzukii adult movement and distribution in strawberries at an organic research station plot away from alternate hosts in 2016–2017, and at an organic on-farm site with a woody field border in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. On the research station trial traps were placed 5 m outside the north border of the field and 5, 10, 20, and 40 m into the field. The same design was used in the on-farm trials with the addition of traps along the woody border. Populations of D. suzukii on the research station trial were low and randomly distributed. In contrast, D. suzukii male and female numbers on the on-farm trial were higher in the woods border and strawberry field edge compared with numbers farther into the strawberry plot in both years. The trend was more pronounced for males, especially in 2018–2019. Implications for management of D. suzukii in strawberries are discussed.
Artificial intelligence in medical problem-based learning: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Chen Yaoxing , Qi Hong , Qiu Yu , Li Juan , Zhu Liang , Gao Xiaoling , Wang Hao , Jiang Gan
Published: December 2024

Problem-based learning (PBL) in medical education has encountered challenges affecting both teachers and students. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into PBL may provide potential solutions to these challenges. This paper aims to discuss the potential advantages of AI, where we found these merits of AI have the potential to improve the quality of PBL lessons. It is also important to pay attention to ethical guidelines and other limitations of AI in PBL lessons as well. Examples of interactions with AI chatbots are provided to demonstrate its application possibility. It is recommended to try using AI in PBL lessons, making it more adaptable for the PBL classroom. Future research should further explore the capabilities of AI, with the goal of developing a more personalized and adaptive learning experience within PBL.
Entre guerras e microrganismos: Explorando o potencial da Paleopatologia na análise do impacto das doenças infecciosas durante a Guerra do Paraguai
Authors: Lino Jaisson Teixeira , Brandão de Queiroz Isabella
Published: December 2024

A Guerra do Paraguai, maior conflito bélico da América Latina, ocorreu entre 1864 e 1870, opondo o Paraguai às forças aliadas do Brasil, Argentina e Uruguai em razão de intrincadas disputas geopolíticas. De acordo com a literatura, as doenças, especialmente as infecciosas, desempenharam um papel tão significativo nas fatalidades quanto as armas. O presente artigo busca explorar as potencialidades do estudo paleopatológico das doenças infecciosas, buscando aprimorar a compreensão de seu impacto no conflito. Abordaremos os desafios inerentes a essa análise e propomos uma abordagem interdisciplinar e multimetodológica para otimizar os resultados, integrando a história, com o uso de fontes escritas, iconográficas e fotográficas à análise paleopatológica, baseada em métodos da osteologia, biologia, imagiologia biomédica e biologia molecular. Ao correlacionar dados bioarqueológicos com fontes estabelecidas, essa pesquisa visa proporcionar novas perspectivas sobre saúde, condições de vida e estratégias médicas da época.
Inhibition of Pyroptosis by Hydroxychloroquine as a Neuroprotective Strategy in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Peng Wenshuo , Guo Kaiming , Hu Jian , Wang Qianchun
Published: December 2024

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a well-known antimalarial and anti-inflammatory drug, has demonstrated potential neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke by inhibiting pyroptosis, a programmed cell death associated with inflammation. This study investigates the impact of HCQ on ischemic stroke pathology using both in vivo and in vitro models. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were treated with HCQ. Neurological deficits, infarct volume, and the expression of pyroptosis markers were evaluated. The results demonstrated that HCQ significantly improved motor function and reduced infarct volume in the MCAO mouse model. In vitro, BV2 microglial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) were treated with HCQ. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that HCQ effectively suppressed the expression of pyroptosis markers GSDMD and NLRP3 in both in vivo and in vitro models. These findings suggest that HCQ mitigates ischemic stroke damage by inhibiting pyroptosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which HCQ exerts its neuroprotective effects, offering a promising new avenue for developing safe, cost-effective, and widely applicable stroke treatments. The potential of HCQ to modulate neuroinflammatory pathways presents a significant advancement in ischemic stroke therapy, emphasizing the importance of targeting pyroptosis in stroke management and the broader implications for treating neuroinflammatory conditions.
Improving Children’s Health. Hygiene, Medicine and Pedagogy in the Italian School-medical Service and the Case of Milan (1950–1970)
Authors: Polenghi Simonetta
Published: December 2024

In 1910, Italy’s General Healthcare Law set out plans for a school-medical service but limited it to the prevention of infectious diseases. It was only in 1961, three years after the establishment of the Ministry of Health, that the school-medical service was founded with a wider remit. The full implementation of the decree came in 1967 when the regulations were issued. This delay by the state was counterbalanced in Milan by the intense activity of the City Health Department. The capital of the economic boom in the 1950s and ‘60s, Milan had two mayors who were doctors, a long tradition of care for children and schools, and a wide network of doctors involved in social medicine. The aim of this paper is to show how in Milan in the 1950s and ‘60s, children’s physical condition was the subject of intense interest as a result of campaigns that linked hygiene, medicine and pedagogy to improve children’s health.
GLP-1R/NPY2R regulate gene expression, ovarian and adrenal morphology in HFD mice
Authors: Khan Dawood , Sridhar Ananyaa , Moffett Charlotte R
Published: December 2024

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and neuropeptide Y receptors (NPYRs) are expressed in reproductive tissues contributing to the regulation of gonadal function. This exploratory study examines the potential impact of their modulation by assessing the effects of exendin-4 (Ex-4) and peptide YY (PYY) (3–36) on endocrine ovaries and adrenals in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. Ex-4 and PYY(3–36) reduced blood glucose and energy intake, with no effects on body weight. While HFD did not impact the estrous cycle, Ex-4 increased metestrus frequency and decreased diestrus frequency resulting in 0% mice experiencing repeated diestrus or becoming acyclic. Luteinizing hormone levels were significantly higher in the Ex-4 and PYY(3–36) groups compared to the normal diet and HFD controls. In the adrenals, reduced capsule and zona glomerulosa thickness caused by HFD was reversed after peptide treatments. Within the ovaries, HFD increased the number of atretic follicles, an effect that disappeared after Ex-4 and PYY(3–36) treatments. Ex-4 also increased the number of corpora lutea owing to the prolonged metestrus phase. Gene expression analysis within the adrenals revealed the upregulation of Insr and the downregulation of Prgtr in HFD mice, while Ex-4 downregulated the expression of Gipr. The ovarian gene expression of Gipr, Npy1r and Prgtr was downregulated by Ex-4 treatment, while PYY(3–36) significantly downregulated the Prgtr expression compared to HFD mice. These data indicate that manipulating GLP-1R and NPY2R leads to changes in the reproductive physiology of mice. In addition, the observed alterations in the morphology and gene expression in the adrenals and ovaries imply a direct impact of these peptides on female reproductive function.
La necesaria tarea de revalorizar la metaforología: Una cuestión vital. Reivindicando la figura de Hans Blumenberg
Authors: Gómez Bermejo Pablo
Published: December 2024

El presente escrito reivindicará la obra de Paradigmas para una metaforología de Hans Blumenberg. Para ello, se advertirá de los riesgos en la aproximación hacia la obra de Hans Blumenberg, así como se revelarán determinados hechos históricos relevantes para su abordaje. Tras ello, se explorarán algunos artilugios conceptuales de fundamental importancia para comprender la obra de Hans Blumenberg y revindicar, con ellos, la ya existente preocupación por la condición existencial del ser humano.
El pathos heroico en la filosofía de la modernidad temprana: Una lectura blumenberguiana desde el concepto de absolutismo de la realidad
Authors: Quintero Ocampo Oscar Alberto
Published: December 2024

El propósito del artículo es mostrar que la pretensión de dominio y control de la realidad que caracteriza a la filosofía de la modernidad temprana obedece a una cierta disposición ‘heroica’ presente en las premisas sugeridas por pensadores del talante de Nicolás Copérnico, Francis Bacon o René Descartes, entre otros. Para dichos filósofos, el asunto propio del pensar debía conducir de manera inequívoca al develamiento de una verdad irrefutable. Sin embargo, en el artículo se defiende la idea de que el ‘heroísmo’ de la filosofía de la modernidad temprana responde a la necesidad de afirmar la existencia humana frente a lo que Blumenberg denomina Absolutismus der Wirklichkeit. De este modo, contrario a la presunción de haber develado la arché fundante del cosmos expresado en la matematización del mundo, el conocimiento producido por la tradición filosófica de los siglos XVI y XVII puede comprenderse como una forma de mediación con el ser cuyos límites no recaen sobre los atributos propios del objeto, sino en las posibilidades humanas de relación y entendimiento de la realidad.
Migración y conflictos de soberanía. Relaciones de poder, juegos de poder y violencia política
Authors: Hibou Béatrice
Published: December 2024

La migración se ha convertido en una cuestión política decisiva para la mayoría de los países, y es, sin duda, una de las problemáticas más estudiadas en los últimos años. Este artículo se propone ampliar este horizonte de trabajo mediante una aproximación al mismo a través del también clásico problema de la soberanía; tanto como el énfasis puesto en las dimensiones conflictivas propias de ésta. Su originalidad al respecto surge de su enfoque: la adopción de una concepción relacional de la soberanía (en vez de una substancialista). El objetivo es mostrar que la soberanía es efectivamente una idea, un discurso y un término, pero que ella es, ante todo, un punto axial en torno al cual las relaciones políticas son puestas en juego. Para ello, examinaremos las figuras que la pretenden o la reclaman, la diversidad de maneras en las cuales los agentes aspiran a afirmarla y los múltiples juegos habilitados mediante su reivindicación. En este sentido, el fenómeno migratorio actual se aparece como el ámbito ideal para la expresión de plurales y heterogéneas reclamaciones de soberanía, que lo conciben de un modo fragmentado y diversificado presto a servir a los juegos políticos, dando lugar a conflictos de soberanía cuya violencia, sin embargo, puede ser letal.